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Recent rain and the outlook for precipitation

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

It's been a good week for accumulating the rain and snow that California needs … and weather watchers say the state could use about nine more weeks like this one to assure average precipitation for the year. The state meteorologist says a storm that moved through California earlier this week was "a good statewide rainmaker." A dry winter could lead to additional water cutbacks across the state.

Imports take greater share of asparagus market

Americans are eating more fresh asparagus, but most of it comes from other countries. That's a concern for California farmers, who grow most domestic asparagus. A government report issued this week estimated that nearly 80 percent of the fresh asparagus consumed in the U.S. came from foreign countries, chiefly Peru and Mexico. Domestic asparagus acreage has been falling, but the California Asparagus Commission says it expects acreage here to stabilize.

Mexico to resume spinach imports

Mexico says it will reopen its borders to California-grown spinach. Mexico had closed its borders in September of last year, after spinach was linked to food-borne illnesses. The California Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement announced the resumption of spinach exports yesterday (Thursday). All sales to Mexico will come from companies participating in the agreement, which verifies enhanced food safety standards for spinach and other leafy greens.

Medfly find will extend Dixon quarantine

The discovery of another Mediterranean fruit fly in Dixon means the fight against the area's pest infestation will last a little longer. The latest Medfly, confirmed this week, was the first found in Dixon in nearly three months. The California Department of Food and Agriculture says the discovery means it will likely lengthen its restrictions on movement of crops grown in the region. But the quarantine might be extended by only one additional week.

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