Food & Farm News

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How the light brown apple moth affects farm exports

Canada, Mexico change LBAM quarantine rules

Worried that the light brown apple moth could spread, two key trading partners have revised rules for farm products grown in infested California counties. Canada and Mexico changed their regulations for farmers exporting to those nations. Farmers and nursery owners in affected counties are assessing the impact of the rule changes. Government inspectors must certify products as free of the light brown apple moth before they can be shipped.

Pixie mandarin harvest starts in Ojai Valley

The pixies have started to arrive in Southern California markets. Farmers who grow pixie mandarins in the Ojai Valley say their annual harvest has begun. The pixie variety grows only in the Ojai Valley, but farmers have expanded acreage in order to expand their markets. The added production allows farmers to sell to wholesalers as well as at Southern California farmers' markets. Farmers say the pixies show excellent quality this year and should be available through June.

Orchard damage leads to disaster declaration

Emergency aid will become available to Sacramento Valley farmers who suffered damage during severe winds in early January. The U-S Agriculture Department has declared an agricultural disaster in Sutter County. The declaration makes farmers there and in neighboring counties eligible to apply for low-interest, emergency loans. Windstorms on January 4th knocked down trees in almond, prune and walnut orchards and caused other farm damage.

Farm advisors seek strategy for blueberry pest

As blueberry acreage has expanded in the Central Valley, an insect pest has found a new source of food. The insect, called citrus thrips, has caused trouble for orange growers for years. Now, it has begun to infest blueberry plantings. University of California farm advisors are developing an integrated pest management program to keep thrips away from blueberries. Possible tactics include use of a fungus that acts as a natural enemy of the insect.

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