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» May 16, 2008 «

Congress approves new 5-year farm bill

The U.S. Senate followed the House in passing a new 5-year farm bill yesterday. Both the House and Senate provided enough votes to override an expected presidential veto. President Bush now has ten legislative days to act on the bill, and Farm Bureau representatives remain hopeful the president will sign the bill. A California Farm Bureau spokeswoman says the bill will include funding for nutrition, trade and conservation programs.

Rising fuel prices change consumer dining habits

Concerns about rising fuel prices and other economic pressures encourage Americans to eat at home more often and make fewer shopping trips each week. An annual Grocery Shopper Trends Report from the Food Marketing Institute says more than 70 percent of participants in its survey plan to do more cooking at home. The survey says Americans also plan to buy more store-brand items and eat leftovers more often.

European demand for California almonds on the rise

The attitudes of European consumers mean a lot to California almond farmers. European nations buy half of the almonds that California exports. The Almond Board of California says consumer surveys indicate Western European shoppers are paying more attention to how the products they eat are grown. The board says that bodes well for California almonds, and it will work to make sure consumers know about the sustainable growing practices used on many almond farms.

Farmers cope with high winds, heat

An early California heat wave, coupled with high winds, may impact nut and vegetable crops. Almond and prune growers in Tehama County are keeping a watchful eye on the weather as heat and wind may harm young trees, already hit by frost earlier this year, in the coming days. Tomato growers in Yolo County are halting putting in young transplants, keeping water on what's already been placed in the ground, as the combination of high winds and over 90 degree temperatures persist.