Food & Farm News
» July 8, 2008 «
Burned rangeland will need years to recover 
Rangeland scorched by wildfire will need at least three years to recover. The wildfires burning around California have damaged thousands of acres of pasture and range. A University of California rangeland specialist says at least three years of average rainfall will be needed to restore the burned ground so it produces the forage it had been providing. Fires have destroyed forage that ranchers were relying on to provide food for their animals this fall.
Misters, fans and shades cool dairy cows
Dairy farmers know that the hot temperatures expected around California this week will lead their cows to produce less milk. But farmers do all they can to keep their cows comfortable during warm weather. A farm advisor says dairy farmers have water misters and fans working to cool their animals. Farmers also provide shade over feeding areas. However, when temperatures do not cool much at night, milk production declines.
Pomegranate crop features large fruit
In another month or so, consumers will start seeing California-grown fresh pomegranates in produce displays. The Pomegranate Council says a light set will lead to larger-sized fruit. In some cases, the fruit is growing so large that farmers fear the weight may break branches off pomegranate bushes. The main pomegranate variety, the Wonderful, is now in full bloom and will be ready for harvest in early October.
New methods aim to enhance safety of cut greens
As part of the effort to enhance the safety of leafy green products, researchers test new methods to sanitize fresh-cut greens before they're bagged. Government and university food technologists have developed a new combination of wash-water solutions to be used in sanitizing the greens. They're also testing ultrasound treatments, in combination with the new sanitizers, and say the method appears promising in preventing harmful bacteria in bagged greens.
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