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Comments about farmers voluntarily conserving water

Water conservation efforts will aid salmon

Sonoma County farmers have helped the local water agency meet its goal of reducing water use by 15 percent through a voluntary conservation program. As a result, there will be water for release in the Russian River for the fall salmon run. Grape growers reduced their use by closely monitoring their vineyards and irrigating only when the plants needed it. The result is a grape crop with excellent quality, using less water.

Study links dairy to better bones in kids

Kids, bone up on this fact: What you eat now can improve your bones later. A 12-year study by Boston University researchers shows that children who consumed two or more servings of dairy-rich foods each day had healthier bones when they became adolescents. Researchers say this means dairy can be promoted as an important tool in bone health.

It's a limb breaker for walnut growers

Walnut growers are reporting a heavier crop this year. While there are concerns that some tree branches may break from the weight of the crop, this is not an uncommon occurrence--nor it is necessarily a problem. Farmers often prune suspect branches before they break, and a few broken branches can prop some of the heavy limbs. Harvest usually starts in mid-September. Demand for walnuts remains strong this year, and consumers should find good supplies this fall.

Keitt mangoes: They're habit forming!

Demand for California-grown mangoes is increasing, and consumers will find the keitt (pronounced kit) variety in some stores later this week. Growers expect to harvest about two and a half million pounds of the green-skinned variety, which is raised in Southern California. That is a small harvest compared to other fruit, but farmers say once people taste keitt mangoes, they become repeat customers.

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