West

California stone fruit down more than 15% after hail

Production of California stone fruit is about to accelerate but is showing much less volume than usual thanks to an April 11 hailstorm.

“We expect a crop of 40 million boxes or below on peaches, plums and nectarines,” said Barry Bedwell, president of Fresno-based California Grape & Tree Fruit League. “We think it’s down (at least) 15% from a normal crop.”

California cantaloupe handlers OK mandatory food safety plan

California cantaloupe handlers overwhelmingly approved the state's first mandatory food safety program implemented by a commodity board.

CORRECTED: Pest protection to suffer with budget deficit

A $16 billion state budget shortfall in California will lead to cutbacks in border pest protection activities.

Almond growers conduct environmental show and tell for regulators

Bill and Don Jackson, who farm about 4,000 acres of permanent crops east of Oakdale, Calif., opened their operation up to more than two dozen state and federal regulators recently.

The family farming operation wasn’t in trouble by any means. Instead, the Jacksons and farm manager Mike Burden, of Lent-Burden Farming Inc., wanted to educate the regulators about the science and technology they use to make decisions.

Herb grower receives $1 million fine for illegal labor

A Duvall, Wash.-based organic herb operation, which ships to nearly 2,700 retailers nationwide, was fined $1 million for firing illegal immigrants, then secretly hiring them back on a night shift to avoid detection.

Study: Healthy convenience will drive value-added veggie sales

As the country emerges from the recession, touting the health benefits of value-added vegetables alone may not be a strong enough reason for consumers to increase purchases and consumption.

Onion industry awaits safety ruling

Growers and shippers of onions and other commodities say they once could highlight their food safety programs in their marketing initiatives, but that’s no longer the case.

Onion oversupply eases as seasons change, marketers say

Onion marketers had plenty of product to showcase by the end of April. Perhaps too much, according to some.

Micrografting speeds cherry tree propagation

Micrografting, which relies on tissue culture to grow clean rootstock and scion, could cut the time it takes to propagate cherry trees by one-third to one-half compared with open-field nursery production

Mobile website helps schedule irrigation

If you farm in Washington state, you now have access to irrigation recommendations just about anywhere in the state and at anytime, thanks to the new Irrigation Scheduler Mobile.