Agriculture Daily News June 20

Agriculture:

 

*State calls off sprayings for moth -- State officials have called off the much-maligned aerial sprayings in populated areas they had planned to restart later this summer to combat the invasion of the light brown apple moth. California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura and U.S. Department of Agriculture official Cindy Smith announced the decision at a news conference Thursday. They said instead of the aerial spraying of the synthetic pheromone to fight the moth — which had caused public concern — their agencies would rely on alternative ground methods to battle the invasive insect, including releasing sterile moths to throw off the insect's reproduction cycle. SJ Mercury 6/20/08

Updated Strategy to Eradicate Apple Moth Infestation Protects Agriculture, Environment and Economy

 

*Farmworkers at highest risk of heat-related death -- Heat kills crop workers at nearly 20 times the rate of other U.S. workers, according to a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study released Thursday. Fatality rates were highest in North Carolina, followed by Florida and California, the CDC found. Houston Chronicle 6/20/08

 

East Bay a hub for bee hobbyists' hives -- In Contra Costa County and beyond, about 150 men, women and children of all ages delight in watching the big-eyed, hairy insects that gather pollen, as they flutter their wings and "buzz," clustered together in backyard hives. The club was formed in the early 1980s and now trains newcomers in the art of beekeeping. It has caught on with so many people that the Walnut Creek-based club is now the largest west of the Rocky Mountains. Inside Bay Area 6/20/08

 

Congress overrides Bush's veto of farm bill – again -- The U.S. House of Representatives voted to override the veto by 317-109. "Today's vote will ensure that all parts of the Food, Conservation and Energy Act are enacted into law," Agriculture Committee Chairman Collin Peterson said. "Particularly considering the serious concerns about rising food prices and severe flooding affecting crops in the Midwest, this farm bill provides a critical safety net for families and farmers." Western Farm Press 6/20/08

 

California crop report — apricots, cherries, and peaches -- The 2008 California apricot crop forecast is 87,000 tons, up 7 percent from the 2007 crop, according to the California USDA/NASS field office.  Bearing acreage is estimated at 13,400 acres, resulting in a yield of 6.5 tons per acre.  Western Farm Press 6/19/08

 

Water:

 

*Report says Calif. must rethink its water system -- The task force is exploring how California can ensure the future health of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta while providing the state a reliable long-term water supply.  The draft plan was released on Friday and will now be considered by the seven-member Delta Vision Blue Ribbon Task Force.  SF Chronicle 6/20/08

 

*Lack of meters make water wasters no surprise in Folsom -- So the special report in Thursday's Bee showing that the city of Folsom uses 381 gallons of water per day per person – second in California only to the San Juan Water District and more than twice the state average – hardly came as a revelation to the water-saturated citizenry. Part of the problem is that most of Folsom is not on a metered water system, so the majority of residents pay a flat rate of about $90, which includes other municipal services. Sacramento Bee 6/20/08

 

Parks and forests:

 

'California Outdoors Q&A' on the Web -- State wildlife officials have launched an Internet-based service to answer questions about fishing, hunting and conservation, available to anyone who wants to publish it. The "California Outdoors Q&A" can be viewed at www.dfg.ca.gov/QandA/. The public can e-mail questions to CalOutdoors@dfg.ca.gov.  Sacramento Bee 6/20/08