California Ag Network

Tag: CItrus

  • Ventura County Farmers, Researchers Convene to Explore Regenerative Ag

    Ventura County will host a two-field series about regenerative ag this May, bringing together growers, ag researchers and sustainability leaders to explore the future of the region’s specialty crops.

    The series will be presented in partnership with the Ecological Farming Association, and will allow attendees to examine practical approaches to regenerative farming across avocados, citrus and strawberries — three cornerstone crops in Ventura County.

    The series will begin May 4 at Rancho Dos Hermanas in Fillmore, where participants will explore regenerative strategies in orchard systems, putting a focus on soil health, biodiversity and water management. The second event will take place May 11 at McGrath Family fam in Camarillo. This event, in partnership with the Rodale Institute, will highlight regenerative approaches to strawberry production that support long-term productivity and ecological resilience.

    “Ventura County has long been an agricultural leader, and growers here are increasingly interested in systems that work with nature rather than against it,” Nina Morris Thomson, Co-Fournder of Ranco Dog Hermanas. “This series is designed to bring farmers and scientists together to share knowledge, exchange ideas and strengthen the future of agriculture in our region.”

    People speaking and contributing to the event include:

    • Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, Founder of the Ecdysis Foundation and the 1000 Farm Initiative

    • Tony Serrano, regenerative organic certified farmer, Salinas Valley
    Phil McGrath, McGrath Family Farms

    • Researchers from Cal Poly Pomona studying diversified orchard systems

    • Experts in pest management, irrigation efficiency, biodiversity and organic certification

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (July 28, 2017) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Alfalfa fields are making excellent progress; and being irrigated, cut, and baled. Corn and sorghum for silage is still being cultivated and irrigated. The corn silage crop is in various stages of development, from already producing tassels to developing ears. Cotton continues to be irrigated, cultivated, and growing well. Cotton is blooming and forming bolls. Black-eyed beans continue to be irrigated and cultivated.

    Mid-season peaches, nectarines, and plums continue to be picked and shipped to both domestic and export markets. Domestic demand is strong enough to cause the number of export shipments to continue to be significantly less than that of previous years. Stone fruit is being exported to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, and Taiwan. Summer pruning and topping of harvest stone fruit groves is occurring. Last season’s almonds and pistachios are being exported to the Belgium, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. Walnut, almond, and pistachio orchards continue being irrigated. Both mechanical and chemical weed control continues in orchards. Asian pears are being exported to Mexico. Table grape harvest continues throughout the county, and grapes are being exported to Australia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, New Zealand, Panama, and Vietnam. As with all permanent crops grapevines are being irrigated.

    Valencia orange harvest continues primarily for the domestic market. Regreening continues to become more common due to the higher temperatures. Valencia oranges are being exported to Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Harvest is nearing an end due to the high temperatures and overall fruit availability. Olives continue to develop.

    Certified producers are picking tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers for sale at the local Farmer’s Markets. Yellow squash, Zucchini, eggplant, Bell peppers, green Chili peppers, and cucumbers are being harvested and shipped domestically. Sweet corn harvest is continuing and available at roadside stands and the local Farmer’s Markets. Melons are being irrigated and prepared for the upcoming harvest.

    Low elevation rangeland continues to dry and conditions are fair to good, but quality is continuing to decrease. Cattle are still being moved to higher elevations. The higher elevations are providing more grass than previous years. Feed costs for cattle remains high. Harvested grain fields are being sheeped-off in the southern portions of the county.

    Nursery shipments are slowing overall. Wholesale nursery shipments to Canada and domestic markets have decreased due to the hot summer temperatures. Small amounts of citrus nursery stock continue to be sold. New wells continue to be drilled, with many existing wells showing higher levels due to increases in the water table.

  • Citrus Growers Reaffirm Support For State’s Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

    Sacramento, Calif., (July 25, 2017) – California growers have affirmed the extension of a cooperative effort in response to the most serious threat to the state’s citrus crops.  Years before the discovery of the citrus pest the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) in California in 2008 and the subsequent detection in 2012 of Huanglongbing (HLB), the disease spread by the ACP, California’s citrus growers had begun preparations for the arrival of this dual threat. Research and education efforts began well before the pest and disease were detected in Southern California, and since then a governing committee of citrus industry representatives has guided the state’s comprehensive response and advised the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA).

    Huanglongbing is fatal for citrus trees and has no cure. The disease has been detected in more than 70 citrus trees in California, which have all been in urban areas of Los Angeles and Orange counties and have been removed. The Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program (CPDPP) — funded through industry assessments and state and federal funds — guides efforts to limit spread of the disease and the ACP, which can spread HLB from tree to tree as it feeds.

    The program was created in 2009 by legislation that included requirements for periodic hearings to review progress and give the industry and the public an opportunity to weigh in. Following a recent series of such hearings, the California Department of Food and Agriculture has determined it will continue the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program.

    “It has never been more important to protect California’s citrus farmers, which represent a $3 billion economic driver for our state and 20,000 jobs,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “The feedback CDFA received from the industry was overwhelmingly supportive of this program.”

    Five hearings were held in June in citrus production areas to determine whether the program and its governing committee, both established in 2009, should continue for four more years. All comments received at the public hearings and in written submissions to the Department were supportive. No question of opposition was raised. Therefore, the Department determined a referendum is not warranted.

    “This program has evolved as the threat of the Asian citrus psyllid and Huanglongbing has progressed in the state, which is one of the reasons we’ve been successful at keeping the disease out of commercial groves,” said Nick Hill, chairman of the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee. “Having learned from our partners in Florida, outreach has occurred throughout the state and to urban areas, treatment coordinators have been engaged to make sure growers are working together for maximum effectiveness against the pest, and scientific research has been supported.”

    Continuation of the program reinforces the collaboration of the citrus industry, agriculture officials, researchers and the general public as they work together to save California citrus from HLB. Florida’s citrus industry has been decimated by the disease. An estimated 68.7 million boxes of citrus were harvested during Florida’s 2016-2017 harvest season compared to a record high of 244 million in 1997-1998

    Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee meetings are open to the public. For a calendar of upcoming meetings, visit cdfa.ca.gov/citruscommittee/. For regional and statewide news related to citrus pests and diseases, sign up for emails at citrusinsider.org/.