California
The farmer-owned citrus cooperative is supporting the inaugural April 8 Encore All-Star Games, featuring basketball talent from the Los Angeles region.
Despite the Golden State experiencing record rain followed by a levee break, a strong outlook remains for the upcoming crop.
There will be some harvest gaps for vegetable crops in the next few weeks but better supply is coming, says Crystal Chavez, marketing coordinator for Gold Coast Packing Inc., Santa Maria, Calif.
Agtech, farm robotics and growers are coming together this April for a traveling ag roadshow that spotlights farm innovations.
The USDA reported total cherry shipments from California’s San Joaquin Valley in 2022 totaled 2,256 truckloads, down 59% from 4,442 truckloads in 2021.
If the largely favorable 2023 growing season and recent sales figures are any indication, this should be another good year for the coral-red fruit with leathery skin and jewel-like arils.
While official final shipment, inventory and closeout figures for the 2022 crop year will be released within the month, preliminary figures indicate last year’s crop is virtually sold out, according to a news release.
The work includes levee repairs and debris removal to help protect and prepare local communities in anticipation of another possible wet season
“The revised estimate for the California crop is 71.9 million 19-pound boxes,” said California Table Grape Commission President Kathleen Nave. “The last time the crop was under 75 million boxes was 1994.”
Sunkist has a robust portfolio and steady supply extending to 40 varieties of both conventional and organic citrus, says Cassie Howard of Sunkist Growers Inc.
California citrus harvest will be down slightly this year, says Randy Stucky, director of harvesting and grower relations for Bee Sweet Citrus, Fowler, Calif.
The company is celebrating the recent Equitable Food Initiative certification of its facility in Reedley, Calif., as its winter citrus program gets underway.
Santa Paula, Calif.-based Limoneira Co. reported financial results for the fiscal fourth quarter and full year ended Oct. 31 that reflected improved lemon pricing compared with a year ago.
Strawberry fields in California’s central coast region were challenged early in the season with winter rain and cold temperatures, but spring and summer availability is looking strong, says Cindy Jewell.
Retailers can capture significant California cherry sales by promoting “pedal to the metal” to the end of the season, says Brianna Shales, marketing director for Stemilt Growers.
Tools such as artificial-intelligence-driven platforms are now at the forefront of helping the agricultural industry anticipate and mitigate risks, ensuring that future harvests remain as abundant and diverse as they are today.
New research findings and tools in the areas of automation, pathology and entomology were presented and displayed at the 10th anniversary Cal Poly Strawberry Center Field Day.
Interested candidates should submit resumes by Dec. 6 for this volunteer position.
With a heatwave affecting the harvest, Fresh Farms says it faces a season marked by both challenge and opportunity.
Mediterranean, Queensland and Tau fruit fly quarantines have been lifted while the state keeps its Oriental fruit fly quarantine in place.
Along with a refreshed corporate logo, the company will be unveiling a new consumer brand, Bolthouse Fresh, and packaging for its consumer-facing portfolio of fresh carrots and on-the-go snacking solutions.
The department added Newport Beach in Orange County to its statewide quarantine to prevent the spread of an invasive species and the disease.
Among the fall harvests, California grapes are a top choice for consumers. According to the California Department of Food and Agriculture, grapes are one of the state’s top 10 valued agricultural commodities.
Following successful eradication measures, the California ag department said it eliminated five introduced species in the state, including the first finds in the Western Hemisphere for Tau and Queensland fruit flies.
As part of National Fruits and Veggies Month, the organization says it will help retailers capitalize on cross-merchandising opportunities with walnuts and fresh produce.
The USDA’s revised quarantine area doesn’t include commercial citrus groves.
Following an announcement that the state eradicated all infestations of invasive fruit flies, the California Department of Fruit and Agriculture has initiated a quarantine in Alameda County due to a new finding.
Changes in the grape industry have reflected increasing importance of premium varieties, compared with 20 years ago when growers all had the same varieties and competed on quality, availability and reliability, says John Pandol, director of special projects for Pandol Bros.
The harvest, now underway, has produced excellent quality sweetpotatoes in a variety of planted colors, including orange, red, white and purple, ensuring consistent supply to meet growing consumer demand, according to the brand.
Western Growers pointed to a lack of lead time for developing and deploying the necessary technology, equipment and infrastructure, as well as the lack of consideration to the cost of compliance, in comments urging the agency to deny a California board’s request to fully implement the rule.