Food and Farm News

Idled land affects seed business
Water shortages will force more California farmers to leave land idled this year, and that affects the people who sell seed. Companies say they're selling less seed for crops such as melons, onions, fresh tomatoes, rice, cotton and alfalfa. One seed salesman says he expects less broccoli to be grown in the San Joaquin Valley. Another says production of many vegetables will migrate from the valley to other regions where more water can be found. (reading time :24)

Farmers expect trouble hiring enough people
Idled land due to water shortages means fewer jobs on California farms, but farm employers say they still expect a tight employment market. Farmers report chronic trouble in hiring enough people, especially as the general economy has improved. One nursery operator says he has taken a variety of steps to recruit new employees, but with "minimal results." Farmers say they expect the problems to worsen as the season continues. (reading time :23)

Drought hits Valencia orange crop
Dry weather contributes to a reduced spring-and-summer orange crop in California, according to an estimate released Tuesday. Crop forecasters said the drought reduced the average number of oranges on Valencia orange trees by 15 percent. Acreage is also down, and the combination will drop Valencia orange production to its lowest level in at least a dozen years. (reading time :21)

Marketers see promise for wine exports
Now that the West Coast port slowdown appears to be resolved, wine marketers say they expect continued increases in California wine exports. European nations and Canada represent the top foreign markets for California wine, according to an annual report from the Wine Institute. Exporters say they see promise in emerging markets such as China and Nigeria, but that the relative strength of the U.S. dollar may dampen exports somewhat. (reading time :23)