California Fruit and Vegetable

Tag: California Fresh Fruit Magazine

  • Hundreds of Thousands of Prime CA Farmland Acreage Fallowed this Year Due to Drought

    Farmers and other California residents have been pushing legislature for many years to increase our state’s water storage capacity with no success, and with the “years of plenty” long past, hundreds of thousands of acres of prime farmland will go fallow this year. This will have devastating impacts on our nation’s food supply, local communities and the many families that traditionally worked these fields that will be left uncultivated. Watch this brief interview with Adam Borchard from the California Fresh Fruit Association as he addresses the current situation.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • California Avocado Commission Anticipates 286 Million Pound Crop

    The California Avocado Commission (CAC) recently reported the results of their mid-season crop update surveys with their growers and handlers, forecasting a smaller crop than was initially expected. Through use of grower and handler surveys, CAC is able to collect the most up-to-date volume information and anticipated harvest timing. The results are used to inform the industry of the total crop that is expected to come to market and as a guide that helps shape the timing of CAC’s marketing efforts.

    The results forecast a 2022 California crop estimate a 286 million pounds – which consists of 272 million pounds Hass, 8 million pounds Lamb-Hass, 5 million pounds GEM and 1 million pounds of other varieties. This updated volume is a 20-million-pound reduction from the December 2021 handler pre-season estimate of 306 million pounds. The decrease in volume mostly comes from Hass (19 million pounds), however a slight reduction to the Lamb-Hass volume also has been made (1 million pounds).

    Detailed results from the grower and handler survey can be found on CAC’s grower website, as well as revised monthly and weekly harvest projections based on the 286-million-pound crop volume. Please note that projected volume for the beginning of the season, which has already been harvested, does not match weekly actuals, but instead how the four-year average and handler forecasting models projecting a 286-million-pound crop would have come to market (based on the actual monthly volume that was harvested). As we move through the season, Commission staff will continue to track crop harvest and remaining volume closely, ensuring that CAC’s marketing efforts are aligned with when California fruit is in season.

  • How to Protect Your Farmland for Future Generations in California

    Many California farms are run by families who have cultivated the land for several generations.  It’s not just land, it’s not just an investment — it is part of what defines them and their mission to feed the world. Watch this brief interview with Charlotte Mitchell from the California Farmland Trust as she shares how to protect their legacy of farming for generations to come.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • The Mission and Objectives of the California Farmworker Foundation

    The pandemic proved challenging to all in various ways, and farmworkers had unique needs that had to be met in order to keep agriculture going and food from California on dinner tables all over the world. The California Farmworker Foundation was among the great organizations that rose to the occasion to meet their needs. Pandemic aside, farmworkers are essential, they have families and needs, they have a voice, and the California Farmworker Foundation has been established and continues to grow for these reasons. Watch this brief interview to learn more.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • The Mission and Objectives of the California Farmworker Foundation

    The pandemic proved challenging to all in various ways, and farmworkers had unique needs that had to be met in order to keep agriculture going and food from California on dinner tables all over the world. The California Farmworker Foundation was among the great organizations that rose to the occasion to meet their needs. Pandemic aside, farmworkers are essential, they have families and needs, they have a voice, and the California Farmworker Foundation has been established and continues to grow for these reasons. Watch this brief interview to learn more.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Farmers Cannot Bear the Burden of Record Inflating Costs Alone

    Among some of the top issues impacting the California fresh fruit industry, and all of the state’s agricultural industries for that matter, are record inflating production costs.  This was addressed at the recent annual conference of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA). Watch this brief interview with CFFA President Ian LeMay as he addresses this.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • UCCE Experts Share the Latest in Olive Disease Management

    UC Cooperative Experts shared their latest research findings in olive disease management at the recent Olive Oil Day held by the Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) in Stockton.

    Jim Adaskaveg, Professor in the Department of Plant Pathology at UC Riverside joined the meeting by video to present his work on epidemiology and management of olive knot and the evaluation of new fungicides for control of olive leaf spot and Peacock Spot. Dr. Adaskaveg has been working with the OOCC for years and has during this time identified a number of promising products for the control of olive knot. The objective is to have a number of products with different active ingredients/ modes of action so that pathogens are unlikely to develop resistance.

    Since these products are not registered on olives, an important part of his work now is on the regulatory side, seeing these products through the EPA process called IR-4. Unfortunately, one of the promising fungicides for Peacock Spot, Ziram (active ingredient ziram), was suddenly cancelled on all crops in February 2022.

    There are additional products in process, including Syllit (a.i. dodine); a decision is expected in October of this year. There is also a product that was previously rejected, Topsin-M (a.i. thiophanate-methyl), that is now back in consideration. In all there are five new fungicide registrations expected.

    For control of olive knot, a number of products have proven effective in the research. Some of these are GRAS (generally recognized as safe) food additives and some are antibiotics (kasugamycin and oxytetrcycline). In order to increase efficacy and reduce the danger of resistence, the most promising approach apprears to be a mixture of chemicals with different modes of action. The food additives do not require complex approvals but the antibiotics are in IR-4. There have been multiple setbacks, but a decision is now expected in December this year for kasugamycin and in March of 2023 for oxytetracycline.

    Mohammed Nouri, UCCE Orchard Systems Advisor presented an investigation of decline symptoms of super-high-density oil olives in the San Joaquin Valley. There are multiple causes of tree decline in CA, including Verticillium wilt, Botryosphaeria, Pleurostoma, Eutypa lata and freezing temperatures; accurately diagnosing these in the field can be very difficult. Consult your local UCCE office or mnouri@ucanr.edu for guidance regarding sampling.

    Dr. Nouri also spoke about the ongoing challenge of Neofabraea. This disease particularly affects the Arbosana cultivar, causing leaf and twig lesions. The infection primarily occurs in wounds caused by mechanical harvest damage but can also appear as spotting on fruit. Research has shown some control with a few fungicides that are in IR-4 for Peacock spot as well. A final optimistic result from a survey of anthracnose in CA found that this disease is not found in commercial CA orchards. It is unlikely to become a significant problem because of low humidity, dry summers, resistant cultivars and a tendency to harvest early.

    Find the full research presentation on the epidemiology and management of olive knot and the evaluation of new fungicides for control of olive leaf spot and Peacock Spot here. — By the Olive Oil Commission of California

  • Water Management Strategies for Hedgerow Olive Orchards in California

    After a year’s hiatus, the Olive Oil Commission of California (OOCC) held its annual Olive Oil Day on March 3, 2022, at the Robert Cabral Agricultural Center in Stockton. The purpose of the Olive Oil Day is to update OOCC members and others in the industry about Commission-funded various research projects and other activities. In keeping with the OOCC’s objective of focusing research projects on areas that will improve returns to olive farmers, the majority of the presentations dealt with olive growing and pest management. 

    Among the many informative presentations shared at the meeting, Giulia Marino, UC Cooperative Extension specialist in orchard systems, gave a report on the “Water management strategies for hedgerow olive orchards in California“. This is a 4-year project that will look at how better irrigation can maximize yields, achieve quality objectives and increase resilience to water restrictions.

    One aspect of this work has focused on better understanding the water needs of CA oil olives. All the basic water research on olives in CA was done on table olives so establishing these basic water needs for CA oil olives is essential.

    The project is using two orchards, one in Corning and one in Stockton. The treatments are a control (the grower’s usual irrigation) and three deficit irrigation regimes beginning at pit hardening (80% ET, 25% ET (x2; one will be modified this year). The trees are being extensively monitored: stem water potential, vegetative growth, fruit size and oil yield and quality, and return bloom.

    Work for the future includes measuring ET and crop coefficient, characterizing phenological stages of the olive, adding a 4th plant-based irrigation treatment and starting to develop an outreach program for better water management.

    A field day to learn more about this research project has been scheduled for June 1 in Stockton—save the date!

    Find the full research report here. 

  • Blueberry Industry’s Kasey Cronquist Named NAMA Ag Association Leader of the Year

    Kasey Cronquist, president of the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC), has been named the National Agri-Marketing Association’s (NAMA) Ag Association Leader of the Year for 2022. Cronquist was recognized at an awards ceremony April 7 at the 2022 Agri-Marketing Conference in Kansas City.

    The award, one of NAMA’s highest honors, recognizes outstanding leadership, achievement and excellence among senior executives who have made significant contributions to the agriculture industry in their roles with associations or commodity organizations.

    “With more than 15 years’ experience with government, association, and non-profits, Kasey was named president of the North American Blueberry Council and the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council in 2019. It was the perfect place and time,” said Jenny Pickett, NAMA CEO. “Long-term, strategic vision is Kasey’s strength. And while the industry was riding high, new challenges demanded a bold, new vision to ensure continued growth.”

    Soon after taking the helm in 2019, Cronquist led the organization through a strategic refresh, followed by development of a new strategic plan, with a refined vision, mission and plan to make blueberries the world’s favorite fruit. Cronquist recognized the importance of fostering greater collaboration among all industry stakeholders and the need to unite to address challenges and opportunities that will take USHBC programs to the next level. The industry’s support of the changes and vision for the future were reflected in the results of the 2021 referendum. Of those who voted, 84% of producers and importers, who also represent 93% of the volume of highbush blueberries grown, were in favor of continuing the program. This represents a 10% increase in producers and importers (and 13% more volume), of those who voted in favor of USHBC in 2016.

    In 2020, USHBC launched a new overarching brand theme of Inspiring Possibilities for the industry, as well as Grab a Boost of Blue as a motivating call-to-action for consumers. Additionally, the USA Blueberriesexport brand was created to raise awareness of the quality and food safety assurance of U.S. grown blueberries. In June 2020, Cronquist initiated “The Business of Blueberries,” an industry podcast currently surpassing 35,000 downloads.

    In his short time with the organization, Cronquist has built a staff of longtime ag experts to execute the organization’s strategic plan; expanded the NABC and USHBC’s programs through voluntary funding; and led the USHBC through pandemic challenges, including labor and supply chain issues.

    “Kasey has made a tremendous impact helping the blueberry industry thrive and leading the USHBC into an exciting and successful future,” said USHBC Chair Shelly Hartmann. “His efforts have impressed blueberry growers, marketers, exporters and industry allies alike, and have become the guiding force in making blueberries the world’s favorite fruit.”

    Cronquist is also the president of the North American Blueberry Council; a member of the United Fresh Governmental Affairs Council and the International Blueberry Organization (IBO); He was previously the CEO and ambassador of the California Cut Flower Commission.

    About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

    Established in 2000, The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. USHBC was established by blueberry growers and currently has 2,500 growers, packers and importers. USHBC is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at ushbc.blueberry.org.

  • U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council Seeks Nominees for Importer 2, 3, 4 and Exporter 2, 3, 4 Positions

    The USHBC Industry Relations Committee is seeking nominees to be considered for USHBC Importer #2, #3, & #4, Exporter #2 (Canada), Exporter #3 (Peru), and Exporter #4 (Mexico) positions on the Council. Nominees are being sought for the three-year term, except for Exporter #3 & #4 whose initial term is 2 years, that begins January 1, 2023.

    The committee plans to present a slate of potential nominees to the USHBC Executive Committee for consideration by July 31, 2022. The Council will then make final candidate selections at the next USHBC Meeting. At this meeting, the Council will recommend to the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture a final candidate for three importer members and alternates, and three exporter members and alternates, along with two additional candidates for each of these six positions, for consideration by the Secretary for final appointments.

    Blueberry industry members interested in being considered for the USHBC Importer #2, #3, #4 or Exporter #2 (Canada) Member and Alternate positions are asked to complete a USHBC Importer/Exporter Nominee Application and send their completed application to the USHBC via fax at (916) 983-9022 or email to elections@blueberry.org no later than Friday, April 29, 2022.

    The USHBC has adopted a diversity outreach plan to attempt to achieve a diverse representation on the council. USHBC programs and meetings are open to all individuals. The USHBC prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, genetic information, parental status and marital or family status. It is USHBC policy that membership on the council and its committees reflect the diversity of individuals served by its programs. To accomplish this objective, the USHBC will strive to attain representation of growers and other industry participants from diverse backgrounds on the council and USHBC committees. To this end, the USHBC strongly encourages women, minorities and persons with disabilities to seek nominations to the USHBC and to participate in council and USHBC committee activities.

    Producers and importers of highbush blueberries approved the establishment of the USHBC through a referendum conducted by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service in 2000. The USHBC was formally established in August 2000. The program is funded by an assessment of $18 per ton on domestic highbush blueberries, and $18 per ton on fresh and processed imported highbush blueberries. Market promotion activities funded through the USHBC began in January 2002.

    About the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council

    Established in 2000, The U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) is a federal agriculture research and promotion program with independent oversight from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). USHBC represents blueberry growers and packers in North and South America who market their blueberries in the United States and overseas, and works to promote the growth and well-being of the entire blueberry industry. USHBC was established by blueberry growers and currently has 2,500 growers, packers and importers. USHBC is committed to providing blueberries that are grown, harvested, packed and shipped in clean, safe environments. Learn more at ushbc.org.