The U.S.D.A. has begun to distribute its annual Conservation Reserve Program rental payments. California producers holding 508 conservation contracts for their farm land will receive an average of $35-dollars per acre for their habitat and environmental protection measures.
Statewide, California producers will receive nearly $4.5-billion dollars in conservation payments for nearly 126,000 acres.
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A new premium pomegranate hits the world market.
Western Farm Press reports licensed growers, and packers are expected to ship 30,000 boxes of a new soft-seeded pomegranate discovered in Tulare County. It's called "angel red" and this is its first season for a significant harvest.
Most of the 2010 angel red crop will go to Japan. There are about 1,700 acres of "angel red", planted mostly in the San Joaquin Valley. Many of the trees are less than four years old.
San Joaquin Valley pomegranate production has reached 30,000 acres, and is expected to continue growing.
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The San Joaquin Valley will soon grow Stevia commercially.
The sweetener has drawn significant interest because it is 300 times sweeter than sugar, has no calories and has no negligible carbohydrates.
Western Farm Press reports, S and W Seed Company, based in Five Points, has entered into a five-year agreement with Pure Circle Limited, to be the leading producer and marketer of Stevia.
The president of S and W predicts Stevia will replace sugar cane and sugar beets. His company is preparing a 100-acre site to be planted this fall for harvest next spring.
