Talk about a one-two punch. Between the lack of rain and the sub-freezing temperatures, “there’s no doubt about it – the two together give it a harder case,” says James McFarlane, who grows 700 acres of citrus in Fresno County.
And McFarlane says he’s one of the lucky ones: “Even though we’ve spent all that money on propane and labor, to get those wind machines on and off, even though for about a 40 day period I only spent two full nights in my warm bed, we’re probably gonna make more money because of it.”
That’s because his supply weathered the weather fairly well. Others did not. California’s citrus industry estimates the cost of the seven-day December freeze at about $440 million. That’ll lead to a shorter California citrus season in stores, and perhaps higher prices for customers.
Environment Stories
.jpg&width=186&height=140&constrain=true&pad=true&BgColor=cccccc "A million fall run Chinook salmon smolts, who were raised at the Feather River Hatchery, are released from large tanks down a long pipe on a dock and out into the Sacramento River.")
A Million Salmon Take A Road Trip Before Getting In The Sacramento River Toward The Pacific
Thursday, May 03, 2018The fish took a ride in a large truck on Wednesday morning and are now headed down the river on a journey to the ocean.
How NASA, Lasers And New Technology Help Measure California’s Snowpack With Exceptional Accuracy
Thursday, March 08, 2018Using this new approach to calculate the snow’s water content also means improved forecasts for farms and cities, and even positive benefits for renewable-energy production. The program soon could go statewide — if it gets funded.
Storm Leaves California With Half Of Usual Snow For Year
Monday, March 05, 2018(AP) — Monday's snow survey found a "much rosier" picture than before last week's heavy winter storm, but still less than half the usual snow for this point in the season.
California Pesticide Spray Ban Could Hamper Effort To Curb Citrus Pest
Thursday, March 01, 2018A judge ordered the California Department of Food and Agriculture to stop spraying dozens of pesticides. Some environmental groups count this as a win but a UC Riverside researcher warns the move will hurt efforts to fight a damaging citrus disease.
Pesticide Regulators Say Little Or No Residue Found On Most California Produce
Thursday, December 21, 2017About 9 in 10 of the produce tested for pesticides at California grocery stores, farmer's markets and other outlets had little or no residue, according to the state Department of Pesticide Regulation's 2016 survey.
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