Korea Advisory - Minimum Mitigation Measures

California Citrus Packers:

 The California Citrus Quality Council (CCQC) is contacting packers to inform the industry about the latest situation regarding exports to Korea.  USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will be negotiating with its counterpart agency this September in Korea to establish the conditions for California citrus exports to Korea during the 2013-2014 season.

 Korea’s Quarantine Inspection Agency (QIA) has indicated that the 2012-2013 season would be the last season in which blanket methyl bromide fumigation would be permitted in Korea.  However, since mitigation measures to control Fuller rose beetle (FRB) have not been fully developed APHIS has indicated a willingness to request another season of fumigation, but only if the industry commits to minimum mitigation measures.

 Should Korea’s QIA agree to this proposal, only fruit that has met the minimum requirements will be allowed to be fumigated on arrival.  The minimum requirements are (i) skirt pruning, (ii) weed control and (iii) at least one foliar insecticide treatment.

 We are conveying this information now so that the measures can be implemented in case QIA agrees to the proposal.  However, there is no guarantee that such an agreement will be reached.  QIA could also require complete control of FRB in California and eliminate the blanket fumigation.  Since the outcome of the negotiations are unknown, we encourage the industry to consider all possible mitigation options including trunk applications to reduce FRB populations to the lowest possible levels.

 We plan to provide additional information as it becomes available.

 Please contact me by telephone at (530) 885-1894 or via e-mail at jcranney@calcitrusquality.org if you have questions or need additional information.

 Regards,

Jim

James R. Cranney, Jr.

California Citrus Quality Council

853 Lincoln Way

Auburn, California 95603

Tel: (530) 885-1894

Mobile: (530) 906-6546

jcranney@CalCitrusQuality.org

Spring time in the San Joaquin Valley

Spring has decended on the valley with the sweet smell of citrus blossom.  We are heading into the home stretch of our navel harvest and will soon begin our valencia harvest. 

This past season has been a busy one, with a cold winter that took much time and resources to hold back any frost damage to a very dry year that has left us with very little snow pack and low levels in our lakes.  But every year has its challenges and this one is no different.  When you farm for as living, you must deal with what Mother Nature gives you, both good and bad; and this season has seen both good and bad.  We survived any damage from the cold weather; however, we had to contend with a large crop of some very small fruit. Those growers with large sized navels will have a good year and those with the smaller size will make less than an average year.  Those growers with speciality crops also have seen a good return for their Cara Cara and Morro Blood oranges.

The valencias are also on the small size, but like all our crops this year, they have very high sugar levels and excellent flavor.  Our valencia harvest will begin mid-april and will continue through September.

Great local fishing

My wife Penny and daughter Melissa enjoyed some great fishing at Shaver lake this past weekend.  Shaver Lake is located an hour from Fresno and sits at about 6000 foot elevation.  The lake was emptied over the winter to reface the dam.  Two interesting things occurred as a result.  The first was seeing the original dam that has been underwater for 100 years.  The pictures below show the old gate house is still intact and the dam still held back the water. 

The second great thing was that the town stocked the lake with alot of very nice rainbow trout.  As you can see below, catching 3 to 7 pounders is not a problem.

Next year's crop

Although it is too early to tell, next year's crop is off to a good start.  The bloom was large, as it typically is after a cold winter, but we saw quite a bit of drop and a very manageable set now appears to be our crop.  We have June and some hot weather still to go but it looks like there is a good set with plenty of inside fruit.  Some are saying the late navel varieties are lighter than normal but we will have to give it a month or two before we can really get a better forecast; however for now, all looks good (knock on wood).

Valencia Harvest begins

The 2012 valencia harvest has begun with the first shipments of seedless midknight valencias arriving overseas to rave reviews.  We will begin harvest of our regular valencias this week.  The color and shape are excellent and they look to be a very good eating quality this year.  The recent rains will help size the fruit with the fruit currently peaking on 88' and 113 size.