- Author: Marcia Wood
- Contributor: Stephen J. Vasquez
Grapes like DOVine, Selma Pete, Sweet Scarlet and Scarlet Royal likely would not exist were it not for ARS scientists’ expertise with a laboratory technique known as “embryo rescue.” The technology “allows us to use two seedless grape plants as parents for new, seedless offspring,” says grape breeder David W. Ramming with USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at Parlier,...
- Author: Stephen J. Vasquez
Total grape acreage for California in 2011 was 848,000 acres according to the California Grape Acreage Report, released April 17, 2012. Of the total grape acreage, 796,000 were bearing while 52,000 were non-bearing.
The wine-type grape acreage is estimated at 543,000 acres. Of the total acres, 506,000 were bearing and 37,000 were non-bearing. Table-type grape acreage totaled 96,000 acres with 85,000 bearing and 11,000 non-bearing. Acreage of raisin-type grapes totaled 209,000 acres, of which 205,000 were bearing and 4,000 were non-bearing.
The leading wine-type varieties continued to be Chardonnay and Cabernet...
- Author: Stephen J. Vasquez
Are you considering agritourism or nature tourism on your farm or ranch? Would you like to build your agritourism or nature tourism business?
This class is for you!
-
Local pioneering agritourism operators will share their own experiences and will be part of a supportive network of advisors as class participants plan and start new enterprises.
-
Participants will learn from experts in business planning, regulatory compliance, risk management, hospitality and cost-effective marketing, including social media.
- Author: Stephen J. Vasquez
The first Wine and Raisin Grape Mechanical Harvest Safety Training is set for July 27 from 8:30 a.m. to noon at the C.P.D.E.S. Hall in Easton, located at 172 W. Jefferson Ave., Fresno.
The free training for farm employees and supervisors will increase awareness and improve safety in the field during mechanical wine and raisin grape harvest. Trained participants are expected to pass the information on to the individuals they supervise.
“This is an excellent opportunity to prepare employees for a safe harvest season for Fresno County’s number one crop, grapes and raisins,” said Fresno County Farm Bureau Executive Director/CEO Ryan Jacobsen.
Participants will take part in breakout sessions, including: heat...
- Author: Stephen J. Vasquez
California’s 2010 crush totaled 3,980,229 tons, down 3 percent from the 2009 crush of 4,095,297 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 2,047,766 tons, down 1 percent from 2009.
The 2010 white wine variety crush totaled 1,535,133 tons, down 6 percent from 2009. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 273,577, down 11 percent from 2009, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 123,753, up 46 percent from 2009.
The 2010 average price of all varieties was $543.03, down 5 percent from 2009. Average prices for the 2010 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $625.19, down 7 percent from 2009; white wine grapes, $500.37, down 7 percent from 2009; raisin...
