-March 11,2020-

Tahoe and So Sierra snow expected

Around Tahoe there is new optimism for the skiers.We may
see 6-12+ inches on the mountains by Sunday morning, & an additional 1-2 feet by Monday morning, and 6-18 inches for lake level. For southern Sierra there is the potential for significant snow in much of the Sierra Nevada starting as early as late Saturday and will spread southward on Sunday and Monday. Snow could impact the pass levels in Kern County by early next week. Sierra Summit resort forecast says expect” SIGNIFICANT SNOW starting as early as this weekend into next week, could be several feet, typical of what we’ve seen in March these past few years.”

Walnut shipments fall in February

Walnut shipments for export dropped in February to 37.8 million pounds from 48 million pounds in Feb 2019. In shell exports dropped from 35.2 million pounds to just 13.7 million pounds this February. Year to date exports are down a more  moderate 18.4%. India and Vietnam exports are up this year while  China/Hong Kong have fallen big time.

Valencia crop numbers out

California’s Valencia orange crop production numbers  are expected to drop this season says USDA as the popularity of this citrus fruit has declined over the past decade. The orange is well known for its juice.

Milk prices heading down?

California milk prices are heading south  in a  hurry on the futures market.They were just under $20 per cwt in December as producers felt for the first time in years they  were seeing a profit for their hard work. But the futures price is looking grim for May – now  below $16 (see chart).

USDA’s latest price forecast released this week tells the same story as  the USDA’s latest projections for 2020 milk prices are now below 2019 averages.

▪The Class III milk price forecast is now $16.65 per hundredweight (cwt), down 30 cents from last month and 31 cents less than the 2019 average of $16.96 per cwt.

▪The Class IV price is $15.75 per cwt, down 95 cents from last month and 55 cents less than 2019.

▪The 2020 all-milk price is now projected at $18.25 per cwt, 60 cents less than last month’s forecast and 35 cents below the 2019 average in 2019.

Dairy farmers want ag labor reform

Dairy farmers from National Milk Producers Federation are lobbying the US Senate this week to pass an agricultural labor bill that could be reconciled with a plan the House approved last year, providing the stable, secure labor force U.S. dairy producers  say  they need.The organization includes Visalia based California Dairies.