New California Avocado and Downsizing U.S./Canadian Cattle Herds
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**A new avocado, developed by the University of California Avocado Breeding Program, is about to hit the world market.
The Luna UCR avocado will complement the widely known Hass avocado.
According to UC researchers, the Luna variety grows on a tree of about half the size while producing approximately the same yield per tree as the Hass.
The original Lunas were planted in Camarillo and advanced trials were conducted in Tulare, Orange, San Diego and Ventura counties.
**Downsizing in the U.S. and Canadian cattle herds continued through the first half of 2023.
All cattle and calves in the U.S. and Canada combined to total 108 million head on July 1st, down 3% from the 111 million head on July 1st of last year.
And all cattle and calves in the U.S. totaled 95.9 million head, also down 3%.
**Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack says USDA is awarding $266 million in loans and grants to agriculture producers and rural small businesses.
The funds will be for making investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency improvements that will lower energy costs, generate new income, and strengthen the resilience of their operations.
Vilsack says, creating opportunity for rural communities means investing in farmers, ranchers, and small businesses.
