Bibberle unplugged

San Diego was among six additional counties declared in a state of agricultural emergency yesterday as officials continued to assess damages from a winter cold spell. Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger extended a state of emergency declaration to San Diego, Imperial, Riverside, San Bernardino, Santa Clara and Yuba counties. He asked the U.S. Department of Food and Agriculture and the Small Business Administration to provide farmers and growers there with immediate assistance. The California Farm Bureau yesterday released a commodity-by-commodity assessment of losses across the state, which ranks first in the nation with more than $32 billion in annual farm revenue. The survey showed that the freeze has particularly hurt citrus crops, avocados and winter vegetables. It also might affect the availability of spring vegetables. Meanwhile, California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura continued his tour of devastated fields and groves. He plans to visit San Diego County today, visiting an orchard and a flower farm. The 10 counties declared in agricultural emergency earlier in the week: Fresno, Kern, Kings, Madera, Merced, Monterey, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Tulare and Ventura. Billions of dollars worth of crops hang in the balance. The Farm Bureau said any commodity that was on the tree or above ground was likely hurt to some degree. A number of farmers expect to take a total loss on their crops,” the organization said in a statement. “Others say their crops may have escaped severe damage. In 2004, the most recent year for the state's annual agriculture report, fruits and nuts accounted for $9.66 billion in revenue, vegetables and melons $7.28 billion, nursery and floriculture $3.31 billion and field crops $2.93 billion. The Farm Bureau's summary of the freeze impact to date: Citrus fruit: Successive nights of temperatures in the mid-20s or lower took a severe toll on navel oranges, lemons and other citrus fruit. California Citrus Mutual estimates citrus damage at $500 million, and it expects that number to increase. Avocados: Freeze damage to stems has caused avocados to drop from trees in Southern California. The California Avocado Commission estimates as much as 20 percent of the state's more than $380 million crop might be lost. Strawberries: California strawberries, a $1.2 billion crop, will be affected for up to six weeks because of the severe cold in Southern California's coastal growing regions. Strawberries being readied for harvest were damaged. The California Strawberry Commission, characterizing the losses as a temporary setback, says strawberry plants will begin to generate new berries within weeks and that the freeze might even stimulate stronger production later in the season. Winter vegetables: The freezing weather has slowed the winter vegetable harvest in the Imperial and Coachella valleys and caused crop damage. Farmers report damage to lettuce and other leafy greens, and say artichokes have suffered extensive losses. Spring vegetables: Young vegetable plants in desert harvest regions also have suffered extensive damage. That could affect where sweet corn, bell peppers, cantaloupes and watermelons will be available. Olives: New wood on olive trees might have been affected by the freeze. A similar freeze in 1990 caused a 50 percent reduction in the crop that year. There were freezing temperatures in all growing areas, including those where boutique olive oil is produced. Olive revenue was $59 million in 2004. Flowers: Nursery plants and field-grown flowers, including flowers being readied for Valentine's Day, also suffered losses. Greenhouse-grown plants and flowers were not affected. The total flower industry in the state is valued at more than $1 billion.