Kern county farmers may have suffered almost $1 billion in crop losses due to the unseasonable rains hitting local vineyards and almond orchards in August. Based on grower surveys, 37% of Kern's almonds and 44% of its grapes appear to have been lost because of "adverse climatic conditions" during Tropical Storm Hilary.
Grapes, including high-value table varieties, showed signs of damage from mildew, bunch rot and decay, according to the assessment by Ag Commissioner Glenn Fankhauser. He noted the total loss from grapes was estimated at more than $532 million, based on average prices during the past five years.
Almonds deteriorated and decreased in quality as the storm delayed the harvest and pressure from pests increased, Fankhauser noted. He pegged the loss to almond growers at more than $397 million.
Source: bakersfield.com