AGRICULTURE

Forecasters Make Predictions for California Crops: Cotton production is expected to increase 7% in the state this year, but rice will be down 10%, according to the latest California Agricultural Statistics Service estimates. Grapes present a mixed picture, with table varieties up 6%, raisin grapes down 6% and wine grapes down 3%. Some crops were planted late this year because rains lasted so late into the season, but the near-normal weather in July overcame some of that delay, according to Jim Tippett, state statistician for the California Department of Food and Agriculture.