December 2014 - Page 2 of 4 - California Agriculture News Today

Almond Board of California Announces 2015 Election

Almond Board of California announced January 20, 2015 as the deadline for filing nomination petitions for two independent grower member positions and two independent grower alternate positions on its Board of Directors.

Each candidate must be a grower and must submit a petition signed by at least 15 independent growers of almonds (verified by Almond Board) in order to be considered for the position. The petition must state the position for which the candidate is nominated and must be filed with Almond Board of California, 1150 9th Street, Suite 1500, Modesto, California 95354.

Additionally, two independent handler member positions and two independent handler alternate positions are available. Handlers must declare their candidacy, in writing, to Almond Board no later than January 20, 2015in order for their name to be placed on the ballot.

A cooperative grower member and alternate nominee will be selected through their cooperative association.

For further information call: Sue Olson – Associate Director, Marketing Order Services, (209) 343-3224.

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Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:10-07:00December 20th, 2014|

USDA Offers Tips to Help Keep Your Holiday Illness-Free

By: Monique Bienvenue; Cal Ag Today Communications Manager

As the end of the year approaches, it’s likely there are multiple meals and parties in your future. Carrying food from one location to another and sharing dishes with a crowd means more opportunity for bacteria to grow and cause food poisoning. Whether you’re an experienced cook, a first-time party host, or simply adding a dish to the potluck lineup, the holidays can make even the most confident chefs nervous.

To help keep your holiday season healthy, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is issuing food safety recommendations on how to protect yourself and your family from foodborne illness.

If you have specific food safety questions this holiday season you can call the USDA Meat and Poultry hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or chat live with a food safety specialist at AskKaren.gov. These services are available from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, in English and Spanish.

Steps to follow during holiday grocery shopping:

Keep raw meat, poultry, and seafood away from other foods in your grocery cart.
Buy cold foods last.
Ask the cashier to place your raw meat, poultry and seafood in a separate bag.

Steps to follow during food preparation:

Use separate cutting boards for raw meat and ready-to-eat items like vegetables or bread.
Prepare uncooked recipes before recipes requiring raw meat to reduce cross-contamination. Store them out of the way while preparing meat dishes to ensure they don’t become contaminated after preparation.
Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature of dishes to ensure they are fully cooked and safe to eat. Fresh beef, pork, veal, and lamb should be cooked to 145 ˚F with a three minute rest time; fish should be cooked to 145 ˚F; ground beef, veal and lamb should be cooked to 160 ˚F; egg dishes should be cooked to 160 ˚F; and all poultry should be cooked to 165 ˚F.

Fool proof tips when cooking for groups:

Keep hot food hot and cold food cold, using chafing dishes or crock pots and ice trays. Hot items should remain above 140 ˚F and cold items should remain below 40 ˚F.
Use several small plates when serving food.
Discard perishable foods left out for 2 hours or more.

Steps to follow when cooking a holiday roast:

Use separate cutting boards, plates and utensils for raw roasts and cooked roasts to avoid cross-contamination.
Wash items such as cutting boards that have touched raw meat with warm water and soap, or place them in a dishwasher.
To ensure the juiciest possible roast this holiday, use a meat thermometer. Once it has reached the USDA recommended internal temperature of 145 F, the roast is safe to eat.
Remember all cuts of pork, beef, veal, and lamb need a three minute rest time before cutting or consuming.

Consumers can learn more about key food safety practices at Foodsafety.gov and follow @USDAFoodSafety on Twitter. Consumers with questions about food safety, can call the USDA Meat and Poultry Hotline at 1-888-MPHotline (1-888-674-6854) or chat live with a food safety specialist at AskKaren.gov, available from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday, in English or Spanish.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:10-07:00December 18th, 2014|

Nimitz Poised for California Registration

By: Kyle Buchoff, Cal Ag Today Reporter

Researchers are developing effective ways to control crop-destroying worm-like nematodes. One product, Nimitz, is not yet registered for use in California but is showing great promise in vegetables.

“We’ve been working with a number of different products over a number of years, and actually have two products; one is Nimitz, the other is still in development.,” said UC Riverside Cooperative Extension Associate Nematologist Antoon Ploeg. “Both look very promising in all three crops that we have been testing: tomatoes, melons, and carrots, so for us it’s been an exciting time!”

Ploeg and his team found remarkable results from nematode pressure plots. Non-treated plants were heavily galled and those that were treated with Nimitz showed a 95% reduction in galls.

“Something is going on here that makes us very excited, especially because the product has low toxicity,” said an enthusiastic Ploeg. “It has only a ‘Caution’ label, and has had the original restricted-entry interval (REI) of 24 hours reduced to zero.”

Nimitz has been approved by the EPA, but has not yet been approved for use in California.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:10-07:00December 17th, 2014|

American Agri-Women Welcomes New Officers

American Agri-Women (AAW) kicked off its year-long celebration of its 40th anniversary at its annual convention held recently in College Corner, Ohio. The organization also elected its national officers and recognized outstanding advocates for agriculture.

AAW is the nation’s largest coalition of farm, ranch and agribusiness women representing more than 50 state, commodity and agribusiness affiliates. The 39th annual convention’s theme was “Bridging the Path From Farm to Fork” and was hosted by Ohio Agri-Women.

National officers for 2015 are:

• President Sue McCrum, Mars Hill, Maine
• First Vice President of Resolutions & Vital Issues Doris Mold, St. Paul, Minn., and Cumberland, Wis.
• Vice President of Communications Lynn Woolf, Milton, Kan.
• Vice President of Education Donnell Scott, Manhattan, Kan.
• Secretary Arlene Kovash, Monmouth, Ore.
• Treasurer Peggy Clark, Dayton, Ohio
• Past-President Karen Yost, Billings, Montana

Outgoing officers were Vice President of Education Kris Zilliox of Omaha, Neb., and Secretary Lisa Condon of Horicon, Wis.

Since 1974, AAW members have worked together to educate consumers; advocate for agriculture; and offer networking and professional development opportunities. Go to the AAW web site for more information and to join, www.americanagriwomen.org.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:11-07:00December 16th, 2014|

The CVCWA Proves that there is Strength in Numbers

By: Monique Bienvenue; Cal Ag Today Communications Manager

Last Friday, a group of dignified women met up for a holiday luncheon at Joy Luck Cuisine in Fresno. After working hard throughout the year to promote California’s agriculture industry, it was time to eat a delicious meal, honor a few scholarship recipients and induct the new 2014-2015 officer team.

“The CVCWA is very important to me,” said California Women for Agriculture, Central Valley Co-President Marlene Miyasaki. “Not only does the work we do help to promote various aspects of the ag industry, I’ve also met some of my closest friends through this organization.”

For years, members of the CVCWA have worked hard to celebrate esteemed agriculturalists in the Central Valley and do their best to provide scholarship money for high school and college students studying agriculture. They play a big role in planning events such as the Common Threads Luncheon, The Ag Boosters BBQ and they also dedicate their time to various community service projects throughout the Fresno County.

“I love being a member of the CVCWA,” said Agriculture Communications student Sarena Silva. “Their dedication and love for the ag industry keeps me motivated to be a voice for farmers in the Central Valley.”

With a new officer team, the CVCWA has many plans for the new year. If you’d like to become a part of this instrumental organization, go to http://www.centralvalleycwa.org or call Marlene Miysaki at (559) 278-2861.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:11-07:00December 15th, 2014|

Bayer CropScience and National FFA Organization Announce Grants to Encourage Students to Seek Careers in Agriculture and Apiculture

Partnership will provide $50,000 in grants that promote career paths in science and challenge students to make advancements in improving honey bee health

Next year, Bayer CropScience, in partnership with the National FFA Organization, will provide grants to inspire interest in agriculture and apiculture professions among America’s youth. The grant program will help FFA members develop their unique talents and explore science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) careers with a focus on finding solutions that will help honey bees thrive. The program is a demonstration of Bayer’s continued commitment to engage with partners who focus on developing future STEM leaders, improving science literacy and driving bee health awareness.

“Bayer CropScience has been a long-standing advocate of FFA and supports its mission of building the next generation of farming leaders across America,” said Dr. Becky Langer, manager of Bayer‘s Bee Care Program. “Through this new initiative, we can help inspire young people to learn more about agriculture, create innovative solutions to some of our greatest industry challenges and pave the way for the future of farming.”

“We are excited about the opportunities that this partnership will give to our members,” said Molly Ball, president of National FFA Foundation. “Thanks to supporters like Bayer CropScience, FFA continues to grow future leaders in the agricultural industry.”

As a special project of the National FFA Foundation, Bayer’s investment of $50,000 will go toward three types of grants: Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) grants, Environmental Chapter grants and State grants.

SAE Grants

Ten SAE grants worth $1,000 each will be awarded to students proposing projects focused on bee health. These grants feature hands-on learning opportunities as students work with their agricultural teachers to plan and execute their projects.

Environmental Chapter Grants

Bayer will give $20,000 in Environmental Chapter grants to support selected FFA chapters in implementing year-long, service-learning projects that address local environmental needs. Service-learning is a method of teaching and learning that challenges students to research, develop and implement solutions to identified needs in their school or community. Projects will be encouraged to focus on increasing forage by planting pollinator-friendly gardens and other pollinator-focused health initiatives.

State Grants

Bayer will give $20,000 for state-specific grants focusing on improving bee health through habitat and forage.

How to Apply

Environmental and state grants will be awarded in the spring of 2015 and work can begin immediately after notification. SAE grants will be awarded in fall of 2015 for activities to be conducted in 2016.

For more information about the Bayer and FFA grant program, please visit the FFA website.

The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 610,240 student members who belong to one of 7,665 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:11-07:00December 15th, 2014|

AgroThermal Announces Impressive 2014 Winegrape Trial Results

11 California Winegrape Trial Blocks Average Over 30% Yield Increases

By Laurie Greene, CalAgToday editor and reporter

AgroThermal Systems produced a third year of impressive winegrape fruit set results in 2014 patented Thermal Heat Treatment process trials, averaging 23% more berries per bunch and 27% more bunch weight at mid season. Yield per vine at the end of the season showed a 31% gain in treated blocks vs. control blocks.

The data, developed under the direction of the Dawson Company, which creates sales opportunities for new agricultural post harvest, produce ripening and crop production technologies and novel agrichemicals, came from 15 trial and control blocks in the Southern Salinas Valley, Livermore and the Central Valley. According to the company’s founder and president, Art Dawson, “ We have been sampling fruit set and bunch weights in conjunction with AgroThermal since 2012 and this represents the 3rd year of a consistent average increase of over 20% in fruit set at mid season vs. corresponding trial blocks. There is no doubt the technique produces more fruit, even in great fruit set years as evidenced from over 30 blocks tracked since 2012.” The increase in fruit set varied by varietal; it appears the response to instantaneous heat treatment is varietal-specific.

In 2014, the two companies collaborated on sampling harvest weights and berries per bunch counts a few days in advance of harvest, in 11 of the 15 winegrape trial blocks. According to Dawson, “We stripped six vines in each control and trial block to get a projection of weight per vine. The average increase was 31% more weight per vine. This indicated that the technique not only created more berries per bunch, but this advantage was carried forward to harvest yields.”

According to Marty Fischer, CEO of AgroThermal, “When we saw these sampling yield projections, we asked our growers to confirm their actual harvest data. Getting grower data on harvest yields has always been challenging due to the frenetic activity at harvest, the very reason why we decided to do the sampling prior to harvest. We have confirmation of substantial yield increases for 7 of the 11 blocks at Scheid Vineyards located in the Salinas Valley,” Fischer said, “and are awaiting grower harvest data from the other four blocks.”

Shawn Veysey, Head of Viticulture at Scheid in Greenfield, California stated, “We were very excited by what we have seen with the AgroThermal technique. We have blocks with up to a 40% increase in berries per bunch and weight per bunch. This translates to a 1 to 2 ton increase per acre.”

Fischer credited the increases in 2014 to a treatment shift; “Different protocols produce significantly different results after experimenting with treatment start dates, frequency of treatments and time of day applications. Growers who don’t want yield increases but want to change wine character need to use a protocol that provides more berries per bunch leading to higher skin to pulp ratios. Growers who want a yield increase need to adhere to a different protocol of treatments.”

AgroThermal expects some 15-20 wines to be barrel-tasted from the 2014 trials in California and Oregon, with wine quality results announced sometime in early 2015.

Agrothermal Systems Introduces North America Sales Manager

Kim Boyarsky was recently appointed North America Sales Manager, bringing wine industry marketing experience to AgroThermal Systems. She has spent ten years in customer development representing packaging and cooperage companies in the wine industry. For the last three years, she was Territory Manager with Barrel Builders, Inc. in St. Helena, California, where she was responsible for consulting with winemakers on barrel selections for current wine vintages in California, Oregon and Washington.

AgroThermal Systems (www.agrothermalsystems.com) is based in Walnut Creek California and is a dba of Lazo TPC Global, Inc. a California Corporation. AgroThermal has pioneered the use of in-field heat treatment as a means to increase yields, reduce pesticide needs and improve crop qualities. The company holds patents on Thermal Pest Control and has patents pending on Thermal Plant Treatment for agricultural crops . The AgroThermal Systems technology has shown consistent results for improving fruit set, harvest yields, pest control and improving certain wine sensory characteristics in various trials conducted in the US from 2012-2014.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:11-07:00December 15th, 2014|

SUTTER COUNTY FARMER HONORED FOR DISTINQUISHED SERVICE

Walnut Grower Russell Young is Honored for 60 Years of Volunteer Service

Honoring more than 60 years of volunteer service, the California Farm Bureau Federation has presented its Distinguished Service Award to Sutter County farmer Russell Young. He received the award recently during the CFBF Annual Meeting in Garden Grove.

Young, who grows walnuts in Meridian, has dedicated decades of service to Farm Bureau, beginning at age 21, when he became vice chair of the Robbins Farm Bureau Center. When the center merged into the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau, Young became a director of the county organization. This year marked his 62nd year of service to the organization.

In nominating Young for the award, the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau described him as “the ultimate model of steadfast commitment.” Young has served on numerous local and statewide Farm Bureau committees and represented Yuba, Sutter, Butte and Nevada counties for two terms on the CFBF Board of Directors.

In addition to his Farm Bureau service, Young has been active in community affairs, serving as a trustee of the Winship School District, on the Farm Service Agency loan committee and as a director of the Sacramento River Conservation Area Forum.

“I was struck by something that Russell’s wife, Marilyn, pointed out: that Russell has been dedicated to Farm Bureau because it serves both agriculture and the community,” CFBF President Paul Wenger said. “Russell Young personifies the spirit of volunteer service that makes Farm Bureau effective in serving farmers, ranchers and rural communities. It’s an honor to present him with this award.”

The Distinguished Service Award has been presented annually since 1953 to dedicated Farm Bureau volunteers from California.

The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of more than 57,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:11-07:00December 15th, 2014|

Secretary Ross Signs Landmark Trade Agreement

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross signed a cooperative trade agreement with officials from the Secretariat of Agriculture, Livestock, Rural Development, Fisheries and Food (SAGARPA) in Mexico City. This agreement is a follow-up to the Governor’s Trade Mission that occurred earlier this year.

The trade agreement includes a number of trade priorities that address such diverse issues as cross-border trade delays, technical dialogue related to beef and organic trade, agricultural cooperative extension outreach, and climate change collaboration.

“Mexico is a vital partner for California agriculture,” said Secretary Ross. “Further collaboration between our countries will enhance the opportunities within the agricultural sector for farmers and ranchers in both of our nations.”

The agreement follows months of dialogue between CDFA and SAGARPA that culminated in a meeting between Secretary Ross and Secretary Enrique Martinez at the Produce Marketing Association trade show in Anaheim at the end of October.

California is the largest agricultural producer and exporter in the nation, with more than $18 billion in food and agricultural exports. Mexico is California’s fifth largest export destination valued at $888 million. Over the last ten years, agricultural exports to Mexico have increased three-fold.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:11-07:00December 12th, 2014|

BASF Helps Fight Hunger With $75,000 Donation To Feeding America

Contribution will help provide nearly 340 tons of fresh fruits and vegetables to U.S. food banks

By Laurie Greene, CalAgToday Editor, Reporter

BASF is donating $75,000 to Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization, to help feed struggling families and individuals throughout the U.S.

“Hunger is a very real problem for tens of millions of people in America, including low-income families and seniors,” said Scott Kay, Vice President, U.S. Crop Protection for BASF. “Through our contribution to Feeding America, we can help provide healthy fruits and vegetables to people and communities who may not have regular access to them. In many ways, this partnership is an extension of the work we do every day with growers to help them feed our hungry world population.”

The donation will support Feeding America’s National Produce Program, an initiative that helps with planning, transportation and logistics to ensure fresh produce deliveries to the 200 member food banks around the country.

The commitment from BASF will help Feeding America provide 675,000 pounds of produce to families and individuals in need. The donation includes $5,000 in contributions from BASF grower customers who chose to be part of this donation.

“BASF was a natural fit to partner with Feeding America as we continue to focus on providing more nutritious fruits and vegetables for the clients we serve,” said Nancy Curby, vice president of corporate partnerships for Feeding America. “Their support will help extend the reach of our National Produce Program and help more Americans in need.”

Employees at the Research Triangle Park, North Carolina, BASF headquarters also raised more than $18,000 for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina through a virtual food drive and a special showing of the movie “Farmland.” The BASF Crop Protection division is also sponsoring the local ABC network affiliate WTVD’s “Heart of Carolina” food drive during the holiday season to collect food and raise money for the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina and the Second Harvest Food Bank.

“Our business and our employees are very pleased to partner with the many dedicated food bank volunteers who share our commitment to feeding those facing hunger, not only during the holidays, but all year long,” Kay said.

BASF’s Crop Protection division provides innovative solutions in crop protection, seed treatment and biological control as well as solutions to manage water, nutrients, plant stress, pest control and public health. The Crop Protection division supports growers to optimize agricultural production, improve their business efficiency and enhance the quality of life for a growing world population. Further information can be found on the web at www.agro.basf.com or through our social media channels.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:32:11-07:00December 11th, 2014|