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Department of Pesticide Regulation Releases 2024-2028 Strategic Plan Driven by Commitment to Sustainable Pest Management, Enforcement, Transparency and Equity

Courtesy of the California Department of Pesticide Regulation

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation released its final 2024-28 Strategic Plan, which outlines measurable goals and objectives to support increased access to sustainable pest management alternatives, improved timelines for evaluating pesticide risks, strengthened statewide enforcement, and increased transparency into the department’s priorities and decision-making.

“Our strategic plan paves the way for safer, sustainable, effective pest management that supports healthy communities, a healthy environment and a healthy, stable food supply,” said DPR Director Julie Henderson. “It charts a course that engages and fosters collaboration among all of our partners and stakeholders to achieve our goals equitably and economically.”

WHY THIS MATTERS

The Strategic Plan outlines how the department will advance four key commitments:

Increasing access to safe, effective and sustainable pest management.
Supporting the implementation of sustainable pest management through partnerships, research, outreach and education, and improving timelines for the registration of safer alternatives and identifying and mitigating risks from pesticide use.
Tracking, evaluating and enforcing safe pesticide use.
Prioritizing data collection and enforcement in disproportionately impacted agricultural and urban areas; enhancing the capacity of statewide and county enforcement programs; strengthening relationships to inform department priorities and actions; and enhancing worker safety regulations and outreach.
Fostering engagement, collaboration and transparency.
Increasing transparency and access to DPR, including broadening outreach and engagement, expanding language access and strengthening collaboration with the state’s Native American tribes.
Promoting organizational excellence and innovation.
Building and maintaining a diverse, innovative, collaborative workforce that acts with urgency and efficiency.

The 2024-28 Strategic Plan outlines specific departmental goals and timelines to achieve each of the plan’s objectives. The plan aligns with the requirements outlined in AB 2113, the policy bill that accompanied funding the department received in the 2024-25 State Budget, including improved timelines for registering pest management alternatives and re-evaluating high-risk pesticides. The final plan was informed by broad stakeholder engagement and public comment collected on the draft plan in fall 2023.

The 2024-28 Strategic Plan can be found on DPR’s website.

STRATEGIC PLAN PROGRESS UPDATES

DPR is on track to achieve key 2024 and upcoming 2025 goals, including:

Launch of CalPEST in 2024: Complete

In September 2024, DPR replaced its outdated paper-based pesticide registration process with a web-based system, CalPEST, to streamline evaluation and registration to increase and accelerate access to safer alternatives.

Launch of Language Access Hub in 2024: Complete

In March 2024, DPR introduced the Language Access Hub to provide translation and interpretation support for county agricultural commissioners (CACs) to use when interacting and engaging with the public. Language access supports an effective enforcement program by improving the ability of non-English speakers to engage with CACs and report pesticide incidents.

Launch of New, Improved DPR Website in 2025: On track for launch in early 2025

DPR is in the process of redesigning the department’s website to improve user experience and access to regulatory and other actions and documents, health and safety information, sustainable pest management resources, and other information and materials.

Launch of Statewide Pesticide Application Notification System in 2025: On track for launch in the first quarter of 2025

The department noticed the final regulation to implement a statewide pesticide notification system that will provide advance information about restricted material pesticide applications. DPR anticipates launching the system statewide in the first quarter of 2025.

Issue Timeline Projections for Scientific Data Evaluations and Registration by 2025: On track for launch in early 2025

Aligned with the requirements in AB 2113, DPR will improve the transparency of and provide projections for pesticide evaluation and registration timelines.

Establish a Science-based Pesticide Prioritization Process Informed by an Advisory Committee and Public Input by 2025: On track for launch in 2025

DPR will establish a public, science-based process that will be informed by a scientific advisory committee and public input to prioritize high-risk pesticide evaluations, identify and evaluate the availability and feasibility of alternatives, and identify expeditious action for mitigation.

Convene an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee by 2026: On track for launch by 2026

Governor Newsom signed AB 652 in October 2023, requiring DPR to convene an Environmental Justice Advisory Committee by January 1, 2026. This advisory committee, as outlined in AB 652, will provide prioritized recommendations to DPR on ways to integrate environmental justice considerations into department programs, policies, decision-making and activities, and on how the department can improve its engagement with communities with the most significant exposure to pesticides. This will provide opportunities for regular, transparent and meaningful access to DPR to increase awareness of and inform department programs, decision-making and actions.

To view a recap of the department’s work and process over the last five years, see the department’s progress report.

California Ag Today2024-12-06T13:07:03-08:00December 6th, 2024|

2024 Farm Sector Income Forecast

Courtesy of the USDA Economic Research Service

U.S. Department of Agriculture, Economic Research Service. (2024, December 3). Farm sector income & finances: Farm sector income forecast.

After reaching record highs in 2022, farm sector income is forecast to fall in 2024 but at a slower rate than in 2023. Net farm income, a broad measure of profits, reached $181.9 billion in calendar year 2022 in nominal dollars. After decreasing by $35.3 billion (19.4 percent) from 2022 to $146.7 billion in 2023, net farm income is forecast to decrease $6.0 billion (4.1 percent) to $140.7 billion in 2024. Net cash farm income reached $210.1 billion in 2022. After decreasing by $49.4 billion (23.5 percent) from 2022 to $160.7 billion in 2023, net cash farm income is forecast to decrease by $1.8 billion (1.1 percent) to $158.8 billion in 2024.

In inflation-adjusted 2024 dollars, net farm income is forecast to decrease by $9.5 billion (6.3 percent) from 2023 to 2024. Net cash farm income is forecast to decrease by $5.7 billion (3.5 percent) from 2023 to 2024. If realized, both measures in 2024 would remain above their 2004–23 averages (in inflation-adjusted dollars).

See all forecast and estimate data on farm income and wealth statistics or see a summary of the forecasts in the table U.S. farm sector financial indicators, 2017–2024F.

Note: In the text below, year-to-year changes in the major aggregate components of farm income are generally discussed in nominal dollars, although cases are noted where the change is reversed using inflation-adjusted dollars.

Summary Findings

Overall, farm cash receipts are forecast to decrease by $4.0 billion (0.8 percent) from 2023 to $516.9 billion in 2024 in nominal dollars. Total crop receipts are forecast to decrease by $25.0 billion (9.2 percent) from 2023 levels to $246.2 billion following lower receipts for corn and soybeans. Conversely, total animal/animal product receipts are projected to increase by $21.0 billion (8.4 percent) to $270.6 billion in 2024. Receipts for cattle/calves, eggs, milk, broilers, and hogs are forecast to rise relative to 2023.

Direct Government farm payments are forecast at $10.6 billion in 2024, a $1.7-billion (13.6 percent) decrease from 2023. Direct Government farm payments include Federal farm program payments paid directly to farmers and ranchers but exclude U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) loans and insurance indemnity payments made by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC). The forecast decline is largely because of lower Dairy Margin Coverage Program payments and supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance to farmers and ranchers in 2024 compared with 2023.

Total production expenses, including those associated with operator dwellings, are forecast to decrease by $8.0 billion (1.7 percent) from 2023 to $453.9 billion in 2024. Spending on feed is expected to see the largest decline in 2024 while livestock/poultry purchases are expected to see the largest dollar increase relative to 2023.

Farm sector equity is expected to increase by 5.2 percent ($181.9 billion) from 2023 to $3.68 trillion in 2024 in nominal terms. Farm sector assets are forecast to increase 5.1 percent ($205.4 billion) to $4.22 trillion in 2024 following an expected increase in the value of farm real estate assets. Farm sector debt is forecast to increase 4.5 percent ($23.5 billion) to $542.5 billion in 2024. Debt-to-asset levels for the sector are forecast to improve modestly from 12.93 percent in 2023 to 12.86 percent in 2024. Working capital is forecast to fall 6.9 percent in 2024 relative to 2023.

Total Cash Receipts Forecast To Decline for Second Straight Year in 2024

Total inflation-adjusted cash receipts are forecast to fall $16.6 billion (3.1 percent) from 2023 to $516.9 billion in 2024. Crop cash receipts are projected to decline $31.6 billion (11.4 percent) during the year, although animal/animal product cash receipts are expected to increase by $15.0 billion (5.9 percent).

Crop Receipts Projected To Fall in 2024

Crop cash receipts are forecast at $246.2 billion in 2024, a decrease of $25.0 billion (9.2 percent) from 2023 in nominal terms. Combined receipts for corn and soybeans are forecast to fall $23.5 billion, however, vegetable and melon receipts are expected to increase.

Corn receipts are expected to fall by $16.6 billion (20.8 percent), as lower forecasted prices should outweigh higher quantities sold in 2024. Lower prices in 2024 should also outweigh growth in quantities sold for soybean receipts, which are forecast to decrease by $6.9 billion (12.3 percent). Falling prices and quantities sold are expected to pull cotton receipts $1.9 billion (26.9 percent) lower in 2024. Wheat receipts are forecast to decrease $0.8 billion (7.0 percent), as lower prices will likely outweigh higher quantities sold. Rice receipts are projected to grow by $0.2 billion (4.5 percent), behind rising quantities sold. Receipts for hay are expected to decline by $0.8 billion (8.1 percent).

Vegetable and melon cash receipts are expected to increase by $1.7 billion (6.7 percent) in 2024 and receipts for fruits and nuts are expected to fall by $0.6 billion (2.1 percent) during the year. Receipts for sunflower are forecast to decline $0.3 billion (39.9 percent) in 2024.

See data on value of crop production (in the value added table) and crop cash receipts.

Growth in Animal/Animal Product Receipts Forecast in 2024

Total animal/animal product cash receipts are expected to increase $21.0 billion (8.4 percent in nominal terms) from 2023 to $270.6 billion in 2024. Chicken egg receipts are forecast to see the largest percentage increase among animal/animal product commodities.

Milk receipts are expected to increase $5.3 billion (11.5 percent) in 2024, mainly due to higher prices. Cash receipts from cattle and calves are expected to increase $7.3 billion (7.2 percent), also primarily due to higher prices. Growth in prices and quantities sold are likely to lead to an increase of $1.5 billion (5.7 percent) in hog receipts during the year.

Cash receipts for chicken eggs are projected to increase $7.0 billion (39.4 percent), due to rising prices in 2024. Rising prices and quantities sold are expected to drive broiler receipts $2.5 billion (5.9 percent) higher during the year. However, turkey receipts are forecast to drop $2.8 billion (43.3 percent) in 2024, following expected lower prices and quantities sold.

See data on value of animal/product production (in the value added table) and animal/product cash receipts.

Lower Prices Drive Cash Receipts Decline in 2024

To better understand the factors underlying the forecast change in annual receipts from 2023 to 2024, the change was broken down into two effects: (1) a “price effect” projecting the change in cash receipts associated with holding the quantity sold constant at 2023 levels and allowing prices to change to forecast 2024 levels; and (2) a “quantity effect” holding prices constant from 2023 and quantities changing to forecast 2024 levels. In 2024, falling prices are projected to have negative effects on cash receipts, while rising quantities sold should have positive effects. Overall, cash receipts are forecast to decrease $4.0 billion in 2024, with an estimated negative price effect of $26.2 billion, and a projected positive quantity effect of $20.9 billion. In addition, a net increase of $1.3 billion in cash receipts is from forecasts for commodities for which price and quantity effects cannot be separately determined. Quantity effects on cash receipts are forecast to be positive for crops and animals/animal products. Price effects are forecast to be negative overall for crop cash receipts but are expected to be positive for animal/animal product receipts.

Direct Government Farm Payments Forecast To Decrease in 2024

Direct Government farm program payments are those made by the Federal Government directly to farmers and ranchers with no intermediaries. Typically, most direct payments to farmers and ranchers are administered by the USDA using the Farm Bill or related authorities. Direct payments can also come from supplemental programs authorized by the U.S. Congress. Government payments do not include Federal Crop Insurance Corporation (FCIC) indemnity payments (listed as a separate component of farm income) and USDA loans (listed as a liability in the farm sector’s balance sheet). Direct Government farm program payments are forecast at $10.6 billion for 2024, a decrease of 13.6 percent ($1.7 billion) from 2023 to 2024. This overall decrease reflects anticipated lower payments from the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program and lower payments from supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance, particularly from the Emergency Relief Program (ERP).

Supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance payments in 2024 are forecast at $5.6 billion, a decrease of $1.5 billion (21.6 percent) from 2023, mostly because of lower expected payments from the Emergency Relief Program. Since 2020, supplemental and ad hoc disaster assistance has represented the largest category of direct Government payments.

Conservation payments from the financial assistance programs of USDA’s Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) are expected to be $4.4 billion in 2024, an increase of $806.9 million (22.2 percent) from the 2023 level. The increase in conservation payments is due to a marginal increase in Conservation Reserve Program enrolled acres, an increase in payments from NRCS programs, and some expected payments from the Inflation Reduction Act funds allocated for USDA’s conservation programs.

Farm bill commodity payments under the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs are forecast at $461.0 million (an increase of 70.5 percent relative to the previous year) and $1.9 million (a decrease of 75.8 percent), respectively. The ARC program provides income support payments when actual crop revenue declines below a specified level. The PLC program provides income support payments when the effective price of a covered commodity falls below its effective reference price.

The Dairy Margin Coverage Program (DMC) is forecast to make $80.9 million in payments in 2024, which is $1.1 billion lower than in 2023. DMC payments were at a record high of $1.2 billion in 2023 due to lower milk prices.

Production Expenses Forecast To Decline in 2024

Farm sector production expenses, including expenses associated with operator dwellings, are forecast at $453.9 billion in 2024. This is a decline of $8.0 billion (1.7 percent), compared with 2023 levels. When adjusted for inflation, production expenses are forecast to decrease by 4.1 percent from 2023 to 2024.

Spending on feed, labor, and livestock/poultry purchases are expected to represent the three largest categories in 2024. Feed purchases, the largest single expense category, are forecast at $69.5 billion in 2024, declining by $10.5 billion (13.2 percent) from 2023. However, labor expenses (including both cash labor expenses and noncash employee compensation) are forecast to rise by $3.0 billion (6.1 percent) to $51.8 billion in 2024, compared with 2023. Livestock and poultry purchases are projected to grow by $4.4 billion (10.2 percent) to $47.4 billion in 2024. Note that no adjustments for inflation are made.

Several other expense categories are forecast to notably change in 2024, compared with their 2023 levels:

Fertilizer expenses (including lime and soil conditioner expenses) are projected to decline by $3.0 billion (8.4 percent below their 2023 value) to $32.8 billion. This decline is mostly due to reductions in fertilizer prices.
Pesticide expenses are expected to decline by $2.3 billion (10.7 percent below their 2023 level) to $19.3 billion, mostly due to lower prices.
Fuel and oil expenses are forecast to decline by $2.0 billion (11.3 percent) in 2024, to $15.6 billion, driven by declining energy prices.

California Ag Today2024-12-05T14:06:53-08:00December 5th, 2024|

Westlands Water District Elects Five Board Members

Westlands Water District (District) board certified the election for five members to the District’s Board of Directors. Directors William Bourdeau, Jeff Fortune, Frank Coelho, and Jim Anderson were reelected, and Ryan Ferguson rejoined the board as a newly-elected member. Each will serve a four-year term, alongside the current four members to complete the nine-member Board of Directors.

“The re-election of these highly qualified and experienced individuals reflects our grower’s commitment to continue the District’s legacy of leadership and innovation as we continue to navigate the important challenges and exciting opportunities ahead. The work before us is vital for the future of the hundreds of family farms and thousands of community members who rely on Westlands Water District. We are committed to rolling up our sleeves, collaborating closely, and making thoughtful, forward-looking decisions to ensure that the San Joaquin Valley can continue to feed the nation,” said Allison Febbo, General Manager, Westlands Water District.

The Westlands Water District Board of Directors is composed of nine members, each of whom is either a District landowner or designated legal representative of a landowner. The Board manages the District’s business and affairs.

Board Member Biographies

Willian Bourdeau: William Bourdeau is fourth-generation member of a family from the Westside of California’s San Joaquin Valley and the Founder and CEO of Bourdeau Farms based in Coalinga. Mr. Bourdeau also oversees operations across 25,000 acres in Coalinga, Sanger, and Lodi, helping to lead one of the Valley’s most agriculturally diverse companies in his role as Executive Vice President of Harris Farms.

Jeff Fortune: A UC Davis graduate, third-generation California farmer, and second-generation Westlands farmer, Jeff Fortune brings extensive hands-on farming experience to the District’s Board, where he has served as Board President since December 2022. A “boots on the ground” farmer, Mr. Fortune, along with his wife Mitzi, began farming in Westlands in 1978, currently cultivating tomatoes, almonds, and pistachios.

Frank Coelho: Alongside his family, Frank Coelho works as a third-generation farmer in the Five Points region of the District. Serving on the District’s Board since 1991, Mr. Coelho remains dedicated to supporting family farms like his own, where they cultivate a variety of crops including processing tomatoes, pistachios, wine grapes, almonds, cotton, garlic, and garbanzo beans.

Jim Anderson: A fifth-generation Westlands Water District farmer, Jim Anderson has proudly represented local farmers on the Board since 2013. Mr. Anderson and his wife Elizabeth grow a range of crops including garlic, wheat, almonds, and pistachios—adjusting as needed based on water availability.

Ryan Ferguson: Ryan Ferguson has farmed in Westlands Water District with his family for more than 20 years. Previously serving as Board President from April 2021 to December 2022, Mr. Ferguson helped lead the development and adoption of the District’s groundwater sustainability plan and the groundwater banking program. Mr. Ferguson and his father grow almonds, pistachios, tomatoes, onions and cotton on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley in the District.

California Ag Today2024-12-02T09:15:06-08:00December 2nd, 2024|

ESGA Wants to Bug You

The UC Davis Entomology Graduate Student Association (EGSA) is gearing up for the holiday season with items to “bug” you.

EGSA members design and sell insect- and arachnid-themed T-shirts and hoodies, as well as stickers. They can be ordered online at https://mkt.com/UCDavisEntGrad/.

Doctoral candidate Lexie Martin of the lab of community ecologist Rachel Vannette, associate professor and vice chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology and Nematology, serves as EGSA president.

Treasurer Iris Quayle of the arachnology lab of Professor Jason Bond coordinates the EGSA store.

Popular T-shirts include “The Beetles” (featuring four beetles mimicking The Beatles walking across Abbey Road) and “Bugbie” (a take-off of the Barbie movie craze but spotlighting a pink insect, a rosy maple moth, Dryocampa rubicunda.)

Among the many EGSA t-shirts:

“Here for a Good Time, Not a Long Time” (female praying mantis eating the head of a suitor)
“Would You Love Me If I Was a Worm?”
“Hang in There: (a pseudoscorpion hanging onto a fly leg)
“Bee Haw” (honey bee as a cowboy)
“They See Me Rollin'”: (dung beetle)
“Cicada Amp”
“Whip Scorpion”

“We now have hoodies in the Bee-Haw, Whip Scorpion, and Worm designs and tank tops in the Cicada Amp and Dung Beetle designs,” Quayle says.

This is one of the T-shirts designed and offered by the UC Davis Graduate Student Association.

California Ag Today2024-12-02T08:04:44-08:00December 2nd, 2024|

5,000 matching campaign for Forever 4-H Endowment in Santa Barbara County ends on Dec. 4

Courtesy of UCANR News

The 4-H Youth Development Program in Santa Barbara County believes that true leaders are not born, they’re grown. With the support of its generous donors, strong volunteer base, and community support, the 4-H Program in Santa Barbara County successfully equips and empowers young leaders to develop essential leadership skills; build confidence and skills in healthy living, science, technology, engineering and math; and explore college and career pathways.

Recognizing its significant impact in the community, the Edwin and Jeanne Woods Foundation committed a $5,000 matching incentive to the Forever 4-H Endowment of Santa Barbara County. As longtime supporters of 4-H, the Edwin and Jeanne Woods Foundation believes in the program’s mission and vision to engage youth in reaching their fullest potential while providing meaningful opportunities for all youth and adults to learn, grow and work together as catalysts for positive change.

“I was able to learn more about how I can improve myself in order to help improve my community. From becoming more confident in my knowledge and abilities to my ability to connect with people of all ages,” said a 4-H youth participant regarding their overall experience in the program.

4-H Club based projects focus on animal science, career and leadership, civic engagement, healthy living and nutrition, outdoor education, and STEM. Currently there are twelve 4-H community clubs located throughout Santa Barbara County in Carpentaria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez, Santa Maria, Orcutt, and Solvang. In addition, there are five school-based clubs at elementary schools located in Santa Maria with a focus on leadership in health and nutrition.

Established in June 2019, the Santa Barbara County Forever 4-H Endowment’s market value as of October 31, 2024, was $242,265. The payout from this endowment will provide a sustainable revenue source contributing to the program’s continued efforts in providing hands-on learning and leadership opportunities, and empowering youth to excel academically, socially, and personally well into the future.

Consider doubling your impact with a gift to the Santa Barbara County Forever 4-H Endowment during this year’s Giving Tuesday Campaign, Dec. 3 by making a donation at the link found here https://give4h.ucanr.edu/forms/SantaBarbara-4H.

California Ag Today2024-11-27T08:09:34-08:00November 27th, 2024|

California Department of Food and Agriculture Announces Vacancy on the Nursery Advisory Board

Courtesy of the CDFA

The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Pest Exclusion Branch is announcing three vacancies on the Nursery Advisory Board. The Board is composed of twelve voting members, each representing an establishment with a valid California License to Sell Nursery Stock. No two members shall represent the same organization. Members will represent a wide spectrum of the nursery industry, and the Board will be geographically representative of the nursery industry in California.

There are three upcoming vacant positions for voting members. The successful candidates will be appointed to serve terms beginning February 1, 2025.

The term of office for Board Members is four years. Members typically meet twice per year but can meet more frequently if needed. The members receive no compensation but are entitled to payment of necessary traveling expenses in accordance with the rules of the California Department of Human Resources.

In addition, the Board includes up to nine non-voting ex officio members from the County Agricultural Commissioner and Sealers Association, the University of California, and groups affiliated with the nursery industry.

The mission of the Nursery Advisory Board is to grow and maintain a strong relationship between CDFA and the nursery industry in order to secure the industry’s future. The Board facilitates communication between state and federal regulators and the nursery industry, and it advises CDFA’s Nursery Services Program on policies, fees, and other issues concerning nurseries and nursery stock.

Individuals interested in being considered for this Board appointment should send a brief resumé and fill out the attached “Prospective Voting Member Appointment Questionnaire” to Kristina Weber, Board Supervisor, by December 16, 2024 at: nurseryservices@cdfa.ca.gov or by mailing to:

California Department of Food and Agriculture

Pest Exclusion Branch

1220 N Street, Room 241

Sacramento, CA 95814

Attention: Kristina Weber

For additional information, you may contact the Nursery Services Program at

(916) 654-0435.

California Ag Today2024-11-27T07:57:45-08:00November 27th, 2024|

California Citrus Mutual Endorses Congressman Jim Costa for Ranking Member of House Agriculture Committee

California Citrus Mutual (CCM) is proud to announce its endorsement of Congressman Jim Costa for the position of Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee.

Congressman Costa has been a steadfast champion of California’s citrus industry throughout his extensive career in public service. From his early days in the California State Legislature to his tenure in the U.S. Congress, he has consistently advocated for the priorities that matter most to citrus growers and the broader agricultural community.

“Congressman Costa has always been a dedicated advocate for our industry,” said Casey Creamer, President/CEO of California Citrus Mutual. “His deep understanding of the challenges we face—ranging from citrus greening and trade issues to the need for effective crop protection tools and ongoing research—has been invaluable. We are confident that his leadership as Ranking Member will continue to benefit citrus growers across California.”

Under Congressman Costa’s guidance, significant progress has been made in combating citrus greening, expanding trade opportunities, securing vital crop protection resources, and promoting essential research initiatives. His commitment to these issues reflects a genuine dedication to the sustainability and success of California agriculture.

“Jim Costa’s track record speaks for itself,” added Creamer. “We are pleased to offer our full support for his bid to become Ranking Member of the House Agriculture Committee. His experience and passion make him an outstanding choice to lead on the issues that are critical to our industry.”

California Citrus Mutual looks forward to continuing its collaborative work with Congressman Costa to advance policies and initiatives that support the citrus industry’s growth and prosperity.

California Ag Today2024-11-27T07:52:59-08:00November 27th, 2024|

Associations Conduct Air District Permit Training

The California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association (CCGGA) and Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA) in partnership with Cardinal Professional Products conducted a day long tour and training session on cotton gins and tree nut hullers and processors on air pollution permitting and issues. 24 engineers from all three regions (North, Central and South) of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District attended the training which included classroom training on fumigation practices and procedures, as well as cotton gin operation and how its air pollution control works. In addition, basic tree nut huller operation was introduced and demonstrated. The purpose of the training was to help permitting engineers know and understand the process of these operations to help expedite permitting times. The group toured Perfect PAC LP, led by WAPA Board Member Jason Baldwin, Sierra Valley Almonds, led by WAPA Board Members Jim Sears, and Olam Cotton’s Silver Creek Gin, led by CCGGA Board Member Matt Toste. The training was led by the Association’s Director of Technical Services Christopher McGlothlin and President/CEO Roger A. Isom. Representing Cardinal Products was Doug Belle and Kevin Willet.

California Ag Today2024-11-22T08:59:17-08:00November 22nd, 2024|

Virtual Fencing “Game-Changer” for Ranchers Grazing Cattle

Courtesy of UCANR News

Tech can save ranchers time and benefit animals and land, becoming more viable

After the Caldor Fire destroyed seven miles of fencing on their cattle ranch in 2021, Leisel Finley and her family needed to replace the fence.

Finley, a sixth-generation rancher at Mount Echo Ranch in Amador County, said reconstruction costs were bid at $300,000 and would take at least a year to build, leaving the family without summer pasture and a herd of hungry cows to feed. Additionally, the U.S. Forest Service mandates that grazing be withheld for two years in postfire landscapes. This put the family in a difficult position.

While watching a recording of a California Cattlemen’s Association meeting, Finley learned about a pilot program for virtual fencing. Desperate to find an alternative solution, she registered to try the livestock containment technology, which uses GPS enabled collars to monitor each animal’s location in near real time.

Livestock producers can draw a perimeter on a map of their pasture using a laptop or smartphone application and send those instructions to the collar. The collar then uses audio and tactile cues to contain the animal in the area.

Eager to discover the short- and long-term benefits of virtual fencing, Finley turned to Scott Oneto, farm advisor, and Brian Allen, assistant specialist, from the University of California Cooperative Extension office in the Central Sierra. Since partnering with Oneto and Allen, Finley said she has come to understand and uncover more of the technology’s potential.

The team has consistently observed the technology’s value in integrating with and enhancing traditional livestock production systems across California. Though still in its early stages of development, the location tracking and containment system appears to provide time- and cost-savings that make it a game-changer for ranchers.

Ability to monitor location of animals in real time

Virtual fencing really stands out in its ability to monitor each animal’s location in real time. During roundups, ranchers can use their smartphones to see their own location relative to their herd. The system can also send alerts if an animal crosses the virtual boundary or if a collar remains stationary for an extended period, potentially indicating that the animal is sick or that the collar has fallen off.

Rounding up cattle on large, forested grazing allotments can be challenging, as the process generally requires a group of people and many return trips to find every animal. Prior to virtual fencing, Finley and her father could gather about 85% to 90% of the herd in a week. Since using virtual fencing, Finley said one of their most recent roundups lasted three days, and they located every single cow.

Something that every livestock producer dreads is the notorious call from a neighbor or California Highway Patrol alerting them that one of their cows is out in the middle of the road. It always seems to happen at midnight or while they are out with friends or family. This scenario changes with virtual fencing.

Containment based on animal behavior

The containment system that virtual fencing is built on is based on animal behavior. When the animal crosses an invisible boundary, the collar emits an audio warning, prompting most animals to instinctively turn back into the desired area. If the animal doesn’t respond, the collar delivers a mild electric pulse as a secondary deterrent.

Field trials by Oneto and Allen demonstrated the system’s success. Recently, the team trained a herd of 37 cattle of mixed ages that had no previous exposure to virtual fencing. During the initial six-day training period, the cattle responded to the audio warning alone about 75% of the time when they approached a virtual fence boundary, with the remaining 25% of cases requiring an electric pulse.

After about three weeks, the herd was responding to audio cues alone about 95% of the time. The field trials also showed that the collars contain the livestock within the desired areas 90% to 99% of the time when the entire herd wears virtual fence collars and their basic needs for safety, connection to the rest of the herd, water, forage, shade, etc. are met.

Opportunities for improvement

While the technology is effective in its current capacity, there are notable areas where it can improve. One limitation to the system is the current reliance on cellular networks to operate. If an animal wanders into an area outside of coverage, the collar will continue to operate based on the last instructions but won’t receive updates or report locations. This is especially a concern in many areas of California with poor cell reception, including the steep forested rangelands where many livestock producers have summer grazing allotments.

Another limitation is that some companies require a solar-powered base station with radio and cellular antennas to be placed on the pasture. These facilitate the transfer of animal locations and updates to the virtual fences. A base station going offline would create the same conditions as a drop in cell signal until the base station is repaired. Some companies are currently developing collars that bypass the need for these base stations.

The other major concern for ranchers is the cost for a virtual fencing system. The average rancher can expect to pay an estimated $20,000 to $30,000 in upfront costs. The cost to set up a base station alone is $5,000 to $10,000. However, this cost is highly dependent on several factors, including the manufacturer, the number of livestock to be collared, if the livestock are large or small ruminants, and the number of GPS base stations to cover the range.

According to Allen and Finley, the high cost of virtual fencing can be offset by the unique animal and land management benefits it can provide. “While physical perimeter fencing remains essential, VF is rapidly emerging as an innovative tool to control livestock with ease, precision, and flexibility in ways that were not previously feasible with traditional fencing,” Allen said.

Finley described the technology as a “game-changer” for her family.

Virtual fencing helps control invasive grasses, installing fuel breaks

While virtual fencing is designed to contain livestock without physical fencing, it is not intended to outright replace secure perimeter fencing. Instead, it operates best as a highly dynamic and adaptable cross-fence, allowing for more intentional grazing on the landscape to meet livestock production and natural resource conservation objectives within a secure physical perimeter.

With grant funding from the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the UCCE team continues to work with Finley and other livestock producers to test these applications on California’s diverse rangelands.

Within the Sierra Nevada and Coast Ranges foothills, these trials include using virtual fencing on cattle for targeted grazing of invasive grasses to support the recovery of native forage and installing fuel breaks within the wildland-urban interface to remove vegetation where the edge of a pasture meets urban housing.

Using virtual fencing, 25 cattle were successfully concentrated on a field of Medusahead (Elymus caput-medusae), an invasive annual grass. The herd respected the virtual fencing boundary 99% of the time despite nearby preferable forage. Grazing reduced medusahead seed heads from 2,072 per square meter in the ungrazed control area to just 68 per square meter in the grazed section.

In a different trial, 37 cattle with virtual fencing collars were contained within 120-feet-wide fuel breaks along the boundary of an annual rangeland and residential area. Cattle stayed within the boundaries 99% of the time, leading to an 81% reduction in fine fuel biomass and lowering wildfire risk in the wildland-urban interface.

Within rangelands on conifer forests, these UCCE trials concentrate cattle on brush to reduce the flammable plants and vegetation that competes with desirable timber species. It also can prevent livestock from entering sites that are sensitive to livestock presence.

Upcoming grazing trials will focus on how virtual fencing works with goats and sheep. In addition to Oneto and Allen, UCCE’s contribution to virtual fencing research is in large part due to Leslie Roche, UCCE specialist and associate professor at UC Davis, Dan Macon and Jeff Stackhouse, UCCE livestock and natural resources advisors, Kristina Horback, associate professor at UC Davis and Lone Star Ranch in Humboldt County.

To learn more about the trials led by the UCCE team,visit https://cecentralsierra.ucanr.edu/Virtual_Fencing/

California Ag Today2024-11-14T10:30:19-08:00November 14th, 2024|

Assemblymember Juan Alanis Awarded Almond Champion of the Year

The Almond Alliance is proud to announce Assemblymember Juan Alanis as the recipient of the 2024 Almond Champion of the Year Award. Assemblymember Alanis is recognized for his exceptional leadership and advocacy for California’s almond industry. As the Vice Chair of the Assembly Agriculture Committee, he has been a strong voice for the Almond Alliance, consistently demonstrating his dedication to the industry’s growth and sustainability.

“The Almond Alliance is honored to recognize Assemblymember Juan Alanis for his unwavering support and leadership in advancing the almond industry,” said Alicia Rockwell, chair of the Almond Alliance Government Relations Committee. “We appreciate his commitment to a hands-on approach in advocating for agriculture and the almond industry. His efforts have given California almond farm families a fighting chance.”

The Almond Champion of the Year Award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate extraordinary leadership in education, coalition-building, partnerships, and promoting legislation and policies that encourage the advancement and protection of California agriculture, particularly the almond industry. The award recipient is selected by the Almond Alliance’s Government Relations Committee, which includes the following esteemed members:

Alicia Rockwell, Blue Diamond Growers, Committee Chair
Melissa Frank, The Wonderful Company, Committee Vice-Chair
Dick Cunningham, Cunningham Ranch Inc.
Blake Vann, Vann Brothers
Jeannine Grech, Campos Brothers Farms
Dave Phippen, Travaille & Phippen
Steve Van Duyn, Van Duyn Family Farms
Todd Meyer, Bear Republic Nut
Bill Lyons, Mapes Ranch
Sebastian Silvera, Gladstone Farms
Taj Samran, Hilltop Ranch

Past recipients of this prestigious award include the Department of Water Resources, Assemblymember Adam Gray, Assemblymember Heath Flora, former USDA State Executive Director of Farm Service Agency Connie Conway, Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua, and CDFA Undersecretary Christie Birdsong.

The award will be formally presented to Assemblymember Alanis at the California Almond Political Action Committee’s Annual Modesto Fundraiser, taking place at Del Rio Country Club on November 6, 2024, at 5:30 p.m. This event brings together members of the almond community, elected officials, and special guests.

For RSVPs or more information, please contact Annie Romero at aromero@almondalliance.org or 209-300-7140.

California Ag Today2024-10-23T08:25:23-07:00October 23rd, 2024|

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