Hoping Federal Water Allocation Increases

Hoping the 5 percent Water Allocation Increases

By Patrick Cavanaugh, with the AgInformation Network

With all the tree nut growers in the Central Valley, lack of rain, and snow, that 5% water allocation from federal water districts will hurt. We hope it goes bigger.

Ryan Jacobsen is the CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau. “If you’re in California, particularly the Valley we’re dependent upon five to seven good storms to make or break a season. And we have not seen that whatsoever,” Jacobsen said. “We’ve really only had one and a half good storms put a little snowpack up in the Sierra Nevada. And so therefore we are in a deficit because of what mother nature has provided.”

“But up in the Delta there, we have our issues in regards to just wielding water through there because of the ESA issues, because of the new biological opinions that does help somewhat based off of the conditions of where the Delta is, is kind of where the pumping takes place. But in years, like this year, we got to have some basic amount of water and that just hasn’t come to fruition yet,” Jacobsen explained.

Jacobsen said on the West Side, farmers may be able to divert water from row crops. to their permanent crops

“They’re permanent plantings are a component of their overall landmass. And so they’ll take water that may have flowed towards those row and field crops and they’ll divert it towards their permanent crops,” he said. “And so, there is a lot of farmers that still rely upon that surface supply.”

“Even at 5%, at least it’s something. We hope that’s going to grow. I mean, even a 10%, 15, 20% puts us in a lot better scenario for those folks to be able to use that surface supply, to go towards their permanent plantings there. And so our hope is, is that it’s going to grow from this point forward,” he said.

2021-05-13T16:01:35-07:00March 22nd, 2021|

Manure Management Get’s a Boost

 

A Consortia of Microbes Assist in Manure Management in Livestock

 

Boost is a product utilizing the digestion abilities of special bacteria and natural enzymes cultured for their ability to digest organic matter quickly, efficiently and without odor. These strains will work both in the presence of oxygen as well as in its absence. The natural enzymes quickly break down proteins, starch, carbohydrates, animal, and vegetable fats & oils as well as paper.

The composition of Boost includes a unique micro-nutrient enriched carrier to provide accelerated germination, growth, and superior enzyme production while reducing odor, BOD, COD, suspended solids, turbidity, and ammonia concentrations. Stable bacteria spores enhance shelf life and guarantee microbial concentration.  Spore-form allows it to resist chlorine, disinfectants, and high-water temperatures.

Considering the attributes of Boost in the digestion of organic materials, this consortium of bacteria proves to be a multi-functional/use means of preconditioning livestock manures in advance of field application.  Boost accelerates the transition of raw organics into plant-available nutrients reducing the stress on depleted indigent soil microbial bacteria. This process of preconditioning raw organics is not limited to poultry litter, livestock beddings, forage, and feed wastage.

 

The organic digestive ability of Boost bacteria has decreased the time required to compost whole livestock carcasses in mass to include the bones, viscera, hide, feathers, and bulking materials.  In the interest of on-farm biosecurity measures, the ability to dispose of animal/poultry carcasses at thermophilic temperatures at accelerated rates of decomposition decreases the exposure to trafficked disease while allowing for a field-ready, rich nutrient by-product.

In terms of poultry health and housing, Boost will reduce the measurable levels of ammonia ppm generated from litter after one application for an entire grow-out season significantly reducing flock mortality.  In the reduction of ammonia, the reduction of chick death loss due to blindness, respiratory infections, and footpad issues are noted.

 

In terms of swine health, applied to deep or shallow pull-plug pits, the ability of Boost to degrade organic materials reduces the levels of ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and methane from the pits.  As with poultry, the reduction of pit gasses decreases the damage to ISOwean pig lungs, increases the rate of gain, and lessens effects of heat stress in confined livestock.

2021-05-13T16:03:01-07:00March 19th, 2021|

Initial Water Allocation at 5 percent!

Westlands Water District Responds to Reclamation’s Five Percent Allocation for South-of-Delta Repayment and Water Service Contractors 

 

In response to today’s U.S. Bureau of Reclamation’s (Reclamation) announcement that the initial allocation for South-of-Delta agricultural repayment and water service contractors is 5%, Tom Birmingham, Westlands general manager, today issued the following statement:

 

“Today’s announcement is no surprise given current hydrologic conditions and regulations that restrict operations of the Central Valley Project, but it is devastating nonetheless for farmers and communities across the region that rely on water from the CVP and jobs created by irrigated agriculture. It’s also yet another reminder of the urgency behind our continued work with policymakers, regulators and the farming community to maximize water use efficiency, improve climate resilience, and ensure greater water supply reliability now and in the future.”

 

Westlands is among the South-of-Delta contractors that, together, hold contracts with Reclamation for approximately 3 million acre-feet (977 billion gallons) of water. Over the last 10 years, Westlands and other South-of-Delta agricultural repayment and water service contractors have received a 100% allocation of water only once and have received a 0% allocation two times. On average, these contractors have received less than a 40% allocation of water over the past decade.

 

Recent studies have shown that reductions in surface water availability in the Central Valley can cause approximately 194,000 acres of land to be taken out of production, more than $1.3 billion in lost crop revenue and thousands of job losses. Lack of surface water also increases reliance on groundwater and can have negative impacts on drinking water availability and quality – particularly in disadvantaged communities.

 

To maximize water use efficiency, Westlands’ water distribution system is comprised of approximately 1,100 miles of buried pipeline and is outfitted with over 3,000 water meters. Since 2017, Westlands has invested $14.2 million in its water infrastructure system, which measures every drop of water and minimizes losses caused by seepage and evaporation.

“With the announcement of this year’s initial allocation, Westlands remains more committed than ever to ensuring that every drop of water available to the District is put to beneficial use,” Birmingham added. “A 5% allocation, although better than zero, will result in a human and economic disaster for families on the West side of the Valley and could result in major strains for the nation’s food supply. We urge Governor Newsom to move swiftly to mitigate the impacts of today’s announcement and help prevent the disastrous impacts of past droughts by streamlining transfers of available water, immediately reengaging on negotiations of the voluntary agreements and supporting critical water infrastructure investments to help ensure we can continue managing water efficiently, even as we face the consequences of a changing climate.”

 

Past studies indicate that statewide economic losses as a result of California’s 2014-2016 drought totaled $3.8 billion, with thousands of jobs lost in the Central Valley alone and many rural drinking water wells running dry. Furthermore, parts of the Central Valley Project infrastructure that carry water to Westlands have lost up to 30% of their conveyance capacity over time due to subsidence; combined with higher operational and power costs, this results in millions of dollars in higher costs to convey less water through the system every year. Westlands is among a broad coalition of water agencies supporting both state and federal legislation to address this issue.
2021-05-12T10:52:43-07:00February 23rd, 2021|

Coming up: Virtual Walnut Series

Virtual Walnut Series Feb. 16-17

By Patrick Cavanaugh, with the Ag Information Network

A UC Cooperative Extension Virtual Walnut Series is coming up on Feb. 16th and 17th.

Kari Arnold is a UC Cooperative Extension Area 0rchard and Vineyard Systems Farm Advisor in Stanislaus County. “It’s going to be Feb. 16th and 17th. It’s online as virtual because of COVID-19 we can’t be in person. It’s going to be 9am to Noon each day. If you’re interested in the link for the seminar email at klarnold@ucanr.edu,” Arnold said.

“It’s going to cover diseases. We’re going to talk about rootstocks, pests, varieties, just the whole gamut. We tried to cover a lot of ground in six hours between the two days. The second day will be pests and diseases. So, there will be DPR, CCA, and CURES nitrogen credits,“ noted Arnold.

The California Walnut Board and Commission is sponsoring the event. “They will be covering all the associated costs. It’s a big collaborative event between USDA, University of California Cooperative Extension, University of California, Davis, and Riverside, and just a whole bunch of us are getting together and talking about walnuts,” she said.

Again, for more information, email Kari Arnold at klarnold@ucanr.edu.

2021-05-12T10:52:43-07:00February 15th, 2021|

Pushing Back on UFW Access to Farms

Western Growers Files Amicus Brief in Union Access Case

By Jason Resnick, Sr. VP, and General Counsel, Western Growers Association

Western Growers, California Fresh Fruit Association, Grower Shipper Association of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties and Ventura County Agricultural Association have filed an amicus curiae – friend of the court – brief at the U.S. Supreme Court in a case challenging the so-called Access Regulation promulgated by the Agricultural Labor Relations Board (ALRB) in 1975.

California’s Access Regulation requires agricultural employers to allow labor union organizers such as the United Farmworkers Union onto their private property for up to three hours per day, 120 days per year, for the purpose of organizing agricultural employees. A divided panel of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the regulation, but eight judges dissented noting the “decision not only contradicts Supreme Court precedent but also causes a circuit split” (i.e., conflicting decisions between different federal circuits that can only be reconciled by the Supreme Court.)

The amicus brief was filed in the case of Cedar Point Nursery and Fowler Packing Company, Inc. v. Hassid, in which the question presented to the Supreme Court is “whether the uncompensated appropriation of an easement that is limited in time effects a per se physical taking under the Fifth Amendment.”

The amicus brief argues that California has repeatedly recognized the sanctity of the right of private property owners to exclude third parties under the Fifth Amendment, but not when it comes to the Access Regulation. The brief goes on to say:

“California has upended that proposition for the sake of one privileged group: organized labor. Specifically, in this case, agricultural labor unions. In all other cases, California recognizes the right of private property owners to establish rules by which third parties may be allowed to access private property, if at all. Otherwise, trespassers are subject to criminal prosecution… But not in the case of organized labor. In that case alone, California has enacted statutes and regulations that coerce acceptance of physical invasion. Regulations of the State’s ALRB have exacerbated the problem for farmers by authorizing repeated trespass by union organizers for 120 days each year.”

The amicus brief was drafted by Michael Berger with Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, one of California’s preeminent appellate land use lawyers. The petitioners, Cedar Point Nursery and WG member Fowler Packing Company, Inc., are represented by Howard Sagaser and Ian Wieland with WG Ag Legal Network member Sagaser, Watkins & Weiland, and Joshua Thompson, Damien Schiff and Wencong Fa of Pacific Legal Foundation (PLF). PLF is a nonprofit legal organization that defends Americans’ liberties when threatened by government abuse. Western Growers lauds the petitioners and their counsel for taking this important fight all the way to the United States Supreme Court.

2021-01-28T18:31:40-08:00January 28th, 2021|

COVID Testing Onerous on Ag

Agricultural Coalition Challenges Cal/OSHA Emergency Standards

 

By Tim Hammericah with the AgInformation Network

A coalition of agricultural and business employers filed a lawsuit in Los Angeles Superior Court challenging the COVID-19 related emergency temporary standards.

“It’s addressing a problem that wasn’t there and creating a problem for our growers. It has not demonstrated that it actually protects workers, and certainly makes farmers and ranchers vulnerable for stiff fines and penalties without really protecting the health of our employees,” said Jamie Johansson, president of the California Farm Bureau, which is part of the coalition.

He says employee safety is of the utmost importance to farmers and ranchers, but these rules place unrealistic burdens on producers, especially those in rural areas.

“The first is mandatory, no-cost testing, which means that you have to test all of your employees on a regular basis. And we know in rural California, that from the beginning, having those tests available in rural California has been problematic, and that they’re not available,” noted Johansson. “So it doesn’t take into account, the chance that we wouldn’t even have the availability to do the required testing. And also the discrepancy in the cost of those tests in rural California. We’ve seen anywhere from $150 to $200 a test, to free if you’re in the urban areas. So then another burden placed on us as well,” Johansson said.

Johansson also points to the fact that the regulations will reduce or eliminate agricultural housing during a statewide housing crisis. “A reduction in already-scarce housing will directly impact farmworker communities and harm rural economies across the state that depend on agriculture,” Johansson noted

2021-01-13T17:46:10-08:00January 13th, 2021|

Agreeing on Water Needs

Sixth Generation Farmer and EDF Director Discuss Water Challenges

By Cannon Michael and Ann Hayden

Despite a seemingly endless era of upheaval – a surging pandemic, contentious election cycle and racial strife – we still have the responsibility to address pressing issues that cannot wait for calmer times. The future of California’s water is one of those issues.

While collaboration and relationship building have been made even more challenging due to distancing required by COVID-19, we believe that water is an issue where we can rise above party lines and entrenched perspectives.

Cannon Michael, Sixth Generation Grower

Water is the backbone of California’s agricultural economy, supports our iconic rivers, and of course, is essential to our survival.  Simply put, water is a lifeline that binds us together, and without it, we jeopardize our future and that of coming generations.

Could now be the time to collectively start down a better path for managing this precious resource and roll up our sleeves to make it happen? We think so.

For decades, fighting over water has stalled progress and sown deep mistrust across different water users.

We have forgotten that we are all stewards of California – a special place like no other, a rich connected tapestry of environmental beauty, diverse communities and productive agriculture.

We need to come together as Californians – not just farmers, environmentalists, rural community organizers and urbanites. We need to come together as Californians working for our children and future generations who are depending on us to leave them with a better California than we have today.

We need to come together to solve some admittedly difficult water challenges that affect the future of rural communities, cities, wildlife, farming in the Central Valley and consequently our country’s food supply. Drought and water scarcity are high on the list of these challenges. During our last major drought, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act was enacted as one major piece of the solution to ensure we have enough water for future generations.

Looking forward, 2021 will be an important year for moving ahead on implementation of this sweeping change to water law. The state will be rolling out its first assessments of sustainability plans developed by regions with the most critically overdrafted groundwater supplies.

Balancing groundwater supply and demand, as required by the law, will no doubt be challenging: Some models say San Joaquin Valley landowners may need to take equivalent acreage to Yosemite National Park out of production to balance groundwater supply and demand.

To reach durable, fair solutions to such large challenges, we need to drop the baggage we’ve amassed over time. We need to come together as Californians to start collaboratively tackling problems – not just talking and arguing them. We need to come together and break the cycle of mistrust and take the time to truly understand how each side views the challenges and potential solutions.

It’s unlikely we will agree on everything – if we did California wouldn’t be the dynamic, diverse state it is today. But there is significant common ground we can build from. For instance, we all agree every single person in California should have clean and affordable drinking water when they turn on their kitchen faucet.

We also agree that replenishing groundwater is one of many solutions we will need to comply with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. But it’s not the only solution; it’s inevitable that we still will need to scale back some agriculture.

The question we need to address is, how can we make sure that agriculture can still thrive while some farmland becomes productive in new ways, whether it’s with less water-intensive ranching, low-impact solar projects, wildlife habitat or recreational areas for our families to enjoy on picnics and hikes?

Taking action to address these challenges may mean parts of our state and the very communities we live in will look different from how they look today. But if we can come together as Californians to get it right, California will evolve and endure as the special place it is today for generations to come.

We have decades of experience coming at water challenges from our silos. Let’s break down those silos, come together as Californians and see what happens. Isn’t it worth a shot?

Cannon Michael is a sixth-generation farmer and president and CEO of Bowles Farming Co., headquartered in Los Banos, cannon@bfarm.com

Ann Hayden is senior director of western water and resilient landscapes at Environmental Defense Fund, ahayden@edf.org

This document first appeared in WaterWrights.net

 

2021-05-12T10:52:43-07:00January 11th, 2021|

The Quick Math on Navel Orangeworm

The Math on Navel Orangeworm Sanitation

By Patrick Cavanaugh, with AgInformation Network

Get a napkin out. Let’s do some math on navel orangeworm sanitation. The numbers really matter.

David Haviland is a UCANR Cooperative Extension Entomologist in Kern County. “I just want to do a little bit of a back of a napkin math. Just think about this scenario. If you’re down to two mummies per tree, if 10% of those were infested, you assume that half of any worms in there are going to be females. And each of those females, when it comes out, it’s going to make 85 eggs. Just roughly look at that scenario,” noted Haviland.

“In that case within an acre, you’re going to have 10 females that are all coming out at different times that are all competing to lay 850 eggs. And they’re trying to do that in 200 nuts. They’re also trying to find mates in the process,” explained Haviland.

“And if you think about it, each one of those females, in order to lay 85 eggs, they have to find a nut in a tree, fly around the tree, find another nut, lay an egg, and so on. They literally have to fly to 42 different trees to lay one egg in each nut, if you’re down to two nuts per tree,” he said.

And that’s the goal with sanitation, no more than two mummy nuts per tree. “So, you know, all that’s being done uncoordinated, of course, sometimes they’re flying back to the same nuts. Sometimes there’s a nut that isn’t even suitable. Sometimes there’s already an egg in that nut,” Haviland said.

Haviland noted: You’re just creating a lot of chaos! “When you can get under two mummies per tree,” he said.

“And when you think about it, any egg that you prevent from being laid in May is one less moth at hull split. So, sanitation is extremely important and we do recommend that everybody do their best attempt,” he said.

2021-01-07T18:13:24-08:00January 7th, 2021|

Lower Almond Prices Will Promote Big Sales

How to View Lower Almond Prices

By Patrick Cavanaugh, with the AgInformation Network

Lower prices should help move them quickly around the world, said Dan Sumner a Distinguished Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, and the director of the UC Agricultural Issues Center at UC Davis. He thinks that lower price of almonds will not last long, but in the meantime, it’ll help move the crop around the world—a hungry world for almonds!

“A little price moderation will help you move the crop. And we’ve got a big world out there,” said Sumner. “We’ve got income growth in other countries over the longer haul. We’ll see how tough it is over the next few years,” he said.

“We think about our problem with COVID and our economy and our government spent….. If I can say it….trillions keeping money in the hands of consumers, keeping people employed to the extent that it was possible, but the rest of the world who can still buy some of our almonds have also been hit. So, if you look at Europe, their economy’s been hit as bad as ours. That’s a big market for our almonds,” said Sumner.

Sumner spoke about India, new big market for California almonds

“Of course only the higher income Indians can afford almonds, the very poorest to the Indians couldn’t buy our almonds, but you know, you get well over a billion people and you can get a few hundred million in a kind of a middle-class that can buy our crops, and so India is a good market,” Sumner noted. “But they’ve been hit by the COVID pandemic as well.”

“Regarding almond pricing? It’s going to be tough over a year or two. It seems to me,” Sumner said.

2021-01-06T18:31:33-08:00January 6th, 2021|

Farmwise Bringing Automation to the Vegetable Field

Automation in Vegetable Crops

By Tim Hammerich with the AgInformationNetwork

Farmers are being squeezed between the scarcity of labor and the regulation of tools to try to do their job most efficiently. Some companies, like San Francisco-based Farmwise, think automation is the answer. Here is co founder and CEO Sebastian Boyer.

“The number of people willing and able to do manual tasks on the field is obviously shrinking. And that’s a big concern for most of U.S. farmers today. Automation can play a big role in making every one of these workers much more productive. And that leads to more productivity in the field, but also better jobs and better wages for these workers,” noted Boyer

Boyer says a more automated farm will also enable more data collection which could lead to further efficiencies.

“And a lot of that that has to do with the ability for machines to capture data on crops. And we’re actually at Farmwise, leveraging that technology to make every one of our machines not only automating the tasks that we’re here to automate, but using that as a way to capture unique data about the crops,” Boyer said.  “And that’s becoming increasingly relevant for farmers. We can use that data to make better decisions at the strategic level, and at the field level.”

Farmwise offers automation technology to vegetable growers in California and Arizona. Learn more at Farmwise.io.

2021-01-04T09:56:21-08:00January 4th, 2021|

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