THREE VOLUNTARY RECALL EXPANSIONS

Salad Dressing in Packaged Salads May Have Listeria

The USDA Food and Drug Administration(FDA) announced TODAY that
Taylor Farms in Maryland and Texas are voluntarily recalling approximately 22,849 pounds of broccoli salad kit products due to concerns about possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination in the salad dressing.

The USDA FDA also announced that BI-LO supermarkets is calling for an immediate recall of the Taylor Farms Spinach Antipasti Salad sold at one BI-LO store in Martinez, GA. This recall is an expansion of an earlier recall announced by Reser’s Fine Foods Inc. of packaged Taylor Farms salad kits with dressing included sold between Oct. 19 and Oct. 27. According to the FDA, the reason for the recall is the potential that the product may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes.

In addition, USDA FDA announced that Reser’s Fine Foods of Beaverton, Oregon is voluntarily expanding its October 22, 2013 recall of refrigerated ready-to-eat products because they may be contaminated with Listeria monocytogenes. The recalled refrigerated ready-to-eat products were distributed nationwide and Canada.

The Taylor Farms salad vegetables are NOT suspected of contamination.

There are no confirmed illnesses associated with these products.

Reser’s reports that the salad dressing included in the spinach salad pack is in question. The product is sold in retail and food service establishments. The packages will be marked with a Use-by-Date or Best By Date and followed by a plant identifier code of 20. Products affected by this recall are listed on the FDA website.

Consumers who purchased the product may take it back to the store for a refund or discard it.

Listeriosis can cause fever, muscle aches, headache, stiff neck, confusion, loss of balance and convulsions, sometimes preceded by diarrhea or other gastrointestinal symptoms. For further explanation, go to the FDA website press release.

For more information please contact Reser’s Fine Foods Consumer Hotline 1-888-257-7913 (8am-10pm EST) or visit the FDA website.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:14-07:00October 29th, 2013|

Fresno County Could Slip from #1 Ag County in Nation

Fresno County Could Spiral Downward

400,000 Acres or More May Remain Fallow

By Patrick Cavanaugh, Editor

Top in the News for farmers:

· Affordable Care Act—it doesn’t matter now.

· High Speed Rail, no worries.

· Farm Bill, same.

Water Flows, but Ag May Get Zero in 2014

Water—the only thing that farmers care about right now. Without water, nothing else matters.

And nowhere is the worry greater than in the Federal Water Districts, such as Westlands, San Luis, and Panoche; all Westside water allocations throughout Fresno County and other counties of the Central Valley will be severely cut.

In 2009, with a 10 percent water allocation, more than 300,000 acres of land in Fresno County were fallowed causing tens of thousands of farm workers to lose their jobs, thrusting many Westside farm communities into catastrophic 40 percent unemployment, and requiring weekly food lines to be established to feed those affected.

Then came 2013 with a 25 percent allocation—moving many farm operations towards an exit strategy because their last resort is to use poor quality well water, high in salt and boron.

But 2014, with a possible zero percent allocation, Westside farmers in federal water districts may not plant an estimated 400,000 acres of row crops and use whatever water they have for their permanent crops such almonds pistachios and wine grapes. Land destined for annual row crops such as fall lettuce, tomatoes, melons, garlic, onions, and peppers most likely will lay idle. Cotton, even with a good market price, would not be planted on thousands of acres.

While not as bad as the Westside prospects, Eastside farms from Fresno County to Kern County, served by the Federal Friant-Kern Canal, are also hurting with dramatically reduced allocations this year that would be worse next year, without significant rain

Fresno County has been #1 in the nation in agricultural gross production ever since it was statistically measured. In fact, the value in 2012 was $6.6 billion. However, in 2014, Fresno County could very well lose its top-of-the-mound status due to fallowed land.

This coming year, Tulare County, which rang up $6.2 billion last year, could eclipse Fresno County for the first time.

Mark Borba

And the numbers for Fresno County could get exponentially worse when it comes to agriculture’s multiplier effect on the economy.

Mark Borba, co-owner of Borba Farms, a diversified family operation in Riverdale, southwest of Fresno, farms row crops. “The average per acre gross revenue on row crops such as cotton, tomatoes, garlic, onions, melons and lettuce is around $3,500 per acre. The minimum multiplier for the economy for gross agricultural production dollars is 3.5, or $12,250 per acre,” Borba said. “When that number is multiplied by what I think will be 250,000 acres, the loss revenue becomes $3 billion. If the idled acreage reaches 400,000, the resulting $4.9 billion in losses would be due to lost gross revenue of crops on that acreage.

William Bourdeau

William Bourdeau, Executive Vice President of Harris Farms, said that with a possible zero allocation, the company would have to idle 9,000 acres of row crop ground from their 14,000 acres of farmland. “We’re not planting at all,” said Bourdeau. “We will only use what water we have for our permanent crops, which include almonds, pistachios, wine grapes and asparagus.

The use of well water on permanent crops in 2014 will be higher than ever before in 2014. The high salts and boron in that water damage almonds in particular. Recent damage has led to reduced yields in many areas on the Westside. Further use cause long-term damage to trees, which reflect in lost revenue for growers and Fresno County.

“If there is any available water, it could cost the extraordinary price of $1200 per acre foot,” noted Borba. “Growers would have to pump more well water, which is already being severely over-drafted.”

“If there are no surface water deliveries, the water prices would be too high to make any economic sense,” said Bourdeau.

“Well water quality is very bad and the only thing we can put it on are pistachios and asparagus. None of the specialty crops such as tomatoes or lettuce can handle it,”
said Bourdeau.

“One unplanted crop, lettuce for example, would constitute a significant economic hit in Fresno County. The loss impact would be huge,” he said. “We have a fall and a spring crop, about 1500 acres each. To plant and harvest those 3,000 acres, it takes about 700,000 man-hours,” Bourdeau said.

“Typically if we get a good yield, we produce about 1,000 cartons of lettuce per acre. Three thousand acres equates to 3 million cartons. Each carton has 24 heads of lettuce, and that equals 72 million heads of lettuce that we would not harvest and put into the market,” said Bourdeau. “And that’s just lettuce; we grow lots of different crops. No doubt this would be multiplied hundreds of times over in the event of a sure and stark zero water allocation.”

“The impact would be devastating and would take a human toll. We have really good people, they are hard working and they want to work. And we are not going to be able to provide them with jobs because of misguided government regulations,” said Bourdeau. “The foundation of the government’s ambition is flawed in that it would not be saving the fish species, but it would be damaging people. And it’s not just the farmer; it’s the farm worker, it’s the economy, it’s the local government, and it would be colossal.”

“Since the San Joaquin Valley economy is based on agriculture, this lost revenue would have an enormous ripple effect—a big and wild swing,” noted Borba.

Just to name a few of the direct services and suppliers that would see a major dip in revenue:

· Equipment Dealers

· Truck Dealers

· Fuel suppliers

· Custom Spray Services

· Seed Dealers

· Auto Parts Suppliers

· Irrigation Suppliers

· Fertilizer Suppliers

· Custom Applicators

· Harvesting crews

· Processors of tomatoes, garlic, onion and cotton

· Crop protection suppliers

· PCA’s

· All taxes, fuel, state and federal

Borba said he placed an order with Fresno Equipment earlier this year for four John Deere Tractors, for a total value of about $800,000. “The Carl Moyer program was going to kick in $368,000 because I was upgrading to cleaner emission tractors. When I heard of the possible zero allocation for next year at a May meeting at the Huron office of Westlands Water District, I had to turn the whole deal off,” Borba said. “I also had five Ford pickups on order at a Fresno Dealership to replace aging trucks on the ranch. I had to cancel that order too. That’s a tremendous ripple effect just from our farming operation,” Borba noted.

This Coming Year Is Different

By Patrick Cavanaugh, Editor

It would be radically different in 2014. In 2009, many row crop fields did get planted and were irrigated with ground water supplies. But today, ground water supplies and quality are far worse than 2009, which will limit its use for irrigation in 2014.

Stuart Woolf

“We are just going to have to pump more, and this drives me crazy because we all put buried drip irrigation in the ground, and we pump salty water through it,” said Stuart Woolf, president and CEO of Woolf Farming with operations in Huron. “We’re not spreading the salt, we are concentrating it through our drip lines poisoning the drip lines.

“Our investments in conservation are biting us in the tail. It’s hard to be hopeful knowing we will have to rely on even more well water this coming year,” said Woolf.

And the valiant farm workers and other farm employees would be impacted worse than they were in 2009. “They grow our food and fiber every day, and they would suffer terribly by the water restrictions,” noted Mark Borba of Borba Farms, headquartered in the Fresno County area west of Riverdale.

“They live, eat, drink, breathe and sleep the American Dream, and because of Washington Bureaucrats, many would lose it all. Farm workers would lose their homes and the healthcare that I provide. It would be devastating,” Borba said.

Manuel Cunha

According to Manuel Cunha, President of the Nisei Farmers League, “the combination of the two most powerful controlling factors for the agricultural industry in California is water allocation, no matter if it’s State or Federal Projects, and Immigration Reform because our industry would be shattered without farm workers.”

“Let’s say for the next six months we get 28 inches of rain, but if we don’t pass the Immigration bill, and therefore have no available workers, farmers could plant all the tomatoes and onions and other crops they want, but there wouldn’t be anyone to harvest,” said Cunha.

Cunha noted that shutting off the water supply would drive thousands of farm employees out of the area when they lose their jobs. “They would leave the farm and not come back,” said Cunha.

“We have to make farming decisions without knowing how much water we will get. Therefore, our annual business model is based upon worst-case scenarios. It’s a terrible way to do business,” said Woolf.

Jesus Cuevas

How can I ask tomato production manager, Jesus Cuevas, to go plant three thousand acres when we may not have water? That could be a huge mistake,” Woolf said. “Instead, we have to figure out a plan on what we can grow with zero surface water, and reduce the tomato acreage. We are already planning to reduce onions and garlic and to fallow a lot of ground.”

“What water we have, we will prioritize to our permanent crops,” Woolf remarked. “We go through all these decisions, only to find out several months later whether or not they were good or not. It’s very difficult to manage your resources very well when you don’t know what your resources are.”

Woolf continued, “We live in a state that has a mountain range which collects snowfall every year. On average, we get something like 200 million acre-feet of annual precipitation in California. The Central Valley represents about 9 million acres that we irrigate—or about 9 percent of the total land in the State. We’ve spent hundreds spent hundreds of millions of taxpayer dollars to build the projects… and the choose not to use them? The opportunity cost is horrendous. Think of the lost jobs, income, tax base, etc. It’s criminal to hammer the Valley this way… while having little if any impact to the wellbeing of the Delta.

Todd Allen farms 600 acres of row crops in Westlands Water District, near Firebaugh. He has no wells, so he must rely strictly on Westlands deliveries of 2.6 acre-feet per acre. In 2009, Allen harvested 40 acres out of 600 due to the regulatory drought.

In 2011, he farmed everything. But in 2012, he idled 150 acres, and in 2013, he idled 225. “If I am able to get water from Westlands that I did not use last year, I may be able to pre-irrigate 150 acres of cotton or tomatoes next spring, and then hopefully the Bureau will announce an allocation so that I can finish the crop.”

Allen noted, “The situation now is more dire than ever. I have been really thinking about finding someone to buy me out so that I can get out. When we started out with 25 percent this year, and they reduced it to 20 percent a few weeks later, it really kicked me when I was down,” Allen said.

His brother, Joel Allen, farms 1,000 acres; also in Westlands’ all row crops. “I’m not in any position to put in permanent crops simply because I have not had the means, and I cannot get the support of any banks that are willing to step forward and help someone out in our district.”

Joel Allen

“This year with only 20 percent water allocated, there were many nights that I lay awake wondering how I was going to make it,” Joel Allen said. “As for 2014, we all want to think that it’s going to rain and that things will work themselves out, but if I have to make a decision on my workforce, I probably will not bring anyone back. We’ve already shaved our workforce from 10 people down to two. It’s a struggle finding work for those two, keeping them busy, and that really hurts because I know my employees have rent to pay and mouths to feed, and everyday expenses like I do.”

“If growers have to make plans for a low water delivery, you are talking about very expensive water to buy,” said Vernon Crowder, Rabobank Senior Vice President and Senior Analyst, Food and Agribusiness Research Advisor Group.

“If growers are dependent upon pump water, they are worried about its quality and what that means to certain crops, especially almonds. The big issue is what can be taken out of the Delta to fill the San Luis Reservoir.”

“Even if we invest in all the water project improvements that the original Water Bond addressed, regarding Delta Conservation, new storage, and even the twin tunnel idea fully backed by the Governor, none of these would happen for 20 years,” said Crowder. “So we need to improve the process of getting through reduced water allocations right now. I believe farmers are going to press the state for help in making water conveyance better and faster.”

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-08-10T12:40:43-07:00October 29th, 2013|

Nut Theft Ordinance Continues to Be Enforced

Tulare County Walnut Buying Period Starts Nov. 1

Marilyn Sinoshita

Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner Marilyn Kinoshita announced today that the walnut-buying period will begin Friday, November 1^st as the County’s nut theft ordinance continues to be enforced.

“Commercial production and handling of walnuts constitute an important industry here in Tulare County” Kinoshita said. “Unfortunately, some people steal them from orchards and attempt to sell the walnuts illegally on the streets. County staff has been actively enforcing the nut theft ordinance by conducting compliance checks at places where walnuts are sold to ensure that this practice stops.”

In 2012, the Tulare County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved amendments to an existing nut theft ordinance to assist with an issue that has long plagued the walnut industry. Walnuts are typically shaken from the trees and left unattended until workers can gather them up, making them prime targets for overnight heists.

One amendment to the ordinance mandates that non-processing walnut-buying stands shall not operate within the boundaries’ of Tulare County until a “Walnut Buying Period”, as established by the Agricultural Commissioner, is in effect. Kinoshita said that consensus was reached amongst walnut growers to determine the appropriate start date.

What documentation is required to sell walnuts at a non-processing walnut-buying stand?

The County’s nut theft ordinance states:

Upon probable cause to believe any amount of walnuts regulated pursuant to this ordinance is in unlawful possession, proof of ownership shall be made available for inspection upon request of the commissioner or any peace officer. The record shall contain the following information:

(a) Name, address, driver’s license number, telephone number, signature of seller.

(b) Name, address, telephone number, and signature of buyer.

(c) Vehicle license plate number of the seller.

(d) Common or generic name and quantity of the commodity involved.

(e) Date and time of the transaction.

A copy of the record shall be retained by the seller for a period of 60 days after delivery and by the buyer for a period of two years from the date of such sale.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:14-07:00October 29th, 2013|

Growers Surveillance Captures Pictures of Theft

Ag Crime Alert, Yuba City Area

A grower’s security surveillance system captured the below images of a hay theft taking place at 8:44 p.m and 11:30 p.m. on Thursday, October 24, in an area south of Yuba City, north of the Sutter Bypass.

Please contact the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department with any information:

(530) 822-7307

Let’s work together to catch these thieves.

Thanks to Megan Foster with the Yuba Sutter Farm Bureau for getting this information to California Ag Today.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:14-07:00October 28th, 2013|

NEW KIDS ON THE BLOCK: CROP PROTECTION REGISTRATIONS

New Registrations

DUPONT CROP PROTECTION
DuPont Coregent Insect Control
For the control of various insects such as beet armyworms, cabbage loopers, and corn earworms on various crops such as cabbage, corn, and cotton

LOVELAND PRODUCTS, INC.
Lpi 643 Insecticide

For the control of various insects such as European red mites, avocado thrips, and white apple leafhoppers on crops such as apples, avocados, and cotton

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:15-07:00October 28th, 2013|

USDA REMINDS DAIRIES OF MILC PRODUCTION EVIDENCE DEADLINE

November 1^st MILC Program Deadline

Juan M. Garcia, Administrator of USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), reminded producers yesterday that final production evidence and any supporting documentation for eligible months that Milk Income Loss Contract (MILC) payments were available must be submitted by Nov. 1, 2013

“The MILC program helps dairy producers get through tough economic times and is another reason we need a new Farm, Food and Job bill,” said Garcia. “When low dairy prices create a hardship for dairy producers, payments are made to those who participate in the program to ensure they have the financial assistance they need to maintain their business,” and to ensure the stimulation of local economies.

Statutory authority for the MILC program expired Sept. 30, 2013; new legislation is required for the MILC program, or its replacement, to provide assistance.

For more information on MILC, contact a local FSA office or search “MILC” at www.fsa.usda.gov.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:15-07:00October 27th, 2013|

Sun-Maid Honored with Best of Show at PMA

Sun-Maid Is Honored with “Best of Show”

at Fresh Summit New Orleans

John Slinkard, left with Authur Patryk

The 250,000 square-feet exhibit hall at the New Orleans Convention Center was filled with more than 1,000 exhibits, and the Produce Marketing Association judges selected Sun-Maid Growers as Best of Show in the Island Booth Category at Fresh Summit, held Oct. 18-20.

“We are ecstatic that we won and we are very honored,” said John Slinkard, Vice President of Customer & Supply Chain Services for Sun-Maid Growers of California. “We think our booth is dramatic and represents our brand very well.”

“One of the big challenges and the impetus behind the exhibit design was to revitalize the iconic Sun Maid girl logo and bring it into the current era,” noted Arthur Patryk, an exhibit consultant with Skyline who created the exhibit.

“This exhibit also had to adapt to the various layouts in different convention centers,” said Patryk. “In New Orleans, the elaborate 4-sided exhibit had equal representation of branding on the front and back, as well as the sides, with huge images of the famous Sun-Maid girl.

Sun Maid just celebrated their 100th anniversary, and that was incorporated in the exhibit space.

The award-winning exhibit was introduced four years ago in Orlando, then Atlanta, Anaheim and New Orleans.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:15-07:00October 27th, 2013|

CALIFORNIA DAIRIES TO SUPPLY CHINA’S MILK DEMAND

California to Export UHT Milk To China

U.S. suppliers find their latest export opportunity in ultra-high temperature (UHT) milk, particularly to China, as reported by Western United Dairymen TODAY.

With its growing middle class, China’s demand for imported UHT milk is soaring. U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) reported China’s consumption jumped from nearly 18 million pounds in 2010 to a forecast of 331 million pounds this year, and is expected to reach 1.3 billion pounds by 2020.

UHT milk is “ultra pasteurization” for one to two seconds with higher temperatures than traditional pasteurization. It allows a 9-12-month shelf life without refrigeration—until opened. The Chinese UHT import market was worth $76 million in 2012, but topped $85 million just six months later, and Chinese buyers want U.S. dairy products.

While UHT milk could significantly cut the need for refrigeration, thus reducing green house emissions, high heat in the UHT process can change the taste and smell of dairy products, and UHT milk cartons are raising environmentalists’ eyebrows.

California is the nation’s largest dairy-producing state. It produced nearly 42 billion pounds of milk in 2011, 21 percent of the nation’s total output, according to the Dairy Institute of California. With an oversupply of milk, California may be the most logical U.S. supplier to China.

California’s dairy industry has gone through hard times, losing more than 300 dairies since 2007, as reported by the California Department of Food and Agriculture. Feed prices have skyrocketed from competition with the biofuels industry, regional droughts, and increased shipping and transportation costs. Worse yet, California’s large dairy farms are affecting Central Valley air and water quality, including groundwater.

If these impediments in California’s dairy industry can be resolved, this new dairy relationship with China may very well be a good fit.

Sources: Larisa Epatko, PBS; Western United Dairymen; Susanne Rust and Serene Fang, Center for Investigative Reporting

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:15-07:00October 26th, 2013|

CENTER FOR LAND-BASED LEARNING CELEBRATES 20TH ANNIVERSARY

Happy 20^th Anniversary!

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross reported TODAY, “I had the honor and pleasure to help celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Center for Land-Based Learning, a non-profit organization in Winters started by California State Board of Food and Agriculture president, Craig McNamara, and his wife, Julie, to help connect young people with nature and agriculture.”

“In the last two decades, the Center has become a force in this state for its extremely effective youth development and beginning farmer education,” Ross continued. “I want to commend Craig for his vision, passion and commitment of resources to make the Center an entity that touches so many people in such positive ways and is absolutely contributing to a better future for California agriculture.”

“Happy 20th Anniversary, Center for Land-Based Learning!”

_______________________________________

The Center for Land-Based Learning strives to inspire and motivate people of all ages, especially youth, to promote a healthy interplay between agriculture, nature and society through their own actions and as leaders in their communities.

The Center for Land-Based Learning envisions a world where there is meaningful appreciation and respect for our natural environment and for the land that produces our food and sustains our quality of life.

Patrick Cavanaugh2021-05-12T11:06:02-07:00October 26th, 2013|

BROCCOLI SALAD KITS RECALLED FOR THE DRESSING

Possible Listeria Contamination of Dressing in Broccoli Salad Kits

TODAY, October 25, 2013, USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) announced Taylor Farms, a Jessup, MD establishment is recalling approximately 5,084 pounds of broccoli salad kit products. The kits contain salad dressing in packets that are the subject of a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recall due to concerns about possible Listeria monocytogenes contamination.

California Ag Today emphasizes the recall is for the salad dressing in the salad kit, not the broccoli.

The salad kits were shipped to distributors and retail locations (delis) for consumer purchase in Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York and Vermont. Two different – sized boxes of Taylor Farms Broccoli Crunch With Bacon And Dressing are subject to recall.

FSIS, FDA and the company have received no reports of illnesses associated with consumption of these products. Anyone concerned about an illness should contact a healthcare provider.

Consumption of food contaminated with L. monocytogenes can cause listeriosis, a serious infection that primarily affects older adults, persons with weakened immune systems, and pregnant women and their newborns. Listeriosis is treated with antibiotics.

Consumers with food safety questions can “Ask Karen,” the FSIS virtual representative available 24 hours a day at AskKaren.gov.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:43:15-07:00October 26th, 2013|