Sacramento Ag Policy Update

By Tim Hammerich with the Ag Information Network

2020 has been an unexpected year for all of us. Now that we have started the last half of the year, what do we need to be watching from a policy perspective. That’s the question we asked Emily Rooney, the President of the Agricultural Council of California.

“When you look at the shift that the pandemic caused on the state legislature, there are two sort of surprises, I would say. One is on the climate front, the state passed a statewide cap-and-trade program,” said Rooney. “And now there is a state Senator that is trying to get a cap-and-tax program passed instead of the cap-and-trade program. And essentially that would be a double tax,”

“And so there would be a cap on emissions plus a tax on all of us for carbon. It would be a carbon tax of some sort. So that was a surprise. This gentleman thinks that there might be increased revenues, and that plays well for the state when it’s in a budget crisis. So that was a surprise,” she said

“And then the other issue that’s always been an issue for us are some of these labor issues. Right now, given the issue of the pandemic, the depth and number of those bills has drastically increased. So I would say those are probably the two big surprises,” she said.

Important issues to monitor closely in the last half of this year.

California Ag Today2020-07-13T10:38:39-07:00July 13th, 2020|

Genomic Testing for Healthier Dairy Herds

By Tim Hammerich with the Ag Information Network

Dairy health is of the utmost importance to the long term profitability of producers like Simon Vander Woude of Vander Woude Dairy in Merced.

Vander Woude… “I’m a huge believer in DWP, I mean, we were one of the early adopters of that.”

The Dairy Wellness Profit Index® (DWP) is based on traits that affect health, performance and profit in both cows and calves to achieve more of their full potential. Vander Woude uses genomic testing to ensure the healthiest herd possible.

Vander Woude… “It makes a big difference in the bottom line. We’re not producing for trophies. I’m not producing to have the highest producing herd. The overall health of the herd is what really feeds into bottom line profitability when the day is over. A healthier herd is going to be more profitable. A low that low somatics, it goes through the entire value of that cow from breeding to conversions to her milking longevity and all those sorts of things. They all kind of tie together.”

Vander Woude and other dairy producers are excited about the future of producing more milk with healthier cows through genomic testing.

California Ag Today2021-05-12T11:17:07-07:00July 10th, 2020|

Promising Research on the Battle Against Huanglongbing in Citrus

From Marcy Martin, President of Citrus Board

We would like to share with you the status of promising preliminary research that possibly could have important ramifications for California citrus growers. Dr. Hailing Jin, a geneticist at the University of California, Riverside (UCR), has conducted greenhouse trials on young citrus plants to investigate the role of citrus-derived peptides in the battle against the deadly disease huanglongbing (HLB).

Some of Dr. Jin’s research in this area was funded in 2018-19 as Citrus Research Board (CRB) project #5200-195, Develop effective therapies to cure HLB using a novel class of citrus-derived antimicrobial peptides. The study was conducted within the University of California, Davis Contained Research Facility on year-old Madam Vinous, Washington Navel and Lisbon lemon plants that were treated through either foliar sprays or pneumatic injections.

The initial $100,000 investment by you, the growers, then served as a launching pad for a nearly $4 million grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (USDA-NIFA) to continue study on the project now titled Develop therapies using a novel class of citrus-derived dual-functional antimicrobial peptides to cure HLB trees and to protect healthy trees from infection. USDA-NIFA funding for this phase went into effect in February of last year and is scheduled to continue through January 2023.

While the long-term effectiveness of this research has not yet been confirmed or published in a scientific journal and the project is still in its early stages, Dr. Jin’s promising findings have resulted in a commercial licensing agreement between UCR and Invaio Sciences. It is not uncommon for researchers to team with commercial licensing partners during the early phases of their studies. In this case, more work still needs to be done to confirm the robustness and viability of this treatment. Additional greenhouse trials are being initiated by Dr. Jin and her team at the citrus-specific Bio-Safety Level-3 Laboratory in Riverside, California. It also is expected that field trials will be conducted to show the effectiveness of the treatment under commercial grove conditions.

Earlier this week, UCR issued a news release entitled UCR Discovers First Effective Treatment for Citrus-destroying Disease, which shares the news of a licensing agreement being reached with Invaio Sciences. While the release was understandably enthusiastic about potentially promising research and we are heartened by the commercial interest in this peptide, we are looking forward to reviewing complete studies on the effectiveness of this therapy in greenhouse and field studies.

Importantly, this is not the time to let down our guard. It continues to be critical for all citrus growers in the state to remain extremely vigilant in protecting their groves against the Asian citrus psyllid and HLB. The psyllid arrived from Mexico in 2008 and is now firmly established in southern California. The first HLB-positive tree was found in residential Los Angeles County in 2012. As of July 3, 2020, 1,926 HLB-affected trees have been identified and removed to slow the spread of the disease in residential areas of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Bernardino counties. Unlike Florida, where HLB has decimated commercial citrus groves, California growers invested in research early through the CRB and have been diligent in applying best-management practices; therefore, the disease has not yet been detected in any commercial groves. The CRB will continue to focus intensive efforts on a variety of promising research to find a solution to HLB.

Moving forward, we at the CRB are proud to work on behalf of the 3,300-plus California citrus growers to invest in key studies to find a solution to HLB. Citrus growers always have been resilient and resourceful. Together, we will look toward the horizon for a solution to HLB.

In the meantime, we continue to monitor and review progress in potential therapies, new HLB-resistant varieties, better psyllid control strategies and more. We are enthusiastic about the commercial interest in HLB therapies and look forward to being able to share a range of potential approaches for California citrus growers as research progresses and matures. If you have any questions or would like additional information about the status of this research, please contact CRB President Marcy Martin at 559.708.3791 or marcy@citrusresearch.org.

California Ag Today2021-05-12T11:01:44-07:00July 10th, 2020|

California Table Grape Growers Award Scholarships

California’s table grape growers recently awarded scholarships to nine students in grape growing regions of the state. All recipients will be attending California universities or community colleges.

Six field worker scholarships were awarded: three for $25,000 for four years of university study and three for $14,500 for study at a combination of community college and university. Recipients may study any field. Three agricultural scholarships were awarded as well: each for $25,000 for four years of university study in an agriculturally related field.

For 35 years California table grape growers have funded college scholarships through the California Table Grape Commission. More than 160 students have received scholarships to attend college.

$25,000 Four-Year Field Worker Scholarships

Mr. Jared Bautista is a graduate of South High School in
Bakersfield. Jared graduated with a 4.5 weighted grade point
average (GPA) and his SAT score of 1,300 placed him in the 91st
percentile nationally. Jared was a member of the school cross
country and track teams. Jared will attend University of California,
Berkeley in the fall where he will major in civil engineering with a
goal of becoming a civil engineer.

Ms. Nerin Delgado is a graduate of McFarland High School in
McFarland. Nerin graduated with 4.4 weighted GPA and her SAT
score of 1,350 placed her in the 94th percentile nationally. Nerin
was a member of the associated student body board and was the
varsity golf captain. Nerin will attend University of California, Los
Angeles, where she will major in human biology with a career goal
of becoming a radiologist.

Ms. Georgina Rodriguez Mendez is a graduate of Robert F.
Kennedy High School in Delano. Georgina graduated with a 4.53
weighted GPA and her ACT score of 31 placed her in the 95st
percentile nationally. Georgina was the senior class vice president
and a co-captain of the girls’ varsity soccer team. Georgina will
attend University of California, Los Angeles, where she will major in
mathematics with a career goal of becoming a math teacher.
California Table Grape Growers Award Scholarships

$14,500 Bridge Field Worker Scholarships

Ms. Glarisa Perales is a graduate of Cesar E. Chavez High School in
Delano. Glarisa graduated with a 3.51 weighted GPA and participated
in the national organization “Family, Career, and Community Leaders
of America.” Glarisa will attend Bakersfield College and will pursue a
career as an elementary school teacher.

Ms. Diana Robledo is a graduate of Bakersfield High School. Diana
graduated with a weighted GPA of 3.83. Diana was the vice president
of the Advancement Via Individual Determination club, a three year
member of Future Farmers of America (FFA), and volunteers at the
Bakersfield Homeless Shelter, preparing and serving meals. Diana will
attend Bakersfield College and has a career goal of becoming a
veterinarian.

Ms. Rebecca Santoyo is a graduate of Porterville High School. Rebecca
graduated with a 4.11 weighted GPA. Rebecca is a member of the
school concert choir and volunteers many hours in the community for
various groups. Rebecca will attend Porterville College and has a
career goal of becoming a pediatrician or pediatric nurse.

$25,000 Agricultural Scholarships

Ms. Alissa Amaral is a graduate of Tulare Union High School. Alissa
graduated with a 4.18 weighted GPA. Alissa was a member of FFA, where
she won numerous awards. Alissa was also the president and a lifetime
member of the California Scholastic Federation and volunteered many
hours in the community including the American Cancer Society and Toys
for Tots. Alissa will attend Fresno State University where she will major in
agricultural business with a career goal of becoming an agricultural
marketing specialist.

Mr. Dale Fransen is a graduate of Selma High School. Dale graduated
with a 4.19 weighted GPA. Dale scored a 1,490 on the SAT, placing him
in the 99th percentile nationally. Dale is a member of the local, state, and
national FFA and is an Eagle Scout. Dale will attend Fresno State
University where he will major in agricultural education with a goal of
becoming an agriculture teacher.

Ms. Amy Swall is a graduate of Mission Oak High School in Tulare. Amy
graduated with a 3.83 weighted GPA. Amy is the regional president of
FFA where she has won multiple awards, a member of the Mission Oak
varsity tennis team that won the 2019 California Interscholastic
Federation Divisional title, and a member of the varsity soccer team as
well. Amy will attend Fresno State University where she will major in
agricultural communications with a goal of working in agricultural
advocacy.

California Ag Today2020-07-09T15:56:42-07:00July 9th, 2020|

Virulent Newcastle Disease Eradication

By Tim Hammerich, with the Ag Information Network of The West

Some good news on the topic of viruses, this time Virulent Newcastle Disease. State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones says the latest outbreak was successfully eradicated last month.

“Newcastle disease is caused by a virus that’s highly contagious. The bad news is that it’s fairly lethal to poultry. The good news is that it really only affects birds, so it’s not a human health concern, it’s a bird and poultry health concern,” said Jones. “The greater Los Angeles area. So Los Angeles, Riverside, San Bernardino, that basin has actually had three major outbreaks of this virus in the past. One in the seventies, one in the early 2000s, and then the most recent one. Which we just successfully eradicated, just declared eradication and freedom on June 1st of 2020.”

Dr. Jones says the key to eradication was stopping the movement of birds. The exact source of the outbreak is still not known.

“In the previous two outbreaks, most of the evidence pointed to smuggled psittacines, which are parrots and parakeets, hook billed birds. They can be asymptomatic carriers.

Jones says education is key to preventing the next outbreak.

California Ag Today2021-05-12T11:01:44-07:00July 9th, 2020|

USDA-NASS Projects California Almond Crop Up 18 Percent to 3 Billion Meat Pounds

The California Almond Objective Measurement Report, published today by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), estimates that the 2020 crop will be 3.00 billion meat pounds, up 18% from the 2019 crop production of 2.55 billion pounds.^[1] This estimate is even with the 3.00 billion pounds estimated in the California Almond Subjective Forecast, published in May 2020.

According to the 2020 Objective Report, the average nut set per tree is 5,645, up 21% from the 2019 almond crop. The Nonpareil average nut set is 5,621, up 27% from last year’s set. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.51 grams, down 2 percent from the 2019 average weight.

“This year’s crop is proof that California is the perfect place to grow almonds,” said Holly A. King, Kern County almond grower and Chair of the Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors. “Perfect weather during bloom, coupled with the steps almond growers have taken to ensure our orchards provide a healthy environment for honey bees and other pollinators, resulted in the abundant crop we are seeing on the trees up and down the Central Valley.”

Recent disruptions in global trade due to COVID-19, and ongoing trade disputes and negotiations with China and other key markets extending into the year, have caused some short-term challenges with the current crop, but the long-term outlook remains positive.

“As a shelf stable and nutritious food enjoyed by consumers around the world, we’ve weathered these disruptions in pretty good shape,” said Almond Board President and CEO Richard Waycott. “Domestic and export shipments are up year-to-date, and we expect global demand to be stronger than ever as we market this year’s record crop.”

While the Subjective Forecast provides an initial estimate of the 2020/2021 crop, the Objective Report is based on actual almond counts and uses a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield. In Dec. 2019, ABC’s Board of Directors approved a modified sampling protocol to further improve the accuracy of USDA-NASS’s reporting. From this year forward, the Objective Report will include measurements from 1,000 target orchards throughout the state (an increase of 150 samples from 2019) and provide nut counts on not one but two branches per tree. The Objective Report will also provide the weight, size and grade of the average almond sample broken down by growing region – no longer growing district – and variety.

USDA-NASS conducts the annual Objective Report, Subjective Forecast and Acreage Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions, and thanks all farm operators, owners and management entities for their time in providing the information necessary to create these reports. These reports are the official industry crop estimates.

California Ag Today2020-07-07T14:01:18-07:00July 7th, 2020|

Should Farmers Meter Their Pumps Now– in Terms of SGMA?

By Patrick Cavanaugh, Editor

With the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) closing in on growers throughout California, there are many questions. One big one is that should growers go ahead and put a meter on their pumps? Helping the farming industry comply with SGMA is Chris Johnson, who owns Aegis Groundwater Consulting, based in Fresno. He’s recommending that growers put a flow meter on their pumps, but he does understand their hesitation.

“I think they’re concerned about what’s going to happen if they provide a mechanism where someone can come out and actually measure, record and evaluate how much water they’re using, that somehow that’s going to go against them,” said Johnson. “And the reality of it is, is that somebody might very well do that but they’re better off knowing that going in, they’re better off understanding and being able to manage and represent for themselves upfront.”

It may be a good idea to meter pumps now.

Now, currently we have the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies, which have finalized the Groundwater Sustainability Plans. “The Groundwater Sustainability Plans are the deliverable that the Groundwater Sustainability Agencies are tasked with. But you have to understand the scarcity of data we actually have to work with, to actually be able to make decisions,” said Johnson. “And as a consequence, what so many different GSAs are forced to do is to either accept existing data at face value, or they’re having to interpret what the data might be in the absence of actual functional information. And so, it may very well misrepresent what the basin as a whole is having to go through, and they may put restrictions on farmers and growers based on that. And so, that is where having your own data helps you defend your water use, helps you protect yourself.”

<PATRICK: I believe the online version of this article ended here. I would support that, in that the preceding text focuses on the importance of having specific data for individual wells. The following text is more a soliloquy on GSP’s and data gathering and validity.

Johnson explains what will happen when the sustainability plans are in place in 2020. “I think what will happen is once the GSPs are filed with the Department of Water Resources, there’s going to be a period of reflection where people are looking at the adequacy of information supporting the plans. There’s going to be outside parties that question the adequacy of the data and plans, and ultimately out of that will come the next step, which is, ‘Okay, now we have these in place, we know there are a lot of shortcomings.’ Let’s go fill in those gaps. Let’s go get this data together,” said Johnson. I think that most of the regulatory agencies recognize there are data gaps. Let’s just work through the process is there thinking.

“Let’s get ourselves to where we can now start collecting the data. So, in theory, what we’re going to see is over the next 20 years a refinement in all of this, as more information is available, as scientists and engineers get to provide analysis to the policy makers, we end up with a better product in the end,” Johnson noted.

But will that product be good for the growers? “That’s a difficult question to answer because better in the end is leading us towards answering a question with, you’ll have as much water as you want. Well, that’s unlikely to happen,” Johnson said.

“I think there’s going to be significant changes in how we grow things in the Central Valley. The consequence of that may be everything from less food coming out of the Central Valley and/or higher food prices as these businesses attempt to maintain some degree of solubility, so to speak, financially, trying to meet these limited resource. Because that’s essentially what we’re doing,” he said. “We’re coming back and saying : Something bad happened. Now, we’re going to limit this resource.”

The agricultural industry throughout California keeps pushing that it’s too important, we have to provide food for the nation and the world. “I think the more important way to look at this is, is that California can’t afford to have ag fail. And as a consequence, we have to find a means to meet all these different demands and do so in a way that helps keep ag moving forward. It just probably won’t look like what it does today,” he said.

California Ag Today2020-07-07T09:18:53-07:00July 7th, 2020|

CAL-OSHA Dairy Compliance Assistance Visits During Holiday Weekend

Over the holiday weekend, staff at Western United Dairies had been alerted by our members and CMAB that regional Cal-OSHA safety personnel had visited a number of dairies in Merced County given the spike in the number of COVD-19 cases in that county.

Immediately, WUD staff engaged the senior staff at Cal-OSHA in Sacramento and we felt it was timely to report to you on the scale and scope of these visits, and perhaps most importantly, give you the best information to protect you, your employees and your dairy.

It has been reported to us by Cal-OSHA staff in Sacramento that the visits were “compliance assistance” visits only and not part of an enforcement campaign. We have not received any reports that citations have been issued to any of our members. Cal-OSHA had coordinated these “compliance assistance” visits to educate and to ensure producers have hand washing stations available, soap, sanitation in lavatories and, a relatively new requirement, face coverings for all employees. We have also confirmed that official inspections – those associated with potential enforcement – would never occur on the weekends or holidays.

Through this platform, WUD had reported on new requirements, including masks, and the best available resources for obtaining face coverings for your workforce. If you’re looking to source face coverings please click on the link or forward this to your purchasing staff and have them obtain this safety equipment as soon as possible. If you have experienced a “compliance assistance” visit from Cal-OSHA and you would like to share with us your experience, please email: darby@wudairies.com

California Ag Today2020-07-08T08:19:34-07:00July 7th, 2020|

Farmers Need to Serve on Water District Boards

It’s a Good Idea That Farmers Serve on Boards of Water Districts

By Patrick Cavanaugh, with the AgInformation Network

William Bourdeau is executive vice president of Harris Farms in Southwest Fresno County. Harris Farms is a diversified operation, farming, almonds, pistachios and vegetable crops. Bourdeau is very busy, but he does take the time to serve on different water district boards.

“I’m the vice chairman of the board of the San Luis & Delta-Mendota Water Authority, and a director for Westlands Water District,” said Bourdeau.

Bourdeau explains the major water systems in California. “The Central Valley project is federal and in the State Water Project, is a state project. And you know we’re supposed to be working together in coordination,” said Bourdeau. But he said all the water districts and farmers need to do a better job at that.

“There was an effort underway to do just that. It was called the voluntary agreements. I’m fairly certain it’s stalled, but I hope we all come together and make decisions that are in the best interest of everyone,” he said.

“And I do think having a vibrant domestic food supply capability that requires reliable water supply is critically important to our survival,” explained Bourdeau.

And he has something to say about the COVID-19 virus situation. “Well, I hope that the situation we find ourselves in right now, people realize and recognize the importance of having a vibrant domestic food supply capability, particularly during a pandemic, but just in general, it’s a foundational element to any successful society,” noted Bourdeau.

California Ag Today2020-07-07T08:45:47-07:00July 7th, 2020|

McCarthy Applauds Final Feasibility Report on Repairs to the Friant-Kern Canal

On Monday, the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation sent Congress the final Feasibility Report under Section 4007 of the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act for the Friant-Kern Canal Middle Reach Capacity Correction Project. This marks a critically important step forward in restoring lost water capacity to the communities served by eight irrigation and water districts along the Friant-Kern Canal.

“Water is the lifeblood that supports our communities and the food we grow on the eastside of the Central Valley,” said McCarthy. “However, subsidence on the Friant-Kern Canal is adversely impacting many communities’ ability to get the water they contract and pay for through the canal, including in Kern and Tulare Counties.

“I want to commend Interior Secretary David Bernhardt and Bureau of Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman for their work on finalizing this feasibility report, which under the WIIN Act, now makes this project eligible to receive construction funds from Congress. I also want to thank Friant Water Authority Chairman Chris Tantau, CEO Jason Philips, and other local stakeholders for their support and commitment to advancing this project.

“There is still work to be done, but Reclamation’s actions today represent a significant milestone in supporting the more than one million acres of farmland that provide sustenance to the United States and across the globe.”

The following statements were also issued on the feasibility report:

“Thanks to President Trump and Leader McCarthy, today’s resulting action furthers the Trump Administration’s commitment to America’s hardworking farmers who need water to feed our nation. Earlier this year, President Trump and I joined Leader McCarthy and other elected officials in the House in Bakersfield where the President signed the ‘Memorandum on Developing and Delivering More Water Supplies in California,’ directing the Department to invest in western water infrastructure and provide water to California’s communities and farms.” – Interior Secretary David Bernhardt

“Addressing reliable water and power delivery in the west is a top priority for the Trump Administration, and the 50-year old Friant-Kern Canal is front and center. Restoring the capacity along the middle stretch of the canal is critical to providing reliable water supplies to one of the most agriculturally-productive regions in the nation. Thank you Leader McCarthy and colleagues for your strong support for the Friant-Kern Canal Middle Reach Capacity Correction Project.” – Reclamation Commissioner Brenda Burman

“On behalf of Friant Water Authority and its members, I want to thank Secretary Bernhardt, Commissioner Burman, Leader McCarthy, and our other federal partners and congressional representatives who have helped maintain momentum for reaching this critical milestone. The nearly 15,000 farms and dozens of communities who rely on the Friant-Kern Canal are deeply appreciative of your leadership and support for this project, which is absolutely critical to maintaining jobs and economic prosperity for our agricultural communities in the San Joaquin Valley.” – Friant Water Authority Chairman Chris Tantau

“For nearly three years, Friant Water Authority staff and team of consultants have been working in partnership with the Bureau of Reclamation to assess the magnitude of the Friant-Kern Canal’s conveyance challenges, and developing alternatives for addressing it. This final study not only affirms that this project is feasible, but that it provides a high value for investment by local and federal partners.” – Friant Water Authority CEO Jason Philips

“As the southernmost district on the Friant-Kern Canal, the cumulative effects of the canal’s constriction land at our doorstep. And, as the single largest Class 2 water contractor, we live and die by our ability to recharge groundwater aquifers using canal supplies. With the feasibility study now complete, we can move forward to repairing the canal and restoring needed water supplies for our farmers and small communities who rely on the recharge water it delivers.” – Arvin-Edison Water Storage District President Edwin Camp

“Even if your job doesn’t have anything to do with agriculture, if you live in the San Joaquin Valley, water matters to your quality of life. Today’s milestone is a critical step in implementing a project that will help our region thrive as we work towards long-term groundwater sustainability.” – Porterville Irrigation District Chairman Eric Borba

“The full utilization of our existing water conveyance infrastructure, which includes the Friant-Kern Canal, is paramount to the long-term economic viability of production agriculture in the San Joaquin Valley. The Kern County Farm Bureau, its Board of Directors and members, and the communities it serves depend on accessibility to surface water supplies in order to maintain one of the most productive agricultural regions in the world. Therefore, the Kern County Farm Bureau is in full support of restoring the capacity of the Friant-Kern Canal, and is encouraged by Bureau of Reclamation’s development of the final feasibility report that will help make this into a reality.” – Kern County Farm Bureau President John Moore

“This repair is an essential project so that growers serviced by the Friant-Kern Canal can continue the essential service of producing food. As SGMA groundwater restrictions loom, every gallon of surface water provided is one less gallon of groundwater extracted.” – Tulare County Farm Bureau President John Guthrie