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SUSPENSE YET, HOUSE TO PASS FARM BILL TOMORROW

Anticipated Farm Bill Would Benefit California Farmers; Not a Done Deal

Dennis Nuxoll, Vice President of Federal Government Affairs for Western Growers Association, TODAY told California Ag Today that he anticipates the Farm Bill will pass this week.

“The House floor vote is occurring tomorrow, Wednesday. Once finished, we anticipate it will move to the Senate by Thursday or Friday, probably Friday, where I expect it to pass quickly. Then it moves to the President, who can sign it anytime, even over the weekend, but he may sign it next week in a ceremony.”

Dennis Nuxoll, WGA

‘So, I expect we’ll have a farm bill in place next week,” said Nuxoll.

“That’s my expectation,” Nuxoll said, tentatively, “but, there is a little bit of mystery and suspense; while all the deals have been cut in this bill, the House will debate this, and there are some members on the left who continue to be unhappy that the bill cuts too much and on the right who are unhappy because the bill doesn’t cut enough.”

“We believe there will be enough in the center to pass this bill, but we saw over the summer some of the original bills did not pass,” Nuxoll warned. “All in all, I expect we will win at the end of the day, but there is an element of suspense.”

Nuxoll says this is a beneficially significant Farm Bill for producers in California:

There is money in the Conservation Title for producers to help meet air quality regulations.
It’s a big deal to have federal funding to create long-term focused research for fruits and vegetables, such as federal resources to battle ACP/HLB.
There’s money for other research priorities.
Federal money is included for educational opportunities such as teaching growers the on the latest food safety techniques, a big issue for consumers.
Federal resources in the bill can be used to combat pests and disease, invaders that attack our crops.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:09-07:00January 29th, 2014|

USDA CROP INSURANCE DEADLINES FOR CALIFORNIA FAST APPROACHING

Adjusted Gross Revenue Insurance

Deadlines Approaching

USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) reminds producers that the sales closing dates for several crop insurance programs are almost here. Producers need to make sure to sign up, review, or change their crop policies before these dates have passed.

January 31, 2014 is the last day to buy or change a policy for Adjusted Gross Revenue, apples, cherries, chile peppers, fresh market and processing tomatoes, grapes and table grapes, olives, pears, pecans, potatoes (spring planted in San Joaquin County), stone fruits, and walnuts.

February 1, 2014 is the last day to buy or change a policy for onions in Modoc and Siskiyou counties.

Producers who purchased crop insurance are covered for all natural causes of loss listed in their policies. Policies are yield and revenue based and vary across commodities and regions. Producers can tailor their coverage to fit the needs of their operation with a choice of coverage levels that range from 50 to 75, or 85 percent on some policies.

More information on specific crop programs can be found in the crop insurance factsheets online.

Producers can get a premium amount estimate of their insurance needs with the online cost estimator.

Private crop insurance agents are solely responsible for the sale and delivery of the federal crop insurance program. A list of crop insurance agentsis available at all USDA Service Centers.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:09-07:00January 28th, 2014|

CITRUS MUTUAL APPLAUDS FARM BILL COMMITTEE

Sustained Funding For HLB Research In Farm Bill

California Citrus Mutual (CCM) President Joel Nelsen issued the following statement upon release of the 2014 Farm Bill Conference Report TODAY:

“Leaders of both Houses of Congress deserve applause for putting forth an outstanding Farm Bill that prioritizes funding, reduces overall spending, and sustains valuable programs for the Specialty Crop industry, and specifically, the U.S. citrus industry.”

CCM has worked tirelessly with Valley Congressmen Kevin McCarthy, David Valadao, Devin Nunes, Jim Costa, and Jeff Denham along with Senator Feinstein (CA) and Senate Agricultural Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (MI) to achieve one of the organization’s key goals – securing a sustained funding for Huanglongbing (HLB) research and programs.

Florida and California have spent a combined $12 million annually in the past five years for research alone. “Simply put, this level of funding from the industry is not sustainable given the increased operating costs of protecting the industries in California, Florida, Texas, and Arizona from the Asian Citrus Psyllid (ACP) and HLB.”

“There are many ‘thank you’s’ to be issued, but the effort put forth by Congressman McCarthy, Senator Stabenow and Congressman Frank Lucas (OK), Chair of the House Committee on Agriculture is deserving of special recognition. They heard our requests and were mindful that the future of the U.S. citrus industry depends upon finding a solution to this devastating disease.”

Staff members for McCarthy, Stabenow and Lucas have been in constant contact with Nelsen to draft language that would create a streamlined process for funding HLB research and programs such as biological control efforts for ACP.

“In particular, the engagement of Congressman McCarthy was invaluable in getting this priority moving forward.”

Other Farm Bill components of note include continued funding for air quality programs, continued funding for commodities to overcome trade barriers, pest and disease protection programs, and school lunch programs that put fruit and vegetables at the top of the nutritional priority list.

“This balanced approach is a noteworthy accomplishment that cuts spending while providing valuable assistance to many stakeholders and ensuring that a viable economic environment for the production of food and fiber continues to exist.”

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:10-07:00January 28th, 2014|

WEBINAR JAN. 29 IN KERN, TULARE: MITIGATING DROUGHT ON PASTURE AND FEED

Webinar Jan. 29th, Mitigating Drought: Optimizing Pasture and Supplemental Feed and Managing Risk

UC ANR Cooperative Extension will present a joint webinar on Mitigating Drought: Optimizing Pasture and Supplemental Feed and Managing Risk

The webinar will be held on January 29th, from 9:00 – 3:30, simultaneously at the

Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center (VMTRC) in Tulare and the UC Cooperative Extension Office, Kern County. Lunch and refreshments will be provided.

Please pre-register online, but the $10/per person will be collected at the door.

This webinar is an extension of an informational drought meeting being held at the Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center.

Among the topics are:

Rainfall and rangeland forage production
Optimizing pasture
Using and storing annual feed
Alternatives to annual feed
Roughage supplementation
Optimizing irrigation and fertilization on irrigated pasture
Grazing management
Field demonstration of drought management tools and impacts
Optimizing supplemental feed
Economics of supplementation

Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center (VMTRC)

18830 Road 112

Tulare, CA 93274

UC Cooperative Extension Office, Kern County.

1031 S. Mt. Vernon Ave.

Bakersfield, CA 93307

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:10-07:00January 28th, 2014|

UC ANR’S SOUTHERN SAN JOAQUIN LIVESTOCK SYMPOSIUM

UC ANR Cooperative Extension presents 1st Annual Southern San Joaquin Livestock Symposium

On February 27th, 2014, 9 AM – 2 PM, UC ANR will present the 1st Annual SouthernSan Joaquin Livestock Symposium at the Porterville Veterans Memorial Building, Porterville. Refreshments and lunch will be provided.

Topics will include:

Safety of GMO Feeds
General Herd Health Management
Foothill Abortion Vaccine Update
Maintaining Financial Viability
2014 Yellow Starthistle Program

Please register online.

Porterville Veterans Memorial Building

1900 W. Olive Ave.

Porterville, CA 93257

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:10-07:00January 28th, 2014|

CALIFORNIA WATER REFORMS PRESENTED AT FARM BILL CONFERENCE COMMITTEE

House Speaker Boehner and California Congressmen Propose Water Crisis Relief

Posted TODAY: At the request of Speaker of the House John Boehner and California Congressmen David Valadao, Kevin McCarthy, and Devin Nunes, Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas has presented a legislative fix in a bicameral conference committee to relieve the water crisis in the South Valley. The proposal, meant for inclusion in the Farm Bill that could pass Congress as early as this week, calls for two main actions:

Turning on the Delta pumps this year and next year to capture future rain events.
Ending restoration flows in the San Joaquin River for this year and next year in order to stop wasting water

In a joint statement, the three California representatives declared, “We’d like to thank Speaker Boehner and Chairman Lucas for their leadership and for acting quickly on this urgent issue. With more than 50,000 acre feet of water about to be flushed into the ocean, this is the last chance to make a difference for tens of thousands of Central Valley farmers and residents whose water supplies are running critically low. We urge California’s senators to support this language and cooperate with the House to get it passed into law as soon as possible.”

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:10-07:00January 27th, 2014|

Almond Drought Management

Severe Drought Management Recommendations For Almonds

By David Doll, UCCE Farm Advisor, Merced County

The Almond Doctor

UC researchers have urged growers not to take aggressive actions in reducing tree size or crop load in response to the West side water shortages this year. Severe pruning will increase new growth which would increase the leaf surface and evapo-transpiration rates (ETc) of the tree. Crop thinning has a similar effect and is also not recommended.

David Doll, UC Farm Advisor, Merced.

By reducing crop load, the source/sink ratio of the tree is disturbed, causing the tree to put nutrients into vegetative growth instead of the nuts. Furthermore, data suggests that less than 10% of ET may be attributed to crop load. The tree should thin naturally when it undergoes a late-spring water stress period. Furthermore, in season nitrogen applications should also be reduced in order to reduce vigorous shoot growth.

In scheduling irrigation, the pressure chamber should be used to determine the stem water potential of the trees. Orchard irrigations should not be initiated until the trees reach -15 bars. Irrigations should be at the percentage of ET that can be afforded – for example: if 15% of water available for the season, water at 15% ET at each irrigation. Research by David Goldhamer suggests that almond trees can survive through the year on as little as 6-8 inches of water (5- 10% ET). This includes the 2-4 inches of water available within the soil profile.

Further reduction of inputs this coming year is advised for the growers facing water restrictions. Reductions of in-season fertilizers and foliar nutrients will help decrease the vigor of the tree. Use judgment in making these cutbacks as the goal is to reduce tree vigor, not to make the trees deficient. Post harvest fertilizer applications are still recommended. Furthermore, it is not advised to cut back on miticides. With severely stressed trees, mites can flare up easily, causing defoliation and adding to tree stress.

If the orchard has a history of pyrethroid use, miticides will most likely be necessary for the coming growing season. If softer chemistries have been used, sprays may be limited or unnecessary. In these cases, monitoring the population of mites and beneficials will be needed throughout the season to see if they approach the treatment threshold.

A light pruning or topping, may be a feasible practice to stop new shoot growth in the spring. Once the trees push new growth, heading cuts would terminate shoot growth, thus reducing leaf surface area. This may work if nitrogen rates were reduced – otherwise the tree would push again causing more tree stress. There is no direct data that supports this practice, and it may not be worth the effort or expense.

In general, if the tree is able to maintain some of its leaves until the fall, the tree probably will survive. Yields will be affected severely for the next 2 years. This year would be a good year to remove older blocks with declining production and divert the water to younger blocks if possible.

A meeting on drought irrigation management will be held at 9:00 AM – 11:00AM on January 28th at the UCCE Merced Office in Merced, CA (2145 Wardrobe Avenue, Merced). Ken Shackel, David Doll, and Steve Grattan will be presenting on the water and salinity issues facing growers in 2014.

This session will be repeated by Dr. Shackel and Dr. Grattan on February 6th at the Northern San Joaquin Valley Almond Day at the UCCE San Joaquin Office near Stockton, CA (Robert J Cabral AG Center, 2101 E Earhart Avenue, Stockton). On February 4th, Dr. Shackel will be presenting on the subject at the Colusa County CE Extension Meeting.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:10-07:00January 27th, 2014|

FINAL STATE WATER ACTION PLAN RELEASED

Final State Water Action Plan Outlines California’s Near- and Long-Term Water Priorities

As California experiences one of the driest winters on record, TODAY, the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture released the final California Water Action Plan, laying out goals and vision for the next five years. The plan will guide state efforts to enhance water supply reliability, restore damaged and destroyed ecosystems, and improve the resilience of our infrastructure.

At the direction of Gov. Edmund G. Brown Jr., a collaborative effort of state agencies, and nearly 100 substantive public and stakeholder comments formed a plan to set direction for a host of near- and long-term actions on water issues for the state.

“It is a tall order. But it is what we must do to get through this drought and prepare for the next,” said Gov. Brown in his 2014 State of the State address.

The Governor’s proposed 2014-15 budget lays a solid fiscal foundation for implementing near-term actions for the plan, recommending $618.7 million in funding for water efficiency projects, wetland and watershed restoration, groundwater programs, conservation, flood control, and integrated water management.

“As we work on emergency actions to manage through one of the driest winters on record, we are also taking proactive, long-term steps to prepare California for future droughts and flood,” said Secretary for Natural Resources John Laird. “Each decade brings improvements, but also significantly highlights what we can do better. The California Water Action Plan gives us clear focus and vision for the next five years.”

Final revisions to the draft plan, released in October 2013, include an expanded section on drought response and a new effort focused on better management of Sierra Nevada headwaters that helps water storage and quality, and ecosystems. Public comment on the draft plan made it clear that California must better understand the economic and ecological harm of sustained dry weather.

The Governor’s proposed budget would provide $472.5 million in Proposition 84 funds to the Department of Water Resources (DWR) for integrated regional water management. The bond funds would leverage local and federal investment in projects that reduce demand, build supply, and offer additional benefits such as wildlife habitat and flood management. The budget also placed immediate emphasis on water and energy use efficiency and wetlands and coastal watershed restoration to further support the resiliency of water supply and ecosystems during this dry weather period.

The governor’s budget also would allow DWR to better monitor the groundwater resources that provide more than one-third of California’s supplies in dry years, and supports the development of a state backstop for sustainable groundwater management practices by the State Water Resources Control Board, should local efforts to do so not materialize.

“Together, the Governor’s proposed budget and this finalized plan provide the State with practical solutions to the state’s most critical problems; the proposals on groundwater are a good example,” said Cal/EPA Secretary Matt Rodriquez. “Data collection and monitoring are crucial to sustainable management of our unseen but incredibly important aquifers.”

All of the near-and long-term actions in the plan center on sustaining supplies of water for people, the environment, industry and agriculture. This year’s severe dry conditions highlight the stakes. Drought threatens to force the fallowing of hundreds of thousands of acres of farmland, throw thousands of people out of work, and potentially raise supermarket food prices.

“Our severe dry conditions are alarming for California’s agricultural industry,” said California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. “In the near term, we must do all we can to keep our fields productive. In the long term, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to make the investments that will allow us to stay productive in the face of a changing climate.”

Key actions identified in the Plan include:

Make conservation a California way of life.
Increase regional self-reliance and integrated water management across all levels of government.
Achieve the co-equal goals for the Delta.
Protect and restore important ecosystems.
Manage and prepare for dry periods.
Expand water storage capacity and improve groundwater management.
Provide safe water for all communities.
Increase flood protection.
Increase operational and regulatory efficiency.
Identify sustainable and integrated financing opportunities.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:10-07:00January 27th, 2014|

Sacramento Water Rally Video

New Video Regarding

Sacramento Water Rally

Juan Carlos Oseguera, Producer/Director of the Film: The Fight for Water: A Farm Worker Struggle, has produced a clip regarding the recent Water Rally in Sacramento. A must see!

Thanks Juan for all you do to further the Fight for Water! Click Here to see YouTube Video

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:10-07:00January 25th, 2014|

Drought Meetings Schedule

Drought Survival Meetings

Set for Locations Around State

A fallow field next to an inactive water supply pipe on the West Side.

Grave concern for California ranchers facing a prolonged dry spell this winter has prompted UC Cooperative Extension to organize meetings for ranchers in Mariposa, Mendocino, San Luis Obispo, Kern, Ventura and Tulare counties to connect remotely to a UC drought workshop in Browns Valley Jan. 29.

“This workshop addresses an issue ranchers are dealing with right now,” said Fadzayi “Fadzie” Mashira, UCCE advisor and county director in Mariposa County. “The meeting will give ranchers tools they can use now and in the future to mitigate and prepare for droughts.”

The workshop, “Mitigating Drought: Optimizing Pasture and Supplemental Feed and Managing Risk,” takes place from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the UC Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center, 8279 Scott Forbes Rd., Browns Valley, Calif. Three UCCE advisors, two UCCE specialists, a veterinarian, a rancher, an insurance agent and a Cattlemen’s Association representative will discuss supplementing with alternative protein and roughage, managing animal health, making culling decisions and other topics that will help keep ranchers in business through what is shaping up to be the worst drought in California history. The complete agenda is posted online.

“From previous droughts we’ve learned that feeding the whole herd through the drought may spell the end of business,” said Glenn Nader, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in Sutter-Yuba Counties. “We plan to provide information on management options and impacts of drought on dryland range and irrigated pasture, feeding options to consider during a drought and how to decide what cows to sell.”

Nader is organizing the workshop with Jeremy James, director of the UC Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center. To register for the meeting in Browns Valley, complete this online form. Registration is $10 and includes lunch.

Remote meeting locations are:

Mariposa County

In Mariposa County there hasn’t been any significant grass growth in most areas this winter. Some of the annual grass seedlings that germinated with November and December precipitation are dying due to the lack of rainfall in subsequent weeks.

“Most ranchers in Mariposa County report that this is the worst fall and winter season they have seen for as long as they have ranched in the area,” Mashira said.

Ranchers are currently supplementing with hay, molasses and alternative feeds like almond hulls in order to maintain body condition and hoping the rain will come soon.

During the Browns Valley field visit, participants in the Mariposa County meeting will share ideas about practices that have worked for some ranchers and discuss issues that may have come out during the webcast.

Contact: Fadzayi “Fadzie” Mashira, (209) 966-2417, fmashiri@ucanr.edu

Mendocino County

Early precipitation germinated many of the range grasses and clovers in Mendocino County, but they have since dried off. As a result, the seed bank may not be sufficient to grow enough feed even when or if rain falls in the spring, said John Harper, UCCE advisor and county director in Mendocino County.

Local cattlemen and cattlewomen are stockpiling hay and starting herd reductions.

“One rancher said he already sold off 50 percent of his cow herd to be able to afford feeding the rest,” Harper said.

The drought also comes at a bad time for sheep raisers.

“Lambing is in full swing, so producers are forced to feed pellets or hay so ewes will have adequate milk. Without green grass lambs won’t gain weight and won’t be ready for spring markets,” Harper said.

The Mendocino meeting will be at the UC Hopland Research and Extension Center, 4070 University Road, Hopland, from 8:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Local speakers at Hopland include Harper, Katie Delbar and Karri Bartolomei, USDA Farm Service Agency, and Carre Brown, First District Supervisor for Mendocino County. A registration fee of $10 per person will cover handout materials. Participants are invited to bring sack lunches and participate in discussion over the noon break. Beverages will be provided. To register, complete this online survey.

Contact: John Harper, (707) 463-4495, jmharper@ucanr.edu

San Luis Obispo County

The 2012-13 rain season in San Luis Obispo County was worse than in other parts of the state. Because of that, ranchers sold many cattle last spring, said Royce Larsen, UCCE advisor in San Luis Obispo County.

“From last spring to fall, most producers used what old feed they had from two years ago,” Larsen said. “They were hoping for some early rains this year to get germination and some growth of new feed. The rains did not come. There has not been any germination yet, so there is no feed available for livestock on our rangelands.”

Larsen said San Luis Obispo ranchers are either feeding their cattle supplemental feed, or selling off more, if not most, of their herds.

The meeting in San Luis Obispo County begins at 12:30 p.m. at the UCCE office, 2156 Sierra Way, San Luis Obispo. After the webcast concludes at about 3:30 p.m., Larsen and other experts will provide local information. The meeting is free and advance registration is not required.

Contact: Royce Larsen, (805) 434-4106, relarsen@ucanr.edu

Kern County

Some Kern County ranchers had to cull up to 75 percent of their cattle herd last year, reported UCCE advisor Julie Finzel. Many will be facing a similar situation in 2014.

“Currently there is little to no green feed on the ground, only remnants of last year’s reduced growth,” Finzel said.

The meeting will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the UC Cooperative Extension office, 1031 South Mount Vernon Ave., Bakersfield. Cost is $10 and includes lunch. Register online at http://ucanr.edu/dweb.

Contact: Julie Finzel, (661) 868-6219, jafinzel@ucanr.edu

Ventura County

In addition to the problems with little to no feed growing on rangeland in Ventura County, the drought has also impacted stockwater quality and quantity, which has caused additional problems. The UC Cooperative Extension office is hosting a seminar on Jan. 29 to celebrate the organization’s Centennial, so the ranchers’ meeting is being coordinated by the Ventura County Farm Bureau and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The meeting will be at the farm bureau office, 5156 McGrath St. in Ventura. Lunch is sponsored by the Ventura County Cattlemen’s Association. The session includes the 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. webcast from Browns Valley and, during the 40-minute field trip in Browns Valley, a beef quality assurance training video. There is no charge.

Contact: Fletcher Nelson, USDA-NRCS Range Management Specialist, (661) 945-2604, Ext. 111, fletcher.nelson@ca.usda.gov.

Tulare County

Tulare County ranchers may gather at the UC Veterinary Medicine Teaching and Research Center, 18830 Road 112 in Tulare, to view the workshop webcast. The cost is $10 per person, payable at the door. Register online at http://ucanr.edu/dweb.

Contact: Jim Sullins, (559) 684-3309, jlsullins@ucanr.edu

Other counties

The forum webcast is available from any computer for those that cannot attend in person at Browns Valley or any of the remote locations. Register using the online form to receive information on the webcast.

The University of California’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources is the bridge between local issues and the power of UC research. UC ANR’s advisors, specialists and faculty bring practical, science-based answers to Californians. Visit ucanr.eduto learn more.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:41:10-07:00January 25th, 2014|

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