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STOP CRISIS FOR CALIF. DAIRY FAMILIES

Assemblyman Adam Gray:

Need to Stem the Tide of Dairies Going Under

(From Western United Dairymen)

The economic multiplier effect of the dairy industry is not just a statistic to Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced). His grandfather started Merced Dairy Supply and his father Robert continued the business. Gray’s first job at the dairy supply store was washing storage barrels and loading feed bags, an experience that helped him learn about the local economy from the ground up.

Assemblyman Adam Gray (D-Merced)

Discussing the economic crisis facing California dairy families, Gray told Western United Dairymen in an interview this week, “Dairy families are continuing to struggle and go out of business. As someone who represents a large dairy area, I am very concerned about the industry’s future. We need to stem the tide of all these dairies folding and going under.”

Economic reports show that California’s dairy industry contributed $63 billion in economic activity to the state. According to the California Milk Advisory Board, in 2008, the latest year for which figures are available, the dairy industry created a total of 443,574 jobs in California, approximately 3 percent of the total overall job production for the year. The 2008 report shows that for every single “on-the-farm” job, 22 additional “beyond-the-farm” jobs are created.

Gray testified at a CDFA hearing held in September in support a petition filed by WUD and other dairy producer groups for emergency price relief. His remarks focused on the economic impact to the communities that surround dairies. “I spoke about the economics of the issue and I spoke from the heart,” said Gray. “I know from growing up and working at a dairy supply business how many small businesses are supported by dairy. There are so many related businesses that depend on the success of dairies. In the absence of these dairies, you are going to see these businesses go under as well.”

When the CDFA issued its decision to extend the current temporary price relief for all classes of milk, there was disappointment expressed by dairy producers. Gray shares that sentiment. “My expectation was that they would take some action to create additional equity and stem the tide of all these dairies folding and going under.”

The task ahead is to educate legislators about the dairy industry and its economic factors, said Gray. “I’m not sure there is clear path forward but I am going to be a tireless advocate for the dairy industry,” he said. “I am constantly educating my colleagues about the dairy industry and its complex pricing issues. There are so many who do not understand the industry and I am talking to them about the industry and its needs. But the need remains for additional education of state elected officials and dairy producers have an important role to play,” points out Gray.

“My best advice is for WUD members to help in educating legislators. WUD does a great job of advocating for its members. You have to be even more determined and more persistent but not just with valley legislators. We have put in whatever extra effort is needed to advocate for why we need a solution.”

Gray said he “absolutely” sees a need for Governor Brown to be involved in finding a solution to the industry’s pricing crisis. “Ultimately, he is the top executive and it is important that the governor be part of the solution.”

“Because of his family’s background in the dairy supply business, the personal nature of the dairy crisis hits him constantly,” said Gray. “Each and every month, people are on the brink of losing their family farm. Whole communities are being hurt. This is a real crisis with broad implications and we have to figure out a way to find a solution, either administratively or through legislation.”

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:42:28-07:00December 17th, 2013|

Citrus Freeze Damage High

Citrus Freeze Damage Could be

30 Percent-Plus!

Tom Wollenman, Vice President of LoBue Brothers Citrus in Lindsay, told California Ag Today that it was a very hard freeze for a substantial amount of time, and it appears that we will definitely have 30 percent damage or more on 80 percent of the fruit that is hanging.

“In early December, we had four or five cold nights across a large area of the industry with 27 degrees or below from midnight to about 6 am,” Wollenman said.

“Everyday, we are getting closer to a more accurate assessment of the damage,” he noted

Wollenman said that there has been conjecture that the cold weather may have killed Asian Citrus Psyllid populations in the Central Valley. “We do not know for sure, but hopefully it will put a dent on any resident populations,” he said.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:42:28-07:00December 16th, 2013|

BIG WATER MEETING TOMORROW

California Legislators to Hold Drought and Environmental Regulation Press Conference

Westlands Water District announced TODAYthat Congressman Valadao and Senator Fuller will hold a press conference in Bakersfield TOMORROW to discuss the severe consequences related to the drought.

Following the release of a letter to Governor Brown and President Obama led by Valadao and Fuller, lawmakers will gather to highlight affects the drought, made worse by environmental regulations, is having on California’s Central Valley and to call on President Barack Obama and Governor Jerry Brown to take immediate action to address the water shortage.

Event Details:

Event: Californian Water Press Conference

Date: Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Time: 11:30 AM PT – 12:15 PM PT

Where: Kern County Water Association
3200 Rio Mirada Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93308
Who: Congressman David G. Valadao (CA-21)
Senator Jean Fuller (SD-18)
Jim Beck; General Manager, Kern County Water Association
Ron Jacobsma; General Manager, Friant Water Users Authority

David Vink; General Manager, Lower Tule River and Pixley Irrigation Districts
Jason Peltier; Chief Deputy General Manager, Westlands Water District

For more information regarding the press conference, please contact Anna Better at (202) 815-1685.

Congressman David G. Valadao represents the 21st Congressional District, which includes Kings County and portions of Fresno, Tulare and Kern Counties. Senator Fuller represents the 18^thSenate District which includes Kern and Tulare Counties and parts of Inyo and San Bernardino Counties.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:42:28-07:00December 16th, 2013|

Video Highlights Cropping Systems

Conservation Agricultural System Innovations

Video Highlights Recent Workshops

A video has been released by the UC Davis Conservation Agricultural System Innovations (CASI) that offers great information on two workshops that took place at a recent workshop in Five Points, Calif.

In the video Jay Fuhrer of the USDA NRCS office in Bismarck, ND and Brendon Rockey, a farmer from Center, Co. explained some intriguing work with their cropping systems that could be of interest to California growers.

These workshops attracted over 150 participants and generated many good ideas and interactions between attendees.

CASI thanks all who took part and also extend our warm CASI gratitude to Jay and Brendon for taking the time to share their experiences with us.

https://videocenter.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/videos/video/56/

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:42:28-07:00December 16th, 2013|

Fight For Water Film Awarded Best Documentary

Fight For Water Film Wins Best Documentary

Recognition Comes From Monarch Film Festival

The award winning, Fight for Water Film: A Farm Worker Struggle, was shown Dec. 11 in Pacific Grove at the Lighthouse Cinemas, 525 Lighthouse Ave.

The Fight For Water Film documents the struggle of two farmers, and thousands of farm workers on the Westside, Fresno County, in 2009 when there was only a 10 percent water allocation.

Filmmaker/ Director Juan Carlos Oseguera

Filmmaker/Director Juan Carlos Oseguera focuses on the 50-mile historic water march in his film, the only film that documents this journey that brought more than 1,000 farmers and farm workers from all over the state.

The film also records the many food lines that became necessary in towns such as Firebaugh, Mendota, San Joaquin and Huron. Farmworkers, though humiliated, were forced to resort to these food lines due to the high unemployment that reached in excess of 40 percent as a consequence of the non-irrigated fields.

Ironically, though The Fight For Water Film documents this event in 2009 and 2010, nothing has changed. In fact, farmers in the Westside Federal Water Districts are currently facing what could be an even worse year in 2014. The Bureau of Reclamation has warned that if there is not significantly more than average rain and snowfall this winter, there could be an unprecedented zero allocation.

No water allocation may force many farmers out of business and cause massive unemployment in the Westside communities already suffering from severely reduced water allocations. This season, farmers received only 20 percent of what they needed and paid for.

Oseguera said, “I have found that Californians outside of the Central Valley, and Americans out of state, are unaware of the plight of farmers and farmworkers here. So, we need to expand distribution of the film to educate everybody.”

“There is growing interest from film distributors to advance the film to wider audiences,” said Oseguera. “A good way to tell the distributors that the film needs to be seen by others outside of California is to like the Fight For Water Facebook page,” he noted.

https://www.facebook.com/thefightforwaterfilm

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:42:28-07:00December 14th, 2013|

Growing Numbers to Stop Ethanol Mandate

Western Dairymen Praises Bill To Stop Corn Ethanol Mandate

Legislation introduced this week by Senators Dianne Feinstein, Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) and eight cosponsors to eliminate the corn ethanol mandate has won strong support from Western United Dairymen. “We are pleased to support Senator Feinstein’s continued efforts on eliminating the mandate for corn ethanol. She was instrumental in seeing the ethanol subsidies expire and we believe that she will be just as successful with this effort,” said Western United Dairymen CEO Michael Marsh.

“This legislation provides a simple, effective solution to the problems caused by corn diverted to ethanol, driving up feed costs and consumer prices for meat, milk and energy,” continued Marsh. “California dairy families who are suffering from continued high feed prices support this effort to eliminate the federal corn ethanol mandate from the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), while maintaining provisions designed to grow the low-carbon biofuel industry.”

The Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS), created in the Energy Policy Act of 2005 and revised in 2007, requires refiners and blenders to use 16.55 billion gallons of renewable fuel in 2013. More than 13 billion gallons of this total will be met by the use of corn ethanol, a level that will increase in subsequent years.

The RFS also sets a target for 36 billion gallons of renewable fuels blended into gasoline by 2022 with the corn ethanol mandate scheduled to reach 15 billion gallons by 2015. Each year, EPA issues RFS rules with increasing volumes of renewable fuel blending that also include cellulosic and advanced biofuels that do not compete as feed sources.

Feinstein said the bill supports development of advanced biofuels, including those made from soybean oil, grasses and trees. But it would eliminate the mandate for corn-based ethanol, which currently represents the vast majority of biofuels produced in the United States. She said the corn mandate diverts a large proportion of the U.S. corn crop towards making fuel, raising animal feed and food prices.

In introducing the bill, Senator Feinstein said, “Under the corn ethanol mandate in the RFS, roughly 44 percent of U.S. corn is diverted from food to fuel, pushing up the cost of food and animal feed and damaging the environment. Oil companies are also unable to blend more corn ethanol into gasoline without causing problems for automobiles, boats and other vehicles. I strongly support requiring a shift to low-carbon advanced biofuels.” Feinstein added, “But a corn ethanol mandate is simply bad policy.”

Senator Coburn said, “The time to end the corn ethanol mandate has arrived. This misguided policy has cost taxpayers billions of dollars, increased fuel prices and made our food more expensive. Eliminating this mandate will let market forces, rather than political and parochial forces, determine how to diversify fuel supplies in an ever-changing marketplace. I’m grateful my colleagues on both sides on the aisle are prepared to take this long-overdue step to protect consumers and taxpayers from artificially high fuel and food prices.”

Cosponsors of the bill are Richard Burr(R-N.C.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), Bob Corker, (R-Tenn.), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.), Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho) and Patrick Toomey (R-Pa.).

This action eliminates the unnecessary pressure on corn prices, allowing the multi-billion dollar corn ethanol industry to compete directly with oil based on price and quality, not mandates.

Refiners will continue to blend corn ethanol into the fuel supply in the absence of a mandate, as ethanol is the preferred octane booster used to increase the efficiency of gasoline. Even without a mandate for its use, the economic benefits of mixing ethanol into gasoline would remain.

This proposal has strong support from dairy; beef; poultry; the prepared food industry; oil and gas; engine manufacturers; boaters; hunger relief organizations; and environmental groups. A list of endorsing organizations can be found here.

Sources:

Western United Dairymen

Senator Feinstein

Senator Coburn

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:42:28-07:00December 14th, 2013|

ARB Meeting Shows Industry Concerns

ARB holds Truck and Bus Regulation Workshop;

WAPA’s Roger Isom Testifies

Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA) attended ARB’s presentation TODAYregarding their proposed amendments to the Truck and Bus Regulation. Agenda items included overview of the current rule, the new proposed amendments, and a chance for stakeholders to voice their concerns.

The meeting was extremely well attended with over 70 concerned individuals in attendance. WAPA’s President, Roger Isom testified at the workshop noting troubles with the diesel particulate filters and proposed several changes to the current regulation.

Isom’s proposed changes to ARB staff included extending the sign up period for compliance extension, extending compliance dates for Ag categories, and extending the trade up program from 2014 to 2018.

In conjunction with the meeting was the deadline for Prop 1B funding through the SJV Air Pollution Control District that helps owners by replacing older trucks or engines.

More information about the Truck and Bus Regulation is available on ARB’s website: www.arb.ca.gov/dieseltruck. Questions regarding reporting can be directed to trucrs@arb.ca.gov. Lastly, questions regarding the regulation and compliance can be answer at ARB’s hotline at 866-6-DIESEL or through email at 8666diesel@arb.ca.gov.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:42:29-07:00December 13th, 2013|

USDA RESTRICTS THREE PACA VIOLATORS IN CALIF. AND NJ FROM OPERATING IN THE PRODUCE INDUSTRY

Two Produce Businesses in California Sanctioned for Failure to Pay Reparation Awards

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has imposed sanctions on three produce businesses for failure to pay reparation awards issued under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act (PACA), two of which are in California.

The following businesses and individuals are currently restricted from operating in the produce industry:

Fratelli Farms LLC, operating out of Hollister, Calif., for failing to pay a $5,754 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Guillermo Regalado and Johnny Regalado were listed as members of the business.

2 Mex Produce, operating out of Santa Maria, Calif., for failing to pay a $23,190 award in favor of a California seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Arcelia Partida and Julio Partida were listed as partners of the business.

High Point Marketing of NJ Inc., operating out of Ridgewood, N.J., for failing to pay a $30,961 award in favor of a Florida seller. As of the issuance date of the reparation order, Michael E. Pflueger was listed as the officer, director, and major stockholder of the business.

PACA provides an administrative forum to handle disputes involving produce transactions; this may result in a reparation order being issued that requires damages to be paid by those not meeting their contractual obligations in buying and selling fresh and frozen fruits and vegetables.

USDA is required to suspend the license or impose sanction on an unlicensed business that fails to pay PACA reparations awarded against it as well as impose restrictions against those principals determined to be responsibly connected to the business when the order is issued. Those individuals, including sole proprietors, partners, members, managers, officers, directors, or major stockholders may not be employed by or affiliated with any PACA licensee without USDA-approval.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), PACA Division, regulates fair trading practices of produce businesses operating subject to PACA, which includes buyers, sellers, commission merchants, dealers, and brokers within the fruit and vegetable industry. All oversight of actions related to PACA are conducted by AMS, an agency within USDA.

In the past three years, USDA resolved approximately 5,000 claims filed under PACA involving almost $96 million. This is just one more way USDA continues to support the fruit and vegetable industry.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:42:29-07:00December 13th, 2013|

CDFA LAUNCHES NEW FARM-TO-FORK WEB SITE

Farm-To-Fork Web Site Connects Consumers To California Agriculture

CDFA is pleased to announce TODAY the California Farm to Fork web site, a place to highlight programs and projects that focus on sourcing, marketing and increasing the use of California crops.

The web site features links to a page that shows what crops grow in certain regions at specific times of the year, and also profiles local efforts to increase access to healthy foods at various locations throughout the state. As the site evolves, it will include additional information and resources about California crops as well as other agricultural products, like grains, meats and dairy.

CDFA’s Farm-to-Fork Office, an interagency initiative with the California Department of Public Health and California Department of Education introduced the web site. The agencies are working together to help all Californians eat healthy, well-balanced meals.

To increase access to healthy, nutritious food for everyone in the state, this site will connect consumers, school districts, and other groups directly with California’s farmers and ranchers, and also provide additional information about our state’s magnificent bounty.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:42:29-07:00December 13th, 2013|

USDA CREATES MULTI-AGENCY EMERGENCY RESPONSE FRAMEWORK TO COMBAT HLB

USDA Providing $1 million to Jump Start Citrus Response Framework

The U.S. Department of Agriculture TODAY announced the creation of a new, unified emergency response framework to address Huanglongbing (HLB). This new framework will allow USDA and its many partners to better coordinate HLB resources, share information and develop operational strategies to maximize effectiveness.

“USDA listened to the citrus industry’s request for more urgency and greater coordination on the response to HLB and is implementing an emergency response structure,” said Secretary Tom Vilsack. “To jump start this initiative and affirm our commitment to industry, USDA is also providing $1 million to be used in support of research projects that can bring practical and short-term solutions to the growers in their efforts to combat this disease.

Through the Specialty Crop Research Initiative of the Farm Bill, USDA has provided $9 million in research to blocking the ability of insects to spread HLB to healthy trees. We need Congress to quickly pass a new Farm, Food, and Jobs Bill that continues to support this kind of research to protect a crop worth more than $3 billion in the last harvest.”

The new framework will bring together USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) and National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA), along with state departments of agriculture and the citrus industry into a Multi-Agency Coordination (MAC) Group for HLB. It will provide industry with a single contact for all the federal and state entities that work on citrus issues and better enable the collective to collaborate on policy decisions, establish priorities, allocate critical resources, and collect, analyze, and disseminate information.

The HLB MAC Group will also help coordinate Federal research with industry’s efforts to complement and fill research gaps, reduce unnecessary duplication, speed progress and more quickly provide practical tools for citrus growers to use.

HLB, also known as citrus greening, is named for the green, misshapen, and bitter-tasting fruit it causes. While this bacterial disease poses no danger to humans or animals, it has devastated millions of acres of citrus crops throughout the United States and abroad. In the United States, the entire States of Florida and Georgia are under quarantine for HLB, and portions of California, Louisiana, South Carolina and Texas are also under quarantine for the disease. The U.S. Territories of Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands are under HLB quarantines as well.

You can find more information about HLB and the HLB MAC Group on USDA’s Multi-Agency Response toDevastating Citrus Disease website.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:42:29-07:00December 13th, 2013|