POLICY UPDATE ON FOOD SAFETY MODERNIZATION ACT

CAFF Update on FSMA

TODAY, Dave Runsten, Policy Director, Community Alliance with Family Farmers (CAFF), a non-profit organization that advocates for California’s family farmers and sustainable agriculture, posted the following FSMA Policy Update:

The comment period on FDA’s proposed rules for the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) is now closed. Almost 20,000 comments were submitted to FDA. Most agricultural organizations joined in calling for another draft rule and further comments, given how much disagreement there was with some of FDA’s proposals. We will now wait and see if the FDA takes this good advice.
Here in California, we continue to work on a series of legislative bills that limit the food safety requirements for small producers and in many cases, allow them to self-certify and avoid inspections and audits.
This effort began with the cottage food bill in 2012, and continued with the CSA bill in 2013. Additionally, it will be taken up in several bills in 2014, including those on reforming farmers’ markets, allowing small-scale sales of raw milk, and setting rules for urban gardens.
Our goal is to create sensible and low-cost food safety best practices for producers not subject to the federal rules, allowing beginning farmers and direct marketing to continue to flourish in California.
We also continue to offer free assistance to farmers on food safety. 
2016-05-31T19:42:32-07:00December 5th, 2013|

AG THEFT CASE RESOLVED

Thieves Return Implement Carrier to Grower’s Driveway


Ag Crime Alert reports TODAY it would appear that heat from Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau, the Sutter County Sheriff’s Department and the community was too much for some thieves.

After a cooperative effort spreading word about an implement carrier theft in Sutter County last week [reported by California Ag Today], the grower who owns the equipment found yesterday afternoon that it had been returned – to his driveway. The thief remains unknown, but Sutter County Sheriff’s Department says the grower is pretty pleased.

The Ag Crime Alert thanks everyone for keeping an eye out.


As already posted on California Ag Today, a meeting on Friday, December 6th to discuss rural crime is open to the entire rural community.

2016-05-31T19:42:32-07:00December 5th, 2013|

RED BLOTCH ON GRAPEVINES NOT NEW

New Test Identifies Virus Already Present

By Laurie Greene, Associate Editor


TODAY, in the midst of new Red Blotch discoveries, Monica Cooper, UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor in Napa County told California Ag Today that Red Blotch is not new to California; it is a newly-discovered virus that affects grapevines. “We have seen it for awhile, but it has been confused with leaf roll disease that also causes leaf reddening, and it had not yet been genetically identified.”

Cooper said, “The real difference is that before we merely saw symptoms; now we can identify the virus with a test.”

Grapevine red blotch-associated virus (GRBaV) is the latest addition to the list of more than 75 graft-transmissible agents in grapevines. The National Clean Plant Networksays this recently reported virus is associated with the emerging red blotch disease first described on research plots and commercial vineyards of Cabernet Sauvignon in Napa Valley in 2008.

The USDA Agricultural ResearchService reports that in 2008, these grapevines exhibited symptoms resembling leafroll disease, and produced clusters with reduced sugar content causing delayed harvests.

Among the grapevine pests and diseases, only leafroll diseases exhibit similar canopy symptoms, cause reduced sugar accumulation in the berries and occasionally exhibit poor color development in some clusters and increased acidity as well. Potassium deficiency also has a similar appearance.

Red blotch leaf symptoms on a Cabernet Franc vine.  Photo by Marc Fuchs.

Laboratory tests in 2008 failed to detect any of the leafroll and rugose wood viruses in these samples. The disease symptoms were not caused by nutritional deficiencies, stress, bacteria, fungi and/or nematodes.

Red Blotch diagnosis based on the leaf symptoms can be challenging. A new molecular test based on genetic sequences was developed in 2012 by researchers at Foundation Plant Services at UC Davis, USDA and Cornell scientists.

This new PCR test is now commercially available, and the virus can be detected in the petioles of basal leaves, muchbefore the onset of symptoms.

Identification of the grapevine red blotch-associated virus (GRBaV) is the first step in a process to collect more information on the virus and the disease. Ongoing studies are investigating many aspects of virus and disease, for instance: researchers are investigating the exact role of GRBaV in red blotch disease, seeking more information on the genomic sequence of this DNA virus, and investigating the transmission of the virus and improved detection techniques.

The virus has been shown to be graft-transmissible and is likely responsible for the wide geographic distribution. Thus far, disease symptoms have been observed in vineyards planted with red grape varieties such as Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petite Sirah, Petit Verdot and Zinfandel.

Cooper says that the disease is widespread throughout California. Similar viruses have been found in vineyards in New York, Pennsylvania and Canada.

Cooper says we don’t know enough about the disease. We don’t know the different varieties, the rootstocks of choice, how it moves (by insect or in plant materials only). It is also not known if the disease has any effect on fruit yield or if it causes vine decline.

As Cooper summed up, “There will be no quarantine. This is not an actionable pest; we just do not know enough about it.”

So, what are growers to do?

Cooper recommends use of planting material free of known pathogens, given that once viruses are present in the vineyard there is no known cure.

The symptoms generally start appearing in late August through September as irregular blotches on leaf blades on basal portions of shoots. The grapevines with red blotch stop accumulating soluble solids and end the season at four to six degrees brix lower than uninfected vines.  
If grapevines, red or white, are producing fruit with Brix values lower than expected and are not showing classic leafroll-like symptoms, contact your local ViticultureFarm Advisor.

Test your vines.

The Napa Valley Grapegrowersoffers the following information and links:

Finally, Napa Valley Grapegrowers is stressing the importance of encouraging the release of funding by the California PD/GWSS Boardfor further research and understanding. 

2016-05-31T19:42:32-07:00December 5th, 2013|

AG CRIME MEETING ON DEC. 6

SutterCo. Sheriff’s Dept. and Y-S Farm Bureau to Host Ag Crime Meeting on Dec. 6

The Sutter County Sheriff’s Office, in coordination with the Yuba-Sutter Farm Bureau, is holding a community outreach meeting 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Friday, December 6 at East Nicolaus High School.

Sutter County Sheriff’s deputies will be present to discuss prevention strategies for rural agricultural theft and the influx of marijuana grows, and to facilitate a dialog on the rural crime environment in Nicolaus, Rio Oso, Robbins, and Pleasant Grove. Deputies will also provide advice on the types of security cameras best suited for ranch use. 

Growers are encouraged to attend. YSFB will provide coffee and snacks at the meeting.
2016-05-31T19:42:32-07:00December 4th, 2013|

GROWERS PLAN NEW STRATEGIES TO COMBAT WEED RESISTANCE

BASF Survey Shows Majority Of Growers Face Glyphosate-Resistant Weed

Three out of four growers who participated in a recent survey by BASF suspect that glyphosate resistance is a cause of their tough-to-control weeds. As a result, a staggering 76 percent of these growers have already changed their weed management program to address resistance.

In addition, many growers have experienced lower yields, which they attribute to resistant weeds. These growers have also spent more time scouting and invested more money in their crops due to resistant weeds.


In the survey, growers identified how they plan to change their programs in 2014. More than two-thirds of growers indicated that they would be applying a pre-emergence herbicide this season and more than half of growers are planning to add an additional herbicide to their existing program. Additionally, 50 percent of growers plan to use more than one site of action and 47 percent said they plan on using overlapping residual herbicides to control resistant weeds.

“These results show that growers are beginning to understand the need for a comprehensive weed management approach,” said Greg Armel, Ph.D., Technical Market Manager, BASF. “Growers are realizing the importance of using residual herbicides and multiple, overlapping herbicide sites of action.”

The survey also highlighted the weeds that growers found the toughest to control in 2013. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said waterhemp was the most difficult to control, while 54 percent said that ragweed species were the toughest to control. Lambsquater and marestail were also identified as difficult weeds.

To combat these tough weeds, growers are now looking for solutions to meet their specific crop needs.

With half of the herbicide sites of action currently available in the U.S., BASF is a key resource for growers fighting resistant weeds.
2016-05-31T19:42:33-07:00December 4th, 2013|

CALIFORNIA RANCHERS WEIGH OPTIONS AS DRY SPELL LINGERS

Ranchers Take Measures to Survive Dry Weather


TODAY, the California Farm Bureau Federation reports this fall’s rainy season has not brought the relief cattle ranchers had hoped for since last spring’s lack of precipitation deteriorated California pastures.
Some moisture late November helped fill stock ponds and started seasonal streams flowing, said Glenn Nader, a University of California Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resources advisor for Yuba, Sutter and Butte counties. But in terms of growing feed, the rain came a little late.
“Things may germinate, but they’ll just sit there,” Nader said. “There’s not going to be any rapid growth until March—unless we get an unusually warm December.”
Because the springtime was so dry, ranchers who move their cattle to summer pastures did not have much dry feed for their animals to come home to this fall. And where they do have dry feed, stock water has been very limited, and hauling water can be cost-prohibitive, Nader noted.
“Many of them were hoping they’d get an early germination and have green feed to go into the winter with, and that just didn’t occur,” he said.
The state will still need successive rains this winter and enough ground moisture to support decent growth next year, Nader added.
For now, ranchers will have to find other forage sources, including dry feed and supplementing with hay, he said, noting that less hay production this year due to drought has led to tight supplies and high prices.
“People can quickly feed themselves into a negative cash flow with today’s hay prices,” he said. “That’s why a lot of people are looking at alternative dry matter sources such as corn stover, rice straw and other things, to try and cheapen up those costs.”

Andy Domenigoni, who runs cattle on dryland pasture in Riverside and Tulare counties, said in addition to feeding hay since September, he buys culled oranges, lemons, avocados and other vegetable and fruit byproducts from a local packinghouse to supplement until range conditions improve.
He weaned his calves early this year and thinned about 25 percent of his cows when he saw how low he was getting on feed. He had already culled about 15 percent of his herd last year and sold all of his heifers the last two years, so he has no replacements.
The aggressive herd liquidations across the nation in recent years due to drought have kept the cattle market strong for producers, Domenigoni said, and it will take some time before U.S. cattle ranchers can begin to fully rebuild after years of contraction.
“When cattle numbers are short, the prices stay up, and those who can afford to stay in the business will make some money,” he said.
San Joaquin County cattle rancher Rich Ricesaid high cattle prices have been good for those who have cattle to sell, but if producers have to sell their cows due to lack of feed, they won’t have many to sell the following year.
“If you’re selling the cows, you’re selling the factory, because they make a calf to sell every year,” he said. “Sure, she’s going to bring pretty good money, but that’s not really what you want to do.”
Because he runs his cattle on rented ground—both dryland and irrigated pasture—that land will cost him money even if he cannot turn cattle out on it. For the moment, he said he’s been able to move his cattle to various properties to stretch the feed, but he’s had to send some of his yearlings to feedlots. And while he hasn’t reduced his numbers yet, he said with hay prices getting higher, it would not be feasible for larger operations like his to obtain enough hay and labor to feed all his cattle.
For Nevada County rancher Jim Gates, who raises grassfed cattle on irrigated pasture, dry weather has increased his production costs considerably because he has to keep his animals on range much longer and must buy more hay than usual.
Jim Gates of Nevada County, Photo/Ching Lee
He noted the Nevada Irrigation District shut off its water on Oct. 15, so he now depends totally on rainfall to grow his pasture. He said his region received about two inches of rain last month, enough to germinate grasses in some areas of the pasture—but north winds immediately dried them out.
Santa Cruz County rancher John Pisturinosaid after the state’s last drought several years ago, he began expanding his herd, but he may now have to reduce his numbers again if the season does not improve. He’s been supplementing with hay since September and has enough to see him through January or February, at which time he hopes grasses will be long enough to support his cattle.
Denis Lewis, who raises purebred Angus bulls in San Joaquin County, said even though his cattle are on irrigated pasture, he has stopped irrigating because the cooler temperatures in recent weeks have not been conducive to growing grass. That means he has had to increase his hay purchases by about 30 percent, while reducing his herd by about 10 percent. He said he’s concerned about how the drought will affect the state’s dryland hay production.
“Hay growers are banking on the rain to make it grow, and if we don’t get any rain for two or three months, then what has germinated will die,” he said.
Siskiyou County rancher Leonard Gorden said not only is the drought affecting cattle producers—some of whom will go out of business or reduce their numbers so severely that ranching will no longer be a business but a hobby—but he said he’s concerned about the long-term effect it will have on the entire U.S. beef sector.
“Eventually, if cattle numbers get too low and the price of beef continues to get higher because of that, I think our consumers will try to go to alternative protein sources,” he said.


Source: California Farm Bureau Federation
2016-05-31T19:42:33-07:00December 4th, 2013|

USDA, EPA PARTNER TO SUPPORT WATER QUALITY TRADING

Water Quality Trading Upcoming for California Growers

The U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced TODAY an expanded partnership to support water quality trading and other market-based approaches that provide benefits to the environment and economy.

“New water quality trading markets hold incredible potential to benefit rural America by providing new income opportunities and enhancing conservation of water and wildlife habitat,” Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said. “Additionally, these efforts will strengthen businesses across the nation by providing a new pathway to comply with regulatory requirements.”

“EPA is committed to finding collaborative solutions that protect and restore our nation’s waterways and the health of the communities that depend on them,” said EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy. “We’re excited about partnering with USDA to expand support for water quality trading, which shows that environmental improvements can mean a better bottom line for farmers and ranchers.”


Water quality trading is an innovative approach for achieving water quality goals at lower cost. Water quality trading can also provide additional environmental and economic benefits, such as air quality improvements, enhanced wildlife habitat, carbon capture and storage, and new income and employment opportunities for rural America.

Where appropriate, trading is a powerful and effective market-based approach to achieving cleaner water. Trading is based on the fact that sources in a watershed can face very different costs to control the same pollutant. Trading programs allow facilities to meet regulatory obligations by purchasing equivalent or superior pollution reductions from another source — achieving water quality improvements in a cost-effective manner.

EPA and USDA are working together to implement and coordinate policies and programs that encourage water quality trading. The Department and the Agency will identify opportunities to work collaboratively to help improve water quality trading programs across the country. Cooperative management and technical assistance will improve resource management and public services, and accelerate implementation.

USDA and EPA will:

  • Coordinate and enhance communications and outreach to states, agricultural producers, regulated sources, and interested third parties on water quality trading;
  • Engage expertise across agencies in the review of grants, loans or technical assistance programs focused on water quality trading;
  • Share information on the development of rules and guidance that have the potential to affect water quality trading;
  • Collaborate on developing tools and information resources for states and credit generators to guide decision making, reduce costs in program design and implementation, improve environmental performance, and foster consistency and integrity across regional initiatives;
  • Co-host a workshop by 2015 to share tools and resources available to assist in stakeholder decision making and opportunities.
The purpose of this policy is to support states, interstate agencies and tribes as they develop and implement water quality trading programs for nutrients, sediments and other pollutants where opportunities exist to achieve water quality improvements at reduced costs.

For a basic introduction to water quality trading, please check the EPA website site.

EPA’s Water Quality Trading Assessment Handbook will help users decide whether water quality trading will work in their watershed and when and where trading is likely to be the appropriate tool for achieving water quality goals.

2016-05-31T19:42:33-07:00December 4th, 2013|

CITRUS GROWER TAKES PRECAUTIONS AGAINST FREEZE

Protecting Citrus Against A Possible Freeze
By Laurie Greene, Associate Editor
A Wind Machine Standing By to Help Protect

Citrus as a Freeze Moves into the Valley.
Philip LoBue, President and CEO, LoBue Citrus, a full-service grower, packer, and citrus shipper, based in Tulare County, spoke with California Ag Today.

According to LoBue, this week is a typical freeze event, though slightly earlier than usual. So, he is taking ordinary precautions with his citrus by using well water and wind machines.

Generally, early afternoon water application using standard irrigation, in this case micro-sprinklers within rows, creates a microclimate effect of surface heat. As the temperature drops at night, water freezes and gives off energy (heat), benefitting the trees. In the sunlight the next day, water melts into the ground allowing the ground to hold more heat during the day, and so the cycle continues.

The freeze stirs up an inversion layer 30 feet above ground at the treetops. Tonight’s inversion in the central part of the central San Joaquin Valley will be weak according to LoBue because the inversion’s elevation will be only one or two degrees warmer, and not six degrees for example.

The extent of freeze damage on crops depends upon the actual temperature, length of exposure time, and precautions taken. In citrus groves, the initial freeze damage starts outside of the grove on its borders and on the exterior of the fruit exposed on the treetops. The exterior rind of the fruit becomes physically damaged before the interior is affected. Exterior rind ice marks and other visual markers change the fruit’s export quality and value. As the freeze persists, the interior of the fruit becomes susceptible to damage.

LoBue says farmers are already taking additional standard precautions such as checking batteries for diesel or propane wind machines and copper or aluminum wiring for electric wind machines.

Of note, a brutal freeze on December 23, 1991, destroyed all fruit yet to be harvested.As a result, LoBue Bros. (former company name) shut down for most of the year. When it became apparent that government employment programs were inadequate in addressing the needs of unemployed workers, the LoBue staff and management secured both private sector and additional government assistance to help workers obtain food and shelter until the next season’s crop. LoBue Bros. received statewide recognition for its efforts on behalf of these workers.

Nearly 80 years in business, LoBue Citrus is an independent, family-owned grower, packer and shipper of fresh citrus and citrus juice products, including navel oranges, mandarin oranges, specialty citrus, lemons and juice.

2016-05-31T19:42:33-07:00December 4th, 2013|

FARM TO FOOD BANK MONTH: AG SURPLUS AGAINST HUNGER

Central Coast Farmers Give To Ag Against Hunger

As December is Farm to Foodbank Month, Lindsay Coate, Executive Director, Ag Against Hunger, posted TODAY that it is ironic that California produces the largest bounty of agricultural products consumed in the US, and yet, 4.7 million of our residents live in poverty and often don’t have access to fresh fruits and vegetables.

A solution to this problem was developed 24 years ago by farmers in Monterey, Santa Cruz and San Benito Counties when they realized that 20 percent of their product was going to waste. They collectively decided to create an agricultural nonprofit organization known today as Ag AgainstHunger to collect and distribute all of their surplus produce.

Ag Against Hunger’s primary function is to prevent the waste of fresh vegetables and fruit. Instead of disking full fields of produce or paying fees to get rid of harvested product, producers contact Ag Against Hunger to distribute the produce to food banks.

The Ag Against Hunger Program is simple:
  • We collect nutritious and fresh surplus vegetables, fruits and salads and from local growers and shippers.
  • We consolidate the surplus produce at our cooler.
  • We distribute the produce to food banks and non-profit agencies.
  • Food banks and agencies give the fresh produce at no cost to people in need.


Ag Against Hunger has started a new program with the Grower-Shipper Association Foundation, HELP, the Food Bank for Monterey County and Fresh from D’Vine in an effort to get more fresh and nutritious produce into local schools. The More Produce for Schools program provides students in Monterey County with a more balanced lunchtime meal that includes fresh produce. Currently, there are five school districts enrolled in the program: Salinas Union High School, Alisal Union, Greenfield, King City, and North Monterey County.

Gleaning session – photo courtesy of Ag Against Hunger
Ag Against Hunger’s portion of the program is being funded by a matching grant from Wells Fargo Foundation. In order to receive this grant, Ag Against Hunger had to raise $25,000 in funds by the end of November. 

The Ag Against Hunger organization is still supported by its founding community of local farmers, which provides board members along with financial assistance and, of course, produce.  Since 1990, Ag Against Hunger has distributed over 212 million pounds of fruits and vegetables to help our local food bank partners across California.

December as Farm to Food Bank Month is an initiative by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the California Association of Food Banks to double farm contributions to food banks by 2015.
2016-05-31T19:42:33-07:00December 3rd, 2013|

COLD SNAP ACROSS CENTRAL CALIFORNIA

Weather Service Urges Growers to Take Precautions

The National Weather Service, San Joaquin Valley/Hanford has issued a Freeze Warning in effect from 2 AM TONIGHT until 9 AM Wednesday for the central and southern San Joaquin Valley areas.

A very cold weather system will move into the region starting tonight; below freezing low temperatures are expected as early as tonight in the San Joaquin Valley and the Kern County desert by Wednesday night. Subfreezing temperatures will likely last through Friday morning over much of the central California interior.

Jim Andersen, Meteorologist in the Hanford Weather Forecast Office confirmed that a Freeze Warning issued for tonight forecasts 28-32°F.

Andersen confirmed also that a Hard Freeze Watch is in effect from midnight Wednesday through Friday night for rural areas of the San Joaquin Valley with temperatures expected between 22 – 27°F. Saturday temperatures are expected to be warmer.

Andersen says these conditions are dangerous to all farmers in the region, particularly citrus farmers because there is still fruit on the trees. He urges all farmers to take precautions to mitigate damage to their livestock and plants.

This cold weather is unusual for early December. It is generally expected in late December and January, when citrus trees no longer carry fruit.

A common remember for frost conditions is to protect the 4 P’s: People, plants, pets, and pipes!


For more information, call the Frost Telephone numbers:

559-592-4140 or 800-713-7678

Information is UPDATED DAILY AT 10:00 AM AND 4:00 PM.
2016-05-31T19:42:33-07:00December 3rd, 2013|

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