LARGE-SCALE STUDY ASSESSES TEMPERATURE-BASED MICROBIAL RISK IN LEAFY GREENS

Fluctuating Temperatures Increase E. Coli, Listeria Risk in Leafy Greens

Source: Food Safety News

A new study has found that fluctuations in temperature during transportation and retail sale of leafy greens negatively impacts both the product’s quality and microbial safety.

Bagged Salad (Source: Food Safety News)

In a study published in the February issue of Journal of Food Protection, researchers looked at the growth of E. coli O157:H7 and Listeria monocytogenes in commercially bagged salad greens.

Over a 16-month period, a series of time-temperature profiles from thousands of bagged salads were obtained from five transportation routes covering four geographic regions, as well as during retail storage and display.

“Based on the simulation, both pathogens generally increased [<2 log CFU/g] during transport, storage, and display,” the authors wrote. “However, retail storage duration can significantly impact pathogen growth.”

They added that this was the first large-scale study in the U.S. to use commercial time-temperature profiles to assess the microbial risk of leafy greens and that it “should be useful in filling some of the data gaps in current risk assessments for leafy greens.”

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:57-07:00February 18th, 2014|

PISTACHIO GROWERS MEET IN SAN DIEGO

American Pistachio Growers to Discuss

Industry Issues

By Patrick Cavanaugh and Laurie Greene

TODAY, at the American Pistachio Growers Seventh Annual Conference in San Diego, Sharon Roden, a second-generation pistachio grower in western Kern County, said that over 700 people are attending this year.

Sharon Roden

Roden said over 22 teams played in today’s Pistachio PAC Golf Tournament on Coronado Island to raise money to get legislative support for issues facing the pistachio industry.

The Conference’s aim is to educate growers on these issues for the pistachio industry here in California, nationally and internationally. Speakers and breakout sessions will cover governmental affairs, science and technology, nutrition, and marketing.

Roden says this drought affects everybody, “We are all in the same dry lakebed boat. We are all straining against the tides of political forces that are not solving the issues that we need solved for the health and safety of the industry and of the state as well.”

Pistachio – The Love Nut

Her concern, like many Californian growers, is “There are a lot of jobs being lost because of the loss of water, and it will only continue to spiral downward. It’s a pretty scary situation.”

As for her own farm’s water supply, Roden responded, “We are part of the state water project and we’re at zero this year.”

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:57-07:00February 18th, 2014|

JOE DEL BOSQUE WELCOMES PRESIDENT, SHARES CONCERNS

The President Visits CA Farmer Joe Del Bosque, Sees Drought-Ridden Farmland First-Hand

By Laurie Greene, Associate Editor

In an exclusive interview with Joe L. Del Bosque, Jr. after he and his wife, Maria Gloria Del Bosque, hosted President Obama on his farm in Merced County, Empresas Del Bosque, Inc., Del Bosque reflected on the eventful day.

Governor Brown, President Obama, Joe and Maria Gloria Del Bosque

A grower of almonds, cherries, cantaloupes, honeydew melons, asparagus, and mini watermelons, Del Bosque commented, “It was such an honor to have him there, for him to fly all the way out from Washington, and drop in on our farm. We were speechless.”

“My wife was so excited and so nervous about President Obama’s visit, but I told her, “Don’t get nervous. He is coming to our place; this field is our home. We’re inviting him here, it’s a great honor, but we have an important message to tell him.”

“The privilege that we got to be the ones to tell him our story, to represent the Valley—it was just awesome,” said the down-to-earth melon farmer. “It was just awesome; I can’t describe it any other way.”

In addition to Joe and Maria Gloria Del Bosque, participants included:

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack

Michael Connor, Commissioner of the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation

California Governor Jerry Brown

Sens. Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer

Representative Jim Costa

Nancy McFadden, executive secretary for Gov. Brown

Ann Notthoff, Natural Resource Defense Council California Director

Mario Santoyo, California Latino Water Coalition

Martin McIntyre, San Luis Water District

Thomas Birmingham, Westlands Water District

Ronald Jacobsma, Friant Water Users

Steve Chedester, Exchange Contractors

Barry Bedwell, California Grape & Tree Fruit League

Paul Wenger, California Farm Bureau Federation

Tom Nassif, Western Growers Association

Manuel Cunha, Nisei Farmers League

Andy Souza, Fresno Community Food Bank

Arturo Rodriguez, United Farm Workers President

Gabriel Agustin, Farmworker

Janie Fleming, Ag and Industrial Supply

“And the audience was just my six daughters and their husbands.”

“I know that California is very complicated,” said Del Bosque; “water is very complicated in California. “ I hope they did get the message; it is not easy to understand. But we have some very capable agricultural leaders there who all contributed to this event.”

“I think they got a crash course in California water and Ag,” reflected Del Bosque. “One important thing I came away with is the President said that California is very important to the nation, Ag in particular. I think he has a great awareness and respect for what we do for the country in agriculture here.”

“He certainly mentioned that he and his wife, Michelle, are into eating healthy food,” Del Bosque commented, “and I told him that we don’t just grow food in California; we grow healthy food. And I think he took that with him.”

The President’s trip was brief and very structured, but at one point, Del Bosque and Maria Gloria were invited to join the President and the Governor in the presidential Suburban. “It was a short ride, probably less than 10 minutes. But we got to chat there. It was great: that one-on-one conversation, sitting face-to-face, and the governor there, listening. The President asked me about my life, so I told him a little bit about it. And he mentioned that during the press conference in the field.”

In his speech, President Obama remarked that Joe told him there are three things that make farming work California: soil, water, and people.

“I think the President understands,” continued Del Bosque. “He heard the message of what the potential losses are from some of our agricultural leaders. And I even mentioned that there are far-reaching losses—not just the loss of the communities, the jobs—but loss of food too.”

“The President heard a lot of things; whether they all registered and how well he understood it is hard to say,” Del Bosque remarked. “Because a lot of times, when people come from the city to the country, they don’t know what they are seeing, and sometimes they don’t know the language that we tell them. For instance, President Obama made a mistake in his speech: instead of saying “aqueduct”, he said “aquifer”.

Joe Del Bosque

“So, when people come from the city like that, you don’t know whether they are really understanding it. I’m hoping he did, but certainly we are going to keep after this, pursue this, to make sure that he understood.”

Del Bosque also thinks this event puts a great deal of pressure on the Governor to do something.

Del Bosque gave careful thought to his own role, “I always try to bring up the impact on farmers and farmworkers because I feel that I don’t just represent farmers; I represent farmworkers and the communities, so that’s what I bring to the table.

“I don’t try to propose solutions. That is for the water guys; they know those things. My job is to say, ‘What is the effect on the Valley and communities?’ So, I always try to bring that approach.”

Del Bosque summed it up, “It was such a great experience today and for the whole week because I was involved in the preparations since last Saturday.”

So, quite an experience!”

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:58-07:00February 16th, 2014|

President Obama Comes To Fresno

President Obama Comes to Fresno, Visits West Side

By Patrick Cavanaugh

President Obama arrived in Fresno around 2:30 pm Friday and immediately headed out to the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley to talk with farmers about the worst drought crisis in California’s history. Valley growers had high hopes that his visit would force the issue into the national arena.

California’s Democratic senators, Dianne Feinstein, and Barbara Boxer, as well as Democratic Congressman Jim Costa, were part of the entourage.

Farmer Joe Del Bosque

As they traveled in Marine One on an extensive air tour, they were able to see thousands of acres of fallow land that will have an enormous impact on family famers, their employees, as well as the state’s economy.

Following a closed door roundtable meeting he emerged with West Side Farmer Joe Del Bosque, praising him for his success in farming. “Joe told me that there are three things that make farming work in California: Soil, Water and People President Obama said. “And in the little free time they have Joe and his wife Maria improve the health and safety of farm workers. There are a lot of people who depend on him year-round and who depend on him seasonally, and their livelihoods depends on the functioning of these farms,” President Obama added.

The main agenda of the President’s visit was to reiterate the promise of more than $170 million in new initiatives to deal with the crisis—including $100 million for ranchers facing livestock losses.

Besides help for ranchers, other significant areas of the drought initiative includes:

$60 million for food programs serving drought-stricken communities in the Central Valley. This will be of great need for food banks throughout the Central Valley, who will have to provide food for hungry farmworkers.

$5 million in conservation assistance for the most parched areas of California. The money will help farmers and ranchers “implement conservation practices that conserve scarce water resources,” as well as reduce wind erosion.

$5 million to help communities and landowners with soil stabilization and replenishment of vegetation-stripped areas.
$3 million to help rura
l communities facing water shortages. State health officials have already identified 17 communities in 10 counties that are in danger of literally running out of water within the next three months due to zero water allocations.

“President Obama and I will continue to do everything within our power to support California farmers, ranchers and families living in drought-stricken areas,” said Tom Vilsack, Secretary of Agriculture on Thursday in a phone interview. “This assistance, coupled with other aid being made available across government, should provide some relief during this difficult time.”

“Thanks to the newly-signed Farm Bill, we are now able to offer long-awaited livestock disaster assistance, which will provide needed stability for California livestock producers impacted by drought,” said Vilsack.

California’s Congressional Republican Comment

California Congressmen David Valadao, Devin Nunes, and Kevin McCarthy issued the following statements today in reaction to President Obama’s remarks on the California water crisis:

“The President missed a prime opportunity today,” said Rep. Valadao. “As farmers, farm workers and communities in the San Joaquin Valley suffer, this Administration has chosen handouts and a climate change lecture over real solutions. We feed the world and all we ask for is a reliable, clean water supply. I will remind the President that my constituents are part of the environment too, and the lack of a long-term solution could spell economic and social destruction for the Central Valley.”

“To blame the California water crisis on global warming is ludicrous,” Rep. Nunes said. “The state has an incredible irrigation system designed to supply water through five years of drought. But as a result of excessive regulations and lawsuits by environmental extremists, we cannot fully use this system, and billions of gallons of water have been flushed into the ocean that could have supplied drought-stricken farmers and communities. Invoking global warming shows ignorance of California’s irrigation system and of basic math and engineering. President Obama could have taken the lead in solving this crisis, but he is apparently more concerned with placating his radical environmentalist allies.”

“The President’s decision to use his visit to California as an opportunity to launch a massive spending initiative to explore the impacts of climate change will simply leave California Central Valley communities dry,” said Rep. McCarthy. “Unfortunately, nothing the President proposed today changes the underlying issue that our communities are not receiving the water they have contracted and paid for; thus exacerbating the impacts of the current and future droughts.

House Republicans on the other hand are continuing to work to find a bipartisan, bicameral solution to ensure our communities are not crippled by future droughts. We look forward to coming together with the Senate to find areas of common ground and commonsense to finally achieve a solution that allows desperately needed water to flow in our state.”

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:58-07:00February 15th, 2014|

STATE WATER BOARD POSTS QUESTIONS, AGENDA FOR FEB. 18- 19 DROUGHT WORKSHOP

DROUGHT WORKSHOP AGENDA

Public Workshop Regarding the Temporary Urgency Change Petition for the

Central Valley and State Water Projects and

State Water Board Water Availability Actions

February 18 & 19, 2014

The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) is holding a workshop to receive input on its drought-related activities affecting water rights holders.

The State Water Board will receive input on the January 31, 2014 State Water Board Order, modified on February 7, 2014, approving a Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) filed by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) and United States Bureau of Reclamation (Reclamation) (collectively referred to as Petitioners) on January 29, 2014, regarding Delta water quality. The Board will also receive input related to Board drought-related water curtailment actions.

On February 26, the State Water Board will receive input on other actions that it is, or should be taking in response to continuing drought conditions. Input may address both water right and water quality related programs. See meeting information at the end of this posting.

These will be informational workshops only and no State Water Board action will be taken.

To assist workshop participants, below are some of the issues that the State Water Board is interested in receiving input on:

Temporary Urgency Change Order (TUCP) (“Order) for the Central Valley Project and State Water Project

Is there additional information the Board should consider related to the following findings?

1) Is there an urgent need for the changes? Are the changes necessary to maximize the beneficial use of water? Are there any modifications to the Order that should be made to maximize the beneficial use of water?

2) Will the changes injure any other lawful user of water?

3) Will the changes have an unreasonable effects on fish, wildlife, or other instream beneficial uses?

4) Are the changes in the public interest?

In particular, the State Water Board is interested in the following questions:

5) Are there any additional modifications that should be made to the Order?

6) Is there additional information not provided in the TUCP that would better inform the State Water Board’s findings?

7) What “triggers” (such as Delta salinity) would support opening the Delta Cross Channel Gates?

8) Should the method used to calculate Net Delta Outflow be adjusted during extended dry periods to better inform measures needed to protect Delta salinity (such as opening the Delta Cross Channel gates)? Specifically, should methods used to estimate in-Delta consumptive use during extended dry periods be adjusted?

9) How should the quantity of water conserved through changes authorized by the Order be calculated? How should the water be used?

10) Based on current reservoir storage and forecasted snowmelt, how much water will be available for Sacramento River temperature control, north of Delta settlement contractor deliveries, and carryover storage in the event of another dry year?

11) What other measures, such as barriers in the Delta, may be needed to protect health and safety and maximize the protection of beneficial uses?

Curtailment Notices

12) How should the Board prioritize its analysis of watersheds to determine whether to issue curtailment notices, and any subsequent enforcement activities?

13) How should the State Water Board determine, measure, and enforce Health and Safety limits for junior domestic water rights holders?

14) Are there other reasonable use exceptions that should be made in the application of the water rights priority system?

15) What minimum flows and reservoir levels are needed for health and safety throughout the summer months, and should this be factored into determinations on whether to curtail?

16) Should all water right holders in some watersheds be required to limit diversions to protect instream beneficial uses under the reasonable use and public trust doctrines? If so, how should the State Water Board determine what flows are necessary?

Agenda

Tuesday, February 18, 2014 – 9:00 a.m.

Opening Remarks by State Water Board Chair and Board Members

Opening Remarks by Gordon Burns, Undersecretary for California Environmental Protection Agency, and Janelle Beland, Undersecretary for California Natural Resources Agency

State Water Board Staff Introduction (Staff Panel)

Temporary Urgency Change Petition (TUCP) for the Central Valley Project and State Water Project

Curtailment Notices

Other Requests for Transfers and Change Petitions (Russian River TUCP)

FERC Hydropower Project Flows

Department of Water Resources and U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Presentation (Panel)

Statewide Hydrologic Conditions

TUCP for the Central Valley Project and State Water Project

Transfers

Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Fisheries Presentation (Panel)

Statewide Issues

TUCP for the Central Valley Project and State Water Projects

Real Time Drought Operations Team

Comments from the Public (parties with similar interests are encouraged to form panels)

Wednesday, February 19, 2014 – 9:00 a.m.

Comments from the Public to be continued, if necessary

State Water Board Actions to Increase Water Conservation, Reuse,

Recycling and other Drought Related Measures

Wednesday, February 26, 2014 – 9:00 a.m.

Joe Serna Jr. – Cal/EPA Headquarters Building

Coastal Hearing Room

1001 I Street, Second Floor

Sacramento, CA 95814

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:58-07:00February 13th, 2014|

GSA AND MCFB TO HOLD JOINT WATER COMMITTEE MEETING on WASTE DISCHARGE VS. AG ORDER Differentiation

Waste Discharge Requirement vs. Ag Order Differentiation on Feb. 25th

Conversations about how the 2017 Irrigated Lands Regulatory program might evolve are expected to begin later this year. To prepare our members and to gain valuable input on next steps, the Grower-Shipper Association of Central California and Monterey County Farm Bureau have asked Gail Delihant (Western Growers) and Danny Merkley (California Farm Bureau Federation) to join us at a joint water committee meeting to discuss the difference between a Waste Discharge Requirement and an Ag Order (see handout prepared by Tess Dunham here). At this meeting, they will provide examples of successful WDR programs, explain the costs and expectations of such an alternative, go over pros and cons, and be available to answer questions.

GSA/MCFB Joint Water Committee Meeting

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

10:00 a.m.

Grower-Shipper Association of Central California

512 Pajaro St., Salinas, CA

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:58-07:00February 13th, 2014|

IMPERIAL VALLEY NEGOTIATES TO SAVE NATIONAL BEEF PLANT

Brawley City Council Updated On National Beef Negotiations

Source: The Desert Review (thedesertreview.com)

At the adjourned regular meeting yesterday, the Brawley City Council was updated on the ongoing negotiations with National Beef in Kansas City, Mo. to avert their plant closure scheduled for April 4, reported The Desert Review. This intended plan closure has had an immediate ripple effect as feeder cattle have begun to be shipped out of the Valley to other feedlots.

Mayor Don Campbell appointed Mayor Pro-Tempore George Nava and Councilman Don Wharton to the Imperial Valley Ad Hoc Committee to create and present an incentive package to National Beef.

Brawley Councilman Don Wharton and Mayor Pro-Tempore George Nava

Other members of the committee include: Imperial County Supervisors Ryan Kelley, Ray Castillo, and CEO Ralph Cordova;

Imperial Irrigation District Director President James Hanks, Director Matt Dessert, and General Manager Kevin Kelley; Cattlemen Paul Cameron and Bill Plourd; and Brawley City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore.

The City of Brawley proposed a $700,000 reduction in utility wastewater charges annually as part of the package.

“City Manager Rosanna Bayon Moore was quick to gather some impact data for the committee concerning the closure,” said Wharton. “We are in a compressed time line and, putting our best foot forward, we had to achieve a figure in order to get the proposal together. It will be worked through by city staff if it is accepted. This figure was felt achievable through the data received and a reduction of our water rate from IID.”

Imperial County has offered $3 million from their Agriculture Benefits Fund to help National Beef come into compliance with the Regional Water Quality Control Board. An estimated $13.8 million investment would be required to upgrade their wastewater pretreatment system.

Imperial Irrigation District has offered a $2.1 million in annual energy rate reductions for ten years.

The Gas Company has also offered a rate reduction.

The California Governor’s Office has reached out to National Beef management.

Local feedlots are looking for ways to increase their cattle numbers. Imperial County is working with the cattle vendors to expand feedlots. National Beef has stated this is the main reason for the closure—low cattle supply.

The cattle vendors have said that they will supply National Beef with 481,523 head of cattle for 2014, 500,000 head for 2015, and a 10% increase for 2016. These figures include cattle from the Imperial Valley and approximately 150,000 cattle from other feedlots outside the Valley.

National Beef said that to operate the Brawley plant at optimum capacity they would need 650,000 head of cattle per year.

“We felt the offer of lower utility costs and some help with the wastewater issues would offset the shortfall of cattle supply and make the cost per head of cattle lower, resulting in National Beef reconsidering the closure,” said Nava.

National Beef has stuck closely to their January 31 notice of the closure to Brawley and Imperial County, citing the lack of cattle as the main justification. The closure announcement set into motion many legal requirements such as notification to labor unions.

“National Beef has asked for nothing,” said Nava. “The Ad Hoc Committee tried to capture their attention, and we put together a package that we thought would do that—doing what we could do as city and county entities. We just wanted to get them to the table.”

A smaller group within the Ad Hoc Committee presented the package to National Beef on Saturday morning. Ryan Kelley, George Nava, Paul Cameron, and Bill Plourd met with National Beef General Manager Brian Webb at National Beef and with National Beef COO Terry Wilkerson via conference call.

“National Beef said they would give us some type of response Wednesday,” said Nava. “They called back 2 hours later with some questions. It was a good sign. We have to remember that this is just a proposal and nothing is set in stone. They listened and made a commitment to get back to us. We are trying to answer all of their questions.”

The cattle industry is a billion dollar industry for Imperial Valley.

“If the plant closes on April 4th, it would mean an immediate 18% addition to the unemployment rolls,” said Wharton. “This is on top of the 27% unemployment we have now. That figure is staggering.”

The cattle vendors are still negotiating with National Beef. “We are doing what we can to fight for our employees and fight to save the cattle industry here in the Imperial Valley,” said Mesquite Feedlot President Paul Cameron.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:58-07:00February 13th, 2014|

USDA, CDFA TO HOLD DROUGHT RESOURCE SESSIONS; UPCOMING FED DEADLINES

Multiple State/Fed Agencies to Hold 5 Drought Sessions Around State

As California faces one of the driest years ever recorded, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will be holding informational sessions on drought resources for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers in several locations throughout the state in the coming weeks.

These sessions will provide information on a variety of state and federal government programs designed to assist farmers with water conservation, crop insurance, and other on-farm management tools. Information on farmworker assistance programs will also be available.

Upcoming application deadlines for federal programs include:

Crop insurance programs offered by the USDA’s Risk Management Agency (February 28th)
Non-insured crop insurance offered by the USDA’s Farm Service Agency (March 1^st)
Water conservation enhancements offered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (March 3rd).

These programs offer a variety of on-farm assistance, including cover crops and tree pruning, as well as market-based risk management tools.

Informational sessions will be held on the following dates/locations:

February 18, 2014 6p.m. to 8p.m. Redding/Palo Cedro

Junction Elementary School – Theater Room

9087 Deschutes Road

Palo Cedro, CA 96073

February 19, 2014 6p.m. to 8p.m. Salinas/Monterey County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office

1428 Abbott Street

Salinas, CA 93901

February 20, 2014 6p.m. to 8p.m. Fresno

Fresno County Farm Bureau

1274 W. Hedges Ave

Fresno, CA 93728

February 25, 2014 6p.m. to 8p.m. Ventura/Camarillo

Ventura County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office

555 Airport Way, Suite E

Camarillo, CA 93010

February 26, 2014 6p.m. to 8p.m. SanDiego/Escondido

San Diego County Farm Bureau

1670 E. Valley Parkway

Escondido, CA 92027

Several state/federal government entities will be represented at these information sessions, including:

USDA Farm Service Agency
USDA Risk Management Agency
USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
USDA Rural Development
California Employment Development Department

CDFA continues to support California’s drought response and:

Has developed a web page as an information clearinghouse on assistance programs for farmers, ranchers and farmworkers
Will continue to work with California food banks to address drought-related impacts
Is working with the University of California to develop a real-time assessment of drought impacts in farming and ranching communities.

With California facing one of the most severe droughts on record, Governor Brown declared a drought State of Emergency last month and directed state officials to take all necessary actions to prepare for water shortages. Governor Brown has spoken with President Obama about crucial federal support during the ongoing drought, and the state continues to work with federal partners to ensure a coordinated drought response. The administration has also expressed support for federal legislation introduced by Senators Feinstein and Boxer and Representatives Jim Costa, Tony Cárdenas and Sam Farr.

Across state government, action is being taken. The Department of General Services is leading water conservation efforts at state facilities, and the Department of Transportation is cutting water usage along California’s roadways by 50 percent. Caltrans has also launched a public awareness campaign, putting a water conservation message on their more than 700 electronic highway signs.

In January, the state took action to conserve water in numerous Northern California reservoirs to meet minimum needs for operations impacting the environment and the economy. The State Water Resources Control Board announced it would work with hydropower generators and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to preserve water in California reservoirs. Recently the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the California Fish and Game Commission restricted fishing on some waterways due to low water flows worsened by the drought.

The state is working to protect local communities from the dangers of extreme drought. The California Department of Public Health identified and offered assistance to communities at risk of severe drinking water shortages and is working with other state and local agencies to develop solutions for vulnerable communities. CAL FIRE hired additional firefighters and is continuously adjusting staffing throughout the state to help address the increased fire threat due to drought conditions. The California Department of Food and Agriculture launched a drought website to help farmers, ranchers and farmworkers find resources and assistance programs that may be available to them during the drought.

Even as the state deals with the immediate impacts of the drought, it’s also planning for the future. Recently, the California Natural Resources Agency, the California Environmental Protection Agency and CDFA released the California Water Action Plan, which will guide state efforts to enhance water supply reliability, restore damaged and destroyed ecosystems and improve the resilience of our infrastructure.

Governor Brown has called on all Californians to voluntarily reduce their water usage by 20 percent, and the Save Our Water campaign launched four public service announcements encouraging residents to conserve and has resources available in Spanish. Last December, the Governor formed a Drought Task Force to review expected water allocations and California’s preparedness for water scarcity. In May 2013, Governor Brown issued an Executive Order to direct state water officials to expedite the review and processing of voluntary transfers of water and water rights.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:58-07:00February 13th, 2014|

US Senators On Drought Relief Act 2014

California Emergency Drought Relief Act 2014

In Case you have not seen it, go to the Senate version of Drought Relief for California. It provides a good idea on what will be on President Obama’s mind when he comes to the Central Valley on Friday.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:58-07:00February 12th, 2014|

PG&E ELECTRICAL RATE DEFERMENT COULD HELP FARMERS

PG&E Electrical Rate Deferment To help Farmers

Source: CFBF

As a result of concerns first brought to attention by Farm Bureau members in the Sacramento Valley, some Pacific Gas and Electric Co. agricultural customers may be able to retain PG&E electric rate options to help farmers and encourage effective groundwater management.

The California Farm Bureau Federation (CFBF) announced TODAY it is working with PG&E on a request to the California Public Utilities Commission, to delay PG&E Electrical rate increases by one year on the ordered March 1 termination of AG-R and AG-V agricultural electricity rate schedules.

More than 1,000 agricultural customers served on AG-R and AG-V rates would have been transferred to different time-of-use electricity rates, forcing groundwater pumping into narrow windows of time, placing additional stress on local groundwater supplies, and decreasing the amount of water available for agricultural and residential customers.

Karen Norene Mills, CFBF associate counsel and Public Utilities Department director, said members of the Butte County Farm Bureau contacted her, raising concerns about the combination of drought and the scheduled elimination of the AG-R and AG-V rates.

“Members collected specific information about the impacts, which we packaged and presented to PG&E for consideration,” Mills said. “PG&E worked with us to quickly submit a request to the CPUC to defer elimination of the rates for a year.”

She said the existing AG-R and AG-V schedules allow for longer, continuous off-peak periods during weekday hours, which, when coupled with weekend off-peak hours, accommodate certain irrigation practices that require minimum continuous water application.

Elimination of the schedules would bring significant changes in startup times for agricultural pumps, Mills said, leading to a concentration of Saturday morning start times for pumps. To be cost-effective and to provide the best opportunity for water coverage, she said, a longer run time is required than the interrupted off-peak periods during the week allowed on other schedules.

Allan Fulton, University of California Cooperative Extension irrigation and water resources farm advisor in Tehama, Glenn, Colusa and Shasta counties, warned that changes in the utility’s pricing structure would encourage agricultural pumpers to concentrate their groundwater pumping to narrower windows of time, in order to utilize the lower electricity rates. This would result in groundwater management problems and lead to greater drawing down of the water table, Fulton added.

“If more agricultural water users are incentivized to turn on their pumps at the same time during narrower windows of time, it will lead to greater drawdown of the water table and put more water wells at risk of drawing air and not performing efficiently,” Fulton said. “Rural homeowners with small domestic wells will be at greatest risk, because they are typically not constructed as deep as irrigation wells.”

Pumping groundwater during a longer window of time is an important element to managing competition for groundwater and sustaining reliable and affordable supplies, Fulton said.

Farmer Rich McGowan, who grows prunes, almonds and walnuts north of Chico, said changes to the PG&E time-of-use rate system would cause “absolute havoc,” especially now.

“Locally, we’ve been experiencing this problem on a smaller scale, even before the drought,” McGowan said. “Some neighbors would turn on a pump and would notice if the farmer across the street turned his pump on at the same time, they both would draw down and suck air. It is not completely new to us, but the drought amplifies the problem greatly. We don’t want to stress our very, critically important water source by starting all of these pumps on the same day.”

Almond and walnut grower Ed McLaughlin of Durham called maintenance of the water table an important issue in his rural community for farmers and residents.

“We try to start off the (irrigation) season staggered, so one weekend my neighbor is irrigating and the next weekend we irrigate. It’s become more complicated because they’ve shortened up the window of hours and forced us to be off-peak,” McLaughlin said.

PG&E said it wants to find a workable solution and filed a joint request to the CPUC to defer the termination date for schedules AG-R and AG-V until March 15, 2015.

The utility said it appreciated Farm Bureau’s prompt action to inform PG&E about the issue, and said it shares agricultural customers’ concerns about maintaining electric rate options that support water conservation.

Pat Mullen, PG&E agricultural customer service region director, said the company is “doing everything we can to help our farmer and rancher customers during this extreme drought. Supporting this rate deferral was just one way to try to provide additional support and flexibility to our ag customers.”

The CPUC would need to approve the request in order for it to take effect. CFBF attorney Mills said a date for commission action on the request has not yet been set.

Mullen added that PG&E is considering additional staffing to handle the increased applications and service for pumps and wells, as well as additional energy efficiency programs and incentives to help customers reduce energy and water use.

“We are encouraging our ag customers to apply early if they are considering adding electrical service for new pumps and wells,” Mullen said, directing people interested in adding service to www.pge.com under “new services.”

California Farm Bureau Federation

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:58-07:00February 12th, 2014|

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