WORLD AG EXPO ATTRACTS THOUSANDS

Adventures at the World Ag Expo, which Attracts Thousands

Optimism Despite Drought

By Patrick Cavanaugh, Editor

Under dark morning skies that looked like impending rain, which gave way to unwelcomed blue skies that reminded attendees of the drought, the first day of 47^th Annual World Ag Expo, which attracted an estimated crowed of more than 30,000.

The drought was heavy on everyone’s mind, yet the spirit of optimism permeated the exhibits of equipment, supplies and services for the Ag industry. Even the dairy pavilion was packed with dairymen and women from around the country looking at more efficient ways to take care of their cows.

“If you do not have your own ground to farm for forage, you are not going to be in the dairy business long,” said David Pinheiro, a partner in Joe Pinheiro and Sons Dairy who milks about 1200 cows in Tulare County. “The last 9 years have been horrible and about 25 percent of the dairies are gone,” he said. But currently milk prices are at a record high. “We have never seen prices this high ever, period. The first half of the year should be really good, but we are worried about that forth quarter.”

They have land around their dairy, but it has required ground water for irrigation. “Our wells are drying up and some of them are actually breaking and creating subsidence, and the ground is actually shifting. If you want a new well, you have to wait a year; that’s where the demand is.”

We ran into a cattleman from Northern Sonoma County who noted that he has seen better times for his Angus cows. “The state should have saved its water when things were going good so we could have avoided worrying about when it’s going to rain now,” said John P. (he would not give his last name.) “We have too many people drinking out of the same water hole.

Seminar speaker Seth Hoyt, editor of the Hoyt report, said alfalfa supplies would be lower this year, which will drive up prices to around $320 to $340 a ton. “It’s another big concern of dairy industry. The lack of rain fall is driving the shortage,” Hoyt said.

Then we met Al Biancho, a long time tractor salesman originally from New York, but now living in Fresno. Biancho has been attending the World Ag Expo ever since it started at the Tulare Fairgounds, 47 years ago.

Biancho was instrumental in helping to make the World Ag Expo what it is today. Way back, he brought in a Komatsu tractor, the largest in the world, and he put the smallest tractor on top of it, making it a grand spectacle. (Note that Komatsu built the first prototype agricultural tractor in in 1932.)

“This was such a unique vision nearly 45 years ago, it made a lot of press, and the show went international at that time,” said Biancho.

“One of the largest farmers in California bought the big tractor. That farmer produced crops on 230,000 acres. The name of the company was Boston Land Company, later known as J.G Boswell Company based in Corcoran, Calif. In fact, they bought 44 of them at one time! They also replaced their D-8 crawler tractor with a smaller D-6 size tractor on wheels that had much more horsepower and the ability to run at four mph, instead of 1.5 mph. They increased their production by 35 percent!”

Then we came across David Zeiders, a Pest Control Advisor in Merced. He was at the show to find anything new and innovative that could help his growers be more efficient with their water usage—which is crucial right now.

“Almonds, walnuts and pistachios are very valuable crops so I am looking for any crop protection materials that can increase yields for growers,” noted Zeiders. “I am looking for anything I can to help the crops nutrient-wise and protect them from pathogens. I also work with dairies and want to find the best alfalfa and corn seed that will provide the best yields and resistance management. The World Ag Expo has all the companies that can provide these new tools for growers.”

Faith McCoy is one of many students attending the World Ag Expo to learn more and even find careers. McCoy is also the Mariposa County Vice President for FFA. “The Expo is a great opportunity for ag students to see all the different aspects of agriculture, all in one spot. You can learn more about agriculture and you meet other people of common interest,” she said.

As the World Ag Expo attracts thousands each day, the milk coolers at the Expo Dairy Barn are constantly being replenished with ice cream and chocolate milk, popular refreshment at the Expo.

There were also many retired farmers who wanted to see what was new in the industry, after they finally put down the shovel.

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

CALIFORNIA, OREGON SENATORS INTRODUCE DROUGHT RELIEF LEGISLATION

California Emergency Drought Relief Act Of 2014 Would Fund $300 Million For Drought-Relief And Assistance

Federal Agencies Mandated To Maximize, Expedite Drought-Relief Efforts

Senators Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer (both D-Calif.) and Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley (both D-Ore.) TODAY introduced the California Emergency Drought Relief Act of 2014, a bill to help California and Oregon farmers, businesses and communities suffering from historic drought conditions.

The legislation comes on the heels of weekend rain in California and Oregon and snow in the Sierra; nevertheless the drought, which could be worse than the historic dry conditions of 1976 and 1977, already threatens California’s $44.7 billion agriculture sector. Safe drinking water is also in danger of running out in at least 10 California communities.

In a press release, Senator Feinstein said: “This drought has the potential to devastate Western states, especially California, and Congress and the president must take swift action. This bill provides operational flexibility to increase water supplies and primes federal agencies to make the best use of any additional rain. With so little water available, we must focus on streamlining federal programs and provide what assistance we can to those farmers and communities being hit the hardest.”

Senator Boxer said: “Our bill will require all agencies to use their existing authority to help provide relief to communities hardest hit by this unprecedented drought and make investments to move and conserve water to help our entire state. The goal of this bill is to bring us together to address this crisis, rather than divide us.”

Senator Wyden said: “Drought is already hitting Southern Oregon farmers and ranchers in the Klamath Basin, with Klamath County issuing a drought declaration two months earlier than last year. This bill can provide sorely needed relief by making sure that agencies can send scarce water to the communities that need it the most.”

Senator Merkley said: “Even though the Willamette Valley was hit hard by snow over the weekend, Oregon is still experiencing a terrible drought, especially in Southern Oregon. Snowpack in the Klamath Basin is only 20% of normal. We need to start preparing now because water shortages are nearly inevitable. This bill will provide emergency funding for important drought-relief projects that will help conserve water where we can and make sure the water we have gets to where it’s needed most.”

Unlike the House bill, this Senate bill does not waive any federal or state law, but includes a range of provisions that require federal agencies use existing powers to maximize water supplies, reduce project review times and ensure water is directed to users whose need is greatest. The bill also provides $300 million in emergency funds to be used on a range of projects to maximize water supplies for farmers, consumers and municipalities and provide economic assistance.

Maintaining sufficient supplies of safe drinking water to meet minimum public health and safety needs is a top priority in the bill. One key grant program, the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants, will receive $25 million for projects to increase the availability of drinking water.

Additionally, the bill prioritizes grant funding under EPA’s Drinking and Clean Water State Revolving Funds and the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART program for projects that boost drinking and municipal water supplies.

Westlands Water District issued a statement TODAY that it is encouraged by the California Emergency Drought Relief Act of 2014, and Westlands supports the passage of the legislation. “Water supply reductions resulting from extraordinary dry conditions have been exacerbated by the implementation in prior years of regulations imposed under federal law on the operations of the federal Central Valley Project (CVP) and the California State Water Project (SWP).”

The legislation introduced today would provide much needed relief for the public water agencies that receive water from these projects and for the people, farms, and businesses they serve.

The legislation mandates that federal agencies act with a sense of urgency and be as flexible as the law allows in order to minimize water supply reductions resulting from the application of those regulations. In particular, direction to manage reverse flow in Old and Middle Rivers, as prescribed by the 2008 biological opinion issued by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, to minimize water supply reductions for the CVP and the SWP and direction to maintain a one-to- one inflow/export ratio during the period from April 1 through May 31 to enable voluntary water transfers and exchanges, have the potential of generating in excess of 500,000 acre-feet for public water agencies that receive water from the CVP and the SWP.

Through its work with Senator Feinstein and Senator Boxer, Westlands knows that they are genuinely interested in working with their colleagues in the House of Representatives to find a legislative solution to the chronic water supply shortages that have devastated the San Joaquin Valley and other regions of the State. The District looks forward to working with them and members of the House of Representatives to find common sense solutions that serve the interests of all Californians.

Key provisions in the bill:

•Provides federal authorization and orders the Interior and Commerce Departments to cooperate with a California Water Resources Board plan to keep the Delta Cross Channel Gates open as long as possible to allow more water to be delivered without endangering migrating salmon. This action is expected to save thousands of acre feet of water from upstream reservoirs each month this spring;

•Mandates that federal agencies use flexibility under existing law to maximize water supplies using Delta pumping. Under the Delta smelt biological opinion, which is required by the Endangered Species Act, pumping that results in “reverse flows” of water between -1,250 and -5,000 cubic-feet-per-second is permitted for the Old and Middle Rivers between December and June. This “reverse flow” occurs when the state and federal water pumps are turned on to draw water from the rivers into the South Delta for water users. The bill requires federal agencies to operate the pumps within this range to maximize water supplies while remaining consistent with the biological opinion and the Endangered Species Act;

•Directs the Department of the Interior to maintain in April and May a 1:1 “inflow-to-export ratio” for San Joaquin River flows that result from water transfers and exchanges. This means water districts willing to sell or trade surplus supplies to districts with less water can move 100 percent of that surplus water through the Delta instead of just a fraction. This will also allow greater water transfers if California receives additional rain.

•Amends the Stafford Act to provide additional individual emergency assistance for major droughts when a state of emergency declaration is made by the president;

•Authorizes additional expenditures above existing funding caps for the Reclamation States Emergency Drought Relief Act (from $90 million to $190 million) and the WaterSMART program (from $200 million to $250 million). These programs channel funds to water projects that can lead to increased water supplies;

•Prioritize WaterSMART grants to provide emergency water supplies to communities at risk of losing access to water sufficient to meet basic public health and safety needs; to prevent the loss of permanent crops; and to minimize economic damage caused by the drought;

•Mandates that the federal government issue final decisions for projects and operations that can provide additional water supply benefits within 10 days of a request from the state;

•Authorizes funding for federal agencies to develop other water sources, such as groundwater wells and water purchases, for Central Valley Project wildlife refuges so that surface water saved can be used for drinking water and crops;

•Authorizes water planning and management activities to reduce water use in the Klamath Basin;

•Extends the period during which water contractors can take deliveries of 2013 water from February 28 to April 15, allowing them more flexibility to manage their 2014 supplies; and

•Authorizes contractors facing economic hardship to delay federal fee payments related to water deliveries.

Funding increases for drought assistance programs:

•$100 million in emergency funds for Department of the Interior projects to rapidly increase water supplies;

•$100 million in emergency assistance for farmers to fund water conservation measures that protect lands and sensitive watersheds;

•$25 million to the Emergency Community Water Assistance Grants program for water conservation projects and to protect and upgrade water systems. These grants of up to $1 million are to complete projects that boost the availability and quality of drinking water, including in California communities at risk of running out of safe drinking water;

•$25 million for Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grants that fund community projects to reduce harmful effects of the drought;

•$25 million in grant funding for public and nonprofit institutions to provide emergency assistance to low-income migrant and seasonal farmworkers who are directly harmed by the drought;

•$25 million in grants for private forest landowners to carry out conservation measures in response to drought and wildlife risks; and

•Allows the Secretary of Agriculture to help cover losses caused by the drought through the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees, and Farm-Raised Fish Program.

This bill is the product of a series of discussions and meetings with a wide range of federal and state departments and agencies that oversee water deliveries and economic assistance programs. Federal agencies consulted include the Bureau of Reclamation, the Fish and Wildlife Service, the National Marine Fisheries Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Department of Agriculture. State agencies include the California Resources Agency, the California Water Resources Control Board, the California Department of Water Resources and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife.

While California is the only state that has declared a statewide drought emergency, other states could benefit from this legislation. All 17 Western states covered by the Bureau of Reclamation could qualify for Department of the Interior water grants. In addition, states that have declared local drought emergencies could qualify for USDA emergency funding including Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and Utah.

Experts say California’s two-year drought could be worse than the record drought of 1976 and 1977, resulting in the fallowing of more than half-a-million acres of farmland.

California precipitation data

•Rain and snow: Between Thursday and Sunday, the San Joaquin Valley saw average precipitation amounts less than one inch, while the Sacramento Valley received between two and three inches. Precipitation in the Northern Sierra between Friday and Monday was about seven inches, while the Southern Sierra saw more than three inches.

•According to the state, California would need to experience heavy rain and snow regularly between now and May to achieve average annual rain and snowfall, and even then the state would remain in drought conditions.

•Snowpack: Snowpack in the Sierra is well below average. As of February 10, the northern Sierra is at 19percent of normal for the date; the central Sierra is 36 percent of normal for the date and the southern Sierra is 26 percent of normal for the date. Statewide, snowpack is 29 percent of normal for the date.

Other California data

•Reservoirs: Storage in major reservoirs in California remains around one-third of capacity. As of February 9, Lake Shasta (California’s largest reservoir) and Lake Oroville (the State Water Project’s primary reservoir) were both at 37 percent of capacity. San Luis Reservoir, key for South-of-Delta contractors, was at 30 percent of capacity.

•Drinking water: As of the beginning of February, at least 10 communities are in danger of running out of drinking water in the next two months.

•Drought emergency and conservation: Governor Jerry Brown on January 17, as part of his emergency drought declaration, called for a 20 percent reduction in water use. And on January 31, for the first time ever, the state Department of Water Resources announced a projected allocation of zero.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:58-07:00February 11th, 2014|

PETALUMA SLAUGHTERHOUSE SHUTS DOWN AFTER CLASS I RECALL

Rancho Feeding Corp. Voluntarily Ceases Operations

Credit goes to: Jamie Hansen, Heather Irwin, The Press Democrat; FSIS

Rancho Feeding Corporation, a Petaluma slaughterhouse at the center of a growing Class I recall, has voluntarily ceased operations while it attempts to track down and retrieve every shipment of beef from the facility over the past year.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the expanded recall on Saturday, saying Rancho “processed diseased and unsound animals” without a full inspection. The meat products are “unsound, unwholesome or otherwise are unfit for human food” and must be removed from commerce, according to the department’s Food Safety and Inspection Service.

Beef carcasses and boxes were labeled with establishment number “est. 527” inside the USDA mark of inspection and the case code number ending in 3 or 4. The products were produced Jan. 1, 2013 through Jan. 7, 2014 and shipped to distribution centers and retail establishments in California, Florida, Illinois and Texas.

To date, there have been no reported cases of illness from eating the meat.

A company spokesperson told California Ag Today that the establishment was making no public statements; all information could be found at The Press Democrat, Petaluma.

According to The Press Democrat, Robert Singleton, who owns Rancho with partner Jesse “Babe” Amaral, on Monday night said the company undertook the recall out of “an abundance of caution” and regrets any inconvenience to customers.

Singleton confirmed the company had voluntarily ceased processing and was compiling a list of affected companies. He declined further comment.

The enormous scale of the recall, the second recall at the facility in less than a month, raised questions about the future of the North Bay’s last beef processing facility and set off criticism of federal regulators by local ranchers who rely on Rancho Feeding Corp. to slaughter their cattle.

The facility is the only USDA-inspected animal processing facility in Sonoma, Napa, Marin, Lake and Mendocino counties, with the exception of a small plant for sheep and goats near Occidental. The plant serves a growing, high-end beef market, including grass-fed and organic cattle. Those ranchers use Rancho to kill their animals and take the carcasses for butchering and sale via markets, restaurants and farmers markets. As well, Rancho buys and slaughters older dairy cattle.

The 8.7-million pounds of recalled meat is much larger than other meat-related recalls issued across the country this month, which range from 365 to 144,000 pounds. But it is considerably smaller than the largest recall on record: In 2008, the California-based Hallmark/Westland Meat Packing Company recalled 143 million pounds.

The investigation into the meat processed at Rancho Feeding Corp., which in the past was known as Rancho Veal Corp., is ongoing, according to the Inspection Service. There are numerous steps involved in slaughtering an animal, and federal inspectors must be present to ensure that the animal is killed in a humane matter and that it does not show signs of disease. It is not yet clear which part of the process inspectors missed, if the plant’s operations will be suspended as they were in January, or how long the investigation will continue.

Over the years, Rancho Veal has been targeted by animal rights activists. Police in 2000 said arsonists set fires at the plant and at two poultry operations also in Sonoma County. That same year, animal rights activists demonstrated outside Rancho Veal.

Sonoma County Agricultural Commissioner Tony Linegar commented that without the plant, “our producers would be really hard-pressed to stay in business.”

Tim Tesconi, executive director of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau, called that fact a good sign and said he was surprised to hear about the scale of this recall. “From what I’ve heard they make a great product,” he said. “This is very puzzling.”

Local dairy rancher and former president of the Sonoma County Farm Bureau board of directors, Doug Beretta said the plant’s closure impacted some local ranchers, who were forced to truck their cattle about 2 1/2 hours away to slaughterhouses in Los Banos and Modesto.

Tesconi and Beretta both said that a prolonged closure could pose a real hardship for small local ranchers who rely on the facility. Tesconi said that the Farm Bureau supports the desire of the U.C. Cooperative Extension and others to see additional local USDA-inspected facilities arrive to meet the need of “the growing number of small growers doing grass-fed beef.”

Some North Bay ranchers and meat purveyors also questioned the logic behind the far-reaching recall, given that most of the beef was long ago consumed and there are no reports of anyone becoming ill after eating the beef.

“There should have been no recall,” said Tara Smith, owner of Tara Firma Farms in Petaluma.

Smith was among the producers directly affected from the original Jan. 13 recall by Rancho. She estimated she lost about $8,000 worth of organically raised beef that she claimed was raised and processed according to proper health and safety procedures.

“The extensive publicity was unfair not only to Rancho but also to the many producers who now have to inform their customers of the recall,” Smith said.

Longtime cattle buyer Ken Maffei of Petaluma said he has known Amaral and Singleton for 35 years and the two men would not knowingly slaughter diseased or unsound animals.

“Show me evidence,” Maffei demanded. “It’s all hearsay.”

He contended that federal regulators were “overdoing it to the max” with a yearlong recall.

Adam Parks, owner of Victorian Farmstead Meat Company in Sebastopol, said he couldn’t understand the logic of a yearlong recall because nearly all the meat already has been consumed. Nonetheless, he will reach out to customers who purchased grass-fed cattle that he had processed at Rancho during the affected dates.

Parks, who purchases cattle from ranchers, acknowledged it will be “an incredible expense and inconvenience” if Rancho closes and he has to ship all his beef to Eureka or the Central Valley for processing. Even so, he insisted such a closure wouldn’t be the death knell for the North Coast beef industry.

“We’ll survive it,” Parks said.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:59-07:00February 11th, 2014|

CRIME ALERT: Bee Colonies Stolen Near Brawley and John Deere Trailer in Kerman

CRIME ALERT: Bee Colonies Stolen and John Deer Tralier are on Be on the Look-out list.

California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force posted BOLs (Be on the Look-outs):

Imperial County Sheriff’s Office reported the that 36 boxes of bee colonies were stolen between January 24, 2014 and February 6, 2014, from the outskirts of Brawley.

Sanchez Bee, Inc., of Brawley, issues all of their boxes with “Sanchez” and the phone number “760-351-1960” spray-painted on their sides.

Any information related to this crime please contact Investigator Rudy Moreno at (760)351-2866 or rmoreno@icso.org.

Equipment was stolen from the area of Jensen Ave. and Goldenrod Ave. in Kerman yesterday.

Trailer is similar to the photographs posted.

The trailer is a John Deere, 5ft X 8ft tandem axle trailer with an attached 250 gallon fuel tank and a 6 cylinder John Deere Motor. The trailer is painted John Deere green, Engine number – T06068T80471.

A potential suspect vehicle is a dark-colored 2006-2008 truck, possibly a Ford with partial license plate – 8V128. It was last seen traveling southbound on Goldenrod Ave. approaching Jensen Ave.

Please contact the Ag Task Force at (559) 898-0667 or Detective M. Hernandez (559) 351-7773 with any information.

Detective Michael Hernandez Fresno County Sheriff’s Office
Ag Task Force
1055 S. Golden State Boulevard, Selma, CA 93662

About the CRCPTF

The California Rural Crime Prevention Task Force is a combination of County Sheriff’s Departments, District Attorney Offices, Agricultural Commissioners and local Police Departments together with state agencies such as the Attorney General’s Office, Food and Agriculture and the Governor’s Office of Criminal Justice Planning and the United States Department of Agriculture. Additionally, private organizations within the agri-business community such as the Farm Bureau, the State Grange, the Agri-Business League and other agricultural business related groups form an invaluable part of the Task Force.

We all work together for the common goal of reducing crime in the agriculture related business community.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:59-07:00February 11th, 2014|

Former UCANR VP Kenneth R. Farrell Dies

Economist and former UCANR VP Kenneth R. Farrell dies

By Pam Kan-Rice, UCANR Assistant Director, and News and Information Outreach

Kenneth R. Farrell, former University of California vice president for Agriculture and Natural Resources, died following a brief illness in Walnut Creek, Calif., on Jan. 24. He was 87.

Farrell was born Jan. 17, 1927, in South Mountain, Ontario, Canada, and grew up on a small farm. After graduating high school, he became a high school teacher in a one-room school in Ontario. He went on to enroll in college at the University of Toronto–Ontario Agricultural College at Guelph, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics. He later earned his master’s degree and Ph.D., both in agricultural economics, from Iowa State University.

In 1957, Farrell joined UC Cooperative Extension, working on agricultural marketing and agricultural policy with the Giannini Foundation at UC Berkeley. He also undertook a variety of administrative assignments focused on strengthening Cooperative Extension. His work was punctuated the following decade by a year’s study at the University of Naples (Italy) on a Fulbright Fellowship and several short-term assignments with the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

He left UC in 1971 to head the USDA Economic Research Service in Washington, D.C. In 1981, he left federal service to found the National Center for Food and Agricultural Policy at Resources for the Future in Washington, D.C. Funded by the Kellogg, Ford and Rockefeller Foundations, the center was a first-of-its-kind independent, nonpartisan group devoted to the analysis of national agricultural and natural resource policy issues.

In his role as a UC vice president from 1987 to 1995, Farrell oversaw the Agricultural Experiment Station, located on the Berkeley, Davis and Riverside campuses, and Cooperative Extension, located statewide in California counties.

“Ken Farrell was a person of rare integrity and courage,” said Henry Vaux, Jr., who served as associate vice president to Farrell. “His successful efforts to decentralize Cooperative Extension and to make the research and outreach activities of the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources more seamless benefited California’s citizens and its agricultural sector enormously. His leadership proved crucial in positioning the Division to remain effective in the subsequent era of declining resources.”

Over the course of his career he authored more than 100 professional papers and articles on his work in agricultural policy, natural resources, international trade and marketing. He received many honors, including elections as president of the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association in 1977 and as fellow in 1980. In 1992 he was elected fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and in 2004 his undergraduate alma mater, the University of Guelph–Ontario Agricultural College, established the Kenneth R. Farrell Distinguished Public Policy Lectureship in his honor.

“Ken was a leader among his peers. He always stood his ground,” said Gordon Rausser, Robert Gordon Sproul Distinguished Professor of Agricultural and Resource Economics and former dean of the College of Natural Resources at UC Berkeley.

In retirement, Farrell consulted for the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the World Bank, assignments that took him to Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan. He also organized “People-to-People” trips to study agriculture in Cuba, Peru, Chile, Australia and New Zealand, and two such trips to China.

Farrell’s wife of over 60 years, Mary, preceded him in death in 2013. He is survived by six children, eight grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

A memorial gathering in honor of Farrell will be held at Creekside Clubhouse, 1010 Stanley Dollar Drive, Rossmoor, Walnut Creek, at 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 8. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to Heifer International (http://www.heifer.org), a charity focused on ending hunger and poverty and promoting food security, or to a charity of choice.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:59-07:00February 11th, 2014|

RECORD GRAPE CRUSH

USDA Releases Preliminary 2013 Record Grape Crush Report

TODAY, USDA reported California’s 2013 crush totaled a record high 4.7M tons, up 7 percent from the previous record high 2012 crush of 4.4M tons. Red wine varieties in the record grape crush accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 2.4M tons, up 5 percent from 2012. The 2013 white wine variety crush totaled 1.8M tons, up 6 percent from 2012. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 328,000, up 21 percent from 2012, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 127,000, up 28 percent from 2012.

The 2013 average price of all varieties was $706.29, down 4 percent from 2012. Average prices for the 2013 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $842.09, down 5 percent from 2012; white wine grapes, $620.01, down less than 1 percent from 2012; raisin grapes, $254.80, down 20 percent; and table grapes, $221.21, down 19 percent.

In 2013, Chardonnay continued to account for the largest percentage of the total crush volume with 16.1 percent, followed by Cabernet Sauvignon. Thompson Seedless, the leading raisin grape variety crushed for 2013, held 6.2 percent of the total record grape crush.

Grapes produced in Napa County received the highest average price of $3,700 per ton, up 4 percent from 2012.

The Preliminary Record Grape Crush Report includes all grape tonnage crushed during the 2013 season. It also includes purchased tonnage and pricing information for grapes with final prices prior to January 10, 2014. The March 10, 2014 Final Grape Crush Report will contain any late reports or corrections to the preliminary report.

The entire Grape Crush Report is available online.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:59-07:00February 11th, 2014|

USDA’S EMERGENCY CONSERVATION PROGRAM APPROVED FOR DROUGHT ASSISTANCE IN MULTIPLE CALIFORNIA COUNTIES

50 California Counties to Receive USDA Emergency Conservation Program Assistance

USDA California Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Val Dolcini announced TODAY Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) availability for 50 of 58 counties in California.

ECP provides emergency funding and technical assistance to farmers and ranchers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for implementing emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought.

The program’s initial focus will be to provide assistance to livestock producers with emergency water needs. Interested producers can sign up between February 10 and March 27, 2014. The counties eligible for ECP assistance related to drought are listed at the end of this posting.

Dolcini encouraged farmers and ranchers impacted by California’s ongoing drought to contact their local USDA Service Center to seek information and assistance. “2013 was one of the driest years in our history,” Dolcini said. “FSA is ready to help California’s farmers and ranchers who continue to be affected by this horrible drought.”

ECP is available to livestock producers with severe water shortages to assist where feasible with rehabilitation of spring developments, new or deepening of livestock wells, development of seeps, and pipeline, tanks, troughs and dugouts. The program will also assist with water hauling costs to confined livestock.

Producers must submit their requests for ECP assistance to FSA prior to beginning construction work. Completing constructive work before submitting an ECP request could result in forfeiture of program eligibility.

ECP program participants can receive financial assistance for up to 75 percent of the cost to implement approved emergency conservation practices.

For more information on ECP or other disaster assistance programs and loans, please contact your local county office or visit FSA online.

Alameda

Amador

Butte

Calaveras

Colusa

Contra Costa

El Dorado

Fresno

Glenn

Humboldt

Kern

Kings

Lake

Lassen

Los Angeles

Madera

Marin

Mariposa

Mendocino

Merced

Modoc

Monterey

Napa

Nevada

Orange

Placer

Plumas

Sacramento

San Benito

San Bernardino

San Joaquin

San Luis Obispo

San Mateo

Santa Barbara

Santa Clara

Santa Cruz

Shasta

Sierra

Siskiyou

Solano

Sonoma

Stanislaus

Sutter

Tehama

Trinity

Tulare

Tuolumne

Ventura

Yolo

Yuba

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:59-07:00February 11th, 2014|

The World Ag Expo Water Forum Feb. 13 12:30-3:00

From Farm Press

Please Come to the World Ag Expo Water Forum

Feb. 13, from 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the

International Agri-Center’s Heritage Complex, 4500 South Laspina St., Tulare, Calif.

San Luis Reservoir Early This Year

Top city and water agency officials will address California’s historical drought, including its anticipated impact and water supply actions, during the World Ag Expo Water Forum.

The event will be held on the Thursday of World Ag Expo, Feb. 13, from 12:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. at the International Agri-Center’s Heritage Complex, 4500 South Laspina St., Tulare, Calif.

State and federal water representatives will participate. Governor Brown and Resources Secretary John Laird are invited. The master of ceremonies will be KMPH-TV News Anchor Rich Rodriguez.

As California faces the worst drought in decades, the Central Valley will once again be ground zero for water supply shortages and economic impacts due to the combination of lack of rain, snow, low reservoir levels, major declines in its groundwater levels and the ongoing shifting of its reliable water supplies to the environment.

City officials and farmers will discuss concerns, challenges, and ask for help from state and federal water departments through a panel moderated by Mario Santoyo of the California Latino Water Coalition.

The World Ag Expo Water Forum will also include high level policy and technical representatives from state and federal governments, plus key water agencies to discuss and answer questions through a panel moderated by Tim Quinn of the Association of California Water Agencies.

Time will be available for audience questions.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:59-07:00February 10th, 2014|

CSUF President To Join Ag Ambassadors at Word Ag Expo

CSUF President Castro to Join Ag Ambassadors at World Ag Expo 2014

Dr. Joseph I. Castro, President, California State University Fresno, will make his first visit to the World Ag Expo as Fresno State president when the largest annual agricultural exposition of its kind unfolds Feb. 11-13 in Tulare.

An estimated 100,000 visitors from 70 countries visit the World Ag Expo each year to learn about agriculture and the latest technologies.

Fresno State’s participation includes water researchers delivering seminars and student Agriculture Ambassadors staffing a booth in the Hilvers Career and Education Center (booths 8001 and 8002).

Castro and his wife Mary (whose father milked cows on a dairy farm in Laton for 40-plus years) will appear at the booth about 10-11 a.m. on Thursday, Feb. 13, with Dr. Charles Boyer, dean of Fresno State’s Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology. Their appearance will follow the California Agriculture Leadership Alumni breakfast from 6:30-8:30 a.m. where the president will be formally introduced.

The annual breakfast has raised more than $650,000 to benefit the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation.

After the breakfast, volunteers and organizers for the Ag Expo will provide the Castros with a tour of the grounds and exhibits before stopping at Fresno State’s booth to greet visitors as part of “Ice Cream with the Dean Day” Thursday. Fresno State’s popular student-produced ice cream will be served free at 10 a.m. until supply runs out. Dr. Sandra Witte, the Jordan College associate dean, will also be present.

Jordan College’s Agriculture Ambassadors will be working at the Ag Expo with Desi Molyneux, a University Outreach Services counselor, and Dr. Steve Rocca, associate professor in Agriculture Education, to share tips on admission and opportunities within the college.

“Schools from all over California will come for a field trip. It is a great place to advertise our programs,” Molyneux said. “It is also a great place to visit with alumni and supporters from the community.”

Fresno State’s booth will display products from the Rue and Gwen Gibson Farm Market, University Farm and Floral Lab.

Prior to the expo, the student Ambassadors will staff a booth at the Fresno Yosemite International Airport from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 8-9 at the baggage claim area to welcome guests and provide information about transportation, events and seminars.

A series of water and irrigation seminars will be presented from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 13 in the World Ag Expo Seminar Center by Fresno State’s International Center for Water Technology in partnership with Irrigation Association.

Bill Green, an education specialist with the Center for Irrigation Technology, will discuss, “Good Irrigation Efficiency by Increasing Distribution Uniformity” at 10:30 a.m.

The International Center for Water Technology is a research hub dedicated to providing developments and solutions to improve water use and efficiency. The program has a broad spectrum of research topics including water supply and quality, flood protection and environmental enhancement.

For information about the Agriculture Ambassador booths, contact adviser Steve Rocca, an associate professor of ag education, at (559) 278.5088 or srocca@csufresno.edu.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:59-07:00February 9th, 2014|

AGRICULTURE LAUNCHES TWITTER CAMPAIGN FOR IMMIGRATION REFORM

Farmers for Immigration Reform

The Agriculture Workforce Coalition, Western United Dairymen, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and more than 70 of the largest American agriculture groups this week joined with the Partnership for a New American Economy to launch #ifarmimmigration, an agriculture campaign to support renewed efforts to enact immigration reform this year.

Farmers across the country depend on temporary labor to help grow their crops and their business. Immigrants help fill those vital positions, creating additional 2-3 jobs for domestic-born workers up and down the economy in food packaging, shipping or farming supplies. For many farms across the country, there are simply not enough native-born workers to work their fields.

The agriculture campaign will stress the agriculture sector’s critical need for immigration reform with activities online and on the ground, in Washington D.C. and in key Congressional districts. The month started with a Capitol Hill briefing on Feb 5, where Congressional staff heard from farmers and ranchers about the need for immigration reform. Throughout the month, the campaign will release new research on labor shortages while farmers and ranchers will be on the ground telling their stories through farm tours, social and traditional media, videos, and community events for members of Congress in their districts.

American Farm Bureau’s Bob Stallman commented, “Unfortunately, because of a labor shortage in our farm fields, there’s a growing crisis about the future of our food supply.”

Stallman continued:

“In that spirit, throughout the month of February, farmers across the country, in conjunction with the Partnership for the New American Economy, will be using a slightly different spin to show consumers and lawmakers just how important immigration reform is to our food system. The truth is, we either import our labor or we import our food.”

“America’s farmers and ranchers need a balanced immigration reform bill that includes a fair and workable farm labor provision. We are encouraged by the House Republican Conference’s commitment to moving forward on immigration reform this year with the release of their immigration ‘standards.’ The American Farm Bureau Federation supports the House using these principles as guideposts and, specifically, we appreciate the recognition that agriculture’s need for a legal and stable workforce must be addressed.”

“But much work remains and farmers will continue to work toward passage of responsible immigration reform legislation that includes an earned adjustment for experienced, undocumented agricultural workers and a new, flexible guest worker program.”

http://www.renewoureconomy.org/news/updates/lets-passimmigration-year/

This effort joins The Partnership for a New American Economy, which brought together more than 500 Republican, Democratic, and Independent mayors and business leaders who support immigration reform as a way of creating jobs for Americans today.

Patrick Cavanaugh2016-05-31T19:38:59-07:00February 9th, 2014|

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