California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • US Pistachio Shipments Up Despite Logistical & Economic Challenges

    Despite continued pandemic, trade and logistical issues, American Pistachio Growers President Richard Matoian shared at their annual Summer Luncheon that pistachio shipments are up, which is critical for the success of this growing commodity. Watch this brief interview with Richard as he explains, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Ag Goals & Progress of Voluntary Agreements for Bay-Delta Flows

    What is now being referred to as a 20 year drought in California has caused many problems for not only farmers, but all Californians and wildlife. In addition to the dire need for water infrastructure renovations, farming groups are also very focused on pursuing voluntary agreements for alternatives to the California State Water Resources Control Board plan for Bay-Delta flows.  Watch this brief interview with Merced County farmer, Randy Fiorini who shared some insights from the Delta Stewardship Council as the discussions on voluntary agreements have resumed.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • 2021 Crop Forecast with American Pistachio Growers

    Just how “off” of an off-year do we expect the California pistachio crop to be this season?  Obviously factors of drought and increasing bearing acreage will play major roles in the outcome of this year’s harvest, but watch this brief interview with APG President Richard Matoian as he shares the crop forecast.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Preharvest Conversations Growers & Wineries Need to Have Regarding Smoke Taint

    “Uncertainty” seemed to be the theme of 2020 for all, and it was no different for the wine industry.  Unfortunately, this uncertainty continues this year for wine grape growers as they gear up for harvest amidst another threatening wildfire season.  With severe drought plaguing the American West, it’s not a question of if, but when more wildfires will occur and whether they will compromise the integrity of the wine grape crop with smoke tainting compounds. Many growers fear the possibility of rejections at the winery should their crop be impacted by wildfire events.  To mitigate some of this uncertainty, watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter, President of Allied Grape Growers, as he shares some key insights on some of the conversations growers really need to have with their wineries upfront this year to prepare for potential smoke taint concerns. Also, read a detailed report on the topic in the August issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Vmech for their industry support.

  • 2021 California Grape Harvest & Market Update

    Wine grape harvest has begun in the Central Valley of California. After considerable challenges in both production and the wine grape market last year, how are things looking now and what can we expect for the 2021 vintage? Watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter, President of Allied Grape Growers, as he shares his insights and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Vmech for their industry support.

  • Merced Grower Works with Farmland Trust to Protect Acreage from Urban Development

    Merced County almond, walnut and peach grower, Randy Fiorini is proud to be the first farmer to work with both the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation and California Farmland Trust in a conservation fundraising campaign to protect agricultural land from urban expansion. Watch this brief video with Randy Fiorini as he explains the program and needed support to realize his goal.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Preparing to Harvest Raisins Under Smoky Skies: What Growers Need to Know

    Most agricultural news coverage of the wildfire impact last year focused on the wine grape industry.  Though raisins don’t share the same concern for smoke taint as wine grapes, the lack of radiant sunlight due to smoky overcast skies had a significant effect on the sugar accumulation and natural drying process for much of Central Valley raisin crop last year.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Advisor George Zhuang as he shares some key insights for growers moving into another dry season, and how to better prepare for harvest should last year’s circumstances reoccur.  Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Vmech for their industry support.

  • CDFA Announces Results of Controversial Dairy QIP Referendum

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (Department) recently conducted a referendum vote among California Market Milk Producers within the State of California to determine whether the Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) effective November 1, 2018, should be amended to equalize regional quota adjusters such that the quota premium in all counties equal 1.43/cwt., and to terminate the QIP effective March 1, 2025.  Just two days prior to the Independence Day holiday, the Department announced the referendum results with the voice of the people against the termination of QIP. It was certainly a close call though, as seen in the referendum stats below.

    In order for the amendments to be approved California Food and Agricultural Section 62717 specifies that:

    Not less than fifty-one percent (51%) of the total number of eligible producers in the state shall have voted in the referendum AND one of the following criteria must be satisfied:

    1. a)  Sixty-five percent (65%) or more of the total number of eligible producers who voted in the referendum who produced fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the total amount of fluid milk produced in the state during the calendar month next preceding the month commencement of the referendum period (January 2021) by all producers who voted in the referendum approve the plan, OR,

    2. b)  Fifty-one percent (51%) or more of the total number of eligible producers who voted in the referendum who produced sixty-five percent (65%) or more of the total amount of fluid milk produced in the state during the calendar month next preceding the month commencement of the referendum period (January 2021) by all producers who voted in the referendum, approve the plan.

    Summary of the Results of the Referendum Vote: 

    Proportion of Eligible Producers that participated: 78.56%

    Proportion of those Eligible Producers Voting in Favor: 49.25%

    Proportion of those Eligible Producers Voting in Opposition: 50.75%

    Proportion of the Voted Volume Represented by Eligible Producers in Favor: 54.47%

    Proportion of the Voted Volume Represented by Eligible Producers in Opposition: 45.53%

    In summary, 78.56% of the total number of eligible producers voted in the referendum, and 49.25% voting in favor, having produced 54.47% of the total amount of fluid milk in the state, among participating producers, in January 2021. Conversely, 50.75% voting in opposition, produced 45.53% of the total amount of fluid milk in the state, among participating producers, in January 2021.

    Explanation of Results:
    78.56%     of the total number of eligible market milk producers in the State voted, therefore the first criterion was satisfied.

    Additionally, both elements of EITHER criterion in (a) OR (b) above must also be satisfied:

    1. The producers who accounted for 54.47% of the fluid milk, produced by participants in the referendum, in January 2021 voted IN FAVOR, exceeding the threshold of 51% by 3.47%, thereby satisfying the first element; however, only 49.25% of the number of eligible producers voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the threshold of 65% for the second element by 15.75%. Therefore, because only one of the two elements were satisfied, the referendum is not adopted through this criterion.

    2. 49.25% of the number of eligible producers voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the 51% threshold by 1.75%; AND, producers who accounted for 54.47% or more of the total amount of fluid milk, produced by participants in the referendum, in January 2021 voted IN FAVOR, falling short of satisfying the threshold of 65% threshold by 10.03%. Therefore, because neither of the two elements were satisfied, the referendum is not adopted through this criterion.

    Since the outcome of this referendum does not meet the criteria set forth in Section 62717 of the Food and Agricultural Code, the amendments will not be incorporated into the Quota Implementation Plan, and the QIP will remain in force and will not be terminated effective March 21, 2025. A further summary of the results is included with this notice.

    If you have questions regarding the referendum, please contact Steven Donaldson with the Quota Administration Program at (916) 900-5012 or steven.donaldson@cdfa.ca.gov.

  • Managing Vineyard Pests & Diseases in a Dry Year

    A dry winter and spring impacts more than just water availability for the season. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Advisor Gabriel Torres as he shares expected vineyard pest and disease pressures in a dry year.  Read more about vineyard pest and disease management in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Vmech for their industry support.

  • Ravens & Crows Wreak Havoc in Orchards, Vineyards & Dairies

    Do you suspect some big black birds are damaging your irrigation lines, pecking at your newborn calves or eating your developing crop? You may have a problem with crows or ravens. But how do you tell the two apart, and how can you legally control them? Watch this brief interview with Brian Popper from USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services to learn more (special thanks to Hardshell Labs for providing some of the video b-roll footage).

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.