California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • USDA to Purchase Fresh Produce Under New TEFAP Program

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced plans to purchase Fresh Produce (WBSCM Material Number 111427). Pandemic Assistance funding has been made available to supplement The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP) program for the remainder of the fiscal year ending September 30, 2021. Pursuant to that directive, to help those most in need receive healthy, fresh foods, USDA will be offering boxes of pre-packed, fresh produce through TEFAP in addition to the single varieties that are already available to order. The fresh produce package will include a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables that meet the following requirements. A 10-12 pound package that includes a minimum of at least four of the following: 3-5 lbs. of vegetables (no more than 3lbs. of root vegetables; i.e. potatoes, yams, carrots, onions, etc.), 3-5 lbs. of fruit; at least 2 locally grown fruit or vegetable items, as available, and if not available, add an additional fruit and vegetable item to meet a minimum package weight range of 10-12 lbs. Packages will be expected to have a shelf life of 7-10 days once delivered to the location listed on the contract.

    Solicitations will be issued in the near future, and will be available electronically through the Web-Based Supply Chain Management (WBSCM) system and beta.sam.gov. A hard copy of the solicitation will not be available. Public WBSCM information is available without an account on the WBSCM Public Procurement Page. All future information regarding this acquisition, including solicitation amendments and award notices, will be published through WBSCM, the Agricultural Marketing Service’s website at www.ams.usda.gov/selling-food, and beta.sam.gov. Interested parties shall be responsible for ensuring that they have the most up-to-date information about this acquisition. The contract type is anticipated to be firm-fixed price. Deliveries are expected to be to various locations in the United States on an FOB destination basis.

    Pursuant to Agricultural Acquisition Regulation 470.103(b), commodities and the products of agricultural commodities acquired under this contract must be a product of the United States and shall be considered to be such a product if it is grown, processed, and otherwise prepared for sale or distribution exclusively in the United States. Packaging and container components under this acquisition will be the only portion subject to the World Trade Organization Government Procurement Agreement and Free Trade Agreements, as addressed by FAR clause 52.225-5.

    Offerors are urged to review all documents as they pertain to this program, including the latest—

    • AMS Master Solicitation for Commodity Procurements (MSCP-D), August 13, 2020 (pdf)
    • Qualification Requirements for Selling TEFAP Fresh Produce to USDA Agricultural Marketing Service, April 7, 2021

    These documents are available on the AMS Commodity Procurement website.

    To be eligible to submit offers, potential contractors must meet the Qualification Requirements for Selling TEFAP Fresh Produce to the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service. The AMS point of contact for new vendors can be reached by email at TEFAPFreshProduce@usda.gov. Please include the following in the email’s subject line: TEFAP Fresh Produce [insert company name].

    Once qualification requirements have been met, access to WBSCM will be provided. Bids, modifications, withdrawals of bids, and price adjustments shall be submitted using this system. Submission of the above by any means other than WBSCM will be determined nonresponsive.

    To receive e-mail notification of the issuance of AMS solicitations, contract awards, and other information, subscribe online by visiting: “Stay up to date on USDA Food Purchases” available on the AMS Commodity Procurement webs

  • Blue Diamond Growers Earns Recognition as Green Business Certified

    Following a comprehensive certification process, the Blue Diamond Growers facility in Salida, Calif., has earned distinction as being Green Business Certified. Blue Diamond is the first business in Stanislaus County to be recognized by the California Green Business Network, Stanislaus County, a program of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, for demonstrating sustainability as a top business priority.

    The Green Business Certified recognition was awarded at a ceremony today organized by the Modesto Chamber of Commerce at the Blue Diamond facility in Salida, California. The ceremony was attended by
    Brian Barczak, Senior Vice President, Global Supply for Blue Diamond, as well as Congressman Josh Harder, and several other state and local dignitaries.

    “Blue Diamond has a long 110-year history as an almond cooperative, and within that history has been a commitment to sustainability across all our facilities – Sacramento, Salida and Turlock,” said Barczak. “As we look toward the future, our investment in sustainability strengthens our relationship with our customers and consumers, provides benefits to our local communities, and lays the groundwork for the continuation of our legacy as a cooperative.  This recognition means a great deal to us as it shows that we are doing our part to build a healthier and more sustainable future for our local communities.”

    The Green Business Certified recognition goes to companies that achieve a verified set of standards, including reducing water use, conserving energy, preventing pollution, increasing recycling, avoiding waste, encouraging alternative transportation, and partnering with other local vendors.

    This latest Blue Diamond Growers’ honor comes on the heels of growth and positive milestones at the Salida facility. In 2020, a multi-year construction plan was completed including the addition of a 50-million-pound-capacity Brown Almond Bulk Warehouse. The new warehouse is the second facility of similar capacity recently built at the site. Additionally, also in 2020, the Salida facility achieved its fifth consecutive year – representing five million work hours – of no lost-time accidents. In terms of sustainability, according to Salida Site Leader Dennis Bettencourt, the site has successfully diverted more than 18 tons of waste from the landfill for more optimal uses, among other achievements in reducing water and
    energy usage.

    “We are proud that Blue Diamond’s priority on sustainability is being recognized and wish to thank the Modesto Chamber of Commerce – California Green Business Network, Stanislaus County for their efforts to advance the importance of sustainability in our community,” said Bettencourt. “We are honored by this recognition, as well as motivated to continue providing Blue Diamond almonds to the world in a way that honors, respects and preserves the planet and the natural resources that mean so much to all of us.”


    About Blue Diamond

    Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing over 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs more than 1,800 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops. To learn more about Blue Diamond Growers, visit www.bluediamond.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedInand Twitter.

  • CA Pistachio Growers and Processors Create $5.2 Billion Impact on State’s Economy

    American Pistachio Growers — As California pistachio growers and processors shell out money to grow protein-packed nuts, they generate a whirlwind of economic activity throughout the Golden State. That’s the conclusion of economic impact studies commissioned by American Pistachio Growers (APG) and conducted by The Tootelian Company to quantify how spending by growers and processors sparks business activity, grows jobs and labor income, and contributes indirect business taxes.

    In California, the dominant force in U.S. pistachio production with 98 percent of the nation’s supply and more than 485,000 planted acres in 2020, the data show a significant and growing impact that ripples through the economy of the Golden State.

    47,200 jobs & $5.2 billion in economic output generated in 2020

    “When a grower spends money, that creates new business for other organizations, which means jobs and labor income, and it also creates business taxes,” said Dennis H. Tootelian, who conducted the study. California growers and processors spent more than $2.8 billion in 2020, averaging more than $7.7 million a day. In terms of total economic impact, the best measure of economic activity, the data show the state’s growers and processors created $5.2 billion in economic output, the equivalent of more than $10,000 every minute in 2020.

    California’s pistachio industry resulted in more than 47,200 jobs on a full-time equivalent basis in 2020. Grower spending generated more than 21,000 jobs and processor spending generated nearly 26,200 jobs, according to the data.

    Tootelian found that nearly $2.5 billion in labor income was generated by California growers and processors in 2020. “These dollars are diffused throughout the state’s economy as workers spend their income on an array of goods and services,” he added.

    56 percent growth in California acreage 2016-2020

    A significant factor driving economic impact in California since his last study in 2016 has been grower investment in new pistachio plantings. From 2016 to 2020, Tootelian noted that growers

    added 173,540 acres of pistachios, an increase of 56 percent. This surge in acreage, alone, resulted in nearly $1.9 billion in economic impact to California. 

    “The real wow factor in this whole thing is the huge jump in acreage in the last four years.

    Growers’ investment in new acreage equated to more than $5.1 million per day and $10,777 per acre,” Tootelian said. “This meant more than 16,800 jobs, nearly $883.7 million in additional labor income, and nearly $68.4 million in added indirect business taxes.”

    The data calculated the total indirect business taxes from California growers and processors at $191.9 million in 2020, or the equivalent of $525,000 per day.

    “The impact of the economic output of the pistachio industry in California is huge in the agriculture sector, but it also permeates nearly every other sector in the state — from real estate, construction, insurance, professional services and retailing,” said Tootelian.

    Pistachios contribute to Arizona and New Mexico economies

    For the first time, Tootelian gathered data and analyzed the economic impact of growers and processors in Arizona and New Mexico in 2020. While pistachio production in the two states is modest by comparison to California, Tootelian’s analysis revealed significant economic benefits from spending by growers and processors in Arizona and New Mexico.

    The data for Arizona’s pistachio growers and processors show total expenditures of $49.1 million in 2020, total economic impact of $91.8 million, the creation of 915 jobs and $39.6 million in labor income, and $3 million in indirect business taxes. Total pistachio acreage in Arizona is about 9,500 acres.

    For New Mexico, expenditures by growers and processors totaled nearly $2.7 million in 2020, total economic impact was $4.5 million, the industry created 38 jobs and generated $1.9 million in labor income, and the state’s growers and processors created nearly $148,000 in indirect business taxes. Pistachio acreage in New Mexico is about 600 acres.

    “Our members are rightly proud of the role they play in boosting economies across their respective states,” said APG President Richard Matoian. “While this study showed 485,000 acres of pistachios throughout California in 2020, new data shows the growth continues with 523,000 acres already in 2021.”

    “American-grown pistachios are valued in international markets for their exceptional quality and food safety,” said Judy Hirigoyen, APG VP, Global Marketing. “The new acreage will help supply consumers worldwide as dietary patterns shift to sustainable, plant-based proteins.”

    The 2020 study by Tootelian, Ph.D., Emeritus Professor of Marketing at CSU-Sacramento, is a follow-up to a similar study conducted for APG in 2016. His analyses were conducted for net total expenditures by growers and the net variable expenses of processors. He completed economic impact studies using 2020 data for California, Arizona and New Mexico, the three states that comprise U.S. commercial pistachio production.

    American Pistachio Growers is a non-profit trade association representing more than 800 growers and member processors in California, Arizona, and New Mexico.

    California Report

    California Fact Sheet

  • CA Beef Council, Camarena Tequila and Real CA Milk Launch “Tacos, Tequila y Más” for Cinco de Mayo

    In a partnership that combines three key retail categories-meat, dairy and spirits-the California Beef Council (CBC) is teaming up with the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) and E. & J. Gallo’s Camarena Tequila for a co-branded Cinco de Mayo promotion. Dubbed “Tacos, Tequila y Más,” the 5-week campaign runs April 7 through May 11 and provides consumers with product offers and savings, recipes, videos and other taco and margarita-inspired content on a single online hub at TacoTimeCalifornia.com.

    “The TacoTimeCalifornia.com site celebrates the fact that in California, ‘taco time’ is ALL the time. Beef and California Hispanic-style cheeses and cremas make for a perfect taco. Pair with Camarena-the most awarded tequila-for the ultimate taco night at home,” said Christie Van Egmond, the CBC’s Director of Retail & Foodservice Marketing. “For this campaign, the CBC is focusing on beef cuts for Carne Asada. We’re offering consumers two options to earn cash-back: $2 cash-back on any brand Carne Asada beef cuts 1 pound or larger through the Ibotta mobile app; or a $1 rebate on a $10 any brand Carne Asada purchase through Checkout 51.” Camarena Tequila and Real California Milk Hispanic-style Cheese and Crema are offering savings through in-store coupons.

    Research from IRI reveals that the average shopping basket with beef is more than twice that of the typical ring ($85.70 vs. $41.33, respectively), and beef in the basket drives 44% more total store sales than baskets with chicken and 21 times the total sales as baskets with beef substitutes. What’s more, in-store spirits displays see a lift in sales when displayed near or with meat (+9%), and the average basket ring for natural cheese is $90.86 compared to a much lower $39.74 on average basket without cheese.

    “When shoppers head in-store we are optimistic that they will see the mouth-watering campaign point-of-sale. And whether they’re shopping in-store or via e-commerce, we’re encouraging shoppers to add these three powerhouse products-meat, cheese and spirits-to their cart so they can create their own Tacos, Tequila y Más experience at home,” Van Egmond said.

    Shoppers can take advantage of the following opportunities through TacoTimeCalifornia.com:
    • Consumer Mobile App Offers and In-Store IRCs: CBC will offer cash-back on Carne Asada beef cuts through Ibotta and Checkout 51 mobile apps. Real California Milk will have in-store IRCs for Hispanic-style cheeses and cremas, and Camarena Tequila will have in-store bottle-necker savings. Links to all offers will be on the campaign landing page, and quantity and pricing terms apply.
    • Recipe Inspiration: Look through mouth-watering images of tacos and margaritas and click-through to get the recipes and create them on your own, or gain meal inspiration through cooking videos.
    • Beef Product Knowledge: A portal for consumers to learn more about Carne Asada, such as which beef cuts are best, where they come from on the carcass, and how to prepare.

    “In addition to the offers, recipes and videos, we’re also using the TacoTimeCalifornia.com site to launch the CBC’s new Virtual Beef Cooking Classes,” Van Egmond added. Consumers who click the link to our ‘Taco Bout Delicious!’ microsite will find an opportunity to sign up for the CBC’s first ever Beef Cooking Class, which will be a Virtual Taco Party.” There is a cost to attend the Virtual Taco Party and space is limited, Van Egmond added.

    About the California Beef Council
    The California Beef Council (CBC) was established in 1954 to serve as the promotion, research, and education arm of the California beef industry, and is mandated by the California Food and Agricultural Code. The CBC’s mission is to position the California beef industry for sustained beef demand growth through promotion, research and education. For more information, visit www.calbeef.org.
    About the Beef Checkoff
    The Beef Checkoff Program was established as part of the 1985 Farm Bill. The checkoff assesses $1 per head on the sale of live domestic and imported cattle, in addition to a comparable assessment on imported beef and beef products. States may retain up to 50 cents on the dollar and forward the other 50 cents per head to the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, which administers the national checkoff program, subject to USDA approval.
    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board
    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs. For more information and to connect with the CMAB, visit RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • Healthy Roots, Healthy Trees: HLB & Soil Microbes

    The rhizosphere, defined as the soil environment that surrounds the plant roots, is a rich and diverse habitat for microbes. Some members of the rhizosphere microbiome (or collection of microbes), are good, others bad while many are just there and don’t provide any benefits or harm to the host. One function of the good microbes in the rhizosphere is to help facilitate the availability and assimilation of nutrients and water from the rhizosphere. Just like the human gut, the plant rhizosphere conveys key nutritional functions and the analogy was made that “plants wear their gut on the outside”. One example is the symbiotic relationship between legumes (peas, beans) and rhizobia. Those bacteria help the plant fix atmospheric nitrogen in exchange for carbon supply. Another example is the symbiotic relationship between the plant and mycorrhizal fungi, whereby the mycorrhizae receive carbon from the plant in exchange for increased nutrient uptake (principally phosphorus and nitrogen). There is undeniable evidence that plants have developed a mechanism for recruiting good microbes to cope with environmental stress such as protection against opportunistic pathogens or drought. The rise of ‘omics’ technologies have helped profile entire microbial communities associated with plants and shed light in their biological functions. This research has fueled the development of novel commercial bioproducts to address the increasing consumer’s demand of environmentally-friendly products. As a result, there has been several commercial ‘probiotics’ and ‘prebiotics’ that have been marketed for agricultural use including many biocontrol agents such as fungal- (e.g., Trichoderma) and bacterial- based (e.g., Bacillus, Streptomyces, or Pseudomonas) bioproducts.

    One goal of my research program is to identify beneficial microbes for tree and vines crops, promote practices that support the presence and abundance of beneficial microbes and figure out how good microbes help combat pathogens and support plant health. As part of a collaborative project (UC Riverside, University of Florida, USDA-ARS) funded by the California Citrus Research Board and the USDA-NIFA, we profiled the microbiome of citrus trees in the context of Huanglongbing disease (or HLB). HLB is a highly destructive and lethal disease to all commercial citrus cultivars making it a threat to citrus production globally. Finding strategies that do not only rely exclusively on management of the insect vector of the bacterium (the Asian Citrus Psyllid), is a priority to the citrus industry. In our research, we found that there were significant tissue-specific microbial shifts occurring within the citrus microbiome as trees get sicker, especially in the root compartment. As HLB progressed, there were depletions of beneficial species in roots, such as mycorrhizal fungi, and enrichments of parasitic microorganisms, such as Fusarium and Phytophthora (see Figure). HLB-affected trees decline because of the clogging the phloem sieve tubes, which limit movement of sap and translocation of sugar to the roots, hence leading to feeder root collapse. Once tree is weakened, it becomes more susceptible to pathogens such as Phytophthora which further weakens the trees and exacerbate above ground HLB symptoms. In addition, several studies from Florida suggested that cultural practices that supported root health and rhizosphere microbiome richness and diversity limited root collapse.

    Figure: Citrus decline caused by HLB (https://apsjournals.apsnet.org/doi/10.1094/PBIOMES-04-20-0027- R – Ginnan et al. 2020. Phytobiomes); canopy thinning, wood dieback, feeder roots decline, collapse of beneficial microbes and enrichment of pathogens in roots.

    Our group was recently awarded another research funding by the USDA-NIFA Emergency Citrus Disease Research and Extension program (project director, M.C. Roper, Microbiology and Plant Pathology, UC Riverside). This research effort in collaboration with UC Agricultural and Natural Resources, UC Davis, University of Florida, and the USDA-ARS aims at investigating the root collapse associated with HLB- impacted trees and finding ways to mitigate it by promoting root health. In the proposed work, we will test how different sectors of the root microbiome contribute to or lessen fibrous root loss and if soil amendments (e.g., humic acid treatment, mulching) and planting of HLB tolerant rootstocks (Poncirus trifoliata and P. trifoliata hybrids) can be used to mitigate root loss associated with HLB in Florida, and how tree respond to those practices under a HLB free environment in California. While these approaches will not cure trees from HLB, it will provide a science-based information for strategies that support root and tree health and sustain orchard longevity until remedies are discovered. — By Philippe Rolsausen, Professor in Cooperative Extension, UC Riverside

  • Tarped Against Asian Citrus Psyllid

    Researchers at the California Data Analysis and Tactical Operations Center (DATOC) have analyzed Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) trapping data along major transportation routes before and after tarping regulations for bulk citrus shipments were enacted. The purpose was to determine the effectiveness of the policy.

    DATOC is an independent group of scientists sponsored by the Citrus Research Board and the California Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program. The group was formed in 2016 to create and amend tactical response plans for huanglongbing (HLB) suppression and management for California citrus.

    DATOC found a significant reduction in the rate of ACP finds throughout the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) after tarping regulations went into effect. The SJV contains more than 70% of California’s packinghouses. Coastal and Southern California counties ship more than 63 million pounds of bulk citrus into the SJV annually for processing.

    Source: Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program

    In years past, ACP populations have soared as they presumably “hitchhiked” on trucks that weren’t properly covered, coming from Southern California into the SJV and threatening the livelihood of commercial groves throughout California along the way. However, after the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) required tarping in 2017, DATOC data shows that tarping has effectively reduced ACP movement.

    While these results are encouraging, scientists say that growers must continue to remain vigilant. In a recent letter, Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Committee (CPDPC) chairman Jim Gorden stated that ACP populations are expected to “flare up” occasionally, such as the late 2020 ACP detections in Kern, Madera, San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, Santa Clara, Tulare, Contra Costa and other counties.

    The CPDPC emphasizes that growers, packers, transporters and other stakeholders must continue to stay on top of this elusive ACP pest and the dangerous HLB disease it spreads. The upfront cost to manage ACP is much less than the potential hit to the citrus industry if HLB spreads throughout the state.

    In order to move bulk citrus from an ACP regional quarantine zone or a HLB quarantine area under the terms of the permit(s), growers, grove managers, haulers and harvesters must comply with the CDFA’s transporting requirement as detailed in their order. Get specific details here. — By Ben Faber, UCCE Advisor, Ventura & Santa Barbara Counties

  • San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition

    The San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition is back! Entries are now being accepted for the 2021 San Joaquin Valley Olive Oil Competition (SJVOOC)! Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Flavored Olive Oil entries from commercial producers in the State of California are eligible and olive oil must be made from producers’ most recent olive harvest. Deadline for entries is May 27, 2021.

    Awards will be given out for Gold and Silver medals in each category, as well as one overall “Best of Show” and one overall “Best of the Valley” award. Judging will be evaluated and scored as follows:

    • Gold Medal: Awarded to an olive oil that demonstrates its type and/or varietal character, balance, structure and complexities to the highest standards. Gold Medals will be awarded to those oils receiving scores between 86 – 100 points.
    • Silver Medal: Awarded to an olive oil reflecting the correct distribution of balance and character of its type or variety; an oil deemed to be well crafted and of excellent quality. Silver Medals will be awarded to those oils receiving scores between 76- 85 points.
    • Best of Show: Awarded to an olive oil recognized to possess special characteristics of the highest quality overall. Only gold medal winners are eligible to compete for Best of Show in their division.
    • Best of the Valley: Awarded to the oil that scored the highest with the ranch or office located in the San Joaquin Valley. Medals will be awarded for both EVOO and flavored oils. (Kern, Tulare, Kings, Fresno, Madera, Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties eligible)

    Questions on entering? Email Stacy Rianda at srianda@fresnofair.com.

  • Adding ACP-Effective Materials to Suppress Kern County HLB Vectoring Pest in Citrus

    ACP/HLB San Joaquin Valley Task Force – To Citrus Growers in the Kern County area: last fall and early this year, there has been a significant number of Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) trap detections (over 100) in Kern County. The detections occurred in residential properties, as well as commercial citrus areas in Kern County – especially the City of Bakersfield and areas south and east of it. Unfortunately, in addition to the trap detections, live breeding populations of ACP were discovered by CDFA survey crews in both residential and commercial citrus. Although these detection areas were treated, there is significant concern low level ACP populations may still exist undetected and left to build on the new spring flush. It is imperative for us to continue our efforts to protect Kern County citrus from the devastating effects of Huanglongbing (HLB) – especially in light of the significant level of HLB-positive citrus trees found just south in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino and Riverside counties. An established population of ACP increases the threat of HLB but will also cause the need for additional insecticide treatments to try to suppress the population. Additionally, if HLB is detected and confirmed by CDFA, critical regulatory changes may affect everyone. Given the posed risks, it is important the San Joaquin Valley keep ACP populations as close to eradicated as possible.

    The San Joaquin Valley ACP/HLB Area-Wide Task Force has been tracking and analyzing all ACP detections to date in Kern County. After recent review of the data, the Task Force strongly recommends growers add an ACP-effective material to their pre-bloom or spring foliar treatments – the sooner, the better since ACP build populations on the young leaf flush.  Fortunately, this timing coincides with pre-bloom treatments and treatments for katydid, worms, thrips and other pests.  See below for material examples from the University of California.

    IMPORTANT: If there is any open bloom in the orchard, state bloom regulations and pesticide label pollinator protections must be followed.  Contact the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office for details at (661) 868-6300.

    WHAT WE NEED YOU TO DO:

    1. Consider treating ALL your citrus blocks in Kern County, especially if they are located east and south of Bakersfield – including non-bearing trees and blocks not normally treated at this time.
    1. Use an ACP-effective insecticide next time you are treating the block. The sooner, the better – click on the link below for a list of ACP-effective insecticides from the University of California: Asian Citrus Psyllid / Citrus / Agriculture: Pest Management Guidelines / UC Statewide IPM Program (UC IPM) (ucanr.edu)

    Examples of ACP-effective materials which also suppress Katydids (from the UCIPM Guidelines):

    • Danitol
    • Baythroid
    • Mustang
    • Micromite
    • Entrust

    Examples of ACP-effective materials that can be used during the bloom period – some with restrictions (ALWAYS check the pesticide label and state bloom regulations prior to use):

    • Sivanto
    • Sefina
    • Micromite
    • Beleaf
    • Fujimite
    • ** = Restricted use to only 1 hour after sunset until 5 hours before sunrise.
    • **Delegate
    • **Entrust
    • **Exirel
    1. Suggested Dilution – 100 to 300 g.p.a. for airblast sprayers. FYI – many nutritional products are compatible with ACP insecticides however you should always check with your PCA before tank mixing.
    1. Please treat the borders of the block first, if possible, since ACP tend to populate block borders first. This way ACP will be driven toward the center of the block where they will get treated instead of away from the block and miss treatment.

    By adding an ACP-effective material to your spring foliar treatment, we will greatly lower both the ACP population and the risk of HLB being transmitted into our trees. Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns regarding this important effort by the SJV ACP/HLB Area-Wide Task Force.

    Sincerely,
    The ACP/HLB San Joaquin Valley Task Force

    For additional information on Kern County operations, please contact:
    Judy Zaninovich
    ACP/HLB Grower Liaison for Kern County
    (559) 730-8691
    jsleslie@msn.com

  • Harvest Weed Seed Control in California: Potential and Limitations

    In Mediterranean or arid climates, particularly in areas with marginal soils, crop rotations are often limited to a narrow range of hay, pasture, a handful of winter legumes, or rainy-season grasses. Arid conditions and weathered soils drove Australia’s rainfed grain growers to adopt no-till strategies earlier than their counterparts in California. While beneficial from a water use perspective, successful no-till systems depend on herbicides to control weeds that were traditionally kept in check with tillage.

    Dependence on herbicides alone in these systems has resulted in weeds with resistance to multiple modes of action. In Australia, there is one documented population of rigid ryegrass (Lolium rigidum) that is resistant to 15 different herbicides, covering seven different modes of action. Italian ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum), an annual winter species commonly found in small grain production systems in California is also notorious for its ability to develop resistance to entire groups of herbicides. One population collected in California orchards has resistance to four modes of action[1], but this population is not yet widespread.

    One advantage is that California is still a long way from Australia in terms of herbicide resistance in our small grain cropping systems. We can look to Australia for 20 years of methods and data that have arisen in an effort to combat herbicide-resistant weeds. And, if we can find a way to slow the spread of herbicide resistance, we may be able to continue relying on some of the herbicides that are available in our area.

    What is Harvest Weed Seed Control?

    When growers need to manage herbicide-resistant populations of weeds without tillage, one strategy is to reduce the amount of seed returned to the seedbank by destroying, or removing weed seed caught during harvest operations. Collectively these strategies are referred to as Harvest Weed Seed Control (HWSC). These methods have long been studied in Australia. Researchers at Washington State University[2], Virginia, Texas, and other parts of the US have been looking into these methods for several years. With increasing herbicide resistance developing in Italian ryegrass populations in California, similar approaches may be worth exploring in the Sacramento Valley.

    HWSC methods include several different strategies. Each have their own constraints and challenges, and all are designed to physically destroy seeds during or after small grain harvest. This prevents new seeds from entering the seedbank, including those that are from plants partially or fully resistant to herbicides used in the field. This reduces the rate of resistance development and the spread of resistant genes.

    Narrow-windrowing – Sorting straw and chaff into narrow windrows, in an effort to contain weed seed in a small area. Windrows can be burned, grazed, or if narrow enough, allowed to compost/ rot in place. If the windrows are left alone, the high rates of carbon will drive soil microbes to scavenge for nitrogen, which subsequently immobilizes plant available nitrogen. Low available nitrogen adds to a crowded, competitive, and less-than-ideal environment for a large number weed individuals that otherwise thrive in high-nitrogen environments. Although this reduces the overall area for the crop, the tradeoff is reduced weed pressure in the rest of the field.  This method is improved by the use of controlled-traffic farming, which ensures that the chaff lines end up in the same area after every harvest (maintaining the competitive environment and containing the weed seed). The material in the windrows can also be destroyed with burning or by grazing.  Burning in windrows has been shown to greatly reduce the survival rate of Italian ryegrass seeds, while additional studies have shown that other species of ryegrass have a roughly 10% survival rate in ruminant stomachs. However, grazing and burning, particularly in the context of California’s wildfire risks, have their own understandable challenges associated with them.

    Narrow Windrowing (photo: Grains Research and Development Corporation, Australian Government)

    Chaff lining/ Chaff tramlining – This technique is similar to narrow windrowing, but in this case only the chaff is funneled into a narrow area and straw is spread throughout the field as normal. Chaff can also be moved to the sides of the combine (using a lateral conveyor belt), being deposited under the path of the wheels (this process is referred to as “tramlining”). Controlled traffic farming ensures that the seed is concentrated in the same place every year. In the case of tramlining, tractor wheels run over the weedy areas with every field operation, ensuring that any weed seeds that germinate end up growing in compacted, competitive, and highly-trafficked soil.

    Chaff Lining using simple plastic guides to funnel chaff into a narrow line. (photo: Mic Fels)

    Direct Baling – Collecting straw and chaff immediately into bales, usually using a tow-along baler behind the combine. After harvest, bales can be moved off the field, thereby removing a large proportion of weed seed before it can disperse into the soil. However, removal of this much biomass can be problematic for growers with low organic matter soils that otherwise benefit from maintaining residues on the ground.

    Integrated impact mills – In these systems, chaff is still ejected back into the field, but only after initially going through a hammer mill that shatters and destroys the seed. High initial equipment investments can cool grower enthusiasm. However, one 2017 report from Australia indicated that 29% of growers considered impact mills to be part of their future operations, indicating that at least some growers consider the benefits to outweigh the costs. Combine compatibility can also be a problem as most of the mills are designed to accommodate the larger combines of the midwest, whereas most California combines are typically optimized for relatively smaller acreage.

    One version of an impact mill attachment added to the back of a combine behind the cleaning sieves (photo: Redekop Mfg)

    Limitations and project work

    The caveat to all of this is that in order for HWSC to be effective, fields need to be harvested before weed seeds shatter (falling from the plant to the ground).  As of yet the shatter patterns of Italian ryegrass in California are not well known. Additionally, previous research has indicated that Italian ryegrass seed retention at small grains harvest can be highly variable across different locations. For example, researchers from the inland Pacific Northwest have reported Italian ryegrass seed retention rates at harvest of 27-50% whereas a 58% of seed retention has been found in Australia. Furthermore, grains in California are planted at different times of the year and our harvest season occurs at different times of the year relative to Australia (not to mention the Pacific Northwest).

    Shatter patterns might well be the same as those in other areas of the world but calling for a full scale HWSC revolution isn’t very useful unless we know that a good amount of the weed seed has not yet shattered in the field when small grain crops are harvested.

    In an effort to address this, UC researchers will begin collecting data on the shatter status of Italian ryegrass populations in several areas of the Sacramento Valley leading up to harvest. If we consistently see that a significant portion of the Italian ryegrass seed remains attached to the plant at harvest, then HWSC strategies may offer viable control options for California. Conversely, if ryegrass seed has largely shattered by the time our grain crops are harvested, then California growers may need to consider other options for control.

    Of course, the best control strategies for herbicide-resistant weeds still include a mixture of different tools such as: the use of herbicides with different modes of action (including pre-emergent and post-emergent types where possible), the use of diversified crop rotations, and well-timed mechanical control. However, a better understanding of the potential for HWSC in California may give growers an edge in reducing the spread of herbicide resistance.

    If growers in Sacramento, Solano, or Yolo County are interested in collaborating with UC Cooperative Extension Agronomists in trials focusing on control of Italian ryegrass in small grain crops or have related questions, please reach out to Konrad Mathesius (kpmathesius@ucanr.edu). — By Konrad Mathesius, with contributions from Thomas Gets, Jose Luis Carvalho de Souza Dias, Brad Hanson, and Mark Lundy (UC Cooperative Extension)

  • Genome to Phenome: ARS Research in Precision Agriculture

    How do you build a better dairy cow? Use a tool designed to study the human genome, of course.

    Working alongside international research partners in the Agricultural Genome to Phenome Initiative (AG2PI), Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists are using technology to meet the challenges of the increasing global population and ever-changing environmental stressors. The goal of AG2PI is to better understand how genetics and the environment together influence the performance of plants and animals. This is easier said than done because regional environmental differences can vary the results of seeds from the same plant.

    “We know that nature (genotype) and nurture (environment and management) are both important factors in agricultural production (phenotype),” said Caird Rexroad III, ARS national program leader for animal production and protection in Beltsville, MD. “We need to better understand exactly how they affect production to develop optimal production strategies that are tailored to the diversity of genetics and environments that make up U.S. and world agriculture.”

    To achieve this goal, AG2PI reaches across kingdoms (scientific classifications) to examine genome-to-phenome challenges. Scientists in the various specialties work together to identify and fill in similar research gaps, access advanced cyberinfrastructure, and share data and new technology, such as sensors, robotics, and imaging platforms.

    “AG2PI is a community of scientists who share a passion for agricultural research and developing technologies that improve our ability to produce a safe, abundant, healthy, and affordable food supply,” Rexroad said. “This platform is inclusive of many scientific disciplines that may not have interacted in the past, such as breeders, engineers, economists, social scientists, etc., and works by sharing ideas, providing trainings on state-of-the-art technologies, and enhancing communication and collaboration.”

    One example of how ARS scientists used AG2PI to avoid research “stovepipes” (the term used to describe how one group may isolate its information from other unrelated groups) involves the international research to improve dairy cattle.

    “The Genome-to-Phenome Initiative began for us in 2007,” said Curt Van Tassell, research geneticist at the ARS Animal Genomics and Improvements Laboratory in Beltsville. According to Van Tassell, the landmark study used existing technology from one scientific discipline and applied it to another; in this case, technology was developed for the human genome and adapted for use in the cow by designing a DNA chip to characterize the whole genome of the cow.

    “We worked closely with dairy genetics industry partners to implement genome-enabled genetic improvement with dramatic impact in the dairy industry,” Van Tassell said. “With the help of our partners, we revolutionized the world of genetic improvement in livestock in one fell swoop.”

    While AG2PI is not in itself a scientific project, it supports all agricultural research that will benefit farmers, ranchers, and consumers, Rexroad said. “Farmers and ranchers will have access to genetics and management practices that will increase yields, improve crop and animal health and well-being, increase production efficiency or product value, and improve sustainability in the production system,” he said.

    “AG2PI is all about agricultural research, and it is inclusive of many scientific disciplines, and that ties into the ARS goal of finding solutions to agricultural problems that affect Americans everyday from farm to table,” Rexroad said. – By Scott Elliott, USDA-ARS Office of Communications