California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • What’s in Your Milk? Examining Component Tests in Federal Orders

    Producers under the California Federal Marketing Order (CFMO) are paid according to the quantity of components in their milk (pounds of butterfat, protein, and other solids) and their respective prices along with a proportionate share of the classified value of the monthly pool as accounted for in the Producer Price Differential (PPD). As has been the case in recent months, the PPD is negative when the collective value of producer components exceeds the classified value of the pool. Two components—butterfat and protein—account for most of the value in a producer’s milk check. This value depends on both the price of each component as well as the concentration of each component in producer milk. This article examines the amount of protein and butterfat in pooled producer milk. The accompanying figures illustrate the butterfat and protein tests of pooled milk on Federal Order (FO) 51 since the Order’s inception and compare them to those under other FOs and to the weighted average tests of all other FOs that utilize component pricing. A map of all Federal Orders and their respective marketing area is available at https://cafmmo.com/publications/marketing-area-maps/.

    Seasonal Trends

    Pooled component tests under all FO areas exhibit a clear seasonal trend: butterfat and protein levels tend to peak in the early winter months, decrease through the spring months, and reach their lowest levels in the warmer summer months before
    climbing through the fall. This strong seasonal trend is present even in FO areas like FO 124     (Pacific Northwest) and FO 33 (Mideast), which had the highest and lowest butterfat tests, respectively, during the period.

    Regional Comparisons

    As shown in Figure 1, FO 51 pool butterfat tests tend to be lower than those of other FO areas. The weighted average butterfat tests in FO 51 from November 2018 to February 2021 is 3.88 percent, the lowest among all FO areas, but only 0.01 percentage points less than FO 33. FO 124 had the highest weighted average butterfat test at 4.10 percent. Excluding FO 51, the weighted average for FO areas using component pricing is 3.96 percent. It is important to note that the low volume of milk pooled and utilized as Class III, as experienced in many orders during 2020, is likely a factor behind some Orders’ lower average component tests.

    Although FO 51 had lower butterfat tests than other FO areas, Figure 2 illustrates that FO 51’s pooled protein tests are significantly above the weighted average for all other FO areas in many months. In fact, FO 51 posted the third-highest weighted average protein test between November 2018 and February 2021 among FOs at 3.21 percent. FO 126 (Southwest) posted the highest weighted average protein test at 3.28, while FO 1 (Northeast) had the lowest at 3.12 percent. Overall, FO 51 posted a weighted average protein test 0.03 percentage points higher than that of all other FO areas using component pricing (3.18). When viewed in the context of recent component pricing trends—namely, record high protein prices in 2020—high protein tests generated the most revenue for producers. Protein accounted for seventy-five percent of the gross payment to FO 51 dairy farmers in 2020 (when calculated at the average tests of pooled milk).

    Market dynamics will continue to have an influence on the component tests of pooled producer milk as producers look to their milk checks and maximize their payment. Pooled component tests, although not indicative of protein and butterfat in milk withheld from the pool, still offer valuable insight into regional and seasonal variations in component levels. — By Cary Hunter, California Federal Milk Marketing Order

  • Marketing Assistance Loan Rates for Wheat, Feed Grains, Oilseeds, Rice and Pulse Crops

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced the 2021 Marketing Assistance Loan rates.

    Marketing Assistance Loans provide interim financing to producers so that commodities can be stored after harvest when market prices are typically low and sold later when market conditions may be more favorable. The 2018 Farm Bill extended the Marketing Assistance Loan program, making production for the 2019 through 2023 crops eligible for loan benefits.

    The 2021 Marketing Assistance Loan rates are available on the Farm Service Agency (FSA) website and below:

    Pandemic Assistance for Producers

    As part of a broader effort to help farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions, FSA has increased flexibilities for producers with Marketing Assistance Loans. Loans now mature at 12 months rather than nine for loans on most commodities. This applies to all loans disbursed beginning October 1, 2020, as well as any new loans requested by September 30, 2021. These flexibilities are part of USDA’s broader Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative, which includes direct payments. More information can be found on farmers.gov/pandemic-assistance.

    More Information

    The CCC’s domestic agricultural price and income support programs are carried out primarily through the personnel and facilities of FSA.

    For more information about the CCC, visit usda.gov/ccc. Producers interested in Marketing Assistance Loans should contact the FSA county office at their local USDA Service Center.

    While USDA offices are currently closed to visitors because of the pandemic, Service Center staff continue to work with agricultural producers via phone, email, and other digital tools. To conduct business, please contact your local USDA Service Center. Additionally, more information related to USDA’s response and relief for producers can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

  • USTR Report Cites Impediments to U.S. Dairy Exports

    The U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) urged the Biden Administration to work to eliminate foreign tariffs on and nontariff impediments to U.S. exports, following the release today by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) of the 2021 National Trade Estimate Report on Foreign Trade Barriers.

    The annual report looks at progress made and challenges remaining on U.S. trade, investment and services in countries around the globe. Compiled from information from USTR, interagency partners and public stakeholders, this year’s report covers 65 countries and regions, including Arab League nations, the European Union (EU), key Asian markets and important Western Hemisphere destinations for U.S. dairy products.

    USDEC and NMPF submitted comments on the major trade obstacles facing the U.S. dairy industry last October, pointing out that tariffs and nontariff barriers in many countries remain significant roadblocks to American dairy exports. Several of those concerns were incorporated in USTR’s report including dairy trade issues in Mexico, Canada, China and the EU, among others. In addition, USTR highlighted in its release that the key agricultural trade barriers captured in the NTE included “restrictions on the ability of U.S. producers to use the common names of the products that they produce and export”.

    “Exports are extremely important to the U.S. dairy industry, which shipped more than $6.5 billion of product to destinations worldwide in 2020,” said Krysta Harden, President and CEO of USDEC. “Obstacles to those exports negatively affect the economic well-being of America’s dairy farmers and jeopardize dairy processing jobs and workers throughout the supply chain who support our industry. These barriers must be removed.”

    “We need USTR to continue pressing our trading partners to eliminate tariffs and nontariff barriers that restrict our dairy exports,” added Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “The best way to do that is by implementing new Free Trade Agreements and enforcing existing agreements.”

    USDEC and NMPF in their comments focused on barriers in key dairy export markets such as Canada, China, the EU and Mexico. Among the bigger obstacles cited by the organizations were the misuse of geographical indications (GIs) and unscientific import requirements and mandates.

    On GIs, for example, the EU has sought to effectively monopolize common cheese terms by attempting to prohibit American cheese makers from using names such as asiago, feta, gorgonzola, gruyere and parmesan and keep out imports of U.S.-made cheeses with those names, not only in EU nations, but in other countries as well.

    The EU also is a leading offender in employing prescriptive requirements to limit imports, including dairy products, imposing, for example, specific animal disease oversight and documentation procedures and limiting the use of veterinary drugs and commonly used antimicrobials. These are the kinds of barriers USDEC and NMPF urge USTR to remove to ensure exports of U.S. dairy products are available to consumers around the world and to protect the millions of American jobs supported by the U.S. dairy industry.

  • Optimizing Yield of Young Pinot Grigio Vines

    Recently planted Pinot Grigio and wondering how much yield to prepare for in its early years? Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Advisor George Zhuang as he shares some key insights for growers from a San Joaquin Valley perspective. Read more in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • CA Expands Vaccine Eligibility Starting April 1

    With supply of vaccines expected to significantly increase in the coming weeks, the state is expanding vaccine eligibility to more Californians. Starting April 1, individuals aged 50+ will be eligible to make an appointment, and individuals 16+ will be eligible to make an appointment to be vaccinated starting on April 15.

    “With vaccine supply increasing and by expanding eligibility to more Californians, the light at the end of the tunnel continues to get brighter,” said Governor Newsom. “We remain focused on equity as we extend vaccine eligibility to those 50 and over starting April 1, and those 16 and older starting April 15. This is possible thanks to the leadership of the Biden-Harris Administration and the countless public health officials across the state who have stepped up to get shots into arms.”

    Based on the current estimates, California expects to be allocated approximately 2.5 million first and second doses per week in the first half of April, and more than 3 million doses in the second half of April. California currently receives about 1.8 million doses per week. These estimates may be adjusted as time goes on. The state has the capacity to administer more than 3 million vaccines per week, and is building the capacity to administer 4 million vaccines weekly by the end of April.

    “We are even closer to putting this pandemic behind us with today’s announcement and with vaccine supplies expected to increase dramatically in the months ahead,” said California Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mark Ghaly. “However, we are not there yet. It will take time to vaccinate all eligible Californians. During this time, we must not let our guard down. It is important that we remain vigilant, continue to wear masks and follow public health guidance.”

    In addition to increased allocations of vaccines to providers serving the hardest hit communities, the state has embarked on a series of initiatives to vaccinate those populations that have faced the highest rates of COVID infections before vaccines become available to the entire 16+ population. These efforts include:

    • Provider funding for programs to reach and vaccinate communities facing the biggest health disparities
    • Working with organized labor to reach essential workers
    • Partnering with agricultural organizations and community-based organizations to vaccinate agricultural workers
    • Allowing providers to target by ZIP code via My Turn with single-use codes (scheduled to launch at the end of March)
    • Supporting a subset of community-based organizations currently partnering with the state on COVID-19 education to provide direct vaccination appointment assistance
    • Prioritizing currently eligible populations and allowing providers the discretion to vaccinate those who live in high-impact areas (County Healthy Places Index Quartiles 1 and 2), including families

    Even with expanded vaccine supplies, it is expected to take several months for willing Californians to be vaccinated. Based on public information shared by vaccine manufacturers and the federal government, California expects to receive several million vaccine doses per week starting sometime in April.

    Along with the expanded eligibility and to align with upcoming federal guidance, California will update its vaccine allocation methodology. This will transition over four weeks, beginning with the March 22 allocation (delivered to providers the following week), from one based on the distribution of the 65+ population, workers in the agriculture and food, education and child care, and emergency services sectors to one based on the distribution of the 16+ population across California. This will be done in conjunction with completion of the shift to the state directly allocating vaccines to providers. The state will continue to double the amount of vaccine allocated to the lowest Healthy Places Index (HPI) quartile as announced on March 4.

    Forty percent of COVID-19 cases and deaths have occurred in the lowest quartile of the HPI, developed by the Public Health Alliance of Southern California, which provides overall scores and data that predict life expectancy and compares community conditions that shape health across the state. The rate of infections for households making less than $40,000 per year (5.7) is 84 percent higher than that of households with an income of $120,000 or more (3.1). At the same time, California’s wealthiest populations have received 50 percent more vaccinations when compared to the rate of our most vulnerable populations. This approach recognizes that the pandemic did not affect California communities equally and that the state is committed to doing better.

  • California Dairy Farmers Help Lead the Way for Clean Energy

    Dairy Cares — California is leading the nation toward a 100 percent clean energy future. Multiple state policies are working to achieve a cleaner, more efficient energy grid and transportation sector. The state’s dairy farmers are also world leaders in energy-smart practices. They’re reducing usage, electrifying equipment, generating renewable energy, and producing carbon-negative transportation fuel.

    California has already made great strides in its clean energy and energy conservation goals:

    • California is the nation’s top producer of electricity from solar, geothermal, and biomass energy.

    • The state is the nation’ second-largest hydroelectricity producer and the fifth-largest of wind energy.

    • An estimated 60% of California’s electricity comes from carbon-free sources.

    • California accounts for almost half of the nation’s electric vehicle sales and 30% of all public electric charging stations.

    • California has the second-lowest per capita energy use in both the residential and commercial sectors.

      The state’s family dairy farms play an important role in these milestones, part of their commitment to planet-smart practices. Their clean energy investments also help improve economic sustainability. Offsetting costs is important, with electricity rates already high and predicted to rise more than 40% over the next ten years.

       Energy efficiency and electrification on dairies

      Over the past several years, dairy farmers have been partnering with local utility providers to conduct energy audits. The audits identify opportunities, enabling farmers to implement changes that reduce energy needs. Incentive and rebate programs have helped them to invest in the latest, most efficient technologies—changing the way they light barns and milking parlors, pump water, refrigerate milk, and keep cows cool. Individual farms have cut energy use up to 20% through efficiency investments. However, as farms convert from diesel to electric equipment—reducing reliance on fossil fuels and cleaning the air—their need for electricity is also growing.

      Steve Maddox is one of more than 150 California dairy farmers who generates solar energy.
      Solar dairy farms
      Investments in solar energy is another way many dairy farmers are offsetting costs and helping create a cleaner electricity grid. More than 150 of the state’s dairy farms are generating solar energy for on-farm usage. The average capacity of these systems is about 1 megawatt (MW). Several dairy farmers are now doubling their investments, adding more panels to achieve 2-3 MW capacity. Depending on farm size and crop irrigation needs, these systems are meeting the majority of farm energy needs.
      Jared Fernandes’ family dairy is creating carbon-negative transportation.

      Digesters fueling transportation

      California is also leading the nation in the development of dairy digesters, which capture methane emissions and create renewable energy. About 140 projects are in operation or in various stages of development. The earliest projects built in the state produce electricity. Now, more than 115 California dairy farms already or will soon create carbon-negative transportation fuel to replace the use of diesel in heavy-duty trucks. These “barn-to-biogas” projects are helping shrink dairy’s carbon footprint to unprecedented levels, while also helping the state meet clean air and transportation goals. Transportation is the largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in California, accounting for more than 50 percent of GHGs. Dairy digesters provide significant farm-related greenhouse gas reductions and play an important role in achieving the state’s climate goals.
       

      Dairy farmers are doing their part to contribute to a sustainable, clean energy future that benefits all Californians.

  • CDFA’s Alternative Manure Management Program Reaches Milestone

    CDFA’s Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) provides financial assistance for the implementation of non-digester manure management practices on California dairy and livestock operations, which will result in reduced emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas (GHG) 25 times more potent than carbon dioxide in its potential to warm the atmosphere.

    Eligible practices for funding through AMMP include: pasture-based management; alternative manure treatment and storage (such as compost bedded pack barns); and solid separation or conversion from flush to scrape in conjunction with some form of drying or composting of collected manure.

    In March 2021, all 35 projects funded by the AMMP in the 2018 round have been completed. Collectively, these projects will reduce GHG emissions by 296,060 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents (MTCO2e) over the project life of 5 years. Some of the 2018 AMMP recipients include Art Silva Dairy, Den-K Holsteins, Frank Coelho & Sons Dairy, and SBS Ag Dairy.

    The AMMP is funded through the California Climate Investments and was first launched in 2017. To date, the program has had four rounds of funding, in 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020. For all four rounds, 114 incentive projects have been funded with a projected GHG emission reduction of 1.1 million MTCO2e over 5 years. Sixty-one projects funded in 2019 and 2020 are expected to be completed in 2021 and 2022, respectively. Eighteen projects funded in 2017 were completed by the summer of 2020.

    “I am very pleased that we have reached this milestone in the AMMP program,” said CDFA secretary Karen Ross. “California dairy farmers are achieving methane reductions every day, having changed their manure management practices in significant ways. These changes will help our dairy families meet their sustainability goals well into the future.”

    Lists of program-level and project-level progress of projects funded through the AMMP are available on the AMMP webpage: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/AMMP/.

    Interested stakeholders and members of the public may sign up to receive AMMP-related updates through the mailing listof the CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI), home to CDFA’s numerous Climate Smart Agriculture Incentives Programs in addition to AMMP, such as the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program (DDRDP), State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and the Healthy Soils Program (HSP).

  • California Dairy Producers Recognized at Sealpro® Forage Contest

    “We had exactly 100 entries – 32 more than last year – in the second annual Sealpro® Forage Contest. Lab results of three categories were placed by an independent nutrition consultant: Alfalfa Haylage, Winter Forage, and Corn Silage. Complete contest results were based 60% on the Rock River Laboratory, Inc. complete lab analysis, 30% on actual sample inspection, and 10% on drive over shape, face management, and safety from a photo of the pile or bunker the sample was taken from.

    “Our goal for the contest was to engage everyone through sight, smell, touch, and science,” said Connie Kuber, Connor Agriscience. “The contest normally would be held at the World Ag Expo, but with no show this year, we conducted it virtually. There is always something new to learn about forage, no matter how long you’ve been making it. Every year Mother Nature presents a different harvest scenario. The better prepared we are to meet that challenge through planning, communicating with our harvest crews, and keeping an eye on harvest method, the more dry matter and nutrients we’ll have. Our winners are great examples of that kind of care and attention to detail.”

    Contest results follow. Winners will receive a plaque and prize money in each category: First place $500, Second place $250, Third place $100.

    ALFALFA HAYLAGE

    First place: Chowchilla South Dairy, Chowchilla, CA

    Second place: John DeGroot and Sons Dairy, Fresno, CA

    Third place: Chowchilla North Dairy, Chowchilla, CA

    WINTER FORAGE

    First place: Milk Made Dairy, Ballico, CA

    Second place: Cloverdale Dairy, Hanford, CA

    Third place: Flint Dairy, Hanford, CA

    CORN SILAGE

    First place: Scheenstra Dairy, Tipton, CA

    Second place: Crossview Dairy, Oakdale, CA

    Third place: Jacobus DeGroot Dairy #1,Visalia, CA

    The Sealpro® YOU be the Judge Contest was also held virtually. Entrants placed four corn silage samples. Twenty-five entries competed for prize money at each level: First place $250, Second place $100, Third and Fourth place $50.

    FFA CHAPTER TEAM

    First place: Ripon Christian FFA, Ripon, CA

    COLLEGIATE TEAM

    First place: Iowa State CVM 2023 Bovine Doctors, Ames, IA

    Second place: Miner Institute, Chazy, NY

    INDIVIDUAL

    First place: Ashlee Cormier, Berwick, ME

    Second place: Laurie Winkelman, Appleton,WI

    Third place: Charlie Leech, Lexington,VA

    Fourth place: Tony Lopes, Gustine, CA

  • USDA Announces New & Expanded Pandemic Assistance for Farmers

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that USDA is establishing new programs and efforts to bring financial assistance to farmers, ranchers and producers who felt the impact of COVID-19 market disruptions. The new initiative—USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers—will reach a broader set of producers than in previous COVID-19 aid programs. USDA is dedicating at least $6 billion toward the new programs. The Department will also develop rules for new programs that will put a greater emphasis on outreach to small and socially disadvantaged producers, specialty crop and organic producers, timber harvesters, as well as provide support for the food supply chain and producers of renewable fuel, among others. Existing programs like the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP) will fall within the new initiative and, where statutory authority allows, will be refined to better address the needs of producers.

    USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers was needed, said Vilsack, after a review of previous COVID-19 assistance programs targeting farmers identified a number of gaps and disparities in how assistance was distributed as well as inadequate outreach to underserved producers and smaller and medium operations.

    “The pandemic affected all of agriculture, but many farmers did not benefit from previous rounds of pandemic-related assistance. The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to helping as many producers as possible, as equitably as possible,” said Vilsack. “Our new USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative will help get financial assistance to a broader set of producers, including to socially disadvantaged communities, small and medium sized producers, and farmers and producers of less traditional crops.”

    USDA will reopen sign-up for CFAP 2 for at least 60 days beginning on April 5, 2021. The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) has committed at least $2.5 million to improve outreach for CFAP 2 and will establish partnerships with organizations with strong connections to socially disadvantaged communities to ensure they are informed and aware of the application process.

    The payments announced today (under Part 3, below) will go out under the existing CFAP rules; however, future opportunities for USDA Pandemic Assistance will be reviewed for verified need and during the rulemaking process, USDA will look to make eligibility more consistent with the Farm Bill. Moving forward, USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers will utilize existing programs, such as the Local Agricultural Marketing Program, Farming Opportunities Training and Outreach, and Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, and others to enhance educational and market opportunities for agricultural producers.

    USDA Pandemic Assistance for Producers – 4 Parts Announced Today

    Part 1: Investing $6 Billion to Expand Help & Assistance to More Producers

    USDA will dedicate at least $6 billion to develop a number of new programs or modify existing proposals using discretionary funding from the Consolidated Appropriations Act and other coronavirus funding that went unspent by the previous administration. Where rulemaking is required, it will commence this spring. These efforts will include assistance for:

    • Dairy farmers through the Dairy Donation Program or other means:
    • Euthanized livestock and poultry;
    • Biofuels;
    • Specialty crops, beginning farmers, local, urban and organic farms;
    • Costs for organic certification or to continue or add conservation activities
    • Other possible expansion and corrections to CFAP that were not part of today’s announcement such as to support dairy or other livestock producers;
    • Timber harvesting and hauling;
    • Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and other protective measures for food and farm workers and specialty crop and seafood producers, processors and distributors;
    • Improving the resilience of the food supply chain, including assistance to meat and poultry operations to facilitate interstate shipment;
    • Developing infrastructure to support donation and distribution of perishable commodities, including food donation and distribution through farm-to-school, restaurants or other community organizations; and
    • Reducing food waste.

    Part 2: Adding $500 Million of New Funding to Existing Programs

    USDA expects to begin investing approximately $500 million in expedited assistance through several existing programs this spring, with most by April 30. This new assistance includes:

    • $100 million in additional funding for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, administered by the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS), which enhances the competitiveness of fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops.
    • $75 million in additional funding for the Farmers Opportunities Training and Outreach program, administered by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and the Office of Partnerships and Public Engagement, which encourages and assists socially disadvantaged, veteran, and beginning farmers and ranchers in the ownership and operation of farms and ranches.
    • $100 million in additional funding for the Local Agricultural Marketing Program, administered by the AMS and Rural Development, which supports the development, coordination and expansion of direct producer-to-consumer marketing, local and regional food markets and enterprises and value-added agricultural products.
    • $75 million in additional funding for the Gus Schumacher Nutrition Incentive Program, administered by the NIFA, which provides funding opportunities to conduct and evaluate projects providing incentives to increase the purchase of fruits and vegetables by low-income consumers
    • $20 million for the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service to improve and maintain animal disease prevention and response capacity, including the National Animal Health Laboratory Network.
    • $20 million for the Agricultural Research Service to work collaboratively with Texas A&M on the critical intersection between responsive agriculture, food production, and human nutrition and health.
    • $28 million for NIFA to provide grants to state departments of agriculture to expand or sustain existing farm stress assistance programs.
    • Approximately $80 million in additional payments to domestic users of upland and extra-long staple cotton based on a formula set in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 that USDA plans to deliver through the Economic Adjustment Assistance for Textile Mills program.

    Part 3: Carrying Out Formula Payments under CFAP 1, CFAP 2, CFAP AA

    The Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021, enacted December 2020 requires FSA to make certain payments to producers according to a mandated formula. USDA is now expediting these provisions because there is no discretion involved in interpreting such directives, they are self-enacting.

    • An increase in CFAP 1 payment rates for cattle. Cattle producers with approved CFAP 1 applications will automatically receive these payments beginning in April. Information on the additional payment rates for cattle can be found on farmers.gov/cfap. Eligible producers do not need to submit new applications, since payments are based on previously approved CFAP 1 applications. USDA estimates additional payments of more than $1.1 billion to more than 410,000 producers, according to the mandated formula.
    • Additional CFAP assistance of $20 per acre for producers of eligible crops identified as CFAP 2 flat-rate or price-trigger crops beginning in April. This includes alfalfa, corn, cotton, hemp, peanuts, rice, sorghum, soybeans, sugar beets and wheat, among other crops. FSA will automatically issue payments to eligible price trigger and flat-rate crop producers based on the eligible acres included on their CFAP 2 applications. Eligible producers do not need to submit a new CFAP 2 application. For a list of all eligible row-crops, visit farmers.gov/cfap. USDA estimates additional payments of more than $4.5 billion to more than 560,000 producers, according to the mandated formula.
    • USDA will finalize routine decisions and minor formula adjustments on applications and begin processing payments for certain applications filed as part of the CFAP Additional Assistance program in the following categories:
      • Applications filed for pullets and turfgrass sod;
      • A formula correction for row-crop producer applications to allow producers with a non-Actual Production History (APH) insurance policy to use 100% of the 2019 Agriculture Risk Coverage-County Option (ARC-CO) benchmark yield in the calculation;
      • Sales commodity applications revised to include insurance indemnities, Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program payments, and Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus payments, as required by statute; and
      • Additional payments for swine producers and contract growers under CFAP Additional Assistance remain on hold and are likely to require modifications to the regulation as part of the broader evaluation and future assistance; however, FSA will continue to accept applications from interested producers.

    Part 4: Reopening CFAP 2 Sign-Up to Improve Access & Outreach to Underserved Producers

    As noted above, USDA will re-open sign-up for of CFAP 2 for at least 60 days beginning on April 5, 2021.

    • FSA has committed at least $2.5 million to establish partnerships and direct outreach efforts intended to improve outreach for CFAP 2 and will cooperate with grassroots organizations with strong connections to socially disadvantaged communities to ensure they are informed and aware of the application process.

    Please stay tuned for additional information and announcements under the USDA Pandemic Assistance to Producersinitiative, which will help to expand and more equitably distribute financial assistance to producers and farming operations during the COVID-19 national emergency. Please visit www.farmers.gov for more information on the details of today’s announcement.

    USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, ensuring access to healthy and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate-smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean-energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

  • Managing Crown Gall in Walnut May Reduce Incidence of Thousand Cankers Disease

    As the pandemic precluded an in-person UC Tri-County Walnut Day this year, we’d like to share this informative video from Walnut Days past, as Thousand Cankers Disease continues to be an issue for California walnut growers.  If your walnut orchard is suffering from Thousand Cankers Disease, chances are that you may have other pathogens infecting your trees as well.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Farm Advisor Elizabeth Fichtner and the late UC Davis Entomologist & Chemical Ecologist Steven Seybold as they share some key insights on disease management and prevention. Read more walnut IPM in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.