California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Prepare Now to Apply for This Substantial California Dairy Funding Opportunity

    Many California dairy producers have heard of and even participated in CDFA’s Alternative Manure Management Program; but there is now an additional program available to California dairy producers for a considerable amount of funding known as the Dairy Plus program.  Investing in manure separators, dairy digesters or even vermifiltration wastewater treatment systems have a real positive impact on lowering a dairy’s carbon footprint; however, the cost of purchasing any one of these systems is often far out of reach for the dairy producer.  Watch this brief interview with Paul Sousa from Western United Dairies as he explains the new Dairy Plus program and how dairy producers can prepare and qualify for the funding.

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

  • UC Davis & Iowa State Students Earn DCHA Scholarships

    The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (DCHA) awarded $1,000 scholarships to Conor McCabe, son of Jean and John McCabe, West Linn, Ore., a University of California-Davis PhD candidate; and Irene Nielsen, daughter of Miriam Weber Nielsen, Potterville, Mich., an Iowa State University undergraduate student. The DCHA scholarship program recognizes outstanding students pursuing a degree in agriculture, with a particular interest in calf health and future productivity.

    McCabe earned his bachelor’s degree in animal science from Cornell University, followed by a master’s degree in animal science from Purdue University. Currently, he is working in the Mitloehner Cattle Air Quality Research Lab at UC-Davis, where he orchestrated a successful grant proposal to perform an entire lactation dairy cattle 3-nitrooxypropanol study to measure impacts on methane emissions, animal health and milk production. Additionally, McCabe taught undergraduate and graduate students, from predominantly urban areas, on appropriate cattle handling procedures, emission measurement methodologies and best data collection practices. For the Clarity and Leadership for Environmental Awareness and Research Center, he developed eight blog writings for a lay consumer audience to communicate awareness of cattle production’s impact on climate and food systems through both an environmental and nutrition lens. During the summer of 2018, McCabe was a clinical research intern with Zoetis; during the summer of 2017, he was a global regulatory operations intern with Elanco. To complement his research and work experiences, McCabe serves as the MooC Davis (Dairy Science Club at UC-Davis) club advisor and American Dairy Science Association president of the graduate student division.

    Nielsen is pursuing a bachelor’s degree in dairy science, international agriculture and agricultural communications. Currently, she works as an undergraduate communications assistant for The Center for Food Security and Public Health, and as an undergraduate research assistant in Iowa State University’s animal science department, under the guidance of Gail Carpenter. As a communications assistant, she composes science-based blog posts for producers focused on disease prevention for food production livestock, coordinates social media for “The Livestock Project” and researches and constructs educational resources for “Day 1 Competencies for Veterinarians,” which are used in veterinary schools in developing countries. In her research role, Nielsen assists in studying associations with pre-weaning health and performance with lifetime outcomes in Holstein dairy cattle. Also, she performs data entry and analysis using PCDART to evaluate the effects of changing management practices, and records calf weights and draws blood for studying the effects of starch diets on beef-on-dairy calves. Last summer, Nielsen interned with CentralStar Cooperative as a research and development laboratory intern, and did research on mastitis pathogen PCR kits, bovine leukemia virus and fatty acids.

    The Dairy Calf & Heifer Association (www.calfandheifer.org) was founded in 1996 based on the mission to help dairy producers, calf managers and those professionally focused on the growth and management of dairy calves and heifers. With a national membership of producers, allied industries and research leaders, DCHA seeks to provide the industry’s standards for profitability, performance and leadership, serving as a catalyst to help members improve the vitality and viability of their individual efforts and that of their business.

  • Record Demand for Butterfat in Dairy Expected to Continue

    At the World Ag Expo, California Dairy Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Corey Geiger, Lead Dairy Economist from CoBank, to get the inside scoop on record growth trends in demand for butterfat in dairy and what this means for California dairy producers.  Watch this brief interview, and read more in California Dairy Magazine.

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

  • California Ag Well Represented in USDA Trade Mission for New Opportunities in South Korea

    Representatives from 49 U.S. companies and organizations will join the U.S. Department of Agriculture agribusiness trade mission to Seoul, South Korea, led by Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor, March 25-28.

    “Exports of U.S. agricultural and related products to South Korea totaled more than $8 billion in 2023, and it is a critical market as we continue to focus on diverse market opportunities for U.S. food and agricultural exports,” Under Secretary Taylor said. “U.S. agricultural products are highly valued and trusted by Korean consumers. I’m confident that this trade mission will produce great results for America’s farmers, ranchers, agribusinesses, and exporters, as we work to strengthen trade with our existing partners and expand and diversify the products we offer.”

    South Korea ranks as the United States’ fifth-largest single-export market. Also, as one of the fastest-growing economies in the developed world during the past several decades, and with relativity small amounts of arable land, South Korea relies heavily on imported agricultural goods, especially meat and bulk commodities, to satisfy food and feed demand.

    While on the trade mission, participants will engage in targeted business-to-business meetings and pre-arranged site visits to build new trade linkages, strengthen existing partnerships, observe U.S. products in the marketplace, and discover the latest Korean consumer food trends. Participants will also receive in-depth market briefings from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and industry trade experts.

    In addition to representatives from the following businesses and organizations, Under Secretary Taylor will be joined by Arkansas Secretary of Agriculture Wes Ward, California Secretary of Agriculture Karen Ross, Indiana Director of Agriculture Don Lamb, North Dakota Commissioner of Agriculture Doug Goehring, and officials from the Indiana and Kansas state departments of agriculture.

    1. Agropur, Appleton, Wis.
    2. The Akana Group, Inc., Houston, Texas
    3. American Commodity Company, Williams, Calif.
    4. American Egg Board, Chicago, Ill.
    5. American Peanut Council, Alexandria, Va.
    6. Blue Diamond Growers, Sacramento, Calif.
    7. California Fresh Fruit Association, Fresno, Calif.
    8. California Prune Board, Roseville, Calif.
    9. Dragonberry Produce & Sweets, Canby, Ore.
    10. East-West, Moreland Hills, Ohio
    11. Empire Nut Company, Colusa, Calif.
    12. Farm Breeze International, LLC, Tacoma, Wash.
    13. Fresh Pacific International, Fresno, Calif.
    14. Georgia Pecan Commission, Tifton, Ga.
    15. Gladisa USA, Conroe, Texas
    16. Grand Napa Vineyards, Napa, Calif.
    17. Globex International, Inc., New York, N.Y.
    18. Golden Valley Grape Juice & Wine, LLC, Madera, Calif.
    19. Homegrown Organics, Porterville, Calif.
    20. Integra Foods, Bladenboro, N.C.
    21. Jack’s Alimentary Supply, Inc., Lowell, Mass.
    22. Lead USA Global Group, LLC, Monterey Park, Calif.
    23. Limoneira, Santa Paula, Calif.
    24. Little Toad Creek Brewery & Distillery, Silver City, N.M.
    25. Mountain View Fruit Sales, Kingsburg, Calif.
    26. National Pork Board, Clive, Iowa
    27. Nature’s Sungrown Foods, LLC, San Rafael, Calif.
    28. Norris Farms, LLC, Roseburg, Ore.
    29. Oregon Berry Packing, Inc., Hillsboro, Ore.
    30. Oregon Wheat Commission, Portland, Ore.
    31. Pacific Cheese Co., Inc., Hayward, Calif.
    32. Pet Food Institute, Washington, D.C.
    33. Premium Peanut, Douglas, Ga.
    34. Redwood International, Irvine, Calif.
    35. Sakuma Bros. Farms, Burlington, Wash.
    36. Schreiber Foods, Green Bay, Wis.
    37. Scott Brothers Dairy, Chino, Calif.
    38. Select Harvest USA, Turlock, Calif.
    39. Space Enterprises, LLC, The Woodlands, Texas
    40. Spread the Love, LLC, Los Angeles, Calif.
    41. Talmera USA, Inc., Seattle, Wash.
    42. Tedford/Tellico, Inc., Knoxville, Tenn.
    43. S. Grains Council, Washington, D.C.
    44. S. Highbush Blueberry Council, Folsom, Calif.
    45. S. Soybean Export Council, Chesterfield, Mo.
    46. S. Wheat Associates, Arlington, Va.
    47. S. Wine Exports Company, Ltd., Ravenna, Ohio
    48. USA Rice Federation, Alexandria, Va.
    49. Valley Pride Ag Co., Fresno, Calif.

    USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

  • Nuanced Market Dynamics Will Complicate Pace of Rural Broadband Consolidation

    The rural broadband industry has been a major focus for investors, private equity sponsors and government across federal and state levels in recent years. That heightened level of interest and investment has led to an unprecedented amount of private and public capital flowing to rural America to build or expand broadband network infrastructure. Private investors, attracted by the favorable economics of the broadband service business model, are aiming to capitalize on the opportunity to tap underserved markets.

    While merger and acquisition activity in the rural broadband market has slowed due to high interest rates and other economic headwinds, further consolidation within the industry is expected in the years ahead. However, the degree and pace of rural broadband consolidation is not likely to match what has played out in the cable and wireless industries over the last few decades.

    According to a new report from CoBank’s Knowledge Exchange, several forces are driving broadband consolation, including the need for greater scale, investor interest in owning broadband assets and potential M&A interest from large cable operators struggling to grow their broadband base. But the fragmented nature of the market is likely to limit the rate and scope of industry consolidation.

    “Rural broadband consolidation will probably look different than other industries where M&A is largely a function of horizontal integration,” said Jeff Johnston, lead communications economist with CoBank. “The industry is heavily fragmented with thousands of uniquely structured operators offering either fiber, digital subscriber lines, coaxial solutions and more recently, fixed wireless carriers. Typically, this level of fragmentation leads to consolidation only when growth starts to slow, or scale becomes a bigger priority.”

    Independent rural broadband operators have their own unique mission, service territory and business case, which means many will not be M&A candidates. Some of these operators will get overbuilt with fiber from larger players and will struggle to survive. Others operating in high-cost, remote areas may not be attractive assets for an investor or another company to own. And cooperatively-owned operators, which have been formed to serve a specific need and are likely the only provider in the area, have historically been hesitant to sell.

    But given the sheer number of broadband operators and the coverage holes that are being addressed with new fiber networks, it is probable many operators in attractive markets may be considered M&A candidates.

    Institutional investors have been one of the driving forces behind broadband industry M&A over the last five years and will play an important role in future consolidation activity. During the most recent period, investors drove EBITDA valuations higher than most industry participants thought they would ever go.

    However, the ensuing inflationary pressures, labor shortages and higher interest rates all negatively impacted investors’ ability to upgrade networks and turn over their portfolio. Those unforeseen circumstances have impacted investors’ return on investment and will likely cast a cloud over M&A until costs and timelines begin to normalize.

    “Further consolidation will take time to play out, but it does seem to be a question of when, not if,” said Johnston. “It’s also a question of how much. Either way, a broadband operator in rural America providing a reliable service will continue to be an increasingly valuable asset to the future of its community. The pandemic clearly illustrated the vulnerabilities of those without reliable broadband service and AI will be another powerful reminder.”

    Watch a video synopsis and read the report, Shifting Signals Create Uncertainty for Rural Broadband Consolidation.

    About CoBank

    CoBank is a cooperative bank serving vital industries across rural America. The bank provides loans, leases, export financing and other financial services to agribusinesses and rural power, water and communications providers in all 50 states. The bank also provides wholesale loans and other financial services to affiliated Farm Credit associations serving more than 77,000 farmers, ranchers and other rural borrowers in 23 states around the country.

    CoBank is a member of the Farm Credit System, a nationwide network of banks and retail lending associations chartered to support the borrowing needs of U.S. agriculture, rural infrastructure and rural communities. Headquartered outside Denver, Colorado, CoBank serves customers from regional banking centers across the U.S. and also maintains an international representative office in Singapore.

  • Westlands Water District Now Accepting Applications for 2024 High School Scholarships

    Westlands Water District is pleased to announce the twentieth year of the District’s annual scholarship program in support of high school seniors pursuing higher education. As a symbol of the District’s steadfast support for San Joaquin Valley youth, the Westlands Water District Board of Directors has once more expanded the scholarship program to award up to twenty $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from local high schools in 2024. Over the past 19 years, the District has proudly supported over 120 students to pursue their academic goals.

    High school seniors graduating from the following westside school districts are eligible to apply for the District’s scholarship: Reef-Sunset Unified School District, Coalinga-Huron Unified School District, Firebaugh-Las Deltas Unified School District, Hanford Joint Union High School District, Lemoore Union High School District, Mendota Unified School District, Riverdale Joint Unified School District, and Golden Plains Unified School District.

    “The Westlands Water District Scholarship meant so much to me as it has allowed me to put my education as my first priority. With this scholarship, I was able to purchase my laptop. Without this scholarship, I would not have been able to complete my schoolwork.”

    -Grace Kinney, 2022 Westlands Scholarship Recipient

    Students will be evaluated based on their application, essay, academic transcripts, reference letters, demonstrated leadership, contributions to local communities, career goals, and need. Each scholarship recipient will receive $1,000 to be used for accredited post-secondary education expenses.

    The deadline to apply for the Westlands Water District 2024 High School Scholarship is 11:59 p.m. on April 21, 2024. All applications and supporting documents must be received by the District on or before the application deadline. Applications and supporting documents may be submitted on the District website.

    For more information, please contact the public affairs office at (559) 241-6233 or at pubaffairs@wwd.ca.gov.

    About Westlands Water District

    Westlands Water District is recognized as a world leader in agricultural water conservation and has served the farmers and rural communities on the west side of Fresno and Kings counties for more than five decades. As stewards of one of California’s most precious natural resources, Westlands continually invests in conservation, and champions farmers deploying innovative irrigation methods based on the best available technology.

  • UCCE Tulare County Assists Pathologists in Survey for Decay Fungus in Prunes

    Recently, extensive wood decay-related limb breakages have been reported in commercial prune orchards in the Sacramento Valley, adversely affecting fruit production and limiting the value of salable firewood upon orchard removal. Several fungal genera such as Phellinus, Rhodoformes, Schizophyllum, Sterum, Trametes, Ceriporia, and Perenoporia have been recognized for wood-decaying activity on California prunes.  Phellinus pomaceus has been the primary organism associated with prune decay symptoms in the Sacramento Valley; however, it is yet unknown whether P. pomaceus is present in southern San Joaquin Valley prune orchards.

    Figure 1: Symptoms of advanced Phellinus pomaceus infection, showing white rot internal decay of heartwood. Scale bars 10 cm.

    Phellinus pomaceus, specific to prunes and other plums, is one of the commonly reported wood-decaying fungi that attack the heartwood (non-functional xylem) of mature trees (Figure 1). It tends to attack the trunk and large-diameter branches, often resulting in broken limbs and the loss of fruit-bearing scaffolds. In fact, older trees are more likely to contain infection by the fungus, and frequent pruning of large branches may increase the probability of infection due to exposure of the internal heartwood. The fungus can be identified based on its fruiting bodies that emerge as conks or shelf-like brackets that are usually hard, woody, and hoof-shaped (Figure 2). Under the right conditions, these fruiting bodies are often perennial and may exhibit a darkened upper surface after several years of development.

    UCCE Tulare County assisted UC Davis researchers from the Department of Plant Pathology in surveying Tulare County prune orchards for presence of P. pomaceus. Laurel Hoffman, a PhD student working under Dave Rizzo, Professor of Plant Pathology, visited our local UCCE Tulare County office, coordinating with Elizabeth Fichtner, UCCE farm advisor, to visit and survey prune orchards for the pathogen. With the assistance of Walter Martinez, Tulare County Ag Technician, and Santosh Bhandari, Assistant Specialist, six local ‘French’ prune orchards were surveyed with data collected on tree canopy status and presence or absence of fruiting bodies associated with decay fungi. Surveyed orchards were all over 15 years old and were in varying states of overall productivity. Samples from putative decay fungi were collected and brought back to UC Davis for genetic sequencing to identify the specimens. A preliminary observation based on the initial survey suggests that the prevalence of putative decay fungi in prune orchards is lower in the southern San Joaquin Valley than in the Sacramento Valley. The presence of P. pomaceus in the southern San Joaquin Valley has not yet been confirmed.

    To date, there are no control measures for management of P. pomaceus. Chemical control strategies are not available for management of this disease. Removal of fruiting bodies may limit sporulation, thus having the potential to slow disease transmission. However, the value of this technique is limited by the ability to remove conks prior to sporulation and conks may be difficult to see, particularly after leaf out. Additionally, if the pathogen is present at a high level in (or near) affected orchards, the removal of conks may not significantly influence the total load of spores at a site. Fruiting body removal would not affect the health of infected trees because they are already colonized by the fungus.

    Most of California’s prunes are sold in the dried fruit market; however, a few orchards are reserved for fresh prune production. After the economic lifespan of prune orchards, trees are removed, generating wood that can either be sold as firewood, or reintroduced to the soil through whole orchard recycling.  Infection with decay fungi such as P. pomaceous may adversely affect fruit production, limit the lifespan of infected trees, and reduce the economic longevity of orchards. — By Santosh Bhandari, Laurel Hoffman & Elizabeth Fichtner, UC Cooperative Extension

  • $12.2 Million Secured for San Joaquin Valley Projects, Including Groundwater Recharge

    Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) reported the securing of $12,235,783 in Community Project Funding through the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. This funding will respond directly to some of the most pressing needs in Fresno and Tulare counties. The budget is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden later this week.

    “Bringing back federal funding to the San Joaquin Valley is one of my top priorities. These projects will support underserved communities and foster economic development while providing more opportunities for folks to get ahead. I am proud to have fought for this funding to build stronger, more resilient communities.” said Costa.

    Federal funding has been secured for 15 local projects that will directly benefit Fresno and Tulare County residents. These include: 

    • $3 million to invest in the Upper Kings Groundwater Resiliency Project facilitated by the Alta, Fresno, and Consolidated Irrigation Districts, which would construct 3,300 acres of basins to be used for capturing surface water in wet years and pumping groundwater during dry years.
    • $1.4 million to initiate Phase II of the Fresno-Yosemite Airport Terminal Expansion Project, which includes new TSA and airline baggage handling areas with added capacity and a new upper-level concourse with two dual-use passenger bridges to facilitate domestic and international boarding, larger hold rooms, space for new shopping and dining concessions.
    • $1 million to help complete a feasibility study to allow for the construction of the Seaborn Reservoir Project, a multi-benefit reservoir to capture high-flow flood release and reduce the downstream flooding hazard to local infrastructure in Tulare County.
    • $959,752 for the City of Dinuba to expand its existing sewer capacity, while creating jobs and protecting public health from sewer spills and overflows.
    • $959,752 for the City of Visalia – Groundwater Basin Project to increase groundwater recharge capacity, while maintaining groundwater levels and improving drought resiliency.
    • $850,000 for the modernization of the Marjaree Mason Center – Community Resource Center, a newly purchased building to provide comprehensive support services to survivors of domestic violence in the San Joaquin Valley.
    • $850,000 to help revitalize the fire station in the City of Sanger, which would accommodate additional space for training, dormitories, storage, and coverage parking for fire engines in the rear of the facility.
    • $750,000 for the Traver Sewer System Feasibility Study Project, which would improve wastewater service and expand sewer capacity in the community of Traver.
    • $500,000 for the City of Farmersville – Streetlamp Project to help install new streetlights, strengthen security, and enhance safety at night in the community.
    • $500,000 for the City of Fowler – Downtown Streetscape Project, which would reinforce Fowler’s history, developing walkable streets and creating public spaces for the community.
    • $500,000 for the City of Woodlake – Mulberry Street Roundabout Project, which would construct a roundabout at the intersection of Naranjo Boulevard (SR-216) and Mulberry Street.
    • $500,000 for the Habitat for Humanity Project for Disabled Veterans, which would develop additional housing for disabled and unhoused veterans in Tulare County, while ensuring ADA-compliant infrastructure.
    • $400,000 for the Food to Share Hub Project to sustain healthy food access programs and other social services across Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties.

    BUDGET WINS FOR VALLEY FAMILIES

    • Fully funds the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at $7.03 billion and reverses the Republican effort to drastically cut the fruit and vegetable benefits in the WIC program.
    • Secured $134 million for Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act water storage projects, which have benefitted Valley projects like B.F. Sisk Dam, Sites Reservoir, and the Friant-Kern Canal in the past.
    • Secured $14 million for the Water Operations Technical Support (WOTS) to improve water resource management at Army Corps of Engineers reservoir projects, which could benefit Terminus Dam and Pine Flat.
    • Secured $41 million in Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA) funding to invest in Children’s Advocacy Centers to help victims of child abuse.
    • Protects women’s access to mifepristone nationwide.
    • Provides additional funding to continue the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act pay increase for wildland firefighters.
    • Stabilizes communities by protecting housing assistance for nearly 5 million low-income individuals and families to ensure they continue to remain in safe, stable, and affordable housing.

    Learn more about the Community Project Funding process.

    For more information about the six budget bills, click HERE.

    View a list of Victories HERE.

  • Growing Matters’ BeSure! Campaign Promotes Best-Stewardship Practices Ahead of 2024 Planting Season

    To the agriculture industry collaboration, Growing Matters, our planet and people come first. That’s why its annual BeSure! campaign is back for another year to promote the implementation of proper stewardship practices during planting season to help protect the biodiversity surrounding America’s farmland. This campaign was created in 2019 to educate growers and applicators about responsible stewardship measures for neonicotinoid products to minimize any potential impact on pollinators and other wildlife.

    The BeSure! campaign has helped educate millions of growers, crop protection applicators, urban landscaper applicators and agricultural supply retailers on best-management practices. BeSure! advocates that reading and following label instructions on neonicotinoid products is the first and most important consideration when handling any pesticide product. Labels provide precise information on how to minimize potential exposures to bees and wildlife, as well as how products may be safely used, handled, stored and disposed of.

    “Farmers, including soy producers, are committed to complying with pesticide laws and regulations to protect people, wildlife and the environment,” said Josh Gackle, American Soybean Association president and soy grower from North Dakota. “The Growing Matters BeSure! campaign educates on safe, beneficial uses of neonicotinoids and is a great example of how the agriculture industry networks to share, learn, and implement best practices and repeatedly make the A-grade on pesticide usage to protect our people and our pollinators.”

    In addition to the American Soybean Association (ASA), the campaign is endorsed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), CropLife America, the Agricultural Retailers Association, and others.

    Crop protection, including neonicotinoid products, are essential in the agriculture industry because they play a role in reducing diseases and increasing crop yields to keep pace with a growing world population. Without the use of crop protection, there would be a 78% loss of fruit production, a 54% loss of vegetable production, and a 32% loss of cereal production. Neonicotinoids and other crop protection products help ensure that growers can continue to maintain and grow the U.S. food supply at a sustainable rate, while minimizing risk to surrounding wildlife.

    “CropLife America is proud to be part of the Growing Matters coalition and support the BeSure! campaign each year. The stewardship work done by this group provides much needed information and support to pesticide applicators and users across the U.S., helping to ensure that neonic treated seeds are used correctly and are not likely to impact pollinators and other wildlife. Educational efforts like BeSure! are an important part of the work our industry does in support of growers nationwide,” said Genevieve O’Sullivan, V.P., communications and marketing at CropLife America.

    The BeSure! campaign aims to reach growers who produce row crops like corn and soybeans, as well as fruits, nuts, vegetables, turf, trees and ornamental plants that are protected with neonicotinoid products.

    Citrus Greening, first detected in 2005, is one of the most damaging plant diseases because there is no cure once a citrus crop is infected.American Society of Horticultural Sciences reports trees that are affected by the disease result in lower yields because of premature fruit drop and smaller amount of fruit harvested. Used safely and properly, neonicotinoids can help combat citrus greening by controlling its insect vectors – an ever-crucial tool as citrus demand in the U.S. continues to grow.

    This planting season, BeSure! you are implementing proper stewardship practices and go to GrowingMatters.org/BeSure for up-to-date stewardship tips and more information. The BeSure! website also includes ASTA’s Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship which includes videos and brochures on how treated seeds can be used in a way that avoids exposure to pollinators and other wildlife. The site contains a host of links to explain how neonicotinoids applications can be used responsibly, including the comprehensive Insect Pollinators and Pesticide Product Stewardship Guide. Two downloadable fact sheets with five quick tips to guide best stewardship practices during planting season – one for growers and one for applicators – are also available.

    BeSure! to follow along over the coming weeks as the coalition and its partners share relevant updates and best stewardship tips via social media content (search using hashtag #BeSure), radio programming, outreach via industry trade groups and a variety of digital content. For more information, please visit: GrowingMatters.org/BeSure.

    About Growing Matters
    Agriculture and horticulture are key to nourishing families and communities. Feeding a growing population, enhancing the beauty of our surroundings and a sustained commitment to environmental protection are fundamental needs that matter. Crop protection products, both natural and synthetic, are important tools that protect plants from tough and invasive pests that can devastate crops and urban landscapes. Growing Matters is funded by a consortium of companies committed to open and healthy scientific discourse on stewardship, benefits and alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. Consortium members include Bayer, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A., BASF, and Mitsui Chemicals Crop & Life Solutions. The BeSure! campaign is also supported by Gowan Company and PBI Gordon Corporation. Go to www.GrowingMatters.org for information, reports, videos and infographics on the benefits of neonicotinoid insecticides.

    About The American Soybean Association
    The American Soybean Association represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues important to the soybean industry. ASA has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and more than 500,000 soybean farmers. Find more information at soygrowers.com.

    About CropLife America
    Established in 1933, CropLife America (www.croplifeamerica.org) represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators, and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. CropLife America’s member companies produce, sell, and distribute virtually all the necessary and vital pesticide and biotechnology products used by American farmers.

  • Ag Retailers Association Honors Jimmy Panetta with Legislator of the Year Award

    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) honors Representative Jimmy Panetta with a Legislator of the Year award.

    “Producers in California’s 19th Congressional District and across the country need access to the latest innovative tools in order to feed the world and better protect our environment,” said Rep. Panetta.

    Photo: Ernie Roncoroni, Grow West; ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock; Rep. Panetta; Fred Nichols, Huma Inc.; and Clayton Houchin, Buttonwillow Warehouse Company.

    “It’s an honor to receive the Legislator of the Year award from the ARA as we work to move forward impactful legislation, like my bipartisan Plant Biostimulant Act, to better encourage the adoption of these emerging agricultural products. I look forward to continuing to advance new technologies that will empower our farmers to usher in a new era of sustainable agriculture.”

    Each year, ARA recognizes top legislators who have championed the issues of importance to agriculture and agriculture suppliers.

    “Rep. Panetta earned this award for his unwavering support for the agriculture community, specifically by sponsoring the Plant Biostimulant Act (HR 1472), which aims to establish a federal definition for plant biostimulants,” said ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock.

    “Panetta has championed other policies important to ag retailers, however, his efforts to expand access of biostimulant products, which can be used to improve plant health and stress tolerance while reducing environmental impact, is the main reason ARA selected him for this award.”

    To view other recipients of this award, visit the ARA’s website.

    About Agricultural Retailers Association

    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the interests of retailers across the United States on legislative and regulatory issues on Capitol Hill. As the political voice of agricultural retailers, ARA not only represents its membership but also educates members on the political process and important issues affecting the industry. For more information on current legislative and regulatory issues impacting agricultural retailers, visit www.aradc.org.