Class 3 milk prices have seen better days in the California dairy industry. The cheese market in particular has been quite volatile recently, and producers are disappointed to see prices on the decline this month. Watch this brief interview with Tiffany LaMendola, Vice President of Risk Management at Ever.Ag, as she explains the current dynamics of the cheese market.
Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.
The U.S Department of Agriculture (USDA) is extending the application deadline for the Milk Loss Program (MLP) to Monday, Oct. 30, 2023, allowing more time for eligible dairy farmers to apply for much-needed, weather-related disaster recovery assistance.
Administered by USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA), MLP compensates dairy producers who, because of qualifying weather events, dumped or removed milk without compensation from the commercial milk market in calendar years 2020, 2021 and 2022. Eligible causes of loss also include consequences of these weather events, such as power outages, impassable roads and infrastructure losses. FSA opened MLP enrollment on Sept. 11, 2023; the original MLP deadline was Oct. 16, 2023.
“We recognize that MLP benefits are critical to the financial recovery of dairy operations significantly impacted by weather-related disasters that inhibited their ability to deliver or store their milk in one, or even multiple years,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “We also understand that dairy farming is a 24/7, 365-day commitment. We hope the application deadline extension ensures that all dairy farmers in need of assistance will now have adequate time to apply.”
How to Apply
To apply for MLP, producers must submit:
If not previously filed with FSA, applicants must also submit all the following items within 60 days of the MLP application deadline:
Most producers, especially those who have previously participated in FSA programs, will likely have these required forms already on file. But those who are uncertain or want to confirm the status of their forms can contact FSA at their local USDA Service Center.
For more information on eligibility and payments, view the MLP fact sheet.
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has asked a Kern County judge to halt pesticide applications by a Bakersfield-area aerial pesticide business accused of several illegal drift incidents that harmed at least one person and damaged property. Defendants in the complaint, filed on Sept. 29, include John A. Slykerman and his company, Agra Fly Inc.
DPR is seeking a court order barring Slykerman from conducting aerial pesticide applications. It also seeks various civil penalties.
“The California Department of Pesticide Regulation is taking immediate action against Slykerman and Agra Fly for their repeated illegal actions that have injured people and property,” said DPR Assistant Director Ken Everett. “DPR’s quick action is needed to prevent further egregious violations.”
The complaint focuses on six separate alleged drift incidents. In each case, the complaint says, the drift was a violation of both pesticide label requirements and California regulations. In addition, the complaint notes Slykerman does not have a current FAA-approved medical certificate, which is required to aerially apply pesticides.
The agricultural commissioners’ offices in Kern and Tulare counties investigated Slykerman’s drift violations and sought DPR’s collaboration to bring a coordinated enforcement action. California’s 55 agricultural commissioners investigate pesticide violations and partner with DPR to enforce pesticide use laws and regulations.
“We take drift incidents very seriously and immediately investigate them,” said Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner Tom Tucker. “Our investigators work closely with DPR to enforce our state laws and pesticide use requirements that keep Californians safe.”
Incidents of damaging drift alleged in the complaint include:
Arvin/Lamont Drift. On Sept. 2, 2023, Slykerman and Agra Fly were involved in a drift incident near the Kern County communities of Arvin and Lamont. The pesticide was being applied to an almond orchard and reportedly drifted onto people and property nearby. The investigation is ongoing.
Shafter Drift. On May 11, 2023, Slykerman was aerially applying pesticides to a cherry orchard near Shafter. The Kern County agricultural commissioner received a complaint that pesticides from the application had drifted onto a neighboring property. The Kern County agricultural commissioner investigated the incident and issued a fine to Agra Fly.
Lindsay Road Drift. On March 31, 2023, Slykerman was aerially applying pesticides to a field near Lindsay Road, south of Bakersfield. The Kern County agricultural commissioner received a complaint that pesticides from the application had drifted onto a neighboring property and onto a person. The Kern County agricultural commissioner investigated the incident and issued a fine to Agra Fly.
Porterville Drift. On Jan. 23, 2023, Slykerman was aerially applying pesticides to an orange orchard near Porterville, southeast of Tulare. The pesticides reportedly drifted onto a nearby field and person, who reported symptoms of pesticide exposure including burning sensation on skin and nausea. The property owner’s tangerine trees were also reportedly damaged.
Famoso Hills Drive Drift. On Jan. 21, 2023, a pilot was applying pesticides near Famoso Hills Drive, north of Bakersfield. The pesticide drifted onto nearby pastureland, damaging it. The Kern County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office investigated and issued fines to both Slykerman and Agra Fly.
Bear Mountain Boulevard Drift. On Sept. 24, 2022, a pilot associated with Agra Fly was applying pesticides near Bear Mountain Boulevard, south of Bakersfield. An investigation by the Kern County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office found that a pesticide drifted onto a nearby pistachio site, damaging the trees.
“Defendants’ activities are a public nuisance that endanger the life, well-being and property of the community around their applications. Each day that Defendants conduct aerial pesticide applications, the significant threat to the community exists,” the complaint states, urging the court’s intervention.
For more information, you can read a copy of the complaint on DPR’s website.
ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF PESTICIDE REGULATION
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s mission is to protect human health and the environment by fostering safer and sustainable pest management practices and operating a robust regulatory system to monitor and manage the sale and use of pesticides across the state. DPR’s work includes registering all pesticides sold or used in California, conducting scientific evaluation of pesticides to assess and mitigate potential harm to human health or the environment, monitoring for pesticides in the air and water, and enforcing pesticide regulations in coordination with 55 County Agriculture Commissioners and their 500 field inspectors. DPR also conducts outreach to ensure pesticide workers, farmworkers and local communities have access to safety information. DPR invests in innovative research to encourage the development and adoption of integrated pest management tools and practices. More information about DPR can be found at www.cdpr.ca.gov.
At its Fall Recognition Event held on Friday, October 6, the Grower Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) awarded Miles and Garland Reiter and posthumously Luis and Lucille Scattini with the E.E. ‘Gene’ Harden Lifetime Achievement Award. The award is given to individuals who made an extraordinary contribution and created a lasting legacy benefitting Central Coast agriculture.
Proceeds from the event, including both a silent and a live auction, will go to causes selected by the Reiter and Scattini Families, including the Sustainable Conservation and Special Olympics-Monterey County.
The Reiter’s:
Miles’ and Garland’s father was one of the founding members of Driscoll’s, a company with a mission to continually delight berry consumers through alignment with its customers and its berry growers.
Under Miles’ guidance, Driscoll’s has become a leader in all four berry categories with year-round supply and a global expansion effort that includes the Americas, Europe, Middle East and Africa, China, and Australia. The Driscoll’s model emphasizes the success of its growers as it provides fresh and nutritious fruit for consumers.
Under Garland’s leadership, Reiter Affiliated Companies (RAC) expanded global berry production operations and partnerships with Driscoll’s, grew its farming operations and pioneered new varieties.
Garland set an example with RAC’s philanthropy efforts, including a landmark diabetes and obesity intervention program for farm worker communities in the U.S. and Mexico, as well as being the first agricultural company in the nation to provide private, primary and preventative health clinics for their farm employees.
“The positive impact that Miles and Garland have had on the berry industry in California has been tremendous and generational,” says Christopher Valadez, GSA president. “That impact has extended to benefit Central Coast communities as an economic driver from both companies and through their significant philanthropic efforts. GSA is proud to honor Miles and Garland with this award for their numerous professional and philanthropic accomplishments.”
The Scattini’s:
The Scattini family’s farming history dates back over a century with a legacy started by Lucille’s parents, Jimmy and Marie King of Castroville. Together, Luis and Lucille grew Luis Scattini & Sons into a premium grower of cool-season vegetables, most notably artichokes. Today, their grandchildren operate the family farming company as well as serve in leading roles for other agricultural operations. The fourth and fifth Scattini generations continue to embody their grandparents’ values of integrity, respect and pride.
“We honor our region’s past by posthumously acknowledging the legacy of Luis and Lucille Scattini with the Harden Award,” Valadez says. “The hard work and resilience of local families, like the Scattini’s, is why the Salinas Valley continues to thrive today and reflects the importance of remembering their contributions to agriculture and their community.” — Grower-Shipper Association of Central California
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has unveiled two new grant opportunities plus a training and technical assistance partnership to help schools continue to invest in nutritious school meals. This announcement helps to reach the goals released in conjunction with the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition, and Health in September 2022 to increase access to healthy foods for students at schools across the country. All this unfolds as USDA joins students, parents/caregivers, schools, communities, and partners across the country in recognizing National School Lunch Week, as proclaimed by President Biden, and National Farm to School Month.
“USDA is committed to giving students the nutrition they need to reach their full potential by empowering schools to continue serving delicious, healthy meals,” said Secretary Vilsack. “There’s no better time to announce these new efforts to support schools than during National School Lunch Week and Farm to School Month, as we acknowledge the critical role that school meals play in a child’s life. The Biden-Harris Administration will continue doing everything we can to ensure schools have the tools they need to keep serving the highest quality meals to kids across America.”
USDA is partnering with the Urban School Food Alliance to provide trainings and tools to school districts that will help them purchase high quality foods, while keeping costs low. In recent years schools have faced challenges in obtaining healthy foods consistently, efficiently and effectively. This initiative will support schools with school meals procurement, including the development of tools and training.
“The Urban School Food Alliance appreciates the opportunity to work with USDA to improve the school food procurement process for all stakeholders,” said Dr. Katie Wilson, executive director of the Urban School Food Alliance. “With procurement practices laying the foundation for obtaining fresh, healthy food served throughout our nation’s schools, we look forward to developing and implementing new tools to push for a more efficient and sustainable food system that includes supporting local economies.”
In addition, there are two new grant opportunities opening to support school meals:
Partnership with Urban School Food Alliance
The Urban School Food Alliance currently consists of 18 large school districts that share best practices about purchasing school foods, based on their experiences and procurement data they have gathered and analyzed beginning in school year 2017-18. Through its new partnership agreement with USDA, the Urban School Food Alliance will:
The Urban School Food Alliance has existing trainings and resources they will begin sharing with school districts immediately, and the development of new tools and the advisory group are both expected to begin in early 2024.
Healthy Meals Incentives Initiative – School Food Systems Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants
Two of the four organizations leading the School Food Systems Transformation Challenge Sub-Grants will open applications in November 2023:
Applications for sub-grants managed by two other organizations – Full Plates Full Potential and Illinois Public Health Institute – will open in early 2024. Collectively, the four organizations were awarded $50 million to administer these sub-grants. The grants will support collaboration between school districts, food producers, suppliers, distributors, and/or community partners to stimulate a resilient, equitable, and nutritious school food system.
Eligible organizations are encouraged to check the USDA’s Healthy Meals Incentives website for updates and sign up for bi-monthly newsletter at the bottom right of the USDA Team Nutrition website.
Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program
The Patrick Leahy Farm to School Program, also known as the Farm to School Program, helps child nutrition programs incorporate local foods into school breakfast and lunch; summer meals; and meals served at child care centers. The program offers a variety of resources, from research, technical assistance, and grants to help build and grow farm to school programs.
Applications for Fiscal Year (FY) 2024 Patrick Leahy Farm to School Grant Program are now open through Jan. 12, 2024. To receive updates about the grants application and other farm to school news, subscribe to The Dirt, program’s monthly e-newsletter.
Since the Farm to School Grant program began in 2013, USDA has awarded a total of $84 million in grants to projects across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico, which have reached over 28 million students in more than 63,000 schools. The Department is expected to award at least $10 million in grants in 2024.
In addition, this month, the Farm to School Program also launched the 2023 Farm to School Census, a periodic survey of school districts’ participation in local procurement and agricultural education activities. The Census is the most comprehensive survey of farm to school activity in the United States. USDA encourages all school districts to complete the survey to build an accurate picture of farm to school activity across the nation.
Related Resources
California Farmland Trust (CFT), a non-profit dedicated to preserving the nation’s finest farmland, is eager to welcome Mike Wade as its newest board member. With over three decades of experience in various leadership roles within agriculture, Wade’s new involvement is a great asset to CFT’s mission of protecting California’s agricultural legacy.
“I’ve been lucky to devote my career to agriculture and work in a capacity that I hope has been helpful to the industry,” Wade said. “I hope I can continue that effort as a board member and be a part of the success of California agriculture.”
Wade currently serves as the executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition where he has devoted over 20 years to advocating for the needs of farmers and advancing California agriculture. His extensive background in policy, communications and management has been a great support to farmers.
Prior to his role at CFWC, Wade served as executive director of the Merced County Farm Bureau for 11 years and program director of the California Farm Bureau Federation for two and a half years. His journey into agriculture began on his family’s farm in Merced County. When Wade began high school, he became a member of Future Farmers of America, leading him to join Young Farmers and Ranchers. From there, Wade said it was ag all the way. He attended Merced College where he pursued an associate degree in agriculture, beginning a career in the industry that he cherishes.
“We are excited to have Mike join the organization as a board member,” said CFT Executive Director Charlotte Mitchell. “His knowledge of agriculture along with his experience in water policy will be valuable to CFT and our work moving forward.”
Wade is looking forward to getting to know members of CFT and furthering his contribution to California agriculture.
“It’s important that we’re self-sufficient and we provide through the resources that we have in our country,” Wade said. “California is a critical part of that. We are the number one ag state, producing over 400 commodities efficiently, with environmental sensitivity and with an abundance that benefits the rest of the country.”
About the California Farmland Trust
California Farmland Trust is a California nonprofit 501(c)(3). Our mission is to help farmers protect the best farmland in the world. To date, we have protected 17,606 acres of farmland on 81 farms. To learn more, visit us at www.cafarmtrust.org.
In the second year of the meat sector’s pioneering data collection and reporting on five key focus areas for continuous improvement, the number of companies submitting data grew by nearly 60% and now covering more than half of all establishments operated by Meat Institute members.
With 93% of the Meat Institute’s largest member companies (more than 2000 employees) submitting data, the report reflects commitments and actions covering an estimated 90% of meat sold in the United States. The Meat Institute’s metrics and goals align closely with on-farm efforts in beef, pork, poultry and feed to drive supply chain-wide sustainability.
Meat Institute President and CEO Julie Anna Potts commented:
“98% of American households purchase meat, putting our sector undoubtedly at the center of sustaining healthy diets, healthy communities, and a healthy planet for generations to come.
The Meat Institute has a clear vision for 2030 and has established measurable targets to verify progress along the way, including through this game-changing data collection and reporting which will incentivize sector-wide implementation of best practices and allow us to identify gaps where further resources are needed to achieve ambitious goals.”
Among the Meat Institute’s five focus areas for continuous improvement, one key target is the Meat Institute’s aim for 100% of members to have set a science-based emissions reduction target by 2030. To date, 14 Meat Institute general members representing the majority of meat sold in the United States, plus 10 supplier/allied members, have set or publicly committed to set targets verified by the Science-Based Targets Initiative.
Of establishments reporting data, 66% are covered by a company commitment to set scope 1 and 2 emissions reduction goals; 62% are covered by a company commitment to set scope 3 emissions reduction goals. In September, the Meat Institute and the UN Global Compact Network USA jointly released a practical tool to help meat companies conduct emissions surveys, the first critical step in the path to setting science-based targets.
Aiding another key target to help families facing hunger access enough high-quality protein, Meat Institute members donate tens of millions of dollars and meals to food banks and charities across the country every year. The majority of companies reporting data contributed to food banks and charities in 2022. Examples of food security actions in this reporting period include:
The Meat Institute’s full 2023 continuous improvement report is available HERE.
About North American Meat Institute
The Meat Institute is the United States’ oldest and largest trade association representing packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal, turkey, and processed meat products. NAMI members include over 350 meat packing and processing companies, the majority of which have fewer than 100 employees, and account for over 95 percent of the United States’ output of meat and 70 percent of turkey production. To learn more, visit MeatInstitute.org.
About the Protein PACT: The Protein PACT unites partners across animal protein to accelerate the entire sector’s progress toward global sustainable development goals for healthy people, healthy animals, healthy communities, and a healthy environment. Protein PACT partners are establishing transparent baselines and benchmarks, setting ambitious targets for continuous improvement, collecting data to verify and transparently report on progress, and launching comprehensive communications about animal protein’s unique place in healthy diets and sustainable food systems. To learn more, visit www.TheProteinPACT.org.
A record-setting winter in 2023 has left the Bureau of Reclamation’s Central Valley Project reservoirs in good shape as it begins the 2024 water year with 8.17 million acre-feet of water in storage.
“We could not have asked for better conditions in 2023 and the rain and snow were a welcome reprieve after the driest three-year stretch ever,” said Reclamation Regional Director Ernest Conant. “The ample precipitation California received has left our reservoirs well positioned as we transition to a new water year.”
California’s drought was effectively eliminated between December 2022 and March 2023 as a series of at least 12 strong and extreme atmospheric rivers hit the West Coast. The storms’ aftermath marked the first time since 2020 that none of California was in exceptional or extreme drought.
Early in 2023, so much water was in the system that Reclamation declared the availability of Section 215 water for those able to enter temporary water service contracts. (Section 215 refers to a provision in the Reclamation Reform Act of 1982 that defines temporary water supplies and allows non-storable water to be applied to lands otherwise ineligible to receive federal water).
Reclamation’s initial CVP allocation of 35% in February reflected the improved hydrologic conditions. By March, Shasta Reservoir increased to 81% of capacity, and San Luis Reservoir, the largest off-stream reservoir in the U.S., increased to 97%. In April, Reclamation increased all CVP water supply allocations to 100%.
Regional Director Conant added, “While we are pleased to start the 2024 water year with reserves, we know firsthand that California’s changing climate is unpredictable and dry years will undoubtedly reoccur. Reclamation will continue to manage water supplies accordingly and as always, encourage conservation and wise use of our water resources.”
The CVP’s major reservoirs are (from north to south) Trinity, Shasta, Folsom, New Melones, Millerton, and the federal share of San Luis Reservoir. The water year begins Oct. 1 each year and ends Sept. 30.
The CVP is the largest single source of irrigation water in California, typically supplying water to about 3 million acres of agricultural land in the San Joaquin and Sacramento valleys. The CVP also provides urban water for millions of people and industrial water, including that essential to the San Francisco Bay Area’s economy. Water from the CVP is also vital for the environment, wildlife and fishery restoration, including providing water to 19 refuges in the Central Valley, and hydroelectric power production.
The Animal Agriculture Alliance has announced the theme of its 2024 Stakeholders Summit: “Ready, Set, Solve! Advancing Animal Agriculture.” The 2024 Summit is set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Mo. Speaking proposals for the event are being accepted through November 22. Interested speakers can submit their proposals at https://bit.ly/AAA24RFP. Registration for the event will open in January.
Dozens of speakers. Hundreds of perspectives. Countless ideas. And that’s just at the starting line of the 2024 Summit. It’s going to take a team to drive our future forward. It’s going to take you, running alongside fellow stakeholders from across the food chain who know that putting in the work is the only way to transform today’s challenges into tomorrow’s solutions. Are you ready? Then take your spot at the 2024 Summit.
The Alliance is currently seeking proposals for keynote presentations and panel discussions that fit the 2024 theme. Presentations should provide unique and thought-provoking ideas and focus on actionable tools attendees can immediately use and implement. For more information, visit the proposal guidelines and form. For questions about the speaker proposal process, contact Abby Kornegay at akornegay@animalagalliance.org.
“The annual Stakeholders Summit is known for its dynamic speaker-filled schedule, and the 2024 Summit will be no different,” said Hannah Thompson-Weeman, president and CEO, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “The Alliance team is excited to tap into the 2024 Olympics theme with an emphasis on propelling animal agriculture toward the ever-evolving finish line as we all work to reach our collective goals. We look forward to curating an agenda that embodies this focus.”
Registration for the Summit will open in early 2024 and a tentative schedule will be shared at that time. Check the Summit website for the most up-to-date information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA24 for periodic updates about the event on social media. For general questions about the Summit please email summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.
The Summit is a one-of-a-kind conference attended by a diverse group of decision makers, including representatives from farms, ranches, allied industries, food processors, restaurants, grocery stores, legislatures, universities, government agencies and media. The 2023 Summit, themed “Partners in Progress: Building a Sustainable Future for Animal Ag” and held in Arlington, Va., attracted nearly 320 attendees. Select session recordings from the 2023 event are now available for public viewing, including:
About the Alliance:
The Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.
Joey Airoso of Pixley, CA, was presented the 81st Klussendorf Award, the highest recognition given to a dairy cattle showman in the United States during the 56thWorld Dairy Expo. Airoso certainly has all the attributes of previous Klussendorf winners with the qualities of character, sportsmanship, ability, and endeavor.
The award is given in memory of Arthur B. Klussendorf, considered an outstanding showman of his time and a model for all those who have followed him. This year’s selection was made by members of the Klussendorf Memorial Association, formed in 1937, at its annual meeting held earlier this week in Madison, Wis. Airoso received the silver trophy designed by Tiffany Jewelers of New York City.
Airoso is a fourth-generation dairyman who manages one of the nation’s largest Registered Holstein herds. He is the managing partner for the family farm that milks an outstanding group of 2,600 cows and farms 1,600 hundred acres of alfalfa, corn, and wheat in California’s Central Valley. As nominators Stuart Row, Gilbert Texiera, and Ken Melvold and past Klussendorf winners shared, “One would be hard-pressed to find a more popular person showing cattle with his engaging personality and willingness to help anyone in need at a show.”
For nearly 60 years, this Pixley, Calif., native has shown cattle throughout the West Coast and has made several trips east to World Dairy Expo. His accomplishments include showing numerous All-California winners, a number of Western National Champions, and several All-American nominations over the last four decades. An accomplished showman, Airoso has been acknowledged by his peers by being awarded the coveted Al Hay Award at the Western National Show and was named the California State Fair Livestock Man of the Year in 2017. Airoso has judged numerous shows throughout the United Stated including the Wisconsin State Fair Junior Holstein Show, the largest Holstein show in North America.
A tremendous supporter of youth, Airoso was an instrumental servant leader who stepped up to create a win after the Western Livestock Show was canceled in 2012 due to lack of funding from the State of California. Not wanting to see this event go away, Airoso and other members of the South Joaquin Holstein Association came through to breathe life into the Western Classic Dairy Show. Now held annually in Tulare, California, the event has become the largest junior dairy cattle show in California and attracts over 300 head exhibited by 200 juniors ages five to 21.
The Klussendorf Award was developed to recognize those who exemplify a person with great character, sportsmanship, and dedication to dairy cattle shows. Joey Airoso certainly has all these attributes, and that is why he was selected as the 81st Klussendorf winner.
The Klussendorf Memorial Association, considered by many as the Hall of Fame for dairy cattle exhibitors, began in 1937 in memory of Arthur B. Klussendorf, considered the outstanding dairy cattle showman of his time. Each year, the Klussendorf Association votes to add a new dairy cattle exhibitor to its rolls with lifetime membership for their cumulative works.