California Ag Network

Category: Ag Legislation

  • State of the American Pecan Industry

    While we hear more about almonds, walnuts and pistachios in California, pecans are still a significant crop for the Golden State, and are grown across the nation. Watch this brief interview Jeff Smutny from the American Pecan Council as he shares his production and market outlook for the pecan industry. Read the full proceedings of the annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo where he spoke in the coming issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • Spray Timing for Almond Bloom Diseases with Brent Holtz

    Beekeepers have begun delivering hives to almond orchards and the buds of all varieties are swelling and prepping for bloom. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Farm Advisor Brent Holtz as he shares some important advice with growers regarding bloom fungicide spray timing, and read his monthly Almond Tasks column in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • National Mastitis Council to Gather Milk Quality Experts in CA for Annual Meeting

    Come and explore “Future Frontiers” at the 61st National Mastitis Council (NMC) Annual Meeting, Feb. 1-3, 2022, at the Town and Country Resort, San Diego. This event will help the global dairy industry capitalize on available strategies to prevent, treat and control mastitis, enhance udder health and foster animal welfare.

    Given the persistence of the COVID-19 pandemic and related travel restrictions, NMC is providing a “hybrid meeting” – with in-person and virtual attendance options. The 2022 NMC Annual Meeting theme revolves around “Future Frontiers.” To view the meeting agenda and/or to register, go to: http://meeting.nmconline.org.

    “Producing quality milk remains a top priority for dairy producers like myself,” said NMC President Patrick Christian of Christian Hill Dairy, Lomira, Wisconsin, USA. “NMC members are committed to helping dairy producers around the world achieve their milk quality goals.”

    “The NMC Annual Meeting provides a forum to share advancements in reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality,” said NMC First Vice President Linda Tikofsky, senior associate director, cattle professional services, dairy at Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health. “Additionally, NMC promotes research that explores ‘future frontiers’ and provides information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality and milk safety.”

    This year’s General Sessions feature:

    • Frontiers in Consumer Demands
    • Frontiers in Managing for Milk Quality
    • Frontiers in Mastitis Science
    • Frontiers in Tracking, Treating and Diagnosing
    • Frontiers in Mastitis Management/Fronteras en el manejo de mastitis (presented in Spanish)

    Short course topics include:

    • Team Troubleshooting Real World Milk Quality Problems
    • Uncovering the Mysteries of Somatic Cell Count and Mastitis Data
    • The Bugs that Bug Us
    • How to Successfully Evaluate Milking Center Data to Stimulate Improvement on Dairies
    • Sensor-based Mastitis Management
    • Why, When and How to Perform an NMC Milking System Air Flow Analysis
    • Testing and Interpretation for Milking Machines with Dynamic Control of Vacuum and/or Pulsation
    • An Organized Approach to Developing a Long-term Action Plan for Herds with Poor Teat Ends
    • Dairy’s Commitment to On-farm Social Responsibility: The National Dairy FARM Program
    • Genetics for Mastitis Resistance
    • Training and Retaining Milk Harvest Technicians with the SOP, Roadmap and TWI Approach
    • Strategies to Improve Transition Cow Mammary Gland Health
    • Managing Compost-bedded Pack Barns for Optimal Milk Quality
    • The Human Side of Milk Quality: Taking Your Parlor Team to the Next Level
    • Robotic Milking and Mastitis Management. How does the NMC 10 Point Plan Work for Producers?

    Other highlights of the upcoming meeting include a silent auction, which supports professional development efforts, 5K Fun Run/Walk and recognition of the National Dairy Quality Award winners, NMC Award of Excellence for Mastitis Prevention and Control recipient, and NMC Scholars.

    National Mastitis Council is a professional organization devoted to reducing mastitis and enhancing milk quality. NMC promotes research and provides information to the dairy industry on udder health, milking management, milk quality and milk safety. Founded in 1961, NMC has about 1,000 members in more than 40 countries throughout the world.

  • USDA Outlines New Program with Port of Oakland for Ag Exports

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new program to help address the export side of the supply chain crisis. The initiative was addressed at a webinar of agriculture industry and policy leaders hosted by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

    The USDA program discussed during the webinar was launched in partnership with the Port of Oakland and will set up a new “pop-up” site at the port dedicated to easing the loading of empty containers with agricultural exports. The new site will also have a dedicated gate with the ability to pre-cool refrigerated shipping containers in order to reduce bottlenecks at the main entrance to the port. The new arrangement should be available beginning in March and will include support of $125 per container for movement logistics costs. See the USDA press release here.

    “Congestion in and around U.S. ports is one of a series of export supply chain challenges undercutting U.S. dairy exporters’ ability to reliably meet the needs of overseas customers for high-quality U.S. dairy products,” said Krysta Harden, president and CEO of USDEC. “By creating a process specific to handling U.S. agricultural exports, we expect USDA’s new partnership with the Port of Oakland will help alleviate some of those challenges. We look forward to working with USDA and our members on this new initiative while continuing to pursue additional legislative and administrative solutions to the dairy export supply chain crisis.”

    “The delays and disruptions in export shipping have cost the U.S. dairy industry well over $1.3 billion through just the first three quarters of 2021 – to say nothing of the rest of America’s agricultural sector. Solving this problem simply cannot wait any longer and today’s announcement of the close collaboration between our associations, the Port of Oakland and USDA is one key step in the right direction,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF. “Today’s webinar brought together leaders in Congress and the Administration whose efforts have been central to the multi-faceted work of addressing agricultural export supply chain challenges. We thank them for their continuing work and their participation today and look forward to pursuing additional steps to deliver relief for dairy exporters.”

    Agri-Pulse, which served as the media partner for the event, reported over 1,200 registrations for the webinar, one of the highest pre-registration figures in the publication’s webinar history.

    Speakers included USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack; John Porcari, the Biden Administration’s Supply Chain Ports Envoy; Rep. John Garamendi (D-CA); Rep. Dusty Johnson (R-SD); Mike Durkin, president and CEO of Leprino Foods; Andrew Hwang, manager of business development and international marketing for the Port of Oakland; and Jon Eisen, director of the Intermodal Motor Carriers Conference for the American Trucking Association, as well as moderators Krysta Harden of USDEC and Jaime Castaneda of NMPF and USDEC.

    The USDA announcement came just days after Secretary Vilsack hosted a virtual roundtable with leading agricultural industry CEOs on Jan. 27 in which NMPF and USDEC members, among others, raised their concerns tied to exports.

    USDEC and NMPF, in collaboration with other agriculture interests across the U.S., have leveraged a multi-prong approach with Congress and the administration since early 2021 to address the supply chain disruptions plaguing the dairy industry, including unprecedented fees, container availability, and lack of transparency.

    For example, in addition to last week’s meeting at USDA, NMPF and USDEC supported a bipartisan letter led by U.S. Reps. Jim Costa (D-CA) and Dusty Johnson (R-SD) and signed by 71 members of Congress to the White House urging the administration to use its emergency powers to immediately address problems caused by the crisis and mitigate risks to U.S. agricultural exporters. The letter made three specific requests:

    • Utilize available emergency authorities to incentivize carriers to load full outbound containers instead of empties.
    • Utilize emergency actions that allow gross vehicle weight limits to exceed 80,000 lbs., even if only on a temporary basis.
    • Utilize existing tools and authorities to provide immediate access to critical shipping and logistics equipment.

    The National Milk Producers Federation, based in Arlington, VA, develops and carries out policies that advance dairy producers and the cooperatives they own. NMPF’s member cooperatives produce more than two-thirds of U.S. milk, making NMPF dairy’s voice on Capitol Hill and with government agencies. For more, visit www.nmpf.org.

  • National Dairy Board Scholarship Applications Being Accepted

    Applications are being accepted for college scholarships that are awarded by America’s dairy farmers and importers through the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board (NDB).

    Eleven scholarships worth $2,500 each will be awarded, in addition to a $3,500 James H. Loper Jr. Memorial Scholarship to one outstanding recipient. NDB funds, in part, Dairy Management Inc. (DMI), which manages the national dairy checkoff program.

    Undergraduate students in their sophomore through senior year for the 2022-23 academic school year and majoring in one of the following fields are eligible: communications/public relations, journalism, marketing, business, economics, nutrition, food science and agriculture education.

    Scholarships are awarded based on academic achievement, an interest in a career in a dairy-related discipline, and demonstrated leadership, initiative and integrity. Candidates must complete an application form, submit an official transcript of all college courses, and write a short statement describing their career aspirations, dairy-related activities and work experiences.

    Applications can be found at https://www.usdairy.com/about-us/dmi/scholarship

    Completed applications must be received no later than May 6, 2022, at 11:59 p.m. CST. Questions about the program can be submitted to ndbscholarships@dairy.org

  • Scientific Literature Review Confirms Watermelon’s Health Potential

    Watermelon is a unique fruit with compounds that may have health effects throughout the body, supporting normal cardiovascular and metabolic health. According to a new comprehensive review of the scientific literature on watermelon, eating watermelon regularly may help promote health. This research paper, authored by Britt Burton-Freeman, Ph.D., and colleagues from Illinois Institute of Technology was recently published in the journal Current Atherosclerosis Reports.

    “Research is unveiling the health-promoting potential of watermelon. The current literature review provides evidence that watermelon intake and citrulline supplementation lower blood pressure in human trials. Although more research is needed, favorable effects on lipids/lipoprotein metabolism are emerging based on the data we reviewed and reported in preclinical models,” said lead author Burton-Freeman.

    According to the research, watermelon contains essential vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and amino acids. It also contains the amino acids citrulline and arginine, which both act as a precursor to nitric oxide, a molecule that plays a role in blood pressure regulation, lipid reduction and glucose control. Polyphenols and carotenoids, particularly lycopene, are also abundant in watermelon. The nitric oxide benefits of citrulline and arginine coupled with the bioactivity of polyphenols and carotenoids found in watermelon suggests that this fruit may support normal cardio-metabolic health.

    Burton-Freeman and colleagues reviewed the preclinical and clinical trial evidence published from 2000 to 2020 to assess watermelon intake and citrulline (a signature compound found in watermelon) on cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes, and to identify future directions important for establishing dietary guidance and recommendations. They explored studies related to the whole fruit as well as citrulline supplementation, focusing on key cardio-metabolic risk factors. More research is needed to confirm findings of the studies identified in this literature review.

    The investigators concluded that watermelon provides a combination of nutrients and phytochemicals working across multiple mechanisms to induce biological effects. Citrulline and arginine are central to these cardio-metabolic effects, and polyphenols, lycopene, potassium and magnesium contribute as well.

    Continued research is needed to determine the level of sufficient intake for clinical outcomes and will also need to be studied in a variety of populations. Research on the whole fruit and its products (i.e., juice) is also needed to help determine the level of sufficient intake. The research identified additional potential benefits from watermelon consumption that warrant further research, such as body weight control (possibly through satiety mechanisms), glucose control, and brain and gut health.

    Low fruit intake is one of three dietary factors associated with death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM), as are high salt intake and low whole-grain intake. These dietary factors affect people regardless of age, sex and other socio-demographic variables.1 Recent research also

    shows that eating a variety of fruit helps reduce the risk of T2DM2, while the amount of fruit and the type of fruit selected provide cardiovascular benefits.

    About National Watermelon Promotion Board

    The National Watermelon Promotion Board (NWPB), based in Winter Springs, Florida, was established in 1989 as an agricultural promotion group to promote watermelon in the United States and in various markets abroad. Funded through a self-mandated industry assessment paid by more than 800 watermelon producers, handlers and importers, NWPB mission is to increase consumer demand for watermelon through promotion, research and education programs.

    Watermelon packs a nutritious punch, with each serving providing an excellent source of Vitamin C (25% DV), a source of Vitamin B6 (8% DV), and a delicious way to stay hydrated (92% water), with only 80 calories per 2-cup serving. Watermelon consumption per capita in the United States was an estimated 16 pounds in 2020. Watermelon consumption in the United States was approximately 5.3 billion pounds in 2020. The United States exported an additional 359 million pounds of watermelon. For additional information, visit www.watermelon.org.

    References

    1. Afshin A, Sur PJ, Fay KA, Cornaby L, Ferrara G, Salama JS, et al. Health effects of dietary risks in 195 countries, 1990–2017: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2017. Lancet. 2019. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30041-8.

    2. Cooper AJ, Sharp SJ, Lentjes MAH, Luben RN, Khaw K-T, Wareham NJ, et al. A prospective study of the association between quantity and variety of fruit and vegetable intake and incident type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2012. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(19)30041-8.

    3. Bhupathiraju SN, Wedick NM, Pan A, Manson JE, Rexrode KM, Willett WC, et al. Quantity and variety in fruit and vegetable intake and risk of coronary heart disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2013. https://doi.org/10.3945/ajcn.113.066381

    4. Burton-Freeman B, Freeman M, Zhang X, Sandhu A, Edirisinghe I. Watermelon and L-Citrulline in Cardiometabolic Health: A Review of the Evidence 2000-2020 

  • California Farmland Trust Protects 253 Acres of Almonds in East Merced County

    California Farmland Trust (CFT) is proud to announce the recent permanent protection of 253 acres of almonds in Merced County, owned by The Myers Irrevocable Flying M Ranch Trust.

    Established in the 1950s, Flying M Ranch began farming and ranching in the area of Merced, plentiful with rich agricultural soils and riparian areas. As generations of the Myers family have taken over the operation, they have remained focused on their farming roots and ways to be leaders in facing agriculture’s most persistent challenges, including the preservation of vital natural resources.

    This 253-acre property placed in an agricultural conservation easement (ACE) with CFT is one of the many conservation easements protecting the working landscapes of Flying M Ranch. Approximately 5,900 acres of grazing land on their farm has been preserved through other conservation organizations, and the Myers are actively pursuing another ACE with CFT.

    “The idea of putting a conservation easement on the property was to keep the ranch in a perpetual state, and we like the idea of keeping it continuous,” said Wes Myers, Flying M Ranch Trust co-trustee. “CFT understands farming and ranching, which is why we chose to work with them on this project.”

    Funding for this conservation project was provided through the Agricultural Land Mitigation Program (ALMP), which is administered by Department of Conservation (DOC) on behalf of the California High-Speed Rail Authority.

    “The growth pressure from the City of Merced and even surrounding communities like Planada, in combination with the Myers desire to be stewards of the land, are all contributing factors that make this farm a quality project for permanent protection,” said Chelsea Slaton, conservation director at CFT. “Given the resources and geographical features of this farm, protecting this property will help sustain long-term production of agricultural commodities for years to come, and we commend the Myers for their stewardship.”

    CFT’s portfolio of protected farmland is most prevalent in Merced County and Flying M Ranch adds to these efforts. CFT has now protected 11,669 acres of farmland on 36 farms in Merced County.

  • Governor Makes California Farmers & Businesses Pay

    Nisei Farmers League — On January 25, 2022, the Governor’s office announced that Governor Newsom and legislative leaders, Senate President pro Tempore Toni G. Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon reached a framework on extending supplemental paid sick leave through September 30, 2022. Many of our legislative representatives are not informed as to what is in the framework.

    The Los Angeles Times reported that the framework includes up to 40 hours of paid leave for those that are sick or caring for an ill loved one and an additional 40 hours if proof of a positive test is provided. Up to 3 days of sick leave can be used to attend a vaccination appointment for themselves or a family member and to recover from any symptoms. In total, this would be 80 hours of COVID sick pay that is retroactive from January 1, 2022.

    We understand that the Omicron variant has spread quickly among our communities. It has caused hospitals to approach capacity, placing our heroic health care workers under further stress. We must be doing everything we can to slow the spread of COVID to prevent further deaths.

    If businesses are going to use this to help slow the spread of COVID then meaningful tax credits need to be provided to assist business in paying the supplemental paid sick leave. Businesses will pay at minimum $1,200 per employee who is eligible and needs to use the full 80 hours of COVID sick leave. From the prior supplemental COVID sick leave, we have seen that if available, employees will exercise their right to use it.

    For example, a small farmer who has about 250 acres of tree fruit employs about 45 seasonal workers. They provide PPE to their workers, including providing extra to take home and did not question anyone when they claimed 80 hours of COVID sick pay under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act in 2020 and again in 2021. They were able to absorb the covid sick pay costs because the federal government provided a payroll tax credit that allowed them to get a credit for the full amount of COVID sick pay that was provided to their workers. The business credits proposed in the Governor’s office announcement would do nothing to offset the cost of the proposed COVID sick pay. This small grower would be solely responsible for paying $54,000 in sick pay wages. That amount does not even include the payroll taxes.

    If the Governor and legislature are going to use businesses to help slow the spread of COVID and get people vaccinated, then use some of that $31 billion surplus to assist business, such as the small farmer, in providing COVID sick pay. With the supply chain and logistic issues, many farmers took a loss last year. Adding COVID sick pay without a credit is a financial burden that is unsustainable.

  • As Farming Population Ages, New Partnership Offers Support and Tips for Transition Planning

    Nearly 40 percent of producers in California are over the age of 65 according to the most recent U.S. Census of Agriculture, slightly higher than the national average. The stability of California agriculture, the backbone of U.S. food production, is largely dependent on the successful change of hands to the next generation.

    As a result, many non-profits are instituting holistic succession planning programs to help farm families with the transition process. In California, California FarmLink offers a 12-month long program, The Regenerator: A Year of Farm Succession Planning, which addresses all aspects of transition, including tax and estate planning, business structure and valuation, as well as financing strategies.

    California FarmLink recently partnered with the California Agricultural Mediation Program (CALAMP) to set the stage for productive farm transition conversations and help participating families with any communication-related issues.  CALAMP is a nonprofit organization that provides free mediation and facilitation to those working in agriculture.

    CALAMP and California FarmLink offer these five tips for successful farm transition planning, an often overlooked but critical part of farm operations.

    Have a Champion & Prioritize the Discussion
    Have someone at the farm who is dedicated to moving the process forward. Often transition conversations are put on the back burner because people get too caught up in the day-to-day.

    Recognize Each Other’s Point of View
    It’s common for family members and stakeholders to have different visions for the future. It’s important to listen and recognize each other’s point of view as valid, whether you agree or not.

    Understand the Financial Picture
    The next generation should have access to the finances for the best chance of success. For example, unknowns can cause issues and prevent a successful transfer.

    Write Down Your Rough Draft for Transition of Assets and Management
    Write down your vision or ideas to ensure everyone is on the same page. This draft will help you finalize it with a professional.

    Get Help as Needed from a Facilitator
    A facilitator or mediator with experience in family coaching and succession planning helps create a sense of fairness. They’ll help set the agenda at family meetings, ensure nothing is missed, and help reluctant participants become more involved.

    “We provide free mediation services on a variety of issues facing farmers, including farm transitions.” said Matt Strassberg, CALAMP Program Director. “CALAMP’s services helped many families reach agreements about how to manage the farm going forward.”

    CALAMP offers both on-site mediation sessions and teleconferencing sessions so that everyone has access to this service no matter where in California they live.

    “Farm transition discussions don’t have to be limited to only family members. Some may want to involve long-term employees in future ownership or young farmers outside the business,” Strassberg said.

    For more information on FarmLink’s program, visit: https://www.californiafarmlink.org/succession. Or email Liya Schwartzman at liya@cafarmlink.org.

    For more information or to sign up for free mediation with CALAMP visit www.CALAMP.org where you can fill out an online request form. Or email Jenna Muller at jennam@emcenter.org or Mary Campbell at maryc@emcenter.org.

    About the California Agricultural Mediation Program:
    CALAMP is a program of the Environmental Mediation Center (EMC), a non-profit organization that designs and administers environmental and agricultural dispute resolution programs. CALAMP provides free mediation services to the agricultural community in California on a variety of issues including farm loans, credit issues, farmer/neighbor conflicts, leases, USDA conservation programs, organic certification, wetlands determinations, family farm transitions, and many more.

    About California FarmLink:
    California FarmLink is a 21-year-old nonprofit organization investing in the prosperity of farmers and ranchers through lending, education, and access to land. FarmLink works across the state with a focus on serving communities of color and beginning farmers and ranchers. The organization partners with farmers, ranchers, advisors, impact investors, public agencies and other nonprofits to grow and maintain support for next-generation growers.

  • NCAT Launches Nationwide ‘Soil for Water’ Regenerative Agriculture Project

    Farmers, ranchers, and land managers across the United States who are taking steps to catch and hold more water in the soil are invited to join the National Center for Appropriate Technology’s Soil for Water project. Building on an expanding peer-to-peer network of ranchers in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Montana, Mississippi, New Mexico, Texas, and Virginia, NCAT has opened the program to crop farmers, ranchers, and land managers in all 50 states who are learning together how to catch and hold more water in the soil.

    “The Soil for Water project is about implementing practical, cost-effective, and lasting ways to regenerate our soil — making farms, ranches, and communities more resilient in the face of climate disruption,” said NCAT Executive Director Steve Thompson. “We need to start thinking about healthy soil as permanent infrastructure that stores water to better withstand the impacts of droughts and floods. By connecting innovative farmers and ranchers, and tapping into their know-how, we see Soil for Water becoming a key player in regenerating and improving farmland across America. We welcome and encourage farmers and ranchers everywhere to join this free network at SOILFORWATER.ORG.”

    To date, more than 90 farms and ranches have joined the free and voluntary Soil for Water network. The project aims to include hundreds of farmers and ranchers who discover and share land management practices that improve soil health, catch more water in soil, reduce erosion, sustain diverse plant and animal life, and filter out pollutants, all while improving the profitability of their businesses.

    James Burch’s Mississippi farm has been in his family for a century. After a long military career, it’s only recently that he started putting the land back into production. He’s passionate about locally grown produce, grass-fed beef and pasture-raised pigs. His main concern is mitigating erosion and making sure the soil on his land doesn’t wash away into nearby waterways. That’s why Burch joined the Soil for Water network.

    “It’s important to build the soil to the point that you’ve got some kind of cover on it, and any time you get these big rains, it doesn’t take your topsoil to another area,” said Burch. “The vision for my farm is big. I’m taking it one step at a time and using proven methodologies to grow healthy food above ground and maintain healthy soil below ground.”

    Unhealthy soil doesn’t absorb much water. Healthy soil acts like a sponge, capable of holding hundreds of thousands of gallons of water in an acre. Climate trends across much of the U.S. indicate longer, hotter drought periods punctuated by storms that often are more severe, according to a 2021 USDA report. Regenerative farming practices enable the soil to capture rainfall that otherwise might disappear as runoff. Economically, these practices can increase crop and forage production, drought resilience, access to lucrative new markets, and therefore profitability. Environmentally, they can improve soil health and biodiversity.

    The expanded Soil for Water project encourages the adoption of regenerative land management practices through an interactive website, peer-to-peer forum, in-person and online networking opportunities, and the ability to connect with experts and land managers who are finding success with varied practices.

    The Soil for Water project launched in 2015 with support from the Dixon Water Foundation and the Meadows Foundation. Project investors include grants from the National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), $980,000; The Jacob and Terese Hershey Foundation, $50,000; the Southern Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) program, $1 million; and the Kathleen Hadley Innovation Fund, $20,000.

    To learn more about the newly expanded Soil for Water project, and to join the free network, visit SOILFORWATER.ORG.

    THE NATIONAL CENTER FOR APPROPRIATE TECHNOLOGY has been helping people build resilient communities through local and sustainable solutions that reduce poverty, strengthen self-reliance, and protect natural resources since 1976. Headquartered in Butte, Montana, NCAT has field offices in Arkansas, California, Colorado, Idaho, Kentucky, Mississippi, Montana, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, and Texas. Learn more and become a friend of NCAT at NCAT.ORG.