California Ag Network

Category: Livestock

  • Turning Waste into Energy

    Secretary Ross Addresses National Renderers Association

    If it were up to her, CDFA Secretary Karen Ross would rather we all stopped using the word “waste.” That’s what she told the National Renderers Association last week at their conference in Orange County.

    When more than 62 billion pounds of animal by-products are converted annually into usable commodities such as animal feed, biofuels, fertilizers, soaps, and paints, that’s no longer “waste,” that’s a sustainable livestock and meat industry. Renderers play a critical role to agriculture by recycling fallen animals to protect the health of our livestock populations, public health, and the environment. Renderers also provide a vital service to the restaurant sector by converting used cooking oil into biodiesel.

    When 75 percent of California’s biodiesel production comes from used cooking oil, that’s no longer primarily a “waste” product – it’s an energy product. And when those diesel-substitute biofuels also provide significant greenhouse gas reductions, that’s not “waste,” that’s climate change mitigation. There are more opportunities out there along these same lines – ways to get organic waste out of landfills and into productive, beneficial roles in our marketplace. And California’s Rendering Industry has a long history of leading that transformation.

  • California Crop/Weather Report Week Ending October 21, 2018

    WEATHER
    Low pressure aloft across the state led to cool conditions through midweek. Temperatures rested at below to near normal levels during the first half of the week. By midweek, the low pressure aloft moved toward the east allowing for high pressure to build over the region. This allowed for a warming trend to develop in which temperatures were expected to rise to above normal levels. The warm conditions continued until Sunday, when the high pressure began to weaken and allowed for temperatures to begin to cool.

    Temperature highs ranged from the upper lower 60s to mid 70s in the Sierras, upper 50s to low 80s in the mountains, the lower 60s to upper 80s along the coast, low 70s to upper 90s in the desert, and mid 70s to mid 80s in Central Valley. Temperature lows ranged from the upper 20s to lower 50s in the Sierras, upper 30s to upper 60s in the desert, upper 30s to low 50s in the mountains, mid 40s to upper 50s in the Central Valley, and mid 50s to lower 60s along the coast.

    FIELD CROPS
    In the Sacramento Valley, rice, safflower, and corn harvest continued. Sunflowers, beans, and rice continued to be harvested in Sutter. In Tulare cottonharvest continued, alfalfa was cut and baled, and corn and sorghum was harvested for silage.

    FRUIT CROPS
    Table and wine grape harvest continued. Late variety grapes were covered to protect from rain. Raisin grapes were harvested and laid out for sun drying, while dried raisins were picked up. Asian pears, apples, plums, pomegranates, and quince were harvested. Stone fruit harvest was wrapping up for the season. Some old stone fruit orchards were torn out for replacement with new trees. Persimmons were maturing well and developing external color. Oliveharvest continued. Lemons were harvested in Tulare County. Finger lime and Valencia orange harvest continued. Citrus groves were skirted, hedge-rowed and irrigated. Pushed out citrus groves were prepared for planting.

    NUT CROPS
    Almond harvest was wrapping up for the year. Pistachio harvest continued. Walnut harvest was underway in some locations. Harvested orchards were cleaned and young trees were irrigated.

    VEGETABLE CROPS
    Cucumbers, peppers, and tomatoes were still being harvested in Tulare County. In the Sacramento Valley, processing tomatoes continued to be harvested. Brassica and lettuce continued to be harvested in Monterey County.

    LIVESTOCK
    Rangeland and non-irrigated pasture remained in poor condition. More precipitation is needed for fall grass germination. Cattle continued to be provided supplemental feed.

    Please be advised, the Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report’s Weather Data Tables may be discontinued for budget reasons. This includes the possibility of discontinuing the weather data narratives and graphics. Please contact the Pacific Regional Field Office (916-738-6600) with comments regarding this issue. The Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report’s Crop Progress and Condition data will remain and be available.

  • TULARE COUNTY CROP REPORT – For week ending September 8, 2018

    SMALL GRAINS, OTHER FIELD CROPS:
    Corn and sorghum continue to be harvested for silage. Alfalfa cutting and baling for hay continues. Cotton is in bloom with bolls being set.

    DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES:

    The stone fruit season continues on. Peaches, nectarines, and plums continue to be exported to Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Peru, Taiwan, Panama, Colombia, Guatemala, the Philippines, and China. Apricots continue to be exported to Mexico and Australia. Early hand- pruning is taking place in some stone-fruit orchards after harvest. Some stone fruit orchard blocks are being removed after harvest to make way for new plantings. Almond harvest continues, with exports going to Korea, India, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Spain, and Trinidad & Tobago. It is currently the middle of harvest season for pistachios, with nuts being exported to Israel, Italy, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. To the north, pistachios continue to develop. Table grapes are being shipped domestically, as well as exported to Australia, Taiwan, Guatemala, El Salvador, Malaysia, the Philippines, Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica, Japan, Colombia, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Thailand. Raisin grapes are being picked for sun-drying, with raisin beds being prepared. Pears are being exported to El Salvador and Mexico. Persimmons continue to mature and develop external color. Pomegranate harvest is underway. Walnuts continue to develop.

    CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES:

    Valencia oranges are still being packed for domestic markets and some exports to China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, and Mexico. Limes are being exported to New Zealand. Development and maturation of olives continues. Citrus groves are being hedged and thinning of fruit continues. Pushed-out citrus groves continue to be prepared for planting, and some are now being replaced with young trees.

    VEGETABLES, MELONS, HERBS, BERRIES:

    Various summer vegetables continue to be grown and sold at roadside stands and farmer’smarkets, including assorted peppers, squash, Zucchini, eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons, and cantaloupes.

    LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY:

    Pasture conditions are poor. Supplemental feeding with hay and/or grain continues. The fed cattle price is at $109 per cwt.

    ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Fall shipments of nursery stock from local wholesale nurseries continue. Roses are being exported to Lebanon. Most citrus groves, tree fruit, nut tree orchards and row crops are being irrigated.

    Prepared by:
    Marilyn Wright
    Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

  • Northern CA Fairs Step-up to Support Fire Response

    With the Carr, Ferguson, Mendocino Complex, Whaleback and Natchez fires continuing to burn in Shasta County, Lassen County, Mariposa County, Mendocino County, and Del Norte County–not to mention a number of additional fires–California’s network of fairs is fulfilling a crucial role as staging areas for fire crews, and serving as evacuation centers for people and animals. The following fairgrounds are serving during the current spate of wildfires.

    Mariposa County Fairgrounds and Exposition Center, Mariposa, CA: This is an evacuation center currently housing people and animals displaced by wildfire.

    Tehama District Fairgrounds, Red Bluff, CA:  As many as 200 animals are being housed at this site, which is also serving as a fire camp.

    Sonoma-Marin Fair, Petaluma, CA: Seventy goats are being sheltered at this animal evacuation center.

    Shasta District Fair and Event Center, Anderson, CA: This fair is serving as a base camp for crews from CalFire, the National Guard and the California Conservation Corps.

    Lassen County Fair, Susanville, CA: This is a fire camp supporting crews from CalFire, the US Forest Service, and the Bureau of Land Management.

    Lake County Fair, Lakeport, CA: Utility crews responding to fires are being housed there.

    This emergency service is yet another example of how California’s network of fairs partners with local communities. The fairs are much more than a place to congregate and celebrate. They are bonafide public assets; essential institutions that serve Californians in many important ways.

  • 5 Tips for Using Livestock Scales Effectively for Weighing Animals

    There are numerous challenges when it comes to weighing animals. They may move about a lot or get nervous, agitated or anxious making it very difficult to weigh them accurately using the standard or conventional scales. This is where livestock scales come in handy. They weigh the animals with high accuracy and precision while overcoming the usual challenges.

    They are designed with weight average and have options that allow you to make sure that accurate measurement is obtained regardless of whether the animal was restless while on the machine or it was patient.

    5 Tips to Keep in Mind

    1. Choosing the right livestock scale

    The first step would be to identify your needs and determine what exactly you need from the livestock scales. Do you want to track the growth of the livestock by accessing the amount of feed provided to them and their weight gain or do you want to maximize your profits? There is no right or wrong way to choose the livestock scales. Your purchase decision must be based on your management goals, usage, kind of livestock you have, weighing goals, location and type of setup. Once you cross out all the questions, you can determine which scale would be the best choice for you.

    1. Determining Weighing Setup

    You can either choose between a permanent livestock scale or portable ones for weighing the livestock. A permanent scale weighing system is quite sturdy and reliable, and the load bars would be encased in concrete for safety. You will have to move the livestock near the setup in order to weigh them.

    On the other hand, portable scales would be ideal for weighing livestock at multiple locations. You can move the scale to different environments, thus increasing efficiency and productivity.

    If you use electronic scales that require AC power, then ensure that you place them strategically with an access to a dry and safe power outlet. The wire lengths should be minimum for safety reasons.

    1. Use a Stable Weighing Surface

    Balance is extremely essential while weighing. You must have a stable surface while weighing the livestock. If the surface is unstable, it will cause weighing inaccuracies and it will be dangerous for the livestock moving in and out of the scales. There is no need to level and flat the surface totally but ensure that it is firm enough to hold and balance the livestock when they are being weighed.

    1. Check for Interferences

    Weighing scales are sensitive to interferences and cattle scales are no exception. You must keep the weighing platform free of obstructions like rocks, sticks and livestock manure as they will cause false readings on the scale.

    The load cells are situated below the weighing platform, so ensure that the cables running out of them are free of snags, twists or possible tangling with operating personnel or livestock. If there are any coiled cables, keep them out of reach to prevent accidental tangling and resulting discrepancies in the livestock scale readings.

    1. Minimize Stress and Livestock Shrinking

    Moving your livestock through different locations causes them to stress and leads to a phenomenon known as ‘shrinking’. This term refers to a weight loss in animals. You can minimize this problem by using portable scales. Moreover, it will minimize losses as well.

    You can keep a side table with all the necessary apparatus and accessories near the weighing chute to further lower the stress for animals as the amount of time they would need to spend on the scale platform would be drastically reduced.

    Evaluating these tips before weighing and measuring livestock will help minimize chute time. Additionally, you can collect accurate date which you can implement to improve efficiencies.

    Kevin Hill

    Author Bio:

    Kevin Hill heads the marketing efforts at Quality Scales Unlimited in Byron, CA. Besides his day job, he loves to write about the different types of scales and their importance in various industries. He also writes about how to care for and get optimized performance from different scales in different situations. He enjoys spending time with family and going on camping trips.

  • California Dairy Digital Magazine: June 2018 Issue

    Read the latest news in the Dairy Industry with California Dairy Magazine!

    In this Issue:
    From Utter Chaos to Udder Comfort At Vander Eyk Dairy
    New Carousel Makes Life Easier for Cows & Staff

    June is Dairy Month
    Recognizing Dairy Families & Their Products

    It’s Official–California Has a Federal Milk Marketing Order
    Western United Dairymen Providing a Voice for the Industry

    All Milk Classes Up For June Dairy Month
    CA-FMMO is Official

    Click Here to Read!

  • UC Davis Settles Animal Welfare Citation

    Davis, Calif., (May 1, 2018) – The University of California, Davis, has agreed to pay a penalty of $5,000 to the U.S. Department of Agriculture to resolve a citation under the Animal Welfare Act.

    The July 2016 citation described a procedure on a rabbit that was to be euthanized before recovering from anesthesia. The rabbit died under anesthesia when a valve was inadvertently left closed. As a result, staff have been retrained and the valves replaced with valves that are open by default.

    In 2016, the Investigative and Enforcement Service of USDA had notified the university that it would conduct an investigation. UC Davis cooperated fully with the investigation process.

    In March 2018, USDA notified UC Davis that it had determined a penalty of $5,000 for the July 2016 citation. UC Davis has accepted this penalty.

    “While incidents like these are rare considering the scale of our research programs involving animals, each one is taken very seriously and investigated to prevent future occurrences,” said Cameron Carter, interim vice chancellor for Research at UC Davis. “Our expectation is to provide the best possible care to any animal in our charge, treating their safety and welfare as paramount, and our committed staff goes to great lengths to ensure this. Unfortunately, some mistakes happen, but we are quick to learn from them and take appropriate actions to further improve care.”

    Oversight of animal use is heavily regulated by multiple sources. All research studies at the university involving animals require review and approval by the campus’s Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee to ensure ethical and humane treatment. This committee includes public representatives as well as faculty and staff. The IACUC also inspects facilities conducting animal research every six months.

    UC Davis is accredited by the International Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory Animal Care, or AAALAC, an independent nonprofit organization. Application for the accreditation is voluntary and requires re-evaluation every three years. The university also conducted a comprehensive internal review of animal care on campus in 2017 in preparation of transitioning the program to the Office of Research. The report found no systemic shortcomings in the animal care program but made a number of recommendations to further strengthen the program.

    At the federal level, animal research is overseen by the Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service Animal Care Unit, and the National Institutes of Health Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare.

    More information regarding research involving animals can be found here.

     

  • California Dairy Digital Magazine: April 2018 Issue

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    The December issue of California Dairy Magazine is now available to read online! Read the latest California Dairy & Feed industry news and technology.  Here’s a peek of what’s inside:

    • Hanford Junior Dairy Show Grows
    • Achieving High Reproductive Performance
    • Discovery in Isolating Embryonic Stem Cells in Cows
    • USDA Reopens Enrollment For Improved Dairy Safety Net Tool
    • Milk Prices: Hope on the Horizon

    Click Here to view it on Californiadarymagazine.com

  • Sonoma County Ag Days Educates 5,000 Students About All Aspects of Agriculture

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (April 18, 2018) – As 5,000 students descended on the Sonoma County Fairgrounds and splashed through puddles on March 13 and 14, it was obvious they were all excited for a day out of the classroom.

    This year’s theme was the Year of Water and Soil, with an educational emphasis on these elements that are critical to agriculture. Resource agencies and organizations from throughout the county gathered to educate kids about ag and the importance of soil and water.
    For many, the most exciting part of the event is getting to see and touch all kinds of animals, including large livestock. Piglets and chicks are always a huge hit with the elementary school students.

    This year, Suzann Perry with Fallen Oak Llama Ranch brought two llamas, a one-and-a-half-year-old classic style llama named Indy and Shoshone a nine-year-old full Argentine, which she says is a rare breed in the U.S.

    Perry’s goal at Ag Days was to show students how llamas have several functions including packing and wool usage, that each one has their own personality and that llamas only spit to protect themselves. She said llamas are connected to agriculture as good livestock guardians to protect an entire herd from coyotes and other small predators and she finds that llama manure is a particularly good fertilizer.
    With students from all backgrounds coming to attend Ag Days, Sonoma County Farm Bureau hopes they will take their knowledge home and share it with family and friends.

    It takes a village to put on this event and educate so many children about where their food comes from. Thank you to all the volunteers who participated in the event and the sponsors who made the event possible.

    Written By: Rachel LaFranchi

     

  • Barn to Yarn 2018

    Have you ever wondered where your wool sweater came from? Or just how to keep a 160lb sheep still enough to shear it? Join the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) team and friends on Saturday, May 12th from 9am-2pm to get the answers to these and many more questions.

    Expert shearer Matt Gilbert will be offering demonstrations with a few of HREC’s flock of over 800 western whiteface sheep working as his models! Visitors will also have the chance to see different kinds of wool from the fine, soft merino to the long, coarse Navajo-churros and to learn how they are graded.

    Throughout the day children will be encouraged to try their hand at felting, spinning and dyeing wool! A spinning circle will be accompanied by storytelling, a place to relax and learn with a picnic.

    The day will provide opportunities for sheep farmers, fiber enthusiasts and families to get involved and learn more about every step of the process from sheep to sweater! Visitors will be welcomed to The Rod Shippey Building, and will have chance to picnic around the hall. “We can’t wait to welcome the community to our beautiful site and to raise awareness of just one of the areas of research and education that we conduct up here. Our sheep are not only vital for the UC Cooperative Extension sheep shearing school but also for research into best management practices for rangelands and animal science,” commented Hannah Bird, HREC community educator.

    Please register online in advance at: bit.ly/Barn2Yarn2018

    Admission is $10 for adults, children under 12 $5 (online registration or checks preferred). HREC asks visitors to leave their pets at home to protect the site and the sheep resident there. Bring your own picnic and all utensils; some light food will be available. Barn to Yarn will be held at the Rod Shippey Hall, 4070 University Road, Hopland, CA 95449 from 9am-3pm on May 12th. For more information contact Hannah Bird, (707) 744-1424, Ext. 105, hbird@ucanr.edu.