California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • American Farmland Trust to Expand SJV Land & Water Strategy with Conservation Grant

    American Farmland Trust, the organization behind the national movement No Farms No Food®, was recently awarded a Conservation Innovation Grant by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. The grant will be used to expand AFT’s San Joaquin Valley Land and Water Strategy, with a focus on increasing water infiltration and groundwater recharge in the San Joaquin Valley counties of Madera and Stanislaus.

    This project will provide a unique and innovative framework for decision-making — introducing a web-based mapping tool that, along with its associated manual, will help conservation organizations and agencies select projects that meet priority criteria and therefore have the greatest potential to effectively infiltrate and conserve water while also protecting the region’s most productive, versatile, and resilient farmland.

    “Water resources in California’s San Joaquin Valley are vital to food production for the nation and fundamental for the economy, producers, communities and livelihoods of thousands of people who work and reside in the region,” says Kara Heckert, AFT’s California state director.

    She continued, “Increasing groundwater infiltration is a critical tool in improving the long-term sustainability of farming in the region and complying with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act.”

    AFT has worked on the ground in the San Joaquin Valley for 37 years, fighting to protect the region’s farmland and natural resources. AFT’s comprehensive San Joaquin Land and Water Strategy was developed from the insights gained through years working in the area. This recent expansion builds on AFT’s current work and knowledge, furthering the strategy’s aim to promote changes in both policies and practices that support conservation and sustainable use of water and land resources, improved soil health, and protection of farmland, while providing economic benefits to the economy, communities and the environment.

    AFT’s work in the San Joaquin Valley underscores the critical importance of protecting our most valuable farmland, not only for continued production of food and fiber, but also for carbon sequestration and groundwater recharge.

     

  • California Crop Weather Report ( For Week Ending: September 1, 2019)

    Weather

    Temperature highs ranged from the high 60s to high 90s in the mountains, low 70s to mid 100s along the coast, high 70s to mid 100s in the valley, and mid 80s to mid 110s in the desert. Temperature lows ranged from low 40s to mid 70s in the mountains, low 50s to mid 60s along the coast, mid 50s to high 80s in the valley, and low 50s to high 90s in the desert.

    Field Crops

    In Tulare, Fresno, and Kings Counties, alfalfa continued to be irrigated, cut, and baled. Cotton was in full bloom. Corn was being cut for silage. Harvesting of safflower continued. Garbanzo beans were harvested. Black-eye peas continued to set and fill pods. Sorghum was growing well. In Sacramento County, sunflower was drying down and harvesting began.

    Fruit Crops

    Nectarine, peach, pear, plum, pluot, fig, and Asian pear harvest continued. Post-harvest pruning and mechanical topping was ongoing. Dried pruning debris was shredded. After harvest, some older stone fruit orchards were pushed out and burned to clear for replanting. Pomegranate harvest began. Kiwis, olives, and persimmons were maturing well. Table and wine grape harvest continued. Irrigation and mechanical vineyard maintenance was ongoing. A limited amount of Valencia oranges were harvested. Gassing of Valencia oranges continued to counter re-greening. Ruby Red grapefruit and finger limes were harvested. Citrus groves were pruned, hedged, and skirted. Some groves were whitewashed for sunburn prevention.

    Nut Crops

    Orchards continued to be irrigated. Walnuts were developing well with no significant pest or disease problems reported. Orchard floor cleaning continued in preparation of harvest. Almond harvest was well underway and pistachio harvest began.

    Vegetable Crops

    Tulare County reported certified producers grew cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, and jalapeños for local farmers’ markets and roadside stands. In Colusa, Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo counties, processed tomato harvest continued.

    Livestock

    Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture remained in fair to poor condition. Water was hauled to livestock in some dry locations. Supplemental feeding was ongoing. Some cattle were moved to higher elevation pasture, while in the northern counties, cattle were grazing on recently harvested grain stubble.

  • U.S. Exporters Join Under Secretary McKinney on Canada Trade Mission

    U.S. Department of Agriculture Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Ted McKinney will lead a trade mission to Canada Sept. 3-6, accompanied by representatives from 41 U.S. agribusinesses and associations looking to expand sales to the United States’ top agricultural export market.

    “With the new U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) poised for passage, this is a great time for U.S. agricultural exporters to be shoring up ties with our neighbors to the north,” McKinney said. “Our two nations already enjoy the world’s largest bilateral agricultural trade relationship, with almost $120 million worth of food and farm products crossing the border every day. The USMCA will make this good relationship even better, and we’re looking forward to meeting with current and potential customers in Toronto and Montreal to explore new and expanded business opportunities.”In addition to representatives from the following companies and organizations, McKinney will be joined by Maine Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture, Conservation and Forestry Amanda Beal, Virginia Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry Bettina Ring, and officials from the Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, New York, Oregon, Virginia, Washington and Wisconsin departments of agriculture.

    1. American Peanut Council, Alexandria, Va.
    1. American Sweet Potato Marketing Institute, Benson, N.C.
    2. B & R Farms, LLC, Hollister, Calif.
    3. Bard Valley Date Growers, Yuma, Ariz.
    4. Belmont Farm Distillery, Culpeper, Va.
    5. California Cherry Marketing & Research Board, Sacramento, Calif.
    6. California Pear Advisory Board, Sacramento, Calif.
    7. California Prune Board, Roseville, Calif.
    8. California Strawberry Commission, Watsonville, Calif.
    9. Devils River Whiskey, San Antonio, Texas
    10. Elmhurst Milked Direct LLC, Elma, N.Y.
    11. Food Export Association of the Midwest USA, Chicago, Ill.
    12. Food Export USA – Northeast, Philadelphia, Pa.
    13. Fusion Jerky/HTY Foods, San Francisco, Calif.
    14. G&B Growers, LLC, Lynden, Wash.
    15. Giovanni’s Appetizing Food Products, Inc., Richmond, Mich.
    16. Hello Delicious!, Northbrook, Ill.
    17. Ironclad Distillery Co., Newport News, Va.
    18. Let Them Eat Candles, Glencoe, Ill.
    19. Log House Foods, Plymouth, Minn.
    20. Mad River Distillers, Burlington, Vt.
    21. Mano’s Authentic, LLC, Clinton Township, Mich.
    22. National Sunflower Association, Mandan, N.D.
    23. Northwest Wine Coalition, Seattle, Wash.
    24. Pure Steeps Beverage, LLC, Anaheim, Calif.
    25. Pyramid Foods, LLC, Shawnee, Kan.
    26. RainSweet Inc., Salem, Ore.
    27. Raisin Administrative Committee, Fresno, Calif.
    28. Rovira Foods Inc., Guaynabo, P.R.
    29. Royal Ridge Fruits, Royal City, Wash.
    30. Sagamore Spirit, Baltimore, Md.
    31. Simonian Fruit Company, Fowler, Calif.
    32. Southern United States Trade Association, New Orleans, La.
    33. U.S. Grains Council, Washington, D.C.
    34. U.S. Soybean Export Council, Chesterfield, Mo.
    35. USA Rice Federation, Arlington, Va.
    36. Washington Apple Commission, Wenatchee, Wash.
    37. Whiskey Acres Distilling Co., DeKalb, Ill.
    38. Whistling Andy Distilling, Bigfork, Mont.
    39. Wine Institute, San Francisco, Calif.
    40. Western United States Agricultural Trade Association, Vancouver, Wash.

    Learn more about this and other USDA trade missions by visitinghttps://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missionsand following FAS on Twitter at @USDAForeignAg.

  • Dairy Producers Must Sign-Up Before Sept. 20 for 2019 Coverage

    WASHINGTON, Aug. 19, 2019 — The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that producers of nearly 17,000 dairy operations have signed up for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program since signup opened June 17. Producers interested in 2019 coverage must sign up before Sept. 20, 2019.

    DMC offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed cost (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer.

    “We’re encouraged by the number of dairy producers who have signed up for this new program, but we are hopeful that we will get more folks in the door,” said Bill Northey, USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation.“At this point in the signup process, we are well ahead of the number of producers covered at this time last year under the previous safety net program, with more producers enrolling every day. As we move into the homestretch, we expect more producers across the country to get coverage through DMC and our team at FSA is really going above and beyond to make sure we get the word out there, the returns this year to-date should speak for themselves.”

    In June, when the DMC signup was announced, Secretary Perdue said, “For many smaller dairies, the choice is probably a no-brainer as the retroactive coverage through January has already assured them that the 2019 payments will exceed the required premiums.”

    To date, more than 60 percent of dairies with established production histories have enrolled in the program. Wisconsin has seen the most participants with more than 4,832 dairy operations, followed by Minnesota (1,865), New York (1,779), Pennsylvania (1,511) and Michigan (702).

    USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) began issuing program payments to producers on July 11. DMC provides coverage retroactive to Jan. 1, 2019. The producers who have signed up to date will receive more than $219.7 million in payments for January through June, when the income over feed cost margin was $8.63 per hundredweight (cwt.), triggering the sixth payment for eligible dairy producers who purchased the $9 and $9.50 levels of coverage under DMC.

    To view weekly enrollment, production and payment reports (posted each Monday at 2 p.m. Eastern), visit FSA’s DMC webpage.

  • California Fresh Fruit Association Hires New Director of Member Services and Communications

    Fresno, California – The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) today announced the hiring of Courtney Razor as its new Director of Member Services and Communications. Mrs. Razor comes to the Association after serving as the Chief Operations Officer for the Fresno County Farm Bureau for the last six and a half years. In her role at the Fresno County Farm Bureau, Mrs. Razor managed their Future Advocates for Agriculture Concerned about Tomorrow (FAACT) program, supported the needs of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee and oversaw special event planning.

    The Chairman of the Board for the Association, Randy Giumarra of Giumarra Vineyards Corp., stated, “We are very pleased that Courtney has agreed to become a part of the team at CFFA. Her personal background and education, as well as her extensive experience working for a peer agricultural association, should translate into real value for our membership.” Association President Ian LeMay added, “I have had the pleasure of working with Courtney for a number of years in her role with the Fresno County Farm Bureau, and I have always found her to be an articulate and vocal advocate for California agriculture. We believe she is a natural fit, along with our current staff, to continue to bring value to our members and to serve the California fresh fruit industry.”

    Mrs. Razor grew up in Sanger and is the daughter of third-generation fresh fruit farmer Craig Sorensen. She is a graduate of California State University, Fresno where she earned her bachelor’s degree in mass communications and journalism along with a certificate in marketing. Her first day at the Association will be Tuesday, September 3rd.

    The California Fresh Fruit Association is a voluntary public policy association that represents growers, packers, and shippers of California table grape, blueberry, kiwi, pomegranate and deciduous tree fruit communities. CFFA serves as a public policy representative for these growers, shippers and packers, on issues at both the state and federal levels. More information about the California Fresh Fruit Association can be found at www.cafreshfruit.org.

  • Specialty Crop Research Initiative (SCRI)

    The purpose of the SCRI program is to address the critical needs of the specialty crop industry by awarding grants to support research and extension that address key challenges of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture, including conventional and organic food production systems. Projects must address at least one of five focus areas:

    • Research in plant breeding, genetics, genomics, and other methods to improve crop characteristics
    • Efforts to identify and address threats from pests and diseases, including threats to specialty crop pollinators
    • Efforts to improve production efficiency, handling and processing, productivity, and profitability over the long term (including specialty crop policy and marketing)
    • New innovations and technology, including improved mechanization and technologies that delay or inhibit ripening
    • Methods to prevent, detect, monitor, control, and respond to potential food safety hazards in the production efficiency,handling and processing of specialty crops

    Who is eligible to apply:

    1862 Land-Grant Institutions, 1890 Land-Grant Institutions, 1994 Land-Grant Institutions, For-profit Organizations Other Than Small Businesses, Hispanic-Serving Institutions, Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than Institutions of Higher Ed, Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS status, other than Institutions of Higher Ed, Other or Additional Information (See below), Private Institutions of Higher Ed, Small Business, State Agricultural Experiment Stations, State Controlled Institutions of Higher Ed

    More on Eligibility:

    Pre-applications may only be submitted by Federal agencies, national laboratories, colleges and universities, research institutions and organizations, private organizations, foundations, or corporations, State Agricultural Experiment Stations, Cooperative Extension Services, individuals, or groups consisting of two or more of these entities.

    Request for Applications

    Apply for Grant
    Posted Date: Monday, August 12, 2019
    Closing Date: Tuesday, October 15, 2019
    Funding Opportunity Number: USDA-NIFA-SCRI-006810
    Estimated Total Program Funding: $80,000,000

  • Alpaca Farms Nationwide Celebrate National Alpaca Farm Days

    September 28 and 29, alpaca business owners throughout North America will celebrate the 12th annual National Alpaca Farm
    Days    .

    Alpaca Owners Association, Inc. (AOA) invites you to visit participating member farms and ranches during this fun-filled family event. Alpaca owners will open their doors to the public to meet their alpacas and learn more about these inquisitive, unique animals, the luxury fiber they produce and why the alpaca business is perfect for environmentally conscious individuals.

    While most alpaca farms welcome visitors throughout the year, National Alpaca Farm Days are sure to include special activities, live demonstrations and educational opportunities for the entire family.

    For a complete list of participating farms and ranches, visit www.AlpacaFarmDays.com.

     

  • Farm Service Agency Expands Payment Options

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is expanding its payment options to now accept debit cards and Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit. These paperless payment options enable FSA customers to pay farm loan payments, measurement service fees, farm program debt repayments and administrative service fees, as well as to purchase aerial maps.

    “Our customers have spoken, and we’ve listened,” said Bill Northey, USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. “Finding ways to improve customer service and efficiency is important for our farmers, ranchers, producers, and forest landowners who work hard for our nation every day. Now, our customers can make electronic payments instantly by stopping in our offices or calling over the phone.”

    Previously, only cash, check, money orders and wires were accepted. By using debit cards and ACH debit, transactions are securely processed from the customer’s financial institution through Pay.gov, the U.S. Treasury’s online payment hub.

    While traditional collection methods like cash and paper checks will continue, offering the new alternatives will improve effectiveness and convenience to customers while being more cost effective. In 2017, the average cost to manually process checks, a process that included navigating multiple systems, cost USDA more than $4.6 million. The expanded payment options will cut the time employees take processing payments by 75 percent.

    “At USDA, we’re focused on modernization to improve customer service,” said Northey. “If half of our customers use these new payment options, we’ll see a $1 million savings in one year. These new payment methods are one part of a much larger effort to expand options for our customers, as well as to make our services more effective and efficient.”

    Today’s announcement marks the beginning of a multi-phased roll-out of new payment options for USDA customers. Ultimately, payment option flexibility will be extended to allow farmers and producers to use debit cards and ACH debit payments to make payments for all FSA programs, including farm storage facility loan repayments, farm loan facility fees, marketing assistance loan repayments, Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) administrative fees and premiums and Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) fees.

    To learn more, contact your FSA county office, visit farmers.gov, or download the “Make Your FSA Payments Instantly” fact sheet.

  • Tulare County Crop Report (Week Ending August 24, 2019)

    Small Grains, Other Field Crops:

    Cotton fields are in full bloom and bolls are filling. Alfalfa hay continues to be cut and baled. Corn for silage and related summer row crops are being harvested, and land is being fertilized in preparation for the next crop. Dried beans are being shipped to Southern California. Black-eyed beans are maturing and drying in fields.

    Deciduous Tree Fruits, Nuts, And Grapes:

    Mature stone fruit continues to be harvested. Stone fruit orchards continue to be summer pruned, topped, and dried prunings are being shredded. Old, harvested stone fruit orchards continue to be pushed out and burned to clear the field for replanting. Peaches, nectarines, plums, and pluots continue to be exported to Australia, Canada, China, Costa Rica, Indonesia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Harvesting of Asian pears is accelerating, but exports are very slow. Pecan, pistachio, and walnut nuts continue to develop. Pistachio nuts are being exported to Turkey, France, Spain, Saudi Arabia, Hong Kong, Italy, the Netherlands, Israel, and Cyprus. Almonds are being harvested and are being exported to Germany, France, Brazil, New Zealand, and India. Table grapes continue to be harvested and exported to Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand, Mexico, Costa Rica, Korea, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. Some vineyards continue to have the leaves thinned to allow for better airflow, light, and to aid in harvesting. Some table grape vineyards, rows are being covered to protect grapes from rain. Kiwis continue to be thinned. Persimmons continue to develop some color in early varieties.

    Citrus, Avocados, And Olives:

    Valencia oranges are being harvested in very limited amounts, and being packed for domestic markets. They are being exported to Mexico, El Salvador, Thailand, Taiwan, Korea, China, and Singapore. Gassing of Valencia oranges continues in order to counter re-greening. Some citrus groves are being pruned, hedge rowed, and skirted. Citrus groves continue irrigating during high temperatures. Grapefruit are being exported to Singapore. Star Ruby grapefruit are being harvested and packed for the domestic market. Immature olives continue to develop. Limes are being harvested, but have yet to be exported. Finger limes are picked from coastal locations to be exported to China and the Netherlands.

    Vegetables, Melons, Herbs, Berries:

    Certified producers are growing cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, melons, peppers, eggplant, and Jalapeño peppers to sell at local Farmer’s Markets. Summer vegetables continue to be sold at roadside stands. Strawberry growers are taking old plantings out and preparing the ground for fall planting.

    Livestock And Poultry:

    Rangeland feed and water remains fair. Local cattle ranchers are supplemental feeding their livestock. The fed cattle price is at $110 per cwt.

    Additional Comments:

    Retail nursery shipments continue to be received from southern counties in California.

    By Tom Tucker, Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner/ Sealer

  • 2019 Wine Grape Harvest Begins in Sonoma County

    Following a record rainfall this past winter and a cool spring, the summer growing season has been near-perfect for Sonoma

    Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers

    County winegrapes.  Now grape growers and winemakers throughout Sonoma County are in constant contact coordinating their schedules as the 2019 harvest began overnight.

    Among the first grapes of the season harvested in Sonoma County were picked this morning just after midnight at Sasaki Vineyards in Schellville.  The Pinot Noir grapes will be going to Gloria Ferrer for their sparkling wine program.  This year’s harvest start is only one day later than the 2018 vintage, despite predictions that it would begin a week to ten days later than last year. In Sonoma Valley, vintners, growers and members of the community will gather today at the Mission San Francisco Solano on the Sonoma Plaza to officially ring the harvest bell to signal the beginning of the harvest season in Sonoma Valley.

    “This is the most exciting time of the year as the guessing and anticipation are over and ‘go time’ has arrived.   The action is picking up and we are all looking forward to harvesting our grapes,” said Karissa Kruse, president of Sonoma County Winegrowers.  She added, “Every report we are receiving from throughout Sonoma County indicate ‘good’ to ‘outstanding’ quality. Ideally, this weather pattern holds for a smooth harvest but, during this time of year, you have to be prepared for anything Mother Nature throws at you.”

    Early reports from the vineyards also indicate that the recent hotter temperatures are providing the right amount of stress to occur at the right time.  The cool spring appears to have originally slowed down some of the fruit growth and held back the degree day accumulation slightly pushing back harvest in many areas compared to recent seasons.

    The harvest begins just as Sonoma County Winegrape Growers close in on its goal of reaching 100% sustainability this year.  This summer, wine consumers can now purchase the first wines bearing the new Sonoma County sustainably grown logos.  Sonoma County’s Francis Ford Coppola Winery is releasing some of their Director’s Cut wines with the new Sonoma County sustainably grown labels.  This follows the recent release of sustainable wines from Cline Cellar’s and Ferrari-Carano which also bear the new sustainability label.  The label went through extensive consumer testing and proprietary research to measure effectiveness. After several revisions, the brand was finalized.  Brand guidelines were developed and adopted before the TTB-approved label was made available to qualified Sonoma County growers and winemakers.

    Here are some of the first 2019 harvest reports from the front lines of some of our AVAs:

    Dutcher Crossing, Dry Creek Valley:

    Dutcher Crossing Winery picked 4 tons of Chardonnay for sparkling wine on their Dry Creek Road estate in the early morning hours on Tuesday, August 13th.

    Gloria Ferrer, Carneros:

    Harvest kicked off today in the early morning hours. At their 12-acre vineyard property off San Luis Road in Schellville, winegrower Janet Sasaki predicted crews would pick around 61 tons, which is similar to their total tonnage last year. They are picking Pinot Noir for Gloria Ferrer sparkling wines. Janet Sasaki has been selling her grapes to Gloria Ferrer for 18 years.

    Iron Horse, Green Valley of Russian River Valley:

    Joy Sterling is expecting that they will kick off harvest on Tuesday, August 20th but they are keeping a close eye on the heat to see if they need to move that date up. They will be picking Pinot Noir from their estate.  According to Sterling, “This year we are particularly excited about kicking off harvest as this vintage represents the 40th anniversary of the opening of Iron Horse winery and my father’s 90th birthday.”