Category: Non-Video

NASS Predicts Another Record-Breaking Almond Crop

For the second year in a row, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is predicting a record California almond crop for the upcoming production year. According to the NASS 2019 California Almond Subjective Forecast issued today, California almond orchards are expected to produce 2.50 billion pounds of nuts this year, up 8.69% from last year’s 2.30 billion-pound crop.1

This forecast comes about two weeks after NASS released the2018 California Almond Acreage Report, which estimated total almond acres for 2018 were up 2% from 2017 at 1.39 million acres. Bearing acres – orchards mature enough to produce a crop – were reported at 1.09 million acres, up 6% from the previous year. Looking ahead, NASS reported preliminary bearing acreage for 2019 at 1.17 million acres, up 7.3% from 2018.2

“I am excited by the future of the California almond industry. As our crop grows, our improvements in technology and innovative practices are growing with us, from advances in pest management that look beyond traditional applications to significant progress in water use efficiency. The Almond Orchard 2025 Goals highlight these successes and drive our industry to press onward towards the California almond farm of the future,” said Almond Board President and CEO Richard Waycott.

The first of two reports for the upcoming crop, the Subjective Forecast is based on opinions obtained from randomly selected almond growers located throughout the state via a phone survey conducted in April and May. NASS asked growers to indicate their total almond yield per acre from last year and expected yield for the current year based on field observations. The sample of growers interviewed is grouped by size of operation, and different individuals are interviewed each year, allowing all growers to be represented. NASS then combines the yield estimates obtained from each grower and extrapolates the information to arrive at the numbers reported in the Subjective Forecast.

While the Subjective Forecast provides early estimates of the upcoming crop after it is set, NASS’s 2019 California Almond Objective Report will provide a more precise estimate as it uses a more statistically rigorous methodology to determine yield. The report’s data is based on actual almond counts and measurements gathered from over 850 orchards throughout the state and includes the weight, size and grade of the average almond sample broken down by both growing district and variety.

The California Almond Objective Report will be released on July 3, 2019, at 11:50 a.m. PDT. NASS conducts the Objective Report, the Subjective Forecast and the Acreage Report in order to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions.1

USDA-NASS. 2019 California Almond Subjective Forecast. May 2019.2

USDA-NASS. 2018 California Almond Acreage Report. April 2019.

May 10, 2019
Kiwifruit Administrative Committee Board of Directors Nominations Underway – Industry Members Sought to Serve

The California Kiwifruit Administrative Committee will conduct its annual election of kiwifruit growers to serve as members and alternates for a two-year term from August 1, 2019 to July 31, 2021. Nominations are being for Districts 1 and 2. District 1 encompasses production areas in Butte, Sutter and Yuba Counties and District 2 encompasses Tulare County.

Nomination forms were mailed to growers in each district on April 18 and should be returned to the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee postmarked no later than May 13.

Eligible candidates include kiwifruit growers who produce kiwifruit for the fresh market, and employees of growers. Ballots will be mailed to all growers in early June.

The Kiwifruit Administrative Committee is the official body that administers the federal marketing orderfor kiwifruit. The Kiwifruit Administrative Committee has made a commitment to enhance the diversity of the organization and is working in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to encourage eligible women, minorities, persons with disabilities, organic or non-conventional producers, small businesses, and individuals who have never served on the Committee to serve as committee members or alternates. All eligible candidates are encouraged to participate in the nomination process.

If you have any questions please call the Kiwifruit Administrative Committee office at (916) 441-0678.

Nomination forms are available at the office at 1521 I Street, Sacramento, CA 95814, or via email at calkiwi@agamsi.com

May 9, 2019
Western Growers Statement on California DPR Ban on Chlorpyrifos

In response to yesterday’s announcement that the California Department of Pesticide Residue (DPR) is acting to ban the use of the insecticide chlorpyrifos, Western Growers President and CEO Tom Nassif issued the following statement:

“California farmers are universally committed to the safety of their food, the health of their workers and communities, and the sustainability of their land. At every turn, they strive to achieve efficiencies in their use of resources like water, fertilizer and pesticides, and seek to minimize both the human and environmental impacts of these inputs.”

“California farmers also face the most stringent regulatory environment in the world, one that often limits their access to many of the tools still available to farmers elsewhere in the U.S. and in foreign countries, including certain types of pesticides. Indeed, over the last 20 years, California regulatory actions have removed several of the most important crop protection tools farmers rely on to fight pests and diseases.”

“With yesterday’s announcement that DPR will initiate the cancellation of chlorpyrifos, one of the most widely studied and globally approved insecticides, California farmers now stand to lose yet another arrow in their quiver – without effective and ready replacement tools – making their quest to grow the safest, healthiest and most abundant food supply in the world even more difficult.”

“California farmers are resilient, but the long-term viability of our farms in California depends on proper support from the Administration and renewed cooperation of the state’s regulatory agencies, especially in light of the many other unique and expensive regulations that place California farmers at a growing competitive disadvantage.”

About Western Growers:

Founded in 1926, Western Growers represents local and regional family farmers growing fresh produce in Arizona, California, Colorado and New Mexico. Our members and their workers provide half the nation’s fresh fruits, vegetables and tree nuts, including half of America’s fresh organic produce. For generations we have provided variety and healthy choices to consumers. Connect with and learn more about Western Growers on our Twitter and Facebook.

May 9, 2019
Voluntary Agreement on Water Represents the Future and Deserves Prop 68 Funding

Statement by Mike Wade, California Farm Water Coalition Executive Director: California has always prided itself on cutting-edge ideas. It is the place others turn to for new solutions to old problems. We are currently faced with a choice to continue that tradition of innovation with a fresh approach to water and environmental management or chain ourselves to outdated practices of the past.

Last fall, in a historic first, competing water interests came together to produce a voluntary agreement (VA) that will govern water use, habitat projects, and implement new science-based management practices. The Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC) says the VA would, “increase flows in rivers and the Delta and make major investments in habitat. And perhaps most important, create sustainable funding for these efforts (including fees on water diversions), while improving scientific research on and governance of restoration efforts.”

This agreement is the result of years of collaboration between government agencies, water users and environmental interests, conducting scientific studies and projects that put the new science into practice. The VA takes us out of the slow grind of the existing regulatory process and allows us to use scientific structured decision-making to address problems as we go.

The California Legislature is considering a budget this week with funds specifically earmarked for the VA that could provide additional momentum to this progress. Funding from the voter-approved Proposition 68 will help jump start this science-based process. That would mean choosing science-based rules and voluntary, holistic approaches to problems rather than the outdated regulatory status quo. The PPIC says, “What’s clear is that negotiated solutions to water conflicts are fairer and longer-lasting than top-down regulatory solutions or, worse yet, litigated solutions where judges end up trying to manage water.”

And there’s no reason to cling to the past. It’s clear that the current outdated system isn’t working for anyone. Endangered fish populations continue to struggle; farmers face dwindling water supplies; urban users make continuous cutbacks; groundwater supplies are dangerously depleted; and current policy does not address new challenges we face from climate change.

One of the many things this process has revealed is that helping struggling fish populations takes more than water, which is important, but not the only habitat feature fish need. It takes a combination of water at the right time plus attention to habitat, food supply and predator control.

There are other ingredients essential to this agreement. Under the VA, change happens now. Additional water for environmental purposes and habitat restoration begins immediately. That means we reap the benefits today. The regulatory approach could take decades. Plus, in another important first, agricultural water users will pay fees to implement ongoing environmental projects. While there is a need for initial Prop 68 funding, user fees are critical to long-term success because they are an ongoing source of funding.

In a letter to legislators in support of the VA, a group of statewide organizations, including the California Chamber of Commerce and the Bay Area Council, summed it up this way: “The Voluntary Agreements provide a tremendous opportunity to provide more water for fish, wildlife and habitat restoration and a more reliable water supply for a growing state with climate and water supply challenges. The Voluntary Agreement will replace the policy and legal conflicts that have defined the last three decades. Instead, they rely on a collaborative and adaptive management process that will move the state substantially closer to the coequal goals of providing a more reliable water supply for California and protecting, restoring, and enhancing the Delta ecosystem.”

California must choose. The Voluntary Agreement represents the future and a new path away from a failed regulatory approach.

May 7, 2019
California Farmers Have Raised Wages, But Still Unable to Find Enough Workers
Statewide Survey by Farm Bureau & UC Davis Finds Farmers Turning to Labor-Saving Crops:

Despite raising wages and increasing benefits, California farmers are failing to find enough people to pick fruits and vegetables and harvest other crops, and they are offsetting this labor shortage by changing to less labor-intensive crops and adding automation. Moreover, farmers are calling on Congress to enact agricultural workforce reform that would allow immigrants to work as guest workers legally in order to help them grow food.

The findings come in a survey of more than 1,000 farmers statewide conducted by the California Farm Bureau Federation in collaboration with the University of California, Davis.The results are consistent with a similar voluntary survey by the bureau in 2017.“

The farm labor supply is declining, and farmers are responding by changing their production practices,” said the study’s co-author, Zachariah Rutledge, a doctoral student in the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics. “These results are important because they show how big of a problem this is for California farmers, and they suggest that the problem is not going to go away in the near future.”

The survey, “Still Searching for Solutions: Adapting to Farm Worker Scarcity Survey 2019,” was co-authored by J. Edward Taylor, professor and vice chair in the same department and affiliate faculty of the UC Davis Center for Poverty Research. This is part of a larger look at the dwindling farm-labor supply conducted by UC Davis researchers.

Taylor recently completed a long-term study showing that fewer young people from Mexico have the need or interest to come to the United States to pick crops.

In the recent survey, 56 percent of respondents reported that they were not able to hire the number of workers they desired at some point during the previous five years. Of those reporting recent labor shortages, 70 percent said they had more trouble hiring people in 2017 and 2018. Among the survey’s other findings:
- 86 percent of farmers responding to the survey said they had raised wages in efforts to hire enough people
- 61 percent reported they had hired a farm labor contractor to recruit employees
- 37 percent said they had adjusted cultivation practices by, for example, reducing or delaying weeding and pruning
- 31 percent of farmers reported changing the acreage of their main crop, and some of this group reported switching acreage to less labor-intensive crops
In California alone, farmers and ranchers hire nearly 473,000 employees during peak season. Experts calculate, according to the survey, that 50 to 70 percent of the hired workers are not authorized to work in the United States.

Changing worldwide food supply

The findings show the potential for changing the worldwide food supply as farmers move to crops that require fewer human hands to get the crops to market. One farmer commented in the survey, “We have had to abandon berry fields and row crop fields that were good harvest quality due to the unavailability of workers during critical harvest times.” Another farmer reported leaving acres of pole tomatoes and strawberries to rot because there was no one to pick them.

Meanwhile, 57 percent of those who changed crops were planting more crops such as squashes, tree nuts, corn or cotton, which require less labor. Almost three-quarters of farmers cited rising labor costs as the reason for switching to labor-saving technology. More than 50 percent said it was because they didn’t have enough employees. Farmers reported adding technology such as a mechanical harvesters and specialized tractor attachments.

Just under 6 percent of those surveyed said they had enrolled in the federal H-2A work visas program for temporary agricultural workers in the past five years in an effort to bring in more workers, with most saying the temporary visas aren’t practical for small growers.

Farmers also report in this survey, echoing a nationwide trend, that their children do not want to continue in the farming business with the growing challenges of finding workers and making a living.

By Karen Nikos-Rose
May 7, 2019
Tulare County Crop Report (For the week ending May 11, 2019)

SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS:

Winter planted dry land oats are being harvested, baled and hauled for livestock feed. Wheat and alfalfa continue tothrive. Forage crops are ready to be cut for hay and/or silage. Ground preparation continues for spring forage androw crops. Cotton and corn are germinating and showing good growth.

DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES:

Thinning of late variety stone fruit trees is ongoing. Immature stone fruit continues to develop. Early varieties ofapricots and peaches are being exported to Brazil, Taiwan, Thailand, and Canada. Cherry harvest appears strong withfruit quality stable, with domestic shipments booming. Mechanical vineyard maintenance continues with vinetraining and leaf pulling in grapevines. Immature grape bunches are developing. Meanwhile bees are being placed inkiwi vineyards during bloom. Walnuts and pistachios are still blooming. Last season’s pistachio nuts are beingexported to Europe, Italy, Hong Kong, the United Arab Emirates, Spain, and Israel. Almonds are being exported toJapan, Korea, Germany, Belgium, Sweden, Netherlands, Israel, New Zealand, Hong Kong, Chile, Mexico,Colombia, Russia, and India.

CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES:

Late lane navel oranges are almost done. Fruit quality and demand are tapering down as the season progresses, withfruit drop and softening becoming more of an issue. Domestic and international exports for late navels are steady;with fruit being exported to Mexico, the Dominican Republic, China, Taiwan Japan, China, Korea, Southeast Asia,and Mexico. Valencia oranges continue to be harvested and exported to both the domestic and international markets.International exports for Valencia’s continue to China, Japan, and Korea. Valencia exports remain steady, and will escalate as late navels trickle to a stop. Grapefruit harvest is sluggish, but exports of Star Ruby grapefruit areconsistent to Korea, Japan, and Mexico. Seedless tangerine groves remain netted for the bloom. Mechanicalmaintenance for citrus groves continues with orchards being thinned, topped and/or skirted. Lemons continue to bebagged for Mexico. Olive tree blooms are progressing well.

VEGETABLES, MELONS, AND BERRIES:

Blueberry season is proving to be quite productive this week. Blueberries are being exported to Taiwan, Canada, andJapan. Strawberry season is strong, with continuous bloom and mature fruit being picked. Harvested strawberriesare being sold at roadside stands throughout Tulare County. Early planted summer vegetables are growing, with newfields being prepared for additional summer vegetable plantings.

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY:

Rangeland forage is in continues to remain in fair to good condition for grazing. The fed cattle market remainssteady at $126 per hundred-weight this week.

ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

Mother’s day is almost here. Local wholesale nurseries remain hectic as shipments of nursery stock are supplied tolocal and domestic marketplaces. Nursery retail markets are preparing for the onslaught of crowds for the holiday byincreasing inventory of foliage plants, flowering plants and cut flowers. Bare root roses continue to be exported tovarious eastern states, but shipments have decreased to just a few per week.

As a helpful reminder Mother’s Day this year falls on Sunday, May 12th.

Prepared by: Tom Tucker

Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

May 7, 2019
Bill Lyons honored as Member of the Year by the Almond Alliance of California

The Almond Alliance of California has selected Bill Lyons, a third generation farmer from Modesto, as its Member of the Year. The award was announced at the Alliance’s annual convention held in Napa April 30-May 2.

“Bill played a leading role in helping transform the former Almond Hullers and Processors Association into the Almond Alliance with an increased emphasis on advocating for all sectors of the California almond industry,” explained Alliance President Elaine Trevino. “He has been a relentless advocate for the industry and was instrumental in forming the California Almond Industry Political Action Committee, helping to give the industry high visibility among state decision makers. He has also distinguished himself as chair of the Alliance’s Government Relations Committee which provides guidance to the board on critical legislative and regulatory issues impacting the California almond industry.”

Lyons was recently appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom as Agriculture Liaison in the Office of the Governor, responsible for reporting to the Newsom Administration on a wide range of agricultural and water policy issues. Under Gov. Gray Davis, he served as Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture from 1999 to 2004.

While Lyons has stepped down from his Alliance roles due to his appointment, he remains a strong voice for the California agriculture on issues ranging from water to foreign trade. “Bill understands the complexity of production, food safety, environmental, water and trade issues affecting California agriculture,” said Trevino. “He brings us a seat at the table and provides a much needed balanced perspective to critical policy discussions.” Bill understands the importance of including diversity of opinions in important policy discussions.

During the time he oversaw his family’s 95-year-old farming and cattle ranching operation in Stanislaus County, Lyons has received numerous national and state awards for his environmental stewardship and conservation efforts. The family farming operation produces a wide range of agricultural commodities, including almonds, walnuts, tomatoes, corn, wheat, oats, rye, alfalfa, beans and wine grapes, as well as beef cattle.

Lyons served from 1984-1993 as a director on the Modesto Irrigation District, which serves over 250,000 electrical urban and agricultural and water customers, providing him a unique perspective on the issues facing both agriculture and urban water and electrical customers.

As a conservationist, Lyons has been recognized by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for his conservation and environmental efforts, and has received the United States Department of Agriculture National Environmentalist Award. He was selected as the western regional finalist for the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation 2010 Conservationist of the Year Award.

Bill’s alma mater, California State University at Chico, honored Bill in 2000 with the Distinguished Alumni Award. He and his wife, Suzy, live in Modesto and have four children and five grandchildren.

Read more about the proceedings of the Almond Alliance’s 2019 convention in the coming issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. Subscribe for FREE today at:

About the Almond Alliance of California

The Almond Alliance of California (AAC) is a trusted non-profit organization dedicated to advocating on behalf of the California almond community. California almonds are an economic powerhouse, generating more than $21 billion in economic revenue and directly contributing more than $11 billion to the state’s total economy. California’s top agricultural export, almonds create approximately 104,000 jobs statewide, over 97,000 in the Central Valley, which suffers from chronic unemployment. The AAC is dedicated to educating state legislators, policy makers and regulatory officials about the California almond community. As a membership-based organization, our members include almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers and allied businesses. Through workshops, newsletters, conferences, social media and personal meetings, AAC works to raise awareness, knowledge and provide a better understanding about the scope, size, value and sustainability of the California almond community. For more information on the Almond Alliance, visit https://almondalliance.org/or check out the Almond Alliance on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

May 6, 2019
USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Producers’ Costs for Organic Certification

WASHINGTON, May 6, 2019 – USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that organic producers and handlers can apply for federal funds to assist with the cost of receiving and maintaining organic certification through the Organic Certification Cost Share Program (OCCSP). Applications for fiscal 2019 funding are due Oct. 31, 2019.

“Producers can visit their local FSA county offices to apply for up to 75 percent of the cost of organic certification,” said FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce. “This also gives organic producers an opportunity to learn about other valuable USDA resources, like farm loans and conservation assistance, that can help them succeed. Organic producers can take advantage of a variety of USDA programs from help with field buffers to routine operating expenses to storage and handling equipment.”

OCCSP received continued support through the 2018 Farm Bill. It provides cost-share assistance to producers and handlers of agricultural products for the costs of obtaining or maintaining organic certification under the USDA’s National Organic Program. Eligible producers include any certified producers or handlers who have paid organic certification fees to a USDA-accredited certifying agent. Eligible expenses for cost-share reimbursement include application fees, inspection costs, fees related to equivalency agreement and arrangement requirements, travel expenses for inspectors, user fees, sales assessments and postage.

Certified producers and handlers are eligible to receive reimbursement for up to 75 percent of certification costs each year, up to a maximum of $750 per certification scope, including crops, livestock, wild crops, handling and state organic program fees.

Opportunities for State Agencies

Today’s announcement also includes the opportunity for state agencies to apply for grant agreements to administer the OCCSP program in fiscal 2019. State agencies that establish agreements for fiscal year 2019 may be able to extend their agreements and receive additional funds to administer the program in future years.

FSA will accept applications from state agencies for fiscal year 2019 funding for cost-share assistance through May 29, 2019.

More Information

To learn more about organic certification cost share, please visit the OCCSP webpage, view the notice of funds availability on the Federal Register, or contact your FSA county office. To learn more about USDA support for organic agriculture, visit usda.gov/organic.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender.

May 6, 2019

USDA Seeks Five Nominees for the National Organic Standards Board

Each member serves a five-year term and represents specific sectors of the organic community. Current openings include:

One individual with expertise in areas of environmental protection and resource conservation.
One individual who owns or operates an organic farming operation or an employee of such individuals.
One individual who owns or operates a retail establishment with significant trade in organic products or an employee of such individuals.
Two individuals who own or operate an organic handling operation or an employee of such individuals.

USDA is also accepting nominations of qualified candidates to fill future unexpected vacancies in any of the seven categories representing the scope of the organic agricultural community.

Deadline for nominations is May 20, 2019.

Members attend two in-person meetings each year and participate in bi-monthly subcommittee conference calls. USDA reimburses NOSB members for approved travel and associated lodging expenses.

Nominations must include a resume and an AD-755 application form. Nominations may also include an optional cover letter and letters of reference.

Nominations may be emailed to Michelle.Arsenault@usda.gov at the National Organic Program or mailed to: USDA-AMS-NOP, 1400 Independence Avenue SW., Room 2642-S., Ag Stop 0268, Washington, DC 20250-0268. Electronic submissions are preferred.

Additional information:

Federal Register Notice
Call for Nominations Flyer (pdf)
NOSB Recommendation on Criteria for NOSB Membership (pdf)
USDANOSB Nominations Process web page.

May 3, 2019

Plant Protection & Quarantine Releases 2018 Annual Report

Safeguarding our Nation’s agriculture and natural resources against harmful plant pests is an awesome responsibility, one we take very seriously. Thanks to USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) employees, cooperators, and partners, the United States has one of the most robust plant health safeguarding systems in the world. That is because we continuously take steps to enhance our ability to exclude, control, and eradicate pests and increase the safety of agricultural trade. This year, we introduced 10 strategic initiatives for 2018 and beyond that will further advance every aspect of our mission. You will learn more about them and our progress in our 2018 annual report.

You will also learn about our many successes and accomplishments in 2018. For example, we continued to push the U.S. line of defense against invasive pests and diseases farther offshore, allowing us to take action against pests hitchhiking on or in imported goods before they reached our borders. At ports of entry, we advanced the use of data-driven sampling strategies and cutting-edge technologies to better focus inspections on the riskiest shipments and more quickly and accurately detect pests that physical inspection alone would miss. The need for these critical technologies has never been greater, given the fact that we cleared a record-breaking 1 billion plants through our Miami inspection station alone in 2018.

Across the country, we worked with the States and other partners to detect, contain, and when possible, eradicate invading pests. I am proud of the many successes we had this year, including declaring the Asian longhorned beetle eradicated from three Ohio townships and eradicating exotic fruit flies from five quarantine areas in California and four in Texas. Our crowning achievement came in October when we declared all cotton-producing areas of the continental United States free of pink bollworm, marking the end of a 101-year-old battle with one of the world’s most damaging cotton pests.

On the world stage, we worked closely with our international trading partners to develop and promote science-based standards, helping to create a safe, fair, and predictable agricultural trade system that minimizes the spread of invasive plant pests and diseases. We also reached critical plant health agreements and resolved plant health barriers to trade to open, expand, and retain U.S. export markets valued at nearly $23 billion. And, we issued 699,900 phytosanitary certificates, helping U.S. producers meet foreign market access requirements and secure economic opportunities for U.S. products abroad.

These successes, and the many achievements captured in our 2018 annual report, underscore how PPQ is working every day to keep U.S. agriculture healthy and profitable.

I am grateful to the talented men and women of PPQ and their deep commitment to our mission. I am also thankful for our partners, without whom none of this would be possible. We look forward to working with each of you in the years ahead as we continue to safeguard American agriculture against invasive pests and facilitate the safe trade of agricultural products.

Osama El-Lissy
PPQ Deputy Administrator

May 3, 2019

Category: Non-Video

About Western Growers:

Statewide Survey by Farm Bureau & UC Davis Finds Farmers Turning to Labor-Saving Crops:

Changing worldwide food supply

Deadline for nominations is May 20, 2019.