California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • 2018 Farm Bill Increases Limits and Makes Other Changes to Farm Loans

    WASHINGTON – Higher limits are now available for borrowers interested in USDA’s farm loans, which help agricultural producers purchase farms or cover operating expenses. The 2018 Farm Bill increased the amount that producers can borrow through direct and guaranteed loans available through USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and made changes to other loans, such as microloans and emergency loans.

    “As natural disasters, trade disruptions, and persistent pressure on commodity prices continue to impact agricultural operations, farm loans become increasingly important to farmers and ranchers,” FSA Administrator Richard Fordyce said. “The 2018 Farm Bill provides increased loan limits and more flexibility to farm loans, which gives producers more access to credit when they need it most.”

    Key changes include:

    • The Direct Operating Loan limit increased from $300,000 to $400,000, and the Guaranteed Operating Loan limit increased from $ 1.429 million to $1.75 million. Operating loans help producers pay for normal operating expenses, including machinery and equipment, seed, livestock feed, and more.
    • The Direct Farm Ownership Loan limit increased from $300,000 to $600,000, and the Guaranteed Farm Ownership Loan limit increased from $1.429 million to $1.75 million. Farm ownership loans help producers become owner-operators of family farms as well as improve and expand current operations.
    • Producers can now receive both a $50,000 Farm Ownership Microloan and a $50,000 Operating Microloan. Previously, microloans were limited to a combined $50,000. Microloans provide flexible access to credit for small, beginning, niche, and non-traditional farm operations.
    • Producers who previously received debt forgiveness as part of an approved FSA restructuring plan are now eligible to apply for emergency loans. Previously, these producers were ineligible.
    • Beginning and socially disadvantaged producers can now receive up to a 95 percent guarantee against the loss of principal and interest on a loan, up from 90 percent.

    About Farm Loans

    Direct farm loans, which include microloans and emergency loans, are financed and serviced by FSA, while guaranteed farm loans are financed and serviced by commercial lenders. For guaranteed loans, FSA provides a guarantee against possible financial loss of principal and interest.

    For more information on FSA farm loans, visit www.fsa.usda.gov or contact your local USDA service center.

  • NRCS invites proposals for 2019 Conservation Innovation Grants

    USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is now accepting proposals for its Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG) program. Up to $500,000 is available for one- to three-year grants. The maximum award amount for any project will not exceed $75,000 in fiscal year 2019. Proposals are due by June 10, 2019.

    CIG is a voluntary program to stimulate the development and adoption of innovative conservation approaches and technologies in conjunction with agricultural production. The proposed projects should augment existing NRCS technical tools (planning, assessment and/or delivery) to better facilitate conservation on farms and ranches.

    “These grants present an outstanding opportunity for us as an Agency to find the intersection between cutting-edge, innovative thinkers and on-the-ground conservation doers,” said Tom Hedt, Assistant State Conservationist for NRCS in California. “It’s a chance for us to explore the sweet spot between the visionary and the doable.”

    CIG projects are expected to lead to the transfer of conservation technologies, management systems, and innovative approaches (such as market-based systems) to agricultural producers, into NRCS technical manuals and guides, or to the private sector. CIG generally funds pilot projects, field demonstrations, and on-farm conservation research.

    In 2019 NRCS California is prioritizing proposals that improve the “technical toolbox” to address the following on-farm resource concerns: soil health, water quality and quantity; plant quality; air quality; forestland health; wildlife; energy conservation; and waste recycling- resource conservation. Applicants are encouraged to explore the full program announcement to better match their proposals to these needs. Please see www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/ca/programs/financial/cig/

    Funds will be awarded through a statewide competitive grants process and in 2019 will not include a pre-proposal process. Eligible applicants include state and local government, nongovernment organizations, Tribal governments, eligible private business and individuals. Applicants may contact Erik Beardsley at Erik.Beardsley@ca.usda.govfor more information.

    Applications must be received by 5 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time on June 10, 2019.

    Applications must be submitted electronically through http://www.grants.gov.

    In addition, a PDF of the complete application must be emailed to Erik.Beardsley@ca.usda.gov. Both submissions must be received by the submission due date. Below is a link to the national CIG webpage project search tool, where limited information on past California projects can be found.

    https://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/ciglanding/national/programs/financial/cig/cigsearch/ 

  • Procedures for Possible Changes to CDFA Dairy Quota Program

    Background

    The Quota Implementation Plan (QIP) provides that anyone seeking substantive amendments or termination of the QIP must do so by submitting a petition to the California Department of Food and Agriculture (Department) signed by at least 25 percent of market milk producers. The QIP does not specifically outline the procedures or process for a petition received by the Department.

    As a result, the Producer Review Board (Board) was convened to develop the procedures. The Board conducted two public meetings on December 19, 2018 and March 6, 2019 to receive input from the public and technical assistance from Department staff, and to develop the procedures for submitting a petition for proposed changes to or termination of the QIP .

    Results

    Based upon input from the public, the Department has developed the attached procedures for handling a petition for substantive amendments to or termination of theQIP .

    Procedures for Submitting a Petition for Substantive Amendments or Termination of the Quota Implementation Plan April 3, 2019

    Purpose of this document is to provide direction regarding the process for any petition received by the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) to amend or terminate the Quota Implementation Plan (QIP or Plan), as outlined in Article 11, Section 1103 of the QIP.

    Any petition to amend or termination the QIP shall include:

    • The name and contact information for a representative of the petitioning party.
    • A brief description of the proposed changes including a copy of the suggested language to amend the Plan.
    • Specific justifications for the proposed changes including legal authorities,relevant analysis, comments, and data supporting the request including any time frames (i.e. ongoing or temporary) for the proposed changes are suggested.
    • The producer name, producer number under the QIP program, physical dairy ranch address, signature of the producer, and signature date.
    • The information for each petitioner may be on a single page (i.e. one petitioner per page) or information for multiple petitioners may be listed on a single page. A brief description of the proposed changes including an exact and complete copy of the language to amend the Plan must be on each signature page.
    • The petition shall be submitted in one package to the CDFA Secretary or the QIP Administrator, via mail at CDFA-QIP 1220 N Street, Sacramento, CA 95814 or emailed to: dairy@cdfa.ca.gov
    • To be considered a complete package, the package shall include all the above listed items.
    • Once a petition is submitted to the Department it cannot be amended.

      Upon receipt of a petition:

    • The Secretary shall notify the petitioner in writing of its receipt of the petition.

    • The Secretary shall notify the Producer Review Board of its receipt via email and post the petition with producer’s personal information and signatures redacted on the CDFA website for no less than 90 days. The QIP Administrator will begin the verification process to validate submitted signatures. No more signatures will be received after the date the petition is received.
    • In the event the QIP Administrator receives substantial evidence that petition signatures may have been forged, the Department will take reasonable steps to confirm the validity of all petition signatures, except those that have been verified by a notary public at the time the petition was signed. Substantial evidence means more than a mere scintilla [a tiny trace or spark of a specified quality or feeling]; it is such relevant evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion.
    • The QIP Administrator shall verify all dairy ownership using the latest QIP Program producer information available to ensure petitioner information, as submitted, is valid.
    • Producers eligible to receive a referendum ballot are persons, as defined in Food and Agricultural Code 61836, and producers of market milk.
    • The QIP Administrator shall tabulate whether the required twenty-five percent (25%) signature threshold has been achieved within ninety calendar days (90) of receipt of the petition. If the Department cannot validate the 25% signature threshold, the petition will be deemed invalid. The petitioner may resubmit another petition.
    • The Secretary shall notify the petitioner, the Producer Review Board (via email)and effected producers of the final tabulation and post the result on the CDFA website. (https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/dairy/)
    • If the 25% threshold is achieved, the Secretary shall schedule, a meeting of the Producer Review Board within sixty calendar days (60) of petition certification.
    • The Producer Review Board shall review the petition in one or more meetings, adopt findings, and make a recommendation to the Secretary.
    • The Secretary shall review the PRB recommendation and if the Secretary finds that the Plan no longer tends to effectuate the purpose intended, the petitionshall be submitted for referendum in the same manner as provided for its initial approval, per Food and Agriculture Code 62717.
    • The Secretary’s determination shall be reported to the Petitioner, the Producer Review Board, effected producers and posted on the CDFA website within thirty calendar days (30) of the Producer Review Board’s recommendation.
    • Within forty-five (45) days of the Secretary’s determination, CDFA shall initiate the referendum process in the same manner as provided for the QIP’s initial approval.

  • USDA Update on Farm Bill Implementation Progress

    (Washington, D.C., April 12, 2019)— U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the implementation status of the 2018 Farm Bill. President Trump signed this Farm Bill into law on December 20th, 2018 and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) promptly began implementation of key programs. USDA held several listening sessions with stakeholders and the public, specific to each agency’s respective mission areas.

    “At USDA we are implementing the 2018 Farm Bill as quickly as possible. We know the programs that are renewed and updated in this farm bill are critical to farmers, ranchers, and producers as they plan for the future,” said Secretary Sonny Perdue. “Our mission areas have all held several public listening sessions, both formally and informally, to receive stakeholder input. Our goal is to have programs that function best for the people that we serve. We have made progress in new Farm Bill provisions, and look to implement programs that are customer service focused and economically efficient. We still have a lot of work ahead of us, but we are diligently working on behalf of all of USDA’s customers.”

    Implementation Progress:

    TITLE I – Commodity Programs

    • Dairy Forward Pricing Program:  On March 1, 2019, the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) published a final rule reauthorizing the Dairy Forward Pricing Program in the Federal Register.
    • Class I Skim Milk Price: On March 11, 2019, AMS published a final rule implementing the Class I Skim Milk Price provision in the Federal Register.
    • Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP-Dairy): On March 22, 2019, Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that dairy producers who elected to participate in the Livestock Gross Margin for Dairy Cattle Program in 2018 can now retroactively participate in the MPP-Dairy for 2018.
    • Dairy Margin Coverage Program: On March 28, 2019, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) revised monthly price survey reports to include prices for high-quality alfalfa hay in the top five milk producing states to be utilized in the new Dairy Margin Coverage feed calculation.
    • FSA will begin offering reimbursements to eligible producers for MPP-Dairy premiums paid between 2014-2017 by May 1.
    • The Office of the Chief Economist has entered into an agreement with the University of Wisconsin to develop a Dairy Margin Coverage decision tool that will be available to producers by May 1.
    • FSA will open sign-up for the new Dairy Margin Coverage Program beginning June 17, providing coverage retroactive to January 1, 2019, with applicable payments following soon after enrollment.
    • Emergency Conservation Program (ECP): On April 4, 2019, FSA announced several changes to ECP as provided by the 2018 Farm Bill, including increasing the payment limit from $200,000 per person or legal entity per natural event to $500,000.
    • On April 4, 2019, FSA announced that socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers or ranchers are now eligible for up to 90 percent ECP cost share of their total allowable cost.
    • Non-insurance Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP): On April 8, 2019, FSA announced that producers now have a one-time opportunity until May 24, 2019, to obtain buy-up coverage for 2019 or 2020 eligible crops for which the NAP application closing date has passed. In addition, qualified military veteran farmers and ranchers are now eligible for a service fee waiver and premium reduction.
    • Marketing Assistance Loans (MAL): On April 10, 2019, FSA announced the 2019 Marketing Assistance Loan rates for wheat, feed grains, oilseeds, rice and pulse crops. Relative to 2018-crop MAL levels, the 2018 Farm Bill increased the national loan rates for most of these commodities for each of the 2019-2023 crops.
    • Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) Programs: FSA will open ARC/PLC elections for the 2019 and 2020 crop years beginning in September 2019.

    TITLE II – Conservation

    Conservation Innovation Grants: On March 26, 2019, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) state offices began publishing notices of funding availability for the Conservation Innovation Grants state competitions.

    Agricultural Conservation Easement Program:On March 27, USDA published an announcement regarding the availability of $450 million for wetland and agricultural land easements that will help private landowners, tribes, land trusts and other groups wanting to restore and protect critical wetlands and protect agricultural lands and grasslands.

    Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP):On April 5, 2019, NRCS announced the next deadline for CSP applications to be raked and considered for funding this year is May 10, 2019. It includes higher payments for enhancements that include cover crops, resource conserving crop rotations, and advanced grazing.

    Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP): On April 9, 2019, NRCS determined that RCPP projects with agreements entered into prior to September 30, 2018, may continue to enter into new RCPP-CSP contracts with eligible producers, which will be administered under the new CSP authority.

    Environmental Quality Incentives Program: This program operates through a continuous signup process. Applications may be submitted throughout the year. At the state level, NRCS has periodic funding cutoff periods when applications are evaluated for selection.

    TITLE III – Trade

    Agricultural Trade Promotion and Facilitation Funding: On February 7, 2019, the Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) allocated more than $204 million in Market Access Program and Foreign Market and Development Program.

    Food for Progress: On March 26, 2019, FAS announced $155 million funding opportunity for the Food for Progress program.

    McGovern-Dole School Feeding Program: On March 26, 2019, FAS announced $191 million in a funding opportunity for the McGovern-Dole School Feeding Program.

    Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement: On March 26, 2019, FAS announced up to $15 million funding opportunity for Local and Regional Food Aid Procurement.

    Cochran Fellowship Program 2019: On March 26, 2019, FAS announced the availability of $1.8 million for the Cochran Fellowship Program.

    TITLE IV – Nutrition Programs

    Simplified Homeless Housing Costs: On February 8, 2019, the Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) issued an informational memorandum on Simplified Homeless Housing Costs.

    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Employment and Training: On March 6, 2019, FNS issued an information memorandum on the Employment and Training provisions, including those that are self-executing.

    Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP): On March 7, 2019, FNS issued an information memorandum for the self-enacting provisions of the SNAP Provisions of the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018.

    Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP): On March 8, 2019, FNS issued the information memorandum for CSFP and the exception for temporary monthly certification periods.

    Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR): On February 14, 2019, FNS held an in-person consultation with tribal leaders to discuss a variety of topics regarding FDPIR, including Farm Bill provisions. On April 5, 2019, FNS issued an informational memorandum to announce the availability of FDPIR administrative funding for two-years at the State/Indian Tribal Organization level.

    TITLE V – Credit

    Modified Micro Loan Limits: On March 7, 2019, FSA implemented a change to allow agricultural producers to receive both a $50,000 Direct Operating Microloan and a $50,000 Direct Farm Ownership Microloan. Previously, agricultural producers were limited to a combined total of $50,000.

    Increase in Percent of Guarantee for Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers: On March 7, 2019, FSA increased the percent for new guaranteed loans to any beginning or socially disadvantaged agricultural producer to 95 percent.

    Increased Loan Limits: On April 11, 2019, FSA announced that eligible agricultural producers have access to higher loan amounts, to better provide them with the credit needed during this period of lower market prices and numerous natural disasters.

    TITLE VI – Rural Development

    Cushion of Credit Program:On December 21, 2018, Rural Development informed all the Rural Utilities Service (RUS) borrowers of the new provisions in the 2018 Farm Bill affecting the borrower’s participation in the Cushion of Credit Program.

    American Broadband Initiative: On February 13, 2019, Rural Development released the American Broadband Initiatives Milestones report, describing how the Federal government is partnering with the private sector expand rural broadband.

    Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Program: On April 1, 2019, the Rural Housing Service began soliciting applications for the Community Facilities Technical Assistance and Training Programs.

    Council on Rural Community Innovation and Economic Development: The Council is the successor to the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. The Council held its first call on April 8, 2019, to coordinate rural community innovation and economic development across the federal government.

    Rural Water and Waste Water Technical Assistance and Training Programs: On April 1, 2019, the Rural Utilities Service published a Notice of Solicitation of Applications in the Federal Register.

    TITLE VII – Research and Related Matters

    Matching Fund Requirements: On March 20, 2019, National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) published the updated matching requirements chart on its website, sent an update to all stakeholders via the weekly NIFA Stakeholder Update. Relevant future RFA’s will include updated matching requirements.

    Indirect Cost Limitations: On March 20, 2019, NIFA published the updated indirect cost rate requirements by program chart on its website. Relevant future Requests for Applications (RFA’s) will include updated indirect cost rate requirements.

    The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program (BFRDP): On April 5, 2019, NIFA published the Request for Applications (RFA) for BFRDP.

    Barley Estimation Program: On March 7, 2019, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) established that New York will be added to the Barley estimation program.

    Nominations of Members: On March 28, 2019, the Request for Nominations of Members for the National Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics Advisory Board, Specialty Crop Committee, Citrus Disease Subcommittee, and National Genetic Resources Advisory Council published in the Federal Register.

    TITLE VIII – Forestry

    Healthy Forests Restoration Act of 2003 Amendments– On March 14, 2019, the Forest Service announced the changes and the extension to 2023 of these provisions.

    Stakeholder Engagement: On March 22, 2019, Under Secretary Hubbard and Forest Service Chief Vicki Christiansen held a public listening session to receive stakeholder input on 2018 Farm Bill provisions regarding national forests and grassland.

    TITLE IX – Energy

    Biorefinery, Renewable Chemical, and Biobased Product Manufacturing Assistance Program: On April 1, 2019, the Rural Business and Cooperative Service posted an Administrative Notice to the Rural Development web site implementing the Farm Bill provisions for Section 9003 administratively. The Administrative Notice applies to all existing active 9003 program applications.

    TITLE X – Horticulture

    Hemp: On February 27, 2019, AMS issued a Notice to Trade regarding the hemp provisions in the Farm Bill and on March 13, 2019, AMS held a listening session on the hemp provisions in the Farm Bill.  The 2018 Farm Bill extended the 2014 Farm Bill provisions for hemp production by 12 months to allow USDA to complete the required rulemaking process, and USDA intends to issue regulations in the Fall of 2019 in order to accommodate the 2020 planting season.  For the 2019 planting season, the 2018 Farm Bill provides that States, Tribes, and institutions of higher education can continue operating under authorities of the 2014 Farm Bill.

    Specialty Crop Block Grant Program: On March 7, 2019, AMS announced the availability of approximately $70 million for the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program.

    National Organic Standards Board (NOSB): In March 2019, AMS issued a Call for Nominations for the NOSB that included 2018 Farm Bill provisions that will lead to a more diverse candidate pool for the NOSB.

    TITLE XI – Crop Insurance

    Specialty Crop Insurance: On March 6, 2019, Risk Management Agency (RMA) created a dedicated Specialty Crop website to fulfill the requirements of the 2018 Farm Bill. The website lists specialty crop liaisons by Regional Office and provides a link to the 2019 Specialty Crop Report as well as a link to archived prior reports.

    Beginning Farmer and Rancher: On March 12, 2019, RMA implemented the new definition for the Whole Farm Revenue Protection program that extends the time for new beginning farmer and rancher eligibility from 5 years to 10 years for the sales closing dates after the passage of the farm bill.

    Multi-County Enterprise Units:Starting with sales closing dates after the passage of the farm bill RMA is offering a new endorsement for farmers. Producers of corn, grain sorghum, soybeans, cotton, canola, peanuts, rice, barley, wheat, and sunflowers now have the option to combine acreage in one county that does not qualify for enterprise units with crop acreage in another county that does qualify. The option offers flexibility and a low-cost option for producers.

    Yield Cups:RMA has fully implemented yield cups that provide producers with an election to limit the decrease in actual production history (APH) to not more than 10% of the prior crop year’s APH. This prevents abnormally low yielding years from dramatically impacting a producers APH and stabilizes insurance guarantees.

    TITLE XII – Miscellaneous

    Agriculture and Food Defense: The Office of Homeland Security has commenced a series of events to educate the Intelligence Community on threats to agriculture and the collection of information on emerging threats.

    United States Drought Monitor (USDM):The Office of the Chief Economist has initiated a thorough review of the data being used in the USDM, the geographic coverage of data collection sites, and other climatological data that will improve the USDM.

    Agriculture Wool Apparel Manufactures Trust Fund: The Wool Apparel Manufacturing Trust Fund application period closed March 1, 2019.  FAS reviewed 38 affidavits and is on course to issue payments by the statutory deadline.

    Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund: The Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund application period closed March 15, 2019.  FAS reviewed 8 affidavits and is on course to issue payments by the statutory deadline.

    U.S. Grain Standards: On March 5, 2019, AMS posted a Notice to Trade announcing the restoration of certain exceptions under the U.S. Grain Standards Act.

    Acer Access and Development Program: On March 12, 2019, AMS announced the availability of funding under the Acer Access and Development Program.

    Peanut Standards Board: On March 19, 2019, AMS published in the Federal Register a notice requesting nominations to the Peanut Standards Board. The notice adds South Carolina as a part of the Virginia/Carolina peanut producing region for purposes of appointments to the board.

  • B.F. Sisk Dam Seismic Upgrade

    The Bureau of Reclamation and the California Department of Water Resources prepared a joint Draft Environmental Impact Statement/Environmental Impact Report (EIS/EIR) for B.F. Sisk Safety of Dams Modification Project to reduce seismic risks at B.F. Sisk Dam in Merced County. The Draft EIS/EIR is available for a 45-day public review period.

    “B.F. Sisk is a key component to both the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project,” said Ernest Conant, Reclamation’s Mid-Pacific Regional Director. “We are pleased to release this joint document for review and comment.”

    Initiated as part of Reclamation’s Safety of Dams program, the Draft EIS/EIR evaluates the potential direct and indirect environmental impacts of alternatives that would prevent destabilization of the dam embankment, reduce safety concern, and maintain water supply deliveries to state and federal water contractors during a seismic event.

    The 382-foot tall B.F. Sisk Dam retains San Luis Reservoir, which is the nation’s largest off-stream reservoir and serves California’s State Water Project and the federal Central Valley Project.

    Public meetings to receive comments on topics addressed in the Draft EIS/EIR have been scheduled for:

    • May 7, 2019, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Federal Building, Cafeteria Conference Rooms, 2800 Cottage Way, Sacramento, CA 95825
    • May 8, 2019, 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Miller and Lux Building, 830 6th Street, Los Banos, CA 93635

    The Notice of Availability (NOA) and Draft EIS/EIR may be viewed at Reclamation’s website at https://www.usbr.gov/mp/nepa/nepa_project_details.php?Project_ID=34281; DWR’s website at https://water.ca.gov/News/Public-Notices/New-Public-Notice-Folder/BF-Sisk-Dam-EIS-and-EIR; at 1416 Ninth Street, Room 604-8, Sacramento, CA 95814; Los Banos Public Library at 1312 Seventh St., Los Banos, CA 93635; or by emailing rochelle.amrhein@water.ca.gov.

    Written comments on the environmental document must be received by close of business May 28, 2019. Send comments to Jamie LeFevre, Reclamation, 2800 Cottage Way MP-152, Sacramento, CA 95825 or jlefevre@usbr.gov, or to Shelly Amrhein, DWR, P.O. Box 942836, Sacramento, CA 94236-0001, or via email to rochelle.amrhein@water.ca.gov, or faxed to 916-653-2960. For additional information or a CD document copy, contact Shelly Amrhein at 916-653-6973.

  • California Dairy Digital Magazine: April 2019 Issue

    A Family That Farms Together Stays Together
    Five Generations of Dairy Farming at Regli Jerseys
    Dairy Battles Bad Bacteria
    Another Reason to Drink Milk
    Healthy Assets
    Dairy Producers Lead Clean-up Efforts
    CA FMMO Advanced Prices & Factors
    Class 1 Skim Milk Price Formula Amended

  • California Crop Weather (WEEK ENDING: April 14, 2019)

    WEATHER

    Temperatures for the week were above average for the most part across California. The Sierras experienced scattered showers and maintained above-average snow depth, while temperatures reached as high as 100 in the desert.Temperature lows ranged from the upper 20s to mid 40s in the Sierras, 30s to high 60s in the desert, high 30s to low 60s along the coast, and low 40s to low 50s in the valley.

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

    FIELD CROPS

    In Tulare County, wheat and alfalfa continued to mature. Silage crops were being cut. Spring silage continued to be planted.

    FRUIT CROPS

    Stone fruit orchard bloom was ongoing. Cherry and early plum fruit were sizing well. Pomegranates were leafing. Late navel orange harvest and packing continued. Somecitrus groves were being topped and skirted. Lemon harvest continued. Seedless tangerines were being tented to prevent cross pollination. Olives were blooming in Tulare County.

    NUT CROPS

    Almonds were sizing well. Walnuts were blooming. Pistachio planting continued.

    VEGETABLE CROPS

    In Imperial, romaine lettuce and spinach harvest continued. Winter vegetables continue tobe grown and harvested in Tulare. In the Sacramento Valley, asparagus harvest resumed.Processing tomato continued to be planted.

    LIVESTOCK

    Warmer temperatures promoted range development. Rangeland and non-irrigated pasturewere in good condition. Drier weather promoted milk production. Some bee hives were being moved from stone fruit orchards to the foothills.

    Crop weather report chart

  • Nutrien Ag Solutions Strengthens Partnership with National FFA Organization

    INDIANAPOLIS (Monday, April 15, 2019/National FFA Organization) – Nutrien has just announced an increase in their sponsorship of the National FFA Organization. In the past, the company has worked with FFA to ensure the future of agricultural education by their generous support that provided student members with the opportunity to grow into the world’s future leaders.

    This year, Nutrien Ag Solutions will serve as a silver sponsor to the National FFA Organization. They will support areas such as the New Century Farmer program; Washington Leadership Conference, Ag Sales- Entrepreneurship Proficiency; support for the National FFA Expo, to name a few. In addition, they fund FFA Alumni and Supporters grants as well as the National Association of Agricultural Educators.

    “We appreciate that the goals and values of Nutrien align with FFA and that they see our members as a critical part of their industry and company success,” said Molly Ball, National FFA Foundation president.  “We are thankful for their increased support of our organization.”

    “I’m very excited to see where the Giver Backs to your Roots partnership is headed, and seeing what this year’s FFA grant recipients are doing to explore agriculture in their communities,” said Ian Loar, senior marketing manager of Nutrien. “We see FFA as a great organization to support the next generation of agricultural leaders.”

    At the local, state and national levels, FFA brings its mission to life for student members. Members gain experience in the areas of agricultural literacy and advocacy, agricultural knowledge, career exploration, leadership development, food security and service engagement.The National FFA Organization provides leadership, personal growth and career success training through agricultural education to 669,989 student members who belong to one of 8,630 local FFA chapters throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is also supported by 459,514 alumni members in 2,236 alumni chapters throughout the U.S.

    About National FFA Organization

    The National FFA Organization is a national youth organization of 669,989 student members as part of 8,630 local FFA chapters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The organization is supported by 459,514 alumni members in 2,236 local FFA Alumni chapters throughout the U.S. The FFA mission is to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. The National FFA Organization operates under a federal charter granted by the 81st United States Congress and it is an integral part of public instruction in agriculture. The U.S. Department of Education provides leadership and helps set direction for FFA as a service to state and local agricultural education programs. For more, visit the National FFA Organization online at FFA.org and on Facebook, Twitter and official news page of the National FFA Organization.

    About National FFA Foundation

    The National FFA Foundation builds partnerships with industry, education, government, other foundations and individuals to secure financial resources that recognize FFA member achievements, develop student leaders and support the future of agricultural education. Governed by a 19-member board of trustees composed of educators, business leaders, individual donors and FFA Alumni, the foundation is a separately registered nonprofit organization. About 82 percent of every dollar received by the foundation supports FFA members and agricultural education opportunities. For more, visit FFA.org/Give.

  • Census of US Agriculture released – California snapshot

    The USDA’s National Agriculture Statistics Service (NASS) has announced the results of the 2017 Census of Agriculture with new information about U.S farms and ranches and those who operate them, including first-time data about on-farm decision making, down to the county level.

    “The Census shows new data that can be compared to previous censuses for insightsinto agricultural trends and changes down to the county level,” said NASSPacific Region Director Gary R. Keough. “We are pleased to share first-timedata on topics such as military status and on-farm decision making. To make iteasier to delve into the data, we made the results available in many onlineformats including a new data query interface, as well as traditional datatables.”

    The 2017 Census of Agriculture data show the following facts about California agriculture:

    • Top commodities were: fruits and nuts with $17.5 billion in farmgate value, vegetables with $8.2 billion, milk with 6.5 billion, cattle and calves with $3.1 billion, and horticulture with $2.9 billion.
    • Fresno, Tulare, Monterey, Kern, Merced, Stanislaus, and San Joaquin Counties lead all U.S. counties in sales.
    • Fresno County’s agricultural sales were greater than those in 25 states.
    • Total farm production expenses for California totaled $37.8 billion, up $2.3 billion from 2012.
    • The average age of the California farmer is 59.2, up from 57.9 in 2012.Military veterans account for 10 percent of California farmers.
    • At 14,552 farms, California is the top state using renewable energy producing systems in agriculture. Solar is the most common renewable energy producing system on farms and ranches in the Golden State.

    Results are available in many online formats including video presentations, a new dataquery interface, maps, and traditional data tables. To address questions aboutthe 2017 Census of Agriculture data, @USDA_NASS will host a live Twitter “Askthe Census Experts” #StatChat on Friday, April 12 at 10 a.m. PST/1 p.m. ET. AllCensus of Agriculture information is available at www.nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.

    The Census tells the story of American agriculture and is an important part of our history. First conducted in 1840 in conjunction with the decennial Census, the Census of Agriculture accounts for all U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. After 1920, the Census happened every four to five years. By 1982, it was regularly conducted once every five years. Today, NASS sends questionnaires to nearly 3 million potential U.S. farms and ranches. Nearly 25 percent of those who responded did so online. Conducted since 1997 by USDA NASS – the federal statistical agency responsible for producing official data about U.S. agriculture – it remains the only source of comprehensive agricultural data for every state and county in the nation and is invaluable for planning the future.

    Link to Census

  • Almond Board Honored for Outstanding Contributions to Food Safety

    The Almond Board of California (ABC) has been selected to receive the GMA Food Safety Award from the International Association for Food Protection, in recognition of the Board’s “preeminence in and contributions to the field of food safety.” The award comes after nearly 50 years of Almond Board-funded research and innovation leading to numerous improvements in the way almonds are harvested and handled to ensure safety.

    “This award is the culmination of many years and countless hours of work by ABC staff, researchers, and industry leaders to elevate California almonds to an honored, best of class, position in the field of food safety,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board. “While much of this work often goes on out of the view of the public eye, this recognition will shed some much-deserved light on the work of the dedicated team of food safety professionals at the Almond Board and our colleagues in the industry.”

    ABC’s submission for the award detailed nearly five decades of research and advancements in food safety funded by the almond industry through the Almond Board.

    “ABC is honored to be the recipient of the 2019 GMA Food Safety Award in recognition of our long- term commitment to food safety, and we are truly humbled to be included in the long line of extremely worthy past recipients,” said Tim Birmingham, ABC director of Quality Assurance and Industry Services. “Food safety is a cornerstone of what we do. Since the early 2000s, ABC has been focused on producing the highest quality, safest crop possible through research, food safety programs and industry wide education. We will continue to look for ways to improve, and share what we know, to help ensure the integrity of tree nuts and low moisture foods in general to protect consumers around the world.”

    The most recent advances in almond safety began in 2007 with the establishment of the mandatory pasteurization program under the U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service. Since the implementation of the self-imposed pasteurization program there have been no reported foodborne illnesses related to almond consumption.

    “The credit for this award really belongs to the almond growers and handlers who invested their hard earned dollars in the research and the ABC Board of Directors’ willingness to make difficult decisions that put the good of the industry ahead of individual concerns,” said Birmingham. “But while the award is nice recognition, the real payoff is in the foodborne illnesses that have been prevented by the collective efforts of the industry, demonstrating our commitment to food safety from the orchard to the consumer.”

    The GMA Food Safety Award is sponsored by the Grocery Manufacturers Association (GMA) and will be presented on Wednesday, July 24, at IAFP 2019 in Louisville, Ky.

    About the Almond Board of California

    California Almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research, and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 6,800 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and the California Almonds blog.