California Ag Network

Category: Non-Video

  • Bees and Almonds: A Mutually Beneficial Relationship – From the Almond Board of California

    Modesto, Calif., (February 8, 2018) – Almonds depend on bees and bees depend on almonds. In fact, the link between bees and almonds is so important that the relationships between almond growers and their beekeepers often go back years or even generations.

    Between February and March each year, almond tree buds burst into beautiful light pink and white blooms in preparation for pollination. As the trees blossom, honey bees forage for pollen and nectar in the orchard. When the bees move from tree to tree, they pollinate almond blossoms along the way. Each fertilized flower will grow into an almond. After almonds, beekeepers bring their honey bees to different locations across the United States, pollinating over 90 other crops and making honey.

     

    While bees are essential to pollinate the almond crop, the bees benefit too. Almond orchards help strengthen bee hives because:

    • Almond orchards provide honey bees with their first natural source of food each spring.
    • Just like almonds are a nutritious snack for us, almond pollen is very nutritious for honey bees.
    • Honey bee hives routinely leave stronger after visiting during almond bloom.
    • Beekeepers can then split many of the hives to grow their apiaries

     

    Committed to Health

    A variety of factors have led to a widely documented and concerning decline in honey bee health, including activities associated with both beekeeping and crop production, putting at risk many of the foods we count on for a stable, nutritious food supply. While the total number of honey bee hives in the U.S. has remained stable for the past 20 years, maintaining healthy, stable hives is beekeepers’ big challenge. That’s why the Almond Board of California has taken extraordinary steps to be good partners to beekeepers in promoting bee health. We have funded more honey bee health research than any other crop group with more than 100 research projects since 1995.

    Almond industry-funded research, along with that of other universities, government agencies, and non-profits informed the Honey Bee Best Management Practices (BMPs) for California Almonds. Guidelines for everyone involved in the pollination process, the Honey Bee BMPs provide recommendations ranging from making the orchard a safe and welcoming place for honey bees to how to treat for pest and disease without harming bees.

    The Almond Board of California web site

     

     

     

  • Sutter-Yuba-Colusa Counties – Walnut Day

    Yuba City, Calif., (February 8, 2018) – Mark the date on your calendar for the Annual Walnut Day for Sutter, Yuba, and Colusa counties to be held Thursday February 22, 2018. Topics include: 2017 flood damage and recovery; walnut tree growth characteristics; rootstocks; thousand cankers disease; laws & regs; California Walnut Board activities.

    The event is sponsored by: University of California Cooperative Extension, Sutter/Yuba/Colusa Counties and Co-Sponsored by: Sutter County Agricultural Department.

    2.0 hours PCA credit (.5 is Laws) approved and 2.5 hours CCA approved

    For more information, please see the Pacific Nut Producer Industry Calendar

     

  • Announcement of the Passing of Past FCFB President Norman Fries

    Norman Fries

    Fresno, Calif., (February 7, 2018) – On Wednesday, January 24, FCFB lost one of its past leaders and advocates, Norman Fries, at the age of 99. Fries served as FCFB president from 1963-1968 and was an active member on both the Raisin City School Board and the Mid Valley Fire Protection District Board.

    Born on August 30, 1918, Norman was a second-generation farmer in the Raisin City area whose passion for agriculture went far beyond his own farming operation. During Fries’ tenure, he witnessed several movements that would shape the future of agriculture. From the Williamson Act and San Luis Reservoir construction, to the start of farmworker unionization and President Johnson’s war on poverty, Fries witnessed and participated in the evolution of agriculture.

    In an excerpt from a past interview with former FCFB Director of Public Relations Liz Hudson, Norman recalled the progress of agriculture:

    “We moved from horses to a two-row cultivator, then to a four-row and eventually a six-row. In 1949, I bought my first cotton picker – a one-row version. Now they have six-row pickers,” recalls Fries. “We also used to level land with stakes; now they use lasers,” he said, adding the advancements made in irrigation and computers. Jackrabbit drives were commonplace in years past, and much of the land west of Raisin City was “prairie land” back then,” said Fries.

    “With what I’ve seen in the last 70 years, I don’t see how much more can change. But, it will,” said Fries.

    Norman was married to his wife, Alice, for 56 years; and to his second wife, Ellenore, for six. Both of them preceded him in death. He was also preceded in death by his son-in-law, Hans Smith. Norman is survived by his daughter, Janet Smith; son, Ralph Fries and his wife, Narda; grandsons, Chris Smith and his wife, Courtney; and Esben Smith and his wife, Susanna; and granddaughter, Yvette Helberg and her husband, Phillip. He also leaves behind five great-grandchildren: Jared, Jacob, Esben, Nolan, and Isla.

  • International Agri-Center prepares for 51st World Ag Expo

    Tulare, Calif., (February 7, 2018) – The International Agri-Center will hold its 51st World Ag Expo farm show on February 13-15.

    The largest annual agricultural exposition of its kind, World Ag Expo boasts more than 1,500 exhibitors displaying cutting-edge agricultural technology and equipment on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space. In 2017, 105,780 people came from 43 states and 71 countries to attend the 50th anniversary of World Ag Expo.

    The World Ag Expo Arena will once again offer daily Equipment Showcases, where exhibitors will perform live demonstrations of their latest products. Seminars will be offered in a variety of categories, including dairy, irrigation, international trade, business and farm management, marketing and media, and general agriculture. These seminars are presented by professionals in the industry and provide attendees with valuable information to improve their operations.

    The Top-10 New Products Competition, sponsored by Bank of America, is back with products offering new technology and increased efficiencies. From unmanned spray systems and remote monitoring, to new tire traction solutions and ag film recycling, the Top-10 New Products has something to offer every type of farming operation.

    The 2018 World Ag Expo will host daily events, including the Wednesday evening Bud Light After-Hours Party in the Arena, with a free concert by Craig Campbell.

    Attendees can look forward to a few new events this year, including a livestock seminar and demonstration on Wednesday afternoon in the Arena, a woodworking demonstration, the Italian Trade Agency pavilion, and a wide variety of new seminars that cover everything from Organic farming to new technology in the ag industry. Attendees will also be able to enjoy the 20 new acres of parking to the south side of the International Agri-Center grounds. This new addition will allow for easier parking and greater attendance.

    World Ag Expo attendees can get the latest news, information and updates about the show by downloading the new 2018 mobile app. The free app provides mobile access to the schedule of events, an exhibitor directory, map of the show grounds and other visitor resources. The app is available for download from the app store by searching “2018 World Ag Expo.”

    For a full schedule of events, more information about the show or to purchase tickets for 2018 World Ag Expo, visit www.WorldAgExpo.org.

    Source: International Agri-Center, Press Release, January 30, 2018

     

  • Central Valley Soil Emissions a Large Source of State’s Nitrogen Oxide Pollution

    Davis, Calif., (February 7, 2018) – A previously unrecognized source of nitrogen oxide is contributing up to about 40 percent of the NOx emissions in California, according to a study led by the University of California, Davis. The study traces the emissions to fertilized soils in the Central Valley region.

    Lead author Maya Almaraz samples soils for NOx emissions in Palm Springs in January 2018. (Courtesy Maya Almaraz/UC Davis)

    In the study, published Jan. 31 in the journal Science Advances, the authors compared computer models with estimates collected from scientific flights over the San Joaquin Valley. Both the model and flight data suggested that between 25 and 41 percent of NOx emissions comes from soils with heavy nitrogen fertilizer applications.

    Rural smog source

    Smog-forming nitrogen oxides, or NOx, are a family of air-polluting chemical compounds. They are central to the formation of ground-level ozone and contribute to adverse health effects, such as heart disease, asthma and other respiratory issues. NOx is a primary component of air pollution, which the World Health Organization estimates causes 1 in 8 deaths worldwide.

    Fossil fuels have long been recognized as a major contributor to NOx pollution. Technologies like the catalytic converter have helped greatly reduce NOx emitted from vehicles in urban areas. But some of the state’s worst air quality problems are now in rural areas, particularly the Central Valley region, which is home to some of the poorest communities in California.

    More food, less pollution

    The Central Valley is also one of the world’s most highly productive agricultural areas. Roughly half of the fruits and nuts produced in the United States are grown there. This includes nearly all the nation’s almonds, walnuts, raisins, avocados and tomatoes.

    “We need to increase the food we’re making,” said lead author Maya Almaraz, a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellow in UC Davis Professor Ben Houlton’s lab. “We need to do it on the land we have. But we need to do it using improved techniques.”

    These maps indicate levels of NOx emissions (left) and fertilizer applications (right) in California. (UC Davis)

    Potential solutions

    The study suggests potential solutions for reducing NOx soil emissions, primarily through different forms of fertilizer management.

    Only about half of the nitrogen fertilizer applied to crops is used by the plant. But slow-release fertilizers that deliver nutrients in a way that more closely mimics nature have been shown to greatly improve nitrogen use efficiency of crops, reducing emissions of nitrogen in the environment.

    Healthy soils programs that restore carbon in the soil can also help fight climate change and are likely to increase nutrient retention and cycling to crops.

    And precision agriculture practices help improve water and fertilizer efficiencies, particularly in perennial crops, such as almonds.

    Building upon work in motion

    The state also began a program this year in which growers work in coalitions to gather information on efficient uses of nitrogen so they can evaluate how and where the state needs to manage nitrogen in agricultural areas. This work aims to reduce nitrate in the groundwater, but it may have a double benefit in reducing NOx emissions.

    “Since this source of NOx can remain local, largely in rural farming communities, we need to develop a kind of ‘catalytic converter’ for soils and farms,” said senior author Houlton, a professor with the UC Davis Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, and director of the John Muir Institute of the Environment. “It’s critical that new policies focus on incentives to bring the latest nutrient management technologies to farms so that growers can produce food more efficiently, increasing their bottom line and improving rural health.”

    Additional co-authors include Justin Trousdell, Stephen Conley and Ian Faloona from the UC Davis Department of Land, Air and Water Resources; Edith Bai from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Northeast Normal University in China; and Chao Wang, also from Northeast Normal University.

    The research was supported by the National Science Foundation, Major State Basic Research Development Program of China, Dave and Lucile Packard Foundation, California Agricultural Experiment Station, Bay Area Air Quality Management District and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

     

  • Pesticide Laws Changing Near Schools, Come Learn More

    Tulare, Calif., (February 6, 2018) – The Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner will host an important training coming up for growers to learn about new laws and regulations related to pesticide applications.  For more information call the TC Ag Commissioner’s office at 559-684-3352.

    Thursday, February 22 – A morning meeting will be hosted for growers near schools to learn about new laws and regulations that limit application of restricted materials.  Invitations will be sent to all growers in close proximity to schools. The seminar will be held February 22, 9:00 am-11:30 am, and will take place at the Int’l Agri-Center in Tulare.  Call 684-3352 to register and to learn more.   First priority for registration will be offered to those growers in the 1/4 mile proximity range of sensitive sites.

    The new DPR regulation took effect January 1, 2018 and will:

    • Ban growers from making certain pesticide applications Monday thru Friday, 6am to 6pm within a 1/4 mile of a school site or licensed child day care facility.
    • Growers must provide annual notification by April 30 each year, for all pesticides expected to be used during the upcoming July through June period. This must be provided to the principal or day care facility administrator by April 30 annually.
      • Report must include name of pesticide products, and when expected to be used
      • A map showing the location of the field to be treated
      • Contact information for the grower/operator and county AG commissioner
      • Web address for the National Pesticide Information Center, which provides sources of information and additional facts on pesticides.
    • An alternative written agreement between the grower, the individual school or day care site and the County Ag Commissioner can be developed as long as all three parties consent, and the agreement provides equal or more protection as the regulation.

    To learn more, visit:

    http://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/enforce/pesticide_applications_near_schoolsites.htm

  • Register Today: 37th Rice Technical Working Group Conference, Feb. 19-22

    Long Beach, Calif., (February 6, 2018) – UC Agriculture and Natural Resources is hosting a four-day Rice Technical Working Group Conference February 19-22 in Long Beach. The conference will provide participants with the latest information and research from experts on plant breeding and genetics, rice culture, weed control, economics and marketing, and many other topics

    “California is very excited to host the 2018 RTWG (Rice Technical Working Group) conference, which brings together over 300 researchers from all over the U.S. and the world to discuss the latest developments in rice research,” said Bruce Linquist, UC Cooperative Extension specialist and conference chair.

    Keynote presenters are Ken Cassman, emeritus professor of agronomy at the University of Nebraska; John Eadie, professor in the Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology at UC Davis; and Susan McCouch, professor of plant breeding and genetics, plant biology, biological statistics and computational biology at Cornell University.

    The conference will be at the Westin Long Beach, 333 East Ocean Blvd. Registration is $475; $300 for students. Registration includes conference attendance, the welcome reception, the industry luncheon, the awards luncheons, and technical sessions. Current registration prices valid until the day of the conference. Register at http://ucanr.edu/sites/2018RTWG/Registration/.

    California Department of Pesticide Regulation credits are pending.

    Visit our website to see the latest information and to view the full conference agenda http://ucanr.edu/sites/2018RTWG/.

    For more information, contact Lauren McNees at (530) 750-1257 or anrprogramsupport@ucanr.edu.

  • Youth Volunteering Allows Potential for Growth at HREC

    Hopland, Calif., (February 5, 2018) – During 2017 over 3800 hours of volunteer time were offered at HREC! Our incredible volunteer team helps across all areas from citizen science on our phenology project to working with children and adults at our educational events. The California Conservation Corps also volunteer their time and enjoy learning new skills such as chainsaw safety and technique with us.

    We are thrilled to welcome a number of new youth volunteers to this program at the beginning of 2018, including 16 year old Hercules Almond who comes to us with a sharp mind and wonderful way of expressing himself and the world around him, enjoy this, the first blog post from Hercules as he expresses his first experiences on our site:

    “Driving up through the light mid-morning mist that envelopes the hilltops on the way to the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) is ever a joyous and smile-inducing trip to undertake from my home in Hopland. While I’ve only begun to truly frequent it, it has always been a place that I have enjoyed venturing to immensely, with its landscape rolling at points, being steep in others, sheep spotting the various fields and pastures as the sun may begin to shine through the cloud cover and bathe it all in a warm glow.

    I find myself slightly taken aback by the sheer scope of activities and goings-on that occur here… between the vast diversity of flora, the myriad of fauna that can call it home, the enormous plethora of sheep, and how the local ecosystem works in concert with the factors that contribute to its development and evolution, the entire acreage holds so much potential for all manners of research, study, and boundless expansion upon our understanding of the natural world out here and all around us.

    To be completely honest, I’ve been ecstatic about almost everything to do with nature and the wilderness since I was a small child, fascinated by the most miniscule of insects and most gargantuan of trees at the very same time, loving nothing better than to live out away from all the noise and congestion of both cities and towns in general. I’m at peace with little but the sounds of the wind and birds surrounding me as I stand in a damp forest or on the top of a high cliff that overlooks beauty that can seldom be found elsewhere outside places such as HREC… I feel genuinely lucky to have the opportunity to volunteer here and be in the midst of working side-by-side with the remarkable individuals who devote time to helping here.” 

  • Perdue Announces USDA’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018

    Mifflintown, PA., (February 5, 2018) – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018 during a town hall at Reinford Farms in Mifflintown, Pennsylvania.

    “Since my first day as the Secretary of Agriculture, I’ve traveled to 30 states, listening to the people of American agriculture about what is working and what is not. The conversations we had and the people we came across helped us craft USDA’s Farm Bill and Legislative Principles for 2018,” said Secretary Perdue. “These principles will be used as a road map – they are our way of letting Congress know what we’ve heard from the hard-working men and women of American agriculture. While we understand it’s the legislature’s job to write the Farm Bill, USDA will be right there providing whatever counsel Congress may request or require.”

    Secretary Perdue holds a town hall meeting at Reinford Farms where he rolled out USDA’s 2018 Farm Bill and Legislative Principles.

    USDA’s 2018 Farm Bill and Legislative Principles:

    Farm Production & Conservation:

    • Provide a farm safety net that helps American farmers weather times of economic stress without distorting markets or increasing shallow loss payments.
    • Promote a variety of innovative crop insurance products and changes, enabling farmers to make sound production decisions and to manage operational risk.
    • Encourage entry into farming through increased access to land and capital for young, beginning, veteran and underrepresented farmers.
    • Ensure that voluntary conservation programs balance farm productivity with conservation benefits so the most fertile and productive lands remain in production while land retired for conservation purposes favors more environmentally sensitive acres.
    • Support conservation programs that ensure cost-effective financial assistance for improved soil health, water and air quality and other natural resource benefits.

    Trade & Foreign Agricultural Affairs:

    • Improve U.S. market competitiveness by expanding investments, strengthening accountability of export promotion programs, and incentivizing stronger financial partnerships.
    • Ensure the Farm Bill is consistent with U.S. international trade laws and obligations.
    • Open foreign markets by increasing USDA expertise in scientific and technical areas to more effectively monitor foreign practices that impede U.S. agricultural exports and engage with foreign partners to address them.

    Food, Nutrition, And Consumer Services:

    • Harness America’s agricultural abundance to support nutrition assistance for those truly in need.
    • Support work as the pathway to self-sufficiency, well-being, and economic mobility for individuals and families receiving supplemental nutrition assistance.
    • Strengthen the integrity and efficiency of food and nutrition programs to better serve our participants and protect American taxpayers by reducing waste, fraud and abuse through shared data, innovation, and technology modernization.
    • Encourage state and local innovations in training, case management, and program design that promote self-sufficiency and achieve long-term, stability in employment.
    • Assure the scientific integrity of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans process through greater transparency and reliance on the most robust body of scientific evidence.
    • Support nutrition policies and programs that are science based and data driven with clear and measurable outcomes for policies and programs.

    Marketing & Regulatory Programs:

    • Enhance our partnerships and the scientific tools necessary to prevent, mitigate, and where appropriate, eradicate harmful plant and animal pests and diseases impacting agriculture.
    • Safeguard our domestic food supply and protect animal health through modernization of the tools necessary to bolster biosecurity, prevention, surveillance, emergency response, and border security.
    • Protect the integrity of the USDA organic certified seal and deliver efficient, effective oversight of organic production practices to ensure organic products meet consistent standards for all producers, domestic and foreign.
    • Ensure USDA is positioned appropriately to review production technologies if scientifically required to ensure safety, while reducing regulatory burdens.
    • Foster market and growth opportunities for specialty crop growers while reducing regulatory burdens that limit their ability to be successful.

    Food Safety & Inspection Services:

    • Protect public health and prevent foodborne illness by committing the necessary resources to ensure the highest standards of inspection, with the most modern tools and scientific methods available.
    • Support and enhance FSIS programs to ensure efficient regulation and the safety of meat, poultry and processed egg products, including improved coordination and clarity on execution of food safety responsibilities.
    • Continue to focus USDA resources on products and processes that pose the greatest public health risk.

    Research, Education & Economics:

    • Commit to a public research agenda that places the United States at the forefront of food and agriculture scientific development.
    • Develop an impact evaluation approach, including the use of industry panels, to align research priorities to invest in high priority innovation, technology, and education networks.
    • Empower public-private partnerships to leverage federal dollars, increase capacity, and investments in infrastructure for modern food and agricultural science.
    • Prioritize investments in education, training and the development of human capital to ensure a workforce capable of meeting the growing demands of food and agriculture science.
    • Develop and apply integrated advancement in technology needed to feed a growing and hungry world.

    Rural Development:

    • Create consistency and flexibility in programs that will foster collaboration and assist communities in creating a quality of life that attracts and retains the next generation.
    • Expand and enhance the effectiveness of tools available to further connect rural American communities, homes, farms, businesses, first responders, educational facilities, and healthcare facilities to reliable and affordable high-speed internet services.
    • Partner with states and local communities to invest in infrastructure to support rural prosperity, innovation and entrepreneurial activity.
    • Provide the resources and tools that foster greater integration among programs, partners and the rural development customer.

    Natural Resources & Environment:

    • Make America’s forests work again through proactive cost-effective management based on data and sound science.
    • Expand Good Neighbor Authority and increase coordination with states to promote job creation and improve forest health through shared stewardship and stakeholder input.
    • Reduce litigative risk and regulatory impediments to timely environmental review, sound harvesting, fire management and habitat protection to improve forest health while providing jobs and prosperity to rural communities.
    • Offer the tools and resources that incentivize private stewardship and retention of forest land.

    Management:

    • Provide a fiscally responsible Farm Bill that reflects the Administration’s budget goals.
    • Enhance customer service and compliance by reducing regulatory burdens on USDA customers.
    • Modernize internal and external IT solutions to support the delivery of efficient, effective service to USDA customers.
    • Provide USDA full authority to responsibly manage properties and facilities under its jurisdiction.
    • Increase the effectiveness of tools and resources necessary to attract and retain a strong USDA workforce that reflects the citizens we serve.
    • Recognize the unique labor needs of agriculture and leverage USDA’s expertise to allow the Department to play an integral role in developing workforce policy to ensure farmers have access to a legal and stable workforce.
    • Grow and intensify program availability to increase opportunities for new, beginning, veteran, and underrepresented producers.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status For Week Ending February 3, 2018

    Visalia, Calif., (February 5, 2018) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that winter forage crops such as wheat, barley, other cereal grains and forage crops continue to be planted; last week’s rain was beneficial for previously planted crops. However, irrigation is still needed to statin ideal growth.

    Table grapes stored are mostly done with a small remainder exporting to China and Mexico.
    Persimmon harvest continues to be exported primarily to Mexico. The Kiwi demand is steady, receiving fruit from out of the county and re-exporting to Mexico, as well as domestically.
    Pistachio nuts continue to be primarily exported to Austria, Hong Kong, India, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Turkey, and Vietnam. Almonds continue to be shipped to Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Sweden, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Walnut exports have increased, specifically in the Chinese market. Field activities continue in stone fruit and nut orchards. Vineyards continue to be pruned, brush is being shredded and dormant sprays continue to be applied. Pruning of stone fruit trees continues across the county.

    Citrus harvest continues with high demand in the domestic and exports market. Navels and mandarins are being exported to Australia, Korea, New Zealand, Mexico, Peru, and Japan. Pomelos continue to be shipped domestically with exports to Japan and China. Melogold hybrid grapefruit are be exported to Japan. Lemon exports are in high demand in China, Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico, and New Zealand. The volume of navel oranges being packed continues to be lower than previous years but has recently picked up in various areas. Navel sizes continue to be an issue as larger sizes are trending, making sales difficult to fulfill orders for smaller sizes. Olive growers continue pruning groves.

    Fields continue to be prepared and planted. Lettuce harvested is in full swing. Strawberry growth looks ideal.

    Rangeland forage remains fair as rain is needed. Supplemental feeding continues to be required.

    Bulk bare root rose nursery stock shipments continue to be received from out of county and interstate shipments continue. Export shipments of bare root roses are being sent to Canada; the market is thriving.
    Nursery shipments have started to pick up.