Time is running out to apply for funding through American Pistachio Growers’ $5 million grant awarded by the California Department of Food & Agriculture to help growers adopt healthy soils practices in the Golden State. You don’t have to be a member of APG to apply. Watch this brief video as Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm and Carlee Branco from CalG.A.P. discuss details of the grant and application process.
Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
A coalition of meat and poultry industry groups said the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA or the Agency) proposed wastewater guidelines will cost hundreds of millions more than Agency estimates, eliminate tens of thousands of jobs and close many processing facilities, resulting in hardship for livestock and poultry producers.
“We believe that the proposed Effluent Limitations Guidelines (ELG) would thwart the Biden administration’s efforts and limit, or reverse, these outcomes for small processors, rural job creation, producer livelihoods and a resilient food supply chain,” the coalition said.
The Meat and Poultry Products Industry Coalition (MPP or the Coalition) made the remarks in comments submitted in response to the EPA’s proposed rule revising the ELGs for wastewater discharged by meat and poultry processing and rendering facilities. Last amended in 2004, the meat and poultry ELGs currently apply to about 180 of the estimated 5,300 meat and poultry facilities nationwide. EPA estimates between 845 and 1,620 facilities would be subject to and incur costs should the proposed ELGs become final. The full comments are here.
The Coalition made the following key arguments in the comments:
The Agency has grossly underestimated closures for many MPP facilities:
Industry analysis of the projected number of MPP facility closures for Option 1 without chlorides would jump from the 16 sites estimated in the proposed rule to 74 sites.
The projected number of near-term job losses associated with these facility closures would increase from nearly 17,000 estimated in the proposed rule to nearly 80,000 direct job losses from plant closures.
The projected closures and job losses for the more stringent regulatory options would increase similarly. For Option 2 with chlorides, for example, the projected number of facility closures would increase to 139, 15% of facilities that exceed the Option 2 threshold, or 340 closures for Option 3.
The proposed rule harms the relationship between MPPs and publicly owned treatment works (POTWs):
Indirect discharging MPP facilities often make significant financial investments in maintaining and upgrading the POTW or shouldering major surcharges for the POTW’s continued operation and maintenance. This investment reduces public treatment costs for residential ratepayers and improves the quality of local and downstream waters.
EPA’s analyses of pollutant loadings are inconsistent with its cost analyses:
EPA is taking credit for pollutant removals that are already occurring.
EPA has not timely provided complete information on its analysis:
EPA has not provided complete information for public and industry stakeholder verification in a timely way.
The Meat and Poultry Products Industry Coalition is made up of the American Farm Bureau Federation, the Meat Institute, National Chicken Council, National Pork Producers Council, National Turkey Federation, North American Renderers Association and the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association.
About the American Farm Bureau Federation
The American Farm Bureau Federation is the national advocate for farmers, ranchers and rural communities. Every year, Farm Bureau members in more than 2,800 counties meet to discuss and vote on policies affecting their farms, ranches and communities. Those policies then set the agenda for their state Farm Bureaus and ultimately AFBF.
About the Meat Institute
The Meat Institute is the United States’ oldest and largest trade association representing packers and processors of beef, pork, lamb, veal, turkey, and processed meat products. Meat Institute members include over 350 meat packing and processing companies, the majority of which have fewer than 100 employees, and account for over 95 percent of the United States’ output of meat and 70 percent of turkey production.
About the National Chicken Council
The National Chicken Council (NCC) represents integrated chicken producer-processors, the companies that produce and process chickens. Member companies of NCC account for more than 95 percent of the chicken sold in the United States.
About the National Pork Producers Council
NPPC is the global voice for the U.S. pork industry, protecting the livelihoods of America’s pork producers who abide by ethical principles in caring for their animals; in protecting the environment and public health; and in providing safe, wholesome, nutritious pork products to consumers worldwide.
About the National Turkey Federation
The National Turkey Federation (NTF) represents all segments of the turkey industry, including growers, processors, breeders, hatchery owners and allied companies. NTF is the only national trade association exclusively representing the turkey industry; its members account for more than 95 percent of all U.S. turkey production.
About the North American Renderers Association
The North American Renderers Association (NARA) represents the interests of the North American rendering industry to regulatory and other governmental agencies, promotes the greater use of animal byproducts, and fosters the opening and expansion of trade between foreign buyers and North American exporters. In addition to its U.S.-based headquarters, the association maintains offices in Mexico and Hong Kong, and has market consultants in strategic locations around the world.
About the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association
U.S. Poultry & Egg Association (USPOULTRY) is the all-feather organization representing the complete spectrum of today’s poultry industry, whose mission is to progressively serve member companies through research, education, communication and technical assistance. Founded in 1947, USPOULTRY is based in Tucker, Ga.
At the annual Pistachio Industry Conference held by American Pistachio Growers (APG) in Monterey this year, Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Joel Nelsen, Interim President of APG, for a video introduction to the industry. Watch this brief interview as he also discusses his priorities with APG and its direction as the pistachio industry continues to grow.
Special Thanks to American Pistachio Growers for sponsoring this video.
The increasing cost of raising heifer calves has prompted a steep decline in dairy replacements. California Dairy Editor Matthew Malcolm recently met with Corey Geiger, Lead Dairy Economist from CoBank, to discuss the impact of these trends and opportunities for dairy producers. Watch this brief interview, and read more in California Dairy Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.
Students from Kingsburg, Turlock Christian, Hilmar, Santa Maria, and O’Neals Minarets were elected by delegates at the 96th Annual State FFA Leadership Conference to serve as 2024-25 State FFA Officers. Candidates take part in an extensive online and in-person interview process with the State FFA Nominating Committee leading up to the election. The new team was announced during the closing session of the 96th State FFA Leadership Conference on Sunday, March 24, as follows:
After reviewing applications, the Nominating Committee selected 59 individuals to advance to in-person interviews, which were conducted during the State FFA Conference. Candidates underwent several rounds of interviews with the State Nominating Committee before being slated and elected by the California Association, FFA delegation.
State officers commit to a year of service to the California Association FFA. Throughout their year of service, the officers will interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, local FFA leaders, and the general public.
The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members throughout the state and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA in California and lead the next generation of leaders.
To obtain additional information about the new state officer team, contact Charles Parker, State FFA Advisor and program manager for agricultural education for the California Department of Education, at cparker@cde.ca.gov.
About California FFA: California FFA serves more than 103,000 students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.
As thrips season approaches, University of California Cooperative Extension Advisor Sandipa Gautam is organizing a field day focused on citrus thrips. This event will be organized at Lindcove Research Center on April 9, from 9:00 AM -11:00 AM.
This objective of field day is to teach PCAs/field scouts about thrips biology and identification, differentiating flower thrips from citrus thrips, and best management approaches as we continue to address the challenges in managing citrus thrips.Continuing Education: 2.0 other units pending approval.
For the full agenda, please click here. To register for the field day, please click here.
Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022 Track 2 is a revenue-based certification program designed to assist producers who suffered a loss in revenue resulting from 2022 calendar year disaster events when compared with revenue in a benchmark year. Join USDA staff and experts Guido van der Hoeven and JC Hobbs as they provide an overview of ERP 2022 Track 2, completing the application form, and guidance on where advanced tax and accounting knowledge may be required.
Event: Emergency Relief Program (ERP) 2022 Track 2 Overview and Application
Date: Thursday, March 28, 2024
Time: 8am PT
Register to attend HERE.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative have reopened the Colombian market for U.S. poultry and egg product exports, culminating several months of collaborations with the Colombian Institute of Agriculture to resolve this trade barrier. U.S. Trade Representative’s office has reopened the Colombian market for U.S. poultry and egg product exports, culminating several months of collaborations with the Colombian Institute of Agriculture to resolve this trade barrier.
“We’re pleased that Colombian officials are living up to the commitments outlined in the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement,” said USDA Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor. “Holding our trading partners accountable is critical to ensuring the benefits of trade are felt by our farmers and ranchers across the United States and in their local communities.”
“Reopening this market was of critical importance to U.S. poultry producers and to USDA,” said USDA Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “Our team collaborated tirelessly with Colombian officials to demonstrate that U.S. poultry and egg products do not pose an animal health risk and can be safely imported.”
Before the market was closed in August 2023 due to concerns over Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in the region, Colombia was the 10th largest market for U.S. poultry, with exports reaching $105 million in 2022.
Effective March 12, 2024, the Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Division (CPDPD) has updated the requirements for moving bulk citrus fruit from an Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) quarantine zone to a packer/processor in a Huanglongbing (HLB) quarantine area. Citrus fruit may now be moved from any ACP quarantine zone to an HLB quarantine area for packing or processing without a mitigation, such as a pre-harvest treatment or field cleaning. One mitigation was previously required.
Listed below are some examples of potential bulk citrus movement that is now allowed without mitigation, per the CPDPD’s Citrus Grower/Grove Manager Information page:
Please note, safeguarding all fruit in transit is still required for all bulk citrus ACP/HLB quarantine movements, and all other quarantine requirements, such as those for invasive fruit fly quarantines, still apply. Trucks must be fully tarped or the vehicle must be fully enclosed.
In the instance that HLB is detected in new areas, this regulatory update may be revisited and revised by CPDPD.
For complete information regarding the mitigations required for fruit movement, please visit the CPDPD’s Citrus Grower/Grove Manager Information page.
For questions regarding citrus fruit movement requirements, please contact your local County Agricultural Commissioner or contact Keith Okasaki at Keith.Okasaki@cdfa.ca.govor 916-274-6300.
Nearly 7,500 Future Farmers of America (FFA) members and supporters from across the state of California will return to Sacramento to celebrate agricultural education and the agriculture industry during the 96th State FFA Leadership Conference on March 21-24 at the Golden 1 Center.
The state capital will be filled with FFA members donned in the iconic blue corduroy jacket, each representing their home chapter. The conference is an opportunity for students to be exposed to a broad range of agricultural science, business, and technology career pathways while celebrating the accomplishments these leaders have achieved over the past school year.
Over the course of four days, participants will attend sessions at the Golden 1 Center, where they will be inspired by their peers and talented speakers including California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary, Karen Ross.
The conference also includes an expo, to be held at the SAFE Credit Union Convention Center, where members will have the opportunity to explore various post-secondary career and college opportunities. When students are not attending sessions, they can participate in various agricultural tours near Sacramento or engage in leadership workshops.
As the largest student-led organization in the nation, general conference sessions will provide middle and high school students enrolled in agricultural education classes the opportunity to conduct the business of the California Association FFA. They will vote on constitutional proposals and elect the new officers who will lead the association through the 2024-25 year.
About California FFA: California FFA serves more than 103,000 students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through agricultural education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.