California Ag Network

Category: News

  • Harvest Hidden Tax Deductions with Boa Safra Ag

    – SPONSORED CONTENT –

    The IRS allows agricultural landowners (cropland, pasture, and timber) to deduct the legacy nutrient values present in their soils at the time of purchase.  Owners must provide the appropriate documentation to justify these deductions.

    Boa Safra Ag ( www.boasafraag.com ) specializes in the data collection, analytics, and reporting that enables owners of agricultural land to benefit from soil nutrient deductions.  Their clients share these reports with their CPAs, and their CPAs file the reports in a variety of ways to optimize the tax benefits for the landowner.

    They can retroactively do this analysis on purchased or inherited land with a step-up in basis going back to the early 2000’s.  The company is active in 48 states, has generated over $800 million of aggregate deductions for its clients, and the average deduction is $1,700/acre.

    Give us a call or email and let us know how we can help you out today https://boasafraag.com/contact/

  • UCCE Tulare County Assists Pathologists in Survey for Decay Fungus in Prunes

    Recently, extensive wood decay-related limb breakages have been reported in commercial prune orchards in the Sacramento Valley, adversely affecting fruit production and limiting the value of salable firewood upon orchard removal. Several fungal genera such as Phellinus, Rhodoformes, Schizophyllum, Sterum, Trametes, Ceriporia, and Perenoporia have been recognized for wood-decaying activity on California prunes.  Phellinus pomaceus has been the primary organism associated with prune decay symptoms in the Sacramento Valley; however, it is yet unknown whether P. pomaceus is present in southern San Joaquin Valley prune orchards.

    Figure 1: Symptoms of advanced Phellinus pomaceus infection, showing white rot internal decay of heartwood. Scale bars 10 cm.

    Phellinus pomaceus, specific to prunes and other plums, is one of the commonly reported wood-decaying fungi that attack the heartwood (non-functional xylem) of mature trees (Figure 1). It tends to attack the trunk and large-diameter branches, often resulting in broken limbs and the loss of fruit-bearing scaffolds. In fact, older trees are more likely to contain infection by the fungus, and frequent pruning of large branches may increase the probability of infection due to exposure of the internal heartwood. The fungus can be identified based on its fruiting bodies that emerge as conks or shelf-like brackets that are usually hard, woody, and hoof-shaped (Figure 2). Under the right conditions, these fruiting bodies are often perennial and may exhibit a darkened upper surface after several years of development.

    UCCE Tulare County assisted UC Davis researchers from the Department of Plant Pathology in surveying Tulare County prune orchards for presence of P. pomaceus. Laurel Hoffman, a PhD student working under Dave Rizzo, Professor of Plant Pathology, visited our local UCCE Tulare County office, coordinating with Elizabeth Fichtner, UCCE farm advisor, to visit and survey prune orchards for the pathogen. With the assistance of Walter Martinez, Tulare County Ag Technician, and Santosh Bhandari, Assistant Specialist, six local ‘French’ prune orchards were surveyed with data collected on tree canopy status and presence or absence of fruiting bodies associated with decay fungi. Surveyed orchards were all over 15 years old and were in varying states of overall productivity. Samples from putative decay fungi were collected and brought back to UC Davis for genetic sequencing to identify the specimens. A preliminary observation based on the initial survey suggests that the prevalence of putative decay fungi in prune orchards is lower in the southern San Joaquin Valley than in the Sacramento Valley. The presence of P. pomaceus in the southern San Joaquin Valley has not yet been confirmed.

    To date, there are no control measures for management of P. pomaceus. Chemical control strategies are not available for management of this disease. Removal of fruiting bodies may limit sporulation, thus having the potential to slow disease transmission. However, the value of this technique is limited by the ability to remove conks prior to sporulation and conks may be difficult to see, particularly after leaf out. Additionally, if the pathogen is present at a high level in (or near) affected orchards, the removal of conks may not significantly influence the total load of spores at a site. Fruiting body removal would not affect the health of infected trees because they are already colonized by the fungus.

    Most of California’s prunes are sold in the dried fruit market; however, a few orchards are reserved for fresh prune production. After the economic lifespan of prune orchards, trees are removed, generating wood that can either be sold as firewood, or reintroduced to the soil through whole orchard recycling.  Infection with decay fungi such as P. pomaceous may adversely affect fruit production, limit the lifespan of infected trees, and reduce the economic longevity of orchards. — By Santosh Bhandari, Laurel Hoffman & Elizabeth Fichtner, UC Cooperative Extension

  • $12.2 Million Secured for San Joaquin Valley Projects, Including Groundwater Recharge

    Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) reported the securing of $12,235,783 in Community Project Funding through the Fiscal Year 2024 budget. This funding will respond directly to some of the most pressing needs in Fresno and Tulare counties. The budget is expected to be signed into law by President Joe Biden later this week.

    “Bringing back federal funding to the San Joaquin Valley is one of my top priorities. These projects will support underserved communities and foster economic development while providing more opportunities for folks to get ahead. I am proud to have fought for this funding to build stronger, more resilient communities.” said Costa.

    Federal funding has been secured for 15 local projects that will directly benefit Fresno and Tulare County residents. These include: 

    • $3 million to invest in the Upper Kings Groundwater Resiliency Project facilitated by the Alta, Fresno, and Consolidated Irrigation Districts, which would construct 3,300 acres of basins to be used for capturing surface water in wet years and pumping groundwater during dry years.
    • $1.4 million to initiate Phase II of the Fresno-Yosemite Airport Terminal Expansion Project, which includes new TSA and airline baggage handling areas with added capacity and a new upper-level concourse with two dual-use passenger bridges to facilitate domestic and international boarding, larger hold rooms, space for new shopping and dining concessions.
    • $1 million to help complete a feasibility study to allow for the construction of the Seaborn Reservoir Project, a multi-benefit reservoir to capture high-flow flood release and reduce the downstream flooding hazard to local infrastructure in Tulare County.
    • $959,752 for the City of Dinuba to expand its existing sewer capacity, while creating jobs and protecting public health from sewer spills and overflows.
    • $959,752 for the City of Visalia – Groundwater Basin Project to increase groundwater recharge capacity, while maintaining groundwater levels and improving drought resiliency.
    • $850,000 for the modernization of the Marjaree Mason Center – Community Resource Center, a newly purchased building to provide comprehensive support services to survivors of domestic violence in the San Joaquin Valley.
    • $850,000 to help revitalize the fire station in the City of Sanger, which would accommodate additional space for training, dormitories, storage, and coverage parking for fire engines in the rear of the facility.
    • $750,000 for the Traver Sewer System Feasibility Study Project, which would improve wastewater service and expand sewer capacity in the community of Traver.
    • $500,000 for the City of Farmersville – Streetlamp Project to help install new streetlights, strengthen security, and enhance safety at night in the community.
    • $500,000 for the City of Fowler – Downtown Streetscape Project, which would reinforce Fowler’s history, developing walkable streets and creating public spaces for the community.
    • $500,000 for the City of Woodlake – Mulberry Street Roundabout Project, which would construct a roundabout at the intersection of Naranjo Boulevard (SR-216) and Mulberry Street.
    • $500,000 for the Habitat for Humanity Project for Disabled Veterans, which would develop additional housing for disabled and unhoused veterans in Tulare County, while ensuring ADA-compliant infrastructure.
    • $400,000 for the Food to Share Hub Project to sustain healthy food access programs and other social services across Fresno, Madera, Tulare, and Kings counties.

    BUDGET WINS FOR VALLEY FAMILIES

    • Fully funds the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) at $7.03 billion and reverses the Republican effort to drastically cut the fruit and vegetable benefits in the WIC program.
    • Secured $134 million for Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation (WIIN) Act water storage projects, which have benefitted Valley projects like B.F. Sisk Dam, Sites Reservoir, and the Friant-Kern Canal in the past.
    • Secured $14 million for the Water Operations Technical Support (WOTS) to improve water resource management at Army Corps of Engineers reservoir projects, which could benefit Terminus Dam and Pine Flat.
    • Secured $41 million in Victims of Child Abuse Act (VOCAA) funding to invest in Children’s Advocacy Centers to help victims of child abuse.
    • Protects women’s access to mifepristone nationwide.
    • Provides additional funding to continue the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act pay increase for wildland firefighters.
    • Stabilizes communities by protecting housing assistance for nearly 5 million low-income individuals and families to ensure they continue to remain in safe, stable, and affordable housing.

    Learn more about the Community Project Funding process.

    For more information about the six budget bills, click HERE.

    View a list of Victories HERE.

  • Growing Matters’ BeSure! Campaign Promotes Best-Stewardship Practices Ahead of 2024 Planting Season

    To the agriculture industry collaboration, Growing Matters, our planet and people come first. That’s why its annual BeSure! campaign is back for another year to promote the implementation of proper stewardship practices during planting season to help protect the biodiversity surrounding America’s farmland. This campaign was created in 2019 to educate growers and applicators about responsible stewardship measures for neonicotinoid products to minimize any potential impact on pollinators and other wildlife.

    The BeSure! campaign has helped educate millions of growers, crop protection applicators, urban landscaper applicators and agricultural supply retailers on best-management practices. BeSure! advocates that reading and following label instructions on neonicotinoid products is the first and most important consideration when handling any pesticide product. Labels provide precise information on how to minimize potential exposures to bees and wildlife, as well as how products may be safely used, handled, stored and disposed of.

    “Farmers, including soy producers, are committed to complying with pesticide laws and regulations to protect people, wildlife and the environment,” said Josh Gackle, American Soybean Association president and soy grower from North Dakota. “The Growing Matters BeSure! campaign educates on safe, beneficial uses of neonicotinoids and is a great example of how the agriculture industry networks to share, learn, and implement best practices and repeatedly make the A-grade on pesticide usage to protect our people and our pollinators.”

    In addition to the American Soybean Association (ASA), the campaign is endorsed by the American Seed Trade Association (ASTA), National Corn Growers Association (NCGA), CropLife America, the Agricultural Retailers Association, and others.

    Crop protection, including neonicotinoid products, are essential in the agriculture industry because they play a role in reducing diseases and increasing crop yields to keep pace with a growing world population. Without the use of crop protection, there would be a 78% loss of fruit production, a 54% loss of vegetable production, and a 32% loss of cereal production. Neonicotinoids and other crop protection products help ensure that growers can continue to maintain and grow the U.S. food supply at a sustainable rate, while minimizing risk to surrounding wildlife.

    “CropLife America is proud to be part of the Growing Matters coalition and support the BeSure! campaign each year. The stewardship work done by this group provides much needed information and support to pesticide applicators and users across the U.S., helping to ensure that neonic treated seeds are used correctly and are not likely to impact pollinators and other wildlife. Educational efforts like BeSure! are an important part of the work our industry does in support of growers nationwide,” said Genevieve O’Sullivan, V.P., communications and marketing at CropLife America.

    The BeSure! campaign aims to reach growers who produce row crops like corn and soybeans, as well as fruits, nuts, vegetables, turf, trees and ornamental plants that are protected with neonicotinoid products.

    Citrus Greening, first detected in 2005, is one of the most damaging plant diseases because there is no cure once a citrus crop is infected.American Society of Horticultural Sciences reports trees that are affected by the disease result in lower yields because of premature fruit drop and smaller amount of fruit harvested. Used safely and properly, neonicotinoids can help combat citrus greening by controlling its insect vectors – an ever-crucial tool as citrus demand in the U.S. continues to grow.

    This planting season, BeSure! you are implementing proper stewardship practices and go to GrowingMatters.org/BeSure for up-to-date stewardship tips and more information. The BeSure! website also includes ASTA’s Guide to Seed Treatment Stewardship which includes videos and brochures on how treated seeds can be used in a way that avoids exposure to pollinators and other wildlife. The site contains a host of links to explain how neonicotinoids applications can be used responsibly, including the comprehensive Insect Pollinators and Pesticide Product Stewardship Guide. Two downloadable fact sheets with five quick tips to guide best stewardship practices during planting season – one for growers and one for applicators – are also available.

    BeSure! to follow along over the coming weeks as the coalition and its partners share relevant updates and best stewardship tips via social media content (search using hashtag #BeSure), radio programming, outreach via industry trade groups and a variety of digital content. For more information, please visit: GrowingMatters.org/BeSure.

    About Growing Matters
    Agriculture and horticulture are key to nourishing families and communities. Feeding a growing population, enhancing the beauty of our surroundings and a sustained commitment to environmental protection are fundamental needs that matter. Crop protection products, both natural and synthetic, are important tools that protect plants from tough and invasive pests that can devastate crops and urban landscapes. Growing Matters is funded by a consortium of companies committed to open and healthy scientific discourse on stewardship, benefits and alternatives to neonicotinoid insecticides in North America. Consortium members include Bayer, Syngenta, Valent U.S.A., BASF, and Mitsui Chemicals Crop & Life Solutions. The BeSure! campaign is also supported by Gowan Company and PBI Gordon Corporation. Go to www.GrowingMatters.org for information, reports, videos and infographics on the benefits of neonicotinoid insecticides.

    About The American Soybean Association
    The American Soybean Association represents U.S. soybean farmers on domestic and international policy issues important to the soybean industry. ASA has 26 affiliated state associations representing 30 soybean-producing states and more than 500,000 soybean farmers. Find more information at soygrowers.com.

    About CropLife America
    Established in 1933, CropLife America (www.croplifeamerica.org) represents the developers, manufacturers, formulators, and distributors of plant science solutions for agriculture and pest management in the United States. CropLife America’s member companies produce, sell, and distribute virtually all the necessary and vital pesticide and biotechnology products used by American farmers.

  • Ag Retailers Association Honors Jimmy Panetta with Legislator of the Year Award

    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) honors Representative Jimmy Panetta with a Legislator of the Year award.

    “Producers in California’s 19th Congressional District and across the country need access to the latest innovative tools in order to feed the world and better protect our environment,” said Rep. Panetta.

    Photo: Ernie Roncoroni, Grow West; ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock; Rep. Panetta; Fred Nichols, Huma Inc.; and Clayton Houchin, Buttonwillow Warehouse Company.

    “It’s an honor to receive the Legislator of the Year award from the ARA as we work to move forward impactful legislation, like my bipartisan Plant Biostimulant Act, to better encourage the adoption of these emerging agricultural products. I look forward to continuing to advance new technologies that will empower our farmers to usher in a new era of sustainable agriculture.”

    Each year, ARA recognizes top legislators who have championed the issues of importance to agriculture and agriculture suppliers.

    “Rep. Panetta earned this award for his unwavering support for the agriculture community, specifically by sponsoring the Plant Biostimulant Act (HR 1472), which aims to establish a federal definition for plant biostimulants,” said ARA President & CEO Daren Coppock.

    “Panetta has championed other policies important to ag retailers, however, his efforts to expand access of biostimulant products, which can be used to improve plant health and stress tolerance while reducing environmental impact, is the main reason ARA selected him for this award.”

    To view other recipients of this award, visit the ARA’s website.

    About Agricultural Retailers Association

    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the interests of retailers across the United States on legislative and regulatory issues on Capitol Hill. As the political voice of agricultural retailers, ARA not only represents its membership but also educates members on the political process and important issues affecting the industry. For more information on current legislative and regulatory issues impacting agricultural retailers, visit www.aradc.org.

  • New Technologies Featured at World Ag Expo That California Farmers Should Know About

    Boasting over 100,000 attendees from 49 States and 81 countries, the World Ag Expo was another big hit this year.  With  a sea of vendors to navigate across the International Agri-Center grounds in Tulare, it’s hardly feasible for attendees to see it all.  Check out this brief video featuring several companies that Malcolm Media visited with during the event that shared some novel technologies and equipment to support and sustain California farmers needs well into the future.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.

  • California Association of Winegrape Growers Announces California Compost Tax Credit Legislation

    California Association of Winegrape Growers – As the second year of the 2023-24 legislative session is now in full swing, Senator Monique Limón, (D-Santa Barbara) has introduced SB 1135 to establish the California Compost Tax Credit Fund. This legislation seeks to incentivize sustainable agricultural practices, undertaken by winegrape growers and other ag producers, by offering a tax credit for the utilization of compost to enhance carbon sequestration efforts. This legislation is co-sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG).

    “I am proud to author SB 1135 to establish a tax credit for California farmers, ranchers, and landowners who maximize carbon sequestration through the use of compost on natural and working lands,” said Senator Limón. “This legislation will help incentivize the utilization of compost to aid in natural carbon sequestration while also aiding the effort of the state to meet its greenhouse gas reduction goals.”

    “The commitment of wine grape growers to sustainability is evident through the enrollment of over 60% of the state’s wine grape acreage in certification programs,” said Natalie Collins, CAWG President. “Sustainable wine growing prioritizes practices to enhance soil health, such as planting cover crops and composting, which facilitate carbon sequestration. While these practices can entail significant investment for growers, they yield invaluable environmental benefits for the state, the nation, and the planet at large. CAWG extends its gratitude to Senator Limón for her leadership in recognizing the far-reaching impacts of these efforts and for championing this important legislation.”

    Established over 20 years ago by the collaborative efforts of CAWG and Wine Institute, the California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance (CSWA) has been a leader in promoting sustainability within the California wine industry. CSWA is a nonprofit organization which serves as a platform for vineyards and wineries, offering resources, education, and certification programs to support environmentally and socially responsible practices.

    California is home to the world’s most widely adopted sustainable winegrowing programs in terms of both winegrape acreage and case production. Producing 80% of the nation’s wine and ranking as the fourth-largest wine producing region globally, the widespread adoption of sustainability practices yields substantial benefits for the environment, employees, communities, and, naturally, the grapes and wine themselves.

  • 57th World Ag Expo Comes to a Close

    Attendees and exhibitors from around the world returned to Tulare for the 57th Annual World Ag Expo®, the world’s largest annual outdoor agricultural exposition. The three-day show boasted 1,258 exhibitors on 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, and hosted over 100,000 attendees representing 49 states, the District of Columbia, and 81 countries.

    Exhibitors reported quality traffic with plans to return. “The World Ag Expo® connected farm-ng with forward thinking farmers from around the world,” stated Nathan Dorn, Business Development Manager with farm-ng. “Our team learned from a marketplace of engaged users. We will be back in 2025 with new tools and capabilities.”

    Farmers, students, and ag professionals returned in large numbers for the 2024 show. With many exhibitors offering test drives or demonstrations, World Ag Expo® provides attendees the opportunity to network and learn about the latest Ag equipment, services, and technology.

    More than 100 educational seminars, demonstrations, and workshops were held over three days and covered a variety of topics ranging from irrigation to dairy, livestock to professional development, and more. The Fresno State WET Center Innovation Pitch Event and the Women in Ag Session featuring Senator Melissa Hurtado, and other influential women in agriculture, were notable sessions.

    “2024 World Ag Expo® was once again a tremendous success,” said Jerry Sinift, CEO of the International Agri-Center®. “Exhibitors and attendees alike have shared that World Ag Expo® continues to provide a great return on their investment of time and money. It is the place to be for anything agriculture.”

    Ag technology and innovation were yet again a highlight of the event. Autonomous solutions, electric vehicles, and drones continued to showcase the technological advancements featured in agriculture. The 2024 Top-10 New Products contest winners provided a look into the latest innovation and technology ranging from simple solutions to tech-forward items.

    Other popular attractions at the 2024 World Ag Expo® included various drone displays, WW Livestock Demonstration Pavilion, and Food Booths. The 2025 World Ag Expo® will be held February 11-13.

  • Kings Watershed Snowpack Still Below Average Despite Recent Storms

    Sierra Snowpack Conditions within the Kings River watershed have improved in February 2024, with several storms delivering snow and rain to the region. Snow surveyors are collecting samples in the high elevations of eastern Fresno and Tulare counties for the California Cooperative Snow Survey.

    Kings River Watermaster Steve Haugen shared that initial results show snowpack water content is about 18 inches, 77% of average for March 1, and represents only 68% of what would be expected when snow conditions typically peak around April 1.

    Snow depths averaged about 60 inches this year compared with 67 inches in an average winter.

    Prior to February, the frequent winter storms had not delivered much snow. However, several storms in February have provided about 10 more inches of water content than snow surveyors found at the end of January. This winter snowpack is critical water supply for downstream San Joaquin Valley water agencies and users in portions of Fresno, Tulare, and Kings counties for whom the Kings River is the primary source of water.

    “February 2024 precipitation in the region is about 160 percent above average.” Haugen said, “The snowpack water content has more than doubled in the past month. However, in March we will need to have at least 7 inches precipitation in the basin to be at average conditions before spring snow melt starts.”

    The deepest snow was at Upper Burnt Corral in the northern portion of the watershed. There, the snow depth was 84 inches with a water content of 25 inches, or 83% of the March 1st average. The least snow depth — 35.5 inches — was at Ridge Trail in Sequoia-Kings Canyon National Park.

  • March USDA Lending Rates for Ag Producers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for March 2024, which are effective March 1, 2024. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

    “I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices and our cooperators to capitalize fully on the existing flexibilities in these important programs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

    Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans
    FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation. For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for underserved producers, including, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers.

    Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for March 2024 are as follows:

    FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.

    To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.

    Commodity and Storage Facility Loans
    Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

    Farm Loan Program Process Improvement
    FSA has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate the Farm Loan Program customer-facing business process. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a direct loan application annually, FSA has made various improvements, including:

    • The Online Loan Application, an interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features, including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents, such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan.
    • The Loan Assistance Tool that provides customers with an interactive online, step-by-step guide to identifying the direct loan products that may be a fit for their business needs and to understanding the application process.
    • An online direct loan repayment feature that relieves borrowers from the necessity of calling, mailing, or visiting a local Service Center to pay a loan installment.
    • A simplified direct loan paper application, reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages.

    More Information
    Since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed by President Biden in August 2022, USDA’s Farm Service Agency has provided approximately $2.1 billion in immediate assistance to more than 39,000 distressed borrowers. The deadline to request assistance through the Inflation Reduction Act Assistance for Distressed Borrowers and Discrimination Financial Assistance Program has passed. Any applications submitted before the program deadlines are currently under review. Visit the related program webpages for more information.

    To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other farm records data and customer information by logging into their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.