California Ag Network

Category: News

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (October 13, 2017) – 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 Alfalfa fields continue to be irrigated, cut, and baled. Sorghum fields are being harvested. Corn silage continues to be harvested. Cotton is being harvested for lint and seed. Black-eyed beans continue to be harvested.

    Peaches, nectarines, and plums continue to be picked and shipped to both domestic and export markets. Stone fruit is being exported to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ecuador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, and New Zealand. A few old stone fruit orchards are being pushed out. Soil amendments are being applied to some stone fruit orchards. Pistachio harvest continues, with exports to China, the European Union, Germany, Hong Kong, Mexico, Poland, Turkey, and Vietnam. Almond harvest continues throughout the county. Almonds are being exported to Argentina, Chile, Germany, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates. Walnuts continue to be harvested. Pears are being exported to Mexico. Table grape harvest continues, and are being exported to Australia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, and Vietnam. Thompson seedless grapes are being rolled and picked up. Pomegranate harvest continues, with exports going to Australia, Guatemala, and New Zealand. Kiwifruit are being harvested, and exported to Mexico and Panama. Persimmons are now coloring.

    Valencia oranges are being exported to China and Korea. Most citrus packing houses are getting ready for the new navel orange season. Citrus orchards are being skirted and trimmed for the coming season. Some orange groves are being pushed out to make way for new plantings. Finger limes are being exported to Japan, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. The olive crop is heavy and continues to be harvested.

    Certified producers are picking tomatoes, sweet corn, okra, cucumbers, squash, and peppers. Commercial plantings of Yellow squash, eggplant, Bell peppers, Green Chili peppers, and cucumbers are being harvested and shipped domestically. Fall vegetables are developing well and some early varieties are almost ready for harvest. Strawberries continue to grow. Pumpkins patches look very mature and should be ready for picking soon.

    Rangeland grazing is much better this year and helping ranchers off-set higher than average feed costs. The fed cattle market price is down to $104.00 per hundred weight. Harvested grain fields continue to be sheeped-off in the southern portions of the county.

    Nursery shipments continue to be slow. Wholesale nurseries are shipping small amounts of stock to local and out-of-state retail outlets. Potted roses are being shipped to Texas. New wells continue to be drilled.

  • Almond Yield Monitoring Field Day, Oct. 13

    Join AGERpoint for an almond yield monitoring field day on Friday, October 13, 2017.  Growers are invited to view a live demonstration of how the combination of yield monitoring, mapping, geospatial technology can enable more accurate management decisions.  The event is free and will begin at 10 a.m. just off of Lerdo Hyw, 1 mile east of I-5 Buttonwillow, California.  For more information, email sales@agerpoint.com.

  • Fresno County Department of Agriculture Crop Report

    Fresno, Calif., (October 12, 2017) – Small grains (wheat, barley, and oats) were harvested; the fields were leveled, cultivated, and the soil was amended in preparation for new plantings. Rice was maturing and nearing to be harvested. Straw from harvested grain fields was stacked and awaiting shipment to customers.

    Alfalfa seed production was nearing completion. Alfalfa for hay production was maturing well; growers continued to irrigate the fields, cut, windrow, and bale straw for livestock feed. Pest control treatments were underway in other fields. Harvested field corn was worked up into green chop and stored for silage production. Silage corn and sorghum were being harvested and the empty fields were prepped up for triticale planting. Cotton grew well and the bolls were opening; growers continued to irrigate and spray for lygus. Alfalfa seed was exported to Algeria and Argentina.

    Wine, juice and table grape harvesting continued; late season table grapes were covered with plastic to protect the berries from “wishful” rain. Grapes in Selma District were cut and placed on trays to make raisins; 0% on the vine, 25% on open trays, 25% rolled, 50% boxed; open trays of drying grapes were splashed by two unexpected rains. Late season stone fruits were harvested. Growers irrigated the orchards and applied herbicides to control weeds; some orchards were fumigated in preparation for new plantings. Plums trees were treated for borer. Almond harvest continued; harvested fields were irrigated and received herbicide treatments; some growers pulled out vineyards and prepared the ground for fumigation to start new almond orchard; shipments of almond were picking up. Pistachio harvesting has begun in full swing; young pistachios continued to be hand pruned and the floor was being treated with herbicides; new plantings continued. Pomegranates were sizing, coloring, picked, and shipped to packers. Walnut harvesting has begun and processing was underway. Almonds, apples, apricots, grapes, nectarines, Asian pears, peaches, pecan, plum/IS plum, pomegranates, prunes, raisins, and walnuts were exported to Algeria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, El Salvador, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, New Caledonia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Viet Nam.

    Harvesting of green beans, carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers (bell and chili), tomatoes, watermelons, and zucchini continued. Strawberries were still being harvested in Reedley District. Some growers in Selma District transplanted the second crops of eggplant, cucumber, green bean, and squash. Cantaloupes, honeydews, sweet corn, and watermelons were picked, packed and shipped and harvest season was nearing to completion; empty fields were cultivated in preparation for next crops plantings. Garlic and onions were being harvested and processed; packing and shipping were on going; growers had started to prepare the ground for next year plantings. Early planting of fresh and processing tomatoes in Huron District was 90-95% finished; late plantings of tomatoes had been reported to some lost due to unusual high temperatures. Organic and conventional cantaloupe in Huron District was winding down and organic broccoli, celery, and spinach were being planted. Broccoli grew well and the fields were being irrigated. Lettuce was being rogued and lettuce seed was being harvested. Plantings of lettuce (head, leaf and romaine) for fall had started; some lettuce fields received treatments to control thrips, aphids, beet armyworm, spider mites and whiteflies. Garlic seed from Oregon was processed. Melons, onions, and squash were exported to French Polynesia, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan.

    Citrus was starting to change color and the orchards were irrigated; the trees were treated for scales and weeds. Lemons were packed in the Selma District. Olives maturing. Some bee hives were being placed around fields of melons and squash for pollination; others were being placed on vacant land for rebuilding of hives; and a few bee hives remained in local bee yards. Beekeepers provided supplemental feed to replace nectar and pollen normally foraged from blooming plants. Ranchers had left sheep and cattle grazed in harvested grain fields; cull melons fields; and in retired farmland areas. A few ranchers in Huron District grazed sheep in Westlands Water District set aside fields. The eastern slope of the Coast Range Mountains was very dry; rangeland conditions were dry.

  • California Agriculture Leads Nation In Specialty Crop Funding

    Sacramento, Calif., (October 12, 2017) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced funding for the 2017 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). California received $19.2 million out of approximately $60.6 million awarded nationwide.

    The SCBGP provides grants to state departments of agriculture to fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).

    “This is an essential program for California in meeting a state priority – helping our specialty crop growers remain competitive,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.“The success of this grant program has generated widespread support for continued robust funding in the Farm Bill.”

    The program will fund 54 projects, awarding grants ranging from $50,000 to $450,000 to non-profit and for-profit organizations, government entities, and colleges and universities. Selected through a competitive process, these projects focus on increasing sales of specialty crops by leveraging the California Grown identity; increasing consumption by expanding the specialty crop consumer market, improving product availability, and providing nutritional education for consumers; training growers to equip them for current and future challenges; and conducting research on conservation and environmental outcomes, pest control and disease, and organic and sustainable production practices.

    Additionally, there are fixed-amount awards to fund projects that address workforce concerns throughout the specialty crop supply chain, including conforming to labor regulations, securing skilled and unskilled workers, and training the existing workforce to effectively utilize new technologies.

    CDFA is continuing its partnership with the Center for Produce Safety in the evaluation and recommendation of food safety related projects. These projects represent an ongoing effort to address food safety practices and minimize outbreaks of foodborne illness with proactive research.

    The 2017 SCBGP project abstracts are available online at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants.

  • Misclassification Costs California Employers

    Sacramento, Calif., (October 12, 2017) – Misclassification of employees is quickly becoming a favorite of the California labor commissioner. In two separate news releases this month, the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR) announced that the Labor Commissioner’s Office filed citations and a lawsuit against two California employers for misclassifying their employees.

    On August 9, DIR issued a news release stating that the Labor Commissioner’s Office had cited a Jack in the Box franchise operator for $903,084 in unpaid wages and penalties for misclassifying 40 employees as exempt from overtime. The employees, who all carried the job title of manager, had to work at least 45 hours a week, but were not paid any overtime.

    Part of the test to properly classify an employee as exempt from overtime in California is that the employee must spend most of the employee’s work time performing work duties that meet the test for exemption (e.g., directing the work duties of employees, exercising discretion and independent judgment). The labor commissioner’s investigation determined that the employees in question spent most of their work time performing the same work duties as regular employees and should not have been classified as exempt from overtime, despite their job title.

    In a second news release dated August 14, the Labor Commissioner’s Office announced it had filed a lawsuit seeking more than $6.3 million against a California construction company for misclassifying employees as independent contractors. The labor commissioner’s investigation found that the construction company had forced its workers to sign contracts stating they were independent contractors, then used two staffing agencies to pay the workers.

    The investigation, which lasted some 10 months, revealed that the construction company exercised a sufficient level of control over the workers that they were employees, not independent contractors, and filed a lawsuit seeking unpaid wages and penalties on the workers’ behalf.

    What this means for employers: Misclassification of employees can come in many different forms, but all carry significant costs for employers. Employers must take a close look at an employee’s actual work duties and the level of control that the employer exercises over the employee before making the determination to classify the employee as exempt from overtime or as an independent contractor. Employers are encouraged to review their current employee classifications to ensure they comply with all California laws.

    The goal of this article is to provide employers with current information on labor and employment law. Its contents should be neither interpreted nor construed as legal advice or opinion. The reader should consult with Barsamian & Moody at 559-248-2360 or toll-free at 888-322-2573, for individual responses to questions or concerns regarding any given situation.

    Source: Farm Employers Labor Service, Monthly Newsletter Vol. 47, No. 8/9, August/September 2017

  • Wildfires in Wine Country

    CAWGThe California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) is saddened by the loss of lives, structures and property due to wildfires in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties.

    We share our deepest sympathies with the thousands of people who have been and will be affected by this tragedy. We are grateful to the firefighters, first responders and community members who are helping to protect lives and property.

    “In the coming days, we will have a clearer picture of the extent of damage that has occurred to vineyards and wineries and the response needed to aid recovery,” CAWG President John Aguirre said. “Until then, our thoughts and prayers go to all of those impacted by this unfolding disaster and to the men and women who are bravely battling these fires.”

    CAWG will work with members of the California congressional delegation, key federal officials and other wine industry organizations to ensure adequate resources are provided for disaster response and recovery efforts.

    Below you will find resources for crop and property insurance claims, as well as simple ways you can lend a helping hand to those affected by the fires.

    Crop Insurance Claims

    If you have a Federal Crop Insurance Policy in place, there may be multiple reasons for calling in a notice of potential loss to your agent:

    • Direct Damage: If you have encountered direct damage to your vineyard, resulting in lost crop due to fire, you should immediately contact your crop insurance agent to report the loss. Direct damage, such as fire, to a crop is a covered cause of loss.
    • Smoke Taint: The smoke in the air can cause smoke taint rendering the affected crop a total loss, partial loss or possible quality loss. If you suspect that smoke taint may become a reality in your vineyard, again, you should notify your crop insurance agent immediately to report the potential damage. Smoke taint can be a covered cause of loss, however there are certain conditions that must be met in order for a claim to be viable. Click here to learn more about what to do in the case of potential damage from smoke taint.
    • Inability to Harvest: If you are precluded from being able to harvest your crop, due to wildfire inhibiting your access to your vineyard; you could have a potential cause of loss. While rare, this could very well be the case for some who may not be able to reach their vineyard for some period of time. If you are unable to access your vineyard, it is best that you reach out to your crop insurance agent to notify them of the situation.

    Keep in mind, crop insurance only covers the crop, not the vines. Even if you have the slightest possibility of damage, you should contact your agent immediately. Also, remember that a payable claim is ultimately dependent on your insurable acreage, average yields, coverage levels, prices per ton and guarantees of the policy.

    > How to file a Federal Crop Insurance Claim – Do’s and Don’ts

    To find out more, or if we can help direct you to a preferred insurance provider,

    please contact the CAWG office at 916.379.8995.

    Property Loss Claims

    After a loss has occurred, you will be facing many problems you probably have not confronted before. It may be helpful to keep the following in mind:

    • Contact Your Insurance Agent Or Insurance Company As Soon As Possible- Your insurance agent will gather the information necessary to file a claim with your insurance company on your behalf. If you do not have an insurance agent, contact your insurance company.
    • Protect Property From Further Damage: When it is possible and safe to do so- prevent further damage to your property by covering broken windows, damaged roofs and walls. Save receipts for supplies and materials you purchase. Your insurance company will reimburse you for reasonable expenses in making temporary repairs. If your business or home has sustained extensive damage, please do not go back inside until cleared to do so by emergency personnel.
    • Take Photos of the Damaged Property and Prepare an Inventory of Property Damaged
    • Business Income Coverage- If you have Business Income coverage, it may provide protection against certain financial losses that are sustained if your business is unable to operate due to a covered loss.
    • Loss of Use Coverage: Your Farm or Homeowner’s policy includes a limit for Loss of Use. This coverage is intended to assist with temporary housing and additional living expenses if you are unable to occupy your home after a covered loss. Make certain to retain all receipts for these expenses for remittance to your claims adjuster.

    How to help evacuees of fires…

    If you are searching for ways to assist those affected by the fires, here are some options to lend a helping hand:

    As always, please contact the CAWG office if there is any way we can be of assistance.

  • Fall Garden Workshop and Plant Giveaway, October 18

    Tulare, Calif., (October 11, 2017) – Tulare County Farm Bureau’s (TCFB) Education Committee will be hosting a FREE garden workshop at 4:00 p.m., on October 18, at the COS Farm for teachers with school gardens.

    The workshop will include a presentation from the COS horticulture department, useful garden curriculum, and an opportunity for participants to talk to horticulture experts about school gardens.

    The workshop will conclude with a plant giveaway of free flower and vegetable plants for schools.

    The workshop is limited to 20 teachers with a maximum of two representatives from each garden-site.

    Teachers who have received a school grant in the past 3 years have priority registration through Oct. 10. Teachers whom have not received a grant, but wish to attend will be placed on a waiting list and notified of space after Oct. 10.

    RSVP to TCFB Office, by October 13. Call (559) 732-8301, or email bfund@tulcofb.org.

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (October 11, 2017) – A warming trend took place across the state this week in response to a retreating upper-level trough, however,  cold temperatures were still reported in most areas.  Dry conditions prevailed across the state with no reported precipitation. Warm afternoon temperatures led to further melt of the limited snowpack in the mountains, with patchy snow still seen on the peak of Mt. Shasta and the Stanislaus National Forest.

    Temperature highs were in the 40s to 60s in the mountains, 50s to 60s along the coast, 70s to 80s in the Valley, and 70s to 90s in the desert. Temperature lows were in the 10s to 40s in the mountains, 40s to 50s along the coast, and 40s to 60s in the desert and the valley.

    Alfalfa fields continued to be irrigated, cut, and baled. Sorghum fields were harvested. Cotton bolls continued to develop, and fields were prepared for harvest. Black-eyed beans continued to be harvested. Rice harvest progressed well, aided by warm temperatures. Corn for silage was harvested.

    Peaches, nectarines, and plums continued to be picked and shipped to both domestic and foreign markets.  Soil amendments were being applied to some stone fruit orchards. Finished raisin trays were rolled up for pickup. Wine and table grape harvest continued. Over the weekend high dry winds fanned 17 fires across the northern part of the state. Lingering smoke as well as direct fire damage could impact the wine grapes not yet harvested. Several winery buildings were burned in Sonoma County. The majority of the Napa and Sonoma County wine grapes have been harvest. Asian pear, fig, and pomegranate harvesting continued.  Kiwifruit harvest was ramping up for the season.  Persimmons were changing color.  Most citrus packing houses prepared for the new navel orange season.  Citrus orchards were skirted and trimmed for the coming season.  Some orange groves were pushed out to make way for new plantings. Olives were harvested and the crop was reported by some to be heavy.

    The almond harvest continued to wrap up across the state. Walnut and Pistachio harvests continued.

    The brussel sprout harvest was in full swing in San Mateo county. There was increased field activity for lettuce and broccoli in Monterey, though late planting may delay harvest. Fall vegetables developed well in Tulare, with some early varieties nearly ready for harvest. Tomatoes, sweet corn, okra, cucumbers, squash, and peppers were picked by certified producers. Pumpkinpatches matured and were prepared for harvest.

    Non-irrigated and foothill rangeland was reported to be in poor to very poor condition. Supplemental feeding of cattle continued. Cattle were moved down from high elevation range. Northern Sierra foothill wildfires burned rangeland and forced evacuations of large animals across the north part of the state.

  • All About Beef!

    Tulare, Calif., (October 11, 2017) – The California Foundation for Ag in the Classroom has added a number of resources on one of the state’s top commodities – beef.

    The “Beefing Up Math” Project was sponsored by the California Beef Council and includes five new math worksheets for students in grades 1 to 6.

    The worksheets require students to solve math facts for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions and decimals.

    Once the math facts are completed, the students color the beef mural according to the key. The back side of the worksheet includes word problems related to cattle ranching, and measurement problems that require the “Beef Up Your Math” ruler. All worksheets are aligned to current California Education Standards.

    Find a worksheet right for your class at:

    http://www.learnaboutag.org/resources/

  • CAWG Statement on Wine Country Wildfires

    SACRAMENTO, October 10, 2017 – The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) is saddened by the loss of lives, structures and property due to wildfires in Napa, Sonoma and Mendocino counties.
    CAWG

    We share our deepest sympathies with the thousands of people who have been and will be affected by this tragedy. We are grateful to the firefighters, first responders and community members who are helping to protect lives and property.

    “In the coming days, we will have a clearer picture of the extent of damage that has occurred to vineyards and wineries and the response needed to aid recovery,” CAWG President John Aguirre said. “Until then, our thoughts and prayers go to all of those impacted by this unfolding disaster and to the men and women who are bravely battling these fires.”

    CAWG will work with members of the California congressional delegation, key federal officials and other wine industry organizations to ensure adequate resources are provided for disaster response and recovery efforts.