California Ag Network

Category: News

  • Walker Apples: 107 Years of Family Farming Tradition

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (July 5, 2017) – Lee Walker, 86, is a sixth generation apple farmer in Graton whose 50 acre apple farm epitomizes the term family business. Walker manages the farm alongside his son Lee Walker III, but around the property you will always find a handful of family members putting in their best effort on top of their day jobs to help the family business succeed.

    The Walker family has been farming in Graton, CA for over 100 years and this year they are being honored as Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Farm Family of the Year. From left to right: Henry Gowan and Sue Walker; John and Cindy Walker; Lee Walker (center); Michelle, TJ, Blaine and Austin Beckman; Goldie Hilkey; Kyler Walker and Shannon O’Leary; Barbara and Lee Walker III (not pictured Clay Walker and Jordan Gregonis). Photo by Rachel LaFranchi.

    The family’s history and passion for Sonoma County agriculture has led them to be named as Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Farm Family of the Year. The family will be honored July 13th at Love of the Land alongside Farm Bureau’s two other award recipients. Jackson Family Wines will be receiving the Luther Burbank Conservation Award for their sustainability efforts in Sonoma County and beyond while Earl and Dot Holtz will be inducted into the Farm Bureau Hall of Fame for their commitment to the local dairy industry. Walker’s family originally settled in Sonoma County in 1856, and Walker said the family owned land from Sebastopol to Santa Rosa which they paid 50 cents an acre for.

    Arthur Upp purchased the family’s 30 acres on Upp Road in Graton in 1910. This orchard has been passed down through generations and the house that Upp built is still where Walker lives, often coming to life with family events.

    Walker was raised in the Vine Hill area of Sebastopol, but spent most of his time on the family’s apple farm. “I always loved this place,” Walker said. He remembers Upp farming the land with horses until he bought the family’s first tractor in 1935. Walker married Shirley in 1952. They moved to the ranch that year living there with their three children until Shirley passed away. Walker recalls only three years since 1952 that he didn’t live on the ranch – two years where he served in the Army after he was drafted and one year playing professional baseball.

    In 1960, Walker and his family changed the way they sold apples. Instead of selling to processors, they started selling directly from their farm. Walker remembers their business starting in the shade of a large tree and the family wiping down apples with towels.

    Two years later, Walker bought machinery to polish the apples. This was followed by building a packing house and Walker says the business just progressed from there. In 1968, they started selling directly to local stores. Walker said as his three children (John, Sue and Lee III) grew up they became more active in the operation.

    “We came to the point where we were a grower and shipper of apples – particularly Gravensteins,” said Walker. “At the time there were 34 other packers in the area, now there’s only a couple.”

    The family’s apple business is located on their 30 acre Upp Road property, and they lease an additional 20 acres of orchards in Sebastopol. Walker watched as the land around his farm was planted with grapes and most of his neighbors started to make more money than he was, but Walker said he was raised growing apples and didn’t know anything else.

    “It’s been a real challenge,” said Walker, “a tremendous challenge over the years. For a while we didn’t get much money, and that’s when all the apples were converted to grapes.” Walker said the family’s biggest hurdle was eight years ago after they’d been losing money for many years. The family decided to give it one more chance, giving their all to sell their apples to local stores and markets.

    Walker described the family as being heavily involved in the business even though the rest of the family has their own jobs during the day. He said that although he and his son both work full time on the farm, they couldn’t do it without additional help. His son John recently weed-eated the orchards, his daughter Sue takes care of the shipping and Lee III’s wife Barbara does the bookkeeping. The grandkids, great-grand kids and other family members can be found helping in the packing shed during harvest, and it’s all hands on deck for the annual Gravenstein Apple Fair weekend.

    Although the family is often working long hours and two jobs, their passion for what they do is evident.

    “If I even breathe the word sell, I’ll have a revolt,” Walker said.

    He describes the ranch as “truly a family operation” and believes that the business means more because the whole family is involved.

    Walker said Shirley was a main cog in the family business and kept it together before she passed away six years ago. He credits much of their success over the years to her. Walker has a photo album his wife made with polaroid photos of their customers she took over more than 20 years. Some of the customers have been visiting the orchard for upwards of 35 years.

    “You’d be surprised by how many people come out here and say, ‘This is a for real apple farm!’ But that’s our main draw. We’re very proud of our product – it’s very good, very fresh.

    We talk about the apples to customers, some of them are the third generation to visit the farm.”

    Today, the family grows nearly 600 tons of apples a year, all of which are dry farmed. They cultivate more than 25 varieties of apples, although nearly half are Gravensteins. In addition to selling apples directly to customers on their Upp Road farm, apples can be found locally at Andy’s Produce, G&G Supermarket, Imwalle Gardens or the Santa Rosa Farmers’ Market.

    For Walker, the future of the business doesn’t seem bright, and it’s not because of the product.

    “It’s really sad,” said Walker, “we have the product and it’s in high demand. Farming is fun, but it has been taken away from the small farmer. I may be wrong though, maybe the small farmer can survive, but you have to be really small where you have an outside job and farm on the weekend.” Walker cites labor and regulations as the two largest obstacles in the way of small farmers. Labor is hard to find and there’s not enough people to help the family pick apples during harvest. In fact, this year, the family didn’t even finish pruning.

    Walker feels regulations are particularly burdensome to the small farmer who doesn’t have the resources to comply with regulations. Walker cites having to develop heat safety plans as an example of regulations that don’t make sense for smaller farmers. He said while they’re okay when they stand alone, it’s hard to devote resources to developing plans for a minimal work force. He said in the 70 years he’s been farming without them, everyone has been happy and has never had problems ending his comments by saying today is just a different world. Walker said the family is very enthusiastic about what they do and they intend to keep farming as long as they can keep the business afloat. He said being honored as the Farm Family of the Year was very nice, and it is especially important to him that the entire family was being recognized.

    “We like apples,” said Walker. “I don’t want to leave. We’ve made a lot of friends in the industry through the years, and that sort of thing is hard to walk away from. We still don’t do as well as the grape people, but we do this because we love it.”

    Walker Apples is located at 10955 Upp Rd, Graton, CA 95444 and open seven days a week from August through December.

  • CAWG Seeks Winegrape Exemption from Produce Safety Rule

    SACRAMENTO, June 20, 2017 – The California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) has requested the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) exempt winegrapes from its produce safety rule under the Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA) and place them on a list of produce commodities rarely consumed raw. The action would exempt growers and wineries from having to comply with unnecessary and burdensome requirements and paperwork under the rule.

    On June 15, CAWG President John Aguirre sent a letter and 10-page white paper to FDA detailing CAWG’s request. More than 30 commodities, such as potatoes and asparagus, are listed as rarely consumed raw and thus exempt from the produce safety rule. FDA determined these commodities are nearly always cooked or otherwise processed before consumption, thus eliminating risks of foodborne illness. CAWG argued that winegrapes are also not grown, harvested or sold to consumers for fresh consumption; they are almost universally grown and sold for processing into wine. As such, winegrapes should also be exempt from the produce safety rule.

    Currently, winegrape growers can only obtain an exemption from the produce safety rule by adhering to specific notice and assurance requirements under the rule’s processing exemption. Beginning with the 2018 harvest, FDA will require growers provide written notice with each load of winegrapes shipped that the grapes have not been processed. Starting in 2020, wineries will need to provide assurance to growers that the winegrapes received were indeed processed into wine. Growers are required to maintain a record of these notice and assurance transactions for up to two years. Failure to follow these steps precisely may invalidate the processing exemption and force winegrape growers to comply with the many provisions of the produce safety rule.

    “When FDA published its produce safety rule, the agency acknowledged that making wine from grapes effectively eliminates any risk of foodborne illness that might occur with raw grapes,” Aguirre said. “However, FDA failed to include winegrapes on the list of commodities rarely consumed raw because the agency feared growers of cabernet sauvignon, pinot noir, chardonnay and other varietals may sell those grapes for fresh consumption. Our letter to FDA should provide sufficient information for the agency to determine that California winegrapes are distinct from table and raisin type grapes and are rarely consumed raw.”

    CAWG director Mike Testa, of Coastal Vineyard Care, said, “It’s absurd to think that a Santa Barbara County winegrape grower would sell pinot noir or chardonnay grapes into fresh table or raisin grape market channels. All commercial winegrape production in Santa Barbara County, as in many other California counties, is destined for a fermentation tank. FDA’s produce safety rule should acknowledge that and exempt winegrapes.”

     

     

    Media contact:

    • John Aguirre, (916) 379-8995, john@cawg.org

  • Firefighters Put Animal Rescue Training to Use

    Davis, Calif., (June 30, 2017) – When the UC Davis Fire Department trained with campus experts this spring on how to corral loose animals and load horses into trailers, the firefighters likely had no idea they’d be putting their new skills to use so soon.

    On June 19, they did just that, evacuating a barn full of goats, chickens and a young calf as a grass fire barreled toward it. And thank goodness they did, because the wind-stoked flames eventually consumed the barn.

    “Instead of futily attempting to save the barn, my decision was to direct the crew to evacuate the animals as quickly as possible and protect the adjoining house,” Acting Capt. Ben Rizzo said.

    The incident began as a car fire that spread to the grass on a property near Dixon. Authorities called in reinforcements — and that brought out the campus Fire Department.

    “Rizzo and his crew were able to immediately draw on their recent animal handling and rescue trainingprovided by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and Department of Animal Science,” according to a report on the veterinary medicine website.

    “Their hands-on experience allowed them to prioritize the animal life risk and understand what was needed to move them. The firefighters were able to get the animals from a place of immediate danger to a safe refuge. Swift actions and a good understanding of animal behavior and handling certainly saved numerous lives that evening.”

    UC Davis Fire Capt. Nathan Potter was one of the firefighters who trained with large animals this spring.

    The training program had been in the works since last fall, led by Jim Green, director of rescue for the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association, and who also is a firefighter in Hampshire, England. The School of Veterinary brought him here for a yearlong stint with the Center for Equine Health, to add to the expertise the school already has with its Veterinary Emergency Response Team and International Animal Welfare Training Institute.

    In conjunction with the UC Davis Horse Barn, Green developed a risk-based approach to situations in which firefighters encounter animals that need to be rescued or safely moved from harm’s way.

    “Firefighters and other responders have to take very different actions in response to the presence of animals at any incident they attend compared to our typical calls for service,” Green said. “Risks range from a domestic pet protecting its environment at home, to defending its owner in a car crash, to a wildland fire where trapped and scared large animals require evacuation.”

    UC Davis’ collaboration with Green will extend to the Incidents Involving Animals Conference, Oct. 21-22, hosted by the School of Veterinary Medicine in Partnership with the British Animal Rescue and Trauma Care Association.

    Cody Kitaura and Rob Warren contributed to this report.

  • A Quiet Carnivore Recover

    Davis, Calif., (June 30, 2017) – California land managers and wildlife experts are increasingly tasked with managing the return of long-suppressed predators to the landscape, including wolves, mountain lions, badgers, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, and bears. As a result, California is poised to see growing numbers of complex human-wildlife interactions, said Justin Brashares, UC Berkeley professor and UC ANR researcher.

    Good fencing is one tool that allows coyotes and sheep to share the open range.

    State and federal policies once incentivized the removal of large carnivores, even offering bounty payments, Brashares said. The last California grizzly became a victim of such practices in 1922. The gray wolf was exterminated shortly thereafter, only to make a historic return 90 years later in the form of a single young male called OR-7, who has been followed into California by several other wolves.

    Beginning in the 1970s with the federal Endangered Species Act and the banning of bounties, things began to change. Poisons and leghold traps were prohibited in 1998. Next came an end to the sport hunting of mountain lions in 1990, bear hunting with dogs in 2012, and bobcat trapping in 2015. The cumulative result of these actions, which eased centuries of pressure on wild animals treated as pests, has been a “quiet carnivore recovery” happening across our state, Brashares said. And depending on whom you ask, that may be a great thing or a terrible thing.

    An ecologist or environmentalist might emphasize the role of carnivores in maintaining healthy ecosystems.

    “What we’re seeing across the state, particularly over the last 10 years, is arguably an unprecedented recovery of our wildlife communities,” Brashares said.

    A livestock rancher, meanwhile, might view the development with dread.

    “They’re the ones most likely to be negatively impacted by the return of these animals.” A similar divide, he notes, exists between urban and rural dwellers.

    “Those who face the challenges of coexistence with carnivores on a day-to-day basis tend to be more negative about their return,” he says.

    Mountain lions are considered charismatic wildlife. (Photo: U.S. Fish and Wildlife)

    The rest of us tend to view the return of carnivores — particularly large, charismatic ones — much more favorably.

    In 2014 alone, nearly 50 lambs were killed by coyotes at HREC, and another 178 went unaccounted for. Meanwhile, 26 coyotes were killed to prevent further losses to the flock. Toward the end of the year, when Kim Rodrigues became director of HREC, she realized the current system wasn’t working and set about to fix it.

    Rodrigues brought on more guard dogs and a new shepherd; she improved fencing, and changed the rules about shooting coyotes and other predators. She also initiated a number of research efforts, in which Brashares now plays a lead role, to critically evaluate the effectiveness of tools like dogs, fences, and “fox lights,” which are randomly lit on the fields to scare off predators. Brashares and Rodrigues are also studying how to better use technology like GPS, drones, and tagging to understand the often-mysterious behavior and movement of carnivores and their prey, in hopes of gaining new insights for human-wildlife coexistence.

    Professor Justin Brashares (center) and members of his lab utilize tagging, drones, and GPS technologies to track the movement of carnivores and their prey. (Jim Block)

    After Rodrigues instituted some of these changes, the numbers of lamb and coyote deaths at HREC began to decrease dramatically. In 2016, fewer than five lambs were believed to have been killed by coyotes, with another eight unaccounted for, and just seven coyotes were shot.

    In a bid to make HREC a statewide hub for cutting-edge research and discussion around human-wildlife interactions, Rodrigues enlisted Brashares’s help in December 2015 in hosting a community conversation with stakeholders about the management of wildlife and livestock using nonlethal methods. A second discussion is planned for this June.

    Wolf OR-7 is the first wolf to live in California since their extinction in the 1920. (Photo: California Department of Fish and Wildlife, 2012)

    “My research and extension focus is now on how we can start to explore standard operating procedures that actually have a stated goal to protect both the livestock and the wildlife, and not one or the other,” Rodrigues says. “It’s changing the either/or conundrum to thinking about how we really value both on the landscapes that we’re managing.”

    Excerpted from the Spring 2017 issue of Breakthroughs, the magazine of the College of Natural Resources at the University of California, Berkeley. Read the full article.

  • Food IT: How Will Technology Shape the Future Food

    Mountain View, Calif., (June 29, 2017) – More than 300 people gathered in Mountain View for the fourth annual FOOD IT: Fork to Farm on June 27 to discuss the role of information technology in the food system – from managing crops in the field to dealing with consumer food waste.

    UC at FOOD IT

    The event, hosted by The Mixing Bowl, attracted professionals who intersect with every part of the food system, from farmers to scientists, from entrepreneurs to venture capital investors.

    Panelists discussed the shift in power caused by the rise of the tech-enabled food consumer, its effects on food production and supply as well as implications for society.

    VP Glenda Humiston announced that UC ANR is launching The VINE or Verde Innovation Network for Entrepreneurship to cultivate regional innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystems in rural communities. Led by Gabriel Youtsey, UC ANR chief innovation officer, The VINE aims to bring together resources such as small business development centers, community colleges, county cooperative extension offices, makers labs, incubators and accelerators.

    “We’re trying to go in region by region to catalyze a coalition,” Humiston said. “We want to make sure innovators and inventors can go from idea to commercialization with all the support they need.”

    The VINE would connect innovators with legal advice, someone to discuss finances, access to people who can help with business plans and opportunities to partner with the university on joint research projects.

    “We want to make it possible for anyone in California to access support,” Humiston said.  “If you’re in an urban area or near a campus, you probably have access to those resources. If you’re in agriculture, natural resources or more remote rural communities, you typically have little access.”

    On a panel of agriculture college deans from Iowa State, Cal Poly and UC Davis moderated by Humiston, the deans lamented the lagging interest in farming by young people.

    Ag college deans talk about the need to train new farmers.

    “Everybody wants to be a vegetarian, but nobody wants to be a plant scientist,” said Helene Dillard, dean of the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

    Humiston said that farming isn’t just for young people. we see people making mid-career changes.

    Throughout the day, several people speculated that Amazon’s buying of Whole Foods would mix things up. Dean Andy Thulin of Cal Poly’s College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences said tech makes food sexy.

    Wendy Wintersteen, dean of Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said that consumers are more informed. Millennials want to know what is in their food and are concerned about food safety, allergens and are willing to spend more on food.

    On a panel discussing “Changing Food Preferences of the Tech-Enabled Consumer,” Walmart executive Katie Finnegan noted that Apeel, a product that coats produce and keeps it fresh longer, could reduce food waste and change the food supply chain. “A small change can have a big impact,” she said.

    For years, life expectancy for Americans has gradually increased. Last year, for the first time, life expectancy decreased due to obesity and poverty, said Justin Siegal of UC Davis Genome Center.

    Kevin Sanchez said Yolo County Food Bank has been developing relationships with farms to get fresh food.

    Kevin Sanchez of the Yolo County Food Bank said he has been developing relationships with farms to get fresh food to people, but added, “We have a storage challenge.”

    Discussing “Upstream Production Impacts of New Consumer Food Choices,”Driscoll’s Nolan Paul said, “People want to know where the berries are from.” They ask about the tools used for breeding. Paul said Driscoll’s will never use genetic engineering unless consumers on board with it.

    On the Internet of Tomatoes panel, representatives for Analog Devices, Bowles Farming and Campbells talked about using data on weather, water, soil and other things to grow higher quality tomatoes and using optical grading at processing plants for quality control. Bowles Farming has also have begun using Instagram to engage consumers in conversations about farming issues that commodity marketing groups try to avoid, such as unintended consequences of some policies.

    UC ANR was a cosponsor of the event, which delighted conference participants with exhibits featuring array of futuristic devices like printing your own pancake or tortilla.

     

  • Citrus Farmers Bracing To Battle Huanglongbing

    Exeter, Calif., (June 29, 2017) – Two more trees infected with huanglongbing (HLB) disease were identified and destroyed in the days before UC Cooperative Extension and the Citrus Research Board kicked off their spring Citrus Growers Education Seminar in Exeter June 27. The new infections raise the total number of HLB-infected trees in Los Angeles and Orange counties to 73.

    An abandoned orange grove in Florida. (Photo: USDA)

    The latest statistic set the stage for spirited discussions about a looming threat that cut Florida citrus production by 60 percent in 15 years. The devastating citrus losses in Florida were recounted by Ed Stover, a plant breeder with USDA Agricultural Research Service in Fort Pierce.

     

    “One of the benefits of coming here is I am reminded how beautiful citrus is,” Stover said. “In Florida, there are more than 130,000 acres of abandoned groves.” He showed slides of trees with thin canopies, pale leaves and green fruit; in one image the trees were skeletons among tall weeds.

    Huanglongbing disease is an incurable condition spread by Asian citrus psyllid (ACP). The psyllid, native of Pakistan, Afghanistan and other Asian regions, was first detected in California in 2008. Everywhere ACP is found, the pests find and spread HLB.

    Stover and his colleagues are searching for citrus cultivars that have natural tolerance for the bacteria that causes HLB, but progress is slow. Transgenic citrus, he said, is the best bet for developing citrus with HLB immunity.

    “In my opinion, commercial genetically engineered citrus is inevitable, and GE crop concerns will likely decline with time,” he said.

    In California, the aggressive push to keep psyllid populations low, regulations to limit the spread of psyllids when trucking the fruit, and active scouting for and removal of HLB infected trees in residential areas could buy time for researchers to find a solution before California suffers the fate of Florida citrus growers.

    “Be vigilant,” Stover said. “As long as you are still making a good return, there is almost no investment too great if it keeps HLB out of California.”

    UCCE specialist Beth Grafton-Cardwell outlines research underway to detect huanglongbing disease of citrus.

    Beth Grafton-Cardwell, UCCE citrus entomology specialist and director of the UC Lindcove Research and Extension Center near Exeter, said the prime research in the San Joaquin Valley is aimed at early detection techniques.

    Once a tree is infected, it takes nine months to two years for the bacteria to spread throughout the tree, so that when leaves are selected for testing, they detect the bacteria. Capturing and testing psyllids is one way to to find the disease early. Other early detection techniques focus on the microbes, proteins and aromas produced by sick trees.

    “These can be measured with leaf test, a VOC (volatile organic compound) sniffer, swab or even dogs,” Grafton-Cardwell said. “Scientists are studying every conceivable way to stop the disease.”

    The Citrus Research Board presented UCCE entomology specialist Joseph Morse, center, with a specially commissioned painting for his retirement June 30. Morse spoke at the Exeter meeting about citrus thrips, fuller rose beetle, and avocado thrips.

    In the meantime, growers were encouraged to carefully monitor for and treat psyllid populations in their orchards with pesticides. Pesticide treatment recommendations are available on Grafton-Cardwell’s Asian Citrus Psyllid Distribution and Management website, http://ucanr.edu/acp.

     

    “We have lots of challenges,” Grafton-Cardwell conceded. “We hate disrupting our beautiful integrated pest management program. But monitor your own groves, apply the most effective treatments and remove suspected (infected) trees. Going through the pain up front will save us in the long run.”

     

  • CDFA Seeks Public Comment On $6.75 Millon Cap-And-Trade-Funded Healthy Soils Program

    Sacramento, Calif., (June 29, 2017) –  The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is now accepting public comments on Requests for Grant Applications (RGA) for the $6.75 million Healthy Soils Program (HSP), authorized by the Budget Act of 2016, and funded through California’s cap-and-trade program.

    The Healthy Soils Program offers grants to farmers who take action to capture greenhouse gas emissions, such as carbon dioxide, in the soil to help combat climate change. The program is part of California’s cap-and-trade California Climate Investments, a statewide program that puts billions of cap-and-trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy and improving public health and the environment—particularly in disadvantaged communities. The cap-and-trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution.

    The Healthy Soils Program will be implemented under two separate components: 1) the $3.75 million Incentives Program and 2) the $3 million Demonstration Projects. For the Incentives Program, an estimated $3.75 million in competitive grant funding will be awarded to provide financial assistance for implementation of agricultural management practices that sequester soil carbon and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    For the Demonstration Projects, an estimated $3 million in competitive grant funding will be awarded to projects that monitor and demonstrate to farmers and ranchers in California, specific management practices in agriculture that sequester carbon, improve soil health and reduce atmospheric GHGs.

    The RGA for both the HSP Incentives Program and Demonstration Projects can be found on the CDFA Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation (OEFI) webpage: https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/.

    CDFA will hold a webinar on July 6, 2017 an 10:00 am to provide information on how to comment on the DRAFT RGA and answer any questions. To register for the webinar, please visit the program webpage at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/healthysoils/ .

    Comments regarding the DRAFT RGA can be submitted to cdfa.oefi@cdfa.ca.gov no later than 5:00 p.m. PST on Wednesday, July 12, 2017.

  • Insect and Mite Updates – 2017

    Sacramento, Calif., (June 28, 2017) – The impacts of such an unusually wet winter and prolonged spring rain events on insect and mite activity are still developing. This article summarizes some notable observations thus far and specific pest management considerations as we move into summer.

    The first codling moth biofix generally ranged from early- to mid-April in 2017 in the Sacramento Valley (many of the same orchards observed first biofix in late March the previous two years). As this goes to print, we are nearing 1060 degree days (DD) in most blocks and are on the lookout for the second biofix. The first codling moth flight this year (1A and 1B peaks) were reported to be quite high in many orchards throughout the region, and applications targeting one or both of these flight peaks were common. Keep in mind that a good codling moth program can help minimize early-season infestation by navel orangeworm, so keep a close eye on your trap counts and the numbers of codling moth-infested dropped nuts in your orchards.

    Although wet winters can cause increased overwintering mortality of navel orangeworm, significant survival was apparent in walnut mummies examined this spring (March 2017). Bear in mind that your neighbors may not have been able to execute their normal NOW sanitation programs last winter either, and these may be a source of populations moving into your orchard as the season progresses (in addition to any carry-over populations you may have in your orchard). Prior to husk split, NOW will go back into mummies and into this-season’s damaged nuts (codling moth-infested and blighted nuts).

    Significant populations of frosted scale were evident in a number of orchards throughout the Sacramento Valley this year. It is not entirely clear why this pest, which it typically present only at low levels, has increased so dramatically in recent years. Research is underway examining this phenomenon, as well as best practices and timings for effective population reduction. Frosted scale produces honeydew when feeding (walnut scale does not). This favors growth of

    sooty mold, which increases the chances for sunburn damage, so keep an eye on this if your orchard was heavily impacted by frosted scale this spring. Frequent rains throughout winter and early spring limited the ability for many growers to get into the orchards to apply dormant/delayed-dormant scale treatments, necessitating applications targeting the spring crawler stage. Crawler emergence was observed late in the second week of May 2017 (compared to the first week of May 2015 and last week of April 2016), with peak crawler activity noted approximately two weeks later. This highlights the importance of monitoring the populations, rather than applying treatments based on “typical” calendar timing (which would have been too early this year to target peak crawler activity). Our research trials this year are examining efficacy of different treatment materials and timings specifically for frosted scale (walnut scale has been the focus of research in recent years). If treatments were applied for frosted scale (either dormant/delayed-dormant or crawler), monitor the populations next dormant period looking for the overwintering nymphs (photos and more information at ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r881300111.html). Frosted scale has only one generation per year, so the effects of this season’s spray program will be best observed at this time, and as next spring’s populations begin to develop.

    Conversely, walnut scale populations have dropped off in many orchards, likely due to effective management programs over the past few years. We observed walnut scale crawler emergence during the last week of May 2017 (compared to first and second weeks of May in 2015 and 2016, respectively). Another reminder the importance that treatment timings should be supported by field observations of pest activity each year.

    Walnut husk fly traps just beginning to hit the week of June 5 in Butte and Sutter counties. No activity noted as of that time in our trapping locations in Tehama county. Remember that WHF treatment decisions should be made on a site-specific basis and take the time to hang traps high in the tree canopy – this will provide better accuracy in detecting activity. If trapping indicates the presence of treatable WHF populations, all insecticides should be applied with a bait (i.e., molasses, Nu-Lure®, Monterey Insect Bait®). The exception is GF-120 which contains its own bait. For low- to moderate-populations, coverage is not critical and low-volume and/or partial coverage applications (e.g., alternate row) of bait with insecticide can be effective. However, in high population orchards with extensive previous damage, high-volume, full coverage, and/or multiple applications of bait with insecticide may be necessary to achieve adequate control. If you miss a timing and are observing fresh stings, full cover neonicotinoids that have some ovicidal (egg-killing) activity mixed with an adulticide will provide partial control of eggs if applied immediately after stings are observed. Generally, a short-residual insecticide-plus-attractant will kill walnut husk fly for 10 days. With the egg development period added to this time, there is about 3 weeks of protection after an application (GF-120 treatments often must be applied more frequently).

    Spider mite activity remains low at press time, but will likely begin to pick up with sustained warmer temperatures. Prophylactic May applications of abamectin, while still favored by many almond producers, have shown to be less effective and economically-viable in most walnut orchard situations. Treatments should be based on thresholds of spider mites and their natural enemies (particularly predator mites and sixspotted thrips). In general, the goal is to manage the ratio of predators-to-spider mites (not just spider mite numbers alone) to achieve a balance in which predators can provide free control services. Also consider the impacts of other pesticides on spider mite and predator populations (organophosphates and pyrethroids are highly detrimental to spider mite natural enemies and often result in spider mite flare-ups). More information on treatment thresholds for mites and predators in walnuts is available at: ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/r881400111.html. Best practices for getting the most out of your miticide in walnuts include choosing the right material for the job (i.e., those softer on predators if they are present, desired residual activity and pre-harvest intervals, quick and effective knock-down if needed, etc.) and obtaining optimal coverage (high volume, slow speed).

  • NAFTA Renegotiations Must Prioritize Ag, Farm Bureau Says

    Washington, D. C., (June 28, 2017) – A modernized North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) must build upon market gains for U.S. agriculture and settle remaining challenges for our nation’s farmers and ranchers in our neighboring markets, Don Shawcroft, Colorado Farm Bureau president, stated in a hearing before the U.S. Trade Representative today.

    “NAFTA has been overwhelmingly beneficial for the vast majority of farmers and ranchers across the U.S. for decades,” said Shawcroft in testimony on behalf of the American Farm Bureau Federation. U.S. agricultural exports to Canada and Mexico have quadrupled, from $8.9 billion in 1993 to $38.1 billion in 2016. Although the benefits from NAFTA are clear and many, there are reasons to reform and update the agreement, Shawcroft said.

    NAFTA renegotiations present a prime opportunity to address challenges fruit and vegetable farmers have faced with Mexico, as well as a chance for dairy, row crop and wheat farmers to settle issues with Canada.

    “A modernized NAFTA should at best eliminate, at worst reduce, barriers to trade that keep our farmers and ranchers from having a level playing field with our neighbors,” Shawcroft said.

    Farm Bureau priorities for a modernized NAFTA include:

    • Updated, science-based sanitary and phytosanitary rules;
    • Improved dispute settlement procedures for fresh fruits, vegetables and horticultural products;
    • Eliminated or reduced Canadian tariff barriers to dairy, poultry eggs and wine, as well as the recently implemented barriers to ultra-filtered milk;
    • Addressing the misuse of geographical indicators; and
    • Developing a consistent, science-based approach to biotechnology.

    “A modernized NAFTA will not only help expand market opportunities for U.S. farmers and ranchers in the near term,” said Shawcroft. “It would also set a foundation for future trade agreements by establishing market-driven and science-based terms of trade and dispute resolution that will directly benefit the U.S. food and agriculture industry.”

    Source: AFBF, Newsroom, June 27, 2017

  • Ag Equipment Replacement Monies Available

    Tulare, Calif., (June 27, 2017) – Buying agriculture equipment is not cheap, and we know that most farms will hold on to equipment for a very long time to make their investment last as long as possible.  However, the SJVAPCD does have incentive funds available to grant farmers to help them replace out old engines, and tractors, and trucks with cleaner technologies.  If you have considered replacing an old tractor, or truck, or a stationary ag pump, please read more below.

    Kern County Growers are encouraged to apply, the programs in Kern County are under-subscribed.

    Tractor Replacement:

    • Tractor must operate annually 75% within CA and 50% within SJVAPCD. Old tractor must currently be in-use & in operational condition.
    • Old tractor must have a horsepower rating of 25 or greater and be an uncontrolled (tier 0) engine, tier 1 or tier 2.
    • New tractor must have a current model year emissions engine (tier 4) and serve the same function and perform the same work equivalent as the old tractor.

    Truck Vouchers:

    • Funding available for replacement of medium and heavy-duty trucks, up to $ 50,000 for a replacement.
    • Must be in Compliance with ARB’s Truck and Bus Regulation
    • Owned and operated the truck for the past
    • 24 months
    • Operate the truck annually 75% within CA and
    • 50% within SJVAPCD boundaries.

    Stationary Ag Equipment Pumps:

    • Funding is available for the following categories:
      • Diesel tier 2 going to tier
      • Diesel tier 2, or 3 going to
    • Funding amounts are based on a dollar per horsepower of the new engine motor, not to exceed 85% of the eligible costs.
    • Converting diesel engines to electric eliminates permitting and registration requirements.
    • Applications are being accepted on an ongoing basis.

    For more info, contact: SJVAPCD at www.valleyair.org, Todd DeYoung Incentive Program Manager (559) 230-5816

    Aaron Tarango, Incentive Program Supervisor, (559) 230-5873