California Ag Network

Category: News

  • Water Announcement Tempers Enthusiasm on California Cotton Acreage Increase

    Fresno, Calif., (April 3, 2017) – The good news is that cotton acreage looks like it will increase for the 2nd year in a row.  Record rainfall and snowpack, coupled with stable cotton prices and falling prices from other commodities are leading to an increase in cotton acreage.  However, that increase is being tempered by a disappointing, less than expected water allotment from the Central Valley Project (CVP) of only 65%, and the potential flooding in the Tulare lake bottom in Kings County.

    As of today, all indicators of water supply are above normal.  Way above.  Currently, the statewide snowpack is at 164% of average, while statewide rainfall is over 200% of average to date, with Blue Canyon in the northern Sierras at 245% and Mariposa in the central Sierras at 211% of average to date.   Reservoirs are all higher than average with Shasta at 87%, Oroville at 74%, New Melones at 77%, Don Pedro at 88%, and most importantly San Luis is at 98%.  Flood releases are occurring at many of these dams including Shasta, Oroville, Folsom, and Millerton.  Yet, with all of these positive factors, farmers relying upon the CVP water are only going to receive 65% of their allotment.  While industry is thankful for the water, it is inconceivable that the number isn’t closer to 80% or more.  Unfortunately, this will have a direct impact on the cotton plantings for this coming year.

    According to preliminary planting intentions survey conducted by the California Cotton Ginners and Growers Association this past month, the Association is currently estimating approximately 186,000 acres of pima and 70,000 acres of upland statewide for the 2017 cotton season.   This survey is based on surveys from all of the gins in California prior to planting and a lot can happen between now and when things are actually planted.  If it plays out, it will represent a 22% increase in pima acreage and a 6% increase in upland acreage in California as compared to 2016.

  • Vet Med Adds Student Services and Admin Center

    Davis, Calif., (April 3, 2017) – The School of Veterinary Medicine opened the doors Wednesday (March 29) to the Veterinary Medicine Student Services and Administration Center, new home for student-service units, administrative offices and Scrubs Café.

    One of the bronze sculptures outside new building. (Pat Bailey/UC Davis photo)

    The two-story, 34,000-square-foot building is on Garrod Drive across the street from the Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital and just north of the Arboretum Teaching Nursery. Designed to improve communications, collaborations and operating efficiencies, the building brings together about 100 veterinary school leaders and staff members, previously housed in multiple locations.

    “We are proud that this new building, which completes the circle in our veterinary school campus, is fittingly dedicated to the support of our students,” Dean Michael Lairmore said.

    “We now look forward to expanding and enhancing our veterinary hospital to better meet the clinical needs of animals throughout California and beyond.”

    Pet-friendly dining – Campus Dining Services said they anticipate having the new Scrubs Café open on April 17. In making the move from nearby Medical Sciences 1B, the café gets a walk-up window for veterinary hospital clients and others who have pets in tow.

    The café’s menu will include cooked-to-order items, grab-and-go choices, snacks, and a variety of hot and cold beverages.

    The new Scrubs has a bigger dining area to provide space for informal networking, and the outdoor patio can be reset for special events.

    Animals in art – In the lobby, a two-story-tall mosaic wall depicts a horse and caring hands — one holds a stethoscope, the others embrace and caress the horse’s head and face — set against a representation of Northern California terrain. Mike Mandel’s work reflects the bond between animals and people, as well as teacher-student mentoring relationships and an environmental connection.

    Outside, you will see bronze sculptures, whimsical work by Nina Kaiserof, one depicting a goat, another a pig and third a dog facing off with two geese.

    The building also includes a permanent scholarship donor honor roll, recognizing the important contributions of alumni and friends to the educational success of UC Davis veterinary students.

    Environmentally advanced – The university is aiming for LEED-gold certification under the U.S. Green Building Council’s program for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. WRNS Studio did the design, and Rudolph and Sletten Inc. built it.

    The project cost came to $27.9 million for design, construction and equipment (including the café), with the funds coming from the campus and philanthropic contributions to the School of Veterinary Medicine.

  • ‘Agriculture: Food for Life’ is the theme of National Ag Week

    Parlier, Calif., (March 31, 2017) – How are you celebrating American agriculture in your life? In advance of National Ag Week, March 19-25, and National Ag Day, March 21, Central Valley

    Third grade students from Fremont Elementary School joined classmates on their way to Kearney’s lettuce planting at last year’s Farm and Nutrition Day.

    third-grade students were “learning with lettuce” how to bring more agriculture into their lives last week. The UC Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center offers the free lettuce plantings every year at Farm and Nutrition Day in Fresno County and Kings County, typically around the time of National Ag Week.

    Students with the help of volunteers learned how to plant tiny lettuce seedlings into a pot of healthy soil to take home for transplanting later. In addition to helping the students connect their food to agriculture, the lettuce planting offered an engaging, hands-on experience growing healthy and nutritious food at home.

    National Ag Week is a nationwide effort coordinated by the Agriculture Council of America to tell the vital story of American agriculture and remind citizens that agriculture is a part of all of us. National Ag Day encourages every American to:

    • Understand how food and fiber products are produced.
    • Appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
    • Value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
    • Acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food and fiber industry.

      Central Valley students eagerly lined up to get started on their lettuce planting fun.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (March 31, 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 Winter forage crops are maturing well. Some growers are starting to harvest silage. Oats are being cut, dried, and baled. Some alfalfa fields are being baled. Corn seed is being received in advance of planting.

    A few vineyards continue pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding. Bud break is progressing in vineyards, and some are leafing out. Fruit development is taking place in almonds and stone fruit. Kiwi vines are leafing out. Pistachios are being sent to Belgium, France, Hong Kong, the Netherlands, and Vietnam. Walnut trees are blooming. Both mechanical and chemical weed control continues in orchards. New orchards are being planted.

    The late navel harvest is continues, and has several more weeks remaining. Navels continue to experience rind issues. Navel orange exports continue to China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Valencia oranges continue to be harvested as slow but accelerating pace. Valencia oranges are being exported to China, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Star Ruby grapefruit are starting to be picked, with most of the fruit being packed for the domestic market and export to China. Orange groves are being hedge-rowed and skirted. Growers continue to net the seedless tangerines to prevent cross pollination by bees during the coming bloom. Some olive trees are blooming. Citrus bloom was declared for District 1 at 1:00 a.m. March 28, 2017.

    Many fields are being prepared for sowing or transplanting vegetables. Those already established have increased mechanical weed control. Cucumbers continue to grow under hot caps. Squash seedlings continue to grow under and push through the plastic tunnel coverings. Blueberries are blooming. Strawberries fields are being harvested.

    Sunny warm weather is allowing rangeland forage to grow rapidly. Recent rains will continue to benefit rangeland forage growth. Range and pasture conditions remain excellent. Fed cattle prices are up to $131.00 per hundred weight.

    Bare root rose nursery stock continues to be received, processed, and shipped out. Shipments of wholesale nursery stock are decreasing as spring shipments decrease. Mature olive trees continue to be dug for landscaping purposes.

  • California State Board Of Food And Agriculture To Discuss Farm Labor, Rural Job Development And Workforce Training Needs

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 31, 2017) – The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss agricultural labor issues, rural job development and opportunities for career technical education at its upcoming meeting on April 4th in Sacramento.  Over the next 5-10 years on-farm automation and research will impact the agricultural sector – creating a need for rural job development and technical training for farm workers in communities across the state. The meeting will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.

    “Immigration policy, labor shortages and higher costs are drivers of change on farms, dairies and processing plants,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “Beyond the acute labor shortages of today, the innovation of farmers, ranchers and rural communities requires investment in automation and research to meet the workforce training and skills development needs of the next decade and sustain the vitality of the agricultural economy.”

    Invited speakers include: Dan Torres, Office of Governor Edmund G. Brown, Jr.; Dr. Phil Martin, University of California, Davis; Dr. Glenda Humiston, University of California; Dr. Sandra Witte, Jordan College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology; Rick Tomlinson, California Strawberry Commission; Hank Giclas, Western Growers; Jennifer Hernandez, California Labor and Workforce Development Agency; Tim Rainey, California Workforce Development Board; and Marco Lizarraga, La Cooperativa Campesina.

    “Automation is a trend we cannot ignore,” said President Craig McNamara, California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “We need to ensure that the proper measures and opportunities, including retraining, are in place so that our agricultural communities can continue thriving.”

    The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representatives and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

    All meetings are open to the public and attendance is welcome.

  • California Dairy Digital Magazine: March Issue

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    The March issue of California Dairy Magazine is now available to read online! Read the latest California Dairy & Feed industry news and technology.  Here’s a peek of what’s inside:

    • How Do Genomics Fit Into My Dairy Operation
      Genomic Testing – A Key topic of Discussion at the World Ag Expo
    • Tricolored Blackbird Nesting Season Approaches
      Know What’s In Your Field Before Planting
    • Responding to the Sugarcane Aphid Outbreak in Sorghum
      Every Crop Has Its Pest
    • Mediation as a Tool for Farmer Problem-Solving
      Take Advantage of the CA Ag Mediation Program
    • Udder Things
      California Dairy News Briefs
    • Milk Prices Still Not Ideal for Increasing Costs
      CA Advances Towards Federal Milk Marketing Order

     

  • Cal Poly Packaging Program to Host Fresh Produce Packaging Seminar in May

    San Luis Obispo, Calif., (March 30, 2017) – Cal Poly’s Packaging Program faculty will host freshPACKmoves, an educational seminar focused on fresh produce packaging, May 22-24 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Monterey, Calif. The event will look specifically at e-commerce’s growing role in the fresh produce packaging industry as home-delivery services for consumers become increasingly popular.

    freshPACKmoves will feature several industry speakers, including keynote presentations from the leaders of Blue Apron, UPS Customer Solutions and Imperfect Produce. It will also include expert panels and interactive discussions on packaging’s role in food waste, traceability and food safety, and consumer expectations in e-commerce and retail. On the final day, attendees will tour of farms in the Salinas area to survey the complete supply chain from grower, to packer, to shipper.

    “In true Learn by Doing spirit, we want the attendees to have hands-on experiences and walk away with a competitive edge in their field,” said Cal Poly’s Packaging Program Director Jay Singh.

    The seminar, now in its fourth year, is especially suited to professionals responsible for translating perishable quality initiatives into packaging, supply chain, logistics and food safety solutions for their companies. Content will be geared toward product development directors, regulators, industry suppliers, transportation directors and operations managers.

    For more information and registration, visit http://www.freshpackmoves.com.

    About Cal Poly’s Packaging Program: Cal Poly’s Packaging Program is part of the Orfalea College of Business. As the only program of its kind in a business school, it combines the full continuum of packaging design, development and testing with supply chain logistics and business strategy. The curriculum is rooted in applied research and the university’s Learn by Doing philosophy. Cal Poly’s Packaging Program serves leading companies in agriculture, retail, technology and manufacturing by providing top talent and valuable research.

  • Dairy Producer Considerations for Genomic Testing

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    Genomic Testing was a big topic of discussion at the World Ag Expo dairy seminars this year. Genomic Testing is a new technology that is becoming more available and affordable to dairy producers; however, there are still many questions as to how it all fits in to individual dairy operations. Watch this brief video interview with Genetic Programs Manager at CRV, Sophie Eaglen, as she addresses several key points for dairy producers considering taking advantage of this technology. Read the full story in the March issue of California Dairy Magazine Digital.

     

  • Impressions of a Vast, Dry Continent – Climate Smart Agriculture Mission To Australia

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 29, 2017) – New South Wales: On this day we left Canberra at 7am and traveled south and west to what is known as “irrigation country.” The scenery reminds me of a drive from Sacramento to Ione (Amador County). Our stops included a visit

    Representatives of LandCare provide an overview of their regional work with a map of New South Wales.

    with representatives of Coleambally Irrigation, a farmer-owned co-op. The district encompasses 491 irrigated farms producing rice, wheat, corn, cotton, barley, soy beans, canola, and a variety of fruits and vegetables. We received an on-the-ground look at water reforms, featuring a system that runs on solar power and includes broadband communications. Water orders can be met within 2 hours and there is precise regulation of flows, precise measurement, and automated water accounting.

    We saw first-hand that farmers here have embraced solutions beyond water management. LandCare is a grass-roots conservation program that partners with landholders to plant trees, foster biodiversity, capture soil moisture, and protect waterways. The program connects students, families and retirees to natural resources through community events. Cost share funding for restoration projects comes through federal and state government grants.

    LandCare has expanded its focus to include community engagement events to address increasing mental health issues in rural farming communities. The social aspect of land stewardship is a critical component of healthy communities and shows the true value of resource management and restoration on the land.

    As we continue our work in California to adapt to climate change and manage our way through a drought that, believe it or not, is still with us, there is much to learn in Australia. The country endured its own epic drought from 1995-2012 and has developed strategies for sustainability that are the reason for our visit.

  • Clover Stornetta Farms Rebrands as Clover Sonoma

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (March 29, 2017) – Known for their billboards up and down 101 featuring Clo the Cow, Clover Stornetta Farms has rebranded as Clover Sonoma.

    Announced in early March, the company believes the refreshed Clover Sonoma name honors the company’s heritage of being from Sonoma County while looking ahead to Clover’s expanded product distribution to Southern California and beyond.

    In addition to changing their name, Clover Sonoma has redesigned their packaging which has remained unchanged since the 80’s for conventional products.

    Alongside their rebranding, Clover announced their new status as a Certified B Corporation. Being a B Corp Member means the company is using “business as a power to do good.” During the certification process, Clover Sonoma scored 97 points, significantly higher than the average of 55 and 80 needed to qualify.

    “For more than 100 years, our brand has worked closely with family dairy farmers in Sonoma and Marin Counties to produce the best milk on the market, and now our Clover Sonoma name expresses this heritage while looking to the future,” said Marcus Benedetti, president and CEO at Clover Sonoma. “Our independence allows us to continue to provide the quality our customers have known for years, and our new status as a Certified B Corporation® continues our mission to produce quality dairy that cares for family farms, animals, the environment and our communities.”

    In addition to recent changes, the company announced last September they would begin to make all their milk, including conventional, GMO-free. Over the course of the next two years, their milk products will become Non-GMO Project Verified, a seal of trusted third-party testing with the highest standards in the world for non-GMO avoidance. The first conventional non-GMO half gallon products were released March 8 with the full line of fluid milk products transitioned by 2019.

    Marcus Benedetti, president and CEO at Clover Sonoma. Photo Courtesy of Clover Sonoma.

    Clover Sonoma is a third-generation family owned and operated business and has pledged to remain independent and family owned. The company said this is a response to large corporations acquiring small brands in the natural and organic food industry.

    Last year, Clover Sonoma celebrated 100 years of distributing milk in Sonoma County. The Petaluma Cooperative Creamery began distributing Clover brand dairy products in 1916 to stores and residential customers in Petaluma. When the creamery’s bottling and processing operations were destroyed in 1975, the co-op decided not to rebuild. The owners of Clover purchased the wholesale distribution business from the co-op in 1977.

    In 1991, Clover Sonoma opened a state-of-the-art milk processing facility in Petaluma and has been committed to quality and animal welfare. The company decided against using rBST, a synthetic hormone which increases milk production in the early 90’s.

    In the years since, Clover Sonoma began participating in the Clover Promise of Excellence program with high standards that promote sustainable agriculture and humane treatment of their cows. The company began producing certified organic milk in 1999 and became the first dairy in the U.S. to be American Humane Association certified in 2000.

    Clover Sonoma is supplied milk by 29 family owned dairies in Sonoma and Marin Counties and two dairies in the San Joaquin Valley.

    For more information visit cloversonoma.com.