California Ag Network

Category: News

  • Fresno County Sheriff’s Detectives Seek Help for Missing Farm Equipment

    Fresno, Calif., (March 21, 2017) – The Fresno County Sheriff’s Ag Task Force are in need of the public’s help to locate a large piece of farm equipment that has been stolen.

    A 1997 blue Power Screen 620 Trommel valued at $130,000 was taken from a field in the area of Herndon and Rolinda Avenues in Fresno on March 13. This trommel is a piece of machinery which uses a rotary screen to separate materials. It is most commonly used to sift dirt and rocks our of mulch to create a cleaner product.

    Anyone with information on the missing equipment is asked to contact the Ag Task Force at 559-600-8150 or agcrimes@fresnosheriff.org. For the complete press release click here.

     

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif. (March 21, 2017) – It was a warm week across the State, as most of the area was well entrenched into a dry pattern. Fog developed across the northern central valley early in the week which helped supply a bit of moisture. Rainfall was limited to the northern third of the State late week. Rainfall amounts were very light along Interstate 80, gradually increasing to the north. The heaviest rains fell in the northern mountains, which received around a quarter inch of rain each day. Warm temperatures last week resulted in the first week of significant snowmelt in the mountains. Despite that, mountain snow packs continued to be heavy with Lodge pole still reporting over seven feet of snow depth.

    Temperature highs were in the 30s to 70s in the mountains, 60s to 80s in the valley and along the coast, and 70s to 100 in the desert. The temperature lows were in the 10s to 40s in the mountains, 40s to 50s in the valley and along the coast, and 40s to the 60s in the desert.

    Winter forage crops were maturing well. Some growers were starting to harvest silage. Alfalfa was making good growth as a result of the warmer weather. Drier and warmer weather were ideal for the grains.

    Field work in vineyards continued with pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding.  Some bud break has been observed in vineyards.  Cherries and late varieties of stone fruit continued to bloom.  Kiwifruit were being packed and shipped to domestic and foreign markets.  Some persimmons and pomegranates were leafing out.  New orchards were being planted.  The citrus harvest picked up with the improved weather.  Late Navel orange harvest started in some areas.  Navel oranges, Mandarins, Minneola tangelos, lemons, and late harvest Finger limes were being exported mostly to foreign markets.  Star Ruby grapefruit harvest began, with most of the fruit being packed for the domestic market.  Orange groves were being hedge-rowed and skirted.  Growers were starting to net the seedless tangerines to prevent cross pollination by bees during the coming bloom.  Pruning of olives continued.

    Almond bloom was slowing down.  Bee colonies continued to be moved into nut orchards for pollination.  Almonds and pistachios were being exported.  Some walnut orchards were blooming.

    In Tulare County, squash was being planted in hot tunnels.  New fields were being prepared for spring planting.  Cucumbers were being planted under hot caps.  Blueberries were blooming.  Strawberry fields continued to thrive.  Previously planted onions continued to progress well.  In Monterey County, strawberry production was picking up and harvest crews were working.  A few brassica fields were being harvested as well. Flood waters were receding.

    Rangeland and dryland pasture quality continued to improve with all the recent rainfall.  Condition was excellent due to continued rainfall and warmer weather.  Some cattle ranchers have increased their herd size in order to take advantage of the improved forage conditions.  Bees were active in almond and early stone fruit orchards.

  • Centennial Gala

    Fresno, Calif., (March 21, 2017) – Tickets now available – FCFB has reached a remarkable milestone worthy of celebration: one-hundred years of advocacy for the economic engine that drives this region, agriculture. To mark such a momentous occasion, the agricultural event of the century has been planned! Members and their guests are invited to attend FCFB’s Centennial Gala, set for May 5, at the Clovis Veterans Memorial District, 808 4th St., Clovis.

    The evening will reflect on and honor those who have served this organization in the past as well as look towards what the next century might hold. The event’s social will begin at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner and program at 6:30 p.m. “Best in Fresno” caterer The Painted Table will serve a memorable dinner experience.

    Ticket levels include:

    • Table Sponsor – $2,500
    • Reserved table of eight at the Gala
    • Recognition at the Gala
    • Limited edition (only 100 made) FCFB Centennial Decorative Glass Bowl made by Fresno State’s Department of Art & Design
    • Table of Eight – $1,200
    • Reserved table of eight at the Gala
    • Individual Tickets – $150

    Do not miss this opportunity to celebrate our vibrant agricultural industry and the stewards who have guided it for over a century!

    Click here to become a sponsor or purchase tickets. For additional inquiries, contact FCFB at 559-237-0263 or info@fcfb.org.

  • Introducing the California Climate Investments Website – Putting Cap-and-Trade Dollars to Work

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 20, 2017) – California Climate Investments is a statewide initiative that puts billions of Cap-and-Trade dollars to work reducing greenhouse gas emissions, strengthening the economy, and improving public health and the environment.

    The Cap-and-Trade program also creates a financial incentive for industries to invest in clean technologies and develop innovative ways to reduce pollution.

    California Climate Investments projects include affordable housing, renewable energy, public transportation, zero-emission vehicles, environmental restoration, more sustainable agriculture, recycling, and much more.

    To date, nearly $3.4 billion has been appropriated by the State Legislature to state agencies implementing GHG emission reduction programs and projects. Agencies receiving appropriations develop and implement programs within three priority areas: clean energy and energy efficiency; natural resources (and waste diversion); and transportation and sustainable communities.

    At CDFA, two climate investment programs of note are the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) and the Dairy Digester Research and Development Program. Both utilize grants to assist with projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and promote greater resource efficiency.

    View the California Climate Investments web site.

    View a story about the SWEEP program and its benefits on the farm.

  • CDFA: Verwey-Hanford Dairy Digester Project, Kings County

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 20, 2017) – Phil Verwey knows that happy cows produce better and more milk, and recent California Climate Investments in his dairy have made both Mr. Verwey—and his cows—very happy.  Thanks to a $3 million grant from the CDFA’s Dairy Digester Research and Development Program in 2015, along with $4 million in matching funds, the animal manure from his operation is now being turned into high quality bedding for his herd and electricity.

    Manure is separated and then channeled to a large covered lagoon—double-lined to prevent groundwater seepage—where it produces the methane (natural gas) to power generators that deliver 7.6 million kWh of electricity. That’s enough power to completely offset the dairy’s total electricity usage.

    And, as more generators come online as planned, Mr. Verwey will be able to sell excess electricity into the grid.  This ultra-modern dairy digester operation is estimated to reduce over 500,000 MTCO2e.

    And with all that investment in a “free” electricity source, it made sense in 2015 for Mr. Verwey to convert his feed mixers, which run for many hours every day, from being powered by old, noisy and pollutingdiesel tractors to quiet and efficient modern electric motors. That alone saves 90,000 gallons of diesel, and it reduces an additional 648 MTCO2e, 22 tons of nitrogen oxide emissions and 2.2 tons of fine particulate matter from the Valley’s air.

    This project couples California Climate Investments with other funding from local partners to provide multiple benefits—reduced GHGs, cleaner the air, improved groundwater quality, and even reduced odors—and shows how Mr. Verwey is realizing the benefits of smart investments to fight climate change.

     

  • 2017 Flooded Orchards – What to do and Resources

    Yuba, Calif., (March 20, 2017) – In our counties, there are two main issues that are related to the 2017 storms:

    1. Orchards outside the levees along the rivers that are or have been flooded from river seepage due to high river flows and/or overflowing ditches/canals.
    2. Orchards inside the levees next to riverbanks that had sloughing (slippage) when the high water in the Feather River was suddenly dropped in late February.

    Depending on where your orchard is located will determine what programs may or may not be available.

    Keep records and take photos of flooded orchards and damage. It is important to have this information to prove that damage or losses occurred from a particular storm event. This includes:

    • When water was first seen, length of time standing in orchard, when it drained, etc. When the rivers rise again, if water returns and for how long.
    • Leafing, flowering, fruit/nut set dates
    • Note dates if/when symptoms are seen that could indicate waterlogging and/or Phytophthora crown and root rot: a lack of terminal growth, small, yellow and drooping leaves, sparse foliage, dieback, or a general collapse of the tree
    • Note dates if symptoms of aerial Phytophthora are seen: cankers on branches and trunk (walnuts tend to bleed, peaches, prunes, and almonds will gum).
    • Within the levees, assess the number of trees uprooted or lost from sloughing.

    Reporting damage/losses:

    • File a report of loss with your Agricultural Commissioner. Even if you do not know the extent of losses yet, documenting the flooding in orchards outside the levees and physical damage and tree losses inside the levees is advised.
    • Links to the forms:
      o Sutter County: https://www.co.sutter.ca.us/weatheragriculturaldamage
      o Yuba County: Call 530 749-5400 or pick up the form in the office at the Yuba County Government Center.

    Determining Damage: It likely will take months before the extent of losses from disease and/or waterlogging can be assessed. As the trees become active and the weather warms up, we can expect to start seeing losses that could continue through the hot summer when trees with damaged root systems or crowns typically collapse. When you start seeing any of the symptoms listed above, contact someone who can diagnose the cause such as your Pest Control Advisor (PCA), or UCCE Farm Advisors Franz Niederholzer (prunes, almonds) or Janine Hasey (walnuts, peaches, kiwifruit) at (530) 822- 7515. The loss of trees from disease or waterlogging will need to be tied to the storm events and disaster declarations.

    Potential Disaster Relief Resources: At this point, we don’t know fully what programs are available and who will qualify for what programs. The following is a list of some programs that may be available and links to them for more information:

    1. County Assessor – The Revenue and Taxation Code allows reassessment of property damaged by misfortune or calamity. If there is at least $10,000 worth of losses of tree value currently on the tax roll, you can obtain a claim form from the Assessor’s office.
    2. Tree loss calculators based on UCCE cost studies through Agricultural & Resource Economics at UC Davis. When an individual tree or vine is destroyed in an orchard or vineyard due to natural causes, vehicle accident, shaker damage, or other causes such as flooding, the link below provides workbooks on specific crops to calculate the value of a single tree or vine lost to any cause taking into account the loss of future income. For the crops below, there are two worksheet versions: “With Replanting” and “Without Replanting”. The tree or vine is replanted and eventually generates income in “With Replanting” worksheet. The tree or vine is not replanted in the “Without Replanting” worksheet because of the age of the orchard or other reason preventing replanting such as loss of the tree and land from sloughing. https://coststudies.ucdavis.edu/tree-vine-loss/ Crops include almond, cling peach, prune, and walnut trees.
    3. Farm Service Agency (FSA) – All the programs available through the FSA can be accessed at https://www.fsa.usda.gov/ – The USDA press release on disaster assistance programs: https://www.usda.gov/media/press-releases/2017/03/08/usda-reminds-individuals-and-small-businesses- california-nevada-and

    Tree Assistance Program (TAP) – https://www.fsa.usda.gov/Assets/USDA-FSA- Public/usdafiles/FactSheets/2015/tap_fact_sheet_oct_2015.pdf

    The TAP provides financial assistance to eligible nursery and tree crop growers to rehabilitate or replant eligible trees or vines lost by natural disasters. To qualify, there must be more than 18% (15% + normal 3%) mortality loss in an orchard block. Final date to submit an application and supporting documentation is 90 days after the disaster event or the date when the loss is apparent.

    A program which provides emergency loans to help cover production and physical losses in counties declared as disaster areas by the President.

    Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) – Provides emergency funds for cost sharing with farmers to rehabilitate farmland damaged by flooding.

    This program will not apply to orchards inside the levees.

    For more information on FSA disaster programs, visit https://www.fsa.usda.gov/programs-and-services/disaster-assistance-program/ or your local FSA county office at 1521 Butte House Rd Ste. A, Yuba City, CA, Phone: 530-671-0850

  • Sonoma Winegrowers Well in Route to 100% Sustainability

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    At a press conference during Unified Wine & Grape Symposium, Karissa Kruse, President of Sonoma County Winegrowers gave a progress report on their commitment to achieve 100% sustainability, as well as recent consumer trends and their willingness to pay more for sustainable wines. Watch Karissa’s brief interview with California Ag Network and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (March 17, 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. Alfalfa is making good growth with the warmer weather. Black-eyed beans are being exported to Cyprus and Korea.

    Field work in vineyards continues with: pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding. We are starting to see some bud break in vineyards. Cherries and late varieties of stone fruit continue to bloom. Kiwifruit are being shipped domestically and exported to Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan. Almond bloom is winding down. Bee colonies continue to be moved into nuts and stone fruit for pollination. Almonds are being exported to Barbados, Colombia, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Mauritius, South Africa, Spain, and Taiwan. Pistachios are being sent to Belgium, France, Hong Kong, and Vietnam. Some persimmons and pomegranates are leafing out. Some walnut trees are blooming. New orchards are being planted.

    The citrus harvest has picked up with the recent good weather. All of the recent rains are having some impact on overall fruit quality. Late navel harvest has started in some areas. Navel oranges and Mandarins are being shipped to Australia, China, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Minneola tangelos are sent to Japan and the Netherlands. Lemons are being exported to Japan, Korea, Mexico, and New Zealand. Star Ruby grapefruit are starting to be picked, with most of the fruit being packed for the domestic market. Late harvest Finger limes are being exported to the Netherlands. Valencia orange harvest should start this week. Orange groves are being hedge-rowed and skirted. Growers are starting to net the seedless tangerines to prevent cross pollination by bees during the coming bloom. Pruning of olives continues.

    Squash are currently being planted in hot tunnels. New fields are being prepared for spring planting. Cucumbers are being planted under hot caps. Blueberries are blooming. Strawberries fields continue to thrive. Previously planted onions continue to progress well.

    Rangeland and dryland pasture quality continue to improve with all the recent rainfall. Condition is excellent due to continued rainfall and warmer weather. Some cattle ranchers have increased their herd size to take advantage of the improved forage conditions. The fed cattle price is up to $126 per hundred weight.

    Bare root rose nursery stock continues to be received, processed, and shipped out. Shipments of wholesale nursery stock are continuing to be strong due to spring sales. Local bare root nurseries are busy digging stock as weather and soil conditions allow. Wholesale citrus nurseries are showing an increase in orders for trees for commercial replants.

  • TCFB Slate of Directors for 2017

    Tulare, Calif., (March 17, 2017) – Tulare County Farm Bureau’s board of directors will hold elections on May 2, 2017 at the Annual Meeting of the Members. The officers and directors terms have been printed in the newspaper for all members to see.  To see the March edition and the slate printed on page 12, please click here.

    To be considered for a position on the board, please contact the Farm Bureau office and request an application to serve on the Board of Directors, interviews will be scheduled prior to May 2. Agriculture members must be in good standing to serve on the board and be nominated by the Nominating Committee.

    District 2 will have a vacancy, as board member Terry Langiano terms off after 8-years on the board.  If you farm or reside in the District 2 area in the south-west part of the county, or any area immediately outside the city of Tulare you may qualify to serve.  Please contact Farm Bureau to learn more about serving on the Board of Directors.

  • Responding to the Sugarcane Aphid Outbreak in Sorghum Silage Fields

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    Due to a serious new infestation of the sugarcane aphid in Southern California sorghum fields late last summer, UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Nicholas Clark offered some advice to feed growers to help better prepared them this coming season for future infestations of this invasive pest.