California Ag Network

Category: News

  • The facts about food product dating – from the USDA

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 15, 2017) – This month the Planting Seeds blog is featuring stories on food security, nutrition, and efforts to reduce food waste. CDFA’s Office of Farm to Fork is committed to helping all Californians access healthy and nutritious California-grown food by connecting consumers, school districts, and others directly with California’s farmers and ranchers.

    The USDA estimates that 30 percent of the food supply is lost or wasted at the retail and consumer levels. One source is of this consumers or retailers throwing away wholesome food because of confusion about the meaning of dates displayed on the label.

    What is Food Product Dating? – Two types of product dating may be shown on a product label. “Open Dating” is a calendar date applied to a food product by the manufacturer or retailer. The calendar date provides consumers with information on the estimated period of time for which the product will be of best quality and to help the store determine how long to display the product for sale. “Closed Dating” is a code that consists of a series of letters and/or numbers applied by manufacturers to identify the date and time of production.

    Does Federal Law Require Dating? 
Except for infant formula, product dating is not required by federal regulations. For meat, poultry, and egg products under the jurisdiction of the Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS), dates may be voluntarily applied provided they are labeled in a manner that is truthful and not misleading and in compliance with FSIS regulations1. To comply, a calendar date must express both the month and day of the month. In the case of shelf-stable and frozen products, the year must also be displayed. Additionally, immediately adjacent to the date must be a phrase explaining the meaning of that date such as “Best if Used By.”

    Are Dates for Food Safety or Quality? – Manufacturers provide dating to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality. Except for infant formula, dates are not an indicator of the product’s safety and are not required by Federal law.

    How do Manufacturers Determine Quality Dates?
Factors including the length of time and the temperature at which a food is held during distribution and offered for sale, the characteristics of the food, and the type of packaging will affect how long a product will be of optimum quality. Manufacturers and retailers will consider these factors when determining the date for which the product will be of best quality.

    For example, sausage formulated with certain ingredients used to preserve the quality of the product or fresh beef packaged in a modified atmosphere packaging system that helps ensure that the product will stay fresh for as long as possible. These products will typically maintain product quality for a longer period of time because of how the products are formulated or packaged.

    The quality of perishable products may deteriorate after the date passes, however, such products should still be safe if handled properly. Consumers must evaluate the quality of the product prior to its consumption to determine if the product shows signs of spoilage.

    What Date-Labeling Phrases are Used? – There are no uniform or universally accepted descriptions used on food labels for open dating in the United States. As a result, there are a wide variety of phrases used on labels to describe quality dates.

    Examples of commonly used phrases:

    • A “Best if Used By/Before” indicates when a product will be of best flavor or quality. It is not a purchase or safety date.
    • A “Sell-By” date tells the store how long to display the product for sale for inventory management. It is not a safety date.
    • A “Use-By” date is the last date recommended for the use of the product while at peak quality. It is not a safety date except for when used on infant formula as described below.

    What Date-Labeling Phrase does FSIS Recommend? – USDA estimates food loss and waste at 30 percent of the food supply lost or wasted at the retail and consumer levels. One source of food waste arises from consumers or retailers throwing away wholesome food because of confusion about the meaning of dates displayed on the label. To reduce consumer confusion and wasted food, FSIS recommends that food manufacturers and retailers that apply product dating use a “Best if Used By” date. Research shows that this phrase conveys to consumers that the product will be of best quality if used by the calendar date shown. Foods not exhibiting signs of spoilage should be wholesome and may be sold, purchased, donated and consumed beyond the labeled “Best if Used By” date.

    Safety After Date Passes – With an exception of infant formula (described below), if the date passes during home storage, a product should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until the time spoilage is evident. Spoiled foods will develop an off odor, flavor or texture due to naturally occurring spoilage bacteria. If a food has developed such spoilage characteristics, it should not be eaten.

    Can Food be Donated After the Date Passes? – Yes. The quality of perishable products may deteriorate after the date passes but the products should still be wholesome if not exhibiting signs of spoilage. Food banks, other charitable organizations, and consumers should evaluate the quality of the product prior to its distribution and consumption to determine whether there are noticeable changes in wholesomeness (Food Donation Safety Tips).

     

  • Taking Care of Bees During Orchard Pollination

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    Spring is in the air, the birds are singing, and orchards are beginning to bloom in the warmer areas of California. To ensure successful almond pollination, Bee sure to follow a few safety tips with Billy Synk in dealing with honeybees in the orchard. Watch this video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Watch out for Honey Bee Theft During Pollination

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    Honeybees are in high demand this time of year and are worth a lot. There have already been reports this year of stolen bee hives, so Bee sure to protect your investment and keep a watchful eye out during orchard pollination. Watch this brief interview with Billy Synk from Project Apis, and learn more in your monthly issue of Pacific Nut Producer & California Fresh Fruit Magazines.

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 14, 2017) – Another wet week across the State. Most days received widespread precipitation across a large portion of the State. Last week, the heaviest rains fell on the windward and southern slopes of the central/northern Sierras and northern mountains. Blue Canyon reported the largest precipitation of 14.16 inches. The northwestern mountains received four to six inches of rain, while the valley saw three to four inches across its northern half and one to two inches across its southern half. The immediate coast from San Francisco southward to Los Angeles received two to three inches. Despite warm temperatures, additional snow fell in the mountains through last week, the heaviest in the Tahoe region, where 12 to 18 inches fell. The northern Sierras saw eight to12 inches across the northern mountains, with the Southern Sierras reporting three to six inches. Despite the additional snowfalls, warm temperatures resulted in an overall reduction of four to eight inches in snowpack.

    Temperature highs were in the 30s to 50s in the mountains, 50s to 60s in the valley and along the coast, and 60s to 80s in the desert. The temperature lows were in the 20s to 40s in the mountains, 30s-50s in the desert, and 40s to 50s in the valley and along the coast.

    Growers continued to wait for fields to dry out sufficiently to resume planting winter grain and field crops. The planted grains and field crops continued to mature at an excellent rate, reaping the benefit from all the recent rains.

    Orchards in the San Joaquin Valley where conditions permitted, allowing for some orchard pruning, discing, weed control and pre-bloom spraying. Pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding started up again in the drier vineyards. Where field conditions permitted the removal of older orchards and vineyards continued in preparation for replanting with new varieties. The standing water in vineyards and orchards caused for concern the health of the trees and vines. Early varieties of nectarines and peaches began to bloom in Fresno County. Navel orange harvest continued as weather permitted. Second treatment spraying for citrus fungal diseases was drawing to a close. Tangerines continued to be harvested.

    As field conditions permitted orchards continued to be pruned and brush. Some late dormant sprays were applied. Almond buds were swelling and a few early blossoms reported in the southern San Joaquin Valley.

    In Monterey County, frequent rain continued throughout the week.  The rain was welcomed as it cleaned salts from the soil profile, but it slowed field activities.  Very few fields were planted, but as the skies began to clear, work resumed on cole crops, lettuces, celery, and spinach.  In Fresno County, the carrot harvest was ongoing when the weather permitted.  Weed control was ongoing for tomatoes.  Garlic and onion plantings had emerged and showed good growth.  Broccoli was growing steadily.  In Imperial County, harvest continued for broccoli, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts, and lettuce.  Fields were planted with melon and sweet corn as weather permitted.

    Non-irrigated pasture and rangeland continued to improve due to the winter’s precipitation and warming temperatures. Range was reported to be in excellent to good condition. Sheep grazed idle fields and dormant alfalfa fields. Supplemental feeding of livestock was on the decline as range conditions improved. Bee hives were staged in preparation for the pending bloom season, though muddy conditions forced many hives to be left on drier ground outside almond orchards.

  • 2017 Acreage Reporting Dates

    Tulare, Calif., (February 14, 2017) – In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements, all producers are encouraged to visit the Tulare County FSA office to file an accurate crop certification report by the applicable deadline.

    The following acreage reporting dates are applicable for Tulare County:

    March 15, 2017 – 
Alfalfa Seed, Almonds, Barley, Cherries, Oats, Olives, Pears, Pistachios, Plums, Walnuts, Wheat

    May 15, 2017 – 
Grapes and Table Grapes

    June 15, 2017 – 
Forage Seeding

    July 15, 2017 – Spring Alfalfa Seed, Spring Seeded Barley, Corn, Cotton, Grain Sorghum, Onions, Safflower and all other crops

    July 31, 2017 – 
Raisins

    December 15, 2017 – Alfalfa for Forage, Native Grass for Grazing

    The following exceptions apply to the above acreage reporting dates:

    • If the crop has not been planted by the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 15 calendar days after planting is completed.
    • If a producer acquires additional acreage after the above acreage reporting date, then the acreage must be reported no later than 30 calendars days after purchase or acquiring the lease. Appropriate documentation must be provided to the county office.
    • If a perennial forage crop is reported with the intended use of “cover only,” “green manure,” “left standing,” or “seed,” then the acreage must be reported by July 15th.

    Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) policy holders should note that the acreage reporting date for NAP covered crops is the earlier of the dates listed above or 15 calendar days before grazing or harvesting of the crop begins.

    For questions regarding crop certification and a complete list of crops and crop loss reports, please contact the Tulare County FSA office at 559-734-8732.

  • USDA’s FMMO Recommendation Released!

    Turlock, Calif., (February 14, 2017) – After over a year of anticipation, it is finally here folks: USDA released its recommended decision for a California Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO). If you recall, USDA heard about two complete proposals at the Clovis hearing in Fresno during fall 2015. Proposal number 1, from the three largest coops in the state (CDI, DFA and LOL), requested a California FMMO that looked very similar to California’s current state order, while using FMMO pricing formulas. Proposal number 2, from the Dairy Institute of California, incorporated many components of other FMMOs and retained few aspects of the current state order. Two other partial proposals from the California Producer Handlers Association and Ponderosa Dairy were also considered. A period for post-hearing briefs and reply briefs unfolded through summer 2016 and USDA has been judiciously drafting the current recommendation since. Based on the 40 days of hearing and hundreds of pages in briefs, it is impressive USDA managed to summarize it all in a 213-page document. That document can be found here. Since that is still rather lengthy, below is a summary of the key points that matter to California producers. They are meant to be presented in a neutral way, while highlighting how they compare with what the coops’ proposal requested. WUD will be looking at the potential impacts in great detail in the next few days/weeks and will keep you informed as this process unfolds.

    Pricing: USDA finds that the CA FMMO pricing formula should match those in other FMMO. This is what the coops asked.

    Pooling: USDA finds that pooling of Class II, III and IV should not be mandatory. The coops had argued for mandatory pooling.

    Quota: USDA finds that quota should continue operating. It would continue to be administered by CDFA (if CDFA agrees). Because it would fall under CDFA, USDA does not outline many details, and when such details will emerge is uncertain. The one feature that is outlined is the funding of the quota program would come through a deduction on producers’ milk check. This is not exactly what the coops asked, but USDA found a clever not to stray too far either (the coops wanted no change from what it is now, where monies are taken out of the pool and distributed to quota holders, prior to the blend price calculation).

    Transportation allowance and credits: USDA finds that there should not be such a system funded through the pool. Instead, producer payments would be adjusted to reflect the applicable producer location adjustment for the handler location where their milk is received. The coops had asked for a transportation allowance system similar to what exists in California currently.

    Producer payment: USDA finds that producer payments should be made on a multiple components basis. Producers would be paid for the butterfat, protein and other solids components in their producer milk and for the cwt of milk pooled. The coops had asked for a simpler calculation on part of it, but overall this is not too far.

    There will be a meeting in Clovis on February 22 where USDA will go over details and attendees will be able to ask questions. WUD will be front and center to listen and ask the questions that matter to its members. The meeting will start at 9am at the Veterans Memorial District. If you have questions ahead of the meeting, please feel free to send them to me at aacmoody@westernuniteddairymen.com. If I don’t have the answer, I will make sure to find it.

    Expected Timeline:

    • February 14, 2017: Official posting of the recommended decision to the Federal Register.
    • February 22, 2017: Informational meeting in Clovis, CA
    • May 15, 2017 (90 days after the official posting): end of public comment period
    • USDA recommends a final decision (90 days later?)
    • Dairy producers potentially covered by a California FMMO vote on its adoption

  • Pulses Production Expanding as Consumers Cultivate a Taste for U.S. Lentils and Chickpeas

    Washington, D. C., (February 13, 2017) – Pulses are a versatile group of 12 leguminous crops, including dry beans, dry peas, lentils, and chickpeas (also known as garbanzo beans), which produce an edible seed that grows within a pod. U.S. pulses production has trended higher for several years and for the 2016/17 marketing year, lentil and chickpea production is set to reach consecutive record highs. Strong exports and rising domestic demand are driving the surge in pulse crop production. In particular, Americans are consuming more pulse-focused food products like hummus, which has seen retail sales rise from less than $10 million in the late 1990s to industry estimates in the range of $700-800 million in more recent years, according to the U.S. Dry Pea and Lentil Council.

    Consumption of chickpea-based hummus and other pulse products, such as lentils, is supported by trends toward more healthful and varied snacking, as well as growing demand for gluten-free products. Pulse crops are naturally gluten-free and are also high in fiber and a good source of protein. In recognition of these nutritional properties, the 2010 U.S. Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends more frequent consumption of lentils, dry peas, and beans and notes that servings of pulses can be classified as belonging to either the vegetable or protein food group.

    Encouraged by growing demand for pulses that has supported rising prices at the farm level, American farmers have increased plantings of lentils, dry peas, and chickpeas while area for dry beans (less garbanzo beans) has remained relatively stable. Areas of expanded plantings and harvested area are largely concentrated in the Northern Plains (Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota) and the Palouse area of the Pacific Northwest (includes parts of Washington, Idaho, and Oregon). Cool-season legumes grow well in these regions, which are typically characterized by dry land farming practices and are important production areas for small grains, including wheat and barley. Since 2011, as consumer demand for lentils and chickpeas surged, combined harvested area for these crops rose in Idaho (up 73 percent), Montana (up 128 percent), North Dakota (up 274 percent), and Washington (up 71 percent), while wheat planted area either remained fairly level (Montana and North Dakota) or declined (Idaho and Washington).

    U.S. pulse production gains have benefited not only from increased domestic consumption but also from generally rising growth in volume exports. For the 2011/12 marketing year, combined pulses exports were estimated at about 1.78 billion pounds; for 2016/17, exports are projected to reach 2.79 billion pounds and to account for about 43 percent of total production.  Despite the volume increase, over the past several years, the proportion of the U.S. pulse crop entering export channels has generally trended down. This effect is a reflection of growing domestic consumption but masks the important effects of world markets on U.S. markets. For example, following a shortfall in Indian lentil production, dubbed the “dal crisis,” U.S. farmers expanded 2015/16 lentil production by 53 percent over the previous year. In combination with low wheat prices and maintained export and domestic prospects, U.S. farmers are projected to increase lentil production for 2016/17 by a full 120 percent over the 2015/16 estimate.

  • Recommended Decision to Establish a California Federal Milk Order Published

    Modesto, Calif., (February 13, 2017) – On February 14, 2017 the USDA will published in the Federal Register a Recommended Decision proposing that a California Federal Milk Marketing Order (FMMO) be established. An unpublished copy of the Recommended Decision is now available here.

    AMS will hold a public meeting on February 22, 2017, in Clovis, to explain how the proposed California FMMO would operate and how the public can submit comments for USDA consideration. For those unable to attend the meeting in person, questions can be submitted until February 16 by emailing Californiainfo@ams.usda.gov.

    Interested parties will have the opportunity to watch the meeting live via webcast and a recording will be posted to the AMS website. A transcript of the meeting will be made part of the record of the proceeding.

  • Pilot Study Highlights Role of Grapes in Preventing Alzheimer’s Disease

    Fresno, Calif., (February 13, 2017) – Consuming grapes twice a day for six months protected against significant metabolic decline in Alzheimer-related areas of the brain in a study of people with early memory decline. Low metabolic activity in these areas of the brain is a hallmark of early stage Alzheimer’s disease. Study results showed a grape-enriched diet protected against the decline of metabolic activity. Additionally, those consuming a grape- enriched diet also exhibited increased metabolism in other areas of the brain that correlated with individual improvements in attention and working memory performance, compared to those on the non-grape diet. Results of the randomized controlled research study, conducted by the University of California, Los Angeles, were recently published in Experimental Gerontology.1

    “The study examines the impact of grapes as a whole fruit versus isolated compounds and the results suggest that regular intake of grapes may provide a protective effect against early decline associated with Alzheimer’s disease,” said Dr. Daniel H. Silverman, lead investigator of the study. “This pilot study contributes to the growing evidence that supports a beneficial role for grapes in neurologic and cardiovascular health, however more clinical studies with larger groups of subjects are needed to confirm the effects observed here.”

    In the study, subjects with early memory decline were randomly selected to receive either whole grape powder – equivalent to just 2 1⁄4 cups of grapes per day – or a polyphenol-free placebo powder matched for flavor and appearance. Cognitive performance was measured at baseline and 6 months later. Changes in brain metabolism, assessed by brain PET scans, were also measured at baseline and 6 months later. PET scans provide valuable predictive and diagnostic value to clinicians evaluating patients with dementia symptoms.

    The results showed that consuming grapes preserved healthy metabolic activity in the regions of the brain that are affected by the earliest stages of Alzheimer’s disease, where metabolic decline takes hold. Subjects who didn’t consume grapes exhibited significant metabolic decline in these critical regions. Additionally, those consuming the grape-enriched diet showed beneficial changes in regional brain metabolism that correlated to improvements in cognition and working memory performance.

    Grape polyphenols help promote antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. Research suggests that grapes may help support brain health by working in multiple ways – from reducing oxidative stress in the brain to promoting healthy blood flow in the brain to helping maintain levels of a key brain chemical that promotes memory to exerting anti- inflammatory effects. 2

    Alzheimer’s disease is a brain disease that results in a slow decline of memory and cognitive skills. Currently 5.4 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s disease and the numbers continue to grow. The cause of Alzheimer’s disease is not yet fully understood, but believed to be a combination of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.

    1 Lee, J., Torosyan, n., and Silverman, D.H. (2017). Examining the impact of grape consumption on brain metabolism and cognitive function in patients with mild decline in cognition: A double-blinded placebo controlled pilot study. Experimental Gerontology, 87 (Pt A): 121-128 Doi:10.1016/j.exger.2016.10.004.

    2 Maher, P. (2016). Grapes and the brain. In J.M. Pezzuto (Ed.), Grapes and health (pp. 139-161). Switzerland: Springer International Publishing. Doi: 10.1007/978-3-319-28995-3.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (February 10, 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 Growers continue to wait for fields to dry out sufficiently that they can resume planting winter grain and field crops. The planted grains and field crops continue to mature at an excellent rate, reaping the benefit from all the recent rains.

    Table grapes from cold storage continue to be exported primarily to Canada and Mexico. Field work in vineyards and orchards: pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding, are starting up again as fields dry. Kiwifruit are being exported to Colombia. Pistachios are being exported Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Vietnam. Almonds are being exported to Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Pecans are being shipped to Australia, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. Walnuts are being shipped to Hong Kong. Pomegranates are primarily being exported to Mexico. In drier locations the removal of older orchards and vineyards continues in preparation for replanting with new varieties.

    The citrus harvest is gaining strength with the clearer weather. Navel oranges are being shipped to Australia, China, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The second application of copper fungicide has or will be made to meet the February 4th deadline for continued export to Korea. Mandarin oranges continue being shipped to Australia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, and Mexico. Satsuma tangerines continue to be harvested and sent to domestic markets only. Melogold grapefruit are being exported to Japan and Korea. Lemons are being exported to Australia, China, Korea, and New Zealand. Removal of older orchards continues in preparation for replanting to new varieties this spring. The domestic market for citrus fruit remains steady at a good price.

    Winter vegetables continue to mature ideally. The drier weather is allowing the harvest to resume. Strawberries fields continue to thrive. Blueberries continue to be planted, weather permitting.

    Rangeland and dryland pasture quality continue to improve with the recent rainfall.

    Bare root rose nursery stock continues to be received, processed and shipped out. Potted roses are currently being shipped. Shipments of wholesale nursery stock have remained slow due to winter weather and a lack of demand.