California Ag Network

Tag: CDFA

  • CDFA & UC Davis Collaborate to Assist Commercial Laboratories Testing Smoke Impact in Wine Grapes

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology, and the UC Davis College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences are offering laboratory services, with limited capacity, to test winegrapes and wine for the presence of smoke compounds due to recent wildfires. In addition to commercial laboratories already performing tests, these laboratories are offering limited services to hopefully reduce testing turnaround times.

    “We are hearing many growers and grower representatives voice concern over lab turnaround time, as lab results are needed to make a decision about harvesting their winegrapes or to assess the resulting wines,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “To answer a need in our world-renown California wine industry, CDFA is proud to partner with UC Davis to offer the resources of our laboratories.”

    “The wine and grape industries of California are important to the state and to our college, “ said Helene Dillard, Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences at UC Davis.  “The wildfires this year have been particularly devastating, so we are very happy to be partnering with the CDFA to apply our collective resources to this important issue.”

    “Our staff members are working diligently to meet the laboratory needs of the wine and winegrape industries resulting from the unprecedented number of wildfires on the west coast,” said Gordon Burns, CEO of ETS Laboratories. “We appreciate the partnership of CDFA and UC Davis as we work together to answer industry needs.”

    CDFA’s Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) is offering grape analysis. CDFA’s limited testing capacity is estimated to be 30-50 samples per day, with a turnaround time of 3-5 days, as long as a backlog does not occur. If a backlog does occur and the turnaround time will be longer, CDFA will provide that information on its website.

    The UC Davis laboratories are teaming-up to provide wine analysis.

    While the analytical methods of the CDFA and UC Davis labs have been validated and are accurate, the methods are not ISO 17025 (International Organization for Standardization) accredited. Therefore, growers should verify with insurance providers and/or legal counsel that the results will be acceptable before submitting samples. The laboratories will measure seven smoke-related compounds (guaiacol, 4-methylguaiacol, o-cresol, p-cresol, m-cresol, syringol, and 4-methylsyringol).

    To submit grape samples, visit the CDFA laboratory website for sample submission instructions, or contact CDFA at CDFA.CAC_receiving@cdfa.ca.gov or (916) 228-6844. Price per grape sample is $246.

    To submit wine samples, visit the UC Davis laboratory website for more information. Price per wine sample is $150.

  • California Agriculture Leads The Nation In Funding For Specialty Crops

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) recently announced that California has received $23.8 million out of approximately $72.4 million awarded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture nationwide for the 2020 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP).
     
    The SCBGP provides grants to state departments of agriculture to fund projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops, defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).
     
    With the $23.8 million, CDFA will fund 58 projects, awarding grants ranging from $50,000 to $450,000 to non-profit and for-profit organizations, government entities, and colleges and universities. Selected through a competitive process, these projects focus on increasing sales of specialty crops by leveraging the unique qualities of specialty crops grown in California; increasing consumption by expanding the specialty crop consumer market, improving availability of specialty crops and providing nutritional education for consumers; training growers to equip them for current and future challenges; investing in training for growers/producers/operators to address current and future challenges; and conducting research on conservation and environmental outcomes, pest control and disease, and organic and sustainable production practices.
     
    Additionally, CDFA made awards to first-time recipients through the “Additional Assistance for Historically Underrepresented Organizations” program. This program was developed for organizations that support beginning and socially disadvantaged farmers, including urban farmers, and/or promote increased access or nutrition education in underserved communities throughout California.
     
    CDFA continued its partnership with the Center for Produce Safety in the evaluation and recommendation of food safety-related projects. These projects represent an ongoing effort by the state to address food safety practices and minimize outbreaks of foodborne illness with proactive research.
     
    The 2020 SCBGP project abstracts are available online at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/Specialty_Crop_Competitiveness_Grants/

  • HLB Detection Triggers Quarantine Expansion in San Bernardino & Los Angeles Counties

    A quarantine expansion has been declared following the detection of the citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, in five residential citrus trees located in Rancho Cucamonga. This is the first time the disease has been confirmed in Ranch Cucamonga, marking the fifth city in San Bernardino County to have had a positive detection of HLB. The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) is working with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and San Bernardino County to remove the HLB-infected tree and prevent the spread of HLB into neighboring areas.

    The expanded quarantine area will merge with the existing quarantines in San Bernardino and Los Angeles Counties. The expanded portion is bordered on the north by Big Tree Cucamonga; on the west by Pauda Avenue in Claremont and Mount Baldy Road; on the east by Interstate 15; and on the south by Foothill Boulevard and Interstate 10 in San Bernardino County.

    The updated HLB quarantine maps for San Bernardino and Los Angeles counties are available online. Please check this link for future quarantine expansions in these counties, should they occur.

    The quarantine prohibits the movement of all plant parts or citrus nursery stock out of the quarantine area. Provisions exist to allow the movement of commercially cleaned and packed citrus fruit. If you are a grower within the new quarantine expansion area, please contact CDFA’s emergency quarantine response program at 916-654-0312 for information on these provisions.

    Fruit that is not commercially cleaned and packed, including residential citrus, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits and kumquats, must not be moved from the property on which it is grown, although it may be processed (removal of stems and leaves, and a thorough washing) and/or consumed on the premises.

    Residents are urged to take several steps to help protect citrus trees:

    • Do not move citrus plants, leaves, or foliage into or out of the quarantine area or across state or international borders. Keep it local.
    • Cooperate with agricultural officials placing traps, inspecting trees, and treating for the pest.
    • If you no longer wish to care for your citrus tree, consider removing it so it does not become a host to the pest and disease.

    CDFA staff have scheduled removal of the infected tree and are in the midst of a treatment program for citrus trees within 250-meters of the find site. By taking this action, a critical reservoir of the disease and its vectors will be removed, which is essential to protect other citrus trees on the property, neighbors’ trees and the community’s citrus from this deadly disease. CDFA, in partnership with USDA, local county agricultural commissioners and the citrus industry, continue to pursue a strategy of controlling the spread of the Asian citrus psyllids while researchers work to find a cure for HLB.

    Questions? If you are a citrus grower in San Bernardino County and have questions about this detection, please contact your grower liaison Sandra Zwaal at szwaal2@gmail.com.

  • CDFA Environmental Farming Program Saves Water & Energy

    Recent heat waves have caused California’s energy grid to take a beating, which forced the California Independent System Operator, the entity that operates the state’s power grid, to institute rolling blackouts.

    Fresno County fruit grower Balvinder Purewall points to his variable frequency drive, which saves on energy use when irrigating. His solar array in the background produces energy for use on his farm

    How do California’s farmers and ranchers deal with energy uncertainty during times like this, when the intense heat demands an increase in irrigation? For many years, they have been working to improve both energy and water efficiency of their irrigation systems. And since 2014, CDFA’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) has been an important resource for California farmers, providing financial support for long-term efficiency improvements with a focus on greenhouse gas reductions.

    “For many years, SWEEP has been funding grants that help California farmers and ranchers save water and reduce greenhouse gases through reduced energy consumption,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “The proactive, hard work of these farmers really shines when the state deals with challenges like the recent heat waves. Our farmers’ and ranchers’ contributions provide us with food security plus a host of other benefits seen through SWEEP efforts, which are invaluable to the state, especially now.”

    Some SWEEP grant recipients, for example, have installed energy efficient technologies such as efficient pumping systems coupled with variable frequency drives to reduce energy demands of irrigation. Other grant recipients have also installed solar and other forms of renewable energy, resulting in less imported energy and thus reducing the strain on the grid. Energy-saving practices like these also result in reduced greenhouse gas production.

    Central Coast citrus and avocado grower Daryn Miller received a SWEEP grant, which helped provide two small solar arrays, one for each irrigation pump, to offset his farm’s GHG production use and save water. The project also included installation of soil moisture and weather sensing technologies that help the farmer make data-driven choices on when and for how long to irrigate his crops.

    “The objective overall was mostly to cut down our energy,” said Miller, “to really see how much water we were using … to get a good idea of where we’re at on a total amount of water and a total amount of electricity, and to essentially create our own little electric grid.”

    Fresno County fruit grower Balvinder Purewal received a SWEEP grant to enhance his 37-acre farm’s irrigation system with a high-efficiency pump, soil moisture sensors, double-line drip system and 25-kilowatt solar array. “The SWEEP program is going to help us save on both water from the ground level and save energy,” he said. This energy savings results in statewide GHG savings by reducing the energy grids reliance of other forms of energy production.

    In 2019 alone, SWEEP supported 122 projects with an estimated reduction in greenhouse gas emissions equal to 3,200 metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent per year. This is equivalent to supporting the electricity needs for nearly 550 homes for one year, based on federal EPA equivalency factors. SWEEP utilizes similar incentive strategies to the United States Department of Agriculture: Natural Resources Conservation Service: Environmental Quality Incentives Program (NRCS:EQIP).

    Scientists tell us that extreme heat days and extreme heat waves are becoming more common in California due to climate change, and reports developed by CDFA in collaboration with several partners and engagement with the farmer community, further highlight the same concerns. With compounding impacts of climate change and other stressors on our environment and natural resources, SWEEP and other CDFA Climate Smart Agriculture programs are helping build a more resilient ‘California For All.’

  • Emergency Mortality Disposal Advisory Update

    As an update to outdated information shared last week, the following has been provided from a variety agencies including CDFA, RB-5, CalRecycle, various county agricultural commissioners and divisions of environmental health and rendering companies. It represents our best understanding of current requirements, but these may change without notice.

    Summary

      The current heat event has strained the state’s rendering capacity.

      Some producers have carcasses that have not been picked up and have deteriorated

    beyond the point at which they can be processed at the rendering plant. These carcasses

    will likely never be retrieved by a dead hauler.

      CDFA directs producers with such decomposed carcasses to contact their local landfill

    and inquire if they are receiving emergency mortalities. If they are, the carcasses may be transported to the landfill by either the producer or licensed dead hauler. Contact information for local landfills is provided in a chart below.

      If the local landfill is not accepting emergency mortalities, producers may temporarily store them in compost piles on the dairy. CDFA, in consultation with CalRecycle and regional board, will provide guidance in the near future as to the final disposition of the composted material, meaning either landfill or land application.

    Background

    Since mid-August California has experienced an unusually intense and protracted heat event, with temperatures significant enough for the Governor to proclaim a State of Emergency. In addition to an increase in heat-related animal mortalities, the situation has been exacerbated by a mechanical issue at one rendering plant and a landfill temporarily closed due to wildfire smoke in another. All three of the state’s rendering companies that process deadstock have implemented mitigation measures including diversion of non-carcass material to other plants, increasing route frequency and augmenting transfers from collection centers. In spite of these efforts however, rendering capacity has been strained and some carcass stranded at the farm have deteriorated to the point they can no longer be handled by rendering machinery.

    What should producers with decomposed carcasses do?

    If a renderer or dead hauler service refuses to retrieve certain decomposed carcasses, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) advises producers to take following action:

    Contact the local county landfill – Use the table below to identify which county landfill might accept animal carcasses. Landfill availability is very fluid right now, with new facilities receiving permission to accept carcasses daily. If the local landfill is accepting livestock carcasses, either the producer or a licensed dead hauler can transport them to the landfill during working hours. Producers should CALL FIRST before transporting the carcasses to the local landfill, to avoid being turned around at the gate. Producers transporting their own fresh mortalities to a local landfill are cautioned not to have liquid or solid organic matter spill onto the roadway, which could result in fine by local law enforcement. Alternatively producer might choose to engage services of a licensed dead hauler. A list of haulers that provide services to dairies in the past also appears below.

    Compost mortalities on the dairy – If the local landfill is not currently accepting carcasses they may be temporarily stored on-site at the dairy in a composting pile. This mitigates the immediate nuisance problem of decomposing carcasses by the roadside, kills common human and animal pathogens and creates a more manageable material for landfills. After the composting process is complete and no later than six (6) months from starting the composting process, the composted materials will be required to be disposed of. CDFA will provide guidance in the near future as to the final disposition of the composted material, meaning either transportation to a landfill or used for land application. The Central Valley Water Board requires that a 2-page notice of intent be filed within 30 days of starting the composting. Producers may contact their trade organization for assistance in filling this out.

    What are acceptable practices for on-site composting?

    Several guides for composting cattle mortalities are available on-line including USDA and Extension Bulletins from Michigan State and New Mexico State. Research by the University of California suggests dairy manure (either dry-lot scraping or screened manure solids having a moisture content ranging from 25% to 70% is an effective composting feedstock. In California the date, number and identity of cows composted and subsequently transported to landfill should be documented to answer any future regulatory inquiries. An impervious layer such as a concrete pad or a waterproof liner should be used to protect groundwater from infiltration. Adult carcasses should be placed on a 3-footbed of dairy manure and covered with 3 feet of the same material. The site of the temporary piles should be protected from inundation, washout, runoff, ponding, and scavenging wild animals. The temporary pile should be at least 50 feet from any domestic well. Be sure to keep and maintain records to document that the composted material was taken to a landfill within 6 months. RB-5 staff will be looking for evidence of bones and carcasses that have been left for more than 6 months and checking for landfill disposal records during future inspections.

    Burial on the farm?

    Producers in any Central Valley county may NOT permanently bury mortalities on farm unless they obtain a permit from the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Such a permit includes a copy of the county’s emergency declaration, an annotated map, photographs and management plan for the site. The current fee for such a permit is approximately $4,000 dollars.

    Records

    Both CDFA and RB5 require that producers record the final disposition of each carcass not sent to rendering. This will help protect producers from regulatory confusion and potential fines. Records must be maintained for at least five years.

  • Emergency Mortality Disposal Advisory from CDFA

    Disclaimer: The guidance below is only applicable during an emergency declared by the Governor, county agricultural commissioner, or other authorized government entity. Once the emergency situation is over, disposal of mortalities on-site or through landfill without proper CDFA permit will be considered by California Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board (RB-5) to be a violation of the Dairy General Order, and a violation of California Food and Agricultural Code (FAC) 19348.

    This is our best understanding of the current situation. We will provide updates if the situation changes and more information becomes available.

    Background: The regional heat wave expected over the next few days has resulted in higher than normal animal mortality rates in the Central Valley areas. This advisory was created to give necessary guidance to impacted producers regarding alternative carcass disposal methods.

    Disposal Options: Currently, there are four alternative carcass disposal methods that include: 1. Direct transport to alternative rendering facilities; 2. Direct transport to permitted landfills; 3. Temporary on-farm storage for later transport to rendering or permitted landfills; and, 4. On-farm composting for later transport to landfill or on-farm land application for non-agricultural purposes.

    The four options listed below are provided as general guidance describing all potentially viable alternative disposal methods during the heat event. Please be aware that some counties may have some specific guidance/requirements on how to dispose of stockpiled animal carcasses during such events. It is the producer’s responsibility to check with their local enforcement agencies (LEA) and follow their guidance and requirements.

    Option #1. Direct transport to alternative rendering facility.

    The preferred carcass disposal option is direct transport to an alternative rendering facility with available capacity to process the carcasses. Rendering is recycling and it provides the best beneficial use of the carcass materials. However, the condition of the carcasses is critical, as rendering plants have requirements regarding the acceptable levels of carcass decomposition. If this option is pursued, coordination is critical among CDFA’s Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety (MPES) Branch, the alternative CDFA licensed rendering facility, licensed collection centers, and licensed dead animal haulers. Mr. Michael Koewler, Chairman of CDFA’s Rendering Industry Advisory Board (RIAB) is the lead for coordination among rendering facilities. Mr. Koewler is also President of Sacramento Rendering Company and can be reached at 916-363-4821. Please contact Mr. Koewler for the coordination of transportation among the alternative rendering facilities, dead animal haulers, and collection centers. 

    • CDFA Licensed Renderers and Collection Centers: A link to the map showing the location and contact phone number for licensed renderers and collection centers can be found here.

    • CDFA Licensed Dead Animal Haulers: A list of 2020 CDFA licensed dead animal haulers with their contact phone number can be found here.

    • CDFA MPES Branch Contacts:
      Paula Batarseh, 916-900-5059, Paula.Batarseh@cdfa.ca.gov Han Lai, 916-204-4438, han.lai@cdfa.ca.gov

      Option #2. Direct transport to permitted landfill

      If Option 1 is not available, producers may be able to locate a landfill that will accept animal carcasses. The first step in evaluating this option is to contact local landfills regarding their acceptance of animal carcasses. The second step is to consult with your LEA and the Regional Water Quality Control Board (RWQCB) before transporting carcasses to a landfill. The RWQCB recommends that animal carcasses should only be disposed of in landfills with permitted leachate management systems to prevent potential water quality contamination. There are many more landfills in the Central Valley that lack leachate management systems than those that do. Therefore, it is critical to work closely with the LEA and RWQCB to determine which landfills will be allowed to accept carcasses during heat events. Once a landfill has been identified, remember landfill operators should also be provided with a copy of the CDFA Carcass Disposal Quarantine Notice.

      Local Landfill Map: A comprehensive interactive map listing local landfills is available on-line from CalRecycle.

      LEA Directory. A directory link with contact information for the LEAs can be found at: https://www2.calrecycle.ca.gov/SolidWaste/LEA/Directory/

      Central Valley RWQCB Contact: Doug Patteson, (559) 445-5577
      Option #3. Temporary storage on-farm for later transport to a rendering facility or

      permitted landfill.

      If Option 1 and 2 are not available, carcasses may be temporarily stored on-site at the farm. There are two temporary storage options.

      1. 3.1  On-Site Cold Storage. Holding carcasses in a temperature-controlled storage unit is preferred as it retards decompositions and may hold the carcass in a condition that will allow rendering at a later date.

      2. 3.2  Temporary Piling. Carcasses can be piled on or above the ground surface and covered with soil. In either case, the pile needs to be on an impervious layer to protect groundwater from leachate infiltration, e.g. a waterproof liner is required to be placed underneath the pile. During an extended heat event, storage in ambient temperatures will result in accelerated decomposition where the final disposition will be transport to a permitted landfill. Producers should contact the landfill prior to storing carcasses onsite and before transporting the material to ensure the facility is permitted and has the capacity to accept carcasses. Producers should also consult with the county LEA and RWQCB before pursuing with the temporary storage option for ultimate landfill disposal. 

        Note: Always consider control measures for insects, other fomites, and vectors during temporary carcass storage. Stored material must be removed from the farm within one month following the creation of the temporary pile. If any storage is done below grade (buried), prior notification to the RWQCB is required to avoid enforcement action. Be sure to keep and maintain records to document that the material was taken to a landfill within one month. Also maintain final landfill disposal records for inspection.

        Option #4. On-farm Composting

        As a last resort, if the animals died on the owner’s property they may be composted on-farm. If done correctly, composting can: mitigate the immediate issue of decomposing animal carcasses by the roadside, control common human and animal pathogens, and create a more manageable material that may be more acceptable for landfilling. Compost must always be performed in a controlled manner by trained and experienced personnel. Proper site security measures such as fencing should be installed to protect the compost piles from predators, vermin, or other unwanted animals. After the composting process is complete and no later than six (6) months from starting the composting process, the composted materials will be required to be disposed of through:

        4.1 Landfill. Composted materials can be disposed of at permitted landfills. The producers should confirm that there is a landfill available that will accept compost material before beginning the composting process. Producers should consult with the landfill operator, LEA, and RWQCB before starting the composting process and/or sending the composted material to the landfill. The date, number and identity of cows composted and subsequently transported to landfill should be documented to address any future regulatory inquiries.

        4.2 Land Application on Owner’s Property for Non-Agricultural Purpose. Land application is an option but only with the approval of the RWQRB and is for non- agricultural use only. Producers should consult with the RWQCB before starting the composting process and inquire about requirements for land application. It is likely that land application will require a management plan with monitoring and testing that shows the composted material will not be a threat to water quality. The producers should plan for the possibility that the only disposal option for the composted material is landfill. Be aware that the maximum allowed time for composting on-farm is six (6) months. In addition, outside material cannot be brought on site to be composted, and the compost materials cannot be transported off-site (other than to a landfill as presented under option 4.1) or sold and/or land applied at other locations. Bones should be removed and properly disposed of prior to land applying the compost materials.

        Composting resources: Several guides for composting cattle mortalities are available on-line including USDA and Extension Bulletins from Michigan State and New Mexico State. Research by the University of California suggests dairy manure (either dry-lot scraping or screened manure solids) having a moisture content ranging from 25% to 70% and is an effective composting feedstock. An impervious layer such as a concrete pad or a waterproof liner should be used to protect groundwater from infiltration. Adult carcasses should be placed on a 3-foot bed of dairy manure and covered with 3 feet of the same material. The site of the temporary piles should be protected from inundation, washout, runoff, ponding, and scavenging wild animals. The temporary pile should be at least 50 feet from any domestic well. 

        Recordkeeping Requirements

        Producers are required to record the final disposition of each carcass not sent to rendering. This will help protect them from regulatory confusion and potential fines. Records must be maintained for at least three years.

        Please reach out to CDFA MPES Sacramento Headquarter if you have any general questions or need additional assistance.

        California Department of Food and Agriculture
        Animal Health and Food Safety Services: Meat, Poultry and Egg Safety Branch 1220 N Street
        Sacramento, California 95814
        Telephone: (916) 900-5004
        Fax: (916) 900-5334
        or send an email to: cdfa.mpes_feedback@cdfa.ca.gov 

  • Improved Method to Test for Mycotoxin in Feed

    California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Center for Analytical Chemistry (CAC) scientists Bahar Nakhjavan, Nighat Sami Ahmed, and Maryam Khosravifard were recently published in an academic journal after developing an improved method to test for mycotoxin in feed. Their article, “Development of an Improved Method of Sample Extraction and Quantitation of Multi-Mycotoxin in Feed by LC-MS/MS,” details their research of evaluating the three most popular sample preparation techniques for determination of mycotoxins, then selecting the best method and optimizing it.

    Mycotoxins are the most common contaminants in agricultural crops produced by several species of mold and fungi. During growth, maturity, harvest, storage and processing of food and animal feed products, the fungus produces mycotoxins and other secondary metabolites. Mycotoxin-contaminated food and feed threaten human and animal health even at very low concentration.

    Nakhjavan, Ahmed and Khosravifard work in CDFA’s CAC Environmental Safety Laboratory. Testing for mycotoxin in food and animal feed in the Regulatory Analysis Laboratory is part of their job of preventing contaminated food and feed from being consumed by humans, livestock and poultry in California. CAC uses state-of-the-art equipment and processes to test fruits, vegetables, nuts, animal feed, milk, water and air to ensure that pesticide and chemical levels are within the safety range established by national and international standards. Additional CAC staff who contributed to the work discussed in this published paper include Sally Henandez, Jose Salazar and Sarva Balachandra.

    Click here to read “Development of an Improved Method of Sample Extraction and Quantitation of Multi-Mycotoxin in Feed by LC-MS/MS,” by CAC scientists Nakhjavan, Ahmed and Khosravifard.

    (L-R) CDFA scientists Bahar Nakhjavan, Nighat Sami Ahmed and Maryam Khosravifard.

  • Governor Newsom Signs Heat Emergency Proclamation to Free-up Energy Capacity

    CDFA – As the West Coast continues to experience an historic heat wave and related energy shortages, Governor Gavin Newsom signed an emergency proclamation designed to free up energy capacity and reduce the need for temporary energy service disruptions.

    The proclamation temporarily allows some energy users and utilities to use backup energy sources to relieve pressure on the grid during peak times during the energy emergency. The text of the proclamation can be found here and a copy can be found here.

    Over the weekend, state officials worked aggressively to bring more energy resources online, including increased generation from sources like the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, the California State Water Project and investor-owned utilities. The state has also worked with industrial and commercial consumers to reduce energy consumption during peak hours and to increase public awareness around energy saving measures.

    All-hands energy meeting

    The Governor yesterday convened an all-hands meeting with California Independent System Operator (CAISO), the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the California Energy Commission (CEC), the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (Cal OES) and senior administration officials as the state and the entire West Coast anticipates serious power shortages as the heat wave intensifies over the coming week.

    Governor Newsom demands investigation

    Following the meeting, Governor Newsom sent a letter to CAISO, the CPUC and CEC demanding an investigation into the service disruptions that occurred over the weekend and the energy agencies’ failure to predict and mitigate them.

    “I write today to express my deep concern about the broadscale de-energizations experienced by too many Californians on August 14 and 15th. These blackouts, which occurred without prior warning or enough time for preparation, are unacceptable and unbefitting of the nation’s largest and most innovative state,” Governor Newsom wrote. “Residents, communities and other governmental organizations did not receive sufficient warning that these de-energizations could occur. Collectively, energy regulators failed to anticipate this event and to take necessary actions to ensure reliable power to Californians. This cannot stand. California residents and businesses deserve better from their government.”

    Guidance to residents and businesses to conserve power

    Yesterday, CAISO issued a statewide Flex Alert calling for voluntary electricity conservation, beginning Sunday and extending through Wednesday. The Flex Alerts are in effect from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day.

    CAISO highlighted three simple actions individuals and businesses can take to reduce energy consumption:

    • Set your thermostat to 78° or higher between 3 and 10 P.M.
    • Refrain from major appliance use between 3 and 10 P.M.
    • Turn off unnecessary lights and appliances

    Additional steps and guidance for individuals & businesses:

    • Adjust Your Thermostat
      • During peak hours or when you’re not home, remember to set your thermostat at 78° or higher. Setting your air conditioner 5° higher can save up to 20 percent on cooling costs.
      • Pre-cool your home by running air conditioning at 72 degrees in the early part of the day (when it is more efficient) then turn your system to 78 or higher during the hottest part of the day when demand is the highest.
      • Use smart or programmable features to help maintain energy savings when you’re not home.
    • Close Windows and Doors
      • Keep windows and doors closed to prevent the loss of cooled or heated air.
      • On summer nights, open windows to let cooler air in when safe. In the morning before the day starts to heat up, close windows and blinds to keep warm air out.
      • Tilt blinds up and close drapes and shades on windows that receive direct sunlight.
    • Smart Energy Use
      • Turn off unnecessary lighting and use task or desktop lamps with LEDs instead of overhead lights.
      • Enable “power management” on all computers and turn off when not in use.
      • Unplug phone charges, power strips (those without a switch) and other equipment when not in use. Taken together, these small items can use as much power as your refrigerator.
    • Access and Functional Needs
      • Check in on neighbors, friends and family who may be at risk.
      • Charge medical devices in off hours and have back up plan for if the power goes out.
      • In addition to traditional community support channels, individuals with access and functional needs should reach out to local government for assistance.
      • Contact local utilities companies if you are dependent on power for assistive devices.
    • Major Appliance Use
      • Postpone using major appliances like the oven, dishwasher, clothes washer, and dryer until cooler times of the day to avoid heating up your home.
      • Run your dishwasher and clothes washer only when full. Wait until after 9 p.m. to use these and other major appliances.
      • When possible, wash clothes in cold water. About 90 percent of the energy used in a clothes washer goes to water heating.
    • Clean or Replace Your Filters
      • A dirty filter forces your air conditioner and furnace to work harder, wasting money, using more energy or natural gas.
    • Adjust Your Water Heater
      • Turn your water heater down to 120° or the “normal” setting. Water heating accounts for about 13 percent of home energy costs.
    • Conservation Programs
      • Consider participating in your utility’s demand response program. These voluntary programs are short, temporary measures to reduce energy consumption when power supplies are critically low and a Flex Alert has been issued. Contact your local electric utility to learn about your utility’s program and incentives they may offer to participate.

  • Environmental Benefits of Modified Subsurface Drip Irrigation Systems at Dairies

    California is the top milk-producing state, accounting for 21 percent of the milk produced in the United States. With that comes responsibility to find innovative solutions for managing cow manure while ensuring food and water safety and security – and California farmers and ranchers remain on the forefront in helping find new agriculture technologies that lead to environmental solutions.

    The leadership of our farmers is highlighted in “Subsurface Drip Irrigation System Utilizing Dairy Manure Effluent,” a report recently released by Sustainable Conservation that details their work on several California dairies. The report describes how using subsurface drip irrigation (SDI) modified to apply liquid manure can save water, protect groundwater quality through precision nutrient application, and reduce irrigation-related greenhouse gas emissions.

    The report provides information and recommendations for using manure subsurface drip irrigation (manure SDI) on dairies as well as resource links for deeper-level details. Some highlights include:

    • Manure SDI provides dairies with a new tool to help improve water resiliency and water quality for their communities.
    • Most of the manure SDI fields produced yields similar to flood-irrigated fields but using less water, measured as yield per acre-inch of water applied.
    • Manure SDI fields generally resulted in less nitrogen applied and greater nutrient-use efficiency, as measured by pounds of nitrogen applied per ton of yield. Similarly, the manure SDI fields received less magnesium, which is an emerging environmental concern.
    • Liquid manure has a lot of solid particles, so the effectiveness of pre-system solid separation will directly influence manure SDI performance.
    • With the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) cost-share support in California, switching to manure SDI results in a positive change in net income of $96.95 per acre.

    CDFA’s Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation was among the many partners and subject matter experts that Sustainable Conservation brought together for this work.

  • CLas-positive Asian Citrus Psyllid Found in Riverside Commercial Grove

    An Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) sample – confirmed positive for Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) the bacteria that causes Huanglongbing (HLB) – was collected from a commercial citrus grove in the Woodcrest area of Riverside County. Confirmed by Citrus Research Board’s Jerry Dimitman Laboratory, this single adult psyllid is the first CLas-positive ACP found in a commercial citrus grove in California.

    While a positive ACP detection in a commercial grove is cause for serious concern, as of today, HLB has not been detected in any California commercial groves. That said, it is more crucial than ever that we stop the disease from spreading by eradicating the Asian citrus psyllid in commercial groves. The cost to manage the Asian citrus psyllid is far less than any potential costs or loss to the industry should HLB take hold throughout our state.

    An expansion of the HLB quarantine zone will not be established as a result of the CLas-positive ACP detection and CDFA staff is swiftly conducting surveys and collecting samples per the ACP/HLB Action Plan  from the perimeter of all commercial groves and all residential HLB host plants that are located within a 250-meter radius around the find.

    While treatment is not mandatory as a result of the detection, all growers within 250-meters of the find site will be notified to apply insecticides to all HLB host material within the designated area with materials recommended by the University of California (UC).

    Currently, the best way to stop the disease from spreading is to stop the ACP. To stop the ACP, we must restrict its movement and suppress existing psyllid populations. It is critical to follow best practices and review recommendations from the UC on how to protect commercial citrus groves from HLB. Regulations are in place to help prevent the spread of the pest and disease. All growers, packers and haulers must comply with all California Department of Food and Agriculture, county and federal regulations, including quarantines.

    Growers in Riverside County may contact the County Agricultural Commissioner’s office or the CDFA Pest Hotline at 800-491-1899 for additional information. If you see or suspect ACP or HLB symptoms in your grove, please notify the CDFA hotline. – By the Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program