Farm Bureau at work California Farm Bureau’s government affairs team is at the Capitol, advocating for farmers, ranchers and agriculture’s future. Here are some key issues Farm Bureau is focused on this week.
Wildlife The U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agricultural Statistics Service is sending a Feral Swine Damage survey to farmers and ranchers. The survey seeks information on wild-pig damage to crops and commodities with an eye to better understanding the effects of the invasive species on U.S. agriculture.
The Feral Swine Damage survey focus- es on producers growing corn, soybeans, wheat, rice, peanuts and sorghum in California, Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, South Carolina and Texas. Data from producers will help provide a foundation for feral swine research and measure the cost of damage.
Those who received the survey are encouraged to respond online at portal. agcounts.usda.gov/portal/s/. Surveys also may be returned by U.S. mail. As required by federal law, information provided by producers will be used for statistical pur- poses only, ensuring the confidentiality of all responses and that no individual re- spondent or operation are identified.
The survey was requested by the National Feral Swine Damage Management Program. Insurance The California Department of Insurance held a hearing July 13 in Oakland to hear concerns about the California FAIR Plan, the state’s insurer of last resort. Farmers and ranchers have been among those forced to seek FAIR Plan coverage after their insur- ance policies were canceled or nonrenewed because of the state’s spate of wildfires. California Farm Bureau Administrator Jim Houston was among the agricultural professionals testifying at the hearing to discuss issues with access and coverage limits. For more on this story, see Page 9. Summer fellow The California Farm Bureau’s Government Affairs Division welcomes Haley Fernandes as its first fellow for the summer. Fernandes grew up in Tulare and graduated from California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, with a degree in dairy science. Her parents, Frank and Diane, run Legacy Ranchers in Pixley. Fernandes will stick around the Capitol in the fall as a fellow in the Senate. Recess The Legislature is on recess until Aug. 1. Upon reconvening, legislators have until Aug. 12 to move bills through fiscal com- mittees. The deadline for bills to reach the governor is Aug. 31. (A full roundup of Farm Bureau legisla- tive efforts may be found online at www. cfbf.com/Farm-Bureau-At-Work.) Fee hiked to fight winegrape threat Winegrape growers will be assessed $1.25 per $1,000 of value for the 2022 har- vest, with the money going to efforts to combat Pierce’s disease and the insect that carries it, the glassy-winged sharpshooter. The Pierce’s Disease and Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board made the decision at its June 29 meeting, with the recommenda- tion being approved by Karen Ross, secre- tary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture. The assessment was set at $1 per $1,000 of harvest value for the past three years. Pierce’s disease kills grapevines by clogging the xylem, which carries water through the plant. “California winegrape growers continue to face pressure from grapevine viruses,” board chairman Will Drayton said in a statement. He added, “We want to ensure growers have clean plant material and that the board continues to wisely invest grow- er dollars in the best research for solutions to pests and diseases.” The board also set aside funding to help winegrape growers control viruses such as grapevine red blotch virus and grapevine leafroll-associated virus type 3. The board will provide nearly $648,000 to University of California, Davis, Foundation Plant Services to test priority grapevine selections for protection.
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16 Ag Alert July 20, 2022
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