Ag Alert Jan. 26, 2022

Water Continued from Page 3

Agricultural Market Review

As of Jan. 20, Lake Oroville held 1,581 acre-feet of water. That level was about 45% of reservoir capacity but 95% of the lake’s average water volume over the past 15 years. DWR a n d t h e U. S . Bu r e a u o f Reclamation say Lake Orovi l le and Folsom Lake reservoirs are expected to produce sufficient flows to meet down- stream water quality needs through spr i ng . Ano t he r ma j or Nor t he rn California reservoir, Shasta Lake, “con- tinues to be in critical condition,” the de- partment said in its news release. As of Jan. 20, Shasta Lake stood at 35% of capacity. “The next two months are traditional- ly the heart of California’s rainy season,” Nemeth said. “We need more storms to keep filling up our reservoirs to make up for two critically dry years.” DWR wi l l conduct its next Sierra Nevada snow survey in early February. On Jan. 20, the statewide snowpack stood at 113%of average for the date and 58%of the seasonal average. Gov. Gav i n Newsom has ur ged Cal i fornians to voluntar i ly reduce water use by 15%. His October emer- gency proclamation authorized the State Water Board to ban wasteful water uses to boost conservation; the board announced restrictions earlier this month.

several watersheds, including the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, cutting off supplies for 4,500 farms and more than 10,000 water rights holders. The 15% allotment comes after DWR officials said last month that the depart- ment would cover only “critical health and safety needs” for 29 water agencies that contract for supplies from the State Water Project. The water picture changed after heavy snow and rain in December, but January moisture has been less generous. “December storms enabled DWR to convey and store water in San Luis Reservoir, which allows for a modest increase in water deliveries this year,” DWR Director Karla Nemeth said in a statement. “But severe drought is not over. Dry conditions have already re- turned in January. Californians must continue to conserve as the state plans for a third dry year.” DWR said even though it’s making the 15% allocation increase, it will con- tinue to preserve as much water storage as possible in Lake Oroville, the larg- est reservoir in the State Water Project. Water releases from Lake Oroville will be prioritized to maintain delta water quality, protect endangered species and meet senior water right needs, the department added.

Quotations are the latest available for the week ending January 21, 2022 Year Ago Week Ago Latest Week Livestock Slaughter Steers – 5-Area Average Select & Choice, 1050–1150 lbs., $ per cwt. 108-111.02 130 134-137 Hogs – Average hog, 51-52% lean, Iowa-Minn. market, $ per cwt. 65.29 73.31 77.88 Slaughter Lambs – $ per cwt. 125–175 lbs. National weekly live sales 145-165 224.12-241.50 225.15-238.75 Field crops – basis prompt shipment Barley – U.S. No. 2, $ per cwt. Truck, Stockton-Modesto-Oakdale-Turlock 10.75-11 No Quote No Quote Cotton – ¢ per lb., Middling 1 3/32” Fresno spot market 78.05 86.62 90.90 Corn – U.S. No. 2 yellow $ per cwt. trucked 6.53 7.48 7.68 Alfalfa Hay – $ per ton, quality*, FOB Region 1, Northern Inter-mountain 160 (F/G) 250 (G/P/S) 250 (G/P) Region 2, Sacramento Valley 280 (P) No Quote No Quote Region 3, Northern San Joaquin Valley 265-273 (P/S) 290-335 (F/G/P) 365 (S) Region 4, Central San Joaquin Valley No Quote No Quote No Quote Region 5, Southern California 250 (P) No Quote No Quote Region 6, Southeast Interior 190 (P/S) 260-320 (P/S) 280-300 (P/S) Oat Hay – $ per ton, quality*, FOB Northern California, dairy No Quote No Quote No Quote Oats – U.S. No. 2 white, $ per cwt. Statewide, trucked price No Quote No Quote No Quote

Dry Beans – Grower FOB prices Baby Limas, $ per cwt, (sacked) Large Limas, $ per cwt. (sacked) Blackeye, $ per cwt. (sacked)

No Quote No Quote No Quote

Rice – Milled No. 1 Head, FOB No. Calif. mills Medium grain, $ per cwt. Wheat – U.S. No. 2 or better, winter, $ per cwt. 13% protein, Los Angeles, trucked price

38-40

48-50

11 (No. 1) No Quote Provided by the California Farm Bureau as a service to Farm Bureau members. Information supplied by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Market News Branch. * ADF=Acid detergent fiber; (S) = Supreme/<27%ADF; (P) = Premium/27-29; (G) = Good/29-32; (F) = Fair/32-35. No Quote

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January 26, 2022 Ag Alert 47