Ag Alert is the newspaper of the California Farm Bureau Federation, reaching Farm Bureau agricultural and collegiate members. Agricultural members are owners and decision-makers on California farms and ranches. The California Farm Bureau Federation is a non-governmental, non-profit, voluntary membership organization whose purpose is to protect and promote agricultural interests throughout the state of California and to find solutions to the problems of the farm, the farm home and the rural community. Farm Bureau is California's largest farm organization, comprised of 53 county Farm Bureaus. Farm Bureau strives to protect and improve the ability of farmers and ranchers engaged in production agriculture to provide a reliable supply of food and fiber through responsible stewardship of California's resources.
Fuel crunch Farmers fear surging costs after Ukraine attack
Regenerative farming Diverse plantings, livestock added to almond orchards
Page 3
Page 7
www.cfbf.com • www.agalert.com MARCH 9, 2022
Trees & Vines ®
s p e c i a l r e p o r t
ByChristine Souza The optimism spurred by heavy snow- storms inDecemberhasmeltedaway, and the 2022water year is now looking bleak. After facing the driest recorded January and February in state history, California Department of Water Resources reported that statewide, the snowpack stoodat 63% of average for the date last week after con- ducting the agency’s third manual snow survey of the year. “That is not enough to fill up our reser- voirs,” said Sean de Guzman, manager of theDWRSnowSurveys andWater Supply ForecastingUnit. Hesaid, “It’ssafetosaywe’ll endthisyear dry and extend this drought a third year.” With only onemonth left in California’s wet season, DWR Director Karla Nemeth said in a statement, “Californians should planfor a thirdyearof drought conditions.” “A significantly below-average snow- pack, combined with already low reser- voir levels,” Nemeth said, “make it critical that all Californians step up and conserve water every day to help the statemeet the challenges of severe drought.” Athirdconsecutivedrought yearmeans farmers,watermanagersandstateofficials must figure out how tomove forward and plan for the state’s water future. Those themes were amplified last week at a Sacramento conference—“Wa- ter for a Sustainable California.” It was held by the California Irrigation Institute to focus attention on agricultural and urban water management. “This year is probably going to be the worst year ever,” said conference speaker Thad Bettner, general manager of Glenn- Colusa IrrigationDistrict. “It’s been a bru- tal year for California all around.” Glenn-Colusa Irrigation District, a Sacramento River settlement contractor with the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, re- ceived an initial water allocation of 75%. Bettner said, “There are conversations See WATER, Page 22 2022 water year looks dismal as snowpack melts
Sutter County almond grower Tim Taylor collects blossoms from nonpareil, Butte and Carmel almond trees near Live Oak to check whether develop- ing nutlets survived a hard freeze that struck the Central Valley in late February. As of last week, he estimated an overall loss of 60% in production.
Hard freeze devastates valley tree crops
ByKevinHecteman Tim Taylor walked one of his almond orchards in Sutter County last week, col- lecting blossoms off the trees for samples. A cold spell at the end of February had plunged much of the Sacramento Valley into record-low territory, and Taylor was out to assess the damage. “Every flower can produce an almond,” Taylor said. “When that freeze hits and
thesearedeveloping,when they’reyoung- er—when they’rebrandnew—youcanget a little colder on them. But once they start todevelop like this”—he sliced intoablos- som to check the developing nut—“see that black inside? That means it’s frozen. It froze, and it’s dead.” The toll only addedup. Taylor estimates that 60% of his orchard was damaged by the freeze, potentiallydecimatinghisyield. It was dispiriting news after expectations
for a bountiful year. “We had a wonderful February,” Taylor said. “We had lots of warmdays this year, the bees were working hard, and we thoughtwe’regoing tohaveabumper crop this year. It was looking pretty darn good until all of a sudden it decided to freeze for four days.” Similar scenes are playing out up and
See FREEZE, Page 18
n e w s p a p e r
Comment.......................................2 Trees & Vines...............................7 Ask Your PCA............................ 23 Classifieds........................... 25-27 Inside
Published by
Smart timber practices support forest sustainability
ByDevonBoer Mendocino County grows trees. It al- wayshas andalwayswill. Butwhat is done with our forest resources remains at the
Over its history as a state-run forest, the JDSF has demonstrated its value in envi- ronmental stewardship and has provided important research data on forest sus- tainability andwatershed protection—all while supporting recreation and sustain- able logging. Amid perilous wildfire threats, sound managementpracticesarebeingdiscussed to improve fireprevention, carbonseques- tration andwatershed health, as well as to protect habitat for fish andwildlife. As the timber debate flares up anew, it seems counter intuitive to be arguing once again aboutwhether toallowtrees tobeharvest- edunder strictmandates that aredesigned toprotect the forest ecosystem. Cal Fire is central to working with the Board of Forestry, the governor and state elected officials to steer the future of forest management. If the ability to harvest tim- ber on the largest state demonstration for- est iseliminatedor significantly reduced, it willweakenforest-managementapproach- es that have been improved upon over many years and that remain vital today. Mendocino County Farm Bureau will continue toengageon this issue tohelpour member commercial forest landowners, loggers, foresters,mill owners, truckdrivers andforest-productrepresentatives.Theyare caught in themiddleas the futureof timber harvestingat theJDSFhangs inthebalance. We hope the conversations we are hav- ing with decision makers will not fall on deaf ears and that a lasting solutioncanbe foundtoallowJDSFtocontinue tobeman- aged under the multi-use model that has supported valuable research, recreation and our local economy since 1947. (Devon Bo e r i s exe cut i ve di re c- tor of the Mendocino County Farm Bur eau and may b e cont ac t ed a t director@mendofarmbureau.org.)
The Jackson Demonstration
State Forest em- ploys multi-use forestry practices, supporting ecolog- ical research, rec- reation and timber
heart of a cyclical conversation that has gone on for several decades. Now that con- versation is inten- sifying anew in our county, with de- bate over manage- mentof the Jackson Demons t rat i on
operations with strict oversight.
Devon Boer
the California Board of Forestry and Fire Protectionon the reviewof the JDSFman- agement plan, ongoing implementation issues and other policy matters relevant to the forest. The committee reached out on multi- ple occasions for discussions with those opposing current and future logging on demonstration forest lands. But overtures seeking open dialogue have by and large been ignored. TheJDSFmanagementplanwas lastup- dated in 2016, as the result of a thorough review process that allowed for extensive public comment and feedback. Theman- agement plan directs the forest for 10-15 years, with the Board of Forestry able to adopt revisions in the interim. As a result, another opportunity exists for interested groups and individuals to offer suggestions or air concerns during the next scheduled JDSF management plan update. Approved timber harvesting plans on the demonstration forest go through a rigorous review process. They are scruti- nized bymultiple agencies, which review California Environmental Quality Act re- quirements andprovide opportunities for public input.
The current debate centers onwhether thecuttingof timber resources inthe forest shouldcontinue tobe includedintheover- all JDSFmanagement strategy. The forest hasatimber inventoryofapproximately2.3 billionboard-feet of conifer trees that grow about 53million board-feet each year. On average, JDSFharvests 14.3millionboard- feet of conifer timber each year, which is approximately 27%of the annual growth. Mendocino County Farm Bureau’s Natural Resources Committee has been meetingwithouraffectedmembership, law- makers and state agency representatives to seekabroaderconversationonthefutureof JDSFand the ability to continueharvesting timberwhileproviding important steward- shipof theproperty. Theanti-loggingsenti- ment fannedduring recent protests should notsteerthediscussionofsmart,sustainable forestmanagement inMendocinoCounty and throughout the state. The ideal outcome is for all sides tohave an honest discussion about timber man- agement on JDSF, through one of several existing platforms to do so. One of those, the Jackson Advisory Group, was formed in 2008 to work with the public and numerous stakeholders. It provides recommendations toCal Fireand
State Forest—the largest of California’s 10 state-run demonstration forests and a model formulti-use forestrypractices. The forest serves as a laboratory for University of California forest ecology researchers, as a treasured recreational resource and as the home of sustainable timber practices important to our economy. In1947, thestateofCaliforniapurchased the 48,652-acre JDSF property to demon- strate that previously cut-over timberland, if properly managed, can become a valu- ableasset thatoffersamultitudeofbenefits. The resultsof that experimenthaveproven positive forMendocinoCounty. Timber is an agricultural commodity here, employing foresters, loggers and sawmill workers, and supporting nu- merous additional jobs. The work of our local harvesters, including members of the Mendocino County Farm Bureau, is governed under California’s stringent forest practice rules and administered by licensed professionals. But now that work is being paused. In the faceof anti-loggingprotests,Cal Fireon Jan. 19 suspended additional timber sales for 2022as it reviews future forestmanage- ment plans for the demonstration forest.
VOL. 49, NO. 10
March 9, 2022
AG ALERT ® weekly newspaper is an official publication of the CALIFORNIA FARM BUREAU
www.agalert.com www.cfbf.com
@cafarmbureau @cafarmbureau @cafarmbureau
@calfarmbureau
Board of Directors (District 1) Ronnie Leimgruber; (2) Andy Wilson; (3) Richard Miner; (4) Kevin Merrill ; (5) Brian Medeiros ; (6) Joey Airoso; (7) Donny Rol l in ; (8) Richard Bianchi; (9) Jay Mahil; (10) Jan Garrod; (11) Joe Martinez; (12) Paul Sanguinetti; (13) Ron Peterson; (14) Joe Fischer; (15) Clark Becker; (16) Garrett Driver; (17) Johnnie White; (18) David Rosenthal ; (19) Taylor Hagata; (20) Jim Morris; (21) Ronald Vevoda; (Young Farmers & Ranchers Committee Chair) Jocelyn Anderson. Advisory Members Al Stehly, Chair, CFB Rural Health Department, Glenda Humiston, University of California Cooperative Extension. Letters to the editor: Send to agalert@cfbf.com or Ag Alert, Attn: Editor, 2600 River Plaza Drive, Sacramento, CA 95833. Include name, address, phone number, email address; 250-word limit.
Melanie Duval- Chief Marketing Officer
ADVERTISING: Brock Tessandori- Business Development Manager (916) 561-5585 Shelby Baldridge- Advertising Operations Assistant Classifieds: (916) 561-5570 2600 River Plaza Dr., Sacramento, CA 95833. Represented in the East and Midwest by J.L. Farmakis, Inc. Eastern office: Bill Farmakis 48 Topfield Rd., Wilton, CT 06897 (203) 834-8832; Fax: (203) 834-8825. Midwest office: Russ Parker , P.O. Box 7, Albia, IA 52531 (641) 946‑7646, Bob Brunker , 8209 NW 81st Ct., Kansas City, MO 64152 (816) 746-8814, Jennifer Saylor , 8426 N. Winfield Ave., Kansas City, MO 64153 (816) 912-2804, Laura Rustmann , 901 Lands End Cir, St. Charles MO 63304, (636) 238-8548. AG ALERT (issn 0161-5408) is published weekly except weeks of Memorial Day, July 4, Thanksgiving,
Christmas; and with exceptions, by the California Farm Bureau, 2600 River Plaza Dr., Sacramento CA 95833 (telephone: (916) 561-5570) . Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, California. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to AG ALERT, 2600 River Plaza Dr., Sacramento, CA 95833. The California Farm Bureau does not assume responsibility for statements by advertisers or for products adver t ised in AG ALERT nor does the Federation assume responsibility for statements or expressions of opinion other than in editorials or in articles showing authorship by an officer, director, or employee of the California Farm Bureau Federation or its affiliates. No alcohol, tobacco or political ad-
Peter Hecht- Chief Editor, Publications
Christine Souza- Assistant Editor
Ching Lee- Assistant Editor
Kevin Hecteman- Assistant Editor
Karin Bakotich- Design Services Manager
Jessica Cook- Senior Graphic Designer
Paula Erath- Graphic Artist
vertising will be accepted. Jamie Johansson , President
GENERAL INFORMATION: (916) 561-5570
Shannon Douglass , First Vice President Shaun Crook , Second Vice President
agalert@cfbf.com
Printed on Recycled Paper
BPA Business PublicationMember
2 Ag Alert March 9, 2022
Ukraine invasion may bring more fuel spikes for farmers
crops, he noted his farmalready is “pretty much non-tillage,” though orchard prun- ings still need shredding, andhis trees and vines need spraying, all of which require diesel-running tractors andequipment. “We’renot going tocut backonwhatwe need to get done,” he said. To save water, Phillips said he’s using more modern soil-moisture sensors, which allow him to run his irrigation pumps in shorter durations, and that in turn also saves energy. LeeMcCorkle, who farms rice andolives in Glenn County and operates a trucking
business, saidhe’s able topass on thehigh- er fuel cost in the formof surcharges to his trucking customers, but he can’t do that in hisfarmingbusiness.Duringthebusyplant- ing andharvest seasons, he saidhis fleet of truckswill consume a storage tankholding 12,000gallonsof fuel inabout aweek. On the farm,McCorkle said there aren’t toomanyareaswherehecouldcut fuel use without negative consequences, pointing out that farmersalready “are trying tobeas conservative as they can.”
ByChing Lee Already facing sticker shock on ma- terials and services they need to farm, California farmers are now bracing for further spikes to fuel and other energy costs as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushes crude oil prices higher. Some economists predict the conflict and resulting sanctions aimed at hurting the Russian economywill affect all petro- leum-based products, including diesel fuel and fertilizers key to farming. The price increases come as California farm- ers rev up tractors and other implements for spring planting. “It’s just crazy the amount of cost that it’s coming out to be,” said Kings County farmer BrianMedeiros. Diesel and gasoline account for about 10% to 15% of his production costs. Because the weather has been so dry, Medeiros said, his pumps and irrigation equipment arewhat’sconsuming themost fuel right now. Medeirosnoted that healready finished two irrigations on his wheat crop and will need to do another this week. He’s also doing a lotmore preplant irrigation, to es- tablishenoughmoisture in the soil tohelp sustain crops in the summer. To take advantage of the cooler weath- er and higher water table this time of year, he’s preparing fields for his summer crops weeks earlier, because there’smore water comingoutofhiswells.All thisworkrequires pickups, quads and gators tomove people around tocheck sprinklers and fields. Transportation alone, Medeiros said, has already consumed half his fuel bud- get for the year. With higher prices and increased use, he’s now spending $125 an hour on diesel versus $50. Medeiros said he has some fuel storage onthefarmandtriestofillupbeforerefiner- iesmaketheannualswitchtoproducingthe moreexpensivesummer-blendfuel.That’s usuallya50- to60-cents-per-gallonsavings. “It’s just unfortunate that we didn’t do it before the whole Russia thing started, because nowwe’re already seeing that in- creased price,” he said. As a fruit grower, packer and shipper in Tulare County, Doug Phillips’ energy bill stretches fromthe field to thepacking- house, where cold storage remains “a big electricity user.” Inaddition torunning tractorsandpick- upsonthe farm, hisgreenhouseconsumes “a lot of propane,”whichhe saidhas “gone sky high.” To protect his crops from freez- ing temperatures late lastmonth, hehadto runwindmachines that alsousepropane. The higher price of diesel has shown up in the cost of his trucking, whether it’s hauling bins of fruit from the field to the packinghouse or moving packed fruit to national markets. Ocean vessels to ship fruit overseas also runondiesel, henoted, and those costs had already skyrocketed due to container shortages, port conges- tion and general supply-chain issues. On the import side, Phillips said he’s
seen“crazyprices” toshipeverything from packagingmaterials to shade nets used in the orchard. “Everything’s goingup, and it’snot tran- sitory,” he said. “We’re in for a rough ride going forward.” To be more fuel efficient, he said he’s boughtnewvehicles, includingpickupsthat runondiesel.Becausehegrowspermanent
See FUEL, Page 21
FARMING FOR OUR FUTURE
The future comes fast. You plan, you adapt, you innovate, because that’s what keeps you in business and what keeps this country fed. And we’re here to help— for all the tomorrows to come.
WE ARE FARM CREDIT A nationwide network of customer-owned associations supporting rural communities and agriculture with reliable, consistent credit and financial services.
FarmCreditAlliance.com (855) 611-4110 toll free
American AgCredit CoBank Farm Credit West Fresno Madera Farm Credit
March 9, 2022 Ag Alert 3
Diverters reminded to measure water use under law ByChristine Souza
“The stats tell a story that the regula- tions are difficult to understand and, con- sequently, difficult to comply with,” said Laca, who took part in a session on the topic at theCalifornia Irrigation Institute’s conference inSacramento lastweek. “Staff isdevelopingapublicoutreachplanto im- prove data submission and compliance withSB88.Weunderstand it is complicat- ed, and we are committed to helping the community provide the datawe need.” For diversion or storage of 100-acre feet or more annually, SB 88 also requires that installation and certification of measure- ment methods be approved by a profes- sional engineer or licensed contractor. AssemblyBill 589,which is ineffect until Jan. 1, 2023, allows diverters to install and maintain devices or implement methods of measurement. But to be considered qualified to do so, they must complete an instructional course onmeasurement devices and methods administered by the University of California Cooperative Extension and pass a proficiency test. The instructional course also clarifies reporting requirements and helps ranch- ers and water-rights holders understand which meters are appropriate measure- ment tools. Participants also learn how to determine measurement equipment ac- curacy and develop an understanding of measurement weirs and how to calculate and report volume from flowdata. “One thing that I heard as we started to
work through this was, ‘Why do we have to do this?’’’ said Larry Forero, a UCCE livestock and natural resources farm ad- visor. “It was like, well, you always were supposed to do it. Since 1965, you were supposed to, and then in 2009, the water codeprovidedthat youneedto, andthere’s penalties if you don’t.” Forero offered assurances to water di- verters. “If youmake an effort to try to get incompliance, you’regoing tobeOK. That has beenmy experience with state board staff,” he said. Modoc County rancher Glenn Nader, a former UCCE livestock and natural re- sources advisor, said he was one of the af- fected diverters who didn’t know he was required to report. He said he took part in the training course and thanked the state water board andUCCE for providingdiverterswith the education that ultimately resulted in cost savings for him. “The other thing that this training did is it gaveus the technical resource tocallwith questions,” Nader said. “I think that’s im- portant, andwe need to continue to build onthat.Weneedmore technical resources. We complain all the time as ranchers, but therewere some benefits to doing this.” UCCE is developing an online training course, and Forero said more technical support is needed to address site-specific situations. “Because every situation is dif- ferent, thatwouldreallyhelpget to thenext stage of implementation,” he said.
Achallenge to compliance, Laca said, is small diverters do not have the resources to install the equipment. “What we’ve seen is small diverters will either revoke their water right or decrease their facevalue toavoidmeasurement reg- ulations,” Laca said. To assist diverters and increase the rate of compliance, twobillswere introducedin the State Legislature. SB 880 by Sen. John Laird, D-Santa Cruz, indefinitely extends the sunset date for AB 589. SB 832, by Sen. Bill Dodd, D-Napa, allows for a different way to report diversions for people who use evapotranspiration rates. California FarmBureauhas expressedconcernsover those rates and is suggesting bill amend- ments, Merkley said. “Statewater board staff is not looking to bepunitive,” saidMerkley,whoalsoserves as director of the California Irrigation Institute. “They’re looking for compliance, so they knowwhat the flows are and how muchwater is or is not available anddon’t havetocurtail legalwater-rightusersbefore it isnecessary. If you’re trying tobecompli- ant, then they’re going toworkwith you.” Laca said compliance is the state’s main objective. “We’re not looking to put people out of business,”he said. “If youneedhelpor you have questions with your compliance sta- tus, reach out to us.” (Chr i s t ine Souza i s an ass i s tant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at csouza@cfbf.com.)
Data is key to better understanding and managing California’s water supply. However, thestatereportsa lackof compli- ancebyaffectedwater-rightsholders,who are requiredtoreport thewater theydivert. “Even though we initially opposed the regulation, it is the law, so it is very important that people are in compli- ance,” said Danny Merkley, California FarmBureau director of water resources. “Itprotectsourexistingwater-rightssystem, whichwasdesignedfortimesofscarcity, like wehavenow,anditworksifweget thedata.” Regulations adopted by the StateWater Resources Control Board in 2016 estab- lishedpenalties for those required tomea- sure and report water diversions. Mandated under Senate Bill 88 in 2015, the rules apply to those who have previ- ously diverted or intend to divert more than 10 acre-feet per year. They also im- pact water-rights holders who are autho- rized to divert more than 10 acre-feet per yearunderapermit, licenseor registration. “It is going to be very important that we findaway togetmorepeople tobe incom- pliance,”Merkleysaid. “Until recently, there werenopenalties.Therearepenaltiesnow, and$500 aday canaddupprettyquick.” As of Jan. 25, the compliance rate state- widewas just 39%, saidAllenLaca, asenior water resource control engineer with the statewater board’sdivisionofwater rights.
STAY COMPLIANT!
Buy Your Employment Notifications Books and Posters TODAY! California ag employers are required by state and federal law to provide their employees more than 30 notifications of legal requirements and mandated employee benefits and those notices change constantly.
NEW FOR 2022
Call
The soil on your farm or ranch is rich with nutrients and minerals…. AND underground pipelines.
CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG, in order to notify utility companies who will be affected by the excavation. The company will respond to your call and mark their facilities in your work area. This is a FREE service. No one digs more dirt than America’s Farmers and Ranchers. No matter if you’re deep tilling, drain tiling, ditch cleaning or moving heavy loads. Understanding what’s below ground will help you DIG SAFELY CALL 811 BEFORE YOU DIG, EVERY TIME!!!
Laminated Five-poster Notification Poster set -$175
Spiral Bound 11"x17" Notification Book -$175
English and Spanish, side-by-side !
FELS Employment Notifications Books and Laminated Posters are your key to notification compliance! Both include all the notices California ag employers are required by law and regulation to make.
Order yours today at www.fels.net/posters.
www.kindermorgan.com/public_awareness
www.call811.com
4 Ag Alert March 9, 2022
USDA aid to boost regional food producers and dairies
the milk of a dairy animal. “The pandemic has demonstrated that dairy producers and regional dairy processors, particularly those engaged in value-added production, faced sys- temic shocks over the past several years,” Vilsack said. He said Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives “have supported regional-fo- cused efforts tailored to the needs of dairy farmers and businesses locally. This ad- ditional funding will expand the capacity of the four initiatives to provide technical assistance and sub-grants exponentially.”
InNovember, more than $18million in DBI grants supported product research at food institutes and universities, including California StateUniversity, Fresno. Fresno State received a $1.8 million grant for a dairy innovation project, in which a wine-infused cheese product is being produced at the campus creamery. Theproduct is tobesuppliedto theuniver- sity’sGibsonFarmMarket andpotentially made available on a larger scale. The California Milk Advisory Board’s Dairy Innovation Center is participating in the Fresno State project.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture is awarding $130 million in supplemental fundingtohelppromoteandcreateexpand- edmarkets for regional foodproducers. The funding fromtheAmericanRescue Plan Act and the USDA Local Agriculture Market Programis intended to strengthen opportunities for farmers and rural pro- ducers to sell products to institutions, in- cluding universities and hospitals. In 2022, LAMP will receive $97 million in grants to help regional food operations expandproducer-to-consumermarketing andboost local foodmarkets.Theprogram seeks to attract grant applications that serve small farmers and ranchers. “Through these grant programs, we are able to maximize opportunities for eco- nomic growth and ingenuity in the local and regional food system,” Agriculture Secretary TomVilsack said in a statement last week. “These grants have generated new income sources for small, beginning and historically underserved farmers; in- creased local food access across rural and urban communities; and provided plat- forms for value-addedandnicheproducts to shine.” Vilsackhailedthe initiativeasapotential “major boon for small andmid-sized pro- ducers located throughout the country.” The USDA last week also announced AFBF celebrates leadership grads in advocacy class TheAmericanFarmBureauFederation recently honored eight young farm and ranch leaders as graduates of the orga- nization’s 10th Partners in Advocacy Leadership class. The two-year PAL programhelps agri- cultural leaders accelerate their engage- ment abilities and solidify their roles as advocates for agriculture. Graduates of the 10th leadership class include Jenny Holtermann, an almond grower inKernCounty. Along with husband TimHoltermann, she was honored in December by the California Farm Bureau for accomplish- ments in production agriculture and leadership activity. The pair was present- ed with the California Young Farmers & Ranchers Achievement Award. The other PAL program graduates in- clude: David Hafner of Florida; James Henderson of Colorado; Beth Hodge of New Hampshire; Sarah Ison of Ohio; Matthew McClanahan of Tennessee; DerekOrthofWisconsin; andKyleWilson of Utah. “The work and commitment that PAL graduates put into this program is com- mendable,” AFBF President Zippy Duvall said. “Theirdedicationtoadvocatingonag- ricultural issues will benefit rural commu- nities at the local, state andnational level.”
that it is investing $80 milion in Dairy Business Innovation Initiatives, which support dairy businesses in the develop- ment, production, marketing and distri- bution of dairy products. The initiatives provide direct technical assistance and grants to dairy businesses, including niche dairy products, such as specialty cheese, or dairy products derived from
When you have a job to do, you don’t believe in compromise. Neither do we. As one of the world’s largest manufacturers of glufosinate, our commitment to quality is uncompromising. That’s why so many grape growers and PCAs trust LIFELINE ® Herbicide as the foundation for their weed control program. Together with herbicides like COLLIDE ™ and SATELLITE ® HYDROCAP, they’re controlling the toughest weeds while managing glyphosate resistance. They’re also getting the support of an entire team dedicated to their success. Talk to your local UPL representative or retailer to learn more, or visit LifelineHerbicide.com . YOU’VE BEENCALLEDA “PERFECTIONIST.” WE CANRELATE.
LIFELINE ® HERBICIDE
Always read and follow label directions. LIFELINE, COLLIDE, SATELLITE HYDROCAP, UPL, the UPL logo and OpenAg are trademarks of UPL Corporation Limited Group Company. ©2022 UPL Corporation Limited Group Company. LIFLN-2201A
March 9, 2022 Ag Alert 5
Californian makes Collegiate Discussion Meet finals An agriculture student at Modesto Junior College in Modesto advanced to the “Final Four” round of the American FarmBureau Young Farmers &Ranchers Collegiate DiscussionMeet. a l event by winning the 2021-22 California Young Farmers & Ranchers Co l l e g i a t e D i s c u s s i o n Me e t i n Bakersfield in November. collegiate participant. Participants are judged on their ability to exchange ideas and information on an agricultur- al topic and find solutions.
communities, the AFBF announced. Knaebel qualified for the national competition upon winning the Missouri FarmBureauCollegiateDiscussionMeet. As the national winner, he received a $3,000 scholarship from competitive event sponsor CHS Foundation. The Collegiate Discussion Meet is designed to repl icate a commi ttee meeting where discussion and active participation are expected from each
Other contestants that advanced to the national Final Four roundwereBenjamin Butcher of Michigan and Sara Gardner of Arkansas. Twenty-nine competitors participated in this year’s Collegiate DiscussionMeet. The Collegiate Discussion Meet was held during AFBF’s Young Farmers & Ranchers Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, which wrapped up Feb. 28. The YF&R program includes men and women between the ages of 18 and 35. The program’s goals are to help younger Farm Bureau members learn more about agriculture, network with other farmers and real ize their ful l potential as leaders in agriculture and Farm Bureau. ‘Harvest for All’ donations help to address hunger Farm and ranch families from across the nation donated 36.4 million pounds of food and raisedmore than $258,000 to help fight hunger in 2021 through Farm Bureau’s “Harvest for All” program. Combined, the monetary and food do- nations totaled the equivalent of 30.5 millionmeals. “Coping with hunger is a daily real- ity for people from all walks of life, in- cluding many residents of rural areas and farming communities,” said Alisha Schwertner of Texas, chair of AFBF’s YF&R Committee. “Through Harvest for Al l , Farm Bureau remains com- mitted to putting food on the tables of those in need.” Criteria for trackingHarvest for All do- nations included dollars and pounds of food donated by state and county Farm Bureaus, as well as volunteer hours, re- ported from the grassroots as part of the annual campaign. Now in its 20th year, Harvest for All is spearheaded by members of Farm Bureau’s Young Farmers & Ranchers program, but members of all ages from across the nation contribute to the ef- fort. Their participation helps ensure Americanswho are facing food insecurity can enjoy the bounty of food farmers and ranchers produce. In addition to raising food and funds, farmers and ranchers tallied 9,405 volun- teer hours assisting local hunger groups in 2021. Since Harvest for All was launched, FarmBureau families have gathered 412 million pounds of food, logged more than 224,000 volunteer hours and raised more than $10 million in donations.
Jacob Knaebe l , a Un i ve r s i t y o f Missouri senior studying agriculture education, leadership and communi- cations, won the competition following a discussion about how young farm- ers and ranchers can take a proactive approach to farm safety in their rural
Braden Crosson, an intern in the Modesto Junior Col lege School of Agriculture’s crop unit, earned a $1,500 scholarship as one of the four finalists in the national competition. Crosson qualified for the nation-
Altacor ® insect control powered by Rynaxypyr ® active from FMC offers long-lasting control of navel orangeworms (NOW), peach twig borer and other key Lepidopteran pests in your almond crop. As a novel Group 28 insecticide, it works through ingestion, managing both adult and immature pest stages. Exposed insects stop feeding within minutes and extended residual activity protects crops longer than competitive options. Altacor insect control has minimal impact on many beneficials and doesn’t flare mites, making it an ideal fit in an integrated pest management program. Choose the royal treatment. CONQUER NOW WITH FAST-ACTING, LONG-LASTING ALTACOR ® INSECT CONTROL.
Visit your FMC retailer or ALTACOR.AG.FMC.COM to learn more.
Always read and follow all label directions, precautions and restrictions for use. Some products may not be registered for sale or use in all states. FMC, the FMC logo, Altacor and Rynaxypyr are trademarks of FMC Corporation or an affiliate. ©2021 FMC Corporation. All rights reserved. 21-FMC-3132 12/21
6 Ag Alert March 9, 2022
A SPECIAL GROWERS’ REPORT OF AG ALERT ® C A L I F O R N I A Trees & Vines ®
Sheep graze among almond trees at Burroughs Family Farms in Merced County. The multi-faceted farming operation employs diversified plantings, cover crops, hedgerows, no-till agriculture and livestock.
Regenerative farming brings animals into orchards By LisaMcEwen
by using cover crops that enhance plant diversity, and integration of livestock into the cropping operation. That integrationwashighlightedonFeb. 17asBurroughsFamilyOrchardshosteda field day to share insights on how farms and communities are impactedwhen thesemethods are used together—or “stacked.” Montes said the turnout of 250 people underscored a strong interest in regenerative farming. Lundgren of Ecdysis urged attendees to consider regenerativemanagement practices on their own almond farms in the face of changing climate, loss of top soil, increased production costs and decliningwater availability. “All of these problems we are facing aremore personal than ever before,” he said. “We all need to bemore thanwhat we can be if we’re going to get out of thismess.” Lundgren is research co-author of “Defining and validating regenerative farmsystems usingacompositeof rankedagricultural practices”—workpublished last yearon theopen researchplatformF1000Research. Theproject brought together scientists fromCalifornia State University, East Bay; University of Minnesota; Purdue University; University of Nebraska; and SouthDakota StateUniversity. Lundgrensaid the research revealedhealthier soil, higher plant and insect biodiversity and faster water infiltration rates in almond orchards employing regenerative practices.
BeninaMontes returned to the family farmingoperationafter graduating fromcollege, andshe joined familymembers inslowly changing theway itwas run. Theconventionally farmed almond ranch inMercedCounty transitioned to a diversified, organic farmusing regenerative farming practices. “This is farming for the future,” she said. Montes co-owns Burroughs Family Orchards in Ballico with her parents, Ward and Rosie Burroughs. They groworganic almonds, walnuts and olives. Additionally, she and husbandHeriberto operate Burroughs Family Farms, producing organic pastured eggs. Completing the arc is Full Circle Dairy, an organic, grass-based dairy of 500 Jersey and Jersey-cross cows that is co-managed by sister Christina Bylsma and her husbandBrian. The family operations now span 1,200 acres, while using cover crops, no tilling, cattle and sheep grazing, diversified crops and hedgerows. Burroughs Family Orchards is part of a research project led by the Ecdysis Foundation called the1,000FarmInitiative.Createdby formerU.S.Department ofAgriculturescientist Jonathan Lundgren, the foundationwill complete research by 2023 that aims to quantify regenerativeagriculture’spotential impacts,withagoal of inspiring itsmethodsnationally. The principles of regenerative agriculture are similar to conservation agriculture: minimal soil disturbance, eliminating or reducing chemical use, avoiding bare soil
See FARMING, Page 8
March 9, 2022 Ag Alert 7
Farming Continued from Page 7
Cropyieldsandprofitsweresimilar tocon- ventional practices, but with fewer inputs needed thanks to livestock that graze the cover crops. “Most conventional farms abandon these inputs out of necessity,” Lundgren said. “I encourage you to understand the ecology of your farm.” Montes said she began farming al- monds conventional ly with her fa- ther after graduating from California Polytechnic University, San Luis Obispo, in 2001. By 2006, they transitioned to or- ganic almond production and diversi- fied intoorganic oliveproduction in2010, employing crop variety that is a hallmark of regenerative agriculture. “I always knewIwanted to takeover the farming, andI knewweneededtodiversify because we were vulnerable otherwise,” she said. Montes’ children, nieces and neph- ews represent the fifth generation of the family inCalifornia farming—more than 100 years. She said, “It has been exciting to see the changes on our farm, and I’m excited about what we can do with this kind of farming.” Cindy Daley of Chico State’s Center for Regenerative Agriculture has been working with the Burroughs fami ly since 2006, while incorporating cli- mate-smart agricultural practices in
Almond groves, above, bloom at Burroughs Family Orchards, part of the 1,200-acre Burroughs Family Farms. Benina Montes, right, advocates for the operation’s regenerative agricultural practices. “I knew we needed to diversify,” she said, “because we were vulnerable otherwise.”
the college’s curriculum. “It is the farmers leading this effort,” she told guests at the field day. “It does take a psychological shift in your farming to em- brace these practices. But that’s why you are here today, to kick the tires and see what others are doing.” Farmers, educators, policymakers, salesmen, nut processors, funders andac- tivists came together at the event to learn about regenerativepractices. Researchon soil tests, biodiversityandecosystemresil-
iencywaspresentedbyexperts fromChico State, University of California, Davis, and UCCooperativeExtension. Scientists from the Ecdysis Foundation also led a variety of in-the-field seminars that resulted in attendees tromping through cover crops in search of insects. Fourgenerationsof the Jantz familycon- vened at the event, with 5-year-old Levi sweeping for bugs in the cover crop. Levi’s dad, Rylan Jantz, drove three hours from Colusa County with his father, Linwood, todelvedeeper intoregenerativepractices, which he is using on his Chandler walnut farm. They met up with local farmers— great-grandparents Cleo and Twila Jantz. “I came today because I want to learn more about how to integrate animals in the orchard,” Rylan Jantz said. He add- ed he was looking to network and find a lead in acquiring Katahdin sheep, which do not need shearing, for grazing in his orchard. Livestock are removed from regenerative orchards 120 days before
harvest to address food-safety concerns. Joe Gardiner, national sales and mar- ketingmanager at Treehouse Almonds, a TulareCountynutprocessor, alsoattended the fieldday togleanmore information for himself and his growers. He saidhehas someconcerns about us- ing livestock as part of the cycle andnoted that a lush cover crop such as the one at Burroughs Family Orchards is likely not possible in Kern County, where he farms, due todifferentmicroclimates. Still,hesaid hewas curious if he couldbenefit fromre- generative practices. “Wehave someof thebest ground in the world, but we do need to rebuild our soil health,”he said. “I’mhere toseehowthese practicesworkand ifwecanadopt someof them.We are trying todo some of the little things that will help our operations.” ( L i s a Mc Ewe n i s a r e p o r t e r i n E x e t e r. Sh e may b e c on t a c t e d a t mcewenlisamarie@gmail.com.)
FARMER PROVEN SINCE 1938.
• Proudly offering quality almond, walnut, and pistachio trees.
• Choose from over 25 nut varieties, including the industry’s leading self-fertile almond - the Independence®. • Our knowledgeable staff provides guidance throughout the life of your orchard.
Contact Your Rep Today! № 1-844-DWN-TREE
DWNTREES.COM
@davewilsonnursery
8 Ag Alert March 9, 2022
REINFORCED THAT’S HOW GRAPES FEEL WITH MOVENTO. ® Movento ® insecticide delivers allover protection that controls mealybugs and suppresses nematodes. With its unique two-way movement upward and downward from shoot to roots, Movento keeps vines healthy and ensures high-quality fruit for the long term.
For more information, contact your retailer or Bayer representative or visit www.Movento.us.
ALWAYS READ AND FOLLOW PESTICIDE LABEL DIRECTIONS. Not all products are approved and registered in all states and may be subject to use restrictions. The distribution, sale, or use of an unregistered pesticide is a violation of federal and/or state law and is strictly prohibited. Check with your local dealer or representative for the product registration status in your state. Bayer, Bayer Cross, and Movento ® are registered trademarks of Bayer Group. For additional product information, call toll-free 1-866-99-BAYER (1-866-992-2937) or visit our website at www.BayerCropScience.us. Bayer CropScience LP, 800 North Lindbergh Boulevard, St. Louis, MO 63167. ©2022 Bayer Group. All rights reserved.
Almond farmers plant flowers to help protect bees ByDennis Pollock
but they sure won’t survive without some extra irrigation.” It was in 2016 that Woolf started tran- sitioning to what Allbright descibed as “more regenerative ag practices.”He said the company planted hundreds of acres of cover crops and close to more than 50 acres of hedgerows and permanent hab- itat plants with three blooming varieties year-round. Woolf, which works with processing entity Harris-Woolf Almonds, is one of the first bee-friendly certifiedprocessors. “Bee health, pollinator health, soil health all fall into that,” said Allbright, who dis- cussed the effort duringU.S. Department of Agriculture webinar last month titled “Managing Trees with Bees (Without Going Nuts).” Another participant in the discussion, almond grower Christine Gemperle, owns and operates Gemperle Farms with her brother, Erich Gemperle, in Stanislaus andMerced counties. They farm 135 acres, including 40 planted with cover crops for nearly 10 years. They plan to integrate cover crops into 92 more acres as part of a commit- ment to sustainable farming. Gemperle started the cover cropping in part to boost bee health at a timewhen
The longtime policy of growing al- monds in California orchards barren of other plants is giving way to supporting bees, with a more than a little help from their friends—flowering plants. Peter Allbright, cropmanager forWoolf Farming and Processing in Huron, says the transition “frombare ground” has not been easy. “It’s tough to go from your traditional bare ground to early greening,” he said. “The traditional thinking is ‘that’s just more places for bugs to live,’” he said. That thinking is changingdramatically, as efforts to aid bee populations are gain- ing wider recognition. Through its Bee Friendly Farming cer- tification with the San Francisco-based Pollinator Partnership, Woolf Farming is embracing programs to protect bees and other pollinators, which are seen as crit- ical to food and ecosystems. Its farming operations are also certified through the Bee Better Programof the Portland, Ore.- based Xerces Society, which rewards farmers for supporting bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects. Woolf Farming manages 20,000 acres of almonds, pistachios, processing to- matoes, garlic, wheat and cotton across California’s Central Valley from Arvin in Kern County to west of the Chico
A cover crop of flowers in almond orchard at Gemperle Farms, where co-owner Christine Gemperle says she is hoping the plantings can “provide a healthy and safe environment” for bee populations.
area. As part of its operations, it now additionally grows over 350 acres of bee habitat and cover crops to support con- servation efforts. “It’s taken some getting used to, but we haven’t had any real issues with it,” Allbright said. Large hedgerow plants are planted in open ground throughout orchards, Allbright said. There are about a dozen species of plants that bloom for the ben- efit of native pollinators.
Allbright said the cost of establishing the permanent habitat remains “very high.” There are expenses for plants, la- bor, pipe and drip lines, as well as the water to sustain the plants. “In the permanent habitat locations, we do spend a significant amount on weeding costs,” Allbright said. Some plantings are in grasslands that he said can be “very aggressive and will overtake the plants until they’re estab- lished. They may be native to the area
See BEES, Page 11
SERVICES OFFERED TO FARM EMPLOYERS
Labor Management Consultant Let a FELS Labor Management Consultant (LMC) be your bilingual, bicultural HR compliance advisor; a “bridge” to your workers. Access to FELS Employer Hotline and FELS.net Answers to YOUR labor law questions are only a phone call or mouse-click away. FELS Group Legal Services Plan One hour of FREE legal advice, additional hours at the low FELS subscriber rate. 20% discount on Forms and Supplies Including Employment Notices, Books and Laminated Posters
Serving Agricultural Employers since 1970 LET FELS HELP YOU COMPLY
For more information, contact Farm Employers Labor Service
2600 River Plaza Drive Sacramento, CA 95833 (800) 753-9073
info@fels.net www.fels.net
Document your compliance with statutory requirements and avoid costly lawsuits.
An affiliated company of the California Farm Bureau
10 Ag Alert March 9, 2022
OPTIMAL CROP NUTRITION DOESN’T GET ANY EASIER THAN THIS Harvest More ® Urea Mate is the simplified pathway to advanced crop nutrition all season long.
Vast plantings near almond orchards at Woolf Farming help sustain bee populations. The opera- tion grows over 350 acres of bee habitat and cover crops, seeking to protect native pollinators.
Bees Continued from Page 10
Both ranches participate in Blue Diamond’s Water for Bees program. Buckets of water are placed close to hives so that bees do not have to forage for wa- ter at a distance. He said necessity prompted his in- terest in cover cropping because of a struggling orchard. His orchardmanag- er advised him to foster “life in the soil.” He began to research YouTube videos to learn what cover crops could do for soil health. “I jumped down the big rabbit hole of soil health at that time and looked into regenerative agriculture and how cover crops can improve the health of the soil, and the trees should be healthy as well,” Rishwain said. He beganby planting inhalf of both or- chards. He then scaled up to full planting of all the rows. He believes challenges from navel or- angeworm are reduced with cover crops, evenifhecan’t confirmadirect correlation. Rishwain recently switched some of his cover crops toearlier-bloomingplants that include mustard and radish. He de- scribed it all as a learning experience, saying he is fascinated by the environ- ment he is nurturing. “You can just walk through the or- chard,” he said, “andyoucan see andhear all the life inside that cover cropwhen it is at full bloom and bees are active.” (Denni s Pol lock i s a repor t er in F r e s no . He ma y b e c on t a c t e d a t agcompollock@yahoo.com.)
bees were plagued by colony collapse and beekeepers were struggling to bring in healthy colonies. “I wanted to make sure I had a good relationship with my beekeeper and that I was at the top of his list every year,” she said. “I knew I needed to pro- vide something other people may not have. I need to provide a healthy and safe environment.” She started by planting the cover out- side the orchard, around its periphery and on the canal that went through it. She then put the cover through the orchard af ter real izing i ts blooms would not compete with those of her almond trees. She has experiment- ed with when and what to plant. She plants mustard, an ear ly bloomer, in every other row so she can move equipment through the orchard. She said covers have helped with soil penetration from rains, cutting down on standing water. Earthworm activity has picked up, the cover suppresses weeds and the soil holds moisture better. “It’s like a livingmulch,” she said. There is less evaporative loss of water. She said it takes patience to see the benefits that come over time. Chris Rishwain is an orchard manag- er for J&R Ranches and French Camp Ranch near Manteca. He manages 150 acres of almonds in San Joaquin County, 80 of whichhave beenplantedwith cover crops over the past four years.
Optimum plant nutrition 1 product, 11 key nutrients Research-proven, positive yield response HARVEST MORE UREA MATE
STOLLERUSA.COM
cafb
A298805
A298805
Study says helping habitat can benefit birds and farms
is understand how to take advantage of the benefits while reducing the harms. Growerswill tell you it’s impossible tokeep birds off your farm—you can’t do that and don’twant tofromaconservationperspec- tive. So how can we take advantage of the services birds provide?” The study is one of several publications fromUCDavis ProfessorDaniel Karp’s lab highlighting the environmental, agricul- tural andfoodsafety impactsof conserving bird habitat around farms. Arelated study in2020 found that farms with natural habitat attracted more in-
sect-eating birds—and fewer strawber- ry-eating birds—so that farmers expe- rience less berry damage on farms with more habitat nearby. Such habitats also bring greater numbers of bird species to the landscape. “All together, these studies suggest that farming landscapes with natural habitat tend to be good for conservation, farmers and public health,” Karp said. (This article was originally published by theUniversityofCaliforniaAgricultureand Natural Resources.)
Asupportiveenvironment canbringout the best in an individual—even for a bird. After an E.coli outbreak in 2006 devas- tated the spinach industry, farmers were pressured to remove natural habitat to keep wildlife—and the foodborne patho- gens they can sometimes carry—from visiting crops. A study by the University of California, Davis, shows that farms with surrounding natural habitat experience themostbenefits frombirds, including less crop damage and lower food-safety risks. The study, published last month in the Journal ofAppliedEcology,wasconducted at 21 strawberry fields along California’s Central Coast. It found that birds were more likely tocarrypathogensandeat ber- ries without surrounding natural habitat. Theauthors saidabetterunderstanding of the interplay of farming practices, the landscape and the roles birds play in eco- systems can help growers make the most out of wild birds near their fields. “Birdcommunities respond to changes in the landscape,” said lead author Elissa Olimpi, a postdoctoral scholar in the UC Davis Department of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology at the time of the study. “As birds shift in response toman- agement, so do the costs and benefits they provide.” The study lookedat howdifferent farm- ing practices influenced the costs and benefits that wild birds provided on the strawberry farms. The scientists combined nearly 300 bird surveys and the molecular analyses of more than 1,000 fecal samples from55 bird species to determine which birds ate pests, beneficial insects and crops, and carried foodborne pathogens. They also ranked birds to see which weremore likely to bring benefits or costs to farmlands. Barn swallows, for instance, got a “gold star” in the study, Olimpi said. Theirmudnestsarecommonlyseencling- ing to the underside of barn eaves, from which they fly out to swoop over fields, foraging on insects. But rather than resulting in a list of “good” and “bad” birds, the study found Workshop set on grapes, drought Grape growers and other wine indus- try members interested in grape produc- tion and water management in vineyards are invited to a University of California Cooperative Extension workshop on grapevine drought preparedness. The workshop will be held in person April 1, inHopland. Sessionswill coverwa- ter management for red and white grape composition, nutrient conditions during drought, heatwavedamageandusing sat- ellite data to improve irrigation. Registration is $50 and includes a full day of live instruction from UCCE viti- culture and grapevine experts. Lunch will be provided. Formoreinformationandtoregister, vis- it https://ucanr.edu/sites/ShortCourse17.
that most bird species brought both costs and benefits to farms, depending on how the landscapewasmanaged. The presence of natural habitat was the singlemost important driver differentiat- ing a farmwhere wild birds brought more benefits than harm. “Nature is messy, and birds are com- plex,” Olimpi said. “The best we can do
Protect your grapes from powdery mildew with Gatten® CA Fungicide. With its unique mode of action (U13), Gatten CA is an excellent rotational option for resistance management programs in grapes. What’s more, it controls powdery mildew resistant to DMI and QoI fungicides. Gatten CA inhibits the powdery mildew pathogen from absorbing nutrients from the host plant, making it impossible for the pathogen to grow
and expand. And the translaminar movement of Gatten CA on the leaf surface provides improved protection and control, especially in dense canopies. So, if you want to protect your grapes and break the life cycle of powdery mildew, get Gatten CA Fungicide and let your crop shine.
©2022 Nichino America, Inc. All rights reserved. Gatten is a registered trademark of OAT Agrio Co., Ltd. Nichino America is a registered trademark of Nichino America, Inc. The Fujiichi-mark is a trademark of Nihon Nohyaku Co., Ltd. Always read and follow all label directions. Refer to global MRL database for current established tolerances: https://www.globalmrl.com/db#query | 888-740-7700 | www.nichino.net
March 9, 2022 Ag Alert 13
Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24 Page 25 Page 26 Page 27 Page 28Powered by FlippingBook