Ag Alert. January 18, 2023

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.

U.S. farm economy Vilsack wants to help farmers bolster income

Soil nitrogen Updated test helps small-grain growers

Page 3

Page 7

www.cfbf.com • www.agalert.com JANUARY 18, 2023

Field Crops ® Vegetables ®

special reports

By Ching Lee Even with eggs in short supply nation- wide and prices climbing to new heights, it has not been enough to keep a 100-year- old egg farm from going out of business. John Lewis Jr., president of Farmer John Egg Farm in Bakersfield, confirmed that the family operation will close its doors by the end of the month. The move comes as commercial poultry farms across the country have been pummeled by avian influenza, which has led to bird losses top- ping 57 million and shoppers facing sticker shock on eggs. But Lewis said the family isn’t calling it quits because of impacts from avian influ- enza. He said they’re pulling out because they can’t afford the cost of going cage-free, now required by state law. Retrofitting the farm, he said, would cost $4 million to $5 million, and “we didn’t have the money.” “They’re telling me to clear out my desk,” Lewis said. “I’m very disappointed because I have a lot of employees. They’re working to the end, and then I guess un- employment and look for a new job.” At 75, Lewis has been in the egg busi- ness for 50 years and would “still rather be a farmer…rather be out there in the chicken coop.” The farm once maintained 300,000 egg layers but stopped production last year when Proposition 12, the cage- free mandate, went into effect. Its facilities have since sat idle as the farm changed its business from producing eggs to strictly selling eggs from other farms. As a distributor, Lewis said he has been short on eggs “all the time,” as avian influ- enza ravaged U.S. egg farms, leaving him unable to get the egg sizes he wants and enough eggs to supply his customers. As the shortage got worse, he said he was paying $6 a dozen and selling them for $7, which “doesn’t cover the margin.” He said he expects California will remain short on eggs until all major U.S. egg farms go cage- free and can sell their eggs in the state. See EGGS, Page 15 State egg supplies limited by avian flu, cage-free rule

Storms bring water and havoc to farms Ken Mitchell of Elk Grove inspects a giant oak tree, felled by flooding and strong winds, which crushed part of the Mitchell family’s walnut orchard.

By Caleb Hampton Historic storms have hammered California for more than two weeks, caus- ing widespread flooding, road closures, power outages and evacuations in numer- ous counties. As the state received roughly five times its average rainfall, the deluge offered wa- ter relief for drought-stricken farmlands.

But the storms also inflicted a harsh toll on agriculture. Since Dec. 31, showers, mudslides and fierce winds ruined thousands of acres of crops, flooding vegetable fields with filthy water and wreaking havoc on orchards. In Sacramento County, a row of tow- ering oak trees, planted as a property boundary, stood for over a hundred years

before flood waters and “horrific” winds brought seven of them crashing into Ken and Charlotte Mitchell’s walnut orchard in Elk Grove. The oaks crushed more than a dozen nut trees, each of them a long-term investment worth thousands of dollars. “An onslaught of water came down the Cosumnes River and went over the

See STORMS, Page 11

n e w s p a p e r

Comment.......................................2 Field Crops...............................7-8 Vegetables........................... 13-14 Classifieds........................... 18-19 Inside

Published by

Farmers show they are ‘a force to be reckoned with’

By Zippy Duvall Just five years ago, Hurricane Maria devastated the island of Puerto Rico. Eighty percent of the crops were de- stroyed. Buildings were flattened. As aid came in, there was a problem. Federal aid was mainly going to larger farms. We stepped up to lend a hand and advo- cate for our family here, and aid started flowing to all farms— large and small. Zippy Duvall Across the island, farmers saw what Farm Bureau could do. Since then, Puerto Rico Farm Bureau membership has more than doubled. Hard times show us who our true friends are. We stand with you by equip- ping you with skills to be the best advo- cates in the country. We are a force to be reckoned with. Last year, you sent more than 38,000 messages to lawmakers and regulators, more than 100 messages each and every day. For example, when the Security Exchange Commission wanted to require all companies to report greenhouse gas emissions in their supply chains, we knew it would have big effects on our farms. That rule could have meant more red tape and confusing paperwork. Farm Bureau mem- bers generated nearly 5,000 messages to the SEC, and we got their attention. When the threat loomed of increased taxes through changes to stepped-up ba- sis, you sent more than 7,000 messages to Congress sharing how those changes could devastate family farms.

Issue No. 2 is labor. The lack of workers is holding back agriculture. It’s holding back American businesses. It’s holding back our rural communities. The third issue is sustainability. We’ve had some awesome success ensuring new programs are in line with our policies. Congress passed the SUSTAINS Act and a revised Growing Climate Solutions Act to help implement voluntary, market-driven programs on our farms. Farmers are innovators. We’re always looking for ways to do better by our land. We’re taking back the narrative. We’re demonstrating our commitment to our soil, to our water and to the air we all breathe. Here’s the cool thing: The American people trust you and me as farmers. Surveys show they trust us more than the federal government and more than envi- ronmental groups. We need to keep coming to the table, building on that public trust and sharing our story with everyone from Washington lawmakers to our neighbors down the road. When you put together all the things the Farm Bureau family is doing, it is so pow- erful: neighbors helping neighbors; the work we do at all levels of government; our leadership training and advocacy each and every day; sharing your stories and giving back to our communities. That’s what farmers do. We show up. I see the love of farming that binds us together. I am so proud to stand shoul- der to shoulder with you as president of this great organization. God bless the American farmer. (Zippy Duvall is president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. This article was adapted from his Jan. 8 address to the AFBF Annual Convention in Puerto Rico.)

Zippy Duvall, president of the American Farm Bureau Federation, appears on stage for his address at the AFBF Annual Convention in Puerto Rico. He told the crowd, “The American peo- ple trust you and me as farmers.”

And when we issued our action alert on the “waters of the United States” rule last year, you all stood up and made your voices heard. In the first 36 hours, our members sent over 3,800 messages to the Environmental Protection Agency. We took our seat at the table. We hosted roundtables with government agencies. You submitted comments explaining why we needed a rule that was clear, fair and easy to understand. EPA Administrator Michael Regan did attempt to clarify the rules around prior converted cropland, ponds and ditches. But overall, the rule muddies the water. It creates confusion that will require more paperwork, more delays, and yes, more lawyers. We’re not done yet. It’s so important we stay engaged on the issues. Invite members of Congress and their staff out to your farm. One of the recent successes we’ve had is passage of the Ocean Shipping Reform Act. We worked with members on both

sides of the aisle and President Joe Biden to get this bill across the finish line. I hope it will start to fix problems that we’ve seen in ocean shipping the last couple years. It might also help relieve some other price increases we’re experiencing. As I traveled around the country this year visiting your farms and ranches, there are three issues I heard about everywhere. First, the farm bill is critical to American agriculture. We must protect and expand crop insurance. We need to ensure con- servation programs remain voluntary and science based. And we must keep farm policy unified with nutrition policy. When ag and hunger advocates lock arms, we have our best chance of success. There is also a lot of discussion about advancing climate-smart farming practic- es. We are at the table for that discussion through our leadership in the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance. It is import- ant to ensure that any additional resources go to voluntary, market-based programs.

VOL. 50, NO. 3

January 18, 2023

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 Rollin; (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) 561-5573 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 advertised 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

Caleb Hampton- Assistant Editor

Karin Bakotich- Design Services Manager

Paula Erath- Graphic Designer

Nicole Pacheco- Graphic Designer

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 Publication Member

2 Ag Alert January 18, 2023

Vilsack: Prosperity is elusive for too many farms, ranches

Vilsack outlined $3 billion in USDA investments in 141 projects to advance climate-smart farming and forestry prac- tices that he said would help “farmers, ranchers and producers...receive a higher value for their work.” In addition, he cited $7 billion in aid to farmers across the country for financial relief for crop and commodity losses from 2020 and 2021 natural disasters. “We want to create a vibrant and re- silient rural economy,” Vilsack said. “We want to create opportunity for farmers,

not just to depend on a commodity market that can change on a whim but to be able to have three, four, five or six different profit centers operating out of their farm.” He said he wants to help farmers “continue to farm and to be able to say to the next generation and the next generation that they too can have the same opportunity.” (Peter Hecht is chief editor of publications for the California Farm Bureau. He may be reached at phecht@cfbf.com.)

By Peter Hecht U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, addressing the America Farm Bureau Federation’s annual conference last week, described troubling contradictions for farmers who endured soaring produc- tion costs, supply-chain disruptions, nat- ural disasters and more. On one hand, Vilsack noted “the in- credible story of resilience” for the na- tion’s agriculture, which emerged from the pandemic and global economic crises to produce “the two best years of farm income probably in the history of this country” in 2021 and 2022. “American farmers responded to the challenge a number of years ago to con- tinue to produce more, not just for our needs here in the U.S. but also for the needs around the world,” he said. But increasing agricultural produc- tion, Vilsack said, hasn’t translated to increased earnings for the average family farm or ranch. In fact, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service, about half of U.S. farm families had negative farm income. Many, Vilsack said, rely on off- farm income to make ends meet. “As secretary of agriculture, it’s always difficult to know that some are doing incredibly well, and we’re thankful for that,” Vilsack said. “But to know that 50% or more of our farm families had nega- tive farm income in a time of record farm profits suggests to me that we need to do more. We need to create more opportu- nities, more revenue streams, more mar- kets, more help.” In a wide-ranging speech in Puerto Rico at the gathering of America’s largest agricultural organization, Vilsack out- lined multiple steps USDA is undertaking to boost opportunities and earnings for farmers and ranchers. He said the intent is “to make American agriculture not just the most productive in the world—as it is—but also profitable. Not for many, but for all.” Specifically, Vilsack cited the Biden ad- ministration’s $500 million initiative that seeks to boost the U.S. domestic fertilizer industry in the wake of the Russian inva- sion of Ukraine. That conflict triggered global shortfalls in fertilizer supplies, inflating costs and diminishing profits for farmers. “Your world was turned upside down... because it disrupted our capacity to re- ceive important inputs,” Vilsack told the AFBF gathering. Vilsack said an initial $88 million is being invested in 21 potential projects that target companies that make prod- uct in America and that use “innovative approaches that would be sustainable and, most importantly, would be farmer focused to make sure that we’re hitting the mark.” He said the effort is intended to create “new sources of income, new market opportunities and reduced input costs based on (being) made in America.”

Vilsack promoted USDA efforts to expand competition in the meat in- dustry to create new revenue streams for small livestock ranchers. He cited 22 projects to build new or expanded meat processing facilities to create an “opportunity for better bargains and better choices for consumers and better income for farmers.”

BOOST YOUR PEST CONTROL

NEW FAST-ACTING INSECTICIDE FOR VEGETABLES NOW APPROVED FOR USE IN CALIFORNIA

Help keep aphids, thrips, and whiteflies out of vegetable crops with NEW Senstar ® Insecticide from Valent U.S.A. With two effective modes of action, Senstar provides stellar control against soft-bodied insects, protecting vegetables from unwanted invasions. Quickly eliminate harmful insects at all life stages — including eggs — with the next-level power of Senstar . Ask your local retailer or visit Valent.com/Senstar to learn more.

Scan Code to

Learn More

Products That Work, From People Who Care® | valent.com | 800-6-VALENT (682-5368) Always read and follow label instructions. Products That Work, From People Who Care and Senstar are registered trademarks of Valent U.S.A. LLC. ©2022 Valent U.S.A. LLC. All rights reserved.

January 18, 2023 Ag Alert 3

From The Fields ®

From the Fields is a firsthand report featuring insights from farmers and ranchers across the Golden State, including members of the California Farm Bureau. If you would like to be a contributor to From the Fields, submit your name, county of membership and contact information to agalert@cfbf.com.

Photo/Ching Lee

Photo/Richard Green

Al Medvitz Solano County sheep rancher and vineyard owner

Kevin Merrill Santa Barbara County winegrape grower

Pasture conditions are very wet. At this time of year, we’re really waiting for the grass- es to grow. They’re not very prolific now, but they are growing a little bit. We’re using a lot of our supplemental feed from our alfalfa stash that we grew last year. Pastures look very promising now with all the rain. In fact, we won’t have enough sheep to keep up with it. If the pastures are good enough, we can then harvest some of that as hay for next year. The fleece of sheep is rich in lanolin, so it’s water repellent. They don’t get soaking wet. They’re fine in the rain. The major issue when it gets wet like this is the health of their feet. Sheep could get foot rot from the mud. We take the necessary precautions; we trim their feet and run them through a foot bath. We don’t know what’s going on with prices, as they’ve fallen. We did very well last year on everything. Prices were very good on our lambs, and they stayed that way. We did very well, but we did not increase our flock; we keep it at about 1,600. We heard prices are going up again, but they’ve come down to more historic levels. We are leasing out the management of our winegrapes to another family. They have established their own brands and have done very well. They make a couple of very nice pinot noir products, a rosé and a bubbly. We’re looking to expand. We’re working on es- tablishing a reservoir because during the dry season, the Sacramento River gets salty, making the water not usable for grapes. We’re going to put in a reservoir so that we can capture water from the river during the winter when it’s not salty and blend it with our groundwater in the summer so that we have a good water supply for the grapes.

Along the Central Coast where I am particularly, we got over 6 inches of rain in one day. While that is great for the vineyard and the vines, it is a little much at one time. Things held up as well as they could. We are fixing places that have eroded. Where we had a few issues is where we’re developing new vineyards. The ground is open and prone to erosion, so we are battling that. You’re always susceptible when you put in a new orchard. We’re dealing with that, hoping that we don’t get a huge deluge. We hope this doesn’t exacerbate what’s already there, but we’ll put them back together. We’ve been through it before. We’re getting all the infrastructure in, the irrigation pipes and trellis systems. We’re able to get into the field. We started pruning crews. We’re a little behind but not much. We’ve gotten so used to not having any rain that you forget that sometimes you have pruning crews that work a couple of days and they’re off for the rain and they come back. We’ve forgotten that over the last five or six years, but we’ll work around that. The best news is we’re getting the rain, and we really need it. We’re looking at a better year marketwise. The market is stabilizing a little bit, and we are seeing a demand. Hopefully, the demand for fruit is up after going through the smoke taint a few years ago. We had a short year last year; it was a less-than-average crop, which is good for supply. We are extremely happy to get the rain and that we’re starting to get these reser- voirs going. Cachuma Lake is spilling again, and that is just great.

Brandon Fawaz Siskiyou County farmer

We’re not seeing near the water here that the rest of the state has seen. What we are getting is going to the ocean and some soaking in. We are experiencing what feels like a lot of rain, but realis- tically, it is probably somewhat close to a normal year that we would have received years ago. Right now, we have a lot of water going to the ocean and not staying around for beneficial uses, whether it is for agriculture or anything later in the season. Because our river system was designed by the Army Corps of Engineers to effectively drain Scott Valley because Scott Valley used to be wet and marshy, engineers made changes in the river so that it would drain, and the system is doing a good job draining. On the north end of the valley, even though we’ve had good rain, we’re still not seeing any of the creeks run yet. Farmers are looking now to start locking in fertilizer for the upcoming season. The fertilizer market has taken a dip, maybe not as large as some hoped, but it is time to start moving forward. There’s a lot of decisions to be made on what type of crops we’re going to plant, and for some, this will be balanced a little bit with seed availability. There is limited seed availability for cereal grains, which is what we use for a rotation crop. I suspect the lack of seed is because of the water restrictions and pressure on oth- er parts of the state. We had reduced crop yield due to water restrictions last summer, but the price on our hay has been strong, so farmers are optimistic going into the new year. Anytime you have rain happening and a de- cent commodity price, it’s a good feeling.

Photo/Courtesy Brandon Fawaz

4 Ag Alert January 18, 2023

Jeremy Jensen Los Angeles County beekeeper

We are rapidly approaching almond pollination. It’s the biggest time of year for bee- keepers and a busy time for almond growers. Traditionally, all of the bees are placed into orchards by the second week in February. Right now, we’re grading hives. When we move into the orchard, we want all of the bees to grade at an average of about eight frames. We’re making sure everyone’s on track, and we’ve got lots of bees in the box. For the first time in the collective memory, from the early reports, there’s an excess of bees on the market. The price of almonds is down. Almond growers are struggling to make a profit, and bees are one of their biggest costs. Beekeepers are looking to find pollination contracts. Some of the places that I’ve gone in the past are losing acreage, and they need fewer bees than they did last year. Us small guys, we’re clamoring to find a place for our hives. As for as almond pollination, some of the fields that we go to are going to be flooded. We’ll see how it is getting into the fields and if we’re even able to do that depending on location. Along with the rain and bee yards and orchards being flooded, some of the passes are closed. We are curious about what it’s going to look like trying to get bees into the state and how this mass migration is going to work. There’s a lot in the air right now. It’s a nervous time for the industry. A lot of us that don’t yet have a pollination contract are holding our breath to see where this shakes out. Are we going to get calls at the 11th hour from growers saying, “Our bee guy didn’t show up from Nebraska.” We’re so thankful for the rain. It looks like we’re going to have a little bit of honey pro- duction on the coast this year, and that’s really exciting.

Photo/Courtesy Jeremy Jensen

Keep what's above our land safe by understanding what's below. Call 811 Before You Dig

January 18, 2023 Ag Alert 5

California Farm Bureau proudly endorses Nationwide ® for insurance and financial services

Farm Bureau thanks the following Nationwide ® agents * for their support

ALTURAS BILL MADISON - MODOC INSURANCE SERVICES 530-233-3432

CHOWCHILLA PACIFIC AG INSURANCE 559-665-3434 #0C84245 CITRUS HEIGHTS MURRAYS COUNTRYSIDE INSURANCE SERVICES INC. 916-659-9030 # 0H85347 CLEMENTS MURRAYS COUNTRYSIDE INSURANCE SERVICES INC. 209-727-2083 # 0H85347 CLOVIS DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS #0E02096 COLUSA CCI INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. 530-458-8831 #0I13157 COLUSA G. STAN KEARBY INSURANCE INSURANCE 559-323-6787 INSURANCE 530-458-5464 #0603247 CORCORAN PACIFIC AG INSURANCE 559-992-1245 #084245 CRESCENT CITY WESTERN VALLEY INSURANCE ASSOCIATES, INC. 707-465-5999 #0649647 DINUBA DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS AGENCY, INC. 530-458-5148 #0565882 COLUSA GEORGE PETERSEN

FRESNO DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS

MERCED FLUETSCH & BUSBY

RIO VISTA WRAITH, SCARLETT & RANDOLPH INSURANCE 707-374-6309 #0B48084 ROSEVILLE INTERWEST INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC 916-784-1008 #0B01094 SACRAMENTO INTERWEST INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC 916-488-3100 #0B01094 SALINAS BAY AND BASIN INSURANCE 831-771-5344 bayandbasinins.com #6005770 SAN LUIS OBISPO DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS INSURANCE 805-593-1400 #0E02096 SANTA CRUZ DCD INSURANCE 831-423-8542 #0757716 SANTA ROSA GEORGE PETERSEN INSURANCE 707-525-4150 #0603247 SANTA ROSA INTERWEST INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC 707-526-1195 #0B01094 SHINGLE SPRINGS MURRAYS COUNTRYSIDE INSURANCE SERVICES INC. 530-676-6442 #0H85347 STOCKTON SANGUINETTI & CO INSURANCE BROKERS 800-350-7700 #0552394 TAFT DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS INSURANCE 551-765-7131 #0E02096 TRACY DENNIS ALEGRE INS. AGENCY, INC. 209-835-7663 #0E44203 TULARE HOOPER, SPUHLER & STURGEON, INSURANCE 559-686-3442

TURLOCK WESTERN VALLEY INSURANCE ASSOCIATES, INC. 209-634-9031 #0649647 TURLOCK WINTON-IRELAND, STROM & GREEN INS AGENCY 209-667-0995 #0596517 UKIAH GEORGE PETERSEN INSURANCE 707-462-8615 #0603247 WALNUT CREEK INTERWEST INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC. 925-977-4100 #0B01094 WALNUT GROVE MEYER & COOK INSURANCE

INSURANCE 559-432-0222

INSURANCE 209-722-1541

#0551952 ALTURAS DOLBY INSURANCE SERVICES 530-233-2616 #055006 ANGELS CAMP SANGUINETTI & CO. INSURANCE BROKERS-A 209-736-2200 #0552394 APTOS SCURICH INSURANCE SERVICES 831-661-5697 #0436405 AUBURN GEORGE PETERSEN INSURANCE 530-823-3733 #0603247 BAKERSFIELD CLIFFORD & BRADFORD INSURANCE 661-283-8100 #0673141 BAKERSFIELD DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS INSURANCE 661-322-9993 #0E02096 BAKERSFIELD WALTER MORTENSEN INSURANCE/INSURICA CA 661-834-6222 #0D44424 CALIFORNIA MURRAYS COUNTRYSIDE INSURANCE SERVICES INC. 800-210-3276 #0H85347 CAMARILLO GIMLIN & UDY INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 805-987-3883 #0F50015 CHICO AVRIT INSURANCE AGENCY 530-891-1302 #0F06687 CHICO DAHLMEIER INSURANCE AGENCY INC. 530-342-6421 #0F89850 CHICO INTERWEST INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC. 530-895-1010 #0B01094 CHICO SWEENEY & SELLAND INSURANCE SERVICES 530-487-8200 #8421174 CHOWCHILLA LEYH INSURANCE AGENCY 559-665-1309 #0D51332

#0E02096 GUSTINE

#0358327 MERCED INTERWEST INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC. 209-723-9181 #0B01094 MODESTO DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS INSURANCE 209-578-0183 #0E02096 MODESTO WINTON-IRELAND,STROM & GREEN INS AGENCY 209-529-3480 #0596517 OAKDALE BASI INS. SERVICES, INC. 209-847-3065 #0E28876 OAKDALE STEWART KRIESE INSURANCE #0F60672 ORLAND HUTSON INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 530-865-3801 #0H65133 OROVILLE DAHLMEIER INSURANCE AGENCY INC. 530-533-3424 #0F89850 OROVILLE FUGATE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 530-533-2860 INSURANCE 805-988-8810 #0E02096 PETALUMA DON RAMATICI INSURANCE INC. 707-782-9200 #0449871 PETALUMA INTERWEST INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC 707-794-7400 #0B01094 PORTERVILLE WALTER MORTENSEN INSURANCE/ INSURICA CA 559-781-5200 AGENCY INC. 209-847-8025 #0E28867 OXNARD DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS

RICO, PFITZER & PIRES INSURANCE AGENCY 209-854-2000 #0499798 HANFORD JAMES G. PARKER INSURANCE & ASSOCIATES 559-589-2221 #0554959 HANFORD PACIFIC AG INSURANCE 559-584-3391 #611681 HOLLISTER DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS INSURANCE 831-637-8880 #0E02096 HOLLISTER INTERWEST INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC 831-636-4919 #0B01094 HOLTVILLE COOPERSWEST INSURANCE AGENCY 760-356-2986 #0E32771 LIVE OAK BUTTES INSURANCE AGENCY 530-695-2151 #0530743 LIVINGSTON WALTER MORTENSEN INSURANCE/ INSURICA CA 209-353-2700 #0D44424 LIVINGSTON WINTON-IRELAND,STROM & GREEN INS AGENCY 209-394-7925 #0596517 LODI DIBUDUO & DEFENDIS INSURANCE 209-340-5400 #0E02096 LOS BANOS WESTERN VALLEY INSURANCE ASSOCIATES, INC. 209-826-5667 #0649647 MANTECA BASI INS. SERVICES, INC. 209-823-6886 #0E28876 MARYSVILLE GALLIGAN & ASSOCIATES 530-742-3243 #0426559 MERCED BARLOCKER INSURANCE SERVICES 209-383-0220 #134714

AGENCY, LLC 916-776-1751

#0D48062 WILLOWS DAHLMEIER INSURANCE

AGENCY INC. 530-934-3361

#0F89850 WILLOWS HUTSON INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 530-934-7500 #0H65133 WOODLAND ARMSTRONG & ASSOCIATES INS. SERVICES 530-668-2777 #0B50501 WOODLAND INTERWEST INSURANCE SERVICES, LLC. 530-661-1300 #0B01094 WOODLAND JACK CRAMER INSURANCE 530-662-1076 #0684453 WOODLAND WRAITH, SCARLETT & RANDOLPH INSURANCE 530-662-9181 #0B48084 YUBA CITY G. STAN KEARBY INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 530-674-3430 #0565882 YUBA CITY GALLIGAN & ASSOCIATES 530-671-4841 #0426559 YUBA CITY MURRAYS COUNTRYSIDE INSURANCE SERVICES INC. 530-645-6259 # 0H85347 YUBA CITY ROSE INSURANCE AGENCY, INC. 530-673-8862 #0553715

INSURANCE 559-591-1443

#0E02096 EUREKA GEORGE PETERSEN INSURANCE 707-442-2971 #0603247 FERNDALE GEORGE PETERSEN

INSURANCE 707-786-9721

#0603247 FRESNO BARLOCKER INSURANCE SERVICES 559-431-3380 #0134713 FRESNO CONSOLIDATED INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. 559-864-0150 #0443515 FRESNO DALENA/BENIK & ASSOCIATES 559-448-9580 #253862

#0D44424 REDDING GEORGE PETERSEN

#0G55489 TURLOCK CRIVELLI INSURANCE SERVICES 209-668-3319 #0F04129

INSURANCE 530-244-9400

#0603247 REDDING ROBERSON AND SONS INSURANCE SERVICES, INC. 800-801-0942 #0C66781

* Agents: Want to show your support of Farm Bureau? Call CAFB at 916-561-5570 to learn how to participate in future ads.

CALIFORNIA

Field Crops A SPECIAL GROWERS’ REPORT OF AG ALERT ®

Having current information on nitrogen levels in soil is key for wheat growers because concentrations vary widely in the growing season. Quick tests can help farmers know when more nitrogen is needed.

Updated nitrate test can assist small-grain growers By Vicky Boyd

The soil quick test was not designed as a stand-alone assay, Nelsen said. Instead, it was intended to be part of a suite of nitrogen management tools that pair plant nitrogen sufficiency measurements based on nitrogen-rich reference strips with the soil quick test measurement. The quick test, which can be performed in the field, gives producers and CCAs an accurate real-time estimate of the amount of soil nitrate-nitrogen—a nitrogen form usually most available to plants. Having up-to-date information is important because soil nitrate concentrations can change significantly as the season progresses, bringing about variations in soil moisture levels and plant nitrogen demand. Much of the state’s wheat crop is planted in late fall. Because the plants don’t grow much over the winter, they use only about 20% to 25% of their total nitrogen require- ments before the start of stem elongation—a critical growth stage when the heads begin to form deep in the main stem. This is when growers follow up with in-season nitrogen applications referred to as topdressing. Depending on growers’ goals and cultural practices, Nelsen said they may make possibly one to several topdress applications. By conducting the quick test shortly before topdressing, growers can determine

University of California researchers have updated a soil nitrogen quick test orig- inally developed for lettuce in the 1990s to make it more applicable to the state’s small-grain producers. Not only can the nitrate test potentially save small-grain growers the cost of unneces- sary nitrogen applications, but it also can help maximize fertilizer efficiency and minimize nitrogen losses, said Taylor Nelsen, a UC Davis research scientist. “The growers we worked with and the people we surveyed through our three-year FREP (Fertilizer Research and Education Program) grant said this was one of the most useful tools,” she said. Konrad Mathesius, UC Cooperative Extension agronomy advisor for Sacramento, Solano and Yolo counties, agreed, saying growers and certified crop advisors overall have been receptive. “It’s really a positive tool that can save people a lot of money, and I think they just need a chance to get used to it,” said Mathesius, who was part of the FREP project. “It’s not just a feel-good thing. This is like real cash, especially now with nitrogen prices.” In addition, reducing potential nitrate leaching into surface water and groundwater has become more important as the Irrigated Lands Management Program now requires growers to annually report nitrogen efficiency practices.

See NITROGEN, Page 8

January 18, 2023 Ag Alert 7

Nitrogen Continued from Page 7

high probability that additional nitrogen would increase yields. The researchers followed up their initial research with a three-year FREP demonstration project that compared growers’ standard practices to plots managed according to a suite of ni- trogen-management tools, including the quick test. The Natural Resources Conservation Service also was involved. What the researchers found was con- verting quick test results into a form growers and CCAs could readily use was cumbersome, so Nelsen developed a simple web-based application to do the work. The app includes a map that users click on to record their sample site loca- tion. It automatically loads site-specific soil bulk density, a soil property. Users then input the test strip color score, and the app converts the values into an ap- proximate nitrate fertilizer equivalent in pounds per acre. “We tried to make it as easy as possi- ble,” Nelsen said. In addition, the team compiled step- by-step guides and YouTube instruc- tional quick test videos as well as a list of suppliers for test materials at UC’s small grain nutrient management website, https://bit.ly/3ZHhogf. (Vicky Boyd is a reporter in Modesto. She may be contacted at vlboyd@att.net.)

whether they’ll need more nitrogen to maximize crop yield potential or whether the soil has an ample supply and they can forgo an application, she said. “Some found they had nothing there,” Nelsen said of growers collaborating in the FREP project. “Their regular fertiliz- er practices were pretty much what they needed. Others—if they followed toma- toes—had a lot of residual nitrate from the previous crop, and they didn’t need to topdress it.” To conduct the quick test, growers or CCAs collect at least 10 to 20 soil samples from the top 12 inches of representative areas of a field and put them in a clean 5-gallon bucket, breaking up clods and mixing the soil. Then they add one teaspoon per gallon of calcium chloride to a jug of purified water. From there, they pour three parts of the solution into a clean 500-millili- ter—roughly 16-ounce—sample bottle followed by one part soil. After shaking the bottle vigorously for at least three minutes based on a timer, users let it settle for two to five minutes before dipping a WaterWorks nitrate and nitrite test strip into the top, clear portion of the solution and letting it wick up. After about 60 seconds, the strip turns a shade of light pink to magenta. By

University of California Cooperative Extension researchers developed a rapid test to obtain nitrate scores to help growers determine if they’ll need more nitrogen to maximize crop yield.

matching the color to a chart on the test strip bottle, users obtain a nitrate parts- per-million score. Research into updating the soil quick test was conducted from 2014 to 2019 by a large team led by UCCE grain cropping systems specialist Mark Lundy. The researchers collected more than 300 soil samples from 19 site-year tests across the state’s small-grain production regions to reflect variations in soil types

and production practices, Nelsen said. Using the test previously developed by UC vegetable specialist Tim Hartz for let- tuce, they found his 20 parts-per-million nitrate threshold also was applicable to small grains. If quick test results were more than 20 ppm, odds were slim that additional nitrogen applications would result in a yield increase. Conversely, if the results were below the threshold, there was a

FEBRUARY 14 - 15, 2023 SAFE CREDIT UNION CONVENTION CENTER SACRAMENTO, CA

COMING SOON An all-new season of California Bountiful TV! ful TV!

“I’m excited to share the stories of farmers and ranchers from my home state with you!”

100+ Industry Leading Exhibitors with Fantastic Networking Opportunities Breakout Topics Energy/Climate Change, Food Safety Labor Update , Packaging Recycling Water, & Workers Safety

Introducing host AUBREY AQUINO

The new season begins Feb. 25. Watch our website for the schedule, including additional markets where the show will be aired. californiabountiful.com

8 Ag Alert January 18, 2023

Yolo County YF&Rs among nation’s top for excellence

ing in agriculture, including participa- tion and leadership in Farm Bureau and other organizations. “It is exciting for sure and a great cap- stone to our nearly 18 years of involve- ment, and Miranda and I were excited to represent California,” Garrett Driver said. “We have accomplished a lot in our 35 years. We hope to continue many more. “We couldn’t have done it without the support of our family, county and state Farm Bureaus and certainly the Young Farmers & Ranchers program. This is a

huge win for all of California Farm Bureau.” The Drivers, who live in Woodland with their son, Grant, own and operate MGD Farms, farming row crops in the Sutter Basin and providing custom work. In ad- dition to their farming operation, Garrett is the North American supply chain manager for Nuseed and Miranda is an owner and founder of CalAgJobs and AmericanAgJobs, where she manages day-to-day operations. As finalists, the Drivers receive a $2,500

Two California Young Farmers & Ranchers are national honorees for excel- lence in agriculture . Yolo County farmers Garrett and Miranda Driver were finalists in a com- petion sponsored by the American Farm Bureau Federation, with awards present- ed during the organization’s Jan. 6-11

convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico. At the event last week, the Drivers placed third overall for the YF&R’s Excellence in Agriculture Award. The prize recognizes young farmers and ranchers who do not derive the majority of their income from agricultural operations but who actively contribute and grow through their involv-

See YF&R, Page 16

See one of these dealers for a demonstration John Deere Dealers

Belkorp Ag, LLC Merced, CA Modesto, CA Santa Rosa, CA Stockton, CA

Cal-Coast Machinery, Inc. Oxnard, CA

Paso Robles, CA Santa Maria, CA

Fresno Equipment Co. Fresno, CA Kern Machinery, Inc. Bakersfield, CA Buttonwillow, CA Delano, CA Lawrence Tractor Co., Inc. Hanford, CA

Tipton, CA Visalia, CA

Pape Machinery, Inc. Dixon, CA Robbins, CA Woodland, CA

Thomason Tractor Co. of CA Firebaugh, CA

ANY AGE. ANY MAKE. ANY BUDGET.

No matter the age or make of your equipment, the parts counter at your John Deere dealer is the one-stop shop to keep you up and running. With an extensive and always expanding in-stock selection to fit any budget, you can be confident knowing you’re getting the right part at the right price— all backed with the warranties and support you’d expect from your John Deere dealer.

JohnDeere.com/Parts JohnDeere.ca/Parts

Credit Available **

**Subject to John Deere Financial approval. Minimum finance amount may be required. See JohnDeere.ca (or participating dealer) for details.

January 18, 2023 Ag Alert 9

AFBF delegates set policy on milk pricing, farm bill By Christine Souza

Matthew Viohl, associate director of fed- eral policy at the California Farm Bureau, said delegates voted to bring more trans- parency to the federal milk pricing sys- tem. He said most of the dairy resolutions focused on fairer pricing for producers, which should be beneficial to California. “The COVID-19 pandemic highlight- ed some of the core inefficiencies in the existing Federal Milk Marketing Order structure, oftentimes resulting in produc- ers either missing out on increased retail prices or losing out more significantly when prices dropped,” he said. “While these resolutions are only intended to direct AFBF staff, it should give them a better gauge by which to formulate policy aimed at addressing these challenges.” A conversation with U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and results of an FMMO forum hosted by AFBF in October in Kansas City, Mo., served as motivation for policy changes, Viohl said. California milk pricing transitioned to the federal structure on Nov. 1, 2018, after the state order ended and California milk producers, through their dairy cooperatives, approved join- ing the federal order after petitioning USDA. Farm Bureau anticipates USDA will conduct a hearing in 2023 to ad- dress FMMO price formulas and other aspects of the program. Other dairy policy changes include support for more USDA audits of process- ing costs to ensure data remain accurate, and a Federal Milk Marketing Order vot- ing procedure that requires cooperatives to communicate more clearly with mem- bers regarding proposed changes. In addition, Viohl said, the definition of milk continues to be of interest to many dairy-producing states. “The rising prominence of nut-based and other nondairy milks has given consternation to some states that worry about how the USDA and other agencies might utilize these in school and other nutrition programs,” Viohl said. “This is a challenging issue in California as well, given that we are the top-producing dairy state—and also the leading producer of many nuts now utilized for milks.” AFBF delegates voted to endorse mod- ernizing the farm bill by expanding base- line funding, developing more flexible disaster relief programs and extending protection to more specialty crops. AFBF Vice President of Public Policy Sam Kieffer said delegates held conver- sations on national farm policy, “in- cluding being open to expanding the baseline for federal farm bill programs, as well as sending a clear message that we need to be developing more flexi- ble risk management and disaster relief programs, and expanding protection to growers of specialty crops all across the country.” California specialty crop growers are seeking inclusion in more federal pro- grams and support. “Everybody wants to get their foot in the door,” Mitchell said. “The members in the South control the See DELEGATES, Page 16

topics ranged from improving dairy pricing transparency, expanding risk management and battling hunger. “There’s a lot of work to do in 2023 as Congress drafts the next farm bill, and the policies set forth will guide AFBF as we work to ensure farmers and ranch- ers can continue to meet the grow- ing needs of families in America and around the world,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall.

California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson, a Butte County olive and citrus grower, and First Vice President Shannon Douglass, a Glenn County farmer and rancher, served as delegates represent- ing California. They were joined by alter- nate delegates—California Farm Bureau Second Vice President Shaun Crook, a Tuolumne County timber operator, and Ken Mitchell, a turkey and walnut farmer in Sacramento County.

Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 104th Annual Convention, held Jan. 6-11 in San Juan, Puerto Rico, adopted policies to guide the organization’s work during 2023. Policies were discussed and ap- proved by the organization’s House of Delegates, including representatives from all 50 states and Puerto Rico. Key

SAVE THE DATE!

Featuring Commodity Advisory Committee Meetings & Legislative Day Join us in standing up for California’s farmers and ranchers. MARCH 27–29, 2023

Hilton Sacramento Arden West

Join the grassroots process with California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson and special guest speakers.

Premier Partner Thank you to

10 Ag Alert January 18, 2023

Storms Continued from Page 1

After years of drought, the rain is welcome news for farmers of every commodity. This past year, rice farmers in Glenn and Colusa counties received no surface water allocations and were unable to plant rice, while Butte County rice farmers got just half their average allocation. “It’s looking very positive for water de- liveries to happen this year so that a full rice crop can hopefully be planted,” said Colleen Cecil, executive director of the Butte County Farm Bureau. “The water is definitely much needed.” The rain is also replenishing groundwa- ter reserves, which Cecil said will especial- ly benefit the region’s walnut and almond trees. “This precipitation is going to be fan- tastic for groundwater recharge and for our aquifers,” she said. Gratitude for the rainfall was tempered by regret over missed opportunities to cap- ture and store more of it. “It is incredibly frustrating that we’re getting all of this rain and we could have more storage, and we don’t,” Cecil said. Many farmers voiced the same frustra- tion. “If I were to have one complaint, it would be the amount of water that we’re losing into the ocean,” said Bianchi of Sabor Farms. “If we could have this water for July, it would be a godsend.” (Caleb Hampton is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. He may be contacted at champton@cfbf.com.)

banks in a couple places, broke a le- vee and brought a lot of water and de- bris down into the farmland,” Charlotte Mitchell said. In addition to the toppled oaks, winds clocked at more than 60 mph peeled the roof off a building at the fami- ly’s turkey farm. In nearby Yolo County, the rural com- munity of Clarksburg lost power for close to a week, delaying the use of pumps to alleviate flooded row crops. “Most of the wheat in the area is under water,” said Tom Slater, who grows wine- grapes, wheat and alfalfa. “More than like- ly, it’s a complete loss.” Larry Hunn, another Clarksburg farmer, estimated a fifth of his 1,600 acres of wheat and alfalfa flooded. “The longer it stays under water, the more damage there is, and we may ultimately lose it,” he said. On the Central Coast, flooding from the San Lorenzo River engulfed swaths of Santa Cruz County, submerging residen- tial areas and spilling into farmlands. “There’s quite a bit of property un- der water,” said Dick Peixoto, owner of Lakeside Organic Gardens in Watsonville. “We have creeks that ran over, lakes that overfilled and backed up into the fields.” Peixoto estimated he lost a hundred acres of broccoli, cabbage, chard and kale. “I think they’re gone,” he said. “They’ve been underwater for days.” Because flood waters often contain sew- age and other debris, growers are required to destroy crops, including berries, leafy greens and other vegetables, the edible portions of which are exposed to the water. Safety testing after the flooding can delay replanting for weeks. “There’s going to be a lot of fields that will need to be disked under,” said Richard Bianchi, ranch manager at Sabor Farms in San Benito County. “Across the whole area,

Yolo County farm- ers in Clarksburg say they fear much of their winter crop may not survive after several days underwater during recent storms.

there’s a lot of acreage that’s underwater.” In addition to immediate crop losses, Bianchi said continuous rain had caused the ranch to miss plantings for broccoli, cauliflower and lettuce. “All of those should be going in pretty regular right now,” he said. Those plantings would typically be harvested in late April, but “they’re just not going to be there,” Bianchi added. In Monterey County, the Salinas River overflowed its banks and broke through le- vees, flooding agricultural fields through- out the Salinas Valley. Some fields were idle, while others contained strawberries and newly planted vegetables, according to Norm Groot, executive director of the Monterey County Farm Bureau. Meanwhile, parts of Santa Barbara County, where many lemon and avocado trees grow on slopes, saw over 8 inches of rain in a 12-hour period. At Terra Bella Ranches in Goleta, the rain “moved the earth and sloughed the trees off the hill- sides,” said Sheldon Bosio, the farm’s ranch manager. Altogether, he estimated he lost an acre of avocado trees. Field crops in Southern California also suffered. “Driving through Ventura County, you can see many fields are deal- ing with flooding,” said Maureen McGuire, chief executive officer of the Farm Bureau of Ventura County, describing the Oxnard Plains area. “We’re expecting to see pretty

significant crop losses in the vegetable and strawberry industries here.” Despite the destruction, farmers across California expressed optimism. “Thank God for the rain,” said Hunn, the Clarksburg farmer, who grows wheat, alfalfa, process- ing tomatoes, cucumbers and sunflowers. “We need the rain and the snow in the mountains to fill the reservoirs.” According to state data, as of Jan. 11, the Sierra Nevada snowpack was more than double its average for that date and had already exceeded the end-of- season average, typically measured on April 1. As of Friday, the rain had lift- ed much of California out of “extreme drought,” though nearly half the state remained in “severe drought” status. The state’s largest reservoirs rose sig- nificantly, though most remained be- low their historical average.

The U.S. EPA is proposing to make the most significant changes to Rodenticides in 15 years: Cancelling products and crop uses Adding more requirements to the labels Reclassifying some products to Restricted Use Pesticides Make Your Voice Be Heard! Save the Industry!

Nails wish they were as tough as these.

CARSON SOCAL HONDA POWERSPORTS 310-834-6632 www.socalhondapowersports.com

FRESNO CLAWSON MOTORSPORTS 559-435-5020 www.clawsonmotorsports.com

HOLLISTER HOLLISTER POWERSPORTS 831-630-5200 www.hollisterpowersports.com

powersports.honda.com UTILITY ATVs ARE RECOMMENDED FOR RIDERS 16 YEARS AND OLDER. ATVs CAN BE HAZARDOUS TO OPERATE. FOR YOUR SAFETY, BE RESPONSIBLE.READ THE OWNER’S MANUAL. ALWAYS WEAR A HELMET, EYE PROTECTION AND PROTECTIVE CLOTHING. BE CAREFUL ON DIFFICULT TERRAIN. NEVER RIDE AFTER CONSUMING DRUGS OR ALCOHOL, ON PAVED SURFACES, ON PUBLIC ROADS, WITH PASSENGERS, OR AT EXCESSIVE SPEEDS. NO STUNT RIDING. RESPECT THE ENVIRONMENT WHEN RIDING. PRIOR MODEL YEAR SHOWN. Recon ® , FourTrax Foreman Rubicon ® , Rancher ® , are registered trademarks of Honda Motor Co., Ltd.©2021 American Honda Motor Co., Inc. (9/21)

MODESTO HONDA OF MODESTO 209-529-5424 www.hkmodesto.com

SACRAMENTO PCP MOTORSPORTS 916-428-4040 www.pcpmotorsports.com

www.responsiblerodenticides.org www.wilcodistributors.com

January 18, 2023 Ag Alert 11

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