Tau fruit fly find triggers quarantine in LA County Otherwise, CDFA said, fruits and vegeta- bles should be disposed of by double-bag- ging in plastic and placing the bags in a bin specifically for garbage.
The California Department of Food and Agriculture has placed a portion of Los Angeles County under quarantine for the Tau fruit fly following detection of more than 20 flies in the unincorporated area of Stevenson Ranch near the city of Santa Clarita. The quarantine area measures 79 square miles and is bordered on the north by Castaic Junction, on the south by Oat Mountain, on the west by Del Valle and
on the east by Honby Ave. This is the first Tau fruit fly quarantine in the Western hemisphere. The fly is native to Asia and is a serious threat to agriculture and natural resources, with a very wide host range, including nu- merous fruits and vegetables and a se- lect range of native plants in California, CDFA said in announcing the quarantine last week. “It’s believed the fly was introduced by
travelers bringing uninspected produce into the state, a common pathway for in- vasive species,” CDFA said in a statement. To prevent spread of the invasive spe- cies, the agency asked residents living in the quarantine area not to move any fruits or vegetables from their property. Produce may be consumed or pro- cessed—for example, juiced, frozen, cooked or ground in the garbage dispos- al—at the property where it is picked.
CDFA announces grants to promote water efficiency The California Department of Food and Agriculture Office of Environmental Farming and Innovation will award $7.4 million in 17 separate grants to organi- zations to provide technical assistance to help farmers and ranchers use water more efficiently during the next three years. Under the Water Efficiency Technical Assistance program, awarded organiza- tions would provide producers with im- portant services to maintain and fine tune the use of irrigation systems, including on-farm irrigation system evaluations, pump efficiency testing and training on water-use efficiency and nutrient manage- ment practices and technology. “Participating growers benefit from timely and qualified technical assistance to improve their irrigation and nutrient man- agement practices,” said Sacha Lozano, the Agricultural Stewardship Program manager with the Santa Cruz Resource Conservation District. Producers interested in receiving services through the Water Efficiency Technical Assistance program may review a list of awarded organizations at www. cdfa.ca.gov/oefi/technical/weta.html. Following principles of integrated pest management, CDFA is working with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Los Angeles County Agricultural Commissioner, using a multi-tiered ap- proach to eliminate the Tau fruit fly and prevent its spread to new areas. On properties within 200 meters of Tau fruit fly detections, CDFA said, staff will cut host fruits and vegetables to inspect for any fruit fly larvae that may be present. Additionally, properties within 200 meters of detections will be treated with a naturally derived organic-approved ma- terial known as Spinosad to remove any live adult fruit flies and reduce the density of the population. Fly traps that incorporate a pheromone lure and a minute amount of pesticide will be used in a wider part of the treat- ment area. According to researchers, the primary risk for introducing the invasive species to new regions is from the import of fruit containing the fly’s larvae. Such imports include cargo imports or fruit carried by passengers on airplanes or smuggled in packages through the mail. More information about Tau fruit flies is available at www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/ PDEP/target_pest_disease_profiles/tau_ ff_profile.html. A link to the quarantine map is at www. cdfa.ca.gov/plant/tau/regulation.html.
LUNCH SPONSOR $2,000 Print • Premier logo placement in the printed program • Company logo and name
T he 2024 election is right around the corner. Join California Farm Bureau for a day on the basics of running for office. This nonpartisan seminar will also cover how to engage elected officials at every level and successfully make your voice heard.
displayed in the Candidate School “Thank You” ad published in Ag Alert On-site • Company logo at the event Digital • Logo inclusion in an eNewsletter to CAFB members
• Logo on CAFB Event Website • The company will be included in four (4) social media posts PROGRAM SPONSOR - $5,000 Print • Premier logo placement in the printed program • Company logo and name
TIMES AND LOCATION Date: Thursday, September 7, 2023 Breakfast: 8:00 AM Program: 8:30 AM-4:00 PM Location: Orange County Farm Bureau 7601 Irvine Blvd, Irvine, CA 92618 At the South Coast Research and Extension Center There is no charge to attend RSVP Required: Steven Fenaroli, sfenaroli@cfbf.com
TOPICS INCLUDE: Working with a Consultant
Optimizing the Ground Game Supercharge Your Fundraising Latino Engagement Engaging Your County Farm Bureau Digital and Traditional Media: How to be Effective
displayed in the Candidate School “Thank You” ad published in Ag Alert On-site • Company logo at the event • Verbal recognition at the event • Opportunity to display your company’s banner at the event Digital • Logo inclusion in an eNewsletter to CAFB members
Building Relationships and Making Your Voice Heard
Creating Diverse and Lasting Partnerships
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14 Ag Alert August 2, 2023
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