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Baby Boomers passing baton to Millennials, with changes expected for food industry.

Posted on October 3, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

 

Findings from a joint study announced recently by Jeffries, a global investment bank, and AlixPartners, a global business advisory firm, suggest that demographic shifts between now and 2020 will drive significant changes in the food industry.

The study, called Trouble in Aisle 5, tracks the buying habits of Millennials, defined as those born between 1982 and 2001. By the start of the next decade, the authors believe the contrasts between this group and elderly Baby Boomers will require food producers and retailers to be to be more nimble, with more innovative product development, leaner supply chains and more effective use of marketing initiatives.

Key findings in the study are:

  • While Millennials are more price sensitive than Baby Boomers, a majority of them are willing to pay more for natural/organic products. 
  • Millennials expect convenience, have less brand loyalty than Baby Boomers,  and are more receptive to shopping for food at locations other than the traditional grocery store.

By 2020, it’s expected that Baby Boomers will be less than 20 percent of the U.S. population, while Millennials older than 25 will comprise 19 percent. As a result, the study asserts that food companies will be under greater pressure to deliver more for less –  a fresher, higher-quality product, with more choices and more convenience in a shopping environment where consumers are becoming less brand-loyal and more inclined to shop across channels.

 

 

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Community-based Food System, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Four former US Ag secretaries address future opportunities and the roles of land-grant universities

Posted on October 2, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

On September 28, four former U.S. secretaries of agriculture discussed meeting the world’s growing food needs and the role of land-grant universities at an event at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, which brought land-grant universities into being.

The former secretaries were Mike Johanns (2005-2007),  Clayton Yeutter (1989-1991), John Block (1981-1985),  and Dan Glickman (1995-2001).

They focused on the demands on the world food supply by 2050 and the prospect of a dramatic increase in production using fewer resources, mentioning that much of the future research may be led by land-grant universities. 

Click here to view the discussion.

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California agriculture leads the nation in funding for specialty crops

Posted on October 1, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=12-035

The United States Department of Agriculture announced funding today for the 2012 Specialty Crop Block Grant Program (SCBGP). California received more than $18 million out of the total $55 million awarded nationwide.

The SCBGP provides grants to states to enhance the competitiveness of Specialty Crops, which are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops (including floriculture).

Research, marketing and nutrition proposals were solicited and selected through a competitive process. The 68 projects funded under the 2012 SCBGP reflect the diversity of California’s specialty crops across the state. This year they include, but are not limited to: the development of a quick drying method that reduces energy usage for almonds and pistachios while improving product quality and safety; customized training and counseling on trade and export needs to assist industry stakeholders; offering low-income families access to fruits and vegetables at Certified Farmers’ Markets through weight management and diabetes clinics; researching strategies for efficient nitrogen management; and researching management strategies to mitigate diseases affecting the citrus industry.

In addition, CDFA partnered with the Center for Produce Safety in the evaluation and recommendation of food safety-related projects. These projects represent an ongoing effort to minimize outbreaks by proactive research.

“California agriculture is known for its innovators,” said California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. “We have identified projects that will take advantage of this tremendous opportunity for our researchers, educators and others in our agricultural community to improve the prospects of California’s specialty crop farmers. This block grant program is a wise investment in making our crops safer, more competitive and more accessible.”

Project abstracts are available online at www.cdfa.ca.gov/grants.

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Specialty Crops | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Don’t forget to water the … bees!

Posted on September 28, 2012 by CDFA Staff
Photo of bee boxes in Colusa County
Beehives in Colusa County.

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) operates 16 agricultural inspection stations along our state’s borders (interactive map here), and every year our vehicle inspectors stop thousands of plants, fruit, insects, pathogens and other suspicious critters from making it across that line. There are some things that we want to welcome in, though – and bees are right at the top of that list (at least as far as farmers are concerned).  Every year, more than a million beehives are trucked into the golden state to help pollinate almonds, fruit trees and dozens of other crops. Any farmer will tell you: we couldn’t do it without them.

Like most any creature, bees need water – especially after a lengthy and windblown drive across the desert. That’s why the apiary industry (that’s beekeepers for the rest of us) is coming up with funding and working with CDFA to help us upgrade or install relatively simple but important watering systems at a few of our border stations, where the bulk of the beehives come into California. The system is already in place in Blythe along I-10, and we’re working on upgrading Vidal (CA Hwy 62), Needles (I-40), Yermo (I-15), Benton, (US Hwy 6), and Truckee (I-80).

It’s mostly a matter of assessing the current systems and expanding them to include additional hose bibs at intervals (except for Vidal, which would require a portable system), allowing truck drivers to hook up and provide water to the bees. The water keeps the colonies cool and help keep the bees within the hives so they can make the next leg of their trip. It’s a relatively simple step that will help keep our beehives healthy as they prepare for their annual visit to California. Kudos to the folks at the California State Beekeepers Association (CSBA), Project Apis m (PAM), the Almond Board of California and the California State Apiary Board for finding the funds and working with CDFA to make this happen.

 

Posted in Environment, Pollinators | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Wasp holds promise for control of Asian citrus psyllid – From the Riverside Press-Enterprise

Posted on September 26, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/riverside/riverside-headlines-index/20120925-region-psyllid-killing-wasp-taking-hold.ece

 BY MARK MUCKENFUSS

mmuckenfuss@pe.com

A tiny insect from Pakistan is finding a foothold in the Inland Empire — good news for anyone with an orange tree in their yard or a citrus grove to maintain.

Tamarixia radiata is a wasp about half the size of a chocolate sprinkle. Innocuous to humans, it is a lethal threat to the Asian citrus psyllid. The psyllid is a feared pest in California because it can carry Huanglongbing, a disease that kills citrus and has devastated crops elsewhere in the United States and the world. California citrus is a $2 billion-per-year industry.

A Huanglongbing-infected tree was discovered recently in Hacienda Heights, four years after the psyllid was first found in Southern California. The pest already is widespread in the region, and scientists believe more damaged trees will be identified. The disease blocks nutrient movement in the trees, leading to yellow leaves and fruit that remains green. No treatment has been found.

UC Riverside researchers began releasing the parasitic Tamarixia wasp, one of the psyllid’s few natural enemies, late last year. They have found three sites — two in Fontana, one in San Bernardino — where the wasp has attacked psyllid larvae, killing them.

Mark Hoddle is a biological control specialist at UCR and is in charge of the field work with the wasp. He and his wife, Christina, traveled to Pakistan several times over a two-year period to track down and identify the wasp, bring it back to Riverside and, after extensive quarantine studies, breed it for release. The wasp’s sole prey is the psyllid.

“We’re trying to understand how big an impact this wasp is having on the Asian citrus psyllid,” Hoddle said. “It’s too early to make estimates, but (the finds are) encouraging.”

John Gardner, agricultural commissioner for San Bernardino County, said he was pleased to hear about the finds.

“I didn’t know they’d done the releases in my county,” Gardner said. “It’s a nice surprise. Anytime you can get a parasite like this established and it shows signs of it being able to reproduce, that’s a real good sign.”

Gardner said the finds would not affect the quarantine restrictions, which currently include all of Los Angeles, Orange and Imperial counties and portions of San Bernardino, Riverside and San Diego counties.

But a growing population of Tamarixia “will go a long way towards preventing any disease transmission, which is where the real threat lies,” he said.

Hoddle and his team found the hollowed-out remains of Asian citrus psyllid larvae on the leaves of residential citrus trees — the wasp larvae eat the psyllid larvae from inside and leave the shell. In addition to the Fontana and San Bernardino sites, the team has found similar evidence in Pomona, Azusa and Pico Rivera.

“At our Pico Rivera site,” Hoddle said, “not only did we find it at the release site, but 0.2 miles away.”

It’s a short distance for humans, but a huge expanse for the tiny wasp.

“For it to have spread that far on its own suggests two possibilities,” Hoddle said. “The first is that the wind blew it down that far, or that it’s leapfrogging through backyards, which is what we’d like to see.”

Hoddle has two worries about the wasps. The first is whether the insect can endure the Southern California winter and pick up its work again in the spring, as Hoddle believes they will. The second is the ants.

Argentine ants, themselves an invasive species, have been discovered farming the sugary waste the larval psyllid nymphs produce. They’ve also been seen going after the Tamarixia wasps when they show up and try to lay their eggs on the nymphs.

Hoddle said he observed an ant actually snatch a wasp out of the air.

“I saw one catch one just as it was taking off,” he said. “They could be quite a problem for us.”

It also shows just how deep the invasive species problem goes in Southern California.

“This is one invasive species facilitating the establishment of another invasive species,” he said. “We call this an invasive meltdown.”

Now, Hoddle and his team are looking for ways to control the ants. It’s another step in what he knows will be a long process. And right now that process is focused on treating infested residential areas. Commercial groves are being treated with pesticide, which kills the psyllid as well as the wasps.

Hitting residential areas with the wasp, Hoddle said, “will reduce the number of psyllids flying into the commercial zones.”

Eventually, he said, that could reduce or eliminated the need to spray pesticides.

Even if the program turns out to be a success, he said, it will be a long journey.

“This is something that just doesn’t happen overnight.”

Posted in Asian Citrus Psyllid, Invasive Species, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

News Release – California State Board of Food and Agriculture to Discuss Specialty Crop Block Grant Program at October 2 Meeting

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.cdfa.ca.gov/egov/Press_Releases/Press_Release.asp?PRnum=12-034

 The California State Board of Food and Agriculture will discuss the department’s Specialty Crop Block Grant Program at its upcoming meeting on October 2, 2012. The meeting will be held from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento, CA 95814.

“The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program helps to support food safety research, marketing and innovation for a large percentage of California grown products,” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross. “But unless congressional action is taken to pass a Farm Bill, this and other federal farm programs will be eliminated. This includes programs that support our dairy farmers, pest and disease prevention, and nutritional assistance to low-income individuals. In not passing a Farm Bill, Congress is negatively impacting job growth, reducing resources to local communities, and prolonging much needed disaster assistance.”

In 2011 California received approximately $17 million to support more than 70 grants programs focusing on: agriculture education/outreach; environmental concerns and conservation; marketing enhancement/international trade; food security/healthy eating; plant health/pest challenges; and food safety. An additional $17 million in federal funding is anticipated to be awarded this year.

The Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill, is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture to enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops nationwide. Specialty crops are defined as fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, dried fruits, horticulture, and nursery crops. California is the largest recipient of specialty crop funds.

Scheduled speakers include: Kari Hamerschlag, Environmental Working Group; Bonnie Fernandez-Fenaroli, Center for Produce Safety; Stephen Patricio, Westside Produce; Gail Feenstra, University of California Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program; Jane Machado Dyk, Ag Venture; Larry Godfrey, University of California, Davis; Rhonda Motil, Monterey County Vintners and Growers Association; Dr. Linda Harris, University of California, Davis; Dr. Trevor V. Suslow, University of California, Davis; Joel Kimmelshue, Newfields; and Kathy Alameda, California Department of Food and Agriculture.

“The Specialty Block Grant Program is one of the great tools that the department uses to help enhance the sustainability of California agriculture,” said Craig McNamara, President of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture. “This discussion provides the State Board the opportunity to review current programs and make recommendations, as appropriate, related to implementation.”

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture advises the governor and the CDFA secretary on agricultural issues and consumer needs. The state board conducts forums that bring together local, state and federal government officials, agricultural representative and citizens to discuss current issues of concern to California agriculture.

Follow the board on Twitter at: www.twitter.com/Cafood_agboard

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Meet CDFA’s “Golden Rooster”

Posted on September 25, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs
California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford Jones, winner of the 2012 Golden Rooster Award

California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford Jones, winner of the 2012 Golden Rooster Award

Each year, the California poultry industry recognizes the contributions of an individual who inspires with leadership and dedication, and that person is presented with the “Golden Rooster” award. This year’s honoree is California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Whiteford Jones, who was named as recipient, much to her surprise, at the recent annual meeting of the California Poultry Federation.

“Dr. Jones has generated an enormous amount of respect and admiration in our industry,” said California Poultry Federation President Bill Mattos. “Starting with her dynamic leadership as head of the task force to combat exotic Newcastle disease a decade ago, and continuing with her ongoing work to enhance emergency preparedness and promote quality assurance throughout the state.”

Dr. Jones has been the director of Animal Health and Food Safety Services at CDFA since 2004 and was appointed State Veterinarian in 2010.  In that role, she oversees 230 employees engaged in programs for animal health, milk and dairy food safety, meat, poultry, and egg safety, and livestock identification. She also works closely with the California Animal Health and Food Safety Laboratory System, which is operated by the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.

“Dr. Jones is truly deserving of this coveted award and I offer her my congratulations, ” said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross.  “She is an exceptional industry leader and talented public servant who works tirelessly on the many issues affecting California’s farmers and ranchers.  I am very happy the California Poultry Foundation selected Dr. Jones for its highest award.  She is most deserving!”

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Hormone therapy makes sterile male fruit flies more macho, more attractive to females

Posted on September 20, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

Fruit flies

The following is a summary of scientific research by the USDA.

http://www.ars.usda.gov/is/pr/2012/120904.htm

Released en masse, sterile Mexican fruit flies can undermine a wild population of the fruit-damaging pests so that fewer applications of insecticide are needed. But the irradiation used to sterilize the flies weakens them, hindering their ability to outcompete wild-type males for female mates.

Now, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and collaborating scientists have devised a hormone therapy for making sterile flies “more macho,” improving their chances of mating with female flies before their wild rivals do. Peter Teal, a chemist with USDA’s Agricultural Research Service (ARS) in Gainesville, Fla., developed the hormone treatment in conjunction with a team of scientists from Mexico, Argentina and Austria.

Anastrepha ludens (Loew), the Mexican fruit fly, is a significant quarantine pest that could inflict billions of dollars in losses to citrus, peach, pears, avocado and other crops if it moved from Mexico into the United States. Fortunately, Mexico operates a sterile-insect release program to control the green-eyed, one-centimeter-long pests, whose larval stage feeds inside host fruit.

The program involves sterilizing male fruit flies with irradiation and releasing them into nature to mate with the wild female fruit flies. These matings produce eggs that don’t hatch. Eventually, the population collapses, explains Teal, who leads the ARS Chemistry Research Unit in Gainesville.

The team’s treatment uses a hormone analog called methoprene to speed the rate at which sterile male flies reach sexual maturity while kept in specialized holding facilities. In studies, methoprene-treated flies were ready for release four days sooner than non-treated flies. And thanks to a dietary supplement of hydrolyzed protein, the sterile flies, once released, were also stronger and more successful at competing for mates.

The results of this research were published in the Journal of Applied Entomology.

Read more about the program in the September 2012 issue of Agricultural Research magazine.

ARS is USDA’s principal intramural scientific research agency, and this research supports the USDA priority of promoting international food security.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Secretary Ross joins coalition urging swift passage of Farm Bill

Posted on September 19, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross joined colleagues from states across the country, speaking as NASDA, the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture, in sending a letter to Congress urging swift passage of the 2012 Farm Bill.

http://www.nasda.org/cms/7196/20728/32676/35149.aspx

September 18, 2012

Dear Speaker Boehner and Leader Pelosi:

The members of the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) urge Congress to swiftly pass a full five-year Farm Bill. NASDA members are the chief state agriculture officials from every region of the country and are keenly aware of the significant challenges facing America’s farmers and ranchers. We are particularly concerned about the serious impacts of Congress not passing a Farm Bill prior to the expiration of the current bill later this month. In the absence of Congress passing a full five-year Farm Bill, agricultural producers face tremendous uncertainties about their ability to continue to produce a safe and abundant supply of food, fiber and fuel.

As we gathered this week for NASDA’s annual meeting, the urgent need for Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill was crystal clear. From the farmers and ranchers who are struggling through disastrous drought, to those facing increasing challenges in the dairy industry, agricultural producers nationwide need certainty about national agricultural policy.

Without a Farm Bill, farmers will face significant challenges securing financing for planting next year’s crop, vital safety-net programs for dairy producers will lapse, livestock producers in drought-stricken regions of the country will be left without important disaster assistance, and important export promotion programs will be frozen. The uncertainty facing our farmers, ranchers, and rural economies compels swift and decisive action by Congress to pass a five-year Farm Bill. We stand ready to work with you to ensure America’s agricultural economy remains strong.

Sincerely,

Steve Troxler
President, National Association of State Departments of Agriculture
Commissioner, North Carolina Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

John McMillan
Commissioner, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries

Fanci Havemeister
Director, Alaska Division of Agriculture

Donald Butler
Director, Arizona Department of Agriculture

Butch Calhoun
Secretary, Arkansas Agriculture Department

Karen Ross
Secretary, California Department of Food & Agriculture

John Salazar
Commissioner, Colorado Department of Agriculture

Steven Reviczky
Commissioner, Connecticut Department of Agriculture

Ed Kee
Secretary, Delaware Department of Agriculture

Adam Putnam
Commissioner, Florida Department of Agriculture & Consumer Services

Russell Kokubun
Chairperson, Hawaii Department of Agriculture

Celia Gould
Director, Idaho State Department of Agriculture

Bob Flider
Acting Director, Illinois Department of Agriculture

Bill Northey
Secretary, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship

Dale Rodman
Secretary, Kansas Department of Agriculture

Michael Strain
Commissioner, Louisiana Department of Agriculture & Forestry

Earl “Buddy” Hance
Secretary, Maryland Department of Agriculture

Jamie Clover Adams
Director, Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development

David Frederickson
Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Agriculture

Cindy Hyde-Smith
Commissioner, Mississippi Department of Agriculture & Commerce

Jon Hagler
Director, Missouri Department of Agriculture

Ron de Yong
Director, Montana Department of Agriculture

Greg Ibach
Director, Nebraska Department of Agriculture

Jim Barbee
Director, Nevada Department of Agriculture

Lorraine Merrill
Commissioner, New Hampshire Department of Agriculture, Markets & Food

Jeff Witte
Director/Secretary, New Mexico Department of Agriculture

Darrel Aubertine
Commissioner, New York State Department of Agriculture & Markets

Doug Goehring
Commissioner, North Dakota Department of Agriculture

Jim Reese
Secretary, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food & Forestry

Katy Coba
Director, Oregon Department of Agriculture

George Greig
Secretary, Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture

Hugh Weathers
Commissioner, South Carolina Department of Agriculture

Walt Bones
Secretary, South Dakota Department of Agriculture

Leonard Blackham
Commissioner, Utah Department of Agriculture and Food

Chuck Ross
Secretary, Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food & Markets

Dan Newhouse
Director, Washington State Department of Agriculture

Gus Douglass
Commissioner, West Virginia Department of Agriculture

Jason Fearneyhough
Director, Wyoming Department of Agriculture

 

 

cc: Chairman Frank Lucas, House Committee on Agriculture

Ranking Member Collin Peterson, House Committee on Agriculture

Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry

Ranking Member Pat Roberts, Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry

Members of the U.S. House of Representatives

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The Famous Flickr Lacewing

Posted on September 18, 2012 by Jay Van Rein, CDFA Office of Public Affairs
Semachrysa Jade, photo by Hock Ping Guek

A newly named lacewing: Semachrysa Jade. Photo by Hock Pink Guek.

Meet the “Flickr Lacewing.” That’s what some folks online are calling a newly discovered insect species, more formally known as “Semachrysa Jade Winterton, Guek and Brooks.” It was given this name by Dr. Shaun Winterton, a senior insect biosystematist (that’s “bug doctor” to the rest of us) for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. He specializes in lacewings, which are beneficial insects that naturally control pests. When Dr. Winterton happened to find a photograph of a previously unknown type of lacewing on the online photo sharing site Flickr last year, he knew he was looking at something special. He had never seen wing markings like those. So he set about collecting as much information as he could from the man who snapped the photo – Hock Ping Guek, a photography enthusiast in Malaysia who blogs about his startlingly beautiful photographs of beetles, spiders and other bugs.

CDFA scientist Dr. Shaun Winterton and the online photo of the "Flickr lacewing."

CDFA scientist Dr. Shaun Winterton and the online photo of the “Flickr lacewing.”

Well, it was a rough start because the photographer had no sooner lifted his trigger finger when the lacewing departed, so the photo was all that remained – no physical sample that could be used to verify the discovery. As it turns out, even in the Internet age, there is no substitute for the real thing—scientists generally require the insect itself, collected and submitted for analysis of such specifics as mouth parts, reproductive organs and so forth, to make sure they know what’s what.

To make a long story short, about a year later, the Malaysian photographer contacted Dr. Winterton with great news: another identical lacewing had been found in the same place and was sitting on his kitchen countertop. Properly captured and preserved, the sample made its way around the globe to CDFA’s lab in Sacramento, where it was identified as a new species and named.  Fellow entomologist Dr. Stephen J. Brooks at the Natural History Museum in London helped verify the identification. A paper published in the peer-reviewed journal Zoo Keys described how it all came to pass. The photographer, who shares credit for the discovery, gave his blessing for the bug to be named Semachrysa Jade, after Dr. Winterton’s daughter, Jade.

Using Flickr to help name a new insect may be a fairly new idea, but naming insects (or plants, fungi, and diseases) isn’t out of the ordinary for CDFA scientists; it’s what they do. Keeping a close eye on tiny bugs helps protect our food supply. And when a California lacewing taxonomist can harness the Internet to collaborate on a new discovery with a Malaysian photographer half a world away, well, that’s just plain cool.

Posted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment