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Pest and Disease Prevention Projects Get a Boost from USDA

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

California’s approach to pests and diseases is as complex as the problem itself, but perhaps the most important element of our efforts is prevention.  Prevention projects in California and throughout the nation have been given a much needed boost from USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack, who has just announced his agency will support 321 projects with $50 million in funding from the 2008 Farm Bill (see the press release:  http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2012/05/pest_disease_funding.shtml).

Our border stations intercept thousands of illegally transported plants, fruits and other commodities that would otherwise pass uninspected; our detector dog teams scour package facilities for unmarked or otherwise prohibited shipments that could introduce infestations in our state; and we employ a comprehensive system of pest traps, surveys and inspections to detect invasive species as soon as possible if they do make it in.  And when we do have to control or eradicate an infestation or outbreak, our decisions are guided by the principles of integrated pest management.  Each of these elements must help us fulfill our mission protect agriculture while also preserving our environment.

Detector dog team

California's preventive efforts include detector dog teams at package shipping facilities.

California’s pest prevention efforts include detector dog teams working in package shipping facilities.Examples of specific projects funded by USDA include a nationwide survey of honey bee pests and diseases, the monitoring of high-risk international and domestic pathways for invasive species, applied research to combat citrus pests, the development of detector dog surveillance programs in certain high-risk agricultural states, and targeted invasive species public  outreach. The FY 2012 funding plan, list of selected projects, and general feedback are posted at http://www.aphis.usda.gov/section10201.

California’s projects total more than $15 million. They fall under categories including pest and disease surveys, detection technologies, diagnostic capacity building, taxonomic support, nursery certification programs, systems approaches for nursery production, outreach and education, producer/first detector training, applied mitigation R&D, and preparation (early detection).  Specific projects include support for California’s detector dog teams; surveys for exotic pests such as khapra beetles and exotic wood-boring and bark beetles; development of attractants that will aid in the trapping of pests; digital training/screening/identification tools; development of best management practices (BMPs) for nurseries; enhanced molecular diagnostics for fruit flies; and research and outreach to protect forests, landscaps and ornamentals.

We are proud of California’s efforts to prevent, detect and respond to invasive species.  These funds will improve and extend our ability to protect California’s agriculture, environment and habitat.  I encourage you to use the links above to peruse the various projects that we wll now embark upon as we put this very important piece of the Farm Bill into action.

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

California Leopold Conservation Award: Nominate Your Favorite Farmer or Rancher!

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

In the eyes of conservationist Aldo Leopold, an ethical relationship between the land and the people who benefit from it was “an evolutionary possibility and an ecological necessity.” His vision of a “land ethic” is what drives the search for nominees 2012 California Leopold Conservation Award.  If you are a California farmer or rancher committed to sound environmental stewardship or know someone who is, please consider a nomination.

The award recognizes private landowners’ commitment to responsible environmental stewardship and land management. It underscores the fact that many ranchers, farmers and other private landowners are on the front lines of conservation and should be recognized for protecting the environment. So often, voluntary conservation by private landowners provides the most effective, efficient and durable means of protecting land, water and species.

At the recent Ag Day celebration at our Capitol, I had the pleasure of celebrating 2011 Leopold Award Winner Tim Koopman, a third-generation rancher whose efforts to protect wildlife and improve water quality have made his ranch an exemplary agricultural component of a largely urbanized community in Sunol.

As in past years, finalists in 2012 will be selected in part based on their commitment to responsible and sustainable land management, the overall health of their land, implementation of innovative practices and dedication to community outreach and leadership. The California Leopold Conservation Award judging panel will evaluate properties in two categories: (1) Nurseries & Crops, and (2) Livestock. In  California, the award is presented by the Sand County Foundation, Sustainable Conservation and the California Farm Bureau Federation.

The grand prize of $10,000 and a crystal rendering of Aldo Leopold, author of the “Sand County Almanac,” will be presented at the California Farm Bureau Federation’s annual convention in December. Runner-up prizes of $1,000 will also be presented.

The deadline for nominations is July 15. For more information and a nomination form, visit http://leopoldconservationaward.org/uploads/LCA_CANom2012_final2.pdf
or contact Sustainable Conservation at (415) 977-0380. For information about past winners and finalists, visit http://suscon.org/leopoldaward/index.php.

I encourage you to particpate in this program and help California’s innovative, forward-thinking farmers and ranchers get the credit they so richly deserve when it comes to conservation.

Posted in Conservation, Environment | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

From USDA: Update from APHIS Regarding a Detection of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in the United States

Posted on May 21, 2012 by CDFA Staff
http://www.aphis.usda.gov/newsroom/2012/05/bse_update_statement.shtml

Grazing cattleOn  April 24, USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed  the nation’s 4th case of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE) in an animal  that was sampled for the disease at a rendering facility in central California.  This animal was never presented for slaughter for human consumption, so at no  time presented a risk to the food supply, or to human health in the United  States.

After USDA’s National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL)  completed testing of the samples from the index animal, the samples were sent  to The  World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) reference laboratories in Canada and  England. Both laboratories have confirmed that the index cow was positive for  atypical (L-type) BSE.

Both dairies that were previously held under  quarantine during the investigation have been released from those quarantines,  after inventories were completed and records were reviewed.

In addition, investigation of the  feed records at the index dairy premises has found no anomalies, and audits of  all the feed suppliers to the index premises have shown them to be in  compliance with the regulations.

APHIS previously announced that it has  identified two progeny of the positive cow. One progeny born to the positive  cow in the last 2 years was stillborn; the second animal was appraised,  humanely euthanized, and sampled for BSE at the National Veterinary Services  Laboratories in Ames, Iowa. Test results for that animal were negative for  BSE.

Of several hundred potential birth cohort  cattle, the focus of the tracing is on a small number (10-12) of cattle which  may still be alive and have records that might allow them to be located. The  remaining potential cohorts are no longer alive or have otherwise been ruled  out.

As the  investigation moves toward completion, local officials from the California  Department of Food and Agriculture and USDA APHIS Veterinary Services are now  in charge of the incident command.

The United States has a longstanding system of  three interlocking safeguards against BSE that protects public and animal  health in the United States, the most important of which is the removal of  specified risk materials – or the parts of an animal that would contain BSE  should an animal have the disease – from all animals presented for slaughter.  The second safeguard is a strong feed ban that protects cattle from the  disease. The third safeguard – which led to this detection – is our ongoing BSE  surveillance program that allows USDA to detect the disease if it exists at  very low levels in the U.S. cattle population.

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Posted in BSE, Food Safety | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

World Metrology Day 2012 Honors the “Weight of the World”

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Kristin Macey, Director, CDFA Division of Measurement Standards
The "weight of the world" is housed at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris

The “weight of the world” is housed at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures in Paris

First things first: this blog post is about metrology, not meteorology. Meteorology is the study of the Earth’s atmosphere and weather. Metrology is the science of measurement. Both are important sciences that impact our everyday lives, but in different ways.

A little known but critical function, metrology is one of the responsibilities of the Department of Food and Agriculture, which is California’s official keeper of the state’s physical standards of mass, volume, time, temperature, and length. These standards form the legal and scientific basis for all commercial transactions involving weights and measures. Since both buyer and seller rely on accurate measurement during commercial transactions, this function is the fundamental first step to providing equity and consumer protection in the marketplace.

California’s official state standards are regularly calibrated to the federal standards held by the National Institute of Standards and Technology at the U.S. Department of Commerce. The U.S. standards are based on an international standard, The International Prototype of the Kilogram, which is a one-kilogram weight made of platinum and iridium that is kept just outside Paris, France in a vault at the International Bureau of Weights and Measures (BIPM). It could truly be considered the “weight of the world,” as it facilitates the globalization of manufacturing, marketing, and distribution and allows for confidence between international trading partners.

This essential system was established by The Metre Convention, which was signed in 1875 and is now observed by 56 nations demonstrating equivalence between their national measurement standards.

As for World Metrology Day, it is celebrated every May 20 in recognition of the signing of the Convention. This year’s theme is “We Measure For Your Safety”.

For additional information about the Department of Food and Agriculture’s accredited metrology laboratory, please visit the Division of Measurement Standards website.

Posted in Measurement Standards, Trade, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

From the Packer – California cantaloupe growers back mandatory food safety

Posted on May 17, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

http://www.thepacker.com/fruit-vegetable-news/California-growers-back-mandatory-cantaloupe-food-safety-151781935.html

In the wake of a listeria outbreak linked to cantaloupes from another state, the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board is establishing the state’s first mandatory food safety program implemented by a commodity board.

The group is also expanding its territory statewide.

“Imperial Valley growers have not been part of the board before,” John Gilstrap, California Cantaloupe Advisory Board manager, said May 16. The previous order was limited to fruit grown north and west of San Gorgonio Pass in Riverside County.

About 65 ballots went to handlers. More than 70% were returned, Gilstrap said, with unanimous approval of the food safety program.

“They’re still working on the actual details,” he said. “A guidance document is being reviewed right now for discussion at the next board meeting May 31 in San Diego.”

Among details to be ironed out are assessments and audits.

“We have existing assessments and revenue we can convert to food safety,” said Steve Patricio, board chairman. “There will be an additional assessment, probably as high as two cents a carton.”

Inspections will likely be from the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

“But the intent is to make it as seamless and effective as possible by piggybacking on what is already being done by (Leafy Greens Marketing Agreement) and California Tomato Farmers,” Patricio said. “We’re not reinventing a wheel here. LGMA is using USDA-trained inspectors under supervision of CDFA. We’ll be using those same food safety inspectors for cantaloupes.”

He expects a program to be implemented this year.

“Most of us have been working on this privately for years with our own food safety programs,” Patricio said. “To have government auditors come in, it’ll be wrinkles of change but not monumental.”

Southern district cantaloupes have begun shipping.

“With the late start and the slowness of getting government involved, we can’t penalize growers,” he said. “We could start doing no-penalty risk assessment audits, but I hope we don’t have to.”

“A whole lot of questions are still to be answered, but quite a bit of the work has already been done in terms of research and putting together a guidance document,” Gilstrap said.

Desert production runs through early July. Bakersfield starts in late June; Huron, early July. San Joaquin Valley production runs to early October. Imperial Valley returns for a second deal in the fall. The state accounts for about 70% of cantaloupe production nationwide.

Expansion

With the formation of a new desert district, the California Department of Food and Agriculture will appoint members and alternates from nominations received at public hearings in March.

Noncompliance with the coming food safety metrics would amount to an unfair trade practice, according to the CDFA.

“CDFA has provided oversight for a very similar program involving leafy greens for the past five years,” Karen Ross, CDFA secretary, said in a news release. “We know first-hand how effective these types of programs can be. There is clearly overwhelming support among the California cantaloupe industry for a food safety program that operates with government oversight.”

Tim York, president of Salinas-based Markon Cooperative, also welcomed the vote, and referred to the listeria outbreak traced to Jensen Farms, Granada, Colo.

“Produce buyers across the country should support the efforts of suppliers who are willing to provide the additional assurances we have been asking for in light of last fall’s listeria outbreak associated with Jensen Farms cantaloupe,” York said in the release.

California cantaloupes have never been associated with a foodborne illness, Patricio said.

Dinuba-based Monfort Management Inc., provides management services for the California Cantaloupe Advisory Board.

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Food Safety | Tagged , | Leave a comment

California Agriculture License Plate to make offical debut in 2013

Posted on May 16, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

Cal Ag Plate advertisementWe did it! Congratulations to the agricultural community, FFA and everyone who made this opportunity to create a  California agriculture license plate a reality! We have collected 8,355 plate orders  – meeting DMV’s threshold of 7,500 applications to establish a California Special Interest License Plate.

The California Agriculture License Plate will support future generations of farmers and ranchers through agricultural education, career awareness, career training and youth leadership programs. Proceeds generated through plate renewal fees will be awarded to agricultural education groups to support youth education and enrichment. It is anticipated that the first funding for educational programs will become available in July 2013.

CDFA is still working the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to incorporate the license plate into official order forms and online registration – these should become available before the end of this year. Updates will be posted to the CalAgPlate facebook and twitter accounts.

If you would like to join the agriculture community and order a license plate today, applications are being accepted and processed through the DMV. Simply complete the order form, print “CAL AG PLATE” at the top of the document, and follow payment and mailing instructions.

The Cal Agriculture License Plate is a great achievement for the agricultural community.  Special thanks to all those individuals who made this initiative a success.

Posted in Agricultural Education | 1 Comment

Still the People’s Agency 150 Years Later – Happy Birthday, USDA!

Posted on May 15, 2012 by Karen Ross, California Agriculture Secretary, and Linda

USDA 150 YearsFor producers and consumers of food, this is a sesquicentennial like no other. Two weeks ago, we celebrated the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Morrill Act, the single piece of legislation that laid the foundation for the modern agricultural marvel we enjoy today. And now, it’s the 150th birthday of the USDA – as Abraham Lincoln called it, “the people’s agency.” The USDA is another piece of Lincoln’s extraordinary legacy, and lasting in the way it still touches millions of Americans every day.

Before I was named secretary of agriculture for California, I was honored to serve as chief of staff for USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and saw first-hand the phenomenal reach of the agency. It works to ensure food safety, protects the environment and the food supply from invasive species, facilitates trade, provides assistance to rural economies, supports producers in a variety of ways, is a key player in emerging new energy markets, promotes the absolute necessity of healthy eating, maintains a crucial safety net for our hungriest people, and—through its research arm—funds essential agricultural research and extension services that include all-important youth development through organizations like 4-H and FFA.

The USDA truly serves America in ways that can make us all proud. Please join me in wishing the agency the happiest of birthdays. May it have 150 more.

Posted in AG Vision, Agricultural Education, Agricultural Marketing, Alternative Fuels, Asian Citrus Psyllid, Climate Change, Community-based Food System, Dairy, Environment, Farm Bill, Farmers' Markets, Food Access, Food Safety, Glassy-winged Sharpshooter, HLB, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species, Pierce's Disease, Specialty Crops, Trade, Uncategorized | 1 Comment

Save Our Citrus – CDFA Protects Against Threat of Huanglongbing

Posted on May 14, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

CDFA has produced a video showing efforts to protect against the fatal citrus disease huanglongbing, or citrus greening, following its detection in Los Angeles County:

Posted in Asian Citrus Psyllid, HLB, Invasive Species, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

“California Grown” Offers Tips for Keeping Mother’s Day Flowers at Their Blooming Best

Posted on May 9, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

From California Grown and PR Newswire:

Mother’s Day is right around the corner and the time is right to celebrate mom by delighting her with fresh cut flowers from California. “California Grown” offers the following tips for keeping her flowers beautiful long after her special day:

  • Seek out the freshest flowers available. California-grown flowers were probably in the field just 24-48 hours prior to purchase. Locally sourced flowers help to ensure maximum freshness and longer enjoyment, while supporting U.S. flower farmers.
  • Remove leaves. Discard leaves that will be submerged in water. This will decrease bacteria buildup and lead to a longer-lasting bouquet.
  • Fill vase with cold water. Cold water slows down blossoming. You can even add ice cubes to your vase water for extra coolness.
  • Cut your fresh flower stems to desired length. It’s best to cut them at a 45-degree angle to allow more water to be soaked up.
  • Use flower food and change vase water often. Flower food is a must in keeping your flowers fresh, as is changing the vase water every 2-4 days.
  • Design your arrangement. Large and dark flowers should be close to the base of the design, and small and light-colored flowers look best on the outer edge.

“California-grown flowers are America’s flowers,” said Kasey Cronquist, Board Chairman of the Buy California Marketing Agreement. “When you chose gorgeous cut flowers for mom this Mother’s Day, insist on the freshest, finest flowers available – those grown by California’s flower farmers.”

For Mother’s Day flowers that are as special and unique as mom herself, try using her personality to help pick the perfect petal. Here are some inspirations, if mom is…

  • A girly-girl. She relishes her manicures and pedicures and still likes to play dress up, but with verve and flair that goes well beyond kids’ stuff. For this stylish mama, try a gathering of delicate pink roses adorned with a glossy ribbon in a complementary shade.  Ooh-la-la!
  • An adventure seeker. Just try to keep up with her! She hikes, bikes, explores and dreams of her next adventure with bags packed and passport at-the-ready. For this on-the-go gal, try a pop of vibrant Gerbera Daisies from California that celebrate her zest for living life to the fullest.
  • Oh-so-sublime. She inspires greatness and always knows just what to do and say, yet somehow knows when best not to say it. For this graceful lady, try a classic bouquet of creamy white lilies that reflect her sophistication and enduring wisdom.
  • An eternal optimist. Always with a smile and a kind word to say, she looks on the bright side each day. This joyous mom will welcome bright, candy-colored tulips to go along with her fresh outlook on life and all it holds.
  • A renaissance woman. There is nothing she can’t do or doesn’t want to do! Her interests are deep, her talents are many, and her energy never ending. A mixed bouquet of California-grown springtime favorites, such as hydrangeas and sweet peas, will appeal to mom’s versatility and ready-for-anything attitude.

To learn more about California cut flowers, visit the California Grown website at californiagrown.org/farmers/ and view a video of cut flower farmer, Janet Louie of Green Valley Floral in Salinas. The video is among a series of fresh-from-the-farm videos that highlight the people and stories behind some of California’s favorite agricultural products.

 

 

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Huge Almond Crop Projected

Posted on May 8, 2012 by Office of Public Affairs

From the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, California office:

The initial subjective forecast for the 2012 California almond production is 2.00 billion pounds. This is 1.5 percent below last year’s record production of 2.03 billion pounds. Yield, forecasted at 2,560 lbs/acre, is down 4 percent from 2011’s record of 2,670 lbs/acre. Forecasted bearing acreage for 2012 is 780 thousand. This forecast is based on a telephone survey conducted April 19 – May 1 from a sample of almond growers. Of the 458 growers sampled, 283 reported. Acreage from these reports accounted for 27 percent of the total bearing acreage.

The 2012 almond crop is shaping up nicely. February was warm and dry across the State, creating favorable bloom conditions for almond trees. While the bloom period was shorter than last year, the excellent weather made up for the shorter overlap and bloom load was high. Chilling hours were plentiful. An early March frost resulted in some spotty damage in southern San Joaquin Valley and an early April hailstorm affected orchards in Merced County. Weather in the Sacramento Valley has been near ideal. A heavier than normal drop was reported in the San Joaquin Valley. Low disease and insect pressure were reported.

PROCEDURES
Results of the subjective survey are based on opinions obtained from growers. The sample of growers changes from year to year and is grouped by size of operation, so all growers will be represented. Each selected grower is asked to indicate their almond yield per acre from last year and expected yield for the current year.

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