30.01.2014

USA - House Approves Farm Bill, Ending a 2-Year Impasse

USA - House Approves Farm Bill, Ending a 2-Year ImpasseThe House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill authorizing nearly $1 trillion in spending on farm subsidies and nutrition programs, setting the stage for final passage of a new five-year farm bill that has been stalled for more than two years. Negotiators from the House and Senate spent several weeks working out their differences on issues in the legislation, including cuts to food stamps, income caps on farm subsidies and a price support program for dairy farmers. The bill is expected to save about $16.6 billion over the next 10 years.The House of Representatives on Wednesday passed a bill authorizing nearly $1 trillion in spending on farm subsidies and nutrition programs, setting the stage for final passage of a new five-year farm bill that has been stalled for more than two years. Negotiators from the House and Senate spent several weeks working out their differences on issues in the legislation, including cuts to food stamps, income caps on farm subsidies and a price support program for dairy farmers. The bill is expected to save about $16.6 billion over the next 10 years. The bill passed the House by a vote of 251 to 166. The Senate is expected to take up the bill later this week. Compared with earlier, more contentious votes on the farm bill, Wednesday’s vote was largely bipartisan. Many Democrats who had opposed it because of cuts to the food stamp program supported it on Wednesday. A number of Republicans, including many who wanted deeper cuts to the food stamps, also voted for passage. The House speaker, John A. Boehner of Ohio, and the majority leader, Eric Cantor, Republican of Virginia, had endorsed the bill and urged Republicans to support it, even though they said they would have liked to see more changes. “This is legislation we can all be proud of because it fulfills the expectations the American people have of us,” said Representative Frank D. Lucas, Republican of Oklahoma, who led House efforts to pass the farm bill. House leaders are now expected to turn their attention to other issues, including the Affordable Care Act, ahead of the 2014 midterm elections. It is unclear where the Obama administration stands on the new farm bill. Mr. Obama had signaled his opposition to any bill that cut food stamps and expanded crop insurance. The new farm bill, which had been mired in partisan gridlock, makes fundamental changes to both nutrition and farm programs. It cuts the food stamp program by $8 billion, and about 850,000 households will lose about $90 in monthly benefits under the change. Anti-hunger groups called the food stamp cuts draconian. Feeding America, a coalition of food banks across the county, said the change would result in 34 lost meals per month for the affected households. The bill does provide a $200 million increase in financing to food banks, though many said the money might not be enough to offset the expected surge in demand for food. Farm programs were not spared from the cuts in the new bill. The most significant change to farm programs is the elimination of a subsidy known as direct payments. These payments, about $5 billion a year, are paid to farmers whether or not they grow crops, and the issue had become politically toxic over the last several years as farm income has risen to record levels. The new bill cuts this subsidy and adds some of the money to the government-subsidized crop insurance. The government pays 62 percent of premiums for the $9 billion-a-year insurance program. Lawmakers said the elimination of the direct payments ensured that only those who actually farm would receive subsidies and only when affected by a disaster such as drought. Budget watchdog groups called it a bait-and-switch, and said it replaced one subsidy with an even more generous one. “This bill is so bad, they literally stripped reform from the title,” said Steve Ellis, vice president of Taxpayers for Common Sense, based in Washington. Although most agriculture groups generally supported the new farm bill, several were left disappointed. The seafood industry expressed disappointment that a contentious seafood inspection program at the Agriculture Department remained in the bill, despite bipartisan efforts to repeal it. Meat and poultry industry groups also expressed their concern with the bill because it did not include language to delay a labeling program that requires retailers to list the country of origin of meat. The industry said the labeling was too costly. The bill does not address the changes to the international food aid program sought by the Obama administration, but it does give an increase of about $80 million to the United States Agency for International Development to buy food closer to disaster areas, rather than shipping food from the United States. Anti-hunger groups, including the World Food Program, support the proposal. Several environmental groups, such as Ducks Unlimited, also expressed their support for the new farm bill because it includes new soil and water conservation measures. Source - http://www.nytimes.com/

30.01.2014

USA - Farm Bill Charts New Course For Nation's Farmers

USA - Farm Bill Charts New Course For Nation's FarmersThe House on Wednesday passed a new five-year compromise farm bill. The bill now moves to the Senate for a vote. The farm bill — the result of a two-year-long legislative saga — remains massive. The bill contains about $500 billion in funding, most of which is pegged to the food stamp program, officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). But the farm bill also charts agricultural policy for the nation's farmers. And the farm programs within this farm bill have been hotly contested.The House on Wednesday passed a new five-year compromise farm bill. The bill now moves to the Senate for a vote. The farm bill — the result of a two-year-long legislative saga — remains massive. The bill contains about $500 billion in funding, most of which is pegged to the food stamp program, officially called the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). But the farm bill, as you might expect, also charts agricultural policy for the nation's farmers. And the farm programs within this farm bill have been hotly contested. Altering The Farm Safety Net: Perhaps the most significant change to agricultural policy this farm bill would make is ending the subsidy known as direct payments – government payments to farmers based only on the number of acres of farmland they own, not on the condition of their crop. Instead, crop insurance will become the bedrock of the federal farm safety net. The new bill would expand crop insurance and continue to subsidize farmers' plans. Under the program, the federal government covers losses from slips in revenue or crop yield. Sometimes called "welfare for farmers," the direct payment subsidy is largely unpopular. And many farmers say crop insurance has already surpassed it in importance. Direct payments cost the federal government about $5 billion a year and the average federal payout for crop insurance in recent years is about $6 billion. Some of the savings from the elimination of direct payments will be plowed into the crop insurance program. Ultimately, it's impossible to know how much crop insurance will cost in the future, as payouts depend largely on the weather. Payments are high in times of drought or unseasonable cold. "If we have good weather over the next five years, the government will spend less on farm programs than they have historically," said Art Barnaby, an agricultural economist at Kansas State University. Of course, a repeat of the 2012 drought would cause crop insurance payments to skyrocket. The Meat Industry Isn't Cool About COOL: If many commodity crop farmers are pleased with this version of the farm bill, many in the meat industry are not. Some of the largest meat industry groups say they oppose the compromise farm bill, in part because it fails to strip out rules for country of origin labeling, known as COOL. Under the rules, which are currently on the books, meatpackers have to label where animals were born, raised and slaughtered. "They basically slapped the face of the livestock industries in this country," said Scott George, a Wyoming rancher and president of the National Cattlemen's Beef Association. Other groups that oppose this version of the farm bill include the American Meat Institute, the National Pork Producers Council and the National Chicken Council. The groups say the rules are a bookkeeping nightmare, and having to separate animals based on where they were born is next to impossible. "The implementation of these new standards will cost the industry in excess of $100 million," George said. "Those $100 million are going to come right out of the hands – the pockets – of the producers sitting right here on the farms and ranches." How Much Money Is Being Saved? Ask Again Later: There's lots of money in the farm bill. And because so much of the spending depends on enrollment in programs like food stamps and even on the weather, it's hard to know if this farm bill will save taxpayers money or not. Chad Hart, an agricultural economist at Iowa State University, will be watching. "From a taxpayer perspective, the key is 'What does it average out to be over time?'" Hart says. And from a farmer's perspective, the vagaries of weather, pests, crop prices and market forces are all elements they balance every day. So a farm bill that embraces that is one that most farmers can live with. Source - http://ijpr.org/

30.01.2014

Philippines - Cold weather’s toll in Cebu now P26M

AT LEAST P26 million worth of crops and livestock have been lost in Cebu Province, including Cebu City, because of the cold weather, officials said. In Cebu City, a total of 354 hectares of vegetable plantations were damaged and 134 heads of livestock have died, with an estimate value of P22.24 million. “Financial assistance for the affected farmers and animal owners is being considered. The provincial veterinarian, Dr. Rose Vincoy, recommends restocking animals, subject to guidelines,” said Provincial Information Officer Ethel Natera in a text message. Cebu City Hall’s agriculture and veterinarian’s offices will work with the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Oplan Kabukiran, which is tasked with addressing the needs of farmers. Tests by the DA showed that one cause of the upland animals’ deaths is pseudomonas SPP, a bacterial infection that strikes creatures whose immune systems have been compromised by stress, such as that caused by prolonged exposure to cold weather. Veterinarian Dr. Ted Dabocol of the DA diagnostic laboratory, said a press statement from the agency, said the infection causes fever, chills and general weakness among animals subjected to stress such as prolonged cold, rain or warm weather. “Animals can build resistance against such bacteria through proper nutrition and shelter from the elements that cause them stress and lower resistance to diseases,” the statement added. It said antibiotics and vitamins had been distributed to the livestock owners. Crops affected The cold spell has recently prompted the Cebu City Council to declare 17 barangays under a state of calamity. It sent a damage assessment report to the Provincial Agriculturist Office, where it identified some of the affected barangays as Lusaran, Adlaon, Sirao, Tagba-o, Taptap, Bonbon, Guba, Cambinocot, Paril, Budlaan, Pung-ol Sibugay, Sudlon II, Sudlon I, Sinsin and Tabunan. The damage to crops in 15 of the affected barangays has reportedly reached P1.745 million. Barangay Tagba-o reported the highest estimate, at P579,800 worth of crops lost. It also reported the loss of 22 heads of cattle, eight goats, 30 chicks and a sheep. Among the crops affected are sweet corn, eggplant, bitter gourd, tomato, string beans, baguio beans, lettuce, cucumber, peppers, spring onion and cabbage. Fruits like bananas and mangoes, and some orchids have also been affected. Last January 21, the Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (Pagasa) in Mactan recorded the coldest temperature in Cebu so far this year, at 21.8 degrees Celsius. Prep time Pagasa chief Oscar Tabada said that in Cebu’s mountain barangays, the temperature probably reached 18.2 degrees Celsius. Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena pointed out that the weather in recent days was no longer as cold as last week, so the residents may plant soon the high-value vegetable seeds that the Capitol will distribute. Saragena said that a month after the seeds are planted, some crops like kangkong, pechay and other leafy vegetables can then be harvested. “Gradually mawa na ning kabugnaw. Timing pud kaayo ma-prepare pud nila pagbalik ang ilang umahan (The weather will get warmer soon. Farmers can use this time to prepare their fields),” said Saragena. In Balamban town, the cold weather has been blamed for the deaths of 43 cows, 11 goats, two horses and two carabaos, with an estimate value of P995,000. About 93 hectares of vegetables, estimated at P2.904 million, were also damaged, according to an initial assessment by municipal agriculturist Felojyn Sundo. The 11 barangays affected in Balamban are Gaas, Sunog, Cabasiangan, Nangka, Hingatmonan, Cansomoroy, Vito, Cabagdalan, Liki, Biasong and Singsing. Seeds, fertilizers Danao City Agriculturist Mario Gorre reported, for his part, that nine hectares of crops were damaged in three barangays, causing the loss of some P710,000. These are Barangays Sacsac, Lawaan and Dungga. Provincial Agriculturist Roldan Saragena said the Province will initially purchase P100,000 worth of vegetable seeds and organic fertilizers for the affected local governments. The Provincial Agriculture Office has yet to receive the damage assessment in Dalaguete and Toledo City. A team from the Provincial Veterinary Office (PVO) was sent last week and took blood samples from the affected animals to find out what killed them. Based on the Provincial Information Office’s (PIO) press statement, the PVO is conducting a two-day mission in Balamban, which started yesterday. The team brought feeds, vitamins, antibiotics and Betadine solution for the animals. A monitoring team was also assigned in the area. Cebu Governor Hilario Davide III said he plans to visit the affected barangays in Balamban. 24-hour office In Cebu City, Joel Elumba, OIC-regional director for regulations of the DA, met with Cebu City Veterinarian Pilar Romero and City Agriculturist Joey Baclayon on Wednesday afternoon. They decided to implement Oplan Kabukiran, a task force to address the needs of farmers affected by the extreme weather. Elumba said they established an extension office in Barangay Taptap with staff from the city agriculturist and veterinarian’s offices, so any farmer’s call for help can be responded to 24 hours a day. Romero will head Oplan Kabukiran’s unit for health concerns, while Baclayon will lead the task force on crop health. DA 7 assists by providing vitamin supplements and antibiotics and by collecting blood for lab tests, when needed. Elumba added that supplements, such as vitamins A, D and E, will be administered to animals in the affected areas. Source - http://www.sunstar.com.ph/Philippines - Cold weather’s toll in Cebu now P26MAt least P26 million worth of crops and livestock have been lost in Cebu Province, including Cebu City, because of the cold weather, officials said. In Cebu City, a total of 354 hectares of vegetable plantations were damaged and 134 heads of livestock have died, with an estimate value of P22.24 million. Financial assistance for the affected farmers and animal owners is being considered. Cebu City Hall’s agriculture and veterinarian’s offices will work with the Department of Agriculture (DA) on Oplan Kabukiran, which is tasked with addressing the needs of farmers.

30.01.2014

USA - Stink bugs pose continuing threat to Md. crops

When J.D. Rinehart noticed brownish, depressed areas on his orchards’ apples and peaches about five years ago, he thought the fruit was low in calcium. But spraying the fruit with calcium didn’t help. When University of Maryland researchers cut open his fruit and examined it, it became clear that the problem was much more damaging and unpredictable: stink bugs. Rinehart, owner of Rinehart Orchards in Washington County, said stink bugs damage 10 to 20 percent of his crop every year. “They are a major, major issue in our orchards. It has really changed our approach to managing our applications of pesticides,” Rinehart said. “It’s nothing that you can take lightly.” Damage caused by the brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive species introduced to North America in the late 1990s, was particularly severe in 2010 and 2011. Some Maryland growers — Rinehart is one — are still dealing with stink bug-related damage, which, he said, can decrease the worth of a fruit by 90 percent. But others have seen damage subside. Although damage to crops — inflicted when stink bugs pierce fruit with their mouths and suck sugar out — has decreased since 2010 and 2011, there’s no reason to believe the insect is in any permanent state of decline, said Gerry Brust, a state integrated pest management vegetable specialist for University of Maryland Extension.“That’s what insect populations do. It goes up, down,” he said. Even relatively extreme environmental conditions, such as the record low temperatures the polar vortex brought to many parts of the nation this month, are not enough to cause any long-term decline in the state’s stink bug population. Stink bugs can escape cold conditions by living in dead or rotting trees, rock outcroppings or buildings, said Donald Weber, a research entomologist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. “They’re perfectly capable of surviving the winter,” Weber said. “A lot of them are in pretty sheltered areas, so they’re well equipped to survive even the recent cold snap that we had.” The insects have not just survived, though; they have expanded to more than 40 states, as well as parts of Canada and Europe, Weber said. According to a team of researchers funded by the USDA’s Specialty Crop Research Initiative, Maryland and every state it shares a border with, plus New Jersey, are the only ones in which “severe agricultural and nuisance problems” related to stink bugs have been reported. Rinehart said he has to aggressively scout for stink bug damage. If he finds significant damage, he can spray a repellant, which is safe for the produce but also repels beneficial insects. Pesticides are only a short-term solution, Weber said. Guy Moore, of Howard County’s Larriland Farm, said that stink bugs brought devastating damage in 2010 and 2011 but did not cause significant damage in subsequent years. USDA researchers take samples of apples and peaches from his farm and have been able to help monitor the stink bug population and detect damage. Moore hopes the stink bugs will only be a nuisance in the future. University of Maryland Extension personnel from Cecil, Dorchester, Montgomery and Washington counties said each county has experienced periods of bad damage, but they have come at different times: fall 2013 in Central Maryland, 2011 in Dorchester County and across the state in 2010 and 2011. Stink bugs have been in North America for a relatively brief period of time, so researchers still do not know much about their population dynamics, Weber said. “We’ve only had a few years; there’s a lot of other things that can happen,” he said. “We had a big cold snap this year; maybe that does nothing to them. We just don’t know. The safe bet is they’re not going away, and they’re going to be a distinct and significant pest problem in the mid-Atlantic states for a while.” Some existing predators are slowly starting to recognize stink bugs as potential prey, Weber said. Researchers are considering introducing natural enemies to feed on the non-native stink bugs. Identifying and deploying natural enemies could take a long time. Introducing a stink bug predator could take three to five years and would require the approval of scientists from all three North American countries, Weber said. There will likely be a proposal to introduce tiny wasps as predators of stink bugs within a year, Weber said. The wasps lay their eggs on other insects’ eggs, allowing the newly hatched wasps to eat the eggs of their prey — including stink bugs. Organic chemists have also synthesized the stink bug’s pheromone and are working on commercializing it, Weber said. The pheromone could allow growers to draw the insects away from produce. Until researchers — or nature — develop reliable means to keep stink bug populations under control, Maryland growers will have to continue to use short-term measures to minimize damage. “In this business, you are at the mercy of nature. Stink bugs are something that have definitely added to that and added in a very strong way,” Rinehart said. “Yeah, stink bugs are a bummer, man.” Source - http://thedailyrecord.com/When farmer noticed brownish, depressed areas on his orchards’ apples and peaches about five years ago, he thought the fruit was low in calcium. But spraying the fruit with calcium didn’t help. When University of Maryland researchers cut open his fruit and examined it, it became clear that the problem was much more damaging and unpredictable: stink bugs. Stink bugs damage 10 to 20 percent of his crop every year. They are a major issue in orchards.USA - Stink bugs pose continuing threat to Md. crops

30.01.2014

USA - Drought could limit Napa Valley winegrape crop

USA - Drought could limit Napa Valley winegrape cropNapa Valley winegrape growers are drawing on a number of measures to limit water usage and protect vines that are beginning to bud more than a month early, as California’s drought has turned normally wet, chilly winter days into a stretch of warm, dry days that could ultimately lead to a smaller 2014 crop. Though showers are in the forecast later this week and into the next, growers of the highest-priced winegrapes are looking for rain — and a lot of it — in the next few months.Napa Valley winegrape growers are drawing on a number of measures to limit water usage and protect vines that are beginning to bud more than a month early, as California’s drought has turned normally wet, chilly winter days into a stretch of warm, dry days that could ultimately lead to a smaller 2014 crop, according to local industry experts. Though showers are in the forecast later this week and into the next, growers of the highest-priced winegrapes are looking for rain — and a lot of it — in the next few months, Jennifer Putnam, executive director of Napa Valley Grapegrowers, said at a press conference in the 670-member trade association’s St. Helena offices on Tuesday. Southern Napa Valley should have received almost 15 inches so far in the July-to-June rain season, but the accumulation in that area was 2.98 inches, she said. The valley faced a similar drought situation four decades ago. “If February and March were wet, we would be in a good position,” she said. The valley would have to get 8 to 9 more inches of rain to get to that point. A key challenge for winegrape growers in drought conditions is figuring out how much of the yet-to-be-seen crop can make it to harvest, given available water, according to Domenick Bianco of Renteria Vineyard Management. “If we continue to see drought conditions, we will see a smaller crop,” Mr. Bianco said at the news event. “If we get 80 percent of the water of the previous year, we could have 80 percent of the crop of the past year.” The effect of rainfall that’s one-fifth of normal by this point in the season is noticeable because of the absence of a common vineyard cover crop — yellow-flowered mustard, which beneficially competes with vines for resources, keeps soil in place and fixes nitrogen in soil. This may call for growers to use compost or fertilizer to provide vine nutrients, Mr. Bianco said. Growers are concerned about what they are seeing — vines waking up too early from their winter naps. Usually, dormancy lasts until late February or early March. But buds have been seen on about 10 percent of chardonnay vines on the hills of Los Carneros appellation straddling southern Napa and Sonoma counties, and vines also are starting to bud in the Rutherford and Stag’s Leap viticultural areas of Napa Valley, Mr. Bianco said. “Growers and managers are taking very proactive steps,” he said. Crews usually are busy in the vine rows in January beginning pruning, but the warm weather this season has allowed vineyard teams to progress much further by now and to take a number of measurements to determine, he said. Suckering, or removing of vine shoots, will likely start three to four weeks earlier than the typical April start. Usually done to allow the vine to concentrate its physiology on developing the best fruit, shoot thinning this year will take on new importance by limiting the foliage and clusters the vine needs water to support. Yet there’s a balance, because removing too much foliage can lead to on hot days vine shutdown of activity and “sunburn” of exposed fruit. So tools growers are bringing to the drought fight include the simple — fixing leaking hoses and pipes — to high-tech neutron probes that measure soil moisture and irrigation models based on evapotranspiration, or ET, or the water needs of a plant based on environmental conditions. These tools help with critical timing of irrigation, if a vineyard is has it, and “precision irrigation,” or watering portions of a vineyard block at certain times, rather than the entire property. One thing certain areas of Napa Valley have going for them this year are ample aquifers so far, yet the wine industry is monitoring groundwater closely to see how it’s affecting surface water such as major waterways, according to Hal Huffsmith, director of vineyard operations for Trinchero Family Estates. “We’d prefer to avoid the situation in Paso Robles,” he said. Vineyard and other agricultural irrigation is blamed for a significant drop in the water table in that area. Two years ago, vintners and growers approached the county of Napa to form a Groundwater Resource Advisory Committee that would oversee a program in which growers would agree to have their well performance logged twice annually to help with policy-making. So far this year, Trinchero’s wells throughout Napa Valley, except for some on the hillsides, have adequately performing wells, Mr. Huffsmith said. “I suspect that even if the drought persists for a couple of years, we will continue to have consistent crops in Napa Valley,” he said. Challenges with adequate water on hillsides to water cover crops is posing challenges with compliance with county of Napa hillside erosion-control guidelines, and growers and public officials are pursuing solutions, according to Mr. Bianco. Source - http://www.northbaybusinessjournal.com/

30.01.2014

US Farm Bill removes direct farm payments

The United States Congress has passed the Farm Bill which removes direct payments for American farmers even if they don't produce a crop. It's expected to save the US Government $US5 billion a year. But the US Farm Bill offers more generous crop insurance for grain growers, as compensation if the price drops, or if a disaster like flood, frost or drought strikes. GrainProducers of Australia chairman Andrew Weidemann says multi-peril insurance is desperately needed for Australian farmers, and the Federal Government could underwrite it for $1 billion. "A number of producers are investing, every year, millions of dollars on the basis that it's going to rain! "I can't see that method continuing without higher reduction in farmers, greater risk being taken and overall debt increasing. "So we need to be looking at these type of schemes, where they're working well in America and Canada." An agricultural economist, Professor Vincent Smith, doesn't believe the US Farm Bill will save the Government the intended $23 billion over 10 years, because it offers generous subsidies when the price for grain falls. As director of the Agricultural Research Program of the American Enterprise Institute, a free market think tank, Professor Smith says the revenue protection programs have set the wheat price and corn prices too high. "The Congressional Budget office has assumed the record high prices for corn and wheat will continue. "As is likely to be the case, we're going to see a further downward pressure on corn prices. "Many expect the outlay for corn to be $US 4-5 billion just for one commodity - corn." But the US Farm Bureau has welcomed the passing of the Farm Bill in Congress. John Anderson, chief economist with farm lobby group, the US Farm Bureau, is more optimistic that the price for grain won't stay low. "The Congressional Budget office says this program is going to save $23 billion over the next 10 years. "Anybody who says it's not going to save, it's going to cost, is making some pretty strong assumptions about what's going to happen with prices over the next 10 years." Source - http://www.abc.net.au/US Farm Bill removes direct farm paymentsThe United States Congress has passed the Farm Bill which removes direct payments for American farmers even if they don't produce a crop. It's expected to save the US Government $US5 billion a year. But the US Farm Bill offers more generous crop insurance for grain growers, as compensation if the price drops, or if a disaster like flood, frost or drought strikes. GrainProducers of Australia say multi-peril insurance is desperately needed for Australian farmers, and the Federal Government could underwrite it for $1 billion.

30.01.2014

Australia - Mango season is sweet and sour

Australia - Mango season is sweet and sourIn backyards and orchards around the North Coast, mangoes are ripening quickly. While home-grown mangoes have been in abundance, the bounty hasn't been so fruitful at the epicentre of the North Coast commercial mango industry around Hogarth Range, south-west of Casino. While many plants were suffering from the extended dry weather, backyard mangoes had been producing bumper crops for the second season in a row.IN BACKYARDS and orchards around the North Coast, mangoes are ripening quickly. While it has been a highly successful year for many backyard growers, the commercial industry has experienced problems. Garden guru Phil Dudman said while many plants were suffering from the extended dry weather, backyard mangoes had been producing bumper crops for the second season in a row. "The conditions (for domestic growers) have been perfect," Mr Dudman said. He said now was the time to harvest before the fruit fell to the ground, or was gobbled up by roaming flying foxes looking for an easy meal. "I like to space out my harvest and pick them green, letting them ripen off the tree," he said. "I pick them as soon as I start to see a blush of colour." And with so many mangoes available this year, Mr Dudman suggests making chutney or freezing them by cutting off the cheeks, spooning out the flesh and placing them in freezer bags. While home-grown mangoes have been in abundance, the bounty hasn't been so fruitful at the epicentre of the North Coast commercial mango industry around Hogarth Range, south-west of Casino. Pioneer commercial grower Mike Coleman said hailstorms in December had damaged ripening fruit and, also due to some "diabolical" market conditions, most of the district's mangoes would be sold off locally rather than heading to capital city markets at premium prices. "Last season we had a huge crop that got badly damaged by heavy rain late in the ripening period and this season a reasonable crop had the edge taken off it by the hail, meaning much of the fruit has ripened off with marks. "I haven't had a real crop for, say, four seasons. "This was a good season - generally dry with some late rain to fatten the fruit - but then we had a series of around half-a-dozen storms with ice in them, one with heavy, marble-sized hail. "I tried to look after the crop immediately after that storm but marks have appeared on the matured fruit, which will take them out of the top grade." Mr Coleman and other district orchardists grow Kensington Pride, R2E2, Honey Gold and Calypso varieties to cover the growing season and in good years the fruit, among the last Australian mangoes to appear on the market, can command good money as the market prices take a final hook upwards. But not this year. Because it was so expensive to pick and pack the mangoes, unless they could be marketed at a good price, the additional costs of getting the fruit to Sydney were hard to justify. Mr Coleman said his crop was about two weeks from full harvest and local buyers and consumers would be the ones to benefit. MANGO FACTS - Mangoes are susceptible to fungal diseases like black spot and anthracnose, making the flowers shrivel and preventing the fruit from setting. - Fungal diseases are common in wet weather and can affect small fruit, causing them to drop off. Source - http://www.byronnews.com.au/

29.01.2014

Lebanon - Mild temperatures, little rain delay crops

At this time of year, Lebanese farmers are usually cultivating their land, but for the first time in years activity is virtually non-existent due to the change in weather patterns. The dearth of precipitation and early onset of spring weather have forced farmers to delay planting the new season's crops. Lebanon has had one snow storm this winter. Since then, it has had mild weather, with temperatures reaching 24 degrees Celsius on the coast and 20 degrees Celsius in the mountains in January, typically a month of rain and snowfall that is essential for groundwater storage. Each January, Gilbert Abou Mounsef was used to preparing his land in the Ammiq and Khirbet Qanafar areas of Lebanon's West Bekaa for planting potatoes and watermelons, surrounded by day labourers and farmers. This year, the agricultural engineer walked his land alone. These conditions are dangerous for farmers, he said. "If the weather continues as it is, we will face drought in groundwater wells," Abou Mounsef told Al-Shorfa. Around 90% of groundwater wells in Bekaa that are 120 to 170 metres deep are fed by water from rainfall and melting snow, and are relied upon to irrigate the valley's crops, he said. "The water levels in these wells are currently very low and if the spring weather continues they will dry up, which will force us to use generators and fuel to irrigate, meaning we will see a 15% increase in production costs," he said. Lebanon produces hundreds of thousands of tonnes of potatoes annually for export and local use, but this year may need to import potatoes to meet its needs, Abou Mounsef said. "We bought potato seeds from Europe but held off on planting them, because if we plant them now and it rains in March, the season's crops will be susceptible to disease on one hand, and on the other the yield will be low," he said. LOW LEVELS OF PRECIPITATION As of mid-January, 130 millimetres of precipitation have fallen in the Bekaa and 230 millimetres on the coast, which is low compared to the annual average, Lebanese Agricultural Research Institute president Michel Afram told Al-Shorfa. The situation is "difficult, especially if the current month ends with no change", he said. "We will not be able to reach 50% of the overall annual average precipitation this year, even if there is rainfall in February and March." "All the winter crops are suffering from lack of rain, which forced farmers to use drip and spray irrigation, and thus incur higher costs," he said. Wheat, barley, beans, onions, garlic and potatoes are among the key winter crops, Afram said. "If there is not considerable rainfall we will face an agricultural disaster, which affects not only crop yields but also wild plants, and leads to the emergence of insects that are harmful to crops," he said. The water level of Lake Qaraoun, Lebanon's largest inland lake and a key source for agriculture in the Bekaa Valley and a large portion of the south, is at its lowest levels this year, Afram said. 'WE STILL HAVE TIME' "The farmer has not yet entered the high-risk stage," said Lebanese Farmers Association head Antoine al-Howayek. "Lemon and banana farmers are pleased with the weather and crops that have not yet been exposed to storms, so they were able to maintain their production," he told Al-Shorfa. "Other farmers, however, are under duress because they are irrigating their crops at a higher cost as they are forced to use fuel." "If there is no rainfall in February, we will then face a real disaster, because that is the month fruit trees bloom," he said. But, "We still have time. It may still rain in [February] and in unexpected quantities that cover the shortage, and eliminate the insects that have begun to appear on crops," al-Howayek added. Source - http://al-shorfa.com/At this time of year, Lebanese farmers are usually cultivating their land, but for the first time in years activity is virtually non-existent due to the change in weather patterns.The dearth of precipitation and early onset of spring weather have forced farmers to delay planting the new season's crops. Lebanon has had one snow storm this winter. Since then, it has had mild weather, with temperatures reaching 24 degrees Celsius on the coast and 20 degrees Celsius in the mountains in January, typically a month of rain and snowfall that is essential for groundwater storage.Lebanon - Mild temperatures, little rain delay crops

29.01.2014

USA - Drought Brings Hard Times to California Ethnic Farmers

California is experiencing record dry conditions, with this year projected to be the driest on record. The state usually relies on three months of rain from December to February to replenish its water supply. But, with three consecutive years of below average winter rainfall, supplies are alarmingly low. The snowpack – which serves as water storage for the drier summer months – is 20 percent of normal; reservoirs are very low for this time of year, and groundwater levels statewide have dropped significantly.California’s driest winter on record has caused Fresno grower Kevin Yang to leave two-thirds of his land fallow. “It’s killing me right now,” he said. “I have 30 acres. I just have 10 acres of strawberries [planted] now. The rest of my land … I can’t use it. It’s too dry. I have to wait for rain to come.” Yang, a Hmong grower who owns Kevin’s Farm, located in the Central Valley half way between San Francisco and Los Angeles, usually grows cherry tomatoes and long beans, an Asian specialty crop that has a ready market in California. But, this year, Yang’s profits will be cut. Even his strawberries are too small. California is experiencing record dry conditions, with this year projected to be the driest on record. The state usually relies on three months of rain from December to February to replenish its water supply. But, with three consecutive years of below average winter rainfall, supplies are alarmingly low. The snowpack – which serves as water storage for the drier summer months – is 20 percent of normal; reservoirs are very low for this time of year, and groundwater levels statewide have dropped significantly. The severity of the drought prompted Governor Jerry Brown to declare a drought emergency on Jan. 17, a move largely aimed at boosting morale in this huge agricultural state. The declaration triggered limited federal assistance to state growers and livestock producers. Small farmers, who represent the majority (85 percent) of farming operations in the state, could get relief through an emergency loan program, but low enrollment in other federal loan programs suggest robust outreach efforts are needed, especially among minority farmers. Yang taps groundwater from a well to irrigate his crops. Arid conditions mean he has to spend more money to pump more water to sustain his farm. He says he can’t afford to pump the extra water needed to soften his soil. “My land is very hard, like rock,” he said. “I use equipment to chomp down [on the ground, but] I can’t do it. I need the water. When I turn the pump on, it costs me $4000 a month.” Yang also has to make monthly payments of about $500 on a loan of $35,000 he took out last year from the U.S. Dept. of Agriculture (USDA). He says he’s two months behind on those loan payments. Emergency loans provide relief The emergency loan program triggered by the state’s emergency drought declaration could help to refinance Yang’s loan or defer payments, according to Val Dolcini, state executive director of the USDA Farm Service Agency. Growers can borrow up to $500,000 at a low interest rate of 2 to 3 percent to help restore property, pay for production costs, and cover essential family living expenses, he said. Growers and ranchers whose production has fallen because of the drought can apply for the loan. Dolcini says [growers and ranchers] in nearly all state counties are eligible to apply, as nearly all counties in the state are experiencing “severe” or “extreme” drought conditions. Information gap for minority farmers Growers can already apply for the federal crop insurance program, which is limited because it covers specific crops only. Michael Yang of the University of California Cooperative Extension, which runs a statewide program to help small farmers, says the crop insurance program doesn’t cover specialty crops, such as Asian vegetables grown by hundreds of Asian farmers in the Central Valley. Yang (no relation to Kevin Yang), who is Hmong and used to be a vegetable farmer himself, says the USDA offers an insurance program for non-specialty crops, but few Southeast Asian farmers apply for it. According to the USDA office in Frenso, the busiest office in the state according to Dolcini, 120 farmers in the county participated in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) from 2011-2013. Of that number, 18 were Asian. Michael Yang says, in general, Hmong farmers face language and cultural barriers in accessing government programs. In addition, the farmers lack the required paperwork -- records and documentation -- needed to apply for federal loans. Dolcini says the NAP program is just one part of the USDA’s overall portfolio. California’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) has nearly 1,100 borrowers, with some racial groups receiving loans in proportion to their population. About a fifth of the state’s farming operations are owned by minority farmers. While Asians operate about 4.5 percent of the farms (2007 agriculture census), they received 8.5 percent of the FSA loans as of Sept. 2013. Latinos own 12 percent of farms, but account for just 3.5 percent of loan recipients. Dolcini said his office has made strides to build relationships with small, ethnic farmers, including hiring more diverse staff and developing a microloan program targeted to ethnic borrowers who face obstacles in the loan process. “Ethnic famers around the state haven’t worked as closely with our offices,” he said. “In Fresno, we’ve made an effort to hire Hmong-speaking staff. Our office is providing culturally sensitive and appropriate information to growers who may need our help.” Michael Yang with the UCCE says, “If the drought continues, a lot of the small farmers are going to suffer.” He says farmers are having to spend upwards of $20,000 to drill a deeper well if they have run out of water. “A lot of small farms will not be able to do that. That costs a lot,” he said, adding that more small farmers may go out of business. Costs rising for small farmers Grace Teressi, the owner of Miramonte Farms and Nursery in San Benito County, says the drier conditions are making her “very nervous.” She says water does two things: it softens the earth and flushes salt lower into the soil. “Usually, the rains soften the soil. It’s a pre-planting step that nature usually takes care of and allows for planting,” she said. Now Teressi, who relies on groundwater to irrigate her crops, has to spend more money to pump water. Teressi says growers are being more selective about the crops they are planting. She sells her produce at farmers markets throughout the Bay Area. She says she’s had to increase her prices by 20 percent. She’s already had to adapt to drier farming conditions, including adopting more “dry farming” on crops such as tomatoes. She says the technique involves “minimizing water” and “stressing” the plant. “You lose tonnage and yield, but you increase quality and flavor,” she said. “I do it all the time. The earth is getting drier and it’s my own way of trying to adapt.” Source - http://newamericamedia.org/USA - Drought Brings Hard Times to California Ethnic Farmers

29.01.2014

New Zealand - Large tasty apples this season

Apple growers are harvesting what they say is some of the largest and tastiest fruit for years. Pipfruit New Zealand says this year's harvest will be one of the best crops ever, due to “vintage” spring and summer growing conditions. CEO Allan Pollard says this year's crop is expected to be only slightly smaller than last year's record 550-thousand tonnes - but this year the apples themselves will be bigger than in the past few seasons - and that will be a point of difference on the export market. Source - http://www.farmingshow.com/Apple growers are harvesting what they say is some of the largest and tastiest fruit for years. Farmers in New Zealand say this year's harvest will be one of the best crops ever, due to “vintage” spring and summer growing conditions. This year's crop is expected to be only slightly smaller than last year's record 550-thousand tonnes - but this year the apples themselves will be bigger than in the past few seasons - and that will be a point of difference on the export market.New Zealand - Large tasty apples this season

29.01.2014

USA - Agriculture especially vulnerable to California drought

News articles in recent months raise the alarm that “2013 was the driest year in recorded California history.” Each of those proclamations is consistently accompanied by a litany of worries associated with water supply availability for the 2014 water year — whether municipal, industrial, recreational, environmental and/or agricultural. Agriculture will be especially vulnerable if, as forecast, little precipitation falls in the months ahead. Almonds are particularly at risk in the coming crop year. Due to their permanent nature, almonds cannot be rotated or irrigation discontinued like an annual crop because of the long-term investment. In order to insure a productive cycle, almonds need a very specific amount of water not only to produce, but to survive. Presently, the surface water supplies needed to insure this continued productivity appear to be extremely limited. Late in 2013, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) came out with its initial allocation estimate for the State Water Project (SWP) of only 5%. Snow surveys conducted in the first few days of 2014 verify what everyone already knew: California’s largest reservoir (the snowpack) is between 10 % and 20% of normal for this time in the year — a harbinger of a third year in a row of drought for California. Current reservoir levels are below the historical average, many well below the average. The shortage of surface water supplies for 2014 only exacerbates the groundwater situation in California and highlights the current ineffectiveness and cumbersome nature of the current water transfer and exchange programs. The state and federal agencies continue to tout progress in talks about streamlining the exchange and transfer processes, but agriculture remains skeptical about timely progress to address the deficiencies present in the current water year. Almond challenges As for groundwater, when surface water supplies are limited, the natural need of almonds necessitates the move to groundwater. Increased groundwater pumping will only increase the present overdraft problems and accelerate the potential of ground subsidence. This trend will necessitate that almond growers/handlers remain actively engaged in current and future discussions and actions that address the imbalance between extractions and recharge. If regions are found to be inadequately addressing this imbalance, there is the strong likelihood of the state stepping in to intervene. Whatever way you look at it, almond growers (no matter where they are in the state) are in for a challenging year ahead. Source - http://westernfarmpress.com/USA - Agriculture especially vulnerable to California droughtNews articles in recent months raise the alarm that “2013 was the driest year in recorded California history.” Agriculture will be especially vulnerable if, as forecast, little precipitation falls in the months ahead. Almonds are particularly at risk in the coming crop year. Due to their permanent nature, almonds cannot be rotated or irrigation discontinued like an annual crop because of the long-term investment. In order to insure a productive cycle, almonds need a very specific amount of water not only to produce, but to survive. Presently, the surface water supplies needed to insure this continued productivity appear to be extremely limited.

29.01.2014

USA - Wine growers enact damage-control amidst drought

Wine country is feeling the effects of the drought prompting the industry to do some damage control, working to assess both short and long-term solutions. On Tuesday field workers in Napa Valley brushed a protective coat on newly pruned vines to prevent fungus if and when the rain returns.The area is already suffering from a severe water deficit. "2013 was the driest year on record. It was the driest winter on record," says Jen Putnam, Executive Director of the Napa Valley Grape Growers Association. For those vineyards that have underground aquifers to feed them, it will be a relatively normal season. But for those that depend on rainwater, the troubles are already starting to mount. Hal Huffsmith of Trinchero Family Estates says he’s not so sure. "The presence of ground water does not make up for the lack of rainfall," says Huffsmith. Water shortages may force vineyards to irrigate their most valuable grape varieties and let others wither on the vine. Warm winter weather not only speeds water evaporation, it also confuses the vines. Bud shoots, which usually sprout at the end of February, have already begun in many locations subjecting the plants to potential freezing when cold weather returns. To save water, vines will be pruned to produce fewer grapes and their umbrellas, the leaves over them, will also be thinned. "If we continue to see drought conditions in 2014, we will see a small crop," says Domenick Bianco, Renteria Vineyard Manager. Pests are expected to be an even bigger problem. You'll see very few mustard fields or other so-called cover crops, used here to enrich the soils, nurture beneficial insects and prevent soil erosion. Such cover crops should already be three feet high but they are barely six inches with many patches reduced to bare earth. Grape growers are working together to swap every water-conserving trick in the book. "There's an exchange of information and technology in the vineyards is at a level that helps everyone," says Jen Putnam of the Napa Valley Grape Growers Association. Growers say their biggest worry now is the possibility of another drought next year, when fewer options will be available. Source - http://www.ktvu.com/USA - Wine growers enact damage-control amidst droughtWine country is feeling the effects of the drought prompting the industry to do some damage control, working to assess both short and long-term solutions. On Tuesday field workers in Napa Valley brushed a protective coat on newly pruned vines to prevent fungus if and when the rain returns. The area is already suffering from a severe water deficit. 2013 was the driest year on record. For those vineyards that have underground aquifers to feed them, it will be a relatively normal season. But for those that depend on rainwater, the troubles are already starting to mount.

29.01.2014

India - Yellow rust attacks wheat crop in Himachal villages

India - Yellow rust attacks wheat crop in Himachal villagesIn first such instance this rabi season, the farm scientists have spotted stripe rust commonly known as yellow rust, a fungal disease, in wheat crops in Kangra and Hamirpur districts in the hill state. In a recent survey and surveillance tour, a team of scientists from spotted the disease at Baba Panja area of Dehra block in Kangra district. The scientists have also recorded yellow rust at Jol Sappar in Naduan block and Jimmi in Bamsan block of Hamirpur district. However, scientists said these were isolated cases and it was not alarming at this stage.In first such instance this rabi season, the farm scientists have spotted stripe rust commonly known as yellow rust, a fungal disease, in wheat crops in Kangra and Hamirpur districts in the hill state. In a recent survey and surveillance tour, a team of scientists from Himachal Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Agriculture University (HPAU) spotted the disease at Baba Panja area of Dehra block in Kangra district. The scientists have also recorded yellow rust at Jol Sappar in Naduan block and Jimmi in Bamsan block of Hamirpur district. However, scientists said these were isolated cases and it was not alarming at this stage. “Yellow rust was observed in fields in Dehra on January 24 where farmers had sown Raj-3765, a wheat variety that is susceptible to the fungal disease,” Dr SK Rana, senior plant pathologist at Wheat and Rice Research Station of HPAU, said. Rana said that the disease was also observed in trails up to 20% severity in some parts of Hamirpur district where farmers had grown some traditional varieties which are susceptible to the disease. Yellow rust is a fungal disease that attacks leaves of the wheat plant and forms yellow stripes and it affects the photosynthesis process, which, in turn, leads to withering of grain size. “Prevailing climatic conditions, low temperatures and high humidity due to intermittent rains, are highly congenial to infection, development and spread of yellow rust on susceptible varieties in the state,” Dr Rana said. Rana advised the farmers to be on alert and regularly inspect their wheat fields for the appearance of symptoms of the disease. “If a plant is infested with yellow rust, it stains hands when rubbed against it. If not controlled in time, it could spread to other areas and cause a huge damage in the wheat-growing belt,” Dr Rana said. Maintaining that it was important to control the disease at the initial stage, Dr Rana said if farmers observed the appearance of fungal disease the crops should immediately be sprayed with propiconazole (tilt or shine) 25 EC or tebuconazole (folicur) 250 EC or triadimefon (bayleton) 25 WP by dissolving 30 ml of fungicide in 30 litre water per kanal of land. “The farmers are advised to give second spray after 15-20 days as per need,” Dr Rana said. The fungal disease had severely hit the wheat crop in Himachal in 2011 and 2012 with losses running into crores. A few days ago, the HPAU scientists had issued advisory to farmers to stay alert for spread of the disease after it was spotted in neighbouring Punjab and Haryana. Source - http://www.hindustantimes.com/

28.01.2014

Australian wheat, beef and sugarcane at risk from drought

Australian wheat, beef and sugarcane at risk from drought Drought and high temperatures are pounding parts of Australia, one of the world’s leading exporters of wheat, beef and raw sugar. But Australian weather problems aren’t expected to have much effect on U.S. prices of the three commodities. The following is a look at each of the three commodities: wheat, beef and raw sugar.Drought and high temperatures are pounding parts of Australia, one of the world’s leading exporters of wheat, beef and raw sugar. But Australian weather problems aren’t expected to have much effect on U.S. prices of the three commodities, say experts. The following is a look at each of the three commodities: Wheat Australian wheat farmers have harvested their 2013 crop, which enjoyed good yields, says Jim Peterson, marketing director for the North Dakota Wheat Commission. Australia, the world’s second-leading wheat exporter, is in the Southern Hemisphere, where the growing season normally is opposite that of the Northern Hemisphere. But Australian wheat’s growing season is similar to that of spring wheat in the Upper Midwest, with Australian farmers planting wheat in April and May and harvesting it in October and November. If drought continues, however, planting conditions for the 2014 Australian wheat crop would suffer. If so, that could hurt yields and potentially mean less Australian wheat to compete with U.S. wheat for exports in southeast Asia, Peterson says. But it’s much too soon to make any predictions about the size of Australia’s 2014 wheat crop, he says. Bryce Anderson, senior ag meteorologist with DTN, notes that Australia typically receives much of its annual precipitation during its fall (spring in the Northern Hemisphere). If normal weather patterns hold true, much of the country should receive substantial rains in the next few months. “I’m not ready to write off Australia,” he says. Anderson also notes that western Australia, the country’s key wheat-for-export producer, is in relatively good shape for moisture. Beef Australia is the world’s third-largest beef exporter, with most of it lower-grade processing beef. The U.S. is a major importer of lower-grade beef. The combination might lead to the conclusion that drought in Argentina, which is hurting many livestock producers, will impact U.S. beef prices. But that’s not the case, says Tim Petry, North Dakota State University Extension Service livestock marketing specialist. “Any impact on U.S. beef prices will be negligible,” he says. Australian beef exports increasingly go to China, which is importing rising amounts of beef to improve the diet of its fast-growing middle class, Petry says. Because of greater demand from China, Australia has been sending less beef to the U.S. That reduces the impact of the Australian drought on U.S. beef prices, he says. Sugar Australia, which raises sugarcane, is the world’s third-ranking sugar exporter. Typically, Australia begins harvesting sugarcane in June, according to the website of the World Association of Beet and Sugarcane Growers. As of early January, Australian sugarcane growers were optimistic for a good harvest, provided “thirsty crops get a much-needed drink soon,” according to the website of Canegrowers Australia, which represents about 80 percent of the country’s sugarcane growers. Drought is a particular concern in Queensland, a key sugar-producing state in northeast Australia. But it’s unlikely that depressed U.S. sugar prices will rally even if problems worsen in Australia, officials say. Any decrease in Australian sugar production most likely would be offset by an excellent harvest in India, the world’s fourth-leading sugar exporter, says William Hejl, an Amenia, N.D., sugar beet farmer and a past president of the World Association of Beet and Sugarcane Growers. For now, at least, reports don’t show a major change in Australian sugar production from a year ago, says David Berg, president of Moorhead, Minn.-based, American Crystal Sugar. Jack Roney, director of economics and policy analysis for the American Sugar Industry in Arlington, Va., doesn’t see much, if any, impact on U.S. sugar prices. Australia has the fourth-largest share among the 40 countries that have quotas to export sugar to the U.S., Roney says. “Australia normally fills its quota, which is at least 87,000 metric tons per year — higher when we need the sugar. Even with reduced production, it is likely Australia would send its usual amount of sugar, as long as the U.S. price provides a medium premium to selling their sugar onto the world market” — a premium that now exists, Roney says. To help U.S. sugar growers, an Australian drought would need to be so damaging that it boosts world sugar prices, he says. Though Australia is the world’s third-largest sugar exporter, its annual sugar exports are dwarved by those of Brazil, Roney says. Australia averaged 3.1 million metric tons of sugar exports annually in the past five years. That’s only one-eighth as much as the 24.8 million metric tons of sugar exports averaged annually in the past five years by Brazil. Source - http://www.agweek.com/

28.01.2014

USA - North County growers consider removing old grapevines amid drought

North County wine-grape growers are faced with a predicament. To survive one of the worst droughts in California history, they must irrigate. And for many growers, that means tapping into the dwindling Paso Robles groundwater basin. With little or no rain in sight and conservation a priority, some worry about the long-term health of their crops and are considering the removal of older vines. “The real issue is the uncertainty,” said Jerry Reaugh, who farms 70 acres of grapes at Sereno Vista Vineyards in Paso Robles. “Are we done with winter? No one knows the answer to that. But if we are done with winter, most people are really scared and don’t know what’s going to happen. How much further will it affect the basin? We’re caught between a diminished resource and trying to keep vineyards alive.” Grapevine breeders at UC Davis are continuing to develop drought and salt-tolerant rootstocks that can survive in conditions where water is limited. Even so, vines can be stressed to the point where they do not perform well and produce little fruit, growers say. To make up for the lack of rainfall, some growers have been irrigating their vines in the winter, dormant season, said Mark Battany, viticulture farm adviser with UC Cooperative Extension. Without the pumping of more water than normal, vine growth could be reduced this year, resulting in lower grape yields, he said. Moreover, the dry conditions means greater salt accumulation in the soils, further stressing the vines, Battany said. Grapevines are fairly sensitive to salt content in the soil. The more salt in the soil, the more difficult it is for a plant to extract water from the soil. “We could not have picked a worse time for a severe drought like this to have occurred on the Central Coast,” he said. Reducing the crop Anticipating less water, some growers are pruning earlier and cutting back more, leaving fewer buds to reduce crop load, said Fritz Westover, viticulturist and technical program manager for the Central Coast Vineyard Team, a nonprofit group that promotes sustainable grape growing. They’re also monitoring soil moisture and practicing deficit-irrigation methods, he said. While it’s a tough decision to pull out a block of vines, some are “kicking around the idea,” Westover said. “In general, with blocks that are older and declining, there’s more of a reason to pull them out at this point,” he said. Dana Merrill, owner of Pomar Junction Winery, who also manages North County vineyards through his firm Mesa Vineyard Management, agrees that growers already thinking about removing an older block of vines in the next two years should consider doing it now, and let the ground rest for a while before replanting. Merrill, who says vines can last about 25 years, is considering the move himself. Most vineyard owners know when they have vines that may be nearing the end of their lifespan and can be removed, he said. “There comes a time when you can identify a certain block of grapes, and for those thinking they might come out in the next one to three years, maybe you take them out right now,” Merrill said. Growers are concerned, however, that by the time they get around to replanting, the county may have further tightened restrictions. An existing county ordinance prohibits new or expanded irrigated crop production for two years unless water use can be offset on a 1-1 ratio. “I think most of us think we’ll go through another year, but if someone says how will it be if it goes another two years … who knows?” Merrill said. “No one knows what’s around the corner. We’re in uncharted territory.” John Crossland, owner of Vineyard Professional Services, said one of his clients has decided to pull vines from a virus-infected section of the vineyard. His client is waiting to replant that section “until the water situation is less critical,” he said. “We’ve had no meaningful rainfall in a year,” Crossland said. “So, we’re caught between a rock and a dry spot. I think people are holding off making drastic decisions to see if we do get some rain in February and March.” Crossland added: “It is rough out here. We’re all concerned and worried, not only from a land stewardship standpoint, but also because incomes are at stake.” The continuing drought has the potential to be devastating to many growers who depend on the grape harvest for their livelihood, Reaugh said. “If you’re in that position, you don’t have a lot of choices,” he said. “Maybe you water less and have a shorter crop. It’s like going on unemployment.” Battany of UC Cooperative Extension isn’t prepared to say just how much of an economic impact the drought could have on growers this year. He’s still holding out hope that Mother Nature will bring a “miracle March.” “Let’s hold off on making predictions just yet,” he said. “We still have some winter remaining.” Source- http://www.sanluisobispo.com/USA - North County growers consider removing old grapevines amid droughtNorth County wine-grape growers are faced with a predicament. To survive one of the worst droughts in California history, they must irrigate. And for many growers, that means tapping into the dwindling Paso Robles groundwater basin. With little or no rain in sight and conservation a priority, some worry about the long-term health of their crops and are considering the removal of older vines. Anticipating less water, some growers are pruning earlier and cutting back more, leaving fewer buds to reduce crop load.

28.01.2014

USA - Major cold wave dominates the Heartland

USA - Major cold wave dominates the HeartlandAcross the Corn Belt, sub-zero cold has returned to the upper Midwest, accompanied by gusty winds and dangerously low wind chill temperatures. Monday morning’s temperatures fell below -20° in parts of Minnesota and the eastern Dakotas, maintaining stress on winter-weary livestock. On the Plains, sub-zero temperatures have returned to the Dakotas, eastern Montana, and parts of Nebraska. The Plains’ winter wheat is largely devoid of snow cover, leaving the crop exposed to the latest cold wave. Cold air is just starting to arrive across the southern Plains, accompanied by gusty northerly winds.Across the Corn Belt, sub-zero cold has returned to the upper Midwest, accompanied by gusty winds and dangerously low wind chill temperatures. Monday morning’s temperatures fell below -20° in parts of Minnesota and the eastern Dakotas, maintaining stress on winter-weary livestock. On the Plains, sub-zero temperatures have returned to the Dakotas, eastern Montana, and parts of Nebraska. The Plains’ winter wheat is largely devoid of snow cover, leaving the crop exposed to the latest cold wave. Cold air is just starting to arrive across the southern Plains, accompanied by gusty northerly winds. In the South, isolated rain showers dot the central and eastern Gulf Coast States in advance of a strong cold front. Meanwhile, sharply cold weather prevails across the Mid-South in the front’s wake. In the West, unfavorable dryness persists, although a cold front is approaching the Pacific Northwest. In addition to the dry conditions, unusual warmth prevails in California, Arizona, and the Great Basin. For the remainder of Monday, an Arctic cold front will cross the South and East. In the front’s wake, a major winter weather event will unfold tomorrow and Wednesday across the Deep South, featuring snow, sleet, and freezing rain from southeastern Texas to the southern Mid-Atlantic coastal plain. Snow can be expected as far south as the central Gulf Coast region, including northwestern Florida. Farther north, bitterly cold conditions will be short-lived on the central High Plains, where warmer-than-normal weather will return by Wednesday. Cold weather will persist, however, across the upper Midwest, with a reinforcing surge of frigid air arriving on Thursday. Elsewhere, beneficial precipitation will overspread the northern half of the West, but unfavorable dryness will persist from southern California to the southern Plains. Looking ahead, the 6- to 10-day outlook calls for below-normal temperatures across most of the northern half of the U.S., while warmer-than-normal weather will prevail from Arizona into the Southeast. Meanwhile, above-normal precipitation across the majority of the U.S. will contrast with drier-than-normal conditions in the Pacific Northwest, far upper Midwest, and from California into the Desert Southwest. Source - http://www.news-gazette.com/