Agroinsurance

USA - 37 Counties In Kansas Were Designated As Primary Natural Disaster Areas

USA - 37 Counties In Kansas Were Designated As Primary Natural Disaster AreasDrought conditions have prompted The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to declare 37 Kansas counties as primary natural disaster areas and qualify for Federal assistance. These counties were designated natural disaster areas on Jan. 15, 2014, making all qualified and eligible farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Farmers in eligible counties have eight months starting January 15th to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses.Drought conditions have prompted The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to declare 37 Kansas counties as primary natural disaster areas and qualify for Federal assistance. The counties are Cheyenne, Graham, Lane, Phillips, Sherman, Clark, Grant, Logan, Rawlins, Stanton, Comanche, Gray, Meade, Rooks, Stevens, Decatur, Greeley, Morton, Rush, Thomas, Ellis, Hamilton, Ness, Scott, Trego, Finney, Haskell, Norton, Seward, Wallace, Ford, Hodgeman, Pawnee, Sheridan, Wichita, Gove and Kearny. “Our hearts go out to those Kansas farmers and ranchers affected by recent natural disasters,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “President Obama and I are committed to ensuring that agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy by sustaining the successes of America’s farmers, ranchers, and rural communities through these difficult times. We’re also telling Kansas producers that USDA stands with you and your communities when severe weather and natural disasters threaten to disrupt your livelihood.” Farmers and ranchers in Barber, Edwards, Osborne, Smith, Barton, Kiowa, Russell, Stafford in Kansas also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Farmers and ranchers in the following counties in Colorado, Nebraska and Oklahoma also qualify for natural disaster assistance because their counties are contiguous. Those counties are:Colorado: Baca, Kiowa, Prowers, Cheyenne, Kit Carson, Yuma, Nebraska: Dundy, Furnas, Hitchcock, Franklin, Harlan, Red WillowOklahoma: Beaver, Cimarron, Harper, Texas, Woods These counties were designated natural disaster areas on Jan. 15, 2014, making all qualified and eligible farm operators in the designated areas eligible for low interest emergency (EM) loans from USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA). Farmers in eligible counties have eight months starting January 15th to apply for loans to help cover part of their actual losses. FSA offers a variety of programs, in addition to the EM loan program, to help eligible farmers recover from adversity. Assistance to producers impacted by the drought included: Extended emergency grazing on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres, freeing up 2.8 million acres and $200 million in forage and feed for ranchers during a challenging time. Purchase of $170 million of pork, lamb, chicken, and catfish for federal food nutrition assistance programs, including food banks, to help relieve pressure on American livestock producers and bring the nation's meat supply in line with demand. Reduced the emergency loan rate, from 3.75 percent to 2.875 percent and making emergency loans available earlier in the season.Allowing haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops. USDA working with crop insurance companies to provide flexibility to farmers, and one-third of all policyholders took advantage of the extended payment period. Authorize $16 million in existing funds from the Wildlife Habitat Incentive Program (WHIP) and Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) to target states experiencing exceptional and extreme drought. Transfer $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) to help farmers and ranchers rehabilitate farmland damaged by natural disasters and for carrying out emergency water conservation measures in periods of severe drought. Authorize haying and grazing of Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) easement areas in drought-affected areas where haying and grazing is consistent with conservation of wildlife habitat and wetlands.Lower the penalty on CRP acres used for emergency haying or grazing, from 25 percent to 10 percent in 2012. Simplify the Secretarial disaster designation process and reduced the time it takes to designate counties affected by disasters by 40 percent. Source - http://www.wibw.com/

Australia - Hot and dry summer for Mid North farmers

Similar to last year, this summer season has been hot and dry for local farmers. Our well-below average summer rainfall of 19.8 millimetres so far is affecting the broader farming community including major chemical companies such as Kerin Agencies in Crystal Brook. Summer spraying is a major part of the farming year with costs varying from nothing to a substantial amount depending on the rainfall. Tens of thousands of dollars can be spent on summer spray in a season like we experienced two years ago with 113.5 mm of summer rain. Additional to the fact that there are minimal weeds to spray, Chris Fogarty from Kerin Agencies said the most common spray, Round Up, doesn’t work in dry dusty conditions, hence spraying is not at the top of farmers’ to do list at the moment. Although farmers are saving money on summer spray, moisture in the soil from a wet summer greatly benefits crops in the next season, increasing the turn over in harvest. Pros and cons will both arise from our current situation if our summer continues on its dry course. The snail numbers will reduce, as well as the disease carrying weeks. Remaining grain and stubble from the previous harvest will keep their nutrients, benefitting grazing livestock, despite the lack of green feed available for them. But Chris said without the rain the chemical residue in the soil can cause chemical damage on the next crop. So far summer has only shown hot and dry tendencies but with six weeks still in store there is great possibility for the prospects of this year to drastically change. Source - http://www.portpirierecorder.com.au/Australia - Hot and dry summer for Mid North farmersSimilar to last year, this summer season has been hot and dry for local farmers. Summer spraying is a major part of the farming year with costs varying from nothing to a substantial amount depending on the rainfall. Tens of thousands of dollars can be spent on summer spray in a season like farmers experienced two years ago with 113.5 mm of summer rain. Additional to the fact that there are minimal weeds to spray, the most common spray doesn’t work in dry dusty conditions, hence spraying is not at the top of farmers’ to do list at the moment.

Australia - Apples will be right as rain

Australia - Apples will be right as rainApple growers will be looking skyward and hoping the promised rain later today and tomorrow will deliver the last minute boost to round off a strong crop. Orchardists say the hot conditions experienced last week brought the final stages of development of the fruit to a standstill. With the cooler conditions of a top of 26 degrees is predicted for today and a top of 20 for tomorrow, combined with the rain it will put the finishing touches to the crop for growers. Cooler conditions are expected to continue over the weekend with tops of 25 degrees and 24 degrees respectively.APPLE growers will be looking skyward and hoping the promised rain later today and tomorrow will deliver the last minute boost to round off a strong crop. Orchardist Tim West says the hot conditions experienced last week brought the final stages of development of the fruit to a standstill. “Apples don’t particularly like the heat so the cooler conditions at the end of this week have come at the right time,” said Mr West. “The hot weather just stopped them in their tracks.” Mr West said he is looking forward to using around 20 international backpackers to bring in his crop of royal galas when picking starts in a couple of weeks. “They are reliable and very good people,” he said. Mr West said two inches of rain over the next couple of weeks would be absolutely ideal. Today one millimetre of rain is expected hopefully building to up to 40mm predicted for tomorrow. With the cooler conditions of a top of 26 degrees is predicted for today and a top of 20 for tomorrow, combined with the rain it will put the finishing touches to the crop for growers. Cooler conditions are expected to continue over the weekend with tops of 25 degrees and 24 degrees respectively. However temperatures are expected to climb again next week into the high 20s and early 30s. Mr West and other growers are hoping the fruit will have the chance to progress again before hot conditions return. Mr West’s crop is targeted for the domestic market. “I have no idea at this stage what the prices might be - we will have to wait and see,” he said. Some district apple growers expressed concerns a couple of weeks ago that a colony of flying foxes attacking late harvest cherries might stay on and target apple crops. “I have just seen the odd one or two, but there’s nothing to worry about,” Mr West said. Source - http://www.centralwesterndaily.com.au/

USA - Wind, cold, lack of snow put Nebraska wheat in danger

The dry cold air, lack of snow cover and high winds are creating harsh conditions for Nebraska’s dormant winter wheat crop. Wheat fields in the northern Panhandle are experiencing up to 40 percent erosion in areas, exposing plant crowns to the elements and making them vulnerable to winter kill, according to a report released Wednesday by the Nebraska Wheat Board. Conventional and irrigated wheat fields are most affected; no-till fields are in better shape. “This is a little unexpected. Normally we have some snow cover, which provides an insulating layer for wheat plants,” wheat board director Royce Schaneman said in an interview. Farmers have resorted to using crop residue and tillage application to reduce erosion, the report says. Southern Panhandle producers reported less severe erosion, but the lack of moisture and snow cover remains a concern. Farmers in the southwest corner of the state, Nebraska’s heaviest wheat-producing area, report the crop in their area is below average. Lack of rainfall has left the soil dry, and, without moisture, producers expect 25 percent to 35 percent winter kill. The full scope of the erosion and drought stress will not be known until harvest, which takes place in June and July, Schaneman said. Nebraska farmers planted 1.5 million acres of wheat for harvest in 2014, up from 1.48 million acres the previous year, according to the United States Department of Agriculture. Source - http://journalstar.com/The dry cold air, lack of snow cover and high winds are creating harsh conditions for Nebraska’s dormant winter wheat crop. Wheat fields in the northern Panhandle are experiencing up to 40 percent erosion in areas, exposing plant crowns to the elements and making them vulnerable to winter kill. Conventional and irrigated wheat fields are most affected; no-till fields are in better shape. Farmers have resorted to using crop residue and tillage application to reduce erosion. Southern Panhandle producers reported less severe erosion, but the lack of moisture and snow cover remains a concern.USA - Wind, cold, lack of snow put Nebraska wheat in danger

Australia - NW poppy growers in limbo

THE NORTH-WEST poppy harvest is expected to be delayed until next month. Tasmanian Alkaloids field operations manager Rick Rockliff said while there could be an odd paddock ready for harvest this month the bulk of the crop was not going to be ready until next. "The reason is because of the late sowing and the very wet conditions in the spring," Mr Rockliff said. Across the state, Tasmanian Alkaloids this season has nearly 500 poppy growers. The 200 of those based on the North-West have around 3000 hectares of the crop just weeks away from harvest. "Because of such a wet spring some crops were re-sown but this is not out of the ordinary," he said. Mr Rockliff said the Tasmanian Alkaloids Westbury processing facility would not be impacted by the late season. "We've got enough crop coming in from other parts of the state to keep our facility fully operational," he said. Looking ahead Mr Rockliff said the Coast's poppy growers were hoping for a dry and warm six weeks. "Most of the early crops have suffered from a too wet spring," Mr Rockliff said. "It was the wettest spring on record which could impact on yields. "You certainly don't want wet weather because some alkaloids wash out of the capsules which is no good for farmers or the factory." Mr Rockliff estimates that the busiest time for harvesting poppies on the North-West will be in mid to late February. "We have a fleet of big capacity harvesters some which are capable of around 40ha a day each," he said. Mr Rockliff described this as a difficult season for poppy growers. "I think everyone will be pleased when we put this one to bed and start off fresh next spring," he said. "Having said that, there are some very good crops out there but the tail of poorer crops will be a lot bigger this year because of the bad season."Mr Rockliff said he anticipated that there would be adequate material to fulfil every contract and keep Tasmanian Alkaloid's customers happy. Source - http://www.theadvocate.com.au/Australia - NW poppy growers in limboThe north-west poppy harvest is expected to be delayed until next month. Tasmanian Alkaloids farmers said while there could be an odd paddock ready for harvest this month the bulk of the crop was not going to be ready until next. The reason is because of the late sowing and the very wet conditions in the spring. Across the state, Tasmanian Alkaloids this season has nearly 500 poppy growers. The 200 of those based on the North-West have around 3000 hectares of the crop just weeks away from harvest.

India - Frost damages 75% tomato crop in Karnal, hits potato growers too

India - Frost damages 75% tomato crop in Karnal, hits potato growers tooThe continued accumulation of heavy frost on plants for the past few days is feared to have damaged 75% of the tomato crop in the district, while potato growers may have suffered losses over 20%. Information showed that while wheat growers are happy due to the rain and ongoing chilly weather, farmers who had sown vegetables fear losses in the season. There was no way to prevent damage to vegetable crops from natural reasons, except indulging in protected farming, which ensures no loss in productivity due to harsh climactic condition.The continued accumulation of heavy frost on plants for the past few days is feared to have damaged 75% of the tomato crop in the district, while potato growers may have suffered losses over 20%. Information showed that while wheat growers are happy due to the rain and ongoing chilly weather, farmers who had sown vegetables fear losses in the season. According to the Karnal-based Central Soil Salinity Research Institute (CSSRI), on Wednesday 7.2mm rainfall was recorded here, while the minimum temperature was 10.2° Celsius. This month, nearly 37mm rainfall was recorded in the city. District horticulture officer (DHO) Madan Lal said nearly 3,600-hectare land was under tomato cultivation in Karnal. “This season, we were expecting a total production of 94,000 metric tonnes (MT), but the field inputs said nearly 70 to 80% has been damaged due to frost. Similarly, potato production is also feared to have dipped by 15 to 20%,” said Lal. Horticulture farming is heavily concentrated in villages near Taraori, including Takhana, Padhana and Shamgarh. Lal said there was no way to prevent damage to vegetable crops from natural reasons, except indulging in protected farming, which ensures no loss in productivity due to harsh climactic condition. “The agriculture department is motivating farmers to adopt new-age farming techniques, including polyhouses and low tunnels, on which the state government offers heavy subsidies. Sprinklers are helpful in combating the impact of frost, and farmers are gradually beginning to use them,” said the DHO. Meanwhile, agriculture experts said the ongoing low-temperature season was ideal for wheat. “This month, deadly yellow rust was detected in patches at three different wheat fields in Indri sub-division, but it was contained in time. The present atmospheric condition, with high levels of humidity, is favourable for the fungus that causes yellow rust, but we are fully geared for it. Farmers have been provided chemicals for timely spraying, but there is no latest input indicating the occurrence of the disease in any wheat field,” said Karnal agriculture deputy director Suresh Gehlawat. Source - http://www.hindustantimes.com/

Africa - Kenyans Earn First Ever Carbon Credits From Sustainable Farming

Africa - Kenyans Earn First Ever Carbon Credits From Sustainable FarmingSmallholder farmers in western Kenya are now benefiting from carbon credits generated by improving farming techniques. These are the first credits worldwide issued under the sustainable agricultural land management (SALM) carbon accounting methodology.The Kenya Agricultural Carbon Project (KACP) involves 60,000 farmers on 45,000 hectares to support farming that is more productive, sustainable and climate-friendly. After years of land degradation, many farmers struggled to grow enough food for their families. They are now using a wide range of methods to increase the organic matter in soils. Smallholder farmers in western Kenya are now benefiting from carbon credits generated by improving farming techniques. These are the first credits worldwide issued under the sustainable agricultural land management (SALM) carbon accounting methodology. The Kenya Agricultural Carbon Project (KACP) involves 60,000 farmers on 45,000 hectares to support farming that is more productive, sustainable and climate-friendly. After years of land degradation, many farmers struggled to grow enough food for their families. They are now using a wide range of methods to increase the organic matter in soils. In the long term, this should improve the soil’s water absorption, nutrient supply and biodiversity, and help prevent erosion. Better soils raise farm yields, improving food security and making agriculture more resilient to climate change. On January 16, the project issued its first carbon credits under the Verified Carbon Standard (VCS) for sequestering carbon in soil, thanks to these changed agricultural land management practices. The credits represent a reduction of 24,788 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to emissions from 5,164 vehicles in a year. “This is an inspiring example of how agricultural practices that improve the productivity and livelihoods of smallholder, subsistence farmers can also be climate-smart”, says Diarietou Gaye, World Bank Country Director for Kenya. “This project demonstrates synergies between climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies in agriculture. Carbon credits are creating a revenue stream that enhances the extension services provided to farmers, which are critical to the adoption of these practices and also adds to farmers’ income beyond their increased crop yields. This also improves their food security, which is now more important than ever given the vulnerability to climate change.” Experience from 1,505 farmer groups over three years illustrates how carbon finance can promote the adoption of SALM practices and open up the carbon market to smallholder farmers. Results so far show that SALM can help increase farmers’ yields by up to 15-20%. These productivity gains from greater soil fertility help counteract the effects of increasingly extreme weather conditions. By sequestering more carbon in the soil, SALM also helps mitigate climate change. KACP forms an important part of the World Bank’s efforts to extend climate finance to incentivize better land management. The Swedish NGO Vi Agroforestry is responsible for implementation in Kenya, supported by the World Bank’s BioCarbon Fund and its participants - the French Development Agency and the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture. The Fund will purchase a part of the carbon credits generated by the project by 2017, estimated at $600,000. “As an organization, Vi Agroforestry focuses on the benefits of improved living conditions for small-scale farmers thanks to increased yields arising from improved cultivation techniques. The SALM methodology proves to be very successful in achieving this”, said Arne Andersson, Regional Director, Vi Agroforestry. The BioCarbon Fund’s pioneering SALM methodology received VCS approval in December 2011. The methodology spells out how carbon sequestration in soils are measured and engages farmers themselves in the monitoring process; for the first time they are measuring the impact of their agricultural practices on crop yields. “This proves, yet again, that good environmental practices make good business practices, and in this case they are making for good farming practices which have tremendous ancillary benefits”, said David Antonioli, VCS Chief Executive Officer. “The exciting results in Kenya show how strategic investment by development organizations like the World Bank can truly benefit farmers in the developing world by helping them harness the power of the international carbon market.” Source - http://www.worldbank.org/

USA - California governor proclaims state in a drought

USA - California governor proclaims state in a droughtCalifornia is nearly as dry as it's ever been. High water marks rim half-full reservoirs. Cities are rationing water. Clerics are praying for rain. Ranchers are selling cattle, and farmers are fallowing fields. Farmers and ranchers in the nation's No. 1 farm state already are making hard choices to conserve. Some cities are in danger of running out of water. And the first snow survey of the winter found more bare ground than fluffy white stuff—a key barometer of future supply.California is nearly as dry as it's ever been. High water marks rim half-full reservoirs. Cities are rationing water. Clerics are praying for rain. Ranchers are selling cattle, and farmers are fallowing fields. Gov. Jerry Brown formally proclaimed a drought Friday, saying California is in the midst of perhaps its worst dry spell in a century. He made the announcement in San Francisco amid increasing pressure from lawmakers and as firefighters battled flare-ups in a Southern California wildfire that chased thousands of people from their homes. Unless the state gets significant rainfall in the next two months, television sets glowing with wildfires could play like reruns throughout the year. Reservoir levels in the north and central parts of the state were more depleted than in Southern California, but Brown still asked Los Angeles to do its part to conserve—and gave a nod to the politics of water in the vast state. "The drought accentuates and further displays the conflicts between north and south and between urban and rural parts of the state. So, as governor, I'll be doing my part to bring people together and working through this." Farmers and ranchers in the nation's No. 1 farm state already are making hard choices to conserve. Some cities are in danger of running out of water. And the first snow survey of the winter found more bare ground than fluffy white stuff—a key barometer of future supply. "I am a fifth-generation cattle rancher, and it has never been this bad ever in my lifetime—and from my family's history, it's never been anywhere close to this bad ever," said Kevin Kester, 58. He said his family's records show the area's worst drought previously was in the 1890s. Kester's Central California ranch normally gets 20 inches of rain between October and April. It's gotten about a half-inch of precipitation since late fall. His cattle usually graze on lush green hillsides in winter. Now, they're eating hay instead—a proposition that is too expensive to continue for long. "I hope it's something we can tell our great-grandkids about, but right now we're just trying to figure out how we're going to survive," he said. The drought doesn't bode well for California's notorious wildfire season, either. Previous super-dry years led to catastrophic wildfire seasons in California in 2003 and 2007, said Tom Scott, a natural resources specialist with the University of California system. Fire crews beat back a wildfire northeast of Los Angeles earlier this week, but it was a stark reminder of the dry and dangerous conditions. "People say that the fire season is starting early, but I guess you could say it never ended," Scott said. "If you live in the backcountry, come July you probably should be thinking about putting your valuables in storage." Droughts also are persisting or intensifying elsewhere in the U.S. On Wednesday, federal officials said they were designating portions of Colorado, New Mexico, Nevada, Kansas, Texas, Utah, Arkansas, Hawaii, Idaho, Oklahoma and California as primary natural disaster areas, highlighting the financial strain facing farmers in those regions. Even in the moist Pacific Northwest, things were a little bit drier. In Seattle, rainfall dropped by nearly 70 percent in December, with just 1.66 inches falling. Ski resorts are opening several weeks late, and a Bavarian-themed town in the Cascade Mountains had to modify its annual "ice fest" because there isn't enough snow on the ground for activities. A plan to truck in snow was scrapped with high temperatures forecast this weekend. And despite heavy flooding in Colorado in September, large portions of Colorado and Wyoming are abnormally dry, while ranchers on the plains of southeastern Colorado have severe drought conditions. In California, the governor's drought declaration will help battle unemployment in the agriculture industry as fields are left fallow. Nearly 10,000 people lost their jobs during the last drought in 2009, said Karen Ross, California's agriculture secretary. The drought also increases the burden on food banks in rural and agricultural communities. The lack of rain also could have long-standing implications for the demand for crops that are almost entirely exclusive to California. Eighty percent of the world's almonds, for example, are grown in California, and the Almond Board of California receives 3 cents for every pound sold to build future demand for the nut. With many almond growers having to irrigate their crops three months early, a smaller crop might put a dent in the board's ability to market almonds as broadly as it has been, said David Phippen, an almond grower who serves on the board. "There's huge implications everywhere you look," he said. "What about five years down the road?" Source - http://www.contracostatimes.com/

USA - Harsh Winter Poses Problems For Farmers

USA - Harsh Winter Poses Problems For FarmersLocal farmers are doing their best to battle the elements as the harsh winter threatens crop production.The winter wheat might be the main crop that would be influenced.It might weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to more secondary diseases that would come on during the spring.Southern Illinois has already seen nearly 18 inches of snow in some parts of the region this winter with temperatures more than two degrees below normal through December and parts of January.Local farmers are doing their best to battle the elements as the harsh winter threatens crop production. "The winter wheat might be the main crop that would be influenced," said Thompsonville farmer Tom Saxe. "It might weaken the plant and make it more susceptible to more secondary diseases that would come on during the spring. Southern Illinois has already seen nearly 18 inches of snow in some parts of the region this winter with temperatures more than two degrees below normal through December and parts of January. The conditions pose a threat to Saxe's winter wheat crop which was planted in October. "You would lose a few plants," explained Saxe. It's too early to tell exactly what the impact will be but wheat isn't the only thing farmers have to worry about. "It's a bigger challenge to people that have livestock," said Saxe. "It is difficult when it freezes up on their feet. Once in a while they will get their ears frost bit. They will lose the tips of their ears or maybe the tip of their tail." Corn and soybeans crops, which won't be planted until spring, will not be impacted by the recent weather. Orchards could be affected, especially if temperatures fluctuate. "Freezing up and then thawing out," said Saxe. "It's the back and forth, the kind of variability that is more harmful than if it freezes up once and stayed that way." Source - http://www.wsiltv.com/

USA - California Wineries Confront Historic Drought

USA - California Wineries Confront Historic DroughtWinemakers saw something in January that they never seen before in three decades: the bottom of the reservoirs at Shafer Vineyards in Napa Valley. The state is suffering from a frightening drought. Already, 2013 was the driest year on record, and 2014 has brought no relief. A large high-pressure system, stretching from Mexico to Oregon, has parked itself off the coast, diverting any rain north into Canada and Alaska (and helping create the polar vortex conditions that froze much of the rest of the United States recently).Winemaker Elias Fernandez saw something in January that he’d never seen before in three decades: the bottom of the reservoirs at Shafer Vineyards in Napa Valley. He isn't the only Californian seeing water turn to sand and dirt. The state is suffering from a frightening drought. Already, 2013 was the driest year on record, and 2014 has brought no relief. A large high-pressure system, stretching from Mexico to Oregon, has parked itself off the coast, diverting any rain north into Canada and Alaska (and helping create the polar vortex conditions that froze much of the rest of the United States recently). Winter months are crucial to California's complex water system—snow normally builds up in the Sierra Nevada mountains during cold months, then melts and provides water for 25 million people and a $45 billion farming sector, including thousands of vineyards. A survey by the state department of water resources earlier this month found the snow was 20 percent of the average January level. Gov. Jerry Brown officially declared a drought Jan. 17. There is widespread fear that statewide water rationing will be implemented on residences and businesses. Some cities have already imposed restrictions. Meanwhile, temperatures were balmy in parts of the state last week, and some people hit the beaches. Water levels have fallen more than 80 percent in Folsom Lake near Sacramento, revealing a Gold Rush-era town that had sat beneath the waters for decades. No one in California’s wine industry is panicking just yet, but vintners are definitely nervous. Some of the growing regions in Napa Valley got less rain than Las Vegas in 2013. Paso Robles, on the California Central Coast, received 1.92 inches of rain instead of the average 12.78 inches, according to the National Weather Service. "I was driving around Paso Robles a few weeks ago and it looked like a desert," Tegan Passalacqua of Turley Wine Cellars said. Justin Smith of Saxum, another Paso winery, agreed. “I've never seen a December, let alone a January, where the hills aren't covered with a beautiful green cover crop,” said Smith. Droughts are nothing new in the Golden State, but this is historic. So far, growers and winemakers are optimistic that a few heavy storms will at least water the vines and fill the reservoirs. February is often the wettest month of the year; January is the second dampest. But while the vines are dormant right now, last week's warm spell could start sap flowing. In dry years, budbreak typically comes early, which increases the risk of frost stunting the crop. Frost season is approaching and most vintners spray water on their vines to protect them with a layer of ice. "No one has enough water for frost protection," said Steve Dutton of Dutton Ranch, which farms 1,100 acres of vineyards in Sonoma County. Vineyards don't need a lot of water to survive, although the lack of rain and continued sunny weather could eventually affect the crop. Winemakers said they would prune heavily and thin to keep the crop at a minimum, focusing on ripening whatever crop they have at the expense of volume. All they can do for now is manage what little water they have and pray for rain. Source - http://www.winespectator.com/

USA - Will Ice and Cold Kill Alfalfa?

USA - Will Ice and Cold Kill Alfalfa?Harsh temperatures and lack of snow cover in some parts of the country have forage producers worried about the 2014 crop. Many livestock producers are questioning whether their alfalfa stands are at risk of winterkill. In early January, many fields were covered with an inch or two of solid ice. Ice sheeting may raise the risk of winterkill in alfalfa. But snow cover and continued cold probably won't to worsen winterkill and may actually protect alfalfa. So the answer is: `It depends`.Harsh temperatures and lack of snow cover in some parts of the country have forage producers worried about the 2014 crop. Many livestock producers are questioning whether their alfalfa stands are at risk of winterkill. In early January, many fields were covered with an inch or two of solid ice. Ice sheeting may raise the risk of winterkill in alfalfa. But snow cover and continued cold probably won't to worsen winterkill and may actually protect alfalfa. So the answer is: "It depends." * How old is the stand? Alfalfa stands often become thin and less productive after the third year. Harsh winter conditions can exacerbate this decline with advancing age. Plants that are one- to two-years old are generally more stress tolerant than older ones. That's because they've been exposed to less physical damage and disease. * Plant genetics matter. Varieties vary in winter hardiness plus resistance to diseases and pests. Choosing a variety that resists diseases such as phytophthora and verticillium, bacterial and Fusarium wilts reduces the risk. * Field fertility also matters. Soil pH below 6.0 stresses alfalfa plants and can exacerbate winter injury. A soil pH of 6.6 or greater removes this risk. High exchangeable soil potassium (greater than160 ppm) reduces risk of winterkill and conversely, a low exchangeable K (less than 80 ppm) can make winter injury much more likely by reducing root health and fall carbohydrate storage. * When did you take your last fall cutting? Leaving a 6- to 8-inch stubble in the fall may have helped catch snow before the icing. That snow layer may help insulate the plants. Now, about ice sheeting . . . Alfalfa stands typically don't survive well on poorly drained soils. If water accumulates and freezes on the plants and soil surface, ice sheeting can occur in low areas during a mid-winter thaw or from sleet and freezing rain. Ice sheets essentially smother plants. The longer the ice remains, the greater the risk of economic damage. This winter, however, at least in northern New York, that ice is on top of several inches of snow. So the alfalfa crowns and roots may actually be insulated from the polar cold and high winds. If ice formed directly on the alfalfa crowns and soil, no such protection would occur. The plants would be at risk of smothering and loss. In lab research trials, alfalfa plants directly covered with ice began to die after about a week. Most were dead within a month. Source - http://beefproducer.com/

USA - Much of grape crop 'basically toast' due to cold January

USA - Much of grape crop 'basically toast' due to cold JanuaryWinemakers in Essex County say they've likely lost much of their grape crop this year due to extremely cold weather in January. he polar vortex two weeks ago was too much for the grape vines to handle and the more sensitive grapes likely didn't survive. t depends on the variety. Merlots, Syrah, your warmer climate varieties, are basically going to be toast because of their track record with cold weather. Lonsbery won't have a final tally until March but said it looks like about half the buds won't produce grapes this year.Winemakers in Essex County say they've likely lost much of their grape crop this year due to extremely cold weather in January. The polar vortex two weeks ago was too much for the grape vines to handle and the more sensitive grapes likely didn't survive. "It depends on the variety," said Karl Lonsbery, the winemaker at Mastronardi Estate wines. "Merlots, Syrah, your warmer climate varieties, are basically going to be toast because of their track record with cold weather." Lonsbery won't have a final tally until March but said it looks like about half the buds won't produce grapes this year. "Hopefully, our baco vidals, our hybrids, will be able to withstand this temperature more so," he said. "So we still have hope there. But for the most part, with this temperature, for what we've had, it's not looking too good at this point." The season is shaping up to be in stark contrast to last year's bumper crop. "They're stressed already from how big the crop was," Lonsbery said. "So being stressed from a huge crop going into a winter like this is a combination for a perfect storm." Rori McCaw, a winemaker at Coopers Hawk Vineyards, says there's "quite a bit" of damage. "Grapes are a tender fruit ... susceptible to frost," McCaw said. She said the vines aren't dead, just the buds. Viticulturists with Brock University have been out across the wine regions in province, surveying the damage, including Coopers Hawk Vineyards. "They've determined for example that only 14 per cent survival rate on merlot which is probably our most sensitive variety," McCaw said. If the grape vines don't produce fruit, the wineries will buy grapes from other areas in the province and produce the varieties from that stock. The crops are also covered by crop insurance. "This is Mother Nature's way of saying, 'here, I gave you this because ... in 2015 we're going to make it all up to you,'" McCaw said. Source - http://www.cbc.ca/

Brazil - Governance key to resisting Mato Grosso deforestation

Brazil - Governance key to resisting Mato Grosso deforestationA state in Brazil central to the country’s cash-crop farm sector experienced a dramatic decline in deforestation between 2005 and 2010 through improved governance and monitoring, but other tropical forest countries may have difficulty replicating its success. The state of Mato Grosso, the country’s largest producer of soya bean and cattle, was so successful in reversing a rapid increase in deforestation caused by agriculture and ranching that researchers studied whether other tropical countries could follow Mato Grosso’s example to preserve their own forests.A state in Brazil central to the country’s cash-crop farm sector experienced a dramatic decline in deforestation between 2005 and 2010 through improved governance and monitoring, but other tropical forest countries may have difficulty replicating its success, a scientific study has found. The state of Mato Grosso, the country’s largest producer of soya bean and cattle, was so successful in reversing a rapid increase in deforestation caused by agriculture and ranching that researchers studied whether other tropical countries could follow Mato Grosso’s example to preserve their own forests. The study by scientists with the Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR) was published in a special issue of Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B. “A lot of countries with forests face similar pressures as those faced by the Mato Grosso region, but the governance is simply not in place to achieve the same kind of success,” said Ruth DeFries, a scientist with Columbia University’s Earth Institute in New York, and the paper’s principal author. “Only Malaysia and Costa Rica have structures strong enough to resist the drivers of deforestation.” Export-driven deforestation The seeds for Mato Grosso’s emergence as Brazil’s largest producer of soya bean and cattle — and the drivers of deforestation — were planted four decades ago. Beginning in the 1970s, new crop varieties, improved soil management, government policies and investments in infrastructure led to agricultural expansion in Mato Grosso’s savannah and Amazon forest, according to earlier research. Other studies also show how more than half of Brazil’s savannah — a grassy woodland of which 19 percent lies in Mato Grosso — had been transformed into pasture for cash-crop agriculture by the mid-2000s. Indeed, clearing forest for soya bean contributed about 12 percent of deforestation in areas larger than 25 hectares (60 acres) from 2000 to 2005. Much of this demand for soya bean was driven by international markets for livestock feed. Citing statistics from the Food and Agriculture Organization, the researchers noted the quantity of Brazil’s soya bean production devoted to exports nearly quadrupled, rising from 10 percent to almost 38 percent between 1980 and 2010. By this time, the CIFOR study noted, the Amazon region was also exporting beef internationally. From 1980 to 2010, for example, herds of cattle in Brazil increased from 120 million to almost 210 million heads, the study said. “The biggest drivers of deforestation are often outside the areas where its impact is being felt,” said co-author Martin Herold, a scientist at Wageningen University in the Netherlands. “Much deforestation in the South occurs to meet consumption demands in the North.” Driven by demands from domestic and international markets for Brazilian beef and soya bean, deforestation rates in Mato Grosso peaked in the early years of the 2000s, the study said. However, after 2005, deforestation declined throughout the Amazon, most notably in Mato Grosso. The scientists reported that deforested area was only 11 percent of the 1996-2005 historical average in 2010. This dramatic decline coincided with reduced meat and soya bean demand owing to the global recession, but also with efforts by national, state and local governments to control deforestation, the study said. The soya industry also declared a moratorium on production in deforested areas in 2006. Other factors that helped control deforestation were Mato Grosso’s strengthened capacity for real-time monitoring, as well as high-profile arrests. In 2005, Brazilian police arrested 89 people in the illegal logging of more than 83 million cubic feet (2.4 million cubic meters) of timber from the Amazon over 14 years. Double cropping, along with increased numbers of cattle per hectare, intensified production in both croplands and pasture, while deforestation declined. Exporting Brazil’s success To determine if other tropical countries could apply lessons learned from Brazil, researchers clustered countries together into one of four categories, identifying the pervasiveness of deforestation drivers similar to those encountered in Brazil and the measures to control deforestation. Among the study’s findings, 36 of 80 tropical countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America, including Brazil, contain more than half of their land areas within the forest biome. A biome, or eco-region, has a distinct mix of species, geography and environmental conditions. These 36 nations, referred to in the study as “tropical-forest countries”, collectively contain 91 percent of all area in the tropical forest biome. Researchers found that pressures on forests from market forces for international export and urban consumption are prevalent across the 35 tropical forest countries other than Brazil, and that 10 had deforestation drivers similar to Brazil. Together with Brazil, these 10 countries accounted for 74 percent of forest loss from 2000 to 2005. With current projections of higher demand for food from urban populations and continued competition of land for biofuels, the study said, the pressure to cut down forests for the expansion of export-oriented agriculture will increase, even in Brazil. “The rates of deforestation in Mato Grosso are down, but the ultimate drivers haven’t really changed; the basic need for soya and cattle is still high, and in fact has even increased,” Herold said. Of the tropical forest countries, the study said, only Costa Rica and Malaysia had governance and monitoring capacity comparable to Brazil. Governance was judged by citizens’ perceptions about respect for rule of law in their country, while capacity for monitoring was measured by factors such as engagement in the U.N.-backed Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and forest Degradation (REDD+) process and ability to use remote sensing. The study pointed out that these two countries contain only 3 percent of remaining forest and 9 percent of forest lost from 2000 to 2005 in tropical forest countries, excluding Brazil. Consequently, the remaining eight countries with similar drivers to Brazil may not have the capacity to resist deforestation, yet also have the most forest to lose. “The answer is better governance,” said Herold. “Countries may not be able to control market forces, but the policies, monitoring and enforcement within Brazil show that it is possible to limit deforestation. Source - http://www.eco-business.com/

USA - Florida Citrus Growers And Beekeepers Worried About Crop Bacteria

USA - Florida Citrus Growers And Beekeepers Worried About Crop Bacteria Florida beekeepers and citrus growers are at odds over the use of chemical pesticides. The increased usage of weed killers and growing aid may be contributing to the millions of bees deaths each year. While citrus growers feel they need to pesticides to fight “citrus greening” a fatal crop bacteria, the death of honeybees will lead the extinction of all mankind. The greening issue has spread across Florida consistently since it first appeared – prompting more and more chemical pesticide spraying – and dead bees. In recent years, citrus growers enhanced spraying from two to four times a year before greening season to as much as monthly in 2013. Florida beekeepers and citrus growers are at odds over the use of chemical pesticides. The increased usage of weed killers and growing aid may be contributing to the millions of bees deaths (colony collapse disorder) each year. While citrus growers feel they need to pesticides to fight “citrus greening” a fatal crop bacteria, the death of honeybees will lead the extinction of all mankind. The greening issue has spread across Florida consistently since it first appeared – prompting more and more chemical pesticide spraying – and dead bees. In recent years, citrus growers enhanced spraying from two to four times a year before greening season to as much as monthly in 2013. The Asian citrus psyllid may be developing a resistance to the pesticides just like weeds have in western and northern farms. The citrus bloom period typically happens in March and April, but can run weeks longer dependent upon weather conditions. During the citrus bloom season beekeepers frequently put hives either near or in citrus groves so that the pollinators can make citrus-flavored honey. The uniquely Florida flavor of honey is one of the most popular varieties sold on the market. The nearness of the bee hives during the pesticide spraying put them right on the front line. The Asian citrus psyllids are particularly enticed by new blooms and so is the honeybee. Biological methods have not been effective against the greening bacteria caused by the Asian citrus psyllid – the insect that plays host to the wicked bacteria. The heated tensions between citrus growers and beekeepers began in 2005 when the greening bacteria infected approximately 75 percent of the crop producing trees in the state. Neonicotinoids have been frequently blamed for mass deaths of bees. Monsanto’s Roundup Ready is one of the most popular chemical insecticides on the market, and contains the possibly deadly-to-bees ingredient. Neonicotinoids reportedly attach to the plants vascular system and are then “expressed” in contaminated nectar and pollen. The neonicotinoid Clothianidin can remain in the soil for nearly two decades, according to a recent environmental study. Citrus growing is the largest agricultural commodity in the Sunshine State, beekeepers make up just a small portion of the same industry in the Sunshine State. One of the major Florida citrus growers was recently fined for killing millions of honeybees after illegally spraying pesticides. Florida Agriculture Commission and fellow citrus grower Adam Putnam is hopeful that both groups can work together with scientists and come up with a solution to the citrus greening and bee danger problem. He addressed the issue to a packed room during a recent meeting of the Citrus Research and Education Center meeting in Lake Alfred. The agency Rackley represents is the organization which levied the $1,500 fine against Frostproof’s Ben Hill Griffin Incorporated for the illegal pesticide spraying. The agriculture report states that Montana 2F was applied to the roots of young citrus trees in a 50-acre grove. The active ingredient in the chemical pesticide is imidacloprid – a neonicotinoid. Opponents to the use of chemical pesticides were quick to point out that the fine was incredibly less than the $10,000 per incident maximum. Beekeepers impacted by the illegal spraying reportedly lost $240,000 in revenue, and the world lost about one million more bees – which we could not spare. Colony collapse disorder has plagued the honeybee population worldwide for at least the last eight years. In the past Florida citrus growers used primarily biological controls to keep crops healthy. Insects which are natural predators to harmful pests which like to dine on growing fruit were most often the go-to method for the industry. But that all changed when citrus greening became a major problem, costing growers hundreds of thousands of dollars in lost revenue. Beekeepers reportedly enter into a contractual agreement with citrus growers to release honeybees in their groves for pollination purposes. Many beekeepers are naturally worried that continuing the long-standing and mutually beneficial practice will further put their hives at risk. The Florida Agriculture Department is going high-tech to help save the bees and citrus commodities. A new computer application focused on keeping both beekeepers and growers in the know about hive locations and pesticide spraying in in the works. In the past, some beekeepers have bristled at the idea of sharing specific hive locations with competitors. The lasting impact the residue from chemical pesticides have on the environment and concerns about contamination of pollen and nectar have many consumers concerned. Source - http://www.inquisitr.com/

USA - Recent cold snap good news and bad news for farmers

USA - Recent cold snap good news and bad news for farmersRecord low temperatures the first week of January plunged the state into a deep freeze, but the cold came too early to cause significant plant damage or have much effect on insect pests in 2014. Horticulturist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said most plants were firmly in their dormant stage when the extreme temperatures hit. Plants are challenged by cold weather when they are planted north of their target zones. Mississippi has three growth zones beginning with zone 7 in the northern counties, zone 8 in the center and zone 9 along the coast.Record low temperatures the first week of January plunged the state into a deep freeze, but the cold came too early to cause significant plant damage or have much effect on insect pests in 2014. Horticulture… Lelia Kelly, horticulturist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service, said most plants were firmly in their dormant stage when the extreme temperatures hit. “Some tender plants and evergreens like magnolias and gardenias may have some damage, but we should not overreact and remove them too quickly,” she said. “Most will shed some leaves and recover when spring and summer get here.” Kelly said plants are challenged by cold weather when they are planted north of their target zones. Mississippi has three growth zones beginning with zone 7 in the northern counties, zone 8 in the center and zone 9 along the coast. “Zone 7 plants can survive temperatures as low as 0 to 10 degrees. The double whammy occurs where there is wind with the cold temperatures, making the plants more susceptible to damage,” Kelly said. “Since this probably wasn’t our last cold snap, we should watch the forecasts. If you don’t want to lose plants later in the season, take steps to protect them with blankets or mulch.” Extension fruit crops specialist Eric Stafne said while this was the best time of year for a hard freeze, some citrus is showing damage. “We are seeing some injury to strawberry plants, satsuma, kumquat, lemon and orange trees. We don’t expect to have any damage to blueberries. They can tolerate colder temperatures than the others,” he said. “Everything should have been as dormant as it was going to be. A month later and we would have been in real trouble. Of course, we are not out of the woods yet.” Stafne said this season has been colder than recent winters, so plants are accumulating chilling hours that will make them ready to grow when the weather warms up. “That could impact the plants if we have late freezes. Just a week of warmer temps could cause the buds to swell, and then they will be more vulnerable if temperatures drop to the mid-20s,” he said. Crops… Winter wheat is the only agronomic crop currently growing in Mississippi fields. As the name suggests, these wheat varieties handle low temperatures. “We are not likely to see much damage to winter wheat at this stage of development,” said Erick Larson, Extension small grains specialist. “Early vegetative stages that have not started erect growth are more tolerant of extreme cold during the heart of winter than anytime else.” Larson said some of the crop was younger than normal when the deep freeze hit because of fall planting delays, and lower-than-normal temperatures slowed early growth. “Overall, cold temperatures this winter are limiting growth, but this extreme cold snap should not generally create major issues,” he said. “One of the negatives that could occur from this past hard freeze or future events is from the ground freezing and then thawing. That can pull some plants out of the ground, and the exposure would make them vulnerable and kill them.” Larson said wheat planted with a drill is typically safe, but plants growing from broadcast seeding are more vulnerable because some seeds will not be buried deeply enough to protect the base of the plant. Rocky Lemus, associate Extension and research professor in MSU’s Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, said annual ryegrass and clovers may have been damaged in areas where the temperature dropped below 15 degrees. In those cases, less forage would be available for livestock in the upcoming month. “Annual clovers and small grains — especially crimson clover and bermseem clover — and oats are heavily impacted by cold damage,” Lemus said. “Some winter kill of bermudagrass, especially on fields that were lightly disked for the planting of annual ryegrass, is to be expected. Producers should allow proper resting between grazing periods and delay fertilization until new growth is observed.” Insects… “Anytime temperatures get very cold, Mississippians start hoping it will mean fewer insect pests during the next growing season,” said Blake Layton, Extension entomologist. “Unfortunately, native pests are not affected by our winters. The best hope is that harder winters might push invasive tropical insects south, but it won’t take them long to regain their ground.” Layton said many southern invaders, such as Argentine ants and Southern green stink bugs, tend to have greater numbers and progress further north following mild winters. He said he hopes this winter will reduce those threats. Trees… Brian Templeton, an Extension associate in landscape architecture and a certified arborist, said most healthy trees will show little to no injuries from the freeze. Some species, such as live oaks and magnolias, may shed damaged leaves that will be replaced this spring. “On healthy trees, woody stems are protected from the cold, and only the leaves are vulnerable, even the buds are generally protected,” he said. “Most trees have evolved to withstand these types of temperature fluctuations. However, the severe freeze could push trees that were compromised by other health conditions over the edge, resulting in losses.” Templeton said late hard freezes are the most damaging, especially to Asian magnolias and other exotic trees, as well as some plants in the landscape that bud and flower in late winter or early spring such as camellias. Source - http://msbusiness.com/