California Fish and Game Commission has voted to list the California tiger salamander (CTS) as a threatened species. The ruling could impact ag operations where the mostly underground creature is found. It is a large, stocky amphibian that spends much of its life underground and is found only in Central Valley grasslands in the Valley, the Sierra Nevada and Coast ranges, including Tulare County.
The spotted wing drosophila is a significant new pest of fresh fruit in California. In 2009 it became established in 23 counties in California, 13 counties in Oregon, and in Washington, British Colombia, and Florida. However, until recently it had not been found in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley. This all changed in mid-February when multiple spotted wing drosophila were recovered from apple cider vinegar traps placed in citrus in Kern County. Spotted wing drosophila is not a true fruit fly like Mediterranean or olive fruit fly. Instead, it is a vinegar fly similar to the flies commonly found on overripe fruit on a kitchen counter. The difference, however, is that spotted wing drosophila has the capacity to attack unblemished fruit in the field before it is ripe. Thus far the most preferred hosts in California and the Pacific Northwest have been blackberries, raspberries, cherries, blueberries, strawberries and certain other stone fruits. In these crops, spotted wing drosophila caused tens of millions of dollars in damage during 2009 by laying eggs that turned into maggots in fruit prior to harvest.
USDA estimates U.S. milk production for January 2010 in the top 23 milk producing states at 14.8 billion pounds, down 0.6 percent from January 2009. Production per cow in the top 23 milk producing states averaged 1,782 pounds for January, 30 pounds above January 2009.
Stone fruit and almonds trees are in full bloom in the county, but the wet ground has caused some problems with shallow rooted almond trees falling over, reports the Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner's office.
California wheat farmers are benefiting from the winter rain. Many growers in Southern California plant wheat on land where irrigation water isn't available. Those dry land farmers say they expect a better crop this year, as there has been timely rain. The rain means some farmers will need to protect their wheat from fungal diseases. California ranks 18th in the nation in wheat production. Harvest usually starts in May.
By March 31, fleets utilizing the agricultural vehicles provision must report information on the fleet as it existed on January 1, 2009, and report by January 31 each year thereafter. This includes all low, limited, and specialty vehicles.
Imperial County Board of Supervisors voted last week not to renew Williamson Act contracts with farmers when they come due next Jan. 1. Imperial became the first California county to vote to cancel the land-conservation program. The act, which was created nearly 45 years ago, protects more than 16.5 million acres of farmland.
U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder and Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the successful resolution of the longstanding litigation known as Pigford II. The settlement agreement, which is contingent on appropriation by Congress, will provide a total of $1.25 billion to African American farmers who alleged that they suffered racial discrimination in USDA farm loan programs.
California Farm Bureau Federation contributed to this report.