Agriculture Daily News 10/26

On Thursday by a unanimous vote, the California Air Resources Board adopted strict standards for measuring the "carbon offsets" generated by well-managed forests. The rules are designed to meet international standards and provide a way for forest managers to earn money for pulling carbon out of the air. Sacramento Bee 10/26/07

 

As wildfires raged through Southern California early this week, the nation's chief health official was prepared to tell Congress about one impact of climate change: "Forest fires are expected to increase in frequency, severity, distribution and duration." But, as part of six pages of testimony deleted by White House officials, those words were never spoken. The speaker, Dr. Julie Gerberding, said she was able to say what she wanted to the committee, and was not censored. SJ Mercury 10/26/07

 

Because of a state law that the Legislature passed quietly this month unpasteurized raw milk will have to meet a strict limit for coliform bacteria. California, one of four states that allowed raw milk to be sold, will adopt new standards based on AB1735. Proponents of raw milk argue the presence of bacteria and enzymes makes raw milk more healthful than pasteurized milk and milk safety authorities agree that most strains of coliform bacteria don't cause illness. There was no public debate over the bill, nor were the two raw milk dairies in California informed in advance. The new laws make the production of raw milk impossible and will likely drive consumers to find small farms and buy raw milk illegally through cow shares. SF Chronicle 10/26/07

 

A study conducted in part by UC Davis found that agricultural soil erosion is not contributing carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. They found that erosion is equal to about 1.5 percent of annual fossil-fuel carbon emissions worldwide.   Earlier studies suggested a broad range of erosion effects, from erosion equaling 10 percent of fossil-fuel emissions and up to an equivalent of 13 percent. China View 10/26/07

 

Water experts in Nevada who have looked at drought predictions have concluded sooner or later strict water conservation will have to become part of everyday life in Nevada. The Southern Nevada Water Authority plans to plant a deeper straw into Lake Mead but that straw will not be up and running before the region runs short, which could be as soon as 2010. Nevada’s per capita water use is among the highest in the nation. Las Vegas Sun 10/26/07