Today, Secretary of California Department of Food & Agriculture, A.G. Kawamura released the following statement regarding the release of the joint study of pheromone usage in the Light Brown Apple Moth eradication project: “It’s my hope today’s report will help ease the minds of those concerned about the Light Brown Apple Moth eradication program and open a positive dialogue.” CDFA Press Release 4/10/08
To help local water agencies and communities prepare for the possibility of a dry year or water supply interruptions, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) has published an updated version of its Urban Drought Guidebook. The Governor’s recently announced target of a 20 percent reduction in per-capita water use statewide by 2020 presents a challenge for both water suppliers and California residents. Water suppliers may find many of the guidebook’s demand management measures timely and useful. A copy of the Guidebook has been posted on the DWR Web site here. Business Wire 4/9/08
A federal panel meeting this week in Seattle appears likely to either entirely shut down salmon fishing off the California and Oregon coasts or severely restrict it. A decision — technically, a recommendation for federal regulators to implement — is expected today. Contra Costa Times 4/10/08
Thousands of farmers are taking fields reserved for birds out of the government’s biggest conservation program, which pays them not to cultivate. They are spurning guaranteed annual payments for a chance to cash in on the boom in wheat, soybeans, corn and other crops. Last fall, they took back as many acres as are in Rhode Island and Delaware combined. The government payments aren’t even comparable anymore, say many farmers, to what they could make by working the land. NY Times 4/9/08
The federal government said Thursday it has billed a California slaughterhouse more than $67 million for expenses associated with the largest beef recall in U.S. history. Further bills for the cost of destroying the beef and resupplying affected schools could cost up to $50 million more, Morris said. AP 4/10/08
Rep. Dennis Cardoza, D-Atwater, will be one of the key negotiators as the federal Farm Bill winds its way closer to a resolution. Cardoza was named as a "conferee" Wednesday, meaning he will represent the House as it develops a compromise bill with the Senate in the coming weeks. Talks have dragged on slowly over the past several months. Naming the conferees means the end may be near. Recordnet 4/10/08
Beekeepers who have been bitten by colony collapse disorder and other maladies have come to rely on queen bee breeders for help. Business is literally buzzing for California's 30 queen bee breeders, filling orders for queens and nucleus starter hives, known in the industry as "nucs," for customers across the nation. Capital Press 4/10/08
California Secretary of State Debra Bowen today certified an anti-cruelty ballot initiative for the statewide general election on November 4, 2008. The bill will provide the most basic protection to nearly 20 million animals confined in industrial factory farms in California: that they merely be able to turn around and extend their limbs. When approved in November, the Act will prevent California factory farms from confining animals in the most restrictive crates or cages—specifically, veal crates for calves, battery cages for egg-laying hens, and gestation crates for breeding pigs. The new law would take effect in 2015, allowing producers ample time to transition to more humane and environmentally sustainable systems. IndyBay 4/9/08
California's all orange forecast is 65.5 million boxes (2.46 million tons), 2 percent above the previous forecast and 42 percent higher than last season. USDA Crop Production Report 4/9/08
State lawmakers on Wednesday took the first step toward making California the only state in the nation to require employers to provide paid sick days to workers. The bill by Assemblywoman Fiona Ma, D-San Francisco, would allow workers to earn one hour of sick pay for every 30 hours worked. The bill is opposed by every major employer group in the state, including the Chamber of Commerce, the Restaurant Association, the Hospital Association, the National Federation of Independent Business and the League of Food Processors. Ventura County Star 4/10/08
Bento box breakdown: Japanese food gets put to the nutrition test National Post 3/27/08
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