Agriculture Daily News June 13

Water:

 

*Governor moves to give farmers more water -- With California's rich agriculture harvest at risk, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger moved Thursday to amp up water supplies to Central Valley farmers hammered by a parched spring and recent court rulings that limit pumping from a key resource. The governor proclaimed a state of emergency for nine counties with "severe water shortages" and ordered several state agencies to help drill wells, use the California Aqueduct to transport water to farmers, and to expedite water transfers between agencies. SF Chronicle 6/13/08

 

*Drought emergency declared -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Thursday declared a drought emergency in nine Central Valley counties from Sacramento to Kern, ordering state agencies to carry out creative water deliveries to help. The counties, particularly in the San Joaquin Valley, have been hard-hit by the drought and the situation is expected to worsen. Thursday's announcement follows the governor's statewide drought declaration last week, the first since 1991. Sacramento Bee 6/13/08

 

Saving water doesn't mean losing landscape -- There was a perfectly good landscape here before pipelines, reservoirs or irrigation. Ideas like zonal watering - putting plants with similar water needs in one place, often with the thirsty ones as an oasis near the house - integrate well with traditional design schemes such as making a garden most "civilized" nearest the buildings and wilder, more native, farther away. SF Chronicle 6/13/08

 

More officials call for water conservation -- n the wake of the governor's drought emergency declaration, water agencies and city leaders from Chino to Fontana banded together Thursday to call for increased water conservation.  Their message? Save now before it's too late.  Daily Bulletin 6/12/08

 

Bio-fuel:

 

Pacific Ethanol's stock sinks amid grim news on corn harvest -- The news is going from bad to worse for Pacific Ethanol Inc. and other ethanol makers, whose stock prices took another tumble Thursday as corn prices set records. Ethanol stocks have been falling for months as profit margins have been squeezed by the rising price of corn. Thursday was no different. Sacramento Bee 6/13/08

 

Parks and forests:

 

Tahoe-area fire officials may seek more laws to prevent catastrophes -- Lake Tahoe-area fire officials say they may seek new county ordinances to help prevent catastrophic wildland fires. The ordinances would allow firefighters to go on private property to create defensible space and require roofs be refitted with fire-resistant material. Sacramento Bee 6/13/08

 

Agriculture:

 

California and Schwarzenegger make a Chilean connection -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Chilean President Michelle Bachelet on Thursday presided over the signing of a number of bilateral scientific, agricultural and educational agreements, highlighting the growing trade and personal ties between California and a nation with one of South America's most dynamic economies. LA Times Blog 6/13/08

 

Agriculture officials launch China facility -- Oregon Department of Agriculture Director Katy Coba next week is leading a western states trade delegation to China to commemorate the opening of a giant food import-export center. In addition to Coba, the 21-member delegation includes California Agriculture Secretary A.G. Kawamura, among others.