- Conference Gala Dinner Is Sure to be Wild!
- Next Deadline for Ag Motors in SJV
- 37th Annual Almond Industry Conference Modesto, Dec. 9–10
- Endangered Species Act Drives New Restrictions on Pesticides
- Government Affairs: Greenhouse Gas Legislation: What Is Going On?
- ABC Reaches Influencers at "Olympics" of Nutrition
- Feds Address California Water Crisis
- Tactics to Prevent Scab Fungicide Resistance
- Using Blue Orchard Bees in California Almonds
November
4 Organic Task Force 10:00AM 18 Nutrition Reaserch Committee 9:30AM 30 International Committee 9:30AM 30 PR & Advertising Committee 10:00AM
December
1 Leadership Development Committee 8:30AM 1 Administrative & Finance Committee 9:30AM 1 Board of Directors Meeting 1:00PM -
9-10 37th Annual Almond Industry Conference 17 Food Quality & Safety Committee 12:00PM
January
12 Food Quality & Safety Committee 9:30AM 13 Nutrition Research Committee 9:30AM 20 Environmental Committee 9:30AM
Next Deadline for Ag Motors in SJV
Growers in the eight-county San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District have until January 2010 to replace older, high-polluting, Tier 0 diesel engines greater than 50 hp with EPA-certified Tier 3 or Tier 4 engines. The rule is the latest installment in complying with District Rule 4702, which regulates air pollution emissions from ag engines not used in tractors or ag implements, such as irrigation pump engines. Growers statewide will need to meet a similar requirement by January 2011 under parallel rules by the State Air Board.
In addition, San Joaquin Valley growers after January face more onerous permitting requirements if they plan to install or modify ag engines, depending on whether or not they qualify as a "significant polluter." The cut-off for "significant polluter" will be lowered from 12.5 tons per year due to the severe non-attainment for ozone status of the SJV.
The classification is based on NOx and VOC emissions determined by type and number of internal combustion motors and hours of operation. Estimates indicate growing operations with as few as two or three irrigation pump motors greater than 50 hp may exceed the limit that allows them to register under the District’s Permit Exempt Equipment Registration (PEER) program. Those growers will instead need an "Authority to Construct" permit, which requires significantly more process and paperwork.
Contact the SJV Air District at (559)230-6000 for additional information.
For more information on air quality issues, click here.
- New Technical Information Kits Available
- New Equipment Venue at Annual Conference
- Kawasaki Mule Giveaway!
Now that harvest is winding down, it's the perfect time to update your records. Create or update a detailed diagram of adjacent land use, operations and influences, so that you are able to identify potential sources of contamination due to runoff and drift. Create, implement and document procedures to reduce the likelihood of contamination to your almonds throughout the year.
For more information on food safety issues, click here.
