- Driving Value through Innovation
- New Year, New Opportunities
- Why Sustainability? ABC's Sustainability Self-Assessment Program Discussed
- Reinvestment in Almonds and Heart Health Research
- What Does Greenhouse Gas Regulation Mean for California Almonds?
- Government Affairs: EU Pesticide Regulatory Reform
- Colony Collapse Disorder: Still No "Smoking Gun"
- EQIP Deadline for Priority 2010 Funding Is Jan. 15
- Thinking Out of the Shell: Innovation in New Products
- Increasingly Complex Legislative, Regulatory Landscape Forecast
- Needed: Enhanced Infrastructure
- Drought Management in Almonds around the World
January
12 Food Quality & Safety Committee 9:30AM 20 Environmental Committee 9:30AM
February
4 International Committee 9:30AM 18 ABC Election Ballots Due 24 PR & Advertising Committee 10:00AM
Needed: Enhanced Infrastructure
The first farmer appointed to the State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), Charlie Hoppin told growers at the Almond Industry Conference that the state should "crank up the pumps to fill reservoirs when we have excess water. Not being able to transfer water to the Central Valley when we have a surplus is a tragedy."
Hoppin, chairman of the SWRCB, said that while historically the San Luis Reservoir was always filled to 80% of capacity, now the reservoir is filled to only 20%, which is a "sobering number. Releasing the water in July through September is too late, but the biological opinions prevent pumping of water when it is available. We do a poor job of managing the Endangered Species Act.
"There is pork in the November water bond issue, but at the end of the day, the bond will help ensure we get enhanced conveyance and surface water storage."
Once the bond issue has passed, however, he said he expects it will be at least 10 years before the first dam will be built.
With the bills passed last November, there will be additional scrutiny of water rights in the Delta, he said, with a new system of governance looking at water rights and diversions.
For more information on water issues, visit almondboard.com/waterways.
- New Mule Driver
- Watch for Your Ballot
- Industry Development Program Participants Recognized
- Retired Researcher Recognized
Winter sanitation is necessary to reduce NOW presence and control aflatoxin contamination. UC IPM guidelines state:
- Remove mummies before Feb. 1 by shaking and/or poling until there is an average of less than two per tree.
- Destroy mummies by Mar. 15 by disking or flail-mowing to prevent overwintering.
A new tool is being developed to help growers assess expected NOW damage in specific regions; the current model is for the southern San Joaquin Valley.
For more information on food safety issues, visit almondboard.com/foodsafety.
