Enrollment Period underway for key Federal Programs
The US Department of Agriculture has announced that signup is underway for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2021 crop year.
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Industry News
Farm Equipment Movement – Update
Working with haulers and stomper operators, we have identified a path forward for the movement of combines and stompers for this year through additional permitting and documentation of business structure.
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CHP Rice Equipment Transport Issues
Several weeks ago, contract haulers of farm equipment in the Sacramento Valley reported enforcement actions when moving combines. At issue was the interpretation of the vehicle code that allows farmers to haul their own equipment without a permit but not contract haulers. Shortly thereafter, the movement of stompers was impacted due to their oversized width. CHP indicated that a CHP escort was needed to move the equipment. Booking an escort is about two weeks out and comes at a cost of $1,500.
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Online Continuing Education Available to License / Certificate Holders
The CRC is providing this information to our members and industry allies to assist with your license/certificate renewals. The Department of Pesticide Regulation has not modified the renewal deadlines for license/certificate holders required to renew by December 31, 2020. It is recommended you submit your renewal packet by November 1 to receive your license/certificate by January 1. The licenses/certificates holders renewing every two years such as the pest control adviser split the alphabet using the last names starting with A to L in 2020. The prohibition of in person events has increased the availability of online continuing education courses approved for all license/certificate types related to the rice industry. Several more courses will become available after the first of the year. In the interim, the CRC has compiled the following information to help you renew and maintain your license/certificate. For more information, contact CRC Industry Affairs Manager Roberta Firoved at rfiroved@calrice.org or (916) 206-5039.
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More Details on Governor Newsom’s Initiative Affecting Ag Engines
The Governor recently issued an Executive Order (N-79-20) calling for all off-road equipment to be zero emission by 2035 (wrongly reported last week as 2045). This is clearly a tall order, given the state of technologies capable of replacing the heavy-duty horsepower levels required to run major tillage equipment, harvesters, etc. The Governor has provided directives to the Air Resources Board to begin regulatory processes consistent with his stated objectives in the Executive Order.
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Results of 2020/21 Producer Elections
Congratulations following industry members elected to the 2020/21 CRC Board of Directors for a 3–year term.
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Governor’s Announcement on Zero Emission Tractors by 2045
Yesterday’s announcement from the Governor eliminating the sale of internal combustion engines for passenger vehicles in 2035, also had a provision not widely reported that impacts heavy duty and off road vehicles by 2045. These are the classifications for all farm equipment. In short, the announcement yesterday directed regulatory agencies, including ARB, to develop regulations to prohibit the sale of non-zero emission passenger vehicles after 2035. It also directed that all heavy duty and off road fleets be transitioned to zero emission by 2045.
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USDA to provide direct Coronavirus Assistance to Farmers and Ranchers
By Tyson Redpath, The Russell Group
Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced rice as a commodity eligible for a flat-rate payment of $15 per acre under the latest round of Coronavirus Food Assistance Program funding. The per acre payment will be made based on eligible 2020 acres.
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Rice Industry and Holt step it up on No on Proposition 15
Farmers know that Proposition 15 is bad for agriculture. Land may be exempted from the initiative that will roll back the 1978 Proposition 13 property tax restrictions, but improvements are not. This includes shops, dryers, orchards and vineyards along with irrigation and other improvements. While that may mean something to Ag, urban voters are more focused on energy.
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Rice included in upcoming UCCE Continuing Education Seminars
University of California Cooperative Extension Sutter-Yuba-Colusa is holding a series of webinars this month and October, to provide research updates on some of the major crops in the Sacramento Valley. The classes are relevant to growers throughout California and are primarily focused on pest management and pesticide safety.
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