http://216.235.169.207 this is used only for testing purposes en-us Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/syndicate/rssnews.png http://216.235.169.207/news/ http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=209 VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#


I. Call to order

II. Roll call

III. Approve agenda

IV. Nomination of Officers

V. Handler Elections

VI. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org

1240 Commerce Avenue, Suite A, Woodland, CA 95776
530-661-1292 / 530-661-1332 fax
]]> Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=205 ...CAWG/CAWG Newsletters
Archives of previous CAWG reports can be found here also.]]> Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=208 USDA's Crop Production Report May 10, 2013

The complete Crop Production Report, in its entirety can be found here.]]> Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=207 pdf version

California 2013 Disease Update

Lee Jackson, retired Agronomy Extension Specialist, provided this disease update after his most recent visit to several UC variety nurseries around the state:

It has been a low rainfall year for most of the spring. Production on irrigated acreage will be average to above average, but extreme drought stress in rainfed regions, particularly the foothills surrounding the San Joaquin Valley and similar areas, will result in very limited, if any, grain production. Typical is the UC Regional Wheat nursery near Ducor, Tulare County, where most plants have senesced (or died) prematurely without producing grain.

With regard to our most important disease, stripe rust, it was late developing this season but has become established in California’s Central Valley on plots of previously known susceptible varieties and breeding lines. Susceptible varieties showed high stripe rust severity in UC Regional Wheat nurseries in Colusa and Yolo Counties in the Sacramento Valley and in Fresno County in the San Joaquin Valley. To date, no varieties that expressed resistance in 2012 have been affected this season, so no new races of the stripe rust organism with increased virulence have developed.

The stripe rust screening nursery at UC Davis has high levels of disease, but the genotypes in the nursery that carry the stripe rust resistance genes Yr5 and Yr15 are disease-free to date. Some commercial fields of the susceptible variety Joaquin in Kings and Tulare Counties in the San Joaquin Valley suffered high stripe rust severity, as reported by UCCE Tulare County Farm Advisor Steve Wright. Disease became severe in late April, particularly in fields of Joaquin that were not treated in a timely manner with effective fungicides.

Regarding other disease and pest incidences this season, the aphid-transmitted barley yellow dwarf virus (BYD) is present throughout the Central Valley and surrounding areas. Overall incidence and severity is relatively low, and yield impact will be minor. I detected a severe infestation of the Russian wheat aphid in one corner of the UC Regional Wheat nursery in Clarksburg (Yolo County). Russian wheat aphid infestations can commonly develop if the crop is drought-stressed. One final disease of note is Bacterial leaf streak (Xanthomonas spp.). I detected moderately severe levels of disease on several common wheat and durum varieties in the UC Regional Wheat nursery at the J.G. Boswell Buena Vista Ranch in Kern county; yield impact will be minimal.

Jorge Dubcovsky Elected to National Academy of Sciences

Jorge Dubcovsky, the internationally acclaimed wheat geneticist at the University of California, Davis, has been elected to the National Academy of Sciences, one of the highest honors bestowed on scientists and engineers in the United States. This is the latest in a long string of honors awarded to Jorge.

"California wheat growers are extremely fortunate to have Jorge leading the wheat breeding program at UC Davis," said Larry Hunn, Chairman of the California Wheat Commission. "Jorge keeps the needs of our growers at the top of his list; he has always been very responsive to our suggestions."

UC Davis Field Day on May 15

The wheat industry will be gathering in Davis on May 15 to tour the small grains research trials and discuss various crop production issues in related to cereal grains, including advances in quality and yield, pest and disease updates, and weed control. The meeting will start at 8am at the UC Foundation Seed warehouse on Hutchison Road west of Highway 113. Lunch will be served at noon and the forage and alfalfa field day will take place in the afternoon.

Of special interest will be the dedication of the new UC plot combine, purchased with funds from both industry and UC Davis. The harvester will be dedicated to the memory of Mike Bouris, a long-time California Wheat Commissioner. Mike participated in the California wheat industry at many levels, including being a member of the CWC since 1987, serving as President of the California Association of Wheat Growers, and being a founding member of the board of the California Grain Foundation. He was also active in national wheat organizations and often went to Washington, DC to discuss issues of concern with members of the California Congressional Delegation. Anyone lucky enough to have visited Mike's farm in Riverside County for a tour of his equipment "museum" will understand how appropriate this dedication is.

Kings/Tulare Field Day a Success

UC Farm Advisor Steve Wright organized a well attended field day on April 30, starting at the Milky Way Dairy in Visalia and continuing to the Westside Research and Extension Station in Five Points.

Attendees heard from a variety of speakers, including Lee Jackson (above), wheat breeder Alicia del Blanco, and Farm Advisors Brian Marsh, Bob Hutmacher and Steve Wright, who discussed their California Wheat Commission-supported field research projects. Topics included disease resistance, salinity tolerance, weed control, and nitrogen use efficiency. Private breeding companies discussed their current varieties available in the California market. Durum, common wheat, and barley variety trials were all on display.

2013 Harvest

The wheat harvest will begin soon in the Imperial Valley and move north. With the dry and windy weather experienced in late April, harvest is expected to be on the early side. As usual, the Commission will be collecting variety samples around the state and testing the quality of this year's crop.

Good luck with the harvest!

]]> Wed, 08 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=206
Palmer was selected by the NAWG Board of Directors after a search process led by the NAWG officers and grower-leaders of the National Wheat Foundation, NAWG’s affiliated charitable organization.

He will officially begin work with the Association and Foundation as of June 1, though he plans to meet with NAWG’s grower-leaders and staff throughout the month of May.

"Our farmer-leaders were very impressed with Jim’s experience and vision for the wheat industry, and we are excited to have him take the lead on the NAWG staff," said Bing Von Bergen, NAWG’s president and a farmer from Moccasin, Mont., who has also served as NAWG’s interim CEO since late February.

"We are confident that under Jim’s leadership, NAWG will be able to face the challenges we have before us now in Washington and grow our industry well into the future."

Palmer has worked in administrative roles for national and state agriculture organizations for the past 30 years, most of that time in the soybean industry.

From 1997 until early 2012, he worked as the executive director for the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association and the Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council.

Earlier in his career, he was engaged in commercial agriculture credit and was the staff lead during the development of the United Soybean Board, the national soybean checkoff.

Since leaving Minnesota Soybean, he has worked as an independent management and development consultant with agriculture companies around the United States.

"I am extremely proud to be selected to serve as NAWG’s next CEO," Palmer said. "The future will be bright for our wheat farmers working together, partnering with NAWG’s strong state organizations and our industry agribusiness friends, as well as other farm organizations. The bottom line is, I’m so eager to take on this new role at NAWG that I’ve mentally started already."

Palmer grew up on a large, multi-generational family farm in northeast Missouri, near Hannibal. He attended the University of Missouri-Columbia, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural economics as part of an honors program that also conferred graduate credits.

More about Palmer is available online at www.wheatworld.org/about-us/contact-us/jim-palmer/.

Members of the media interested in interviewing Palmer or Von Bergen should contact Melissa George Kessler at mkessler (at) wheatworld.org or 202-386-2585.
]]> Wed, 01 May 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=204
Meet at UC Foundation Seed warehouse on Hutchison Road west of Highway 113. Take Hwy 113 near Davis to Hutchison Rd. go west. Right at first rotary, left at second rotary, about 1/3 mile further down on the left.

pdf of Agenda

8:00 Registration (Coffee and donuts)

8:15am – Noon: Small Grains Field Day

Welcome and Introductions
Issues for California Wheat, Pest and Disease Resistance Needs – Janice Cooper. California Wheat Commission
New UC wheat varieties, FSP increases, wheat research– Jorge Dubcovsky, UCD wheat breeder
Departure to filed tour
Promising UCD Lines for Future Common Wheat and Durum Wheat Variety Releases – Oswaldo Chicaiza, and Alicia del Blanco Wheat Breeders
Genetic Studies for New Traits –
Mapping new stripe rust resistance genes PhD student Nicolas Cobo
Discovering genes for drought tolerance Tyson Howell and Eligio Bossolini
Using barley to identify resistance genes to wheat stripe rust PhD Student Josh Hegarty
Pyramiding mutations to enhance resistant starch PhD student Brittany Howell
Engineering flowering time PhD student Rebecca Nitcher
Barley and Oats Breeding Programs – Lynn Gallagher and Alicia del Blanco
Collaborators Quality Program –Phil Mayo
Dedication of the new Small Grain Combine
Statewide Germplasm Development and Evaluation – Wheat & Triticale, Durum, and Barley – Phil Mayo, Wheat and Barley Regional Testing Program Coordinator. With participation of breeders from private breeding companies.

Noon: BBQ Lunch
Many Thanks to CCIA for their sponsorship!!!

12:45am – 4:15 pm: Alfalfa/Forage/Biofuel Field Day

Water Quality Issues with Pesticides in Alfalfa/Grain–Yolo Co Ag Commissioner
Yield and Pest Management in new crops: Canola, Camelina and Castor grown for Biofuels–Steve Kaffka, Nick George, UC Davis
Low Lignin Trials in Alfalfa–a new concept–What are the possibilities?–Dan Putnam, UC Davis
Sorghum and Corn Forage N-Variety trials–Chris DeBen and Dan Putnam, UC Davis
Testing of new weed control strategies for alfalfa–Mick Canevari, UCCE Advisor Emeritus, San Joaquin County, D. Putnam, UC Davis
Testing of Photosynthesis Enhancers in Alfalfa – Craig Giannini, Dan Putnam UC Davis
Alfalfa aphid Outbreak in 2013, and IPM update, Pete Goodell, UC IPM Program
Alfalfa Weevil Management in Alfalfa–Rachael Long, UCCE, Yolo County
Subsurface Drip Experiments on Campus–Dan Putnam, UCD
Management of Water in Alfalfa: My Experiences with Subsurface Drip Irrigation in Alfalfa–Rick Martinez, Grower, Dixon, CA
Management of Water in Alfalfa: Monitoring ET in the Field–Rick Snyder, LAWR, UCD Davis
Alfalfa Varieties: Yield and Pest Management Implications–Craig Giannini and Dan Putnam, UC Davis

CE hours (PCA credits) and Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) hours applied for]]> Wed, 17 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=203 pdf version

California Wheat Commission Approves Program Priorities for FY 13/14
Commission members gathered in Woodland last week to consider and approve the priorities for the new fiscal year beginning May 1, 2013. The top priority remains supporting research to improve yield and end use quality of California wheat varieties. Research represents over 30% of the Commission's budget, including funding for Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky's breeding program at UC Davis, the statewide variety trials, grants for UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors, and support for root research at UC Riverside. Jorge attended the meeting and provided an update on the various projects.

Market development is another major Commission activity. The Commission will continue its active participation in U.S. Wheat Associates, which works to promote California wheat worldwide, and Wheat Foods Council, which actively communicates the nutritional value of wheat foods in the domestic market. The Commission will also track the proposed merger in the milling sector, which will likely affect California wheat growers.

The Commission also discussed expanding the activities of the Commission's milling and baking quality lab. With increased interest among bakers in understanding grain quality, the Commission is considering offering new courses to help address the many questions that bakers and consumers are asking about wheat. This will be discussed further at the August meeting.

Commissioners Comment on Crop
As part of last week's meeting, the Commissioners from around the state provided an update on how the wheat crop looks:

Roy Motter, Imperial County: The Durum acreage in the desert is one half of last year’s acreage, primarily due to Durum’s low market price. It is looking like it will be a normal crop this year.

Ron Rubin, Imperial County: Ron agreed with Roy's report and noted, as an aside, that he is helping the University of Minnesota with a study on the early detection of UG99 (stem rust) by growing 7 different lines of wheat from around the world that have no known stem rust resistance.

Ron Leimgruber, Imperial Valley: He thinks the water issues in the Imperial Valley had a lot to do with the lower Durum acreage in the Imperial Valley. This is the first year that water is being allocated, which caused an uncertainty for many growers. Last week's strong wind caused severe lodging.

Kirk Elholm, Kern County: A lot of the wheat is burned up, there is no water, and a lot of ground is going into permanent crops. The irrigated ground looks good, but there is not a lot of it in his area.

Scott Schmidt, Fresno County: By and large, the grain crop looks pretty good. Acres are up. They have had the driest January, February, and March on record. Their dryland fields don’t even have enough for the sheep. They are seeing a lot of herbicide damage because the ground is not being broken up as thoroughly as before, leaving more residues from previous crops.

Dennis Pelucca, Stanislaus and San Joaquin Counties: Most of the wheat & forage is heading out and looking good. Some wheat fields may get diverted into the silage/forage market. The last rains were about one week late for some of the Westside dryland fields that were in the "wilting" stage. In the Delta region which was planted later, most has tillered and had weed control employed. Of concern is the large amount of open ground that has been converted to tree crops; as a result, there is a minor reduction in wheat acreage.

Mike Scriven, Delta: The Delta area actually benefited from the record dry January and February because the heavier soil types can hold too much water in a heavier rainfall year. The fields look good.
Alan Freese, Solano County: The last couple recent rains have really perked things up considerably from 10 days ago when fields were started to get very dry.

Larry Hunn, Delta: Everything looks good. The wheat is flowering out now. They have actually had to irrigate, which is often not even needed in normal rain years.

Erik Freese, Solano County: The wheat looks really good around the Davis and Dixon area. They irrigated where they could.

Tom Millar, Glenn & Colusa County: The Westside dryland fields are gone; not even enough for hay. The river bottom land looks good. The wheat came out of the ground good, but there was too much rain in November and December for the clay soils; most of the river bottom fields have recovered.

Lee Jackson, retired Agronomy Extension Specialist and At-Large Commissioner: For the most part, the crop looks good in the Central Valley. It is heading out now. The one problem area is the rain-fed areas of the Southern part of the San Joaquin Valley; some dryland fields are looking like they might have to be grazed off. The irrigated acreage has had adequate rainfall. There have been hardly any visible signs of stripe rust so far this year. Last year was the first year that there had not been a new race of stripe rust with additional virulence identified.

Geoff Schulz, Penny Newman Grain and Handler Commissioner: They are not seeing any stripe rust. The irrigated fields look good. The dryland fields got off to a good start, but then it was very dry in January and February; many of these fields will probably have to be grazed off.

J.W. Cope, Winema Elevators, and Handler Commissioner: Spring planting hasn’t started yet. The water situation up north is pretty dire; they’re at about 50% of normal rainfall, and most of that came in late November through December. Water cut-offs loom. Growers are attempting to make plans for what they are going to plant this Spring. There will be a somewhat limited amount of grain wheat, especially if there are water shortages. The winter wheat that was planted was mostly Yamhill, which is mostly for forage/hay.

2013 VARIETY SURVEY RELEASED
An estimated 690,000 acres of wheat were planted in California for the 2013 harvest year, down 6% from acreage reported in last year's Variety Survey. Red wheat showed a 5% increase in acreage from last year, white varieties showed a similar percentage decrease. A large downward shift in Durum acreage occurred this planting season. Only 52% of last year's acreage was planted, due mainly to lower Durum prices. Approximately 75% of the California acreage planted this season was planted to red wheat varieties, with 10% and 15% planted to Durum and white varieties, respectively. About 82% of all California wheat acres were planted in the Central Valley of California, with nearly 65% grown in the San Joaquin Valley alone.

Red and White Wheat:
Hard Red wheat remains the top wheat class grown in California. The varieties Joaquin and Cal Rojo were the top (predominately grain-use) red varieties planted in the state; PR 1404 and WB-Patron headed the list of forage-type wheat varieties planted. Blanca Grande 515, with over 60% of Hard White acres sown, was the leading Hard White variety. As usual, the Intermountain region had the vast majority of Soft White acres; Yamhill and Alpowa topped this region's wheat variety plantings. Yecora Rojo still dominates the Southern California region.

Durum:
Durum planted acreage in both the San Joaquin Valley and Southern California was considerably down this year. Desert King, Orita, and Havasu were still the top planted varieties in Southern California. San Joaquin Valley Durum plantings were fairly equally split among Volante, Westmore, and Platinum, the top three Durum varieties in that region.

The full report appears on our website.

Upcoming Field Days:
Kings/Tulare Field Day - April 30
UC Davis Field Day - May 15
]]> Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=202 2013 California Wheat Variety Survey is now posted. This report reflects estimated wheat acreage that was planted in the fall, winter and spring of 2012 and 2013, for harvest in 2013.]]> Mon, 15 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=201 VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#


I. Call to order

II. Roll call

III. Approve agenda

IV. Approve minutes from March 25, 2013 meeting

V. Review/approve off cycle proposals received under 2012 call for proposals

VI. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org

1240 Commerce Avenue, Suite A, Woodland, CA 95776
530-661-1292 / 530-661-1332 fax
]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=199 A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests
D. Approval of Agenda
E. Approval of December 12, 2012 Meeting Minutes

II. Reports
A. Commissioner Reports
B. Referendum Results
C. UC Research Overview - Jorge Dubcovsky
D. Update on UCCE Advisor and Specialist Positions
E. Committee Report regarding Bylaw and Policy Changes
F. Lab Director Search Status
G. Staff Reports

III. FY 12/13 Financial Report
A. Assessment History
B. Lab Income including value of non-billed services
C. FY 12/13 Income/Expense Report and Cash Flow Statement

IV. FY 13/14 Budget Proposal
A. Overall Budget Proposal
B. Research Proposal
C. Marketing Plan

V. Closed Session
Closed session pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed Session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e).Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any.

VI. Approve FY 13/14 Assessment Rate
VII. Approve FY 13/14 Budget
VIII. Administrative / Other Business
A. Shifts in California Milling and Baking Market
i.Proposed Merger of ConAgra/Cargill/CHS Flour Business
ii.Entry into CA market by Flowers Foods
B. CDFA Handler List Request
C. 2013 Election Process
D. Formation of Nominating Committee, Other Committee Adjustments
E. Assessments on Triticale Grain

IX. CAWG Report
A.Commodity Classic / NAWG Changes
B.Research Fly-In
C.Issues Update - Nick Matteis

X. Future Meetings
A.CWC/CRMB Baking Demo - April 16 at CWC Lab
B.Kings/Tulare Field Day - April 30
C.UCD Field Day - May 15
D.USW Summer Board Meeting - June 29-July 2
E.Commission Meeting - August 28?
F.USW Fall Board Meeting - November 4-6

XI. Adjournment
]]> Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=200 2013 Prospective Plantings report published by USDA's National Ag Statistics Service was released today. There were no changes in USDA's estimate of planted acreage for California since the release of the January 2013 Winter Seedings report. USDA estimates winter wheat and durum planted acreage for 2013 harvest at 610,000 and 90,000 acres, respectively. Winter wheat's acreage estimate is the same as last year's planted wheat estimate; durum's acreage is estimated at only 64% of 2012 planted durum.]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=196 3:00 p.m.
VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#

I. Call to order

II. Roll call

III. Approval of Agenda

IV. Approval of Minutes from February 14, 2013 Executive Committee Meeting

V. FY 12/13 Financials

VI. FY 13/14 Budget Proposal

VII. Need for Nominating Committee

VIII. Recommendations of Policies/Procedures Review Committee

IX. Closed Session, if necessary
Closed session, if necessary, pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding personnel issues.

X. Return to open session/announce action taken, if any

XI. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. All meetings of the California Wheat Commission are open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at californiawheat.org.]]> Tue, 19 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=197 ...CAWG/CAWG Newsletters
Archives of previous CAWG reports can be found here also.]]> Sun, 17 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=195
VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#


I. Call to order

II. Roll call

III. Approve agenda

IV. Approve minutes from October 12, 2012 meeting

V. Committee membership discussion

VI. Update on ANR/UCCE positions - CWC role

VII. Review status of research projects for FY 12/13

VIII. Review/approve off cycle proposals received under 2012 call for proposals

IX. FY 2013/14 Research priorities and funding recommendations

X. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org

1240 Commerce Avenue, Suite A, Woodland, CA 95776
530-661-1292 / 530-661-1332 fax
]]> Thu, 14 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=194 Read full report..

The TriticeaeCAP project
USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) awarded $25 million to develop new varieties of wheat and barley. The official name of the project is Triticeae Coordinated Agricultural Project (T-CAP). The T-CAP merges two large communities of US breeders: barley and wheat breeders, previously funded by the BarleyCAP and the WheatCAP programs respectively. As a result, researchers, breeders and educators across 21 states, from USDA and 55 universities compose the T-CAP consortium.]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=198 March 2013 USDA Wheat Outlook

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.
]]> Tue, 12 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=191
Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 10:30 am

VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#


I. Call to order Chairman Steve Windh

II. Roll call

III. Approve agenda

IV. Review staff recommendations for updating policies and procedures

V. Discuss options for presenting recommendations to Commission

VI. Adjourn
]]> Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=192 JOB DESCRIPTION

BACKGROUND

The California Wheat Commission (CWC) is seeking a new director for its milling and baking quality laboratory. The CWC was established in 1983, expressly to support research that improves California wheat quality and marketability and to develop and maintain domestic and international markets for California wheat.

The California Wheat Commission is unique among state wheat commissions in the country in that it is the only one with its own on-site milling and baking laboratory. The lab performs quality testing, chemical analysis of wheat and flour, physical dough testing and baking, and noodle production tests. The California crop is analyzed for its quality characteristics each year and the data generated is published in Wheat Crop Quality reports that are available to potential buyers in both domestic and international markets. The CWC also analyzes samples of advanced experimental wheat varieties being developed by private and public breeding programs. The lab also works with customers in the area of quality assurance, problem solving, quality control training, product development, and research.

TITLE: Lab Director

REPORTS TO:
CWC Executive Director. At-will position/serves at the pleasure of the CWC

BASED IN: CWC Office in Woodland, CA; some travel required

JOB PURPOSE: Hands-on management of all lab activities, including quality testing, crop quality reporting, research, and product development. Engage with wheat breeders, growers, millers, bakers, and pasta companies and provide information regarding the importance of wheat quality.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACTIVITIES:

• Maintain high level of lab performance in key projects including annual crop quality testing and reporting and research support for UC wheat breeding program and other wheat quality programs
• Perform quality analysis and product development for commercial customers
• Promote lab services to new customers
  
• Expand outreach program to communicate wheat-related nutritional information
• Provide support to growers, millers and bakers interested in understanding wheat quality
• Manage lab staff (both full time and seasonal)
• Maintain equipment

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Staff management including hiring summer students
• Wheat quality and milling equipment operation and maintenance
• Grain quality, milling and baking testing procedures and techniques
• Budget development for operations and capital equipment
• Strong written and oral communications skills
• Computer skills including Excel and Powerpoint
• Pasta and Asian noodle testing a plus

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Masters Degree in Cereal Chemistry or related field
• Minimum five years experience in quality lab
• Management experience
• Presentation and/or teaching
• Project development and management

SALARY: This position offers a comprehensive salary and benefits package, commensurate with experience.

APPLICATION PROCESS: Qualified and interested applicants should submit a resume and cover letter to info@californiawheat.org. Include names and contact information for four references.

Deadline to apply is April 1, 2013.

The CWC is fully committed to the goal of equal opportunity in employment for all employees and applicants regardless of race, creed, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, veteran status, marital status, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity expression, or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law, ordinance, or regulation.

pdf printable version]]> Fri, 08 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=190 pdf version

California Wheat Commission Referendum Passes
California wheat growers have once again given their vote of confidence to the California Wheat Commission. In the most recent referendum that was conducted in January and February, over 87% of wheat growers voting were in favor of continuing the California Wheat Commission’s programs for the next five years.

The State Food and Agriculture code mandates the Wheat Commission to conduct research and market development activities and provides for the collection of an assessment. The current rate, set each year by the Commission, is five cents per hundredweight, or $1.00 per ton, to be collected at the first point of sale.

Commission Chairman and Clarksburg wheat grower Larry Hunn stated, "The Commission’s Board of Directors is very thankful for the support shown by California wheat growers. We take seriously the responsibility of representing the interests of wheat growers at the state, national, and international level. As the Commission plans for the next five years, supporting research into new and improved wheat varieties with increased resistance to wheat diseases such as Stripe Rust will continue to be a priority. The Commission will also strengthen its market development efforts in local, national and international markets by emphasizing the excellent quality and nutritional value of California wheat."

The Commission is involved with all segments of the wheat value chain, from wheat breeders and growers, to millers, food companies and consumers. "California wheat is used in many different products, including bread, pasta, tortillas, Asian noodles, and animal feed," explains Janice Cooper, Executive Director. "As trends change, we want to make sure our growers are in a position to understand the changing market and to meet new demand."

Commission Vice-Chairman and Brawley durum grower Roy Motter added, "Growers are invited to contact their local Commission representative or to visit the office and wheat quality laboratory in Woodland, CA. We welcome input from growers as we prepare for our priority-setting board meeting in April. California’s wheat crop is diverse. The crop covers about 700,000 acres from the Imperial Valley through the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys and into the intermountain region of Northern California. We produce five classes of wheat under irrigation and non-irrigation practices. In order to be responsive to such a diverse industry, the input of growers is essential."

The next Commission meeting is scheduled for April 9 in Woodland. Details will be posted on our website later this month.

Continued Dry Weather Challenging Wheat Crop in Northern and Central California
Wheat growers throughout the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys are hoping for more rain soon. With the driest January and February on record, farmers are concerned about the crops, including wheat. A storm is forecast to hit later today; hopefully it will bring moisture across a wide area.

Farm Advisor Crop Update:

Steve Wright, Farm Advisor, Tulare/Kings County, says: "Overall the wheat crop looks good. However it is considerably shorter than normal. We experienced many days in December and January with frosts and in some cases down to 24 F. As expected, the early fields (October planted) are most affected by the cold temperatures and those that were irrigated up with lagoon water. Fields stayed saturated with poor root growing conditions. We have some of these early planted fields in the boot stage and some starting to head out that are showing portions of the heads being blanks."

Steve Orloff, Farm Advisor/ County Director, Siskiyou County provided the following update from the north: "The early planted winter wheat crop in the Intermountain area of Northern California looks great so far, especially compared with last year. The later planted winter wheat fields have not emerged yet. There was plenty of rain after the early plantings to emerge the crop and get it off to a good start, whereas last year much of the crop didn’t even come up until late winter when we finally got some rain. So far this year’s crop is doing real well and is not stressed for moisture, but hopefully we will receive some precipitation soon. As far as spring plantings, many producers are ahead of schedule. The dry conditions have allowed them to get into the fields sooner than normal and in the warmer lower elevation areas, many fields have already been planted–much ahead of the normal planting date."

Kent Brittan, Retired Farm Advisor, Yolo/Solano/Sacramento Counties: "Don't wait, irrigate!"

CWC Joins with Raisin Board to Promote Whole Wheat Baking

The Commission has teamed up with the California Raisin Marketing Board to sponsor a series of baking demonstrations featuring California raisins (as both ingredients and sugar substitute) and stone milled, whole grain flour from California wheat. Award-winning baker Craig Ponsford is conducting four half-day sessions in different venues around the state, each reaching a different audience.

The first session was held in February at the Institute of Technology in Clovis, which has a culinary and baking training program. IOT students were joined by food science students from Fresno State to learn new ways to bake delicious and nutritious items including whole grain Walnut-Raisin English Muffins, Morning Buns, Barley-Currant Pretzels, and Cinnamon-Raisin Challah. See our website for more information.

Commission Launches Search for New Lab Director

After more than twenty years of leadership at the Commission's milling and baking quality lab, Mr. Sam Huang is ready to retire. The Commission will be launching a search for a new lab director to carry on his excellent program. A full job description will be posted on our website later this week.

UC Davis Small Grains Field Day - May 15

The annual small grains field day will be held at UC Davis on May 15, so save the date.

In Memoriam
We note with sadness the passing of local Woodland grain handler Jon Levine on February 24, 2013. We will miss seeing him on his daily dog walks past our office, which gave us the opportunity to check in on local affairs.
]]> Tue, 05 Mar 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=193 February 2013 USDA Wheat Outlook

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.
]]> Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=189 NOTICE AND AGENDA
(Sent and Posted on Tuesday February 12, 2013 before 11:00am)

pdf version

Special Meeting of the Executive Committee
(Government Code Section 11125.4)

Thursday February 14, 2013, 11:00a.m.
VIA TELECONFERENCE
Conference Call-In Number: 1-800-377-8846
Passcode: 59148433#

1. Call to Order/Roll Call

2. Finding pursuant to 11125.4(c) of the California Government Code relative to holding special meeting on less than 10 days notice:

This meeting has been called and noticed pursuant to the special meeting provision of the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act (Act) which allows for a meeting on less than 10 days notice under certain circumstances, including pending litigation. Based on the immediate need for CWC’s Executive Committee to discuss potential pending litigation with its attorney, the Executive Committee finds that it would create a substantial hardship to delay this meeting, and so has properly called and noticed this special meeting pursuant to the Act.

3. Closed session with CWC’s legal counsel pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e)

4. Return to open session

5. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability‐related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at www.californiawheat.org]]> Tue, 12 Feb 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=187 January 2013 USDA Wheat Outlook

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here]]> Tue, 15 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=185 2013 Winter Wheat Seedings report published by USDA's National Ag Statistics Service was released today. USDA estimates planted Winter Wheat acreage in California at 610,000 acres, the same as last year's final planted acreage estimate. Durum wheat plantings are estimated at 90,000 acres, down approximately 35%.]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=186
2012 Alfalfa and Grains Symposium Proceedings]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=184 here.]]> Thu, 27 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=151 ...CAWG/CAWG Newsletters
Archives of previous CAWG reports can be found here also.]]> Fri, 21 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=188 December 2012 Wheat Outlook

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here]]> Thu, 13 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=183 here (1.2 MB).

]]> Wed, 12 Dec 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=182 2001 Point West Way
Sacramento, CA 95815
Thursday, December 12, 2012
12:30 - 4:00 PM

I. Opening Business
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests
D. Approval of Agenda
E. Approval of August 29, 2012 Meeting Minutes

II. Reports
A. Commissioner Reports - 12/13 Crop Outlook
B. Meetings / Events
1. Collaborator Meeting Windh
2. USW Fall Board Meeting Motter / Freese
3. North Asia Marketing Conference Hunn
4. USW Winter Board Meeting Motter
USW budget challenges
C. Staff Reports

III. Research
A. Research Committee Report
B. 2012 Forage & Grain Conference

IV. Administrative and Financial
A. Income/Expense Report and Cash Flow Statement
B. FY 12/13 Budget
C. Handler Audit Report
D. Recommend Reappointment, At- Large Members/Alternates
E. Referendum Update
F. By-Laws / Policy / Procedures Review

V. Closed Session
Closed session pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed Session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e).

Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any.

VI. CAWG Report

VII. Set Next Meeting Date

VIII. Adjournment

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. All meetings of the California Wheat Commission are open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=181 November 2012

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here]]> Wed, 14 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=180
2013 FSA Crop Reporting Deadlines]]> Wed, 07 Nov 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=177 2012/2013 Certified Wheat Seed Buying Guide has been posted. This publication is "in-progress"; check back for missing data as it becomes available. Update: As of 10/23/2012, the final version is now posted. This guide is developed with the cooperation of the University of California to help growers make their planting decisions. It provides contact information for wheat certified seed dealers in California, as well as seed characteristics, historical information on disease reactions, yield, test weight and average protein of current certified wheat seed.

Contact the California Wheat Commission at info@californiawheat.org to request full-sized printed copies (11 x 17" folded).]]> Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=179 PDF Version

Annual Meeting Evaluates New Varieties
At the annual Collaborator meeting organized by the California Grain Foundation and UC Davis, farmers, breeders, millers, bakers and students gathered in Davis on October 11th to evaluate public and private varieties being considered for release in California. Under this program, breeders submit varieties in the fall, UC Davis plants trials in three locations - Davis and the San Joaquin Valley for common wheat and Imperial Valley for durum - and grows the wheat using specified agronomic practices. Upon harvest, samples are sent to collaborating mills across the country for their milling and baking/pasta analysis. The wheat industry gathers in Davis each October to review the results and discuss current industry issues.

In addition to evaluating new varieties, Jorge Dubcovsky provided an update on his wheat breeding program at UC Davis and the national research being done as part of the Combined Wheat and Barley Project, which he is leading. Jane DeMarchi from the National Association of Wheat Growers discussed federal research funding, gave an update on the Farm Bill, and talked about wheat biotechnology. Karl Kupers from Shepherd's Grain talked about his company's program to promote flour made from local, sustainable wheat. The company, based in Washington State, is introducing a California program this year.

Research Funding Update
The Commission's Research Committee met on October 12 to consider research results from ten different field projects conducted over the past year. A total of $94,000 was provided for the projects, plus $10,000 to fund internships to give students practical experience in wheat field research. Research focused on fertilization, weed management and variety suitability. The reports can be found on the Commission website under Growers/ Wheat Research. Several of the farm advisors conducting this research will present their findings at the 2012 Alfalfa & Grains Symposium December 10-12 in Sacramento. For more details, see below.

The Committee also approved new research grants submitted by UCCE farm advisors, specialists and other researchers in response to the 2012 Mini-Grant Call for Proposals. Eight proposals and one internship were funded for a total of $78,700. A complete list is on our website.

The mini-grant program is an important component of the approximately $350,000 the Commission approved to support wheat-related research at the University of California in the current fiscal year. The program was developed as a complement to the funding traditionally
provided to support the wheat breeding program at UC Davis and the statewide field trials. The proposals are designed to provide short term results to growers on issues such as increasing protein and yield through improved fertilization practices.

In addition to the mini-grants, the Committee approved a request from UC Riverside researcher Dr. Giles Waines to fund the second year of his project "Determination of optimum root and shoot size in bread wheat for increased water and nutrient-use efficiency and grain yield."

In Memoriam - Mike Bouris
We note with sorrow the passing of Commissioner Mike Bouris, who represented District 11 on our board. Mike was first elected to the California Wheat Commission in 1987 and remained an active member until his death. He served as President of the California Association of Wheat Growers and participated extensively in USW and NAWG meetings over the years. We all miss Mike's lively wit and financial acuity.

Commission Election Results
This summer, elections were conducted in five grower districts. The results were compiled by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and accepted by the Commission at its most recent meeting on August 29. The following growers were elected:

• District 1 – John Walker, Commissioner and Bryce Crawford, Alternate.
• District 5 – Dennis Pelucca, Commissioner.
• District 8 – Jim Parsons, Commissioner
• District 10 – Vacant
• District 13 - Ronald Leimgruber, Commissioner.

We have Commissioner and Alternate openings in District 2 (Butte, Colusa, Glenn, and Lake Counties) and District 11 (Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego and Ventura Counties); there are also Alternate openings in several other districts. Involvement in the California Wheat Commission enables California producers to help set the priorities for how grower assessment dollars are spent and to take a more active role in national wheat organizations and policymaking bodies.

A qualified producer member or alternate is defined as any person in California who is engaged in the business of producing wheat for market during any of the preceding three marketing seasons, and who resides or conducts farming operations in the district. Between election cycles, interested growers can submit a petition to fill partial terms.

In addition to accepting the results of the grower elections, the Commission formally recommended the reappointment of public member Commissioner Steve Windh and Alternate Damon Sidles. Those appointments have been confirmed by the Department of Food and Agriculture.

Crop Quality Reports Available

• Our annual crop quality reports are on the Commission's website. Printed copies are available upon request from the office.
• Summary results from the Collaborator trials plus current agronomic data from the statewide field trials can be found on the UC Davis website: http://smallgrains.ucdavis.edu.

2012 Alfalfa & Grains Symposium
Registration is now open for the combined alfalfa and grains symposium to be held in Sacramento December 10-12. There are over 2.5 million acres of alfalfa, grains, and other forage crops in California, not including corn silage. This is a comprehensive meeting to focus on the many issues related to alfalfa and grain crops, particularly global issues, economics, and practical 'how to' talks on crop production techniques. For program details and registration:
http://ucanr.edu/sites/Alfalfa/
]]> Tue, 23 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=178 October 2012

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here]]> Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=176 California Wheat Commission
Research Committee Meeting

Friday, October 12, 2012 - 9:00 a.m.

VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#

Sent and posted 10/1/12

I. Call to order, Chairman, Ron Rubin

II. Roll call

III. Approve agenda

IV. Review/accept research reports from 2011 mini-grant and internship program

V. Review/approve proposals received under 2012 call for proposals

VI. Review other pending research projects

VII. Discuss other research needs, including equipment

VIII. Discuss options for triticale assessments

IX. Review variety trial and collaborator participation

X. Adjourn


All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org
]]> Mon, 01 Oct 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=175 Small Grains website. Check back as new tables are added.]]> Tue, 25 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=174 ]]> Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=173 September 2012

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here]]> Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=172
After making the selection of the first recipient, the Parsons Family said, "We were very pleased to see such strong applications for the scholarship. California's agriculture industry needs individuals with courage, skills and a strong work ethic to farm our productive land. [The recipient] best filled our vision for this memorial scholarship and we will continue to help, in this small way, to encourage young students to enter the production agriculture field."

This scholarship is being offered to a current, full-time California university undergraduate student who is planning a career in production agriculture. Any student enrolled in a four-year college with a major in agriculture is eligible. Applicants will need to provide proof of enrollment, and be a U.S. citizen.

All materials must be submitted by October 30, 2012 to:

California Grain Foundation
1240 Commerce Avenue, Suite A
Woodland, CA 95776

or by email to: info@californiawheat.org

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Questions may be directed to: info@californiawheat.org

A printer-friendly version of this information and the scholarship application are available here.]]> Fri, 14 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=171
Monday, December 10 - Wednesday, December 12, 2012
Doubletree Hotel, Sacramento, CA

Sponsored by:
University of California
Cooperative Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resources
UC Davis Plant Sciences
California Wheat Commission
California Alfalfa and Forage Association

Plan now to participate and:

• Listen to over 30 expert speakers.
• Visit with your colleagues from all over the state at the evening receptions.
  
• Stop by the exhibit area to see the latest on alfalfa and grain products and services.
• Join us for the Monday Delta Agricultural Tour
• Conference Proceedings

There are over 2.7 million acres of hay and grain crops in California, the primary of which are alfalfa and wheat. These crops produce a tremendous amount of food for humans, particularly milk, cheeses, yogurts from forages, and bread and pastas from wheat. This comprehensive conference will focus on the many issues related to forage and grain crops, particularly global issues, economics and crop production techniques. Discussion topics will include water management, fertilizers and nutrients, crop quality and pest management.

Who Should Attend? Farmers, Pest Control Advisors and Certified Crop Advisors, industry members, agency representatives and anyone who wishes to be informed about important issues related to alfalfa and grains.

See http://ucanr.org/sites/Alfalfa/ for more information and registration.]]> Fri, 07 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=170
Michael George Bouris
Obituary

Michael joined his Heavenly Father on August 29, 2012 after battling cancer. Mike was born in Hemet on August 27, 1951 and lived in Menifee Valley all his life. He graduated from Perris High School and earned his degree in Ag Engineering from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. In 1973 Mike joined his father Herk in Bouris Ranches and continued the family tradition of farming wheat in the valley. Mike served as President of the California Wheat Growers and Chairman of the ASCS County Committee, and he was an active church member. Mike was married to Elese, the love of his life, for 39 years. His greatest joys were going to tractor shows and pulls, restoring antiques, giving tours, and going to lunch. He was crazy about his six grandkids, and the feeling was mutual. He will also be missed by his mother Betty Bouris; his sister Mary; and his three daughters Coleen, Lynette, and Gwen and their spouses, as well as his entire community which has been forever changed by his generosity. The viewing will be at Evans-Brown Mortuary in Sun City on Sunday, September 2nd from 3 pm to 7 pm. We will celebrate Mike's life on Monday, September 3rd at 11 am at Canyon Lake Community Church, followed immediately by story-telling at Bouris Ranch. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a donation to Cal Poly's BRAE Dept. or Scripps Health Foundation.]]> Thu, 06 Sep 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=168 California Wheat Commission
Board Meeting

Western Regional Research Center (USDA/ARS)
800 Buchanan Street, Albany CA 94710
Wednesday, August 29, 2012
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.


MORNING SESSION - ARS/WRRC WHEAT RESEARCH

The Western Regional Research Center, part of USDA'S Agricultural Research Service (ARS), conducts mission-oriented research to enhance the healthfulness of foods; to develop new food and industrial products from renewable resources; and to protect and enhance the quality of the environment. The results of these research efforts are implemented through the transfer of new and innovative technologies to appropriate clients and users. WRRC scientists will discuss their wheat-related research.

AFTERNOON SESSION - COMMISSION MEETING

I. Opening Business
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests
D. Approval of Agenda
E. Approval of April 11, 2012 Meeting Minutes
F. Approval of Various Committee Minutes

II. Commissioner Nominations and Elections
A. Approval of Commissioner Elections
B. Recommendation of Public Members for CDFA Action
C. Officer Elections
D. Open Districts

III. FY 11/12 Audit Report
A. Audit report- Ron Ley, Damore Hamric & Schneider, Inc.
B. Investment Policy Draft

IV. Reports
A. Officer Reports

a) South American Wheat Marketing Conference
b) USW Summer Board Meeting

B. Commissioner Reports - 2012 Harvest Results/ 2013 Outlook
C. Staff Reports

V. Research
A. UCCE Call for Research Proposals
B. UC Harvester Request
C. Collaborator Meeting - October 11, 2012
D. Alfalfa and Grain Conference December 10-12, 2012

VI. Market Development
A. US Wheat North African Durum Team
B. Desert Durum Service Mark
C. North Asian Buyers' Conference
D. Domestic Promotion

a) Joint promotion with California Raisin Marketing Board
b) Shepherd's Grain California Program

E. CWC Logo and Report Covers Re-design

VII. Financial Report / Administrative Issues
A. Income/Expense Report and Cash Flow Statement
B. FY 12/13 Budget
C. Handler Audit Update
D. Confirm Update to Employee Handbook

VIII. CAWG Report

IX. Closed Session
Closed session pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed Session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e).

Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any.

X. Next Meeting - DECEMBER 12, 2012 (After Alfalfa/Grain Conference)

XI. Adjournment


All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. All meetings of the California Wheat Commission are open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Fri, 17 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=169 August 2012

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here]]> Tue, 14 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=167
Projects can address, but are not limited to, topics such as production efficiency in irrigated or rain-fed systems (variety x planting date, seeding rate, fertilization/irrigationpractices, etc.), pest/disease management, and end-use quality. A research report is required to be submitted by September 30, 2013. This report shall also include details on how the funding was spent.

Research project proposals, limited to 3 pages, are due to the California Wheat Commission by October 1, 2012. The following format should be used:

Title of Proposed Research Project

Project Leader (name, title, county or campus department, address, phone and email)

Abstract (about 250 words describing the project and the issues being addressed)

Background and Justification (include a concise statement of the problem and its importance to the region or state, how the research will address the problem, and the potential beneficial impacts of the project)

Procedures (for each objective, briefly describe the experimental design, data to be collected, and methods of data analysis)

Budget (for personnel, supplies & expenses)

Submit the proposal by email to: cooper@californiawheat.org

For researchers who received funding from the CWC during FY 2011/12, please note that your research report is due by September 30, 2012. The suggested format will be sent to you by separate message. We must receive your completed report by the deadline in order to consider additional funding requests.

---

Wheat Internship Funding

The California Wheat Commission has allocated $10,000 in funding for FY 2012/13 to support internships with CE Farm Advisors for graduate or undergraduate students who are interested in agricultural research and extension work as a possible career path. Students must be in good standing at a recognized public or private university in California. Students are expected to work closely with CE Farm Advisors to implement
field-based research and county-based outreach objectives. The goal is to train students in both applied research methodologies and educational/outreach skills needed for a career as a UCCE Farm Advisor.

The starting date will be flexible to accommodate the school calendar and needs of the student and Farm Advisor mentor. The wheat internship positions can be used in conjunction with a research project (i.e., the mini-grant program) or independently. A report will be required by September 30, 2013 summarizing how the grant funds were utilized.

Farm Advisors should send their request of up to $5,000 for a Wheat Internship grant by October 1, 2012 by email to cooper@californiawheat.org]]> Thu, 02 Aug 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=166 California Wheat Commission Audit Committee MeetingAugust 10, 2011
09:00 a.m.

Damore, Hamric & Schneider, Inc.
2856 Arden Way Ste 200
Sacramento, CA 95825
Tel. (916) 481-2856


I. Call to order

II. Roll call

III. Results of FY 11/12 Annual Audit

IV. Closed Session

Closed session, if necessary pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding employee performance evaluation or pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126 (e).

V. Return to open session/announce action taken, if any

VI. Adjourn


All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=165 pdf version

ROY MOTTER SWORN IN AS USW SECRETARY/TREASURER
At the conclusion of the US Wheat Associates (USW) summer board meeting in Spokane last Sunday, outgoing Chairman Randy Seuss (WA) passed the gavel to incoming Chairman Darrell Davis (SD). Dan Hughes of Nebraska moved up to Vice Chairman and Roy Motter (CA) entered the officer group as Secretary-Treasurer. Roy, a durum grower from Brawley, CA is the California Wheat Commissioner from District 12 and the current Vice Chairman.

USW is the industry’s market development organization working in more than 100 countries. Its mission is to "develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers." The activities of USW are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and through cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The United States exports about half of its annual wheat production; California exports approximately 25% of its crop to markets as diverse as Italy, Nigeria, Colombia, Taiwan, and Indonesia.

CWC COMMISSIONER ELECTIONS
Elections to be Held in Five Districts
As announced earlier, the California Wheat Commission will conduct district elections next month for the positions of Commissioner and Alternate Commissioner for five California districts:

• District 1 - Siskiyou, Tehama, Lassen, Modoc & Shasta Counties


• District 5 - Alameda, Contra Costa, Stanislaus & San Joaquin Counties


• District 8 - Kings & Tulare Counties


• District 10 - Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito & Santa Clara Counties


• District 13 - Imperial County lying south of Keystone Road.

Petitions are available from the Commission office and must be returned to the Commission no later than July 23, 2012.

Wheat growers in these districts should watch for their ballots to arrive in early August. Please return them as indicated by August 15th.

Involvement in the California Wheat Commission enables California producers to help set the priorities for how grower assessment dollars are spent and to take a more active role in national wheat organizations and policymaking bodies. A qualified producer member or alternate is defined as any person in California who is engaged in the business of producing wheat for market during any of the preceding three marketing seasons, and who resides or conducts farming operations in the district in which the election is to be held. The term of office for Commissioners and their Alternates is three years.

CROP QUALITY TESTING UNDERWAY
The California Wheat Commission is the only state wheat commission with its own quality lab. Created in the early 1990's to improve California wheat varieties, the lab performs extensive testing each year on new crop samples collected from around the state. Lab Director Sam Huang, Lab Assistant Teng Vang, and four UC Davis students have begun the annual testing process, the results of which will be published in our own reports, included in USW reports, and made available on the Commission's website in October.

CROP INSURANCE FOR NON-IRRIGATED SMALL GRAINS
On July 2, 2012, the USDA Risk Management Agency office in Davis, CA announced a change to the crop insurance program for small grains that will affect California dryland grain growers. Beginning in 2013, producers who grow wheat, barley, or oats, in a non-irrigated farming practice, will only be allowed to insure these crops as a grain crop if they can provide adequate records. These records must indicate that the crop was harvested as grain in at least one of the past four years. This requirement will be applied to all producers who plant small grains under a non-irrigated farming practice in all counties except Lassen, Modoc, Siskiyou, or Shasta. For more information, see the full press release on our website or contact the RMA in Davis.

COMMISSION UPDATE

• The Marketing Branch at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, which provides administrative guidance to commodity boards and commissions, recently made some new assignments. The California Wheat Commission bids goodbye to Kathy Diaz-Cretu, Senior Agricultural Economist, and thanks her for her support over the years. We look forward to working with April Izumi, our new liaison.


• The next Commission meeting will be on August 29 at the ARS facility in Albany. Commissioners and guests will meet with ARS scientists to get an update on their wheat-related research.

]]> Wed, 18 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=164 July 2012

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here]]> Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=163
The crop insurance policy for small grains was intended to provide a risk management tool for grain producers. Small grain hay producers and livestock producers were also able to obtain crop insurance coverage under this policy by indicating they intended to harvest the crop as a grain crop. In many cases, producers who planted small grains and did not apply irrigation, would historically have hayed or grazed the crop. This resulted in indemnity payments to producers who did not normally harvest their crops as grain.

Jeff Yasui, Director of the Davis Regional Office said, "The change could prevent increases to insurance rates for small grain producers by excluding non-irrigated hay losses from the actuarial data." This change will protect the integrity of the small grains crop insurance program by ensuring that the policy is being provided to the intended grain growers.

Although this change may prevent some producers from obtaining grain coverage, there are other options available for hay and livestock producers. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) provides coverage for grazed land and small grain hay crops in the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program. Interested producers should visit their crop insurance agent for more information about crop insurance programs. Producers should contact their local FSA Service Center for more information on FSA programs.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).
]]> Thu, 05 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=162
Involvement in the California Wheat Commission enables California producers to take a more active role in national wheat organizations and wheat policymaking bodies. A qualified producer member or alternate is defined as any person who is engaged within this state in the business of producing wheat for market during any of the preceding three marketing seasons, and who must reside or conduct farming operations in the district in which the election is to be held.

Interested individuals are encouraged to obtain a nomination petition, accessed via the links below. Petitions must be returned to the Commission no later than July 23, 2012.

• District 1 - Siskiyou, Tehama, Lassen, Modoc & Shasta Counties
  
• District 5 - Alameda, Contra Costa, Stanislaus & San Joaquin Counties
• District 8 - Kings & Tulare Counties
• District 10 - Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Monterey, San Benito & Santa Clara Counties, and
• District 13 - Imperial County lying south of Keystone Road.

Wheat growers voted to establish the California Wheat Commission in 1983, expressly to develop and maintain domestic and international markets for California wheat and support research that improves California wheat quality and marketability. The Commission, operating under the California Food and Agriculture Code, is funded by wheat growers and is guided by a board which includes thirteen wheat producers, two handlers, two at-large members, and one public member -- each with alternates.]]> Mon, 02 Jul 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=161 pdf version


USDA CROP PRODUCTION ESTIMATE: USDA released its latest estimate of California wheat production on June 12:
The California winter wheat production forecast, at 893 thousand tons, is 17 percent below last year. The 350 thousand acres expected to be harvested for grain is also 17 percent below last year. The yield is expected to average 2.55 tons per acre, unchanged from last year.

California’s Durum wheat production is forecast at 429 thousand tons, up 14 percent from last year. The yield is forecast at 3.30 tons per acre. If realized, this will tie a record high. With continued above normal temperatures in Southern California, crop harvest is well underway.

HARVEST UPDATE: Overall, this year's harvest seems to be characterized by average or slightly lower than average yields but higher protein and good quality. The dry weather and/or high heat at certain times seem to be the major factors. The CWC lab is just starting crop quality testing; full results will be published in the fall.

• Imperial Valley durum harvest is almost complete. Quality was very good but yields were somewhat below average, probably due to high heat during flowering. With planted acreage up 27% over 2011, total production will exceed last year.
  
• Central Valley - Harvest is in full swing and initial reports are quite good. Yields are about average but protein is up. With the recent hot weather, harvest is moving quickly. Greenchop may be higher than in the last few years.
  
• Sacramento Valley - Harvest has started and is going well. A week of windy, cool weather may be slowing progress down a bit, but warmer days are expected tomorrow. Similar to the rest of the state, yields are average or slightly down and protein is higher.

RESEARCH UPDATE: In the June 6th edition of the California Farm Bureau' s Ag Alert, reporter Kathy Coatney highlighted two field research fertilization projects that are being funded by the Commission. Khaled Bali, UCCE irrigation and water management advisor for Imperial County, is studying the impact of different nitrogen and phosphorus rates on yield and protein level. Bali is in the second year of this research project, funded under the Commission Farm Advisor Mini-Grant Program.

Brian Marsh, UCCE farm advisor in Kern County, is conducting a study in Fresno and Kern Counties on the use of chlorophyll meters to assess nitrogen use. His project is also in its second year and is made possible with grower funds through the Commission Mini-Grant Program.

The results of these and other Commission-funded field research projects will be presented at the California Alfalfa & Grains Symposium to be held in Sacramento on December 10-12, 2012.

WHEAT FOODS COUNCIL: The Commission recent became a full member of the Wheat Foods Council, an industry organization dedicated to promoting wheat foods. Following is a press release about their recently completed event called Wheat Safari.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jula Kinnaird
Kinnaird + Mangan
Phone: 703-919-8707
E-Mail: jula@kinnairdmangan.com

Monday, June 25, 2012

Wheat Foods Council Wheat Safari Takes Nutrition Influencers from Farm to Fork

Ridgway, CO – Take 25 of the nation’s top nutrition bloggers, freelance food writers, dietitians and health professionals to Manhattan, KS, the heart of wheat country, and what do you get?

The Wheat Foods Council’s Wheat Safari!

The 2012 Wheat Safari, June 19-21 in Manhattan, let attendees experience first-hand how wheat goes from farm to fork. The information-packed two-and-a-half-day event included visits to:

• The Ken Wood farm in Chapman, KS, where participants rode a combine and experienced the wheat harvest
  
• A hands-on baking workshop at the American Institute of Baking featuring wheat flour from the six different classes of wheat
  
• A tour of Kansas State University’s Hal Ross demonstration flour mill to see how wheat kernels are turned into flour.
  
• A visit to the Farm to Market Bread Co. bakery in Kansas City, MO, where flour is transformed into the wheat foods we all love

The goal of the event was to educate key influencers about wheat’s nutrition and healthfulness.

"Consumers continue to tell us they are confused about nutrition and how to eat healthfully, including how to work more whole grains into their daily diets," commented Judi Adams, president of the Wheat Foods Council. "All our Wheat Safari participants are important health influencers. We look forward to continuing and strengthening the relationships we developed with them on Safari. Their feedback is important in helping us identify and provide the tools they need to effectively communicate nutrition messages about wheat and wheat foods to consumers."

Accompanying the Wheat Safari was noted carbohydrate expert and nutrition educator Julie Miller Jones, Distinguished Scholar and Professor Emerita of nutrition in the Department of Family, Consumer and Nutritional Sciences at the St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. Dr. Jones was on-hand to answer attendee’s questions on top nutrition issues, from how to help consumers identify whole grains in their grocery stores, to why gluten-free diets only make sense for those diagnosed with celiac disease or gluten sensitivity. It’s important to remember that 92 percent of Americans can consume the gluten-containing grains (wheat, rye and barley) without problems.

"The most important messages consumers need to hear is variety and moderation, even in whole grains. Following a diet that includes a wide variety of foods including enriched and whole grains ensures we are getting the nutrients we need for optimal health. Moderation ensures we stay within the calorie range best suited to our age, gender and life style," stressed Dr. Jones.

The Wheat Foods Council is a nonprofit organization formed in 1972 to help increase public awareness of grains, complex carbohydrates, and fiber as essential components of a healthful diet. The Council is supported voluntarily by wheat producers, millers, and related industries. For more information, visit www.wheatfoods.org.

]]> Tue, 26 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=160 June 2012

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here]]> Thu, 14 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=157 USDA's Crop Production Report June 12, 2012

The complete Crop Production Report, in its entirety can be found here.]]> Tue, 12 Jun 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=156 pdf version

Disease Update from Lee Jackson, Retired Statewide Small Grains Specialist:

California’s fall-sown small grain crop is now in the final stages of grain-fill. The growing season was very dry from October through early March, and then above average amounts of rain occurred in March and April. The late rains will result in near normal yields for much of the rainfed portion of the crop where initial plant stands survived. Total precipitation in the Central Valley was about 60-70% of average.

During the growing season I evaluated the UC Regional nurseries managed by the UC Small Grains program for diseases and other pest problems. The nurseries contain current varieties, recently released newer varieties, and advanced breeding lines from the UC breeding program and from the major private breeding programs. Disease incidence and severity in the nursery plots is a good indication of disease pressure occurring on commercial acreage. Stripe rust occurred throughout the Central Valley, but reached high severity in nurseries on only a handful of varieties.

Stripe rust was most severe in nurseries in the Sacramento/San Joaquin Delta (at a site west of Stockton), at the UC Davis Agronomy Farm, and, later in the growing season, in the San Joaquin Valley in Fresno and Kings counties. Among varieties that are grown on significant acreage in California, Joaquin was the most severely affected. Among previously resistant varieties, Redwing and WB Cristallo showed moderately severe to severe levels of stripe rust at a couple of sites in both the Sacramento Valley and the San Joaquin Valley. Also, for the first time, infection (though only of moderate severity) was detected on the variety Blanca Fuerte.

A large stripe rust screening nursery (over 2500 entries) was grown on the UC Davis Agronomy Farm. A large proportion of the entries, from across the United States and throughout the world, were highly susceptible. One portion of the nursery contained genotypes with the various single stripe rust resistance genes (designated Yr genes, for resistance to yellow rust, an alternate name for stripe rust) that are used for race identification and to develop resistant varieties. Among the single-gene lines, virulence was indicated for YrA, YrPr1, YrPr2, YrSp, Yr1, Yr6, Yr7, Yr8, Yr9, Yr17, Yr18, Yr21, Yr24, Yr25, Yr26, Yr27, Yr29, Yr43, and Yr44. Lines with Yr genes Yr5, Yr10, and Yr15 showed no infection. Yr5 and Yr15 form the basis for stripe rust resistance in several of California’s newer wheat varieties.

In addition to stripe rust, I observed other foliar diseases on small grain crops this season. Barley yellow dwarf (BYD), a virus vectored by aphids, was widespread on wheat and barley throughout the Central Valley, and reached moderately severe to severe levels on many of the entries in the UC Regional nurseries. In many cases BYD seemed to affect the crops more than stripe rust. Powdery mildew reached moderate severity on a few varieties in both barley and wheat nurseries in the Central Valley.
One of the consequences of the dry winter was that Russian wheat aphid-infested plants were easily seen early in the growing season. Incidence was low, however, so no measurable yield reduction is likely.

Farm Advisor Crop Update:

Steve Orloff, Farm Advisor/ County Director from Siskiyou County provided the following update from the north: Overall, winter grain fields do not look nearly as good as they did last year. Some fall-seeded fields did not even emerge until late winter due to the lack of winter precipitation. March and April rains helped, and fields are progressing but do not have the growth potential observed last year. This is due to the late emergence as well as the recent unseasonably warm and dry conditions, which are not as ideal for grain growth as the cool damp conditions that prevailed last year. In addition, a frost (temperatures in the low 20’s) occurred in the Klamath Basin last week and the winter wheat was hit especially hard. Spring cereal fields have all been planted and have emerged. Most fields look very good at this point with favorable growing conditions and irrigation. Weed control treatments are just beginning.

Kent Brittan, Yolo County Director & Agronomic Crops Advisor for Yolo, Solano and Sacramento Counties, submitted these comments: Most wheat fields are drying down now. Unevenness is showing up as green plants mixed with brown plants. In addition, those varieties hit by Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus, Patwin is the worst, have very early maturing heads with some stunting showing up. Stripe rust was only severe in Redwing, with some large heavy late patches in WB Cristallo. In most of the triticale I lost about one-third to half of the flag leaf to stripe rust with very little sporulation occurring. Camelot and Trical118 were the most affected. Sonora and Wit Wolkoring, old soft wheat varieties popular with the specialty whole grain growers, were severely affected by stripe rust at the Montezuma Hills trial. Almost all the leaves are already gone even though these were the last varieties to head out in my trials. BYDV was also heavy in the California Red Oat field where I had my oat trial. We are expecting a little rain this Friday in our area, watch for black point in the durums and falling numbers heading into harvest. We are supposed to hit 100oF seven days after this rain, I’m hopeful this rain will have little effect. Watch out for shatter in the Cal Rojo as we dry down. Good luck.

Steve Wright, Farm Advisor, Tulare/Kings County, says: So far what I am seeing is a lot of wheat and triticale being harvested near dairies with wheat drying down fairly fast. We plan to harvest our silage trial on Friday. There is some lodging in fields but not as bad as last year. There is also some false black chaff showing up in some fields along with some tillers showing frost damage. Did see more canary grass showing up in more fields than I have seen before. With the late rains (up to 2 inches) more of the dryland wheat germinated and we actually will have a crop to harvest in areas that were not disked under earlier. I expect a high yielding wheat crop both for silage and grain. Growers are doing a lot of field work, and pre-irrigations for a double crop corn or sorghum.


Shepherd's Grain Comes to California

SUSTAINABLY-RAISED, LOCALLY-GROWN FLOUR NOW AVAILABLE
TO CALIFORNIA BAKERS

In Summer 2012, Shepherd’s Grain – a consortium of family grain growers – is offering regional bakeries a new, superior, Southern California-grown flour. Shepherd’s Grain Imperial White flour is the first sustainably grown, locally produced, commercially available flour to feature a California-grown label. Most commercial mills bring in wheat grown in other states and blend it with California wheat to meet the demand of the California market. Shepherd’s Grain Imperial White is grown, milled and distributed completely within California.

Shepherd’s Grain wheat is raised following sustainable, environmentally sound practices supported and verified by the Food Alliance (http://foodalliance.org). These practices include water conservation, habitat preservation and air quality management. The local growers are inspected and certified by the Food Alliance to ensure compliance with these innovative and environmentally conscious farming practices.

Each flour bag is traceable to the farms that grew the wheat, assuring bakers of quality and safety, and making a clear connection between farm and plate. "Most wheat farmers are unaware of where their wheat goes once it leaves the field," said farmer Larry Hunn, Chairman of the California Wheat Commission. "Providing a connection between growers, millers, bakers, and end consumers benefits everyone along the way." Shepherd’s Grain provides the first traceable flour available to California bakers through commercial channels.

"We are very happy that Shepherd’s Grain has contracted with California growers to raise and market this environmentally-friendly, traceable flour to regional markets," says Janice Cooper, Executive Director of the California Wheat Commission. "We are seeing ever-growing interest among consumers to know where their food comes from. This flour provides bakers with a new way to meet this demand."
Bakeries throughout the Los Angeles region will be able to purchase this initial harvest on a limited basis. Following successful sales and reviews of the flour, Shepherd’s Grain growers will increase production of this locally grown wheat during the 2012 growing season for expanded sales to restaurants, bakeries and other users.

Southern Californian bakers and consumers will soon experience the enhanced flavor and environmental advantages of sustainably grown, locally-produced flour in their breads, pastries and other baked goods, thanks to Shepherd’s Grain and California wheat growers.

For orders, contact: orders@shepherdsgraincalifornia.com
For more information, contact: kyle@shepherdsgraincalifornia.com

Commission Update

• The Commission will be hosting a Korean wheat buyers team in late June. They will be stopping in California as part of a U.S. Wheat-sponsored tour to check the quality of this year's crop.
  
  
• Commission Vice-Chairman Roy Motter will be sworn in as U.S. Wheat Secretary/Treasurer at its summer board meeting in July. Motter is the first California grower to serve as a USW officer.
  
  
• The next Commission meeting will be on August 29 at the ARS facility in Albany. Commissioners and guests will meet with ARS scientists to get an update on their wheat-related research.

]]> Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=155 8:00 am
VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#

I. Call to order
II. Roll call
III. Approval of Agenda
IV. Approval of Minutes from 4/9/2012 meeting
V. Review and approve proposed changes to Employee Handbook
VI. Update on Commission activities - Cooper
VII. Date for Audit Committee Meeting
VIII. Closed Session, if necessary
Closed session, if necessary, pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding personnel issues.
VIII. Return to open session/announce action taken, if any
IX. Return to open session, announce actions, if any
Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. All meetings of the California Wheat Commission are open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Thu, 24 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=154
In Summer 2012, Shepherd’s Grain – a consortium of family grain growers – is offering regional bakeries a new, superior, Southern California-grown flour. Shepherd’s Grain Imperial White flour is the first sustainably grown, locally produced, commercially available flour to feature a California-grown label. Most commercial mills bring in wheat grown in other states and blend it with California wheat to meet the demand of the California market. Shepherd’s Grain Imperial White is grown, milled and distributed completely within California.

Shepherd’s Grain wheat is raised following sustainable, environmentally sound practices supported and verified by the Food Alliance (http://foodalliance.org). These practices include water conservation, habitat preservation and air quality management. The local growers are inspected and certified by the Food Alliance to ensure compliance with these innovative and environmentally conscious farming practices.

Each flour bag is traceable to the farms that grew the wheat, assuring bakers of quality and safety, and making a clear connection between farm and plate. "Most wheat farmers are unaware of where their wheat goes once it leaves the field," said farmer Larry Hunn, Chairman of the California Wheat Commission. "Providing a connection between growers, millers, bakers, and end consumers benefits everyone along the way." Shepherd’s Grain provides the first traceable flour available to California bakers through commercial channels.

"We are very happy that Shepherd’s Grain has contracted with California growers to raise and market this environmentally-friendly, traceable flour to regional markets," says Janice Cooper, Executive Director of the California Wheat Commission. "We are seeing ever-growing interest among consumers to know where their food comes from. This flour provides bakers with a new way to meet this demand."


Bakeries throughout the Los Angeles region will be able to purchase this initial harvest on a limited basis. Following successful sales and reviews of the flour, Shepherd’s Grain growers will increase production of this locally grown wheat during the 2012 growing season for expanded sales to restaurants, bakeries and other users.

Southern Californian bakers and consumers will soon experience the enhanced flavor and environmental advantages of sustainably grown, locally-produced flour in their breads, pastries and other baked goods, thanks to Shepherd’s Grain and California wheat growers.

For orders, contact: orders@shepherdsgraincalifornia.com
For more information, contact: kyle@shepherdsgraincalifornia.com]]> Tue, 22 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=152 May 2012

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here]]> Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=153 USDA Crop Production Report May 10, 2012

The complete Crop Production Report, in its entirety can be found here.]]> Thu, 10 May 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=150 pdf version

Farm Advisor Crop Update:

Khaled Bali, farm advisor in Imperial Valley, reported on April 19th: "Desert Durum wheat is currently grown on approximately 90,000 acres in the Imperial Valley (approximately 20% increase in acreages as compared to last year). Wheat harvest is expected to begin in mid-May and to continue through mid-June. The weather has been good for wheat production this year and the current temperature in the 90 degree plus range is helping in kernel ripening and drying, the color is transitioning from green to beautiful gold."

Kent Brittan, who covers Yolo, Solano and Sacramento Counties, conducts variety trials in four locations in the region. He published a newsletter on April 20, including the following comments:

"Wheat Crop Conditions. Overall crop is in much better condition since the rains started in late December. We still have lost some fields from drought after emergence. Many fields have stands of mixed maturities and wholes making for parts of the field heading and other parts still in boot. I expect this to even out some as the crop matures and starts to dry. Stripper headers will have a more difficult time harvesting from some of this unevenness. Watch your soil moisture until the milk stage to avoid pinched grain and low bushel weights.

Disease Update:
Stripe Rust is active in Redwing, WB-Cristallo, Joaquin, Sonora, and Wilt Wolkoring. I have also seen some in all the Triticale varieties in my trials. Good adult plant resistance in the triticale, but you still need to monitor these fields. A few Redwing fields are being treated.
Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus is heavier than I have seen in the past seasons with Patwin being especially susceptible. I have several Patwin fields that are showing symptoms in 75 to 85% of the plants. No treatment possible, see disease cycle in guidelines.
Powdery Mildew can be found low down in most fields with a few (Summit 515 and Cal Rojo) fields with white mildew colonies up into the heads. Hot weather will help here. Protect the flag leaf if necessary.
Septoria is evident in most fields low in the canopy. We should make it to harvest without losses this year.

Go to UC IPM Pest Management Guidelines and the Small Grains Production Manual for additional descriptions and information.

Looks like good, warm grain development weather. If you have Summit 515 or Blanca Grande 515, please remember to check falling numbers as you start to harvest. If below 300, wait to harvest two weeks and try again. If below 250 it probably won't make 300."

For the full newsletter, see: http://ceyolo.ucdavis.edu/newsletters/South_Sacramento_Valley_Field_Crops_Newsletter42985.pdf

Come to the Small Grains Field Days in May - See our website for details
May 1 - Tulare/Kings
May 9 - UC Davis

Parsons Family Scholarship Awarded

The first scholarship, created in memory of John Joaquin Parsons, a long time farmer from Ducor, CA, was awarded recently to Gerald Bogard of San Luis Obispo. The $1,500 scholarship was awarded by the Parsons family based on a written essay, two letters of recommendation, a completed application, and an interview. The California Grain Foundation helped manage the process for the family.

In relaying their decision to the Foundation, the family said, "We were very pleased to see such strong applications for the scholarship. California's agriculture industry needs individuals with courage, skills and a strong work ethic to farm our productive land. Gerald best filled our vision for this memorial scholarship and we will continue to help, in this small way, to encourage young students to enter the production agriculture field."

Congratulations, Gerald!

Japanese Milling Executives to Visit CA

A team of milling executives will be visiting Northern California next week to meet with representatives of the California wheat industry and learn about the excellent quality of our wheat. Led by US Wheat Japan Country Director Charlie Utsunomiya, the group will also visit Washington, DC and Portland, OR. In California, they will focus on wheat research and variety development, grain handling and marketing, and receive an update on durum production.]]> Tue, 24 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=149 California's Roy Motter a strong advocate for U.S. wheat

(This summer, Roy Motter will accept a post as secretary/treasurer for U.S. Wheat Associates, the wheat industry’s export market development organization which promotes U.S. wheat sales to 100-plus countries.)

]]> Wed, 18 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=148 2012 California Wheat Variety Survey is now posted. This report reflects estimated wheat acreage that was planted in the fall, winter and spring of 2011 and 2012, for harvest in 2012.]]> Tue, 17 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=147 April 2012

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.]]> Thu, 12 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=146 pdf version

Commission to Meet Next Week

The California Wheat Commission will meet in Sacramento on April 11 at 10am for its annual budget-setting meeting. The Commission, comprised of grower, handler, public and at-large members from around the state, will review assessment projections for the fiscal year beginning on May 1 and make funding decisions on its priority activities, including research and market development. The full agenda is posted on our website.

Small Grains Field Days in May - See our website for details

May 1 - Tulare/Kings
May 9 - UC Davis

Farm Advisor Crop Update:

We asked UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors to report what they are seeing in their areas.

Kent Brittan, who covers Yolo, Solano and Sacramento Counties, conducts variety trials in four locations in the region. He provided the following comments on April 5: "All locations in the Southern Sacramento Valley look much better following the recent rains. Areas of clayey soil are ready for the rain to stop. Light textured soil areas will benefit from the rain this next week. November planted fields are heading out now. Diseases are starting to show up. I am finding Stripe Rust in Redwing, but nowhere else yet. I do expect to see some in the Triticale varieties Trical 118 and Camelot. I am hoping that most of those fields will not have to be sprayed. I have heard of a couple of fungicide treatments on Redwing. Please check our Stripe Rust Control Guidelines for detailed information.

I am finding Powdery Mildew and Septoria down low in the canopy in several varieties. If like past years, neither are worth trying to control. If Powdery Mildew gets bad it can be knocked back, but not completely cleaned up. We have not been successful controlling Septoria even though it is listed on several fungicide labels. I am starting to find a few aphids and a bit more Russian Wheat aphid damage then I have seen in recent years. Wheat crop is over all a bit uneven in our area from the dry start with a few holes. Most fields are showing very good fertility and head emergence. Later planted fields are looking very good as well. Please keep your eyes open as you walk your fields. Good Luck!"

Steve Wright, farm advisor in Kings and Tulare Counties, reported on April 3rd: "We are hearing and seeing our first stripe rust showing up in Joaquin Wheat. I have heard of some fungicides being applied to Joaquin wheat and some neighboring fields. I encourage growers and PCA's to pay close attention this week as the flag leaf is now exposed and in some areas some wheat or triticale fields are beginning to head. Pay closer attention to stripe rust susceptible wheat and triticale varieties, and even resistant varieties of wheat in bordering fields.

Boot stage applications of nitrogen are the last opportunity to increase grain wheat yields and also improve protein. Approximately 40 lbs. of nitrogen as UAN-32 is a good way to apply this and for most with the lack of rain a good time to irrigate. Applications of 30-40 lbs. of nitrogen in addition at the flowering stage can increase protein 1 to 2 percent. The decision to apply nitrogen with the water at either of these stages should coincide with the timing of the irrigations."

Team USA Takes Silver Medal at World Cup of Baking in Paris

The United States joined 11 other countries in Paris in early March at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, an international, invitational artisan baking competition held in every three to four years. Each team has three members competing in different categories: bread, pastries and artistic piece.

At the end of four days of hard fought competition, Japan was awarded the top prize, the United States second and Taiwan third. Team USA included Mike Zakowski from Sonoma, Jeremey Gadouas from Seattle, and Harry Peemoeller, Charlotte, NC. Mike's signature bread included specially-milled Yecora Rojo flour from California.

Begun in 1992, the Coupe du Monde is a competition where bakers who practice the craft of artisan baking compete against teams from other nations, using traditional techniques. The purpose of the competition is to gather artisan bakers from around the world to celebrate their profession, share knowledge of artisan baking techniques, and reinstate the value of the artisan baking profession. (Wikipedia)

Commission Update:

Watch our website for the 2012 Variety Survey, which is due to be released in mid-April. This report provides an early snapshot of how much of various varieties is planted around the state. Thanks to all the growers who completed the survey this year!
]]> Fri, 06 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=145 PCA-CCA Credits
pdf of joint Small Grains/Alfalfa agenda

Directions: Take 113 near Davis to Hutchison Rd. Go west. Right at first rotary, left at second rotary, about 1/3 mile down on the left.

The purpose of this field meeting is to take a look at and discuss research trials and crop production issues in California related to forages and cereal grains. This includes variety trials, pest and disease updates, and weed control.

8:00 Registration (Coffee and donuts)
8:15am – Noon: Small Grains Field Day

• Welcome and Introductions


• Foundation Seed Production Program and Statistics – Clyde Clark, Manager Foundation Seed and Certification Services


• Issues for California Wheat, Pest and Disease Resistance Needs – California Wheat Commission


• New UC Wheat Varieties and Wheat research grants– Jorge Dubcovsky, UCD wheat breeder


• Departure to field tour


• Promising UCD Lines for Future Common Wheat and Durum Wheat Variety Releases – Oswaldo Chicaiza, Wheat Breeder



• Genetic Studies for New Traits -

Nitrogen Use Efficiency - PhD student Nicolas Cobo
Drought tolerance - PhD Student Tyson Howell
Mapping stripe rust resistance genes - PhD Student Josh Hegarty
Engineering starch - PhD student Brittany Howell
Engineering flowering time for changing environments - PhD student Rebecca Nitcher

• California Small Grain Production, Disease Report and Preventative Breeding program for Stem Rust UG99– Zewdie Abate, UCD Breeding Program
• Barley and Oats Breeding Programs – Lynn Gallagher and Alicia del Blanco
• Collaborators Quality Program –Phil Mayo
• Statewide Germplasm Development and Evaluation – Wheat & Triticale, Durum, and Barley – Phil Mayo, Wheat and Barley Regional Testing Program Coordinator. With participation of breeders from private breeding companies.

Noon: BBQ Lunch
Many Thanks to CCIA for their sponsorship!!!

1:00pm – 5:00pm: Alfalfa and Forage Field Day
]]> Thu, 05 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=144 Small Grain Field Day, Tulare County
Tuesday, May 1, 2012 – 9:00 to 12:00 PM
Registration begins at 8:30 am. Tour from 9:00 am to noon. Trial will be demonstrated at Milky Way Dairy. Breakfast burritos and coffee will be provided.]]> Wed, 04 Apr 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=143 2012 Prospective Plantings report published by USDA's National Ag Statistics Service was released today. USDA estimates planted Winter Wheat acreage in California at 670,000 acres, up 10,000 acres from their Winter Wheat Seedings report in January and equal to last year's planted acreage. Durum wheat plantings are estimated at 140,000 acres; no change from the January 2012 report.
]]> Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=142 4:00 p.m.
VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#
I. Call to order
II. Roll call
III. Approval of Agenda
IV. FY 11/12 Financials
V. FY12/13 Budget Proposal
VI. Need for Nominating Committee
VII. Closed Session, if necessary
Closed session, if necessary, pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding personnel issues.
VIII. Return to open session/announce action taken, if any
IX. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. All meetings of the California Wheat Commission are open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=141 California Wheat Commission MeetingCalifornia Farm Bureau Building
Sacramento, CA
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

I. Opening Business

A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests
D. Approval of Agenda
E. Approval of December 8, 2011 Meeting Minutes

II. Reports

A. Commissioner Reports
B. UC Research - Jorge Dubcovsky
C. Staff Reports

III. FY 11/12 Financial Report

A. Assessment History
B. Lab Income including value of non-billed services
C. FY11/12 Income/Expense Report and Cash Flow Statement

IV. FY 12/13 Budget Proposal

A. Research Proposal
B. Marketing Plan

V. Closed Session

Closed session pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed Session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e).

Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any.

VI. Approve FY 12/13 Assessment Rate

VII. Approve FY 12/13 Budget

VIII. CAWG Report

A. Research Fly-In and ARS Lab Visit - Jim Parsons
B. Issues Update - Nick Matteis

IX. Future Meetings

A. August and December Commission Meeting Dates / Locations
B. Collaborator Meeting - October 2
C. Joint Wheat / Forage / Alfalfa Conference - December 2012
D. USW Summer Meeting 2012 - Options

X. Adjournment

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. All meetings of the California Wheat Commission are open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Wed, 28 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=139 March 2012

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.]]> Tue, 13 Mar 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=140
"As an active USW director for California for the last four years, I have attended USW-organized regional buyers' conferences for Latin America and South Asia," Motter said. "I have been impressed by the quality of the staff and work done by USW in creating export opportunities for California and US wheat. I welcome this opportunity to take a larger leadership role in the organization."

Motter is managing partner of Spruce Farms, LLC, a diverse operation in California's Imperial Valley that includes Desert Durum, lettuce, cabbage, onions, sugar beets, sugar cane, alfalfa seed and hay, Sudan grass, melons and tomatoes. He has been a member of the California Wheat Commission since 1998, currently serving as vice-chairman, and has served as president and vice-president of the Stockman's Club of Imperial Valley.

USW is the industry’s market development organization working in more than 100 countries. USW activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. The California Wheat Commission (CWC), created by growers in 1983 to support research that improves California wheat quality and marketability and to develop and maintain domestic and international markets for California wheat, joined USW in 1985.

"California exports approximately 25 percent of its wheat annually, including sending durum to Italy and hard red and white wheat to Asia and Latin America," said Larry Hunn, CWC chairman and Clarksburg, CA wheat grower. "Participating in USW puts us in the middle of the action on such issues as wheat quality, hard white wheat promotion, trade policy, and biotechnology, in addition to giving us access to the worldwide network of market specialists. With Roy entering the officer rotation, we look forward to even greater participation." Motter is the first Californian to be elected as an officer in USW.

The USW board is made up of grower representatives from each of the 19 member states. The current chairman is Randy Suess from Colfax, Washington. Long active in state and local wheat organizations, Suess reflected on the importance of USW. "As a state that exports 90 percent of the wheat we grow, the work that the overseas staff of USW does on our behalf is extremely important. The long-term relationships they have developed with grain buyers, millers and end users, along with all the trade-servicing work, keep all classes of US wheat in the forefront of our customers around the world."]]> Mon, 30 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=138 pdf version

Winter Wheat Seeding Report Released

The National Agricultural Statistics Service released its first estimate of planted acreage for this year's wheat crop on January 12th. Winter wheat is estimated at 41.9 million acres, up three percent, for the United States as a whole. California acreage is estimated at 660,000 acres, down slightly from 2011. Among major winter wheat states, Kansas, Oklahoma, Colorado, and Texas show increased acreage while Nebraska, Montana and Washington are down.

Durum wheat planting in California and Arizona is estimated to increase by 15 percent over 2011 and 24 percent over 2010, although planting is ongoing in both the Imperial and San Joaquin Valleys. Since durum is grown under irrigation in both states, the recent lack of rain is not expected to have much impact on the durum crop. For more information the impact on the common wheat crop, see below.

Lack of Rain in California Affecting Crops

An obvious statement, but the very dry start to this growing season is affecting many crops in California, including wheat. Although approximately 80 percent of our wheat is irrigated, it is very unusual for irrigation to be needed this early in the season. We asked UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors to report what they are seeing in their areas.

• Kent Brittan, who covers Yolo, Solano and Sacramento Counties, conducts variety trials in four locations in the region. At this point, Delta wheat looks to be most affected by lack of rain, but all the fields are suffering. He has seen stands that have not emerged at all and fields where the wheat is in arrested development. Where wheat has emerged, the stands are often uneven due to the difference in available moisture. Some irrigation has started in recent weeks, but the water supply varies depending on the ability of local water agencies to fill the ditches this early.
  
  Several growers have or are considering reseeding their fields, but continued lack of rain makes this a difficult decision. Kent noted that the dry conditions are affecting potential wheat yield. "The next ten days are critical," he said. Everyone is hoping that the rain predicted to arrive later this week will materialize.
  
  
• Steve Wright, farm advisor in Kings and Tulare Counties, reported on January 11th: "We have not received hardly any effective rainfall. Our dryland wheat region has not emerged and hopefully we get some rain out of a system supposed to hit in about 10 days. Most of the irrigated areas are being irrigated up this week. Many fields already started the end of November through mid December. Those early irrigated fields look good. Some fields were pre-irrigated following corn and are now receiving their first in crop irrigation. Wheat growth is slow so far. Our UC studies have shown that with wheat for grain there has not been a yield loss when comparing wheat planted the middle of November, December, and all the way up to January 20th. I would expect a 2-4 ton/acre yield loss for silage just because of the shorter wheat height that we have observed in these studies with a later emergence. Growers planting or replanting in January should increase their seed rates due to lack of tillering expected with the late plantings. In some cases growers should consider over-seeding where there are uneven stands. Weeds are coming on where fields have been irrigated up and herbicide treatments are being applied."
  
  
• Steve Orloff, farm advisor in Siskiyou County, also sent comments on January 11th: "We too have had severe drought conditions. Most of our grain, especially cereals grown for grain rather than hay, are spring planted. So there are not too many acres affected so far. What grain has been planted is struggling along. Irrigation at this time of year is not really an option because the irrigation districts are not operating for canal water. And, no one pumps this time of year because of the freezes each night and the standby charges for pumping. It better rain soon and a lot or it is going to be a very tough year. We have gotten a reprieve from some of the conflicts over water with the wet year last year but this year looks scary."

Commission Updates:

• At its December meeting, Commissioners voted to accept the petition from Scott Schmidt to represent District 7 (Fresno County). Thanks and welcome to Scott.
  
  
• Attention Growers: The 2012 Variety Survey will be sent out in early February. Please fill it out and return it promptly - your responses enable us to make our first estimate on how much wheat is planted where. This information helps in our wheat marketing efforts, informs our budget process and identifies varieties for crop quality testing. As always we will be asking about varieties planted and potential impact of weather on production. We appreciate your participation!
  
  
• Commission Chair Larry Hunn, Vice Chair Roy Motter, and Executive Director Janice Cooper will travel to Washington, DC later this month for national wheat meetings. They will join leaders from the California Association of Wheat Growers on visits to key members of the California Congressional Delegation to discuss issues of interest to California growers including the pending Farm Bill and adequate funding for ag research and marketing programs.
  
  
• Upcoming Commission Meetings: The Commission's Research Committee will meet by conference call on January 24 at 3pm. The next full Commission meeting is scheduled for April 11 at 10am in Sacramento. As always, agendas are posted on our website at least 10 days in advance of the meetings.
  
  
• Summary results from the Collaborator variety trials plus current agronomic data from the statewide field trials can be found on the UC Davis website: http://smallgrains.ucdavis.edu

]]> Mon, 16 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=137 2012 Winter Wheat Seedings report published by USDA's National Ag Statistics Service was released today. USDA estimates planted Winter Wheat acreage in California at 660,000 acres, down 10,000 acres from last year. Durum wheat plantings are estimated at 140,000 acres, an increase of 17% from 2011's estimate of 120,000 acres.]]> Thu, 12 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=136
Commission Office (1240 Commerce Ave. Woodland) or by TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#

I. Call to order, Chairman Ron Rubin

II. Roll call

III. Approve agenda

IV. Approve minutes from December 7, 2011 meeting

V. Status of 2011 mini-grants disbursement

VI. Review/approve Humboldt County combine repair request

VII. Update on new breeder position

VIII. Executive Director research-related travel report

IX. Adjourn
]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=101 ...CAWG/CAWG Newsletters
Archives of previous CAWG reports can be found here also.]]> Fri, 23 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=135 December 2011

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.]]> Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=134 1240 Commerce Ave., Suite A, Woodland, CA
Thursday, December 8, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

I. Opening Business

A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests
D. Approval of Agenda
E. Approval of August 31, 2011 Meeting Minutes
F. Petition for District 7 - Fresno County

II. Reports

A. Commissioner Reports - 2012 Crop Outlook
B. Meetings / Events
1. Collaborator Meeting, Windh / Hunn / Mayo
2. USW Fall Board Meeting, Hunn / Motter
Committees
Officer elections
Hayden Flour Mills dinner
3. USW Winter Board Meeting, Hunn / Motter
USW budget options
C. Staff Reports, Cooper/Fredrickson

III. Research

A. Research Committee Report Rubin
B. Impact of Mini-Grant Program Steve Wright, Steve Orloff
C. Cooperative Extension Cooper

IV. Handler Audit Policy

A. Committee Report Parsons
B. Policy Recommendation to Commission

V. Administrative and Financial

A. Income/Expense Report and Cash Flow Statement
B. FY 11/12 Budget
C. Banking Changes
D. Grievance Procedures

VI. Closed Session

Closed session, if necessary, pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed Session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e).

Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any.

VII. CAWG Report, Matteis

IX. Set Next Meeting Date

X. Adjournment

At the conclusion of the meeting, we will move outside to view Kent Brittan's new seeder, which was purchased with support from the California Wheat Commission and the University of California.]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=133
Commission Office (1240 Commerce Ave. Woodland) or by TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#

I. Call to order, Chairman Ron Rubin

II. Roll call

III. Approve agenda

IV. Approve minutes from October 13, 2011 meeting

V. Status of 2011 mini-grants disbursement

VI. Review/accept remaining research report from 2010 mini-grant program

VII. Review/approve outstanding proposals received under 2011 call for proposals

VIII. Review other pending research projects

IX. Discuss other research needs, including equipment and research post UC Discovery Grant

VIII. Adjourn
]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=132 November 2011

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=131 November 18, 2011
10:00 a.m.
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#


I. Call to order by Chairman Jim Parsons

II. Roll call

III. Approve Agenda

IV. Review of previous Handler Audit Policy (2006-2011)

V. History of handler audits since 2006

VI. Discuss new Handler Audit policy going forward

VII. Recommend Handler Audit Policy for Commission Review

VIII. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time.]]> Tue, 08 Nov 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=129 pdf version

Collaborator Group Evaluates New Varieties

At the annual Collaborator meeting organized by the California Grain Foundation and UC Davis, wheat industry leaders gathered in Davis earlier this month to evaluate public and private varieties being considered for release. Under this program, breeders submit varieties in the fall, UC Davis plants trials in two locations - Davis for common wheat and Imperial Valley for durum - and grows the wheat under specified agronomic practices. Upon harvest, samples are sent to seven collaborating mills across the country for their milling and baking analysis. The October meeting brings together wheat breeders, growers, handlers, millers, bakers, and others to review the results and discuss current industry issues.

This year, 13 common wheat and 16 durum varieties were submitted for testing by seven different breeders. The common wheat included eight white and five red cultivars. The miller panels commented on the milling and end use qualities of each variety. These end use quality results will be factored into the decision on whether to commercially release these varieties. Yield and protein data will also be considered. The meeting concluded with a discussion on how to improve next year's Collaborator Program.

CWC-Funded Field Research Results

As reported in earlier Wheat Bulletins, the CWC initiated a mini-grant program to provide funds to UC farm advisors and specialists for wheat related field research projects. A total of $51,000 was provided for projects, plus $10,000 to fund internships to give students practical experience in wheat field research. These projects focused on fertilization, weed management and variety suitability. The reports can be found on the Commission website under Growers/Wheat Research/Archive of Research Projects.

Commission to Support More Field Research in 2011/2012

The Commission's Research Committee met last week to consider field research proposals valued at close to $115,000. These proposals were submitted by UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors, specialists and other researchers in response to the 2011 Mini-Grant call for proposals.

The mini-grant program is an important component of the approximately $350,000 the Commission approved to support wheat-related research at the University of California in the current fiscal year. The program was developed as a complement to the funding traditionally provided to support the wheat breeding program at UC Davis and the statewide field trials. The proposals are designed to provide short term results to growers on issues such as increasing protein and yield through improved fertilization practices.

The Research Committee approved a total of $82,000 for grants and $10,000 for internships. Several of last year's projects on fertilization and irrigation were continued and new projects covering residual soil nitrate accumulation and improved website tools for growers were funded. A complete list is on the CWC website at Growers/Wheat Research.

Commission Election Results

This summer, elections were conducted in four growers districts. The results were compiled by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and accepted by the Commission at its most recent meeting on August 31. The following growers were elected:

• District 4 – Eric Freese, Commissioner and Alan Freese, Alternate
• District 6 – Augie Scoto, Commissioner and Kole Upton, Alternate.
• District 9 – Kirk Elholm, Commissioner
• District 11 – Mike Bouris, Commissioner

The Commission welcomed new member Augie Scoto from Atwater and welcomed back the returning Commissioners and Alternates.

In addition to these four districts, we have Commissioner and Alternate openings in District 2 (Butte, Colusa, Glenn, and Lake Counties) and District 7 (Fresno County); there are also Alternate openings in several other districts. Involvement in the California Wheat Commission enables California producers to help set the priorities for how grower assessment dollars are spent and to take a more active role in national wheat organizations and policymaking bodies.

A qualified producer member or alternate is defined as any person in California who is engaged in the business of producing wheat for market during any of the preceding three marketing seasons, and who resides or conducts farming operations in the district. Between election cycles, interested growers can submit a petition to fill partial terms.

Commission Updates:

• Our annual crop quality reports will be published by the end of October and can be accessed on the Commission's website. Printed copies are available upon request from the office.
  
  
• The next Commission meeting will take place on December 8th in Woodland. The Commissioners will meet at the Commission office to tour our milling and baking laboratory and then continue the meeting at the UCCE office across town. Wheat growers and members of the public are welcome to attend. Details will be published on our website in late November.
  
  
• Summary results from the Collaborator trials plus current agronomic data from the statewide field trials can be found on the UC Davis website: http://smallgrains.ucdavis.edu
  

]]> Tue, 18 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=130 October 2011

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.
]]> Fri, 14 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=126 Small Grains website. The descriptions are based on published cultivar releases and data from the UC Regional Cereal Evaluation Tests conducted each year throughout California.

This document can also be accessed on the California Wheat Commission website at: www.californiawheat.org/growers/agronomic-information/university-of-california-agronomic-information/]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=128
VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#

I. Call to order, Chairman Ron Rubin

II. Roll call

III. Approve agenda

IV. Approve minutes from March 17, 2011 meeting

V. Review/accept research reports from 2010 mini-grant and internship program

VI. Discuss options for disseminating results to growers and industry

VII. Review research budget approved by Commission in April

VIII. Review/approve proposals received under 2011 call for proposals

IX. Review other pending research projects

X. Discuss other research needs, including equipment

VIII. Adjourn
]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=127 2011 Small Grains Annual Summary publication today, which looks back at the 2011 harvest year.

California winter wheat planted acreage for the 2011 harvest was revised downward to 670,000 acres from 730,000 acres, although their harvested acreage estimate remains the same at 420,000 acres. Average yield was increased to 2.55 tons/acre for a total production of 1,071,000 tons.

Durum acreage was reported as 120,000 planted acres with 115,000 of those acres harvested for grain. Yield was increased from their last report, from 3.15 to 3.27 tons/acre. Therefore, total Durum production is estimated at 376,000 tons.

Up-to-date USDA numbers are posted on the CA Wheat Commission website on the California Wheat Statistics page, California Historical Harvested Acreage.]]> Fri, 30 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=125 Click here for directions and a map to the meeting location.]]> Thu, 29 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=124 2011/2012 Certified Wheat Seed Buying Guide has been posted. This publication is "in-progress"; check back for missing data as it becomes available. This guide is developed with the cooperation of the University of California to help growers make their planting decisions. It provides contact information for wheat certified seed dealers in California, as well as seed characteristics, historical information on disease reactions, yield, test weight and average protein of current certified wheat seed.

An inclusive list of all California wheat cultivars can be found on the University's Small Grain website.]]> Mon, 26 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=122 Small Grains News]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=123
They grew dryland wheat on the rolling hills of the east side of the San Joaquin Valley and harvested grain for other growers from Fresno to Bakersfield. John branched out into vegetable seed harvesting, modifying grain harvesters to do the job.

John loved being a farmer and riding out the ups and downs of weather and crop prices. He also saw that fewer young people were taking the risk of entering production agriculture. It is hoped that the scholarship will be an incentive to join the next generation of farmers.

This scholarship is being offered to a current, full-time California university undergraduate student who is planning a career in production agriculture. Any student enrolled in a four-year college with a major in agriculture is eligible. Applicant will need to provide proof of enrollment, and be a U.S. citizen.

One $1,500 scholarship will be awarded annually by the Parsons family based on a written essay, two letters of recommendation, and a completed application. The California Grain Foundation will collect applications; after an initial screen of applications, finalists will be interviewed by the Parsons family. The final award decision will be made by the Parsons family.

The essay (no determined length) should detail the applicant's goals in agriculture and discuss why they want to go into production agriculture.

All materials must be submitted by October 15, 2011 to:

California Grain Foundation
1240 Commerce Avenue, Suite A
Woodland, CA 95776

or by email to: info@californiawheat.org

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Questions may be directed to: info@californiawheat.org. A printer-friendly version of this information and the scholarship application are available here.]]> Mon, 19 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=121 South Sacramento Valley Field Crops Report]]> Fri, 16 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=120 September 2011

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.
]]> Wed, 14 Sep 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=119 Small Grains website. Check back as new tables are added. NOTE that the Small Grains Website has a new URL address; change your bookmarks accordingly.]]> Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=118 California Wheat Commission MeetingUniversity of CA, Davis
Room 2005 PES Building
Davis, CA
Directions and Parking Information
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

I. Opening Business

A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests
D. Approval of Agenda
E. Approval of April 12, 2011 Meeting Minutes

II. Commissioner Petitions and Elections

A. Approval of Commissioner Elections
B. Open Districts

III. FY 10/11 Financial Report

A. Audit report - Ron Ley, Damore Hamric & Schneider, Inc.
B. Audit Committee Comments
C. Investment Options

IV. Commissioner and Staff Reports

A. Officer Reports - South Asian Wheat Marketing Conference and USW Summer Board Meeting
B. Commissioner Reports - 2011 Harvest Results/ 2012 Outlook
C. Staff Reports

V. Research and Field Report

A. Jorge Dubcovsky, Phil Mayo
B. Research Committee Report
C. Crop Quality Update
D. UCCE/UC Funding - Future Staffing
E. Collaborator Meeting

VI. Market Development

A. US Wheat - EU Durum Team
B. Outreach / Sponsorship
a. Promotional Video- Locally Grown
b. Wheat Foods Council - Nutrition Conference
C. Upcoming Events - USW Fall Board Meeting, Kneading Conference

VII. Financial Report

A. Handler Audit
a. Update on current audit
b. Review random audit policy
B. Income/Expense Report and Cash Flow Statement
C. Investment Policy
D. FY 11/12 Budget

VIII. CAWG Report

IX. Closed Session

Closed session pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed Session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e).
Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any.

X. Set Next Meeting Date

XI. Adjournment

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. All meetings of the California Wheat Commission are open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Fri, 19 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=117 August 2011

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.

]]> Mon, 15 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=116 California Wheat Commission Audit Committee MeetingAugust 17, 2011
10:00 a.m.

Damore, Hamric & Schneider, Inc.
2856 Arden Way Ste 200
Sacramento, CA 95825
Tel. (916) 481-2856


I. Call to order

II. Roll call

III. Results of FY 10/11 Annual Audit

IV. Closed Session

Closed session, if necessary pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding employee performance evaluation or pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126 (e).

V. Return to open session/announce action taken, if any

VI. Adjourn


All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Wed, 03 Aug 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=114 pdf version

Elections to be Held in Four Districts

As announced earlier, the California Wheat Commission will conduct district elections for the positions of Commissioner and Alternate Commissioner for four California districts:

• District 4 – Solano and that portion of Sacramento County lying southwest of River Road and Road J-11,
• District 6 – Merced & Madera Counties,
• District 9 – Kern County, and
• District 11 – San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

Wheat growers in these districts should watch for their ballots to arrive next week. Please return them as indicated by August 17th.

In addition to these four districts, we have Commissioner and Alternate openings in District 2 (Butte, Colusa, Glenn, and Lake Counties) and District 7 (Fresno County); there are also Alternate openings in several other districts. Involvement in the California Wheat Commission enables California producers to help set the priorities for how grower assessment dollars are spent and to take a more active role in national wheat organizations and policymaking bodies.

A qualified producer member or alternate is defined as any person in California who is engaged in the business of producing wheat for market during any of the preceding three marketing seasons, and who resides or conducts farming operations in the district in which the election is to be held.

Commission Issues New Call for Field Research Proposals

The California Wheat Commission announced its 2011/2012 "mini-grant" program ($5,000 to $10,000 per project) to support UC Cooperative Extension research projects. A total of $100,000 is available for 2011/2012. Projects can address topics such as production efficiency in irrigated or rain-fed systems, pest/disease management, and end-use quality. Proposals are due on October 1; funds will be allocated based on the number and quality of proposals received. Wheat growers are encouraged to contact their local farm advisors with ideas.

The Commission utilized $61,000 in grower assessment dollars to support six field research projects and two internships during the current fiscal year. The results of the projects will be made available to growers in October through the Commission's website.

The mini-grant program is an important component of the approximately $350,000 the Commission approved to support wheat-related research at the University of California in the current fiscal year. The program was developed as a complement to the funding traditionally provided to support the wheat breeding program at UC Davis and the statewide field trials. The Commission is pleased to increase its support for research to improve quality, yield and disease resistance in California wheat varieties, especially in this time of state and federal budget constraints.

Commission Updates:

• Our annual crop quality testing program is well underway, with wheat samples being collected from around the state and tested in our lab in Woodland. The results of these tests will be published in October and posted on our website. This information is designed to be used by growers in making planting decisions as well as by domestic and international wheat buyers.
  
  
• The next Commission meeting will take place on August 31 at UC Davis. The Commission will review the results of the annual audit of FY 2010/11; the financial report will be posted on our website in early September. The Commission will also consider any changes that may be needed in the Commission budget (based on harvest reports) and visit the wheat breeding lab at UC Davis. Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky will lead the tour and provide an update on the many research projects being conducted in his lab. As noted earlier, the Commission directs a large percentage of its annual budget to research. Wheat growers and members of the public are welcome to attend. Details will be published on our website in mid-August.
  

]]> Fri, 22 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=113 July 2011

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.]]> Thu, 14 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=111 (WOODLAND CA) July 12, 2011 – Yolo County

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Marianne Morton reminds farmers that the deadline to apply for assistance for 2009 crop losses under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program is July 29, 2011.

The SURE program compensates farmers for production and/or quality losses during times of disaster. To meet program eligibility requirements, the farming operation must: 1) be physically located in a county that was declared a primary or contiguous disaster county by the Secretary of Agriculture under a 2009 Secretarial Disaster Designation; 2) have suffered at least a 10 per cent loss on a crop of economic significance; and 3) have purchased crop insurance through the Federal Crop Insurance Act or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP).

However, an operation located in a county that did not receive a primary or contiguous disaster designation can still qualify for SURE benefits if its actual farm production was less than 50 per cent of the normal production on the farm due to the a qualifying disaster event.

Producers and legal entities cannot directly or indirectly collectively receive more than $100,000 in SURE and other FSA disaster assistance payments. Other FSA disaster programs include the Livestock Forage Program (LFP), the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) and the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honeybees and Farm-raised Fish (ELAP).

Producers or legal entities whose average adjusted gross nonfarm income for taxable years 2005 - 2007 exceeded $500,000 are not eligible for 2009 SURE program payments.

For questions regarding the SURE program, please contact the Yolo County FSA Office at (530) 662-3986 x 109.]]> Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=112 USDA Crop Production Report July 2011]]> Tue, 12 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=110
Involvement in the California Wheat Commission enables California producers to take a more active role in national wheat organizations and wheat policymaking bodies. A qualified producer member or alternate is defined as any person who is engaged within this state in the business of producing wheat for market during any of the preceding three marketing seasons, and who must reside or conduct farming operations in the district in which the election is to be held.

Interested individuals are encouraged to obtain a nomination petition, accessed via the links below. Petitions must be returned to the Commission no later than July 20, 2011.

• District 2 - Butte, Colusa, Glenn, and Lake Counties
  
• District 4 - Solano and that portion of Sacramento County lying SW of River Road and Road J-11
• District 6 - Merced & Madera Counties
• District 9 - Kern County, and
• District 11 - San Bernardino, Riverside, San Diego, Los Angeles and Ventura Counties

Wheat growers voted to establish the California Wheat Commission in 1983, expressly to develop and maintain domestic and international markets for California wheat and support research that improves California wheat quality and marketability. The Commission, operating under the California Food and Agriculture Code, is funded by wheat growers and is guided by a board which includes thirteen wheat producers, two handlers, two at-large members, and one public member -- each with alternates. ]]> Fri, 01 Jul 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=109 Acreage report published today, estimated California winter wheat planted acreage has been revised downward from 760,000 acres to 730,000 acres. Estimated harvested winter wheat acreage also decreased from 460,000 acres to 420,000 acres.

USDA estimates for Durum planted and harvested acreage dropped ~16% for both planted and harvested grain.

You can track the latest USDA production estimates on CWC's website by clicking the link under "California Historical Harvested acreage" on the California Wheat Statistics page.]]> Thu, 30 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=108
The consent form authorizes IRS to verify for FSA whether a payment recipient’s AGI meets the eligibility requirements for FSA programs. The form became a requirement for payment eligibility beginning with the 2009 crop year, however many program participants have not complied with this requirement.

"IRS and USDA reports show that, nationwide, FSA is still missing the required consent forms from many producers for 2009 and 2010," said Dolcini. "In order to avoid an interruption of program payments, producers need to check their business records and turn these forms in to the IRS immediately if they have not done so already," he said.

IRS requires written consent from all individuals or legal entities before verification of the average AGI can be provided to USDA. Individuals must submit form CCC-927and legal entities must submit form CCC-928. Without these forms on file, producers will not receive USDA program payments.

Dolcini further clarifies that these consent forms are required for payments received from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) as well as those received through FSA. Completed forms must be returned to the IRS.

For more information on AGI eligibility requirements or the AGI verification process, contact your local FSA office.
]]> Wed, 29 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=107 WHEAT FORECAST

The California winter wheat production forecast, at 1.10 million tons, is 28 percent above last year. The 460 thousand acres expected to be harvested for grain is also 28 percent above last year. The yield is expected to average 2.40 tons per acre, unchanged from last year [but down from an estimated 2.55 tons per acre on the May report].

California’s Durum wheat production is forecast at 479 thousand tons, up 38 percent from last year. The yield is forecast at 3.30 tons per acre. If realized, this will tie last year’s record high yield. The cooler than normal growing season in California has set harvest slightly behind normal.

U.S. winter wheat production is forecast at 43.5 million tons, up 2 percent from the May 1 forecast, but 2 percent below 2010. Based on June 1 conditions, the U.S. yield is forecast at 1.36 tons per acre, up 0.03 tons from last month, but 0.04 tons less than last year. Expected area for harvest as grain or seed totals 32.0 million acres, unchanged from May 1.

The U.S. estimate for Durum wheat production for states other than Arizona and California will not be available until July 12, 2011.

Full report located here. The link to the California Field Crop Review reports are also available on the California Wheat Commission website on this page.]]> Fri, 17 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=115 Search continues for wheat with resistance to stripe rust]]> Wed, 15 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=105 June 2011

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.]]> Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=104 pdf version

USDA/NASS Report - June 9, 2011

California's 2011 Durum wheat harvested acreage is estimated at 145,000 acres. The yield is forecast to be 3.30 tons per acre, resulting in total production of 479,000 tons. Durum wheat progressed well throughout the growing season. Cooler weather was seen in the Durum growing areas, but this did not have a negative impact on the crop. Harvest of Durum wheat was underway in Southern California. No significant disease or pest pressure was reported.

California's wheat other than Durum harvested acreage is estimated at 460 thousand acres for 2011. The forecast yield is 2.40 tons per acre, bringing the total production to 1.1 million tons. The wheat growing season in California has been characterized by cooler weather in addition to above average rainfall.

Growers in southern California have started harvesting. The cooler weather has set harvest slightly behind normal. The next production forecast will be issued July 12, 2011.

Field Report / Khaled Bali, Farm Advisor Imperial County:

Wheat harvesting in the Imperial Valley started around the second week of May and is still going on. UCCE mini-grant plots at UC Desert Research & Extension Center were harvested on May 18, 2011. Yield varied from 3.08 tons/ac to 4.50 tons/ac (average 3.79 tons/ac with average moisture of 7.6%). Protein levels varied from 13.61 to 15.68 (average 14.39%).

Field Report / Steve Wright, Farm Advisor Tulare and Kings County:

Currently most of the wheat and triticale silage has been harvested and I am hearing of average to above average yields. Harvest was set back 7-10 days. Wheat for grain is drying down slowly which should result in high grain yields for the San Joaquin Valley. The big unknown will be the impact on yield on stripe rust infected varieties and protein content on all varieties. (Comments sent 6/3/11)

Field Report / Kent Brittan, County Director and Farm Advisor for Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties:

We had good turnout at our recent field days, particularly in the Delta and the Montezuma Hills. The cool, wet spring created perfect disease conditions so local growers had a lot of questions about rust and septoria this year. Now we are finally getting the hot weather we need for harvest, which should begin in the next 1-2 weeks.

Field Report / Steve Orloff, Farm Advisor /County Director Siskiyou County:

As with the rest of California, the intermountain area has experienced an abnormally cool and wet spring. The weather conditions delayed planting of spring wheat but nearly all fields have been planted by now. Most stands look good but some have variable emergence due to only partial emergence from soil moisture and full emergence after irrigation. The winter wheat fields (planted last fall) look very good overall but some fields have some yellowing from too much standing water.

Project update:

The mini-grant projects are progressing but there is really nothing real exciting to report yet. Regarding the nitrogen fertilization for grain yield and protein project, we established three field trials: one at the West Side Field Station in Fresno County, one in Scott Valley in Siskiyou County and one at the Intermountain Research and Extension Center in the Klamath Basin. All the fertilizer applications at the different timings were made at the Fresno County site. There are no visible differences in appearance due to the treatments (color, plant height or overall appearance) but pending yield and protein measurements will tell the full story. The intermountain sites have both been planted and received the preplant N application, and the tillering application at the Scott Valley site. Both these trials have unfertilized control plots with no preplant N and there is already a visible difference in these plots.

European Union Durum Team to Visit California and Arizona

Next week, the California Wheat Commission and Arizona Grain Promotion Council will host a group of millers, traders and representatives of pasta manufacturing companies from the European Union (EU). Organized by U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) the group is traveling to the United States to familiarize themselves with the marketing system for U.S. durum – from field to storage to milling and pasta manufacturing. Team members will meet with growers, researchers, traders and others in the wheat industry.

Members of the team are from Germany, Belgium, Italy and Spain and represent some of the largest durum mills, pasta plants and trading companies in the region. The milling companies represented grind more than 40 million bushels of durum each year. The four countries combined import about 13 million bushels of U.S. durum each year.

"Europe is a strong market for our high quality Desert Durum and, with another good harvest just concluding, we look forward to discussing ways to expand our business relationships," said Brawley, CA, durum producer Roy Motter, who is vice chairman of the California Wheat Commission.

"Arizona's durum industry is part of a unique, identity-preserved high quality durum development and production niche in the southwestern United States," said Al Simons, executive director of the Arizona Grain Research and Promotion Council. "Arizona's Desert Durum breeders, growers and handlers are looking forward to demonstrating the value of our crop."

While the focus of the visit is on education and gaining important contacts in the industry, the group will also be very interested in the progress of the 2011 crop. The group is also visiting North Dakota and Montana.

USW is the industry’s market development organization working in more than 100 countries on behalf of America's wheat producers. The activities of USW are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and through cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org.

New Commission Website Launched

We invite you to visit our new website and let us know what you think. Original, updated, and new information has been incorporated into the newly designed site, which is organized by 3 main target audiences: Growers, Industry, and Consumers. This major project has been managed by Cymantha Fredrickson, Assistant Director.

]]> Fri, 10 Jun 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=103 www.californiawheat.org. Original, updated, and new information has been incorporated into the newly designed site, which is organized by 3 main target audiences: Growers, Industry, and Consumers.

In the grower section one can find agronomic information, Commission-funded wheat research information, market and weather information, California wheat statistics, seed dealer directories, and other valuable grower resources.

The industry section explains the domestic, export, and feed markets for California-grown wheat. Here, visitors to the site will find information and reports on California crop quality, variety surveys, classes of US wheat, US grades and grade requirements for wheat, and directories of California wheat exporters.

The Consumers section consists mainly of newly added materials for teachers, students, and consumers. It includes access to the Wheat Foods Council’s Wheat Food and Nutrition-related fact sheets and updated educational materials based upon our teacher resource packets and lesson plans.

There are also main sections that describe more about the California Wheat Commission, the Milling & Baking Laboratory, and the California Association of Wheat Growers. The Resources section has directories and links and the News/Info section has an archive of the news items that are announced on the homepage and available through an RSS feed.

For more information, please contact the California Wheat Commission.
]]> Tue, 31 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=102 South Sacramento Valley Field Crops Report]]> Thu, 26 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=106 May 2011

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.]]> Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=100 Crop Production Report May 2011]]> Wed, 11 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=99 pdf version:

Tulare/Kings Field Days a Success

Steve Wright, Farm Advisor Tulare and Kings County, organized three days of visits to various field trial locations, including the regional dry land wheat trials in Ducor, the small grain trials at the West Side Research Center, and wheat and triticale silage trials in Visalia. Growers, grain handlers, PCAs, and wheat breeders gathered at each location to get an update on each of the tests being conducted and see how current and new varieties are performing. For further information, contact Steve at sdwright@ucdavis.edu or www.cetulare.ucdavis.edu.

Field Report / Lee Jackson:

Stripe rust has increased in severity over the last 3-4 weeks in nurseries and commercial fields throughout the Central Valley (Sacramento Valley and San Joaquin Valley) and surrounding areas, including dry land production regions. Much commercial acreage of the widely grown variety Joaquin has been severely affected, even in instances when two fungicide applications were made.

Several new varieties containing the Yr5/Yr15 combination of stripe rust resistant genes remain unaffected by stripe rust this season. Recently released stripe rust survey data from 2010 shows that 17 races of the stripe rust pathogen were identified from 66 collections from California last season. None of these races can overcome the resistance of either Yr5 or Yr15.

Sacramento Valley growers are suffering damage from Septoria tritici blotch (STB) in addition to stripe rust. In some cases, depending on the variety, damage from STB has been greater than that from stripe rust. The severity of stripe rust May 6, 2011 and STB on wheat this season can be viewed at the Small Grain Field Day at UC Davis on Wednesday, May 11.

Lee Jackson, who retired as the statewide small grains specialist in 2009, is taking disease notes on UC field trials. He is also a member of the California Wheat Commission.

Field Report / Khaled Bali, Farm Advisor Imperial County:

We have approximately 75,000 acres of Durum wheat in Imperial Valley this year. Wheat harvest will begin next week (mid May) and continue through mid-June. Commercial harvesting companies normally do the harvesting.

UCCE-Imperial County updated wheat production cost and practices in Imperial County. The 2011 updates are available from the UCCE-Imperial County office (kmbali@ucdavis.edu or 760-352-9474)

Project update:Wheat Fertilization Practices in Imperial Valley (Funded by the California Wheat Commission):

Three nitrogen application rates ranging from the current N application practices (350 lb/acre) to a maximum of 550 lb/acre were implemented on small plots at the University of California Desert Research and Extension Center (UCDREC) near Holtville. The effect of preplant phosphorus rates (0, 50, and 100 lb/acre) on wheat yield and protein levels were also considered. The wheat was planted in early December and the wheat plots will be harvested in late May.

---

---

UC Davis Small Grains/Alfalfa Field Day
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 8:00 am–4:30 pm

The University of California Cooperative Extension and Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, is pleased to announce the Small Grains and Alfalfa Field Day. The purpose of this field meeting will be to take a look at and discuss research trials and crop production issues in California related to forages and cereal grains. This will include variety trials, pest and disease updates, and weed control.

Agenda

8:00 Registration (Coffee and donuts)
8:15am – Noon: Small Grains Field Day

• Welcome and Introductions
• Foundation Seed Production Program and Statistics – Richard O’Malley, Manager Foundation Seed and Certification Services
• Issues for California Wheat, Pest and Disease Resistance Needs – Janice Cooper, California Wheat Commission
  
• New UC Wheat Varieties and Wheat research grants– Jorge Dubcovsky, UCD wheat breeder
• Departure to field tour
• Promising UCD Lines for Future Common Wheat and Durum Wheat Variety Releases – Oswaldo Chicaiza, Wheat Breeder
• Genetic Studies for New Traits –
  Stripe rust - Ph.D. Students Iago Lowe and Josh Hegarty
  Drought and Canopy Spectral Reflectance - PhD Student Tyson Howell
  
• California Small Grain Production, Disease Report and Preventative Breeding program for Stem Rust UG99– Zewdie Abate, UCD Breeding Program
• Barley and Oats Breeding Programs – Lynn Gallagher
• Collaborators Quality Program – Jorge Dubcovsky-Phil Mayo, UCD wheat breeder
• Statewide Germplasm Development and Evaluation – Wheat & Triticale, Durum, and Barley – Phil Mayo, Wheat and Barley Regional Testing Program Coordinator. With participation of breeders from private breeding companies.

Noon: BBQ Lunch

Many Thanks to CCIA for their sponsorship!!!

1:00pm – 4:30pm: Alfalfa and Forage Field Day

*Bonus: 6 CE hours

Directions: Take Hutchison Rd. about 1/3 mile west from Hwy 113 in Davis. The agronomy field headquarters will be on the south side of the road.

For more information, call Kitty Schlosser at 530-752-6979]]> Fri, 06 May 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=96 2011 California Wheat Variety Survey is now posted. This is an estimate of wheat planted in the fall, winter, and spring of 2010 and 2011 for harvest in 2011.]]> Fri, 15 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=97 April 2011

Archives of USDA's Wheat Outlook publications can be found here.]]> Tue, 12 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=95 pdf version

CWC Wheat Bulletin Field Report

From: Steve Wright - Farm Advisor Tulare and Kings County.
April 7, 2011

Overall the small grains have looked outstanding. Growers in general have done a great job keeping up with adequate nitrogen and phosphorus. Fields have thus been set up well for a high yield potential and hopefully still make high protein. I included some guidelines as added insurance that I think will really be critical this year. Years with cool temperatures during grain fill and little disease present or leaf diseases controlled and adequate water end up with high yields but often low protein.

Grass weed control has generally been excellent even with a shortage of Puma grass herbicide. There was a lot of success with Axial grass herbicide for wild oats and Italian ryegrass. Express herbicide also was used quite a bit this season and gave great control of tough broadleaf weeds like chickweed, burning nettle, especially in combination with other broadleaf herbicides.

Most of the wheat fields have been very clean from stripe rust that I have seen up until this last week. I have looked at all of our sites in Ducor, Porterville, Corcoran, and Five Points and even susceptible varieties have been free from stripe rust. I have heard of reports of stripe rust starting to show up in a couple triticale varieties and last week I saw my first fields with stripe rust in Joaquin wheat. Last year we saw the same thing happen but the rust never took off. With favorable conditions for the stripe rust to spread, and some stripe rust is beginning to appear, and many fields reaching the last stage of growth of growth that the fields can be sprayed, it makes sense to treat these fields. This year a couple fields that I saw were worse than I have seen before. In addition, April 11, 2011 bacterial blight is showing up in some fields, however this foliar leaf disease is not treatable.

Nitrogen Management and Grain Protein

Wheat grown for semolina and bread-type end uses will likely require one more application of nitrogen fertilizer after heading to ensure high grain protein. Several years of trials throughout the Central Valley in the 1980’s showed late applications of nitrogen after heading increased grain protein 1-2 percent and contributed to 150 to 300 lbs/ac more yield due to higher kernel weight. The N application should be applied after heading. A fairly wide window (about 3 weeks) of opportunity exists for the N application ranging from just after the grain heads have elongated from the flag leaf sheath to about 2 weeks after flowering. This should coincide with early to mid April for December plantings.

Appropriate late season N rates may range from 20 to 50 lbs N/ac. Lower N rates are appropriate for lower yielding crops (2.25-3.0 tons/ac) and higher N rates are best suited for yields above 3.0 tons/ac. Sufficient grain protein may be attained without a late season N application if wheat yields are less than 2.25 tons/ac, if pre-plant fertilizers and top-dress applications were applied during the vegetative growth stages. Generally, cool, dry weather during grain filling will result in higher grain yields and management for protein will be more critical.

Nitrogen fertilizer trials have shown an application of N near boot stage (before heading), which should occur between mid to late March for December plantings, will also elevate grain protein. Typically, the increase in grain protein is about 0.5-1.0 percentage point. The grain protein increase with N applied at boot stage is not as large as the response when applied at flowering (about 1.0-1.5% increase). The smaller effect on grain protein with an N application at boot stage is attributed to two factors: 1) the boot stage N application may also result in a yield response of 500 to 1000 lbs/ac which means more grain is produced and requires more N in the grain to attain suitable protein levels; and 2) the wheat plant is more efficient at partitioning the nitrogen to the grain after heading than at boot stage (before heading). Water run applications of ammonia or UAN-32 or urea topdressed just before irrigation are the preferred materials and methods for late season fertilization.

---

---

FIELD DAYS AND TOURS
May 2,4 - Tulare County Tours of Trials
May 3 - West Side Research & Extension Center Spring Field Day
For details: Steve Wright at 559-684-3315
EMAIL sdwright@ucdavis.edu or www.cetulare.ucdavis.edu

---

---

From: Kent Brittan, UCCE County Director and Farm Advisor for Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties.
April 8, 2011

We have a very good wheat crop on most of the well drained soils of southern Sacramento Valley including the Delta this season. However, on heavy soils that are poorly drained we have a good wheat crop that is now suffering. Water logging is the principal problem which has destroyed the bottom leaves and severely yellowed the middle of the canopy. This soil moisture has exacerbated the Septoria tritici Blotch and Bacterial Leaf Blight that are normally found in the lower canopy at heading. The necrotic (dead, tan color) leaf tissue symptoms caused by these two diseases look very similar and is very hard to separate even for me. Please refer to the UC IPM Small Grains web site for detailed descriptions: http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/ go to the Ag (Pest Management Guidelines section, Small Grains). Click on the Bacterial Blights link and read the Symptoms section and click on the hyper link (blue letters) "brown streaks" in the paragraph. Notice the 3 leaves showing symptoms and see how like Stripe Rust they look and you can see why I am having trouble stopping all the "stripe rust" spraying being done in the lower Sacramento Valley. I’ll discuss later where I’m seeing a little stripe rust. The key to separate out septoria from the bacterial disease are the very small black dots of spore-forming pycnidia that are found within the dry tan Septoria leaf lesions. Look up Septoria on the Small Grains web page and look at the pictures of the lesions. Unfortunately, many septoria lesions do not show the black dots, especially early on in February-March. Also the Bacterial Blight lesions are not always long and they later turn tan, looking as they do now, like Septoria. I do expect to see some yield loss from these diseases this year in wheat on the heavy soils. I do not recommend spraying for either disease. There is no pesticide label for controlling Bacterial Blight; fungicides do not affect bacteria, just funguses. There are some materials registered for Septoria but none of us Advisors have ever had any success controlling that disease. If you try it, please leave out a non-treated strip and harvest it to see if the yield is different from the treated.

I have found a little stripe rust in the variety Joaquin (shouldn’t be growing that around here anyway) and one small outbreak in Redwing. This has been verified by Syngenta, the seed handler, Lee Jackson and myself. The field is just north of the town of Yolo and was treated 3 days after it was discovered. I’m continuing to monitor it and hopefully we will get lucky like we did with Cal Rojo. I have also seen a little frost injury, mostly minor >1% in a few areas, but one field in the Hungry Hollow area injury is about 20%.

Most of the crop is heading now with above normal soil moisture that should take us all the way to harvest. Please come out to one of my Wheat Trial locations, check out my web page for location maps: (http://ceyolo.ucdavis.edu/Custom_Program724/Small_Grains_Studies/ ) Good Luck!

From Lee Jackson
April 6, 2011

The Sacramento Valley of California has had greater than normal seasonal rainfall this year, providing conducive conditions for stripe rust and Septoria tritici blotch. On 4/6/11, I observed our University of California wheat variety evaluation test in Colusa county (about 30 miles north of Sacramento). Wheat was in the heading stage. Stripe rust was severe (40-80% severity, 40-80% incidence) on a half-dozen or so entries, including the wheat varieties Joaquin, Dirkwin, Mika, and Anza, and the triticale variety Trical Brand 118. Leaf rust was moderately severe on the variety Dirkwin. Septoria tritici blotch also was severe on a half-dozen or so entries including the wheat varieties Joaquin, Clear White, and Yecora Rojo. I also observed commercial acreage (over one hundred acres) of the variety Joaquin, about 15 miles northwest of the University trial (west of Grimes, Colusa county). The crop was in the heading stage, and had severe stripe rust (80% severity, 100% incidence). The grower had treated with fungicide twice, but applications were too late to achieve control.

---

---

UCD SMALL GRAINS FIELD DAY
UC Davis - May 11, 2011.
For details, call Kitty Schlosser at 530-752-6979

---

---

From: Steve Orloff - Farm Advisor/County Director, Siskiyou County.
April 7, 2011

Like other areas of California, this has been a weird year for weather in the Intermountain Region. January and early February were extremely dry with mild temperatures. Then winter arrived again and it has been wet and cold since. In fact, it snowed and hailed today. Due to the weather, many growers are behind preparing fields for spring wheat plantings. A few fields have been planted in the warmer valleys of the intermountain region but the overwhelming majority of fields have not been planted or even land prep completed in order to plant. The nitrogen fertilization trial to maximize yield and grain protein content supported by the California Wheat Commission is scheduled to be planted tomorrow April 8 (weather permitting).

Winter wheat fields were seeded back in October and November and are now in the tillering stage. They appear to be in good condition.

previous bulletins]]> Mon, 11 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=91 California Wheat Commission MeetingCalifornia Farm Bureau Building
Sacramento, CA
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

I. Opening Business

A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests
D. Approval of Agenda
E. Approval of December 14, 2010 Meeting Minutes
F. Commissioner Reports - Crop Reports, USW Latin America trip

II. Administrative Items

A. Staff Reports
B. Handler Audit
C. Formation of Audit Committee, Nomination Committee

III. UC Research and Field Report

A. Jorge Dubcovsky, Phil Mayo, Kent Brittan
B. Small Grains Position and UCCE

IV. FY 10/11 Financial Report

A. Assessment History
B. Lab Income
C. FY 10/11 Income/Expense Report and Cash Flow Statement

V. FY 11/12 Budget Proposal

VI. Closed Session

Closed session pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed Session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e).
Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any.

VII. Approve FY 11/12 Assessment Rate

VIII. Approve FY 11/12 Budget

IX. CAWG Report

X. Set Next Meeting Date


All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. All meetings of the California Wheat Commission are open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Fri, 01 Apr 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=89 Prospective Plantings Report ]]> Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=88 March 2011]]> Mon, 14 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=85 Research Committee MeetingThursday, March 17, 2011
1:30 pm

VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#

I. Call to order: Chairman Ron Rubin

II. Roll call

III. Approve agenda

IV. Approve minutes from October 28, 2010 meeting

V. Review research projects funded in FY 10/11

VI. Discuss research priorities and funding for FY 11/12

VII. Review other pending research projects

VIII. Update on regional research effort with PNW states

IX. Formulate recommendations for April Commission Meeting

VIII. Adjourn


All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. ]]> Mon, 07 Mar 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=84 pdf version

US Wheat Leaders to Visit Export Customers in Latin America

ARLINGTON, Va -- Wheat industry leaders from California and Oklahoma will visit export customers in Mexico, Chile and Peru in early March as part of a Board Team trip sponsored by U.S. Wheat Associates (USW). Larry Hunn, a third-generation farmer from Clarksburg, CA, and chairman of the California Wheat Commission and Mike Schulte, CEO of the Oklahoma Wheat Commission, will join USW Director of Communications Steve Mercer.

USW is an export market development organization working in more than 100 countries on behalf of America's wheat producers.

"We promote U.S. wheat as the world’s most reliable and valuable supply and nothing brings that claim to life more than connecting producers with their customers," said USW President Alan Tracy. "These are working trips that give our directors the chance to review our work, learn about what milling and baking customers need and to thank them for their business."

Hunn is looking forward to making a personal connection with these buyers and end-users.

"As a U.S. Wheat Associates director, I think it is important that I understand more about our customers and what they think about the work we do to keep demand for our wheat strong," he said. Hunn is a past president of the California Association of Wheat Growers and grows hard red winter wheat and several other crops on a family farm in California’s Sacramento River delta.

Schulte, who is a late substitute for a producer director from Oklahoma, says he is glad to have a chance to hear what customers think about U.S. wheat quality.

"Export markets are critical for Oklahoma wheat growers," Schulte said. "This will be a great opportunity for me to keep them informed about what Latin American wheat buyers need." Schulte remains involved in wheat production through his family’s farm. He directs a four-person staff at the grower-controlled Oklahoma Wheat Commission, which is charged with promoting the state’s hard red winter wheat crop.

The first stop for this USW Board Team is Portland, OR. They will get a thorough background on the U.S. wheat export system by USW West Coast office staff, the Federal Grain Inspection Service, the Wheat Marketing Center and private exporters. In Guadalajara and Mexico City, Mexico, Santiago, Chile, and Lima, Peru, the team will meet with key flour millers, bakers and wheat food processor customers as well as U.S. agricultural representatives posted in those countries.

Mercer plans to post updates from the trip in the Discussion section of the U.S. Wheat Associates Facebook page, www.facebook.com/uswheat. Visit this address, "Like" the page and click on Discussion to read updates, ask the Board Team questions or express opinions.

The activities of USW are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and through cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org or contact your state wheat commission.

---

---

Attention California organic wheat growers/ handlers: If you have wheat available, please call the Commission office. We have an interested local buyer.

---

---

California Joins Research Fly-In

Jim Parsons, California Wheat Commissioner and President of the California Association of Wheat Growers, joined more than 40 wheat growers, researchers, millers and bakers in Washington, D.C. earlier this month to urge Members of Congress and the Obama Administration to protect federal investments in wheat research. CWC Executive Director Janice Cooper also participated in the outreach effort.

Parsons and Cooper, together with wheat breeders and growers from Washington and Oregon, visited with key members of Congress from their states in order to discuss the importance of federal funding of wheat research to local growers and to food security worldwide. Parsons recounted the damage caused by stripe rust to California wheat several years ago and how both federal funding and grower dollars supported the research needed to produce disease-resistant varieties for California growers to plant.

Mike Pumphrey, a wheat breeder from Washington State University, described national and international efforts to develop resistance to UG 99, a virulent stem rust disease which is spreading from Africa to the Middle East. Much of the U.S. wheat crop is vulnerable to this disease, which can cause up to 50% yield loss in susceptible varieties.

Federal funding for USDA programs including wheat research is threatened by the effort to cut government expenditures and the United States' massive debt. Federal government spending on wheat research is considered discretionary spending, the type most targeted for cuts by the House Budget Committee.

Historically, because wheat research focuses on locally-adapted varieties for the nation's six classes of wheat, the work is spread among many different USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) locations and state land grant universities, which have specialized expertise and staff. For the past two decades, agriculture research funding has remained flat, while expenses for salaries and new technology have continued to climb.

Unlike crops including corn and soybeans, wheat is disproportionally dependent on public research. Wheat is also uniquely complicated, with regional-specific varieties of six unique classes, grown across 42 U.S. states. Wheat's genome is larger than the human genome.

Parsons and Cooper noted the large number of diverse interests visiting Capitol Hill to educate members on the impact of proposed cuts. "With so much pressure to cut our national deficit, we just wanted our Congressional representatives to understand how research protects and improves the wheat we grow," said Parsons. "We understand that budget cuts are needed, but we hope they are done carefully, given what is at stake."

Though a number of private companies have announced investments in wheat science in recent years, the industry is still highly dependent on public research funded by the federal government, state governments and producer-paid check-off dollars. More than three-quarters of varieties being used today came from public research programs.

Wheat is vital to the U.S. and world economy and for food security. Wheat exports alone contributed $5.9 billion to the U.S. economy in 2010, and wheat itself is responsible for 20 percent of calories consumed in the world, according to the United Nations.

For more information, please see:

• A chart of wheat research funding over time, www.aaas.org/spp/rd/trres09p.pdf.
  
• A map showing each U.S. region's wheat classes, research labs and challenges addressed by research is available at www.wheatworld.org/wp-content/uploads/research-informative-map-fly-in-20110208.pdf.
• NAWG's comprehensive research website page is at www.wheatworld.org/research.

]]> Mon, 28 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=83
USW is an export market development organization working in more than 100 countries on behalf of America's wheat producers.

"We promote U.S. wheat as the world’s most reliable and valuable supply and nothing brings that claim to life more than connecting producers with their customers," said USW President Alan Tracy. "These are working trips that give our directors the chance to review our work, learn about what milling and baking customers need and to thank them for their business."

Hunn is looking forward to making a personal connection with these buyers and end-users.

"As a U.S. Wheat Associates director, I think it is important that I understand more about our customers and what they think about the work we do to keep demand for our wheat strong," he said. Hunn is a past president of the California Wheat Growers Association and grows hard red winter wheat and several other crops on a family farm in California’s Sacramento River delta.

Schulte, who is a late substitute for a producer director from Oklahoma, says he is glad to have a chance to hear what customers think about U.S. wheat quality.

"Export markets are critical for Oklahoma wheat growers," Schulte said. "This will be a great opportunity for me to keep them informed about what Latin American wheat buyers need." Schulte remains involved in wheat production through his family’s farm where he has helped host Mexican millers. He directs a four-person staff at the grower-controlled Oklahoma Wheat Commission, which is charged with promoting the state’s hard red winter wheat crop.

The first stop for this USW Board Team is Portland, OR. They will get a thorough background on the U.S. wheat export system by USW West Coast office staff, the Federal Grain Inspection Service, the Wheat Marketing Center and private exporters. In Guadalajara and Mexico City, Mexico, Santiago, Chile, and Lima, Peru, the team will meet with key flour millers, bakers and wheat food processor customers as well as U.S. agricultural representatives posted in those countries.

Mercer plans to post updates from the trip in the Discussion section of the U.S. Wheat Associates Facebook page, www.facebook.com/uswheat. Visit that address, "Like" the page and click on Discussion to read updates, ask the Board Team questions or express opinions.

The activities of USW are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and through cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org or contact your state wheat commission.]]> Tue, 15 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=82 February 2011]]> Fri, 11 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=81
"FSA’s Counter-Cyclical Program provides California farmers with a safety net during periods of low crop prices. California’s farmers work hard and currently the marketplace is rewarding those efforts with higher prices for most commodities," said Dolcini. "As such, counter cyclical payments won’t be made at this time."

In addition to the 2010 crop information, USDA announced it will not issue final 2009-crop counter-cyclical payments for long grain rice and medium grain (including short grain) rice because their average market prices exceeded levels that would trigger these payments.

For more information on the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Payment (DCP) Programs, including a table displaying the target price, projected average market price, loan rate, direct payment rate, effective price and projected counter-cyclical rates, visit your local FSA office or the FSA DCP website: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/dcp.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at (866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.]]> Wed, 09 Feb 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=54
"Over the past 25 years, CRP’s benefits have continued to grow – cleaner water, improved air quality, better habitat for wildlife and a huge reduction in soil erosion," said Dolcini. "Today’s announcement reinforces this administration’s dedication to help farmers and ranchers conserve natural resources on their land for everyone’s benefit."

Land currently not enrolled in CRP may be offered in this signup provided all eligibility requirements are met. Additionally, current CRP participants with contracts expiring this fall may make new contract offers. Contracts awarded under this signup are scheduled to become effective Oct. 1, 2011.

To help ensure that interested farmers and ranchers are aware of the signup period, USDA has signed partnership agreements with several conservation and wildlife organizations that will all play an active role in USDA’s 2011 CRP outreach efforts.

As administrator of the Conservation Reserve Program, FSA will evaluate and rank eligible CRP offers using an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) that assists in calculating the environmental benefits to be gained from the contract. The EBI consists of five environmental factors (wildlife, water, soil, air and enduring benefits). Cost factors are also entered into the equation.

In addition to the general sign-up, FSA’s CRP Continuous Sign-up Program is ongoing. Continuous acres represent the most environmentally desirable and sensitive land. For more information, visit www.fsa.usda.gov and view Conservation Programs.
]]> Fri, 28 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=52 http://www.fsa.usda.gov/pricesupport.

The 2008 Farm Bill authorizes the national loan rates for the 2010 crops of wheat, feed grains and oilseeds at these levels:

Wheat - $2.94 per bushel
Corn - $1.95 per bushel
Grain Sorghum - $1.95 per bushel
Barley - $1.95 per bushel
Oats - $1.39 per bushel
Soybeans - $5.00 per bushel
Other Oilseeds - $10.09 per hundredweight for each "other oilseed"

As required by the 2008 Farm Bill, these 2010 national loan rates reflect increases for wheat, barley, oats and each "other oilseed" relative to the corresponding 2009-crop levels. For corn, grain sorghum and soybeans, the 2010 national loan rates are established at the same levels as those authorized for the 2009 crop.

For more information about USDA Farm Service Agency programs and commodity loan rates, visit a county office or www.fsa.usda.gov.
]]> Thu, 20 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=50 January 2011 FSA Newsletter]]> Wed, 19 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=49 January 2011]]> Fri, 14 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=48 Major Wheat and Barley Grant Announced

Roger Beachy, director of USDA's National Institute for Food and Agriculture, announced a "significant investment" in wheat and barley research at UC Davis yesterday. Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky, UCD wheat breeder, led the successful effort to win the $25 million competitive grant that will fund research activities at over 50 universities and research centers in 21 states. According to UC Davis,

"The researchers will work to identify variations in wheat and barley genes that can enhance the ability of the plants to resist disease, make efficient use of water and nitrogen, and optimize crop yield. These discoveries will help plant breeders develop varieties of wheat and barley that will thrive and be productive despite anticipated climate variability.

The five-year project also will develop a Plant Breeding Education Network to train 30 new doctoral students in plant breeding and provide educational opportunities for 100 undergraduate students interested in plant improvement."

The California Wheat Commission joined other state wheat commissions and the National Association of Wheat Growers in supporting the grant application.

Commission to Contribute to New Planter

Kent Brittan, Farm Advisor for Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties, and Director for Yolo County Cooperative Extension, directs a program that has been conducting grain research in the Sacramento region for over 40 years. This program evaluates new grain cultivars in four distinct growing areas within the three-county region, providing valuable information to local growers and the statewide wheat research program.

The 60-year old planter that Brittan has been using in his trials is "worn out" so he approached the Commission for help in acquiring a new one.
"The California Wheat Commission has two major priorities," said Commission Chairman Larry Hunn. "We collect grower assessments and put those dollars toward research into new and improved wheat varieties and toward market development. Kent Brittan's research program is very useful and we are pleased to help him get this essential equipment." The Commission agreed to pay for half of the cost of the planter, up to $10,000.

CWC Funds Additional Field Research

Last October, the California Wheat Commission initiated a new mini-grants program for farm advisors and specialists working on wheat projects. Projects being funded in current crop year include:

• Use of Chlorophyll Meters to Assess Nitrogen Fertilization - Brian Marsh
  
• Optimizing subsurface drip and overhead irrigation with wheat and cotton - Jeff Mitchell
  
• Effects of Herbicides & Application Time - Steve Wright
  
• Wheat Fertilization in Imperial Valley - Khaled Bali
  
• Nitrogen Fertilization on Spring Wheat - Steve Orloff
  
• Regional Suitability of New Wheat, Triticale, and Barley - Kent Brittan
  

Grants range from $5,000 to $10,000 for the one-year projects. Results of the research will be made available to California wheat producers through the Commission's website, Cooperative Extension newsletters and field meetings. In April, the Commission will consider funding for additional grants as part of FY 11/12 budget discussion.]]> Thu, 13 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=44 Winter Wheat Seedings report published by USDA's National Ag Statistics Service was released today. USDA estimates planted Winter Wheat acreage in California will be 730,000 acres, up 11% from last year. Durum wheat plantings are estimated at 155,000 acres, an increase of 35% from 2010.]]> Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=47
In the world of wheat research, the grant is a significant investment of public funds in work critical to the industry’s continued profitability.

It will span five years and include 56 scientists from 28 institutions, led by Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky of the University of California at Davis and Dr. Gary Muehlbauer at the University of Minnesota.

"Enhancing public and private research is at the heart of NAWG’s strategic plan, and this is an exciting infusion to our public wheat research system," said NAWG Chief Executive Officer Dana Peterson.

"These dollars will return significant benefits to farmers by developing tools to adapt varieties planted by growers across the country, which is a significant step in the right direction as we seek to raise wheat yields 20 percent by 2018."

The goal of the project is to develop methods to produce new varieties that minimize the damage to crops from stresses associated with climate change.

The long-term objective is a 10 percent reduction in both nitrogen and water use in barley and wheat production, though the project will also focus on traits related to fungal diseases and low temperature tolerance.

To achieve these goals, the AFRI project will build on the rapidly decreasing costs of genetic markers and other tools to accelerate breeding cycles, improving publicly-available germplasm, standardizing methods for high-throughput field evaluation and integrating genetic and field measurements into public databases for use by all breeding programs.

A systematic genotypic and phenotypic characterization of varieties in the National Small Grains Collection (NSGC) and commercially available wheat and barley lines will accelerate the introduction of novel non-GMO genes into cereal breeding programs. The NSGC provides access to the ancestors of modern wheat and barley, which carry a wide diversity of genes for crop improvement previously underutilized by plant breeders because of insufficient funding and genomic information.

Importantly, the project will also facilitate training for a new generation of plant breeders in the most advanced breeding technologies, which is critical for wheat research development in the coming decades.

"We applaud NIFA for their support of basic and applied wheat research, which is vital to all American wheat farmers," said Jane DeMarchi, NAWG’s director of government affairs for research and technology. "We look forward to working with scientists during the project to maximize the positive benefits for farmers."

NAWG works with organizations and individuals throughout the wheat chain to demonstrate the value of wheat research, and NAWG, U.S. Wheat Associates and affiliated state organizations from both groups provided a letter of support for the project application.

Wheat research is a crucial but often under-funded aspect of our country’s – and the world’s – food security. The United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated 20 percent of calories consumed by humans come from wheat.

Still, with traditional breeding, one new variety adapted to a specific geographic area and wheat class can take more than a decade to develop and get into the hands of wheat producers.

And, unlike that in other major crops including corn and soybeans, wheat research has been disproportionately dependent on public funds for basic research and breeding. This is changing, however, as more private companies announce new investments and partnerships with public university programs to work toward both conventional and, eventually, biotech wheat varieties.

"It is so vital for wheat breeding to continue to become more advanced to solve the problems farmers like myself have on our operations so we can continue to produce a stable and affordable food supply," said NAWG President Jerry McReynolds, a wheat producer from Woodston, Kan.

"We face drought, heat, pests and other challenges that can be helped by good research in our public universities and, increasingly, by private companies. We’re hopeful this project will be able to build on the knowledge we already have and find new answers to our most pressing challenges."

For more from NIFA, please click here.]]> Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=46
The new U.S. Department of Agriculture grants will fund two projects in which UC Davis scientists will lead research teams from more than 50 universities in more than 20 states.

Roger Beachy, director of the USDA’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture, announced the grants at a morning news conference at UC Davis, characterizing them as "significant investments."

UC Davis wheat geneticist Jorge Dubcovsky will receive $25 million to head a team that will work to develop new varieties of wheat and barley. UC Davis forest tree geneticist David Neale will receive $14.6 million to head a team that will work to sequence the genomes of loblolly pine and two other conifers. Dubcovsky and Neale are both Department of Plant Sciences faculty members in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

"Each of these projects features transdisciplinary, regional, integrated teams, including scientists from institutions that represent underserved populations." Beachy said. "This approach represents a new paradigm in how USDA science can best solve critical issues facing agriculture today."
UC Davis Chancellor Linda P.B. Katehi, also speaking at the news conference, said the grants will help support critically important research endeavors.

"We are honored and pleased that the grant awards recognize the expertise and leadership of UC Davis in the field of plant genomics," said Katehi. "We look forward to the practical solutions for agriculture and for the environment that will arise from these collaborative projects."

Wheat genome project

Dubcovsky and his research colleagues will focus on biological and environmental stresses to wheat that are caused, at least in part, by alterations in weather patterns associated with global climate change. The research team funded by this grant includes 55 university and USDA researchers, plant breeders and educators from 21 states.

The researchers will work to identify variations in wheat and barley genes that can enhance the ability of the plants to resist disease, make efficient use of water and nitrogen, and optimize crop yield. These discoveries will help plant breeders develop varieties of wheat and barley that will thrive and be productive despite anticipated climate variability.
The five-year project also will develop a Plant Breeding Education Network to train 30 new doctoral students in plant breeding and provide educational opportunities for 100 undergraduate students interested in plant improvement.

Forest tree genome project

By sequencing the genomes of loblolly pine, sugar pine and Douglas fir, Neale and his research colleagues plan to accelerate breeding efforts for fast-growing varieties of these trees. This would enhance their use as feedstocks for biofuels and biopower.

This is a particularly ambitious project because the genomes of pine tree species are extremely large – as much as 10 times the size of the human genome.

In addition to providing more biofuel resources, increased plantings of these conifers would also contribute to carbon sequestration, capturing and storing carbon from the atmosphere and thus mitigating the effects of climate change.

Collaborating with UC Davis on this five-year project are the Children’s Hospital of Oakland Research Institute, Washington State University, Texas A&M University, Indiana University and the University of Maryland. The pine germplasm, or plant genetic material, to be sequenced comes from the North Carolina State University Cooperative Breeding Program and was produced by a mating made by the Virginia Department of Forestry.

USDA’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative

The wheat and forestry awards were both made through the National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s Agriculture and Food Research Initiative, the flagship competitive grant program established by the 2008 Farm Bill. The initiative supports research in plant health and production and plant products; animal health and production and animal products; food safety, nutrition and health; renewable energy, natural resources and environment; agriculture systems and technology; and agriculture economics and rural communities.

About UC Davis

For more than 100 years, UC Davis has engaged in teaching, research and public service that matter to California and transform the world. Located close to the state capital, UC Davis has more than 32,000 students, more than 2,500 faculty and more than 21,000 staff, an annual research budget that exceeds $678 million, a comprehensive health system and 13 specialized research centers. The university offers interdisciplinary graduate study and more than 100 undergraduate majors in four colleges – Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Biological Sciences, Engineering, and Letters and Science. It also houses six professional schools – Education, Law, Management, Medicine, Veterinary Medicine and the Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing.

Media contact(s):
Jorge Dubcovsky, Plant Sciences, (530) 752-5159, jdubcovsky@ucdavis.edu
David Neale, Plant Sciences, (530) 754-8431, dbneale@ucdavis.edu
Pat Bailey, UC Davis News Service, (530) 752-9843, pjbailey@ucdavis.edu
________________________________________

]]> Wed, 12 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=45
"Farms and ranches are greatly affected by natural disasters," said Morton. "Heavy rain, flood, wind and other weather-related calamities can quickly turn a profitable crop year into one of hardship and financial loss," she noted. SURE is part of the 2008 Farm Bill safety net‟ that provides assistance to farmers and ranchers when disaster strikes.

For information on the 2009 SURE program eligibility requirements visit your local FSA office or http://www.fsa.usda.gov/sure
]]> Fri, 07 Jan 2011 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=34 December 2010]]> Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=35
DAVIS, Calif., Dec. 13, 2010–California agricultural producers who are certified organic or transitioning to organic production may qualify for technical and financial assistance through a National Organic Initiative administered by USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS).

Over $2.4 million in special organic funding will be available to eligible producers in California as part of the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP). Producers must submit applications by March 4 for funding consideration during fiscal year 2011.

"We are happy to offer conservation assistance for California’s organic producers in 2011," says Ed Burton NRCS State Conservationist. "Over the last two years, NRCS has helped over 240 organic farmers and ranchers from around the state install conservation practices to improve soil health and other natural resources."

Organic producers can receive up to $20,000 per year or $80,000 over six years through the special organic EQIP funding. The assistance targets over two dozen core conservation practices, including conservation crop rotation, cover crop, nutrient management, pest management and prescribed grazing.

This is a nationwide initiative to provide assistance to certified organic producers as well as producers transitioning to organic production. Applicants must either have an organic system plan or certify they are working toward one. Organic producers also may apply for assistance under general EQIP.

Interested producers are encouraged to contact their local NRCS Service Center. Contact information is available at http://offices.sc.egov.usda.gov/locator/app?state=CA.
]]> Mon, 13 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=16 California Wheat Commission Board MeetingCalifornia Farm Bureau Building
Sacramento, CA
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

I. Opening Business

A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests
D. Approval of Agenda
E. Approval of August 31, 2010 Meeting Minutes
F. Petitions for Open Commissioner/Alternate Positions

II. Reports

A. Meetings / Events

1. Urban Wheat Field Parsons / Bouris
2. USW Fall Board Meeting Hunn / Motter
3. Collaborator Meeting Windh / Hunn / Mayo
4. USW Winter Board Meeting Hunn / Motter

B. Commissioner Reports - 2011 Crop Outlook

III. Research

A. Research Committee Report Rubin
B. Committee Membership Rubin
B. Equipment Grant Request Kent Brittan
C. Grants / Research Funding Mayo / Chicaiza
D. Cooperative Extension Cooper

IV. US Wheat Associates - Portland Office Director Steve Wirsching

A. Update on USW Activities
B. Discussion of USW/CWC Cooperation

V. Administrative and Financials

A. Income/Expense Report and Cash Flow Statement
B. FY 10/11 Budget
C. Interest Income on Reserves
D. Staff Reports Cooper/Fredrickson

VI. Closed Session

Closed session pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed Session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e).
Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any.

VII. CAWG Report Matteis

VIII. Compliance Audit

A. Review / Approve Policy Manual
B. Update on Audit Timing and Procedures

IX. Set Next Meeting Date

X. Adjournment]]> Wed, 01 Dec 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=17
UC Wheat Breeding Program - Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky, Univ of CA

Breeding Wheat For California - Resource Seeds Becomes Syngenta Cereals - Southwest - George Fohner, Syngenta

What Has Genetic Engineering Taught Us About Wheat Quality? - Ann Blechl, ARS/USDA

Overview of Collaborator Variety Trials - Phil Mayo, Univ of CA
]]> Mon, 22 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=18 November 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Fri, 12 Nov 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=19 2010 California Wheat Crop Quality Reports for these wheat classes:

Desert Durum
Hard Red/Hard White wheat, and
San Joaquin Valley Durum.]]> Thu, 21 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=20 Wednesday October 20, 2010 from 9:00 am - 4:00 pm. Click here for the agenda, directions, and a map to the meeting location.
]]> Tue, 19 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=21 October 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=31 Small Grain News - Tulare County]]> Tue, 12 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=38 pdf version

2010 Certified Seed Guide Available Online
The 2010 Wheat Certified Seed Dealer Buyer's Guide is available for viewing on our website here. This guide is designed to give detailed variety information to growers as they make their fall planting decisions. For further information, call the CWC office.

CWC Approves Additional Research Funding
The California Wheat Commission voted to approve $140,000 to support additional research projects, including mini-grants for farm advisors and specialists working on wheat projects; a project at UC Riverside developing optimal wheat plant root size for water and nutrient-use efficiency, and additional support for the statewide field trial program. This funding is in addition to the four year commitment of $120,000/ year to the wheat breeding program led by Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky.

Collaborator Meeting on October 20, 2010
The California Grains Foundation and UC Davis is once again organizing the Collaborator Meeting in Davis on October 20, 2010. This annual event brings together the key players in the California wheat industry to evaluate and discuss yield and quality characteristics of new wheat varieties. Breeders, farmers, millers and end users come together for one day to look at the new varieties under development by both public and private breeding programs. Samples of the durum and common wheat varieties are sent out in advance to be milled, baked into bread or made into pasta. For more information, call the CWC office.

Urban Wheat Field Brings Wheat to DC
The California Wheat Commission and the California Association of Wheat Growers joined other members of the nation’s wheat industry to bring the wheat industry to the middle of the National Mall. The event, organized by the Wheat Foods Council, took place in late September and included experts in the areas of wheat growing, milling, baking and nutrition.

"We saw this event as a unique opportunity to interact with our large, mostly urban Congressional delegation and discuss issues of interest to California wheat growers," said CAWG President Jim Parsons (wheat producer from Ducor). Mike Bouris, Wheat Commissioner and wheat producer in Riverside County, said "Wheat is an important rotation crop in California. Being part of the Urban Wheat Field gave us a chance to tell our story."

Southern Sacramento Valley Small Grains Meeting
to be held October 21, 2010 8:00am-12:00pm
Norton Hall, 70 Cottonwood St, Woodland, CA
Speakers will include:

Kent Brittan - "Small Grain Varieties for the So. Sac Valley - Pest Management & Adaptability"
Janice Cooper - "Wheat Industry Updates"
Dan Putnam - "Teff Production for Forage, Production Info with Diseases & Pests"
Doug Munier - "Roundup Ready Canola - A New Roadside Pest"
Oswaldo Chicaiza - "Wheat Breading for Plant Disease Resistance"
Jennie King - "Small Grains Pesticide Handling, Use Laws & Regulations"
Monica Spiller - "Marketing & Handling Organic Whole Grains"]]> Tue, 05 Oct 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=32 2010 Wheat Certified Seed Buying Guide is now available. This publication helps growers make their planting decisions. It provides contact information for wheat certified seed dealers in California, as well as seed characteristics, historical information on disease reactions, yield, test weight and average protein of current certified wheat seed.

]]> Thu, 23 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=36
USDA California Farm Service Agency State Executive Director Val Dolcini said that "CRP in California plays an important role in providing conservation and water quality benefits throughout California while providing an economic incentive for farmers to restore conservation practices on marginal farm ground."

For this 39th general sign-up more than 50,000 offers were received on more than 4.8 million acres, nationwide. CA producers offered 11,024 acres and 97.8 percent of the 45 offers were accepted.

Under CRP, farmers and ranchers plant grasses and trees in crop fields and along streams or rivers. The plantings reduce soil and nutrients from washing into waterways, reduce soil erosion that may otherwise contribute to poor air and water quality, and provide valuable habitat for wildlife. Plant cover established on the acreage accepted into the CRP will reduce nutrient and sediment runoff in our nation’s rivers and streams. The CRP has restored more than two million acres of wetlands and associated buffers and reduced soil erosion by more than 400 million tons per year.

USDA selected offers for enrollment based on an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) comprised of five environmental factors plus cost. The five environmental factors are: (1) wildlife enhancement, (2) water quality, (3) soil erosion, (4) enduring benefits, and (5) air quality. The minimal acceptable EBI level for this signup is 200.

The average rental rate per acre for this signup is about $46. USDA implemented a number of measures including using additional EBI point incentives for producers to submit cost-effective offers, and producer outreach activities to encourage competitive offers on the most environmentally sensitive lands. These measures will maintain the high environmental benefits while decreasing the historic cost of the program.

Under CRP, there are more than 31.3 million acres enrolled on more than 473,000 contracts. These 10 to 15 year contracts provide long term enduring conservation benefits in return for an annual rental payment.

###]]> Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=22 September 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=33
Experts in the areas of wheat growing, milling, baking and nutrition will guide visitors through each phase of the grain’s life cycle, engaging them in hands-on activities and demonstrations along the way. Representatives from both CWC and CAWG will travel to Washington, DC to volunteer at the exhibit.

"We see this event as a unique opportunity to interact with our large, mostly urban Congressional delegation and discuss issues of interest to California wheat growers," said CAWG President James Parsons (wheat producer from Ducor). Mike Bouris, a longtime member of the California Wheat Commission and a wheat producer in Riverside County, said "Wheat is an important part of California's diversified farming sector and we are the largest flour milling state. Being part of the Urban Wheat Field gives us a chance to tell our story."

Highlights of the Urban Wheat Field exhibit include:

A guided tour will take groups through every step of wheat growth and harvest via a live wheat field and a full-size combine. People will see five stages of wheat and tour guides, in the form of wheat farmers from throughout the country, will lead the way.

Upon exiting the field, visitors will enter the milling area, which demonstrates how the grain itself or kernels become the flour that is used to make the foods they eat. Visitors will see an operating mill and grind their own flour with tabletop grinders.

Once the flour has been milled, visitors will learn how it is transformed into the everyday foods. Live baking demonstrations will take place throughout the day and a baking station will churn out fresh bread for sampling.

Registered dietitians will teach people about the way in which wheat foods fuel the body and provide essential nutrients. Against the backdrop of a mock grocery store aisle, nutrition experts will deliver a lesson in reading nutrition facts labels, identifying whole grain versus enriched grain foods and determining proper serving sizes.

Preceding the event, the National Association of Wheat Growers will host a reception for congressional staff members to experience the event and meet with representatives from their individual state wheat commissions. CAWG is also taking this opportunity to meet with Congress to address the issues affecting California wheat growers in the production and marketing of wheat.

The Urban Wheat Field is designed to foster a better understanding of a food’s nutrition and lineage by enabling people to experience the process by which a kernel of wheat becomes a wheat food. To learn more, visit the Wheat Foods Council’s website at www.wheatfoods.org or the California Wheat Commission's website at www.californiawheat.org.

# # #

About California Wheat Commission

Wheat growers voted to establish the California Wheat Commission in 1983, expressly to develop and maintain domestic and international markets for California wheat and support research that improves California wheat quality and marketability. The Commission, operating under the California Food and Agriculture Code, is funded by wheat growers and is guided by a board of thirteen wheat farmers, two handlers, two at-large members, and one public member. The Commission is a member of the Wheat Foods Council.

About California Association of Wheat Growers

CAWG is a membership organization of wheat producers and support businesses selling goods and services to the wheat industry. CAWG tracks developments at the federal, state and local level that affect California producers’ ability to grow and market their products at an effective price, and we speak for the California wheat farmer in seeking to ensure that policies are developed that reflect their best interests.

About the Wheat Foods Council

The Wheat Foods Council is a nonprofit organization formed in 1972 to help increase public awareness of grains, complex carbohydrates, and fiber as essential components of a healthful diet. The Council is supported voluntarily by wheat producers, millers, bakers, and related industries.

]]> Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=37 FY09/10 Financial Report is now available. Previous year's reports are available here.]]> Tue, 07 Sep 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=39 pdf version

Commission Meeting Set for August 31
The California Wheat Commission will meet at 10 am on August 31, 2010 at the California Farm Bureau building in Sacramento. Commissioners will consider recommendations from the Research Committee for additional research project funding, review harvest results and hear from Dana Peterson, CEO of the National Association of Wheat Growers. The Commission will also affirm the results of the recent grower and handler election and welcome new members to the Commission. The full agenda is posted on the CWC website.
Wheat growers and other interested parties are welcome to attend the meeting. For further information, call the CWC office.

2010 Harvest Mostly Complete
The California wheat harvest is mostly complete - the exception being the Klamath Basin where spring wheat will be harvested next month. Overall, the wheat crop was characterized by very high yields and variable protein. In addition to high yields in the irrigated areas (four tons per acre were not unusual), yields were also above normal for dry land wheat and green chop was lower than average.

The Commission's lab is currently hard at work testing samples for its annual crop quality surveys published in October. The results will be posted on our website; printed brochures in multiple languages will also be available upon request.

CWC in the News
The recent decision by Russia to cancel its wheat exports for the balance of this year sent wheat prices sharply up. We received numerous calls from news organizations asking how this affects California wheat growers. Here are some excerpts of the coverage we have received:

Problems elsewhere lead to a ‘strange’ wheat market. By Ching Lee. Ag Alert, August 11, 2010
With global wheat prices hitting a two-year high in recent days, many California farmers are taking advantage of the current strong market by contracting their crop for next year.

Yolo County grower Larry Hunn said he will be planting more wheat this fall because he has already sold much of his 2011 crop–at much higher prices than this year–even though he is just now finishing his 2010 harvest.

"This market is acting strange," he said. "Here we are at the end of harvest and our prices are continuing to go up. Historically, that doesn’t happen. Normally as you get into harvest, you see prices drop." The run-up in wheat prices has been driven mostly by production problems in major wheat-exporting countries and fears of a supply shortfall. . . .

Clarksburg farmer places his bet on the world wheat market. By J. Wasserman, Sacramento Bee Saturday, 8/21/2010
With wheat prices soaring since Russia banned grain exports, farmers like Clarksburg's Larry Hunn are coolly calculating the odds of beating a most fickle of gambling dens: the world grain market. In past weeks, wheat prices have risen from $4 a bushel to about $7, grabbing the attention of everyone in America with a tractor, combine and acreage to plant. . . .

If wheat prices are higher than $7 when Hunn harvests his crop, he won't make as much money as he could have. But he knows $7 is a good price, and he's protected if the price slides backward again – as many suspect it might in a world that still holds a lot of wheat in its grain bins.]]> Fri, 27 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=40 report provides the results of USDA Economic Research Service (ERS) research on the economic consequences of ending the USDA Karnal bunt certification program for U.S. exports to countries that ban import of wheat from countries known to have the disease. USDA currently issues certificates that U.S. wheat shipments are from areas where KB is not known to occur.

]]> Wed, 25 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=41
In past weeks, wheat prices have risen from $4 a bushel to about $7, grabbing the attention of everyone in America with a tractor, combine and acreage to plant.

In Clarksburg, better known for pears and wine than wheat, Hunn, who farms 3,000 acres, has already placed his bet. He locked in a price on the futures market – roughly $7 a bushel – for a 400-acre crop he won't even plant until late fall nor harvest until around July 2011.

"I see a potential for making a profit," he said. "A guy's gotta be prudent."

If wheat prices are higher than $7 when Hunn harvests his crop, he won't make as much money as he could have. But he knows $7 is a good price, and he's protected if the price slides backward again – as many suspect it might in a world that still holds a lot of wheat in its grain bins.

The quick ascent in a basic grain that's traded anywhere from $3 a bushel to $7 in recent years accelerated this month as drought-stricken Russia announced it will hoard its depleted wheat crop. Other nations like Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Canada are also anticipating less production.

Hunn, with more than his share of insight as president of the California Wheat Commission, is making a bet that typifies the difference between farming and everyday business. It's a game where one person's drought is always another's bonanza, where Russia's loss might be California wheat growers' gain in export markets of the Middle East and North Africa.

The Clarksburg grower thinks he made a good decision. Other farmers will have to make their own call on how much wheat to plant this fall. Many in California are banking on planting more acreage, Hunn and the Woodland-based wheat commission believe.

"What Russia has done is drive our prices up for the next year. And when prices go up there's more opportunity to make a profit. Guys are going to go in that direction," said the Yolo County grower, who rotates wheat among his acres of tomatoes, cucumbers, safflower, corn and alfalfa.

The risk, of course is that too much wheat production around the world could send prices skidding back to earth.

Modesto farmer Dave Wheeler said Friday that he's going to grow more wheat.

"I usually do 600 acres of wheat," he said. I'll probably do 800 acres this year. It seems like a sure thing."

And Wheeler joined Hunn, at least partially, in locking in his price. He said about half of his 2011 harvest has been sold at a contract price of $7.10 per bushel, and he plans to contract an additional 20 percent of the crop eventually.

At 659,000 acres this year, California wheat is a small player in a U.S. wheat market estimated at more than 35 million acres anchored on prairies and flatlands. Though grown from Imperial County to the California-Oregon border, wheat is a seldom-seen crop along California highways more likely to showcase grapevines and dairy cattle.

Agricultural economist Dan Sumner, head of the University of California's Agricultural Issues Center in Davis, said California wheat is less than 1 percent of U.S. production and exports. On a list of the state's leading crops and crop products, starting with almonds, wheat ranks a distant 29th, according to Sumner's AIC.

Much of the state's crop goes into pasta, bread, tortillas, noodles and cattle feed, just like wheat harvests roughly every four months around the world.

"California doesn't move prices. California is for the most part a price taker for wheat," the economist said.

That wasn't so true a century ago. In 1889, before widespread irrigation and refrigerated rail cars, Central Valley dryland wheat made California the nation's second-biggest wheat producer after Minnesota, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Still, California retains some bragging rights. Its predictable weather and irrigation produce some of the nation's highest yields.

"We have an average of just under three to over three tons per acre," said Janice Cooper, executive director of the wheat commission. "If other states get a ton (per acre), that's a good harvest."

Copyright The Sacramento Bee. All rights reserved.]]> Sat, 21 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=42 Research Committee MeetingAugust 30, 2010
3:00 p.m.
Commission Office

I. Call to order - Chairman Ron Rubin
II. Roll call
III. Approve agenda
IV. Financial Resources Available for Research
V. Research Priorities

a. Academic research
b. Field research
c. Programs / outreach

VI. Specific Proposals

a. UCR - Root research
b. UCCE Internship
c. Additional funding for SRA II - Jorge Dubcovsky

VII. Committee Recommendations
VIII. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Tue, 17 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=23 August 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Mon, 16 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=56 California Wheat Commission Board MeetingCalifornia Farm Bureau Building
Sacramento, CA Tuesday, August 31, 2010
10:00 a.m. ‐ 4:00 p.m.

I. Opening Business
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests
D. Approval of Agenda
E. Approval of April 14, 2010 Meeting Minutes
F. Acceptance of Personnel, Handler Election, & Audit Committee Minutes

II. Commissioner Petitions and Elections
A. District 1 - Approval of Commissioner/Alternate Nomination Petitions
B. Approval of Commissioner and Handler Elections
C. Open Districts

III. FY 09/10 Audit Report
A. Audit report- Ron Ley, Damore Hamric & Schneider, Inc.
B. Audit Committee Comments

IV. NAWG Report - NAWG CEO Dana Peterson

V. Research and Field Report
A. Jorge Dubcovsky, Phil Mayo
B. Research Committee Report
C. Crop Quality Update

VI. Administrative and Financials
A. Officer Reports - LABC and USW Summer Board Meeting
B. Commissioner Reports - 2010 Harvest Results/ 2011 Outlook
C. Staff Reports
D. Income/Expense Report and Cash Flow Statement
E. FY 10/11 Budget
F. Handler Audit - Update
G. Interest Income on Reserves

VII. Closed Session
Closed session pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed Session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e).

Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any.

VIII. Market Development
A. World Market - Impact on California
B. US Wheat Activities - Report from Worldwide Staff Conference
C. Upcoming Events - Urban Wheat Field and USW Fall Board Meeting

IX. CAWG Report
X. Set Next Meeting Date
XI. Adjournment]]> Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=55 Crop Production Report August 2010]]> Thu, 12 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=57
Yolo County grower Larry Hunn said he will be planting more wheat this fall because he has already sold much of his 2011 crop–at much higher prices than this year–even though he is just now finishing his 2010 harvest.

"This market is acting strange," he said. "Here we are at the end of harvest and our prices are continuing to go up. Historically, that doesn’t happen. Normally as you get into harvest, you see prices drop."

The run-up in wheat prices has been driven mostly by production problems in major wheat-exporting countries and fears of a supply shortfall. Wheat crops in Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine and other parts of Europe have been decimated by drought. Wet weather in Canada also hampered production. Russia, the world’s fourth-largest wheat exporter, has cut off wheat exports for the rest of the year, adding to concerns of grain shortages.

"When you see these higher prices, if you’re a prudent businessperson, you’ve got to take advantage of it, no matter what’s driving the price," said Hunn, who is also chairman of the California Wheat Commission.

There’s no shortage of wheat in California, said Janice Cooper, executive director of the wheat commission. While other parts of the world experience lower crop output this year, California farmers benefited from the extra rainfall this spring and are reaping a bountiful harvest.

She said growers up and down the state report above-normal yields and good-quality wheat, with variable protein levels. According to U.S. Department of Agriculture July estimates, yield for 2010 is projected at 2.25 tons per acre for winter wheat and 3.3 tons per acre for durum wheat, with total production of 787,500 tons. That’s compared to last year’s yield of 2.4 tons per acre for winter wheat and 3 tons per acre for durum, and total production of 756,000 tons.

Growers planted slightly more winter wheat this year–600,000 acres compared to 590,000 acres in 2009. Planted acres for durum wheat dropped, however, from 180,000 in 2009 to 120,000 this year. Harvested acreage for winter wheat is estimated at 350,000 in 2010, up from 315,000 in 2009, while harvested durum acreage dropped from 170,000 in 2009 to 100,000 this year.

Cooper said she thinks the 2010 estimates are on the low side, based on what she’s hearing from growers, and expects upward adjustments when the USDA updates its report later this month.

"One of the reasons why there’s so much wheat this year is that fewer acres were cut for silage because the dairies are in difficult shape and growers weren’t sure whether the dairies would be able to buy the green chop, the silage. So a higher percentage of planted acres was grown to grain," she said.

The huge supplies of wheat in the state, coupled with soaring prices, have deterred some millers from purchasing more wheat, said Mike Bouris, a grower in Riverside County. While plenty of wheat was still being sold last month, he said he’s noticed that as the market has gotten stronger in the last two weeks, the mills have stopped accepting wheat and are taking a wait-and-see approach.

"The outlook for the market remains positive, but it hasn’t trickled down to us yet," he said.

Cooper said the current supply issue will sort itself out as the inventory works its way through the system, "but right now, if you drive around, you’ll just see mountains of wheat."

And with the recent jump in wheat prices, she said interest in planting wheat has definitely increased– even though some growers may be limited in what they can grow based on their own individual circumstances.

She noted that lack of irrigation water allotments led to a 30 percent to 40 percent drop in wheat acreage in the Klamath Basin this year. Although wheat production in the San Joaquin Valley has been good, she said water uncertainties continue to plague growers in the region, possibly preventing them from increasing acreage.

Bouris said in his Southern California region, where farmers use dryland-farming techniques to grow wheat, weather is a bigger factor than the market in driving planting decisions.

"It’s not like there’s any other choice of something else to plant," he said. "If we have some rain, everybody is going to be planting, so the price will not affect what’s getting planted down here next year."

For Tom Stirewalt, a grower in San Benito County, the high cost of seed has been a big deterrent, and he did not plant any wheat this spring because of it.

He said stripe rust and other disease problems can devastate production in his region and many California growers rely on new seed varieties that offer resistance to these diseases. Until recently, the sluggish grain market did not justify buying the expensive seeds or planting the crop, he said.

But he said he is "looking forward" to planting wheat in the fall now that prices are rebounding.

Paul Sanguinetti, a grower in San Joaquin County who uses some irrigation to grow his crop, said wheat is largely a rotational crop, so the price of wheat will have less to do with how much he will grow and more to do with the amount of acres he plans to devote to the crops that follow wheat.

But current wheat prices are persuading him to start pre-selling tonnage for next year, most likely about two-thirds of his crop, he said.

As a wheat handler in Kings County, Jim Crisp, who also chairs the California Farm Bureau Federation commodity advisory committee for wheat, said the higher prices also benefit him because it usually means there’s more wheat for him to buy. But he also said he thinks current prices are overblown and unsubstantiated.

"There are still ample supplies in the U.S.," he said. "We have over 1 billion bushels of carryover, and now we’ve got too much premium built into it. I don’t think you can fundamentally support it in this world economy."

He said since the recent price surge is being driven by speculation and concerns about future crop production, the market could change very quickly. He noted that a new crop of wheat is harvested in the world every four months, and higher prices tend to attract more acres, allowing for more supply to meet demand.

While wheat producers may be benefiting from the higher prices, Hunn said livestock producers will be put at a disadvantage because the price of feed will be higher too. He said if wheat and corn prices go up, livestock producers will start feeding more alfalfa, putting more demand on that crop and hence driving up the price of alfalfa.

"The end user is probably not liking these high prices," he said. "For somebody to win, somebody has got to lose, and it seems like right now the farmers are mainly on the winning side of it–at least for the moment."

(Ching Lee is an assistant editor of Ag Alert. She may be contacted at clee@cfbf.com.)
]]> Wed, 11 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=58 Audit Committee MeetingAugust 23, 2010
9:00 a.m.
Damore, Hamric & Schneider, Inc.
2856 Arden Way Ste 200
Sacramento, CA 95825
Tel. (916) 481-2856

I. Call to order
II. Roll call
III. Results of FY 09/10 Fiscal Audit
IV. Closed Session
Closed session, if necessary pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding employee performance evaluation or pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126 (e).

V. Return to open session/announce action taken, if any
VI. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Tue, 10 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=59 (Sacramento, CA)

Listen

The drought has destroyed 20% of Russia’s wheat crop. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says the country needs to keep all of its wheat to prevent a rise in domestic food prices.

That’s driving up global wheat prices and boosting profits for farmers like Larry Hunn who grows 400 acres of wheat in the Yolo County town of Clarksburg.

"It’s definitely making the wheat market exciting. Prices are jumping around. I think most wheat growers in California are going to make money this year."

Hunn is just wrapping up this year’s harvest. As for next year’s crop

"I’ve already presold some wheat into 2011."

That’s how strong demand is since the Russian export ban was announced. Janice Cooper heads the California Wheat Commission. She says Russia was the lowest-priced provider in the world market.

"So if they’re stepping out of the market there’s going to be more opportunity for U.S. wheat including California wheat."

The Russian export ban takes effect August 15th and runs through the end of the year.]]> Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=60 (Sacramento, CA)

Listen

The drought has destroyed 20% of Russia’s wheat crop. Prime Minister Vladimir Putin says the country needs to keep all of its wheat to prevent a rise in domestic food prices.

That’s driving up global wheat prices and boosting profits for farmers like Larry Hunn who grows 400 acres of wheat in the Yolo County town of Clarksburg.

"It’s definitely making the wheat market exciting. Prices are jumping around. I think most wheat growers in California are going to make money this year."

Hunn is just wrapping up this year’s harvest. As for next year’s crop

"I’ve already presold some wheat into 2011."

That’s how strong demand is since the Russian export ban was announced. Janice Cooper heads the California Wheat Commission. She says Russia was the lowest-priced provider in the world market.

"So if they’re stepping out of the market there’s going to be more opportunity for U.S. wheat including California wheat."

The Russian export ban takes effect August 15th and runs through the end of the year.]]> Fri, 06 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=61
For example, the desert valleys and lowlands of Arizona and southern California, especially in the Imperial Valley that borders Mexico, are ideal for producing irrigated durum. In fact, AGRPC and CWC trademarked their unique product as Desert Durum. Planted in the winter and harvested in May and June, Desert Durum enters the market up to three months before other durum wheat produced in the northern hemisphere.

"Our overseas customers see Desert Durum as a niche ingredient that provides consistently high quality grain in terms of color and gluten strength," said AGRPC Executive Director Allan Simons. "In addition, Desert Durum provides milling benefits derived from its low moisture content and uniform large kernel size, so buyers transport more dry-matter and obtain consistently high extraction rates."

California’s micro- and regional climates provide good growing conditions for several varieties of wheat. The northern part of the state is known for planting soft white wheat because of its marine and warm Mediterranean environments. The hot Mediterranean climate of the central valley allows hard white wheat and red varieties to flourish.

California begins planting wheat as early as October. Most small grain acreage is irrigated, and irrigation techniques vary across the state. There are, however, dryland grain production in parts of the central and south coastal regions. California wheat producers generally begin harvesting their crop in late May and, in some locations, harvest continues into early September. International milling wheat customer tenders are loaded out of export facilities in West Sacramento and Stockton and container loads often move out of the ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach.

Beyond working with its international customers, the California wheat industry has grown to be a huge player in the domestic market. California has surpassed Kansas as the state with the largest flour milling capacity. These mills are in such prime locations as Los Angeles, Oakland, Fresno, Stockton and Woodland, and ship flour throughout the United States by rail, truck and ship.

CWC investment has created a unique opportunity for customers to learn more about the wheat they are purchasing with its in-house milling and baking lab. This facility helps customers identify the best end use for the wheat they purchase. To support many of its overseas customers, CWC, like USW, publishes annual regional crop quality reports in Spanish, Italian, and English. AGRPC and CWC also invest check-off funds in wheat variety development and breeding research, partnered with the University of California – Davis, to meet domestic and overseas market requirements.

"We focus on research and market development, including hosting incoming missions and participating in various USW and individual trade missions" said CWC Executive Director Janice Cooper. Arizona and California durum and wheat producers frequently travel to visit overseas customers and gain current knowledge of international requirements that helps the commissions plan future production and research efforts.

Editor’s Note: The generous financial support from U.S. wheat producer check-off dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service ensure that USW has the resources needed to help overseas buyers understand the reliability and functional benefits of U.S. milling wheat. This is the first in a series of articles focusing on USW member state wheat commissions.

Escobar studies agricultural communications at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo. She grew up on a livestock operation near Gilroy in northern California.

]]> Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=62
The news today that the Russian government has announced a ban on wheat exports effective August 15 to December 1 will inevitably roil world wheat markets that were already reacting unusually to the potential impact of drought on the Russian wheat crop. This is a potentially difficult decision for Russia's wheat customers.

Export bans work against wheat buyers and users and force the rest of the market to restore the supply/demand balance and absorb the price shock. Restrictions distort trade and artificially drive up global wheat prices to the detriment of all importers and consumers. To make matters worse, the latest Russian government intervention likely brings force majeure into play and some importers counting on their purchases may find themselves short of supply. There is a curious context to all of this: not too many weeks ago, Russian grain officials were publicly predicting that their country would be the dominant source of wheat to the world and would likely sell up to 40 percent of its significant intervention stocks.

Any buyer who lived through the supply shock of 2007/08 will recall that the U.S. remains a truly reliable milling wheat supplier to the world.

"In the genuinely open market we have in the U.S. today there is always wheat available at some price, both to domestic and international buyers," said USW President Alan Tracy. "Supplies can be plentiful or tight, but the system finds a price that rationalizes the supply and demand balance. As we have said many times before, the U.S. wheat store is always open."

"Our industry is committed to sound commercial practice in the best interest of all stakeholders in the grain supply and demand chain," said Gary Martin, President and CEO of the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA). "The pressure has never been greater on agriculture to provide for global food security, food defense and energy security while providing for available, high quality, safe products throughout the value chain. The role of international trade in grain, oilseeds and other agri-bulks is expanding, increasingly complex and dependent upon sound, reliable, predictable and practical official and commercial measures.

"Contract Sanctity is the unquestioned centerpiece of sound commercial practice," Martin added. "Likewise Contract Sanctity is unquestioned as fundamental to providing for improvements in food availability, economic stability and growth through sustainable production and marketing practices."

]]> Thu, 05 Aug 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=63
"America's farmers and ranchers play an important role in improving our environment, and for nearly 25 years, CRP has helped this nation build sound conservation practices that preserve the soil, clean our water, and restore habitat for wildlife," said Miller. "Today’s announcement will help us create a greener and healthier America, and I encourage all interested farmers and ranchers to contact their local FSA office to learn more how to take advantage of this opportunity."

CRP is a voluntary program that assists farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers to use their environmentally sensitive land for conservation benefits. Producers enrolling in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers in exchange for rental payments, cost-share, and technical assistance. CRP protects millions of acres of America's topsoil from erosion and is designed to improve the nation's natural resources base. Participants voluntarily remove environmentally sensitive land from agricultural production by entering into long-term contracts for 10 to 15 years. In exchange, participants receive annual rental payments and a payment of up to 50 percent of the cost of establishing conservation practices.

By reducing water runoff and sedimentation, CRP also protects groundwater and helps improve the condition of lakes, rivers, ponds and streams. Acreage enrolled in the CRP is planted to resource-conserving vegetative covers, making the program a major contributor to wildlife population increases in many parts of the country. As a result, CRP has provided significant opportunities for hunting and fishing on private lands.

Land currently not enrolled in CRP may be offered in this sign-up provided all eligibility requirements are met. Additionally, current CRP participants with contracts expiring this fall covering about 4.5 million acres may make new contract offers. Contracts awarded under this sign-up are scheduled to become effective Oct. 1, 2010.

FSA implements CRP on behalf of Commodity Credit Corporation. FSA will evaluate and rank eligible CRP offers using an Environmental Benefits Index (EBI) for environmental benefits to be gained from enrolling the land in CRP. The EBI consists of five environmental factors (wildlife, water, soil, air and enduring benefits) and cost. Decisions on the EBI cutoff will be made after the sign-up ends and after analyzing the EBI data of all the offers.

Those who would have met previous sign-up EBI thresholds are not guaranteed a contract under this sign-up. In addition to the general sign-up, CRP's continuous sign-up program will be ongoing. Continuous acres represent the most environmentally desirable and sensitive land. For more information, visit http://www.fsa.usda.gov/crp.

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer and lender. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call (800) 795-3272 (voice), or (202) 720-6382 (TDD).

]]> Mon, 26 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=64 8:30 AM
VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#

I. Call to order
II. Roll call
III. Approval of Agenda
IV. Handler Election Logistics
V. Ballot Design
VI. Closed Session, if necessary
Closed session, if necessary, pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding personnel issues.

VII. Return to open session/announce action taken, if any
VIII. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. All meetings of the California Wheat Commission are open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Tue, 20 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=65
Robert Cattolica, professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering at UC San Diego, heads a team of UC Davis and Berkeley researchers that is converting biomass waste streams into power and alternative biofuels. The new biofuels may help reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly in California.

Both scientists are recent recipients of UC Discovery Grants, which support innovative research with matching funds from UC and industry collaborators. From food and fuel to medicines and microprocessors, the grants hope to produce valuable products and technology that may help people in California and beyond for years to come.

This summer, UC awarded 27 Discovery Grants, totaling $5.8 million, to researchers at seven UC campuses. Industry partners will pitch in an additional $9.1 million.

"One of the goals of the Discovery Grant program is to accelerate the transfer of discoveries and technological advancements to California industry, so that the public benefits from the research as soon as possible," said Mary Croughan, executive director of the Research Grants Program Office at the UC Office of the President. "At the same time, we hope to build lasting relationships between UC researchers and industry partners to enhance the state's economy and address critical problems facing California."

Among the awarded projects this year are:

A UC Berkeley project with PG&E, which will develop strategies to reduce the company's carbon emissions and develop a model that other utility companies can follow.
A UC Irvine collaboration with Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research and Development to study novel drug targets for the treatment of schizophrenia.
UCLA researchers are developing more reliable electronic circuits and systems for Internet networking and wireless communications.
UC Riverside scientists will seek a new laboratory technique to more rapidly detect viruses and diseases that threaten the citrus industry.
UCSF researchers will work with GE Healthcare on magnetic resonance imaging technology to better monitor and treat diseases such as brain tumors, multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis and prostate cancer.
Healthier wheat

Dubcovsky, who leads the UC Davis Wheat Breeding and Wheat Molecular Genetics Laboratories, will partner with the California Wheat Commission with his second Discovery Grant. The aim is not only to make wheat more hearty and nutritious, but also to maintain its long-term productivity and improve the market value of California wheat.

Dubcovsky is noted for identifying and introducing valuable genes into wheat varieties with molecular breeding techniques. He was part of a team that cloned a gene that increases protein, iron and zinc in wheat, which provides about 20 percent of all the calories people consume worldwide. This June, he reported studies that could lead to a strain of wheat that could better tolerate freezing temperatures.

With the help of a 2006 UC Discovery Grant, Dubcovsky identified genes that protect wheat from stripe rust, a disease that has caused severe crop losses in California and in other wheat-growing regions. The genes have been transferred into several California wheat varieties, providing stripe rust resistant option for growers throughout the state.

"Without programs like the UC Discovery Grant, this research and knowledge would never get out of the laboratory," said Dubcovsky. "Now, we can transfer and advance the research so it benefits growers and consumers."

Bread and pasta wheat are important crops for the California economy as they are grown on approximately 800,000 acres, providing an annual crop value of $300 million, which is then multiplied several times by the milling, baking, tortilla and pasta industries, said Dubcovsky.

With a new Discovery Grant, Dubcovsky will focus on improving the nutritional value of California pasta and bread wheat, including increasing the concentration of resistant starch in the grain. This could improve dietary fiber and perhaps even make eaters feel full and cut down on overall calorie intake. New research also hopes to increase the grain protein concentration in wheat and discover new high grain protein genes that can help breed better varieties of wheat.

"Constant research is needed to stay ahead of disease that may harm crops, and we need to keep up with consumer demands for new, better and more nutritious varieties," said Lawrence Hunn, chair of the California Wheat Commission. The commission, funded by wheat growers and, supports research to improve wheat quality and market development to provide growers with more outlets.

"Our partnership with UC researchers has always been critical to the viability of the wheat industry in California," said Hunn. "We look forward to this next phase of collaboration."

Making fuel from waste

Not far from Davis, in Woodland, is the product of another UC Discovery Grant: a new prototype research facility that can convert five tons of forest, urban or agricultural waste to up to 500 gallons of alternative liquid transportation fuels.

The plant, owned by UC partner West Biofuels, was built using technology developed in collaboration with engineers at UC San Diego, Berkeley and Davis. It employs a process called "thermochemical gasification," which uses steam, sand and catalysts to convert wastes – many that end up in landfills – into biofuels. Cornstalks, almond shells, forest trimmings and even the solid waste from the local McDonald's could help power a vehicle or generate electricity, said UC San Diego's Cattolica, principal investigator of a Discovery Grant awarded four years ago.

More than 100 million tons of biomass is generated in California every year. "This technology will tap a huge, energy-rich resource that is now literally going to waste," said Cattolica.

The beauty of this biofuel is that when waste stream biomass material is used to produce ethanol, burning the fuel in internal combustion engines has almost zero net effect on the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, he said. On the other hand, burning fossil fuels continually adds carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, to the atmosphere.

If the new technology proves successful and economical, West Biofuels could eventually build a commercial-size plant that could process up to 300 tons of biomass to produce 30,000 gallons of alcohol fuel a day. That's enough to fill more than three typical gasoline tanker trucks.

In the meantime, Cattolica and the other UC researchers have added new partners, including the California Energy Commission. At the Woodland Biomass Research Center, they will study fuel properties and productions processes to measure the plant's performance.

It is crucial research, as California is mandated to reduce its greenhouse gas emission from transportation fuels over the next few decades, while the jury is still out on the best ways to produce the necessary alternative biofuels. Some current methods, for example, use crops grown on valuable and vast acreage, which is costly in resources and dollars.

"We will offer an honest analysis of the feasibility of this process for the conversion of waste biomass to power and liquid transportation fuels," Cattolica said. "That's part of our role at UC – to assist industry in meeting California's energy needs with environmentally and economically sound technologies and to offer the best information to guide state policymakers."

Andy Evangelista is the research coordinator for the UC Office of the President Strategic Communications Department. For more information, visit the UC Newsroom or follow us on Twitter.]]> Mon, 19 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=24 July 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=66 Crop Production Report July 2010]]> Fri, 09 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=51 July 2010 FSA Newsletter]]> Thu, 01 Jul 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=67
Involvement in the California Wheat Commission enables California producers to take a more active role in national wheat organizations and wheat policymaking bodies. A qualified producer member or alternate is defined as any person who is engaged within this state in the business of producing wheat for market during any of the preceding three marketing seasons, and who must reside or conduct farming operations in the district in which the election is to be held.

Interested individuals are encouraged to contact the California Wheat Commission to obtain a nomination petition. To be included on the ballot, completed nomination petitions and handler expression of interest must be returned to the Commission no later than July 20, 2010.]]> Wed, 30 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=68 Harvest 2010 Estimate
According to USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, "The California winter wheat production will be 798 thousand tons, 6 percent above last year. The 380 thousand acres expected to be harvested for grain is 20 percent above last year. The yield is expected to average 2.10 tons per acre, 12.5 percent below last year.

"California's Durum wheat production is forecast at 331 thousand tons, down 35 percent from last year. The yield is forecast at 3.15 tons per acre. If realized, this will tie a record in California. Cool weather during the growing season delayed crop development and the start of the wheat harvest by about 10 days. No major quality or disease issues have been reported."

The Commission received its first crop quality samples from the Imperial Valley and will be collecting samples from the San Joaquin Valley starting next week. Each year, the Commission collects samples, tests them for quality, and publishes detailed reports for durum, hard red and hard white wheat.

Klamath Basin Crop Insurance Issue
For several years, the Commission and CAWG have been urging USDA to allow Klamath Basin growers to be included in the Oregon-Washington region for crop insurance purposes. Many growers in this region farm on both sides of the border and utilize Portland as their primary market outlet. California growers often faced disparities in pricing that worked to their disadvantage. We are very pleased to report that USDA recently announced a change in policy to now include the counties of Lassen, Modoc, Shasta, and Siskiyou in the northwest region.

UC Davis and Commission Awarded UC Discovery Grant
The UC Discovery Grant program, which funds innovative research throughout the UC system, recently awarded a second four year grant to Dr. Jorge Dubcovsky, wheat breeder at UC Davis. This research will focus on finding ways to:

• Improve the nutritional value of California pasta and bread wheat varieties by increasing the concentration of resistant starch in the grain.
• Improve the market value of California wheat varieties by increasing their grain protein concentration (GPC) and quality.
• Discover new high-GPC genes and develop molecular markers to accelerate their deployment into advanced breeding lines and commercial varieties.
• Improve consumer safety and avoid the exclusion of California durum wheat varieties from international export markets by reducing Cadmium (Cd) levels.

The Commission, as sponsor, will provide $480,000 over 4 years. The State of California will provide $336,000. A primary mission of the CWC is to support research to improve wheat quality in California. We are pleased to receive the additional funding from California.

UCCE Precision Agriculture Seminar in Davis on July 14
UC Extension is presenting a seminar on the applicability of site specific management (SSM) for California agriculture. SSM integrates geospatial technology with agronomic practices to maximize yield and minimize inputs. This day-long seminar will present both the theory and the practical application of SSM. For more information and registration: http://ucanr.org/sites/paica/Agenda/]]> Tue, 22 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=25 June 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Mon, 14 Jun 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=69 Impact of Weather on California Wheat Crop
As you all know, California has experienced unusual weather during the current growing season, so we requested comments from around the state to assess the likely impact of the weather on the timing of the harvest and the crop quality and yield. Here is what we heard, from north to south:

J.W. Cope, Handler Commissioner (Alternate), Tulelake: "At times it seems the winter of 2010 continues in Siskiyou and Modoc county. We have experienced sub freezing temperatures and damaging winds that desiccated an already cold and water stressed emerging crop. Several fields have been replanted after some of the more damaging wind events. Most of the spring planted cereals were or will be planted 2 to 3 weeks late due to uncertainties over irrigation supply and the untimely occurrence of rain and snow showers. Few of the spring cereals are beyond the 5 leaf stage as our daily high temperatures have rarely exceeded 55 degrees. Our planted acreage will be reduced and will reflect a noticeable switch from wheat to barley. We are projected to receive reduced irrigation deliveries which are subject to further curtailment if protected species prescribed lake and river flow levels are jeopardized. Much of the available irrigation water will be first allocated to perceived higher value potato, onion, alfalfa and mint crops. At this time, it is very difficult to judge the quality or quantity of our crop."

Lee Jackson, At-Large Commissioner: "Cool May temperatures are delaying crop maturity in the Central Valley and lengthening the grain-fill period. On balance, this should result in higher yields. Extra moisture at this time of the season, however, is not desirable. It prolongs the activity of pathogens such as the stripe rust fungus and, if significant amounts of rain occur and cooler than normal temperatures persist, sprout damage (and low falling numbers) could result. The Central Valley crop looks about 1-2 weeks late this season."

Alan Freese, Commissioner (Alternate), Solano County: "It is hard to tell, but my gut feeling is that we will be later harvesting, and we will start to see some weeds come up in the grain, as it opens up do to maturing. I do believe that the harvest will be later. As far as sprouting in the head, I don't think that the wheat in this area is mature enough for that to happen, and probably have not had enough late rain to cause a problem."

Jeremy Freitas, Commissioner, Fresno County: "I think weather issues have not had a significant effect on yields and most growers in my district are expecting good yields and good quality. Many growers are finishing their last irrigation and have used less water this year than in years past due to the cool temperatures and late rains. The wind has had had some affect as far as lodging or laying the wheat down which might cause minor problems with growers who were planning on stripper harvesting. Other than a few minor issues growers seem optimistic about 2010 wheat results."

Mike Holdsworth, Handler Commissioner, Visalia: "Cool damp spring usually tends to help yields ( if disease not present) but might possibly lower proteins. Increase in acres of Joaquin should help off set proteins of some of lower protein varieties in past few yrs. Falling #s shouldn’t be a problem in SSJV maybe in NSJV or Sac valley, HWW varieties tend to have a greater problem with falling #s sprout damage. Generally speaking harvest will be behind. Probably wk of 6/7 before we get really going. Some dryland trying to start this week, but rain in forecast for next couple of days."

Roy Motter, Commissioner, Imperial County North: "Yields on wheat so far have been above normal. I think that the cool weather in April and May have helped yields. (5 to 10 percent?) The only quality issue we seem to be having is lower than normal protein. This is due in part to higher yields, high fertilizer prices, low wheat price and to some degree to the rains that we had early in the season where growers were unable to water run fertilizer. We have no other quality issues here in the desert, as we have not had any rain since early in the season. Due to the cooler weather harvest just got started in the last week, which is delayed a week or two. This delay will have no impact."

Ron Rubin, Commissioner (Alternate), Imperial County North: "Our durum wheat crop started strong last week. Yields are above average while protein was below average through last week. This week protein has come up to average. I suspect the 3 inches of rain we had in January did not allow normal fertilizer applications in the irrigation water had something to do with the lower protein. The market is based on feed prices so much of the non-contracted crop will go to the feed yards."

Francisco Maciel, SRA II, UCE, El Centro: "This year's weather conditions didn’t affect much to my plots in fact the first irrigation on plant, we had to skip it. The rainy days on January 18,19 and 21 made delay the irrigation for about two weeks. Other than that, the weather worked on our side this time. The yields this year will be better than last year. I am still taking weight data on my samples. I will have the yields and test weight information ready in two more weeks since I harvested my plots on May 17th 2010."]]> Thu, 27 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=70 Where: UC Davis Agronomy Field Headquarters
*Bonus: 6 CE hours applied for

The University of California Cooperative Extension and Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis, is pleased to announce the Small Grains and Alfalfa Field Day to be held on the Agronomy Farm, UC Davis Agronomy Field Headquarters, Hutchison Road, Davis.

Directions: Take Hutchison Rd. about 1/3 mile west from Hwy 113 in Davis. The agronomy field headquarters will be on the south side of the road.

The purpose of this field meeting will be to take a look at and discuss research trials and crop production issues in California related to forages and cereal grains. This will include variety trials, pest and disease updates, and weed control.

Agenda:

8:15 Registration (Coffee and donuts)
8:30 – Start Small Grains program

• Welcome and Introductions Jorge Dubcovsky
  
• California Small Grain Production, 2009 Disease Season- Phil Mayo UCD breeding program
  
• California Crop Improvement Association– Larry Teuber, Director, Foundation Seed and Certification Services
  
• Issues for California Wheat – California Wheat Commission. Janice Cooper

9:30 – Noon – Field Tour

• Introducing Novel Quality traits– Jorge Dubcovsky, UCD wheat breeder/geneticist
  
• New UC Wheat Varieties – Jorge Dubcovsky, UCD wheat breeder/geneticist
• Promising UCD lines for future common wheat and durum wheat variety releases. Oswaldo Chicaiza
• Drought tolerance Study– UCD PhD students and Ljupcho Jankuloski & Iago Lowe
• Discovery and deployment of new stripe rust resistance genes. Iago Lowe
• Foundation Seed program increases of new varieties. Larry Teuber
• Lynn Gallagher Barley and Oats breeding programs
• Collaborators Quality program – Jorge Dubcovsky, UCD wheat breeder
• Statewide Germplasm Development and Evaluation – Wheat & Triticale, Durum, and Barley – Phil Mayo Wheat and Barley Regional Testing program coordinator

Noon: Lunch

Many Thanks to CCIA for their sponsorship!!!

Start Alfalfa program

]]> Wed, 19 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=26 May 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Thu, 13 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=71 Crop Production Report May 2010
]]> Tue, 11 May 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=72
The 2008 Farm Bill authorizes the national loan rates for the 2010 crops of wheat, feed grains and oilseeds at these levels:

Wheat - $2.94 per bushel
Corn - $1.95 per bushel
Grain Sorghum - $1.95 per bushel
Barley - $1.95 per bushel
Oats - $1.39 per bushel
Soybeans - $5.00 per bushel
Other Oilseeds - $10.09 per hundredweight for each "other oilseed"

As required by the 2008 Farm Bill, these 2010 national loan rates reflect increases for wheat, barley, oats and each "other oilseed" relative to the corresponding 2009-crop levels. For corn, grain sorghum and soybeans, the 2010 national loan rates are established at the same levels as those authorized for the 2009 crop.]]> Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=73 Overview of 2010 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program]]> Tue, 20 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=74 2010 California Wheat Variety Survey is now posted. This is an estimate of wheat planted in the fall, winter, and spring of 2009 and 2010 for harvest in 2010. ]]> Mon, 19 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=27 April 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Tue, 13 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=76
The agreement includes joint research and development in the areas of native and genetically modified (GM) traits, hybrid wheat and the combination of seeds and crop protection to accelerate plant yield performance, according to Syngenta.

"Syngenta and CIMMYT are both committed to transforming wheat production worldwide, by creating new technology platforms which set unprecedented standards for yield and quality," said John Atkin, Syngenta chief operating officer, Crop Protection. "We will bring together our complementary assets, capabilities and geographic focus to increase the productivity of wheat in a sustainable way, through cooperation on defined projects. We look forward to linking each other's comparative strengths and advancing technology faster and more efficiently than we could on our own."

According to Syngenta, the agreement will leverage the company's genetic marker technology, advanced traits platform and wheat breeding for the developed world, along with CIMMYT's access to wheat genetic diversity, global partnership network, and wheat breeding program targeted to the developing world.

"Global wheat production is increasing at only 0.9% each year," said Hans-Joachim Braun, director of CIMMYT's Global Wheat Program. "This is a very critical issue as global demand is growing at 1.5% or more annually. Combined with the impacts of climate change, we must avoid the risk of another food crisis and ensure farmers across the world are equipped to meet the demands of a rising world population. Partnerships like this can greatly benefit the world's farmers, rich and poor."

Syngenta's company officials said they expect the partnership to strengthen the company's global presence and reinforce its position in the global commercial wheat seeds market. According to CIMMYT, the partnership will strengthen the center's ability to use world wheat genetic resources and cutting-edge technologies to develop robust wheat varieties for disadvantaged farmers in developing countries and public research systems worldwide.]]> Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=75
Thirty-nine days (39) remain to submit all signatures for a 2010 DCP Contract, submit ACRE Elections and all ACRE contract signatures or to revise shares on either.

Please contact our office immediately at (530) 662-3986 x 2 if you need to report your crops or initiate your contract.

UPCOMING DEADLINES:

4/30/2010 2010 fall-seeded acreage reporting deadline

5/31/2010 Memorial Day – office closed

Final availability date for 2009 corn, rice, grain sorghum, safflower, sunflower, soybean, cotton and mustard seed marketing assistance

loans and LDP's

6/01/2010 Deadline to submit signatures and revise shares for 2010 DCP/ACRE contracts

Deadline to request a 2010 farm reconstitution

7/05/2010 Office closed in observance of Independence Day

7/15/2010 2010 spring-seeded acreage reporting deadline

8/01/2010 NAP Application Closing Date – 2011 fall-planted seed and multi-planting crops

Deadline to request a 2010 farm reconstitution – but only for non-participating farms or DCP/ACRE farms that were enrolled by the June 1st

deadline

Deadline to submit nominations for COC Local Administrative Area 1 election

9/01/2010 NAP Application Closing Date – 2011 garbanzo bean, forage seed, value loss and controlled environment crops

9/06/2010 Labor Day – office closed

]]> Tue, 06 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=78 1:00 p.m.
VIA TELECONFERENCE
Access Number Participant: 1-800-377-8846
Participant Passcode: 59148433#
I. Call to order
II. Roll call
III. Approval of Agenda
IV. Approval of Minutes from January 18, 2010 Meeting
V. FY 10/11 Financials
VI. Upcoming Agenda items for Board meeting 4/14/10
VII. Closed Session, if necessary
Closed session, if necessary, pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding personnel issues.

VIII. Return to open session/announce action taken, if any
IX. Scheduling for next meeting
X. Adjourn

All agenda items are subject to discussion and possible action. For more information, or to make a request regarding a disability-related accommodation for the meeting, please contact Cymantha Fredrickson at the Commission office at 530-661-1292 or cfredrickson@californiawheat.org. Requests for disability related modification or accommodation for the meeting should be made at least 48 hours prior to the meeting time. All meetings of the California Wheat Commission are open to the public and subject to the Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act. All interested parties are invited and encouraged to attend the meeting. This notice and agenda is available on the Internet at http://www.californiawheat.org.]]> Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=77 Sacramento, CA
Wednesday, April 14, 2010
10:00 a.m. 4:00 p.m.

I. OPENING BUSINESS
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of Guests
D. Approval of Agenda
E. Approval of January 20, 2010 Meeting Minutes
F. Commissioner Reports - Commodity Classic and Crop Reports

II. Administrative Items
A. District 5 - Approval of Commissioner Nomination Petition
B. Nominations for At-Large and/or Public Member Alternate Position
C. Staff Reports
D. Handler Audit
E. Formation of Audit Committee

III. UC Research and Field Report
A. Jorge Dubcovsky, Phil Mayo, Kent Brittan
B. Technology Transfer / Foundation Seed
C. Small Grains Position and UCCE

IV. FY 09/10 Financial Report
A. Assessment History
B. Lab Income
C. FY 09/10 Income/Expense Report and Cash Flow Statement

V. FY 10/11 Budget Proposal

VI. Closed Session
Closed session pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed Session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126(e).

Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any.

VII. Approve FY 10/11 Assessment Rate
VIII. Approve FY 10/11 Budget
IX. CAWG Report
X. USDA Report
A. ACRE - Jeff Yasui (Invited)
B. RMA - Update on Klamath Basin

IX.Set Next Meeting Date]]> Fri, 02 Apr 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=28 March 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=29 February 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Fri, 12 Feb 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=79
USW commissioned the study with funding from the USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Market Access Program. Dr. Harry M. Kaiser, the Gellert Family Professor of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell and director of the Cornell Commodity Promotion Research Program (CCPRP), designed and conducted the research using established methods he and the CCPRP team developed.

"The study showed that U.S. wheat export promotion had a large and beneficial impact for producers and the economy that far exceeded its cost," Dr. Kaiser said. "One of the econometric models we used showed that the overall average revenue benefit to the entire wheat industry from the combined producer and FAS expenditures was estimated to be about $115 for each dollar spent." The study also predicted that increasing the promotion investment has the potential for even greater returns to wheat producers, the wheat supply chain, and the U.S. economy.

Dr. Kaiser quantified the impact of wheat export promotion through a model that accounts for several factors affecting commodity export demand. The study determined that cutting promotion by 50 percent between 2000 and 2007 would have reduced wheat exports by 17.1 percent, a total export loss equal to almost 1.4 billion bushels or almost 172.7 million bushels per year. The value of that loss was determined, then compared to total wheat export promotion cost to calculate a series of benefit-to-cost ratios (BCR). The producer BCR from the total promotion cost averaged 11.5 to 1. Because producers contributed about half the total in checkoff dollars and in-kind support, the BCR for their half of the spending averaged about 23 to 1.

"Our organization is accountable to wheat producers and other taxpayers who fund the market development work we do," USW President Alan Tracy said. "Dr. Kaiser’s research methods are well respected, so we are very confident about the analysis and very pleased with the results." Tracy said the findings were similar to results from a study USW commissioned five years ago showing that wheat exports would decline by 28 percent with no promotion investment, and to a study FAS conducted in 2006.

USW will use additional results from the study to help plan and manage its future activities. The organization has posted full study results on its Web site, www.uswheat.org.

U.S. Wheat Associates is the industry’s market development organization working in more than 100 countries on behalf of America's wheat producers. The activities of USW are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions, in-kind support, and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. To qualify for federal funds, USW is required to prepare and submit an annual, comprehensive Unified Export Strategy that details specific market development plans for every country and region. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org or contact your state wheat commission.

New Study Shows 23-to-One Return on Producer Wheat Export Promotion

ARLINGTON, VA. (January 29, 2010) -- U.S. wheat producers invested an average of about $10 million per year to promote their products overseas between 2000 and 2007, and for every one of those dollars they received $23 back in increased net revenue. That is the principal conclusion of a new economic analysis of wheat export promotion released today by U.S. Wheat Associates (USW), the wheat industry’s export market development organization.

USW commissioned the study with funding from the USDA/Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) Market Access Program. Dr. Harry M. Kaiser, the Gellert Family Professor of Applied Economics and Management at Cornell and director of the Cornell Commodity Promotion Research Program (CCPRP), designed and conducted the research using established methods he and the CCPRP team developed.

"The study showed that U.S. wheat export promotion had a large and beneficial impact for producers and the economy that far exceeded its cost," Dr. Kaiser said. "One of the econometric models we used showed that the overall average revenue benefit to the entire wheat industry from the combined producer and FAS expenditures was estimated to be about $115 for each dollar spent." The study also predicted that increasing the promotion investment has the potential for even greater returns to wheat producers, the wheat supply chain, and the U.S. economy.

Dr. Kaiser quantified the impact of wheat export promotion through a model that accounts for several factors affecting commodity export demand. The study determined that cutting promotion by 50 percent between 2000 and 2007 would have reduced wheat exports by 17.1 percent, a total export loss equal to almost 1.4 billion bushels or almost 172.7 million bushels per year. The value of that loss was determined, then compared to total wheat export promotion cost to calculate a series of benefit-to-cost ratios (BCR). The producer BCR from the total promotion cost averaged 11.5 to 1. Because producers contributed about half the total in checkoff dollars and in-kind support, the BCR for their half of the spending averaged about 23 to 1.

"Our organization is accountable to wheat producers and other taxpayers who fund the market development work we do," USW President Alan Tracy said. "Dr. Kaiser’s research methods are well respected, so we are very confident about the analysis and very pleased with the results." Tracy said the findings were similar to results from a study USW commissioned five years ago showing that wheat exports would decline by 28 percent with no promotion investment, and to a study FAS conducted in 2006.

USW will use additional results from the study to help plan and manage its future activities. The organization has posted full study results on its Web site, www.uswheat.org.

U.S. Wheat Associates is the industry’s market development organization working in more than 100 countries on behalf of America's wheat producers. The activities of USW are made possible by producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions, in-kind support, and cost-share funding provided by USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. To qualify for federal funds, USW is required to prepare and submit an annual, comprehensive Unified Export Strategy that details specific market development plans for every country and region. For more information, visit www.uswheat.org or contact your state wheat commission.]]> Fri, 29 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=30 January 2010 Wheat Outlook]]> Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT http://216.235.169.207/news/detail.asp?newsID=80 Board Meeting
CA Farm Bureau Building
Sacramento, CA
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
10:00 a.m.

I. Opening
A. Call to Order
B. Roll Call
C. Introduction of new Executive Director Janice Cooper
D. Introduction of Guests
E. Introduction of Commissioners - planting estimates in respective regions
F. Approval of Agenda
G. Approval of October 28, 2009 Teleconference Meeting Minutes

II. Commissioner Position
A. District 9 – Fresno County -- Approval of Commissioner Nomination Petition

III. CWC Statute
A. Bylaw Changes
B. At-Large Members /Public Member - Nominations

IV. FY 09/10 Financials and Administrative
A. FY 09/10 Income/Expense Report
B. Cash Flow Statement
a.Explanation of Cash Flow Items (follow-up from last meeting)
C.Valuation of pro bono Lab Services
D.Staff Reports

V. Old Business / Trip Reports
A. Follow-up from August 27, 2009 meeting
B. Grain Foundation – Update
C. U.S. Wheat Meeting – Utah
D. Collaborator Meeting

VI. California Association of Wheat Growers (CAWG) Report

VII. Research
A. UC Discovery Proposal
B. Planting conditions and status for UC Regional trials

VIII. Priorities for the California Wheat Commission

IX. Closed Session
Closed session, if necessary, pursuant to California Government Code 11126(a) regarding the appointment, employment, evaluation of performance, or dismissal of an employee.

Closed session, if necessary, regarding pending litigation pursuant to Government Code Section 11126 (e).

Return to open session and announce action taken in closed session, if any

X. Future Meeting Dates
XI. New Business
XII. Adjournment]]> Fri, 08 Jan 2010 00:00:00 GMT