Your source for CAWG and industry news
May 5, 2016      
CALENDAR

May 10 (new date!)
Webinar: Heat Illness Prevention

May 11-12
CAWG Board of Directors Meeting, Sacramento

May 18
CAWG PAC Event, Templeton
 
May 22-24 
2016 National Grape and Wine Policy Conference, Washington, DC

June 14
Webinar: Food Safety Modernization Act - Wine Grapes

June 29
CAWG PAC Event, Santa Rosa
 
July 14
Webinar: Night Harvest Illumination

July 20
CAWG PAC Golf Tournament and  5th Annual Awards of Excellence Program & Dinner, Monterey 
 
July 21
CAWG Summer Conference, Speaker Program and Annual Business Meeting, Monterey
 
July 22
CAWG Board of Directors Meeting, Monterey

 
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THE FRONT PAGE 
Op Ed: Labor Bills Beg the Question - Has There Really Been Change?
In an op ed in the Lodi News Sentinel, San Joaquin County Farm Bureau Executive Director Bruce Blodgett shared his thoughts about the new minimum wage law and AB 2757 (ag overtime bill) and the negative impact they will have on agriculture. Regarding AB 2757, Blodgett urges readers to contact elected representatives to oppose the bill. "With these policies agriculture will have to adapt to the labor rules that mandate one and only one action, reduce our labor force," Blodgett wrote. "What these two policies (if AB 2757 passes) mean for agriculture is a drastic change and reduction in the need for labor and ultimately less production in the long run."

> COLUMN  
 

Labor Shortage Tops Survey from Wine Industry Symposium Group  
Early results of an  annual vineyard economics survey conducted by the Wine Industry Symposium Group reveal that the top four concerns from survey respondents include:  labor shortage (53.9% of respondents), i mpact of vineyard pests and diseases (35.5%), w ater availability (35.5%) and p olitical impact/fall election (25%).  Full results from the survey will be presented by David Freed at the 21st annual Vineyard Economics Seminar on May 25 in Napa. 



Modesto Bee Video: Winegrape Growers Work With Nature 
The Modesto Bee posted a 1-minute video and accompanying article about sustainable farming in a vineyard. The video features San Joaquin Valley Winegrowers Association Executive Director Peterangelo Vallis in a vineyard talking about soil, a good ecosystem and healthy vines.
 
> VIDEO


WATER NEWS
Strong Statewide Water Conservation Effort in March 
According to the State Water Resources Control Board, Californians continue to save a significant amount of water, with nearly 1.3 million acre-feet of water conserved (422.2 billion gallons) from June 2015 through March 2016. The percentage of water saved by the state's large urban water suppliers more than doubled from 12 percent in February to 24.3 percent in March, compared to the same months in 2013, which serves as the baseline for determining water savings. SWRCB said the increase was likely due to wetter weather and more seasonal temperatures, along with awareness that drought conditions could outlast existing water supplies.
 


Water Supply Challenges Discussed During Briefing at Fresno State
Hydrologic conditions, precipitation patterns, water project operations and groundwater conditions were highlighted at an April 26 briefing at Fresno State - "Water Year 2016: The Challenges of Water Project Operations." Speakers included officials from the Department of Water Resources and Bureau of Reclamation. Presentations ( posted online ) included State Water Project and Central Valley Project operations in 2016 and groundwater conditions in the San Joaquin Valley. The event was sponsored by DWR and the Water Education Foundation.
 


DWR Releases White Paper on Water Available for Replenishment of Groundwater
The Department of Water Resources released in April a white paper describing the technical and policy foundations that will guide the content of an upcoming report on water available for replenishment of groundwater. Under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, DWR is directed to publish the final report by the end of the year. DWR's initial estimates of available water will give groundwater sustainability agencies a starting point for projects that could help replenishment. 



Water Articles and Info 

CAWG EVENTS & PROGRAMS 
Make a Difference by Supporting CAWG PAC



A strong CAWG PAC is essential to ensuring that winegrape growers have a powerful and constant voice in Sacramento and Washington, D.C. Your continued support can have a positive impact on our industry. Please join us at upcoming fundraisers benefitting CAWG PAC > DETAILS

May 18 / 5-7 p.m.
Pomar Junction Vineyard & Winery, Templeton

June 29 / 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Balletto Vineyards and Winery, Santa Rosa 


Next CAWG Webinar: Heat Illness Prevention (New Date)
CAWG logo no words

NEW DATE!
May 10 / 10-11 a.m.
Heat Illness Prevention
Presented by Bryan Little, Farm Employers Labor Service (FELS)

Topics to be discussed include:
  • Access to water
  • Shade requirements
  • Weather monitoring and acclimatization
  • High heat procedures
  • Written procedures
  • Emergency response plan 
Temperatures are heating up, so make sure you and your employees are prepared! A Q&A will take place after the presentation.
 
 

June 14 / 10-11 a.m.
Food Safety Modernization Act-Wine Grapes 
Presented by Leila Bruderer, Downey Brand LLP

 
July 14 / 10-11 a.m.
Night Harvest Illumination
Presented by Amy Wolfe, AgSafe
 
TBD
Vineyard Tax Benefits
Presented by Robert Murphy, Frank, Rimerman and Co. LLP


Learn ~ Network ~ Grow
Attend the 2016 CAWG Summer Conference
CAWG logo no words
We hope you are planning to join us July 20-22 on the beautiful Central Coast. The three-day event is a great opportunity to learn from industry experts, network with members and industry colleagues, honor leaders...and have fun!

We will be hosting the 5th annual CAWG PAC Golf Tournament,  5th annual Awards of Excellence Program,  CAWG Speaker Program and 42nd Annual Meeting. 
 
REGISTRATION AND HOTEL: Visit the CAWG website. CAWG has negotiated a room rate of $209 at the Portola Hotel and Spa. The deadline to reserve a room at that rate is Tuesday, June 28.


UNIVERSITIES
UCD Receives Grant to Study Effects of Crop Insurance on Specialty Crops
UC Davis has been awarded a $474,000 grant for the research project, "Assessing Effects of Federal Crop Insurance on Supply of Specialty Crops." The goal of the study -- to be conducted by UCD agricultural economist Daniel Sumner -- is to contribute to a better understanding of the pattern of production of specialty crops, and in particular, the role of crop insurance in this pattern across crops and locations. According to a brief, most crop insurance studies focus on field crops. The commodities included in this research are perennial tree and vine crops, as well as annual vegetable, berry and melon crops and other horticultural crops. The grants were made through the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative Foundational program, administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture.
 

World Food Center Video: Precision Irrigation Key to Sustainable Vineyard Management
A short new video produced by the UC Davis World Food Center describes the importance of a new precision-irrigation system for customized watering of each vine in a winegrape vineyard. It features David Block of UC Davis and Toby Halkovich of Cakebread Cellars. The World Food Center, established in 2013, aims to increase the impact of research -- from economic benefits to shaping national and international policy and practice -- by convening innovators and leaders from industry, academia, government and nongovernmental organizations to tackle food-related challenges.
 
> VIDEO


IN THE NEWS

UPCOMING INDUSTRY EVENTS
Vineyard Team: Special Tailgate with Dr. Richard Smart
When: May 12, 10 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
Where: Scheid Vineyards, 1972 Hobson Ave., Greenfield
 
During this all-day seminar, viticulturist Richard Smart will give an update on the latest news in canopy management and present the timely trunk renewal (TTR) protocol for overcoming trunk diseases. TTR has been used successfully in Chile and Australia lengthening the economic lifetime of vineyards infected with trunk diseases such as Eutypa and Botryosphaeria. Smart believes this method could help grape growers in California as well. $75 members / $100 non-members.
 


2016 American Society for Enology and Viticulture National Conference
When: June 27-30
Where: Portola Hotel and Monterey Marriott, Monterey
 
The conference will have industry seminars, plus several enology and viticulture-related sessions. The keynote speaker is Dr. Carl Winter of UC Davis, who will present "Arsenic in Wine - A Scientific Perspective." On June 28 is the day-long Managing Water in California Vineyards Symposium, featuring a dozen expert speakers.