August 29, 2019
YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY.
TOP NEWS ITEMS
Lawmakers and State Officials Attend CAWG's Night Harvest Vineyard Tour in Clarksburg
This week CAWG hosted a dinner and vineyard tour at Heringer Estates Family Vineyards and Winery in Clarksburg. This was a unique opportunity for growers and CAWG partners to meet with senators, assemblymembers, a county supervisor and state officials. The event, attended by more than 60 people, allowed growers to showcase how grapes are grown and harvested. We also discussed industry trends, mechanization, sustainability and how the 2019 harvest is progressing. A special thank you to Steve Heringer and his team for hosting the event at his beautiful new tasting room and vineyard, and to Tom Slater for organizing the event.
Government Relations Report
CAN WE AFFORD IT?
As the California Legislature debates thousands of bills every year, they – together with the Department of Finance (DOF) – review the bills and put a price tag on each bill. The purpose of this is to determine how much it will cost to implement the bill and the funding source to cover those costs.  
 
With that information, the Legislature, and later the governor, decide which bills move forward and which do not. Those decisions are to be made tomorrow. On Aug. 30, the Senate and Assembly Appropriations Committees will have a hearing to announce which bills are dead due to costs.  
 
AB 1783 (R. Rivas, D-Gilroy)  intends to reduce the regulatory burden in building ag worker housing. However, the  DOF states  the cost to the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) is $9 million annually. Without this funding, AB 1783 is unworkable for HCD. CAWG is opposed to the bill because it is unworkable for growers due to its complicated approach and how the bill differentiates between housing for H-2A and non-H-2A ag workers.
 
The Senate Appropriations Committee will consider these costs seriously as it determines whether AB 1783 should move forward. 


SPOTTED LANTERNFLY IN CALIFORNIA
Around 44 percent of non-native insects arriving in California were first established elsewhere in the country.  For example, the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) was likely introduced from Kentucky as eggs on nursery stock and was first observed in 1989 in Orange and Ventura counties.
 
Typically, when a bug shows up in California, swift action is taken to immediately contain and eradicate it. Oftentimes, by the time the bug is detected, it is unfortunately already widespread and hard to handle. GWSS spread quickly and was found to  present a significant threat to California vineyards .  
 
Recently a threatening new pest was discovered in California. Fortunately, the spotted lanternfly was dead and not in a vineyard. The discovery occurred during a Japanese beetle inspection of an airplane from Pennsylvania. The spotted lanternfly is already a serious problem in Pennsylvania and nearby states.  
 
It seems that it is only a matter of time before the spotted lanternfly will be in California vineyards, fields and orchards. This is because, while the bug is not a strong flier, it has spread rapidly. The movement happens when females glue their inconspicuous egg masses to vehicles, outdoor furniture or other objects. 
 
Should it reach California, the spotted lanternfly is viewed as a  significant threat, especially to winegrapes  and avocados. As an invasive pest in South Korea, the pest spread rapidly and  caused significant wilting, dieback and mortality of grapevines as it spread throughout the country in only three years .
 
The  Pierce’s Disease / Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board  is following this issue very closely and will take it up at its Nov. 13 meeting. At that point, the board will determine the appropriate steps to be taken.

-Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / 916-379-8995
Suisun Valley Association Petitions CDFA to Amend District Boundary
CAWG member Suisun Valley Vintners and Growers Association (SVVGA) this week sent a formal request to the California Department of Food and Agriculture to petition to amend the boundary definition of Grape Pricing District 5 in eastern Solano County. The effort is being filed on behalf of the association by Roger King, chair of the SVVGA Growers Committee. The last such amendment was on July 24, 1985. Read more about the effort in the following:


Alternatives to Chlorpyrifos Workgroup Seeks Input
If you are interested in following the progress of the Alternatives to Chlorpyrifos Workgroup or helping the state find alternatives, consider signing up on the Department of Pesticide Regulation’s list serve (click  here and select alternatives on the list). You will receive details about future conference calls, workshops, updates and more.
US, Japan Agree 'In Principle' on Major Trade Deal That Benefits Wine
The United States and Japan have struck a deal “in principle” that President Trump calls a “tremendous deal for our farmers and agricultural ranchers.” Trump and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe announced earlier this week that they will likely have a bilateral summit meeting during the United Nations General Assembly next month, and set a goal of signing the U.S.-Japan trade agreement. 

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer said, “Japan is our third-largest agricultural market. They import about $14 billion worth of U.S. products, and this will open up markets to over $7 billion of those products. In the agriculture area, [the agreement] will be a major benefit for beef, pork, wheat, dairy products,  wine , ethanol, and a variety of other products. It will lead to substantial reductions in tariffs and non-tariff barriers across the board.” 


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E. & J. Gallo Earns Spot on Forbes' Best Employers List
Forbes has released its first-ever list of  “America’s Best Employers by State” – which ranks businesses liked best by employees. Congratulations to CAWG member E. & J. Gallo, which came in at No. 10 in California (No. 72 in America). Two universities with wine and viticulture programs were also on the state list: Cal Poly San Luis Obispo (No. 28) and UC Davis (No. 44).

EDUCATION
Correction to Date
Sensor Technology Workshop Hosted by NGRA and USDA-ARS
The National Grape Research Alliance (of which CAWG is a proud member) and USDA's Agricultural Research Service (ARS) are hosting the  NGRA-ARS Sensor Technology Workshop in November. Nearly 30 scientists from ARS and other academic institutions will present their work developing sensor technologies for vine status and irrigation management, and pests and diseases, and the data integration and modeling applications that translate sensor outputs into usable information. A grower panel also will present their experiences implementing these technologies, reporting on their successes and reflecting on what they've learned. 

WHEN: **Nov. 13** / 7:30 a.m.
WHERE: Embassy Suites, 100 Capitol Mall, Sacramento
COST: $250


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RESEARCH
Study Shows Benefits of Oak Trees, Bats in Vineyards
New research shows that remnant oak trees in vineyards benefit grape growers by providing important habitat for pest-eating bats. University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension and U.S. Forest Service scientists studied how bats use blue oak and valley oak trees in Central Coast vineyards. “The study results suggest that the large oak tree in my vineyard not only increases the beauty and biodiversity of the agricultural landscape, but also attracts insect-eating bats that can provide natural pest control – a win-win,” said grape grower Jerry Reaugh in an article. The scientists hope growers will manage and preserve these trees in vineyards to support conservation. 


UC Davis Experts Investigate Cause of Sudden Grapevine Collapse
Six-minute interview with UC Cooperative Extension/UC Davis plant pathologist Akif Eskalen, who talks about what extension experts are doing to investigate mystery vine collapse. The issue is mainly occurring in the Delta/Lodi region, but is now showing up in Modesto, Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo regions.

> VIDEO
RESOURCES
Important Crop Insurance Policy Update
With a bountiful grape crop in most areas of California, and the potential that winery storage is at or near capacity, there have been concerns about the ability to market winegrapes. If you have a crop insurance policy: an important reminder is to please be aware that the inability to market grapes for any reason, other than actual physical damage from an insurable cause, is not covered under the policy.
 
If you suspect you will not be able to market your grapes, please contact your agent to discuss. Per the crop insurance policy provisions, if the crop will not be harvested, you must notify your agent or carrier within three days of the date harvest should have started. It is important to have your crop appraised in order to keep your policy production up to date. If the crop was damaged during the growing season and you previously gave notice to your agent, you must provide notice at least 15 days prior to the beginning of harvest. You must not destroy the damaged crop until after you have been given written consent to do so by your carrier. 

Please contact your agent with any questions or read more information from the  Common Crop Insurance Policy Basic Provisions or to further review your responsibilities in the event of a potential loss.
What to Do If Immigration Officials Come Knocking
A recent  CalChamber podcast featured CalChamber President Allan Zaremberg and UC Davis School of Law Dean Kevin Johnson discussing what employers are required to do if Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials raid a job site or ask to inspect records. Johnson is an expert on immigration law and policy.
IRS Launches New Tax Withholding Estimator to Help Taxpayers
The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is urging taxpayers to do a paycheck checkup using its  new tax withholding estimator . The online tool, which replaces the withholding calculator, offers a variety of new user-friendly features to help taxpayers ensure they have the right amount of tax withheld each year.

ARTICLES OF INTEREST
Vineyard & Wine
Growers express enthusiasm for grape quality amid compressed harvest.
Press release, Aug. 28

More than 3,800 acres were recently added as SIP Certified.
Press release, Aug. 27

See the Californians who made the list.
Wine Enthusiast, Aug. 22
Agriculture
Water
California introduced the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in 2014. But updating legal structures to accommodate evolving scientific knowledge involves far more than simply rewriting statutes, according to U.S. researchers. 
Physics World, Aug. 22

CALENDAR
November 7
CAWG Board of Directors meeting, Modesto