YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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Nominations Due Sept. 10 for CAWG Grower of the Year and Leader of the Year |
Please take the time to nominate candidates you believe have made an impact on the winegrape industry.
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The Crush — September Issue |
The September issue was emailed to members yesterday. You can access the digital copy here.
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Reminder: Changes to CFAP 2 |
USDA last week announced it would be making changes to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 (CFAP 2). The updated version will change the CFAP 2 payment calculation to allow sales-based commodity producers to substitute 2018 sales for 2019 sales if they so choose. This can include 2018 crop insurance indemnities, 2018 crop year Noninsured Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) payments, and Wildfire and Hurricane Indemnity Program Plus (WHIP+) payments. Previously, producers were only allowed to use 2019 sales in their payment calculation.
The deadline to apply or modify an application for CFAP 2 is Oct. 12, 2021. Eligible producers can apply or modify an application by contacting their local FSA office.
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Crop Insurance Updates for Winegrape Growers |
CAWG member Pan American Insurance Services issued some important crop insurance reminders in this one-page article in The Crush. Article highlights:
- Grape crop insurance contract price updates: The USDA Risk Management Agency recently announced helpful updates to the grape crop insurance policy, two of which impact California winegrape growers. These changes will take effect for the 2022 crop policy.
- Crop insurance reminder: Reach out to your crop insurance agent to discuss any possible losses and report losses in a timely manner.
- Crop insurance claim calculation example.
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Download a crop insurance winegrape claims checklist.
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FAIR Plan Winery Coverage Update |
In a Sept. 2 memo to colleagues and partners, the FAIR Plan Association president wrote, “FAIR Plan has resumed offering basic insurance coverage for winery buildings and business personal property not involved with the growing and cultivating of grapes and crops. We recognize the critical need for this coverage and are pleased to be able to offer it again, as we simultaneously work to make additional farm coverages available.”
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Government Relations Report |
CLEANUP ON AISLE 12
Every year, the California Legislature takes up several bills that “clean up” bills from the previous year(s). One such bill this year is AB 654 (Reyes, D-Los Angeles), which proposed to clean up last year’s AB 685 (Reyes) requiring employers to report cases of COVID-19 in the workplace. However, the cleanup provisions in AB 654 would also have required the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) to publish worksite-specific information about COVID-19 outbreaks.
This was problematic, as this information cannot be kept up-to-date due to logistical delays in communications from local public health departments to the CDPH and eventual publication onto the state website. Moreover, it would have created a list of "bad businesses" – despite the employers’ inability to prevent outbreaks caused by employee behavior completely outside the workplace.
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COASTAL GRAPE GROWERS CAN USE LESS WATER DURING DROUGHT
A LOOK AT THE BERRY SHRIVEL PHENOMENOM
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Viticulture-Enology Virtual Seminars |
This free webinar series runs every Wednesday from Sept. 1 through Dec. 8 (excluding holidays). Dr. Luca Brillante, Fresno State Department of Viticulture and Enology, has assembled a great lineup of industry speakers. Visit the department’s website for registration and weekly updates.
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California Pollinator Coalition |
The California Pollinator Coalition this week held a quarterly meeting convened by the Almond Board of California, CDFA and the Pollinator Partnership. The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance is a founding member of the coalition and CAWG is an active participant.
The coalition’s goal is to increase habitat for wild and managed pollinators on California’s working lands. The coalition strives to meet this goal by providing a platform for shared learning and collaboration. Many winegrape growers are already creating a pollinator sanctuary plan. For example, this may include planting milkweed plugs to support monarchs. Milkweed is a subject of much debate, as it is a very expensive and challenging plant to grow. The coalition serves as a venue to explore milkweed and other habitat and to share information to help identify supportable, affordable and practical means to increase habitat.
CAWG is continuing to work with the coalition to help to provide information and identify resources for growers as this project moves forward. These include partnerships with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service-California, UC Davis and others. The coalition is relatively new and CAWG will provide more information to our growers in the months ahead.
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Podcast: Examining Plant Nutrient Mobility with Sap Analysis |
The Vineyard Team's Sept. 2 podcast highlights plant sap analysis, which gives farmers insight into how the plant can take up and mobilize nutrients. Learn more about sap analysis as well as research about the relationship between silica, iron and aluminum in grapevines.
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With over 30 harvests, the G3 Ag Team has deep experience in winegrape hauling. Our operational expertise and agile planning combine to provide responsive service for wineries and grape growers large and small. Click on image or here to view video.
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Visit the TTB disaster relief webpage to find information you may need if your facility or your products have been damaged in a wildfire or if you expect difficulty in paying your taxes on time. The webpage contains links to information that can answer many questions. You can also contact TTB at 877-882-3277 or online.
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"What If?" — September is National Preparedness Month |
The Ready.gov website offers numerous resources for families, businesses and communities. Emergencies can happen at any time, so it’s critical to ask “what if?” and start preparing your disaster/emergency plan.
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Wildfire Prevention and Forest Resiliency |
From the nonpartisan Legislative Analyst's Office:
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Press release, Sept. 2
Commentary by Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita), who claims Gov. Newsom has misled Californians about what the state has done to prevent catastrophic wildfires.
CalMatters, Sept. 1
Ag Alert, Sept. 1
Aug. 30
For wine and winegrapes (from Wine Institute).
Fire maps, details, resources and evacuation orders.
Updates and maps about impacted areas.
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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Articles & Resources
Cal Chamber, Sept. 1
Written by American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and a Missouri dairy farmer.
Des Moines Register, Aug. 26
Obtain a QR code and digital copy of your COVID-19 vaccination record.
Daily updates on COVID-19 stats and facts for California.
Links to resources.
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Sept. 3 Deadline to Comment on WOTUS Rewrite |
Farmers have until Friday, Sept. 3 to submit comments on the Biden administration’s plan to reconsider and replace the Trump administration’s Navigable Waters Protection Rule defining the term “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). As of Sept. 2, nearly 9,300 comments have been received.
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Drought and Reservoir Conditions |
ARTICLES
SF Chronicle, Sept. 1
Farmers and ranchers are working with lawmakers in a push to fund repairs and upgrades to California's existing water conveyance system.
Ag Alert, Sept. 1
CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is interviewed.
PBS Market to Market, Aug. 27
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Yolo County
Winegrapes were valued at $105 million in 2020, down from $108.1 million in 2019. Red varieties: 7,500 harvested acres (7,870 in 2019); 45,000 tons (47,100 in 2019); $844 per ton ($1,050 in 2019); and $38 million value ($49.5 million in 2019). White varieties: 11,700 harvested acres (11,200 in 2019); 105,300 tons (89,600 in 2019); $636 per ton ($655 in 2019); and $67 million value ($58.7 million in 2019). For acreage, chardonnay dominated as the top white (5,898), while petite sirah was the top red (1,620).
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Why U.S. winemakers are seeking out non-vinifera grapes
Wine Business, Sept. 2
Statement, Sept. 2
The importance of diagnostic testing for the management of viral diseases in vineyards.
Good Fruit Grower, Sept. 1
CalMatters, Sept. 1
Close-up video of live SLF. If you see them, officials say kill them!
Now This Politics, Aug. 28
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SEPTEMBER
10 / Nominations due for CAWG Grower & Leader of the Year — details
NOVEMBER
11 / CAWG Board of Directors meeting
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