YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY. |
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Prelim Grape Crush Report Released |
The 2020 crush (winegrapes only) was 3,404,299 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed at 1,813,964 tons, down 15.9% from 2019. White wine varieties crushed totaled 1,590,335 tons, down 9.8% from 2019. Average prices for the 2020 crop were: red winegrapes, $791.33 per ton, down 22.4% from 2019; white wine grapes, $554.74 per ton, down 5.9% from 2019. In 2020, chardonnay continued to account for the largest percentage of the total tonnage crushed at 15.2%. Cabernet sauvignon was second with 14.1%.
The Grape Crush Report – Final 2020, to be published on March 10, will contain any late reports or corrections to the preliminary report. Please notify NASS of any corrections for the final report by Feb. 26, 2021.
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Crop Insurance Indemnities Paid to Winegrape Growers for 2020 |
USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) today reported the total amount of federal crop insurance indemnities paid to winegrape growers for 2020 wildfire losses stood at $142,786,570. The overwhelming majority of these losses were due to smoke damaged grapes. North Coast counties accounted for the greatest amount of paid indemnities. California-based RMA staff estimate the total of indemnities paid for 2020 losses will continue to climb, but will fall far short of total losses experienced by growers. Industry experts estimate 165,000 tons of California winegrapes, valued at over $600 million, went unharvested last year due to wildfires and smoke issues. |
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Legislation Aims to Substantially Boost CCC's Borrowing Limit |
A reintroduced bill would more than double the Commodity Credit Corporation’s annual borrowing limit to give USDA greater flexibility to maintain farm bill programs that support U.S. ag producers and stabilize domestic ag markets. The bill would raise the CCC’s borrowing authority from $30 billion to $68 billion. U.S. Rep. Austin Scott (R-Ga.) reintroduced the bill (H.R. 843) on Feb. 4 and it was referred to the House Ag Committee.
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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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PD/GWSS Board Update on 2020 Nursery Programs |
Nursery Stock Approved Treatment Program (ATP):
In 2020, there were 10,945 ATP shipments, consisting of approximately 2.62 million plants. No regulatory actions were taken against any ATP nurseries for viable life stages last year.
Nursery Regulatory Program:
In 2020, there were 40,800 nursery stock shipments to noninfested areas of the state. Origin county inspectors stopped seven GWSS adults, six nymphs and 55 egg masses from moving in nursery stock shipments. Almost all nursery shipments (99.99%) were free of GWSS during destination inspections. However, five enforcement actions (notices of rejection) were issued by receiving counties due to viable life stages of GWSS found in incoming nursery stock shipments.
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services. |
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Vit Tips: SJV Viticulture Newsletter |
- Fungicide application in young vineyards protect pruning wounds from grapevine trunk diseases and provides long-term economic benefit
- Effect of smoke on grape production in the San Joaquin Valley
- Pruning and trunk diseases
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Feb. 22: UCD Viticulture and Enology On the Road in Madera/Mariposa/Merced counties (virtual)
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Court Takes Cal/OSHA ETS Case Under Submission |
San Francisco Superior Court Judge Ethan Schulman today heard arguments from the ag coalition challenging the validity of the emergency temporary standard (ETS) for prevention of transmission of COVID-19 in the workplace. At issue today was the question of whether the rulemaking file for the ETS must include the staff report from the California Occupational Safety and Health Standards Board (board).
After much back and forth, Schulman asked the deputies from the Office of the Attorney General (AG) (representing Cal/OSHA and the board) to provide the staff report to the court today so that the court may consider it for purposes of deciding this case. The staff report recommends denying the petition to adopt the ETS.
Additionally, Schulman said he was surprised that the rulemaking file did not also include a copy of the original petition for adoption of an ETS. Consequently, Schulman also asked the AG to provide a copy of the petition to the court today.
Once Schulman receives this information from the AG, the case will be taken under submission and he will issue a ruling soon.
—Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
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Unions Seek Extended Emergency Paid Sick Leave |
The deadline for the California Legislature to approve the 2021-22 state budget is June 15. However, there are various early budget actions that may be approved in the next week or so. The most high-profile item is immediate financial support for school districts to help return kids to in-person classroom instruction as soon as possible.
Labor unions are also pushing COVID-19 emergency paid sick leave. They argue, “All forms of employer-provided COVID-19-specific emergency paid sick leave expired on Dec. 31, 2020, and workers have since been left with either inadequate or no rights to sick leave while recovering from COVID-19, quarantining following exposure, or caring for a family member sick with COVID-19.”
This push for additional benefits is happening at the same time the CDC has stated fully vaccinated people don't need to quarantine if exposed to COVID-19. Additionally, Dr. Anthony Fauci, science advisor to President Biden, yesterday said he is expecting widespread distribution of vaccines by as early as April. All indicators show that things are greatly improving relative to the pandemic.
Nonetheless, labor unions are trying to jam through paid leave requirements that would take effect immediately as part of an expedited state budget process that allows for minimal public debate and can be approved by majority vote. CAWG and other industry organizations believe this issue should be considered through the legislative process where legislative committees can hear public testimony and make an informed decision on the proposed public policy.
—Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / (916) 204-0485
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CA Congressional Lawmakers Want Farmworkers Prioritized with Vaccine |
Nine congressional Democrats from California this week sent a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom to request “vaccine distribution is equitable for all full-time and part-time residents and that there is a robust educational campaign for these essential workers to feel secure in seeking out and accepting the vaccine.” Reps. Jimmy Panetta, Jim Costa, Mike Thompson, John Garamendi, Josh Harder, Salud Carbajal, Juan Vargas, Nanette Diaz Barragan and J. Luis Correa signed on to the letter. Citing the disproportionate share of COVID-19 cases among farmworkers, the legislators stressed the importance of outreach to and prioritization of this essential workforce.
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COVID-19 Resources and Articles |
COVID19.CA.GOV
COUNTY DATA AS OF FEB. 9
Widespread (purple) = 53
Substantial (red) = 2
Moderate (orange) = 3
Minimal (yellow) = 0
CDPH
CAWG
NEW
Coachella passes a mandate to benefit field workers as well as those in grocery and restaurant jobs.
Los Angeles Times, Feb. 11
Ag Alert, Feb. 10
Press release, Feb. 10
Press release, Feb. 10
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Webinar on Proposed Registration Fee Increase |
DPR is hosting a webinar to share information, answer questions and receive feedback from registrants and other stakeholders on a proposal to increase registration fees to a level that supports the current and future business functions of the pesticide registration program. DPR has determined the current registration fees are not sufficient to support the ongoing work of the program.
WHEN: March 17 / 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. PDT
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CDFA Seeks Input on Climate Smart Agriculture |
CDFA is hosting Zoom meetings to hear from members of the ag industry and public on farmer- and rancher-led climate change solutions. Tree and vine (perennial) sessions will be Feb. 23 at 2 p.m. and Feb. 26 at 9 a.m.
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Second Annual US Sustainable Winegrowing Summit / April 19-21 |
The California Sustainable Winegrowing Alliance and regional winery and vineyard associations (including CAWG) are hosting a virtual summit to highlight some of the driving forces behind the increasing interest in sustainable winegrowing. Participants will learn about new ideas on how to bring sustainability education and outreach to vineyards, wineries, consumers and trade.
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VIDEOS & ARTICLES OF INTEREST |
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VIDEOS
California AgNet/American Vineyard Magazine, Feb. 11
California AgNet/American Vineyard Magazine, Feb. 9
The Public Policy Institute of California recently hosted a virtual event with state and local experts.
PPIC, Feb. 5
ARTICLES
NASDA, Feb. 8
USDA Economic Research Service, Feb. 5
White House, Feb. 2
Unified Symposium "attendees" sampled the varietals during a virtual tasting.
Wine Business, Feb. 1
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Check out the latest issue of The Crush!
Links will appear briefly in yellow highlight when you flip the pages.
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MARCH
APRIL
21 / CAWG Advocacy Day - virtual
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