YOUR SOURCE FOR CAWG AND INDUSTRY NEWS. FOR CAWG MEMBERS ONLY.
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Penn State Researchers Examine Potential Economic Impact of Spotted Lanternfly
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Pennsylvania State University economists recently released a report highlighting the potentially severe economic consequences to the state if spotted lanternfly (SLF) is not contained. According to the report, if SLF spreads throughout Pennsylvania, then expected overall economic losses would be $324.9 million annually. Under a worst-case scenario, economic losses could increase to $554 million, with a loss of nearly 5,000 jobs. The university said the report is the first of its kind to estimate the financial impact of SLF.
While live SLFs have not yet been found in California, the
California Department of Food and Agriculture
and University of California researchers are on high alert for the destructive pest. They are encouraging growers and the public in general to be on the lookout and report sightings to officials. The adult pest is often drawn to the
tree of heaven
, which is frequently found in industrial areas and transportation corridors, such as along train tracks.
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Government Relations Report
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PROP 65 WARNING LABEL (DOES IT MEAN ANYTHING ANYMORE?)
Nearly 34 years ago, voters approved
Proposition 65
to require California businesses to post warnings about significant exposures to chemicals that cause cancer.
Proponents of Prop 65 argued
polluters “expose us to extremely toxic chemicals without our knowing it. The health of innocent people is jeopardized.” With that scare, Prop 65 was approved and the Prop 65
warning label industry
was born.
To enforce Prop 65, the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA) regularly publishes
a list of chemicals
it deems to cause cancer. Today, that list is 22 pages long. Interestingly, the list includes
medications
that are used as part of cancer treatment.
Today, Prop 65 warnings are found at the entrance of most public buildings and on containers of products that most of us use or consume every day. Consequently, most people ignore the labels stating that a product or place contains a chemical that is “known to the state to cause cancer and birth defects or other reproductive harm.”
It is doubtful that this is what the voters envisioned in 1986.
NEW WOTUS RULE: NAVIGABLE WATER PROTECTION RULE
The White House this morning announced adoption of its long-awaited redefinition of waters protected by the Clean Water Act. According to White House staff, the final rule defines “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) jurisdiction based on features that have an actual surface water connection with traditional navigable waters and territorial seas.
The Obama administration used a more far-reaching WOTUS definition. That rule was revoked last year, and it has now been replaced by today’s narrower definition. Under the new rule, the Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. EPA will have jurisdiction over four basic categories of waters:
- Traditional navigable waters and territorial seas.
- Tributaries that have perennial or intermittent flow in a typical year.
- Lakes, ponds and impoundments of traditional navigable waters.
- Wetlands that abut jurisdictional waters or are separated only by a natural berm or artificial barrier that allows a regular or continuous surface water connection.
In California
, this action will shift primary permitting authority over many waters and wetlands to the State Water Resources Control Board (board). Last year, the board adopted a program to regulate discharges to wetlands and other “waters of the state.” This new state program, which takes effect in May, protects ag land but also covers all surface waters and groundwaters in California.
Clark Morrison of Cox, Castle & Nicholson contributed substantially to this brief summary. cmorrison@coxcastle.com
-Michael Miiller / michael@cawg.org / 916-379-8995
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New Cost Studies for Mechanized Winegrape Production
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Four studies showing the cost and benefit of nearly full mechanization on winegrape production in the southern San Joaquin Valley were published last month by the University of California Agricultural Issues Center. The studies estimate the cost of establishing a vineyard and producing winegrapes, focusing on cabernet sauvignon, chardonnay, rubired and colombard. The authors considered mechanical pruning, leafing, shoot thinning and harvest on a typical winegrape vineyard with the average production level for that region, according to UCCE viticulture advisor George Zhuang.
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New Paper on CA Cropland and Irrigated Land Trends Since 1959
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A new paper from the Giannini Foundation for Agricultural Economics looks at California’s changing land use patterns dating back to 1959. Comparing acreage stats for 1959 and 2017, there were reductions in three categories: Land in farms (36.9 million in 1959 to 24.5 million in 2017), total cropland (13 million to 9.6 million) and harvested cropland (8 million to 7.9 million). Irrigated land increased from 7.4 million to 7.8 million. Specialty crops’ share of irrigated land increased substantially, from 30.6 percent in 1959 to 65.3 percent in 2017. Nuts and
grapes
registered the most substantial acreage increases over the total period. For total grape acreage, winegrapes comprised 48 percent in 1997 and 67.6 percent in 2017.
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Wine Shipments to Consumers Reach Record $3.2B in 2019
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Wineries shipped more than $3.2 billion worth of wine directly to consumers last year, according to the
2020 Direct-to-Consumer Wine Shipping Report
. The annual report examines detailed shipment data from more than 1,000 wineries to U.S. consumers each month. The three most active regions for DtC shipments are Napa County, Sonoma County and the Central Coast. “Despite some signs of maturation, the DtC channel remains the most dynamic and promising sector of the wine business,” Andrew Adams said.
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REMINDER! Sign Up for Crop Insurance by Friday, Jan. 31
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Many growers view crop insurance as their most important risk management tool. If you are planning to purchase winegrape crop insurance,
you must sign up no later than Jan. 31
to have coverage for the 2020 crop year. For more information, visit the
CAWG website
or contact Greg Merrill at Pan American at (559) 492-5384.
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CAWG is Hiring: Part-time Staff Position
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CAWG is seeking an administrative assistant to join our four-person team. The position is part-time, hourly and reports to the president. Please click
here
for the full job description.
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Providing creative, integrated solutions for our beverage and agricultural industry partners with quality packaging products and supply chain services
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CAWG's preferred partner for insurance products for more than 20 years. Group workers' comp, wine industry package, federal crop insurance, employee benefits...and more. For more information: 209-955-2600 or
email
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Providing the very best California crop insurance services.
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UNIFIED WINE & GRAPE SYMPOSIUM
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Final Days to Secure Sponsorship and Ad Opportunities!
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For more information about remaining opportunities to promote your business or brand, please contact Jenny Devine at
jenny@cawg.org
or 916-379-8995.
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Keynote Speaker: Jeff O'Neill, CEO and Founder of O'Neill Vintners & Distillers
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WHEN:
Feb. 4
WHERE:
Cal Expo, Sacramento
>
REGISTER
: Separate registration ($75 for CAWG members). Includes lunch and wine.
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Winegrape Growers of America Leadership Luncheon
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EVENT HIGHLIGHTS
- Keynote speaker: Dr. Jean-Marie Cardebat, full professor of economics, University of Bordeaux.
- Rich Smith Distinguished Service Award presentation.
CAWG members and their guests are invited to attend.
WHEN:
Wednesday, Feb. 5 / 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
WHERE:
Cal Expo, Club House, 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento
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California Ag Leadership Program Seeks Applicants for Class 51
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Represent the wine industry as a member of the California Agricultural Leadership Program! Dozens of CAWG member employees are alumni of the program, an advanced leadership development experience for mid-career ag professionals. Applicants must be growers or individuals working in allied businesses or organizations. The 17-month program (October 2020 to February 2022) includes about 55 days of formal program activities. This includes monthly seminars, as well as national and international travel seminars. Interested candidates are encouraged to attend recruitment events and talk with alumni about the program.
Phase one applications are due April 27.
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Friday, Jan. 24
Sonoma Grower Meeting: Tax Laws
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HOSTS:
CAWG, Sonoma County Winegrowers and the Sonoma County Farm Bureau
WHERE:
Sonoma County Farm Bureau, 3589 Westwind Blvd., Santa Rosa
PRESENTED BY:
Robert Murphy and Henrietta Bodi, Frank Rimerman + Co LLP
TOPICS:
Important tax factors that directly impact ag businesses and families, as well as tax-related deductions for those impacted by recent wildfires. Several other topics will be discussed, and CAWG will also give a state and federal update.
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VINEYARDS & WINE
January
Wine Spectator, Jan. 22
Press release, Jan. 21
Press release, Jan. 20
Growers besieged by low prices looking for higher margins in almonds. Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter interviewed.
Western Farm Press, Jan. 17
The grocer has rolled back the price from $2.99 to $1.99, the brand’s original price. The price cut is permanent, but only in California stores.
LA Business Journal, Jan. 10
AGRICULTURE
This was Trump’s third straight year speaking at the convention.
White House, Jan. 19
AgNet West, Jan. 15
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2020 Sonoma County Grape Day
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WHEN:
Feb. 6 / 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. (continental breakfast at 7 a.m.)
WHERE:
Santa Rosa Veterans Memorial Building, 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa
ABOUT:
UCCE and UC Davis experts will provide research-based information important to the production of coastal winegrapes.
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Current Wine and Winegrape Research
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WHEN:
Feb. 11 / 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
WHERE:
UCD Conference Center 550 Alumni Lane, Davis
ABOUT:
Researchers will give 20-minutes presentations on current winegrape and enology research.
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CSWA Sustainable Winegrowing and Certification Webinar
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WHEN:
Feb. 12 & 25, March 10 & 18 / 10-11:30 a.m.
Free webinar to learn about the California Sustainable Winegrowing Program (SWP), how to complete a self-assessment using the online portal, and the steps required to become Certified California Sustainable Winegrowing.
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