8-9-2023
Despite summer heat, a cooler season delays winegrape harvest
North Coast vineyards are preparing for a late winegrape harvest after a cold and overcast spring slowed fruit growth in the prized wine region. Local growers say this could be the coolest start to a Napa Valley winegrape season in many years, with harvest by at least three weeks. “I don’t think we’ll get busy until mid-September,” said Jim Pratt, owner of Cornerstone Certified Vineyard in Sonoma County. With a late harvest, growers must manage their grapes through fall months that bring the potential for damaging rains and devastating wildfires.
Farmers get a chance to weigh in on milk pricing at Aug. 23 federal hearing
Nearly five years after joining the federal milk marketing order, California dairy farmers will have a chance later this month to weigh in on proposed changes to how milk should be priced, with potential impacts to their take-home pay. An Aug. 23 hearing was scheduled after the U.S. Department of Agriculture received an initial proposal from the National Milk Producers Federation. The organization contends that the dairy marketplace has changed substantially since the federal milk pricing system saw its last comprehensive revision in 2000.
California lawmakers introduce bill to improve federal disaster aid for farmers
Federal lawmakers from California have introduced legislation to create permanent disaster relief for U.S. farmers who lose crop revenue due to unprecedented climate events, including severe drought, massive wildfires and flooding. The Agricultural Emergency Relief Act was announced last week by U.S. Sens. Alex Padilla and Dianne Feinstein and Democratic Rep. Mike Thompson of Napa and Republican Rep. Doug LaMalfa of Richvale. The Act would fortify emergency relief programs and enable Congress to appropriate supplemental disaster funds.
Edward Spang takes over at Mondavi Institute at UC Davis
The acclaimed Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science at University of California, Davis, has a new director. Edward “Ned” Spang took over the post Aug. 1, replacing Andrew Waterhouse, who retired in June after five years as director. Spang joined UC Davis 12 years ago as associate director of the Center for Water-Energy Efficiency. He’s been a faculty member with the Department of Food Science and Technology since 2015. The Mondavi Institute is home to the university’s winemaking, brewing and food science programs.
.svg.png?cacheid=0.9616018850896426)
