DPR PLANS NEW RESTRICITONS ON 2 FUMINGANTS 4/26/07 The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) will impose new restricitons on 2 fumingants to prevent drift incidents and injuries in farm fields and neighborhoods. By fall, DPR will put additional controls on metam-sodium and metam-potassium. DPR will hold public workshops in May and accept written comments through June on the new restricitions. The proposed restricitons include extended buffer zones, pre-application notification for sensitive sites, and English and Spanish warning sign to warn worker in adjacent farm fields. More information on the proposal, how to comment and workshop information can be found by clicking here . 2006 CALIFORNIA GRAPE ACREAGE 4/12/07 The California office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released a report showing the state's 2006 grape acreage totaled 860,000 acres. California's 2006 wine-type acreage is estimated at 527,000 acres with 47,000 acres non bearing. Table-type acreage is estimated at 93,000 acres with 10,000 non bearing and raisin-type grapes totaled 240,000 acres and 6,000 were nonbearing. The entire Grape Acreage Report, including acreage byvariety and county, can be accessed by clicking here . CHEMICAL SECURITY REGULATIONS 4/12/07 The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued interim regulations that impose comprehensive federal security regulation for high risk chemical facilities. The rule establishes standards for chemical facilities to prepare Security Vulnerability Assessment Assessments or Alternate Security Programs. The rule will become effective on June 30, 2007 and will impact ag dealers that handle listed chemicals in amounts over the threshold listed. Anhydrous and aqua ammonia, ammonium nitrate, urea and many ag chemicals are on the list. If your dealership handles these materials you will be required to complete the Chemical Security Assessment Tool Top Screen to determine the amount of compliance that will be required. This information will be required 60 days following the effective date of the regulation. More information on this requirement will be forth coming, but dealers and others should review the information on DHS website regarding compliance, go to http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/laws/gc_1166796969417.shtm for the regulations and http://www.dhs.gov/xprevprot/programs/gc_1169501486197.shtm for information on the Chemical Security Assessment Tool. ROUNDUP READY ALFALFA HEARING 4/11/07 Harry Cline reports in the Western Farm Press that the hearing on preliminary injunction banning the sale of Roundup Ready alfalfa seed is scheduled April 27 in U.s. District Court for the Northern District of California. To read Harry's article click here.
MOSAIC REPORTS 2007 THIRD QUARTER RESULTS 4/10/07 The Mosaic Company (NYSE: MOS) announced net earnings of $42.2 million, or $0.10 per share, for the quarter ended February 28, 2007. These results compare with a reported net loss of $71.6 million, or $0.19 per share, for the same period a year ago. Year-to-date net earnings were $217.1 million, or $0.49 per share, compared with $59.5 million, or $0.14 per share, during last year's nine-month period. Mosaic experienced strong Potash sales in the third quarter compared to weak results a year ago, but stated that, "our costs were unacceptably high, especially for Phosphates, and it is an area of great focus for us. Selling prices have increased during the past two months which should result in substantially improved performance during our fourth quarter." For a copy of the news release click here. INLAND TERMINAL ARTICLE IN CAPITAL PRESS 4/7/07 Read Elizabeth Larson's article in the Capital Press by clicking here . CALIFORNIA VEGETABLE REVIEW 4/6/07 The California National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has released California Vegetable Review April 6,2007. The report estimates the California processing tomato production at 12.0 million tons, up 20 percent from last year. The contracted acreage for 2007 is estimated at 305,000 acres, compared to a total acreage of 283,000 acres in 2006. You can view the report by clicking here. DPR PROPOSES CHANGE IN PCA QUALIFICATIONS 4/3/07 The California Department of Pesticide Regulation has proposed regulations to revise the minimum quaifications for persons applying for a pest control advisers licenses for the first time. The proposed regualtions and other information are available by clicking here. The comment period ends on April 30, 2007. AGRIUM ACQUIRES EQUITY POSITION IN CHINESE FERTILIZER COMPANY 4/3/07 Agrium Inc. (TSX and NYSE: AGU) announced on April 2, 2007 that it has acquired a 19.6 percent equity position in a Chinese specialty fertilizer company, Hanfeng Evergreen Inc. (Hanfeng) for C$6.22 per share or US$63-million. In addition, Agrium has the opportunity to participate in a proposed joint venture between Hanfeng and PetroChina Ningxia Petrochemical Company (PetroChina). It is expected that this joint venture will build and operate Sulphur Coated Urea (SCU) plants in Ningxia and the surrounding provinces. For more information click here . GROWERS COMPETE FOR FERTILIZER SUPPLIES 4/2/07 The "Capitol Press" has an article by Cecillia Parsons that addresses the issues of spring fertilizer supplies in California. Things could be tight and Friday's crop planting projections could make it even tighter with the Midwest corn crop being one of the largest ever. Click on title to read the article. PROSPECTIVE PLANTING REPORTS 4/2/07 U.S. farmers intend to plant 15 percent more corn acres in 2007, according to the Prospective Plantings report released on March 30, 2007 by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). Producers plan to plant 90.5 million acres of corn, the largest area since 1944 and 12.1 million acres more than in 2006. You can go to the USDA New Release by clicking on http://www.nass.usda.gov/Newsroom/2007/03_30_2007.asp. NASS also released the "California Prospecitve Planting Report" on March 30, 2007. It contains projections for most field crops grown in the state. All types of corn planting will be up to 620,000 acres, rice intentions are at 532,000 acres and winter wheat is at 550,000 acres. One of the more interesting trends it that upland cotton intentions are at 210,000 acres down 26 percent and expected pima is at 250,000 acres, down 9 percent. To read the California report click here . INLAND TERMINAL OPENS 4/2/07 Inland Terminal's public liquid fertilizer storage facility in Woodland, CA is now open. It has 3.6 million gallons of storage, four load out bays and around the clock service. The strategic location in Woodland offers esy access from Interstate and allows deliveries to be made throughout Northern Californina in a timely manner. You can reach the terminal at (53)662-5442. The article on Inland Terminal that that appeared in the Woodland Daliy Democrat is available at http://www.dailydemocrat.com/search//ci_5531433.
|
