The County of Yuba Agricultural Commissioner – Weights & Measures 915 8th Street, Suite 127 – Marysville, CA 95901 LOUIE B. MENDOZA, JR.
(530) 749-5400 Fax (530) 749-5404
[email protected]
KEVIN ROUSH
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER DIRECTOR OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER DIRECTOR OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES
August, 2015 Karen Ross, Secretary California Department of Food and Agriculture
and
The Honorable Board of Supervisors, County of Yuba Mary Jane Griego, Chair Roger Abe Randy Fletcher John Nicoletti Andrew Vasquez
In accordance with the provisions of Section 2279 of the California Food and Agricultural Code, I am pleased to submit the 2014 Crop Report for Yuba County. This report represents estimated acreage, yield, and gross value of agricultural products in Yuba County. The gross value of Yuba County’s agricultural production for 2014 set another record at $276,749,000 surpassing the 2013 record value estimate of $234 million by 18%. The figures presented in this report are estimated gross values with no consideration of production costs and do not reflect net income to producers. There were significant changes for 2014 led by Walnuts (English), Rice, and Prunes. Walnuts continue to break records as increased acreage harvested and prices generated over $83 million in gross value. Rice remained the number two crop in the county at just over $62 million. With higher yields and prices, the 2014 Prune production value nearly doubled to $46.7 million, a significant increase compared to previous year low. With a $4 million increase in milk production value, 2014 proved to also be a good year for the Dairy Industry. The contribution of agriculture to the economy of Yuba County is not totally reflected in the values contained in this report. Processing, transporting, marketing, and other farm related services, directly or indirectly tied to agriculture, benefited appreciably as the agricultural industry returned over $1,126,368,000 to our local economy in 2014, or about $3 million a day. My sincere appreciation is expressed to everyone who contributed information with special recognition to staff who helped compile this report. Respectfully submitted,
Louie B. Mendoza, Jr. Agricultural Commissioner
Contents Yuba County, At a Glance ............................................................................................................ 1 Agriculture and Yuba County’s general plan ................................................................ 2 Overcoming Adversity The ShoEi Story ............................................................................. 3 LEADING AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES ............................................................................ 5 EXPORTS ................................................................................................................................................... 6 FRUIT and NUT CROPS .................................................................................................................... 7 FIELD and VEGETABLE CROPS ...................................................................................................... 8 CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKETS .................................................................................................... 9 ORGANIC FARMS ................................................................................................................................. 9 LIVESTOCK AND APICULTURE .................................................................................................... 10 TIMBER.................................................................................................................................................... 10 CROP ACREAGE HARVESTED ....................................................................................................... 11 FOUR-YEAR SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... 11 FRUIT and NUT CROP ACREAGE ............................................................................................... 11 RECAPITULATION.............................................................................................................................. 11 TOP CROPS and VALUES ................................................................................................................ 12 15 YEAR HISTORICAL COMPARISON ....................................................................................... 12 LAND USE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... 12 SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL REPORTING ........................................................................ 13 WEIGHTS and MEASURERS DIVISION ................................................................................... 14 Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer Summary of Activities ........................ 15 Tribute to Robert umino ........................................................................................................... 16
Yuba County, At a Glance One of California's original 27 counties founded on February 18, 1850, Yuba County is California’s gateway to the historic Mother Lode Country, with a diverse landscape that boasts grand rivers, thriving farmland, friendly communities and numerous recreational possibilities that extend into the Sierra foothills. Our communities have that small town feel so many people are seeking. With a population just over 70,000 people, residents enjoy relaxed living and affordable housing, while both ocean beaches and mountain skiing are only a couple of hours away. And the county’s border is just 30 minutes north of the State Capitol in Sacramento. Yuba County is home to Beale Air Force Base, our largest employer with more than 6,000 employees and provides an economic impact of over $481 million within the region. At the heart of the county is historic Marysville, bordered by the Yuba and Feather Rivers. And it’s only a short walk or drive from downtown Marysville to our vast Riverfront Park, where you will find boating, picnicking, several soccer fields and motocross tracks. To the south and east of Marysville, you will find a variety of communities including our newest community Plumas Lake with numerous local events, active theater and arts groups, social and service clubs and year round festivals and fairs. The Sleep Train Amphitheatre is our state-of-the-art center for outdoor concerts, and the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox, a minor league baseball team, makes its home in Marysville. Local golf courses include Peach Tree County Club and Plumas Lake Golf Course. Yuba County also enjoys an excellent school system and is home for Yuba Community College, which offers opportunities for higher education and personal enrichment. For those seeking an advanced degree, California State Universities at Chico and Sacramento and the University of California at Davis are all less than an hour away. Slip into the foothills of Yuba County and you will discover abundant recreational activities including boating, camping, and fishing. It’s just a short drive to Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir, Collins Lake, Lake Francis and over 25,000 acres of wildlife area that includes National Forest Land.
RAINFALL
Source location – Yuba County Airport
Season July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014 July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013
Population Median Household Income
Precipitation 10.50 19.61
73,340 $46,617
Households
24,307
Median Age
32.1
School Enrollment (K-12)
21,140
Educational Attainment (2008) Associate Degree Bachelor Degree or higher
10.2% 13.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2009-2011 American Community Survey
1
Normal 22.07 22.07
Agriculture and Yuba County’s general plan Approximately 278,943 acres, or 68 percent of
The contribution of agriculture to the economy of Yuba County is not totally reflected in the values contained in this report.
the total county area, are comprised of agricultural croplands and pasture. The value of agricultural land, however, is not limited to the provision of food, fiber and jobs. Agricultural land also provides open space which has both psychological provides
and
aesthetic
benefits,
and
wildlife
habitat.
The
important
importance of agricultural land preservation can,
Processing, transporting, marketing and other farm-related services directly or indirectly tied to agriculture benefited appreciably as the agriculture industry returned over $1,126,368,000 to our local economy in 2014, or about $3 million
therefore, be viewed from both an economic and environmental perspective. Yuba County recognizes the importance of agricultural land and the need to place an emphasis on its preservation. The County's desire to preserve its most valuable farmland and to support the economic viability of the agricultural economy is reflected in goals, objectives, policies and implementation strategies set forth in its General Plan. These goals, objectives, policies and implementation strategies are compiled and
per day.
presented in this section in order to allow the reader to quickly become familiar with the County's
commitment
to
agricultural
land
preservation.
2
Overcoming Adversity The ShoEi Story By Alan L. Greene, President & CEO ShoEi Foods, USA
“...fire of undetermined cause destroyed 192,647 square feet of processing and storage buildings…”
It would be an understatement to call the 2014-2015 ShoEi Foods, USA walnut harvest “unique.” First, it was the largest walnut volume received both for ShoEi and the California industry overall. Then there was the fire – which burned up our inshell processing building, equipment, and warehouses. Consequently we received the harvest in multiple locations in addition to our plant, and as the first deliveries came in we did not have covered warehouses to receive and store prior to processing.
of processing and storage buildings, along with 20,000 wood receiving bins. Over the next few days we determined what we would need at minimum to 1) receive the crop, 2) fumigate, process, and pack for inshell sales, 3) shell, process, and pack for kernel sales, and 4) store and protect the inventory when fall and winter rains arrived. Whatever our solution
On the night of May 31, 2014, a fire of undetermined cause destroyed 192,647 square feet
3
Thanks to the professionalism of our contractors, commitment by the County to save local jobs, and support of local businesses and our growers, we decided to commit to reopening in time for the new crop. Sunsweet stepped up and arranged for us to receive and warehouse some of the crop at their Colusa facility and Empire Ranch helped us with early shipments. We were able to open our new 53,300 sq. ft. inshell processing building in time to handle the majority of our global customers’ needs.
was going to be, we knew we only had 120 days before the first nuts would start to arrive. The first, quickest, and maybe easiest option was to outsource all the activities to other handlers in different counties. Then we could proceed to build out as time and resources allowed. ShoEi wanted to maintain our commitments to our customers, growers, employees, and local suppliers by keeping as much of the work here as possible. ShoEi had made a similar decision in 1997, after the flood covered the plant and destroyed our entire prune inventory. Our Japanese parent company committed to rebuild our prune operations on the same site to maintain our grower and community relationships.
To protect the nuts from rain, tents were constructed over the stacks of inventory bins, and we built warehouses over the top of those tents. Inshell operations were reestablished in record time thanks to a lot of helping hands and the hard work of our employees.
The morning of the fire, representatives from Yuba County were on site surveying the damage and the superb response by the local fire stations. Within a few days we had an onsite meeting with key County department heads that would be involved in any reconstruction. They committed to do whatever was possible to expedite the processes they managed so we could keep jobs here.
This “unique” harvest turned out successfully after all, with gratitude and appreciation to so many.
4
LEADING AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES
Rank 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
CROP Walnut Increased price Rice Increased price Prune/Dried Plum Increased price and yield Peach, Cling Increased price and yield Milk Increased price and yield Cattle and Calves Increase in price Kiwifruit Increased price and yield Pasture, All Increased price Almonds, All Increased price Timber Decrease in production
2013 VALUE 74,119,000
2014 VALUE 83,120,000
61,608,000
62,966,000
23,653,000
46,711,000
18,747,000
21,371,000
11,643,000
15,715,000
8,048,000
12,353,000
4,426,000
5,632,000
4,326,000
5,353,000
3,487,000
5,054,000
3,320,000
2,739,000
WALNUTS - MORE THAN 12 PERCENT INCREASE 5
IN 2014
EXPORTS The following commodities were exported directly from Yuba County. In addition, a number of Yuba County Phytosanitary export inspections are conducted and exported by other Phytosanitary certificate issuers. 215 shipments were inspected and Phytosanitary certificates issued.
CANTALOUPE, KIWIFRUIT, PEARS, PRUNES (fresh and dried), RICE, TIMBER (logs and burls), WALNUTS (in-shell and shelled) COUNTRIES OF EXPORT Australia Canada China Ecuador Finland Germany Hong Kong India Israel Italy Japan Republic of Korea Mexico
Netherlands New Zealand Saudi Arabia South Africa Spain Sweden Switzerland Taiwan Thailand Turkey United Arab Emirates Vietnam
6
FRUIT and NUT CROPS 1
PRODUCTION
CROP
YEAR
HARVESTED ACREAGE
Almond, Total
2014
847
PER ACRE
UNITS
5,054,000
2013
860
Almond, Nuts
2014
847
0.80
2013
860
0.80
Almond, Hulls
2014 2013
Kiwifruit
TOTAL
VALUATION (In U.S. dollars) UNIT TOTAL VALUE VALUE
3,320,000 678
TONS
7,300
4,946,000
688
TONS
4,700
3,234,000
847
TONS
128
108,000
860
TONS
100
86,000
2014
352
8.00
2,816
TONS
2,000
5,632,000
2013
337
7.10
2,393
TONS
1,850
4,426,000
2014
3,143
17.80
55,945
TONS
382
21,371,000
2013
3,694
14.50
53,563
TONS
350
18,747,000
Prune/Dried Plum
2014
7,583
2.80
21,232
TONS
2,200
46,711,000
2013
8,696
1.70
14,783
TONS
1,600
23,653,000
Walnut - English
2014
12,314
1.80
22,165
TONS
3,750
83,120,000
1.90
22,325
TONS
3,320
74,119,000
Peach - Cling
Misc. Fruit & Nut Crops
2
Total
2013
11,750
2014
1,004
4,953,000
2013
1,606
10,905,000
2014
25,243
166,841,000
2013
26,943
135,170,000
1
Rounding may alter totals/computations slightly.
2
Apple, Apricot, Blackberry, Cherry, Citrus, Table & Wine Grape, Nectarine, Olive(for Oil), Pear (Asian, European, Fresh, and Processing), Persimmon, Peach (Freestone), Plum/Pluot, fresh Prune, Pomegranate, Strawberry, and Other Miscellaneous Fruit.
7
FIELD and VEGETABLE CROPS 1
PRODUCTION
YEAR
HARVESTED ACREAGE
PER ACRE
TOTAL
CROP Hay, Alfalfa
2014
678
8.00
4,520
TONS
250
1,356,000
2013
565
6.50
3,673
TONS
197
723,000
2014
2,800
3.00
8,400
TONS
170
1,428,000
2013
1,600
1.90
3,040
TONS
120
365,000
2014
8,835
1.00
8,835
ACRES
140
1,237,000
2
Hay, Other
Pasture, Irrigated
Pasture, Dryland
Rice
3
3
4
UNITS
VALUATION (In U.S. dollars) UNIT VALUE TOTAL
VALUE
2013
9,300
1.00
9,300
ACRES
140
1,302,000
2014
187,110
1.00
187,110
ACRES
22
4,116,000
2013
189,000
1.00
189,000
ACRES
16
3,024,000
2014
38,988
4.25
165,669
TONS
380
62,966,000
4.40
171,134
TONS
360
61,608,000
2013
38,894
Misc. Field and Vegetable 5 Crops
2014
6,261
2013
5,523
7,974,000
Total
2014
244,672
78,143,000
2013
244,882
74,996,000
1 2 3 4 5
7,040,000
Rounding may alter totals/computations slightly. Includes Oat, Ryegrass, Sudan, and Grass Hay. Name change from Hay-All to Other as this category never included Alfalfa Hay The valuation is not an animal production figure, but a land value (rental equivalent). Revised 2013 acreage total. Corn-Grain, Corn-Silage, Miscellaneous Silage, Oat (Grain), Pumpkins, Safflower, Squash, Corn-Sweet, Corn-Ornamental, Wild Rice, Wheat, Miscellaneous Vegetable, Nursery, and Seed.
8
CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKETS 38 Certified Producers, 5 Farmers Markets Brownsville Certified Farmers Market 16796 Willow Glen Road, Brownsville June-September, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
Grange Certified Farmers Market 9765 Marysville Road, Dobbins May-December, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Doghouse Certified Farmers Market 2750 Highway 20, Marysville January-December, Sundays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Plumas Lake Certified Farmers Market Eufay Wood Park, Plumas Lake June-September, Tuesdays, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Marysville Certified Farmers Market Third & D Streets, Marysville May-August, Fridays, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
ORGANIC FARMS 14 Farms, 1,266 estimated acres Crops include Apple, Cherry, Citrus, Fig, Grape (table and wine) Herbs, Kiwifruit, Mushroom, Nectarine, Pasture (livestock), Olive for curing and oil, Peach, Pear, Pecan, Persimmon, Plum/Plout, Pomegranate, Prune, Rice, Walnut, Wild Rice and miscellaneous Vegetables
9
LIVESTOCK AND APICULTURE 1
PRODUCTION
CROP 1
Cattle and Calves
2
Sheep and Lambs
Wool, All
Milk, All
3
Pollinations
5
Total 1 2 3 4 5
YEAR
NUMBER OF HEAD
2014
11,500
12,353,000
2013
13,600
8,048,000
2014
4,000
95
LBS
1.70
646,000
2013
4,000
95
LBS
1.40
532,000
13,000
LBS
.80
10,000
TOTAL
2014
4
VALUATION (In U.S. dollars) UNIT VALUE
UNITS
VALUE
2013
13,000
LBS
1.00
13,000
2014
660,300
CWT
23.80
15,715,000
2013
586,250
CWT
19.86
11,643,000
2014
11,600
COLONIES
26.00
302,000
2013
11,500
COLONIES
25.
288,000
2014
29,026,000
2013
20,524,000
Revised 2013 Cattle, Calves, and Livestock number of head and total Revised 2013 Sheep and Lambs number of head and total Revised 2013 Wool production total and price Revised 2013 Milk total Revised 2013 production, unit value and total
TIMBER 1
VALUATION (In U.S. dollars) CROP
YEAR
Timber
2014 2013
1
PRODUCTION UNITS 10,353,000 15,326,000
BF – Thousand Board Feet
10
TOTAL VALUE 1
2,739,000
1
3,487,000
BF BF
CROP ACREAGE HARVESTED CROP
2014
2013
2012
2011
Fruit and Nut Crops Field and Vegetable Crops (including Nursery and Seed)
25,243
26,943
25,312
27,131
244,672
244,882
243,293
244,766
Total
269,915
271,825
268,605
271,897
2014 166,841,000
2013 135,170,000
2012 118,198,000
2011 113,740,000
78,143,000
74,996,000
68,695,000
71,974,000
FOUR-YEAR SUMMARY CROP Fruit and Nut Crops Field and Vegetable Crops (including Nursery and Seed) Timber
2,739,000
3,487,000
4,951,000
5,017,000
247,723,000
213,653,000
191,844,000
190,731,000
Livestock and Apiculture
29,026,000
20,524,000
21,012,000
22,164,000
Total Agricultural Value
276,749,000
234,177,000
Total Crop Value
212,856,000
212,895,000
FRUIT and NUT CROP ACREAGE ORCHARD AND VINE CROPS Almond Kiwifruit Misc. Fruit and Nut2 Peach, Cling Prune Walnut, English Total 1 2
BEARING 847 352 1,980 3,143 7,583 12,314 26,219
NON-BEARING1 449 12 85 80 810 4,094 5,530
TOTAL 1,296 364 2,065 3,223 8,393 16,408 31,749
2014
2013
166,841,000
135,170,000
78,143,000
74,996,000
2,739,000
3,487,000
Incudes acres not harvested due to economic or weather related reasons Apple, Apricot, Blackberry, Cherry, Citrus (including Mandarin), Grape (wine and table), Nectarine, Peach (freestone), Olive (oil), Pear (Asian Bartlett and other), Persimmon, Pistachio, Plum/Pluot, and Pomegranate
RECAPITULATION Fruit and Nut Crop Field and Vegetable Crops (including Nursery and Seed) Timber Livestock and Apiculture Total Agricultural Production
11
29,026,000
20,524,000
276,749,000
234,177,000
TOP CROPS and VALUES 15 YEAR HISTORICAL COMPARISON Rice
2000 $41,527,000
2001 $35,347,000
2002 $35,284,000
2003 $43,571,000
2004 $29,414,000
2005 $27,850,000
2006 $35,715,000
2007 $44,881,000
Peaches, Cling
$23,831,000
$19,265,000
$20,765,000
$21,289,000
$23,029,000
$22,988,000
$13,071,000
$16,677,000
Walnuts
$16,433,000
$17,017,000
$14,805,000
$18,706,000
$18,044,000
$21,605,000
$20,680,000
$32,403,000
Dried Plums
$24,336,000
$12,210,000
$19,983,000
$19,596,000
$6,929,000
$9,346,000
$45,051,000
$6,683,000
Cattle & Calves
$15,539,000
$15,999,000
$17,129,000
$14,996,000
$16,933,000
$12,654,000
$6,592,000
$12,654,000
Almonds, All
$1,123,000
$1,046,000
$1,024,000
$2,098,000
$2,227,000
$3,986,000
$3,144,000
$3,012,000
Kiwi
$2,243,000
$2,709,000
$3,118,000
$1,429,000
$3,184,000
$3,818,000
$3,663,000
$3,335,000
$13,930,700
$8,203,000
$5,604,000
$8,097,000
$10,037,000
$4,215,000
$4,837,000
$5,014,000
$7,944,000
$9,649,000
$7,652,000
$8,569,000
$10,733,000
$9,818,000
$8,043,000
$12,890,000
$146,906,700 $121,445,000
$125,364,000
Timber Milk Totals
$138,351,000 $120,530,000 $116,280,000 $140,796,000 $137,549,000
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Rice
$81,995,000
$78,341,000
$70,522,000
$61,925,000
$57,114,000
61,608,000
62,966,000
Peaches, Cling
$11,781,000
$21,470,000
$20,100,000
$14,759,000
$17,652,000
18,747,000
21,371,000
Walnuts
$17,494,000
$27,476,000
$35,311,000
$55,938,000
$59,476,000
74,119,000
83,120,000
Dried Plums
$20,760,000
$27,588,000
$27,728,000
$28,548,000
$25,719,000
23,653,000
46,711,000
Cattle & Calves
$8,969,000
$5,827,000
$5,851,000
$6,757,000
$7,970,000
8,048,000
12,353,000
Almonds, All
$1,382,000
$1,491,000
$2,090,000
$2,798,000
$2,869,000
3,320,000
5,054,000
Kiwi
$3,362,000
$3,713,000
$3,607,000
$3,056,000
$4,496,000
4,426,000
5,632,000
Timber
$2,514,000
$2,606,000
$2,934,000
$5,017,000
$4,951,000
3,487,000
2,739,000
$10,975,000
$9,363,000
$11,323,000
$14,722,000
$12,496,000
11,643,000
15,715,000
$159,232,000 $177,875,000 $179,466,000
$193,520,000
$192,743,000 $209,051,000
255,661,000
Milk Totals
LAND USE SUMMARY Category Prime farmland Farmland of statewide importance Unique farmland Grazing land Urban and built-up land Other land Water area Total acres
2012 Acres 39,947 10,854 32,395 140,782 14,065 167,341 6,629 412,013
12
2010 Acres 39,485 10,829 32,224 141,509 14,026 167,313 6,629 412,015
2008 Acres 41,371 10,975 32,606 141,639 13,669 165,126 6,629 412,012
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL REPORTING BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AND PEST MANAGEMENT Pest
Agent/Mechanism
Scope of Program
Ash White Fly Siphoninus phillyreae
Stingless Wasp Encarsia nr. inaron
Found in general distribution throughout county
Puncture Vine Tribulus terrestrius
Stem and Seed Weevils Macrolainus lypriformis, Macrolainus Larenyii
Found in general distribution throughout county
Yellow Star Thistle Centaurea solstitialis
Bud Weevil Bangasternus orientalis
Found in most areas of the county
Seedhead Gail Fly Urophora sirunaseva
Found in most areas of the county
Seedhead Fly Chaetorellia spp.
Found in most areas of the county
Hairy Weevil Eustenopus villosus
Found in most areas of the county
Yellow Star Thistle Rust Fungus Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis
Two monitored sites
Klamath Weed Hypericum perforatum
Klamath Weed Beetle Chrysolina quadrigemina
Found in general distribution throughout county
Red Gum Lerp Psyllid Glycaspis brimblecombei
Encryrtid Parasitoid Wasp Psyllaephagus bliteus
Found in general distribution throughout county
Skeleton Weed Chondrilla juncea L.
Herbicide Application
Three sites
Silverleaf Nightshade Solanum elaeagnifolium AKA-White Horsenettle
Herbicide Application
One site
Russian Knapweed Acroptilon repens (L.) DC
Herbicide Application
Two sites
Agent/Mechanism/Activity
Scope of Program
Mechanical, Herbicide application.
Monitoring sites
PEST ERADICATION Pest Hydrilla Hydrilla verticillata
PEST EXCLUSION 1,135 UPS, U.S. Postal and other shipments were inspected. Four articles rejected and/or destroyed due to various pests.
13
WEIGHTS and MEASURERS DIVISION Since 1915 consumers in California have relied upon county Weights & Measures officials, (Sealers) to provide “Equity in the Marketplace” essential to the stability of California’s economy. As the recognized local regulatory agency the Yuba County Weights & Measures Division protects consumers and businesses engaged in local commerce, by inspecting devices and packaged goods, auditing Weighmaster operations, and enforcing petroleum regulations. County Sealers enforce the California Business and Professions Code, and the California Code of Regulations. Sealers annually inspect a wide variety of commercial devices including: gasoline dispensers, propane, water meters, hydrocarbon vapor meters, and scales from the smallest used for buying gold, to ones used in your grocery store, and all the way up to the largest for weighing vehicles. After inspection and testing, the Sealer will affix a Seal, (pictured left) to the device indicating to the consumer that the device can be relied upon for accuracy. Yuba County currently has 177 registered establishments with 2,019 various commercial devices shown below: Fabric/Cordage/Wire Meters LPG (Propane) Meters/Trucks Misc. Measuring Devices Dorman/Portable Platform Scales Retail Motor Fuel Meters Retail Water Meters Prescription/Jewelry Scales Monorail Meat Beam Scale
7 27 14 31 848 27 7 2
Computing Scales Counter Scales Livestock Scales Compressed Natural Gas Vehicle Meters Hanging Scales Elec., Vapor, Water Sub-meters Vehicle Scales
165 13 8 2 13 14 796 45
Ensuring equity in the marketplace involves more than inspection of devices, so the Business and Professions Code has a section dedicated to Quantity Control. Sealers enforce regulations of packaged goods by inspecting packages to determine the accuracy of net weight, measure, or count. Package labels are inspected for conformity to regulations. Weighmaster operations are an essential part of California’s commerce. Weighmaster Certificates are recognized as legal documentation of quantities which businesses and individuals rely upon as the basis of payment. Sealers routinely audit Weighmaster operations to verify correctness of certificates, proper weighing procedures, and compliance with the California Business and Professions Code. Another large part of the duties of county Sealers is the strict enforcement of petroleum advertising and labeling regulations. Sealers routinely visit gas stations to conduct petroleum inspections along with the testing of motor fuel meters for accuracy. Consumer complaints on gas purchases as with all other programs are given high priority and are investigated within 24 hours of receipt. Noncommercial weighing and measuring device accuracy is often as much or more critical than the tolerances applied for commercial devices. The Sealer is often called on to test devices / scales that are used by engineering firms, state and county departments, medical facilities and various sporting events from fishing to wrestling.
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Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer Summary of Activities Programs
Hours
Description
Apiary
68.5
The apiary program serves to protect crops in need of pollination through colony strength inspections. It also serves to protect colonies through the registration and notification process.
Crop Statistics
815.5
The purpose of the crop statistics program is to collect agriculture production statistics for private businesses and governmental agencies. Crop statistics are also used to assist in disaster assistance, ag land use and planning issues.
Fruit Nuts and Vegetable
879
The purpose of the fruit, nut, and vegetable program is to ensure the consumer is offered fresh, healthy properly labeled, and packaged agricultural commodities through enforcement of State standards pertaining to fruits, nuts, vegetables, honey, and eggs sold at wholesale and retail outlets including certified, noncertified farmers markets and organic programs throughout Yuba County.
Nursery
94
The goal of the nursery program is to provide consumers with pest free nursery stock and to provide agriculture with graded and standardized products by inspecting incoming and locally produced nursery stock.
Pest Exclusion
1955.5
Pest exclusion plays an important role in the protection of agricultural commodities. The goal of this program is to stop the spread of invasive exotic pests before they are introduced into the county. Insuring this protection enables the county to export agriculture products to a larger number of foreign countries.
Pest Detection
526.5
The purpose of pest detection is to survey for exotic pests that are considered a threat to agriculture.
Pest Eradication
28.5
The pest eradication program is critical to protecting agriculture. Once an exotic pest has been detected in the county, the goal of this program is its removal.
Pest Management
305.75
Pesticide Use Enforcement
8268
Seed
53.5
Weights & Measures
1747
The purpose of the pest management program is to contain pests of economic importance. The pesticide use enforcement program is an ongoing effort to protect the public, pesticide applicators, field workers, the environment and agricultural crops from the potential harmful effects of pesticides. This is accomplished through regulating the activities of licensed pest control operators, farm labor contractors, pest control advisors, pesticide dealers, certified applicators and private applicators, their employees, and other users throughout the county to ensure proper pesticide use. The goal of the seed program is to provide good quality seed for agricultural and home use. Seed inspections are conducted to determine if the seed is properly labeled ensuring that the seed meets germination and purity standards. Seeds are also tested to for freedom from harmful weed seeds. The weights and measures program is an ongoing effort to minimize measurement error in commercial transactions by inspecting and testing all commercial weighing and measuring devices. The includes the regulation of advertising, quality, and labeling standards for most petroleum products. The program also regulates the labeling of packaged goods, as well as the statement of quantity for those goods.
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Tribute to Robert umino Retired and happy Robert (Bob) Umino retired from the Yuba County Ag Department December 30, 2014. His collection of experience and wisdom will be missed. Bob worked for Yuba County in both the Agricultural and Weights & Measures divisions with primary responsibility for all the weights and measures programs and preparation of the annual crop report. Bob’s great career spanned more than his time in Yuba County. He grew up farming citrus and tomatoes in the small agriculture community of Orosi, and graduated from UC Davis with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mathematics in 1971. After working for the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for a period of time he started his agricultural work career in 1977 working for Tulare County as a Weights and Measures Inspector. In 1979, he moved to Kings County and worked in the Agriculture programs, while still working in Weights and Measures. After a short stint in Amador County, Bob began his career in Yuba County on April 16th 1990. Bob was always the first to work and the last to leave. With his wealth of experience, Bob was a great fit for a small county that asks its inspectors to work in all disciplines of agriculture and weights and measures. Bob is well liked and respected throughout the farming community. Most of his coworkers still inquire if he’s interested in coming back to work, but Bob is happily retired and pursuing his passions in life. Bob is a loving father of two beautiful daughters, and a loyal and reliable friend to all.
Thank you for your leadership and years of service to Yuba County.
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YUBA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER Louie B. Mendoza, Jr. ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER Kevin Roush STAFF Steven Anderson, Agricultural and Weights and Measures Specialist III Todd Quist, Agricultural and Weights and Measures Specialist III Errol Storm, Agricultural and Weights and Measures Specialist III Kevin Lambert, Agricultural and Weights and Measures Specialist III Robert Umino, Agricultural and Weights and Measures Specialist III Margie Uralowich, Executive Assistant SPECIAL THANKS Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation for layout and design assistance.
915 Eighth Street, Suite 127, Marysville, CA 95901 (530) 749-5400 This crop report and others are available at www.co.yuba.ca.us/Departments/Ag/
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