county’s agricultural production …cosb.countyofsb.org/uploadedfiles/agcomm/outreach/summer...

Summer 2015

CACASA Spring Conference 2

Duvarita Vineyard cuts water use by a third

3

Drought and tree survival 4

Entomology—Pine trees 5

Entomology—Shrubs 6

White birches die in drought 7

ACP update 8

Program Spotlight WM 9

Staff Highlights 9

Staff Highlights 10

Inside this issue:

EDITORS:

[email protected] [email protected]

Santa Barbara: (805) 681-5600

Santa Maria (805) 934-6200

Click on our logo at the bottom of each page to bring you back to the table of contents.

COUNTY’S AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTION APPROACHES $1.5B in 2014

For the ninth consecutive year, the value of Santa Barbara County’s agricultural products grown during the past year surpassed the $1 billion mark, according to Agricultural Com-missioner Cathy Fisher. The figures were released today by the Santa Bar-bara County Agricultural Commission-er’s Office as part of the 2014 Agricul-tural Crop Production Report. The 2014 report, as well as the reports since 1916, can be found online at the link for crop reports at www.agcommissioner.com. Agriculture continues to be the County’s major producing industry with a gross production value of more than $1.49 billion in 2014. This is an increase of $53,329,435 million, or approximately 3.71 percent, when compared with the 2013 figure. “The public should be pleased with the changes we have made to this year’s crop report which now includes listing the different varieties of wine grapes grown in the county and information summarized in new graphs and charts.” said Commissioner Fisher. “A third year of drought created challenging circumstances for many commodity groups. The crop report includes details of how the different commodity groups were impacted by the drought. One obvious impact is the number of crops with a gross value of a million dollars or more dropped from 50 in 2013 to 40 in 2014 howev-er outstanding quality, diversity and increasing global market demand helped to offset several impacts.” The Agricultural Commissioner’s annual report documents the acre-age, yield, and gross dollar value of agricultural commodities produced in Santa Barbara County. It must be emphasized that the report shows gross values. Production costs such as labor, production, transportation and mar-keting costs must be subtracted to determine net returns to growers. Santa Barbara County is California’s 14th-ranked county in total agricultural pro-duction.

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.agcommissioner.com/

Summer 2015 Edition Santa Barbara County Agriculture

and Weights & Measures

CACASA SPRING CONFERENCE Submitted by : Ruth Jensen

Santa Barbara County was the proud host to the 2015 California Agricultural Commissioners and Sealers Association Spring Conference held May 18 – 22 at the Santa Ynez Marriott in Buellton. Participants included County Agricultural Commissioners representing every county in the state, as well as, representatives from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), representatives from the California Department of Pesti-cide Regulations (DPR), industry representatives and guests. Janet Wolf, Chair of the Santa Barbara County Board of Supervisors offered the conference attendees a warm welcome during the Monday opening lunch. Spe-cial guest Ron Carleton, Agricultural Counselor to the En-vironmental Protection Agency was treated to an agricul-

tural tour of Santa Barbara County, along with Brian Leahy, Director of DPR, Rudy Martel, Assistant Ag Commissioner, Claire Wineman, Executive Director of Grower-Shipper Associ-ation, Deputy Ag Commissioner Lottie Martin. We visited a Flower growing operation in Lompoc, Pro-duce and cooler in Santa Maria, Guadalupe Dunes and lunch with the staff from the Dunes Education Center, a mock Chlo-ropicrin Application Demonstration, ending with a vineyard visit. Ron’s Keynote address covered many issues facing agri-culture, including drought, pests, management tools, waters of the US, to name a few. While his message was thoughtful and timely, he was also quite entertaining and much appreciated. Com-missioner

Cathy Fisher and the team of South Region Counties arranged the week-long conference which offered CACASA committees time to present current trends, new rules, and coordinated strategies to address is-sues facing the departments statewide. The network-ing opportunities were priceless and a great way to expand on idea sharing and relationship building. Reports covered included those from Technology, Weights and Measures updates, Laws & Regulations, Long-Range Planning, and Pesticide Regulation. In other business, new officers were elected and in-stalled at this conference. Many took the opportunity to enjoy a little time in Solvang, Buellton, Santa Ynez and Santa Maria. All in all it was a huge success and everyone enjoyed their Santa Barbara County experi-ence.

Lottie Martin (AGCOM), Director Leahy (DPR), Barbara

LeVake (Tri-cal), Ron Carelton (EPA), John Donati (OV),

Claire Wineman (GS)

Tri-cal employees preforming a mock

Fumigation

Ron Carelton, Agricultural Counselor to the EPA



DUVARITA VINEYARD IN LOMPOC CUTS WATER USE BY A THIRD DURING DROUGHT. Submitted by Dr. Heather Scheck, Plant Pathologist

Coast live oaks draw a lot of moisture out of

vineyard soils. At this vineyard, the vines are kept

well back from the dripline of the tree under the as-

sumption that the oak tree roots extend a considera-

ble distance beyond that drip line of the tree. This

spacing also helps protect vines from attack by the

Oak Root fungus, Armillaria mellea, that often forms

a mycorrhizial association with oaks. The pathogen-

ic ability of Armillaria to infect grapes is greatly in-

creased by summer irrigation. Coast live Oak in Duvarita Vineyard, with no summer irriga-tion going to the tree

Working on the assumption that this would be

another low water year, Duvarita vineyard on Purisi-

ma Rd. in Lompoc has been using a combination of

cane pruning, canopy pruning, and shoot-thinning to

manage the number of shoots per vine and water de-

mand. And as the drought continues and deepens as

we move into early summer, the likelihood of a small-

er crop load this year is increasing. Leaf pulling start-

ed in early June to minimize water demand in this drip

-irrigated vineyard. Leaf pulling lets more light and

air into the canopy which reduces the amount of pow-

dery mildew. It also reduces water demand in the

vine.

Smaller trellises help Pinot noir planted on more nar-

row 7’ row spacing -protecting vines from evening

sun and strong ocean breezes



THE CURRENT DROUGHT AND ITS EFFECTS ON TREE SURVIVAL Submitted by Kim Corella, CAL FIRE Forest Pest Specialist

Years 2012-2014 were the driest three-year period in the measured record of statewide precipi-tation for California. Currently we are experiencing the fourth year of consecutive low rainfall and trees are being significantly affected. Increased tree mortality has been seen in the Sierras throughout south-ern California and on the central coast we are seeing significant oak and pine mortality.

California native oaks and pines are able to tolerate periods without rainfall or irrigation, and possess mechanisms for survival during droughts. Though this cannot be maintained indefinitely and if water deficits are significant, can lead to injury and if extreme enough, death.

The reduction in groundwater levels, below-normal annual rainfall, changes in stream flows and surface flow patterns all are reasons oaks and pines can suffer from water deficits. Water is absorbed by fine roots and mycorrhizae located in the top 15” of soil. When the water absorption function of the fine roots is diminished by lack of water, unfavorable soil conditions or pathogens, water uptake is signifi-cantly reduced. Available soil moisture is one of the driving factors causing the increased tree mortality. Increased air temperatures, solar radiation, humidity and wind are other driving factors leading to in-creased tree mortality. When evaporative conditions increase and water loss and soil moisture cannot offset that water loss, the tree begins to weaken. This in turn affects the trees ability to defend itself against insect and pathogens. This is what we are currently experiencing.

Native insects and pathogens such as California fivespined ips, red turpentine beetle, western gall rust, Armillaria, western oak bark beetle and true & dwarf mistletoes are having significant effects on the oaks and pines. Pitch canker is also affecting pines, though not native. These native insects and pathogens naturally kill a few trees each year but due to the current drought situation they are able to take advantage of the trees weakened defenses, overcrowded conditions and cause extreme mortality.

As long as the drought continues, more oak and pine trees will succumb to bark beetles and dis-ease. Insecticides are not generally recommended, but management options are available for keeping trees healthy and sanitation of infested material. More information is available from local Cooperative Extension and your local CAL FIRE forest pest specialist.

CAL FIRE Madera-Mariposa-Merced Unit CAL FIRE San Luis Obispo Unit

http://www.calfire.ca.gov/resource_mgt/resource_mgt_pestmanagement.php



Under normal rainfall conditions plants can tolerate infestations by sap-sucking and wood-boring insects because there is enough water in the soil to replace the water taken out of them. Howev-er, the prolonged drought is making trees and shrubs less tolerant of water loss from insect attack and more vulnerable to a variety of other problems that can accelerate their decline. This includes salt dam-age, which occurs when dissolved salts in irrigation water accumulate in the soil because there is no rain to wash them out, high temperatures and strong winds that increase evaporation from leaves, and concrete and asphalt over root zones which compact the soil and reduces the amount of bare ground available to soak up water.

Pine trees are extremely vulnerable in severe drought because of their shallow root systems and their decreased ability to fend off bark beetles. A pine tree’s main defense against bark beetles and wood-boring insects is to “pitch” them out: large amounts of thick, sticky resin flows from where an in-sect has created a wound resulting in the invader getting engulfed and pitched out in the oozing liquid. Drought-stressed pine trees produce less sap so they can’t successfully fight off overwhelmingly large numbers of insects boring into them. Bark beetles send chemical signals to other beetles to come and join the attack. Stressed trees also produce compounds that attract hungry insects. More insects attack-ing the tree lead to a further depletion of water and numerous entryways for disease organisms. Feed-ing under the bark also cuts off the vessels that carry water from the roots and nutrients flowing down from the leaves.

INSECTS TAP OUT DROUGHT STRESSED TREES AND SHRUBS Submitted by Dr. Brian Cabrera, County Entomologist

Monterey Pine in Santa Maria dying from drought Monterey Pine with boring insect damage



Woody shrubs are also suffering in the drought. Two infestations I saw this Spring in-volved Escallonia shrubs heavily infested by an insect known as Harper’s scale. These flat, leg-less insects use their saw-toothed posteriors to wedge themselves under the flaky bark. Stems were completely covered with these barely visible insects that were literally suck-ing the branches dry. On top of that, the shrubs were struggling to grow in a narrow strip of ground in the middle of a parking lot.

Many more trees and plants will become vic-tims of the drought and they will fall quicker as more insects remove water from them. However, most trees and plants in our land-scape should survive if we get some good rain-fall in the coming year.

INSECTS TAP OUT DROUGHT STRESSED TREES AND SHRUBS Continued…...

Drought stressed and dying Escallonia near parking lot Harper’s scale attacking the Escallonia



WHITE BIRCHES DYING FROM DROUGHT

Submitted by Dr Heather Scheck, County Plant Pathologist and Plant Nematologist

European white birch, (Betula pendula),

which is also called Silver Birch, is a popular land-

scape tree in our county. Birches are relatively short

-lived trees, especially in areas with hot, dry sum-

mers. Birches in Southern California can be expected

to decline and die within 20 years after planting, but

under the current severe drought, the rate of tree

death for all ages of birch trees is accelerating.

Birches come from northern Europe and Asia

where both winter and summer soil temperatures

are much lower and rainfall is much higher. They

grow very poorly in our Mediterranean climate with

mild winters and hot, dry summers. They do best in

areas with freezing cold winters with snow and

abundant summer rainfall. Areas like the Santa Ynez

Valley and Los Alamos have the highest rates of tree

mortality due to summer heat and drought.

Birches are often planted in groups of 3 to 5

to increase their visual impact. This close planting

also increases the competition between the root

systems for moisture and nutrients, and hastens

tree death. Deep summer irrigation is fundamental

to keep these trees alive, even for 20 years. With

many parts of the County under mandatory water-

ing restrictions, birches will continue to die from

drought and will need to be replaced. Alternatives

to birches better adapted to our climate include

Paperbark Melaluca -Melaleuca quinquenervia,

Ghost Gum -Corymbia aparrerinja,

Pearl Acacia - Acacia podalyriifolia,

Madrone - Arbutus menziesii.

Dead birch, 30 yrs old, in Los Alamos

Dead birch, 10 years old, in Los Alamos



FOR ASIAN CITRUS PSYLLID AND HLB, OUT OF SIGHT SHOULD NOT MEAN OUT OF MIND Submitted by Cressida Silvers, ACP/HLB Grower Liaison for Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo Counties

Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) is a tiny insect that feeds on citrus plants and close relatives. It can also spread the most devastating citrus disease in the world, Huanglongbing (HLB, also known as citrus greening). The pest and disease are not harmful to humans, but HLB-infected trees lose fruit production and die. Every citrus tree is susceptible to the disease and there is no cure. The citrus industry is work-ing diligently with federal, state and county agencies, as well as citrus-loving residents, to save our cit-rus. A key component of our fight to save citrus is early detection of the Asian citrus psyllid coupled with effective actions to lower or eliminate psyllid populations. Controlling the pest is the best way to prevent the deadly HLB disease in our area.

Currently, one of the principal methods for finding the pest is to hang a yellow sticky card trap in a tree and inspect it regularly for the insect. The other method is to visually inspect citrus trees, espe-cially when new leaves are emerging because Asian citrus psyllids prefer that tender new flush for feeding and laying eggs. There have been no Asian citrus psyllids detected in Santa Barbara County since March 2015 when California Department of Food and Agriculture personnel conducted visual surveys and found live adult psyllids in residential areas within Santa Barbara city limits. However, to the south in Ventura County, and to the north in San Luis Obispo County, the pest continues to show up regularly in yellow sticky traps. Because of this, we must remain vigilant in Santa Barbara County.

In order to save our citrus, we must assume the Asian citrus psyllid is here and we must re-member that any Asian citrus psyllid could be carrying HLB. Florida was not aggressive with psyllid control and in less than 10 years from the disease first being detected, HLB had spread to every citrus-producing region of the state. Citrus production is plum-meting and thousands of jobs have been lost. So stay vigilant: only buy plants from reputable, certified nurseries; inspect your citrus trees for the Asian citrus psyllid; report anything suspi-cious to your local agriculture de-partment; and cooperate with treatment programs. For more information, visit

CaliforniaCitrusThreat.org

ACP relative to the size of finger tip

Sticky yellow panel traps are inspected for ACP



PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT! Weights and Measures Submitted by Chris Tyler, Weights and Measures Inspector

New Extra Help Agricultural Tech in Santa Barbara and Carpinteria is Edgar Meneses. He is a student at the University of Santa Barbara pursuing a degree in Bio-chemistry.

New Administrative Office Professional in Santa Maria—Mirtha Pantoja. She has a background in administration and sociology and has worked in the past with County Social Services

AGCOMM STAFF HIGHLIGHTS

Weights and Measures just finished up the annual in-spection of livestock scales in Santa Barbara County. Live-stock scales are used to measure more than one animal, whereas an animal scale is used to weigh just a single animal per weighing. The county currently has 41 livestock scales.

The typical livestock scale our department sees has a capacity of 15 thousand pounds in increments of 5 lbs. To test livestock scales the department uses either the heavy ca-pacity truck with the crane or the weight mover (nicknamed the lunar lander). The weight mover can pick up 3000 lbs. and move it anywhere on a scale which is helpful when you can’t reach a corner or side of a scale because of the scale house or trees nearby the scale.

Weights are placed on the scale in different places to check the accuracy of both sides of the scale, then more weights are added to reach the maximum capacity of the scale. The scale has to meet a sensitivity requirement and be within tolerance at maximum capacity.

Inspector Scott Perkins on the weight mover



www.agcommissioner.com

Main Offices

Santa Barbara

263 Camino del Remedio

Santa Barbara, CA 93110-1335

Phone: (805) 681-5600

FAX: (805) 681-5603

Hours: M-F 8:00AM to 4:30PM

Santa Maria

624 W. Foster Rd., Suite E

Santa Maria, CA 93455-3623

Phone: (805) 934-6200

FAX: (805) 934-6202

Hours: M-F 8:00AM to 4:30PM

District Offices

Hours: By Appointment Only

Carpinteria

941 Walnut Avenue

Carpinteria, CA 93103

Phone: (805) 681-5600

FAX: (805) 681-5603

Solvang

1745 Mission Drive

Solvang, CA 93463

Phone: (805) 681-5600

FAX: (805) 681-5603

Lompoc

401 E. Cypress Avenue

Lompoc, CA 93436-6806

Phone: (805) 934-6200

FAX: (805) 934-6202

http://www.facebook.com/agcommissioner

Office Closures:

Independence Day - Our offices will be closed on Friday July 3rd and Saturday July 4th

Labor Day - Monday September 7th

Permits, OINs and PAC Exams

Please call and make an appointment with your local office for Permits and Operator ID numbers. Group private applicator exams are scheduled regularly in Santa Barbara, Santa Maria and Solvang. Individual exam times are available in Lompoc and Carpinteria.

All our events will be posted in our Calendar http://countyofsb.org/agcomm/agcomm.aspx?id=43982

NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS

AGCOMM STAFF HIGHLIGHTS

New Agricultural Biologist in Santa Maria Office: Cortney Poole was born and raised in Templeton. Cortney graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in June 2007 with a BSc in Forestry and Natural Resource Man-agement and an emphasis in Wildlife Biolo-gy. She moved up to Santa Cruz in spring of 2008 where she began her career as an envi-ronmental consultant and became an ISA Cer-tified Arborist.

New Agricultural Biologist in San-ta Maria Office: Rocio Lara is origionally from San Jose.. She is a graduate from San Diego State University with a BS in Biological Sciences. Rocio worked with CDFA in the San Diego region on the Asian Citrus Psyllid Program. She also has former translator experience

http://www.agcommissioner.com

http://www.facebook.com/agcommissioner

http://countyofsb.org/agcomm/agcomm.aspx?id=43982

county’s agricultural production …cosb.countyofsb.org/uploadedfiles/agcomm/outreach/summer...

Documents