by Val Dolcini, California state executive director

I recently joined local rice farmers during the wild rice harvest in northern California. The Sacramento Valley is the heart of California's rice industry and more than 95 percent of the state's crop is grown within 100 miles of the state capitol.

California rice lands provide habitat, food, and breeding grounds for over 200 species of wildlife and it's estimated that well over 10 million ducks, geese and other waterfowl use the Central Valley's wetland habitats. With an estimated $1.5 billion in habitat value, California rice growers contribute greatly to California's natural landscape.

In Yolo County, I toured the Yolo Bypass Wildlife Area, viewed by many as a model for bridging the seemingly disparate fields of agriculture and wildlife management. Working with local farmers, many innovative, natural resource compatible agricultural practices, supported by USDA and state programs are used to promote wildlife friendly farming and cattle operations.

Federal employees were spared once again during the first meeting of the congressional “super committee.” The committee — created as part of a deal to extend the debt ceiling — said little about federal salary freezes, furloughs or cutting government costs. Instead, the group heard testimony and discussed unemployment and war funding. Read more (Federal Times).

The deadline for producers to sign up for the Biomass Crop Assistance Program has been extended until Sept. 23. “BCAP is an effort that will create jobs and stimulate rural economies across the nation, and we want to make certain we have reached as many farmers and ranchers as possible in those BCAP project areas that aren’t yet fully subscribed,” said FSA Administrator Bruce Nelson. BCAP helps farmers and forest land owners with startup costs for planting new energy crops in approved project areas. It is the only federal program that expedites the production of biomass crops to help reduce U.S. reliance on foreign oil. Learn more.

Producers in parts of the South looking for relief from the drought will have to wait a little longer. According to USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey, drought conditions are expected to persist or intensify through the fall months.

Farmers in Texas have experienced one of the worst droughts in the state’s history on top of wildfires that have destroyed thousands of acres of farmland and left producers wondering how they will recover. For many, the answer is crop insurance and programs offered by the USDA Farm Service Agency. “It’s been some assistance,” said Juan Garcia, acting deputy administrator for Farm Programs. “It won’t make them [ranchers] whole, but it will help.” To date, the agency has paid out $58 million to producers through the Livestock Forage Program, while the state FSA has paid $13 million through the Emergency Conservation Program. Read more (Country World News).

Excessive heat and dry conditions along the Corn Belt took its toll on the corn crop, causing USDA to lower its total corn production forecast by 3 percent, down 12.5 billion bushels from last month. Average corn price forecast by 30 cents to $7 a bushel, helping to boost price prospects for other crops. (USDA Radio Newsline

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