Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/251338
2B Daily News – Thursday, January 30, 2014 Money available for water resources Final version of Farm Bill reflects California priorities USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California has set Feb. 21 as the deadline to apply for financial assistance to address critical water quality issues in Tehama County and part of Butte County through the Bay Delta Conservation Initiative (BDI). BDI is offering funding through 15 water districts throughout the Central Valley, including newly added districts in Tehama, Kern and Stanislaus counties and in the Lower Colusa Drain. In the newly added Tehama County-Sacramento River Area, eligible farmers in select areas of Tehama County and the Pine Creek Drainage in northwest Butte County can apply for BDI funding for projects that conserve water and preserve habitat for wildlife. "The program picks up a share of the cost to improve existing irrigation systems and deal with water quality issues associated with cropland," said Larry Branham, NRCS district conservationist in Red Bluff. Only approved resource concerns are eligible for BDI funding. These include water quantity — inefficient water use on irrigated land — water quality, soil quality degradation, and inadequate habitat for fish and wildlife. "This is a good opportunity for farmers to improve their irrigation systems and make them more efficient," Branham said. "Water conservation is all the more important as the drought is causing limits to be placed on surface water and aquifers are under pressure." Interested farmers should visit the NRCS office at the USDA Service Center in Red Bluff, located at 2 Sutter St., Ste. 2, Red Bluff, or call (530) 527-3013. BDI was created in 2011 to help farmers in California's central valley apply enhanced water q u a l i t y - i m p r ove m e n t practices on their land through a multi-year process. Anthony Bourdain's Boeuf Bourguignon This dish is much better the second day. Just cool the stew down in an ice bath, or on your countertop — the Health Department is unlikely to raid your kitchen. Refrigerate overnight. When time, heat and serve. Goes well with a few boiled potatoes. But goes really well with a bottle of Cote de Nuit Villages Pommard. INGREDIENTS 2 pounds beef shoulder or neck, cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces Salt and freshly ground black pepper 1/4 cup olive oil 4 onions, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons flour 1 cup red burgundy 6 carrots, cut into 1-inch pieces 1 clove garlic 1 bouquet garni (a tied bundle of herbs, usually thyme, bay and parsley) A little chopped flat-leaf parsley DIRECTIONS Stage One: Season the meat with salt and pepper. In a Dutch oven, heat the oil over high heat until it is almost smoking. Add the meat in batches -not all at once -- and sear on all sides until it is well browned (not gray). You dump too much meat in the pot at the same time and you'll overcrowd it; cool the thing down and you won't get good color. Sear the meat a little at a time, removing it and setting it aside as it finishes. When all the meat is a nice, dark brown color and has been set aside, add the onions to the pot. Lower the heat to medium high until the onions are soft and golden brown (about 10 minutes). Sprinkle the flour over them. Continue to cook for about 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, then add the red wine. Naturally, you want to scrape up all that really good fond from the bottom of the pot with your wooden spoon. Bring the wine to a boil. Stage Two: Return the meat to the pot and add the carrots, garlic and bouquet garni. Add just enough water (and two big spoons of demi-glace, if you have it) so that the liquid covers the meat by one-third -- meaning you want a ratio of 3 parts liquid to 2 parts meat. This is a stew, so you want plenty of liquid even after it cooks down and reduces. Bring to a boil, reduce to a gentle simmer, and let cook for about 2 hours, or until the meat is tender (break-apart-with-a-fork tender). You should pay attention to the dish, meaning to check it every 15 to 20 minutes, stirring and scraping the bottom of the pot to make sure the meat is not sticking or, God forbid, scorching. You should also skim off any foam or scum or oil collecting on the surface, using a large spoon or ladle. When done, remove and discard the bouquet garni, add the chopped parsley to the pot, and serve. Vietnamese Beef Pho Eaten at most times of day in Vietnam, this soup has often been my first meal "after the night before." It has homely warmth; meat, carbs and salt (vital when hungover), and a hint of spice. Makes enough for 1 large/2 standard bowls For the soup: 1 liter beef stock 2 slices of ginger, unpeeled 1 small onion, quar- tered 2 star anise spikes (the whole star would be too strong) 1/2 cinnamon stick 1 tablespoon sugar 3 tablespoon fish sauce 1 birdseye chili (optional) To serve: 14 ounces flat rice noodles, or noodles A handful of beansprouts 2 thin slices of beef, trimmed of excess fat A few long sprigs each of mint, coriander, and Thai basil Long red chili, sliced (optional) A slice of lime (optional) Add all the ingredients for the soup base to a pan, bring to the boil, and simmer for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the noodles to pack instructions and put in bowl(s). Scatter the bean sprouts on top of the noodles, and the beef on top of the sprouts. Bring the base back to a rapid boil and strain it directly into the bowl(s). The hot soup base will cook the beef perfectly and will heat the bean sprouts and noodles too. Top with the herbs of your choice. Add chili and a squeeze of lime juice to give it that extra something. Enjoy! Top priorities for California farmers and ranchers have been achieved in the federal farm bill that appears headed for final action in Congress this week. The California Farm Bureau Federation said a conference committee report issued today removes a farm bill amendment that would have harmed California egg farmers and other farmers, and retains programs to benefit animal health, air quality and pest prevention. "This has been a long negotiation on the farm bill and it's now time for Congress to support the final bill and send it to the president," CFBF President Paul Wenger said. Wenger noted that, with California suffering from severe drought, the bill would also restore programs intended to help farmers and ranchers during such emergencies. "We're pleased to see the proposed farm bill include emergency livestock assistance and other programs," Wenger said, "and we urge quick action to restore the aid and distribute it to farmers and ranchers who qualify for it." One of the most controversial aspects of the bill was an amendment offered by Rep. Steve King, RIowa, that would have prevented California and other states from setting customized standards for foods and agricultural products. The amendment—which was not included in the conference committee bill— was directed specifically at a California law that will require imported eggs sold in the state to meet Proposition 2 hen-housing standards. "Although the debate about the King amendment focused on eggs, the amendment threatened other state-specific standards to prevent pests and diseases that threaten California crops," Wenger said. "This issue should be settled in court and not through broad legislation that would have had far-reaching impacts." Wenger also expressed satisfaction with funding in the farm bill for the National Animal Laboratory Health Network; for "specialty crop" programs that focus on research, marketing and pest-and-disease prevention for fruit, vegetable, nut and nursery crops; and for dedicated air-quality funding. "The Air Quality Initiative shares costs with farmers and ranchers who are working to meet strict airquality standards in California and many other states," he said. "It represents an important commitment to help farmers achieve meaningful stewardship successes." The California Farm Bureau Federation works to protect family farms and ranches on behalf of nearly 78,000 members statewide and as part of a nationwide network of more than 6.2 million Farm Bureau members. SCHEDULE Thursday, January 30 7:00AM GELDINGS & MULES Shown at halter, in age order, youngest to oldest. Pauline Davis Pavilion. 8:30AM Novartis Seminar, "Risk & Rewards of IBR Prevention", John M. Davidson, DVM. Don Smith Pavilion. 9:00AM Trade Show and Art Show Open. Close at 7:00PM. 10:00AM WVM INTERNET FEED- ER/REPLACEMENT FEMALE SALE, presented by Animal Health International/Novar tis, Don Smith Pavilion. 1:00PM GELDING & MULES Dry, Trail and Cattle Works, Pauline Davis Pavilion. 5-8:00PM Art Show Wine & Cheese Tasting, Hosted by Raley's, Gem Building. 6:00-7:15PM Roy Cox Stock Dog Clinic, presented by Nutrena/Loyall Pet Food. Pauline Davis Pavilion 7:30PM GELDINGS - Conformation Horse Selected. Pauline Davis Pavilion. W O R K I N G STOCK DOGS. Working all Stockdogs inside, Pauline Davis Pavilion. Friday, January 31 8:00AM GELDINGS & MULES Team Roping, Cutting, Snaffle Bit/Hackamore & Stock Horse Con- tests. SELECTION OF THE CRAIG OWENS IDEAL RANCH HORSE, Pauline Davis Pavilion. 9:00AM Trade Show and Art Show Open. Art Show closes at 7:00PM, Trade Show closes at 9:00PM. 11:00AM Zoetis Seminar. Don Smith Pavilion. 1 2 : 0 0 P M WORKING OF STOCK DOGS Final Round Work outside. 2:30PM SALE OF STOCK DOGS, presented by Nutrena/Loyall Pet Food. Don Smith Pavilion. 3 : 3 0 P M DOORS OPEN FOR GELDING & MULE SALE, Pauline Davis Pavilion. 4:00-7:00PM Ag Social Sponsored by Chico State College of Agriculture, Fairgrounds Cafeteria. Infor mation: Sarah DeForest (530) 898-3737 / Shelley Macdonald (530) 5271941. 4:00PM Vic W o o l e r y ' s Famous Tri-Tip BBQ before & during the Gelding Sale. $10/person. Pauline Davis Pavilion. 5:30PM SALE OF QUARTER HORSE, PAINT GELDINGS & SADDLE MULES, PRESENTED BY ROLLING HILLS CASINO. Pauline Davis Pavilion. Animals sold in computer drawn open 7 days 5:30am9pm 731 Main St., 529.4012 Serving Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ~ Daily Specials ~ Fri. & Sat. Nights, Prime Rib 10 oz $1599 ~~~ Orders to go ~~~ order. Admission is $10/person. Tickets available at door, or call office. Saturday, February 1 9:00AM Trade Show and Art Show open. Art can be removed at 2:00PM, Trade Show closes at 7:00PM. 9:30AM SALE OF ALL BULLS, PRESENTED BY ZOETIS, Don Smith Pavilion. 7:00PM CINCH JEANS PRESENTS RED B L U F F ' S BUCKIN' BEST BULL RIDING featuring top cowboys going head-to-head with the rankest bucking bulls & broncs in rodeo. Party and dance immediately following. Pre-Sale General a d m i s s i o n : $20/person, $25 at door; Arena Floor Seating PreSale $30/person, $35 at door:; V.I.P. Premier Seating, Parking, Reception, Appetizers: Pre-Sale $75, $80 at door.