Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/59529
Saturday, March 24, 2012 – Daily News 5A Agriculture & farm Large crowds, sunshine and Ag Day at the Capitol for California CattleWomen and their famous tri tip sand- wiches. 350 lbs of grilled tri tip was sliced by two Buck- horn Steak House chefs as the cattlewomen made 1,200 sandwiches for the hungry legislators, their staff and the public during the three to four hours of activi- ty. CCW Beef Promotion co-chairs Rebecca Been and Amanda Barrett had per- suaded their father Bill Rankin to accompany them to Sacramento, and we had a real cowman to visit with the urban visitors. Helping make the sand- wiches and hand out beef recipes were Myra Davies Rewinke, Gail Sheppard, Jan Myers, Di Kanz, Nancy Hawkins, Bev Solis, Heidi Hansen, CCW president Melanie Fowle, CCW 1st vp Tammi McElroy. The large cut-out of Abbie Griesdale had the message: "Please take some of our beef recipes and brochures home with you." Nearby the DVD of ranch kids was playing on a large screen television. Cotton Rosser Water policy outlook A broad array of influential California water resource leaders and policymakers will offer up their perspectives on the complexities of California water policies on April 3, when the Almond Board of California hosts an informa- tional symposium on "Water in California: Present Realities — Future Implications." Water is the lifeblood of California's Almond industry, producing the leading California tree-nut crop both in dol- lar value and acreage. There is little disagreement that Cal- ifornia's water infrastructure is inadequate to meet the grow- ing demands placed on it and plenty of agreement some- thing needs to be done. Built into the symposium will be ample opportunities for almond growers and handlers to ask questions. The day's activities begin at 8 a.m. with a self-assess- ment sustainability workshop focused on irrigation and nutrient management modules. Participants will have an opportunity to assess their own practices to benchmark against others and to identify areas of improvement. The symposium begins at 10 a.m. and offers two panels. The first panel will provide historical contexts, discussions on the diverse interests and present issues, as well as socio- logical, economic and environmental considerations. The second panel will discuss the implications of present reali- ties on future planning and development efforts, regulatory considerations and actions, as well as water management opportunities. Panelists include Tim Quinn, executive director, Associ- ation of California Water Agencies; Kamyar Guivetchi, act- ing deputy director, Integrated Water Management, Califor- nia Department of Water Resources; Sarge Green, project director, California Water Institute; and Mike Wade, execu- tive director, California Farm Water Coalition. The significance of the Delta region in California's com- plex water system will be addressed in luncheon keynote remarks to be delivered by Phil Isenberg, chair of the Delta Stewardship Council. The Council's mission is to provide a more reliable water supply for California while protecting, restoring and enhancing the Delta ecosystem. The free event will be held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., includ- ing continental breakfast and lunch, at the Modesto Centre Plaza. Space is limited and reservations are required. Regis- tration information and further information are available by contacting Lynn Jordan at ljordan@almondboard.com or (209) 343-3237. Expert Repair Work of All Types was roping a steer head stuck in a straw bale by the California Horse Council exhibit while a mare and her foal were in a nearby pen. Children loved petting another horse on the head as it put its head forward to receive the love they gave. ranch Ag Day at the Capitol Courtesy photo Jill Benson, senior vice president JS West Co., and Bob Williams, Tehama County Supervisor and Assembly candidate, at Ag Day at the Capitol.They were beside the new housing system for egg-laying hens that meets or exceeds Prop 2 standards. ciation. The hundreds of vis- itors each received a bou- quet. On the steps above the Jean Miss California Rodeo is Kendra Brennan of Sonora, and was present in her crown, sash and western clothing. She is a ranch girl since her parents, Bob and Sherri Brennan are cow/calf ranchers in Tuolumne County California State Fair had a large booth to the west of the horses with pens of goats and other small animals, as they promoted their dates of July 12-29. You could spin a large wheel and win small prizes, by correctly answer- ing fair facts. There was milk, lamb meatballs, deviled eggs, fresh strawberries, plus information from many of the other products grown in California. Outside on the street the large trailer had a dairy cow, and a young woman with microphone explained the animal had her first calf at two years of age, after a ges- tation period of nine months. She would produce milk for 10 months and then two months of rest, before her next calf was born. Her audience were young school children and adults profes- sionally dressed as they enjoyed ag day. I brought home a beauti- ful bouquet of pink lilies, purple tipped with white button chrysanthemum, white calla lily and sprig of fern compliments of the California State Floral Asso- DENIM JEANS in stock KEEN UTILITY WORK BOOTS AND HIKERS KEEN PORTLAND Lightweight Aluminum Safety Toe Waterproof $ 219 +tax KEEN PITTSBURGH Heavy Duty Work Hiker Waterproof Super Comfort $ 169 +tax KEEN DETROIT Super Light But Tough Hiker Style Work Boot $ 139 +tax 478 Antelope Blvd. • Red Bluff • 529-5466 Instant cash discount ends April 30th 2012 Financing available O.A.C. Some restrictions apply. See dealer for details replacement systems only. No new construction 527-5828 Cal. Lic. #233456 PRISON BLUES Barton lawn were two large John Deere tractors, flanked by beautiful floral bouquets. This is where former Assembly Speak- er Willie Brown, Secretary of Agri- culture Karen Ross held a press conference noting the one year anniversary of Assembly Con- current Resolu- tion 42, which called on Califor- nians to "eat local" and "buy California grown" food. Assemblywoman Cath- leen Galgiani, D-Livingston, and Fiona Ma, D-San Fran- cisco also appeared on the capitol steps to announce efforts to once a week, eat only California grown food. This year's theme was "Know your California Farmer." California Ag in the Classroom recognized the elementary school win- ners of the writing contest about agriculture, at the Farm Bureau booth. I was impressed with the exhibit from JS West Family Farms, Modesto. They pro- duce and process 1.2 million eggs every day, which are sold exclusively throughout California, Nevada and Hawaii with farming part- ners through an egg market- ing cooperative called NuCal Foods. They have labels such as Cal Eggs at Costco, Becky, Nulaid and private labels like Sunny- side. I buy them at Costco. As you know, passage of Proposition 2, by California voters in 2008, added a chapter to the California Health and Safety Code. The new law prohibits the confinement of certain farm animals (including egg-lay- ing hens) in a manner that does not allow them to lie down, stand up, fully extend his or her limbs and turn around freely. July 6, 2010, California Governor Schwarzenegger signed Assembly Bill 1437, which requires the sale in California of all shell eggs for human consumption to comply with the provisions of Prop 2. In June 2010, J S West & Cos. Finished construction of a $3.2 million new hous- ing system for egg-laying hens (the first of its kind in the U.S.), based on similar systems being installed in the European Union where this type housing will be required by 2012. In July 2010, their new housing system was certi- fied by American Humane, that the hens are: 1. Free to live and grow in a humane environment under condi- tions and care that limit stress. 2. Free to enjoy a healthy life, benefiting from injury and disease preven- tion and rapid diagnoses and treatment. 3. Free to readily access fresh water and a diet that maintains full health and vigor. 4. Living in a manner that meets or exceeds Prop 2 standards. JS West Family Farms had a display with about 60 White Leghorn hens in an Enriched Colony Barn. It is 4 ft x 12 ft in each colony, providing twice the space of the traditional housing. The Enriched Colony enclosure allows the hens to display more of their natural behav- iors with the addition of perches, nest boxes and scratch areas. With a year and half experience, I was told it is clear the hens are content, living better (less mortality), produce the same if not a little more. It is good for the hens, good for their employees and good for consumers who have expressed concern over humanely raised food. You can view their Hens Live, 24/7 on their web cams. www.jswest.com and click on Hens Live. You can chime in the dialogue box and join the conversation. It was impressive, as Jill Benson, senior vice presi- dent and C J Brantley, sales visited with the public. I doubt if the average visitor realized what JS West Fam- ily Farms was trying to show them. It was free range with- out the predators ready to pounce. The history of this com- pany was fascinating. In 1909, James Stewart West was persuaded by doctor's orders to leave the harsh Nebraska winters for a more tolerable climate. When he decided to settle in Modesto, not only did his health flour- ish, but so did his entrepre- neurial spirit that still lives on today. JS West has a colorful history that began with sell- ing sacked grain and seed, and later included every- thing from coal, wood, fer- tilizer, propane, lumber, fur- niture and appliance sales to an ice-making plant, fuel oil business, automobile service station and tire repair shop. JS West has been family- owned and locally operated for more than 100 years with the third and fourth genera- tions of family members managing the businesses. Jean Barton can be reached at jbarton@theskybeam.com. up to $800 Instant Cash Discounts available on high efficiency heating & air conditioning systems "New" "New"