The question frequently comes up if this is the last year for thiobencarb use in rice. The answer now is…maybe. For the first time since the CRC took over management from the Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) in 2003, the program received a conditional approval after eight exceedances of the performance goal in 2019.
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Here is updated information from Kahn, Soares & Conway on the Families First Act following additional clarification from the US Treasury Department.
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Our California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation just wrapped up the inaugural season of the Bid4Birds program, which incentivizes rice growers to utilize their fields as temporary seasonal wetland habitat for migrating shorebirds and other waterbirds.
This season, the Foundation enrolled six rice growers into Bid4Birds, involving 18 rice fields in the Sacramento Valley, creating about 1,500 acres of vital shoulder season habitat. During site visits, 45 different species of birds were observed and documented utilizing enrolled fields.
For more information, please contact the Rice Commission’s Wildlife Programs Manager, Luke Matthews, at lmatthews@calrice.org or (916) 607-8988.
OSHA has issued the following guidance documents on COVID-19 for Ag operations. This document can serve as a good checklist for your operations.
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The CRC has complied the following list of approved sanitizers for use in California from the much longer EPA list released last week. These materials can be used to clean surfaces in plants and on farms. The list is presented by type – wipes, solids, ready to use and dilutable and includes information on contact time.
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Attached is an updated FAQ from Kahn, Soares & Conway on implementation of the Families First Coronavirus Response Act. This updated document reflects guidance issued by the Department of Labor regarding small businesses with under 50 employees and credits for employers.
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The Families First Act, passed Congress and signed by the President last week, is intended support employees during the Covid-19 response. Importantly, the Act requires employers to do the following, effective April 2:
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We recently reached a milestone with year two of the Rice Commission’s Pilot Salmon Project, when UC Davis researchers took the juvenile salmon that were raised in rice fields and released them into the Sacramento River.
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We are providing the attached documents to assist you, as you continue to farm and mill rice and confront the likelihood that employees contract the coronavirus.
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The California Waterfowl Association (CWA) has a new program that incentivizes the delayed harvest of wheat and triticale for the benefit of nesting waterfowl. Nesting ducks are attracted to these fields, but unfortunately the crops are typically harvested before ducks have finished nesting, which creates a wildlife-agriculture conflict.
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