Farmworkers are among Those at highest risk for COVID-19, studies show [PBS]
As the novel coronavirus spread across the U.S., Osmar Orellana kept going into work. Unlike millions of Americans who were able to shelter in place, Orellana was deemed “essential”: He works as a lettuce picker for a large grower called Tanimura and Antle in Salinas, California, a region that produces most of the country’s leafy greens. “I was afraid, and I was really stressed at work, thinking that I could get this disease,” he told FRONTLINE for the documentary COVID’s Hidden Toll. In a matter of weeks, his fears had been realized: Orellana tested positive for COVID-19.
https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/covid-19-farmworkers-among-highest-risk-studies-show/
Global dairy prices bounce back from Coronavirus slump [Wall Street Journal]
A pickup in demand for milk products in China and other parts of Asia has sparked a rebound in global dairy prices, improving the profit outlook for farmers from New Zealand to the U.S. Expectations of lower demand for many commodities during the coronavirus pandemic helped push dairy prices to an 18-month low in May. Since then, the Global Dairy Trade price index has risen 11% and is now back to near levels seen in January, before the contagious respiratory virus began spreading globally….The U.S. Department of Agriculture said the outlook for the sector has improved considerably with U.S. dairy exports from January through May 2020 up 12% to $2.7 billion from a year earlier.
Commentary: Lawmakers should reject one-size-fits-all approach to disposing organic waste [CalMatters]
As my family has learned, operating a successful business requires many things. It requires making great products, focusing on first-rate service, hiring good employees and treating them well, complying with regulations and keeping overhead costs to a minimum. In addition, we believe a responsible business should operate in a way that does right by society and the environment….The idea behind Assembly Bill 2959, introduced by Assemblymember Ian Calderon, a Democrat from Whittier, is to impose a one-size-fits-all approach to disposing of organic waste generated by households and all types of businesses. It would allow that material to be removed only by a designated franchise holder – in other words, a large trash-removal firm – where it would be taken to a composting facility.
Businesses navigate COVID-19 cases [Klamath Falls Herald and News]
…Wong Potatoes, a potato processing plant in Merrill, reported five cases among employees of the business on April 20, one of the first locations in the state to have multiple cases. Owner Dan Chin temporarily closed the operation, which employs 40 people, to contain the spread of the virus. But now 3 months later, the plant is currently open and operating, despite a difficult water year….Chin said a couple, two longtime workers at Wong Potatoes, had likely contracted the virus from their child….Three other employees also tested positive for COVID-19.
Planning Commission to discuss new ag processing facility [Marysville Appeal-Democrat]
Sutter Foods has plans to expand its Yuba City plant to include an additional 64,000-square-foot agricultural walnut and prune processing and cold storage facility. The Yuba City Planning Commission will hold a public hearing regarding the project at today’s meeting. If approved, the project would be located at 2179 Franklin Road, Yuba City. The site is currently developed with an existing agricultural prune and walnut processing facility that spans 145,156 square feet. The latest proposal would expand the facility to 209,456 square feet. The site would be designed for on-site truck circulation and employee parking. A sewer line would need to be extended from Harding Road to the property, and city water already serves the parcel.
Almonds continue to hold top spot in 2019 Yolo Ag Report [Woodland Daily Democrat]
For the third year in a row, almonds retained their ranking as Yolo County’s No. 1 crop commodity along with the continued fall of livestock. But the major news out of the 2019 Agricultural Crop Report is that production soared from a year earlier, totaling $765.23 million compared to $675.9 million in 2018, a 13.2% increase, or $89.3 million….Agricultural Commissioner John Young released the report, which also shows Japan, China, Mexico and the Republic of Korea are the county’s top three trading partners among the top 10 countries. Overall, there are 92 countries doing business with agricultural firms.
https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2020/07/21/almonds-continue-to-hold-top-spot-in-2019-yolo-ag-report/
