September-October 2002

Cover: Beef cattle and calves are among California's top commmodities, with a farm-gate value of $1.36 billion in 2001. But with increasing packer consolidation and declining demand for red meat, the state's cattle industry faces major challenges (p. 152). An option for some ranchers may be to pursue niche markets such as grass-fed beef (p. 151). In the dairy industry, organic production has emerged as a niche market (p. 157). Ranked as California's number one commodity, dairy generated $4.6 billion in 2001 and spurred growth in the hay sector, which now constitutes the largest crop acreage in the state. Choices made by alfalfa growers and dairy producers can help protect water quality and aquatic life (pp. 148, 150, 163). Research beef cattle graze at the UC Sierra Foothills Research and Extension Center. Photo by Jack Kelly Clark.

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California Agriculture, September-October 2002

Volume 56, Number 5
California cattle industry at the crossroads

peer-reviewed research articles

California's cattle and beef industry at the crossroads
by Matt A. Andersen , Steven C. Blank , Tiffany LaMendola , Richard J. Sexton
pp152-156, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p152
Abstract
Beef cattle remain one of California's most important agricultural products, ranking fifth in 2001 at $1.35 billion in value of production, behind dairy, grapes, nursery products and lettuce. However, technological change, coupled with declining consumption of red meats during the 1970s and 1980s, triggered a wave of mergers and acquisitions in the beef-processing sector. To evaluate how such trends are affecting the industry in California, we undertook a survey during 2000 and 2001 and obtained responses from ranchers in 40 counties. Our results confirm that the industry appears to be at a crossroads, for a variety of reasons. Cow-calf ranching operations now predominate, and a significant percentage of cattle leave the state for feeding and slaughter. Auction yards, a principal marketing outlet for most of the survey respondents, require a large volume of activity in order to operate efficiently. As aging ranchers exit the business, this important exchange mechanism is threatened, possibly contributing to the industry's further decline. Most ranchers reported having five or fewer potential buyers for their cattle.
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Survey quantifies cost of organic milk production in California
by Leslie J. Butler
pp157-162, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p157
Abstract
This study measures the cost of organic milk production, and in particular, the differences in cost of production between organic and conventional milk in California. Results show that the total cost of production on a per cow and a per hundredweight basis is about 10% higher for organic producers than for conventional producers in the surveyed regions, and about 20% higher when compared on a statewide basis. The higher costs appear to be due to reduced milk production, higher feed costs, higher average labor costs, significantly higher herd replacement costs and significant transition costs. The higher costs associated with organic milk production are exacerbated to some extent by lower milk yields, and at the same time, are mitigated by the substitution of lower cost pasture for higher priced roughage and concentrate feeds. The higher prices paid for organic milk may more than offset these higher costs compared to their regional, same-sized neighbors.
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Insecticide choice for alfalfa may protect water quality
by Rachael Freeman Long , Mary Nett , Daniel H. Putnam , Guomin Shan , Jerry Schmierer , Barbara Reed
pp163-169, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p163
Abstract
Some insecticides used for controlling Egyptian alfalfa weevil have been detected in California's surface waters and are of concern, due to their impact on water quality and toxicity to some aquatic life. To assess the impact of insecticide choice on water quality, we collected tail-water samples from on-farm alfalfa sites in the northern Sacramento Valley over a 3-year period. Samples were collected during irrigation after organophosphate and pyrethroid sprays were applied. We found significant differences between insecticide classes in the mortality of Ceriodaphnia dubia (water flea), a test organism used to detect pesticides in water. Nearly all sites where organophosphate insecticides were used resulted in 100% water flea mortality in a 24-hour test of tail-water samples; pyrethroid-treated sections of the same fields exhibited insignificant flea mortality. The pyrethroids we used provided significantly better control of Egyptian alfalfa weevil than the organophosphates, with no significant differences in beneficial insect counts. Although water runoff does not always occur in alfalfa fields, insecticide choice may be an important tool for protecting water quality. In addition, consideration should be given to the fact that pyrethroids, while they proved advantageous in these experiments, can affect beneficial species and do have high toxicity to fish at extremely low concentrations.
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Pheromones control oriental fruit moth and peach twig borer in cling peaches
by Carolyn Pickel , Janine Hasey , Walt Bentley , William H. Olson , Joe Grant
pp170-176, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p170
Abstract
Slow-release pheromone technology can successfully control oriental fruit moth and peach twig borer while eliminating in-season insecticide sprays in cling peaches. In conjunction with a demonstration program, we compared mating disruption for these two pests with standard grower pest-control methods in the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys, and monitored for pest damage, yield and grower costs. While the mating-disruption program was effective in controlling the targeted pests, costs were higher and growers preferred a partial disruption program that included some supplemental late-season insecticide sprays. Subsequently, we developed monitoring methods to determine the need for supplemental sprays. This partial matingdisruption program still costs about $60 more per acre than a standard spray program. Predicting efficacy and determining the need for supplement sprays is also more difficult with the partial program than with the pheromone-based control program.
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editorial, news, letters & science briefs

EDITORIAL: Market consolidation poses challenges for food industry
by Richard J. Sexton
pp146, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p146
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Letter: Climate debate heats up
by Allan L. James
pp148, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p148a
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Sun setting on water quality exemptions
by Jeannette Warnert
pp148-149, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p148b
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Rapid test helps dairies manage wastewater
by Jeannette Warnert
pp150, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p150
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Marin ranchers bullish on grass-fed livestock
by Janet Byron
pp151, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p151
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