• By Ching Lee • Winter-flooded rice fields already provide essential habitat for migratory birds, but could they also provide benefits to help the state’s salmon populations? Scientists at the University of California, Davis, are finalizing their fieldwork on an experiment to find out what management practices farmers might adopt in their fields to maximize fish survival. At River Garden ... Read More »
After review of projected monitoring and reporting costs along with fees for the state’s rice waste discharge requirements, the California Rice Commission board decided in December to begin the process for an industry vote to increase the assessment cap. Currently, it is set at 15 cents per hundredweight, and the board decided to seek a 20 cent cap. The commission ... Read More »
The California Rice Commission and its project partners have received a $1.5 million Conservation Innovation Grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service. The project is in in partnership with NRCS, Ducks Unlimited, the California Ricelands Waterbird Foundation, Point Blue Conservation Science and FlowWest. It is designed to: • Provide funding to enhance approximately 10,000 acres through ... Read More »
The California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation recently honored Butte County rice producer Frank Rehermann for his years of industry leadership, including 20 serving on the California Rice Commission. In presenting the California Rice Industry Award, CRC President and CEO Tim Johnson described the numerous trips Rehermann made to Washington, D.C., to advocate on behalf of California rice growers. “When he ... Read More »
• By Bob Johnson • A team of researchers is waiting to learn how many of the small chinook salmon that were raised on the healthiest of food in Mike Dewit’s rice field in the Yolo Bypass, fitted with microtransmitters, and released into the Sacramento River in late April survive the arduous journey to San Francisco Bay and the ocean ... Read More »
The California Rice Commission has been working closely with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to establish rules for new California Winter Rice Habitat Incentive Program. These rules, published in the Department’s Public Solicitation Notice, establish the provisions for receiving and evaluating grower/landowner applications and how the habitat contracts will be administered. The PSN provides the most detailed information ... Read More »
In early February, growers and handlers will receive a ballot from the California Department of Food and Agriculture for the California Rice Commission referendum. Recipients are asked to take a moment to fill it out and return it. Every five years, the commission is required to go to both growers and handlers and reaffirm that the industry wishes to continue ... Read More »
The California Rice Commission is seeking nominations to fill open seats on its board of directors. The following seats are open by district: • District 1 (Butte County) – 2 member; 3 alternate • District 2 (Colusa County) – 2 member; 4 alternate • District 3 (Glenn, Tehema and north) – 2 member; 3 alternate • District 4 (Yuba, Sutter) ... Read More »
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