-December 7,2019-
Tulare County hemp ordinance expected
County economic development chief Mike Washam says the Board of Supervisors are expected to draft a hemp ordinance for Tulare County in the New Year that would allow some plantings by Spring, in time to make a crop. To date there has been a hold on plantings due to federal and state questions.”We have a two year moratorium in place” says Washam “but we can amend that” he expects.
Hemp, or industrial hemp, is a strain of the Cannabis sativa plant species that is grown specifically for the industrial uses of its derived products. It is
one of the fastest growing plants and was one of the first plants to be spun into usable fiber 10,000 years ago. Hemp was allowed in the 2018 Farm Bill but its appearance similar to marijuana has prompted regulatory delay.
The most popular use right now is make CDB oil, used for health issues and as a beauty product.A new CBD retail store is about to open in Downtown Visalia. Reports of a surplus of hemp in other parts the US have surfaced as farmers have rushed to plant their fields with a new hoped-for money maker.
Good cheer for dairymen
The latest diary market report is cheery for a change for the county’s’ number one industry.
Pass the eggnog, please. Dairy producers should be brimming with holiday spirit this year, as Christmas present promises to be much more cheerful than Christmas past. USDA announced the November 2019 Class III price at $20.45 per cwt. That’s the highest Class III price in five years and it is more than $6 – yes, $6! – above where it was a year ago. That’s a lot of Christmas cheer heading for dairy producers’ mailboxes. At $16.60, the November Class IV price pales in comparison but it is still up 21ȼ from October and $1.54 better than November 2018.
Labor bill on deck in Congress
The House Rules Committee posted that it will meet Tuesday, December 10 at 3:45 p.m. to vote on the Rule for H.R.5038, “The Farm Workforce Modernization Act.” It appears the bill will be on the House floor the following day, Wednesday, December, 11.Most ag groups in California, Tulare County and across the US are supporting the bill.
Oh Deere
Reports cite lower farm equipment sales: The world’s largest farm equipment maker, Deere and Co., expects sales of its agricultural equipment to decline by 5% to 10% globally in the year ahead due to lower demand for big machinery. “Lingering trade tensions coupled with a year of difficult growing and harvesting conditions have caused many farmers to become cautious about making major investments in new equipment,” said Chief Executive John May.
Its not just Deere.
Indian tractor maker Mahindra reported that it had sold 21,032 units during November 2019, down by 19% from 25,949 units in November 2018. Also the Association of Equipment Manufacturers reports that U.S. total farm tractor sales decreased 3.5 percent in October compared to last year while U.S. October self-propelled combine sales grew 8.1 percent.
Total U.S. sales of 2-wheel-drive tractors in October decreased 3.5 percent compared to October last year: under 40 HP 2-wheel-drive tractors decreased 3.9 percent, and sales of 40-100 HP tractors fell 4.9 percent.