Penalties in Bee Deaths & Record Wine Grape Crop
Penalties in Bee Deaths & Record Wine Grape Crop plus Food Forethought. I'm Greg Martin with today's Northwest Report.
The Oregon Department of Agriculture has issued two civil penalties totaling $16,000 in connection with a pesticide application this summer that left an estimated 1,000 bees dead at a north Eugene apartment complex. An investigation performed by ODA's Pesticides Program determined that Glass Tree Care and Spray Service, Inc. and its pesticide applicator violated Oregon's Pesticide Control Law through gross negligence.
The 2014 wine grape harvest is in the barn and it looks like it was another good one...as expected. So much so that Kevin Corliss, Ste. Michelle Wine Estates vice president of vineyards said and I'm quoting here: "I have to say it was probably one of the most enjoyable vintages I've experienced in my 31-years. It's as good as the last two have been and that much better." He also said that they were coming out right about at estimate which was 240-thousand tons and about 14% more than last years record wine grape harvest. Quality was also very good due to great weather so mark 2014 down as a year to watch for on the label.
Now with today's Food Forethought, here's Lacy Gray.
More than thirty percent of all farm operations here in the United States are owned by women, and that includes active roles in the cattle and dairy industry. Many of these women are farmers because they have chosen to be, not because they married into farming or inherited a farm. For the first time women are being invited to participate in an online survey that aims to gauge the goals, achievements, aspirations and needs of women in U.S. agriculture. The American Farm Bureau Women's Leadership Program launched "Women in Ag" to ask those women who are farmers, ranchers, ag employees, students pursing an education and career in ag, or who support ag in other ways about what is most important to them, what challenges they face, and what leadership skills they think are important. All women involved with agriculture are encouraged to participate in the survey. Survey participants will also be eligible for an opportunity to win one of five $100 gift cards. Women do not have to be Farm Bureau members to participate; simply go to womeninag.fb.org. to make your ag voice heard.
Thanks Lacy. That's today's Northwest Report. I'm Greg Martin on the Ag Information Network of the West.
