Author Archives: Jay Van Rein, CDFA Office of Public Affairs

USDA to Launch New Farm Bill Program to Help Provide Relief to Farmers Affected by Severe Weather

October 21, 2014   Jay Van Rein, CDFA Office of Public Affairs

2014 Farm Bill’s APH Yield Exclusion to be Implemented for 2015 Spring Crops WASHINGTON, Oct. 21, 2014 – U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the implementation of a new Farm Bill initiative that will provide relief to farmers affected by severe weather, including drought. The Actual Production History (APH) Yield Exclusion, available nationwide for farmers of select crops starting …

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Posted in Drought, Farm Bill | Leave a comment

The Famous Flickr Lacewing

September 18, 2012   Jay Van Rein, CDFA Office of Public Affairs

Meet the “Flickr Lacewing.” That’s what some folks online are calling a newly discovered insect species, more formally known as “Semachrysa Jade Winterton, Guek and Brooks.” It was given this name by Dr. Shaun Winterton, a senior insect biosystematist (that’s “bug doctor” to the rest of us) for the California Department of Food and Agriculture. He specializes in lacewings, which are beneficial insects …

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Posted in Integrated Pest Management (IPM), Invasive Species | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment