Posted on 8/14/2014
Assistant Specialist in Grain Cropping Systems in UC Cooperative Extension
The Commission is pleased to help spread the word about the open small grains specialist position. This is similar to the position held for many years by Dr. Lee Jackson, who is now an At-Large Commissioner. Qualified applicants are encouraged to submit their application by September 19th.
The Department of Plant Sciences, University of California, Davis, seeks to fill a 12-month, career-track position at the Assistant Specialist in Cooperative Extension level. RESPONSIBILITIES: This academic position has 100% Cooperative Extension (CE) responsibilities and will be located in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. The candidate will provide statewide research and extension leadership in addressing the complex challenges affecting the productivity, sustainability and competitiveness of California's diverse grain production systems. Among the potential areas of activity are genetic improvement, disease and pest management, soil fertility, nutrient cycling, biofuels production, water use efficiency and environmental water quality protection. This CE Specialist will bring visibility and cohesion to the dynamic, interdisciplinary team of University researchers and educators working with this industry. This position will support relevant UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) strategic initiatives and program teams
(http://ucanr.edu/About_ANR/) and the UC Small Grains Workgroup comprised of Agricultural Experimental Station researchers, CE academics. Research will be conducted in laboratories at UC Davis, at UC field facilities and on commercial farms throughout the state. The candidate is expected to develop a nationally-recognized program, secure extramural funding, publish research results in appropriate refereed journals, and disseminate information to industry clientele through public presentations, University publications, electronic and print media, and creative use of on-line technology. Fulfillment of these responsibilities will require extensive travel. The candidate will have the opportunity to be a member of Graduate Groups and to mentor graduate students. Affirmative action to include ethnic minorities, women, and other underrepresented clientele is expected as a component of all of the appointee's programs.
QUALIFICATIONS: Ph.D. in the plant sciences or a related field, with experience in the production of Graminaceous crops is required. Applicants must have leadership ability, and management and communication skills. Ability to conduct independent research must be demonstrated.
SALARY: Commensurate with qualifications and experience.
TO APPLY: Candidates should begin the application process by registering online at http://recruitments.plantsciences.ucdavis.edu/
RMA to Implement Changes to Non-Irrigated Small Grains Crop Insurance for 2015
The following information was provided by RMA: The USDA's Risk Management Agency has applied new actuarial maps that identify unrated areas for non-irrigated small grains (barley, oats and wheat) in eight California counties for the 2015 crop year. The affected counties are Fresno, Kern, Kings, Riverside, San Bernardino, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Tulare.
Producers in the unrated areas in these counties who wish to insure their small grain crops under a non-irrigated practice must request and receive a written agreement before insurance will be available beginning with the 2015 crop year. Written agreements are requested through a crop insurance agent. Producers are encouraged to contact their crop insurance agent before the sales closing date to buy federal crop insurance or request a written agreement.
In general, to be accepted by RMA for a written agreement under these circumstances a grower would have to: demonstrate that a significant amount of their acreage was harvested as grain in one of the past four years; and provide at least five years of actual production history (and/or insurance records).
The Sales Closing Date for small grains is October 31, 2014.
Three Asian Trade Teams Visited California
The Commission organized tours and meetings for three groups of major customers from Japan, Taiwan and Korea. The visits were part of multistate trips hosted by US Wheat Associates.
The trade teams were comprised of millers and, in the case of the Chinese group, grain buyers who were seeking face-to-face contact with California wheat farmers and grain handlers. The Commission made presentations on the California wheat industry, provided tours of our quality lab, and organized visits to local farms and grain facilities.
The Asian customers were very impressed with the quality of California wheat and were disappointed that this year's production was curtailed by drought-related issues. They were encouraged to look at contracting for acres to insure delivery of their preferred wheat.
The Commission would like to thank the customers for their visit, USW for co-hosting the teams, and the farmers and handlers who spent time with the groups this summer.
Commission's Next Meeting on September 4
The California Wheat Commission will hold its next meeting on September 4th in Sacramento. The Commission anticipates a full agenda, including:
• Comments from Dean Helene Dillard, College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences, UC Davis
• Update from USDA on the implementation of RMA and FSA farm bill provisions
• Quality Lab report from new director Claudia Carter
• Jorge Dubcovsky on wheat breeding advances
• Annual fiscal and compliance audit results
• Discussion of options for expanding assessment to all wheat
• Commission district election results
• Review of assessment collections and budget priorities
Meeting details and a full agenda will be posted soon on the Commission's website. All are welcome.
