Megatrends For California Vegetable Growers In 2014 Include Water And Land Use
January 10, 2014 
As the lack of water is a major issue for vegetable growers in California, in some instances the available water is driving land prices up, particularly where the water source is reliable, explains sweet potato and almond grower Bob Weimer.
Photo credit: David Eddy
An informal email survey of growers, researchers, and pest control advisors from throughout the Golden State showed the availability of water would be the top trend affecting vegetable production in California in 2014. No surprise there, but it was revealing to see some feel its effect on agricultural land use — especially when coupled with the big profits enjoyed by growers of tree crops that, after all, must be kept alive — may leave vegetable crops in a pinch.
There were three other issues that stood out for being frequently mentioned by several of the dozen respondents: efficiency, as it regards labor and mechanization; regulation, especially of nitrogen use; and food safety. What follows are direct quotes from the respondents, grouped by topic.
Water, Land Use
The short list has to have water in the forefront, or the lack of water. We are seeing an increase in deep well drilling to supplement any surface water here in the San Joaquin Valley for farms here to remain viable. In the Westlands Water District, a new well can cost from $500,000 to $1,000,000 from start to finish. Water quality from these wells may be high in salts, and deplete an already over-drafted water supply. Limits on well drilling have already been passed in several California counties, and may be necessary in other areas as the water table drops. In addition, increased pressure from new and existing tree planting — almonds, pistachios, and walnuts — are shrinking the amount of ground and water available for vegetables here in California. — Don Cameron, Grower, Terra Nova Ranch
Water availability may be the top issue of the year. With the San Joaquin Valley promised only a 5% water allocation, growers are going to have to make some very big decisions. Those decisions are going to be made based on which crops bring the biggest dollar return that can support the high price for very scarce water. — Alan Romander, North American Board Chairman, Certified Crop Advisor Program
In the Central Valley reduced surface water deliveries from the state and federal water projects have increased reliance on ground water pumping, which is causing land subsidence in a large area of the San Joaquin. Since the planting of permanent crops continues, the ‘fixed’ demand for water has increased, meaning that the water availability for annual crops is decreasing. If we have another dry winter, vegetable acres planted in the San Joaquin in 2014 and beyond could be affected. — Tim Hartz, Veg. Crops Extension Specialist, University of California (UC)-Davis
Competition for farmable land with water access is escalating. The market prices for such lands is losing objectivity from an economic standpoint. Land being consumed by permanent crops, requiring minimal labor in the San Joaquin Valley, is a driving force toward rent and purchase price escalation. The squeeze on available row crop ground is being felt. The high returns being commanded by permanent crops, nuts in particular, are affecting available row crop ground. Orchards which have a natural lifespan are being maintained past that point and when removed are being placed directly back into orchard, rather than a rotation we used to see.
The available water issue is driving land prices up, particularly where the water source is reliable. The ground waters are being mined, as recharge is not maintaining the aquifers. Water districts and county Boards of Supervisors need to become active players in well monitoring. Permitting of well drilling and limitation of pumping needs to be addressed. — Bob Weimer, grower, sweet potatoes and almonds
Labor, Efficiency, Mechanization
I’d say the biggest issue we are looking at is labor availability. It was a challenge this past season for certain veggies harvested by hand, and people fear that it might get worse. For a crop like asparagus, the cost of harvest and packing is 75% of the total cost of production, so a significant increase in the cost of labor could make the crop economically unfeasible in California. — Brenna Aegerter, UC Cooperative Extension Vegetable Crops Advisor, San Joaquin County
Greater emphasis on robotics and electronics due to labor shortages — e.g. robotic lettuce thinning and harvesting. — Steven Fennimore, Extension Vegetable Weed Specialist, UC-Davis
Growers will have to continue to ramp up in efficiency. Existing producers will have to continue to focus on smarter, better, more efficient growing practices in order to meet demand. They also will have to focus on innovation in order to reduce labor going forward. — Todd Brendlin, Organic Manager, Grimmway Farms
Conserving or saving on labor: with availability of labor continuing to drop, the industry will be looking for practices or equipment to try and grow the crops using fewer people. — Steven Koike, UC Cooperative Extension Plant Pathologist, Monterey County
Labor availability will continue to put pressure on wages and the ability to harvest crops on time and efficiently. Hopefully any increases we encounter can be passed on to our buyers. A comprehensive immigration bill will continue to be discussed in Congress, with little hope of passage. Hopefully I am wrong about this. — Cameron
Shortage of labor, temps hired at harvest, even with reduced acres the shortage of these people will continue. We have seen in-season shortages of pruners, thinners and so on. They go to harvest crops where they make more money and growers are fighting to get enough labor. — Fred Strauss, Branch Manager, Crop Production Services
Regulations, Nitrogen Use
Regulations on nitrogen use in sensitive ground water areas are going to be a challenge to growers who rely on it to produce high-quality vegetables. It’s going to be very difficult for growers to come up with a nutrient management plan that not only prevents ground water contamination, but also produces the quality product that we have come to expect. It may take many years before we can make great strides in that direction. — Romander
There is currently a lot of political interest in the nitrate pollution of groundwater, and agriculture’s contribution thereto. In both the Central Valley and the coastal valleys, water quality regulation is increasing, and in the near future growers will, for the first time, likely have to report to the state N fertilization rates. This regulatory environment will, at a minimum, push growers to become more efficient with their nitrogen inputs. Many growers fear that at some point their ability to use sufficient N to produce the best crop will be constrained. — Hartz
California regulators continue to push forward assessing nitrogen data, trends in nitrogen inputs, outputs, and storage throughout the state to analyze patterns and come up with a way forward. — Brendlin
The implementation of water control boards’ fertilizer use validation system might not happen in 2014, but if implemented it will be a big learning experience and time consuming. You put this on top of Global Gap validation, it adds another layer to grower practices. — Strauss
Food Safety
Food safety has become a more important issue for growers and packers. The new Food Safety Modernization Act will be requiring even more stringent regulations for all growers to ensure safe food for consumers. As growers, we will need to become even more vigilant in adherence to the regulations. — Cameron
Food safety will continue to be the 800-pound gorilla in the room, especially as we continue to read about recalls because of E. coli contamination. Control measures in the field seem to be difficult and very elusive. Will irradiation ever be allowed? — Romander
Innovation in packaging is a trend that will be driven by food safety, traceability, country of origin, and nutrition labeling needs. — Brendlin
The continuing occurrence of small outbreaks will continue to spur the industry into improving practices and implementing procedures and practices to address food safety. — Koike
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