Public meeting in California to focus on groundwater management

Oct 05, 2015

Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th

The California State Board of Food and Agriculture is scheduled to meet on Tuesday, October 6^th where its board members will discuss important topics related to California agriculture including groundwater management.

"The current drought has exacerbated the need for groundwater and these precious water reserves are reaching historic lows," said CDFA Secretary Karen Ross in a release. "The purpose of this meeting is to discuss how farmers and landowners can contribute to solutions that minimize the impacts of subsidence and excessive groundwater pumping."

Reports by the California Department of Water Resources and NASA say that parts of California’s San Joaquin Valley are sinking at a rate of two inches per month in some spots. Sinking land in California isn’t a new phenomenon as droughts force farmers to pump groundwater to irrigate their crops.

"The effects of subsidence (sinking land) and groundwater overdraft have tremendous implications that extend to agriculture and beyond," said Craig McNamara, president of the California State Board of Food and Agriculture in a release. "This is a unique opportunity for the Board to engage in further discussions on the impacts of subsidence on our state, and where they are occurring regionally."

The meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 6th at the California Department of Food and Agriculture, 1220 N Street – Main Auditorium, Sacramento.

For people who can’t attend but wish to take part, the CDFA will also be streaming the meeting online.

Tell us if you’re planning on attending the meeting regarding groundwater and land sinking in California. What concerns you the most about the two?

Video: Overview of Massey Ferguson's DM Series Triple Mowers

Lucas Dickerson with Massey Ferguson provides an overview of its DM Series Triple Mower, a high-performance mowing solution designed for efficiency, durability, and versatility in hay and forage operations.

This model features an overall working width of 32 feet, with a 12-foot front mower, allowing operators to cover more acres in less time. Built for productivity, it combines proven cutting technology with operator-focused innovations to ensure consistent, high-quality results in every field.

Key features:
>> RazorEdge Cutter Bar is shared with Massey Ferguson’s pull-type mowers for part commonality—farmers can use the same knives, turtles, and components across multiple machines.
>> Herringbone steel-on-steel conditioning rolls provide an industry-exclusive feature that delivers optimal crop crimping performance across a variety of forages.
>> Available with or without ISOBUS capability to accommodate different tractor configurations and customer needs.
>> Front and rear mower suspension provides a smooth ride and consistent cut, while ISOBUS-equipped units allow on-the-go suspension adjustments for better ground following.
>> Simplified part interchangeability means less downtime and lower ownership costs.

International Year of Soils: October 2015

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