The County of Yuba
Agricultural Commissioner – Weights & Measures
915 8th Street, Suite 127 – Marysville, CA 95901
LOUIE B. MENDOZA, JR.
(530) 749-5400
Fax (530) 749-5404
yubaag@co.yuba.ca.us
KEVIN ROUSH
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER
DIRECTOR OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES
ASSISTANT
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER
DIRECTOR OF WEIGHTS & MEASURES
August, 2015
Karen Ross, Secretary
California Department of Food and Agriculture
and
The Honorable Board of Supervisors, County of Yuba
Mary Jane Griego, Chair
Roger Abe
Randy Fletcher
John Nicoletti
Andrew Vasquez
In accordance with the provisions of Section 2279 of the California Food and Agricultural Code, I am pleased to
submit the 2014 Crop Report for Yuba County. This report represents estimated acreage, yield, and gross value of
agricultural products in Yuba County.
The gross value of Yuba County’s agricultural production for 2014 set another record at $276,749,000 surpassing
the 2013 record value estimate of $234 million by 18%. The figures presented in this report are estimated gross
values with no consideration of production costs and do not reflect net income to producers.
There were significant changes for 2014 led by Walnuts (English), Rice, and Prunes. Walnuts continue to break
records as increased acreage harvested and prices generated over $83 million in gross value. Rice remained the
number two crop in the county at just over $62 million. With higher yields and prices, the 2014 Prune production
value nearly doubled to $46.7 million, a significant increase compared to previous year low. With a $4 million
increase in milk production value, 2014 proved to also be a good year for the Dairy Industry.
The contribution of agriculture to the economy of Yuba County is not totally reflected in the values contained in
this report. Processing, transporting, marketing, and other farm related services, directly or indirectly tied to
agriculture, benefited appreciably as the agricultural industry returned over $1,126,368,000 to our local economy
in 2014, or about $3 million a day.
My sincere appreciation is expressed to everyone who contributed information with special recognition to staff
who helped compile this report.
Respectfully submitted,
Louie B. Mendoza, Jr.
Agricultural Commissioner
Contents
Yuba County, At a Glance ............................................................................................................ 1
Agriculture and Yuba County’s general plan ................................................................ 2
Overcoming Adversity The ShoEi Story ............................................................................. 3
LEADING AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES ............................................................................ 5
EXPORTS ................................................................................................................................................... 6
FRUIT and NUT CROPS .................................................................................................................... 7
FIELD and VEGETABLE CROPS ...................................................................................................... 8
CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKETS .................................................................................................... 9
ORGANIC FARMS ................................................................................................................................. 9
LIVESTOCK AND APICULTURE .................................................................................................... 10
TIMBER.................................................................................................................................................... 10
CROP ACREAGE HARVESTED ....................................................................................................... 11
FOUR-YEAR SUMMARY .................................................................................................................... 11
FRUIT and NUT CROP ACREAGE ............................................................................................... 11
RECAPITULATION.............................................................................................................................. 11
TOP CROPS and VALUES ................................................................................................................ 12
15 YEAR HISTORICAL COMPARISON ....................................................................................... 12
LAND USE SUMMARY ....................................................................................................................... 12
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL REPORTING ........................................................................ 13
WEIGHTS and MEASURERS DIVISION ................................................................................... 14
Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer Summary of Activities ........................ 15
Tribute to Robert umino ........................................................................................................... 16
Yuba County, At a Glance
One of California's original 27 counties founded on February 18, 1850, Yuba County is California’s gateway to the historic
Mother Lode Country, with a diverse landscape that boasts grand rivers, thriving farmland, friendly communities and
numerous recreational possibilities that extend into the Sierra foothills. Our communities have that small town feel so many
people are seeking.
With a population just over 70,000 people, residents enjoy relaxed living and affordable housing, while both ocean beaches
and mountain skiing are only a couple of hours away. And the county’s border is just 30 minutes north of the State Capitol
in Sacramento.
Yuba County is home to Beale Air Force Base, our largest employer with more than 6,000 employees and provides an
economic impact of over $481 million within the region.
At the heart of the county is historic Marysville, bordered by the Yuba and Feather Rivers. And it’s only a short walk or drive
from downtown Marysville to our vast Riverfront Park, where you will find boating, picnicking, several soccer fields and
motocross tracks.
To the south and east of Marysville, you will find a variety of communities including our newest community Plumas Lake
with numerous local events, active theater and arts groups, social and service clubs and year round festivals and fairs. The
Sleep Train Amphitheatre is our state-of-the-art center for outdoor concerts, and the Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox, a minor league
baseball team, makes its home in Marysville. Local golf courses include Peach Tree County Club and Plumas Lake Golf
Course.
Yuba County also enjoys an excellent school system and is home for Yuba Community College, which offers opportunities
for higher education and personal enrichment. For those seeking an advanced degree, California State Universities at Chico
and Sacramento and the University of California at Davis are all less than an hour away.
Slip into the foothills of Yuba County and you will discover abundant recreational activities including boating, camping, and
fishing. It’s just a short drive to Bullards Bar Dam and Reservoir, Collins Lake, Lake Francis and over 25,000 acres of wildlife
area that includes National Forest Land.
RAINFALL
Source location – Yuba County Airport
Season
July 1, 2013 to June 30, 2014
July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2013
Population
Median Household Income
Precipitation
10.50
19.61
73,340
$46,617
Households
24,307
Median Age
32.1
School Enrollment (K-12)
21,140
Educational Attainment (2008)
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree or higher
10.2%
13.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau 2009-2011 American
Community Survey
1
Normal
22.07
22.07
Agriculture and
Yuba County’s general plan
Approximately 278,943 acres, or 68 percent of
The contribution of
agriculture to the
economy of Yuba
County is not totally
reflected in the values
contained in this
report.
the total county area, are comprised of
agricultural croplands and pasture. The value of
agricultural land, however, is not limited to the
provision of food, fiber and jobs. Agricultural land
also provides open space which has both
psychological
provides
and
aesthetic
benefits,
and
wildlife
habitat.
The
important
importance of agricultural land preservation can,
Processing,
transporting,
marketing and other
farm-related services
directly or indirectly
tied to agriculture
benefited appreciably as
the agriculture
industry returned over
$1,126,368,000 to our
local economy in 2014,
or about $3 million
therefore, be viewed from both an economic and
environmental perspective.
Yuba County recognizes the importance of
agricultural land and the need to place an
emphasis on its preservation. The County's desire
to preserve its most valuable farmland and to
support the economic viability of the agricultural
economy is reflected in goals, objectives, policies
and implementation strategies set forth in its
General Plan. These goals, objectives, policies
and implementation strategies are compiled and
per day.
presented in this section in order to allow the
reader to quickly become familiar with the
County's
commitment
to
agricultural
land
preservation.
2
Overcoming Adversity
The ShoEi Story
By Alan L. Greene, President & CEO ShoEi Foods, USA
“...fire of undetermined cause
destroyed 192,647 square feet of
processing and storage buildings…”
It would be an understatement to call the 2014-2015
ShoEi Foods, USA walnut harvest “unique.” First, it
was the largest walnut volume received both for
ShoEi and the California industry overall. Then there
was the fire – which burned up our inshell
processing building, equipment, and warehouses.
Consequently we received the harvest in multiple
locations in addition to our plant, and as the first
deliveries came in we did not have covered
warehouses to receive and store prior to processing.
of processing and storage buildings, along with
20,000 wood receiving bins. Over the next few days
we determined what we would need at minimum to
1) receive the crop, 2) fumigate, process, and pack
for inshell sales, 3) shell, process, and pack for kernel
sales, and 4) store and protect the inventory when
fall and winter rains arrived. Whatever our solution
On the night of May 31, 2014, a fire of
undetermined cause destroyed 192,647 square feet
3
Thanks to the professionalism of our contractors,
commitment by the County to save local jobs, and
support of local businesses and our growers, we
decided to commit to reopening in time for the new
crop. Sunsweet stepped up and arranged for us to
receive and warehouse some of the crop at their
Colusa facility and Empire Ranch helped us with
early shipments. We were able to open our new
53,300 sq. ft. inshell processing building in time to
handle the majority of our global customers’ needs.
was going to be, we knew we only had 120 days
before the first nuts would start to arrive.
The first, quickest, and maybe easiest option was to
outsource all the activities to other handlers in
different counties. Then we could proceed to build
out as time and resources allowed. ShoEi wanted to
maintain our commitments to our customers,
growers, employees, and local suppliers by keeping
as much of the work here as possible. ShoEi had
made a similar decision in 1997, after the flood
covered the plant and destroyed our entire prune
inventory. Our Japanese parent company committed
to rebuild our prune operations on the same site to
maintain our grower and community relationships.
To protect the nuts from rain, tents were
constructed over the stacks of inventory bins, and
we built warehouses over the top of those tents.
Inshell operations were reestablished in record time
thanks to a lot of helping hands and the hard work of
our employees.
The morning of the fire, representatives from Yuba
County were on site surveying the damage and the
superb response by the local fire stations. Within a
few days we had an onsite meeting with key County
department heads that would be involved in any
reconstruction. They committed to do whatever was
possible to expedite the processes they managed so
we could keep jobs here.
This “unique” harvest turned out
successfully after all, with gratitude
and appreciation to so many.
4
LEADING AGRICULTURAL COMMODITIES
Rank
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
CROP
Walnut
Increased price
Rice
Increased price
Prune/Dried Plum
Increased price and yield
Peach, Cling
Increased price and yield
Milk
Increased price and yield
Cattle and Calves
Increase in price
Kiwifruit
Increased price and yield
Pasture, All
Increased price
Almonds, All
Increased price
Timber
Decrease in production
2013
VALUE
74,119,000
2014
VALUE
83,120,000
61,608,000
62,966,000
23,653,000
46,711,000
18,747,000
21,371,000
11,643,000
15,715,000
8,048,000
12,353,000
4,426,000
5,632,000
4,326,000
5,353,000
3,487,000
5,054,000
3,320,000
2,739,000
WALNUTS - MORE THAN 12 PERCENT INCREASE
5
IN 2014
EXPORTS
The following commodities were exported directly from Yuba County. In addition, a number of Yuba County
Phytosanitary export inspections are conducted and exported by other Phytosanitary certificate issuers.
215 shipments were inspected and Phytosanitary certificates issued.
CANTALOUPE, KIWIFRUIT, PEARS, PRUNES (fresh and dried),
RICE, TIMBER (logs and burls), WALNUTS (in-shell and shelled)
COUNTRIES OF EXPORT
Australia
Canada
China
Ecuador
Finland
Germany
Hong Kong
India
Israel
Italy
Japan
Republic of Korea
Mexico
Netherlands
New Zealand
Saudi Arabia
South Africa
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Thailand
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
Vietnam
6
FRUIT and NUT CROPS
1
PRODUCTION
CROP
YEAR
HARVESTED
ACREAGE
Almond, Total
2014
847
PER
ACRE
UNITS
5,054,000
2013
860
Almond, Nuts
2014
847
0.80
2013
860
0.80
Almond, Hulls
2014
2013
Kiwifruit
TOTAL
VALUATION
(In U.S. dollars)
UNIT
TOTAL
VALUE
VALUE
3,320,000
678
TONS
7,300
4,946,000
688
TONS
4,700
3,234,000
847
TONS
128
108,000
860
TONS
100
86,000
2014
352
8.00
2,816
TONS
2,000
5,632,000
2013
337
7.10
2,393
TONS
1,850
4,426,000
2014
3,143
17.80
55,945
TONS
382
21,371,000
2013
3,694
14.50
53,563
TONS
350
18,747,000
Prune/Dried Plum
2014
7,583
2.80
21,232
TONS
2,200
46,711,000
2013
8,696
1.70
14,783
TONS
1,600
23,653,000
Walnut - English
2014
12,314
1.80
22,165
TONS
3,750
83,120,000
1.90
22,325
TONS
3,320
74,119,000
Peach - Cling
Misc. Fruit & Nut Crops
2
Total
2013
11,750
2014
1,004
4,953,000
2013
1,606
10,905,000
2014
25,243
166,841,000
2013
26,943
135,170,000
1
Rounding may alter totals/computations slightly.
2
Apple, Apricot, Blackberry, Cherry, Citrus, Table & Wine Grape, Nectarine, Olive(for Oil), Pear (Asian, European, Fresh, and Processing), Persimmon, Peach (Freestone), Plum/Pluot, fresh
Prune, Pomegranate, Strawberry, and Other Miscellaneous Fruit.
7
FIELD and VEGETABLE CROPS
1
PRODUCTION
YEAR
HARVESTED
ACREAGE
PER
ACRE
TOTAL
CROP
Hay, Alfalfa
2014
678
8.00
4,520
TONS
250
1,356,000
2013
565
6.50
3,673
TONS
197
723,000
2014
2,800
3.00
8,400
TONS
170
1,428,000
2013
1,600
1.90
3,040
TONS
120
365,000
2014
8,835
1.00
8,835
ACRES
140
1,237,000
2
Hay, Other
Pasture, Irrigated
Pasture, Dryland
Rice
3
3
4
UNITS
VALUATION
(In U.S. dollars)
UNIT VALUE
TOTAL
VALUE
2013
9,300
1.00
9,300
ACRES
140
1,302,000
2014
187,110
1.00
187,110
ACRES
22
4,116,000
2013
189,000
1.00
189,000
ACRES
16
3,024,000
2014
38,988
4.25
165,669
TONS
380
62,966,000
4.40
171,134
TONS
360
61,608,000
2013
38,894
Misc. Field and Vegetable
5
Crops
2014
6,261
2013
5,523
7,974,000
Total
2014
244,672
78,143,000
2013
244,882
74,996,000
1
2
3
4
5
7,040,000
Rounding may alter totals/computations slightly.
Includes Oat, Ryegrass, Sudan, and Grass Hay. Name change from Hay-All to Other as this category never included Alfalfa Hay
The valuation is not an animal production figure, but a land value (rental equivalent).
Revised 2013 acreage total.
Corn-Grain, Corn-Silage, Miscellaneous Silage, Oat (Grain), Pumpkins, Safflower, Squash, Corn-Sweet, Corn-Ornamental, Wild Rice, Wheat, Miscellaneous Vegetable, Nursery, and Seed.
8
CERTIFIED FARMERS MARKETS
38 Certified Producers, 5 Farmers Markets
Brownsville Certified Farmers Market
16796 Willow Glen Road, Brownsville
June-September, Saturdays, 9 a.m.-noon
Grange Certified Farmers Market
9765 Marysville Road, Dobbins
May-December, Saturdays, 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Doghouse Certified Farmers Market
2750 Highway 20, Marysville
January-December, Sundays, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.
Plumas Lake Certified Farmers Market
Eufay Wood Park, Plumas Lake
June-September, Tuesdays, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
Marysville Certified Farmers Market
Third & D Streets, Marysville
May-August, Fridays, 4 p.m.-8 p.m.
ORGANIC FARMS
14 Farms, 1,266 estimated acres
Crops include Apple, Cherry, Citrus, Fig, Grape
(table and wine) Herbs, Kiwifruit, Mushroom,
Nectarine, Pasture (livestock), Olive for curing and
oil, Peach, Pear, Pecan, Persimmon, Plum/Plout,
Pomegranate, Prune, Rice, Walnut, Wild Rice and
miscellaneous Vegetables
9
LIVESTOCK AND APICULTURE
1
PRODUCTION
CROP
1
Cattle and Calves
2
Sheep and Lambs
Wool, All
Milk, All
3
Pollinations
5
Total
1
2
3
4
5
YEAR
NUMBER OF
HEAD
2014
11,500
12,353,000
2013
13,600
8,048,000
2014
4,000
95
LBS
1.70
646,000
2013
4,000
95
LBS
1.40
532,000
13,000
LBS
.80
10,000
TOTAL
2014
4
VALUATION
(In U.S. dollars)
UNIT
VALUE
UNITS
VALUE
2013
13,000
LBS
1.00
13,000
2014
660,300
CWT
23.80
15,715,000
2013
586,250
CWT
19.86
11,643,000
2014
11,600
COLONIES
26.00
302,000
2013
11,500
COLONIES
25.
288,000
2014
29,026,000
2013
20,524,000
Revised 2013 Cattle, Calves, and Livestock number of head and total
Revised 2013 Sheep and Lambs number of head and total
Revised 2013 Wool production total and price
Revised 2013 Milk total
Revised 2013 production, unit value and total
TIMBER
1
VALUATION
(In U.S. dollars)
CROP
YEAR
Timber
2014
2013
1
PRODUCTION UNITS
10,353,000
15,326,000
BF – Thousand Board Feet
10
TOTAL VALUE
1
2,739,000
1
3,487,000
BF
BF
CROP ACREAGE HARVESTED
CROP
2014
2013
2012
2011
Fruit and Nut Crops
Field and Vegetable Crops (including Nursery
and Seed)
25,243
26,943
25,312
27,131
244,672
244,882
243,293
244,766
Total
269,915
271,825
268,605
271,897
2014
166,841,000
2013
135,170,000
2012
118,198,000
2011
113,740,000
78,143,000
74,996,000
68,695,000
71,974,000
FOUR-YEAR SUMMARY
CROP
Fruit and Nut Crops
Field and Vegetable Crops
(including Nursery and Seed)
Timber
2,739,000
3,487,000
4,951,000
5,017,000
247,723,000
213,653,000
191,844,000
190,731,000
Livestock and Apiculture
29,026,000
20,524,000
21,012,000
22,164,000
Total Agricultural Value
276,749,000
234,177,000
Total Crop Value
212,856,000
212,895,000
FRUIT and NUT CROP ACREAGE
ORCHARD AND VINE CROPS
Almond
Kiwifruit
Misc. Fruit and Nut2
Peach, Cling
Prune
Walnut, English
Total
1
2
BEARING
847
352
1,980
3,143
7,583
12,314
26,219
NON-BEARING1
449
12
85
80
810
4,094
5,530
TOTAL
1,296
364
2,065
3,223
8,393
16,408
31,749
2014
2013
166,841,000
135,170,000
78,143,000
74,996,000
2,739,000
3,487,000
Incudes acres not harvested due to economic or weather related reasons
Apple, Apricot, Blackberry, Cherry, Citrus (including Mandarin), Grape (wine and table), Nectarine, Peach (freestone),
Olive (oil), Pear (Asian Bartlett and other), Persimmon, Pistachio, Plum/Pluot, and Pomegranate
RECAPITULATION
Fruit and Nut Crop
Field and Vegetable Crops (including Nursery and Seed)
Timber
Livestock and Apiculture
Total Agricultural Production
11
29,026,000
20,524,000
276,749,000
234,177,000
TOP CROPS and VALUES
15 YEAR HISTORICAL COMPARISON
Rice
2000
$41,527,000
2001
$35,347,000
2002
$35,284,000
2003
$43,571,000
2004
$29,414,000
2005
$27,850,000
2006
$35,715,000
2007
$44,881,000
Peaches, Cling
$23,831,000
$19,265,000
$20,765,000
$21,289,000
$23,029,000
$22,988,000
$13,071,000
$16,677,000
Walnuts
$16,433,000
$17,017,000
$14,805,000
$18,706,000
$18,044,000
$21,605,000
$20,680,000
$32,403,000
Dried Plums
$24,336,000
$12,210,000
$19,983,000
$19,596,000
$6,929,000
$9,346,000
$45,051,000
$6,683,000
Cattle & Calves
$15,539,000
$15,999,000
$17,129,000
$14,996,000
$16,933,000
$12,654,000
$6,592,000
$12,654,000
Almonds, All
$1,123,000
$1,046,000
$1,024,000
$2,098,000
$2,227,000
$3,986,000
$3,144,000
$3,012,000
Kiwi
$2,243,000
$2,709,000
$3,118,000
$1,429,000
$3,184,000
$3,818,000
$3,663,000
$3,335,000
$13,930,700
$8,203,000
$5,604,000
$8,097,000
$10,037,000
$4,215,000
$4,837,000
$5,014,000
$7,944,000
$9,649,000
$7,652,000
$8,569,000
$10,733,000
$9,818,000
$8,043,000
$12,890,000
$146,906,700 $121,445,000
$125,364,000
Timber
Milk
Totals
$138,351,000 $120,530,000 $116,280,000 $140,796,000 $137,549,000
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Rice
$81,995,000
$78,341,000
$70,522,000
$61,925,000
$57,114,000
61,608,000
62,966,000
Peaches, Cling
$11,781,000
$21,470,000
$20,100,000
$14,759,000
$17,652,000
18,747,000
21,371,000
Walnuts
$17,494,000
$27,476,000
$35,311,000
$55,938,000
$59,476,000
74,119,000
83,120,000
Dried Plums
$20,760,000
$27,588,000
$27,728,000
$28,548,000
$25,719,000
23,653,000
46,711,000
Cattle & Calves
$8,969,000
$5,827,000
$5,851,000
$6,757,000
$7,970,000
8,048,000
12,353,000
Almonds, All
$1,382,000
$1,491,000
$2,090,000
$2,798,000
$2,869,000
3,320,000
5,054,000
Kiwi
$3,362,000
$3,713,000
$3,607,000
$3,056,000
$4,496,000
4,426,000
5,632,000
Timber
$2,514,000
$2,606,000
$2,934,000
$5,017,000
$4,951,000
3,487,000
2,739,000
$10,975,000
$9,363,000
$11,323,000
$14,722,000
$12,496,000
11,643,000
15,715,000
$159,232,000 $177,875,000 $179,466,000
$193,520,000
$192,743,000 $209,051,000
255,661,000
Milk
Totals
LAND USE SUMMARY
Category
Prime farmland
Farmland of statewide importance
Unique farmland
Grazing land
Urban and built-up land
Other land
Water area
Total acres
2012 Acres
39,947
10,854
32,395
140,782
14,065
167,341
6,629
412,013
12
2010 Acres
39,485
10,829
32,224
141,509
14,026
167,313
6,629
412,015
2008 Acres
41,371
10,975
32,606
141,639
13,669
165,126
6,629
412,012
SUSTAINABLE AGRICULTURAL
REPORTING
BIOLOGICAL CONTROL AND PEST MANAGEMENT
Pest
Agent/Mechanism
Scope of Program
Ash White Fly
Siphoninus phillyreae
Stingless Wasp
Encarsia nr. inaron
Found in general distribution
throughout county
Puncture Vine
Tribulus terrestrius
Stem and Seed Weevils
Macrolainus lypriformis, Macrolainus
Larenyii
Found in general distribution
throughout county
Yellow Star Thistle
Centaurea solstitialis
Bud Weevil
Bangasternus orientalis
Found in most areas of the county
Seedhead Gail Fly
Urophora sirunaseva
Found in most areas of the county
Seedhead Fly
Chaetorellia spp.
Found in most areas of the county
Hairy Weevil
Eustenopus villosus
Found in most areas of the county
Yellow Star Thistle Rust Fungus
Puccinia jaceae var. solstitialis
Two monitored sites
Klamath Weed
Hypericum perforatum
Klamath Weed Beetle
Chrysolina quadrigemina
Found in general distribution
throughout county
Red Gum Lerp Psyllid
Glycaspis brimblecombei
Encryrtid Parasitoid Wasp
Psyllaephagus bliteus
Found in general distribution
throughout county
Skeleton Weed
Chondrilla juncea L.
Herbicide Application
Three sites
Silverleaf Nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
AKA-White Horsenettle
Herbicide Application
One site
Russian Knapweed
Acroptilon repens (L.) DC
Herbicide Application
Two sites
Agent/Mechanism/Activity
Scope of Program
Mechanical, Herbicide application.
Monitoring sites
PEST ERADICATION
Pest
Hydrilla
Hydrilla verticillata
PEST EXCLUSION
1,135 UPS, U.S. Postal and other shipments were inspected. Four articles rejected and/or destroyed due to various pests.
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WEIGHTS and MEASURERS DIVISION
Since 1915 consumers in California have relied upon county Weights & Measures
officials, (Sealers) to provide “Equity in the Marketplace” essential to the stability of
California’s economy. As the recognized local regulatory agency the Yuba County
Weights & Measures Division protects consumers and businesses engaged in local
commerce, by inspecting devices and packaged goods, auditing Weighmaster
operations, and enforcing petroleum regulations.
County Sealers enforce the California Business and Professions Code, and the
California Code of Regulations. Sealers annually inspect a wide variety of commercial
devices including: gasoline dispensers, propane, water meters, hydrocarbon vapor
meters, and scales from the smallest used for buying gold, to ones used in your grocery store, and all the way up to
the largest for weighing vehicles. After inspection and testing, the Sealer will affix a Seal, (pictured left) to the
device indicating to the consumer that the device can be relied upon for accuracy. Yuba County currently has 177
registered establishments with 2,019 various commercial devices shown below:
Fabric/Cordage/Wire Meters
LPG (Propane) Meters/Trucks
Misc. Measuring Devices
Dorman/Portable Platform Scales
Retail Motor Fuel Meters
Retail Water Meters
Prescription/Jewelry Scales
Monorail Meat Beam Scale
7
27
14
31
848
27
7
2
Computing Scales
Counter Scales
Livestock Scales
Compressed Natural Gas
Vehicle Meters
Hanging Scales
Elec., Vapor, Water Sub-meters
Vehicle Scales
165
13
8
2
13
14
796
45
Ensuring equity in the marketplace involves more than inspection of devices, so the Business and Professions Code
has a section dedicated to Quantity Control. Sealers enforce regulations of packaged goods by inspecting packages
to determine the accuracy of net weight, measure, or count. Package labels are inspected for conformity to
regulations.
Weighmaster operations are an essential part of California’s commerce. Weighmaster Certificates are recognized
as legal documentation of quantities which businesses and individuals rely upon as the basis of payment. Sealers
routinely audit Weighmaster operations to verify correctness of certificates, proper weighing procedures, and
compliance with the California Business and Professions Code.
Another large part of the duties of county Sealers is the strict enforcement of petroleum advertising and labeling
regulations. Sealers routinely visit gas stations to conduct petroleum inspections along with the testing of motor
fuel meters for accuracy. Consumer complaints on gas purchases as with all other programs are given high priority
and are investigated within 24 hours of receipt.
Noncommercial weighing and measuring device accuracy is often as much or more critical
than the tolerances applied for commercial devices. The Sealer is often called on to test
devices / scales that are used by engineering firms, state and county departments, medical
facilities and various sporting events from fishing to wrestling.
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Agricultural Commissioner and Sealer
Summary of Activities
Programs
Hours
Description
Apiary
68.5
The apiary program serves to protect crops in need of pollination through colony
strength inspections. It also serves to protect colonies through the registration and
notification process.
Crop Statistics
815.5
The purpose of the crop statistics program is to collect agriculture production
statistics for private businesses and governmental agencies. Crop statistics are also
used to assist in disaster assistance, ag land use and planning issues.
Fruit Nuts and Vegetable
879
The purpose of the fruit, nut, and vegetable program is to ensure the consumer is
offered fresh, healthy properly labeled, and packaged agricultural commodities
through enforcement of State standards pertaining to fruits, nuts, vegetables, honey,
and eggs sold at wholesale and retail outlets including certified, noncertified farmers
markets and organic programs throughout Yuba County.
Nursery
94
The goal of the nursery program is to provide consumers with pest free nursery stock
and to provide agriculture with graded and standardized products by inspecting
incoming and locally produced nursery stock.
Pest Exclusion
1955.5
Pest exclusion plays an important role in the protection of agricultural commodities.
The goal of this program is to stop the spread of invasive exotic pests before they are
introduced into the county. Insuring this protection enables the county to export
agriculture products to a larger number of foreign countries.
Pest Detection
526.5
The purpose of pest detection is to survey for exotic pests that are considered a
threat to agriculture.
Pest Eradication
28.5
The pest eradication program is critical to protecting agriculture. Once an exotic pest
has been detected in the county, the goal of this program is its removal.
Pest Management
305.75
Pesticide Use
Enforcement
8268
Seed
53.5
Weights & Measures
1747
The purpose of the pest management program is to contain pests of economic
importance.
The pesticide use enforcement program is an ongoing effort to protect the public,
pesticide applicators, field workers, the environment and agricultural crops from the
potential harmful effects of pesticides. This is accomplished through regulating the
activities of licensed pest control operators, farm labor contractors, pest control
advisors, pesticide dealers, certified applicators and private applicators, their
employees, and other users throughout the county to ensure proper pesticide use.
The goal of the seed program is to provide good quality seed for agricultural and
home use. Seed inspections are conducted to determine if the seed is properly
labeled ensuring that the seed meets germination and purity standards. Seeds are
also tested to for freedom from harmful weed seeds.
The weights and measures program is an ongoing effort to minimize measurement
error in commercial transactions by inspecting and testing all commercial weighing
and measuring devices. The includes the regulation of advertising, quality, and
labeling standards for most petroleum products. The program also regulates the
labeling of packaged goods, as well as the statement of quantity for those goods.
15
Tribute to Robert umino
Retired and happy
Robert (Bob) Umino retired from the Yuba
County Ag Department December 30, 2014.
His collection of experience and wisdom will
be missed. Bob worked for Yuba County in
both the Agricultural and Weights & Measures
divisions with primary responsibility for all the
weights and measures programs and
preparation of the annual crop report.
Bob’s great career spanned more than his time
in Yuba County. He grew up farming citrus and
tomatoes in the small agriculture community
of Orosi, and graduated from UC Davis with a
Bachelor’s of Science degree in Mathematics in 1971. After working for the Internal Revenue
Service (IRS) for a period of time he started his agricultural work career in 1977 working for
Tulare County as a Weights and Measures Inspector. In 1979, he moved to Kings County and
worked in the Agriculture programs, while still working in Weights and Measures. After a short
stint in Amador County, Bob began his career in Yuba County on April 16th 1990. Bob was
always the first to work and the last to leave. With his wealth of experience, Bob was a great fit
for a small county that asks its inspectors to work in all disciplines of agriculture and weights
and measures.
Bob is well liked and respected throughout the farming community. Most of his coworkers still
inquire if he’s interested in coming back to work, but Bob is happily retired and pursuing his
passions in life.
Bob is a loving father of two beautiful daughters, and a loyal and reliable friend to all.
Thank you for your leadership and
years of service to Yuba County.
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YUBA COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER
Louie B. Mendoza, Jr.
ASSISTANT AGRICULTURAL COMMISSIONER
Kevin Roush
STAFF
Steven Anderson, Agricultural and Weights and Measures Specialist III
Todd Quist, Agricultural and Weights and Measures Specialist III
Errol Storm, Agricultural and Weights and Measures Specialist III
Kevin Lambert, Agricultural and Weights and Measures Specialist III
Robert Umino, Agricultural and Weights and Measures Specialist III
Margie Uralowich, Executive Assistant
SPECIAL THANKS
Yuba-Sutter Economic Development Corporation for layout and design assistance.
915 Eighth Street, Suite 127, Marysville, CA 95901
(530) 749-5400
This crop report and others are available at www.co.yuba.ca.us/Departments/Ag/
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