The cotton is coming up!

   It has been wonder-full to watch the Valley come back to life this Spring. Over the last few weeks the vineyards have been growing flush with the green leaves. As I drive along I can see over the tops of the vineyards bristling with new life.

   It has been so warm the cotton has come boiling out of the ground. I think we beat our previous best by a day. It might have been even better, but we took last Sunday off. That may have been a mistake. The cotton almost came through the cap before we could get to it.
   It's going to be a long season and there is still plenty of time to screw things up. But, it is nice to be off to a good start. There are years when it turned cold after planting that it would take three weeks to get the cotton out of the ground and then it was sick and the roots rotted. This is a lot more fun.

   Here was a surprise this morning when the dogs took me for my walk.

This weekend is the Kerman Rely for Life. I think they were launching the balloons as part of that event.
All I know is Indy wanted to protect me from the balloons and barked until they were out of sight.
My hero.

The Importance of Quality in a Global Marketplace

By Paul H. Betancourt

Copyright April, 2012

                It wasn’t until I was in a little café in Verona, Italy that I finally understood the importance of quality in a global market.

                It was late afternoon. We had been at meetings and on tours all day. Sheryl and I went to the café for some coffee in those depressingly small, but cute little coffee cups. With the coffee, our server brought out a little copper tray with some black, burnt things on it. Since many of the Italians we met were serious smokers I assumed it was an ash tray. Since I don’t smoke I ignored it. After a while I realized it wasn’t an ash tray. Those burnt nubbins were roasted pistachios!

                Good land, there wasn’t one bigger than pencil eraser.  They wouldn’t know what to think about a full-sized, fresh California pistachio  like the ones grown by my neighbors on the Westside.

                At that moment I understood the importance of quality in a global market. I don’ t know where those pistachios in the café were grown, but if people have a choice between those little burnt nubbins and California pistachios they will pick ours every day. The good news is it is not just pistachios- California’s farm products are known all over the world for their quality. And, you and I get to enjoy even fresher because they are grown here in the Valley.

You can find the audio link at
http://www.940kyno.com/index.php?c=68

I hope you have a fabulous week.

P

Cotton Planting 2012

Well, it warmed up and we got the cotton planted this week.

I have never seen conditions like this at planting. Sure, we lost a week with the rain. But, the soil is mellow and warm. The moisture is uniform across the  field. The seeds have already started sprouting.
   Too bad there aren't more acres to plant. With the water cutbacks it looks like cotton acreage will be cut back at least 50% from last year.

Planting cotton is an all hands on deck affair. So, next week we can get back to work. There are weeds to kill in the orchard. The trees need some more fertilizer and it's time water one more time before harvest.

Below is one of my commentaries on the radio this week.

So, Milk is a toxic substance?

By Paul H. Betancourt

Copyright April, 2012

                We live in a funny world.

                You have heard me and my neighbors complain about regulations. You might have been tempted to think I am overstating my case. But, here’s an example I think you will all agree is going too far. Heck, even President Obama agreed this was going too far. Did you catch his State of the Union Address in January? He gave a shout out to the dairy industry, when he mentioned he didn’t think milk should be considered toxic waste. Excuse me? When did this idea start? Who thought this was a good idea?

 Someone at the EPA wanted milk spilled during transfers on dairies and at creameries contained by the same kind of systems we use to clean up chemical spills like diesel fuel.

                On what planet does that make sense? We are all for clean air and clean water like you are. We are willing to do our part. But, if we are going to consider fresh and healthy farm products as toxic waste, then someone has gone too far. You see? I am not overstating our case against over-regulation. I couldn’t make up stuff like this.

You can find the audio on KYNO 940's website
http://www.940kyno.com/index.php?c=68

Hope Y'all have a great week.

P

Now We Can Start Planting

Well, that was interesting. The week started off with 80 degree temperatures and ended with over an inch of rain and temps in the 50s.

And that is why the planter stayed in the yard and the seed covered and waiting in the shop. I was interviewed by a local television station this week and I told them what I will tell you. After thirty years of planting cotton there are exactly two things I know for sure: if you plant it dry it will not sprout and if you plant it cold it will get sick .
   So, we waited. The good news is the weather is supposed to warm up and dry out. Come Monday morning we will be out there going at it. I think a lot of cotton will be going into the ground next week. Not near as much as last year since there is less water for irrigation. The gin is forecasting a serious cutback in cotton acreage here. But, what is going to be planted will start in a big way next week.

One of this week's radio pieces included my mail box.

Mail BoxesBy Paul H. BetancourtCopyright April, 2012

            Rural mail boxes are a quiet sign of the deterioration of our society. The next time you drive though the country side, please notice the mail boxes.

            My old mail box was a simple galvanized mail box with a red metal flag set in an old milk can like you might have seen in Mayberry.  Some idiot bashed it in on night. So, I fixed it, and…it go bashed in, again. Arrrgh. So I armored it up with some old well casing. It doesn’t look as nice, but is it bullet proof.

            After that I noticed that neighbors all over the Valley had done the same thing. Some are very pretty; they are done in brick or stone. Some are merely functional, like mine.

            What  people forget is a generation ago people in the country didn’t even lock their doors at night.  And now I have to armor up my mail box?

            I must be getting to be one of those crabby old guys. I see things changing, slowly, and not for the better. Today’s rural mail boxes are silent testimony to a sad change in our society.

You can find the audio version here-
http://www.940kyno.com/index.php?c=68

I hope Y'all have a great week.

Happy Easter Everyone!

Do you remember when I said the almonds would grow fast once they bloomed?
Six weeks ago the trees were just starting to blossom and here they are now!

It's been another busy week on the farm. The wheat has been watered and fertilized again. The trees have been watered. We hand fertilized the young trees and then watered them. So far it looks like every tree has sprouted. They are off to a good start.
   We have had everything from frost and wind to warm and sunny. The weather is warm enough to tempt us to plant cotton this next week. It is supposed to be warm the beginning of the week, cooler and rainy later in the week.
   We'll take it one day at a time. There is no point planting when it's too cold.
For now we have seed, the planter, tractors and equipment are ready. We can wait for the right conditions.

I'll keep it short this week. The holiday we celebrate is much more important than my meanderings. Just wanted to give you a quick update on the farm.
I hope Y'all have a fabulous Easter!

Now we are waiting for...

Now we are waiting for Spring to really arrive so we can plant some cotton.
   The cotton beds are almost ready. The planter and harrows are ready. Seed will be delivered this week. Then we wait for the ground to warm up.
   There are exactly two things I know about growing cotton after thirty years. If you plant it dry, it will not sprout. If you plant it cold it will get sick. Everything else is a mix of art and experience.
   Fortunately the University of California has a really cool website that helps us decide when to plant. They figured out the first five days after planting are critical. So they have a five day forecaster for cotton planting. Very cool
   In the meantime, below you will find the text for one of my radio pieces this week.

Lessons from Indy

By Paul H. Betancourt

Copyright March, 2012

                A few months ago I introduced you all to my dog, Indy. Riding around with Indy I have learned some interesting lessons I thought I would share with you.  Things like-

            -Great everyone personally.

-Roll down the windows once in a while and stick your head out. There is nothing like fresh air and the feel of the wind rushing though your hair.

-Give cats and catty people space.

-Enjoy your exercise with relish and enthusiasm. Make sure to sniff everything while you are out for a walk.

-When it is time for a nap; stretch out completely, preferably in the sun.

-What you are doing now is important, even if it is only taking a nap.

-When friends come home, let them know you are glad to see them.
There is nothing wrong with a little affection.

-Let them know you appreciate their cooking, even if it is only simple kibble.

-There is a lot to be said for loyalty.

-When you don’t know what to say, just being there is important.

For the record, Indy’s favorite bumper sticker is “Wag more, bark less.”
That’s probably a good reminder for all of us.

Here's the audio link-http://www.940kyno.com/mp3_files/FARM/03-26-12_Lessons%20from%20Indy.mp3

I hope Y'all have great week.