Y2K -- ARE YOU READY?
The problem is that when we reach the year 2000 and our computers have to deal with it, some of them won’t be able to. Some of them will recognize "double zero" not as 2000 but as 1900. This glitch could cause them to generate false data and/or possibly stop running.
This can affect all of us because our own computers or computerized systems may be at risk, and even if our own systems might be "year 2000 compliant" and therefore okay, our economy depends on the electronic processing and exchange of financial and other data with many systems that may not be compliant.
Y2K is a challenge to virtually every American business, whether large or small. Everyone has a stake in this. You should consider the following:
The following are three suggestions for every farmer or small business owner:
Checking various Internet Y2K sites is an excellent way to stay current. Sign up with an Internet service provider and get online.
There are several Y2K Internet sites on the World Wide Web. Two good ones to start with are:
This site has a reference available with guidelines for developing a management plan.
Act now. Fixing most Y2K problems is not particularly complicated, but it can be labor-intensive and time-consuming. The clock is ticking, and everyone faces a deadline that truly cannot be postponed or deferred.
Last minute fixes won’t work. Businesses need time to test their systems to ensure that the "fix" they’ve installed is working. No one has the luxury of time in facing this problem. Y2K compliance needs to be at the top of everyone’s GET IT DONE NOW list.
The year 2000 is now less than a month away, and Y2K should be even more important to you now than it was last year. Due to the impact Y2K could have, I wanted to remind you again that the year 2000 problem could cause serious problems for anyone who relies on computers and equipment that contains computerized parts to do business.
Rural communities, small businesses, and the farms they depend upon are of special concern. Most of us have heard or read that corporate America is Y2K ready, as is most of the government. However, the concern is that small businesses and others who have limited resources have not invested the time, effort, and money to become Y2K compliant.
INTERACTIVE AGRICULTURAL LABOR MANAGEMENT ISSUES WEB SITE
For some years now, we have been offering a labor management forum, AG-HRnet, for those interested in sharing concerns and ideas on agricultural labor management issues. Now farm employers may participate at one of two levels (in both, they receive the "People in Ag" newsletter):
I. AG-HRnet forum
You can pose your questions, share your comments, and get better acquainted with others who are interested in labor issues. Or, you can simply "listen in" to conversations and meeting announcements. As a subscriber to AG-HRnet you will automatically receive the electronic version of the newsletter "People in Ag: Managing Farm Personnel," as well as labor updates from academics, government staff, and others.
To subscribe:
II. "People in Ag" newsletter
In this option, you still subscribe to the "People in Ag" newsletter, but that is all. This is not a forum, but an electronic newsletter (6 to 16 a year). This may be ideal if you already feel you have too many messages in your in-box.
To subscribe:
More information may be obtained by contacting Greg Billikopf at 209.525.6800 or e-mail: gebilllikopf@ucdavis.edu
FARM WORKER TRANSPORTATION REGULATIONS
Governor Gray Davis signed legislation in September, which increased the requirements for vehicles used to transport farm workers. These new regulations will be enforced year-round.
Your Farm Bureau office has copies of the new law covering farm worker transportation vehicles and employer responsibilities. There is also a safety guide on safe driving available in both English and Spanish. Please call your county Farm Bureau office. In Santa Barbara County, the number is 805.688.7479. In San Luis Obispo County, the number is 805.543.3654.
If attacked by bees, seek enclosed shelter immediately. Run away and try as best you can to protect your head and eyes while running. Once you are in an enclosure, you can begin to swat at and kill the several bees that have managed to get into the enclosure with you. Then seek help, especially if you have been stung a number of times. Go to your nearest hospital emergency room to get anti-bee venom medication.
In an urban setting, getting into a house or car should be fairly quick and easy. However, I am concerned about field and farm workers who may be some distance from shelter when an attack occurs. AB will establish hives in aluminum irrigation pipe, piles of old cement pipe, hollow trees at the edge of the field, drain tiles that are dry (or run very infrequently), holes in the ground (man- or animal-made).
The vibration of a tractor or harvest crew could set off an attack with workers having no shelter or a long way to run for shelter. Once an attack is underway, the bees will press the attack until the offender gets 1/4 mile or more away from the hive. Can you run fast that far? Laying down in a furrow or hiding in a tree or bush will not help. The bees will find you and continue to sting. Jumping into water is also not recommended as AB have been known to hover over the water for as long as 1/2 hour waiting for you to come up for air.
Growers, farm and labor management personnel should begin now to make their tractor drivers, irrigators, field crews, harvest crews, etc., aware of AB and their characteristics. They should also formulate action plans as to how a person or crew will react to an attack:
AFRICAN BEES
The African bee is coming. It is already at our doorstep. Colonies have been destroyed in Ventura and Kern Counties. Foraging African bees (AB) have been caught in wild vegetation in western Kern County. This means that colonies are becoming established in the area. African bee activity will slow down with the coming of cold weather, but with the advent of spring, colonies will be on the move again. AB will arrive in Santa Barbara County in 2000, and local residents should begin learning about this bee before they have a "run in." AB are easily provoked and they are very defensive. They will defend their hive vigorously and in large numbers. These insects will also set up colonies in unconventional places such as old tires, abandoned automobiles, squirrel burrows, water mains, and utility boxes, i.e., any site that has a cavity large enough to build several honey and brood combs. A defensive response may be set off by vibrations or noise, such as a chainsaw, lawnmower, tractor, or just walking too close to the hive.
My office has written and visual information about African bees. You can request this information, and/or I am prepared to present a program to your personnel about African bees. Make your request to Cooperative Extension at 805.934.6240. The bee is coming. Learn to live with it. Do not panic . . . Bee prepared!!
CHLORPYRIFOS UNDER REVIEW
Chlorpyrifos, known to most of us as Lorsban or Dursban, is now under EPA review as required by FQPA. Letters of support for this compound are requested.
Statements of support should include:
- Its value to you as an economical and effective insecticide.
- Its value to you as a tool in IPM and/or resistance management strategies.
- Its availability to you for use on crops (name the crop) where no other or few insecticides are registered.
- Its effectiveness as compared to other available materials, and
- Other thoughts on why this plant protection product should be re-registered and maintained as an effective crop protection tool.
Please be sure to include the docket control number OPP-34203 on the top of your letter.
You can send your message directly to EPA or through the Lorsban.com Web site.
Sending e-mail directly to EPA:
Compose your message to EPA.
Send EPA e-mail to: opp-docket@epa.gov
In the subject line of your message, type “chlorpyrifos OPP-34203” (this will ensure your comments don’t get lost at EPA!)
Sending e-mail through Lorsban.com:
Go to www.Lorsban.com
Click on Compose E-mail.
Compose your message to EPA (see guidance above).
Click on the "Send" button to submit your message.
When you send your message through Lorsban.com, "chlorpyrifos OPP-34203," will automatically appear in the subject line. This is the "docket number" that ensures your comments won’t get lost at EPA! Your comments must be submitted to EPA by December 27, 1999. Time is short!