New Regulation: Beneficial Ownership Information Reports (BOIR)
Starting January 1, 2024, there's a new regulation that you need to know about: Beneficial Ownership Information Reports (BOIR).

What does this mean for you? If you own any company, even LLCs or Corporations simply holding your property, you're now obligated to submit beneficial ownership information reports to FinCEN.

See below for more information on this new regulation, provided by Engel & Völkers Real Estate Global Advisor, Philippa Ward.

Neonicotinoid Regulatory Update
Title 3, California Code of Regulations 6990 (3CCR 6990)
On January 1, 2024, new regulations regarding the use of neonicotinoid (neonic) pesticides will take effect. In 2023, about 13,300 acres of production agriculture were treated with neonics in Napa County with 614 applications. This represents roughly a third of the farmed acreage in the County. Neonics are a synthetic insecticide chemically similar to nicotine. They were registered for agricultural use in the 1990’s as replacement for carbamate and organophosphate pesticides. Neonics are now the most widely used group of insecticides in the world, representing about 25% of agrochemical use. Unfortunately, neonics turned out to be highly toxic to bees and other pollinators in small amounts.

Neonics are used as a systemic broad-spectrum insecticide. The insecticide is absorbed by the plant and travels throughout the plant tissues to leaves, stems, fruits, and flowers. Pollinators exposed to pesticide residue can be harmed. The new regulations limit the amount of active ingredient applied, and the frequency and timing of applications with the goal of increasing protection of pollinators. These regulations apply only to production agriculture, not structural pest control or non – production settings such as parks and cemeteries.

​3CCR 6990 outlines guidelines across 16 crop groups. Each crop group has a table with application rate and timing restrictions for both foliar and soil applications. Napa’s winegrapes fall into the “berries and small fruits” group. For all groups, no applications may be made during “bloom,” defined as the period from the onset of flowering until petal fall is complete.

Imidacloprid, Clothianidin, Dinotefuran, and Thiamethoxam are the four specific neonic active ingredients included in 3CCR 6990. All are from the nitroguanidine family of neonic insecticides with similar characteristics and properties. Some of the commonly used pesticides containing these ingredients in Napa are Belay, Venom, Admire Pro, Macho, and Platinum. For grapes, the application rate and timing requirements for these active ingredients will be triggered by three scenarios:

1.  If “managed pollinators” are used, defined as bees introduced in a field to provide pollination services to crops in the field, additional timing restrictions will apply.
2. If both soil and foliar applications are made
3. If multiple neonic active ingredients are applied

In any of these instances, a total maximum combined application rate of 0.3 pounds of active ingredient (AI) per acre, per season may applied. Furthermore, the soil rate must not exceed 0.2 pounds of AI per acre, per season, and the foliar rate must not exceed 0.1 pounds of AI per acre, per season.

The product labels will not be updated with these new requirements. In some cases, the label may have a higher rate than the regulation. If there is a difference, the strictest requirement must be followed.

The complete guide to 3CCR 6990 from the Department of Pesticide Regulation can be found by clicking below.

NVG's Low-Smoke Burning Technique & Other Alternatives
Permitted burn season runs from October through April. One of the easiest and most cost-effective alternatives to smoky burns for growers to implement is NVG’s Low-Smoke Ag Burning Technique. Use NVG's step-by-step manual available in English and Spanish to conduct virtually smoke-free burns to preserve air quality and reduce black carbon.

Please note that plant material to be burned must be dried at least 60 days prior to ignition. As we anticipate continued rain events into the early spring, it’s important to remember to:

• Tarp the centers of piles during rain periods
• Light piles only on permitted burn days that are not rainy
• Allow for time to air out following larger rain events 

Burning is an essential practice with no alternative when it comes to preventing the spread of vine pests and diseases. In addition to NVG's Low-Smoke Burning Technique, the use of fire box burners can also deliver a clean burn. For vines not compromised due to pest and disease issues, other alternative methods include chipping and grinding.

Photo by Sarah Anne Risk

In a continuing effort to promote sustainable best practices, the Napa Valley Grapegrowers has developed a wealth of resources on weed management for members with different farming practices and site-specific needs.

Under the Row Weed and Soil Management Best Practices Video
​With an emphasis on soil health, NVG's Under the Row Weed and Soil Management Best Practices Video, available in English and Spanish, focuses on mechanical weed control for the soil underneath the vines.

​Responsible Spray Practices Best Practices Paper
NVG has created a Best Practices paper on Responsible Spray Practices, available in both English and Spanish. This paper, in checklist format, addresses questions that growers should consider and procedures that should be followed for each application in an effort to generate site-specific planning discussions.

ROOTSTOCK 2023 Presentations
Weed management is an integral part of the vineyard management system; however, as consumers' and lenders' perceptions around herbicides shift, there is mounting pressure across the wine production chain to adapt farming methods. ROOTSTOCK 2023 addressed this topic head-on by providing educational presentations and resources to growers. 
To access recordings of these presentations, click the button below.

Resources from the Napa County Agricultural Commissioner
The Agricultural Commissioner administered Pesticide Use Enforcement program is responsible for ensuring the safe use of pesticides in all settings in the county. Please see below for more on this program, as well as Best Management Practices for Vineyards in Agricultural-Urban Interface (AUI) Areas.