Advocacy in Action: Tricolored blackbird, government shutdown, farm bill, fumigation alternatives, air board workshop

February 11, 2026

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Tricolored blackbird

The Natural Resources Conservation Service announced last week that the draft list of payment scenarios for the tricolored blackbird Regional Conservation Partnership Program omits silage delay as an option for program participants this year.

Silage delay is the primary scenario used to compensate landowners impacted by nesting tricolored blackbirds, typically providing payments ranging from $700 to $1,100 per acre. The closest remaining option on the draft list is “delayed mowing on hay fields,” which provides $200 per acre.

According to California Farm Bureau staff, which has been monitoring the program, the decision to omit silage delay was made at the federal level within NRCS, while the state continues its efforts to advocate for the scenario’s inclusion.

California Farm Bureau is coordinating with other stakeholders—including Audubon, Western United Dairies, California Department of Fish and Wildlife and others—to urge NRCS to retain silage delay as a funding option.

It remains unclear when the payment scenarios will be finalized, though a decision is expected soon as the tricolored blackbird nesting season approaches.

Government shutdown

President Donald Trump last week signed an agreement to end a temporary government shutdown that technically began Feb. 1.

The primary holdup centered on funding for the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, with Democrats calling for reforms to immigration enforcement tactics. Under the agreement, DHS is funded for two weeks, meaning negotiations will continue on longer-term funding. The remaining federal agencies included in the package were funded for the full fiscal year.

Farm bill

House Republicans are expected to mark up the so-called “skinny” farm bill, or Farm Bill 2.0, toward the end of the month. While some farm bill policy passed last year, major pieces remain unresolved, including forestry, crop insurance updates and specialty crop funding.

The farm bill is traditionally a five-year funding measure, but in recent years, it has relied on one-year extensions, leaving many programs in need of updates and additional funding unchanged for nearly three years.

It remains unclear whether the legislation will receive bipartisan support or advance with primarily Republican backing. Last year’s markup saw support from four Democrats in committee, but the bill never received a full House vote and was unlikely to advance in the Senate as written.

While a significant portion of farm bill policy was enacted last year through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, several major components remain outstanding, including the forestry title, further updates to crop insurance programs, specialty crop research and funding, and other priorities.

Fumigation alternatives

The California Department of Pesticide Regulation released findings from an independent scientific study conducted by the California Council on Science and Technology, evaluating alternatives to sulfuryl fluoride, the only federally approved pesticide for whole-structure fumigation used to control pests such as termites and beetles.

The council evaluated 10 potential alternatives to sulfuryl fluoride. While both chemical and nonchemical localized treatments are effective and widely used in California, the study found few viable alternatives currently exist for whole-structure fumigation.

The findings will help shape DPR’s future research priorities and regulatory actions as part of its broader goals to advance sustainable pest management statewide.

Air board workshop

The California Air Resources Board will hold a public workshop Feb. 27, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., to discuss potential standards for off-road new diesel engines in California, referred to as Tier 5 standards.

The Tier 5 rulemaking aims to reduce oxides of nitrogen, or NOx, and particulate matter emissions from new off-road compression-ignition engines sold in California.

During the workshop, CARB staff will discuss draft amendments to the new off-road diesel engine emissions standards, including changes to the on-board diagnostics, off-road in-use testing and Tier 5 elements—last discussed at its Oct. 8, 2024, workshop.

Register for the meeting at https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_5Cu0eoM-Qeq3o9k1TdbYBw?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery#/registration

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