**Leaders from the California Association of Winegrape Growers, Oregon Winegrowers Association and Washington Winegrowers convened recently for the first meeting of the West Coast Smoke Exposure Task Force to address the problems caused when vineyards are exposed to wildfire smoke.

National Grape Research Alliance Board member Vicky Scharlau says this task force allows our formidable industry to proactively address the effects of wildfire smoke and wine quality with science and communication.

**Animal rights activists are getting more creative as they continue to target dairy farms.

According to milkbusiness.com, a Wisconsin dairy recently got a call from a woman claiming to be with USDA-Animal Health Division, demanding access to the farm to conduct an animal welfare audit.

The USDA says animal welfare audits will always be conducted in partnership with your cooperative, there will always be a sheriff escort, and anyone visiting your farm from USDA will show you a badge.

**Recently, farmers have expressed increasing frustration with some of President Trump's policies on trade and renewable fuels, but, Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue doesn't think farmer support is waning.

He tells agrimarketing.com, he thinks the media is trying to discover that one person or two people who don't like it, and then focus their discussions and reports on that.

Perdue admits farmers ARE anxious for a resolution, but understand that China has built their economy on the backs of American entrepreneurs.

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