Congress Extends Farm Bill, Avoiding Dust-Bowl Era Fallback Legislation

California Ag Today
This week leaders of the House and Senate agriculture committees have come to an agreement to extend the 2018 Farm Bill until September 30, 2024.

CA Farm Bureau: New Laws Simplifies Pesticide Spray Licensing

California Ag Today
California Governor Newsom recently signed AB 1016 into law, which will streamline the process of getting a license to fly a drone for pesticide application. San Luis Obispo Farm Bureau’s Executive Director Brent Burchett tells us what that bill means for California agriculture.

Blueberries See Decline in Availability for the First Time in Ten Years

California Ag Today
Thanks to an El Nino bringing a warmer winter and delayed harvest, Rabobank Research experts says the top blueberry country in the world is seeing a significant drop in yields.

White House ‘Investing in Rural America’ Tour

California Ag Today
President Biden and Ag Secretary Vilsak kicked off their Investing in Rural America tour late last month. The White House’s Senior Advisor for Rural Engagement Will McIntee joins us.

California's Top Commodity to See Continued Uncertainty

California Ag Today
Recent years show significant market changes for California's top commodity. According to Ben Laine, Senior Dairy Analyst at Terrain, these shifts have affected production, exports, pricing, and other factors, prompting the dairy industry to adapt and innovate.

Law Streamlines Drone Operator Licensing for Pesticide Spraying

California Ag Today
California Governor Newsom recently signed AB 1016 into law, which will streamline the process of getting a license to fly a drone for pesticide application.

The Massive Undertaking of Federal Milk Marketing Orders Update

California Ag Today
Fresh leadership in dairy groups during the establishment and growth of potential new Federal Milk Marketing Orders remains a tedious and complicated task, experts say.

Farm Bill Renewal Not Happening in 2023

California Ag Today
With the federal government shutdown looming, experts say the Farm Bill won’t make it to the finish line before 2024.

What Exactly is the FAIR Plan Insurance?

California Ag Today
Californian homeowners who can't find insurance in the private market have the option of the FAIR Plan, which serves as a last-resort provider of fire coverage. More from SLO Farm Bureau Executive Director Brent Burchett.

SLO Farm Bureau: Changes in CA Insurance Legislation Hopes to Bolster Coverage

California Ag Today
California Farm Bureau has had some wins this year at the state legislative session, some of which include changes to property insurance legislation. The new plan is supposed to shore up the insurance market for homeowners.

Will There be More Instability for the 2024 Outlook

California Ag Today
With wars and the weather throwing curve balls at all commodity prices, Dan Basse, ag economist and president of AgResource Company, gives us his best guess on what 2024 will look like.

USDA Milk Loss Program Assistance Due Date Moved to Oct. 30

California Ag Today
The due date for USDA’S Milk Loss Program (MLP) is this coming Monday, October 30th. The USDA extended the application deadline from October 16th, allowing more time for eligible dairy farmers to apply for much-needed, weather-related disaster recovery assistance.  

More Ways to Be Grape Wise with Centrus Pre-Emergent Herbicide

California Ag Today
Join us again for part two of this week's special Grape Wise report from Helena Agri-Enterprises, we are joined again by Paul Crout, Helena Agronomy Manger for the Western US.

Be Grape Wise with Centrus Pre-Emergent Herbicide

California Ag Today
With today’s special Grape Wise report from Helena Agri-Enterprises, we are joined by Paul Crout, Helena Agronomy Manger for the Western US. Paul let's begin by discussing the importance of weed management in vineyards during the fall-winter period.

New Milk Leaders Ponder Federal Milk Marketing Order Updates

California Ag Today
Gregg Doud, set to assume the role of CEO at the National Milk Producers Federation, delves into the significant challenges that lie ahead in his upcoming leadership role.

War and Weather Presents Curveballs that Could Impact 2024

California Ag Today
With wars and the weather throwing curve balls at all commodity prices, Dan Basse, ag economist and president of AgResource Company, gives us his best guess on what 2024 will look like.

Dairy Experts Warn of Long-term Market Volatility Part 2

California Ag Today
How the markets are coming together moving forward, dairy might see more significant changes.

Dairy Experts Warn of Long-term Market Volatility

California Ag Today
Over the past two years, the dairy market has experienced significant changes. According to Ben Laine, Senior Dairy Analyst at Terrain, these shifts have affected production, exports, pricing, and other factors, prompting the dairy industry to adapt and innovate. Specifically, the years 2022 and 2023 have marked distinctive periods in the industry's history.

How Speaker of the House Removal Will Impact the Farm Bill

California Ag Today
Looking back on a tumultuous week that saw Kevin McCarthy removed from his position as Speaker of the House and representatives reconvening from a short recess, the upheaval on Capitol Hill adds to the delayed progress of the farm bill.

Take a Second for Safety This Week

California Ag Today
Experts want you to take some time before you jump into a new piece of equipment, and to be aware of your surroundings by taking a quick walk around.

What Does the Farm Economy Look Like in Late 2023?

California Ag Today
USDA raised 2022 farm income to record levels, a pleasant surprise due to high prices and subsidies. Other concerns on the horizon, experts say.

Priorities of the 2023 Farm Bill Not Being Addressed

California Ag Today
Although current farm bill talks center heavily on crop insurance and wildfire mitigation, some experts say there's a certain topic not being addressed.

The Agricultural Right to Repair Act Supported by Ag Groups

California Ag Today
The Agricultural Right to Repair Act defines what type of information Original Equipment Manufacturers are required to provide to make repair accessible. If the OEM does not have the digital or physical tools available, they are required to provide sufficient information to create the tools.

The bill also gives the Federal Trade Commission the ability to enforce these requirements and the ability to make a rule to assist in the implementation of these requirements.

Future Farm Bills Need Feral Hog Control Funding

California Ag Today
The recently expired 2018 Farm Bill not only funded protection for farmers from damage caused by storms and lower commodity futures, but also from feral hogs. The bill authorized $75 million for eradication and control of feral hogs, with USDA funding projects in 18 states.