California Ag Today
Focused on keeping local farmers, ranchers, agribusiness men, and women up to date on agriculture industry issues that affect California's rural economy.
Precision Agriculture Advances Continue
California Ag Today
Precision agriculture has come a long way in recent years and will continue to develop quickly. Matt Olson, Precision Ag Manager for John Deere, says off-farm folks might not know how much automation there is on American farms today.
How the New Year Full of Politics Could Impact 2024 Markets
California Ag Today
The year 2023 has been eventful in the financial markets. Economist Dan Basse from AgResource Company suggests the possibility of a market turnaround in early 2024.
Proposed FCC Regulations Could Kneecap Rural Broadband Expansion
California Ag Today
In the last few years federal, state, and local entities have deployed billions into broadband funding to help close the nation’s digital divide.
Introducing the USDA Direct Loans
California Ag Today
The USDA introduces an online application for Direct Loan customers, aiming to enhance convenience for U.S. producers, according to USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small.
How Will Prop 12 Shake Out?
California Ag Today
Experts say Prop 12 violates USMCA, will the impending animal confinement legislation impact international trade? Executive Director of the Canadian Pork Council Stephen Heckbert says the language of the new legislation isn’t clear, and producers, legislators, and the federal government seem to be confused on how enacting Prop 12 will even be possible.
Tracking the Allocation of Acreage and Agricultural Debt in 2024
California Ag Today
The ag economy faced challenges in 2023. What lies ahead in 2024? Dave Widmar from Agricultural Economic Insights discusses key factors they'll monitor in the coming year.
Drought Bottlenecks Panama Canal, Impacting Grain Trade
California Ag Today
Significant drought is impacting water levels in the Panama Canal, forcing bulk grain shippers to take alternative trade routes to avoid delays. Vessels coming from the U.S. Golf Coast to Asia are opting for longer routes and increased fright expenses to steer clear of congestions and record-breaking transit fees in the Panama Canal.
Ag Outlook for 2024: Good Not Great
California Ag Today
The outlook for the agricultural economy in 2024 is slightly less optimistic compared to the outlook for 2023. According to Chad Hart, a professor at Iowa State University, the prospects for the upcoming year are not entirely bleak. He suggests that it could be a situation of things reverting to a more typical or normal state.
How Will the Biofuels Industry Expand?
California Ag Today
The ethanol sector is expanding and evolving, presenting new prospects. According to Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, sustainable aviation fuel is identified as a major emerging opportunity for the bioeconomy within the ethanol industry.
USDA Now Accepting Online Loan Applications
California Ag Today
The USDA announced a new online application for Direct Loan customers. USDA Deputy Secretary Xochitl Torres Small says the agency is trying to make things more convenient for U.S. producers.
Proposed FCC Regulations Could Kneecap Rural Broadband Expansion
California Ag Today
In recent years, significant funding has been allocated by federal, state, and local authorities to bridge the digital divide. Rick Cimerman, VP of State Affairs at NCTA, warns that new FCC regulations will hinder broadband expansion in rural areas.
Producers Scramble to Decode Prop 12’s Muddy Language Ahead of Implementation
California Ag Today
Welcome back to our miniseries on California’s upcoming Prop 12 implementation. Folks in nearly all 50 states work to prepare to meet the new animal confinement regulations, but confusing language and unprecedented obstacles for foreign trade partners muddy the water.
Canada Gears Up for Prop 12 Uncertainty
California Ag Today
With California’s Prop 12 implementation just weeks away, producers on both sides of the northern border brace for impact. Although the strict law mandating rigid animal confinement regulations is for in-state product sales, the implications extend beyond U.S. borders.
2023 Brought Good News to California Wine Grape Growers
California Ag Today
Despite initial uncertainties due to stormy weather leading to a delayed harvest, California wine grape growers are celebrating the end to a successful year in 2023. Gino DiCaro from the Wine Institute provides an overview of the thriving wine grape growing industry in the Golden State.
Unforeseen Challenges Forecasted to Influence 2024
California Ag Today
Amidst geopolitical conflicts and unpredictable weather affecting commodity prices, agriculture economists remain hopeful in foreseeing a positive outlook for the industry, particularly in terms of protein.
New Opportunities for American Ethanol and Biofuels
California Ag Today
The ethanol industry is growing and innovating, with new opportunities ahead. Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy, says the ethanol industry is looking at sustainable aviation fuel as one of the biggest new opportunities for the bioeconomy.
AM For Every Vehicle Act Fails to Achieve Senate Unanimous Consent
California Ag Today
This week Senator Ted Cruz took to the Senate Floor to pass the AM for Every Vehicle Act by unanimous consent. However, Senator Rand Paul, a Republican from Kentucky, objected, blocking the effort to circumvent a full Senate vote.
Experts Say Propane Will “Always Have a Place in the Energy Conversation”
California Ag Today
Welcome back to our Propane talks this week. Joining us again, Propane Education Research Council’s Michael Newland says the industry continues to invent new ways to use the clean-burning fuel.
Propane Inventories Reach Five-Year High, Stabilizes Prices
California Ag Today
With California leadership waging war against natural gas usage in the golden state, demand for alternative sources of energy soar.
Monitoring Acreage Distribution and Agricultural Debt in 2024
California Ag Today
The agricultural economy hit some bumps in the road during 2023. What does 2024 potentially look like? Dave Widmar of Agricultural Economic Insights talks about some of the things they’ll be watching next year.
Anticipated Water Struggles Forecast Extending Into 2024
California Ag Today
The dramatic shift between drought and floods was notable for western producers this year. Drew Lerner, Senior Agricultural Meteorologist at World Weather Inc., indicates that the narrative for 2023 traces back three years.
Part Two: Senators on Using Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture
California Ag Today
Welcome back to our miniseries on Artificial Intelligence. Senate Ag Committee Chair Debbie Stabenow says as the USDA looks into this technology, American leaders needs to recognize the significant risk it imposes and show caution with implementing it.
Senators on Using Artificial Intelligence in Agriculture… “It’s already here.”
California Ag Today
The Senate Agriculture Committee hosted a hearing on A.I. and innovation into American agriculture. In her opening statement, Michigan Senator and Chair Debbie Stabenow pointed to agriculture's role in technology.
USDA Survey Suggests Farm Labor Expenses Will Increase in 2024
California Ag Today
The USDA says farmers who hire H-2A laborers next year will be paying higher wages, and in some cases, the increase is large. Veronica Nigh, senior economist with the American Farm Bureau Federation, talks about the increasing costs of farm labor.