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.
$1.5M to Specialty Crop Research
California Ag Today
The University of California, Riverside has received $1.5 million in grants from the California Department of Food and Agriculture to lead three pioneering projects aimed at transforming California’s specialty crop sector.
A Landslide Defeat for Measure J
California Ag Today
Controversy on the measure against CAFOs was so high that a threatening email prompted the Sonoma County Farm Bureau — the initiative’s primary organizing opponent — to lock its office doors and examine other safety measures.
September Pork and Beef Exports Surge
California Ag Today
The latest data from USDA, compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation, brings great news for U.S. beef and pork producers!
CAFOs to Stay Put in Sonoma County
California Ag Today
Sonoma County voters have overwhelmingly defeated Measure J, with about 85% opposing the controversial proposal to ban concentrated animal feeding operations, or CAFOs.
New Book Celebrates California Agriculture
California Ag Today
Just released, California agriculture covers how California grew from humble beginnings with the Spanish padres in 1769 to becoming a global agricultural powerhouse by the 1950s.
Bird Flu in Pigs - What Happened?
California Ag Today
Dr. Megan Niederwerder, executive director of the Swine Health Information Center, gives the story on Oregon's recent finding.
Milk Testing to Begin in Dairy Bird Flu States
California Ag Today
USDA will test milk starting in states where dairy cattle tested positive last spring for the H5N1 bird flu virus
Complaint Challenges Mandatory EID Tags
California Ag Today
The New Civil Liberties Alliance has filed a complaint against the U.S. Department of Agriculture and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, challenging a new rule that would require electronically readable, or EID, ear tags for certain cattle and bison transported across state lines.
Steady On-Feed, Higher Cash, and Elevated Beef
California Ag Today
What is going on with cattle supplies? Recent reports show steady on-feed numbers even as cash cattle prices move up. And when will consumers start pulling back?
A Pumpkin Production Runaway
California Ag Today
All states produce some pumpkins, but six states produce most of them. Who is in the lead?
Pesticides Found in California Air Samples
California Ag Today
According to a new state report, the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, or CDPR, collected weekly air samples last year in Oxnard, Santa Maria, Shafter and Watsonville, and found pesticides in nearly 80% of the samples. CDPR reports that they are "unlikely to be harmful to human health."
Rancher Speaks Out Amid Tax Uncertainty
California Ag Today
The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act expires next year, and that’s raising big challenges for farmers and ranchers, according to National Cattlemen’s President Mark Eisele who says it’s not an issue of paying taxes.
USDA to Purchase $25M of Fresh Citrus
California Ag Today
According to USDA Under Secretary Jenny Lester Moffitt, the purchases come at a critical time, as recent hurricanes have significantly impacted parts of the citrus industry.
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Increases Landholdings
California Ag Today
Chalk more acres up for the Mormon Church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ real estate arm is paying $289 million to acquire tens of thousands of acres of farmland across eight states.
40 Livestock Depredations by Wolves in 2024
California Ag Today
Of those, 25 animals have been confirmed killed by members of the "Whaleback Pack."
Filling a Worker Gap with Self-Driving Tractors?
California Ag Today
“You’ve opened up a whole new workforce for agriculture,” Tim Bucher, CEO of the ag startup Agtonomy, said. “One that’s never driven a tractor before.”
A Transition of Seasons in the San Joaquin Valley
California Ag Today
Ryan Jacobsen, CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau, says October equates to a time of transition for many crops in the Valley.
A Gush of Aspiring Veterinary Schools
California Ag Today
Over a dozen veterinary schools are currently in line to become accredited. As a result, recent analysis shows that the number of graduates from existing veterinary colleges is likely enough to meet demand through 2035
The Dairy Disconnect
California Ag Today
Shawn Hackett, Hackett Financial Advisors, discusses mixed signals when it comes to dairy production and challenges ahead for herd expansion.
A $3,739,176,000 Food Budget Shortfall
California Ag Today
In California, 12.6% of the population is considered to be food insecure. That equates to 4,915,450 individuals in the state.
Ranchers Urged to Ready Themselves for Nov 5 EID Requirement
California Ag Today
If you expect to move cattle to a different state in November, the California Cattlemen’s Association is urging you to start planning now for a new USDA traceability rule that may require you to use an electronic identification device (EID) in some of your cattle.
H5N1 Causing More Complications than Anticipated for Dairy Herds
California Ag Today
Dairy farmers and veterinarians are reporting far greater rates of mortality among infected herds than anticipated and steep drops in the rate of milk production among recovered cows
Plant-Based “Meat” Growing Pains
California Ag Today
Plant-based products started quickly in the grocery sector a few years ago. However, Supermarket News says that the market is beginning to settle and evolve.
Class 1 Pricing in FMMO Modernization Still a Pain Point
California Ag Today
We’ve been letting this one digest for a while, but there is still pushback against the USDA proposal for modernizing the Federal Milk Marketing Orders.