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.
Defending a Spotty Almond Crop from Plant Bugs
California Ag Today
James Schaeffer of Helena Agri-Enterprises gives an update on this year's almond crop and the challenges its facing.
Group Launches Campaign Against California's Prop 12
California Ag Today
A new campaign by the Center for Environment and Welfare is calling on Congress to address rising grocery costs they attribute to California’s Proposition 12. The group says nationwide prices are increasing due to costly compliance burdens on food producers.
Wolves and the Bottom Line: UC Davis Tracks Costly Cattle Conflicts
California Ag Today
UC Davis researchers are digging into the economic and welfare impacts of gray wolves on California cattle ranches. Using trail cameras, GPS collars, and lab analysis, they’re finding that wolf presence leads to millions in livestock-related losses.
CDI Opens Doors to the Future of Milk in Bakersfield
California Ag Today
California Dairies, Inc. has unveiled its cutting-edge Valley Natural Beverages plant—a 200,000 square-foot facility in Bakersfield focused on shelf-stable dairy products.
Winegrape Outlook: Uncertainty in the Vines
California Ag Today
Growers in San Joaquin County are navigating a season of mixed signals—adequate moisture, but a stagnant market. According to the California Farm Bureau, concerns over vineyard removals, shifting consumer habits, and tariff impacts are creating plenty of unknowns in the months ahead.
Using Sterile Insects to Eradicate New World Screwworm
California Ag Today
Breaking news headlines this week have told of an agreement between U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins and Mexico when it comes to the handling of a damaging pest, the New World screwworm, which was detected in Mexico late this past fall.
A Better than Expected Berry Season
California Ag Today
Gustavo Lopez, Helena Agri-Enterprises, discusses the need for a plant health focus amidst dry conditions.
77% Off-Farm: The Hidden Backbone of Farm Income
California Ag Today
A new Farm Bureau report shows that in 2023, just 23% of farm household income came from the farm itself. The remaining 77% came from off-farm sources like wages, investments, and retirement income—making these “other paychecks” essential to keeping farmers afloat.
Tech Meets Tractor: Bridging the Ag Innovation Gap
California Ag Today
From drones to robotic harvesters, new ag tech took center stage at a UC field day in Ventura County.
Spreckels Sugar to Shutter Brawley Plant
California Ag Today
The nearly 100-year-old facility will process its final crop in 2025. Company officials cite high production costs and market challenges as reasons for the closure, which will impact nearly 450 workers and dozens of Imperial Valley growers.
New Technology in Avian Influenza Protection
California Ag Today
Maurice Pitesky, poultry specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension, has developed the Waterfowl Alert Network. The system delivers real-time data about where waterfowl are roosting and feeding.
Your Voice, Their Research: Help Shape the Future of Ranching
California Ag Today
The California Cattlemen’s Association is encouraging ranchers to complete a new survey focused on herd health and management decisions. Your anonymous input will help guide university research, Extension programs, and educational materials for the next generation.
Almond Industry Update: Global Gains, Local Tools
California Ag Today
From reduced export inspections in Japan to easier conservation funding at home, here’s what growers need to know.
A Market Dynamics Shift for Tomatoes
California Ag Today
The U.S. Department of Commerce plans to withdraw from the 2019 Agreement suspending the antidumping investigation on fresh tomatoes from Mexico.
California Ag Gets a Voice in D.C.
California Ag Today
California Senator Adam Schiff is hitting the ground running as the first California Senator in over 30 years to serve on the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee.
Efficiency and Incentives Drive Dairy Emission Cuts
California Ag Today
California dairy farmers are on track to exceed the state’s methane-reduction targets ahead of the 2030 deadline, according to a recent Ag Alert from the California Farm Bureau.
Efficiency and Incentives Drive Dairy Emission Cuts
California Ag Today
California dairy farmers are on track to exceed the state’s methane-reduction targets ahead of the 2030 deadline, according to a recent Ag Alert from the California Farm Bureau.
Marketing Order Extended for California Almonds
California Ag Today
California almond growers have voted to continue the Almond Board of California’s federal marketing order for another five years.
The Swiss Army Knife of Nutrient Efficiency
California Ag Today
James Schaeffer with Helena Agri-Enterprise, LLC discusses humid acid products.
Pocket $100,000 for Your Ag Idea
California Ag Today
The American Farm Bureau Ag Innovation Challenge application period is now open!
California Wolf Management Enters Phase Two
California Ag Today
With seven known wolf packs and additional areas of activity—including several packs meeting the breeding pair definition—CDFW has adjusted its approach as outlined in its 2016 Conservation Plan.
Truckers First to Signal Honeybee Loss Alarm
California Ag Today
Honeybee producers are kicking off 2025 with big losses.
Reversal of USDA Funding Raises Alarms for Governor Newsom
California Ag Today
Governor Gavin Newsom sent a letter of appeal late last week to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, urging a reversal of the termination of $47 million in funding meant to support California farmers who grow produce for food banks, schools, and community centers.
California Steps Up to the Cotton Leadership Plate
California Ag Today
Carlo Bocardo, a cooperative official from Bakersfield, will serve as the 2025 president of Cotton Council International, the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council.