California Drought Impact and Farmer Internet Survey
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**The drought is taking a severe economic toll on California agriculture.
A new study from the University of California, Merced, says exceptionally dry conditions in 2021 resulted in a $1.1 billion loss for farm businesses in the state.
And an estimated 8,750 full- or part-time ag workers lost their jobs.
The report also said 395,000 acres of farmland were idled.
**National Association of Wheat Growers Vice President and Paterson, WA farmer Nicole Berg, testified in front of the House Ag Committee last week during a review of the 2018 Farm Bill.
According to www.agrimarketing.com, Berg said the hearing was timely as NAWG evaluates the effectiveness of the farm safety net programs and ways of improving how the USDA administers them.
She says it’s important Congress maintains a strong safety net given the farm economy's cyclical nature.
www.agrimarketing.com/s/139992
**A sizable portion of America’s largest farmers “are unable to take advantage of many applications and services” on the internet because of poor or no connection, according to a Purdue University survey.
www.agriculture.com reports, 12% of farmers surveyed for the monthly Ag Economy Barometer said they had no internet access and 16% reported a poor connection.
The gap comes while the ag sector embraces precision ag technology such as GPS guidance of tractors and combines.
www.agriculture.com/news/business/poor-or-no-internet-for-3-in-10-of-largest-us-farmers
