California Cherry Challenges and Expanding Domestic Fertilizer Production
From the Ag Information Network, I’m Bob Larson with your Agribusiness Update.
**Fortunes went from bad to worse this year for California cherry growers.
An early heat wave impacted fruit set in many orchards, followed by rainstorms that battered the crop.
San Joaquin County, which leads California in cherry production, lost 63% of their crop and suffered financial losses of $174 million, according to the county’s request for a disaster declaration, which would make growers eligible for federal loans and assistance.
**Farmers for Soil Health opened enrollment for its 2026 cover crop incentive program, offering higher payments and shorter contract terms aimed at encouraging broader participation among row-crop producers.
Enrollment will remain open through August 31.
Farmers raising corn, soybeans, wheat, grain sorghum or cotton may apply regardless of previous cover crop use.
Under the updated program, participants can receive $35 per acre annually on up to 2,000 acres.
**The USDA announced renewed efforts to expand domestic fertilizer production, with Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins highlighting both short-term relief measures and long-term investments aimed at reducing our dependence on foreign fertilizer supplies.
Rollins says the administration is moving quickly on major fertilizer projects, including the Blue Point ammonia facility in Louisiana.
www.AgDaily.com reports, the announcement comes as farmers continue facing volatile fertilizer markets and elevated input costs.
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