New cost studies released by the UC ANR Agricultural Issues Center and UC Cooperative Extension show that peach growers could net roughly $800 more per acre from late-harvest processing peaches compared to extra-early harvest varieties. UC researchers studied the cost of production for extra-early harvested varieties and late-harvested varieties for processing in the San Joaquin Valley and Sacramento. Processors will …
It may seem early to start thinking about dust during almond harvest, but Carissa Sauer, Manager of Industry Communications with the Almond Board of California says it is time to start planning. Listen to her comments here: From the Almond Board: Improving air quality in California, especially in the San Joaquin Valley, is a major issue for all residents. Sweepers …
The House Agriculture Committee held a hearing to discuss investments in agricultural research as a continuation of the committee’s hearing series on preparing for the next farm bill. Chairman K. Michael Conaway (TX-11) and members of the committee heard from various university representatives on the opportunities and challenges institutions face in ensuring the U.S. remains a world leader in agricultural …
As Congress considers the next Farm Bill, Glenda Humiston, University of California Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources, spoke before the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture Thursday, June 22 about the importance of university agricultural research and innovation. In her address, Humiston highlighted the fact that California is the country’s top agricultural state. “California’s $47 billion agricultural …
Cathy Isom has some tips about how to keep your fruits and veggies fresher, longer. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Keeping Fruits and Veggies Fresh There is nothing more annoying or perhaps upsetting when finding one of your favorite fruits and vegetables that you’ve been waiting to enjoy has already ripened to the point of rotten. Every year, …
China will begin vaccinating poultry next month against the H7N9 avian influenza virus which has claimed hundreds of lives and caused major damage to the nation’s poultry industry. Reuters says the program will kick off in early July and targets all species including broiler chickens, ducks, geese and laying hens. The managing director of the China Poultry Association says “in …
A new study says the U.S. withdrawal from the Trans-Pacific Partnership will cost the nation more than $3 billion in exports. Meanwhile, the remaining 11 members would enjoy marginal gains from the U.S.’ TPP withdrawal, with Mexico and Canada set to benefit the most. A study by a firm from Canada told the Global Trade Review this week that TPP-11 …
A series of public hearings next week on the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement seeks comments on the efforts. The U.S. is scheduled to post its NAFTA renegotiation goals July 17th, following the meetings. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer told the Senate Finance Committee Wednesday that while the negotiations will then begin August 16th, there is no …
President Donald Trump pledged to include rural broadband in his infrastructure plan while in Iowa Wednesday. The President visited Kirkwood University in Cedar Rapids, Iowa to talk agricultural technology, and held a rally in downtown Cedar Rapids. Trump was joined by Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue and Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross while highlighting the need to expand rural broadband to give …
Everett Griner talks about grape farming and wine production in more than just California in today’s Agri View. Grape Farming Expanding You know it takes good grapes to make good wine. California has always been America’s primary source of wine grapes. Grape farmers are among the nation’s most elite group. Of course, there are small and medium vineyards in other …
Pollinator Week 2017 is the tenth consecutive year of the program that unifies the nation around the vital issue of pollinator conservation. June 19 through 25 has been designated National Pollinator Week by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of the Interior. More than 160 events across North America have also been organized to support Pollinator Week. …
Dow AgroSciences and Intrepid Edge insecticide bring us the Navel Orangeworm (NOW) Degree Day Report for pistachios as of June 19. Degree days are determined using the calculator at the University of California integrated pest management website. All locations use CIMIS weather stations. NOW Degree Day reports are sponsored by Dow AgroSciences and Intrepid Edge insecticide.
Cathy Isom tells us about a month long celebration of delicious dairy products, and the farmers who produce them. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Celebrating Dairy Month in June The month of June is a time when everyone can show appreciation for the several thousand dairy farms and families. They are responsible for their commitment to producing nutritious …
Brazil’s President is suing the former JBS board chairman and majority shareholder. President Michel Temer filed two lawsuits this week against Joesley Batista for slander and moral damages, after Batista was quoted in an interview saying Temer is “the head of the most dangerous criminal organization in Brazil.” Batista gave details in a magazine interview of the bribery scheme with …
Retired Hormel Foods executive Joe Swedberg will lead the Farm Foundation board of directors. Swedberg was reelected earlier this month to serve on Farm Foundation’s board of directors and chair the organization’s board of trustees. Farm Foundation is an agricultural policy institute founded in 1933. The Foundation works to bring stakeholders together to discuss evolving issues, explore options to address …
The United States and the United Kingdom are set to explore a potential trade deal following a meeting of trade officials. U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer met with his British counterpart this week to discuss the groundwork for a potential bilateral trade agreement between the U.S. and the U.K., according to Politico. However, any deal with the U.K. cannot be …
Everett Griner talks about controlling insects and pests is a challenge without the use of chemicals in today’s Agri View. Chemical Challenge to Control Insects Farmers use a lot of chemicals to kill bugs. It might surprise you to know how much. Well, it is in the thousands of tons. Our EPA has called on the government to ban the …
The Water Rights Protection Act, introduced in the House, could bring U.S. ranchers much-needed relief from ongoing efforts by the federal government to extort privately held water rights from law-abiding citizens, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation. “It’s time to put a stop to federal strong-arming of ranchers by a government that owns the majority of the land for …
Ranchers in Spokane, Washington filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Monday seeking a reinstatement of Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) on meat. The suit heralds the sentiment of many California ranchers and contends that the labeling is essential for transparency and to allow Americans to support smaller, family-owned ranches. The lawsuit was brought about by the …
Citrus demands for nitrogen are greatest from bloom through June, making spring the best time to apply supplemental nitrogen fertilizer to navel oranges. Growers typically apply between 1/10 and 1/4 of their annual nitrogen requirement foliarly, in pre-bloom and post-bloom low-biuret urea sprays. Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Craig Kallsen has been researching the amount of nitrogen a mature navel orange …
