Despite various industry efforts, The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has refused to include extra-long staple (ELS) cotton in the latest expansion of commodities covered under the Coronavirus Food Assistance …
Lawmakers Encourage Action on Potato Dispute with Mexico
A group of U.S. Senators is encouraging action to be taken in the potato dispute with Mexico. In a letter sent to Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and U.S. Trade …
Application Tips for Limiting Urban Complaints
As AgNet West has reported, a side effect of the COVID-19 social distancing advisories has been an uptick in complaints about agriculture applications. Agriculture Commissioners’ offices are getting calls about …
Lawmakers Encourage Active Enforcement of Dairy Provisions of USMCA
A bipartisan group of lawmakers is encouraging proactive enforcement of dairy provisions set forth in the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). In a letter addressed to U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer and …
Conservation at Work: Benefits of Irrigation Water Management
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can provide valuable assistance for producers looking to improve irrigation water management. NRCS staff can help craft an efficient irrigation plan to maximize the …
USDA NRCS Awards $640,000 to Six in California for Conservation Innovation
The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California is pleased to announce $640,000 in funding through Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). “Congratulations to the University of California Santa Barbara, Resource …
Increased ‘Smelly’ Organic Complaints During Pandemic
Agricultural Commissioner Offices have been busy with both conventional and organic complaints about agricultural applications. When those complaints are about drift or a pesticide in general, county offices are required to take …
Organic Systems Plan Being Considered for Healthy Soils Program
The Environmental Farming Act Science Advisory Panel (EFA SAP) is contemplating some changes to the Healthy Soils Program (HSP) from the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The panel …
Chinese Purchasing Appears Strong Despite Tensions
Over the past ten days Chinese purchasing of multiple U.S. agricultural goods has created some optimism within the industry. Specifically, purchases of American sorghum and soybeans have picked up considerably. …
Project Applications Being Accepted for National RCPP
A total of $360 million in federal funding is being made available to potential conservation partners. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is seeking applications …
Industry Members Encouraged to Engage on SB 1383
Senate Bill 1383 is currently being considered in the California Assembly. The bill seeks to expand the reach of the California Family Rights Act (CFRA). Employers with as few as …
USDA’s Food Box Program Receives Another Adjustment
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has amended the parameters for the Farmers to Families Food Box Program. USDA’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) originally specified that contracts would only be …
UTV Replacement Applications Being Accepted
The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) has reopened the application window for the Zero-Emission Ag Utility Terrain Vehicle (UTV) Voucher program. The program provides monetary incentives for …
Making Sense of Biologicals: Variations of Mating Disruption Under Biopesticides
Mating disruption and pheromone use are examples of biochemicals that fall under the category of biopesticides. Most growers are familiar with at least one way those products are applied, but …