President Donald Trump has rekindled a debate over a small, endangered fish in California by issuing an Executive Order titled “Putting People Over Fish,” aiming to redirect water from northern …
Western Snowpack Gives Insight into Water Supplies
The first outlook of Western Mountain snowpack for the new year gives some insight to potential water supplies for the region’s farm irrigators and municipalities this Spring and Summer. Rod …
CDFA’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program Allocates Funding to New Projects
The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (CDFA/FREP) has allocated $1.15 million to five new projects aimed at enhancing nutrient and irrigation management for California’s …
Pacific NW Above-Average Mountain Snowpack Accumulations
USDA Meteorologist Brad Rippey discusses the Pacific Northwest’s above-average mountain snowpack accumulations, noting a pattern consistent with La Niña conditions despite the absence of an official La Niña. The Northwest …
American Agriculture History Minute: Center Pivot Irrigation System Developed
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. In 1946, Robert Doherty was looking for a good business opportunity, and he recognized the potential of a small manufacturing company …
A View of Farm Irrigation and Water Management
USDA’s latest edition of its Irrigation and Water Management Survey offers insights into farm irrigation. Rod Bain has more. Sponsored ContentCIR Agriculture Harvester ProductsNovember 1, 2024Protecting Your Operation from Damaging …
USDA Workshop Sets Research Roadmap for Tackling PFAS Challenges in Agriculture
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) recently outlined steps toward addressing Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination in agricultural soils and waters. In collaboration with the …
Decline in California Farmland Values Raises Economic Concerns
The California Farm Bureau reports a significant decline in San Joaquin Valley land values, attributed primarily to the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA). SGMA restricts groundwater pumping, which has hit …
American Agriculture History Minute: Irrigation Developed in the Great American Desert
I’m Mark Oppold with an American Agriculture History Minute. Agriculture in what is now Colorado began taking shape in the early 1850s. Then Rocky Mountain News founder William N. Byers …
California Groundwater Levels Show Improvement, but Challenges Remain
As California enters a new water year, the Department of Water Resources (DWR) released its Fall Semi-Annual Groundwater Conditions update. The update highlights improvements made under the Sustainable Groundwater Management …
State Water Board Approves Rate Hikes for 2024-25, Impacting Farmers and Groundwater Recharge Projects
The California State Water Resources Control Board has approved rate increases for the 2024-25 fiscal year, impacting various water quality and water rights programs. These increases aim to address budget …
Farm Struggles Similar to Those Seen in 1980’s Continue to Impact Growers
There’s hope that ongoing farm challenges will begin to ease in the near future. Fresno County Farm Bureau CEO Ryan Jacobson said that it’s been a tough couple years for …
Kern County Subbasin Considered for SGMA Probation
The California State Water Resources Control Board is considering placing the Kern County Subbasin on probation because of concerns about its groundwater sustainability plans. A public hearing about this decision …
Restraining Order Against the State Water Resources Control Board Extended
Legal efforts to challenge probationary status under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act continue moving forward. Kings County Superior Court Judge Kathy Ciuffini extended a temporary restraining order (TRO) preventing the …