Jeff Bitter of Allied Grape Growers was on a panel at a recent California Department of Food and Agriculture meeting highlighting some of the challenges for growers in the state. …
Grapevine Insurance Coverage for 2025 Expanded and Enhanced
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is making some changes to its grapevine insurance program for the 2025 crop year. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is shortening the required grafting …
New Smoke Exposure Insurance Protection for California Grapes
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has introduced a new crop insurance endorsement to help California winegrape growers protect against the effects of wildfire smoke. The Fire Insurance Protection- Smoke …
Lawmakers Call for Improvements to Foreign Land Ownership Disclosure Process
A group of more than a dozen U.S. senators is urging the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to overhaul its foreign land ownership disclosure process. The lawmakers highlight the need …
A Good Year for California Beef Industry, But Challenges Remain
During a recent California State Board of Food and Agriculture meeting, Steve Arnold, president of the California Cattlemen’s Association (CCA), shared some of the successes and struggles of the California …
New Technology Helping to Detect Plant Stress
New technology could alert growers to plant stresses weeks before we can see those stresses on the plant. It’s from the Davis, CA-based ag tech company InnerPlant, which creates crops …
California Citrus Industry Holding Steady with Some Growth in Key Areas
The 2024 California Citrus Acreage Report shows that overall, the state’s citrus industry is steady, with some ups and downs. The report is based on a survey sent to about …
Total Debt Held by Farm Sector Increases 34 Percent in 10 Years
Information from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that total debt held by the farm sector has increased significantly between 2012 and 2022. The report summary from USDA’s Economic …
Harvest Expectations for Apples and Cranberries
How is harvest looking for two fall favorites? That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. Does this year’s harvest indicate plenty of fruit from two fall-time favorites … apples …
Larger California Peach Crop Expected Despite A Warm Winter
California’s 2024 peach crop forecast is looking good with a six percent increase from last year, hitting 510,000 tons. According to the USDA Fruit and Nut Outlook report, freestone peaches …
Economic Analysis Highlights Impact of Pesticide Policies on Lettuce Production
The proposed Sustainable Pest Management framework in California might have serious economic consequences for the state’s lettuce industry, according to a study by the Californians for Smart Pesticide Policy (CSPP). …
Dairy Price Forecasts
A look at dairy price forecasts. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. World Agricultural Outlook Board Chair Mark Jekanowski goes over this month’s USDA price forecasts for dairy …
Nearly A Quarter of U.S. Farmers Without Internet
Even in this digital age, not all U.S. farmers are able to use the internet in their operations. That’s coming up on This Land of Ours. While it may seem …
Farm Loan Programs Receive an Overhaul
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has announced significant updates to the Farm Loan Programs from the Farm Service Agency (FSA). The changes will take effect beginning on September 25 …