The Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service announced it will review planted and harvested acreage for select crops earlier than normal. The crops under review include corn, cotton, peanuts,…
Helpful Tips for Preparing the Garden for the Cold Season Ahead
…the perfect time to think about the cooler months ahead in your garden. Towards the end of this month will be the perfect time to plant fall annuals petunias and…
Organic and Specialty Crop Insurance Purchases Increase Substantially
…and research. Over a 30-year period, liabilities for insured specialty crops increased from $1 billion to more than $20 billion. Liabilities for insured organic crops also increased substantially between 1990…
Specialty Crop Multi-State Program to Award $10 Million in Funding
…to state departments of agriculture to help support collaborative, multi-state projects that address issues of food safety, pests and disease, research, and marketing and promotion for specialty crops. “This program…
The Western View: September is California Wine Month
…best wines in the world created on small and large vineyards right here, among the citrus, stone fruit and row crops of California’s rich farmland. So this is the month…
Western House Members Ask for FEMA Disaster Declaration
…disaster programs.” The governors pointed out in their letter that historic drought may wipe out entire crops, limit yields, and lead to extreme levels of pests and disease that could…
Groups Disappointed in Neonicotinoid Evaluation
Grower organizations representing a variety of crops are disappointed with the Environmental Protection Agency’s draft biological evaluation for several neonicotinoid products. The groups representing farmers across the country say that…
Contract Producers Eligible for Assistance Under Recent CFAP 2 Update
…of specialty crops and other sales-based commodities will now be eligible for assistance. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) has established October 12 as the deadline…
Almond Update: New Cover Crop BMPs Available for Growers
A new resource has been made available for growers, focused on the use of cover crops in almond orchards. The new Best Management Practices (BMPs) guide provides a thorough look…
Propane Prices Heading Higher
…fall. Looking ahead to the Liquid Propane market environment for grain drying in the fall, analysts are said to be using descriptions like “train wreck” and “tug-of-war.” The rising Liquid…
EPA Moves to End Chlorpyrifos Use on National Scale
…the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA). “Farmers and ranchers care deeply about the quality of our crops – nothing is more important than producing safe, nutritious food. So, we must be…
USDA Announces Improvements to the Dairy Safety Net and New Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program
…the fall.” Under the Pandemic Market Volatility Assistance Program, payments will reimburse qualified dairy farmers for 80 percent of the revenue difference per month based on an annual production of…
USDA Accepting Applications to Help Cover Costs for Organic Certification
…costs, up to a maximum of $500 for each of the following categories (or “scopes”): · crops · wild crops · livestock · processing/handling · State organic program fees. Organic farmers and ranchers may apply through…
Health Bite: Comparing Milk and Alternatives
…Not surprisingly, whole milk has the most with about 9 grams per cup. Skim milk has almost none. Almond, soy and oat milk fall in the middle, with between 3…