Southwest, Sierras Remain Dry A normal water supply is predicted for much of the West, while the Southwest, Sierra Nevada region and Pacific Northwest are beginning the year drier than…
Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Makes Major Announcement Regarding Conservation Projects
…part of the new USDA Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP). In addition, these projects will leverage an estimated $400 million more in partner contributions—for a total of nearly $800 million—to…
Port Slowdowns are Affecting Farm Shipments
…months-long contract talks between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association dragged on and cargo backups became more severe, exporters say they heard from many frustrated…
Pacific Regional Crop Production Report
The USDA-NASS Pacific Regional Field Office today released the crop production forecasts that reflect conditions as of January 1. The latest survey, conducted during the last week of December 2014…
Fruit Size and Drop Factors in Citrus Crop Forecast
…and Fruit Size chart. (.pdf) The February Citrus Crop Forecast is scheduled for Tuesday February 10, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time and will be “Live” here on AgNet West.com….
USDA Observes Kick Off of the International Year of Soils
…soil. The United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), working within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, spearheaded the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly designating…
Pacific Region Poultry Report
California’s egg production during November totaled 360 million, down 15 million from October’s production and down 43 million from November 2013. The average number of layers during the month totaled…
Census of Horticulture Arriving in Mailboxes this Winter
…Census of Horticulture includes producers of floriculture, nursery and other specialty crops,” said Vic Tolomeo, Director of the NASS Pacific Regional Field Office. “According to the most recent Census of…
Help Available for Wildfire-Impacted Ranches and Private Forestland
…apply under the regular EQIP funding opportunities. NRCS has provided leadership in a partnership effort to help America’s private landowners and managers conserve their soil, water and other natural resources…
USDA to Gauge Farmland Ownership and Farm Economics
…the survey, called Tenure, Ownership, and Transition of Agricultural Land (TOTAL), by the end of December. “The recent Census of Agriculture counted more than 11.6 million acres of land that…
USDA Provides Greater Protection for Fruit, Vegetable and Other Specialty Crop Growers
…and how it can help them, USDA, in partnership with Michigan State University and the University of Illinois, created an online resource. The Web tool, available at www.fsa.usda.gov/nap, allows producers…
USDA Seeks Public Comment on New Environmental Quality Incentives Program Rule
…following: Requires at least 5 percent of available EQIP funds be targeted for conservation practices that promote wildlife habitat; Establishes EQIP as a contributing program for the Regional Conservation Partnership…
Growing California Video Series: Urban Farm Educates, Inspires
The latest segment in the Growing California video series, a partnership with California Grown, is “Fairview Farms,” a profile of an urban farm near Santa Barbara – a farm with…
USDA Joins Global Partners to Kick Off International Year of Soils in 2015
…International Year of Soils campaign within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership. The year of awareness aims to increase understanding of the importance of soil for food security and…