…CEO of the California Tomato Growers Association, predicts the 2017 crop will weigh in at around 10.5 million tons—lower than the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s June estimate of 11.8 tons,…
Hurricanes Devastate Puerto Rico Agriculture
…only grazed the island, took out about $45 million in agriculture production. For more than 400 years, Puerto Rico’s economy was based on agriculture, historically focused on sugar cane, tobacco…
CropLife America CEO to Retire
…2017 CLA Annual Meeting in California this week. During the announcement, he said he is “proud to have represented the industry,” during his tenure as CEO. Vroom will continue to…
Rice Growers Eager to Enter Chinese Market
As National Rice Month comes to an end, many California growers are eagerly waiting for the Chinese market to officially open. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue recently set an aggressive timeline,…
FMD Language Included in Defense Authorization Act
…Joni Ernst includes a provision “recognizing the risk of FMD, or other foreign animal diseases, to U.S. food production, the economy, and national security,” according to the Senator. The provision…
Cap and Trade Funding for Agriculture
…trade program, and others saw it as the only option available to obtain some financial assistance as California moves to regulate greenhouse gas emissions further. Farmers, hullers, processors, and others…
Broomrape Concerns California Tomato Industry
A broomrape species has been causing some concern for California tomato growers after the discovery of Branched broomrape in a 70-acre field north of Woodland. The weed was initially found…
Rural Mainstreet Index Lower
…the economy six months out, increased to a weak 36.1 from 35.6 in August, indicating a continued pessimistic outlook among bankers. Organizer Ernie Goss says: “Concerns about trade, drought conditions…
Froman Says NAFTA Withdraw a Very Real Prospect
…last week in Washington, D.C. at an event hosted by the University of California. Politico reports Froman said: “There certainly is a desire by the president to withdraw from something,…
2017 California Prune Harvest Returns to Typical Levels
…among California prune growers. “California prunes consistently represent the world’s finest quality fruit,” said Donn Zea, Executive Director, California Dried Plum Board. “This year, the industry is returning to a…
The Western View: Weather, Rain or Drought Ahead
It’s finally fall. This year, summer held on to the last possible second, giving us the treat of one of the hottest summers ever. Here in the Fresno, California area,…
California Receives Funding to Boost Small Business Exports
…markets for California’s exports include Mexico, Canada, and China. “On average, more than 25 percent of California’s agricultural production is exported,” said California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) Secretary…
Entomologist Frank Zalom Delivers 2017 ARS B. Y. Morrison Memorial Lecture at ASHS Conference
…brought into play, Zalom explained. Under Zalom’s guidance, the University of California Integrated Pest Management Program became recognized as the premier program of its type as he reinforced the need…
Every Winery Needs a Dog
…animals, sniff out the harmful critters and pests before a harvest, and actually help vineyards cut down on the use of machinery, pesticides and other chemicals. California, which produces about…