…Association, for a wide-ranging conversation about cattle, beef prices, imported meat, wolves, processing, wildfires and the future of California agriculture. The conversation comes as the U.S. cattle herd remains at…
California Agriculture at a Crossroads: Labor, Immigration, Water and Regulation
…and ranchers to navigate. The Cost of Keeping a Farm Open Cunha said the consequences are already being felt, particularly among smaller growers. He described farm bankruptcies and the loss…
California Agriculture Under Pressure: Manuel Cunha on Labor, Water and Regulation
…the H-2A adverse wage rate and the reality that farmers are largely “price takers,” meaning they generally cannot simply raise the price of their commodities to offset higher labor, fuel,…
California Pilot Finds New Market for Surplus Strawberries
…in the field or sent to processing. The U.S. Food Waste Project found participating growers reduced on-farm strawberry losses by 51 percent by selling surplus and No. 2 berries to…
Parka Helps California Citrus Growers Protect Fruit Quality and Packout
…flexible, permeable barrier that continues to allow transpiration and gas exchange. For citrus, Del Rio says timing and coverage are particularly important. He has incorporated Parka with his fungicide program…
John Deere Makes $10 Million Investment in California Ag Tech
…innovation directly into agricultural communities. Bernstein argued that technology will be increasingly important as growers contend with labor shortages, water challenges, rising costs and the loss of agricultural acreage. Labor…
Rancher’s First Initiative Targets Cattle Herd Rebuilding and Producer Stability
…and say, should I keep my heifers this year and hope for a good price two years from now on the returns of a heifer, or am I better off…
California Citrus Faces Trade, Labor and Water Challenges
…Argentine lemons arrive at the same time California growers are marketing their crop. Ventura County lemon growers have been particularly affected, with prices trending downward as imported volumes increase. California…
$2 Million Investment Targets Pest Control and Quality in U.S. Tree Nuts
…for the project to be made during fiscal year 2027, pending approval of the department’s spending plan. For more coverage on this, listen to the latest AgNet West report below….
Rising Produce Imports Add Pressure to U.S. Specialty Crop Growers
…Higher costs can leave U.S. producers with less flexibility when competing on price. Imports Compete During Key Marketing Windows The increase in imports is also creating concerns when foreign-grown produce…
Enzo’s Olive Oil: Ricchiuti Family Builds on 100 Years of Farming
…is imported. He believes California producers have an enormous opportunity if consumers become more familiar with the quality and freshness of domestic olive oil. Price remains a challenge because California…
USDA Lowers Steer Price Forecasts for 2026 and 2027
…pressure on cattle values. Steer Price Forecasts Move Lower USDA lowered its average steer price forecast for 2026 by $5.75 per hundredweight, bringing the projection to $245.35 per hundredweight. The agency also…
USDA Lowers 2026 Butter Forecast as Dairy Product Prices Shift
…whey prices in 2026 and 2027. Butter and Nonfat Dry Milk Forecasts USDA lowered its 2026 butter price forecast by four cents per pound, bringing the projection to $1.65 per pound….
Rosa Brothers Milk: From Tulare Dairy to California Brand
…with the family’s former reliance on commodity milk prices. Rosa said commodity milk production can be around break-even depending on the processor and pay price, while strong beef prices have…