…total U.S. wheat crop. Craig Morris, an ARS chemist in Pullman, Washington, has a soft spot for durum which, despite the hard nature of its kernels, is better adapted to…
Water Board OKs Hike in Water Quality Fees
…recommendation to increase the per acre fee in the WDPF by 12 cents, increasing the rate to 87 cents per acre. This would cover $1 million from the state budget…
Record Crop Value in Sacramento County
The 2016 Crop and Livestock Report that was recently released by the Sacramento County Agricultural Commissioner’s Office showed that the area’s farmers and ranchers have set a record for their…
Organic Field Crop Production Numbers Rising
…field crops are making gains in the number of acres planted and overall value. The National Ag Statistics Service released the numbers showing that U.S. farms and ranches produced $7.6…
“i5k” is for Insects
…insects and other arthropods. Many profoundly impact people and the Earth’s ecology. Some insects pollinate a third of our food crops. Others destroy one-fifth of the world’s total crop production…
Kiwifruit Supplies Cause Jump in Price
Kiwifruit harvest is just about underway in California and it appears this year’s crop will be down from last season’s 31,324 tons. High temperatures throughout the summer are most likely…
Almond Board: Seeds for Bees
…sustainable, healthy honey bee supply for pollination services in California while improving crop production. This can be accomplished with cover crops planted in or around orchards. Would you like to…
Tomato Crop Coming in Lighter than Expected
…be converted from row crops to almonds. “Tomatoes require a good crop rotation to maintain yields,” said Williams, who also has corn, sunflowers, wheat, alfalfa and beans. “We have to…
Farm Policy Facts Study Addresses Heritage Foundation Suggestions
…it is time to change farm policy. The blueprint would eliminate revenue-based crop insurance and the Renewable Fuel Standard, eliminate the Waters of the United States Rule and eliminate bioenergy…
Environmental Working Group Keeps Eye on Farm Bill Development
…of the things they want to be emphasized in the new Farm Bill include cover crops as part of the conservation title. Cover Crops The Environmental Working Group also thinks…
Heat-Tolerant Broccoli for the Future
In an ARS research plot in South Carolina, geneticist Mark Farnham collects broccoli for heat-tolerance evaluations. Photo by USDA-ARS U.S. Vegetable Laboratory. Traditionally, broccoli is a cool-weather crop. Agricultural Research…
Broomrape Concerns California Tomato Industry
…four months ago which resulted in a quarantine and decontamination of the field with a crop duster. “Our broomrape problem appears to be very isolated and limited. We hope to…
New Zealand Triples U.S. DDGS Purchases
…opening of the market for U.S. exports, the Grains Council says grain buyers significantly increased purchases due to local crop failures and local market limitations. New Zealand has purchased 113,000…
Margin Protection Crop Insurance Decision Due
Farmers have until the end of this month to decide if they’d like to take USDA’s new Margin Protection Crop Insurance plan. Known as M-P, the program most closely aligns…