…designed for specialty crop producers, to research, to market and promotion opportunities,” Lester Moffitt said. Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative According to the USDA, the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative aims to…
AgNet Weekly: USDA Specialty Crop Initiatives
The USDA is putting a focus on specialty crops with new investments and the Specialty Crop Competitiveness Initiative (SCCI), which is part of a larger effort to support specialty crop…
Federal Investments to Support U.S. Specialty Crops
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced two USDA investments to support the U.S. specialty crops industry. The Assisting Specialty Crop Exports (ASCE) initiative, part of the Regional Agricultural Promotion Program…
Questions and Concerns with California Budget Proposal
…regulatory burdens affecting farmers and ranchers producing our food supply.” The fruit fly invasion has impacted a number of crops across the state. An estimated cost associated with avoiding eradication…
CSP Opportunities for California Ranchers
…grazing conditions, increase crop resiliency, or develop wildlife habitat. One of the CSP conservation enhancement activities that can benefit California ranchers addresses fencing. “If you’re in an area where you…
Water and Disease Management During Almond Bloom: Insights from BASF
…good stewards of the crop, but also that we’re maximizing the yield we can get at the end of the season,” said Samler. In navigating almond bloom challenges, Samler’s insights…
Almond Update: Increasing Problems with Plant Bug Infestations
…pest for some time, however stink bugs have also compounded crop damage challenges in recent years. Machado described an occasion visiting an orchard with a particularly bad problem with stink…
USDA Provides Awards for Organic Market Development and Promotion
…part of the USDA Organic Transition Initiative, complements various programs supporting existing and transitioning organic farmers, such as conservation assistance, mentorship programs, and crop insurance support. The grants prioritize projects…
Large Family Farms Account for Bulk of Commodity Production
…percent of hog production, 65 percent of cotton 65 percent of specialty crops, and 76 percent of dairy products. On the other hand, small family farms accounted for three percent…
Asian Citrus Psyllid Discovery Opens Additional Research Opportunities
…opens new research avenues and challenges in controlling this crop disease. Professor Walter Leal from UC Davis, specializing in chemical ecology, collaborated on the research, emphasizing the implications for understanding…
Weather’s Impact on Almond Pollination: Insights from BASF
…achieving a successful almond crop, explaining, “Bees are critical to getting a harvestable crop. Even self-pollinating varieties still need bees, but they just require about 50 percent less.” Describing honeybees…
Voices of the Valley: A Look Ahead to Agriculture’s Biggest Challenges in 2024
…discuss how agriculture is addressing its biggest challenges in both innovation and science. The activity around supporting and strengthening specialty crop agriculture through Western Growers is bustling. Dennis and Jeana…
Navigating Weather Challenges in Almond Orchards: Insights from BASF
…stress induced by cold temperatures at the wrong time can have far-reaching consequences, potentially depressing next year’s crop for these trees.” These insights offer almond growers a strategic perspective on…
Week in Review: New Beetle Makes Winter Sanitation Critical & Snow Levels A Quarter of Last Year
…in reduced weekly working hours and earnings for crop workers over the subsequent two years. Stay up to date with the latest agricultural issues by subscribing to the weekly newsletter….