Darren Schmall

From Farming to Fast-Growing Trees: Darren Schmall’s Vision for California Agriculture

DanAgri-Business, Conservation, Economy, Environment, Horticulture, Interview, Special Reports, Specialty Crops, Wine

…allocations. Schmall also discussed the rising costs hurting farmers across California. Diesel prices, fertilizer expenses, labor costs, and government regulations are all putting enormous pressure on agriculture. According to Schmall,…

Monterey County

Monterey County Agriculture at a Crossroads: Water, Labor, and the Future of America’s Salad Bowl

DanAgri-Business, Biofuels/Energy, Economy, Environment, Interview, Irrigation, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Special Reports, Technology, Water

…Farmers are also navigating an increasingly complex regulatory environment. Proposed restrictions on fertilizer use and water quality regulations could make it difficult to maintain crop yields. At the same time,…

Farm Bill

Farm Bill Advances as Food Security, Fertilizer Costs, and California Policy Pressures Dominate Ag Conversation

DanAgNet News Hour, Agri-Business, Economy, Environment, Farm Bill, Fertilizer, Interview, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Podcasts, Regulation, Special Reports

…crops like lettuce and strawberries. These roles require specialized skills and cannot easily be replaced by automation. “These are highly skilled jobs,” Groot explained. Fertilizer costs also continue to weigh…

Fertilizer Costs

Fertilizer Costs, Policy Debate, and Water Challenges Take Center Stage for California Agriculture

DanAgNet News Hour, Agri-Business, Biofuels/Energy, Drought, Economy, Environment, Fertilizer, Fertilizer, Irrigation, Labor and Immigration, Podcasts, Regulation, Water

…decades of consolidation in the fertilizer industry as a key driver behind today’s high prices. “Four companies control 75 percent of the domestic nitrogen fertilizer market,” Rollins said, emphasizing the…

mcclintock

California Crossroads: McClintock on Water, Policy & Ag

DanAgri-Business, Biofuels/Energy, Economy, Environment, Exports/Imports, Exports/Imports, Funding, Interview, Irrigation, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Regulation, Special Reports, Trade, Water

…McClintock contrasts the California of the 1960s—where middle-class families could easily purchase homes—with today’s market, where median home prices exceed $900,000. He attributes this to regulatory constraints that limit housing…

Fordyce

USDA’s Fordyce: Policy, Pressure & Promise for Farmers

DanAgri-Business, Biofuels/Energy, Cattle, Conservation, Drought, Economy, Environment, Funding, Interview, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Regulation, Special Reports, USDA, Water

…cattle industry presents a mixed picture. Herd sizes have declined due to drought, yet strong prices are creating profitability. The catch? High prices discourage herd rebuilding, as producers often choose…

Richard Fordyce

USDA’s Richard Fordyce Highlights Farm Bill Gains, Tax Relief, and Support for California Agriculture

DanAgNet News Hour, Agri-Business, Climate Change, Conservation, Crop Insurance, Economy, Environment, Funding, Interview, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Podcasts, Regulation, Special Reports, Weather

…addition, updates to safety net programs like ARC and PLC include increased reference prices and expanded base acres, both critical factors in determining federal support payments. These updates aim to…

Potter Valley

California Agriculture Faces Policy Pressure, Weather Challenges, and Critical Election Year

DanAgNet News Hour, Agri-Business, Biofuels/Energy, Climate Change, Conservation, Drought, Economy, Energy, Environment, Interview, Irrigation, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Podcasts, Regulation, Special Reports, Technology, Water

…and alfalfa. At the same time, input costs—particularly fertilizer—continue to rise, putting additional strain on farm operations. “Fertilizer prices are through the roof right now,” McGill said, underscoring one of…

California Ag Policy

California Ag at a Crossroads: Policy, Pressure, and Opportunity

DanAgri-Business, Biofuels/Energy, Biotechnology, Climate Change, Conservation, Drought, Economy, Education, Energy, Environment, Exports/Imports, Greenhouse Gas, Interview, Irrigation, Labor and Immigration, Legislative, Regulation, Solar, Special Reports, Tariffs, Technology, Trade, Water

…the need for regulatory reform, something she says is long overdue. Affordability is the driving issue, impacting everything from housing to food prices. For agriculture, that means balancing environmental goals…