…And while cattle prices have recently been strong, other parts of the operation—like hay and alfalfa—are under pressure due to rising input costs and lower-than-expected returns. Predators, Policy, and New…
Wine Industry at a Crossroads: Crisis, Comeback & What’s Next
…within the next two years. That could mean higher prices and tighter supply across the market. Innovation Is Reshaping the Future Despite the challenges, Karavidas remains optimistic. In his conversation…
Inside Agriculture’s Turning Point: Mike Johanns on Policy, Profitability, and the Future
…Row crop producers are battling tight margins as input costs continue to climb, often offsetting any gains in commodity prices. Meanwhile, specialty sectors like California’s wine industry are facing serious…
Colonial Fur Trade and Wheat Demand Shaped Early American Farming
…wheat production, turning the area into one of the most important grain-producing regions in colonial America. Wheat Prices Double by 1770 The surge in European demand had a clear economic…
From Water Challenges to Agave Innovation: The Woolf Farming Story
…supply and pricing. Almonds: After years of low prices, the market is stabilizing, with cautious optimism for growth. At the same time, labor shortages remain a major concern. To address…
The Homestead Act: How Free Land Transformed North American Agriculture
…of their land holdings at very low prices to prospective farmers. These companies also launched aggressive marketing campaigns overseas. Railroad advertisements appeared across Europe, promoting North America as a place…
A Fresno Success Story Featured on the AgNet News Hour
…has grown significantly, Papulias says operating a food business in California has become increasingly difficult. He pointed to several challenges affecting producers today: Rising ingredient costs, including black pepper prices…
Six Generations of Farming: Cannon Michael on Water, Innovation, and the Future of California Agriculture
…says the challenges facing growers in 2026 are particularly intense. Farmers must deal with fluctuating commodity prices, pests, weather volatility, labor costs, and regulatory pressures—all while investing millions of dollars…
Cannon Michael Warns West Side Farmers Face Major Challenges with 15% Water Allocation
…conditions improve later in the season. Michael noted that water supply uncertainty is only one piece of the puzzle. Farmers must also navigate fluctuating commodity prices, unpredictable weather, labor costs,…
Fertilizer: The Overlooked Revolution in American Agriculture
…revolutionary: fertilizer. Fertilizer’s Deep Roots in Agricultural History The actual history of fertilizer likely goes back further than all the mechanical inventions we typically celebrate. Long before industrial innovation reshaped…
Steve Hilton: “Help Is on the Way” for California Agriculture
…Valley, Ventura County, and beyond, Hilton says water reform would be a top priority on day one. Energy Independence and Gas Prices Hilton was blunt about California’s energy direction. He…
Dave Roberts Says California Farmers Are Being Squeezed From Every Direction
…lemon market alone, imports from the Southern Hemisphere have cut weeks out of California’s traditional selling window. The result? More volume forced into a shorter time frame, softer prices, and…
Elaine Culotti Announces Run for California Governor, Calls for Economic Reset and Bipartisan Reform
…oil and gas restrictions have worsened supply chain costs and energy prices. “If we don’t fix our foundation, nothing else works,” she said. Insurance, Litigation, and Business Climate Culotti also…
Kern Oil: Rickey Bird on California’s Energy, Community, and the Human Cost
…grapes to produce, rise with fuel prices, affecting both farmers and consumers. Bird highlights the interconnectedness: “Overregulation and mismanagement don’t just hurt oil—they touch agriculture, shipping, and every sector that…