…to cattle while ranchers were working with their herds in Siskiyou County. The issue is especially difficult at a time when cattle prices have provided some welcome improvement for ranchers…
From Plymouth to Plantation Agriculture: The Early Crops and Trade That Shaped American Agriculture
…the agricultural lessons was the use of small fish as fertilizer. Fish could be placed with the corn seed or around growing plants, providing nutrients that helped support crop growth….
California Ag Faces Wolves, Labor and Regulatory Challenges
…with California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass. Papagni opens the program with concerns about sharply rising fuel costs during harvest, noting diesel prices above $8 per gallon in some areas…
Rick Roberti: California Cattle Industry Faces Major Challenges
…viable while encouraging young people to remain involved. Energy Costs and Regulation Add Pressure Roberti also pointed to diesel, fertilizer and other input costs as major concerns. He said high…
California Ag Faces Challenges as World Ag Expo Prepares for 60th Anniversary
…grazing land through easements, hunting areas and other land-use changes. Rising fuel and production costs also remain a concern. Roberti points to diesel, fertilizer, trucking and other expenses as factors…
Rick Roberti on Cattle, Beef, Wolves, Wildfires and California Agriculture
…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
…problem is compounded because they generally cannot simply raise commodity prices whenever their costs increase. Labor, water, fertilizer, transportation, equipment and regulatory expenses all have to be absorbed while buyers…
California Agriculture Faces Growing Pressure on Labor, Water and Regulations
…industry. Papagni opened the program by discussing several issues affecting agriculture, including rising California fuel prices, concerns about diesel costs and the potential role of propane as an alternative for…
Edward Ring: California Water Crisis Demands Action
…Singapore as examples of places already relying heavily on desalination. He argued that California’s high desalination costs are driven largely by regulatory requirements and electricity prices rather than the technology…
Native Americans Shaped the Landscape Before European Settlement
…The ashes left behind by burned vegetation added nutrients to the soil, functioning as a natural source of fertilizer. This illustrates how Native American communities used the resources available to…
Farm Income Outlook Shows Higher Payments, Rising Expenses in 2026
…income is expected to fall by $4.3 billion, or approximately 2.6%. Rising input expenses and lower commodity prices are contributing to the pressure on producers. Total production expenses are forecast…
Cattle Market Faces Questions Over Beef Import Proposal
…cattle prices go next. Cattle Market Beef Imports Raise Questions Commodity broker Brad Kooima says producers and market participants need more clarity about the administration’s proposal, particularly as cattle prices…
Ryan Jacobsen: California Ag’s Future Depends on Water
…2025, Jacobsen cited fertilizer costs rising 37%, fuel 31% and labor 50%. Specialty-crop costs increased about 47% over just two years. Those higher costs have collided with weak commodity prices,…
USDA Plans $30 Million Walnut Purchase to Support California Market
…from the previous marketing year. Industry officials say reducing those carryover supplies could provide additional support for prices and improve market conditions as the new crop enters the selling season….