…be investing in automation,” Giles said, noting that mechanical blueberry harvesting is gaining traction while strawberries remain more difficult to automate. The Specialty Crop Grower magazine continues to highlight these…
Cyrus McCormick and the Reaper Revolution
…factory in Chicago in 1847. In 1902, the McCormick Harvesting Machine Company merged with the Deering Harvester Company and three other businesses to form the International Harvester Company. University of…
Bonsai Robotics Acquires farm-ng in AgTech Merger
…are poised to offer AI-first machines that can redefine how farms manage planting, harvesting, and overall crop health. “This is more than a merger—it’s a leap forward for AgTech,” the…
Three Agricultural Revolutions That Transformed U.S. Farming
…time, agricultural visionary Henry Wallace introduced hybrid seed corn—ushering in new levels of crop consistency and yield performance. This period saw rapid innovation in planting and harvesting methods. The Third…
Strawberry Volumes Rise, But Growers Still Lag Behind
…modest financial cushion. However, the rising cost of production and persistent labor shortages continue to strain growers across the board. From land acquisition and plant materials to harvesting and packing,…
Labor Crisis Still Looms Over California’s Fresh Fruit Industry
…part of their communities, families, and operations. The Limits of Automation in Fresh Fruit Harvesting A key challenge Hartwig highlighted is the misconception that automation can replace human labor in…
Hilton Slams Solar on Farmland, Pledges Support for California Ag
…He emphasized the need to master existing voting rules—including ballot harvesting and early voting—until reforms are possible. Defending Family Farms and Rural Values Hilton spoke with passion about fifth-generation farmers…
Farming Innovation and Rural Sustainability: Inside The Reservoir
…such as harvest-assist technologies and alternative harvesting techniques to reduce dependency on surge labor and costly H-2A workers. Smarter Input Management for Sustainability Input efficiency is another cornerstone of The…
California Pear Yields Set for Strong Comeback in 2025
After a challenging 2024 season, the California pear industry is poised for a major rebound. Growers across the state anticipate harvesting 2.4 million 36-pound box equivalents in 2025—a 41% increase…
CIR Agriculture Harvester Products
…platforms, chutes and a multitude of replacement parts for nut harvesting and harvesting equipment and much more! Both our in-store and outside sales staff have the knowledge to answer any…
Joel Allen on Westside Farming, Family Legacy, and Football Fame
…alfalfa… We didn’t have any issues at all until that biological opinion in 1993,” said Allen. “This year, we’ve got more water than we know what to do with.” Harvesting…
Cotton, and Cotton Gin, Helped Shape American Ag Economy
…1616, colonists were harvesting cotton along Virginia’s James River. But it was in 1793 when Eli Whitney revolutionized the cotton industry with the invention of the cotton gin. This simple…
California Farm Leaders Urge Rethink of Immigration Enforcement
…disrupting the food supply chain, increasing uncertainty for producers already facing tight margins, regulatory pressure, and weather-related challenges. “Immigrant workers are not only essential to harvesting crops—they are central to…
California Citrus Shines: Jesse Silva Highlights Quality, Demand, and Imports
…grow really clean fruit. We grow really good tasting fruit,” Silva noted. Currently, Kings River Packing is harvesting its domestic Valencia crops—known as a key variety for juice production. While…