…year he detailed how labor costs and availability was putting a strain on the company. “It’s been an ongoing problem for several years for us, but it’s become severely dire in…
Almond Update: Irrigation Evaluations Available for Growers
Several Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) are offering free or low-cost irrigation tests to let a grower know how or where they can improve their system. Almond Board of California’s Senior…
Virulent Newcastle Disease Spreads to Utah Despite Management Efforts
…cost was about $165 million, and “it had significant trade impacts as well, in the multi-hundreds of millions of dollars…so it can be a very significant disease.” More information about…
SV Ag Tech Summit Focusing On The Present
…event offers lots of education on a multitude of issues facing California agriculture including precision growing, using data to make decisions and of course labor issues. 2019 Salinas Valley Ag…
California Lawmakers Introduce New Immigration Legislation for Ag Workers
…Federation survey found that labor was one of the most concerning industry issues, with more than half of farmers reporting they had a labor shortage. The Senate bill is being…
Navigating the H-2A Guest Worker Program
…the users of the current H-2A program on how to address the labor shortage. “There is a debate on whether to legalize the current group of agriculture laborers, who lack…
Producers Getting Onboard with H-2A Labor Before the Rush
Jackson Family Wines has been using H-2A labor to supplement their needs over the last few years, and Vineyard Manager Bart Haycraft said the merging of the two labor pools…
New Overtime Requirements Need Attention
Several regulatory changes will be affecting the cost of labor this year, including new labor laws that pertain to minimum wage, workday and overtime requirements, as well as paid leave…
Planning Ahead for Your Spring Garden
…other stuff that’ll make the garden more of a success but less labor intensive. Get to know the USDA zone you live in, and then consider what plants to grow…
AFBF Hopes to Maintain Advertising Requirements for Farm Labor Positions
The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) recently proposed changes to the advertising requirements for farm labor positions. The current rule requires employers to advertise available positions in local print newspapers…
DIY Mini Greenhouse for the Patio or Balcony
…doesn’t have to be a lot of work or cost a lot of money. And if you are short on space, such as only having a patio or balcony, you…
Overcoming the Challenges in the California Citrus Industry
…industry. “Regulations in California increase per-acre production costs for citrus by about $700 per acre. That’s a big number. Furthermore, citrus is disadvantaged because its labor intensive,” Babcock said in…
Looking for the 2019 Agriculturalist of the Year
…nominated must have clearly represented the industry over a number of years in one or more of the following areas: finance, government, production agriculture, education, labor, research, communications, trade, and…
Celebrating National Eggnog Day
…a flavoring to food or drinks such as coffee, tea, breads, pies, cakes or puddings. I cup of eggnog will cost you about 223 calories. While gathering together with family…