…recently signed 2014 Farm Bill, the budget makes targeted investments in biobased product manufacturing, local and regional food systems, and specialty crops and organic production. Building on historic efforts underway…
New Legislation to Help Drought Relief Efforts
…the residents are farm workers. With farmers planting less crops and losing money because of the drought, fewer farm workers are needed. Meanwhile, the new legislation also increases penalties for…
Drought Leads to Early Removal of Almonds
…water shortages. Photo/Cecilia Parsons Faced with severe water shortages, growers of nut crops such as almonds, walnuts and pistachios are making tough decisions that include removing orchards, using just enough…
USDA Grant for Pollinator Health, CA Left Out
…and support to farmers and ranchers to implement conservation practices that will provide safe and diverse food sources for honey bees. For example, appropriate cover crops or rangeland and pasture…
Two UC Farm Advisors issue Article on Alfalfa’s Resilience to Drought
Rachael Freeman Long and Steve Orloff wrote the article for the University of California’s online Alfalfa and Forage News. They say in general perennial crops, such as orchards and vineyards,…
Dairy Demand Rising and Production Set to Increase
Dairy producers reaping the benefits of higher demand, lower feed costs and higher prices. Here is Gary Crawford. Dairy demand rising and production set to increase…
Fresno County Farm Bureau Issues Statement on Water Supply for County’s Federal Water Contractors
…and region, as well as a safe, wholesome, affordable food supply for consumers throughout the United States and abroad. Farmers manage water as efficiently as possible to grow crops, but…
U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Announces Zero Water Allocation for California Farms
…next year providing the same relief to communities, businesses and unemployed agricultural workers. Even more alarming is that the zero allocation announced today will affect decisions about planting crops for…
Addressing Cover Crops and Soil Health
Cover crops as a significant tool for soil conservation and health? The NRCS Chief and others say “Yes”. Rod Bain reports. Rod Bain reports on soil health…
Drought influences dairy farmers’ feed plans
Courtesy of Ag Alert by the California Farm Bureau Federation Just as milk prices are improving, fierce competition for hay and limited water supplies to grow other feed crops have…
Drought Assistance for Specialty Crops
Continuing coverage of President Barack Obama’s visit to the Central Valley The livestock programs got the big dollars, but specialty crops are not left out of the President’s drought relief…
President to Announce Drought Assistance During Visit Today
…has made $20 million available from its Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) for agricultural conservation enhancements on key agricultural lands in California. These enhancements include irrigation efficiency, cover crops, orchard…
CDFA, USDA Sessions on Drought Resources
…USDA’s Farm Service Agency (March 1st); and water conservation enhancements offered by the USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (March 3rd). These programs offer a variety on-farm assistance including cover crops…
Costa Introduces Drought Relief Legislation
…to meet basic public health and safety needs; to prevent the loss of permanent crops; and to minimize economic damage caused by the drought; · Mandates that the federal government…