…said, there is no backup plan for water delivery, agriculture, or public health in those regions. Immigration and labor rounded out the conversation. Duarte argued that agriculture needs a permanent,…
How 19th-Century Technology Transformed Corn and Wheat Farming
…yields and the physical limits of pre-mechanized farming. Every step—from soil preparation to planting and cultivation—required significant time and effort, making efficiency gains difficult without technological change. Mechanization by 1890:…
Soil and Foliar Strategies to Improve Micronutrient Availability
…your soil samples and really diving deep into them,” he said. Understanding what’s happening in the soil, and how nutrients interact with one another, helps explain why certain elements may…
World Ag Expo Week Begins as John Duarte Talks Almond Innovation, Water, and California’s Future
…out to sea. He tied current orchard removals under SGMA to rising public health concerns, noting spikes in respiratory illness in areas where orchards have been removed and dust has…
California Walnuts Poised for Growth as Global Markets Align
…Walnuts are rich in omega-3s, fiber, and healthy fats, with emerging research pointing to benefits for heart health, gut health, sleep quality, brain function, and even colorectal cancer prevention. From…
Maximizing Nitrogen Efficiency in Permanent Crops
…root zone rather than pushing them too deep into the soil profile. Matching nitrogen applications to established demand curves further improves uptake and supports balanced growth. Rogers also encouraged growers…
Richard Kreps Says Pistachios, Water, and Common Sense Must Lead California Forward
…healthy food, barriers tend to fall. “Nutrition matters,” he said, adding that California’s permanent crops offer something few regions can match. The conversation quickly turned to water, where Kreps was…
California Walnuts Gain Momentum as Robert Verloop Sees a Turning Point for Growers
…a versatile ingredient for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Health research is a major pillar of that effort. Verloop highlighted studies linking walnuts to improved heart health, gut health, sleep quality,…
Zone-Based Nutrition Helps Tree Crop Growers Fine-Tune Fertility Programs
…Rogers noted that each block can behave differently due to soil type, water availability, or historical management. By pulling soil and tissue samples on a block-by-block basis, growers can identify…
World Ag Expo Countdown Begins as Megan Lausten Previews the Biggest Farm Show on Earth
…to livestock equipment, soil technology, and farm management tools. One of the most important takeaways from the conversation was that World Ag Expo is far more than just a trade…
When American Farming Shifted From Hand Power to Horsepower
…reshaping farm productivity. In 1865, the introduction of gang plows allowed multiple plow blades to work the soil simultaneously. This innovation dramatically increased the amount of land a farmer could…
Making Smart Fertility Adjustments Without Losing Sight of the Long Term
…samples and pay attention to soil samples, we can always be adjusting,” he said. When tissue results show deficiencies—such as low zinc or potassium—Rogers encourages growers to dig deeper instead…
Rick Roberti Calls on Californians to Get Involved as Cattle Industry Faces a Crossroads
…and stay competitive, even as regulatory pressure increases. As the series concluded, Roberti struck an optimistic tone. California, he said, still has unmatched climate, soil, and production capacity. What’s missing…
Post-Bloom Nutrition: Setting Today’s Crop and Preparing for Next Year
Post-Bloom Nutrition: As California tree crops move out of bloom and into early fruit development, nutrition strategies shift toward supporting crop set, nut fill, and long-term orchard health. In a…