On today’s episode of the AgNet News Hour, Louise Lampara, CEO of the Ventura County Farm Bureau, returned for Part 2 of her conversation with Nick Papagni, outlining a new initiative aimed at measuring the financial health of California agriculture. The program also featured Jose Alvarado Rojas, technical services representative for BASF, discussing disease management challenges and new crop protection options for the 2027 growing season.
Following Monday’s discussion about the announced closure of SoCal Berry Growers operations and mounting financial losses in Ventura County agriculture, Lampara explained how the Farm Bureau hopes to turn troubling economic data into meaningful policy changes.
Through its Economics of the Acre initiative, the organization is developing an agricultural economic index designed to measure the actual profitability of farming operations rather than relying solely on gross production values.
Lampara said the index could help policymakers better understand how labor requirements, water costs, environmental regulations and other expenses affect agricultural businesses.
The goal is to establish the index in Ventura County before potentially expanding it throughout California.
A major concern, Lampara explained, is the cumulative impact of regulations. While individual rules may undergo economic reviews, she argued that policymakers often fail to consider how multiple requirements combine to affect farm profitability.
She called for a comprehensive evaluation of those costs, including opportunities to streamline regulations that create significant expenses without delivering corresponding benefits.
The conversation also addressed California’s water challenges and preparations for a potentially wet winter. Lampara warned that flooding, delayed planting, root diseases and increased pest pressure could create additional expenses for growers.
She also encouraged farmers to share financial information with their local Farm Bureaus and agricultural commissioners to help strengthen future advocacy efforts.
Later in the program, BASF’s Jose Alvarado Rojas joined Josh McGill to discuss lessons from the 2026 growing season and preparations for 2027.
Rojas highlighted Alternaria and other fungal diseases as continuing concerns, particularly if warmer, wetter weather develops.
He also discussed Elisys fungicide, which BASF introduced in 2026. According to Rojas, the product combines two active ingredients designed to provide extended disease protection, including resistance to degradation from ultraviolet sunlight.
Rojas encouraged growers to monitor weather conditions closely and prepare for potential increases in fungal diseases, insect activity and weed pressure.
Together, the interviews highlight the financial and agronomic challenges facing California growers as they prepare for another growing season.
Hear Part 2 of the conversation with Louise Lampara and the full interview with Jose Alvarado Rojas in the player above or on your favorite podcast app.
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