One of the big challenges of irrigating crops is dealing with water sources containing salt. Over time, repeated irrigation from these sources lead to salt accumulation and damaging soil fertility. To help out, the Agricultural Research Service’s Ag Water Efficiency and Salinity Research unit in Riverside is using remote sensing and precision technology to aid…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
U.S. Loss Would Be South America’s Gain
A new economic study paints a troubling picture of the potential results a new U.S.-China trade war could have on hundreds of thousands of rural communities. It shows that American-imposed tariffs would come at a steep cost to American farmers and ranchers while benefiting Brazil and Argentina. The study was commissioned by the American Soybean…… MORE
Protect the Harvest Shutting Down
Protect the Harvest will cease operating on October 31st, citing funding challenges that began during COVID. The organization was created in 2011 as a non-profit educational and advocacy effort to promote and defend American farmers and ranchers, improve food security, protect property rights, ensure animal welfare, and support outdoor sports. Protect the Harvest has kept…… MORE
USDA Trade Mission to Thailand Might Benefit California
The USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will host its first-ever trade mission to Bangkok, Thailand, February 3-6, 2025. Current and potential exporters interested in participating should apply for consideration by October 29th. “The mission represents an opportunity for our farmers, ranchers, producers, and agribusinesses to connect with potential trade partners from both Thailand and Burma,” says…… MORE
Ag Equipment Sales Fall in September
Ag tractors sales dropped by 19% in September of this year across the country compared to September 2023. New data from the Association of Equipment Manufacturers says combine sales also fell during the month, dropping 41% compared to last year. The 100-plus horsepower tractor segment fell the most from last year, dropping almost 27% in…… MORE
USDA Assistance for Distressed Farm Loan Borrowers
USDA is announcing an additional $250 million in automatic payments for distressed direct and guaranteed farm loan borrowers. This step continues USDA’s commitment to keeping farmers and ranchers financially viable and supporting agricultural companies. “USDA continues to invest in the future of producers through our loan portfolio,” says Zach Ducheneaux, Farm Service Agency Administrator. He…… MORE
Middle East Conflict Affecting Fertilizer Markets
Farmdoc from the University of Illinois says the ag sector is closely watching the fertilizer markets this week because of the ongoing war in the Middle East. Following months of tight supplies, global nitrogen values started rising last week. The story of the week was Iran’s attack on Israel. The Middle East is an important…… MORE
Lame Duck Session Seen as Last Chance to Save Farm Bill
The legislation that would set food and farm policy for the next five years is in limbo, waiting for lawmakers to decide its fate after the election. The latest deadline for the Farm Bill passed unceremoniously at midnight on Sept. 30, without a push from lawmakers to pass a new bill or an extension. Congress…… MORE
Human Bird Flu Cases Confirmed in Tulare County
In a news release, Tulare County Public Health announces that the department, in coordination with the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, has confirmed two human cases of H5N1 bird flu in individuals who had contact with infected cattle at two separate Tulare County dairy farms. Both cases…… MORE
Dairy Groups Call for End to Port Strike
The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council called on the administration to immediately intervene in the port labor strike at the East and Gulf Coast ports. The dairy organizations warned that this disruption could have a devastating impact on America’s dairy farmers and exporters, who rely on the smooth functioning of…… MORE
