The USDA is improving crop insurance options for specialty crop and organic producers, including rolling out new and expanded options based on feedback from America’s producers. “We’re committed to working with specialty crop and organic producers to develop options that fit their needs,” says Risk Management Agency Administrator Marcia Bunger. “We listened to what they…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
HLB Disease Infected Trees Detected in So Cal
The California Department of Food and Agriculture is reporting that the department has declared a quarantine in Ventura County. This follows the detection of the citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB), or citrus greening, in two citrus trees on one residential property in the city of Santa Paula. These detections are the first HLB-positive trees in Ventura County. …… MORE
Tulare County Ag Production Value Increases
Tulare County is reporting that total gross agriculture production value for 2022 comes in at $8,612,450,000. This represents an increase of $522,828,700 or 6.5% above 2021’s value of $8,089,621,300. The county announcement highlights that milk continues to be the leading agricultural commodity in Tulare County; with a gross value of $2,671,291,000, an increase of $728,248,000 or 37%. Livestock…… MORE
Legislation Would Require Crop Insurance Transparency
Looking for less secrecy in the Crop Insurance Program, representatives Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) and Ralph Norman (R-SC) introduced the Crop Insurance Transparency Act. If passed, it would require USDA to publicly disclose the names of producers and insurers who receive federal crop insurance subsidies and the amount received. “At a time when federal crop insurance…… MORE
Fed EPA Versus eBay
The Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Justice filed a complaint against eBay. The complaint alleges eBay allows the unlawful selling of pesticides, violating the Clean Air Act, the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act, commonly known as FIFRA and the Toxic Substances Control Act. FIFRA prohibits the unlawful distribution or sale of unregistered, misbranded,…… MORE
Organic Cal Strawberries Bring Higher Prices
New data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows what California organic strawberry growers have known for years, their crop brings higher prices compared to conventional strawberries. In the United States, grower prices for fresh organic strawberries move in tandem with conventional strawberry prices throughout the year while also typically running 40 to 50% higher than…… MORE
Californian’s Join USDA Agribusiness Trade Mission to Chile
A U.S. agribusiness delegation arrived in Santiago, Chile led by USDA Undersecretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis Taylor. The delegation includes representatives from the U.S. food and agriculture sectors. Among the those taking part, America Dairy Inc in Fresno which is a food and beverage manufacturer and distribution business. Taylor says, “Customers in…… MORE
Asian Citrus Psyllid Found in So Cal
An insect carrying the bacteria that causes the HLB disease, also known as citrus greening has been found on a residential citrus tree in Ventura County, according to the California Citrus Pest and Disease Prevention Program. This is the first detection of an Asian citrus psyllid with Candidatus Liberibacter asiaticus (CLas) in that county. The HLB disease a tree…… MORE
Farmers Union Supports Right to Repair Bill
The Agricultural Right to Repair Act was introduced in both the House and Senate, and the legislation is strongly supported by the National Farmers Union. NFU President Rob Larew says the Right to Repair Act is an important step in the fight to ensure farmers across the country have fair and affordable access to the…… MORE
Majority of U.S. Apples Used in Juices
Apples are a fall staple, showing up in lunch boxes, pies, cobblers, crisps, and cider. However, new data from USDA’s Economic Research Service shows a majority of apples are used in juices. In 2021, 45.9 pounds of apples per person were available for domestic consumption, according to USDA’s Food Availability data product. Fifty-two percent of…… MORE
