Category Archives: Agriculture News

Ag Retailers Association List Top Five Farm Bill Priorities

The Ag Retailers Association says it’s cautiously optimistic the Farm Bill gets written on time. However, the association is worried that debt limit discussions may interfere. “It’s going to be tough this year with the farm bill coming up right as the debt ceiling discussion hits the deadline,” says Hunter Carpenter with the Ag Retailers…MORE

Help For Farmers Impacted by Natural Disaster

USDA and California Department of Food Agriculture are holding a virtual question and answer session to help producers and farming communities impacted by current disasters. The virtual session will help everyone to learn more about programs and resources available. According to CDFA, farmers and others can submit questions to USDA’s Farm Production and Conservation Deputy…MORE

USDA Urged To Deny Petitions In Milk Hearing

The American Dairy Coalition sent a letter to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack asking him to deny two recent petitions for hearings on the Federal Milk Marketing Order. The petitions from processor groups ask USDA to increase payments from farmers to processors to offset higher input costs. The coalition says holding a federal milk pricing hearing…MORE

WOTUS Rule Legal Update

A court ruling out of North Dakota halted implementation of the 2023 Waters of the United States Rule in 24 states, and ag groups responded positively. California is not included under this latest court decision. American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall says his group proudly stood with the 24 states involved and more than a…MORE

West Coast Port Labor Disagreements Could Impact Ag Shipments

The lack of a West Coast labor contract between the International Longshore and Warehouse Union and the Pacific Maritime Association could be dangerous and permanent. That’s according to the Agriculture Transportation Coalition. Coalition Executive Director Peter Friedmann says, “Too many West Coast marine terminals are operating on reduced schedules, creating massive disruption.” Shippers are moving…MORE

Coalition Supports Ag Export Programs

The Coalition to Promote U.S. Agricultural Exports is urging congress to continue mandatory funding for Market Access and Foreign Market Development programs. The Coalition is also asking the Senate agriculture committee to include a provision that would double the dollars for those programs in the next Farm Bill. In letters sent to the chairs and…MORE

California Ag Disaster Aid Webinar

The California Department of Food and Agriculture along with the USDA are hosting a webinar to help California farmers and agricultural communities impacted by current disasters to better understand programs and resources that may be available to them.   This CDFA and USDA webinar that will be hosted on Microsoft Teams on Tuesday April 11th at…MORE

April is Invasive Plant Pest And Disease Awareness Month

USDA is announcing that this national outreach month is dedicated to highlighting the impact of invasive plant pests and diseases on plants nationwide. The focus is on raising public awareness about the threat and how residents can help. Each year, invasive insects and plant diseases cause an estimated $40 billion in damages to plants in…MORE

It’s National Tomato Day.

California is the nation’s number one tomato processing state. And California produces about a fourth of all tomato tonnage in the world according to the California Tomato Growers Association. More than a million tons were produced last year.MORE

Farm Dog Of The Year Contest

The American Farm Bureau Federation is now accepting nominations for the 2024 Farm Dog of the Year. Farmers and ranchers can show how their dogs are more than just pets. Terri Moore, American Farm Bureau Federation Vice President of Communications, says “The Farm Dog of the Year contest has been one of the really fun…MORE