Several new state laws set to take effect this week will impact agriculture in California. Beginning Jan. 1, California farmers and ranchers will see changes pertaining to employee wages, management of abandoned farmland, organic waste disposal, agritourism and immigration enforcement. As with other sectors, the cost of agricultural labor will rise as California’s minimum wage […]
Today, Westlands Water District released its 2025 Economic Impact Report, which provides a comprehensive analysis of the District’s economic contributions using the most recent available data from 2022. While the report confirms that Westlands continues to be a foundational economic force in the San Joaquin Valley and statewide-supporting thousands of jobs, driving billions in economic […]
The Great Western Livestock Show is gearing up for its highly anticipated return, taking place January 30th to February 1st, 2026, at the Tulare County Fairgrounds. This premier agricultural event celebrates excellence in livestock exhibition and is proud to partner with Fresno State and College of the Sequoias Agriculture Departments to foster education and community […]
The State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board) unanimously adopted a resolution at its December 2nd board meeting to return three Kaweah River area groundwater agencies to Department of Water Resources (DWR) oversight, effectively retaining local control over groundwater management. The Kaweah Subbasin, a groundwater basin within Tulare County comprised of the East Kaweah, […]
California often swings between climate extremes — from powerful storms to punishing droughts. As climate change drives more intense and frequent dry and wet cycles, pressure on California’s water supplies grows. A new University of California, Davis, economic study finds that drought in California pushes the price of water from rivers, lakes and reservoirs up […]
Harvest for many of California’s specialty crops has wound down, with fields turning from green to brown, ladders carted away and packinghouse lines brought to a halt. Going into the year, farmers warned that the Trump administration’s mass deportation agenda could leave produce rotting in fields. Nowhere was there more at risk than California. The […]
After months of failed efforts to reduce “an unprecedented level” of livestock kills using nonlethal methods, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said it has euthanized four gray wolves from the Beyem Seyo pack in Sierra Valley. “This decision was not made lightly nor was it easy,” CDFW Director Charlton Bonham said. The lethal […]
Congress was unable to broker an agreement to keep the government funded, leading to a federal government shutdown. While some critical agencies and functions continue to operate, most departments have enacted shutdown procedures that vary in scope. The U.S. Department of Agriculture has furloughed 42,000 of its employees, or about 50%. USDA will continue operations […]
Time is running out for the seven states in the Colorado River Basin, as well as 30 tribes and Mexico, to reach a long-term deal for managing the overtapped river. The current guidelines and drought contingency plans for the river expire at the end of next year, and negotiators have until Nov. 11 to reach […]
California farmers are in the midst of harvesting an almond crop that may be among the largest on record. Or perhaps yields won’t be so big. A month into harvest, that’s the billion-dollar question. After farming at a loss for as many as five consecutive years, almond growers watched prices climb for much of the […]