As ongoing port congestion and persistent shipping obstacles continue to block movement of California agricultural goods, farmers and exporters face bulging warehouses and dwindling cash flow that threaten to sink some businesses. Tree nuts, fresh produce, dairy products and other California farm commodities struggle to find rides on vessels and containers in which to ship […]
Illegal dumping on private lands in rural communities is an issue that has plagued farmers and ranchers for many years. Old mattresses, sofas, appliances, tires and household garbage are routinely discarded along roadways, causing an unsightly mess and bringing added costs to farmers or the county to clean the mess or haul it to a […]
As California dairy farmers face increasing pressure to reduce the impact their cows have on the warming planet, scientists and people in the business say tools are available to do just that. But getting more farms to use them will require investment and other incentives to achieve specific targets. “Climate neutrality is definitely within reach. […]
Three generations of the Gless Family will be honored as the “Citrus Family of the Year” during a dinner program on Friday, April 22 at Farmer Bob’s World in Ivanhoe. Farmer Bob’s World, a non-profit 501(c)(3) agricultural education program that offers farm tours and field trips, was founded by Bob McKellar, owner of McKellar Family […]
Managing manure is nothing new for dairy operators. After all, cows and their four-chambered stomachs are one of nature’s best examples of efficient digestion. But these days, those bovine digestive systems are generating a new source of income for nearly 200 dairies in California. At his River Ranch Farms in Hanford, Jack de Jong now […]
With California now in its third year of drought, collaboration among state, federal and local partners is critical to improving the resiliency of California’s water system. Today, the California Department of Water Resources announced it has released $29.8 million in funding to the Friant Water Authority (FWA) to repair segments of the Friant-Kern Canal, a […]
After a two-year hiatus, The California Antique Equipment Show™ is back and bigger than ever! For more than 30 years the event has focused solely on antique farm equipment and family entertainment. But after the success of the newly created Swap-O-Rama, a swap meet for vintage cars, motorcycles, parts, and automobilia, it made sense for […]
A new analysis highlights the significant, positive economic impact that agricultural production within the Westlands Water District has on the State of California and the country as a whole. The Economic Impact of Westlands Water District (Study), conducted by Michael A. Shires, Ph.D., outlines the far-reaching consequences of inadequate and unreliable water supplies on economies […]
Already facing sticker shock on materials and services they need to farm, California farmers are now bracing for further spikes to fuel and other energy costs as Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushes crude oil prices higher. Some economists predict the conflict and resulting sanctions aimed at hurting the Russian economy will affect all petroleum-based products, […]
The 2021 drought directly cost the California agriculture sector about $1.1 billion and nearly 8,750 full- and part-time jobs, according to estimates in a new analysis led by UC Merced researchers. Once the effects on other economic sectors are considered, total impacts are estimated at $1.7 billion and 14,634 full- and part-time jobs lost. The […]