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By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics
As of January 7th, more than 100,000 cfs (200,000 af/day) were flowing through the Delta to the Pacific Ocean when pumps that supply the State Water Project were operating at one-fifth of their capacity. As California struggles to recover from three years of intensive drought and the San Joaquin Valley desperately tries to...
By Audrey Hill, Feature Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
Those who have worked in ranching know the time it takes and the importance of manually checking water storage tanks and troughs. Whether driving long distances, walking, or riding, the almost trivial task of checking livestock water sources every day undoubtedly adds hours to employees’ paychecks and miles on the work truck....
By Brian Milne, Vice President, Director of Marketing & Communications The Holloway Group
February is here, which means bloom is right around the corner and the 2023 season is upon us here in California.
To kick off the season, and celebrate our farmers, Holloway and Laurel Ag & Water are co-hosting a Grower Appreciation Happy Hour on Day 2 of the...
Welcome to 2023! Hope that you and your families had a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.
By Patty Poire, President, Kern County Farm Bureau
Starting where I left off in my January 2023 article, the state is continuing to experience a series of powerful rain and snow events. Today as I write, the state is in the middle of...
By Ching Lee, Assistant Editor Ag Alert
Reprinted with permission from the California Farm Bureau Federation
Even with eggs in short supply nationwide and prices climbing to new heights, it has not been enough to keep a 100-year-old egg farm from going out of business.
John Lewis Jr., president of Farmer John Egg Farm in Bakersfield, confirmed that the family operation will...
By Timothy Collins, Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
The new year is off to the races, and as we work to plan out 2023 for the Young Farmers and Ranchers, we quickly focus on our third annual YF&R clay shoot fundraiser which will be held at 5 Dogs Range on Saturday, March 11th. This has quickly turned into...
By Austin Snedden, Ranching Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
I have been thinking about what we call our free society and trying to think of the things we can own outright. Start thinking of the things you “own,” and you will find that many of them you only own if you continue to pay a governmental toll. You will pay a...
By Ching Lee, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from the California Farm Bureau Federation
In its latest attempt to define which bodies of water fall under federal protection, the U.S. government said its new rule would provide more certainty for farmers and other landowners.
But farm groups say the new “Waters of the United States” rule, or WOTUS, will only...
By Peter Hecht Chief Editor of Publications for the California Farm Bureau Federation
Press Release Provided by California Farm Bureau Federation
Barely more than a year ago, California’s first seasonal snowpack survey provided promising results—a deep-snow measurement totaling 160% of average.
Then came the driest January, February and March in more than 100 years—resulting in unprecedented cuts in water deliveries to farmers,...
Press release provided by the US Cattleman’s Association
On January 10th, 50 cattle, farm, rural and consumer groups sent a joint letter to U.S. Senate and House members who, during the last session of Congress, cosponsored the American Beef Labeling Act that restores mandatory country of origin labeling (MCOOL) for beef.
The letter expressed the groups’ gratitude for the congressional members’...
Press release provided by John Deere
On January 18th, John Deere released Operations Center PRO, an all-new level of the John Deere Operations Center™ built specifically for ag service providers requiring specialized fleet and logistics management capabilities beyond what is currently provided with Operations Center.
Operations Center PRO Dispatch, the first specialized tool within Operations Center PRO, integrates features from AgLogic™,...
California Farm Bureau President Jamie Johansson applauds California’s Kevin McCarthy on his election as Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.
“As a former member of the House Agricultural Committee who hails from California’s vital Kern County farming region, Speaker McCarthy has long been an advocate for farmers and ranchers in the Golden State,” Johansson said. “He understands the importance...
Submissions for Second Round of Dairy Business Innovation Initiative Funding Due February 28, 2023
Press release provided by California Dairy Innovation Center
California producers and processors are invited to apply for funding up to $1 million for innovation initiatives to become more competitive in a second round of dairy business grant awards recently announced by the Pacific Coast Coalition’s Dairy Business...
Press Release Provided by California Citrus Mutual
California Citrus Mutual (CCM) and the Citrus Research Board (CRB) welcome more than $1 million in new federal funding for critical research programs that support the U.S. and California citrus industries.
The 2023 Appropriations bill passed by Congress in December of 2022 includes continued funding to help stop the deadly citrus plant disease Huanglonging...
By Mike Wade, California Farm Water Coalition
Reprinted with Permission from the California Farm Bureau Federation
California is the most populous state in the nation and the nation’s biggest agricultural producer. That combination can occasionally lead to misunderstandings between consumers in cities and suburbs and growers in farming communities.
That extends to public perceptions about decisions farmers make to grow crops such...
By Caleb Hampton, Assistant Editor Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from the California Farm Bureau Federation
As of Jan. 1, under a newly implemented state rule, large trucks and buses made before 2010 are prohibited from operating in California. The rule, which includes restrictions on the big rigs that transport much of the state’s agricultural produce, is the final phase in...
Press release provided by the Friant Water Authority
Three new Board Officers will assume leadership roles during the January 30 Friant Water Authority (FWA) Board of Directors meeting. Jim Erickson of Madera Irrigation District, who just finished a term as Board Secretary/Treasurer, was elected Chairman; Rick Borges of Tulare Irrigation District and Josh Pitigliano of Lower Tule River Irrigation District...
Press Release Provided by the American Farm Bureau Federation
The American Farm Bureau Federation and John Deere signed a memorandum of understanding today that ensures farmers’ and ranchers’ right to repair their own farm equipment. The MOU, signed at the 2023 AFBF Convention in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the culmination of several years of discussions between AFBF and John...
New Grassroots Leaders Also Elected
Press Release Provided by the American Farm Bureau Federation
Farmer and rancher delegates to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s 104th Convention today adopted policies to guide the organization’s work in 2023. Key topics ranged from expanding risk management programs and improving dairy pricing transparency to battling hunger.
Delegates were polled regarding their farms at the beginning of...
Press Release Provided by the California Department of Food and Agriculture
The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has awarded $247,956 for organizations to enhance agricultural education and leadership opportunities under the 2022 California Special Interest License Plate (CalAgPlate) grant program.
The CalAgPlate program is funded with proceeds generated through the sale of special interest, agriculture-themed license plates through the...
Press Release Provided by the California Department of Water Resources
The Department of Water Resources (DWR) is partnering with the State Water Resources Control Board to fast-track efforts to capture flood waters to recharge groundwater basins. Water captured during extreme wet periods such as the one California is now experiencing will be stored in groundwater basins for use during dry...
By Joshua Stevens, Faith Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
On Sunday, February 9th, 2014, several dozen students at Corban University gathered in a dorm to listen to testimony and sing together. Given most normal circumstances, this would be a heartwarming but normal occurrence. But this was no ordinary circumstance.
That week in 2014, Salem, Oregon, was hit with a significant snowstorm that...
By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resources Economics
As 2023 sets in, farmers face ongoing questions regarding their water supplies.
Challenges to long-standing methods of allocating Kern River water continue.
The harsh realities of the implementation of the Groundwater Sustainability Act continue to be felt by many growers in the Valley as the ability to pump groundwater diminishes and significant new fees are...
By Audrey Hill, Feature Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
Each December, the Lindcove Research and Extension Center near Exeter, CA, hosts a two-day citrus display and tasting event. The event allows researchers to discuss their year’s work and encourages growers and the public to share the fruits of their labor – citrus. Lindcove is one of the nine UC Agriculture and...
By Christine Souza, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
Christine Souza
Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
With the ongoing multiyear drought, global logistical challenges and inflationary impacts affecting California’s $5 billion almond crop, leaders in the almond sector say they are hopeful for a return to a more profitable outlook in 2023, with a more orderly supply chain...
By Patty Poire, President, Kern County Farm Bureau
I was going to start by saying Happy New Year to 2023 but I believe that 2023 isn’t going to be close to happy! I looked back at my January 2022 article to see if I came close to predicting how 2022 was going to be and YEP, I stated that 2022...
By Timothy Collins, Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
Timothy Collins
Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
The Young Farmers and Ranchers wrapped up 2022 with our elections meeting in November, followed by the YF&R State Conference in December. We are excited to introduce our 2023 officer team. I was elected as Chair again for another year, Christine Johnson as...
By Austin Snedden, Ranching Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
Misdiagnosis is something we generally think of when referring to the medical field, but just as misdiagnosis can happen in the medical field, it can happen elsewhere. It’s the recognition of a problem, but a misunderstanding of the cause, resulting in a solution that won’t fix it. Governments, large and small, are...
Jon Slikker Jr., Aerial Applicator, Vince Dusters
When pulling up to a railroad crossing and patiently waiting for the train to pass, you give consideration to the large piece of iron chugging down the tracks. When a school crossing guard is parked on the side of the road at an intersection, the ultra-loud whistle blows, and traffic stops to give...
By Ching Lee, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
If it weren’t for his “dumb mistake,” Sonoma County winegrape grower Andrew Furlong’s 20 acres of zinfandel would be certified organic by now.
But last year, he cleaned his drip line with a product that postponed certification on his vineyard. The acid cleaner he used was advertised...
