By Brian Milne, Vice President, Director of Marketing & Communications, The Holloway Group
Drive down the I-5 or Highway 99 these days, and you’re sure to see a few old, unproductive almond orchards looking the worse for wear.
That’s because from 1997 to 2002, California planted an average of 22,765 acres of almonds a year, according to the U.S. Department of...
By Audrey Hill, Feature Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
On February 23, 2022, the California State Veterinarian Annette B. Jones D.M.V. imposed a poultry quarantine and state entry requirements due to an outbreak of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in the U.S. The first cases were seen in South Carolina in January and have since spread throughout the U.S.; however, California...
By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics
You may think that your orchard or vineyard is not a habitat for endangered species. But the US Fish and Wildlife Service (the Service) has the discretion and authority to deem it so under a recent regulatory rule change by the Biden administration. That should be a source of concern and a call...
By Patty Poire, President, Kern County Farm Bureau
Here we are in August, and July went out with a roar! You might ask why a roar? Well, it is because of the Department of Water Resources’ (DWR) Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) deadline of July 27th. DWR issued a determination letter of an incomplete status back on January 28, 2022,...
By Romeo Agbalog, Executive Director, Kern County Farm Bureau
August is the height of summer, and your local Farm Bureau is peaking with activity. Recently, your Farm Bureau spoke up and shared its concerns regarding the state’s “Regions Rise Together” initiative to both the Governor and Speaker of the Assembly. We have been closely following the Department of Pesticide Regulation...
Timothy Collins
Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
By Timothy Collins, Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
This summer I took a day hike up in the San Emigdio Mountains, which form the south end of our San Joaquin Valley. From up in the rugged terrain, the clearings in the trees give way to breathtaking views of the great valley...
By Melissa Nagel, Feature Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
In a deal announced earlier this year, Special New Fruit Licensing (SNFL)—a global leader in table grape breeding and development—announced plans to combine with International Fruit Genetics (IFG). The transaction, which is currently under regulatory review, will bring IFG’s and SNFL’s industry-leading research and development, along with its breeding programs together, creating...
By Austin Snedden, Ranching Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
My sister recently had her catalytic converter stolen, adding her to the ranks of thousands that have become victims of this crime in Kern County. The absurd story of the catalytic converter and California policy makes one of today’s most prevalent crimes even more frustrating. Government has gotten so big that at...
By Kevin Hecteman Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
This is not your grandfather’s Farmall tractor—because this new-age machine makes its way up and down an orchard or vineyard seemingly all by itself, carrying out multiple tasks with no human required.
As technology advances, autonomous tractors are becoming more attractive to farmers looking to keep their...
By Ching Lee, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
After years of languishing prices, the mercurial rise of the wheat market this year may inspire more plantings in the fall, but don’t expect California growers to go gangbusters on the grain.
Wheat harvest is mostly wrapping up in the state, with farmers on track to deliver...
By Ching Lee, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
With milk prices reaching record-high levels this year, dairy farmers should be feeling optimistic about the business. But impacts from the ongoing drought and soaring production costs are crimping profit margins and dampening spirits as they navigate a volatile market landscape.
Many remember too well the crisis...
Press Release Provided by US Cattleman’s Association
On Wednesday, the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry considered S. 3870, the Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act of 2022, and S. 4030, the Cattle Price Discovery and Transparency Act of 2022.
The Committee unanimously passed S. 3870, with amendments offered by Senator Chuck Grassley of Iowa. One of those changes,...
By Kevin Hecteman, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau
As this week’s Independence Day holiday approached, watermelon farmers were anticipating booming business.
“We’re encouraged because we like the way the crop looks, and it probably is going to be a steady crop,” said Joe Colace, a Brawley-based farmer with fields in the desert and in the San...
The custom dripline product saves water, energy and labor
Press Release Provided by Rain Bird Agriculture
Rain Bird Agriculture, a leading manufacturer and provider of precision irrigation products, recently launched S5 Smart Spacing for Pressure Compensating Heavywall Dripline, the ultimate in smart irrigation for growers of high-value fruit and permanent crops.
Rain Bird’s S5 Pressure Compensating Heavywall Dripline features Smart Spacing, which...
Press Release Provided by Friant Water Authority
On July 8th, the Bureau of Reclamation increased the 2022 water allocation for Friant Division Class 1 contractors from 15% to 20%. As in the prior two years, Friant Division Class 2 contractors did not receive an allocation, which continues to reflect that the hydrology for the 2022 water year is very dry....
Press Release Provided by California Department of Water Resources
In an effort to better prepare for future drought conditions in the face of climate change, the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) on July 11th released a draft Environmental Impact Report (EIR) analyzing potential construction effects of future drought salinity barriers in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
The draft EIR looks at...
Objective Forecast predicts harvest 2022 will be down 11 percent from last year.
Press Release Provided by the Almond Board of California
The 2022 California Almond Objective Measurement Report published July 8th by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2022 will come in at 2.6 billion meat pounds, 11 percent below...
Press Release Provided by R-CALF USA
On June 28th, the U.S. Supreme Court denied R-CALF USA’s petition requesting an appeal of the first of two lawsuits the group had filed against the operation of the mandatory beef checkoff program. The first lawsuit had previously been dismissed by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals.
R-CALF USA CEO Bill Bullard issued the following...
Press Release Provided by Grimmway Farms
In furthering its commitment to environmental sustainability and social responsibility, Grimmway Farms has appointed Dana Brennan Vice President, External Affairs and Corporate Responsibility. Brennan, who has served as Grimmway’s Vice President of Government and Public Affairs since 2019, will continue in her current position as well as assume added responsibilities for the company’s Environmental,...
Grants Build on Company’s Commitment to the Health and Well-Being of Local Communities and Supports Innovative Work at Schools and Nonprofit Organizations
Press Release Provided by The Wonderful Company
The Wonderful Company is pleased to announce that its $1 million Wonderful Community Grants application process is now live, building on a long-standing commitment to help local organizations and schools in the...
Annual Program Has Directed Over $25 Million for More Than 2,300 Scholarships, Aiming to Break Down Barriers to Higher Education for Local Students
Press Release Provided by The Wonderful Company
As part of the Wonderful Community Scholarship Program intended to help college-bound students reach their full potential, 12 Central Valley students from the communities of Wasco and Shafter will each receive...
Christine Souza
Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
By Christine Souza, Assistant Editor, Ag Alert
Reprinted with Permission from California Farm Bureau Federation
With Congress set to craft omnibus legislation to govern the nation’s agricultural and food programs, farmers and others with an interest in farm policy offered feedback on what is working and what isn’t.
“We want to hear where we can make improvements in...
Press Release Provided by Department of Pesticide Regulation
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) today opened the application period for the 2023 Alliance and Research Grants cycle, offering $4.65 million in potential funding to accelerate the transition to safer, more sustainable pest management in agricultural, urban and wildland settings.
“California is a leader in the development of more sustainable pest...
By Joseph Delgado, Guest Faith Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
It’s that time of year again! Pools are full, fireworks fill the sky, and you’ve probably spent some time around a BBQ. I’m willing to bet that you’re preoccupied with planning family vacations and camp adventures and the last thing on your mind is a stable filled with shepherds, cattle, and...
By Scott Hamilton, President, Hamilton Resource Economics
Fights over water have played an important part in the history of California. And today it continues with many groups fighting over a resource that at times is very scarce. It is therefore unusual when entities, who are accustomed to fighting with one another, decide they might be able to achieve more by...
Holloway-produced Web Series Talks to Industry Experts About Overcoming Water Issues, Soaring Input Costs and Market-related Hurdles
By Brian Milne, Vice President, Director of Marketing & Communications, The Holloway Group
As part of its 90th anniversary campaign, Holloway has released a free “From the Field” video series hosted by CEO Brian Maxted, who catches up with experts from around the agriculture,...
By Audrey Hill, Contributor, Valley Ag Voice
Mule Days is truly a one-of-a-kind event. Every Memorial Day weekend since 1970, the small town of Bishop welcomes packers, mule riders, and upwards of 30,000 visitors to their Tri-County Fairgrounds for the world-renowned Mule Days celebration. Visitors and competitors watch and compete with some of the most capable mules on the planet....
By Patty Poire, President, Kern County Farm Bureau
As the United States of America is nearing its 250 years in existence (a few more years to go but close), we seem to be more confused as a country on its direction and the needs of its citizens.
The headlines are reading like this is a new country with no “true” values...
By Romeo Agbalog, Executive Director, Kern County Farm Bureau
The Fourth of July, also known as Independence Day or July 4th, has been recognized as a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, though the traditions of Fourth of July celebrations date back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. The Continental Congress voted in favor of independence...
Timothy Collins
Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
By Timothy Collins, Chair, Kern County Young Farmers & Ranchers
The Kern County Young Farmers and Ranchers have enjoyed several ag tours for our meetings this year. We wanted to continue that trend, but also add a bit more of a social element to this meeting as the summer begins. Temblor Brewing Company...
