The California Department of Food and Agriculture is highlighting the essential role farmworkers play in our food system. CDFA is posting on its website how the department supports initiatives to help farmworkers at every stage of their careers, from entry-level positions to leadership roles within the agricultural sector. A key initiative is the Beginning Farmer…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Cal Pork Prices Higher After Prop 12 Implementation
Prop 12 is already raising the price of pork in California. In effect for just over six months, pork sales have dropped across the state. That’s from data compiled by the USDA’s Office of the Chief Economist. The OCE found prices for pork products affected by Prop 12, including loins, ribs, and bellies, have averaged…… MORE
Federal Water Allocation Water Increase
The Bureau of Reclamation is increasing water allocations for Central Valley Project water users. For irrigation water service and repayment contractors south-of-delta, including cross valley contractors, the water allocation is increased to 35% up from 15%. The Bureau of Reclamation says late February storms improved conditions. According to a news release, bureau is also reserving…… MORE
Bill Would Ease Farmland Ownership Transitions
A new U.S. Senate bipartisan bill would break down barriers to farming and agricultural land ownership. The goal is to help more Americans pursue farming careers. The bipartisan Farm Transition Act of 2024 would, for the first time, create a Commission on Farm Transitions to study the issues impacting the transition of agricultural operations to…… MORE
Food and Ag Industries Have $9.63 Trillion Impact
More than thirty agriculture groups released the eighth annual “Feeding the Economy” report. The study helps estimate the direct and indirect economic contributions of the food and agriculture industries on jobs, wages, economic output, and business taxes. The 2024 report’s findings show the total economic impact for the food and agriculturally-related industries grew almost 12%…… MORE
El Niño’s impact on U.S. Farmers
The 2024 growing season is expected to bring a unique combination of El Niño this spring through early summer before switching to La Niña in late summer through early fall. Farmers Business Network says the opposing climate patterns have the potential to trigger significant weather events that could have problematic impacts on crop production. 2023…… MORE
Valley Agriculture Water Deliveries Will Soon Start
Farmers in the Fresno Irrigation District can start taking water deliveries on April 1st. FID says it’s too early to tell how long the irrigation season will last. But the district is expecting to have enough water for farmers until at least July. District officials will provide updates to users as soon as they are…… MORE
USDA Finalizes “Product of USA” Label Claim
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the finalization of a rule to align the voluntary “Product of USA” label claim with consumer understanding of what the claim means. Vilsack made the announcement during a speech to attendees of the National Farmers Union Annual Convention in Scottdale, Arizona. Vilsack says, “This final rule will ensure that when…… MORE
Angus Foundation Scholarship
Applications are open for the Angus Foundation’s Commercial Cattlemen Scholarship, which awards four $1,500 scholarships to outstanding young people in the beef industry. This scholarship is unique from others offered by the Foundation as it aims to support students specifically from the commercial sector of the industry. “We’re proud to offer this scholarship opportunity to…… MORE
AM Radio Act Gets Enough Support to Pass the House
The AM for Every Vehicle Act has hit the magic number of voting co-sponsors it will need to ensure passage through the House of Representatives. Sponsors of the House legislation announced they had picked up the 218th voting supporter. The majority of votes is necessary because Kentucky Senator Rand Paul blocked a bipartisan-driven majority consent…… MORE
