The USDA trade mission to Vietnam includes agribusinesses and farm organizations from many states including California. The goal is to develop and expand business opportunities with importers in Vietnam and other nearby countries. Among those taking part, the California Fresh Fruit Association and the California Table Grape Commission, both based in Fresno. USDA points out…… MORE
Category Archives: Agriculture News
Medfly Quarantine Zone
The California Department of Food and Agriculture says a portion of Alameda County is now under quarantine for the Mediterranean Fruit Fly, also known as the Medfly. This follows the detection of a medfly found in Fremont. The USDA, the Alameda County Agricultural Commissioner, and CDFA are working together on this project. CDFA has successfully…… MORE
New Organic Tomato Shows Promise
Vitaetom, a Belgium company specializing in organic greenhouse-grown vegetables, recently introduced a new organic variety of tomatoes called Ruby Red. This deep red plum tomato is a first in the organic market, and its cultivation earned Koen Van Hauteghem, the third-generation owner of Vitaetom, a nomination for the BioVLAM 2024 award. HortiDaily reports adapting the…… MORE
Farmer Outlook Drops
The August Purdue University/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer dipped 13 points from July to a reading of 100. That drop echoes levels seen from fall 2015 through winter 2016 during the early stages of a significant downturn in the U.S. farm economy. The Index of Current Conditions also dropped 17 points to 83, while the…… MORE
Cost Report for Milk Production by Herd Size
U.S. dairy farms vary widely in size, from fewer than 50 dairy cows to having 2,000 or more. While many factors can influence a dairy farm’s production cost per unit of milk, such as technology use, management, and input prices paid, farm size can also affect costs. The Economic Research Service estimates the cost of…… MORE
USDA Launches an Online Debt Consolidation Tool for Farmers
The new debt consolidation tool allows producers to enter their farm operating debt and evaluate the potential savings that might come from debt consolidation. That consolidation could come from either a local lender or the farm service agency. By combining multiple eligible debts into a single, larger loan, farmers may get more favorable payment terms…… MORE
Increasing Farm Trade Deficit
The USDA is forecasting the agricultural trade deficit to increase sharply to a record $42.5 billion in the coming fiscal year. That compares to $30.5 billion this fiscal year, which ends September 30th. The widening trade gap, a source of frustration for many farmers and lawmakers, reflects an expected $8 billion increase in agricultural imports…… MORE
Proposed Reservoir May Get a Big Boost
California Farm Bureau is reporting that plans to build the state’s first new major reservoir in decades is moving ahead, as the state considers whether to issue a water-right permit for the proposed Sites Reservoir. If built, this north of Sacramento off-stream water project is envisioned to store up to 1.5 million acre-feet water. The…… MORE
California Grape Season Heats Up
The California table grape season is heating up just in time for the end of summer. Nearly two thirds of the crop is shipped after September first. In fact, the California Table Grape Commission says September through December will see nearly 80 different varieties being harvested, along with expanding promotional activities. Kathleen Nave, President of…… MORE
Company Brings Virtual Fencing for Livestock
Halter, a New Zealand company, has brought its virtual fencing technology for livestock to the U.S. “Halter technology is a powerful system that helps users precisely manage pasture to lift the performance of your grazing animals,” says Craig Piggot, founder and CEO of Halter. The Halter app allows users to establish virtual fences anywhere on…… MORE
