USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Pacific Regional Field Office recently completed the California Mandarin Objective Measurement Survey. A sample of 293 Tango and W. Murcott Afourer Mandarin varieties were randomly selected proportional to county and variety bearing acreage. Results show an average fruit set of 596 fruit per tree and an average fruit size of 1.344 inches in diameter for …

The initial 2022-23 California Navel orange forecast is 76.0 million cartons, up 19% from the previous year, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Objective Measurement Report.  Of the total Navel orange forecast, 73.0 million cartons are estimated to be in the Central Valley. Cara Cara variety Navel orange production in the Central Valley is forecast at 8.0 million …

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) is celebrating the flavors and traditions of Mexico brought to life by California’s Hispanic-style cheeses and dairy products with a consumer retail promotion focused on Hispanic Heritage Month. The “Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with California’s Hispanic Dairy” promotion is designed to elevate awareness for Hispanic-style cheeses, cremas, breakfast cream and dips at Texas retailers …

The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), the marketing order representing California dairy producers, announced the addition of Melissa Lema as Director of Producer Relations. Lema joins the CMAB from Western United Dairies where she spent 11 years, most recently as a North Coast Field Representative focusing on all aspects of the relationship between producers and industry professionals, from laws and regulations to animal welfare, as well as overall industry communication. She spent …

The theme for the 2023 GROWMARK Essay Contest is: “How can ag cooperatives stay relevant to future generations?” The contest is open to all high school FFA members in the United States. This is the 30th year for the program, sponsored by the GROWMARK System and FS member cooperatives, in conjunction with state FFA leaders, to help young people develop their …

More school children and others benefitting from food nutrition programs all across the country will enjoy California almonds this year, thanks to their inclusion in federal ag marketing efforts. A USDA program known as Section 32 allows the U.S. Department of Agriculture to buy surplus ag commodities to distribute through various federally subsidized food programs. The almond industry doesn’t always …

The Sonoma County Farm Bureau is pleased to announce its new Executive Director, Dayna Ghirardelli. Dayna Ghirardelli grew up in Petaluma where she was active in Tomales 4-H and Tomales FFA, showing registered and grade dairy cattle, and market lambs, participated on the parliamentary procedure team, and served several officer terms. Dayna attended California State University, Chico where she majored …

Cowpea is an important crop in many parts of the world, especially sub-Saharan Africa. It is resilient and can grow in areas with little rainfall and low-quality soils. But as hardy as it is, cowpea yields can decrease by drought and low levels of soil phosphorus. In a recent study, researchers determined cowpea root characteristics that could help the plants grow …

Photosynthesis has evolved in plants for millions of years to turn water, carbon dioxide, and the energy from sunlight into plant biomass and the foods we eat. This process, however, is very inefficient, with only about 1% of the energy found in sunlight ending up in the plant. Scientists at UC Riverside and the University of Delaware have found a …