During the next several weeks, USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. The agency will survey over 3,100 farmers across California and Nevada, and nearly 30,000 across the U.S. to determine crop production and supply levels in 2019. “Due to the widespread and significant impact of …

Today USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced round two of support for farmers impacted by retaliatory tariffs and trade disruption in key export markets, specifically China. California almonds are included in the $16 billion trade mitigation package. The package will consist of $14.5 billion for the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), $1.4 billion for the Food Purchase and Distribution Program (FPDP) and …

WASHINGTON – Representative Josh Harder (CA-10) is leading a bipartisan group of lawmakers from across the country in an effort to ensure that Central Valley specialty crop growers aren’t again left out of a critical aid program provided to farmers harmed by Chinese tariffs. Although the ongoing trade war has cost the California walnut industry over $600 million, walnut farmers were …

TRACY, Calif.— May 21, 2019 — Newly elected 2019 officers of the California Milk Advisory Board Executive Committee are (top row, left to right): Treasurer David Vander Schaaf of Stockton, Member-at-Large Renae DeJager of Chowchilla. Shown in the bottom row (left to right): Member-at-Large Megan Silva of Escalon, Chairman Josh Zonneveld of Laton, Secretary Essie Bootsma of Lakeview, Member-at-Large Kirsten …

SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS: Winter wheat is being green-chopped for silage; some is being dried, with harvest nearing completion. Harvestedfields are being disked and planted to silage or other forage crops. Alfalfa fields are making excellent progress; andbeing cut, dried, and baled. Corn continues being planted, and earlier planted fields are growing well. Local dairiescontinue to cut oats …

WEATHER Temperature highs ranged from the low 50s to mid 70s in the mountains, low 60s to high 80s along the coast, mid 60s to low 90s in the valley, and mid 70s to low 100s in the desert. Temperature lows ranged from the low 30s to mid 30s in the mountain, mid 30s to low 60s in the desert, low …

It isn’t often that US farmers and dairy producers’ side with the EPA. However, in the case of a growing number of suits targeted at farming practices, and one ingredient in particular, US farmers and dairy producers are supporting the EPA and its science-based approval system as it links to glyphosate. Glyphosate, or what many commonly refer to as RoundUp …

The International Milk Genomics Consortium (IMGC) announced the hiring of Jennifer Smilowitz, Ph.D. as its Director of Scientific and Strategic Development. The IMGC has established an inspiring vision to join mechanistic milk science with the innovators who bring science to practice. Its monthly publication, SPLASH!® reviews findings from current scientific articles on milk and lactation and has more than 1,700 subscribers along …

Krysta Harden, former Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), has been named Executive Vice President of Global Environmental Strategy of Dairy Management Inc. (DMI). At a time when telling the story of U.S. dairy’s positive environmental contributions has never been more important, Harden will be tasked with driving the dairy checkoff’s environmental sustainability strategy.   “Dairy farmers …

From an insider’s look into the upcoming presidential race, to opportunities for organic with the legalization of industrial hemp, to how organic can be accessible and affordable for more of our changing population and still fetch a fair price for producers, the Organic Trade Association’s Bold Ideas + Critical Conversations conference later this month will challenge and energize participants during …