Fresno, Calif., (March 9, 2017) – Across the County, plantings of barley, oats, triticale, wheat, and winter forage are all growing well due to an abundance of rain. Some fields have already started to develop seed heads. Herbicides and fertilizers were applied to fields between storms. Ground preparation was underway for rice fields in Firebaugh. Alfalfa broke dormancy but growth …

Sacramento, Calif., (March 7, 2017) – A lot of variation in the weather across the State as a departing Pacific system exerted its influence onto the State. Monday, heavy rainfall across the southern quarter of the State, with areas along the immediate coast receiving up to two inches of rain. Heavier rainfall fell in the coastal mountains immediately inland of …

Sacramento, Calif., (February 28, 2017) – Another wet week, with temperatures staying steady. Widespread freezes were reported Thursday through Saturday across the State. Rainfall followed a similar pattern Monday through Wednesday, with the heaviest rains falling in the northwestern mountains, and the northern and central Sierra foothills. Four to five inches of rain fell in these places, with two to …

Visalia, Calif., (February 24, 2017) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Growers continue to wait for fields to dry out sufficiently so that they can resume planting winter grain and field crops. The planted grains and field crops continue to …

Sacramento, Calif., (February 23, 2017) – Strong storms during the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend flooded farm fields, caused several dairy farms to relocate their animals and brought other impacts on California farms and ranches. The storms also added more water to an already overtaxed system, and led to renewed calls to modernize the system. “In the long term, the surge …

Sacramento, Calif., (February 22, 2017) – Another warm and wet week across the State as a strong Pacific system moved inland. The system brought rain to most of the State, with mountains receiving snow. Temperatures cooled through Friday, before rising slightly over the weekend. Dry weather ruled the State on Monday and Tuesday with the exception of some light sprinkles …

By Pat Bailey Quick Summary Gene editing builds on traditional breeding successes The technology enhances sustainability plus animal health and welfare Questions remain about regulatory issues  Gene editing— one of the newest and most promising tools of biotechnology — enables animal breeders to make beneficial genetic changes, without bringing along unwanted genetic changes. And, following in the footsteps of traditional …

Visalia, Calif., (February 10, 2017) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Growers continue to wait for fields to dry out sufficiently that they can resume planting winter grain and field crops. The planted grains and field crops continue to mature …

Santa Rosa, Calif., (February 10, 2017) – Denner Ranches, established in 1890, is operated by Kathy Reese and her husband Steve, Russ Denner and his wife Joanne and their son Brian Denner. The property was purchased by Reese and Denner’s great grandfather who emigrated from Devonshire England, originally settling in Illinois before coming west and deciding Santa Rosa was the …