Modesto, Calif., (February 20, 2018) – Unlike milk production, excitement surrounding the California dairy industry’s efforts towards better producer prices is not in decline. Indeed, just a week ago, USDA announced an unexpected delay in the FMMO process that left producer groups very disappointed. The agency stated it would be delaying the final decision for a California FMMO until after …

Sacramento, Calif., (February 20, 2018) – The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) today warned people not to eat cactus pads imported from Mexico sold at specific retail and wholesale locations around the state, due to the presence of unapproved pesticides. Through routine monitoring of fresh produce, the cactus pads, or nopales, were found by DPR …

Sacramento, Calif., (February 20, 2018) – For more than 200 youngsters in California, including 45 Latinos, the last weekend of January was a unique experience, full of physical activities and workshops that will help them build a successful future. Under the theme “Be a leader, Be a hero,” they participated in the 4-H Youth Summit carried out in several California …

Davis, Calif., (February 16, 2018) – For more than 35 years, scientists have tried to isolate embryonic stem cells in cows without much success. Under the right conditions, embryonic stem cells can grow indefinitely and make any other cell type or tissue, which has huge implications for creating genetically superior cows. In a study published this week in the journal Proceedings …

Visalia, Calif., (February 16, 2018) – 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 winter forage crops, such as wheat, barley, other cereal grains, and forage mixes continue to be irrigated to maintain growth. Pre-emergent herbicides are being applied to fields, and weed …

Tulare, Calif., (February 16, 2018) – World Ag Expo® and E.M. Tharp, Inc. have teamed up again to provide the “We Believe in Growing” scholarship, which supports local high school students who will be attending four-year universities to major in an agricultural field. This year’s winners, Aalexias Woolf and Abbigail Prins, will each receive $2,500 scholarships to be renewed up …

Sacramento, Calif., (February 16, 2018) – The recent holiday season collapsed in flames for thousands of Ventura and Santa Barbara County residents in the path of the catastrophic Thomas Fire. It is considered the largest fire in California history, burning nearly 282,000 acres and destroying more than one-thousand homes and other structures. The fire spread across 440 square miles, more …

Fresno, Calif., (February 15, 2018) – Farms that sell only fresh produce are dependent on buyers for markets and pricing. The UC Cooperative Extension small farms team in Fresno and Tulare counties believes farmers can earn more money by taking production a step further, by adding extra value to their products with processing, preserving and packaging the produce. UC Cooperative Extension …

Santa Rosa, Calif., (February 15, 2018) – Pat Burns has joined Sonoma County Farm Bureau’s Board of Directors. Burns has served as the General Manager of Vineyard Operations for M. Draxton Wines since 2013 where he oversees the vineyard operations of 250 acres of Cabernet in Alexander Valley. Additionally, Burns is in charge of Grower Relations and purchasing grapes for …

Sacramento, Calif., (February 15, 2018) – Warm and sunny winter days are no cause for celebration among the farmers, ranchers and forest managers who rely on UC Agriculture and Natural Resources’ research-based information and expertise to make their work more profitable. Such is the feeling shared by UC Cooperative Extension advisor Dan Macon in his Foothill Agrarian blog. He began worrying more than a month ago …