The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks nominations of qualified individuals for five open seats on the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The 15-member advisory board considers and makes recommendations on the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances and other issues involving the production, handling and processing of USDA certified organic products. Each member serves a five-year term and represents …

Safeguarding our Nation’s agriculture and natural resources against harmful plant pests is an awesome responsibility, one we take very seriously. Thanks to USDA’s Plant Protection and Quarantine (PPQ) employees, cooperators, and partners, the United States has one of the most robust plant health safeguarding systems in the world. That is because we continuously take steps to enhance our ability to …

After years of drought, the 2019 winter is turning out to be a good one for California’s water supply. Several winter storm systems in the past couple of months means there is plenty of water. In some parts of the state, more than plenty, as evidenced from flooding events. Snow pack is above average (156%) and reservoirs are sufficiently full. …

Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley, CA), the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, announced today that Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Yakima Valley, WA) has been selected as the new Co-Chair of the Wine Caucus. Newhouse, a lifelong farmer and winegrape grower, represents the premier wine regions of Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley and the Walla Walla Valley. Newhouse will serve …

SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS: Thanks to the adequate rain fall within the past few months, winter planted dryland oats are being harvested, baled,and hauled for livestock feed. Wheat and alfalfa continue to mature. Forage crops will soon be ready to be cut forhay or silage Windy days will increase lodging in mature wheat fields which will cause issues …

WASHINGTON, April 30, 2019 — Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue announced today the availability of a new web-based tool – developed in partnership with the University of Wisconsin – to help dairy producers evaluate various scenarios using different coverage levels through the new Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program. The 2018 Farm Bill authorized DMC, a voluntary risk management program that offers …

USDA extended the deadline to May 17 from May 1 for agricultural producers to certify 2018 crop production for payments through the Market Facilitation Program (MFP), which helps producers who have been significantly affected by foreign tariffs, resulting in the loss of traditional exports. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) extended the deadline because heavy rainfall and snowfall have delayed harvests …

Wawona Packing Company, a leading grower and shipper of organic and conventional tree fruit, today announced the start of its 2019 stone fruit season. Beginning with proprietary varieties of organic and conventional peaches and nectarines, the program will expand to include additional commodities and varieties as the season progresses with plums, pluots and apricots available by mid-May.   Wawona anticipates …

As climate change continues to threaten the state’s water infrastructure and reliability, Governor Gavin Newsom today signed an executive order directing his administration to think differently and act boldly by developing a comprehensive strategy to build a climate-resilient water system. The order seeks to broaden California’s approach on water as the state faces a range of existing challenges, including unsafe drinking water, major flood risks …

By Farouk A. Hassan, Ph.D. Emission devices or emitters are vital component of drip/microirrigation systems as they control the dripping (emission) of water and fertilizer solution to the plant.  Drip emitters basically slow down the flow rate to a “trickle” by dissipating the energy of the flow through frictional resistance.  This makes it possible to deliver water and fertilizer solution …