U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack recently announced that the Department is awarding $502 million in loans and grants (PDF, 221 KB) to provide high-speed internet access for rural residents and businesses in 20 states — including California. The funding is part of the Biden Administration’s commitment to investing in rural infrastructure and providing reliable, affordable, high-speed internet for all. …

Join National Mastitis Council (NMC) for its next webinar – presented in Spanish – on Sept. 29, starting at 2 p.m. Central time (U.S./Canada). Alfonso Lago, an NMC board member and director of research and consulting solutions at DairyExperts, Inc., Tulare, Calif., will address “New Concepts and Opportunities in Mastitis Management” (“Nuevos Conceptos y Oportunidades en el Manejo de la …

Thirteen UC Davis scientists or former affiliates are among authors from eight countries who contributed to research articles for the Journal of Economic Entomology’s Special Collection: Research Advances in Spotted-Wing Drosophila suzukii Management. The recently published Special Collection showcases 14 articles. Native to Asia, the agricultural pest is a worldwide threat to the berry production industry, which includes raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, strawberries, and cherries. The …

They’re here and more are coming! Be on the lookout for migratory Monarch butterflies from the Pacific Northwest heading south to their overwintering sites along the California coast. It’s been a very good year for Monarchs in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), according to noted entomologist and Monarch researcher David James, an associate professor at Washington State University (WSU), Pullman. “The numbers we are …

Local food marketing, business and market support for small-scale farmers and food producers, new agricultural products and technology development are parts of a University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources project designed to boost jobs and farm resiliency in the San Joaquin Valley. The Fresno-Merced Future of Food Innovation Coalition, or F3, received a $65.1 million grant from the U.S. …

California Farmland Trust (CFT) is proud to announce Farm Credit, Pacific Coast Producers, Burroughs Family Farms, and Dwelley Family Farms as presenting sponsors of the second annual Race to Slow the Pace 5k/10k, set to take place on September 25 at Bokisch Vineyards in Lodi, CA. Farm Credit’s support of CFT and the Race to Slow the Pace complements their …

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 …