CCA role grows in era of regulations
California farmers, dairymen and ranchers must comply with the most demanding regulations in the nation, far more onerous than any of their counterparts in other states. However, California agriculture has not only survived this dubious distinction but has thrived. In 1975, California agriculture gross farm income was $8.5 billion. Now, as the No. 1 agricultural state in the nation, it’s roughly $38 billion and growing.
Groundwater nitrate issue dumped in agriculture’s lap
It is not surprising that the California groundwater nitrate issue was not just deposited on agriculture’s doorstep, it was heaped on agriculture’s back for blame and draconian mitigation recommendations to be paid for by agriculture.
California farm workers a vital asset to be protected
Firebaugh, Calif., melon grower Joe L. Del Bosque is the son of a migrant farm worker; he earned his way through college as a farm worker, and his wife Maria Gloria Del Bosque is a former migrant worker who immigrated to this country with her family. As many as 750,000 seasonal farm workers work from planting to harvest each year in California just like the Del Bosque family did. California is regulatory purgatory for many businesses, agriculture particularly. Laws and agencies oversee just about everything Del Bosque does on his farm. Labor is no different.
California raisin exports strong
Despite record prices and 100 percent free tonnage, California raisin exports are increasing at a faster pace than domestic sales. 80 percent of raisins marketed overseas are used as ingredients, mostly in baking items. 80 percent of raisins marketed overseas are used as ingredients, mostly in baking items.
Nasty roadway spikes nab farm copper thieves
In the old West, if a fellow got caught stealing a man’s horse, the thief would likely be invited to an impromptu necktie party. “Get a Rope” was often the law of the lawless frontier West of the 1880s. There are laws today to protect people and property, but thieves still roam the range today and people sometimes have to protect themselves and their property. It’s not equine being stolen. It's more likely copper wire.
Far West cotton weathers storm better than most
The U.S. cotton industry has experienced historically volatile and economically brutal trading in the past 18 months, and the roller coaster ride may not be over. The highest cotton prices in history followed by equally squat low-valued lint forced a frightening near collapse of the cotton futures market. That could happen again, according to a seasoned cotton trader.
Water issues, struggling dairies cloud California agriculture
The Western dairy industry is headed into another down year in what has become a series of three-year cycles of economic pinnacles and troughs. The availability and cost of water to irrigate crops and the economic health of the dairy industry have direct impacts across California agriculture. Without adequate storage to capture excess moisture in years like 2011, water deliveries have fallen dramatically this year compared to last.
California tree nut crops on fast track
Tree nut markets are a “major reason” land prices in Central California have shot to $22,000 for open farmland to almost $30,000 for an established pistachio orchard in Kern County. China has been the economic driver for the nut industry worldwide. Potential potholes in the tree nut superhighway include food safety issues, a strengthening dollar and the ever-present threat of the U.S. trading away overseas markets for U.S. commodities in exchange for a diplomatic or military concession.
Scientists chastised for growing weed resistance problem
Despite a voluminous body of information and research, herbicide resistance in many weed species continues to grow. Waterhemp tale is just one chapter in the herbicide resistance saga as reports say as many as 220 million acres have been identified as containing herbicide resistant weeds.
California wine grape supply on cusp of shortage
The California wine grape industry has completed a decade-long economic circle from the days when growers struggled to find homes for grapes. Wine grape plantings have not kept up with projected future demand. The next three years will likely see supplies run short of what wineries want.
Central Valley beet growers closer to massive bioenergy plant
A group of former sugar beet growers on the West Side of the San Joaquin Valley are expected to learn next month whether they’ll be able to take the next step in an ambitious plan to return beets to the valley’s row crop mix to supply a $200 million biorefinery near Mendota, Calif.
Shafter station to remain open under private management
The storied Shafter Cotton Research Station in California’s San Joaquin Valley is not closing after all. The San Joaquin Valley Quality Cotton Growers Association, a group of some of the most prominent growers/leaders in the valley, has stepped up to lease the 80-acre facility in Shafter, Calif., and manage it as a research site.
Farmer’s Fury wine tells story of American agriculture
Farmer’s Fury 2009 Paso Robles, Calif., Cabernet Sauvignon is an excellent Central Coast Cab. However, what’s under the cork is only a small part of this wine story. It is a wine with an attitude on the label and a San Joaquin Valley farming heritage dating back more than a century.
$300 per ton price floated for 2012 Thompsons
Demand for juice concentrate continues strong with reports that this could send 2012 Thompson green prices up to $300 per ton. Whether the world’s largest winery, Gallo, and other California wineries will pay that remains to be seen. However, a price like that being floated this early in the season is indicative of how tight available supplies are in the Thompson market for 2012.
California agriculture set for another good year in 2012
California and Arizona are in a good spot in the world food chain because they produce high value foods that people with higher incomes in the world want. 2012 may not be a home run like 2011, but Vernon Crowder says it will be another good one. Crowder joins the chorus of concerned farmers worried about this year’s irrigation water supplies. However, he does not expect farmers to curtail production from last year, just spend more money to get the water.
