California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • Reducing Cow Emissions with a Seaweed Diet

    Could seaweed be the saving grace California dairy producers need to meet the State’s demands in reducing methane emissions from dairy cattle 40% by 2030? Not necessarily, but check out this brief interview with Ermias Kebreab from the Department of Animal Science at UC Davis who provided an update at the inaugural California Dairy Sustainability Summit on their research that has proven a seaweed supplemented diet to reduce cow emissions. Watch the video and read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.  Don’t currently receive the magazine?  Subscribe FREE today at https://malcolmmedia.com/california-dairy-magazine-subscriptions/

  • Citrus Crop Update with Central Valley Grower Arlen Miller

    Harvest of the 2018-2019 citrus crop is underway, and growers are excited to reap the fruits of their labors.  Watch this brief interview with third generation  Central Valley citrus grower Arlen Miller as he shares his perspective on the coming crop and read more about him and his many diverse varieties of citrus in the coming issue of California Fresh Fruit Magazine.  Don’t receive California Fresh Fruit Magazine?  Subscribe for free at https://malcolmmedia.com/california-fresh-fruit-subscriptions/.

  • How the CA Raisin Industry will Stay Competitive with the World Market

    With record low raisin inventories in California this past year, record high imports of raisins flooded the US market. Foreign competitors also took larger shares of key export markets for the California raisin industry. With increasing production costs and declining raisin grape acreage, what can the California raisin industry do to remain competitive in the world market? Harry Overly answered this question at Sun-Maid’s 106th annual Meeting on Dec. 1st, and in this video interview with California Ag Network. Watch this brief interview and read the full report of Sun-Maid’s Annual Meeting in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!

  • Introducing Real American Pistachio Growers

    So why American Pistachio Growers? Growers have no shortage of issues to deal with: orchard pests/diseases, labor, water, and trade barriers, to name a few. But that doesn’t stop American Pistachio Growers from doing what they know best and getting out in the field everyday on behalf of consumers all over the world hungry for what quality American pistachios. Back at the Summer luncheon of American Pistachio Growers, several growers were put on the spot and asked why they do what they do. Watch this brief video to see their responses and read more about growers near you in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. Don’t currently receive the magazine? Subscribe for free at: https://malcolmmedia.com/pacific-nut-producer-magazine-subscriptions/.

  • Effective use of Mating Disruption in Navel Orangeworm Control Program

    Malcolm Media’s Tree & Vine Expo was once again a big hit for growers & crop consultants looking to get a better grip on pest management in their orchards.  One of the seminars featured UC IPM Advisor Jhalendra Rijal who shared how to more effectively incorporate mating disruption in their navel orangeworm control programs.  Watch his brief interview and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.  Don’t currently receive the magazine? Subscribe for free at: https://malcolmmedia.com/pacific-nut-producer-magazine-subscriptions/.

  • “NEW” SUN-MAID HOLDS 106th ANNUAL MEETING

    Sun-Maid Growers of California held its 106th Annual membership meeting at the Convention Center’s “New Exhibit Hall” in Downtown Fresno.  The theme “It’s A New Sun-Maid” was evident throughout the event with a newly created management team and marketing strategy.  The meeting was moved for the first time in over 30 years from the Saroyan Theater to accommodate Disney’s production of The Lion King. More than 1,000 raisin growers, families and guests were in attendance.
     
    Sun-Maid President & CEO, Harry Overly laid out the company’s transformational plans to reinvigorate Sun-Maid – the Timeless & Trusted brand – and revealed an all-encompassing marketing strategy to target today’s younger millennial parents.  Sun-Maid’s 2019 marketing efforts, set to launch in January, will include a national television and digital campaign in addition to a portfolio of new products.  President Overly went on further to describe Sun-Maid’s heavy emphasis on innovation and marketing, indicating nearly 40% of the company’s growth will come from new products. 
     
    “We’ve learned so much about the Sun-Maid brand over the past year talking to consumers. We intend to take those consumer insights and grow this business with exciting new products and a new marketing campaign that reminds all consumers of their strong emotional connection to Sun-Maid,” said Overly.
     
    President Overly also highlighted the strength of the association with net sales steady at $362 million in this past fiscal year, and reported that for the 32nd consecutive year, Sun-Maid member payments will exceed the established industry field price. 
     
    Chairman Jeff Jue provided a review of this year’s growing conditions.  He also addressed the current outlook of the raisin industry, which has seen an increase in the 2018 crop size of more than 10% and deliveries exceeding 2017 by 22%.  With this larger crop, both Jue and Overly confirmed the California crop will be easily cover today’s demands.  However, Overly indicated cautious guidance in regards to worldwide raisin demand trends and the impact of emerging foreign competitors.  Overly reviewed weakening US shipment trends and the potential influence on California raisin pricing.
     
    Founded in 1912, Sun-Maid Growers is the world’s largest marketer of raisins and other premium quality dried fruits. Sun-Maid’s sales are approximately half retail consumer products and half ingredient products for items such as cereals, breads and a variety of other food products. Located in Kingsburg, California in the heart of the San Joaquin Valley’s raisin producing district, Sun-Maid products are distributed throughout the United States and in more than 50 countries around the world.
     
    For more information about Sun-Maid, visit www.sunmaid.com.

  • US Crop & Market Update with the American Pecan Council

    Pecan harvest in California is well underway, but let’s take a look at what’s going on currently on the national scale, as it will have an impact on the California pecan market.  Check out this brief interview report with Alex Ott, Executive Director of the American Pecan Council, who also provided an update on the Hurricane impact on the Georgia pecan industry.  Stay current on what’s going on in the pecan industry by reading Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.  Don’t currently receive the magazine? Subscribe for free at: https://malcolmmedia.com/pacific-nut-producer-magazine-subscriptions/.

  • Central Coast Wine Industry Trends: Another Great Vintage

    At the time of Malcolm Media’s Central Grape Expo mid-November, some growers were still out harvesting; but many took a short break to attend this popular half-day industry event.  One of the featured speakers this year was Todd Azevedo from Ciatti Company who shared his insights on the current State of the Central Coast Wine industry, and how different varieties are trending in the market.  Watch this brief interview with Todd Azevedo, and read his State of the Industry report in the coming January issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!

  • CDFA’s Work to Regulate Antibiotics in Livestock

    A report issued last week by a consortium of environmental groups on antibiotics in the meat supply chain highlights the importance of work being undertaken by California Department of Food and Agriculture as the first state in the nation to regulate the use of antibiotics in livestock. The report touched on CDFA’s efforts but it is important to clearly state what is being done to implement the legislation in collaboration with sister agencies and a broad, diverse set of stakeholders.

    As of January 1st, 2018, California became the first state in the nation to require veterinary oversight for the use of all medically important antibiotics used in livestock (not just in feed or water). The state law also prohibits growth promotion use and goes above and beyond the federal requirements to prohibit the use of medically important antibiotics in a regular pattern for disease prevention unless necessary for surgical or medical procedures. This is currently the only legislation that requires data collection from willing participants to monitor antibiotic use practices, assess trends in antibiotic resistance, and to inform the development of antimicrobial stewardship guidelines and best management practices to effect change in antibiotic usage.

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture has hired experienced and qualified staff to work with multiple state and federal partners, as well as university researchers, to collect information across California’s diverse livestock production types, coordinating with existing systems and efforts where possible. In less than two years, the Antimicrobial Use & Stewardship program’s efforts, through in-house surveys and contracted studies, have developed data from  nearly 1,400 operations, representing more than half a million animals across 55 counties in California, and- reflecting antibiotic use and management practices across beef and dairy cattle, sheep, and backyard poultry operations.

    Additionally, the Antimicrobial Use & Stewardship program has initiated on-farm sampling, covering a population of more than 50 operations and 128,000 animals in California that will voluntarily be sampled over time. Data collection efforts are ongoing and will continue to expand as the program moves forward.

    CDFA is committed to fulfilling the requirements of state law and continuing to work with all stakeholders to achieve a safe, secure, and bountiful food supply, while reducing the emergence of antimicrobial resistance.

  • California Dairy Digital Magazine: November 2018 Issue

    California Junior Wins Big at World Dairy Expo
    Samantha Gambonini of Gamlake Dairy
    Moringa to be Tested for Livestock Feed Potential
    An Alternative Forage Crop with Lower Water & Pesticide Needs
    California Dairy Quality Assurance Program Celebrates 20 Years
    California Dairy Leads the Nation in Environmental Stewardship
    California FMMO Advanced Prices & Factors
    Not a Terribly Exciting Start