California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • UC ANR Hosting Berry Production Workshop in SD County

    UC Ag and Natural Resources is hosting a berry production workshop in Escondido. Whether it’s backyard and container-grown production, or commercial, field-grown operations, growers can learn the essentials of cultivating, managing and the economics of growing strawberries, blackberries and blueberries in San Diego County.

    The workshop will cover site selection, planting, irrigation, pest management, harvesting and market considerations for berry production at any scale. Practices, strategies, and challenges for production of strawberries and cane berries

    Issues and strategies for container-grown blueberries in San Diego County. Challenges for commercial, field-grown production of blueberries in San Diego County Economic consideration for berry production, tasting and value-added product development with berries will also be discussed.

    Registration is $40 per person. The deadline is 5 p.m. June 15, or earlier if capacity is reached.

    Day of walk-ups will not be admitted. Registration includes educational materials, continental breakfast and tasting of berries and berry products.

    Registration Link: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=49412

              

    For questions about registration, contact Lupe Ibarra at (858)822-7711 or llibarra@ucanr.edu. For questions about the program, contact Ramiro Lobo at (858)243-4608 or relobo@ucanr.edu. — Story contributed by UC Ag and Natural Resources

  • CDFA Expands Sweet Orange Scab Quarantine in Southern California

    Effective June, the CDFA is expanding the sweet orange scab (SOS) quarantine boundary in the Artesia area of Los Angeles County and Buena Park area of Orange County (grids 470 and 471). A map of the new boundary can be found at https://www.cdfa.ca.gov/citrus/pests_diseases/sos/regulation.html.

    Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 of the California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3443. Pursuant to 3 CCR § 3443, any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation.

    Process to Appeal the Expanded Boundary

    The appeal must be submitted to the Department in writing and supported by clear and convincing evidence. The appeal must be filed no later than 10 working days from the date of this notification. During the pending of the appeal, the designated quarantine boundary under appeal shall remain in effect.

    Mail Appeals to: CDFA – Citrus Division 1220 N Street Sacramento, CA 95814

    Electronic Notification of Boundary Changes

    California Code of Regulation allows interested parties to be notified of quarantine area boundary changes, as well as the opportunity to submit quarantine boundary appeals. If interested in receiving notifications, please sign up for regulatory updates through the email notification at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new

    For questions regarding the regulations or map, email Raymond Niem (Raymond.Niem@cdfa.ca.gov) or call 916.274.6300. — Story contributed by the California Department of Food and Ag

  • CV-Salts Process Takes an Important Step

    The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board held a hearing on June 3 to consider approval of the Modesto Management Zone Implementation Plan (MZIP) and amendments to water quality permits for operations in the Modesto groundwater subbasin. This action applied to irrigated agriculture, food processors, municipal wastewater treatment plants, bovine feedlots, as well as dairy operations. At the end of the day, the Board approved the resolution as presented by staff without making any changes.

    This was an important step in the CV-Salts process that started almost two decades ago. With this action, the Regional Board officially provided a 35-year exception to meeting the nitrate drinking water standard in groundwater. This was in exchange for permit holders funding replacement drinking water for those whose wells are impacted by nitrates, something that has already been happening in the Modesto Management Zone for about five years. This hearing now sets the stage for the remaining Priority 1 management zones (Turlock, Chowchilla, Kings, Kaweah, and Tule) to move through this same process.

    The 35-year timeline does not mean that permit holders can sit on their hands. There are interim targets that must be met along the way, including those listed below. A new annual reporting tool is being developed to augment the current field-scale nitrogen accounting by adding a whole-farm nitrogen accounting component. It will also be able to show aggregated trends within the individual management zones. These are requirements of the newly adopted MZIP. The Central Valley Dairy Representative Monitoring Program (CVDRMP) is currently working on this tool.

    At 10 years, there is a milestone requiring dairies to achieve a whole-farm nitrogen balance, meaning the nitrogen available in the manure and imported as fertilizer is balanced with what is used by crops and exported off the dairy. A component of this will include a comparison of the amount of nitrogen in lagoon water to the land available to receive lagoon water. This is going to be a heavy lift for many dairies. Continued monitoring along the way will also be required to show that we are actually making progress.

    Overall, this was a positive step for dairies and other permit holders in providing additional time, but the process will also bring new urgency to addressing nitrate issues as local stakeholders work together to identify and address local nitrate sources. The dairy industry has already started this process, with changes rolling out over the next couple of years.

    This should not be confused with a separate process that will soon restart. The State Water Resources Control Board recently sent an email stating that its Remand Order on the Central Valley Water Board’s dairy permit is expected to be released on or around June 15th. The State Board anticipates holding a workshop on July 8th and a hearing to adopt the order on September 15th. Once I have reviewed the Remand Order, I will update our members on its contents and keep you informed as we move through this process.

    These are two separate actions, but there is a common message. Dairy water quality regulations in the Central Valley will be changing, and dairies need to be aware of the changes. Knowing what is coming can help dairies prepare. As always, if you have any questions on these or other environmental issues, please contact me. — By Paul Sousa, Western United Dairies Director of Regulatory & Environmental Affairs

  • NMPF Releases Statement on New World Screwworm

    The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) released a statement following the detection of New World screwworm in Texas last week. NMPF President and CEO Gregg Doud weighed in on the news stating:

    “The return of Wew World screwworm to the United States decades after its initial eradication is a disappointing milestone, but it’s also one for which dairy producers have been preparing for more than a year, in collaboration with USDA and across agriculture. It’s important to remember that this development has no effect on food safety, and that measures to combat both the screwworm and its spread are in place and time-tested. We appreciate the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s proactive efforts to prepare for this moment, and we stand ready to work with the department to address any ongoing challenges.

    Now that USDA has confirmed that screwworm is here, dairy farmers and all livestock producers pledge close collaboration with USDA, state and local officials, and producer organizations to mitigate any harmful effects and educate farmers on how to protect their herds. We have been creating resources to guide farmers in their responses, and we will keep our members well informed of any important screwworm developments.

    We also urge officials to follow scientific guidance in any decisions affecting animal movements and regulatory responses to avoid causing economic harm that could be greater than the screwworm itself. We also ask that adequate resources be provided to combat this problem, which causes suffering in animals and creates risk for producers.”

    Currently, no instances of New World screwworm have been reported in California.

  • New World Screwworm Detected in Texas

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) confirmed the detection of a New World screwworm (NWS) in a bovine in Zavala County, Texas. NWS is a serious pest that affects livestock, pets, wildlife, and less commonly, people and birds. NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into the flesh of living animals, causing serious damage to livestock and economic losses.

    The affected animal is a 3-week-old calf and larvae were identified in its umbilical area. To date, there have been no further detections.

    “All models showed New World Screwworm entering the country in 2025; however, thanks to the hard work across the entire Trump administration and our industry, state, and local partners, we were able to buy time for this moment. Protecting our livestock industry is a national security issue of the utmost importance, and USDA is wasting no time in taking action,” said Dudley Hoskins, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “USDA invested heavily in the tools needed to eliminate NWS ever since cases started increasing in Central America and Mexico. The United States has defeated this pest before, and we will do it again.”

    USDA and Texas officials are taking immediate action to contain and eradicate NWS from the United States, following the strategies and actions outlined in the NWS Response Playbook (884.59 KB). This includes:

    • Forming a unified Incident Command Team with the Texas Animal Health Commission and deploying response personnel to the area;
    • Establishing a 20 km infested zone around the detection and implementing quarantines, movement controls and surveillance in this area;
    • Expediting targeted release of sterile NWS flies (423.58 KB) by immediately deploying ground release chambers in the area, in addition to the 4 million sterile flies per week already being released aerially in the area;
    • Increasing trapping for NWS flies along the border and just outside of the dispersal area;
    • Implementing NWS surveillance and management strategies in wildlife; and
    • Conducting targeted outreach in the local area.

    Additionally, USDA’s National Veterinary Stockpile stands ready to assist and will provide resources including treatments, equipment and logistics support the response as needed.

    USDA will continue to work with state departments of agriculture, animal health officials, industry and producers to mitigate economic impacts of restrictions as much as possible, including negotiating with our trading partners to regionalize any trade restrictions on live animals, limiting them to defined geographic areas.

    NWS maggots can infest livestock and other warm-blooded animals, including in rare cases people. They most often enter an animal through an open wound and feed on the animal’s living flesh.

    USDA urges residents in the area to check their pets and livestock for signs of NWS. Look for draining or enlarging wounds and signs of discomfort. Also look for screwworm larvae (maggots) and eggs in or around body openings, such as the nose, ears, and genitalia or the navel of newborn animals. If you suspect your animal is infected with screwworm, contact your state animal health official or USDA area veterinarian in charge immediately.

    While not common in people, if you notice a suspicious lesion on your body or suspect you may have contracted screwworm, seek immediate medical attention.

    The U.S. food supply is safe. Screwworms do not infest meat, fruits, vegetables, or other food sources. USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) ensures that the nation’s commercial supply of meat, poultry, and egg products is safe and properly labeled. Under the Federal Meat Inspection Act (FMIA), FSIS inspection personnel must inspect all eligible animal species unless they are exempt or covered by a state inspection program.

    Any evidence of screwworm infestation in an animal would be identified during these inspections, and any contaminated product from an affected animal would not be allowed to enter the food supply.

    For more than a year, USDA has led a unified response to NWS. As the lead coordinating agency, USDA has deployed advanced surveillance systems and supported robust cross-border response efforts in Mexico and Central America to combat the pest and push NWS away from the United States. These efforts have bought time for USDA to increase domestic preparedness efforts.

    Learn more about New World screwworm at Screwworm.gov. — Story contributed by the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service

  • California Dairy Families and Raley’s Partner To Fight Food Insecurity

    In honor of June as National Dairy Month, the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) is partnering for the fourth year with Raley’s Food For Families program to deliver milk and dairy foods to nourish families in California communities.

    Throughout June, California dairy families, through the CMAB, will match customer donations made in-store and online to the Food For Families program dollar-for-dollar, up to $35,000, helping supply California dairy products to feeding programs. Messaging featuring “Do Good with Dairy” will appear in-store and across digital channels to raise awareness of the initiative.

    In California, over 1.8 million households face food insecurity.

    “Even in the most productive agricultural state in the nation, families can struggle with food insecurity and nutritional challenges,” said California Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross. “When we work together – the way the California Milk Advisory Board and Raley’s are for Dairy Month – we can get more fresh, nutritious dairy products where they are needed most, and where they can do the most good.”

    “As a California dairy farmer, I strongly believe in making milk and dairy foods accessible to families, as they are among the most nutritious and affordable options available,” said Nicole Morris, who operates JNM Dairy with her husband. “This partnership provides essential support to communities while emphasizing the vital role dairy plays in supporting families’ health and well-being.”

    Milk donations will be distributed to 12 Food For Family partner food banks – Alameda County Community Food Bank, Central California Food Bank, Food Bank for Monterey County, Food Bank of Contra Costa & Solano, Feeding the Foothills, Food Bank of Northern Nevada, Redwood Empire Food Bank, Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services, Second Harvest of Silicon Valley, Second Harvest Food Bank of Santa Cruz County, Second Harvest of the Greater Valley and Yolo Food Bank.

    “Milk is a nutrient-rich staple that plays a vital role in helping our neighbors maintain healthy food choices at home. We are incredibly grateful for the continued partnership between the CMAB and Raley’s Food For Families. Being able to provide dairy products like milk to the community makes a meaningful difference,” said Second Harvest of the Greater Valley CEO Jessica Vaughan .

    Raley’s absorbs all administrative costs to maximize the impact of every donation.

    “Throughout the year we welcome donations to Food For Families to nourish our communities,” said Zoe Edwards, Raley’s Food For Families Operations Manager. “Dairy remains one of the most in-demand, nutritious food groups and an important source of protein that food banks are eager to ensure access to. We are proud to partner with Real California Milk to supply dairy products to our food bank partners.”

    The Real California Milk CADAIRY4GOOD platform focuses on increasing access to dairy foods for individuals and families throughout California through partnerships to pilot programs to deliver product and refrigeration resources to the state’s food banks and feeding programs. — Story Contributed by the California Milk and Raley’s Food For Families

  • USDA Launches TRUMP Mission to Argentina and Ecuador

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture launched a Trade Reciprocity for U.S. Manufacturers and Producers (TRUMP) mission to Argentina and Ecuador this week to open new markets and strengthen export opportunities for American farmers, ranchers and producers.

    Built on the Reciprocal Trade and Investment agreements signed with Argentina and Ecuador earlier this year, the mission led by USDA’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, Luke J. Lindberg, aims to increase fair access to two of the Western Hemisphere’s fastest-growing markets.

    “Our three-point plan has already reduced the agricultural trade deficit by 42%, and now, TRUMP trade missions like this one are turning new market access into true market share,” said Under Secretary Lindberg. “By taking our farm groups straight to the table with willing buyers in Argentina and Ecuador, we’re converting these historic reciprocal agreements into lasting commercial wins for our hardworking farmers, ranchers and producers back home.”

    In 2025 alone, the U.S. exported $166 million in seeds, essential oils, livestock genetics, tree nuts and more to Argentina. The same year, $595 million in agricultural products were exported to Ecuador, including soybean meal, wheat and other feeds and fodders.

    Staff from USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service will lead industry tours, host business-to-business meetings, and meet with Argentine and Ecuadorian officials to support U.S. trade priorities and American agricultural producers. The delegation includes representatives from:

    1.     California Almonds – Modesto, Calif.

    2.     USA Poultry & Egg Export Council – Tucker, Ga.

    3.     U.S. Grains and Bioproducts Council – Washington, D.C.

    4.     U.S. Livestock Genetics Export, Inc. – Mount Horeb, Wis.

    5.     U.S. Meat Export Federation – Denver, Colo.

    6.     U.S. Soybean Export Council – Chesterfield, Mo.

    7.     U.S. Wheat Associates – Arlington, Va.

    For more information on USDA trade missions, visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-missions. — Story contributed by the USDA Foreign Ag Service

  • California Walnut Commission Voices Support for ASCF

    The California Walnut Commission issued a statement voicing its support for the Assistance for Specialty Crops Farmers (ACSF) program. The program was announced May 29, offering $1.6 billion in federal assistance and relief to growers of specialty crops. This includes tree nuts like walnuts, almonds and pistachios.

    “The California Walnut Commission extends its appreciation to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Farm Service Agency (FSA) staff for the announcement and implementation of payment rates and the enrollment period for the ASCF program.

    In response to elevated input costs and market disruptions that impede specialty crop exports, USDA will issue $1.625 billion in payments to eligible specialty crop producers. Eligible walnut growers will be able to receive payments at a rate of $225 per acre based on their 2025 crop acreage report. This new funding will help walnut growers, many from multi-generational family farms, offset high production costs and ongoing market disruptions due to tariffs in key markets.

    ‘Walnut growers are in full swing nurturing this year’s crop, which just finished the bloom and nut set start of the crop year,’ said Bill Carriere, vice chairman of the California Walnut Commission. ‘This additional financial support will be utilized to lower input costs and improve our competitiveness abroad.’

    We thank Secretary Rollins and USDA for their continued commitment to supporting specialty crop producers, including California walnut growers, to strengthen the competitiveness of American agriculture at home and abroad.”

  • CDFA Urges Immediate Reporting of Grapevines Purchased at Costco

    The CDFA is urging anyone who purchased grapevines from Costco stores in Northern California between April 21 and May 21 to contact their local agricultural commissioner after an invasive pest was discovered among the 13,000 vines shipped during that period.

    Grapevines from a Fresno nursery shipped to California Costco stores in April and May were found to be carrying the glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS), an insect capable of spreading a potentially lethal vine disease.

    On May 19, the first glassy-winged sharpshooter was detected on vines sold at the warehouse retailer, triggering an immediate and widespread containment effort by CDFA, agricultural commissioners and winegrape growers throughout Northern California. Officials are responding to public reports, conducting inspections and public outreach and trapping near stores and locations where purchased vines were taken. They are also ensuring that potentially infested plants are safely contained and disposed of.

    In addition to destroying infested stock still in Costco warehouses, CDFA is working with agricultural commissioners and conducting public outreach to locate vines sold to consumers across 24 counties, as well as neighboring at-risk counties.

    “While many vines have been intercepted and destroyed, locating the thousands that may still be in customers’ hands remains our top priority,” said California Ag Secretary Karen Ross. “Anyone who purchased these vines should contact their local agricultural commissioner immediately.”

    Costco is offering a full refund to anyone who purchased these vines. Customers do not need to return the vines to receive a refund.

    To prevent the potential spread of the pest, CDFA officials urge customers to:

    •Immediately contact your county agricultural commissioner

    •Keep the plant in its original pot or container and away from other plants

    •If possible, place the plant inside two trash bags, one inside the other, and seal them closed

    •Do not place the plant in the trash or compost bin

    •An agricultural inspector will come, inspect the vine for GWSS and — if necessary — remove and dispose of the vine

    Winegrapes are one of California’s largest cash crops, generating approximately $73 billion annually in economic activity and supporting more than 422,000 jobs statewide. A 2025 economic study estimated that Pierce’s disease, which is spread by the glassy-winged sharpshooter, could cost California approximately $166 million annually if left unchecked.

    California first recognized the full threat of the glassy-winged sharpshooter in 1999, when a major Pierce’s disease outbreak in the Temecula Valley led to the destruction of more than 300 acres of vineyards. Winegrape growers quickly responded by working with the CDFA to create the Pierce’s Disease Glassy-Winged Sharpshooter Board to control the pest and find solutions to the disease it carries. The program has successfully contained GWSS for over 25 years. Visit cdfa.ca.gov/pdcp/PD_GWSS_Board.html. — Story Contributed by the California PD/GWSS Board

  • American Wine Truth in Labelling Bill Advances

    The California State Assembly approved AB 1585 (Connolly and Ransom), legislation that would require wine labeled “American” and sold or bottled in California to be made entirely from American-grown grapes. The bill passed with bipartisan support on a 67-0 vote and now advances to the California State Senate.

    Sponsored by the California Association of Winegrape Growers (CAWG) and Family Winemakers of California (FWC), AB 1585 would establish a truth-in-labeling standard to improve transparency for consumers and reinforce the integrity of American wine labeling.  Under current labeling regulations, wine labeled “American” may contain up to 25% of foreign-grown grapes while still carrying the American appellation designation.

    “A 67-0 vote sends an unmistakable message: California stands behind its growers, wineries, and farmworkers, and behind honest wine labeling,” said CAWG President Natalie Collins. “AB 1585 is common sense – consumers choosing ‘American’ wine deserve to get American grapes. We’re grateful for the Assembly’s unanimous support and look forward to the Senate taking up this important consumer protection.”

    “Family Winemakers of California is proud to stand alongside CAWG and the more than 400 industry members who have championed this legislation,” said GinaLisa Tamayo, Board President of Family Winemakers of California. “We are encouraged by the Assembly’s strong support and eager to carry this momentum into the Senate.”

      The progress made this week is another step in a legislative process that will continue through August. AB 1585 will next be considered by the California State Senate Governmental Organization Committee in June.