California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • USJersey to Offer More than $47,00 in Scholarships

    The deadline is July 1 to apply for scholarship and educational awards administrated by the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA), Reynoldsburg, Ohio.

    The AJCA has more than $47,000 in scholarship money to award to Jersey youth in 2026. This funding will go toward young Jersey enthusiasts pursuing a college or university degree or, in some cases, gaining hands-on experience in the development and management of Registered Jersey cattle. Junior or Lifetime members of the association with a 2.5 minimum grade point average, on a 4.0 scale, are eligible to apply for the awards.

    The Russell–Malnati Scholarship for Advanced Studies ($5,000) will be awarded to a graduate dairy science, animal science (dairy emphasis), large animal veterinary practice, dairy production or manufacturing or dairy product marketing student.

    The Walter and Joyce Owens Family Scholarship ($5,000) will be offered for the third time. Those who are incoming or current undergraduate students in any post education institute studying a dairy related major are eligible Applicants must also be working toward a two-or four-year degree and demonstrate satisfactory academic performance. Recipients can receive the scholarship a maximum of two times but must reapply for reconsideration.

    The Lineweaver Scholarship ($5,000) will be awarded to an undergraduate who has completed at least one year of study in a four-year program focused on dairy science, animal science (dairy emphasis) or dairy products.

    The Morris B. Ewing ABS Genetic Performance Scholarship ($3,250) will be awarded to a junior or senior undergraduate student seeking a career in genetics, dairy production, large animal veterinary medicine or milk marketing.

    The William A. Russell Memorial Scholarship ($3,000) is offered to those who will begin their studies at an accredited college or university in the fall of 2026. Students who have completed at least one year of their studies are eligible for the V.L. Peterson Scholarship($2,500). The Jack C. Nisbet Memorial Scholarship ($2,500) will be awarded to an eligible nominee in the Jersey Youth Achievement Contest.

    The Robert Bignami Memorial Scholarship ($3,000) was established from a generous donation of Bob and Pam Bignami, Orland, California, from the sale of BW Graduate-ET in 2020. Those who have graduated high school and attended Jersey Youth Academy are eligible to apply. These students must also be heading to or enrolled in an accredited four-year college or university majoring in an agricultural-based degree.

    The Cedarcrest Farms Scholarship ($2,000) will go to either an undergraduate or graduate student working toward a degree in large animal veterinary practice, dairy production, dairy manufacturing, or dairy product marketing. Students must also demonstrate significant progress toward their intended degree and a clear intention of an agriculture career through coursework completion and a goal statement.

    The Paul Jackson Memorial Scholarship ($1,000) is for continuing college students in any degree program area. The recipient of the AJCA Directors’ Scholarship ($1,500) is determined based on academic performance, activities and accomplishments with Jersey cattle and commitment to continued involvement in the Jersey dairy business. The Bob Toole Jersey Youth Award ($2,000) can be used for educational expenses or a well-defined practical experience related to breeding, developing and showing Registered Jerseys.

    The recipient of the Anne E. Perchard Challenge Award ($350) will be selected from among applicants for the national achievement contest and/or scholarship program to recognize abilities and leadership potential and, in turn, challenging the recipient to achieve his/her potential through continuing Jersey activities.

    Also, the Reuben R. Cowles Jersey Youth Award will be presented to an eligible resident of Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia to be used for educational expenses or to travel to the All American Jersey Show and Sale, the AJCA-NAJ Annual Meetings or other Jersey educational activities. Applicants must be at least high school graduates, but not older than 36 years of age as of Jan. 1, 2026.

    Apply here: https://usjersey.com/wp-content/uploads/Youth/26_CowlesYouthAward.docx

    For application forms and instructions, visit the “Youth Corner” page on the USJersey website and select the scholarship option. Recipients will be recognized on Saturday, November 7 at the Youth Awards Ceremony held in Louisville, Ky.

    For more information, contact the AJCA by email at info@usjersey.com; or visit its web site at USJersey.com.     

    — Contributed by American Jersey Cattle Association

  • Lobby Day Focuses on Unlocking Alternative Manure Management

    The California Climate & Agriculture Network (CalCAN), alongside dairy producers and advocates, gathered at the State Capitol Swing Space April 8, to meet with legislators in support of AB 2100, a CalCAN-sponsored bill to improve the benefits of the state’s Alternative Manure Management Program (AMMP) as part of California’s methane reduction and water quality strategy.

    Dairies across California continue to face economic hardship due to low milk prices and rising input costs, while navigating increasing regulatory requirements related to groundwater protection and manure management. Scaling up alternative manure management practices can help dairies reduce their regulatory risk and improve their viability during these difficult times.

    Participants held meetings with 22 legislative offices — including members of the Natural Resources, Agriculture and Budget committees — to highlight the role alternative manure management can play in helping California meet its climate and environmental goals.

    “AMMP is an underutilized but proven tool to reduce methane emissions while delivering valuable co-benefits for dairies, said CalCAN Policy Director Colton Fagundes. “AB 2100 strengthens the program and improves the state’s ability to achieve its climate goals.”

    AB 2100 aims to expand and improve AMMP, which supports dairies in implementing practices that reduce methane emissions by transitioning away from liquid manure systems. In addition to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, these practices can provide environmental co-benefits, including improved groundwater quality, compost production and healthier soils.

    California must reduce livestock manure methane emissions by 40% before 2030 under SB 1383. CalCAN’s recent report highlights that AMMP is a cost-effective strategy to help meet this target, while demand for the program has exceeded available funding by 200–300%.

    “AMMP is a win-win; a win for the farmer, a win for the environment and consumers,” said Doug Beretta of Beretta Dairy in Sonoma County. Beretta noted the multi-benefits he’s experienced after installing manure separators and automatic scrapers on his operation. “We’ve seen a huge improvement in cow health, particularly the feet and legs, after installing automatic scrapers. We separate the [manure] solids and liquids and compost the solids for cow bedding instead of trucking sand from three hours away. The cows love laying in the soft, dry compost. With the liquid manure, we’re able to add it to our pastures and fertilize when we really need it.”

    AB 2100 cuts red tape by creating a more efficient approval process for compost production on dairies. It also directs state agencies to work with stakeholders to better assess the climate and environmental benefits of AMMP practices. Additionally, it aims to develop a coordinated plan to tackle the financial and regulatory challenges associated with implementing AMMP practices.

    “Programs like AMMP are critical to ensuring small and mid-sized dairies can stay in business while meeting California’s climate and environmental goals. But without continued investment and better alignment across agencies, many family dairies simply won’t have access to the tools they need to comply and survive,” said Lisandra Vitorino, Regional Territory Representative, California Dairy Campaign. “If we want a sustainable dairy future, we must make sure solutions are truly accessible to all, not just a few.”

    The lobby day comes as CARB develops its approach to potential livestock methane regulation, and the State Water Board prepares to release new water quality regulations for dairies.

    — Contributed by California Climate & Ag Network

  • Tomato Industry Taking Steps to Stop Spread of Parasitic Weed

    California’s processing tomato industry for the first time this past harvest season agreed to voluntary equipment cleaning and notification guidelines to prevent the spread of branched broomrape, a parasitic weed that attaches to roots and sucks out key nutrients.

    The weed’s tiny can be smaller than finely ground spices, survive dormant in soils for decades and be carried by wind, footwear and other methods. Its resurgence in 2017 in Yolo County threatens the productivity of an industry that brought in $1.6 billion in 2024.

    The University of California, Davis — in conjunction with industry — federal authorities and state regulators, is playing a key research role in the battle against broomrape by testing and developing in-field sanitation guidelines for tomato harvesters and other field equipment. Researchers across campus are also evaluating herbicide treatments, weeding methods, ways to detect the weed and disrupt its ability to affect crops.

    Harvesting with Conditions

    Under former state quarantine rules, any broomrape detection would require a field be destroyed before harvest. With the new guidelines, growers may harvest if they adhere to certain management practices, including equipment cleaning standards developed by the California Broomrape Board, formed in 2024 to advise the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

    “There’s 1,000 acres that are actually reported but we know from observation that it’s probably much greater than that,” said Cassandra Swett, a UC Davis plant pathologist who is leading efforts to sanitize field equipment. “There are two main goals: reduce the economic impacts of broomrape on growers in the affected region by allowing them to harvest, and on the other side, keep broomrape out of the regions that do not currently have it.”

    In 2025, nearly all growers and processors in the state signed on to compliance agreements regarding cleaning and notification, and this year the California Department of Food and Agriculture is expected to require them, said Zach Bagley, managing director of the California Tomato Research Institute, which has been working on broomrape control issues since 2018.

    “It’s overall seen as a positive in the industry,” Bagley said. “The driver for sanitation is not just the biology of this weed and the reality in the field, but it also has regulatory components.”

    Also, this year, all processing tomato canneries in the state have agreed to build on-site wash stations or set up cleaning protocols for the 2026 season to help stop the spread from harvest trailers.

    “We can never have a 100% guarantee that we’re not moving seed, but we can do our best to take it off in the fields where we know we have a problem, and that’s where the research comes in,” said Bagley, whose organization helps fund related UC Davis research.

    Effectiveness and Timing Key 

    Swett, fabricators with the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering, a Cooperative Extension farm advisor and others in the industry are working on prototypes of sanitizing equipment, evaluating spray nozzle size, water pressure, aim and other factors.

    Cleaning is no simple task, and it consists of removing debris with physical cleaning and sanitizing. The right combination of debris removal followed by a sanitizer can substantially reduce dispersal risk, Swett said.

    The goal is to reach under and around tractors and remove mud, soil, plant material or anything that can collect and carry broomrape seeds. Some versions of these prototype cleaning systems are in the field and others roll under the equipment.

    “These machines are running 24 hours a day,” Swett said. “Taking that downtime to clean the machine is really messing up harvest schedules.”

    At present, cleaning a tomato harvester can take hours, but industry is hoping it can get to less than an hour to meet labor, costs and logistics needs. “One of the drivers of this work has been, ‘How can we make it faster but still be acceptable at the end of the day?” Bagley said. Agricultural engineer Dan Frank and crop advisor Patricia Lazicki have developed and are testing prototypes of automated systems that can improve cleaning time and coverage, Swett said.

    A Better Picture

    Before the broomrape compliance agreements, it was difficult to determine how many of the 185,000 to 250,000 tomato production acres might be infected because reporting would mean losing a crop and the money invested on planting, irrigation and other efforts with no hope of insurance covering the loss.

    The agreements have changed that, said Brad Hanson, a professor of Cooperative Extension in plant sciences who is an ad hoc member of the Broomrape Control Board.

    “With the risk of crop quarantine off the table for growers under the compliance agreements, we can talk about the problem out in the open,” Hanson said. “The daylighting part of this has been really helpful because for the last five years, we’ve been really in the dark.”

    Now it’s about working toward a common solution, said Neil McRoberts, a UC Davis plant pathologist who researches ways to support plant health and regulations. He is also a non-voting member of the board and familiar with pests that have caused widespread damage to other crops. With broomrape, the attention is focused before the weed has spread widely across fields in California and potentially to other crops like carrots, potato and sunflower.

    “I’m hopeful because the issues are being faced very early on,” he said.  — By Emily C. Dooley, UC Davis

  • CA Pear Growers Hold Market Stability for 2026 Crop

    California pear growers will continue to have a dependable market for their crop as Pacific Coast Producers (PCP) announced it plans to maintain canned pear volume following its recent acquisition of Del Monte’s shelf-stable fruit assets.

    The development provides continuity for pear processing volumes that have long been a cornerstone of the industry.

    “In recent years, Del Monte had contracted for nearly 40 percent of the pears used in canned products,” said Chris Zanobini, Executive Director of the California Pear Advisory Board. “With the closure of their Modesto facility, maintaining that tonnage in the system was critical. Pacific Coast Producers’ plan to contract a significant portion of that volume, will help keep the industry operating at sustainable levels and provide some certainty for growers heading into the season.”

    Approximately two-thirds of California’s pear crop is utilized in processed products like canned pears and fruit cocktail. While processing capacity in the state has consolidated in recent years, PCP’s expanded role helps ensure a continued outlet for that fruit.

    Pacific Coast Producers is an agricultural cooperative owned by 160 family farmers in Northern California. The company operates facilities in California and Oregon and employs more than 4,000 people.

    PCP is expected to contract with both cooperative members and independent growers.

    In a recent statement, PCP said: “We are committed to a viable agricultural community in our state. We have increased our purchases of West Coast fruit to ensure a reliable supply for our customers while maintaining the quality consumers expect.”

    California pear growers continue to navigate a competitive global market, with imports—particularly from Argentina—remaining a factor. Industry leaders are actively working on trade policy to support fair market conditions.

    Approximately 60 pear farming families remain in California today, continuing a long-standing tradition of pear production. The 2026 crop is expected to be early and plentiful, and growers are well positioned to supply both fresh and processed markets.

  • Citrus Greening Quarantine Expands in Southern California

    Effective immediately, the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), is expanding the area quarantined for citrus greening (Huanglongbing), caused by the Asian citrus psyllid, in California. APHIS is establishing a new quarantined area in the Ramona area of San Diego County of 93 square miles and is expanding the quarantined area in the Loma Linda area of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties by 26 square miles. These measures parallel the intrastate quarantines that CDFA established on March 2, and March 6, 2026, respectively. APHIS is taking this action because of citrus greening detections in plant tissue samples collected from residential properties. There are 25.16 acres of commercial citrus impacted by the new Ramona quarantine and 411.47 acres of commercial citrus impacted by the Loma Linda area expansion.

    APHIS is applying safeguarding measures outlined in 7 CFR 301.76 and Federal Orders pertaining to the interstate movement of regulated articles from the quarantined areas in California. This action is necessary to prevent the spread of citrus greening to non-infested areas of the United States.

    The APHIS Citrus Greening webpage contains specific changes to the quarantined areas in California. APHIS will publish a notice of this change in the Federal Register.

  • Bumper Crop Expected for California Blueberries

    The outlook is good this year for California blueberry growers. A bumper crop is expected, along with an early harvest during the warm weather, which will put them on shelves during a strong market window. California Blueberry Commission Executive Director Todd Sanders spoke with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to discuss what’s happening in the blueberry industry. Watch this quick video and learn more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Simplot for their industry support.

  • UC ANR: April Showers Bring Ruined Berries

    The Salinas Watsonville growing region was beset by significant amounts of rain recently, so it was time to go out and have a look. According to UC Ag and Natural Resources, the fruit is being thrown away instead of being put into clamshells and boxes for shipping.

    Much of the damage in the pictures below has to do with “water soaking”, meaning the riper fruit has pulled water into itself via osmotic pressure and the extra water coming in so quick has subsequently burst the epidermis.  A general rule of thumb is that most varieties of strawberry can take up to 1/2 inch of water before they manifest “water soaking” damage, so the berries around here which were subjected to 1 1/2 inches of water didn’t stand a chance.

  • In-Person Office Hours for SGMA Reporting in Tulare Lake and Tule Subbasins: New Event Added

    Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) groundwater extraction reports for pumping in the Tulare Lake and Tule subbasins are due to the State Water Resources Control Board (State Water Board or Board) by May 1, 2026. Pumpers should submit their reports using the Groundwater Extraction Annual Reporting System (GEARS) unless they were granted an exclusion.

    In-Person GEARS Office Hours

    Groundwater pumpers in the Tulare Lake and Tule subbasins can get personal help with GEARS at in-person office hours:

    •April 16, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Lemoore

    ◦Veterans Hall: 411 West D St., Lemoore, CA, 93245

    •April 17, 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., Porterville

    ◦Porterville Veterans Memorial: 1900 W Olive Ave, Porterville, CA 93257

    •April 29, 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Corcoran

    ◦Veteran’s Memorial Building: 1000 Van Dorsten Ave, Corcoran, CA 93212

    • New: April 30, 10 a.m. – 1:00 p.m., Lemoore

    ◦Veterans Hall: 411 West D St., Lemoore, CA, 93245

    •April 30, 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m., Allensworth

    ◦Allensworth Elementary: 3320 Young Road, Earlimart, CA 93219

    Office hours are casual, drop-in spaces to get support with GEARS, including setting up accounts and filing extraction reports.

    Registration is encouraged but not required.  Register here.

    Language Services: Support will be offered in English and Spanish. To request translation of a written document, interpretation services, or sign language services please use one of the following options at least ten (10) business days before the meeting, if possible:

    •Submit an online request: bit.ly/LanguageAccessForm

    •Call (916) 341-5254

    •Email languageservices@waterboards.ca.gov

    Contact the State Water Board to request information in your language.

    Reporting Support and Resources

    Visit the GEARS Resources webpage for tutorial videos, a user guide, and other resources to support with reporting.

    Questions? Contact sgma@waterboards.ca.gov or 916-322-6508.

  • How to Protect Your Almonds from Navel Orangeworm and Other Pests

    With spring weather arriving earlier, almond growers in California can expect an earlier influx of pests in their orchards — and to get started sooner on preventing them from harming their nut crops. According to UCCE Sacramento Valley Integrated Pest Management Supervisor Sudan Gyawaly, now is the time to watch out for things like navel orangeworm (NOW), peach twig borers, leaf-footed bugs and spider mites.

    Navel Orangeworm (NOW)

    Navel orangeworms (Amyelois transitella) are the most prominent pests in almond orchards. These moths lay their eggs on the shells after hull split, and the larvae burrow inside the shell, eating the nuts and sheltering inside. Signs of a NOW infestation in an orchard include:

    ·      Small, flat, oval-shaped eggs outside of almond hulls

    ·      Pinhole-sized holes in almond hulls

    ·      Hulls that are oily in appearance

    ·      Fungal infections of nuts

    ·      Extensive webbing inside the hulls

    ·      Partially eaten nuts

    ·      Larvae that are white to pink in color, with crescent marks behind the head

    Navel orangeworm damage to an almond. Photo by Matthew Malcolm

    To manage NOW in your orchards, be sure to continuously monitor male flight activity by using pheromone traps. Also continue to monitor NOW egg traps to establish a spring biofix (the first spring flight, which acts as the starting date for calculating growing degree days), to help you predict the timing of their later flights. The first flight usually occurs from late March through April, but earlier times are possible, depending on the weather.

    According to UC IPM, prevention is key to avoiding infestation. This includes removing all mummy nuts by the start of February. To eliminate existing NOW populations:

    ·      Establish a biofix

    ·      Hang pheromone dispensers in the trees to disrupt mating

    ·      Assess trap activity and begin spraying at hull split.  Apply pesticides at night and early morning for optimal results

    ·      Harvest and clean up as early as possible

    ·      Remove mummy nuts by March 15 of the next year.  Mow or disk mummies on the ground.

    Peach Twig Borer

    While less of a concern in mature orchards, peach twig borer — also a moth — can still be a menace for almond growers in younger fields by causing primary scaffold damage. Begin monitoring pheromone traps in April to establish a biofix and decide if a spray is necessary in May.  Consult with your pest control adviser if you are unsure.

    Leaf-Footed Bugs

    Stink bugs and leaf-footed bugs are especially troublesome after a warm winter. Leaf-footed bugs can be trickier to spot.  UC IPM lists the tell-tale signs of an infestation in your orchard as:

    ·      Gummy nuts — nuts with exudates on the outside of the hull — a signature warning

    ·      Nuts that have dropped prematurely

    ·      Black spots on kernels and wrinkled, misshapen nutmeat from adult feeding

    ·      Withered and aborted shells from bugs feeding on premature nuts

    Leaf-footed bug

    Stink bugs cause similar damage, but this is usually around May or June. Leaf-footed bug management can vary from orchard to orchard, depending on history and severity. Gyawaly advises basing spray decisions on this history plus on damage risk associated with seasonal conditions. Consult with your pest control adviser if you are unsure.

    Spider Mites

    Typically found in the lower parts of the canopy, spider mites may also come out earlier and in greater numbers with warmer weather. Their presence should be monitored once every two weeks.  For this pest, beneficial arthropods that prey on spider mites may be one of your orchard’s best friends. These species include:

    ·      Western predatory mites

    ·      Spider mite destroyers

    ·      Sixspotted thrips

    ·      Pirate bugs

    By monitoring and addressing mite and insect pests in the spring, the pest populations can be kept under control to ensure a large, high-quality almond harvest.

  • Ventura County Farmers, Researchers Convene to Explore Regenerative Ag

    Ventura County will host a two-field series about regenerative ag this May, bringing together growers, ag researchers and sustainability leaders to explore the future of the region’s specialty crops.

    The series will be presented in partnership with the Ecological Farming Association, and will allow attendees to examine practical approaches to regenerative farming across avocados, citrus and strawberries — three cornerstone crops in Ventura County.

    The series will begin May 4 at Rancho Dos Hermanas in Fillmore, where participants will explore regenerative strategies in orchard systems, putting a focus on soil health, biodiversity and water management. The second event will take place May 11 at McGrath Family fam in Camarillo. This event, in partnership with the Rodale Institute, will highlight regenerative approaches to strawberry production that support long-term productivity and ecological resilience.

    “Ventura County has long been an agricultural leader, and growers here are increasingly interested in systems that work with nature rather than against it,” Nina Morris Thomson, Co-Fournder of Ranco Dog Hermanas. “This series is designed to bring farmers and scientists together to share knowledge, exchange ideas and strengthen the future of agriculture in our region.”

    People speaking and contributing to the event include:

    • Dr. Jonathan Lundgren, Founder of the Ecdysis Foundation and the 1000 Farm Initiative

    • Tony Serrano, regenerative organic certified farmer, Salinas Valley
    Phil McGrath, McGrath Family Farms

    • Researchers from Cal Poly Pomona studying diversified orchard systems

    • Experts in pest management, irrigation efficiency, biodiversity and organic certification