California Ag Network

Category: Featured Post

  • Nisei Farmers League Celebrates 50 Years, Honors 5 Growers

    It’s a golden year for the Nisei Farmers League, and its members recently enjoyed their 50 year anniversary celebration.  The celebratory dinner in Fresno featured this special video presentation that included reflections from some of the league’s membership on 50 years, as well as interviews with its Agriculturalist of the Year honorees.  Watch this special video, featuring the five Central Valley grape growers that were recognized during this milestone meeting, and read more about it in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • California Final Grape Crush Report Reveals Higher Tonnage

    The 2021 crush totaled 3,877,584 tons, up 9.2% from the 2020 crush of 3,551,312 tons — revealing that the preliminary report was off by about 18,743 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 2,031,242 tons, up 11.5% from 2020. White wine varieties crushed totaled 1,600,508 tons, up 0.6% from 2020. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 137,976, up 225% from 2020, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 107,858, up 13.2% from 2020.

    The Grape Crush Report includes the total number of tons crushed for concentrate production. In determining grape tonnage crushed for concentrate production, each processor was required to report the estimated equivalent tons of grapes crushed for grape concentrate. For the 2021 season, this total was 254,381 tons, 6.6% of the 2021 grape crush total. This report provides only the aggregate figure for grapes crushed for concentrate production and does not include information by district, type, or variety.

    The 2021 average price of all varieties was $860.57, up 26.6% from 2020. Average prices for the 2021 crop by type were as follows: red wine grapes, $1,071.69, up 34.5% from 2020; white wine grapes, $674.98, up 20.8% from 2020; raisin grapes, $291.41, up 16.3% from 2020; and table grapes, $182.92, up 14.5% from 2020.

    Leading Grape Varieties & Districts

    In 2021, Chardonnay continued to account for the largest percentage of the total tonnage crushed at 16.0%. Cabernet Sauvignon accounted for the second largest percentage of the total crush at 15.3%. Raisin grape varieties crushed for wine accounted for 3.6% of the total crush and table varieties crushed for wine were 2.8% of the total crush.

    District 13 (Madera, Fresno, Alpine, Mono, Inyo Counties; and Kings and Tulare Counties north of Nevada Avenue (Avenue 192)), had the largest share of the State’s crush at 1,193,041 tons. The average price per ton in District 13 was $336.86.

    Grapes produced in District 4 (Napa County) received the highest average price at $6,102.18 per ton, up 32.7% from 2020. District 3 (Sonoma and Marin counties) received the second highest average price at $2,681.50 per ton, up 11.1% from 2020.

    The 2021 Chardonnay average price of $975.38 was up 17.6% from 2020 and the Cabernet Sauvignon average price of $1,662.07 was up 34.5% from 2020. The 2021 average price for French Colombard was $324.60, up 13.0% from 2020, while the Zinfandel average price was up 23.3% from 2020, at $645.47 per ton. For a detailed analysis of the Crush Report, read the March issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

  • Almond Board Increases Market Investment in India by 80%

    India has quickly become the number one export market for the California almond industry, and the Almond Board has increased its marketing investment there by 80%.  Watch this brief interview with Emily Fleischmann from the Almond Board of California, as she shares details about their strategic partnerships there and how these funds are being used to drive demand. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • Getting California Almond Hulls into China’s Animal Feed Market

    The trade dispute with China has proved challenging for tree nut exports into China, but the California almond industry has even more to provide the Chinese market — almond hulls.  Almond hulls have long been used on California dairies, but the potential to reach China’s animal feed market brings promising opportunity and value for this byproduct. Watch this brief interview with Keith Schneller, Trade Policy Specialist for the Almond Board of California, as he shares the progress on getting approval to start shipping hulls. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • Characteristics of New Walnut Rootstocks Growers Should Consider

    While walnut growers tend to pay more attention to walnut prices and varieties, rootstock selection can make a big difference in the establishment and longevity of their orchards. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Orchard Systems Advisor Luke Milliron as he shares characteristics and availability of new rootstocks for the walnut industry. Read more about in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.

  • California Wine Grape Planting Trends with Allied Grape Growers

    In addition to the grape crush report, its also nice to get a good picture of where the California wine grape industry currently stands from a vineyard acreage and planting perspective. What varieties are being planted and where in the state? How’s the vineyard planting to removal ratio looking? Watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter from Allied Grape Growers reporting from Unified Wine & Grape Symposium on the results of their annual nursery survey.  Read more about about planting trends and the state of the wine grape industry in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Wildfire Threatened Vineyard & Winery Challenges for Removing Vegetative Debris

    With an ongoing drought in western US, wine grape growers surrounded by neglected wildlands are becoming more and more concerned about the drought-induced dying vegetation around them.  Many want to proactively manage this risk for them the communities around them; however, they are running into quite a few stumbling blocks as addressed by Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers in an interview with California Ag Network. Watch this brief video as he explains and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Are Autonomous Self-Driving Tractors Legal in California?

    As California’s agricultural industries progress towards a more sustainable future with new technologies and innovations, current Cal OSHA regulations (unless changed) may hinder their progress, particularly with regard to autonomous or self-driving tractors.  Watch this brief video with Michael Miiller from the California Association of Winegrape Growers as he explains.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Scholarships & Educational Opportunities Through Sonoma State’s Wine Business Institute

    Interested in furthering your wine industry education or do you know someone that is? Watch this brief video with Ray Johnson, Executive Director of Sonoma State University’s Wine Business Institute, as he shares some upcoming programs and scholarship opportunities to take advantage of.  Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Tulare County Sheriff Addresses Beehive Theft Concerns

    Beehive theft has been a growing concern for the California almond industry and the threat of getting stung by a bee hasn’t been sufficient in deterring thieves from this valuable commodity that is critical for setting a profitable crop.  Watch this brief interview with Tulare County Sheriff Mike Boudreaux who addresses this issue and read more about in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.