California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Fig Harvest is Here – California Fresh Fig Industry Poised for Growth

    Madera, California, is the nation’s capitol for fig production. Fresh fig harvest is well underway and growers are expecting the best crop they’ve had in years. Karla Stockli CEO of the California Fresh Fig Growers Association and California Fig Advisory Board met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share an exciting outlook for the 2024 crop and bright future of the fig industry. Watch this brief interview and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Southern California Gas Company for their industry support.

  • $400M to Address Drought, Conserve Water through Production of Water-Saving Commodities

    Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will invest $400 million with at least 18 irrigation districts to help farmers continue commodity production while also conserving water across the West. This funding – which will support irrigation districts and producers in using innovative water savings technologies and farming practices while producing water-saving commodities in the face of continued drought – is expected to conserve up to 50,000 acre-feet in water use across 250,000 acres of irrigated land in production, while expanding and creating new, sustainable market opportunities.

    This historic funding builds on the Biden-Harris Administration’s work to conserve water, increase the efficiency of water use, upgrade existing infrastructure, and overall strengthen water security in the West. With historic water conservation enabled by President Biden’s Investing in America agenda, the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation announced in May 2024 it had staved off the immediate possibility of the Colorado River System’s reservoirs from falling to critically low elevations that would threaten water deliveries and power production. Due to record conservation investments as well as improved hydrology, Lake Mead levels today, at elevation 1075 feet, are the highest since May 2021, when they were at 1073 feet. The Administration is now working to ensure the long-term sustainability and resilience by focusing on long-term water conservation in several basins across the west.

    Agricultural producers are the backbone of rural communities across the West and many of them are struggling under prolonged drought conditions,” Vilsack said. “USDA is taking an ‘all hands’ approach to help address this challenge, including these new partnerships with irrigation districts to support producers. We want to scale up the tools available to keep farmers farming, while also voluntarily conserving water and expanding markets for water-saving commodities.”

    Partnering with Irrigation Districts to Support Water Conservation, Produce Water-Saving Commodities

    USDA worked to select irrigation districts based on several commodity production and water management-related criteria in order to maximize the ability to achieve program objectives, leveraging available data from the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Reclamation to ensure close alignment and partnership. USDA’s Economic Research Service (ERS) provided data and analysis to support the preliminary selections. Districts that have been preliminarily selected for potential inclusion in this program include:

    • Black Canyon Irrigation District, Idaho
    • Brooklyn Canal Company, Utah
    • Central Oregon Irrigation District, Ore.
    • Central Arizona Irrigation and Drainage District, Ariz.
    • Corcoran Irrigation District, Calif.
    • East Columbia Basin Irrigation District, Wash.
    • Elephant Butte Irrigation District, N.M.
    • Glenn – Colusa Irrigation District, Calif.
    • Greybull Valley Irrigation District, Wyo.
    • Hidalgo & Cameron Counties Irrigation District 9, Texas
    • Huntley Project Irrigation District, Mont.
    • Imperial Irrigation District, Calif.
    • Maricopa – Stanfield Irrigation and Drainage District, Ariz.
    • Palisade Irrigation District, Colo.
    • Quincy Columbia Basin Irrigation District, Wash.
    • Solano Irrigation District, Calif.
    • Sutter Mutual Water Company, Calif.
    • Truckee-Carson Irrigation District, Nev.

    The preliminary selected districts may receive up to $15 million each in the awards and will enter into sub-agreements with the producers participating within the district. Depending on available funding, awards to additional districts may be possible.

    Producers who participate will receive payments for voluntarily reducing water consumption while maintaining commodity production. The needs of producers will determine the specific strategies for water conservation, including irrigation improvements, shifts in management practices, shifts in cropping systems, and other innovative strategies. USDA will learn from the diversity of strategies used and identify additional opportunities to maintain and expand water-saving commodity production in the future.

    Participating producers and irrigation districts will commit to ensuring continued commodity production in the areas where water consumption is reduced. USDA is working to finalize agreements with the preliminarily selected districts, which will include the details of each individual district’s water-saving strategies, commodities to be produced, and specific budgets. Following the finalization of those awards, producers within the participating districts will work directly through their irrigation districts to participate. USDA and the preliminarily selected districts will provide more details on the agreements and opportunities for producers to directly enroll.

    “Maricopa-Stanfield Irrigation and Drainage District is pleased to be working with USDA to implement practices and projects that save water and improve efficiencies at a time when the historic drought in the southwest has put so much pressure on our agricultural producers. Investing in agriculture is an investment in America,” the District said.

    “Quincy-Columbia Basin Irrigation District is excited to enter into partnership with USDA to help bring Federal dollars to local growers. Our top priority is providing efficient and dependable irrigation water to our constituents, and we look forward to working with USDA to explore new water-efficient practices in the Columbia Basin,” the District said.

    “Greybull Valley Irrigation District (GVID) is extremely excited to explore water conservation efforts with the USDA Water-Saving Commodities team, this is a great opportunity for the District and their producers. GVID is always looking for ways to conserve water while supplying their producers with a steady flow for their crops, livestock, underground pipelines and pivots. The District is looking forward to discovering other conservation measures that would be very beneficial for all GVID members,” GVID said.

    Investing in Water Conservation in Tribal Communities and Acequias

    In addition to the preliminarily selected districts announced today, USDA is also announcing a Tribal set-aside within the program, targeting up to $40 million in funding for additional awards within Indian Country. USDA will work with the Department of the Interior’s Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), Tribes, and Tribal producers to reduce water consumption and maintain land in agricultural production – supporting the production of water-saving commodities. USDA is partnering with BIA to use available data and ensure meaningful engagement with Tribes to establish selection criteria that reflect the specific needs and water management systems within Indian Country. Additional information for further engagement and selections will be provided in the weeks ahead.

    USDA will also include targeted assistance to support water-saving commodity production for acequias, recognizing that many irrigators in the Southwest are formed under the community-based acequia model instead of the irrigation district model. Additional information regarding targeted assistance to acequias that reflects the historical nature of their water distribution structure will follow.

    Additional information for further engagement with Tribes and acequias will be provided in the weeks ahead.

    Historic Investments in Western Water Complement Water-Saving Commodities Program

    USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is working to help producers and communities conserve water, manage and prepare for the effects of climate change and build drought resilience in the West through its Western Water and Working Lands Framework for Conservation Action (Western Water Framework), which was launched in 2023. The Western Water Framework describes how NRCS assistance is used to address water resource related issues in 17 states in the West. In fiscal year 2023, NRCS provided $2.3 billion in conservation investments that help producers and communities in Western states better steward water resources, including investments that also support climate change mitigation. This total includes a boost of 9.7 percent or $213.3 million from the Inflation Reduction Act.

    The Western Water Framework includes key NRCS conservation programs, including the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) and Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP). Within EQIP NRCS has created a WaterSMART Initiative (WSI), to coordinate investments with the Bureau of Reclamation’s WaterSMART investments in priority areas.

    For Fiscal Year 2024, NRCS selected 9 new priority areas and is continuing to offer funding in 36 prior approved areas, making $29.7 million in EQIP funding available through the WSI across 16 states.

    EQIP and CSP provide conservation planning and funding to help with implementation of conservation practices. Practices like irrigation water management improve irrigation efficiency and mitigate climate change. Meanwhile, practices like conservation crop rotation, cover crop, residue and tillage management, no-till, and nutrient management help producers build resilience to future drought. ACEP gives producers and landowners tools to protect wetlands, grasslands and agricultural lands which can be used to conserve water.

    Together, these efforts by FSA and NRCS advance USDA’s efforts to create more, new, and better market opportunities, sustainably grow agricultural productivity to feed a growing population, and help farmers and natural resource managers manage and prepare for the effects of climate change.

    Learn more about the Western Water Framework.

  • August USDA Lending Rates for Ag Producers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for August 2024, which are effective Aug. 1, 2024. USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) loans provide important access to capital to help agricultural producers start or expand their farming operation, purchase equipment and storage structures or meet cash flow needs.

    “I encourage our lenders and borrowers alike to work with our local offices and our cooperators to capitalize fully on the existing flexibilities in these important programs,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux.

    Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans

    FSA offers farm ownership, operating and emergency loans with favorable interest rates and terms to help eligible agricultural producers, whether multi-generational, long-time, or new to the industry, obtain financing needed to start, expand or maintain a family agricultural operation.

    Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for August 2024 are as follows:

    FSA also offers guaranteed loans through commercial lenders at rates set by those lenders.  To access an interactive online, step-by-step guide through the farm loan process, visit the Loan Assistance Tool on farmers.gov.

    Commodity and Storage Facility Loans

    Additionally, FSA provides low-interest financing to producers to build or upgrade on-farm storage facilities and purchase handling equipment and loans that provide interim financing to help producers meet cash flow needs without having to sell their commodities when market prices are low.  Funds for these loans are provided through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) and are administered by FSA.

    Farm Loan Program Process Improvement

    FSA has a significant initiative underway to streamline and automate the Farm Loan Program customer-facing business process. For the over 26,000 producers who submit a direct loan application annually, FSA has made various improvements, including:

    • The Online Loan Application, an interactive, guided application that is paperless and provides helpful features, including an electronic signature option, the ability to attach supporting documents, such as tax returns, complete a balance sheet and build a farm operating plan.
    • The Loan Assistance Tool that provides customers with an interactive online, step-by-step guide to identifying the direct loan products that may be a fit for their business needs and to understanding the application process.
    • An online direct loan repayment feature that relieves borrowers from the necessity of calling, mailing or visiting a local Service Center to pay a loan installment.
    • A simplified direct loan paper application, reduced from 29 pages to 13 pages.
    • A new educational hub with farm loan resources and videos.

    More Information

    Since the Inflation Reduction Act was signed by President Biden in August 2022, USDA’s Farm Service Agency has provided approximately $2.4 billion in immediate assistance to more than 43,000 distressed borrowers. The deadline to request assistance through the Inflation Reduction Act Assistance for Distressed Borrowers and Discrimination Financial Assistance Program has passed. Any applications submitted before the program deadlines are currently under review. Visit the related program webpages for more information.

    To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center. Producers can also prepare maps for acreage reporting as well as manage farm loans and view other farm records data and customer information by logging into their farmers.gov account. Producers without an account can sign up today.

  • Fruit Fly Quarantines Lifted in Contra Costa & Los Angeles Counties

    California Citrus Pest & Disease Prevention Program — The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has officially declared an end to the Tau fruit fly quarantine in Los Angeles County, and an end to the Oriental fruit fly quarantine in Contra Costa County following the successful eradication of the invasive pests.

    Tau Fruit Fly Quarantine

    The Tau fruit fly quarantine, which was established in the Santa Clarita area of Los Angeles County, was the first-ever quarantine for the Tau fruit fly in the Western Hemisphere. It encompassed the city of Santa Clarita and surrounding areas in parts of Stevenson Ranch, Newhall, Castaic Junction, Oat Mountain and Del Valle.

    Thanks to the diligent efforts of Santa Clarita area residents, local agricultural officials, the Los Angeles County Department of Agricultural Commissioner/Weights and Measures, and officials from CDFA and the United States Department of Agriculture, the invasive pest has been successfully eradicated from the area as of June 28.

    “Following one of the largest statewide invasive fruit fly populations we’ve seen in a number of years in California, we’re incredibly proud that we’ve been able to successfully achieve eradication of the Tau fruit fly,” said Victoria Hornbaker, director of CDFA’s Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division. “The lifting of this quarantine proves that our efforts are working, and the responsiveness and cooperation of residents across California and our partners is critical to that success.”

    During the quarantine, crops that are hosts for the fruit fly — which include more than 300 varieties, such as citrus and other fruits, nuts, vegetables and berries — were not allowed to be moved from the properties where they were grown. Commercial crops were required to meet stringent treatment or processing standards before being harvested or moved.

    Oriental Fruit Fly Quarantine

    The announcement comes 10 months after officials first detected populations of the Oriental fruit fly in the area. This destructive pest has been eliminated through the cooperation and diligence of Contra Costa County residents and local agricultural officials, the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA), working in coordination with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Contra Costa County Agricultural Commissioner.

    “We’re pleased to report this is the third Oriental fruit fly quarantine lifted in California this year,” said Victoria Hornbaker, director of CDFA’s Plant Health and Pest Prevention Services Division. “These recent successes prove that through the cooperation of residents across the state and our partners, eradication of invasive species is possible.”

    While several fruit fly quarantines have now been lifted in California, additional quarantines remain and still threaten the state’s natural environment, agriculture and economy. To review all active quarantine maps, please visit CAFruitFly.com.

    When at home, residents are encouraged to stay vigilant for signs of invasive pests. To help prevent any future introductions of invasive species, residents should follow these guidelines:

    • Cooperate with agricultural officials and allow them access to your garden to place traps, inspect plants, conduct necessary treatments or remove potentially infested produce.
    • Determine if your property is located within an active quarantine area by visiting CAFruitFly.com.
    • Buy fruit trees and vegetable plants from licensed California nurseries. Purchasing agricultural goods from uncertified sources can spread invasive pests. Source your plants locally and responsibly. To find a licensed nursery near you, visit CDFA’s Directory of Licensed Nurseries.
    • Inspect your garden for signs of invasive fruit flies or maggots and report any findings to CDFA at 1-800-491-1899 or your local county agricultural commissioner’s office.
    • When entering the United States from another country, avoid bringing agricultural products — including fruits or vegetables. Help us protect our agricultural and natural resources and California’s unique biodiversity from invasive fruit flies — please Don’t Pack a Pest (dontpackapest.com) when traveling or mailing/receiving packages.

    To learn more about invasive species and how to protect the county’s fruits and vegetables, visit CAFruitFly.com or contracosta.ca.gov.

  • 2024 California Fresh Fig Season Gets Early Start

    Hot summer temperatures means good news for fresh fig lovers. Due to the extreme heat, the main harvest of the California Fresh Fig started a couple weeks earlier than usual, according to the California Fresh Fig Growers Association, and the fruit will be beautiful and plentiful well into the fall.

    “After years of drought and fires, California fig orchards are the healthiest they’ve been in years,” says Karla Stockli, Chief Executive Officer of the California Fresh Fig Growers Association. “This promises to be one of the best California Fresh Fig seasons we’ve ever seen!”

    This year’s first crop, known as the breba crop, delivered the first Mission figs of the season May-June. The main crop, now underway, is delivering plump and delicious varieties, such as Brown Turkeys, Missions and Sierras. Additional varieties will continue to become available through November.

    In California, there are four primary varieties of fresh figs offering unique flavor notes:

    • Mission. Purple and black skin with deep earthy flavor.
    • Brown Turkey. Light purple to black skin with robust flavor.
    • Sierra. Light-colored skin with a fresh, sweet flavor.
    • Tiger. Light yellow color with unique dark green stripes and a bright red-purple interior fruit with fruity, raspberry, citrus flavor.

    California’s fig growers continue to plant additional acres to meet consumer demand. From increased menu offerings in the restaurant industry to sampling and displays at grocery retailers, a comparable size crop to last year’s nearly 10 million pounds will be harvested in 2024. This is good news following the pandemic and decline in foodservice sales.

    While California Fresh Figs are available seasonally, California Dried Figs are a year-round staple, offering the same nutrition and taste benefits. Substitute dried figs for fresh in salads, sandwiches, pizzas, sauces, and more, to enjoy California Figs throughout the year.

    For recipes and more information, visit CaliforniaFigs.com.

    About the California Fig Advisory Board and the California Fresh Fig Growers Association
    The California Fig Advisory Board and California Fresh Fig Growers Association promote awareness and the use of California-produced dried and fresh figs domestically and internationally. California fig growers, processors and marketers fund the activities of the industry.

  • California Avocado Acreage Increases, 2023 Report Available

    Each year the California Avocado Commission partners with Land IQ to produce a Statewide Avocado Acreage and Condition Analysis report utilizing digital satellite imagery, aerial photography and analytical tools to survey California avocado groves. This data helps the Commission make informed budgeting and marketing decisions and provides industry members with spatial data concerning crop type, location, condition and density. See the full 2023 Report HERE.

    According to the report:

    • In 2023 there were 52,534 planted avocado acres
    • The majority of growing acreage is located in Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Riverside and San Luis Obispo Counties with a total of 50,818 planted acres
    • The five top-producing counties reported 1,059 new/young acres and 3,399 topped/stumped acres

    The report also provides acreage data by zip code, county, condition, year planted and density.

    The California Avocado Commission’s crop estimating team in conjunction with Land IQ uses the latest in remote sensing techniques to assess avocado acreage in production.  As technology continues to advance refinements in our fourth generation of remote sensing techniques were applied to satellite imagery collected during spring and summer months.  The imagery processing techniques include; segmentation into homogenous polygons, retention of tree crop polygons, calculation of average crop canopy moisture and vegetation indices, analysis of change maps from previous inventories, and classification of avocado groves into four categories; producing, topped/stumped, new/young, and abandoned.  Aerial imagery (for a real-world view), and satellite imagery (for spectral and temporal data) are integrated into previously classified avocado acreage and analyzed for current condition of California avocado acreage statewide.

  • Maintaining Microirrigation Systems

    Microirrigation systems — microsprinklers, drip emitters and drip tape — tend to provide better distribution/emission uniformity than other irrigation methods. However, the miniscule flow passages in these systems can become clogged and thus disrupt the uniformity of water applied to a crop. Clogging also decreases the amount of salt leaching around the lateral line.

    Late fall and winter are an ideal time to review irrigation systems for needed repairs or malfunctions. A great resource is the University of California’s Maintenance of Microirrigation Systems website that outlines various causes of microirrigation clogging and means of preventing or mitigating the problems.

    The first step in alleviating clogs is identifying the problem. Clogs can be caused by:

    • Particulates — sand, silt, clay — from surface water sources
    • Biological materials — algae, bacterial slimes — from surface water sources
    • Chemical precipitates — such as iron and calcium carbonate — from groundwater sources or fertigation

    To identify the issues, first flush water from the lateral lines through a nylon stocking or paint straining cloth and examining what material is collected. If you see mineral particles, you have identified your problem. If you notice that clogging tends to occur at the ends of the lines, this also tends to indicate particulate clogging.

    If you identify organic matter when flushing the line, then biological materials are the issue. You also can open the end of a lateral line and feel inside the tube to see if it is slimy. If so, biological materials are the source of your problem.

    If you note white, crusty materials or reddish staining of the soil near the emitters, this is indicative of chemical precipitates.

    Once you have identified the clogging source, you can take steps to address the issue.

    Particulate issues can be prevented by regular line flushing and the use of filters. The website provides a list of various filters and a table noting which filter to choose based on water source, particulates and irrigation system. To adequately flush the lines, water must flush at least 1 foot per second at the end of the drip line — 1 gallon/minute for 5/8” diameter and 2 gallons/minutes for 7/8” diameter drip lines.

    If organic matter is the source of the clogging, the best mode of treatment is a good filtration system combined with use of a biocide to remove the biological contaminants. Visit the UCANR site for a list of filters and the aforementioned “how to choose a filter” table.

    If calcium carbonate (lime) or iron is clogging your emitters, strong acid can make either disappear if emitters are left in it overnight. Lowering the pH (6 or below) of the water by injecting common acids — sulfuric acid, muriatic acid or hydrochloric acid — can help prevent clogging due to lime. UCANR provides specific formulas to help growers determine the injection rate needed to alter water pH.

    If high iron levels are the source of the clogging, aerating the water to oxidize the iron and then allowing the precipitates to settle before irrigating (a reservoir or settling basin is necessary) is the most practical option. Common acids also can be injected to decrease the pH of the water (4 or less).

    Other maintenance tasks include addressing leaks. For above ground systems, lines can be inspected routinely by using a motorized vehicles to drive along the lines when the irrigation system is running. Detecting leaks for subsurface drip systems is much more difficult, with many sources of the leaks being identified several feet from where the excessive water is detected. If the tail ends of your lateral lines are exposed, one of the best ways to test for leaks is to open just a few of the ends of the lines and note whether the waterflow is diminished.

    Because filters can clog frequently, many growers opt not to use screen washers in lateral lines and instead use primary and secondary filters to limit contaminants. Filter maintenance consists of occasionally backwashing them to remove collected matter. This can be done by removing and cleaning the screen or opening a valve and using the water pressure to remove buildup.

    As concerns pressure gauges, it is recommended these be installed upstream and downstream of filters and downstream from pressure-regulating valves. Liquid-filled pressure gauges are a preferred choice but tend to be more expensive. And remember to check the gauges, especially those exposed to the sun which may need to be replaced yearly. — By the California Avocado Commission

    For more information on routine microirrigation tasks, visit the UCANR website.

  • Transplanted Bees Help Blueberry Fields Flourish

    Pollinating bees are in decline, and those that remain may not be up to the task of pollinating all the crops needed to feed the nation. To help keep food on the table, researchers are looking to native wild bees to take up the slack, especially for blueberries and other fruit crops.

    “Honeybees are considered a universal crop pollinator worldwide, but their populations are in trouble, and they do not always pollinate certain crop plants efficiently,” said Blair Sampson, entomologist with the Agricultural Research Service’s Southern Horticultural Research Laboratory in Poplarville, MS. “Therefore, we [are turning] to wild native bees that share a much longer ecological history with our native North American crops.”

    Some of these native bees can be managed like the honeybee, which means beekeepers and farmers can relocate colonies from their home regions for deployment to where crops are blooming. Native bees are very docile when being handled and they take care of themselves with little need for human involvement. Sampson is studying such a native bee, the chimney bee (also known as the miner bee).

    Male chimney bee resting on a cluster of southern highbush blueberry flowers. (Photo by Blair Sampson, ARS)

    Chimney bees are turning out to be an important find for blueberry growers.

    In addition to the problem of declining populations, honeybees have difficulty pollinating blueberries due to their relatively short tongue and preference for other plants. Another wild bee, the southeastern blueberry bee, is an abundant and efficient specialist pollinator of blueberries throughout the Gulf Coast states. Unfortunately, many growers in lower-lying areas lack these bees or have too few of them in their fields. These blueberry bees cannot be managed, but the chimney bee, a close relative, can be actively managed and moved in to fill the pollinator void.

    While chimney bees are not yet commercially available, relocating them is fairly simple, Sampson said. Gathering chimney bee cocoons from nests in the soil that sticks to the roots of fallen trees or roadside clay outcrops requires careful excavation and skilled handlers, but nesting material can simply be sun-dried clay-rich mud gathered locally. Further, there is no need for specialized tools and costs are minimal.

    Chimney bees must be shipped while in a dormant state, then gently warmed to complete their development and emerge from their cocoons. Further, water and additional nesting material should be available to help them thrive.

    “These bees do not produce enough honey for us, just enough for themselves, hence, chimney bees’ principal role would be as fruit pollinators,” Sampson explained. “However, the chimney bee does show certain qualities that highlight their ideal candidacy for commercial management: they are flower generalists with a strong homing instinct, and hence will nest in the same location for many years. They also nest in dense aggregations and remain gentle around people near their nest sites.”

    Sampson said that adult chimney bees resemble small, fast-flying bumble bee workers, yet they nest and behave very differently.

    The bees get their name from their horizontal tubular nests that resemble tiny mine shafts in clay, which they harden into “adobe” with the help of water they collect. As they dig deeper into a clay bank, they use this excess clay to fashion a downward facing tube or “chimney” hanging off the nest entrance.

    Locating and relocating chimney bee nests is fairly easy, because they’re easy to find after construction projects or natural weather events disturb the land and give bees easy access to fresh-turned clay. After finding the nests, Sampson gathers earthen cocoons and moves them to where they are tested or released as fruit pollinators.

    “Since pollinator habitat is continually declining due to increasing urbanization and crop cultivation, managing wild native bees, such as chimney bees, can help conserve vital natural resources and help farmers increase their yields,” Sampson said. “And, for fruit, nuts, and vegetable crops, native bees will be an essential component for optimizing crop production per acre of land, which is vital for maintaining a stable global food supply.” – By Scott Elliott, USDA-ARS Office of Communications

  • Avocados Get Hot — 4 Things to Consider Next

    It’s been hot and there is leaf damage. Those damaged leaves can protect the tree now and the fruit. Don’t prune the trees until you see the full extent of the damage and can still use those dead leaves to protect the rest of the tree.
    Fruit drop happens soon after, or slowly, depressingly over several weeks after a heat wave. The stem turns brown, cutting off moisture to the fruit, and they drop.

    If you see significant leaf drop in your groves due to excessive heat, the following actions are recommended:

    • As soon as possible, whitewash branches exposed to the sun with special attention paid to branches on the west and south sides of the tree.
    • Trees that lose a significant portion of leaves cannot efficiently move water, therefore restrict irrigation amounts to ensure you avoid creating wet, soggy conditions that can lead to root rot. It’s best to irrigate less frequently and with smaller amounts of water.
    • Do not prune your trees — leave hanging leaves in place to protect the tree from sunburn. Once new tree growth has occurred (in the next 3 – 6 months), pruning can take place on living wood.
    • Adjust fertilization as you would with a frost-damaged tree: reducing the amount of fertilizer until the tree is re-established. If you see signs of a particular nutrient deficiency, adjust fertilization accordingly.— By Ben Faber, UC Cooperative Extension

  • Congressman John Duarte Shares Legislative Priorities for California Ag in Crisis

    In November 2022, the newly realigned 13th Congressional District of California elected to send a farmer to represent them in congress. Representative John Duarte has been at the job for about a year in a half and has been working on a number of bills to support California’s specialty crop industries, which are in desperate need of recovery from many challenges brought on by the pandemic and drought, among other global trade, inflation, and invasive pest pressures. Watch his brief interview with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Southern California Gas Company for their industry support.