California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • USDA Issues Final Rule Amending Federal Milk Marketing Order Pricing

    On January 16, 2025, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) announced a final rule amending the uniform pricing formulas applicable in all 11 Federal milk marketing orders (FMMOs). The final rule was made available for viewing on January 16, 2025, in the Federal Register and on AMS’s National Federal Milk Marketing Order Pricing Formula Hearing webpage. It was published in the Federal Register January 17th.

    The final rule follows a 49-day national hearing held from August 23, 2023, to January 30, 2024, in Carmel, Indiana, where AMS heard testimony and received evidence on 21 proposals from the dairy industry. AMS issued a recommended decision on July 1, 2024, followed by its publication in the Federal Register on July 15, 2024, which began a 60-day public comment period.

    A total of 128 comments were received, analysis of which was included in a final decision that was issued on November 12, 2024, and published in the Federal Register on December 2, 2024.

    Following publication of the final decision, AMS administered and oversaw 11 referenda whereby producers whose milk was pooled on an FMMO in the selected representative month of January 2024 had the opportunity to vote in favor of or opposition to the FMMOs proposed to be amended.

    This final rule announces that producers in each of the 11 FMMOs approved the following pricing formula amendments:

    • Updating the skim milk composition factors to 3.3 percent true protein, 6.0 percent other solids and 9.3 percent nonfat solids, with a six-month delayed implementation.

    • Removing 500-pound barrel cheddar cheese prices from the Dairy Product Mandatory Reporting Program survey.

    • Updating the Class III and Class IV manufacturing allowances to $0.2519 for cheese, $0.2272 for butter, $0.2393 for nonfat dry milk and $0.2668 for dry whey, all on a per pound basis, and the butterfat recovery factor to 91 percent.

    • Returning the base Class I skim milk price formula to the higher-of the advanced Class III or Class IV skim milk prices for the month. In addition, adoption of a Class I extended shelf life (ESL) adjustment for all ESL products equal to the average-of mover plus a 24-month rolling average adjuster with a 12-month lag.

    • Updating the Class I differential values to reflect the increased cost of servicing the Class I market.

    The rule will be effective June 1, 2025, for all changes, except for changes to the skim milk composition factors. The amendments to skim milk composition factors will be implemented December 1, 2025. These changes will apply to milk marketed on and after these dates, as applicable, and those changes will be reflected in both the advanced prices and pricing factors released before the start of the month and the class and component prices announced after the close of the month.

    Copies of the final rule, educational materials and the entire hearing record can be found on the hearing webpage or obtained from USDA/AMS/Dairy Program; STOP 0225 – Rm. 2530; 1400 Independence Ave. SW, Washington, DC 20250-0225. Questions can be submitted to fmmohearing@usda.gov.

  • California Dairy Students Partner With California Dairy Families to Raise Milk Donations For Families In Need

    One in eight Californians currently struggle with food insecurity, with milk being one of the most requested but least donated items at food banks. The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) recently worked with student dairy advocates from California State University, Chico (Chico State), California State University, Fresno (Fresno State), California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo (Cal Poly), and Modesto Junior College (MJC) to address this deficit by hosting the second annual Real California Milk Intercollegiate Give-A-Gallon Challenge.

    Using 100-gallon donation commitments from the CMAB as an incentive, students in each area shared information about the need for milk and options for donating through their social media channels. Each team coordinated donations through local and campus milk drives, in person and virtually. As a part of the Real California Milk CADAIRY4GOOD program, this initiative spotlights ongoing commitment by California dairy families to increasing access to nutritious foods.

    “My passion has always been rooted in the dairy industry, which is why I am so motivated to get milk off of the shelves and into our communities. I’m so thankful for all of the supporters of our milk drive year after year. My favorite part is arriving to a food bank with all of our milk to drop off and seeing everyone’s faces light up,” said Anthony Agueda, California dairy farmer and Fresno State Ag Business student.

    Megan Donaldson, Chico State student and Dairy Science Club president, noted, “Everyone deserves to have quality milk products to enjoy in their home, and this initiative is a wonderful way to provide that. Chico State Dairy Science Club and Chico State Organic Dairy Unit members are proud to represent this amazing industry by donating gallons of Real California Milk to those in need.”

    “Participating in this competition truly showed a new perspective on what food accessibility looks like in our community. We’re extremely grateful to have participated in this challenge and are excited to bring forth new ideas to next year’s competition,” said Morgan Oliveira, Cal Poly student and Dairy Club secretary.

    “Over the last 4 years MJC has donated almost 3,000 gallons of milk to Stanislaus County with this project. It is heartwarming to know that we have donated 48,000 servings of fresh, California milk to those less fortunate in the Central Valley through our efforts to promote Hunger Awareness in our community,” said Nicole Morris, California dairy farmer and MJC dairy science instructor.

    The initiative raised more than 6,000 gallons of milk with donations distributed to 17 local food banks, including student pantries at Cal Poly, Chico State and Fresno State.

    California is the nation’s leading milk producer, and makes more butter, ice cream and nonfat dry milk than any other state. California is the second-largest producer of cheese and yogurt. California milk and dairy foods can be identified by the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with milk from the state’s dairy families using some of the most sustainable farming practices in the world.

    About Real California Milk/California Milk Advisory Board

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB), an instrumentality of the California Department of Food and Agriculture, is funded by the state’s dairy farm families who lead the nation in sustainable dairy farming practices. With a vision to nourish the world with the wholesome goodness of Real California Milk, the CMAB’s programs focus on increasing demand for California’s sustainable dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world. Connect with the CMAB at RealCaliforniaMilk.com, Facebook, YouTube, Tik Tok, Instagram, X and Pinterest.

  • Amanda Felder of Taylor Farms Among New Appointees to National Organic Standards Board

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture has announced the appointment of five new members to the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB). The NOSB is made up of 15 members from the organic sector. The new members announced today will serve five-year terms, from January 2025 through January 2030.

    “The National Organic Standards Board plays a key role in bringing together the organic community, and we are thrilled to welcome our five new members. They bring a wide diversity of experience and expertise; and will help guide the sector as it continues to grow.” said Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs Jenny Lester Moffitt. “We also appreciate and extend our gratitude to the outgoing members of the board for their dedication and work on behalf of the entire organic community.”

    Please join us in welcoming to the Board:

    Kathryn DeschenesKathryn Deschenes (Colorado) is appointed to the Handler seat. She is the Director of Regulatory Affairs at Danone, which produces dairy, plant-based products, and infant food, including the Happy Family Organics brand. She holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Food Science and Technology.
    Felder.AAmanda Felder (California) is appointed to the Handler seat. She is the Organic Integrity and Environmental Compliance Manager at Taylor Farms, a leading producer of organic salads, where she oversees the organic compliance of a network of farming, food processing and manufacturing operations. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration.
    Andrea HatziyannisAndrea Hatziyannis (Arizona) is appointed to the Retailer seat. She is the Category Strategy Manager for Sprouts Farmers Market, a supermarket chain that specializes in organic foods and fresh produce. She brings 20 years of industry experience in product development, retail, and research. She holds both master’s and bachelor’s degrees in Food Science.
    McCluskey2Cathleen McCluskey (Wisconsin) is appointed to the Environmental Protection and Resource Conservation seat. She is the Policy and Advocacy Director for Organic Seed Alliance, a national organization that conducts research and training with seed producers and develops policies for organic seed, food, and farming systems. She holds a Doctorate in Environment and Resources and a bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Systems Analysis.
    Corie Pierce Corie Pierce (Vermont) is appointed to the Farmer seat. She’s the owner and operator of Bread & Butter Farm, a 600- acre diversified organic vegetable and grass-fed beef and pork farm in Vermont. She also teaches organic farming at the University of Vermont. She holds a bachelor’s degree and a certificate in AgroEcology.


    About the NOSB

    The NOSB is a Federal Advisory Board established under the Organic Foods Production Act of 1990. The Board operates in accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act to assist in developing standards for substances used in organic production and to advise the Secretary on aspects of the National Organic Program.  Learn more about NOP and the Board on our website at www.ams.usda.gov/organic.

  • New UCANR Climate Scientist to Deliver Keynote at Upcoming Irrigation Conference

    Daniel Swain joined University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources on Nov. 1 as a climate scientist in the California Institute for Water Resources. Swain studies the changing character, causes and impacts of extreme weather and climate events on a warming planet – with a particular focus on the physical processes leading to droughts, floods and wildfires.

    “We are very excited to have Daniel Swain join UC ANR,” said Glenda Humiston, UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources. “He brings a unique blend of skills and expertise that are crucial to meet the challenge of climate change, here in California and across the globe. Daniel’s research – and his ability to clearly explain the latest findings in climate science – can equip fellow academics, policymakers and communities with the vital tools they need to forge effective and sustainable solutions.”

    Swain is known for his exceptional science communication skills, explaining weather and climate in terms easily understood by the public.

    “I spend a great deal of time engaging directly with the public in California and beyond on weather, climate and disaster-related topics, so I’m thrilled to be joining UC ANR—where broad dissemination of research-based information is a key part of the mission,” Swain said. “I’m grateful for ANR’s support for my unusual hybrid climate research and science communication role, and look forward to helping expand ANR’s virtual and statewide reach in the years to come.”

    In November, Swain was named one of Vox’s Future Perfect 50 – “the thinkers, activists and scholars working on solutions to today’s (and tomorrow’s) biggest problems.” Vox wrote: “Our communities and institutions are largely unequipped to fully understand, let alone deal with, the impacts of climate change. That’s where climate experts should, theoretically, come in. But knowing the science is one thing – being able to effectively communicate it is a whole other ballpark. Climate scientist Daniel Swain is that desperately needed liaison.”

    On his widely read Weather West blog, Swain has been sharing his perspectives on California weather and climate since 2006. He hosts regular “virtual office hours” for the public on YouTube. On X/Twitter, he has more than 101,000 followers.

    The “Weather Whisperer” fields hundreds of calls from reporters every year and has been the single most-quoted expert in recent years at UCLA, where he was a climate scientist in the Institute of the Environment and Sustainability. Last year, when Swain was seeking institutional support that would allow him to do science communication as well as research, a Los Angeles Times columnist wrote, “I certainly rely on Swain and other scientists to tell environmental stories.”

    The term “Ridiculously Resilient Ridge” was coined in 2013 by Swain on his Weather West blog to describe the large, formidable high-pressure mass that persisted over the West Coast during winter and diverted storms away from California, contributing to the state’s 2013-2017 drought.

    Before joining UC ANR, Swain, who grew up in the Bay Area, was at UCLA and held a concurrent appointment as a research fellow in the Capacity Center for Climate and Weather Extremes at the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research since 2018. While holding a 100% appointment with UC ANR, he will maintain his associations with UCLA and NSF NCAR.

    Swain holds a Ph.D. in Earth system science from Stanford University and a bachelor’s degree in atmospheric science from UC Davis.

    He will be the keynote speaker at the California Irrigation Institute’s annual conference on Jan. 27 in Sacramento. His talk is titled “Drier and Wetter in 21st Century California? Managing Increasing Hydroclimate Whiplash in a Warming World.”

    In addition to posting on his blog at weatherwest.com, Swain is also on Twitter/X @Weather_West, Bluesky https://bsky.app/profile/weatherwest.bsky.social, YouTube https://youtube.com/@weatherwest, Threads https://threads.net/@weather.west and Mastodon https://mastodon.social/@weatherwest.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.

  • Long-Awaited UC Davis Bee Genetics Book Updated

    Hear that buzz? The long-awaited update of the landmark UC Davis-authored book, Queen Bee Rearing and Bee Breeding by Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. (1907-2003), “the father of bee genetics,”  and his former doctoral research mentee Robert E. Page Jr., now an internationally known bee geneticist, is about to be published.

    Wicwas Press of Kalamazoo, Mich., published the landmark book in 1996 and now will publish the updated book, Honey Bee Genetics and Breeding, written by Page and dedicated to Professor Laidlaw.

    UC Davis Professor Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. with graduate student and mentee Robert E. Page Jr., circa 1980

    “This book is long overdue,” said Page, whose career took him from doctoral student to professor and chair of the UC Davis Department of Entomology to provost of Arizona State University. “Although it isn’t actually a revision of Queen Rearing and Bee Breeding that I wrote with Harry Laidlaw 25 years ago, it does bring that book up-to-date with respect to genetics and breeding.  And there is still a lot of Harry in it.”

    The Laidlaw-Page book was “for beekeepers who know little about genetics, and geneticists who know little about beekeeping.”

    Page said he never expected Wicwas Press would still be selling the inaugural book nearly 30 years later.  “Harry used to remind me frequently that a revision was needed, we intended to do it, but he passed September 19, 2003, at the age of 96. I considered revising the book many times, but life got in the way, and I struggled with what more I could say about queen rearing.”

    Reviewers hail the 182-page book as “probably the best reference for learning about bee breeding theory and practice and the history of honey bee genetics.” Page offers examples of both successful and unsuccessful bee breeding programs.

    The chapters include “Principles of Inheritance,” “Mechanisms of Inheritance,” “Principles of Breeding,” “Disease Resistance,” “Defensive Behavior” and “Honey Production.”

    “The fundamentals of queen rearing have been with us since G.M. Doolittle’s book Scientific Queen Rearing first published in 1889,” Page related. “Methods have evolved through a process of natural selection with different queen producers developing their own specific modifications that get passed on, shared, and adopted or rejected by others until we have the practices used by queen producers today. But still, they are not far from the fundamentals of Doolittle.”

    Page noted, however, that “our understanding of the genetic basis of inheritance and the development of genetic tools for exploring the genetic architectures of honey bee traits has undergone a major transformation since 1996. The biggest leap in honey bee genetics came with the sequencing of the honey bee genome, published in 2006, an enormous international effort to assemble 240 million base pairs (building blocks of DNA) that contain about 10,000 genes.”  Gene Robinson of the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champagne, spearheaded that effort.

    “Colony and individual traits are now routinely explored by genetic mapping, facilitating the identification of associated genes whose expression may be altered, thus enabling the investigation of their effects,” Page writes in his book. “We are on the cusp of the next great transformations: (1) the use of gene sequence information to reliably identify specific genes and enhance classical selection for economically important traits, and (2) the ability to transform genes, by editing them, into more favorable forms that may affect behavior and/or disease resistance.”

    Robert E. Page

    Since 1996, the main emphasis of bee breeding “has shifted from increasing honey production and reducing defensive behavior to controlling diseases,” Page wrote. “The increasing apicultural problems presented by varroa mites and their associated diseases puts pressure on bee breeders to find solutions through genetic stock improvement to reduce the use of chemical treatments in hives.”

    “The purity of honey is paramount in the perception of the public,” Page shared. “We must do all we can to preserve that. The tremendous worldwide effort to breed varroa resistance mechanisms into commercial honey bees has had only limited success, so far. But much has been learned about honey bee genetics and breeding, varroa biology and potential mechanisms of resistance in honey bees. Hopefully, the new genetic tools being developed will be employed and lead to more success.”

    Internationally recognized bee breeder and geneticist Susan Cobey, a mentee of Laidlaw, a former manager of the Harry H. Laidlaw Jr. Honey Bee Research Facility at UC Davis,  and a newly retired Washington State University scientist, praises the book as demystifying technical aspects and filling in the knowledge gaps.  “Honey bee breeding is a lifelong adventure and passion,” she writes in the foreword. “As a young, idealistic beekeeper venturing into developing a commercial stock, Dr. Harry Laidlaw told me, ‘You will never be bored by the challenge of selecting the ‘super’ bee. She doesn’t exist, the journey will be the reward.’ Four decades later, this has proven true.”

    Cobey applied the Page-Laidlaw Closed Population Breeding Program (CPBP) theory to develop and maintain her New World Carniolan line. “The practicality and simplicity of the program gave it longevity. Many bee breeding programs have now converted to use this breeding scheme, including the USDA Hilo project.”

    “The literature addressing bee genetics, breeding scheme methodologies and assays for selecting desirable traits are scattered in the scientific, research and beekeeping journals,” Cobey wrote. “It’s like a large puzzle with missing pieces. Finally, in this book, Rob Page covers these subjects clearly, comprehensively, supported by his research with a highly informative and fascinating presentation.”

    Page, considered by his peers as “the most influential honey bee biologist of the past 30 years,” is known for his research on honey bee behavior and population genetics, particularly the evolution of complex social behavior. One of his most salient contributions to science was to construct the first genomic map of the honey bee, which sparked a variety of pioneering contributions not only to insect biology but to genetics at large.

    Page pioneered the use of modern techniques to study the genetic basis of social behavior evolution in honey bees and other social insects. He was the first to employ molecular markers to study polyandry and patterns of sperm use in honey bees. He provided the first quantitative demonstration of low genetic relatedness in a highly eusocial species.

    For 24 years, from 1989 to 2015, Page maintained a UC Davis honey bee-breeding program, managed by bee breeder-geneticist Kim Fondrk. Their contributions include discovering a link between social behavior and maternal traits in bees. Their work was featured in a cover story in the journal Nature. In all, Nature featured his work on four covers from work mostly done at UC Davis.

    Page is also the author of The Spirit of the Hive: The Mechanisms of Social Evolution (Harvard University Press, 2013) and the Art of the Bee: Shaping the Environment from Landscapes to Societies (Oxford University Press, 2020).  In 2023, he launched a publicly accessible  and free YouTube Channel, https://youtube.com/@artofthebee.

    A native of Bakersfield, Page received his doctorate in entomology in 1980 from UC Davis, studying with major professor Norman Gary and Laidlaw, his doctoral research mentor. Page  advanced  to professor and chair of the Department of Entomology (now the Department of Entomology and Nematology), serving as the chair from 1999-2004. A second career emerged when Arizona State University (ASU) recruited him in 2004.

    Today Page holds the titles of ASU University Provost Emeritus and Regents Professor Emeritus as well as UC Davis Distinguished Emeritus Professor and Emeritus Chair of the UC Davis Entomology Department.

  • Santa’s Reindeer Cleared for Visit to California

    California State Veterinarian Dr. Annette Jones has granted a 24-hour permit for nine reindeer scheduled to visit California on the evening of December 24 and in the early morning hours of December 25.

    The application was filed with CDFA Animal Health Branch staff by a rotund, jolly man with a red suit, white beard, and a pocketful of candy canes. The signature on the application reads, “K. Kringle.”

    “Although Santa’s reindeer are special and very magical, we are grateful that every year he ensures they meet and exceed our animal health requirements to enter the state — he really cares about protecting the health of our farm animals and wildlife,” said Dr. Jones.

    The permit was granted with two conditions: the nine reindeer listed,  Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, Blitzen and Rudolph, may not fraternize with other reindeer in the State of California, and the sleigh must be checked before entering the state to ensure no agricultural pests are hitching a ride. “Mr. Kringle’s veterinarian has assured us that the reindeer are healthy and fit again this year. They are ready for a busy night,” said Dr. Jones.  “We are excited to welcome them into our state, where they are sure to find plenty of yummy fresh vegetables to renew their energy,”

    CDFA Secretary Karen Ross thanked Department staff for their hard work, recognizing their commitment to maintaining animal health and safe and abundant California-grown food to share with all our visitors this holiday season. “We are delighted to issue this permit to Mr. Kringle,” said Secretary Ross. “We wish him safe travels and plenty of California milk and cookies as he and his reindeer deliver presents to the children of our state.”

  • Walnuts Deemed “Healthy” By the U.S. Food & Drug Administration

    Walnuts meet the updated definition for a “healthy” food based on the important role they play in recommended dietary patterns, according to the much-anticipated announcement from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) detailing a new definition for foods that can be identified or labeled as “healthy.”1

    This announcement, originally previewed in 2022 on the heels of the historic White House Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, is a significant step toward ensuring food labeling is consistent with the most up-to-date nutrition scientific evidence and Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGA) recommendations to support individuals and families in building healthy eating patterns.

    “The inclusion of walnuts in the new “healthy” definition affirms consumers’ belief that walnuts are a healthy food.* It also aligns with decades of nutrition research reinforcing the important contributions walnuts can make in a healthy lifestyle,” shared Robert Verloop, chief executive officer for the California Walnut Commission.

    “It’s simple. Just adding walnuts to Americans’ daily diet can potentially have wide-ranging positive impacts.”

    The 2020-2025 DGA encourage consumers to choose foods that are nutrient-dense, such as nuts, including walnuts. However, close to two-thirds of Americans do not meet the recommended intake for nuts and seeds.2,3

    Encouraging walnuts as a substitution for food choices higher in saturated fat can help support recommendations to replace intake of saturated with unsaturated fats, as strongly advised by the recently-released 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee Scientific Report.4 The total fat in walnuts (18g) is mostly comprised of polyunsaturated fats (13g/oz), including omega-3 ALA (2.5g/oz), an essential fatty acid with potential to support heart health and cognition.5-7 Walnuts are the only tree nut to provide an excellent source of omega-3 ALA.8 

    “In my 20 plus years of practicing nutrition at a major medical institution, I have seen trends go in and out for what the public considers healthy. But what has always been foundational is the role plant-based foods like walnuts play in supporting health. Walnuts are one nut I find consistently meets the variable needs of patients in my practice,” states Kristin Kirkpatrick, MS, RDN and author. “In practice, I focus on evidence-based approaches to reducing chronic disease risk, weight management, and improvements in metabolic health.”

    Walnuts qualifying as a “healthy” food is just one major milestone in a series of similar recognitions. A recent ruling, earlier in 2024, by the USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS), ‘Child Nutrition Programs: Meal Patterns Consistent With the 2020-2025 Dietary Guidelines for Americans,’ will make it easier for schools to serve plant-protein rich meals and snacks that include walnuts. Using ingredients like walnuts can help reformulate meal favorites to be healthier, while also supporting vegetarian diets and other food preferences.  Additionally, for the first time, states are now allowed to include walnut butter as part of the latest WIC program (Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children)package updates. 

    These new inclusions and acknowledgements of the role of walnuts in healthy dietary patterns are due, in part, to the more than 30 years of evidence-based global health and nutrition research funded by the California Walnut Commission. This growing body of research has uncovered many potential benefits of consuming walnuts within healthy dietary patterns across various ages and life stages to maximize health and well-being, including promising research into heart health, cognition, cancer, gut health, body weight, and reproductive health.

    Walnuts are extremely versatile and convenient, adding nutrition to dishes at every meal, as well as simple snacks. For more information about the nutritional benefits of California walnuts, along with delicious recipe inspiration, please visit walnuts.org.

    About the California Walnut Commission 

    The California Walnut Commission (CWC) represents more than 4,600 California walnut growers and approximately 70 handlers, grown in multi-generational farmers’ family orchards. California walnuts, known for their excellent nutritional value and quality, are shipped around the world all year long, with more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the United States being from California. The CWC, established in 1987, promotes usage of walnuts through domestic and export market development activities as well as supports health research with consuming walnuts.

    To explore recipes and learn more about California walnut growers, industry information and health research, visitwalnuts.org.

    * California Walnut Board 2021 Consumer A&U

    References

    1. Public Inspection: Food Labeling: Nutrient Content Claims; Definition of Term ‘Healthy.’” Federal Register, 2024, www.federalregister.gov/public-inspection/2024-29957/food-labeling-nutrient-content-claims-definition-of-term-healthy. Accessed 20 Dec. 2024.
    2. U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020. Available at DietaryGuidelines.gov.
    3. Analysis of What We Eat in America, NHANES 2013-2016, ages 1 and older, 2 days dietary intake data, weighted. Recommended Intake Ranges: Healthy U.S.-Style Dietary Patterns.
    4. 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee. 2024. Scientific Report of the 2025 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee: Advisory Report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services and Secretary of Agriculture. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
    5. Sala-Vila A, Fleming J, Kris-Etherton P, Ros E. Impact of alpha-linolenic acid, the vegetable omega-3 fatty acid, on cardiovascular disease and cognition [published ahead of print February 16, 2022]. Advances in Nutrition. doi.org/10.1093/advances/nmac016.
    6. Naghshi S, Aune D, Beyene J, et al. Dietary intake and biomarkers of alpha linolenic acid and risk of all cause, cardiovascular, and cancer mortality: Systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies. BMJ. 2021;375:n2213. doi:10.1136/bmj.n2213.
    7. Barceló-Coblijn G, Murphy EJ. Alpha-linolenic acid and its conversion to longer chain n3 fatty acids: Benefits for human health and a role in maintaining tissue n-3 fatty acid levels. Prog Lipid Res. 2009;48(6):355-74. Doi.org/10.1016/j.plipres.2009.07.002.
    8. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. Fdc.nal.usda.gov.

  • Cindy Tews & Carlos Carillo to Represent CA on National Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board

    The USDA has announced the appointment of 36 members to serve on the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board. Thirty-five members will serve three-year terms, and one member will serve a two-year term. The terms of the new appointees will begin February 2025.

    Newly appointed members are:

      • Arizona – Sine Kerr, Buckeye
      • Colorado – Angelina Kelleghan, Loma
      • Iowa – E. Michael Holden, Scranton; and Amy Glick, Solon
      • Kansas – Evan Lesser, Palco; and Larry Kendig, Osborne
      • Louisiana – John M. Thompson, Saint Francisville
      • Michigan – Monte J. Bordner, Sturgis
      • Minnesota – Bill Post, Chandler
      • Mississippi –Janet Gent Parker, Seminary
      • Missouri – Mark Anthony Fellwock, Monett
      • Nebraska – Becky R. Potmesil, Alliance; Joyce Racicky, Mason City; and Joan Ruskamp, Dodge (2-year term)
      • New Mexico – Boe C. Lopez, Springer
      • North Carolina – Brian D. Warren, Newton Grove
      • Oklahoma – Leanne Robison, Stillwater;
      • South Dakota – VeaBea Thomas, Harrold; and Oren L. Lesmeister, Parade
      • Tennessee – Gary W. Daniel, Cypress Inn
      • Texas – Wesley D. Ratcliff, Oakwood; Amy Kirkland, Vega; Jared K. Ranly, D.V.M., Lott; and David Henderson, Tennessee Colony
      • Utah – Mark J. Wintch, Milford
      • Wisconsin – Arin Crooks, Lancaster; and Steve Springer, Linden
      • Wyoming – Gwen Geis, Gillette
      • Mid-Atlantic Unit – Creed Ward, Volga, W.Va.
      • Northeast Unit – Warren W. Nop, Middlebury, Vt.
      • Southwest Unit – Kristin A. McQueary, Ruby Valley, Nev.; Cindy Tews, Hanford, Calif.; and Carlos Carrillo, Hanford, Calif.
      • Importer Unit – Jason Frost, Washington, D.C.; Selwyn Jones, Wimberley, Texas; and Matthew Allan, Washington, D.C.

    The board is authorized by the Beef Promotion and Research Act of 1985 and is composed of 99 members representing 34 states and five units. Members must be beef producers or importers of beef and beef products nominated by certified producer organizations.

    More information about the board is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) Cattlemen’s Beef Board webpage.

    Since 1966, Congress has authorized the development of industry-funded research and promotion boards to provide a framework for agricultural industries to pool their resources and combine efforts to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight of 22 boards, paid for by industry assessments, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

    AMS policy is that diversity of the boards, councils and committees it oversees should reflect the diversity of their industries in terms of the experience of members, methods of production and distribution, marketing strategies, and other distinguishing factors, including but not limited to individuals from historically underserved communities, that will bring different perspectives and ideas to the table. Throughout the full nomination process, the industry must conduct extensive outreach, paying particular attention to reaching underserved communities, and consider the diversity of the population served and the knowledge, skills, and abilities of the members to serve a diverse population.

  • ARA Urges Congress to Fund Ag in Year-End Continuing Resolution

    Today the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) President & CEO Daren Coppock released the following statement with concerns that Congress may neglect critical payments needed by growers as legislators work on the year-end continuing resolution this week.

    “ARA is extremely concerned with the potential exclusion of grower assistance from the supplemental short-term funding proposal. Without immediate financial assistance, growers may not be able to stay in business, which poses a national and food security risk to the nation.

    “Congress waiting until next year to address this important priority for America’s agricultural industry and their rural communities is not acceptable.”

    In July, ARA member Joey Caldwell with GreenPoint Ag testified during a House Agriculture Committee hearing to emphasize that while farmers are resilient and independent, they require support from policymakers for a robust Farm Bill with the certainty provided by crop insurance.

    “Strong farmers make strong families,” Caldwell testified. “Those strong families make for strong rural communities, and it is those communities that help make the fabric of this nation.”

    ARA strongly urges Congress to recognize the critical role payments to growers play in sustaining the entire supply chain and include ag payments in the year-end continuing resolution.

    About Agricultural Retailers Association
    The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) is a nonprofit trade association representing the interests of retailers across the United States on legislative and regulatory issues on Capitol Hill. As the political voice of agricultural retailers, ARA not only represents its membership but also educates members on the political process and important issues affecting the industry. For more information on current legislative and regulatory issues impacting agricultural retailers, visit www.aradc.org.

  • Startups Get Help to Speed New Tech to California Farmers, Apply Today

    UCANR Innovate, the innovation arm of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, has opened applications for its VINE Connect program. Developed in partnership with Farmhand Ventures, the program empowers startups and established companies to scale their technologies in California, addressing key challenges for the state’s farmers. Deadline to apply is Jan. 8, 2025.

    California farmers are at the heart of global food production, but staying ahead requires constant innovation. To meet this challenge, VINE Connect bridges the gap between innovation and application by helping entrepreneurs tailor proven technologies for farmers to ease weed control, harvest and other farming tasks.

    Each year, the VINE Connect program runs three cohorts, each centered on different focus areas within California agriculture. More than 20 solutions are selected annually to participate in a three-month cohort designed to accelerate market adaptation. Participants benefit from a workshop series on field trial readiness, opportunities to present their technologies during a field demonstration day, and extended network opportunities to connect with key stakeholders in California’s agrifood sector. Eligible participants may also qualify for future innovation grants to support technology development, field trials or relocation to California.

    “VINE Connect is all about bridging the gap between innovative ideas and the real-world challenges facing agriculture,” said Hannah Johnson, industry lead at UCANR Innovate. “We’re helping great technologies find their place in California’s farms and fields, creating solutions that work for farmers and the entire food system.”

    “Programs like VINE Connect are critical for supporting entrepreneurs as they adapt their technologies to the unique needs of California’s agriculture industry,” said Connie Bowen, founder of Farmhand Ventures. “It’s about building solutions that are both impactful and sustainable while ensuring they have the potential to grow and attract future investment.”

    The VINE Connect program is part of UCANR Innovate’s broader initiative, The VINE, which is dedicated to advancing agricultural innovation across California. Through a market-driven approach, The VINE collaborates with farmers, industry leaders and community groups to identify practical challenges and develop targeted solutions specifically for California.

    The initiative operates through two complementary tracks: VINE Build and VINE Connect. VINE Build focuses on transforming early-stage University of California prototypes into viable startups, while VINE Connect supports the market adaptation of any proven technologies to meet California’s unique agricultural needs. Together, these programs promote collaboration, sustainability and inclusive growth across one of the world’s most essential agricultural regions.

    “The VINE is about connecting the dots between innovation and agriculture,” said Gabe Youtsey, chief innovation officer at UC ANR and head of UCANR Innovate. “Together, these programs form a complete ecosystem for transforming agricultural challenges into opportunities, helping farmers, startups and communities thrive in California’s dynamic landscape.”

    Applications for the VINE Connect program are open now and will close on Jan. 8, 2025. For more information or to apply, visit https://thevine.io.

    UCANR Innovate is the innovation arm of University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, dedicated to driving agriculture, food and biotechnology innovation in California. We connect people, ideas, and resources to tackle real-world challenges and drive progress that empowers entrepreneurs, strengthens industries and secures a thriving, inclusive future for California’s agriculture, its workers and its communities.

    UC Agriculture and Natural Resources brings UC information and practices to all 58 California counties. Through research and Cooperative Extension in agriculture, natural resources, economic growth, nutrition and youth development, our mission is to improve the lives of all Californians. Learn more at ucanr.edu and support our work at donate.ucanr.edu.