California Ag Network

Category: Ag Economics

  • Mentors Announced for 2023 College Aggies Online Program

    Cattle ranchers and social media influencers Natalie Kovarik and Brandi Buzzard are two of the mentors set to advise participants in the Animal Agriculture Alliance’s 2023 College Aggies Online (CAO) scholarship program, which begins on September 11. Registration is now open for undergraduate, graduate, and professional students studying in the U.S., as well as collegiate clubs and classes. Last year, nearly $20,000 in scholarships and prizes were awarded to participants. Sign up for this year’s competition here: https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/college-aggies-online/.

    CAO connects college students from across the country who are passionate about sharing positive, factual information about agriculture. Participants receive nine interactive and educational weeks of content to help them become confident and effective communicators for agriculture with guidance from farmers and industry mentors. During their scheduled week of the program, Kovarik and Buzzard will share valuable insights and helpful tips when it comes to engaging about agriculture.

    “College Aggies Online equips college students with the tools needed to effectively bridge the gap between farm and table,” said Emily Ellis, manager, communications and content, Animal Agriculture Alliance. “In only nine weeks in 2022, more than 8.5 million people were reached through the program with the students’ social media content and on-campus events. This is thanks, in part, to the opportunities for students to network with and learn from mentors like Kovarik and Buzzard, two fan-favorites who are returning this year.”

    Kovarik is a proud rancher’s daughter, wife, mother, and rancher herself. She works alongside her husband, Luke, and her three sons, where they own and operate Kovarik Cattle Co, a cow calf business with a growing registered herd. Growing up, Natalie was raised on her family’s registered Hereford operation in southwest Montana. She began sharing her ranching story online four years ago to foster a community that trusts and believes in agriculture as much as she does. Today, she is the co-host of the popular podcast Discover Ag as well as the co-founder of Elevate Ag, an online course and community providing farmers and ranchers with the tools needed to successfully advocate for agriculture online.

    Buzzard is editor of the Red Angus Magazine and blogger and speaker under the title Buzzard’s Beat. She and her husband operate a small ranch in southeast Kansas where she spends a majority of her time rodeoing, ranching, and engaging with her rural community. Buzzard started the blog, “Buzzard’s Beat,” in 2009 and focuses on opening the door to American agriculture, how our food is raised, and the people who raise it. She is an active speaker and has been featured on many platforms including CBS News, Fox News, MSNBC News, and many more.

    In addition to sharing tips for communicating about agriculture, Kovarik and Buzzard will also provide feedback on submitted social media posts and challenges and help in selecting weekly scholarship winners. The top participants at the conclusion of the program will be invited to attend the Alliance’s 2024 Stakeholders Summit, set for May 8-9 in Kansas City, Missouri, for national recognition.

    Students interested in networking with industry professionals and learning from successful agriculture influencers while strengthening their communication skills are invited to sign up today at https://animalagalliance.org/initiatives/college-aggies-online/.

    About the Alliance:

    The Alliance safeguards the future of animal agriculture and its value to society by bridging the communication gap between the farm and food communities. We connect key food industry stakeholders to arm them with responses to emerging issues. We engage food chain influencers and promote consumer choice by helping them better understand modern animal agriculture. We protect by exposing those who threaten our nation’s food security with damaging misinformation.

  • USDA Final Forecast Projects Slightly Larger 2023 Almond Crop

    The 2023 California Almond Objective Measurement Report published Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2023 will come in at 2.6 billion meat pounds, 1% percent above last year’s 2.57 billion pounds.

    The estimate is up 4 percent from USDA-NASS’s Subjective Forecast in May and comes after one of the wettest winters on record, limited bee flights because of rain and wind, and a cool spring. USDA’s Forecasted yield is 1,880 pounds per acre, down 20 pounds from 2022 and the lowest since 2009.

    The slight increase comes partly because of larger nut size and despite difficult conditions, USDA-NASS said. “Record level rainfall and unprecedented stormy conditions hindered bee pollination activity in orchards across the state. Cooler than normal temperatures continued through early summer and delayed the maturity of the crop,” the report said.

    “Almond farmers have faced a series of challenges in recent years, and this wet, cool winter and spring created different obstacles after three years of drought. Yet the forecast for a larger crop shows the resiliency of California almond orchards,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California (ABC). “Almond farmers have worked hard while dealing with higher production and financing costs and a bloom with highly compromised bee flight hours. They are very thankful, however, for the abundant rain and snow which vastly improved the water situation, at least for now, and for shipping logistics that continue to improve. The perseverance of California’s almond farmers is admirable as is their commitment to meet future growth in global demand with high quality California almonds.”

    The forecast for the average nut set per tree is 3,953, 3 percent down from 2022. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,004 is 1 percent more than last year. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.67 grams, up 14% percent from the 2022 average weight. The Nonpareil average kernel weight was 1.69 grams, up 9 percent over from last year.

    The 2023 Objective Report is based on actual almond counts using a statistically rigorous methodology. The survey was conducted from May 26 to July 3 and 1,824 trees were sampled in 912 orchards, 32 more orchards than in 2022. USDA-NASS conducts the annual Subjective Forecast, Objective Report and Acreage Report to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions. — By the Almond Board of California

  • California Grower Concerns for Bees & Monarchs being Listed as Endangered Species

    Native California bees and monarch butterflies may soon be listed as endangered species.  While California farmers, and almond growers in particular, want to take care of and protect these important pollinators, listing them as endangered could prove problematic for farming as we know it. Watch this interview with Josette Lewis from the Almond Board of California as she explains.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • Midseason Pistachio Crop Forecast and Shipment Update

    As U.S. Pistachio growers anticipate a larger crop this season, watch this brief interview with Richard Matoian from American Pistachio Growers on just how large a crop may come to fruition this season, as well as some great news on the rise in pistachio export shipping trends.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. (Editor’s Note: We are pleased to announce an additional news anchor, Joseph Malcolm, debuted in this video report)

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • Eleven New Ag Officers Sworn into Foreign Service

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs Alexis M. Taylor administered the oath of office today to 11 employees of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service who will serve American agriculture internationally as members of the Foreign Service, including three from California.

    At U.S. embassies and diplomatic missions on five continents, diplomats begin their careers as agricultural attachés, where they will track and report on global agricultural production and commerce, find export opportunities, improve food security, and support U.S. foreign policy goals.

    “I am extremely proud of this diverse group of diplomats who completed their rigorous training and will now serve on the frontlines of agricultural diplomacy,” Taylor said. “These talented officers will strengthen our Foreign Service as they begin their work protecting and advancing the interests of U.S. agriculture, which today is more crucial than ever as the world’s agricultural trade grows more competitive and dynamic.”

    The officers sworn in today are:

    • Craig Elliot from Petaluma, Calif., assigned to the OAA in Tokyo, Japan.
    • Erica Summe from Florence, Ky., assigned to the ATO in Tokyo, Japan.
    • Harrison Grafos from Spokane, Wash., assigned to the OAA in Dubai, UAE.
    • Joanna Brown from Washington, D.C., assigned to the OAA in New Delhi, India.
    • Jadon Marianetti from San Jose, Calif., assigned to the OAA in Beijing, China.
    • James Yi from Philadelphia, Pa., assigned to the OAA in Hanoi, Vietnam.
    • Lita Echiverri from San Francisco, Calif., assigned to the FAS Agricultural Trade Office (ATO) in Mexico City, Mexico.
    • Rishan Chaudry from Pullman, Wash., assigned to the OAA in Ankara, Turkey
    • Shoshana Griffith from Seattle, Wash., assigned to the OAA in Seoul, South Korea.
    • Tacarra Birmingham from Chicago, Ill., assigned to the FAS Office of Agricultural Affairs (OAA) in Ottawa, Canada.
    • Victoria Dokken from Deltona, Fla., assigned to the ATO in Beijing, China.

    More information about FAS and its work to advance U.S. agricultural interests around the globe is available at www.fas.usda.gov.

    USDA touches the lives of all Americans each day in so many positive ways. In the Biden-Harris Administration, USDA is transforming America’s food system with a greater focus on more resilient local and regional food production, fairer markets for all producers, ensuring access to safe, healthy, and nutritious food in all communities, building new markets and streams of income for farmers and producers using climate smart food and forestry practices, making historic investments in infrastructure and clean energy capabilities in rural America, and committing to equity across the Department by removing systemic barriers and building a workforce more representative of America. To learn more, visit www.usda.gov.

  • Sonoma County Leadership Academy for Vineyard Employees Honors its Second Class of Graduates

    It is thought to be the nation’s only program for vineyard workers intended to create future leaders in their industry and community. “It” is the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos’ Leadership Academy and it held its second annual graduation ceremony yesterday to honor 20 local vineyard employees.

    The Academy does not teach new farming skills. Instead, it focuses on introducing, developing, and advancing vital skills needed for vineyard employees to become future leaders in the wine industry and local community.

    “Our goal is to create future business and community leaders. This is why the leadership academy has quickly been recognized as one of the nation’s premier programs to provide opportunities for all people to learn, connect and lead our industry in the years to come,” said Karissa Kruse, executive director of the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos and CEO of the Sonoma County Winegrowers.  She added, “In fact, the program’s two graduating classes will be traveling to Washington, D.C., at the invitation of Congressman Mike Thompson and attend a reception hosted by the Congressional Wine Caucus.”

    For any sustainable business, particularly a family-owned business, to be successful, new opportunities must be created for employees to learn, connect, and lead in the years ahead. This was part of the inspiration for Sonoma County’s winegrape growers when they launched the nation’s first Leadership Academy for vineyard employees two years ago.

    The Academy provides participants with a unique opportunity to learn about a host of topics taught during the eight-month program including financial literacy, conflict resolution, community resources, communications, wine production and more to provide critical professional development. The Academy courses are offered in both English and Spanish to ensure the content is understood and questions can be asked and answered. Each year, candidates for the program are nominated by their employers and go through a selection process. Each class size is limited to 20 participants to ensure a good experience and an opportunity for individuals to freely ask questions and to build a professional network.

    “From the beginning, we have sought to make this the most meaningful leadership program in U.S. agriculture. There is nothing more gratifying than to see the Academy participants grow personally and professionally in front of our eyes,” said Duff Bevill, chairman of the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation’s board of directors. He added, “The sky is the limit for each of these graduates.  Most importantly, our winegrape growing community is committed to continue to support our skilled agricultural workforce and their families for years to come.”

    Next month, vineyard employees from the first and second classes of the  Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos’ Leadership Academy are headed to Washington, D.C. to attend the annual Congressional Wine Caucus reception at the invitation of Congressman Thompson and flying there courtesy of Alaska Airlines.

    “The relationship between Sonoma County winegrape growers and their vineyard employees helps make our wine region one of the best in the world. Through the Leadership Academy and the many other programs offered by the Foundation, it is clear that the Sonoma County winegrowers are putting their employees first and helping them succeed,” said Congressman Mike Thompson. He added, “I am looking forward to welcoming this outstanding group of vineyard workers to Washington, D.C. and thanking them for their incredible work on behalf of our community.”

    The 2023 Leadership Academy graduates are:

    Roberto Alvarez, Sangiacomo Family Vineyards
    Jose Elias Avila, Lynmar Estate
    Pedro Cabrera, St. Francis Winery
    Guadalupe Cespedes, Redwood Empire Vineyard Management
    Cirilo Contreras, Martinelli Vineyard Management
    Jose Ventura Vieyra Garcia, Cornerstone Certified Vineyard
    Jaime Guerrero, Dutton Ranch
    Jose Guzman, Robert Young Vineyards
    Manuel Hernandez, Sonoma-Cutrer Vineyards
    Maria Hernandez, Bevill Vineyard Management
    Anelly Reyes Jimenez, Cornerstone Certified Vineyard
    Juan Lara, Munselle Vineyards
    Ricardo Morales Lucas, Sangiacomo Family Vineyards
    Jose Martinez, Dutton Ranch
    Oscar Meza, Bevill Vineyard Management
    Ramon Murillo, Vino Farms
    Pablo Ruano, Redwood Empire Vineyard Management
    Jose Saldana, Jordan Vineyard & Winery
    Sal Jimenez Sandoval, Vino Farms
    Isidro Vigil, Atlas Vineyard Management

    About the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos:

    Originally called the Sonoma County Grape Growers Foundation (SCGGF), Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos was first established in 2002 as a 501(c)(3) organization to help fund educational workshops in Spanish for agricultural employees. Relaunched in January of 2016, the Fundación is focused on improving the lives of Sonoma County’s agricultural employees and their families, while ensuring Sonoma County remains a place where agricultural workers will continue to live, work, and thrive.  In 2022, the first class of the Leadership Academy met to brainstorm names for the Foundation which would best represent them and the work they do.  They selected Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos.  Since its relaunch in 2016, the Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos has continuously proven it has a unique model of outreach and support, recognizing and relying on the trusted relationship that farmers have with their employees. The Sonoma County Fundación de la Voz de los Viñedos collaborates with various community-based organizations and agencies to identify existing resources, leverage available support, and create new programs to assist local agricultural employees and their families. This includes a focus on leadership, empowerment & recognition, resiliency,  workforce development and being a trusted resource.  The Fundación is managed by the Sonoma County Winegrowers with a 16-member board of directors comprised of agricultural leaders, vineyard and winery owners, and Sonoma County community leaders.

  • July USDA Lending Rates for Ag Producers

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced loan interest rates for July 2023, which are effective July 3, 2023. USDA’s 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.

    Operating, Ownership and Emergency Loans

    FSA offers farm ownership and operating 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. FSA also offers emergency loans to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to drought, flooding, other natural disasters or quarantine.  For many loan options, FSA sets aside funding for underserved producers, including, beginning, women, American Indian or Alaskan Native, Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, and Hispanic farmers and ranchers.

    Interest rates for Operating and Ownership loans for July 2023 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.

    Simplified Direct Loan Application

    FSA developed a new, simplified direct loan application for producers seeking a direct farm loan. The new application, reduced from 29 to 13 pages, provides improved customer experience for producers applying for loans and enables them to complete a more streamlined application. Producers now also have the option to complete an electronic fillable form or a traditional paper application for submission to their local FSA service center.

    Disaster Support

    FSA also reminds rural communities, farmers and ranchers, families and small businesses affected by the past year’s winter storms, drought, hurricanes and other natural disasters, that USDA has programs that provide assistance. USDA staff in the regional, state and county offices are prepared to deliver a variety of program flexibilities and other assistance to agricultural producers and impacted communities. Many programs are available without an official disaster designation, including several risk management and disaster recovery options.

    Inflation Reduction Act Assistance for Distressed Producers

    On Aug. 16, 2022, President Biden signed the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) into law. It is a historic, once-in-a-generation investment and opportunity for the agricultural communities that USDA serves. Section 22006 of the IRA provided $3.1 billion for USDA to provide relief for distressed borrowers with certain FSA direct and guaranteed loans and to expedite assistance for those whose agricultural operations are at financial risk. In October 2022, USDA provided approximately $800 million in initial IRA assistance to more than 11,000 delinquent direct and guaranteed borrowers and approximately 2,100 borrowers who had their farms liquidated and still had remaining debt. On May 1, 2023, FSA announced that nearly $130 million in additional, automatic financial assistance had been obligated for qualifying farm loan program borrowers facing financial risk. This assistance included:

    • Assistance to direct loan borrowers who were past due on a qualifying direct loan as of Sept. 30, 2022, but by fewer than 60 days, and remained delinquent on that loan as of March 27, 2023.
    • Assistance to borrowers who restructured a qualifying direct loan after Feb. 28, 2020, through primary loan servicing available through FSA.
    • Assistance to borrowers whose interest owed on their qualifying direct loan debt exceeded the principal owed (on a loan-by-loan basis).

    Since payments began in October 2022, USDA has provided $1.14 billion to 20,506 financially distressed direct and guaranteed FSA loan borrowers.

    In May 2023, FSA began accepting and reviewing individual requests for assistance if they took certain extraordinary measures to avoid delinquency on their direct FSA loans, such as taking on or refinancing more debt, selling property, or cashing out retirement or college savings accounts. On May 19, USDA mailed a letter to all FSA direct loan borrowers detailing eligibility and how to request extraordinary measures assistance.

    Also in May, FSA started accepting and reviewing individual distressed borrower assistance requests from direct loan borrowers who missed a recent installment or are unable to make their next scheduled installment. All FSA borrowers should have received a letter detailing the process for seeking this type of assistance even before they become delinquent. As the letter details, borrowers who are within two months of their next installment may seek a cashflow analysis from FSA to determine their eligibility..

    For more information producers can contact their local USDA Service Center or visit farmers.gov/inflation-reduction-investments/assistance.

    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 fam records data and customer information by logging in their farmers.gov account. If you don’t have an account, sign up today.

  • Twelve Chefs Selected for National Pizza Contest Finals Showcasing Real CA Cheeses

    The California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) announced the 12 finalists for the 2023 Real California Pizza Contest (RCPC) – the fifth annual nationwide search for the best foodservice pizza recipes that include the most innovative uses of Real California cow’s milk cheeses. At stake is $30,000 in prize money as well as the prestige of winning one of the country’s most coveted pizza competitions.

    These finalists will compete in three categories during a live bake-off event at the Culinary Institute of America’s Copia campus in Napa, Calif. Each category winner will receive $5,000 and the Grand Prize Winner, selected from the three category winners, will win an additional $10,000. Remaining finalists each will receive $500.

    The 2023 RCPC finalists are:

    Cal-Mex Category

    • Ahmad Butler, Miller Butler, San Pedro, Calif.
    • Bill Crawford, Righteous Slice, Rexburg, Idaho
    • Chris Decker, Truly Pizza, Dana Point, Calif.
    • Marcus Medina, Hella Pie Pizza, Tracy, Calif.

    Plant-Forward Category

    • Audrey Kelly, Audrey Jane’s Pizza Garage, Boulder, Colo.
    • Giovanni Labbate, Tievoli Pizza Bar, Palatine, Ill.
    • Jordan Lawson, La Fiamma Wood Fired Pizza, Bellingham, Wash.
    • Lars Smith, State of Mind Public House, Los Altos, Calif.

    The REAL Californian Category

    • Charles Cullison, Charlie’s Pizzeria, Kingman, Ariz.
    • Matt Hutchinson, Pizaro’s Pizza, Houston, Texas
    • Peter Reinhart, Johnson & Wales University, Charlotte, N.C.
    • Vincent Sbarro, Vinnie’s Pizzeria & Forno di Sbarro, Concord, Calif.

    “Pizza’s global appeal and ability to highlight a wide range of flavors, cuisines and inspiration is reflected in this year’s entries. We’re inspired by the creativity and innovation that went into these recipes, which represent a spectrum of ingredients and flavor combinations all united by California cheeses,” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB. “As the nation’s leading producer of Mozzarella cheese and second largest cheese producer, the CMAB recognizes that pizza is an important category for our foodservice business. We are thrilled to have such a diverse breadth of culinary backgrounds and pizzaiolo experience in the finalist group and are looking forward to seeing them in action.”

    The bake-off finals event takes place August 2, 2023, at the Culinary Institute of America at Copia in Napa, Calif., where finalists will prepare and bake their entries onsite for blind evaluation by a panel of expert judges, which includes Tony Gemignani, chef, restaurateur, international pizza authority and President of the World Pizza Champions; Glenn Cybulski, certified pizzaiolo and award-winning executive chef; and David Jacobson, 2022 RCPC Grand Prize Winner. The judges chose the 12 finalists from more than 150 blind-judged entries from throughout the United States.

    Additional details on the bake-off, chef finalists and CMAB’s foodservice support are available at Real California Pizza Contest.

    California is a reliable, consistent source of sustainable dairy products used by chefs throughout the world. As the nation’s largest dairy state, California boasts an impressive lineup of award-winning cheesemakers and dairy processors, that are helping to drive dining innovation.

    About Real California Milk/the 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 dairy products in the state, across the U.S. and around the world through advertising, public relations, research, and retail and foodservice promotional programs.

    The Foodservice Division of the CMAB supports foodservice operators and distributors that use Real California dairy products. The CMAB offers marketing and promotional support for foodservice operators that purchase dairy products with the Real California Milk seal, which means they are made with 100 percent milk from California’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

  • Wine Shipment Slump Indicates Market Correction Ahead

    Although prices have been up, largely due to inflation, California wine shipments are down significantly to a level which has not been seen in decades. But, why the slump in shipments and what will this mean for the California wine market in the near future? Watch this brief interview with Allied Grape Growers President Jeff Bitter to find out, and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

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

  • Newly Identified Aspergillus Vine Canker Afflicting California Vineyards

    As if there weren’t enough trunk diseases impacting California vineyards, UC Davis Plant Pathologist Akif Eskalen has been researching a newly identified disease causing a canker on the trunk of grapevines accompanied by fruit disease/sour rot symptoms. Watch this brief interview with Akif, and read more about it disease management in American Vineyard Magazine

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