The California almond industry is resilient, but input cost, labor and water access remain constant worries for growers. The Almond Alliance is working at the state and federal level to give a voice to the growers of over 80% of the world’s almond supply. Matthew Malcolm with California Ag Network took the time to talk with Alliance Chair Blake Vann to learn about what’s going on in their organization. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Category: News
-
WUSATA Offers Assistance to Growers on the Global Market
Growers looking to showcase and export their products face numerous hurdles and challenges, but the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) is working with growers to get their products onto the international market. Hayden Romig from WUSATA spoke with Matthew Malcolm of Malcolm Media Ag Publishing to discuss the work his organization does. Watch this quick video and learn on California Ag Network.
-
National Jersey Leadership Named at Annual Meetings
Leaders for 2026-27 were selected at this year’s annual meeting for the American Jersey Cattle Association (AJCA), including two committee chairs from California.
Alan Chittenden of Schodack Landing, N.Y., was elected to his fifth one-year term as President of AJCA on June 20. He is a fourth-generation breeder and owner of registered Jerseys at Dutch Hollow Farms LLC. He owns and operates the farm with his parents and two brothers. They milk 900 Registered Jerseys and have the herd enrolled in REAP, are contract advertisers in the Jersey Journal and have contributed to Equity for 50 years. In 2012, the family was honored with the AJCA Master Breeder award. In addition, he has served as General Chair of The All American Jersey Shows & Sales in 2018, and chair of The All American Sale Committee in 2016. He served two terms as AJCA Director from the Second District from 2014-2020.
Lynda Lehr, Canastota, N.Y., was elected to her first four-year term as AJCA Director from the First District. A third-generation Jersey breeder, Lehr operates Ky-Hi Jerseys with her family and brings decades of experience in dairy cattle breeding, herd management and agricultural education. Active at the local, state and national levels, she has served in numerous leadership roles within the Jersey community, including the National Jersey Jug Futurity Committee, the All American Junior Activities Committee and several New York Jersey organizations. Lehr is passionate about advancing the Jersey breed and supporting youth involvement in the dairy industry.
Ted DeMent, Kenney, Ill., was re-elected to a four-year term as Director from the Second District. Ted and his family own and operate DeMents Jerseys, a 260-acre dairy farm established by his parents, Don and Shirley, in 1955. Ted was an appraiser for the AJCA for six years before returning to the home farm. In 2009, he and his wife, Cheryl, assumed management of the dairy. DeMents Jerseys is enrolled on REAP and uses JerseyTags for permanent identification. Ted and Cheryl received the AJCA Young Jersey Breeder Award in 2005. Ted was named the winner of the Max Gordon Recognition Award in 2021.
Kristin Hogan-Killgore of Tillamook, Ore., was elected to serve a four-year term as Director from the Third District of the AJCA. A lifelong Jersey enthusiast and second-generation member of Misty Meadow Dairy, Killgore combines experience in commercial dairy management, breed promotion and industry leadership. She oversees payroll, human resources and business operations for her family’s 4,500-cow Jersey dairy while also helping manage the farm’s nationally recognized show program. A graduate of Oregon State University, Killgore has served in leadership roles with numerous Jersey and agricultural organizations, including the National Jersey Jug Committee and the Western National Jersey Show and a former National Jersey Queen. She is passionate about building connections within the dairy community and promoting the value of the Jersey breed.
Chairs of standing committees for 2026-27 are Cornell, Kasbergen, Tulare, Calif., Finance; Tyler Boyd, Hilmar, Calif., Breed Improvement; Ralph Frerichs, LaGrange, Texas, Development; and Jason Johnson, Northwood, N.H., Information Technology and Identification.
Cornell Kasbergen was re-elected Vice President for the coming year. Kasbergen and his family milk 6,000 Jerseys and Holsteins on their Rancho Teresita Dairy in Tulare. — Story contributed by the American Jersey Cattle Association
-
Blue Diamond Almond Crop Estimate Revised to 2.6B Pounds
Since releasing our initial May 2026 estimate, Blue Diamond Growers has continued to monitor orchard conditions across all growing regions. The company’s observations continue to indicate a crop size in the range of 2.65 to 2.7 billion pounds. Their initial estimate had an upper range of 2.72 billion pounds, which they now believe peaks at 2.70 billion pounds because of growing downward pressure on crop potential, suggesting a slightly lower midpoint of 2.67 billion pounds. As it remains early in the season, the range indicates both downside risk and variability of the 2026 crop.
Over the past several weeks, in‑field managers have continued to survey orchards across the valley, noting additional observations related to nut progression, irrigation patterns, and early-season stress indicators. These insights, combined with updated grower feedback — they said — reinforce their assessment.
Key factors informing this follow‑up include:
- Continued orchard‑to‑orchard evaluations and comparisons to identify variations in quality and crop performance
- Updated monthly grower survey responses reflecting expectations across season-to-date performance
- Ongoing evaluation of economic, water, and weather pressures that may influence yield outcomes
Blue Diamond Growers will continue to monitor crop conditions and provide updates as conditions evolve. At this stage, indicators support a modestly lower estimate, with variability driven largely by input levels.
Crop Influences
The 2026 almond season to date reflects a mix of moderate weather conditions and ongoing operational and economic challenges for growers. While temperatures have remained warm without any critical heat wave conditions, several factors may still impact the crop before harvest.
Growers continue to face high production costs, resulting in measured resource management. Fertilizer and fuel costs, cash flow pressures and overall market prices have led many growers to reduce inputs. Growers have had ample water for irrigation, supporting orchards without major challenges. However, the cost of electricity required to pressurize water for irrigation remains a budgetary challenge.
Current Crop Development Observations
Orchard conditions are varying widely this season, shaped largely by differences in nutrition and input management.
Lower input orchards are showing lighter crop loads and weaker conditions, while a notable number of orchards with heavier crop loads are showing signs of weak spur development. This points to fertility concerns that could carry over into next year’s crop.
By contrast, many well-nourished orchards are showing overly vigorous growth, a potential indicator of poor crop loads. Growers and in-field teams have also reported thicker hulls and shells in several varieties, which could adversely affect turnout percentages and lead to reduced final crop weights beyond what may be apparent through pre-harvest observations.
Forward Outlook
Conditions will continue to evolve across the regions over the coming weeks, and the impact of crop stressors will become clearer. Ongoing monitoring will ensure that any significant changes are factored into future outlooks.
Further insights will be shared by Blue Diamond in subsequent Market Reports, with later reports refining the forecast once harvest is underway. — Story contributed by Blue Diamond Growers
-
California Walnut Commission Voices Support for 0% EU Tariff
The California Walnut Commission CWC voiced its support after the European Union reduced the tariff on U.S.-grown tree nuts — including walnuts — to 0%. This lowering of rates became effective as of July 1. In a public statement on the order, the CWC stated:
“The California Walnut Commission (CWC) welcomes this positive development for the California walnut industry and European customers and consumers.
“The quota basis tariff reduction provides access to an important market, which is the walnut industry’s largest export market, importing about 30% of global supply. Improved access allows European importers, distributors, retailers and consumers to have access to high-quality California walnuts, while supporting the long-term sustainability of California walnut growers.
“The news comes at a critical time for California walnut growers, many of whom continue to face rising production costs, increasing supply and a competitive and uncertain global marketplace.
“The CWC appreciates the efforts of U.S. and European policymakers, trade officials and industry stakeholders whose work contributed to this development.”
The Almond Board of California also praised this development, saying it “brings welcome certainty after months of escalating trade tensions.”
-
Study Finds California Wolves Feed Heavily on Cattle
Two new studies examining gray wolves in California paint a complex picture of life on California’s ranching landscapes: wolves eat cattle more than anything else and the presence of the predators causes significant stress among livestock.
In the first study, UC Davis researchers found wolves from the Lassen and Harvey packs in northeastern California were primarily eating cattle. They collected scat samples during the summer months of 2022 and 2023 and found 72% of wolf scat contained cattle DNA. The research was published in PLOS One.
“Whether it’s through scavenging or whether it’s through depredation, it’s a huge component of the wolves’ diet,” said lead author Tina Saitone, a professor of Cooperative Extension in the UC Davis Agricultural and Resource Economics Department. “Their conservation success is because of livestock producers in the state.”
Cattle appeared as the most frequently occurring food item during both summers of the study, present in 86% of samples in 2022 and 55% in 2023. While all 2022 samples were from the Lassen Pack, the 2023 samples included eight from the newly established Harvey Pack.
Wolves are a state and federally recognized endangered species. The first confirmed wolf entered California in 2011, following a nearly 100-year absence. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife estimates the state is now home to nine wolf packs.
Few Natural Prey
Wolves in California live in landscapes shaped by people. They have fewer wild ungulate prey options than wolves in other parts of North America. Mule deer are their only significant wild food source, but populations have dropped sharply since the 1970s.
Saitone said the scarcity of wild prey may be one reason wolves are eating cattle instead. Researchers found mule deer in just 45% of the scat samples, significantly less common than cattle.
Keeping wolves away from cattle is difficult on many of these working landscapes.
“Conservatively, we’re talking about a million acres in our study area and 10,000 cow-calf pairs,” said Saitone. “It’s not as simple as putting up an electric fence on a two-acre pasture or putting cattle in the barn at night.”
Cattle are stressed
Researchers also examined how living among wolves affects cattle. Their findings suggest the costs of wolf reintroduction extend well beyond animals lost to predation.
A second study, published in Ecology and Evolution, measured cortisol levels in tail hair samples collected from beef cattle grazing rangelands in northeastern California — some herds sharing territory with wolf packs, others in areas without wolves. Cortisol, often called the stress hormone, accumulates in hair over time, making it a reliable indicator of chronic stress rather than a momentary response to fright.
Cattle herds living among wolves had cortisol levels 58% higher than those in control herds — a significant physiological difference. This marks one of the first times hair cortisol analysis has been used to study how the reintroduction of predators reshapes livestock physiology in the field.
“What this really confirms is that death or depredation is not the only impact here,” said Saitone. “Living among wolves for cattle is a chronically stressful experience, and that could ultimately have production-related impacts in both the short and the long term.”
Could it Affect Reproduction?
Saitone said the findings are just a starting point. Researchers next want to understand whether elevated stress levels translate into lower conception rates. It’s a concern long raised by ranchers that has not yet been established through direct biological evidence. When breeding cows fail to conceive, it can directly affect a rancher’s bottom line.
“That’s their whole purpose,” said Saitone. “These are mother cows that are supposed to be generating calves as a marketable product.”
Other authors of the PLOS One study include Kenneth W. Tate and Benjamin J. Sacks of UC Davis. Funding came from the Russell L. Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment and California Cattle Council.
Christina Nord was corresponding author of the Ecology and Evolution study. Other authors include Alexander Pritchard, Rosemary A. Blersch, Brenda McCowan, Jessica J. Vandeleest and Kenneth W. Tate. Funding came from Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education and the Russell L. Rustici Rangeland and Cattle Research Endowment. — Story by Amy Quinton, UC Davis
-
USDA Delivers Final ‘Farmers First’ Program Improvements
U.S. Ag Secretary Brooke L. Rollins announced that the USDA is making significant improvements to its disaster assistance and commodity loan programs as outlined in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act to celebrate the one-year anniversary of President Trump signing the act into law on July 4, 2025. The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is strengthening disaster assistance support for livestock producers, orchardists and nursery tree growers, increasing Marketing Assistance Loan rates and expanding Marketing Assistance Loans to better help cotton and sugar producers.
”As we celebrate our nation’s 250th birthday, we also celebrate our all-important farmers,” Rollins said. “The Trump administration is committed to ensuring the economic success of farmers and ranchers who rely on a strong safety net when natural disasters impact their infrastructure or when market prices affect their profitability. These producers need and deserve assistance that works for them, not against them.”
The changes cumulatively outlined in the Working Families Tax Cuts Act provide an investment in American agriculture. Last month, FSA announced expanded payment limitation and payment eligibility provisions and the opportunity to increase base acres on eligible farms. FSA also previously announced that producers will benefit from increased reference prices for major commodities starting this fall. Additional policy enhancements for FSA disaster and commodity loan programs are taking effect.
Read more about these enhancements here. — Story contributed by the USDA
-
Mediterranean Fruit Fly Quarantine in Santa Clara, Alameda Counties Over
Effective July 8, 2026 the CDFA is removing the MedFly quarantine located in Santa Clara and Alameda counties. Maps of any remaining MedFly quarantine boundaries can be found at www.cdfa.ca.gov/plant/medfly/regulation.html.
Regulated articles and conditions for intrastate movement under the quarantine can be found at Title 3 California Code of Regulations (CCR) section 3406. Pursuant to Title 3 CCR section 3406 any interested party or local entity may appeal a quarantine area designation.
Process to Appeal the Area Boundaries
The appeal must be submitted to the Department in writing and supported by clear and convincing evidence. The appeal must be filed no later than ten (10) working days from the date of this notification. During the pending of the appeal, the designated Quarantine Boundary under appeal shall remain in effect.
Mail Appeals to:
CDFA – Pest Exclusion
1220 N St., Room 221
Sacramento, CA 95814Electronic Notification of Boundary Changes
California Code of Regulation allows interested parties to be notified of quarantine area boundary changes, as well as the opportunity to submit quarantine boundary appeals. If interested in receiving notifications, please sign up for regulatory updates through the email notification list at: https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/CADFA/subscriber/new
For questions regarding the regulations or map, please email Vince Arellano at vince.arellano@cdfa.ca.gov or call 916-654-0312.
-
Tulare County Sheriffs Arrest Peach Thieves
On June 29, Sheriff’s detectives assigned to the Agricultural Crimes Task Force have arrested Francisco Lopez, 54, of Reedley and Josue Vargas, 46, of Orange Cove for felony grand theft of farm crops. Lopez has a bail set at $10,000. Vargas, who faces additional charges related to D.U.I. warrants, has a total bail of $50,000.
On Monday, detectives developed information about a suspect’s vehicle tied to ongoing stone fruit thefts in Fresno and Tulare Counties. Detectives worked with patrol deputies and Reedley Police officers to find the vehicle. Later that night, a deputy stopped a matching pickup truck towing a trailer at Kamm Ave. and Road 56 near Dinuba. The trailer was reportedly loaded with crates containing approximately 2,000 pounds of Pink Moon peaches, valued at $8,500. Detectives responded and determined the peaches were stolen on Sunday from a farm in Tulare County. Lopez and Sanchez were placed under arrest. An additional passenger of the truck, 56-year-old Jesus Chacon of Reedley, was also arrested for outstanding warrants related to drug possession and battery.
The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office will be pursuing additional criminal charges against Lopez and Vargas due to the theft occurring within its jurisdiction.
Anyone with further information on this case or a related case is asked to contact Sheriff’s Detective North at (559) 600-8150 or email agcrimes@fresnosheriff.org or contact Crime Stoppers at (559) 498-7867, www.valleycrimestoppers.org. You will remain anonymous and may receive a cash reward. Reference case # 26-7616.
The Ag Crimes Task force encourages growers to follow these tips to protect themselves against theft.
Increase Visibility
• Install cameras overlooking entrances, loading areas and packing facilities.
• Use trail cameras in remote orchards.
• Ensure entrances and loading areas are well lit.
• Trim vegetation around gates and roads to eliminate hiding spots.
Harvest Management
• Harvest ripe fruit as soon as practical.
• Avoid leaving harvested bins in fields overnight.
• Schedule picking crews so fruit spends the least amount of time unattended.
• Keep loaded trailers in secured yards whenever possible.
Secure Fruit Bins
• Mark bins with permanent farm identifiers.
• Record the number of bins left in each block.
• Conduct daily inventory counts during harvest.
• Store empty bins in secured compounds.
Clearly Mark Equipment
• Clearly mark all equipment and fruit bins with your farm name or unique identifier.
• Record serial numbers and photograph valuable equipment.
• Use permanent, tamper-resistant markings whenever possible.
— Story Contributed by the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office
-
David Lile Retires from UC ANR After 30 Years
David Lile, UC Cooperative Extension’s natural resources and livestock advisor, retired on July 1 after 30 years of serving Lassen County residents. For the past 25 years, he also served as UCCE director for the county and in 2010, Plumas and Sierra counties were added to his supervision.
“No individual outside of our family has done more for our ranch than David Lile,” said Jack Hanson of Willow Creek Ranch. “His knowledge and expertise and his passion for California agriculture were ever-present. He has the ability to make complex issues easy to understand and always helped us make the correct decision.”
After earning bachelor’s and master’s degrees in range and wildlands science from UC Davis, Lile joined UC Cooperative Extension in 1996. He studies issues at the intersection of livestock production and natural resources conservation, on a mix of federal rangelands and private hay and irrigated pastureland.
“He has included us in numerous university, CDFA and USDA trials, bringing in top researchers and academics, all of which made us more resilient and sustainable,” said Hanson, who oversees his family’s cattle and hay operation. “David never said, ‘No, I can’t do that.’”
Applying Science to Policy
Much of Lile’s work has focused on water issues. In the first decade of his career, Lile’s research focused on water quality and fish habitat to reduce conflicts between livestock grazing and fisheries.
After passage of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act in 2014, Lile assisted in the Big Valley groundwater planning process, providing his technical expertise as well as facilitating communication between stakeholders, consultants and county supervisors and staff. Laura Snell, UCCE livestock and natural resources advisor for Modoc County, and Lile conducted water management research and led workshops promoting groundwater recharge.
“It was through our data analysis that we discovered flaws in the basin groundwater budget, and that overdraft rates were far less than calculated,” Lile said. “Corrective changes in the water budget have been accepted by the Department of Water Resources. The county’s plan was approved by the state in 2024, and through project implementation we appear to be approaching long-term groundwater sustainability.”
One of the challenges for Lassen County ranchers is complying with state regulations that are developed for ranches that are closer to urban population centers. To assess the impact of forage production and grazing on water quality, Lile, Snell, UCCE livestock and natural resources advisor Larry Forero and the late rancher Pam Giacomini surveyed growers in the upper Pit River watershed about their irrigation practices, grazing practices, fertility management, pesticide applications and associated best management practices in 2022.
“Based on the findings shared through three years of extension outreach, in August of 2025 the Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board granted a full program exemption to Pit River growers, saving them $250,000 in fees annually, while also significantly reducing annual reporting requirements,” Lile said.
Lile also has helped ranchers save money through adoption of new technology. Recently, he has been showing them how virtual fencing can be used to create boundaries for grazing livestock using GPS, cellular and radio connections.
“As we and our cooperators have learned about using the systems, the number of cows enrolled in the virtual fencing has increased annually from 140 cows in 2023, to 2,000 cows covering 80,000 acres in 2026,” Lile said. “Our work has identified opportunities to increase grazing harvest and carrying capacity through improved distribution and timing of grazing. Through virtual fencing, we have also identified stock water development needs, how to better meet cow nutritional needs, and opportunities to enhance environmental ecosystem services.”
Mentoring the Next Generation of UCCE Advisors
When he’s not doing research, Lile is known for coaching students, creating innovative learning and growth opportunities for aspiring scientists and educators. He also has mentored early-career UC ANR colleagues, including Tom Getts, Laura Snell, Janyne Little, Grace Woodmansee and the late Ryan Tompkins.
Woodmansee, who is a UCCE livestock and natural resources advisor and UCCE director for Siskiyou County, said Lile has had a profound impact on her life and career. She met him in 2015 when her undergrad range class traveled to Lassen County to learn about public lands grazing and help collect meadow monitoring data.
“Since that initial meeting, David has taken every extra step to encourage and support me through my first UCCE job, grad school and my current advisor role,” said Woodmansee.
“He is an incredible mentor with a knack for combining thoughtful advice with an excellent sense of humor — which is exactly what every new advisor needs to survive the first few years on the job,” she said. “David exemplifies the role of Cooperative Extension Advisor – he is not afraid to go after the hard questions with applied science and leads in a way that helps everyone feel like they have a seat at the table. I couldn’t be more grateful for the time we’ve shared as colleagues.”
Tom Getts, UCCE weed ecology and cropping systems advisor for Lassen, Modoc, Sierra and Plumas counties, who has worked with Liles for 11 years, said, “During my time with Cooperative Extension, David has been a great supervisor and an invaluable mentor. From my first day, he was always there to discuss whatever I needed. From tips and tricks about navigating the university systems, to helping me understand and impact local production through effective programing. His door was always open, and every time I walked through with a question, I came out armed with a thoughtful response for a path forward.”
Janyne Little, now a community education specialist working on the virtual fencing project with Lile, was hired as a graduate student in 2020 to help cut through red tape to streamline projects.
“One of David’s greatest strengths is his generosity with his time and knowledge,” Little said. “He has always been willing to listen, offer thoughtful guidance and help others succeed, and I’m grateful to be one of the many people who have benefited from his mentorship.”
Lile also has cultivated and strengthened UC ANR’s presence in northeastern California by facilitating the Intermountain Workgroup, which includes all of the academics currently working in Modoc, Lassen, Sierra, Plumas and Siskiyou counties.
In addition to his work in the field, Lile has taken on several roles in UC ANR leadership. He has served on the Peer Review Committee, Academic Assembly Council, County Director Council, Vice President’s Council and as a Strategic Initiative Leader, shaping policies and helping lead UC ANR through institutional changes and difficult financial and political times over the past three decades.
He also currently serves on the Bureau of Land Management’s Resource Advisory Committee for Northern California and on the California Board of Forestry’s Professional Foresters Examination Committee.
Awards and acknowledgements
On June 23, the Board of Supervisors of Lassen County presented Lile with a proclamation commending him for 30 years of service to local residents.
Over his career, Lile has been honored by many organizations for his contributions. In 2025, Assemblymember Heather Hadwick and representatives of Congressman Doug La Malfa, and state Senator Megan Dahle presented him with the joint legislative lifetime achievement award. Modoc County Farm Bureau presented him with its 2025 Annual Distinguished Service Award.
In 2024, he won UC ANR’s Distinguished Service Award for Outstanding Leader. Also in 2024, Lile and his UCCE natural resources colleagues received the National Association of County Agricultural Agents’ National Finalist Award for the fact sheet “Rapid User Guide: Postfire Grazing on California’s Intermountain Rangelands.” The Society for Range Management’s Cal-Pac Section named him Range Manager of the Year in 2023. In 2021, Lile received the national Society for Range Management award for Outstanding Achievement in Land Stewardship. In 2003, Lassen County Farm Bureau honored Lile with its Distinguished Service Award.
Lile has found satisfaction in seeing his work create positive change.
“The cumulative impact of my work has been to promote and empower science-based, locally derived, land management decision-making that has led to better management outcomes that support viable livestock production alongside applied conservation practices,” Lile said.
Rancher and former Lassen County supervisor Hanson said: “David’s contribution to Lassen County was huge. As our county’s budget became difficult during the years I was a county supervisor, and its interest in resource issues – water, land use, public lands grazing, predators, right to farm – became scarce, David stepped in to fill this huge void.”
Hanson added, “Most importantly, I consider David a loyal, trustworthy good friend. I wish Linda and David all the best in his well-earned retirement.”
UCCE advisor Getts added, “David is irreplaceable, and will be deeply missed by all of the communities he is a part of, from professional colleagues to clientele who have depended upon him for decades!”
In retirement, Lile intends to continue contributing to the farming community and has applied for emeritus status from UC ANR. — Story by Pamela Kan-Rice, UC Ag and Natural Resources