Wine grape growers had a difficult year despite favorable weather conditions through much of the season. There were a high number of rejections, with many grapes never making their way to the tank and vineyards getting mothballed. Mike Needham from Turrentine Brokerage discussed the state of wine grape growers at Malcolm Media’s Tree & Vine Expo in Turlock and in an interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network. Watch this brief video and learn more in American Vineyard Magazine.
Category: News
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High Demand Means Bright Outlook for Pistachio Industry
Pistachio harvests were slightly smaller than initially anticipated, but still set record numbers. Optimism is also high with rising demand for pistachios. At Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo and in an interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Net, American Pistachio Growers President/CEO Zachary Fraser discusses the state of the pistachio industry. Watch this brief video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
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Walnut Industry Growing Momentum with Quality Crop and Record Sales
The walnut industry is building momentum as indicators suggest one of the best crops growers have had in recent history. Committed sales are also at record numbers. At Malcolm Media’s Tree & Vine Expo in Turlock and in an interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network, California Walnut Board Commission CEO/Executive Director Robert Verloop discusses the state of walnut growers. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
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Hazelnut Farmer Finds Clever Way to Handle Squirrel Trouble
Squirrels can be a serious headache for nut growers, who often have to come up with their own ways of catching and getting rid of them as rodenticides are not always an option. Oregon hazelnut grower Ken Baker talks to Matthew Malcolm with Pacific Nut Producer about the way he has learned to trap squirrels at his farm. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support. -
Almond Board of California Gets Major Win in Japan Exports
The Almond Board of California has reached an alignment with the USDA and the Japanese government on a pre-test protocol for aflatoxin in almonds. This will allow for easier shipping of almonds to Japan. Julie Adams from the Almond Board of California speaks about it with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
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Almond Industry Requests EPA Follow Sound Science in Essential Product Registration
The Almond Industry is seeking Section 18 emergency approval for the use of an essential bactericide for the sixth year. A product that has been fully registered in other commodities, Kasumin should be registered for use in almonds, but the EPA is ignoring the sound science showing that it’s safe and beneficial for almonds under critical weather conditions. Watch this brief interview as Jim Adaskaveg from UC Riverside explains with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
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At Farm Bureau Convention in California, Secretary Rollins Announces Dairy Margin Coverage Expansion and Section 32 Purchases of Specialty Crops
This week at the 107th American Farm Bureau Federation Convention in Anaheim, CA, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins announced expanded enrollment for 2026 Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program and new Section 32 commodity purchases that will result in more healthy, U.S. grown food in the hands of Americans. Following the convention, Secretary Rollins also met with specialty crop producers at a local strawberry farm to discuss workforce needs and the Trump Administration’s recent wins related to significantly cutting the cost of H-2A labor for California farmers.
Secretary Rollins and former California Ag Secretary A.G. Kawamura at his strawberry farm in Irving, California. “President Trump is making historic investments in the farm safety net and today’s announcement is one more action that supports our dairy producers by managing risk and strengthening markets so they can continue to provide wholesome nutrition for Americans,” said Secretary Brooke Rollins. “The Trump Administration will continue to stand with America’s farmers as the farm economy recovers from years of neglect under the last administration. Our mission to Make America Healthy Again continues after the recent release of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2025-2030 announcement, with the upcoming purchase of U.S. grown food that will reach those in need, all while benefitting American farmers facing unfair actions from foreign competitors.”
OBBBA Improves DMC Coverage and Premium Fees
Secretary Rollins announced the enrollment period for the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) program for the 2026 coverage year, an important safety net program that provides producers with price support to help offset milk and feed price differences. Starting January 12, 2026, dairy producers can enroll in DMC. The enrollment period ends February 26, 2026. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed by President Donald J. Trump on July 4, 2025, reauthorized DMC for calendar years 2026 through 2031 and provided substantial program improvements, including establishing new production history and increasing Tier 1 coverage.
The OBBBA increased DMC’s Tier 1 coverage level increased from five million pounds to six million pounds. All dairy operations that elect to enroll in DMC for 2026 will establish a new production history. Existing dairy operations that started marketing milk on or before January 1, 2023, will use the higher of milk marketings for the years of 2021, 2022, or 2023. New dairy operations starting after January 1, 2023, will use their first year of monthly milk marketings, even for a partial year. Milk marketing statements or production evidence are required to establish a production history.
Dairy operations also have the option to lock-in coverage levels for six years (2026-2031) with premium fees discounted by 25%.
DMC offers different levels of coverage, including an option that is free to producers, minus a $100 administrative fee. To determine the appropriate level of DMC coverage for a specific dairy operation, producers can use the online dairy decision tool.
For more information visit the DMC webpage or contact your local USDA Service Center.
Agricultural Marketing Service Section 32 Purchases
Secretary Rollins also announced USDA’s intent to purchase up to $80 million in specialty crops from American farmers and producers to distribute to food banks and nutrition assistance programs across the country. These purchases are being made through USDA’s authority under Section 32 of the Agriculture Act of 1935 and will assist producers and communities in need. With this action, the Trump Administration is bolstering American prosperity by supporting American agriculture, rural communities, and those in need of nutrition assistance.
The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) continuously purchases a variety of domestically produced and processed agricultural products. These “USDA Foods” are provided to USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service (FNS) nutrition assistance programs, including food banks that operate The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and are a vital component of the nation’s food safety net.
USDA AMS will purchase up to $80 million of the following commodities:
•Almonds: $20M
•Grape juice: $20M
•Pistachios: $20M
•Raisins: $20M
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CAPCA Honoree Shares How Insecticides May Boost Alfalfa Growth
Insecticide application may have a positive impact on alfalfa growth in addition to its use in pest control. Michael Rethwisch of UCCE Riverside County sat down with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to talk about his research and recent award at the California Association of Pest Control Advisers Conference in Reno. Watch this brief video and read more in California Dairy Magazine.
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More Consistent Year-Round Availability of Table Grapes Builds Global Demand
Despite a lighter crop, California table grape growers enjoyed a good season in 2025, and the global appetite for grapes is increasing. In an interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network, David Magaña from RaboResearch at Rabobank discusses the state of table grape industry with global market insights. Watch this brief interview and read more in American Vineyard Magazine.
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Almond Board Guides Industry Recovery with 3rd Largest Shipping Year
The California almond industry experienced its 3rd highest shipping year ever in conjunction with the Almond Board of California’s 75th anniversary as a Federal Marketing Order. At the Almond Conference in Sacramento, President/CEO Clarice Turner spoke with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss current almond supply and demand dynamics and the Board’s role in creating a healthier future in the California almond industry.