California Ag Network

Category: News

  • Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative Opens Enrollment for USDA Incentive

    Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative opened enrollment for the inaugural year of the USDA climate-smart partnerships incentive to plant Oakville bluegrass, a summer-dormant perennial cover crop. Because Oakville bluegrass is dormant from April through September, it doesn’t compete with cash crops for water or nutrients making it ideal for California permanent crops. Planted on over 900 acres of vineyards and tree nut orchards, this low growing, drought tolerant cover crop will last over ten years when well managed, significantly reducing labor and input costs for growers. When well managed, this low growing, drought tolerant cover crop will last over ten years significantly reducing labor and input costs for growers.

    The first cohort of growers who take advantage of the USDA incentive can receive a $100/acre incentive per seeded acre of the cover crop on up to 150  acres. The incentive is part of the USDA’s Climate Smart Commodities Program to equip growers with resources to implement climate smart practices.

    In addition to the USDA incentive, Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative is offering free seed shipping and waiving install fees for a limited time for growers who commit to planting at least 20 seeded acres. Growers who are interested in participating in the USDA incentive and this special offer are encouraged to submit their preliminary plans soon in order to take advantage of these opportunities.

    “Oakville bluegrass occupies a unique place in the market as a permanent cover solution,” Mike Morgenfeld, Managing Director for Oakville Bluegrass Cooperative shared. “When established correctly, it reduces operating costs over time while also building soil health and conserving water. Due to its low profile and drought resistance, it’s a unique solution for specialty crop growers in California. We’re excited to offer a way for growers to start their journey with this novel cover crop at a reduced cost.”

    Interested growers can attend an online informational session on July 24 at 11 am by registering at https://www.obc.ag/events/obc-info-session-july or visit https://www.obc.ag/usda-climate-smart for more information.

  • Vietnam Grants Market Access For California Peaches And Nectarines

    The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that Vietnam has granted market access for California peaches and nectarine effective immediately. Eliminating the phytosanitary barriers keeping California peaches and nectarines out of the Vietnamese market required multiple rounds of technical negotiations over the course of several years.

    “This market access is a big win for California’s nectarine and peach producers,” said USDA’s Jenny Lester Moffitt, Under Secretary for Marketing and Regulatory Programs. “Our APHIS trade team members have worked diligently to make this opened market a reality for Vietnam’s citizens. We are thrilled they will now have access to the fine peach and nectarine fruit that California produces.”

    The California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) would like to extend its appreciation to the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, Foreign Agricultural Service, and Agricultural Research Service’s negotiators and experts, the California Department of Food and Agriculture, and the Fresno County and Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner offices for their invaluable contributions to this process.

    “This is a fantastic example of USDA scientists providing the quality and objective research that was essential for Vietnam’s approval and for future U.S. industry exports,” said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, USDA Chief Scientist and Under Secretary for Research, Education and Economics. “This new international market access underscores the critical value of federal scientific research and data to the overall food supply system.”

    There will be strict production and packing protocols in place but given the enduring success of existing export programs, California stone fruit shippers have already demonstrated a commitment to meeting Vietnam’s requirements.

    “The California stone fruit industry identified Vietnam as a strategic export market because Vietnamese consumers value high quality and sweet fruit. Naturally, the varieties California growers have invested in over the years will be popular there. Access to this market is something our industry has been working towards for a significant amount of time, so we are looking forward to introducing the best stone fruit in the world to a new group of consumers” said Caroline Stringer, CFFA Director of Trade.

    The California Fresh Fruit Association is a voluntary, public policy organization that represents growers, packers, and shippers of the California table grape, blueberry, kiwi, pomegranate, and deciduous tree fruit communities. CFFA serves as a representative for these growers, shippers, and packers, on issues at both the state and federal levels. More information on the Association can be found at www.cafreshfruit.com.

  • International Trade Commission Determine Antidumping And Countervailing Duties Remain Essential To Prevent Injury To The US Olive Industry

    The California table olive industry commends today’s 4-0 vote by the International Trade Commission (ITC) affirming that the antidumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) orders first imposed on Spanish ripe olives in 2018 must remain in place. The ITC’s determination was based on its findings that a revocation of the olive AD/CVD orders is reasonably likely to lead to a continuation or recurrence of material injury to the California ripe olive industry.

    The ITC’s unanimous vote in favor of the California industry follows companion determinations issued by the Department of Commerce (Commerce) in late 2023 finding that a revocation of the AD and CVD olive orders would lead to a recurrence of dumping margins as high as 25.5% and CVD margins as high as 13.9%. These ITC and Commerce decisions were made in the context of the five-year “Sunset Review” procedures required under US trade law and, because of the affirmative rulings, now extend the olive AD/CVD orders for another five years. The Musco Family Olive Company successfully litigated these proceedings on behalf of the California-based ripe olive industry.

    “The US Government and court systems have repeatedly confirmed over the last five years that the Spanish industry is still benefiting from unfair European Union (EU) subsidies and is still dumping its ripe olives in the US market,” said Michael Silveira, Chairman of the Olive Growers Council of California. “If it weren’t for the US Government’s ongoing AD/CVD orders on Spanish olives, American table olive production, and hundreds of family farmers and allied jobs would be in serious jeopardy,” he said.

    For years, the EU has tried to shield its unfair, disproportionate farm subsidy payments from external legal challenges. After the US issued its olive AD/CVD orders in 2018, the EU has worked to overturn the olive orders by challenging them in the WTO and politically pressuring the US Government to terminate the olive tariffs.

    The EU hopes to undermine a fundamental US trade enforcement law, Sec. 771B of the Tariff Act of 1930, used by Commerce to calculate the olive orders, and by undermining that law, terminate the olive tariffs. As the US courts have made clear, however, Sec. 771B is an important US trade law intended by Congress to ensure effective trade relief for American agriculture.

    Silveira said, “The EU and Spanish interests want the US Government to overturn US trade law to allow the Spanish industry to go back to selling its dumped and subsidized olive prices with no consequences.” He added, “that would only reinforce the EU’s protectionist agricultural policies and, by eroding trade enforcement, would undermine American-grown production and US food security.”

    The US Government’s AD/CVD orders on Spanish olives have given California olive farmers the time they need to reinvest in modern farming techniques, including through Musco’s “One Million Trees” initiative to help transition the industry to mechanized, drought-friendly acreage. Dennis Burreson, a California olive grower and Vice President of Field Operations and Industry Affairs for Musco Family Olive Company, highlighted the importance of the ITC and Commerce rulings Musco achieved for the California industry, adding “The olive orders, together with our industry-led investments, are a great example of how to break the cycle of unfair foreign trade practices and rebuild high quality, environmentally-friendly American production and American jobs.”

    The Olive Growers Council was organized as a bargaining cooperative with the mission to try to improve prices paid to farmers for their table olives delivered to the commercial processors.

  • California Cheeses Win Big at 2024 Caputo Cup in Naples, Italy

    The top 3 championship pizzaiolos in the Traditional American Division at the 2024 Trofeo Caputo, aka the Caputo Cup, shared a strong California connection: all three chefs used California-made Mozzarella in their winning pizzas.

    The overall American Division winner, Siler Chapman, is a co-owner with his wife Amber of King of Fire in Fort Mill, SC. Lars Smith, owner of State of Mind Public House & Pizzeria in Los Altos, Calif., earned second place, and Leah Scurto of PizzaLeah in Windsor, Calif., came in third. Scurto, who was sponsored by the California Milk Advisory Board (CMAB) for winning the Real California Pizza Contest Tournament of Champions cook-off in October 2023, used two California-made cheeses on her winning pizza.

    “A winning pizza needs a winning cheese. We’re so proud of all of the pizza makers and thrilled that the three best pizzas in the American division were topped with Real California Mozzarella, a testament to the cheesemakers and the quality milk from our California dairy farm families” said Mike Gallagher, Business and Market Development Consultant for the CMAB.

    In the American category winner, Chapman took home the prize with his “Honey 2.0” pizza, which included California-made whole milk Mozzarella, sauce, pepperoni, bacon, red pepper flakes and honey. He said that he has been competing in pizza cook-offs since 2003 and had never won a major competition, “I previously won three world championship in acrobatic dough tossing, but to win in the pizza competition in Naples is the biggest accomplishment of my life … next to my family, of course! It really meant the world to me.”

    He added that the winning trophy was a validation of a major business decision that he made earlier this year when he decided to switch cheese suppliers, to source a California-made Mozzarella.

    Smith made a “California-style” pizza to impress the judges and earn second place. The key ingredients on his winning pie were all California-made: Whole-milk Mozzarella, tomato sauce and extra virgin olive oil.

    “Competing in the city that gave the world pizza was a dream come true. I really wanted to show off what we do every day in our restaurants, using the same ingredients and techniques,” Smith said. “I believe the best Mozzarella in the world comes from California and I think I proved my point.”

    Smith also earned second place with a Roman-style pizza in the Pinsa, Metro & Pala division, which are styles of long pizzas made on wooden peels.

    Scurto’s award-winning pizza was a three-cheese pie with garlic. “It’s a personal favorite of mine since I was a child,” she said. The pizza included two California-made cheeses: Fresh Mozzarella and an Asiago-style cheese.

    “I was absolutely thrilled to be the CMAB’s representative. As a native Californian, I’m very proud of showcasing all things California around the world,” Scurto said. “Winning the CMAB’s Tournament of Champions allowed me the opportunity to do just that.”

    Besides sharing their love of California Mozzarella, the three chefs maintain a close friendship and were strongly pulling for each other at the Caputo Cup. “The camaraderie was the fun part, as it elevates all of us to be better,” said Chapman.

    Smith added, “The win was being there with so many friends and family celebrating our love for pizza. Getting to share the podium with two of my close friends, Leah and Siler, made it even more special.”

    “The CMAB, California’s dairy farmers and cheesemakers want to say thank you to the three chefs for letting us be a small part of their accomplishments at the 2024 Caputo Cup,” said Mike Gallagher. “And of course we are especially proud to sponsor Chef Leah Scurto, who helped to shine the light on California dairy!”

    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 help drive dining innovation nationwide powered by quality milk from California dairy farm families who are focused on a sustainable future.

    Information, tools, and tips for foodservice operators are available at realcaliforniamilk.com/foodservice.

    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 milk from California’s family dairy farms, using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the nation.

    For more information on sourcing cheese from California, contact the foodservice team at 209.883.6455 (MILK),businessdevelopment@cmab.net or RCM Foodservice Website, LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.

  • Real California Cheeses Bring Home 31 Awards at American Cheese Society Meeting

    Cow’s milk cheese and dairy processors that use the Real California Milk seal brought home 31 awards during the 2024 annual cheese competition held by the American Cheese Society (ACS) in Buffalo, New York.

    The American Cheese Society recognizes the finest cheeses and dairy products made in the Americas. A total of 1,596 cheese and cultured dairy products were entered into the competition. Cheeses made with California cow’s milk had a strong showing this year in a field of 142 organizations representing North America.

    California cheesemakers won a total of 53 awards – with Real California cow’s milk cheeses bringing home 31 prizes: 8 first place, 11 second place and 12 third place awards in this year’s judging. Highlights from these wins include:

    • Central Valley Cheese/Karoun, Turlock – 6 awards, 1st place each for Smoked String Cheese and Honey Yogurt; 2nd each for Labne, Whole Milk Yogurt and Yogurt Thirumala; and 3rd for Marinated String Cheese.
    • Marquez Brothers International, San Jose – 5 awards, 1st place each for Mango Drinkable Yogurt and Guava Drinkable Yogurt; 2ndplace for Strawberry Drinkable Yogurt; and 3rd place each for Strawberry Banana Drinkable Yogurt and Piña Colada Drinkable Yogurt.
    • Point Reyes Farmstead Cheese Co., Pt. Reyes – 4 awards, 1st place for Toma Truffle; 2nd place for Truffle Brie; and 3rd place each for Bay Blue and Fennel Blue.
    • Marin French Cheese, Petaluma – 3 awards, 2nd place each for Camembert and Petite Breakfast; 3rd place for Petite Truffle.
    • Sierra Nevada Cheese Company, Willows – 3 awards, 1st place for Gina Marie Cream Cheese; 3rd place each for Organic Unsalted Butter and Plain Yogurt.
    • Fiscalini Farmstead, Modesto – 2 awards, 2nd place each for Old World Cheddar and Truffle Cheddar.
    • Rumiano Cheese Company, Crescent City – 2 awards, 2nd place for Dry Jack; 3rd place for Organic Original Ghee.
    • Belfiore Cheese Company, Berkeley – 1 award, 3rd place for Farmer’s Cheese.
    • Bellwether Farmers, Petaluma – 1 award, 1st place for Crème Fraîche.
    • Cheese Bits, Riverbank – 1 award, 3rd place for Wood Smoked Mozzamini Pearls.
    • Cowgirl Creamery, Petaluma – 1 award, 2nd place for Wagon Wheel.
    • Joseph Farms, Atwater – 1 award, 1st place for Monterey Jack.
    • Nicasio Valley Cheese Company, Nicasio – 1 award, 3rd place for Halleck Creek.

    In total, 13 Real California cow’s milk cheese and dairy companies won awards for products made with Real California Milk from the state’s more than 1,100 family dairy farms using some of the most sustainable dairy practices in the world. Sierra Nevada Cheese Company and Bellwether Farms also received awards, four and one respectively, for non-cow’s milk cheeses that do not carry the Real California Milk seal.

    Non cow’s milk California cheesemakers had a strong showing with Laura Chenel picking up seven awards, Cypress Grove and Shooting Star Creamery each winning three, and Central Coast Creamery and Pennyroyal Farm winning two each.

    California is the second largest cheese producing state in the nation, responsible for more than 2.4 billion pounds of cheese. Real California cheeses and dairy products are available at retailers throughout the U.S., Mexico, and Asia. For more information, visit:RealCaliforniaMilk.com. For more information on ACS competition winners and the ACS Conference, go to cheesesociety.org.

    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,Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.

  • California Table Olive Forecast & Protection from Foreign Imports

    California is the nation’s primary producer of many specialty crops, and table olives is among those choice commodities. Todd Sanders from the Olive Growers Council of California visited with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to provide an update on the developing 2024 olive crop as well as emphasizing the need for the U.S. to continue protecting the industry from foreign imports with an anti-dumping tariff. Watch this brief interview and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

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

  • 2024 California Apple Forecast & New Campaign to Boost Sales

    As apple harvest begins this month in California, Matthew Malcolm from California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine met with the California Apple Commission’s new Director of Programs, Jacqueline Nakashian, to discuss the outlook of the crop this year and an exciting partnership and marketing campaign that will be launching during harvest to boost sales for California grown apples. Watch this brief interview and read more in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.

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

  • Sneak Preview of First Ever Pistachio Industry Insights Day Coming This Month

    It’s that time of the year as pistachio harvest nears that American Pistachio Growers (APG) gathers its members together at the Visalia Convention Center. But this year, growers are invited to more than just your typical Summer Luncheon. This longtime tradition has been reinvented into an all-day event to support the booming western pistachio industry. APG’s Wes Wilson met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to share a sneak preview of what growers can expect in attending the Pistachio Industry Insights Day. Watch this brief interview and be sure to come see Pacific Nut Producer Magazine there as a proud sponsor of this event.

  • Almond Harvest 2024 Predicted at 2.8 Billion Pounds, Carryout Expected to Drop Significantly

    The 2024 California Almond Objective Measurement Report published July 10th by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (USDA-NASS) estimates that the crop harvested in 2024 will come in at 2.80 billion meat pounds.

    The estimate is down 7 percent from USDA-NASS’s Subjective Forecast in May. It follows a generally solid bloom as well as a year in which growers faced a range of economic challenges. It also comes when the carryout is projected to drop to levels not seen in years as almond shipments set a record of 10 months straight of at least 212 million pounds shipped.

    “The Objective Measurement is in line with what the industry expected and a drop from the Subjective Estimate. It reflects both a good bloom and hard work by California almond growers during trying times,” said Clarice Turner, president and CEO of the Almond Board of California. “For perspective, demand has been strong, consistent and continues to grow, which has reduced the carryout to what may be the smallest in years. California almonds shipped at least 212 million pounds each of the first 10 months of this crop year and averaged 230 million pounds a month. Never before has the industry shipped even 200 million pounds 10 months in a row in the same crop year.”

    Turner said the Almond Board expects the almond supply to be similar to what was available in the past 2023-24 crop year.

    “The actual supply of California almonds available for the market is the combination of crop size and carryout from the previous year,” she said, “We expect only minor changes, if any, to the supply for market this next crop year because the forecasted increase in crop size will mostly be offset by the smaller carryout. Clearly, global demand is strong and consistent. We will continue to work hard to meet growing demand.”

    The 2023 harvest yielded 2.47 billion pounds, 5% below the 2023 Objective Report estimate, reflecting the difficulty of precisely forecasting crop size given the current fluctuations in weather and economic factors.

    USDA-NASS said the 2024 harvest is expected to be on schedule. “The 2024 almond crop experienced mostly favorable weather during the bloom period,” the report said. “Bee hours were reported to be significantly higher than last year. Wet and warm weather in April increased pest and disease pressure, but dry conditions and mild temperatures in May helped the developing crop. Multiple heat waves across the state during June and July required growers to increase irrigation on their orchards.”

    USDA-NASS’ forecasted yield is 2030 pounds per acre, up from 1,790 in 2023. The forecast for the average nut set per tree is 4,072 up from 3,953 in 2023, while the average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.61 grams, down from the 1.67 grams in 2023. The Nonpareil average nut set of 4,137 is up from 4,004 last year, and the average Nonpareil kernel weight was 1.64, down from 1.69 grams last year.

    The 2024 Objective Report is based on actual almond counts using a statistically rigorous methodology. The survey was conducted from May 25 to June 28 and 1,904 trees were sampled in 952 orchards, the most ever, USDA NASS said. It was 40 more orchards than in 2023. USDA-NASS conducts the annual Objective Report, Subjective Forecast and Nursery Survey to provide the California almond industry with the data needed to make informed business decisions.

  • Introducing American Pistachio Growers’ New President and Vision

    American Pistachio Growers (APG) has announced a new President & CEO to lead their organization — veteran sports marketing leader Zachary Fraser. Following the Interim services of Joel Nelsen, Fraser has taken the helm with a new vision to expand the influence and consumption of American pistachios around the world.  Watch this brief interview as Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network meets with Fraser and APG Chair Rich Kreps to get to know the new dynamic leadership and vision of the organization.