California Ag Network

Category: Video News

  • California Table Grape Growers Report Significant Loss Due to Summer Storm

    While California farmers generally appreciate a good rain, there are certain times of the year when even a little rain can have a devastating effect on certain crops.  Hurricane Hilary brought a very untimely summer storm that has impacted up to 40% of California’s entire table grape crop.  With the bulk of the nation’s table grape supply grown in California, time will soon tell what kind of impact the unexpected reduction in supply will have on the marketplace.  Watch this brief interview with Fresno County table grape grower and crop insurance provider Doug Benik to learn more about the impact and status of this year’s table grape crop. Read more in American Vineyard Magazine.

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

  • Rootstock Performance on Young and Mature Autumn King Grapevines

    If you missed Grape Day at the Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension Center this year, be sure to watch this brief interview featuring Ashraf El Kereamy and Tian Tian from the UC Cooperative Extension, who reported their recent trial observations on the performance of both young and mature Autumn King table grapes on various rootstocks and read more about grape growing in the new Table Grape Tasks column of American Vineyard Magazine.

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

  • IKD Concern for Golden Hills Pistachio Variety

    Internal Kernel Discoloration (IKD) is a recent cosmetic concern discovered in the Golden and Lost Hills varieties of pistachios, which now make up about half of the total planted acreage of California pistachios.  While IKD is only noticeable inside the kernel and does not alter the flavor of the nut and is of no food safety concern, USDA Specialty Crops Inspection has indicated that they intend to consider this as a defect under the voluntary USDA Grades and Standards for pistachios and would score it as “damage”.  The industry strongly disagrees with USDA on this as it would cause unnecessary and costly problems should they choose to move forward with this.  Watch this brief interview with Bob Klein from the California Pistachio Research Board to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.

  • Jackson Family Wines Invests in Climate-Friendly Varietals

    As California wine grape growers work to adapt to ever-changing environmental pressures, watch this brief interview with Gillian Handelman from Jackson Family Wines relating their recent experience incorporating less common, climate friendly wines into their portfolio. Read more about growing “climate friendly wines” in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.

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

  • Opportunities for Almond Cover Crop Funding Through the Pollinator Alliance

    Interested in planting cover crops down your orchard rows, but tight on funding?  Watch this brief interview with Doug Iten from Great Valley Seeds as he explains their recent collaboration with the Almond Alliance of California to provide grant funding for growers through the new Pollinator Alliance.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.

  • Boxing Champion Jose Ramirez Joins and Supports Pistachio Industry

    World Champion Boxer and Olympian Jose Ramirez grew up in the Central Valley and spent some of his youth working in the fields.  Both inside and outside the ring, he has been an advocate for farm water rights, immigration reform, farmers, and farm workers.  Watch this brief interview at the American Pistachio Growers annual luncheon featuring Jose taking his involvement with agriculture to the next level.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.

  • Turlock Irrigation District Comments on Serving Farmers in a Wet Year

    With the bountiful supply of much needed rain and snowpack over the winter and spring, watch this brief interview with Michelle Reimers from Turlock Irrigation District as she shares how they are utilizing it, serving and protecting their farming customers this summer with full water allocations.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor G3 Enterprises for their industry support.

  • California Growers Face High Mildew Pressure, Delayed Grape Harvest

    It’s been a while since California growers have experienced a wet year with a plentiful snowpack and water supply.  Weather conditions this season, though, have pushed harvest back for most grape growers and powdery mildew pressure has been unusually high for growers that didn’t stay on their spray programs with just the right timing.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor George Zhuang as he explains, and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

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

  • Celebrating 100 Years of USDA Grape Breeding in the Central Valley of CA

    Strategically positioned in the nation’s center of grape production — the Central Valley of California, 2023 marks 100 years for the USDA’s raisin and table grape breeding program at their agricultural research facility, currently based in Parlier, CA. Watch this brief interview with Summaira Riaz, the current head of grape breeding at this one-of-a-kind research station, as she highlights some of the major milestones of this program over the years, and her expectations moving forward. Read more about it in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine. (Editor’s Note/Correction: Craig Ledbetter was referred to at 3:27 as ‘caretaker’ of the the program, when in actuality, he formerly held Riaz’s position as head of the grape breeding program following David Ramming, and is much appreciated for his accomplishments with the Agricultural Research Service.)

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

  • Bob Schramm Retires, APG Selects New Federal Advocacy Firm

    Back at the annual American Pistachio Growers (APG) Conference, longtime federal advocate for the association — Bob Schramm was paid special tribute for his dedicated service to the U.S. pistachio industry.  Schramm is now transitioning into retirement, and he has worked with APG in selecting a new firm to take his place in representing and protecting the interests of the pistachio industry at the federal level. Watch this video to learn more, and be sure to keep up with the activities of APG in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

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