As American Pistachio Growers eyes Mexico for increased export growth potential, they have been sharing the results of health studies on the benefits of pistachios with consumers there. Currently the government of Mexico taxes its citizens on foods it deems unhealthy with a snack tax, and unfortunately, pistachios are on that list! Zachary Fraser from American Pistachio Growers met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network during their Pistachio Insights Day to share the details of this issue and how they are working with the Mexican government to change that. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Tag: California Ag Network
-
Widespread Rat Infestation in Orchards & Vineyards, CAPCA on Tools & Resources Moving Ahead
As if California growers and PCAs didn’t have enough on their plates with rising input costs compounded by the most restrictive laws & regulations in the nation, they’ve been further challenged with an unusual pest problem this year — rats! An increasing number of abandoned orchards and vineyards due to poor economic circumstances has caused a feeding frenzy for some uninvited rodent guests, whose numbers have been multiplying at unprecedented levels. Ruthann Anderson, President/CEO of the California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA), met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain this issue and what they are doing to help provide the tools and resources growers and PCAs to combat this emergency situation, beginning with an anonymous survey they can fill out HERE. Watch this brief video to learn more.
-
Solid Expectations for the 2025 California Walnut Crop
Mother Nature has favored California walnut growers this season with improved growing conditions/tree health, and a larger crop is expected than last year with high quality product. An exceptionally low carry-in inventory could also yield higher prices for growers this year. Watch this brief interview with Robert Verloop, CEO of the California Walnut Board & Commission, as he met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to highlight expectations for this year’s walnut crop and recent activities to boost global market access. Verloop will be sharing the State of the Walnut Industry report at Malcolm Media’s Tree & Vine Expo on Nov. 11th at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds and at the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on Nov. 14th at the Fresno Fairgrounds, so be sure to attend.
-
Referendum in Progress and Two Other Ways CA Dairy Producers Could Lose Quota This Year
The summer California heat has been matched by an aggressive fight on multiple fronts to terminate the longstanding, CDFA-administered Quota Implementation Plan that impacts the return value California dairies producers get for their milk. While taking no official stance on the subject, Paul Sousa of Western United Dairies met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to explain what producers need to know about the current referendum underway that would lead to the immediate termination of the program, as well as two other recent developments that could end the program as well. Watch this brief interview and stay current on this topic by reading California Dairy Magazine.
-
UCCE Investigates New Marketable Potato Varieties that Suit California Growers Well
While the University of California does not have an official potato breeding program, the cooperative extension has close ties and collaborations with other universities and private companies that do, and Kern County has become quite the hub for trialing new potato varieties to determine whether they are suitable for the warm and dry climate of the West. Jaspreet Sidhu, Vegetable Crops Farm Advisor heads up these informative trials and spoke with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network about the most recent results at her annual Potato Variety Trial Field Day. Watch this brief interview and read the full results in the current issue of California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.
-
2025 California Wine Grape Crop Forecast & Path to Balance in the Market
How much longer is the wine industry going to be in the tanks? California wine grape growers anticipate delivering a high quality crop to the wineries this year; however, many are concerned whether there will be a home for their grapes, due to the global decline in demand for wine and other alcoholic beverages. At the annual meeting of Allied Grape Growers, President Jeff Bitter shared that the industry will likely see some grapes go unharvested again this year. Watch this brief interview, as Jeff meets with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss the expectations for this year’s crop and where the industry needs to be supply-wise in order to return to balance with the decline in demand. Read more details in the August issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
-
American Pistachios Dominate the Culinary World this Week in California
As pistachio growers gear up for harvest, American Pistachio Growers has partnered with restaurants all over California to celebrate Pistachio Week with both novel and classic pistachio-inspired culinary delicacies. Hannah Young from American Pistachio Growers met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network during their Pistachio Insights Day to share what growers and consumers alike have to look forward to during Pistachio Week. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
-
Ants Protect Deadly Citrus Disease Vector – New Ant Management Tools
Ants are known to interfere with biological control of key citrus pests because they feast upon the sugary honeydew produced by small insects. One of these key pests is the invasive asian citrus psyllid that vectors the deadly huanglongbing citrus disease. As California growers diligently work to keep this disease out of citrus orchards, effective ant management is a critical component in the game plan. Ivan Milosavljevic from the California Citrus Research Board met with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Network to discuss some new game-changing control strategies. Watch this brief interview and read more about it in California Fruit & Vegetable Magazine.