California Ag Network

Tag: Matthew Malcolm

  • Smoke from Wildfires Slows CA Raisin Grape Maturity

    Although most folks in the Central Valley of California have been safe from the ravaging wildfires around California, they have still suffered the affects that the ash and smoke have brought into the Valley.  It has caused airline flight delays due to obscured vision and increased allergies & asthma among the public; but what some raisin growers have been discovering is that it has also delayed the sugar accumulation of their crop.  Watch this brief interview with Rick Stark from Sun-Maid Growers, and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

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  • Sonoma Winegrowers’ Karissa Kruse Honored as CAWG Leader of the Year

    At the 2018 annual Summer Conference of the California Association of Winegrape growers (CAWG), Sonoma County Winegrowers President Karissa Kruse was honored as CAWG’s Leader of the Year for her outstanding efforts in leading the world’s first 100% sustainable wine region, community outreach amidst the 2017 North Coast Wildfires, and much more.  Watch this video presentation honoring Kruse and read more about her in American Vineyard Magazine.

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  • Changes with State Water & Air Resources Board to Impact CA Dairies

    The regulatory affairs of the State of the California are ever changing, and it’s important for dairy producers to be aware of them. That’s why organizations like Western United Dairymen exist, to not only support dairy producers in complying with the changes, but also to lobby on behalf of the industry to limit some of these negative changes impacted the dairy industry. Watch this brief interview with Paul Sousa from Western United Dairymen, who provided an update on proposed increases in California Water Board fees for dairies and air quality compliance issues with dairy vehicles. Read more in California Dairy Magazine.

  • Irrigation Tips to Mitigate Almond Hull Rot & Bark Damage

    The posting of this video is a little belated as almond harvest has already begun, but if you’ve had hull rot issues this season, be sure to watch this brief video interview with Nut Crops Advisor Mae Culumber as she provides some tips to prevent hull rot and trunk damage through better irrigation practices, as explained at a mid-July Nut & Vine Irrigation seminar at the UC Cooperative Extension office in Fresno.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.  Culumber will also be addressing almond growers at the Annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo coming up on November 13th at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds, so be sure to attend!

  • Three Tips on Managing Pocket Gophers

    Pocket gophers can be very detrimental for growers, especially those with young orchards.  So how do you minimize populations of these pesky critters?  Watch this brief interview with Julie Finzel from the UC Cooperative Extension as she offers growers three quick tips for effective management.  Julie will also be addressing growers on wildlife issues at the upcoming Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo at the BIG Fresno Fairgrounds on November 13th, so be sure to attend.  Learn more about it on AgExpo.biz.

  • Senate Bill Changes Soda to Milk or Water for Kids Meals in CA Restaurants

    CA Senator Monning has spearheaded a bill currently pending the governor’s approval mandating that all restaurants in the state offer healthier beverages like water and milk as the default for kids meals, rather than soda. Designed to address increasing childhood obesity issues and improve children’s diets, California dairy producers are also excited about the potential this has to increase milk consumption in the number one milk producing state in the nation.  Watch this interview with Western United Dairymen lobbyist Jason Bryant for a brief explanation and read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

  • Introducing New American Pecan Council Executive Director Alex Ott

    Attention pecan growers: Executive Director of the California Apple Commission, California Blueberry Commission & California Olive Committee, has taken up roots and moved to Texas to assume the new position of Executive Director of the American Pecan Council, effective July 1, 2018. Ott brings 14 years of experience working with federal and state marketing orders and various export programs to support California’s apple, olive, kiwifruit and blueberry industries.  Watch his video introduction and read more about him and the work of the council in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Dealing with Wild Pig Pests on the Farm

    Farmers are used to dealing with insect pest and small furry rodents, but how about wild pigs? Now, this is a more common issue in some areas more than others; nonetheless, pigs can wreak a lot of havoc in vineyards, orchards and field crops, so exploring your management options is key.  Watch this brief interview with Julie Finzel from the UC Cooperative Extension as she provides some recommendations for growers.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!

  • UCCE Manure Nitrogen Study Update in Dairy Feed Crops

    It takes time for the nitrogen found in dairy manure water to become available to feed crops out in the field, and as dairy producers don’t want to under or over fertilize their feed crops, the UC Cooperative Extension is conducting a research trial to find out more regarding how manure water interacts in the soil with plant root systems. Watch this brief interview UC Agronomy Advisor Nicholas Clark as he summarizes a recent presentation he shared at the Golden State Dairy Management Conference. Read more about it in California Dairy Magazine.

  • Growing Fresh Market Figs with Steve Schafer

    With oncoming groundwater regulations and an increasingly tight water supply, California farmers are searching for alternative crops that require less water, not to mention lower labor costs, and Madera grower Steve Schafer has more recently invested in the fresh fig market for those reasons.  Watch his brief interview here and read more about growing figs in California Fresh Fruit Magazine.