California Ag Network

Tag: nutrient management

  • WUD Pursues Funding for Tule Subbasin Farmers

    Western United Dairies has submitted two proposals to USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service through the Regional Conservation Partnership Program (RCPP), seeking federal conservation funding for dairy farmers and agricultural lands in the Tule Subbasin.

    The proposals build on WUD’s work through LandFlex and other regional water and conservation efforts. The goal is to bring more resources directly to farmers to help address some of the biggest water and nutrient challenges facing the region.

    If funded, the two projects would provide different options for irrigation efficiency, groundwater recharge, dairy wastewater treatment and nutrient management.

    Building on What Farmers Are Already Doing

    Through LandFlex, WUD has worked directly with dairy and forage farmers in Lower Tule and Pixley, as well as selected Eastern Tule operations. That work has given our team a firsthand look at what farmers are dealing with as the region works toward groundwater sustainability. It has also shown us there is strong interest in voluntary conservation programs when they are practical, flexible and supported by people who understand farming.

    WUD submitted proposals through two RCPP funding pathways: RCPP Classic and an Alternative Funding Arrangement (AFA).

    The RCPP Classic proposal would use established NRCS conservation practices to help farmers make longer-term investments in high-efficiency irrigation, water and nutrient management, groundwater recharge and other eligible conservation projects.

    The AFA proposal would provide more flexibility to coordinate two targeted conservation strategies: managed aquifer recharge to help address groundwater overdraft and drought and vermifiltration to treat dairy wastewater, improve nutrient management and reduce the potential for nitrate movement to groundwater.

    Vermifiltration uses earthworms and microorganisms to treat liquid manure. The process can reduce nutrient and organic loading while producing treated water and recovered nutrients that can be reused on the farm.

    Why WUD Is Pursuing RCPP Funding

    Dairy farmers in the Tule Subbasin are facing increasing constraints on groundwater while also managing nutrients and working to protect groundwater quality. These issues are closely connected.

    Recharge can help replenish the groundwater system. More efficient irrigation and water management can help farmers make better use of the water they have. Improved nutrient management and wastewater treatment can help protect groundwater quality while making better use of nutrients already on the farm.

    RCPP is an opportunity to bring federal conservation dollars into the region, helping farmers make these investments voluntarily.

    WUD also has a strong starting point through LandFlex. Several potential projects are already taking shape, and additional farmers have expressed interest in conservation projects if funding becomes available.

    A Local Partnership

    WUD did not develop these applications alone. We are grateful to the local organizations and industry partners that provided information, input, and letters of support, including the Lower Tule River Irrigation District GSA, Pixley Irrigation District GSA, Tule Basin Land & Water Conservation Trust and Milk Producers Council.

    If the proposals are funded, these organizations and technical partners could bring local knowledge, farmer connections and additional expertise to the projects. Their input has helped us develop proposals grounded in what will actually work for farmers in the Tule Subbasin.

    What Happens Next

    Submission is only the first step. Both proposals are competitive and will go through NRCS review before funding decisions are made.

    If awarded, WUD will work with NRCS and project partners to finalize eligibility and ranking requirements and begin farmer outreach and enrollment.

    WUD also plans to develop a Farmer Dashboard if funding is awarded, giving participating farmers one place to apply, submit required documents and track their projects through the process.

    We will keep members updated as the proposals move through NRCS review and share enrollment information if funding is awarded. — Story contributed by Western United Dairies

  • CDFA Accepting Pre-Proposals for 2026 Fertilizer Research and Education Grant Cycle

    Sacramento, March 23, 2026 – The California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) is now accepting pre-proposals for the 2026 grant cycle. FREP’s competitive grant program funds proposals that advance efficient nutrient and irrigation management practices that minimize environmental impacts through research, demonstration, education and training.

    This year’s priorities include: outreach, education, and demonstration projects focused on increasing the adoption of efficient crop nutrient and irrigation management practices and technologies; evaluating challenges and barriers to adoption of management practices; the role of organic input materials in soil nutrient management; demonstrating and/or validating management practices that optimize nutrient and/or irrigation water use; filling knowledge gaps for nutrient and irrigation management in specific crops; understanding nutrient movement from the root zone; and mitigation strategies to reduce nutrient losses.

    California’s agricultural communities are diverse and many have historically lacked access to resources and information needed to help them successfully run their businesses. CDFA encourages projects that include demonstrable benefits for socially disadvantaged farmers and farm workers, including groups whose members have been subjected to racial, ethnic, or gender discrimination.

    Applicants are invited to submit pre-proposals to FREP by April 27, 2026. Pre-proposals should be aligned with at least one of the identified funding priorities and use the provided pre-proposal template. Further information on the 2026 FREP RFP, including timelines, funding priorities, and templates are available on the Grant Program web page at www.cdfa.ca.gov/is/ffldrs/frep/CompetitiveGrantProgram.html

    All pre-proposals will be reviewed by the Fertilizer Inspection Advisory Board’s Technical Advisory Subcommittee (TASC). Applicants whose pre-proposals are selected by TASC will be invited to develop full proposals.

    Since 1990, FREP has funded more than 280 projects, investing over $32 million in research, outreach, and education projects focusing on irrigation and nutrient management practices in California. A database of completed and ongoing research is available on the FREP Research web page at www.cdfa.ca.gov/go/FREPresearch

    For more information, please send email inquiries to FREP@cdfa.ca.gov. — By the California Department of Food and Agriculture

  • Fertilizer Additives Market Expected to Generate $3.82 Billion by 2031

    The Global Fertilizer Additives Market Size is projected to grow at a CAGR of 3.54% from 2024 to 2031, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research®. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 2.89 Billion in 2024 and is expected to reach USD 3.82 Billion by the end of the forecast period.

    Global Fertilizer Additives Market Overview

    Sustainable Agriculture Practices Driving Demand: With the global agricultural sector increasingly prioritizing sustainability, the utilization of fertilizer additives to reduce nutrient loss and environmental repercussions is growing. These additives augment fertilizer efficacy, resulting in enhanced crop yields and a less environmental impact. This transition is prompting governments and agribusinesses to invest in novel additions, hence expediting the expansion of the Fertilizer Additives Market.

    Rising Population and Food Demand: The burgeoning worldwide population is driving an increased demand for food production. Fertilizer additions are essential for optimizing agricultural productivity by enhancing nutrient uptake and inhibiting fertilizer breakdown. This market driver is anticipated to enhance investments in agricultural technologies, establishing a robust growth trajectory for the Fertilizer Additives Market as farmer’s endeavor to address food security challenges.

    Technological Advancements in Additive Formulations: Innovations in additive formulations are transforming the Fertilizer Additives Market by providing sophisticated solutions that enhance fertilizer stability, nutrient accessibility, and application efficacy. These technical innovations are drawing industry leaders aiming to maintain competitiveness in a progressively demanding market. Companies engaging in research and development to create next-generation additives are strategically positioned to exploit this increasing demand.

    To Purchase a Comprehensive Report Analysis: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/select-licence?rid=22886

    High Production Costs of Fertilizer Additives: The sophisticated technologies and specific components utilized in the production of fertilizer additives frequently result in elevated manufacturing expenses. This may restrict market penetration, especially in developing areas where cost-effectiveness is paramount. Although major agribusinesses may implement these advances, smaller farms may struggle to justify the costs, thus hindering the overall expansion of the Fertilizer Additives Market.

    Stringent Regulatory Frameworks: The worldwide initiative for environmental sustainability has resulted in more stringent rules regarding chemical fertilizers and their additives. This fosters environmentally sustainable practices; nonetheless, managing intricate regulatory obligations may hinder product development and elevate compliance expenses for enterprises. This constraint can impede market growth, particularly for firms functioning in areas with stringent regulatory environments in the Fertilizer Additives Market.

    Limited Awareness in Developing Regions: Despite the advantages of fertilizer additions, insufficient understanding among farmers in underdeveloped nations serves as a market constraint. Numerous small-scale farmers persist in utilizing conventional fertilizers, oblivious to the efficiency enhancements that additives can provide. The deficiency of information, combined with limited access to advanced agricultural inputs, may impede the growth potential of the Fertilizer Additives Market, particularly in rural regions with restricted access to current farming methods.

    Geographical Dominance

    The Asia-Pacific region occupies a preeminent position in the Fertilizer Additives Market owing to its extensive agricultural sector and increasing food demand driven by a burgeoning population. China and India are significant providers, bolstered by enhanced governmental measures promoting sustainable agricultural techniques. This dominance stimulates market expansion as the region invests in sophisticated agricultural technologies, increasing demand for effective fertilizer additives and providing possibilities for global firms to enhance their presence.

    Key Players

    The “Global Fertilizer Additives Market” study report will provide a valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are KAO Corporation, BASF SE, Filtra Catalysts & Chemicals Ltd.¸Arrmaz, Forbon Technology, Olsa Group, Clariant, Novochem Group, Amit Trading Ltd, Chemipol, Michelman, Corteva Agriscience, Lignostar.

    Fertilizer Additives Market Segment Analysis

    Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global Fertilizer Additives Market into Function, Application and Geography.

    • Fertilizer Additives Market, by Function:
      • Anticaking Agents
      • Antifoaming Agent
      • Corrosion Inhibitors
      • Dedusting Agent
      • Hydrophobic Agent
    • Fertilizer Additives Market, by Application:
      • Ammonium Nitrate
      • Urea
      • Monoammonium Phosphate (MAP)
      • Bio-based Fertilizer
      • Diammonium Phosphate
      • Triple Super Phosphate
      • Ammonium Sulfate
    • Fertilizer Additives Market, by Geography
      • North America
        • U.S
        • Canada
        • Mexico
      • Europe
        • Germany
        • France
        • U.K
        • Rest of Europe
      • Asia Pacific
        • China
        • Japan
        • India
        • Rest of Asia Pacific
      • ROW
        • Middle East & Africa
        • Latin America

  • California Plant & Soil Conference to Convene in Visalia this February

    The California Plant and Soil Conference will be held on February 3-4 at the Visalia Convention Center 303 E. Acequia, Visalia, CA 93291

    The conference is organized by the California Chapter of the American Society of Agronomy (CA ASA). Registration is now open through the conference website (https://na.eventscloud.com/plantandsoilconference).

    The annual conference provides an opportunity for students, professionals, and other attendees to increase their knowledge of current topics of agronomic importance in California. Many Certified Crop Advisers and Pest Control Advisers attend the conference to earn continuing education units that are important to their professional standing.

    This year’s conference will convene sessions covering the following topics:

    ·       The State of California Agriculture in 2026 and Beyond

    ·       Precision Ag

    ·       Integrated Pest Management

    ·       Robotics

    ·       Nutrient Management

    ·       Technology for Irrigation Management

    ·       Tools for Soil Health and Regenerative Ag

    ·       Circular Economies

    ·       Frontiers in Genetic Engineering

    ·       Crop Diversification

    ·       Groundwater Quantity and Quality for Agriculture

    In addition to presentations on these topics, there will be an award ceremony to honor individuals who served the profession through their careers, a student poster competition, non-competitive professional posters, a student mentoring breakfast, and the CA ASA business meeting. Sponsorship opportunities are available to support student participation; please see the conference website for more information (https://na.eventscloud.com/website/58588/sponsors/). Early bird registration is available through January 10th.

    The conference is planned and presented by a team of volunteer professional agronomists from research institutions, cooperative extension, public agencies, and private companies. If you are interested in serving on the board, or have questions about the conference, please contact a current board member (https://na.eventscloud.com/website/58588/leadership/).

    The CA ASA organization was founded in April 1971 by a group of California agronomists who recognized the value in creating a forum to focus on California agriculture. The purpose of the annual meeting is to promote research, disseminate scientific information, foster high standards of educational and ethical conduct in the profession, and facilitate robust cooperation among organizations with similar missions.

  • AI Tool to Help Farmers Measure Real-Time Crop Health from the Field

    Leaf Monitor, a new mobile tool backed by artificial intelligence and predictive modeling, could revolutionize how farmers monitor crops and make decisions by providing real-time nutrition and leaf trait information in the field.

    “Having this information is very valuable for the farmers,” said Alireza Pourreza, associate professor of Cooperative Extension and director of the Digital Agriculture Laboratory in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of California, Davis. “In five seconds, they can have a sense of how much nutrition they have in a leaf.”

    Development of the AI model was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s HiRes Vineyard Nutrition multistate project and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, as well as the California Table Grape Commission.

    Maha Afifi, director of viticulture research at the California Table Grape Commission, said the tool could be a game changer for the table grape industry if it leads to faster decision-making about fertilizer use. The right amount typically leads to healthier vines that produce more grapes with optimal size, weight and color.

    “The evaluation of vine nutrient status is one of our top priorities,” Afifi said. “At the same time, exploring new technology tools like this project is a high priority for us because they will be important to the future of the table grape industry.”

    Field testing

    The Leaf Monitor tool uses a handheld spectrometer to measure leaf reflectance beyond the range of light visible to the human eye.

    Once a leaf is scanned, its spectral data is uploaded to a cloud-based machine learning system designed to predict leaf traits and nutrient content. This algorithm was developed and trained by the Digital Agriculture Laboratory over five years using a dataset of thousands of leaf samples collected from California’s specialty crops, primarily grapevines and almonds. The samples were chemically analyzed to determine nutrient levels and structural leaf traits, providing the data needed to build an accurate prediction model.

    “Nutrient deficiencies in plants often go unnoticed until late in the season, by which point the damage is already irreversible,” said graduate student Parastoo Farajpoor, who is running the project. “This is why early detection is essential. Spectrometry provides a rapid and reliable way to identify these deficiencies before visible symptoms appear.”

    After a recent demonstration, Bulleseye Farms Irrigation Manager Geoff Klein said the tool could help save money and improve yields. Bullseye grows walnuts, pistachios, tomatoes, corn, wheat, rice and sunflowers in Yolo and Solano counties.

    Tailored crop management

    Currently, farmers typically take leaf samples, dry them, grind them up and send the samples off to a lab for testing, which can take up to two weeks to return results. Bullseye samples leaf tissues about three times a year.

    “Right now, it doesn’t really make sense to go out and take tissues in every single corner just because it’s expensive,” Klein said. “It’d be really cool if I could just walk out there and test a couple of different places.”

    The Leaf Monitor tool helps farmers tailor management decisions to specific areas rather than an entire field. Calibrating fertilizer use to real-time data can prevent overuse and nitrogen runoff, a financial and environmental challenge that many growers face.

    “I feel like there’s a lot of times we do need to put less [fertilizer] on, where we end up putting more, because that’s what the nitrogen removal formula says,” Klein said. “But with this app we can use less because we know the actual conditions at the time. I think it opens a lot of doors in terms of getting data back in real time and also utilizing the level of control we have with the data.”

    The app can also aggregate the scans and map out spatial patterns over a large area.

    “What we know is every field has variability that is not necessarily visible to the farmer’s eye,” Pourreza said.

    The prototype Leaf Monitor tool is free and included in a set of tools that can be downloaded on the Digital Agriculture Laboratory website. A web-based version of the tool will follow while the team continues to feed new data into the algorithm to refine the predictions. On average, it achieves about 65% accuracy across all traits, with predictions for certain nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, performing better than the overall average. Users will need to pair it with a spectrometer.

    “We need to produce more food while using less resources so we need to have some kind of monitoring system to give us precise and accurate feedback on our management practice,” Pourreza said. “This technology is growing very fast.” — By Emily Dooley, UC Davis