California

“This bill is kind of a marker, it starts the discussion and I'm hoping that we can make some needed updates to it before final passage,” said Representative Dan Newhouse, after he and California’s Zoe Lofgren reintroduced the Farm Workforce Modernization Act on Wednesday.  He said  reintroducing th...

More of the national winter wheat crop is headed.   "39% of this 2025 U.S winter wheat crop, headed by May 4th, that's six points ahead of the five-year average and slightly behind last year's pace of 41%,” said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.  He noted...

When it comes to possible U.S. wildfire activity now through August:   “We're probably going to get a little bit more active than we normally are across the country," said National Interagency Fire Center meteorologist Jim Wallman.  He added the ...

According to the latest USDA Fruit and Tree Nut outlook, domestic avocado production in on the way up.   “The California Avocado Commission estimates that California will produce 375 million pounds of avocados in marketing year 2024-2025," said USDA economist Catharine Weber.  "This is...

U.S. growers say they will plant 49% more sunflowers this year.  Oilseed crushers and bird food buyers were expecting an acre increase given small carryover seed stocks.  Non-oil sunflower acres were somewhat below most traders’ thoughts.   According to the...

When it comes to milk production, numbers continue to increase across much of the United States.   “We continue the trend of California being down three percent, and that’s just on the heels of that ongoing pressure from HPAI," said Mike North, principal at Ever.ag.  "The bottom...

“The heading progress for winter wheat, nationally, 8% of the U.S. winter wheat crop headed by April 13th.  That's right on par with the five-year average, two points behind last year's 10%," said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey recapping the latest numbers from the USDA’s crop progress report.  He noted that most ...

Republican lawmakers in the U.S. Senate introduced legislation last week that would strike down California's animal-welfare law created as a result of Proposition 12.  The Food Security and Farm Protection Act introduced by Iowa’s senators Chuck Grassley, Joni Ernst,  as well as Roger Marshall from Kansas, would prevent any state or local government from passing laws that interfere with commerce a

The USDA is out with its first winter wheat crop progress report of the season.  So, how are things looking nationwide?   “The national heading number on April 6 is 5%, right on par with the five-year average one point behind last year's 6%," said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.  "Leading the way o...

A controversial law involving Oregon’s Wildfire Risk Map would be repealed, under a bill in the Legislature.  The map would have required property owners to take steps to reduce wildfire risk on their property.  Derrick Wheeler, with the Department of Forestry, said the new bill would remove those requirements.   "It removes the ...