WEST

Biologicals summit confronts an industry trust gap

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:04:00 -0400

California is moving biological crop protection products through registration faster, but growers say the industry must still prove the tools work consistently and pay off in the field.

‘American wine’ fight divides longtime allies as growers seek relief

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:03:00 -0400

A fight over what qualifies as “American wine” exposed a rare divide between California grape growers, family wineries and major wine companies as struggling vineyards sought relief from low-cost imports.

Economists see bioeconomy as a potential lifeline for California agriculture

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:02:00 -0400

UC agricultural economists say crop residues, almond shells and forestry could fuel a growing bioeconomy that creates new revenue and jobs for rural California — if the state can overcome infrastructure, permitting and workforce barriers.

Winter forage could keep SGMA-idled farmland productive, report finds

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:01:00 -0400

A new PPIC report finds low-water winter forage crops could help San Joaquin Valley farmers keep some SGMA-affected land productive while reducing dust and generating modest returns.

Farm Hands West: Olivia Bridges joins Agri-Pulse, Gary Millershaski new chair of U.S. Wheat Associates, Carol Blake named senior vice president at American Frozen Food Institute

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 01 Jul 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Olivia Bridges has been named Agri-Pulse’s congressional and trade editor. Gary Millershaski is the new chair of the U.S. Wheat Associates board of directors. The American Frozen Food Institute named Carol Blake as its senior vice president of communications.

New fertilizer mandates could punish those who stay in compliance, growers warn

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:05:00 -0400

Central Coast growers warn the revised Ag Order could raise costs, shrink coalition participation and preserve nitrogen standards they say most farms cannot meet.

Sites clears a key water right hurdle — but the strings attached leave uncertainty

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:04:00 -0400

Sites Reservoir cleared a critical water right hurdle, but project backers warn the draft permit’s conditions could slash water deliveries, drive up costs and threaten whether the project gets built.

California Farm Bureau warns legal ruling could chill nonprofit advocacy

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:03:00 -0400

California Farm Bureau is backing CropLife’s bid for state Supreme Court review, warning a ruling exposing nonprofit intervenors to major attorney’s fees could chill advocacy in public law cases.

California needs more biological tools as pest pressures mount, says Ross

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:01:00 -0400

CDFA Secretary Karen Ross is urging faster development of biological pest control tools as California growers face invasive species, climate pressures and fewer conventional options.

Farm Hands West: California Prune Board elects new leaders, Laurel Firestone steps down from water board, Alexandra Duarte advances in state race

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 24 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Laurel Firestone is stepping down from the California state water board. Marie Alvarado-Gil has conceded her state Senate race to Alexandra Duarte in District 4.

California pest system faces mounting pressure from trade, travel and e-commerce

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:04:00 -0400

California’s pest prevention system is working, but a new analysis warns it is under growing strain from trade, travel, e-commerce and aging infrastructure — just as the state prepares for new risks tied to the World Cup and Olympics.

Water board order puts ag communities at center of nitrate cleanup

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:03:00 -0400

The Central Valley water board’s first nitrate management zone order starts a decades-long cleanup effort around Modesto, promising continued drinking water help for rural households while giving farms, dairies and cities time to reduce groundwater contamination.

DPR proposes to raise pesticide penalties

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:02:00 -0400

California pesticide regulators are looking to raise penalties for serious and repeat violations, with a new enforcement proposal that could bring tougher fines and more statewide consistency to county pesticide cases.

Water board drafts new dairy order as industry warns of farm losses

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:01:00 -0400

California water regulators are drafting a new dairy order that would tighten nitrate rules in the Central Valley. Dairy groups warn the proposal could add costly mandates for family-owned farms already under pressure.

Farm Hands West: Wine Institute elects new board, Jonathan Ocampo joins ImmuCell, Creekside Organics adds Marissa Dake

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Wine Institute elected its new board leadership. Jonathan Ocampo is joining ImmuCell Corporation’s sales team. Creekside Organics has added Marissa Dake as its sales director.

As retirement nears, CDFA’s Ross reflects on trade, water and Prop 12

lydia@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 17 Jun 2026 06:04:00 -0400

As California Department of Food and Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross prepares to retire at the end of 2026 after more than a decade leading the nation's largest state agricultural economy, she says farmers are facing some of the toughest conditions she's seen since the 1980s farm crisis.

Agri-Pulse announces ‘Great Tomato Challenge’ winners

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 12:12:11 -0400

Agri-Pulse is pleased to announce that Assemblymember Avelina Valencia is the winner of the third annual Great Tomato Challenge.

Bettencourt tapped to lead Reclamation

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 08:24:04 -0400

California ag and water policy veteran Aubrey Bettencourt is expected to be nominated to lead the Bureau of Reclamation as the agency faces major decisions over Colorado River rules and federal water deliveries in the West.

Clean air bill targeting freight hubs stalls over cost concerns for supply chains

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:04:00 -0400

California air regulators are looking for new tools to tackle warehouse and freight pollution as federal rollbacks threaten clean air gains. But a bill to expand CARB’s authority stalled after farm and supply chain groups warned it could raise costs across the food and goods movement sectors.

State Water Project bill stirs fight over Delta tunnel

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:03:00 -0400

A bill to extend State Water Project water rights is drawing support from water agencies and farm groups seeking reliability, while Delta advocates warn it would bypass oversight and advance the Delta tunnel.

California charts regulatory roadmap to streamline water and food safety reporting

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:02:00 -0400

California’s new regulatory alignment roadmap promises clearer rules, better data systems and more help for farmers navigating food safety and water quality requirements.

CDFA races to contain vineyard pest found in Costco grapevines

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:01:00 -0400

CDFA is racing to track down grapevines sold at Northern California Costco stores after glassy-winged sharpshooters were found on stock shipped from a Fresno County nursery, raising fears of a wider Pierce’s disease threat to winegrapes.

Farm Hands West: James Gallagher wins special election, Ocean Spray names Sarah Gallo director of government affairs

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 10 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

Sarah Gallo is the new director of government affairs and public policy for Ocean Spray Cranberries. The new CEO for the Center of Produce Safety is Suzanne Devereaux-McKinstrie.

New cap-and-invest rules approved for dairies, food processors and climate-smart ag grants

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:05:00 -0400

California’s cap-and-invest approval gives food processors and dairy biogas developers a potential boost. But farm groups warn the changes could squeeze funding for farmland conservation and other climate programs.

Wage theft fight targets farm labor contractors

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:04:00 -0400

A bill targeting farmworker wage theft would raise bond requirements and tighten licensing rules for farm labor contractors, but grower groups warn it could add costs for law-abiding employers.

Environmental group presses for more rice farming in the Delta

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:03:00 -0400

Delta rice farming could help slow land subsidence and protect California’s water infrastructure. But a new report says the region will need local milling and bioproduct investments to turn the crop’s rapid growth into a broader economic opportunity.

Federal bill targets golden mussels as Delta threat spreads

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:01:00 -0400

Federal lawmakers are pushing a $15 million-a-year response to golden mussels as the invasive species spreads through California waterways, threatening Delta infrastructure, water deliveries and farm production.

Farm Hands West: Newsom makes new appointments, Vieira named general manager for Kings County Water District

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 03 Jun 2026 07:00:00 -0400

The new general manager for Kings County Water District in California is Madalyn E. Vieira.

Growers warn soaring regulatory costs are squeezing California agriculture

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 06:05:00 -0400

Escalating costs are making it harder for California growers to stay in agriculture — a theme echoed repeatedly by panelists at an Agri‑Pulse summit in Sacramento. Nearly two dozen growers, policymakers and industry leaders pointed to regulatory pressures as a major driver of rising expenses.

California water leaders confront the hard math for agriculture

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 27 May 2026 07:05:00 -0400

California water leaders are moving from broad planning to hard math, with the next administration facing tough choices over new supplies, groundwater recharge, nitrate rules and how much farmland the state can keep in production.