WEST

Groups say new dairy order could undermine collaboration

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:05:00 -0400

California’s State Water Resources Control Board voted last week to impose new waste discharge monitoring and mitigation requirements on Central Valley dairies. Farm groups say the decision could undermine a collaborative project that launched in 2006.

Christine Birdsong was intrigued by Reservoir Farms. Now she works there

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:04:00 -0400

Reservoir Farms on Monday announced that former California Department of Food and Agriculture Undersecretary Christine Birdsong has been hired as its head of external affairs, and she’ll shepherd the innovation hub’s growth into new regions and institutions across the U.S. and internationally.

Farm bills a top priority for new NASDA President Sandison

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:03:00 -0400

Washington State Department of Agriculture Director Derek Sandison was elected last week to lead the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture. In an interview with Agri-Pulse, he spells out his priorities for the coming year.

For Yuma lettuce growers, it’s full speed ahead

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:02:00 -0400

Farmers in the Yuma, Arizona, region are expecting to plant their full acreages of lettuce this fall as federal officials say the cyclospora outbreak that sickened almost 13,000 people this past summer has abated.

Bigger navel orange crop forecast as industry seeks price rebound

Wed, 23 Sep 2026 06:01:00 -0400

California’s navel orange production for the 2026-27 season is expected to be 84 million cartons, up slightly from the 82 million cartons collected from orchards last season, despite a warm spring that increased pest pressures.

‘A doozy’: Record-breaking El Niño bearing down on California

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 06:03:00 -0400

California and the U.S. Southwest are expecting “a doozy” of an El Niño winter, with rainfall levels rivaling some of the wettest winters in history. The storms could cause widespread flooding but also improve reservoir levels and benefit rangeland, pastures and fall-sown crops such as winter wheat.

California’s diesel price spike to have short-term, long-term impacts

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 06:02:00 -0400

California’s average price for diesel fuel has topped $8 a gallon in recent days, just as growers are harvesting a multitude of crops. The immediate impact on growers depends on the commodity, but the increase is likely to have long-term effects on food prices.

California remains ‘committed’ to Bay-Delta Plan update

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 06:01:00 -0400

California's State Water Resources Control Board remains "committed" to the final Bay-Delta Plan it unveiled in August. The agency says it will take criticism from the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation and Westlands Water District into account when it considers adopting the plan next month.

Ranchers to be paid for wolf kills, but there’s a catch

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:04:00 -0400

California lawmakers approved $2.5 million for a compensation fund for ranchers whose livestock was killed by wolves, but the ranchers must show they tried nonlethal deterrence methods to qualify for the funding.

California touts cannabis tax revenue a decade after legalization

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:03:00 -0400

A decade after California voters passed Proposition 64 legalizing nonmedical uses of marijuana, the state says the legal market has generated nearly $8.4 billion in taxes, exceeding expectations.

Legal fight over Oregon packaging law could affect California

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:02:00 -0400

The anticipated appeal of a federal judge’s ruling upholding an Oregon plastics recycling law could affect the lawsuit over California’s SB 54, which mandates sharp reductions in single-use plastic.

Table grape industry commits $1.7M to fight vine pest

Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:01:00 -0400

It isn’t just wine grapes that are affected by the glassy-winged sharpshooter and the deadly vine disease it carries, Pierce’s disease. A special district in the San Joaquin Valley has passed emergency funding to help citrus growers treat for the pest to protect neighboring table grape farms.

Farm Hands West: Hoffman hired to Western Growers, Nemeth to be executive director, Konat to be CEO

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 09 Sep 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Western Growers has hired Matt Hoffman to succeed Dennis Donohue as the senior director of innovation. Karla Nemeth is now the executive director of the Association of California Water Agencies. Sprouts Farmers Market Inc. announced that Nick Konat will be taking on the role of CEO.

Breakup of Colorado-based atmospheric science center faces court challenges

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:10:00 -0400

The Trump administration’s plan to dismantle the leading climate research facility in the country is drawing opposition from universities, the state of Colorado, and now, the Environmental Defense Fund, which filed a lawsuit last month challenging efforts to break up the National Center for Atmospheric Research.

Technology as resilience: Ruggedize showcases AI power for ag tech

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:09:00 -0400

A new technical conference for AI and ag tech entrepreneurs, as well as investors, launched last week as 300 gathered for Ruggedize, a first of its kind meeting, at Reservoir Farms.

Are you ready for non-ultraprocessed food labels? California is

sara@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:08:00 -0400

California lawmakers think they have a way to make your food choices easier in a new bill which will allow agents to certify and companies to label foods that are deemed as non-ultraprocessed. Gov. Gavin Newsom has until Sept. 30 to sign.

California’s legislative session closes to mixed reviews from ag

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:03:00 -0400

California lawmakers ended their 2025-2026 regular session on Aug. 31 by passing a flurry of bills, including ones favored by agriculture that would compensate ranchers for wolf depredations and a pair of California Cattlemen’s Association-sponsored wildfire resilience measures.

Reclamation official vows to move faster on projects, allocations

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:03:00 -0400

California growers served by the federal Central Valley Project have long complained that increases in their water allocations come too late in the season to make a difference in planting decisions. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation's acting regional director says he's trying to change that.

McClintock: Leaders must ‘change hearts and minds’ on ag, resources

Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:01:00 -0400

A key Western Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee says political and agricultural leaders must “change hearts and minds” when it comes to water and farming in California.

Farm Hands West: Powell to be president and CEO of Western AgCredit, Sarah Keiser named California regional director, Reeder and Zgombic to retire

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 02 Sep 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Tony Powell has been appointed to be president and CEO of Western AgCredit. The American Farmland Trust has named Sarah Keiser its California regional director. State Sen. Shannon Grove’s legislative director Mark Reeder and administrative assistant and scheduler Alicia Zgombic will both be retiring at the end of this year.

California ag nervous over escalating Canada dispute

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:04:00 -0400

The U.S.’ sharply escalating trade dispute with Canada has California agriculture industry insiders and experts nervous, as the rift with the Golden State’s biggest trading partner has already hurt the sales of wine and other state commodities.

Firms seek to turn harvest waste into high-value products

Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:03:00 -0400

The Almond Board of California is working with a company to use leftover almond shells to develop what the two entities say is a clean, sustainable and domestically sourced alternative to petroleum-based products.

Will new regulations for replacement tires increase or decrease costs?

sara@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:01:00 -0400

California is once again at the forefront of new regulations as the state's energy commission advanced the nation’s first efficiency standards for replacement tires sold for passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks. But not everyone is convinced that it's a good deal for consumers.

Farm Hands West: Keeler joins CDFA, Smith sworn in, Overton nominated

grace@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 26 Aug 2026 06:00:00 -0400

Devon Keeler has joined the California Department of Food and Agriculture as the deputy secretary of communications and external affairs. Brie Reiter Smith is the new CEO of Driscoll’s, effective August 25. Glen Smith was sworn in as the undersecretary for rural development on Aug. 21 at the Iowa State Fair. President Donald Trump has nominated Heidi Overton to be FDA commissioner.

Agri-Pulse welcomes Tim Hearden as western editor

Mon, 24 Aug 2026 11:50:51 -0400

Agri-Pulse is pleased to welcome Tim Hearden as western editor, bringing more than 35 years of agricultural, government and community journalism experience to the nation’s leading farm and rural policy news organization.

U.S. wine industry offsets sales decline with premiumization, niche offerings

Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:11:00 -0400

Producers are leaning into premium, low‑alcohol and niche wine categories as overall U.S. wine volumes decline and consumer tastes evolve.

Farmers squeezed between pesticide limits and delayed alternatives

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:05:00 -0400

California lawmakers are pressing pesticide regulators over slow approvals, uneven enforcement and health risks, while farm groups warn growers cannot lose existing tools without faster access to safer alternatives.

Low-water crops for SGMA meet high-cost reality

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:04:00 -0400

PPIC panelists warned that low-water crops may help growers adapt to SGMA, but they won’t erase the financial pressures reshaping San Joaquin Valley agriculture.

Winegrape growers put vineyards on ice

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:03:00 -0400

California winegrape growers are mothballing vineyards to weather the market slump without permanently ripping out vines.

Avocados’ daily sex switch comes down to one gene

brad@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 19 Aug 2026 06:01:00 -0400

Researchers have pinpointed the gene behind avocados’ unusual daily switch between female and male flowering phases, a finding that could help breeders develop new varieties faster.