WEST

Becerra wins easily as Democratic landslide reaches across West

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 13:30:45 -0500

California gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra easily won his race against Republican Steve Hilton and was part of a nationwide sweep by Democrats that also extended throughout the West.

‘Captive audience’ ruling preserves open communication, growers’ group says

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 06:04:00 -0500

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit upheld employers’ right to communicate openly with their employees about political topics, but legal experts say the issue is far from settled.

Fresno ag lending executive indicted for $65 million fraud scheme

sara@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 04 Nov 2026 06:03:00 -0500

A Fresno, California-based ag lending executive has been indicted for allegedly making multiple false statements to the federal government, wire fraud, aggravated identity theft and money laundering as part of a nearly $65 million fraud scheme that ran through his company, Corporate America Lending, U.S. Attorney Eric Grant announced.

Washington resident dies amid avian flu flareup in dairy cattle

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 06:02:00 -0500

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is reemerging in dairy cattle across the country, and a resident of Washington state has died after direct exposure to infected dairy cattle.

Conferences to examine the next era of wine

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 06:01:00 -0500

A pair of California conferences this winter will examine how the wine industry is adapting to market changes — and where producers should go from here.

California farm groups line up against Proposition 40

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:03:00 -0400

Agricultural leaders in California say Proposition 40, which would impose a one-time 5% tax on billionaires, would add to economic uncertainty for farmers and rural communities.

California harvests dodge raindrops, wrap up early

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:02:00 -0400

Last week’s rain was enough to pause California harvests only briefly, as most areas in the Central Valley recorded less than an inch over a two-day period. But another big storm is on the way Halloween weekend.

Under new ownership, California Olive Ranch doubles down on domestic

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:01:00 -0400

California Olive Ranch, recently acquired by Australia-based Cobram Estate, is hosting groups of guests at its groves and mill this fall to highlight the benefits of California extra-virgin olive oil.

Legal cases test water rights in Pacific Northwest

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:05:00 -0400

Two pending legal cases in the Pacific Northwest are testing the limits to which state governments can go to curtail established water rights in times of drought.

Dairy groups sue to block California waste discharge order

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:58:00 -0400

California dairies are suing to block a State Water Resources Control Board order requiring them to take individual steps to protect groundwater from nitrates. Farm groups complain the order could undermine an initiative created in 2006 to solve widespread salt and nitrate leaching by creating management zones.

With elections underway, CAFB seeks ag policy champions

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:57:00 -0400

California is set to make key decisions in races for governor, statewide offices, 14 statewide initiatives, dozens of congressional and legislative races, and numerous local government seats. To help farmers wade through the noise, the California Farm Bureau is making recommendations.

At FIRA USA, Reservoir unveils plans for Yakima Valley test farm

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 05:54:00 -0400

At the FIRA USA ag-tech demonstration Oct. 20 in Yakima, Washington, Reservoir announced it is launching a new on-farm technical community for rugged physical AI geared to the Yakima Valley’s more than $3 billion in high-value crops.

Supplemental WOTUS gets ag support; environmentalists pan it

steve@agri-pulse.com — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:08:00 -0400

The Trump administration’s latest proposal to define “waters of the U.S.” under the Clean Water Act is receiving support from farm groups, who say it’s needed to clarify the limits of federal jurisdiction. Environmental groups, however, are staunchly opposed, saying that the supplemental proposal would eviscerate protections for wetlands and streams that do not flow year-round.

New EPA pesticide label regs target spray drift, runoff

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:03:00 -0400

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is implementing new rules for agricultural chemical applications that center on label instructions specific to the product, use and location that often direct the user to a website featuring bulletins that can change monthly.

Almond Board-funded research seeks natural solutions for pest control

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:02:00 -0400

Growers’ improved sustainability is the result of some $89 million in research funded by the Almond Board of California since 1973, including studies relating to production, environmental stewardship. A University of California farm adviser credited the work during the annual CAPCA conference in Anaheim.

In California, IPM slowly giving way to SPM

Wed, 14 Oct 2026 06:01:00 -0400

California legislation in 2024 prompted a shift in focus from integrated pest management to sustainable pest management, encouraging a further move away from chemical pesticides. Now state agencies are offering grants and outreach programs to help producers make the transition.

Despite CAFB’s overtures, Newsom resists red diesel on roads

Fri, 09 Oct 2026 06:00:00 -0400

California Gov. Gavin Newsom is unimpressed with the idea of allowing the use of dyed diesel on highways, despite requests from the California Farm Bureau.

Groups say new wage law will increase costs

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:04:00 -0400

Gov. Gavin Newsom last week signed AB 2646 by Asm. Maggy Krell, D-Sacramento, which will set a new minimum wage of $19.75 an hour for certain farmworkers. The bill was opposed by a veritable who’s-who of agricultural groups, which say the legislation risks accelerating the loss of ag production in California.

California steps out front in targeting ultraprocessed food

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:03:00 -0400

California is developing a certification and official label for non-ultraprocessed foods, stepping out ahead of a federal effort to define what ultraprocessed foods are. Some industry experts say the state’s move could cause complications for food manufacturers.

As El Niño strengthens, California preps for flooding, groundwater recharge

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:02:00 -0400

The California Department of Water Resources’ flood operations team is coordinating closely with cities and counties across the state, holding a series of regional workshops while also stockpiling flood-fighting materials at 68 locations, the agency reports. The DWR is also working to step up groundwater recharge projects.

Teams signing up for fifth Farm Robotics Challenge

Wed, 07 Oct 2026 06:01:00 -0400

The fifth annual Farm Robotics Challenge will enable students from middle school through graduate school to enter agricultural automation projects and compete for prizes. The contest is held each year by the University of California and USDA.

No rain yet, but strengthening El Niño already affecting West’s weather

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 06:03:00 -0400

El Niño, the oceanic and atmospheric phenomenon marked by higher-than-normal equatorial sea surface temperatures, is already having a profound impact on weather throughout the western U.S. as autumn begins.

Pests devastate coastal vegetables as new insecticide under review

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 06:02:00 -0400

Vegetable growers on California’s Central Coast are desperate for relief from several pests that have devastated their fields, and they think the novel insecticide isocycloseram is the answer. But state regulators are still reviewing the product.

California to spend $35 million on workers’ rights outreach

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 06:01:00 -0400

California’s Department of Industrial Relations is giving $34.9 million in grants to more than 100 organizations to promote workers’ rights. An industry attorney says the project will put more pressure on farm and ranch owners to comply with labor laws.

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.