WEST

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.

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.