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

06/17/26 7:04 AM By Brad Hooker

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

06/17/26 7:03 AM By Brad Hooker

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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

06/17/26 7:02 AM By Brad Hooker

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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

06/17/26 7:01 AM By Brad Hooker

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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

06/17/26 7:00 AM By Grace Miller

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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

06/17/26 6:04 AM By Lydia Johnson

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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.

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Agri-Pulse announces ‘Great Tomato Challenge’ winners

06/10/26 12:12 PM By Agri-Pulse staff

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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

06/10/26 8:24 AM By Brad Hooker

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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

06/10/26 7:04 AM By Brad Hooker

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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

06/10/26 7:03 AM By Brad Hooker

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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.

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Undersecretary Brashears: NWS isn't a food safety risk; Puglia on USMCA

Seven cases of New World screwworm have been detected on U.S. soil. USDA Undersecretary for Food Safety Mindy Brashears says the Food Safety Inspection Service's 7,000 inspectors are “leading the animal health charge” in the fight against New World screwworm.

Western Growers Association President and CEO Dave Puglia discusses the importance of renewing the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. On the panel, Phillip Kauffman with Texas A&M University and Ron Phillips with the Animal Health Institute discuss New World screwworm.

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