West Coast Agriculture News & Updates | Agri-Pulse Communications, Inc.

WEST

West Coast Agriculture and Food News

ARTICLES

Biologicals summit confronts an industry trust gap

07/01/26 7:04 AM By Brad Hooker

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

07/01/26 7:03 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

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

07/01/26 7:02 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

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

07/01/26 7:01 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

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

07/01/26 7:00 AM By Grace Miller

No Comments

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

06/24/26 7:05 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

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

06/24/26 7:04 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

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

06/24/26 7:03 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

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

06/24/26 7:01 AM By Brad Hooker

No Comments

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

06/24/26 7:00 AM By Grace Miller

No Comments

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.

Agri-Pulse Newsmakers: Senate Ag Chair John Boozman on farm bill text release, additional farm aid

Senate Ag Committee Chair John Boozman joins Newsmakers to discuss the farm bill discussion draft released by the Senate Agriculture Committee.

Plus, Tara Smith with Torrey Advisory Group and Anne MacMillan with Invariant discuss the broader farm bill politics at play during the midterm election year and the White House's supplemental spending request to address the cost of the war in Iran, which includes $11.1 billion in additional farm aid and support for year-round sales of E15.

Want to receive Newsmakers in your inbox every week? Sign up!

Editorial Office - Washington, DC	Sales, Billing & Customer Service- Camdenton, MO
Suite 436A	110 Waterside Drive
1400 Independence Ave. SW	Camdenton, MO 65020
Washington, DC 20250	(573) 873-0800

	Editorial Office - Sacramento, CA
	(916) 402-9227