California produces 99% of the nation’s pistachios, generating nearly $3 billion in economic value in the state. But pistachios have been slightly understudied in part because of the lack of a high-quality map of their DNA. University of California, Davis, researchers have now generated the most comprehensive genome sequence of the pistachio, allowing plant breeders […]
Westlands Water District is pleased to announce the appointment of Brad Cavallo as its new Science Advisor. In this key role, Mr. Cavallo will provide scientific expertise and strategic guidance on water management, environmental compliance, regulatory matters, and scientific investigations. He will also collaborate closely with state and federal agencies, academic institutions, and key stakeholders […]
California Farm Bureau President Shannon Douglass identified critical issues facing the state’s farmers and ranchers, stressing immediate action is needed to support small and mid-sized farms, streamline regulations and invest in innovative water management practices. “Agriculture has been the backbone of California’s economy for generations,” Douglass said. “However, today, our sector is facing significant challenges […]
New technologies have transformed the world during the past half-century. Agriculture has been no exception, with the emergence of aerial drones, autonomous tractors and other equipment changing the way crops are planted, cared for and harvested. One thing that hasn’t changed since 1977, however, is a regulation from California’s Division of Occupational Safety and Health, […]
The Valley Air District’s Governing Board took action today to enhance the Low-Dust Nut Harvester Replacement Program. The program helps farmers upgrade to cleaner, more efficient equipment while improving air quality and public health across the San Joaquin Valley. Advancing low-emission technology in this sector is vital for continued air quality improvements in the Valley’s […]
While there have been news reports of unease among some farm employees, the California Farm Bureau has been in contact with numerous farmers across the state and has not heard of any widespread workforce disruption. Bryan Little, senior director of policy advocacy at the California Farm Bureau, which represents more than 26,000 farm and ranch […]
The California State Beekeepers Association is excited to announce a new effort aimed at preventing the rapidly expanding number of hive theft incidents that continue to jeopardize California’s agricultural production and increase food costs. “California has experienced an 87% increase in hive thefts since 2013 with loss to beekeepers estimated at over $3.5 million. Beekeepers […]
To reduce nitrates and ensure that people have access to safe drinking water, the state has proposed tighter water quality requirements for all California dairies that collect dairy waste and apply it to land. The dairy general waste discharge requirements regulate only existing milk-cow dairies in the Central Valley region. But the draft order, if […]
California has dropped its landmark rule that would have phased out nearly all diesel trucks in the coming years, the California Air Resources Board announced earlier this month. The “first-in-the-world” rule, called Advanced Clean Fleets, was adopted in 2023 and was set to ban the sale of new medium- and heavy-duty diesel trucks, including the […]
Blake Wilbur, whose family has farmed in Tulare County for four generations, grew up hearing stories of his grandfather’s artesian wells, the water bubbling to the surface without being pumped and irrigating the family’s cotton, wheat and barley. “It almost sounds mythical at this point,” said Wilbur, who runs a dairy and grows almonds, pistachios […]