KSTE Farm Hour: Recent Episodes
Farmer Fred
Welcome to Part 2 of our 2020 KSTE Farm Hour retrospective. We take a look back this week at some of the more interesting farm stories and farm people of the past year, involved with the changing face of California agriculture. And we have some feel good stories, as well.
Welcome to Part 1 of our 2020 KSTE Farm Hour retrospective. We take a look back this week at some of the more interesting farm stories and farm people of the past year, involved with the changing face of California agriculture. And we have some feel good stories, as well.
Weather researchers say they miscalculated: revised models show California will likely experience drier winters in the future. We have that report. The Metropolitan Water District is pumping millions of dollars more into the proposed Delta tunnels project, despite the objections of many Delta residents. Here’s a twist for Golden State farmers who must wheel and deal for irrigation water in the spring and summer: you can now hedge your bets on water supplies by buying California water futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Farm trade with China is looking good for 2021. We have the forecast. All that, a look at the weather ahead, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The State Water Project has released its first water allocation numbers for 2021…and it’s a small number. Which county is the number one county in the country for ag production? It’s here in California. There’s a record California pistachio crop this year. We have the numbers. And, it’s a great season for Christmas tree and poinsettia sales, we talk with two Northern California businesses who are deeply involved with these important seasonal commodities.
Wine grape researchers are well aware of the damage that smoke can do to the grapes. But what about ash? Some tips about what you shouldn’t do. We do a deep dive into the Sacramento County Agriculture crop report. The 2019 edition just came out. It’s no-till November, we talk with one farm advisor about the benefits of not tilling your fields. And we have more on cover cropping. All that and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
Despite smoke damage to hundreds of thousands of Napa-Sonoma wine grapes, growers in the area say the 2020 harvest will be a very good vintage. We have the details. Despite the USDA’s efforts, a robust, high-speed Rural Broadband system is still lacking in rural California and many other areas of the country. More and more people surveyed say farmers are doing the right thing when it comes to sustainability. We talk a lot of turkey this Thanksgiving week, and we take a deep dive into the world of cover cropping here in California. All that, the extended weather outlook, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
A combination of lighter yields and smoke damage is playing havoc with the California wine grape crush numbers. Hundreds of thousands of wine grapes have been rejected due to smoke exposure. A famous rice mill that towers over Kentucky Avenue near Interstate 5 in Woodland has been sold. We have the details. A bit of good news: exports are up… a bit. Is there going to be a pecan orchard in your future? Some California farmers are expecting long term growth for this minor nut crop, which is currently grown in the Golden State on a little over 3,000 acres. All that, crop reports, the extended weather outlook, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour
There is some good news this week for California farmers: more medium grain rice from the Sacramento Valley is headed to China. And, the federal government has okayed more funding to fight the 20 pound rodent that is a threat to Delta area farmland - the Nutria. The weather will be considerably colder in the days ahead. How cold? Will it get cold enough to damage young walnut trees in orchards? We talk with a farm advisor about precautions that walnut growers should now be considering. Also, we delve into the frontiers of agricultural science: the use of biologics on California farmland. That includes cutting edge products such as biostimulants for the soil and plant growth regulators for bigger crops. All that, crop reports, the extended weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Wildfires, a Pandemic, Trade Issues, an election…where do you want to start this week? How about a good old reliable topic: California’s water wars. Lawsuits are flying in Kern County, after an attempt by a local water agency down there to start charging farmers $2100 an acre foot to replenish an aquifer. We have wildfire and trade news, too, with a little good news on both fronts. China is buying more ag products from the U.S. And table grapes in the Central Valley were unaffected by smoke taint. Rural broadband grants are back in the news. And how about we pay a visit to a Sacramento Valley wildlife refuge, where rice plays a big part in supporting overwintering migratory water fowl and other creatures. All that, crop reports and more…on this week’s KSTE farm hour. Let’s get started.
Winegrape growers in the Napa Sonoma area are getting a better handle on the damage estimates to their fields and facilities. We have the staggering numbers. Another staggering number: 10 million acres burned due to wildfires this year. We’re not there yet, but we are approaching it…for the third time in five years. Farmers are looking for estate tax relief, we have that report. And, an update on the U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement. All that, crop reports, a look at the extended weather…and we celebrate Bat Week. It’s all on this edition of the KSTE Farm Hour.
Drought is expanding throughout the country, but especially here in the Western United States. We have the ugly numbers. The USDA has released the latest forecasts for several important California farm commodities, including fruits, nuts and rice. And Citrus growers in California are still evaluating the effect of smoke, wildfire, haze and heat on their 2020 crop. And so far, it looks like heat is taking its toll on the state’s orange crop. We talk with one California citrus grower about what he has to contend with in 2020. We take a look at how the California Farm Academy is preparing the next generation of farmers for the Golden State. We have All that, crop reports, extended weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Even though the flames of September’s fires are subsiding there, wine grape growers in the Napa Sonoma area are still taking stock of the damage and lining up financial help. And winegrape growers with insurance face another obstacle in getting quick relief. Insurance companies want to see lab tests for smoke taint on wine grapes. But the laboratories that specialize in wine grape testing are overwhelmed; it could be a month or more before they can catch up. Raisin grapes in the Central Valley are also being effected by the smoke from surrounding fires. We talk with one raisin grape farmer who will explain. We have all that, crop reports, a look ahead at the week’s weather, and a chat with an organization that helps aspiring organic farmers learn the business in the Salinas Valley. It’s all on their week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California wildfires continue their rapid spread throughout some very valuable wine country in our area. We have an update. Several farm groups are petitioning the federal government for more Covid-19 relief aid for farmworkers. What is California doing to stop the spread of illegal pesticides into the state? And, we talk with a Colusa County rice grower about the 2020 harvest. All that, crop reports, the weekly weather outlook and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
California farmers, their crops and their livestock continue to deal with a plethora of problems that will make 2020 one for the record books: the largest wildfires in state history, the resultant dense smoke that made Northern and Central California the most polluted area in the world recently; record high temperatures in August, and the Coronavirus pandemic that has everyone yearning for the good old days. We have an update. Yolo County has seen its pistachio orchard acreage zoom from a few hundred acres to 10,000 acres in less than a decade. We take a look at the reasons for the growth of this increasingly popular nut. Also, California rice growers are becoming fish growers. And the two go hand in hand. All that, crop reports, the weather outlook, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
It’s been a tough year for many of California’s major crops. The combination of the Covid-19 shutdown, wildfires and persistent smoke throughout California, but especially in the Central Valley, have slowed crop development, interfered with the harvest, hampered farm labor, and possibly may taint one very important California agricultural commodity, wine grapes. And all the coronavirus restrictions have caused astonishing disruptions to the California produce business, with sales at 20% below late winter forecasts. Another Covid-19 related casualty: the 2021 World Ag Expo in Tulare. It’s been cancelled. We’ll tell you why. We have all that, extensive crop reports, the week ahead in weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s record shattering wildfire season continues. Honeybee losses from the fires in Yolo and Solano Counties will impact area almond growers in 2021. Smoke taint is an increasing concern for wine grape growers in Northern California. And livestock owners need to take precautions to protect their animals from smoke inhalation issues. We have all that, plus how you can protect your horses from the newest outbreak of West Nile Virus. We catch up with the Sacramento Valley rice harvest, and we take a look at the top California agricultural commodities for last year. All that, crop reports, the extended weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
Larger than the state of Delaware. That’s the description of the number of acres burned in California’s recent lightning-started wildfires, decimating many Northern California counties, and that includes farms, ranches, vineyards, and orchards. The damage is still being registered, but we have an update, along with information about an upcoming webinar put on by the University of California to help small and large agricultural operations, as well as small acreage landowners, learn about restoration and erosion control options as well as financial assistance programs. The good news: there’s a nut glut. Record harvests of almonds, walnuts, and pistachios are expected. The bad news: who’s going to buy all those nuts? We explain. We’re coming up to cover cropping time. We’ll go over the basics. All that, crop reports, the week ahead in weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s wildfires continue, and as the smoke somewhat clears, the impact of those fires on the state’s agricultural industries is becoming more apparent. We have an update. Hurricane Laura’s impact on the Louisiana-Texas coastline last week decimated some of that areas biggest crops, including one that Sacramento Valley farmers are very familiar with. We have the details. Rural post offices in California are an important lifeline for residents and farmers. We take a look at the funding struggles to keep them operating efficiently in the current political environment. And congratulations to a Yolo county based agricultural non-profit group, the Center for Land Based Learning, who have received federal funds to help infuse West Sacramento with more agricultural opportunities. All that, crop reports, the week ahead in weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Once again, Northern and Central California wildfires plague the entire region, with thick smoke blanketing populous urban areas, while flames are whipping up throughout farm and ranch land here. And once again, wine grape growers in the Napa Sonoma area who are about to begin harvesting are worried about smoke taint to their grapes, a minor concern next to staving off possible fire damage to their properties. The ongoing heat wave also is widespread. The latest concern: fruit and vegetable crops in coastal areas where triple digit temperatures are very unusual. The latest Covid-19 induced farm dilemma: a shortage of replacement parts for agricultural machinery. And ag teachers throughout northern and central california’s colleges and high schools are scrambling, trying to figure out how to teach hands on classes such as welding and crop production…via the computer. We have all that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s specialty crop growers can breathe a bit easier, more of the Golden State’s unique commodities have been added to the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Those mysterious seeds from China that were received by unsuspecting homeowners here in the U.S.? There’s still a lot we don’t know, but so far, it appears to be a benign threat. We have the details. And we talk about controlling summertime weeds in farmland and pastureland here in California, especially one of the nastiest…puncture vine. All that, crop reports, a look ahead at the week’s weather, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Yolo County agriculture is in the spotlight this week. In Woodland, sheriff’s detectives recovered 70 stolen bee boxes. And those bees are critical to Yolo county’s largest crop, almonds. The latest yolo county ag report is out, and almonds remain number 1. But there is a new crop in the second position. We have the details. We have an update on last week’s story about the mystery seeds that have been mailed, unsolicited, to unsuspecting homeowners. And those masks aren’t just to ward off the coronavirus. As the summer California wildfire season continues, a shortage of N95 respirator masks threatens California’s farm laborers, working in smoke-filled fields. And a huge fire in northeastern california may be effecting the quality of the crops grown there. All that, a look at the weather ahead, crop progress reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Is more pandemic relief money headed for California’s farmers and ranchers, who have been upended by changes in markets and problems with supply chains? This past week, the U.S. Senate introduced a trillion dollar pandemic relief bill, that included $20 billion for farms, ranches and rural communities. We have the details. More and more Californians are receiving those small packages of mystery seeds from China and other countries. Is it just a marketing ploy? Or do those seeds present a threat to California agriculture, if unleashed into the wild? And, we find out how HLB, citrus greening disease, can spread via seed. All that, the weather, the latest crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
California’s farmers have some tough decisions to make, real soon, about fall and winter planting. Just how much should they plant? The loss of markets due to Covid-19 related restaurant closures and an uncertain school year could mean tighter supplies for cool season vegetables such as lettuce, broccoli and cauliflower. The dreaded “d” word - drought - is being heard more and more here in the West. The latest casualties - California and Oregon rangeland and pastureland. We’ve talked over the years on this program about the importance of cover cropping. It builds your soil and increases the presence of beneficial insects for pest control, too. But lets not forget California’s most important pollinator, bees. One organization is spearheading a drive to increase cover cropping in orchards to increase overall bee health in the state. And a nice side effect is: with more healthy bees, farmers will get larger harvests. All that, crop reports, a look at the weather for the week ahead, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Everything is getting thrown in the way of California farming in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic is causing a serious labor shortage on the state’s farms. Ongoing trade disputes have some growers worried if they will have a market for their crops this fall. The bureaucratic morass of federal relief rules for farmers seems to change constantly. In many rural areas of the state, including the far reaches of Sacramento County, schooling for the kids this fall will be at home, online. Does rural California have the broadband speed necessary to make that a success? Well, no. And, there are increasing areas of drought in the Western U.S. Some good news: a citrus specialty crop that you might not be aware of, Australian Finger Limes, just might contain the cure for HLB, also known as citrus greening disease. All those details, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Good news is hard to come by these days, so let’s start with this: reservoir storage right now in California is enough to get us through this water year, and maybe a bit more available to move to south state farming regions. And University of California researchers have a breakthrough: a peptide that just might thwart citrus greening disease. With rural wildfire season upon us, Covid-19 concerns may hamper firefighting efforts. We have the details. We have tips for getting ahead of navel orange worm problems now, during almond hull split season. And, we relax with all the wildlife inhabiting Northern california rice fields right now, a win-win situation for rice growers as well as environmentalists. All that, crop reports, the extended weather, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California's farms, ranches and agricultural businesses are going to take a big hit from pandemic related losses. The range? Between $5.9 and $8.6 billion this year. That's according to an economic study recently released. We have the details. There's a record breaking almond crop on the way here in California. But can robust almond sales survive pandemics, trade disputes, and weather? We have that report. And it's National Pollinator Week, we're going to be talking about all the creatures that are involved in pollination, making the food you eat. It's coming up on this week's edition of the KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started.
If your specialty crop is not on the list for those eligible for coronavirus assistance payments from the USDA, there is a way you can get included, but you better hurry. And among those currently not eligible are two major California agricultural producers, cut flowers and nursery products. The Japanese Beetle is back in Sacramento County, a major threat to the county’s wine grapes and pears. We talk with the Sacramento County Agricultural commissioner about what is being done to eradicate the latest find. Small farmers with leftover produce from farmers markets now have a website where they can easily find a food bank or food pantry near them to donate their surplus. We talk with the founder of AmpleHarvest.org. And the battle to control the spread of Pierce’s Disease in California’s vineyards is an ongoing battle. We have an update. All that, crop reports, the week ahead in weather, and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE farm Hour.
There’s a bit of relief for California’s Klamath Basin Farmers. The water that was taken away from them last week, is back. We’ll explain that one. California latest ag statistics are out, you have a few minutes to think about which are the five leading agricultural commodities in California according to the latest report. We’ll tell you, don’t worry. Sacramento county farmers are concerned: Japanese beetles, which can decimate hundreds of crops, has been found in two locations in the county. We’ll let you know you where. And on a related note, how birds can help you control pests on the farm. All that, the week ahead in weather and crop reports…all coming up, on this week’s KSTE farm hour.
Not to pile on with all the other problems right now…but there’s a drought in California. And, in a bit of a switch, much drier than normal soil is taking hold in Northern California rather than in Southern California. And up in the far north of the state, Klamath basin farmers say they are facing the heartbreaking prospect of watching their crops wither, because of sharply cut water allocations recently. How resilient is the U.S. food supply? We’re finding out right now. And so far, things are stabilizing. For now. There is good news: the spread of Virulent Newcastle Disease in poultry flocks in Southern California has been contained. We hear from the state’s top veterinarian about this. Crop reports, the week ahead in weather, and more. It’s all coming up, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Following the lead of the Central Valley Project, the State Water Project is increasing its allocations of summer water to California’s farmers. But they’re saying don’t expect any more this year. We have the numbers. It’s picking time for some of our state’s tastiest crops: blueberries and cherries. We talk with a Lodi cherry grower about this year’s harvest. More details are emerging about the Coronavirus Food assistance program for farmers. We have the latest. All that, crop progress reports, the week ahead in weather, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Amidst all the bad farm economic news due to the pandemic, there are some bright spots. The Central Valley Project is releasing more water to its farm customers south of the Delta. And we hear from President Trump, who last week announced a new, $19 billion dollar relief plan for farmers, including California’s specialty crop producers. We have the outlook for the Western wildfire season, and we pay a visit to a Sacramento Valley rice-growing family that includes a flying farmer, who has been seeding the rice fields from the air, for over 40 years. All that, crop reports, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
There are about 25 million acres of farm and ranch land in California. Which commodity utilizes the most acreage? It’s almonds, and more and more almond trees are going in the ground in the Golden State. We have the numbers. Hard to say which is flowing faster right now, water from California’s dams, or lawsuits, to stop the flow of water from dams intended for California’s farmers. We have the latest news on that front. And, we dive into a sea of garbanzo beans, a crop that is also enjoying an increase in acreage here. All that, crop reports, the extended weather, and…what about using robots in meat processing plants? It’s all coming up, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
There is a lot of Covid 19 pandemic-related california farm stories this week, and we will get to them, but we turn our attention first to what could be the most persistent worry of California’s farmers: the summer water supply. We take a look at the final snow survey numbers that will play a big part in how much surface water farms will be getting this year. USDA Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue recently said that meat supplies at your local grocery store will be back to normal in a few days. You will hear what he said. And, we tackle the most important task for almond growers this time of year, getting ready to spray to avoid navel orange worm damage due to almond hull split…we get tips from a Northern California farm advisor. All that, crop reports, and the week ahead in weather, all coming up, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Everyone’s concern level is heightened recently, and that includes California’s farmers. Will the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic fundamentally change the way we do business? What will be the new normal? We don’t know. But we do have good news - farmers, and everyone associated with agriculture here in California - will keep producing healthy, safe food. But in the meantime, things will stay interesting. The effects of the Coronavirus on agriculture dominates our news today, but we also delve into the drive to get better broadband service to rural areas of California. And, we talk to one local farmer who, along with other area farmers, have pivoted their businesses to community-supported agriculture. All that, crop reports, the weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California farmers and the rest of the nation’s farmers were getting a bit miffed earlier this month at being on the short end - the real short end - of Covid19-related relief money from the Trump Administration. Well, that’s about to change. We have the numbers. And they’re big numbers. Another casualty of Covid 19- related anxiety: a run on seeds, especially seeds for home gardeners. Why have those seed packs disappeared from catalogs and nursery racks? We talk with one seed company about the underlying causes. We get an update on rice planting in the Sacramento Valley. All that, and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Despite the early spring rains in the valley and snow in the mountains, the Central Valley Project will be reducing the amount of available water to California’s farmers, including those with senior water rights. We have the numbers. Covid-19 woes continue for many sectors of California agriculture. Overall, most ag prices are down. But there is some good news: organic produce sales are way up. We talk with an expert on how to attract more of the farmer’s flying friends, barn owls, to your property to control springtime rodent infestations. Plus we take a look at the extended weather outlook for our area, and the latest crop reports as well, all on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to roil California agriculture. The beef, dairy, poultry, fruit and vegetable sectors all have their tales of concerns and setbacks. We have the details. Farmers and fishermen haven’t been the best of partners when it comes to divvying up California water supplies. But the state’s rice industry is spearheading an attempt to increase the number of wild salmon…by using fallowed, waterlogged Sacramento Valley rice fields in the winter. We have that story. Farmers can, and are, adapting to recent lurches in the state’s food processing and delivery systems. We hear about what one Davis-based group of farming veterans is doing to stay afloat. All that, upcoming weather, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The April Sierra Snow Survey by the Department of Water Resources is considered the benchmark for spring and summer water deliveries to farmers throughout the Valley. The results are in. And let’s just say, it could have been worse. We have the numbers. New farmworkers from Mexico: are they allowed to come into the U.S.…or not? We unravel the latest twists and turns in that story. How is the USMCA deal for freer trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico moving along? Slower than a turtle. And the turtle is taking a nap. And we address the 800-pound gorilla in the room: how is California agriculture faring during this coronavirus event? We have all the details on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Water and labor issues once again dominate the worries of California’s farmers, oh, and yeah…that Covid-19 situation, as well, is creating confusion and problems. The coronavirus outbreak may put a halt to any new farm workers coming from Mexico. We update that story. Farmers markets: are they open, or are they closed. We unravel the confusion. A UC Study says that full implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act could lead to economic disaster for the San Joaquin Valley. But there’s good news: dairy sales are way up in California. Apparently people eat a lot of ice cream when they’re cooped up indoors. Birds can be your friends when battling codling moth on the farm. We’ll tell you how. And we learn how to correctly stake a walnut tree. It’s the KSTE Farm Hour.
Coronavirus woes are hitting everyone, including California’s farm communities. Markets for California farm goods are diminishing, especially crops earmarked for restaurants, airplanes and hotels. Confusion about what constitutes an essential service or an essential business in agriculture during shelter in place orders has become a bit clearer. We’ll explain. What happens to those food products? The USDA thinks they have a partial answer. And coronavirus worries temporarily put a crimp in the Mexican farm labor force coming to the United States. But there was a last minute solution. With more farm families working and studying from home due to coronavirus shutdowns, poor rural internet broadband service is a problem that is back on center stage. We talk with one group that’s attempting to get better internet service to rural areas of California. All that, and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Impacts to California Agriculture due to the coronavirus are widespread and growing. A double hit to California’s grape growers: the grape crush numbers are down, and another grape disease looms: Grapevine Red Blight Virus. There is one bright spot on the China trade front: that country is now granting access to California nectarines that originate in the San Joaquin Valley. We have the details. And we talk with a local community college ag teacher about his growing program. All that and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
There’s a beautiful, but deadly new pest headed to California. It’s the spotted lantern fly, a voracious feeder on scores of important crops, including grapes and almonds. We tell you where they originated, and where they’ve landed, here in California. A third payment to farmers for trade relief is looking doubtful. We have the details. And we have a California prune primer for you…all about that misunderstood crop. That, and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The President promised farmers in Bakersfield more water recently. It won’t be coming anytime soon. You may have noticed why: It hasn’t rained in the valleys or snowed in the mountains for over a month here. We have the ugly numbers. How’s that Phase One China trade deal working out for California’s farmers? There are still a lot of unknowns. Recent agricultural research once again shows, Everything You Know is Wrong. In this case, it’s about apples. In particular, the supposed inability to grow high chill apple varieties in Southern California. All that and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour
The President paid a visit to Bakersfield last week. He brought good news for San Joaquin Valley farmers. That’s right, more Northern California water will be heading south. And, of course, lawsuits will be filed. How much nitrogen does alfalfa need? You might be surprised at how much money you could be saving if you’ve been fertilizing your alfalfa with too much nitrogen. We take a look at current Sierra snow levels (it’s shrinking), the federal government’s promise to upgrade broadband internet service in rural California (it hasn’t happened yet) and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Don’t be fooled by those views of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains. With the lack of precipitation, that white stuff is shrinking rapidly, threatening summertime time agricultural water supplies. As a result, water talks are heating up here in Valley over who gets any available water. We talk with one influential valley farmer, and his hopes for a compromise. Illegal pesticide use, as well as counterfeit pesticides, are a growing business in Brazil. But it’s not just in South America. (audio). Val Dolcini, the Director of California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation, tells us what California is doing to keep illegal pesticides out of the state as well as keep consumers here safe from any dangerous pesticide residues on imported food. And, an expert offers up valuable honeybee tips for getting the most of that buzzing army right now, during almond bloom. All that and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
How are 2020’s surface water supplies faring for California agriculture so far? We’ll take a walk in snow country to find out. Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies are on the rise. We talk with an expert about the reasons why. The outbreak of coronavirus in China is having ramifications for California’s farmers. We talk about this wildcard for ag exports from the Golden State. Is UC Davis going to become a wine merchant? There’s a move afoot to legalize the sale of the wine produced at that university’s world-renowned viticulture department. Also, an analysis of a little-known aspect of the newly signed United States Mexico Canada trade agreement. It’s all on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Farmers are fondly waving goodbye to WOTUS, and saying hello to the NWPR. What does that mean? Less federal interference to how farmers can grow your food. Don’t worry, we’ll explain those very wet acronyms. One local farmer is growing world-renowned tomatoes. We’ll have a conversation with Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms about his unique tomato varieties. We have news of lots of advances on the international ag trade front, but there are a few storm clouds too. All coming up, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Almond blossoms will soon dot the valley…that means that beekeepers are getting busy, moving more that two and half million beehives into California’s orchards right now. We talk to a couple of Valley beekeepers about this frenetic pace of activity. Central Valley grape vineyards are being yanked out because of poor sales. We’ll tell you what’s being planted instead. Now is gopher hunting season in California’s orchards and farmland. We have tips from an expert. All of that and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
A bit of good cheer for California agriculture got buried last week in the news coming out of the U.S. Senate. That body passed, overwhelmingly, the trade pact for the United States, Canada and Mexico: the USMCA. We have reaction, and the details. California winemakers a facing a double whammy: people are drinking less wine, and now there’s an oversupply. Which county in California grows the most pears? Yep, it’s Sacramento. We have the numbers. And, what do rice growers do in the winter? We visit one farm to find out. All that and a look at the weather ahead…all, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour
There’s good news on the outlook for 2020 surface water supplies. We’ll take a hike into the Sierra Nevada mountains to explain. California farmers are anxiously awaiting ratification of the USMCA trade agreement, to get some certainty about their farm sales to Mexico and Canada again. But there are holdups in the U.S. Senate, including one big impending obstacle. We trace the path of the California walnut tree, from seedling to harvest to processing to your lunchbox. And, is there an alpaca - or two - in your future? We’ll explore if this beast of burden is right for your ranch…or ranchette. All that, and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Happy New Year! And there is news for California farmers that will bring a smile to their faces: progress on trade agreements, especially for farm products. We have the details. A new study confirms what has long been suspected: hedgerows that border farms attract feathered allies in the battle against agricultural pests. And we tell you about agricultural scholarships that you might not know about. We take a guess at the upcoming weather, and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour!
Welcome to Part Two of our 2019 retrospective here on the KSTE Farm Hour. This week, we delve into a growing segment on the California farming scene: the rise of urban agriculture and the young farmers who are implementing changes and increasing the flexibility of land use in the Golden State. Last week, we looked at the ongoing issues that faced California’s farmers in 2019: water availability issues, complicated by the implementation of the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act; trade issues, especially with countries that are large importers of California agricultural products such as Canada, Mexico and China; and how the future of agriculture is changing here based on the tighter availability of farm labor. You can hear that report by going to your favorite podcast aggregator, including IHeart, and doing a search for the KSTE Farm Hour.
Welcome to the first of two, year-end retrospective programs about the state of California agriculture as we wrap up 2019. This week, we look back on three issues of great concern to the state’s farmers: access to water under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, access to farm labor, and the ongoing tariff wars, which have put a big dent in California’s overseas agricultural sales. And there’s good news from 2019, as well: The official repeal of the Waters of the United States rules; and, progress on securing a trade deal with two of our biggest customers, Canada and Mexico.
Many California farmers are jubilant this week. The long awaited trade agreement with two of this state’s biggest agricultural customers, Canada and Mexico, is much closer to passage. We have that report and the reaction to it. There’s another big award for one of California’s top conservationist farming families - the Romingers of Yolo County. We have the details. The USDA cites a new, growing holiday trend: home delivery of Christmas trees. We have the story of a local firm that’s been doing it for decades. ALBA (Agriculture and Land Based Training Association) in Salinas helps prepare the next generation of farm owners and operators. All that, a look ahead at the weather, and the latest crop reports…coming up on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
With rain returning to Northern California recently, it’s only appropriate we talk about water use on the farms here and across the country. Surprisingly, water use is down. Even more surprisingly, California is not the leading state when it comes to irrigated acreage. Who do you think is number one? We have a report. Besides H20, let’s talk H2A, the federal program for securing farm labor. And we examine why labor costs are going up. The largest wholesale grower of fruit and nut trees in the U.S. is based locally in Stanislaus County. And they have just gotten a little bigger, purchasing another large whole grower’s property in adjacent San Joaquin County. We have the details. With the rash of warnings about contaminated foods that were issued by the Center for Disease Control during Thanksgiving Week, we tell you how California and the state’s leafy greens industry are working to make sure the food you buy is safe. All that, a look ahead at the weather, the latest California crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
This week we give thanks for many people, places and things…including gratitude for all those California farmers who are responsible for us having year-round access to the highest quality food in the world. California rice growers will be giving thanks for the new export agreements to ship rice to South Korea. Farmers frustrated with all the paperwork associated with growing and marketing crops can give thanks for the help they will soon be getting, courtesy of new CDFA grant, that has money for various agencies to give farmers a hand tackling all those bureaucratic forms. And, we have an in-depth discussion about upcoming food trends here, helping farmers stay one step ahead. All that the weather outlook, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
The second round of Market Facilitation Payments are coming, and there’s good news for California’s specialty crop growers. Farmers are taking out riskier loans to stay afloat, paying doubled interest rates as well as putting up their crops as liens on those loans. China will be purchasing U.S. poultry. We have the details. The director of the Agricultural Issues Center at UC Davis forecasts the economic future of California’s farms for us. One piece of advice from him when choosing future crops: if it grows in Saskatchewan, it may not be a good investment here. All that, crop reports, a look ahead at the weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
California’s wildfires are bringing more pain to growers here in Northern California, as well as Southern California. We have the details. Farm bankruptcies are up across the nation, and that includes California, which saw a 65% increase in the number of Chapter 12 bankruptcy filings. We talk with the Chief Economist of the American Farm Bureau Federation on why farm bankruptcies are up in California. The USDA and the National Resources Conservation Service are celebrating no-till November. What are the benefits of keeping the stubble? We explain. All that, a look at the upcoming weather, and more, including a look at whole orchard recycling, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Another round of out of control California wildfires is causing havoc among grape growers in Sonoma County’s wine country. Another area of concern: all that wildfire smoke. We report on new rules by Cal Osha to protect the lungs of farmers and others who labor outdoors. The USDA has rolled out its long-awaited hemp production rules…we do a deep dive into that new layer of agricultural bureaucracy. The US Mexico Canada Trade agreement may get approval soon from Democratic lawmakers. The President of the California Farm Bureau Federation talks about the importance of agricultural trade with our next door neighbors. And, congratulations to a local high school ag teacher, who just won national recognition…and some money for his school, to boot. All that, crop reports, a look at the weather ahead, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Once again, the battle for water between Central Valley farmers and Delta area fish is heating up, due to a recently released biological opinion from federal water officials. But it involves much more than that. We’ll hear from all sides in that dispute. We do a deep dive into the 2018 Sacramento County Crop Report. Who are the winners and losers? We will find out. Another reason California must redouble its efforts to control the state’s wild pig population. They’ve been implicated as a possible vector of African Swine Fever due to confiscations at U.S. airports of illegally imported pork products…and the dumping of those products in landfills outside of the airports, where the wild pigs might be rummaging. All that, crop reports, extended weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Sacramento County farmers had a banner year in 2018, we have the numbers. San Joaquin Valley farmers in need of more surface water received a double dose of bad news recently; less water will be flowing southward from the Delta, and the plan to increase the capacity of Shasta Dam was put on hold. Many rural residents are familiar with how to safely operate a generator, but just in case you purchased your first one to deal with planned power outages, we have some tips for you. And, we pay a visit to Apple Hill, near Placerville, autumn’s hotbed of agritourism. All that, extended weather forecasts, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The U.S.-Japan trade deal is now official. But, there are winners and losers, including many important California agricultural commodities. Another widely used pesticide on California’s farms will be unavailable beginning in 2020. We have the details. Deadlines are approaching for water agencies throughout California to be in compliance with the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act. We take a deep dive into SGMA, and what it means for California’s farmers. All that, crop reports, the valley weather forecast, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The leading agricultural commodity in California is dairy. But the Golden State’s dairy operations have been beset by a large degree of uncertainty in trade relations with our neighbors as well as contraction of operations, to put it mildly. Recently, at the Wisconsin Dairy Expo, USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue didn’t exactly please the crowd when he talked about the future of small dairy farms. We have that report. Can solar panels give a farmer economic certainty in these very uncertain times? We crunch the numbers. The chickens are coming home to roost, pardon the farm metaphor, for the USDA and its relocation of its scientific and research departments from Washington DC to the midwest. And there’s a lot of money and information that’s not getting to farmers and researchers as a result. All that, crop reports, the week ahead in weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Growers of walnuts, pistachios and prunes, along with many other California farmers, got some good news this past week: the trade pact between the United States and Japan has been ratified. Although not much different than the language in the old Trans Pacific Partnership, at least now California farmers can get back to the business of selling their products to the state’s fourth largest export market for agricultural commodities. It’s good news and bad news for California grape growers. There’s plenty of grapes to harvest this year. The bad news? There’s now too many grapes and not enough customers. We have updates on the rice and pistachio harvests. And we explore the benefits of cover cropping. All that, crop reports, the weather in the week ahead, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California farmers won a few political battles recently. On the federal level, WOTUS, the Waters of the United States rules, has officially been scaled back. Here in California, the governor has promised to veto Senate Bill 1, which would have negated any loosening of federal environmental regulations dealing with land and water. Also, the United States Mexico Canada trade agreement got some significant endorsements this past week. We’ll tell you about this coming together of important republicans and democrats. Farmers are looking to cash in on the next big cash crop: hemp. But what are the rules for growing and processing hemp? that’s a Good question. And we take a look into our Magic 8-ball and conjure up what California farms will be like in the year 2069. Here’s a hint…it all depends on the water supply. All that, crop reports, the weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Our favorite college horticulture professor, Debbie Flower, helps solve some of our late summer garden issues. Choosing California Native Plants. Growing cover crops. Placer County Master Gardener Calendar and Garden Guide. Garden Grappler.
Poke your head inside any rural coffee shop these days, and you might overhear a group of California farmers talking about one of three hot topics: water, or the potential for losing it to either drought or government fiat; labor, or more particularly, the difficulty of finding farmhands in these days of immigration crackdowns; and, the uncertainty of crop sales due to ongoing tariff battles and trade wars. As usual, we will tackle all three on this program today, including a spotlight on a Sacramento Valley agricultural commodity that might get snickered at here, but is wildly popular overseas: California-grown prunes. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The latest rise in tariff tensions with China has more and more farmers getting nervous about their lost sales. The combination of tariff problems and bad weather has seen farm income drop 45 percent; farm bankruptcies have increased 13 percent across the country. And the USDA’s own export forecast numbers are not encouraging. We have that report. It’s a good time to be in the goat and sheep business in California. The demand for brush eating livestock is greater than the supply to help control wildfires here. And we talk with a prominent Northern California farming family about the importance of conservation and soil improvement practices. All that crop reports, extended weather, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
As the tariff battle between the U.S. and China heats up, there may be another casualty locally, sales of California wine to China. We have the details. There is some good trade news, a possible agreement between the United States and Japan, a country that is California’s fourth leading export market for agricultural goods, including almonds, rice and walnuts. Saving water on the farm…we look at the latest technology. Tulare county is one of this state’s and the nation’s leading agricultural producers. Yet over 25% of the population, most of whom are farm laborers, are on food stamps, and the number is growing. We talk with Tulare county’s leading food bank operation about the plight of farm workers there and the hurdles they face getting enough food to eat. All that, crop reports, extended weather and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
It’s a pest to dozens of farm commodities here in California, and it’s expanding its range. Now, the Brown Marmorated Stink Bug, BMSB for short, is causing damage to almond orchards in the Northern San Joaquin Valley. Can the BMSB be stopped? We have a report. Tulare County is the country’s leading producer of food crops. Yet, a sizable portion of the county’s population, including farmworkers, are going hungry, and now food will be harder for them to get. On top of that, new immigration rules may limit even further that area’s access to farm workers. The ag export market may look bleak, but the Sacramento Valley’s processing tomato growers have a glimmer of hope… ketchup exports are zooming up. We talk with a couple of young farmers about pursuing agriculture…in the Sacramento suburb of Orangevale. All that, crop reports, extended weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
If you run a farm or a ranch in California, what’s your biggest expense? The USDA knows, and they have the numbers in their latest California farm production expenditure release. Here’s a hint: although it costs the most, it’s hard to get. Yep, you figured it out…it’s farm labor. That shortage has encouraged some entrepreneurs to develop more automated farming equipment. We visit a recent exhibition of 21st century technology for the farm. The battle against weedy rice. What’s that? We’ll explain, as well as what the California rice industry is doing to thwart its spread. The average age of the California farmer is over 59 years old. Where are the young farmers going to come from? We talk about the opportunities, and hurdles, to attract the next generation of farmers. All that, crop reports, extended weather and more….on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The increasingly expensive tariff war with China is heating up to an all time high, and many farmers are fearing for their very livelihood. If you’re a rancher in PG&E Territory, how are you going to get water to your livestock in the event of a mandatory power shutdown during wind events? We talk with one Placer County rancher about that worry. Have you heard about the Produce Safety Rule? Many California growers who sell to farmers markets have big concerns about that. But there will be exemptions. We talk with the CDFA’s project supervisor about the implementation of that portion of the Food Safety Modernization Act. A record number of bee hives were decimated this past winter. However, the USDA has decided not to continue their honeybee survey research, citing budget cuts. All that, crop reports, the week ahead in weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s farmers are taking a major hit this year in tariff battles with China, Mexico, Canada, and several other countries. However, the Trump Administration is about to release funds, about 14.5 billion dollars worth of direct payments, to aid farmers across the U.S. because of those lost sales, but the dollars will be rolled out very slowly. We have the details. Farmers in California and across the nation are eagerly looking to the USDA for guidance about the rules for growing hemp, a commodity with hopefully high profits.The USDA plans to finalize its hemp regulations sometime this fall, but, it too, will be rolled out slowly. How is California’s wine grape crop faring this summer? We have an update. All that, crop reports, the weekly weather outlook, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The Trump Administration is proposing cuts to the Food Stamp Program. And that would also mean the elimination of free school lunches for hundreds of thousands of impoverished school children. And it would mean billions of dollars in losses for grocery stores and California’s farmers, the nation’s main supplier of fresh fruits and vegetables. How to thwart crime on California’s farms? The Colusa County sheriff’s department has a plan, and it involves a smartphone app to make crime reporting quicker and easier. We look at the state of farm bankruptcies in California, and why it isn’t as bad here as it is in other farms areas across the country. Meet your new farm friend, the mud dauber wasp. All that, extended weather and crop reports, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
You probably remember all the rain we had in May, a record setting amount. Great for our water supply, but bad news for San Joaquin County's cherry growers. We have the latest figures. Put a group of farmers in a room with an important politician these days, and there’s no doubt the topic of solving the immigration issue will come up. Farmers need workers, and they need them now. Currently appearing in Northern California: the Oriental fruit fly and the peach fruit fly. And waiting in the wings, a third pest may find its way here: the spotted lantern fly. We’ll tell you about all three, and what officials are doing to thwart their spread. White nose syndrome - it’s a fungus hitting the nation’s bat population. What’s being done about it, and how important are bats to California agriculture? We’ve got all that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Why is there so much dead wood on top of walnut and pistachio trees in Northern and Central California now? What caused that canopy dieback in two of the most valuable export crops in the Golden State? Researchers have an idea… And while we’re on the subject of nuts…why aren’t there more pecan orchards in California? After all, investors are saying that because of a recent federal pecan marketing order, pecan orchards are well poised to pay future attractive dividends. We talk with one wholesale grower of pecan trees here who’s wondering the same thing. Not only are honeybees disappearing, government-funded scientific research on honeybee colonies is being cut by the USDA. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
President Trump’s Tweets about starting immigration raids in California are putting farmers in a bind. Fearful farm workers are already skipping going to work. We have that report. One of the most popular crops from the Delta region, pears, will start getting packed this month, and there are high hopes for another outstanding harvest. More money may be on the way to help control the 20 pound rodent, the Nutria. This pest is digging its way northward in the region, weakening fragile levee systems. And your four legged friend in the back of your pickup truck may turn out to be the next best weapon for conquering citrus greening disease. All that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
It’s been a week of good news and bad news for California’s farmers. On the downside, the northern San Joaquin Valley cherry crop is officially a disaster. Three counties have filed for federal aid. If you have a wild pig problem on your property, don’t expect much help from the feds. The USDA recently launched a $75 million dollar feral swine eradication project, but none of that money is headed to California, despite the fact that our state has the fourth largest population of wild pigs in the country. The wet spring means more puncture vine this summer. We explore this troublesome weed in-depth. Oh, the good news? The State Water Project has upped its allocation of water to its customers. And, the weather is kinda nice here, isn’t it? All that, crop reports, and more….on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Two steps forward, one step back. It’s the dance that many California farmers, especially nut growers, are doing regarding our country’s tariff travails. Mexico ratifying the USMCA and a thaw in US - China tariff negotiations is the good news. The step back: India is imposing larger tariffs on California’s almonds and walnuts. We have the details. We talk with area farmers about how this year’s rice and apricot crops are fairing…so far. And a safer alternative to controlling levee-destroying rodents on California’s farms: Raptors. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
More Central Valley farmers are wondering, when is the state of California’s high speed rail project going to reimburse us for moving and realigning our farming operations to make room for those train tracks? The President recently Tweeted that Mexico will be buying more agricultural goods from America’s farmers, thanks to his recent tariff threat. One problem, though: no one has any details about that, apparently. California’s growers of house plants are scrambling. It seems that the Millennial generation is rapidly becoming fond of being plant parents. But the plants they want, fell out of favor decades ago. We have all that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
The nation’s farmers, and especially California’s farmers, are concerned about the Trump Administration’s ongoing tariff battles, and with Mexico in particular. Our southern neighbor is one of this state’s biggest agricultural trading partners, and now the flow of crops and food goods between the two is threatened by a new round of tariffs. Also in jeopardy: the ratification of the revised USMCA trade agreement among the United States, Mexico and Canada. Weather woes and tariff battles have led to a new, $16 billion dollar disaster relief program for the nation’s farmers. We’ll tell what that means for California’s growers. Putting the summer heat to work for you with biosolarization to control many soil-borne problems, such as weeds, diseases and insects. We have the details. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Hey, thanks for the big bucks, but all in all, we would rather have trade, not aid. That’s the message from California’s agricultural community to the Trump Administration regarding mitigation payments to America’s farmers totaling 16 billion dollars in lieu of sales to China, in that ongoing tariff battle. The fear of many California almond growers, though:if this tariff war continues, there could be a permanant loss of the Chinese market to other almond producers, especially Australia. Also, farmers are playing catch-up after all that rain in May. Some good news, the Oriental Fruit Fly has been eradicated from Sacramento and Yolo counties…for now, at least. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
As if the ongoing tariff battles weren’t enough to keep California’s farmers on edge, the record rains of May throughout much of the Golden State’s prime ag areas added to their concerns. We focus on two crops in our area threatened by all the wet weather: cherries and rice. We talk with a couple of local growers who have a lot of concerns. There is one California crop that is coming out ahead in the latest tariff troubles with China. And that’s garlic. We’ll tell you why. According to the latest California farm statistics, one of the biggest growth crops in the last year has been…garbanzo beans. Should you be growing garbanzos? We delve into the details of growing this cool season legume. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s almond growers are facing a double whammy: the ongoing tariff battle with China means fewer sales to one of that crop’s prime export markets. And, the four alarm fire at Blue Diamond Growers huge processing facility in Sacramento adds more uncertainty for what promises to be a record almond crop in 2019. Where will the next generation of California’s farmers come from? The state’s burgeoning number of urban farms may be part of the answer. We visit urban farms throughout the state and look at the number of innovative ways, and reasons, farms are returning to the city. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California will be phasing out the use of an agricultural chemical that many of the state’s farmers rely on: it’s the insecticide, Chlorpyrifos. We have the details. Virulent Newcastle Disease is growing in southern california, threatening the area’s poultry industry. Now, it has spread to Arizona. We have tips for protecting northern california flocks. And we delve into the world of pet food. Is California and the rest of the US pet food production industry set for a huge expansion internationally? We have that report. All that the latest crop progress, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California will be phasing out the use of an agricultural chemical that many of the state’s farmers rely on: it’s the insecticide, Chlorpyrifos. We have the details. Virulent Newcastle Disease is growing in southern california, threatening the area’s poultry industry. Now, it has spread to Arizona. We have tips for protecting northern california flocks. And we delve into the world of pet food. Is California and the rest of the US pet food production industry set for a huge expansion internationally? We have that report. All that the latest crop progress, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
If you’re sitting in a Central Valley coffee shop some morning, you just might overhear a group of farmers chatting. Chances are, it’ll be about the weather, water, prices, or the lack of available farm labor. Oh, and they might mention that the coffee shop is the only place around that has high speed internet. We tackle all four of those hot farm topics today. Also, we try to unravel the mess that is international trade. Just when will that revamped NAFTA deal to sell farm commodities to Mexico and Canada get ratified? And what about China? There’s a big advance in the rush to increase mechanization in the grape vineyards. UC researchers have discovered the best trellising system for the mechanical harvesting and pruning of grapes in the Central Valley. It’s all coming up, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s Get Started!
It’s one of the biggest cattle operations in California, and it’s just been sold. The Harris Ranch has new owners. We have the details. The Central Valley Project has upped the amount of water it will be sending to south of Delta stakeholders this summer. But it’s still not at 100% of delivery expectations. We talk to a farmer who has taken it upon himself and his neighbors to clean up illegal dumping in rural Yuba and Sutter counties. And, how to attract one of the best pest control experts to your farmland: all about barn owls, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
It’s only updated every five years. It’s the USDA Census of Agriculture, and it was just released. We drill down through the 6 million data points in that report to answer the question: how is California agriculture faring? We talk with an agricultural statistics expert. The Golden State is home to many agricultural products that are primarily from California alone. You know about our monopoly on growing walnuts, almonds, raisins and so much more. But there is another commodity that hails from far northwestern California, that you just might be staring at on your Easter dinner table. Plus we have trade updates, crop reports and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm hour. Let’s get started!
It’s one of the most used farm chemicals. It’s the weedkiller, glyphosate. It’s a product that’s facing losing battles in California courts, and being rejected by insurance companies for coverage back east. Farmers in California are wondering: How much longer will glyphosate be available? It’s been a wet cool winter and early spring. How are California’s extensive acres of almonds faring? We check in with a Northern California farm advisor. We also talk with a noted researcher who discusses the ongoing battle to control the deadly grape problem, Pierce’s Disease. All that, crop reports, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s Get Started!
Water, lots of it, has been the focus for agriculture across the country. But unlike the midwest flooding, the water story here in California is mostly good news. We have that report. The Trump administration’s threats to completely close down the border with Mexico could have serious ramifications for California’s farmers. We tell you which crops will face the biggest export losses…and, the crops from Mexico that might disappear from your local supermarket. Sunflowers play a big role in Sacramento Valley agriculture. We highlight that crop, and the problems it may face in 2019. All that, crop reports, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The deadly chicken sickness, Virulent Newcastle Disease, is spreading in California. And now it has has been found in several commercial chicken operations. We have that report. The FCC paid a visit to some local ag operations here, to find out more about what rural California needs the most: higher internet speeds. The wet but warmer weather of early spring means more problems with mosquitoes for homeowners, ranchers and farmers. We have some control tips. And we take a peek into the magic 8 ball to foretell the ten year farm and livestock outlook. It’s all coming up, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Congratulations, you’ve just enjoyed the wettest winter on record in the United States. And this spring and summer, California’s farmers will see increased water allocations from the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project. We have the numbers. The deadliest pest to California’s citrus industry has found its way into Sacramento County. The Asian Citrus Psyllid, which vectors citrus greening disease, was found earlier this month in the city of Sacramento. The County’s Agricultural commissioner will tell us how that find will effect the way citrus is handled on both residential and commercial levels. The farmers of tomorrow may be getting their start at Sacramento’s Cosumnes River College. We chat with the head of that school’s Horticulture Department. All that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Central Valley Farmers and Southern California water users may see some steep rate hikes ahead. They and other State Water Project water customers may be on the hook for the costs of the majority of repairs at Oroville Dam, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. All because the Federal Government says they won’t cover those costs. We’ll tell you why. The wet California winter is a combination of good news and bad news for the state’s farmers. We’ll explain. The EPA is proposing making gasoline containing 15% ethanol available year round. But farmers and rural residents who own typical small farm implements such as chain saws, mowers, tillers and more need to be very careful about what they put in those fuel tanks. We’ll tell you why. All that, crop reports, and more….on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s Get Started!
It was a wet February, and more atmospheric rivers have hit California to start off March. Overflowing streams have caused farm damage in Northern California, we’ll tell you where. There’s a lot of water flowing out to sea as a result of all those storms, but we will tell you about one irrigation district in California that’s taking that excess water and distributing it to farmers for a very good use. There are some happy farmers in Northern California that are satisfied with a couple of decisions to delay or suspend water and electrical projects that would’ve impacted their land. We’ll tell you all about that. And we visit the Sacramento Rice fields and find out what rice growers are doing this time of year. And a lot of it is hurry up and wait. All that crop reports and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The atmospheric rivers of rain that have inundated California recently have area almond growers concerned about the 2019 crop. On the other hand, all that precipitation has raised water allocations for California farmers who contract with the Central Valley Project or the State Water Project. We chat with a fifth generation Yolo County farmer, Bruce Rominger, about his efforts at sustainable farming on his 6,500 acres of crops. And, why California is buzzing with bees right now in the state’s orchards. All that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
We’ve got lots of good news for California’s farmers this week. It’s only late February, but already the Sierra snowpack is at its April 1 average…meaning there will be plenty of irrigation surface water coming your way from the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project. And the CVP has made its initial allocations of water availability. We have those nice numbers. What’s more important than water? Your children. And we put the spotlight on some of the best and brightest youngsters who are the future of California farming. These are standout California high schoolers who are getting ready to become this state’s next generation of successful farmers. We hear their stories. You want more good news? OK. It’s gonna rain and snow some more! All that, and more….on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s new governor outlined his plans for the future of California, and Gavin Newsom couldn’t have been clearer. Plus, the governor made a big change in the leadership of the Department of Water Resources, a change in personnel that pleased many Central Valley growers. We have the details. New outbreaks of the deadly chicken illness, Virulent Newcastle Disease in California. We’ll tell you where. Flying drones over your farm this winter? Be careful, or you might come to a crash landing. And details about a new substitute for soil fumigation. It’s called Biosolarization…and its researchers recently won an achievement award from California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation. All that, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour!
Donald Trump has kept his word to California’s farmers. He’s attempting to shift Delta water away from fish and send it to the farms and cities of the Central Valley. The details are in the just-released U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Biological Assessment for the Delta. And there’s already blowback. Farmers are filing for bankruptcy in record numbers in the Midwest. But what about California’s farmers? How healthy is their financial outlook? We talk with a noted ag economist. For great crops, you need great soil. And there’s a research facility here that you need to visit to see some really great soil in action. Think Valentine’s Day is a big day for Northern California flower growers? You better think again. We visit one and find out why they’re concentrating instead on weddings and special events. All that and more on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
The Department of Water Resources conducted their monthly snow survey last week, and what they found is very good news for farm and city dwellers for 2019. More farm groups are telling Congress: we need workers. We need a fix to the immigrant farm labor issue. Nutrias are up, butterflies are down. The nutria is a large burrowing rodent that can destroy crops and levees. Its numbers have exploded in the Delta area in the last year. And the western monarch butterfly population is down 85%. What can farmers do to turn that around? Plenty, and the government is willing to help pay for your efforts. Those are just a few of the stories on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s farmers demand it. Democrats in congress are voting on it. And the President says he wants it, too. What is it? A plan for immigrant farm labor. It’s called the Agricultural Worker Program Act, and its currently working its way through Congress. We have an update. Farm Service Agency offices are reopening…but during this federal worker shutdown, how long will they remain open to aid the nation’s farmers? We take a look. Also, the labor-intensive process of developing hybrid fruit and nut varieties. We take a tour of one such facility. All that, and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
President Trump recently promised farmers that he’ll open the southern border to make it easier to get much needed farm laborers into the United States. We have the details. California just released their yearly roundup of agricultural statistics. Which crops were the big winners? Which California counties are responsible for the most farm income? We’ll tell you. One of the big applause lines at President Trump’s speech to the American Farm Bureau Federation convention had to do with more money for better rural internet. We’ll explore the problems of getting high speed internet to California’s farm country in depth. And, there are more Asian Citrus Psyllid quarantine areas in the state. We’ll tell you where. All that and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour! Let’s get started!
Don’t believe all the negativity about this year’s water supply for California farmers. The Department of Water Resources has encouraging news about this year’s Sierra snowpack, water that will eventually find its way to Central Valley Project and State Water Project customers. We have the numbers. THere’s an ever so slight opening in the door to increased trade with China. And it could be a big deal for California’s rice growers. We kick the tires on the newest tractors with fewer diesel emissions. And, we have tips for commercial beekeepers from a long time bee expert. All that and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
2019 begins with encouraging results of two agricultural studies. UC Davis researchers have been able to clone hybrid varieties of rice, which would be a major benefit to third world country farmers who can’t afford to buy fresh seed every year. And another study shows that a major pest of the honeybee population, the varroa mite, might be controlled by extracts from commonly found mushrooms. We have the details. Sacramento Valley farmers are taking action to make sure they will have access to Sacramento River Water by heading off any possible action by the State Water Resources board to curtail availability. We clear up the water, specifically, what’s included in the revised Waters of the United States rules to make it easier for California’s farmers to do what they do best…farm. Happy New Year, from the KSTE Farm Hour!
Away from Home meals are up. What does that mean for California Farmers’ income? We have the details. What are the Trump Administration’s strategies for increasing rural prosperity? We’ve got that info, too. Have you heard about the California Farm Demonstration Network? We’ll tell you all about it. When it comes to gophers versus drip irrigation, it’s usually the gopher that wins. We have tips to put you on the winning side. And the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act is slowly being implemented in California. And for some California farms, the slower the better. We’ll tell you why. All that, plus a report on the mushrooming, um growing,…mushroom business. It’s all on today’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
We take a closer look at the recently passed 2018 Farm Bill, and what it means for California’s farmers. More recalls of produce from Central coast lettuce growers, a response to Novembers e-coli outbreak. There’s movement in the world of California water…deals and agreements that could be good news and bad news for California’s farmers. We have the confusing details. The deadly poultry ailment, Newcastle’s Disease, has spread from backyard chickens to a California commercial grower. We take an in-depth look at this problem and what chicken owners can do to stave off the spread of Newcastle Disease. And it’s a sunny December for California’s pistachio growers, who are harvesting a record crop. But there are dark clouds on the horizon. All that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
The controversial Waters of the United States rules have been modified, much to the relief of California’s farmers. Congress passes the new farm bill, which includes Senator Mitch McConnells’ pet project: the legalization of hemp production in the United States. Does hemp production have a future in California? We have an in-depth report. Another hitch in the progress of California WaterFix, also known as the Delta Tunnels. Is it enough to derail that project? Also: advances in trade negotiations and a story about an ad looking for American-born farm workers. 12,000 applications were received…only 12 showed up for work. Guess how many stuck around. It’s all coming up on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
Think you have less money in your pocket this year? The latest USDA Farm Income forecast says it’s not your imagination, and you are not alone. The NAFTA replacement plan, the USMCA, is a go, for more trade among the US, Canada and Mexico. But hurdles remain. With wildfire threats increasing the likelihood of mandatory utility shutdowns, are you and your generators ready? We talk with an expert on generator preparedness. Plum growers throughout California are on the lookout right now for plum aphid populations. We have some tips on how to find this pest in your orchards. All that, crop reports, and more….on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The Thanksgiving week recall of romaine lettuce due to possible contamination by the E.coli bacteria has roiled farming operations throughout the lettuce growing regions of the entire country. But it looks like the source of that contamination came from California’s Central Coast area. What can cause an E.coli contamination of field greens such as lettuce and spinach? We look at the possible causes, including one that may surprise you, wild pigs. The north state’s fairgrounds have stepped up to help out the survivors of the Camp Fire, including displaced livestock. All that, crop reports and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
A bit of rain has helped contain the Camp Fire in the Paradise area, as well as bringing relief from breathing hazardous air for much of Northern California. We focus on the relief programs that have been set up to aid those in agriculture effected by this fire, the deadliest in California history. The secretary of agriculture has some thoughts on future management of forest lands, we hear what he has to say. It’s apple season, we talk about this very important component of agritourism in the Sierra Nevada foothills. And, we give thanks for farmers. All that, crop reports, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
The Camp Fire in Butte County continues to burn. Now the largest, deadliest fire in California history, we update evacuation sites for livestock and household pets, and how you can help. Will Congress pass a farm bill before New Year’s? We have an update. We focus on the ag commodities that will be highlighting your dinner table this coming Thursday: turkeys, sweet potatoes, and cranberries. (Yes, there are cranberries grown in California.) More and more farmers are raising livestock, crops…and their grandchildren. We have a report on how grandparents can better cope with that major task. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
Farmers suffered a couple of economic hits in last week’s voting on ballot propositions, regarding water and livestock. We take a look at the results of Propositions 3 and 12. California’s dairy farmers now have a federal milk marketing order. We’ll tell you what that means. Growers are getting more grief due to ongoing tariff and trade issues, but be glad you’re not a soybean farmer in North Dakota. We’ll tell you why. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Farmers, ranchers and every Californian is wondering…when is it going to rain? We take a look at the dry conditions here and throughout the West. A group of state legislators who represent Delta area farmers want the EPA to disallow a one point six billion dollar loan that could speed up construction of the controversial delta tunnels project. Are internet speeds picking up in california’s farm country? We have an in-depth report of the push to get more rural Californians high speed internet access. And, we have tips for walnut growers to protect their young trees when a sudden freeze occurs. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE farm hour.
Christmas came early for Central Valley farmers, or did it? President Trump recently signed a memorandum that directs federal agencies to speed up their environmental review of major Western water projects as well as develop plans to suspend or revise regulations that hamper water deliveries to farmers but at the expense of providing water for migrating salmon and smelt. But what are the chances those changes could be implemented? Not good, according to previous Supreme Court rulings. We have the details. If it’s Halloween, it must be bat week. We talk with a local expert about the benefits of having bats residing on your farmland. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Lets get started!
October is a scary month in Northern California. The warm, dry windy weather puts our area in high fire danger, especially rural farms and ranches. And that threat is compounded with PG&E’s new policy of shutting down electrical power to many areas of rural Northern California for days at a time whenever it gets dry and windy. We have that report. Milk production is up, but prices are uncertain. Thinking of putting in a new crop or starting a farm from scratch? We talk about a great University of California website that lets you know the actual costs, along with the potential returns. And we visit with a Northern California explorer, seeking out Gold Rush era fruit and nut trees, plants that may hold the keys for the future of California agriculture. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
More tariff troubles for California’s farmers, as China imposes new fees on popular commodities from here, including wine, fruit and tomato products. We have the details. It looks like smoke taint of wine grapes is becoming a problem. We have the story of one California wine company refusing to buy the grapes of a grower from a wildfire area. Which ag products are taking a big hit in the Southeast due to Hurricane Michael? We have an update. The Trump administration has given the OK for more Ethanol fuel, but is E15 (that’s fuel with a 15% ethanol content) going to be a problem for your farm equipment? All that, crop reports and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Dairy farmers scored a big win last week: more of their products can be sold in Canada. We have an in-depth report on the progress of the successor to NAFTA, the U.S. Mexico Canada Trade agreement. It’s apple season here in Northern California, and in the Sierra foothills, it’s the key product in that area’s burgeoning agritourism business. Also, we report on progress of the Farm Bill that’s stalled in Congress, plus the latest crop reports. All that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Many California farmers are having a great harvest season, but where are the buyers? Trade woes and tariff disputes are making for a very uncertain autumn. We update the latest on the tariff battles, and take a look at the possible ramifications of a Farm Bill that may expire September 30 unless Congress takes quick action. We have a report on the latest advances in drone technology for the farm, and we offer up a primer on cover cropping. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Record rain, heavy winds have pummeled the Carolinas. We take a look at the damage to farms in that area, and if there will be any impact on prices for the affected crops that are grown here in California. Here in the west, the drought situation is getting a bit worse, we'll tell you where. Yet another multi-million dollar settlement in a land-ripping Waters of the United States case in Tehama county was announced. This time, it was an out of state farm management firm that will be opening their wallets. What were the top 3 farm and ranch products from california last year? you think about that, we'll tell you later...on this week's KSTE Farm Hour. Let's get started!
The nation is closely watching the destructive advance of Hurricane Florence in the southeastern United States. Among the casualties are that region’s farm crops that are still in the field, and that may play a part in fluctuating commodity prices for those crops grown here in California. Driving through the Sacramento Valley, you may have noticed nut orchards popping up in what used to be rice fields. And this has rice growers worried, for a number of reasons. We talk with a Colusa County rice grower about those impacts. We update agricultural tariff worries, the farm bill progress and the latest crop reports, on this week's edition of the KSTE Farm Hour.
Thinks look a little different at the Farmer’s Markets in the Sacramento area this week: the fresh produce on display is hidden by tarps. What are they hiding from? The Oriental Fruit Fly. We’ll tell you how the CDFA and Sacramento County are attacking this voracious pest of over 200 fruit and vegetable varieties. The proposed 2018 Farm Bill is back under discussion in Washington, and California’s ag community is watching the progress carefully, including the answer to the question… Are fields of hemp in your future? Also, to no one’s surprise, the costs for repairing Oroville Dam have skyrocketed. And the dam has received another unsatisfactory rating. All that, crop reports, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Some details of the Trump Administration’s tariff relief package for farmers have been released, and it’s great news if you grow soybeans, who will be getting over 3.6 billion dollars in compensation, more than half the targeted amount of 6 billion dollars in this round of payments. Problem is, you probably don’t grow that crop. Soybeans do not exist in California as a commercial crop recognized by the CDFA. As you might imagine, that doesn’t leave much to divide among the myriad of remaining Golden State farm goods. As a result, the state’s growers of every other crop are a bit miffed at the lack of support they’re getting in this ongoing tariff war. We have the details. The Oriental fruit fly is back, and that’s not good news for Sacramento area farmers and gardeners. We talk about what the state and Sacramento County officials are doing to eradicate this newly found voracious pest in the city of Sacramento, and its impact on local farmers’ markets. Winegrape growers are in the middle of their harvest season, and smoke taint is near the top of their list of worries. That, and labor shortages. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The water battles in California are heating up. Approximately one thousand protestors, made up of farmers and other irrigation interests, rallied at the State Capitol this past week, in opposition to the latest proposal by the State Water Resources Control Board to divert water from farms and cities, in order to aid the salmon population. We have that report. Like a zombie rising from the dead, WOTUS, that’s the very controversial Waters of the United States rules, have sprung back to life in California and many other states, due to a judge’s ruling. Virulent Newscastle Disease has increased its spread on California’s chicken population. We’ll tell you where, and offer tips for its control. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue visited California this past week. And he got an earful from Central Valley farmers about the shortage of farm labor, immigration issues, and of course…the ongoing tariff disputes. Fueling those concerns: a new report out that shows California’s farmers could lose 3.3 billion dollars…per year, due to any retaliatory tariffs. A California jury has awarded a school groundskeeper $289 million dollars for his cancer illness…and that jury held Monsanto and its glyphosate weed-killing products liable for those damages. How close are we to consuming lab-grown meat? Closer than you may think. We have that report. Also, we remember a beloved local farm advisor, who lost his battle with cancer recently. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
As wildfires continue to rage in California, farm and range losses are mounting. We have an early look at some of the damage. The state is claiming victory, again, against the Medfly. This time, in Solano County. The Sustainable Groundwater Management Act isn’t just about what’s below the soil, there are serious land use decisions that are going to have to be made, especially in the Central Valley. We have an in-depth report. All that, crop reports, and multiple awards for California’s cheesemakers. It’s all on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s earlier starting, hotter burning wildfires as well as the extended triple digit heatwaves this year are playing havoc with farming operations. We have that report. What about us? That’s what California’s farmers, farm organizations and politicians are asking the Trump administration. Their concern? How California huge specialty crop industries are getting shortchanged by the President’s tariff relief money, which is primarily headed to midwest pork, soybean and corn operations. The latest report from the USDA: most farms are losing money. Is there any good news? Well, people are very fond of their tractor’s color…and loyal, too. But even that may be changing. It’s all coming up, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
Turns out, the WH press is just plum tuckered out! White House correspondent Debra J. Saunders joins Armstrong & Getty to talk about covering The Trump Administration. Plus, what's behind the ridiculous Tom Hanks/QAnon story?
The biggest ag export state effected by the ongoing tariff disputes is California. The Golden State exports 26 percent of its agricultural production by volume. In dollar terms, the state’s agricultural exports reached over $20 billion in 2016. But the California agricultural community is torn. On one hand, farmers are welcoming the financial relief proposed by the Trump Administration: 12 billion dollars to offset agricultural losses due to the ongoing tariff battles with several foreign countries, including China. On the other hand, many farm groups, including the California Farm Bureau Federation, would rather see more certainty and equitable trading protocols when it comes to selling their farm products overseas instead of a program of ongoing handouts. We have the details. The state has given the OK for partial funding of eight major water projects, including one right here in Sacramento County that will be good news for the counties’ farmers. And there’s a new project to move Modesto and Turlock wastewater to the farms on the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. We have that, and a lot more, including the latest pest invasion in the state’s orchards: roof rats. It’s all on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Welcome to yet another chapter of the ongoing California saga: Whisky’s for drinkin’, water’s for fightin’. There are water war battles going on throughout the state. Proposed reductions of farm deliveries of San Joaquin river flows has many powerful ag groups up in arms. The November ballot features a bond measure to repair the Friant Kern Canal, the flow of which is the victim of subsiding land. And tucked away in the Cuyama Valley, local farmers there are battling big agricultural interests for the shrinking supply of water in that area’s aquifers. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Good news for California’s almond growers. The 2018 crop now encompasses over one million acres, and this year’s harvest will be the biggest ever…over 1.1 million metric tons of almond nut meat. The not so good news…the cost of sending those nuts to China may be going up. Way up. In past years, China has purchased 12% of California's almonds. Will the ongoing tariff battle with China cause a steep decline in sales? We have that report. Firefighters battling the 90,000 acre County fire that enveloped parts of Yolo and Napa Counties have determined how that blaze started. An improperly installed electric cattle fence. It will be a good year for California’s processing tomato crop, we have the numbers. And if you’re biting into a sweet, juicy pluot or aprium right now, we’ve got the backstory on how those plum-apricot crosses were developed. We’ll take a tour of Modesto-based Zaiger Genetics. All that, crop reports and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California farmers are getting more nervous about pending losses in the tariff war between China and the United States. California farmers are hearing about some of their goods, rotting away at China’s port cities, due to what the Chinese are calling qualitative tariffs. We’ll explain. A local Republican Congressman introduced a bill to phase out farm subsidies. How did that vote go down? We’ll tell you. You know about California’s farm to fork trend, to encourage more local consumption of nearby farm products. Did you know about the farm to flower shop push? How about the farm to mug movement? Yep, we take a look at locally grown beer. All that, crop reports, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s farmers will be on the receiving end of a big economic hit if the U.S. government doesn’t provide relief from the proposed agricultural tariffs threatened by China, Canada, Mexico and Europe. We have the latest from Washington. California’s pear harvest will be down this year, but prices for the crop will rise. Wild pigs are back in the news, and there’s a move afoot at the state Capitol to increase the hunting of these major farm pests. Processing tomatoes are a major crop in our area, and the local farm advisor who has overseen the changes in this industry over the decades is retiring. We have a conversation with Gene Miyao, who talks about the changes and innovations of growing tomatoes in the Sacramento area over the last 40 years. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
Trade issues and threatened tariffs with several foreign countries, especially China, pose a risk to the state’s agricultural exports. Farmers need workers. And the prospects for getting easier access to skilled foreign agricultural labor are dim, due to the immigration issues currently facing the U.S. Two pests are back on the CA farm scene: West Nile Virus for horses, and a parasitic plant, broomrape, that’s threatening crops in Yolo County and the Delta. Central Valley Project ag customers south of the Delta will get more water. How Ventura County employed hawks to kill rodents that were destroying levees. All that, plus crop reports, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The single biggest agricultural commodity in California is dairy, which produces more than six billion dollars in revenue a year. But dairy farmers in the Golden State are weathering a big storm. About 230 dairy operations in California have closed during the last five years. Not helping the survival of dairy in California is all the uncertainty of the tariff wars with Mexico and Canada. But one lifeline thrown to California’s dairy farmers recently is their new participation in the federal milk marketing order. We have the details. The U.S. Senate has passed its version of the Farm Bill, which contains some promising news for potential hemp growers. What’s wrong with the sunflowers growing in Yolo, Sutter and Solano Counties? We delve into the mysteries of abiotic disorders of the local sunflower crops with a University of California expert. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The outbreak of Virulent Newcastle Disease in poultry flocks in Southern California is growing. We have the details. 1.4 million Californians have no access to broadband internet at any speed. And that includes many farm areas of California. We find out why high speed internet access is vital to the success of farming in the Golden State in the 21st century. Farmers in Northeastern California are nervous. No water allocations have been issued for 2018 for growers in the Klamath River Basin. We’ll tell you why. All that, crop reports, and an update on the reconstruction of the Oroville Dam spillways…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour!
The on-again, off-again, Trump-mandated tariffs are on again. At least, at this moment. This time, the target are imports of steel and aluminum from our closest neighbors, Canada, Mexico as well as the European Union. Retaliations may be hitting the exports of California’s farmers and ranchers. We have that report. Is the food from Farmers Markets healthier for you? We take a look, and we have tips if you want to start a farmers market. Also, an in-depth look at the latest threat to California’s poultry - Virulent Newcastle Disease, which is spreading among exhibition chickens in Southern California. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
A combination of Congressional Democrats and conservative Republicans voted down the 2018 farm bill last week. We’ll tell you why, and offer the latest assessment for when it will come up to a vote again in Congress. Apparently, we’re friends with China again. We report on progress in US/China trade talks and the tariffs that did not materialize. California farmers are wide-eyed at the prospect of growing a drought-tolerant crop that fetches $90,000 an acre at harvest time. Yes, we are talking hemp, and the prospects for its legalization are increasing. We have an in-depth report on this crop with 25,000 uses. All that, the latest crop news, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
This week, there’s good news and not-so-good news for California farmers when it comes to proposed reservoir projects and the state’s almond growers. What is the future for cherries in California? A local farm advisor says the changing weather will have a serious impact. California’s flower growers love Mother’s Day more than Valentine’s Day, for a very good reason. We will tell you why. It’s a never ending battle: drip irrigation systems versus rodents. We’ll take a look at strategies for combating this voracious farm pest. All that, crop reports and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Can atmospheric river events be converted into groundwater storage? Researchers offer clues to this possibility. Who will pay for Oroville Dam spillway repairs? The Feds say, “not us!” Stockpiling vaccine to ward off an outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease. Is the addition of biochar to the soil practical on California’s farms? Crop reports.
Local farmers are still assessing and attempting to mitigate damage due to last year’s heavy rains. We visit one area walnut grower to find out what he’s doing to insure a healthy walnut crop. More and more California ag officials are concerned about the ramifications of the Trump administration’s proposed tariffs, and the blowback that California’s farmers, especially, will have to endure. Plus, a report on 2018’s almond problems, the outlook for the state’s vegetable crops, the continuing reality soap opera, "All My Delta Tunnels", and the story of one local, award winning, olive oil producer. All that and more on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s farmers are starting to get a handle on crop conditions after a year of whipsaw weather, including atmospheric rivers with torrential downpours, plus an abnormally warm winter followed by a late season freeze. We look at some of the damage being uncovered around California’s farms, including a declaration of disaster for one crop in Tehama County. Which of California’s crops will be most adversely effected by the ongoing tariff battles between the US and China? And, will California’s farmers be offered any federal protection? Plus, we pay a visit to a local farmers market, and get an update on the battle against the Asian citrus psyllid. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The annual Stockton Asparagus festival is happening this weekend, but how many more years can it exist with the steep decline in Delta-area asparagus production? Why has this popular vegetable fallen on hard times locally? As if our fragile waterway systems in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta didn’t have enough problems, a nutria - a 20-pound, levee-devouring swamp rodent - has been found in the area west of Stockton…We have an update on the northward spread of this dangerous pest. What are the chances for a U.S. return to membership in the Trans Pacific Partnership, a vital component for California’s agricultural export industry? All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s farmers are scrambling to find foreign customers for their produce, goods that were earmarked for China. But with the US-China tariff battle escalating by the day, there is a lot of uncertainty for the state’s farmers. We have the details. Southern California’s Metropolitan Water District has voted - despite a lot of opposition - to provide most of the financing for California Water Fix, the controversial Delta Tunnels project that has Delta farmers putting their lawyers on speed dial. We’ve got the latest, along with reaction from one of that project’s biggest critics. The results of late winter and early spring rains may be showing up now as nutritional deficiencies in your tree crops. We talk with an expert on what you should be doing. Rice planting is set to begin in Northern California, the avocado harvest is starting up in Southern California…things are getting busy in the fields! All this, and more, on the KSTE Farm Hour.
The stakes are increasing in the U.S. and China tariff poker game. And California’s farmers are more at risk. Which commodities are facing higher costs to be shipped to China? We have that report. Central Valley Farm workers are still a target of Immigration authorities, even those without criminal records. We take a snowshoe stroll into the Sierra, to measure the latest water content numbers of the snowpack. Which pests threaten California’s walnut orchards, and what can growers do to protect their trees? We have the details. All that, crop reports…and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Her blog is called Fat Girl Running and her friends and fans affectionately call her The Mirnavator. Mirna Valerio runs marathons and ultras and changes perceptions on a daily basis. Looking for a little Mirnavation? You’ve come to the right place!
Are repercussions about to hit California Agriculture due to President Trump’s tariffs on steel and aluminum from China? Oh yes…and they’ve already begun. We’ve got the details. The USDA has released it’s 10 year agricultural production outlook forecast…and it’s not pretty. Roof rats: they’re not just for your attic anymore. These hungry rodents have moved into California’s orchards. But, there are some control strategies. We get that information from a University of California farm advisor. All that, a recap of Ag Day at the State Capitol, and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Yes, we welcome the current bout of late season rain. But it’s spring, and California’s farmers are itching to get into the fields. We look at what one rice grower is doing while waiting for the fields to dry. The threat of Southern California mudslides from March rains, on top of last December’s Thomas Fire, has avocado growers in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties worried. We talk with one grower who’s been assessing damage to his orchards. What are the benefits of cover crops for attracting pollinators to your farm? We get the details from a University of California expert. The latest ag production numbers are in. Can you name California’s Top 5 agricultural products? Get your bets in now, we’ll tell you later…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
March is definitely coming in like a lion: plenty of rain in the valley and snow in the Sierra…good news for summer water supplies. But will it be enough to raise agricultural water allocations to 100%? We look at the numbers. The February freeze still has fruit and nut tree orchard owners worried about the 2018 crop. We take a tour of one almond orchard near Galt to look for freeze damage. California agriculture spends a lot of money to convince state and federal legislators to pass farm-friendly bills. Maybe instead of lobbying in Washington and Sacramento, more effort should be made to take your farm story directly to the people, in order to sway some minds at the capitol. We talk with several young farmers and ag organizations who are doing just that.
It’s been a whirlwind week of farm-related events here in California. First the good news: the March snowpack got off to a great start in the Sierra, helping out water supplies for the farm and cities of the Golden State this summer. And then, the rather nervous news: the imposition of steel and aluminum tariffs by the Trump administration may cause serious blowback to California farm sales this year. Also, concern over the lack of progress on NAFTA, the North American Free Trade Agreement. And the lack of an immigration solution from Washington to insure a very needed supply of farm labor for Calfornia. Also, we have tips for battling powdery mildew on this year’s wine grape crop. It’s all coming up on this edition of the KSTE Farm Hour.
The fruit and nut tree blossoms on California’s farms look great right now, but how well will they bear fruit due to last week’s wide-spread hard freeze? California’s almond crop is especially at risk. Why are the state’s dairy producers at a competitive disadvantage? We explain their efforts to become part of the more lucrative Federal Milk Market Order. The fast riser in commercial almond orchards is the self-fertile Independence almond, a development of Zaiger Genetics in Modesto, which is also home to popular tree fruits such as the pluot and aprium. We learn about the extensive, decades-long hybridization successes of Floyd Zaiger and his family. Plus the latest NAFTA developments and how California farmers are attempting to sway Washington to adopt an ag-friendly immigration program, Coming up, on this edition of the KSTE Farm Hour.
Despite what the Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Purdue, told reporters, California’s farms are the targets of ICE agents, in their hunt for illegal immigrants. Last week’s unusual late February cold snap and hard freeze is threatening crops throughout the state. Central Valley Project water customers got some bad news this past week. Southern California’s massive Metropolitan Water District mulls taking over the building of the Delta Tunnels. Have you heard of the Nutria? No, it’s not a new artificial sweetener or protein supplement. It’s a 20-pound rodent that’s invaded California wetlands, imperiling our levees. Those reports, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Farmers and agribusiness owners throughout California are wondering: who do I obey, the State or the Feds? The confusion is due to the crackdown and roundup of illegal immigrants by Federal ICE agents in California. But the state’s attorney general has told business owners: if you turn over any of your workers’ paperwork to ICE agents without the proper authority, you could face a $10,000 fine. And this is a big problem for California agriculture, where as much as 70% of all farm labor may be illegal immigrants. Also, lessons learned by one Sonoma County rancher after last October’s deadly wildfires. And feral pigs are back in the news. All that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
The California Water Commission has thrown a monkey wrench into the plans and budgets for two major proposed dams in California, the Sites Reservoir near Colusa and Temperance Flat near Fresno. We have the details. Governor Jerry Brown has taken a step back on the Delta Tunnels project. He’s now proposing a one-tunnel system…for now. But even that has a lot of obstacles in the way. Lack of winter rain in the valley and less snow in the mountains has refocused farmers’ attention to the possibility of another California drought. We look at some of the latest strategies for growing crops with less water. And we pay a visit to the Colusa Farm Show. All that, crop reports and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Probe deeper into the problems at Oroville Dam, and you find that there were a lot of shortcuts taken during the construction over 50 years ago. A lack of thoroughness that led to last year’s spillway failures and the resultant loss of land and crops downstream. We have that report. California’s strawberry fields are shrinking; add to that soaring shipping costs. Is the combination too big a challenge for the state’s strawberry growers this year? What did the President say about NAFTA during his State of the Union Address? More importantly, what didn’t he say? Gophers are getting busy now in California’s fruit and nut tree orchards. We have tips on how to control their population before they gnaw away at your 2018 profits. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!
An immediate shortage of trucks and truck drivers threatens California farmers winter harvest. Farmers are awaiting the outcome of the latest round of NAFTA trade talks, jeopardizing ag exports to Canada and Mexico. The latest soil amendment making the rounds on California's farms is one of the oldest: biochar. What’s that all about? We talk with a University of California biochar expert. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
What do trains, tunnels and California’s farmers have to do with each other? The state’s ag community is playing a big part in throwing roadblocks in front of Governor Jerry Brown’s two pet projects. We have the details. More pest quarantine areas declared in California, for the Medfly and the Mexican Fruit Fly. We’ll tell you where. Thinking about adding solar panels to your farm? We have a report that will tell you what questions you should be asking yourself. And, tips on maintaining the health of beehives before almond blossom time. All that, crop reports and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour!
The independent forensics team reviewing the problems at Oroville Dam have released their report. And it’s a scathing document that criticizes just about everyone involved in the near failure of that structure last February, including the original designers of the project. One of the first casualties? The Department of Water Resources Director. And the farmers who lost cropland and orchards from the massive releases of water there last winter? They have yet to see any money from the state. We have those reports. The President addressed the American Farm Bureau Federation convention last week, and everything was going smoothly, until he brought up one topic that is particularly sensitive for California farmers. You’ll hear the farmers’ reactions. Getting ready to apply fungicides to almond orchards? We have some tips. All that, crop reports and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Weather, water and natural disasters top the New Year’s list of worries for California’s farmers. The first Sierra snow measurements of 2018 were taken this past week, we have the numbers. Will the freezing temperatures throughout the east, south and midwest play havoc with future commodity prices for California’s farmers? We look at the winter weather’s impact on farms and ranches across the country. The first agricultural monetary damage totals are in from Southern California’s massive Thomas Fire. And there’s a move afoot by the feds to transfer more Central Valley Project water to farmers in the central and southern San Joaquin valley. We have that story, and a lot more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour!
Sacramento County may be the site of an ambitious water recycling project that would supply area farmers with treated irrigation water. We have the details. A major California wholesale fruit tree grower is getting out of the business. We’ll tell you why. Another blow to the Delta Tunnels plan: this time, from San Joaquin valley row crop farmers, who don’t want to be forced to foot their portion of the bill for that 17 billion dollar project. Egg producers in 13 states are asking the US Supreme court to block a California law that prohibits the import of out of state eggs coming from hens, who don’t have the room to stretch out in their cages. Also, more and more farms, ranches, and rural homeowners are adding large generators to their property, to thwart electrical outages. But are you operating those generators safely? We have that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
We are still a month away from tallying the damage to the state’s avocado and lemon crops due to the Thomas fire in Southern California. But what the experts have seen so far isn’t good news. Will NAFTA be saved with a last minute deal? The secretary of agriculture shares his views on that possibility. We look at the state of California’s christmas tree industry, a seasonal business that is a full time job with an aging workforce. There’s been a breakthrough in research in the battle against citrus greening disease. We have that story. All that, crop reports, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour! Let’s get started…
Southern California wildfires threaten citrus orchards, especially avocado plantings in the Ventura area. Scientists say there’s bad news for future Sierra snowpacks…the snow line is rising. Delta farmers recently took on the Department of Water Resources at a gathering in Walnut Grove. The topic: California Water Fix, also known as the controversial Delta Tunnels proposal. What do young farmers need to succeed? We have an in-depth report on that. Plus, the latest California crop harvest news and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Hold on to your wallets: two California water bond measures, totalling 13 billion dollars, will be hitting the ballot box in 2018. Which one is best for farmers? We take a look at both of them. The recent good weather throughout California is causing a surplus in cool season vegetable availability. That’s good news for consumers…but for farmers? Not really. Can food grown hydroponically be sold as organic? That debate rages on. And, we attempt to dispel the widely held notion that fruits and vegetables come from the supermarket. Don’t look now, but there’s a farmer tapping on your shoulder if you believe that, saying, “Hey, What About Me?” All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Farmers throughout the state, including those in Sacramento County, are facing a growing problem: where to find the labor to plant and harvest the crops. It may take a combination of solutions to keep the food coming to your table. We have that report. This is the time of year for prune growers to take action against a major pest that’s lurking in the fields, patiently waiting for its 2018 appearance: plum aphids. We talk control strategies with an expert. Barn owls are playing a bigger part in the battle against rodents on the farm. We have a how-to for you to set up your own barn owl hotel. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
California’s farmers are still assessing damage from this year’s major natural disasters: winter and spring flooding, as well as the recent wildfires in California’s premiere wine country. We have those updates. If you work at a farmer’s market, you’re familiar with the lack of knowledge on the part of many of your customers about how your crops are grown as well as misconceptions about the science and realities behind what you do for a living. We talk with a farm communications expert who will offer tips for bridging the gaps between farmers and consumers. With Thanksgiving approaching, we have lots of turkey talk on this week’s show. And for shoppers, turkey prices right now are very appealing. We’ll tell you why. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Farmland within one-fourth of a mile of rural schools face new pesticide application laws. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue tells CA farmers he supports NAFTA. Courtland-area farmers face land takeovers by state for Delta Tunnels. Winery owner surveys fire-ravaged vines in Sonoma.
Wildfire smoke vs. winegrape quality. Sac. Co. record 2016 ag production. Can high tech supplant farm labor? Apple Hill agritourism. Sac Valley rice production.
Wine country wildfire destruction report. Santa Clara Water District wants ta modified Delta Tunnels project. More NAFTA hurdles. Growing coffee in California
Wildfires decimate Napa, Sonoma, Mendocino wine region. The Delta Tunnels project gets OK from Southern California’s MWD. Benefits of overhead pivot irrigation.
Mediterranean fruit fly quarantine in Solano County. Preemergent weed control in almonds, walnuts, grapes. Research into bean germination issues. Small farms.
Sacramento County farms set all-time production record. California leads the way in organic farming. Food label confusion. Benefits, pitfalls of farm hedgerows.
SJ farmers deal blow to Delta tunnels project. CA rice harvest beginning. CA pecan industry. Old Farmers Almanac predicts cold, wet winter for Central Valley.
Sept. heatwave threatens premium Napa-Sonoma wine grapes. Divert excess winter rainstorm water for groundwater basins? Road safety tips for farm vehicles.
AB450 hopes to stop illegal workplace immigration raids. Profile of Placer County farming. Scathing report on Oroville Dam problems. Pear crop grows. Ag census.
Texas cotton takes a hit from Hurricane Harvey, CA farmers see higher fuel bills. Smaller processing tomato crop in CA. Big alfalfa yields with drip irrigation.
Counties, including Sacramento County… cities, such as Folsom and Elk Grove…indian tribes and fishing organizations… they’re just a few of the 58 groups that have filed suit against the state of California, to stop the Delta Tunnels project. History, though, is not on their side. We have the details. The state’s Department of Pesticide Regulation is set to institute further restrictions on the use of a widely used farm pesticide, Chlorpyrifos. There’s a huge Japanese Beetle infestation in Oregon. Should California’s farmers and nursery industry be concerned? And we talk about what Bayer CropScience is doing to help California’s ag industry grow crops more sustainably. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Tehama County farmer John Duarte’s battle against the Army Corps of Engineers and the Waters of the United States regulations has ended, before this farmland plowing case went to trial. We have the details. Ag commodity markets tumble after the latest USDA crop forecasts are released. Build it now, fix it later. That’s the mantra for the proponents of the Delta Tunnels project. But will fixes ever be approved? We’ll tell you about the committee that will oversee any project fixes. The price of California avocados is going up. You can blame that on the drought, too. And, we talk about the benefits of cover cropping. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
NAFTA negotiations open this week; will farmers be treated fairly? Conservation agriculture demonstration shows water-saving abilities of no-till and cover cropping. Sacramento Valley tomato harvest picks up speed. CA rice for China? The ongoing battle for dominance in the bee hives.
High temperatures may reduce local rice production. The rush to farm mechanization. Flooded farmers sue state. Biochar and farm soil. Japan raises beef tariffs.
Hot on the heels of getting a go-ahead from a couple of Federal Organizations, the Delta Tunnels plan has been hit with the first of what promises to be several lawsuits to halt that big dig beneath the Sacramento River. We have the details. What lessons did California farmers learn from our recent five year drought? We find out. The Sacramento processing tomato crop was hit hard by the recent heatwave, we have the numbers. And, profiles of several farming families of the Capay Valley, it’s all in a new book. Plus, crop reports and pest updates…all on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Water issues dominate the farm news this week, both in the fields as well as in downtown Sacramento and Washington DC. We have the details. The pressure is on to ban the use of a widely used agricultural chemical. We look at the problems that farmers would face if there is a ban. Protecting your poultry during a heat wave, we have tips. And an interview with a geomorphologist who has traveled the world studying farm soils. He says the successful farmers throughout the globe rely on three easy to implement tactics. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour!
There’s a big new overseas market opening up for rice growers: China. We have the details. A California farmer is battling for his rights to plow his land and his court case against the federal government will begin soon…maybe, unless he and his lawyers can convince the court to throw the case out. We’ll tell you about this latest twist involving John Duarte and his wheat field in Tehama County. Another citrus tree has been found in California with the deadly citrus greening disease, we’ll tell you where. And we find out what’s happening with the Sacramento County Farm Bureau. Among other things, they’re celebrating a milestone birthday. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
There’s a big new overseas market opening up for rice growers: China. We have the details. A California farmer is battling for his rights to plow his land and his court case against the federal government will begin soon…maybe, unless he and his lawyers can convince the court to throw the case out. We’ll tell you about this latest twist involving John Duarte and his wheat field in Tehama County. Another citrus tree has been found in California with the deadly citrus greening disease, we’ll tell you where. And we find out what’s happening with the Sacramento County Farm Bureau. Among other things, they’re celebrating a milestone birthday. All that, crop reports, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
It was a bipartisan effort at the state capitol to pass the extension of the Cap and Trade bill for reducing greenhouse gases this past week. But the only way a handful of Republicans would come to support one of democrat Jerry Brown’s pet projects was to get relief and certainty for California’s agricultural community. What did the farmers get? We’ll tell you. But another of Governor Brown’s pipe dreams is getting resistance. A powerful group of California farmers are balking at paying for the Delta Tunnels project. We will tell you why. There are several weak links in getting california farmers to adopt internet-based technologies on the farm. We have that report. All that, the latest crop news, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.
Lawsuit challenges Delta Tunnels OK by Feds. Processing tomato crop heat woes. Rural broadband grant for CA. Profiles of Capay Valley farmers. Rice crop update.
The Delta Tunnels project received a couple of green lights from the federal government this past week, but there are still plenty of hurdles left for that project to continue, including one notable fed holdout: the department of reclamation. We have the details. We have the latest state Prop 65 ruling on glyphosate labeling, and there is another popular herbicide getting closer scrutiny. Rodents versus drip tape. We talk to one University of California researcher who is testing one possible solution to limit vole and meadow mouse damage to your irrigation system. An update on Farmers Markets in the Sacramento area, crop reports, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour!