Ag Alert 2009 Archive
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Date: December 23, 2009
- Avocado crop recovers; farmers focus on marketing
- CDFA announces it will temporarily raise milk prices
- Court ruling may undermine pact on Colorado River
- Commentary: Farmers face a diesel-engine 'to do' list in the new year
Date: December 16, 2009
- Paul Wenger elected Farm Bureau president
- Diesel rule requires odometers to be checked on Jan. 1
- CFBF delegates tackle issues, fine-tune policies
- Imports pose big challenges for asparagus producers
- Editorial: Leveraging our grassroots influence: For positive results
Date: December 9, 2009
- Low State Water Project allocation underscores crisis
- Government steps up its immigration enforcement work
- CFBF president stresses outreach and involvement
- Leopold Award recognizes farmers' stewardship work
- Commentary: Ag Vision initiative plans for a vibrant agricultural future
Date: December 2, 2009
- On Yuba River, an accord satisfies farmers, fish flows
- Water, economy: Uncertainties delay farmers' planting plans
- Farm coalition's plan aims to help fish, protect vines
- Fish farmers see 'huge' impacts from fish-stocking rules
- Commentary: In some regions, cities consider 'reverse urbanization'
Date: November 25, 2009
- Pest quarantines disrupt farms and nurseries
- Focus in water policy now shifts toward Washington
- CDFA considers proposed changes to milk prices
- Water-right holders renew protest to state-imposed 'fee'
- Survey on off-road equipment could influence regulation
- Commentary: At $12 trillion and rising, national debt must be reduced
Date: November 11, 2009
- Solar panel thefts become a growing trend in rural areas
- Bills pass: Farm Bureau sees progress and 'work to do' on water
- As El Niño grows stronger, so does hope for wet winter
- Editorial: Our water dance marathon has just begun
- Commentary: Health care reform: what it means for farmers and ranchers
Date: November 4, 2009
- Recession forces farmers and wine marketers to adjust
- Farm Bureau calls EPA buffer-zone rules 'unworkable'
- Online discussion focuses on reforming estate tax law
- Commentary: Critics of American agriculture intensify their efforts
Date: October 28, 2009
- Competition mounts for world prune market
- Legislature starts hearings on key water policy bill
- Farm groups seek 'equitable solution' on health reform
- Commentary: Farmers and ranchers earn successes in legislative session
Date: October 21, 2009
- Rice farmers expect demand to remain high
- Panel to advocate for streamlining water transfers
- 'Safe harbor' plan recognizes benefit of land stewardship
- Strong mid-October storm threatens autumn harvests
- Commentary: Science will help agriculture meet world's food demand
Date: October 14, 2009
- Williamson Act: Land program earns county support for now
- Governor calls special legislative session on water
- Citrus farmers build war chest to fight disease
- Beekeepers concentrate on efforts to strengthen hives for pollination
- Online discussion focuses on reforming estate tax law
- Editorial: Farm Bureau--Celebrating 90 years of service to California family farmers
Date: October 7, 2009
- Efficiency helps farmers cope with shortage
- Science academy to review stresses affecting the delta
- Farmers express mixed reactions on dam removal
- Federal ruling on truck cargo securement rules could come soon
- Tests show winegrape growers can irrigate their vines less and later
- Commentary: Commission proposes sweeping state tax reform
Date: September 23, 2009
- Blogging on the range: Farmers link to consumers via social media
- MRLs complicate exports of many farm products
- Cotton gins close as state's cotton acreage declines
- Commentary: Estate tax policy should protect our food supply
- Ag Alert Update: Hearing discusses national leafy greens safety program
Date: September 16, 2009
- Water bills come up short; special session to follow?
- Dairy recovery may be slow, analysts warn
- Officers put roadside vendors under scrutiny
- Commentary: Water solution remains top Farm Bureau priority
Date: September 9, 2009
- Young farmers tap opportunities in organic market
- Farm groups lay out principles on health reform
- Raisin growers see mixed outlook as harvest peaks
- Organic dairy farmers benefit from annual contracts
- Trial-and-error research benefits organic almond growers
- Governor says state is short of both water and patience
- The right cover crops can optimize organic production
- Economic downturn slows organic flower market
- Commentary: Cal Poly water expert offers an Rx for the delta
Date: September 2, 2009
- Estate tax proposal would help farm families
- Dairy farmers call for price stability in Vilsack meeting
- Pressure builds on Washington for water action
- Bills won't improve water reliability, organizations say
- Asian citrus psyllids pop up in three new locations
- Editorial: Leadership needed in Washington to keep farms viable
Date: August 26, 2009
- Restrictions lead to more sawmill closures
- Alternative path could cut impact of proposed line
- Farm groups say bills won't solve water problems
- Ranchers build escape ramps for bats and other wildlife
- Commentary: A hog farmer's request: Please call that flu H1N1
Date: August 19, 2009
- Severe water shortages draw renewed focus
- Siskiyou becomes first county to act on land program
- Farm safety starts with prevention, specialists advise
- Processing tomato growers anticipate good year
- Commentary: Legislators reconvene to tackle multiple bills
Date: August 12, 2009
- Counties hold key to Williamson Act's future
- Lawsuit may bring new restrictions on crop protection
- Another exotic new pest threatens variety of crops
- Commentary: Legislative advocacy and action are your keys to success
Date: August 5, 2009
- Farmers support local communities with food donations
- House passes bill to widen FDA role in food safety
- Lower hay prices help ranchers cope with drought impact
- Commentary: Estate tax: a sad song for family businesses
Date: July 22, 2009
- Despite obstacles, optimism remains for 'cow power'
- Unusual process sends state water bills to committee
- Grassroots effort contributes to end of TANC project
- Processor turns onion waste into energy, cuts emissions
- Editorial: Liver and onions and California water
Date: July 15, 2009
- Economic woes cause stone-fruit packers to close
- Farm leader urges economic stimulus for rural regions
- Decision rescinds 'no-match' rule, boosts E-Verify
- Shift in wine purchases affects winegrape growers
- Commentary: World trade is critical to California and American agriculture
Date: July 8, 2009
- Pest threat puts citrus researchers on high alert
- Rallies urge action to solve state's water shortages
- Damage totals mount from lack of farm water
- New asparagus varieties show promise for yield, quality
- Commentary: Preserving the Williamson Act will conserve farmland
Date: June 24, 2009
- Economy, new laws and vigilance help cut rural crime
- Farm groups say CDFA elimination would be unwise
- Senate committee votes to expand Clean Water Act
- Governor directs more aid to state's water-short areas
- Apricot, cherry harvests going strong; quality is excellent
- Commentary: City residents and farmers should work together against moth
Date: June 17, 2009
- Dozens of dairies go out of business in CWT program
- Cal/OSHA seeks changes in heat safety standards
- Invading moth damages berries; quarantines grow
- Online extra: 10 facts about LBAM infestation
- Farmers, exporters press for resolution of Mexico trade flap
- Commentary: Climate-change legislation must recognize farmers' role
Date: June 10, 2009
- Biological opinion for salmon adds to water worries
- Klamath farmers hope settlement leads to certainty
- Deadline nears for cost sharing to upgrade engines
- Agricultural grads find fewer job offerings in '09
- Online extra: Job market specialist offers career tips
- Commentary: It's time to plan for California's future generations
Date: June 3, 2009
- Leafy greens safety program serves as national model
- Labor Department reverses changes to H-2A program
- Dairy producers participate in largest-ever buyout
- Commentary: Climate change legislation—program benefits must outweigh costs
Date: May 27, 2009
- High-speed rail proposal is viewed with concern
- Ag real estate values show some softening
- Commentary: The state budget crisis—what's next?
Date: May 20, 2009
- Feinstein re-introduces AgJOBS bill
- PG&E moves toward new pricing system
- Strawberry harvest is moving forward at record pace
- Commentary: Closing sawmills impacts communities and forests
Date: May 13, 2009
- DHS shifts focus to farm employers
- Delegation carries farm message to Washington, D.C.
- Plans dropped for Madison re-entry prison
- Home gardening trend is boon to seed producers
- Federal funds are available to upgrade farm equipment
- Commentary: It's time for farmers to take back 'sustainable'
Date: May 6, 2009
- Water allocation increases slightly, but drought remains
- Environmental groups meet with state ag board
- Assurances are given that pork is safe to eat
- Commentary: Time for California to 'insure' against drought
Date: April 22, 2009
- Thousands rally for water supply solutions
- Water system to get federal stimulus funds
- Food safety reform likely
- Peach thinning studied to reduce hand labor
- UC Research: Irrigation management boosts yields
- Commentary: California deserves a more responsive Legislature
Date: April 15, 2009
- Workshop focus is use of water to combat frost
- Longfin smelt doesn't qualify for federal listing
- Transmission line project proposed for North State
- Winegrape grower approaches farming like an evolving science
- Commentary: New faces in a new administration
Date: April 8, 2009
- Farmers join Crime Stoppers effort
- House committee reviews state's drought crisis
- Dairy producers seek answers to economic crisis
- Bats provide an IPM approach to codling moth control
- Ask Your PCA: What qualities do you want in an IPM program?
- Commentary: Desalination—A piece of the water shortage puzzle
Date: April 1, 2009
- Lamb sector shows economic stability
- Major hurdles loom for any water transfers
- Farmer leads the way in 'locally grown' renewable energy
- CHP extends current cargo securement exemption
- Commentary: California Farm Bureau board travels to Washington, D.C.
Date: March 25, 2009
- Preventing heat stress remains top priority for farmers, regulators
- Updated allocations show severe water shortages will remain
- Frost protection could be curtailed to benefit salmon and steelhead
- Peach growers work to maintain supply/demand balance
- Commentary: Estate taxes would increase under proposal before Congress
Date: March 18, 2009
- Legislators introduce five different bonds addressing water needs
- Klamath Basin farmers may see delay in irrigation season
- Considering organics? Farmers offer advice on how to get started
- Growth in organic food sales continues, at slower pace
- Vegetable farmer Tanimura treads lightly on the soil
- UC Research Report: Nutrient balance important for almond tree health
- Demand for organic raisins means profits can be made
- Expanding markets are possible for farmers 'going organic'
- Ancient and modern come together at Far West Fungi
- Tips for managing weeds in organic fruit orchards
- Water users file third suit on water cuts for smelt
Date: March 11, 2009
- Concerns lessen about almond pollination
- In an unusual step, state board warns water-right holders
- Tree fruit and nut irrigation is a matter of survival
- Signs point to continued downturn in hay prices this year
- Attention to detail characterizes animal scientist's work
- Ask Your PCA: What do you target during the bloom period in tree crops?
- Commentary: Only time will tell if voters made the right decision on Proposition 2
Date: March 4, 2009
- Lack of water leads to more land fallowing
- Governor orders state to address drought emergency
- Farmers, ranchers take their concerns to the state Capitol
- Commentary: Could mussels put a kink in your water system?
Date: February 25, 2009
- Likelihood of no water alarms CVP farmers
- Updated UC report shows water cuts will cause severe harm
- State budget keeps key farm programs but taxes will rise
- Food safety issues remain a priority for policy makers
- There's a promising new angle on mechanical pruning
- Commentary: Legislators, like spouses, need to communicate and compromise
Date: February 18, 2009
- Farmers constantly seek more 'crop per drop'
- Container shortages complicate exports of state's farm goods
- Equipment dealers stay upbeat amid crop-price and water woes
- UC Research Report: Match rootstock to individual site
- Commentary: Protecting California farms and ranches depends on relationships
Date: February 11, 2009
- Uncertainties cloud processing tomato outlook for 2009
- Cattle ranchers deal with weather and market forces
- Speakers seek common ground on water issues
- Commentary: Coalition building is the key to success on local ballot measures
Date: February 4, 2009
- Winegrape supply and demand near balance
- Proposed excise tax would whack winegrape sector
- Septic regulations will be delayed; rewrite ordered
- Budget impasse stalls projects on farms, ranches
- Snow surveyors quantify the depth of California's drought
- Commentary: 'Cow tax' or hot air: It's time to focus on a solution
Date: January 28, 2009
- Challenges face almond farmers and beekeepers
- Dry January worsens state's water shortages
- Reporting rule for livestock causes confusion
- Kings County farmer honored for commitment to conservation tillage
- Water-related job losses could total 40,000+, UC estimates
- UC Research Report: Dealing with powdery mildew
- Commentary: Widely publicized water-conservation report drew incorrect conclusions
Date: January 21, 2009
- Farmers try to weather drop in milk prices
- Farm leaders prepare for new administration
- AFBF policies reflect California issues, priorities
- Super Bowl brings super demand for a variety of foods
- Commentary: California's delegates achieve success in AFBF policy discussions
Date: January 14, 2009
- Economic woes trigger price slide for nuts
- Follow the money: Farm groups track specialty-crop dollars
- Dried plum growers struggled with frosts, poor fruit set
- Ask Your PCA: What do you hope to accomplish with a dormant spray for almonds?
- Commentary: Laying the groundwork for change—A Profitable and progressive agri-food system