As the farm labor force in California continues to shrink and costs continue to climb, growers have been compelled to mechanize much of their farming tasks. Harvesting is one of the most labor-intensive tasks for California raisin growers, and fortunately, mechanical harvesting is an option for them. The technology has been around for quite some time now; however, some growers …
SACRAMENTO, June 4, 2019 – California Association of Wine grape Growers (CAWG) President John Aguirre has issued the following statement: “In November 2018, in the wake of wildfires that devastated a number of California communities and prevented many growers from selling their 2018 wine grape crop, the California Association of Wine grape Growers (CAWG) and other California grower organizations asked …
SACRAMENTO, June 4, 2019 – The House Appropriations Committee on June 4 approved a bill that includes $1.5 million in research funding to address issues related to smoke exposed wine grapes. The committee approved the fiscal year 2020 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies bill on a 29 to 21 vote. “We appreciate the committee’s decision …
As California faces more frequent and severe droughts, agriculture, which relies on irrigation from surface water and groundwater, could become expensive and unsustainable. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, looked at using a “free” resource — rain water stored in the soil — and found that optimizing its use could go a long way to help meet demand …
(Fresno, CA) – Today, Randy Giumarra, the Chairman of the California Fresh Fruit Association (CFFA) Board of Directors announced that Ian LeMay will serve as the new president of CFFA. LeMay will succeed GeorgeRadanovich, who has held the position since 2016 and will be leaving CFFA to promote sound ag labor policy inWashington, DC. Chairman Giumarra stated “Ian’s appointment is …
Rep. Mike Thompson (D-Napa Valley, CA), the founder and Co-Chair of the Congressional Wine Caucus, announced today that Rep. Dan Newhouse (R-Yakima Valley, WA) has been selected as the new Co-Chair of the Wine Caucus. Newhouse, a lifelong farmer and winegrape grower, represents the premier wine regions of Columbia Valley, Yakima Valley and the Walla Walla Valley. Newhouse will serve …
California’s 2018 grape acreage totaled 925,000 acres. Of the total grape acreage, 863,000 were bearing while 62,000 were non-bearing. The wine-type grape acreage is estimated at 637,000 acres. Of the total acres, 590,000 were bearing and 47,000 were non-bearing. Table-type grape acreage totaled 132,000 acres with 121,000 bearing and 11,000 non-bearing. Acreage of raisin-type grapes totaled 156,000 acres, of which …
Insects are much easier to manage when they start off the season in similar stages of development. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, especially when you start off the season with inconsistent weather patterns. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Entomologist out of Kern County, David Haviland, as he explains this with regard to mealybugs.
Looking for instant pest, disease and nutritional recommendations in the palm of your hand? Download the new Vineyard Advisor app, free and applicable to grape growers nationwide. The app was developed by viticulture experts at Texas Tech University, as represented by Ed Hellman in this video interview. Watch the brief interview as professor Hellman as he shares more details about …
California Farm Service Agency Stands Ready to Assist Agricultural Producers Slammed by Recent Heavy Rains California Farm Service Agency (FSA) reminds farmers and ranchers across the state of federal farm program benefits that may be available to help eligible producers recover from recent heavy rains and flooding. FSA offers disaster assistance and low-interest loan programs to assist agricultural producers in …
Bryan Rahn: Coastal Viticultural Consultants, Inc., coastalvit.com, was the first company to...