Looking into new table grape cultivars to plant? Valley Pearl is a relatively new variety developed by the USDA-ARS and is commercially grown in the San Joaquin Valley and Southern desert regions of California.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor Carmen Gispert as she explains some of the strengths and challenges of this cultivar, and read more …

Have you ever found yourself in the morning looking down the vineyard row and seeing what looks like a sumo wrestling match had taken place the night before right in your vineyard? You may likely have a problem with feral pigs.  Ryan McCreary from USDA-APHIS Wildlife Services recently addressed large wildlife pest threats in the vineyard at Malcolm Media’s Sonoma …

By now, most farmers know the regulations regarding pesticide use notifications near school sites; however, many are still getting fined by the counties for violation of this rule. So where are farmers coming short? Watch this brief interview with Travis Howard from the Sonoma County Ag Department as he clarifies some important dates and requirements farmers need to know about …

Growers across California are now accepting the fact that wildfires are a seasonal threat to their crops.  With wineries rejecting “smoke tainted” wine grapes even under contract, this has become a very sensitive issue, particularly in Northern California, Oregon and Washington. But just how much smoke exposure to the crop warrants rejection as being “smoke tainted?” Working with local wine …

From floods to drought, fire to hurricanes, NRCS provides disaster recovery assistance to farmers, ranchers and landowners through a variety of USDA programs. Watch this brief interview with Brooke Pippi to find out how NRCS can support you. Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, …

In the fresh fruit world, which commodities have been hit the hardest by the international trade dispute and what is the industry doing to overcome the situation?  Watch this brief interview with Ian LeMay from the California Fresh Fruit Association as he explains, based on his recent presentation at the annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo. Please thank our …

Wildfires, unharvested fruit, limited tank space… what’s going on in the North Coast wine industry? Is it all that bad? In a special State of the Grape Industry presentation at Malcolm Media’s recent Sonoma Grape Expo, Ciatti Company Partner Glenn Proctor shares the big picture of what is going on in the industry.  Many of these trends aren’t new the …

Whether you’ve experienced wildfire damage on the farm or other disasters, disease outbreaks on your trees and vines — the USDA-Farm Service Agency has a program to support you. Watch this brief interview with Farm Service Agency California representative Lisa Velasquez as she explains some of these programs to get involved in. Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support …

Agriculture and the science of crop protection materials is too often misunderstood by the public and is under constant attack by extremists in the political arena. As legislation and jurisdiction begins to more commonly ignore sound science in their decision-making, farmers are rightfully concerned about the future of agriculture and what may or may not be in their power to …

There are so many factors that influence crop yield from year to year and variability across vineyard blocks, making it quite difficult to predict crop size.  But what if you could get a good idea of next year’s crop yields before the season even starts?  Watch this brief interview with Luca Brillante from the Dept. of Viticulture & Enology at …