As the cost of labor increases and availability around harvest tightens, California raisin growers are hopeful that two new complete dried on the vine (DOV) varieties will make a big difference for the future of the industry.  Austin Hubbell of Marthedal Enterprises is one such grower who has had the unique experience in harvesting both varieties, which appear to have …

When Sun-Maid Growers announced its acquisition of baby food brand Plum Organics in 2021, it came as a surprise to many.  Naturally, raisin growers wanted to know how this might benefit the California raisin industry, beyond simply growing and diversifying Sun-Maid’s portfolio.  Watch this brief interview with Sun-Maid Growers Executive Chairman Harry Overly as he explains. Please thank this video’s …

While growers still have many questions and concerns as to how flooding their vineyards and orchards for groundwater recharge purposes may impact their day-to-day farming operations and eventual crop yields, Madera almond & wine grape grower Nick Davis is more concerned with making the most of the recent rainfall and snowmelt to recharge their much needed soil profiles following extended …

While farmers are accustomed to paying for the water they use, growers in Madera Irrigation District have recently been getting their water for free for groundwater recharge purposes.  While the snow melts and water is aplenty, growers are working quickly to set their farms up to be able to spread some of this water across their fields, in a ditch, …

The UC Cooperative Extension is pleased to introduce one of their newest Viticulture Farm Advisors, Joy Hollingsworth, who will be serving primarily table grape growers in Tulare and Kings Counties. Watch this video interview to get to know Joy, her history, and the research and extension she is currently focusing on.  Joy can be reached at 559-684-3313 or joyhollingsworth@ucanr.edu. Please thank this …

The arch nemesis pest of the California grape industry continues to spread to more grape growing areas. Vine mealybug damage not only leads to black sooty mold on grapevine leaves and clusters, but it can also transmit and spread grapevine leafroll associated viruses that have been devastating vineyards.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Kern County Entomology Advisor David Haviland …

With grapevine red blotch disease widespread across the west, what’s a grower to do with a young or old vineyard that contracts this disease?  How does it impact grape yield and quality and are there ways to mitigate the detrimental effects of this disease?  Watch this brief interview with the new UCCE San Joaquin County Viticulture Advisor Justin Tanner to …

While the wine grape industry is a few steps ahead in vineyard mechanization, the table grape industry has made some recent advancements in options for mechanized pruning that can help growers save on labor costs and speed up what can be a tedious process of winter pruning.  Watch this brief interview with Kern County UCCE Viticulture Farm Advisor Tian Tian …

The rising generation of wine consumers are uniquely different from those that came before in so many ways.  As growers, wine makers and marketers seek to navigate changing trends and behaviors, watch this video featuring beverage alcohol consultant Danny Brager as he shares how to meet today’s wine consumers where they are. Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry …

As we’ve learned so painfully during the pandemic, one thing leads to another; and the actions of one politician in Australia have had a domino effect leading to severe challenges in the global red wine market.  Watch this brief interview with Mike Veseth, The Wine Economist and Professor Emeritus of International Political Economy at the University of Puget Sound, and …