West
Intense heat stress California crops, growers
Crops, including grapes and melons, across California continue to take a beating as farmers work to reduce impacts of a lingering heat wave that has increased their costs and jeopardized production. With prolonged triple-digit temperatures... more »
WSU, AgWeatherNet to host precision ag open house
Growers can learn the latest in weather and crop sensing advancements in an upcoming open house. The Washington State University (WSU) Center for Precision & Automated Agricultural Systems (CPAAS) and AgWeatherNet (AWN) are planning to... more »
FIRA preview: Tree fruit tech options abound at ag robotics conference
The third iteration of the International Forum of Agricultural Robotics, known as FIRA-USA, plans to offer growers of tree fruit, grapes, berries, vegetables and nuts a view of the state of specialty crop robotics and... more »
California melon growers prepare for July 4 demand
California watermelons, cantaloupes, honeydews and mixed melons will arrive in grocery stores in time for the Independence Day holiday, an important marketing window melon growers and shippers strive to meet each season. “It is critical... more »
Great Bear Vineyards’ biologicals focus
As the owner of Great Bear Vineyards, which will complete transitioning all grapes to organic production this year, Marcus Meadows-Smith relies on biological products to help control disease and pests. He’s not just a user... more »
Tree fruit, berries, grapes receive USDA market promotion funds
Apples, cherries, pears, cranberries, table grapes and watermelons are among the commodities receiving federal funds for promotion and market development funding. The funding is part of $300 million allocated to 66 U.S. organizations under the... more »
Tenerelli Orchards exits wholesale, focuses on farmers markets, u-pick
Leaving the wholesale end of the business for direct-to-consumer sales via farmers markets proved a successful move for a Southern California tree fruit grower. In the high desert an hour northeast of Los Angeles, Tenerelli... more »
Protecting water supplies through groundwater recharge
To help improve water availability, a number of Central Valley California growers are participating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture in a groundwater recharge program. The pilot program, launched and administered through USDA Office of... more »