News
Insurance issues persist as California farmers still losing coverage
Terry Rudkin farms avocados in the Ventura County town of Bardsdale, across the Santa Clara River from Fillmore, on a ranch his family has owned since 1912. In December 2017, he watched from his deck as the Thomas Fire burned in the mountains several... more
Apples among California crops to feel squeeze from Ukraine war
As Russia's invasion of Ukraine drives up prices of grains, sunflower oil and other commodities, several California crops may begin to feel ripple effects from the war, underscoring their link to global markets. Todd Sanders, executive director of... more
Biobest invests in biocontrol company Biopartner
Biopartner and Biobest Group announced on April 26 that Biobest has acquired a 60% stake in Biopartner. Biopartner is a distributor of biological plant protection products, bumblebees for pollination, fertilizers and biopesticides in the Polish horti... more
Grower-Shipper Association of Central California appoints new board
The Grower-Shipper Association of Central California (GSA) recently appointed Victor Ramirez of NorCal Harvesting as its new vice-chair and Greg Beach of Steinbeck Country Produce as its secretary. In addition, Chad Amaral, vice president at D'Arr... more
USHBC nominations for state member, importer/exporter spots closing
Nominations for U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council (USHBC) state member and alternate positions and the USHBC Industry Relations Committee importer and exporter positions are due this Friday, April 29. Eight USHBC state member and alternate seats n... more
John Deere forms joint venture with GUSS Automation
Deere & Co. has formed a joint venture with GUSS Automation LLC, in Kingsburg, California. GUSS (Global Unmanned Spray System) is a pioneer in semi-autonomous orchard and vineyard sprayers. High-value crops (HVCs), such as orchards and vineyar... more
Wendy Powers named dean of WSU’s CAHNRS
Wendy Powers, an experienced leader who guides statewide agricultural research and Extension for the University of California division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, has been named the new dean of Washington State University's College of Agric... more