West

Despite crop delay, California melon growers applaud crop

California farmers say this season’s melon crop was delayed by about two weeks due to cool temperatures and wet fields, which affected early harvest of watermelons, cantaloupes and honeydews. It postponed melon deliveries to supermarkets... more »

Farm Credit salutes California Fresh Fruit Association growers

Every summer, people around the country enjoy luscious fruits like apricots, table grapes, kiwis, peaches and plums. Because California is the nation’s largest producer of those commodities, there’s a high chance the fruits were grown... more »

Healthy soils program funding offered by CDFA

The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) announced the availability of approximately $4 million dollars of grant funding for its Healthy Soils Demonstration Program. Program information The program funds projects that showcase California farmers... more »

California diesel phaseout worries compost dealers

Daniel Pacheco, owner-operator of Lucky Diamond Trucking in Sonoma County, recently picked up a 24-ton order from Cold Creek Compost in Ukiah and hauled it two hours through Mendocino, Lake and Yolo counties before dumping... more »

Tech event features a robot parade, drone pavilion

From weed control to fertilizer application, harvesting, picking and seeding, FIRA USA is showcasing more than two dozen ag robots with field demonstrations. Over the three-day event, Sept. 19-21, in Salinas, California, robots will be... more »

California water rights rules opposed by coalition

As California experiences wild swings in climate from drought to floods, critics of the state’s water rights system seek to overhaul rules that date back to California’s founding in 1850. Three water rights bills are... more »

Farm Robotics Challenge winners named

A robot designed to reduce farmworker injuries and streamline harvest took the top prize in the Farm Robotics Challenge 2023. The challenge spotlighted the exceptional innovation and technical prowess of students from universities across the... more »

AgSharks competition opens to startups

Western Growers and S2G Ventures are accepting applications for the 2023 AgSharks Competition. During the event, agtech startups pitch their innovations in front of an audience of the world’s largest specialty crop producers to win... more »