Industry News
Read the latest news from around the industry
Research Partnership Aims to Strengthen Orchard Resilience Through Recharge
On-farm groundwater recharge isn’t a new practice, but a collaborative effort is growing the understanding of where recharge works, how to manage it and how soil health practices can improve outcomes. More importantly, a…
Small Changes Before Harvest Can Make a Big Difference for Walnuts
As the growing season moves into summer and closer to harvest, the window for influencing walnut yield and quality begins to narrow. But several pre-harvest decisions still have the potential to shape harvest outcomes.…
Op-Ed: Are Electricity Rates Really Stabilizing?
In an August 2025 PG&E press release, PG&E Corporate CEO Patti Poppe said “PG&E’s story of progress continues to unfold with another solid quarter of performance. We’re delivering energy safely to our customers every…
Tractor Crushing Highlights Urgent Need for Renewed FARMER Funding
A row of rusty, retired tractors was reduced to a heap of scrap metal in March as Valley air district officials, state Assemblywoman Esmerelda Soria, ag organization leaders and local farmers celebrated the success…
Oregon Hazelnut Farmer Claims National Woman in Ag Award
They described her as fierce and independent, a farmer who thinks outside the box. They said her journey to agriculture didn’t follow the traditional path, that she does things her own way. In the…
Keeping Farmland in Production Through Conservation Easements
It was always the desire of the family, even prior generations, to keep their good farm ground in production. Financial incentives, made possible with agricultural conservation easements, allowed a Kingsburg family to honor that…
In a Tight Season, Showing Up Could Make the Difference
Some of the biggest money you’ll make or lose this season is decided before harvest even starts. Not during harvest. Not after. Before. That window right now, pre-harvest, is where everything tightens up. Pest…
New Funding Model Supports Practical Solutions for California Growers
Marketing orders have been funding research for the agriculture industry since the 1930s. Now, a new and diverse team is joining the research effort with a goal of laying a foundation for the future…
Transitioning to Organic: New Webinar Series Supports California Growers
California leads the U.S. in organic farms, land in organic production and organic sales. In 2023, there were more than 3,300 organic producers in the state, according to the latest California Department of Food…
When the Heat Turns Up, So Should We
Editor’s Note: Mental health continues to receive increased attention across agriculture. This article is Part 2 of a two-part series by Jason Scott examining the pressures farmers face, particularly the responsibility of maintaining family…
SURF-MAX® WATER OPTIMIZER EXPANDS ACCESS AS WATER PRESSURES INTENSIFY IN THE WEST
Following seven-year field studies showing 10-30% water savings, SURFMAX is now available in California GILBERT, Ariz., U.S., April 28, 2026 – Huma® announces the registration of SURF-MAX®, a water optimizer and next-generation surfactant, for…
CDPR Proposing to Greatly Expand Its Air Monitoring Network for Pesticides
The California Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) has announced plans to expand its statewide Air Monitoring Network (AMN). DPR released a proposal detailing plans to expand from five to 10 long-term air monitoring stations…
Industry Outlook, Orchard Challenges Discussed At Tri-County Walnut Day
Tri-County Walnut Day, an annual event hosted by Tulare County UCCE, was held on a foggy February day but still attracted local walnut growers and crop advisors who braved the drive to hear timely…
Limitations of Soil Applied Biologicals for Lettuce Fusarium Wilt Management
Lettuce Fusarium Wilt Fusarium wilt has become one of the most challenging diseases for California lettuce growers. Once established, the fungal pathogen that causes this disease, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lactucae, persists in production…
Nitrogen and Phosphorus Fertilization of Pistachios in the First Two Years
Planting an orchard requires a lot of work to ensure that the trees get off to the best start possible: picking the right rootstock and scion, prepping the ground and choosing the best irrigation…
Reduced Fertilizer Application Rates Demonstrate Measurable Returns in California Almond Production
Can almond growers reduce fertilizer application rates without sacrificing yields? That’s the question many are asking as they navigate rising input costs, tightening water allocations and increasing pressure to demonstrate sustainable practices. But the…
AgroPlantae, Inc. to Acquire Kemin Industries’ Portfolio of Crop Technologies Products
Provider of organic and conventional fertilizers will take ownership of global ingredient manufacturer’s botanical-based biopesticides and solutions for plant nutrition and soil health FRESNO, California (April 16, 2026) – AgroPlantae, which serves the plant…
Managing Salinity, Nutrients Key to Pistachio Productivity
Salinity and crop nutrient use concerns in the southern San Joaquin Valley were discussed at a workshop hosted by the Kern County Cooperative Extension. These issues, said Tobias Oker, UCCE soils and irrigation advisor,…
Managing Plant-Parasitic Nematodes in Walnuts Under Changing Production Conditions
The California walnut industry goes through difficult times. In addition to market challenges, several production issues task the sustainability of walnut production. Quickly changing regulatory requirements modify the way walnuts can be grown. The…
Sym-Agro, Inc. Names New Southern California Sales Manager
Visalia, Calif., April 15, 2026 – Sym-Agro announces that Adam Cholakian has joined the company as Southern California Sales Manager, primarily focused on the Central Valley markets from Madera, South. Cholakian has over 25…
What Codling Moth Taught Us About Building Biological Pest Management and Why It Matters for Diamondback Moth
For pest control advisors working in vegetable crops, few insects inspire as much frustration as diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella). Despite decades of insecticide development, this pest continues to evolve resistance, exploit production gaps, and…
Thinking Like a CEO in Crop Consulting
Spend enough time around really good crop consultants, and you start to notice something. The best ones are not just good agronomists. Yes, they know pests. They understand fertility. They can spot problems in…
ILRP Expert Panel Evaluating Considering Programmatic Changes
Potential changes to the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program (ILRP), as well as on-farm fertilizer use, could be on the way. In the fall of last year, the State Water Resources Control Board, or State…
Sym-Agro Inc. and Biofungitek SL Announce USA Distribution Agreement for BEREZI ® Fungicide
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: 541-607-5097 Sym-Agro Inc. and Biofungitek SL Announce USA Distribution Agreement for BEREZI® Fungicide (Visalia, California, March 3, 2026) Sym-Agro Inc. and Biofungitek SL announced today that the parties have entered…
The California Walnut Board and Commission is Launching ‘Be Merry. Feel Good.’ Holiday Campaign
Seasonal effort supports ongoing efforts to strengthen walnut relevance year round FOLSOM, Calif., Nov. 25, 2025 – The California Walnut Board and Commission is launching its “Be Merry. Feel Good.” holiday campaign in the US…
Resilient Pistachio Orchards Start with Healthy Soils
What does “healthy soil” actually mean in a pistachio orchard, and how can growers measure it in a way that drives decisions, not just lab reports? In a recent two-part MyAgLife radio segment with…
Natural Bridge to Higher Plant Metabolism: Unlocking the Power of Biostimulants
Biostimulants are a natural “hack” to bridge the gap between average and better crops. While a growing segment of our industry promotes natural products to balance economic and environmental goals, probably the best reason…
Biological Nitrogen Fixation: Can Bacteria Help Fertilize Our Crops?
In 1905, German scientist Fritz Haber successfully synthesized ammonia from atmospheric nitrogen gas, an inert form of nitrogen resistant to chemical and biological reactions. Shortly thereafter, BASF chemist Carl Bosch built upon Haber’s work…
New Data Illustrates the Current State of Echinochloa spp. Herbicide Resistance in California Rice
California rice growers are well acquainted with reduced herbicide efficacy, whether experienced on their own or witnessed on a neighbor’s acres. Weed populations tolerant or resistant to herbicides have been spreading throughout the California…
The Ag Tech Revolution in 2025: Tools and Trends for Crop Consultants
As we kick off 2025, it’s clear agriculture technology is not just a buzzword; it’s the lifeblood of modern farming. Every year, we at Progressive Crop Consultant witness an influx of innovations designed to…
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