California farmers are often mischaracterized as using 80 percent of the state’s water supply, but that’s simply not true, based on numbers published by the California Department of Water Resources (DWR). According to the DWR figures, farms account for 40.8 percent of California’s water demand according to the California Water Plan. The largest water user
After a couple hours of lively debate and passionate objections, Stanislaus County’s Water Advisory Committee endorsed an expanded groundwater ordinance Wednesday. The 10-6 vote was merely a recommendation. Stanislaus’ Board of Supervisors will have the final say on the new water rules, and it’s expected to take up the controversial topic next month. The technically
Smart producers keep micro and macro changes in their mind’s eye because it allows them to remain competitive. More flexibility is needed moving forward, says Richard Brock, president of Brock Associates, a commodity marketing service that identified 10 emerging themes in agriculture in a recent report. “One of our megatrends, possibly understated, is the rapid
Pacific Ethanol Inc., which has four plants, including one in Madera County, reported higher third-quarter profits Wednesday in spite of a recent steep decline in the price of ethanol. The Sacramento-based ethanol producer said it earned $3.7 million in the third quarter compared with a $5.3 million loss a year earlier. It earned 15 cents
East San Joaquin Valley growers are suing state water authorities over drought decisions, claiming east-side communities and farms got no federal water after the state illegally denied deliveries to a separate group of landowners with senior water rights. The Friant Water Authority, representing 15,000 growers who buy water from Millerton Lake and irrigate 1 million
Exactly how Merced County would implement a proposed groundwater ordinance drew concern from agriculture advocates Monday, when the Board of Supervisors got its first look at a mandate that would regulate well-drilling and out-of-county water sales. Merced County’s water committee met with groups throughout the county, including the Farm Bureau, water districts and other stakeholders,
“Overall, it turned out to be a pretty good crop on the ranches which had enough water for the trees this year. Where the trees didn’t get enough water, the number of closed shells was quite high – as much 80 percent in some blocks.” Otherwise, Tom Coleman of Fresno rates his crop this year
Without the bees to pollinate the trees, there would be no almond crop. The importance of honeybees is now written across a first-ever set of public guidelines for almond growers and beekeepers, released Thursday by the California Almond Board. The guidelines are meant to safeguard bees, whose winter numbers have been plunging. Threats to honeybees
California Department of Food & Agriculture Secretary Karen Ross this week praised WHCC's "exciting" leadership of applied agriculture education and job creation in her customary opening statement to the Board of Food & Agriculture monthly meeting. She mentioned the college's leadership of a six-campus consortium of community colleges re-creating career technical education and its focus
Exports of California food products took a dive in August, with fruit and tree nuts decreasing by 8 percent when compared to the same time last year and vegetables dropping by 7.8 percent, according to data released Friday by Beacon Economics. The cause is fairly obvious, said Beacon trade expert Jock O'Connell. An unprecedented drought has