Ag Alert 2008 Archive
Ag Alert Archives
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Date: December 3, 2008
- Avocado crop may be lightest in 20 years
- Proposed rules may provide more flexibility to farmers
- Dairy exporters see 'tremendous' prospects in China
- Harvesting squash at non-peak times nets better prices
- UC Research Report: Growers show interest in switchgrass as biofuel
- Commentary: Easements offer voluntary
Date: November 26, 2008
- Growers face difficult planting choices
- Plan for expanded buffer zones could disrupt pest control
- EQIP helps farmers, ranchers conserve land, air and water
- Farmers evaluate Klamath agreement to remove four dams
- Commentary: American Farm Bureau fights for legal rights
Date: November 12, 2008
- New state budget shortage threatens rural programs
- Farmers discouraged by Prop. 2 passage
- Concern mounts as citrus pest threat increases
- Editorial: Election 2008: What does "change" mean for California's farming community?
Date: November 5, 2008
- Despite rains, water outlook remains grim
- Diesel prices drop, but how long will it last?
- New cowpea cover crops look very promising
- UC Research Report: Farm advisors seek control of damaging lettuce virus
- Commentary: Future of farming depends on everyone staying involved
Date: October 29, 2008
- Farmers hope demand buoys dairy economy
- Government seeks lifting of judge's ban on 'no-match' rule
- Rice straw shows promise as a dairy ration
- Commentary: Not all tax news is necessarily bad
Date: October 22, 2008
- Farm credit still flows, but standards tighten
- Lawsuit filed to protect farmland
- Lighter winegrape crop attracts higher prices
- Unique ale produced using locally grown hops
- Ask Your PCA: How do you manage beet armyworm in spinach?
- Commentary: Delta Vision report points to need for comprehensive water solution
Date: October 15, 2008
- New water year brings a grim picture
- Opponents ramp up campaign to defeat Prop. 2
- Severe water stress can hurt almond yields for several years
- Commentary: Removing junipers makes sense for ecosystem and wildlife
Date: October 8, 2008
- New laws aim to slow metal theft
- State budget preserves key ag programs
- Timber counties earn boost for schools and roads
- Farmers work to encourage native bee habitat
- UC Research Report: Stripe rust creates continuing challenges for growers
- Ask Your PCA: How do you manage beet armyworm in head lettuce?
- Commentary: Changes are in the air for California farmers
Date: September 24, 2008
- Federal agency expands habitat for red-legged frog
- Country-of-origin food-labeling rules about to take effect
- Researchers look at new ways to control medusahead
- Ag Alert Update: Governor signs budget, acts on key bills
- Commentary: Hands-on experience shows how dairies contribute to the community
Date: September 17, 2008
- Drought, water shortages force ranchers to downsize
- Farmers prepare for termination of water program
- Rice research highlighted at annual field day in Biggs
- Ask Your PCA: How important is beet armyworm control in tomatoes?
- Commentary: Forest fires take heavy toll on funding for rural schools
Date: September 10, 2008
- Dry times put extra focus on groundwater
- Many bills await action by governor
- CHP authorizes revised securement rules for hay haulers
- Commentary: California must continue to seek solutions to water crisis
Date: September 3, 2008
- Shortage of water forces tough decisions
- California farm revenues reach $36.6 billion
- Moth quarantine may cause grape harvest delays
- UC researchers suggest ways farmers can reduce fuel consumption
- UC Research Report: Progress made in applying dormant-season products early
- Commentary: Effects of Proposition 2--The UN-SAFE Food Initiative
- Commentary: UFW backs bill to deprive farmworkers of basic freedoms
Date: August 27, 2008
- 'Wet' counties are running dry, too
- Williamson Act precedent set by court ruling
- Dairy producers find ways to stretch their feed dollars
- Commentary: Political Involvement = Positive Impact
Date: August 20, 2008
- Water shortages threaten farms' future
- Farm employees press for reliable water supplies
- Family rice operation goes solar in a big way
- Farmers take precautions to protect workers from heat
- Cal/OSHA chief clarifies requirements of heat standard
- Commentary: Ag Science Center seeks your help to tell our story
Date: August 13, 2008
- Stumped trees leave a stark reminder of water shortages
- Statewide metal theft bill clears key committee
- Farm groups urge changes to federal food-safety programs
- Commentary: Import labor or import food--who will decide?
Date: August 6, 2008
- Farmworkers rally for water solutions
- Solano tractors roll in support of land-use plan
- Agriculture and education: a winning combination
- UC Research Report: Good soil preparation essential when planting trees
- Commentary: Now is the time to act on key legislation
Date: July 23, 2008
- Flood of plans muddies water supply solution
- Court finds harm to salmon, sets remedies hearings
- Experts warn California faces water catastrophe
- Ask your PCA:
What are you doing to control pests like worms, thrips and leafminers? - Commentary: Turning challenges into opportunities
Date: July 16, 2008
- Emphasis put on preventing heat illness
- Firefighters gain control of most wildfires in state
- Use special care with farm equipment on public roads
- Congressman Dennis Cardoza: understanding agriculture
- Commentary: Farm Bureau is fighting for your water on every front
- Commentary: Government guesswork impacts growers negatively
Date: July 9, 2008
- With injunction denied, salmon trial continues
- Irrigation technology: Smart water solutions for state's farmers
- All water is not the same
- CFBF flooded with water survey responses, but more sought
- Rising costs and water shortages challenge tomato growers
- Ask Your PCA: How important is residual and broad-spectrum worm control in tomatoes?
- UC Research Report: Experimenting with four-crop, two-year rotations
- Commentary: Leadership class learns life lessons at shelter
Date: June 25, 2008
- California kiwifruit maintains steady market
- California's water quality: Farmers take active role in protecting environment
- Salmon trial is slowed by legal maneuvers
- CDFA announces new strategy to eradicate destructive LBAM
- Imperial farmers deal with similar water challenges
- Dairy producers have their own water quality issues
- Cut costs of pumping water by improving efficiency
- Commentary: Sustainable farming is our legacy for the next generation
Date: June 18, 2008
- California's Water Future: Crops wither--along with the water supply
- Skyrocketing diesel prices prompt an increase in farm thefts
- Tomatoes return to stores and menus as California begins harvest
- State officials, farmers review labor standards
- Ask your PCA: When do you begin treating for beet armyworm in tomatoes?
- CFBF conducts Water Shortage Impact Survey
- Federal salmon trial continues in Fresno
- Commentary: DPR works with Farm Bureau for container recycling
Date: June 11, 2008
- Tragedy triggers emphasis on heat illness education
- Farmers hit with unexpected water cutbacks
- CDFA seeks input on state's vision for ag in 2030
- Commentary: In the water debate--It's time to put all the cards on the table
Date: June 4, 2008
- Deadline to join watershed coalition nears
- More California wineries find buyers far from home
- UC Research Report: Calculate how much forage you have
- Commentary: Public land management battle threatens third-generation farm
Date: May 28, 2008
- Economic act has incentives for farmers
- Proposed power line would impact farms
- Missing pages cause delay in passage of 2008 farm bill
- Commentary: A wheelbarrow full of education
Date: May 21, 2008
- New farm bill has funds for specialty crops
- Fertilizer prices continue to escalate
- Safflower surge: More acres committed to water-thrifty crop
- Commentary: Take care to avoid heat stress
- Commentary: Farmers need extra protection in the sun
Date: May 14, 2008
- Conferees OK 2008 Farm Bill
- Proposition 98 safeguards property rights
- Deal proposal for dairy producers
- Ask Your PCA: What will you look for as we go into summer?
- Commentary: Every vote counts--Make sure your voice is heard
Date: May 7, 2008
- Frost damage losses mount across state
- Farm bill, water lead agenda for Washington trip
- Opportunity for annuals
- Current tie-down rules receive one-year extension
- UC Research Report: Options for controlling spider mites
- Commentary: Agriculture needs options with heavy-duty diesel regulations
Date: April 23, 2008
- Proposed H-2A changes won't bring workers
- Salmon ruling could impact water deliveries
- PlantRight stresses good choices for great gardens
- Frost damage emerges across Northern California
- Commentary: Protecting your private property rights
Date: April 16, 2008
- Tomato growers encouraged by higher prices
- Progress made in resolving farm bill issues
- Prices and optimism on the rise for rice farmers
- Commentary: The truth about the Clean Water Restoration Act
Date: April 9, 2008
- Water board may modify waiver program
- Dry spring, rangeland worry ranchers
- Check irrigation pumps early to avoid problems later
- Young farmers recognize the need to embrace change
- Commentary: The immigration debate--Changing minds to ensure food security
Date: April 2, 2008
- Making a day of it: Event celebrates agriculture's value and variety
- Key ag bills introduced in Legislature
- USDA secretary meets with state ag committee
- UC Research Report: Water use management and almonds
- Commentary: Change is happening--and we're ready for it
Date: March 26, 2008
- Farmers get more with less while saving fuel
- Rangeland coalition has common goals
- Dairy analysts look at what's in store for this year
- Commentary: California needs to roll out the red carpet, not red tape
Date: March 19, 2008
- Help shape the future of agriculture by taking part
- Farm bill deadline extended
- Downsizing is having an impact on agriculture's aerial wing
- Commentary: Everyone needs to work together on invasive species
Date: March 12, 2008
- After fires, farmers say recovery is slow, but sure
- Land appraisal methods raise some questions
- Breeding better bees
- Commentary: My little corner of the world--and beyond
Date: March 5, 2008
- New report focuses on stemming farmland loss
- Farm Bureau leaders tackle critical issues
- Teacher uses entrepreneur's success story to inspire, challenge students
- Air districts offer details on registering ag engines
- UC Research Report: Solving problems, creating opportunities
- Commentary: Animal care is top priority for America's farmers and ranchers
Date: February 27, 2008
- Irrigators clash over proposed Klamath deal
- Canceled contracts put dairies in a bind
- Prune growers hoping for better times this year
- Commentary: Telling the true story of beef production
- Commentary: Communication is key to getting the message right
Date: February 20, 2008
- New farm bill is going down to the wire
- Growers get help regaining lost markets
- Markets look promising for wine and grape sector
- Commentary: Who will lead the legislature?
Date: February 13, 2008
- CCD and theft cut bee supply
- Federal agencies propose fix to H-2A program
- A sweeter outlook for California's lemon crop
- Ask Your PCA:
How did winter rains impact the crops? - Commentary: Building trade relations with Cuba--challenges and opportunities
Date: February 6, 2008
- Almond growers weigh options in storm's wake
- Clock ticking on farm bill negotiations
- Valentine's florals filched
- UC Research Report: Solving problems, creating opportunities
- Commentary: Busy year in politics leads to slow year in policy
Date: January 30, 2008
- Water stakeholders weigh in on delta plans
- Fiscal storms drive state budget talks
- Property-rights measure qualifies for June ballot
- Vote on Tuesday, Feb. 5: Make your farm vote count
Date: January 16, 2008
- Proposed diesel engine rules may cost billions
- First-time meeting creates a buzz in nation's bee sector
- Ask Your PCA:
What are you doing to get ready for next season? - Commentary: Career Technical Education--Teaching the future of agriculture
Date: January 9, 2008
- Storm batters state, knocks down trees
- Metal thieves converge on Patterson farms
- Climate change event offers tips for row crop farmers
- Macadamia nuts: Not just a product of Hawaii
- Commentary: A look ahead at 2008--Farmers rely on resiliency

