Food And Farm News
July 8, 2026
Golden mussels plague farms and water districts
The spread of golden mussels in California has alarmed farmers this year as the invasive species established itself in waterways across much of the state. In the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the freshwater mollusks began obstructing irrigation systems that sustain billions of dollars' worth of tree nuts, winegrapes, tomatoes and other crops. Among the most vulnerable agricultural infrastructure are hundreds of steel pipes that siphon water from the delta into irrigation pumps and ditches. Christopher Neudeck, president of Stockton-based civil engineering firm Kjeldsen, Sinnock & Neudeck, said during the past six months "an onslaught of golden mussels" began clogging some siphons and pumps that pull water from delta rivers, choking off farmers' water supply. Replacing siphons, pump stations and drainage pipes affected by golden mussels could cost farmers in the delta more than $35 million, according to an estimate Neudeck provided this year to the San Joaquin County Office of Emergency Services.
California awards $2 million to curb livestock attacks by wolves
After months of discussions with agricultural leaders and community members, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife awarded $2 million to organizations supporting efforts to reduce wolf-livestock conflicts. The funding includes $1.1 million to the California Farm Bureau's California Bountiful Foundation to reimburse producers who have suffered a confirmed or probable wolf attack on livestock. The other organizations receiving funding-Sierra Valley Resource Conservation District, Honey Lake Valley Resource Conservation District and Working Circle-will use the remaining funds to assist in relevant outreach and education. "We have heard clearly from ranchers how hard the return of wolves has been on their livelihoods-not just financially but in the day-to-day mental and physical toll of managing this animal," CDFW Director Meghan Hertel said in a statement.
Early crop boosts prospects for California pear growers
The first U.S.-grown pears to be harvested this year began shipping to retailers and canneries last week as the season kicked off in Sacramento County. After a historic spring heat wave, the crop matured faster than usual this year. Growers along the Sacramento River started picking Bartlett pears, the state's top variety, on June 29, about two weeks earlier than average. California pear growers aim to sell most of their crop before September, when they lose market share to pears from the Pacific Northwest. Justin Bloss, sales and marketing manager at Lodi-based Rivermaid Trading Co., California's top pear supplier, said the early harvest could benefit growers in the state by lengthening their market window. "It's really a blessing," Bloss said. California is expected to harvest about 91,000 tons of Bartletts this year, down 15% from last year's 107,000 tons, according to the California Pear Advisory Board.
It's not too soon to prepare for screwworm response
As the New World screwworm expands into the U.S. from Mexico, California's pest exclusion leaders already have developed a response plan that includes trapping and education. The flesh-eating parasite, which was confirmed in one dog in New Mexico and more than two dozen cattle, sheep and goats in Texas in June, has yet to be found in California. But Alec Gerry, a University of California, Riverside, veterinary entomology professor and Cooperative Extension specialist, said producers should prepare now for the pest's potential arrival by becoming familiar with identification and prevention. "We haven't had these screwworms in the U.S. for so long that we've forgotten what we need to watch for," he said. "Animal producers at this point should be learning about screwworm and how to identify it and how to protect their animals from it."
For more information about any story in Food and Farm News, contact the California Farm Bureau Marketing/Communications Division at 916-561-5550 or email news@cfbf.com. Connect with us on Facebook, X, or Instagram: @CAFarmBureau.
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