West
New video series to spark interest in vegetable production of the future
A 26-episode weekly video series will debut May 13 on YouTube to help train the next generation of vegetable crop workers and increase their use of effective stewardship practices in vegetable production. Projections for near-future retirements of... more »
Chlorpyrifos registrations to be canceled by California EPA
The California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) said May 8 its Department of Pesticide Regulation (DPR) would ban the use of the pesticide and toxic air contaminant chlorpyrifos in California by canceling the pesticide’s registration. “California’s... more »
Onion developer Leonard Pike posthumously honored in Texas
The Texas International Produce Association recently honored Leonard Pike with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the Viva Fresh Show in San Antonio. Pike, pioneer of the 1015 onion as well as other vegetables that contributed... more »
Ag laborers from Mexico show sharp decline, UC Davis reports
For decades, farmers in the United States have depended on people from foreign countries – mostly Mexico – to work in the fields. Only 2 percent of California’s farmworkers were born in the U.S. But... more »
Honeybees weakened during transport linked to colony losses
Cold temperatures inside honey bee colonies may cause colony losses during and after long-distance hauling, according to a preliminary study by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists. Every year almost 2 million honey bee colonies – nearly two-thirds... more »
California survey: Over 50% of farms fall short of labor
Despite taking a variety of steps to alleviate chronic shortages of agricultural employees, California farmers and ranchers continue to report problems in hiring enough people for on-farm jobs. A survey released April 30 shows 56%... more »
Coastline Family Farms, Madison Ranches grow onions together
Coastline Family Farms, a western vegetable grower/shipper with locations in Salinas, California; Yuma, Arizona and Brawley, California, has formed a new dry onion growing and packing joint venture with Madison Ranches located in Echo, Oregon.... more »
US asparagus growers concerned as import competition grows
Asparagus cutters bend deep over their work in the early morning light. Colorful plastic bins stack like giant legos amid the scrubby fields north of Pasco, Washington. Growers in Washington, California and Michigan raise the... more »
