Herman Els

Success in the dynamic world of winegrape farming requires consistency and fair representation. The grower-owned cooperative Allied Grape Growers (AGG) is now an essential component of the California wine business. Assuring members' voices are heard and providing a reliable forum for grape marketing, AGG is crucial to the sector's stability. As a cooperative, AGG gives top priority to its members' interests in every transaction and directly shares earnings with them. By cutting down unnecessary expenses, this strategy benefits individual producers and enhances the industry's overall sustainability. In an exclusive interview with the International Bulk Wine & Spirits Show, Jeff Bitter, President of AGG, delves into the advantages of this cooperative model. He discusses how it promotes growers' well-being, guarantees equitable representation, and supports the wine industry's long-term stability. Jeff also talks about the advancements and challenges shaping the future of winegrape cultivation. By emphasizing sustainability and group success, AGG is paving the way for a more secure and prosperous wine industry. To Know More, Check Out The Full Interview Here 👉 : https://lnkd.in/gC3fzFXP #wineindustry #californiawine #grapegrowers #sustainablefarming #agricultureinnovation Kyle Collins Karl Lehman Kevin Rogers Tim Mendonca Diane Short Chad Clark M. Wesley Brady Jeff Bitter Malvika Patel Sid Patel Ankita O.

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California almonds are estimated to come in at 3 billion pounds this year according to the 2024 California Almond Forecast published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service on May 10. This marks a 21% increase over 2023’s 2.47 billion pounds. The report attributes mostly favorable weather conditions from the end of Feb. into early March that boosted pollinations during the bloom which finished by the middle of March. While wet weather and warmer temperatures in April heightened pest and disease pressures, water allocation was a non-issue for most growers for the second consecutive year. Further, the forecasted yield is 2,170 pounds per acre, up 380 pounds from the 2023 harvest. According to the Almond Board, if the estimated 3 billion pound harvest holds, 2024 will be the second-largest almond crop on record. ... The USDA modified a federal marketing order on California almonds to aid the creation of alternative markets and keep pace with evolving industry dynamics. According to a press release, the modification seeks to broaden the definition of almonds to include almond biomass for research purposes as well as shelled almonds for future marketing. Marketing orders are industry-driven programs that leverage funds to design and execute programs a grower could not accomplish individually to achieve marketing success. These changes to boost market growth for the almond industry come after several trade missions conducted this year by the USDA and Almond Board to expand export markets. . . Follow the link to read on: https://lnkd.in/gA5kys4k

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Crop Update: Growers are transitioning from Southwestern Desert regions to coastal valleys in California due to cold storms, potentially disrupting lettuce plant development and quality, and potentially causing physiological changes. To read more, click the link below. https://hubs.ly/Q02tcYJl0 #proact #supplychain #foodservice #cropupdates

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Updated research in the world of cotton: The #CDFA Fertilizer Research and Education Programs (FREP) funded project explored the complex relationships of nitrogen rates, varieties, and irrigation methods on Pima cotton yield and nitrogen uptake in California's Central Valley. It found: • Variety and irrigation had minimal impact on yield response to nitrogen. Both Pima and Upland exhibited similar yield patterns across furrow and subsurface drip irrigation. • Lower nitrogen applications led to reduced yields and lower seed Nitrogen (N) concentrations. • No significant differences were found in seed N concentrations between Upland and Pima. Optimal nitrogen rates varied by cultivar. Yields peaked at N rates aligned with 75-100% of estimated N requirements, with higher rates potentially reducing yields. • Irrigation methods and nitrogen treatments had no discernible impact on fiber quality. These findings offer valuable insights for cotton growers seeking to balance high #yields with sustainable nitrogen management practices. By tailoring nitrogen applications to specific cultivars and irrigation methods, enhanced productivity can be met while minimizing environmental impacts. #FREP #cotton #agriculture #nitrogen #sustainability #CentralValley #farming #irrigation #water

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Know Your Nutrients Part 2: Potassium Potassium is a key nutrient for crop yield and quality, but more isn’t always better. Redox Lead Agronomist John Kelly explains that proper potassium nutrition helps regulate water, nutrient uptake, and plant charge balance, boosting crop performance. He adds that more growers are now focusing on timing and targeted inputs to optimize potassium’s benefits. Listen to our latest #RedoxGrowsPodcast now: https://loom.ly/8ISmYYc

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Agronomist Jesse Uebelhor has a soybean stand and plant health evaluation for you in this week's Agronomic Insight. Be sure to watch his video for details on what he's seeing in terms of pests, stand count, and root formation. Video link here: https://lnkd.in/gN_PqBQZ

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In this episode of "Sound Advice," Agronomist Ryan Harter dives into how to understand nutrient limitations using the Mulder's Chart. Watch now. https://ow.ly/HYHO50RiEIP

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For growers utilizing controlled environments like greenhouses, optimizing light, heat, and other inputs is critical for crop success. ARS researchers have developed an innovation tool that provides precise insights, leading to healthier plants and improved yields. This advancement promises to enhance sustainable farming practices and drive productivity in the agricultural sector. https://loom.ly/Jq-4Tf0

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Good news for organic and specialty growers, especially for farms in California, Arizona and Texas. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is expanding crop insurance options for specialty and organic growers beginning with the 2025 crop year. USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA) is expanding coverage options by allowing enterprise units by organic farming practice, adding enterprise unit eligibility for several crops, and making additional policy updates. Some of the changes include:    ◦   Expanding Enterprise Units (EU) to almonds, apples, avocado (California), citrus (Arizona, California, and Texas), figs, macadamia nuts, pears, prunes, and walnuts.    ◦   Allowing non-contiguous parcels of land that qualify for Optional Units (OU) to also qualify for EU.    ◦   Allowing EUs by organic farming practice for alfalfa seed, almonds, apples, avocado (California), cabbage, canola, citrus (Arizona, California and Texas), coarse grains, cotton, ELS cotton, dry beans, dry peas, figs, fresh market tomatoes, forage production, grass seed, macadamia nuts, millet, mint, mustard, pears, potatoes (northern, central, and southern), processing tomatoes, prunes, safflower, small grains, sunflower seed, and walnuts.    ◦   Expanding OUs by organic practice to all remaining crops where OUs are available, and the organic practice is insurable. More details: https://lnkd.in/e8gZJcCh #Organic #cropinsurance #riskmanagement #organicfarming #agriculture

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It is great connecting with fellow industry professionals at the NW Hort Expo in Yakima! 🍎 Pacific Biocontrol presented a helpful overview of the distinctions between Codling Moth and Oriental Fruit Moth. A video summary by Peter McGhee, Pacific Biocontrol president and entomologist, below. Erica Moretti’s, USDA entomologist, presentation on biocontrol best practices was also a highlight. Biocontrol, along with pheromones, play a crucial role in integrated pest management for orchards. #NWHortExpo #PacificBiocontrol #CodlingMoth #OrientalFruitMoth #Biocontrol #IPM #PestManagement #Entomology

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San Diego County's newly released 2023 Crop Report shows a total crop value of $1.66± billion for California’s nursery, greenhouse, and floriculture segment leader. Nursery products – worth nearly $1.18B – was down slightly in 2023, while citrus and apiary product values increased and avocados, vegetables and livestock & poultry segments declined. California’s 15th most valuable ag county benefits from a climate and geography that allows many small family farms to produce a diverse array of crops on over 4,000 farms, 89% of which are smaller than 50 acres. Read the full San Diego Crop Report here: https://zurl.co/f7IU #PacificWestAg #PeoplesCompany #California #Agriculture #CaliforniaAgriculture #AgIndustry #SanDiegoCropReport #SanDiegoAgriculture #Nursery #Greenhouse

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Have an agronomic issue and need support? Just #AskOurAgronomists! Our agronomy and extension specialists are standing by to help answer your most pressing crop production questions this growing season. #cdnag #westcdnag #MbAg #MBFarms

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How can we support growers in adopting conservation practices effectively? Join the conversation on program stacking and simplified enrollment to maximize grower ROI and measure impact at scale. #SustainableAgriculture https://ow.ly/JnjE50RaQxI

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Opportunities for Sizable California Almond Crop Positive weather conditions during bloom and sufficient water supplies have helped crop projections improve to 2,170 pounds per acre. With some of the logistical challenges of the previous few years largely remedied, there is more opportunity to expand in international markets. Demand for almonds has been steady and there is significant growth potential in existing and new markets. https://ow.ly/38BV50RT4J6 #Almonds #AlmondGrowers #AlmondMarkets

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We were onsite this week in Anaheim, CA at the 50th California Association of Pest Control Advisers (CAPCA) Agri-Expo and Conference. Our California TELONE™ Specialist, Brian Hegland, was there answering PCA and grower questions about nematode management solutions with TELONE™. "The mission of CAPCA is to facilitate the success of the PCA and to represent its 3000 members who provide pest management consultation for the production of food, fiber and ornamental industries of California. Pest Control Advisers (PCAs) are licensed professional production consultants who serve California agriculture and horticulture producers. PCAs specialize in pest management, but they are also an important resource to producers in a wide range of production concerns related to plant health. A PCA is licensed by the State of California to engage in the following activities: -Provide pest management recommendations, which must be in writing. -Hold self as an authority on any agricultural use. -Solicit sales of products or services for agricultural use" We are proud to support this CAPCA event and the ongoing educational opportunities it provides CA Pest Control Advisors. For PCA's interested in learning more about our TELONE™ Stewardship efforts, visit https://lnkd.in/gG3b8Avw Remember, there's no coming back from a poor start! #TELONE #thebestdefenseagainstnematodes #alwayslearning #PCA #pestcontroladvisors #CaliforniaAg #Agriculture #CAPCA #integratedpestmanagement #IPM #sustainablepestmanagement #healthysoil #soilhealth

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The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) confirms there are no food safety concerns about the nation’s pork supply following the detection of H5N1 influenza in swine on a small backyard farm in Oregon. Properly handled and cooked pork remains safe to eat. Since 2009, pork producers have partnered with USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) on the swine influenza surveillance program and on-farm biosecurity practices to protect animal health and ensure food safety. Learn more about the proactive steps producers are taking: https://lnkd.in/gqwZkj6f. #PorkPriorities

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As soy growers face a challenging farm economic outlook, ASA leaders advocate in D.C. for significant improvements to the Title I farm safety net for soybeans in the farm bill. #FieldToHill #USSOY #AgPolicy

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