AgNet News Hour

World Ag Expo Week Begins as John Duarte Talks Almond Innovation, Water, and California’s Future

Richard Kreps Says Pistachios, Water, and Common Sense Must Lead California Forward

The February 9 edition of the AgNet News Hour kicked off a powerful week of conversations focused on pistachios, water, and California agriculture’s future as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill welcomed Richard Kreps, a longtime California pistachio grower and industry leader. With the World Ag Expo just days away, Kreps delivered a no-nonsense assessment of where agriculture stands — and where policy continues to fall short.
Kreps opened by reflecting on the record-setting pistachio crop California growers just delivered. While early projections suggested a crop nearing two billion pounds, final numbers came in just over 1.5 billion pounds, still the largest harvest in industry history. Strong international marketing efforts in regions like India, Brazil, South Korea, and Europe helped move volume, with global demand continuing to outpace supply — a positive sign for pricing and long-term stability.
Trade was a key topic throughout the interview. Kreps explained that pistachios, almonds, and walnuts are among the most nutrient-dense foods California produces, giving them leverage in global markets. While tariffs often dominate headlines, Kreps argued that when consumers worldwide want high-quality, healthy food, barriers tend to fall. “Nutrition matters,” he said, adding that California’s permanent crops offer something few regions can match.
The conversation quickly turned to water, where Kreps was especially blunt. He criticized decades of mismanagement that have left farmers dealing with unpredictable allocations despite full reservoirs. He noted that California has doubled its population without building major new water storage, while sending massive volumes of rain and snowmelt straight to the ocean. “We have enough water,” Kreps said. “We just refuse to store it.”
Kreps also addressed the frustration growers feel when allocations are announced too late to plan crops. Even when water is eventually released, he said, timing often makes it unusable for planting decisions. That uncertainty forces growers to fallow land, rely on groundwater, or abandon opportunities — all while still paying for water they never receive.
From an agronomic perspective, Kreps urged pistachio growers to rethink traditional nutrition strategies as bloom approaches. With newer varieties reducing extreme alternate bearing, he emphasized balancing fertility year-round rather than cutting back during lighter years. Proper nutrient management, water quality monitoring, and tissue sampling, he said, are now essential for consistent yields and long-term orchard health.
Despite the challenges, Kreps struck an optimistic tone. He believes California agriculture still holds unmatched advantages in climate, soils, and expertise — but only if policymakers embrace common sense. “Farmers are the best environmentalists,” he said. “We just need the freedom to do our jobs.”
Papagni and McGill closed the episode by noting that voices like Richard Kreps matter now more than ever, especially as agriculture heads into a pivotal year for water, policy, and public awareness.

California Walnuts Gain Momentum as Robert Verloop Sees a Turning Point for Growers

The February 6 edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered welcome optimism for tree nut growers as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with Robert Verloop, CEO and Executive Director of the California Walnut Commission and Board. After several difficult years marked by low prices, rising costs, and market uncertainty, Verloop believes the walnut industry is finally turning a corner — both at home and abroad.
Verloop opened with a reminder of California’s dominance in walnuts. Nearly 99 percent of U.S. walnuts are grown in California, and roughly 65 percent of production is exported. That global reach has made trade policy especially important, and Verloop called recent developments with India the most significant news the industry has seen in years.
India currently imposes a 100 percent tariff on walnuts, severely limiting market access. Verloop said a newly finalized agreement between the U.S. and India could dramatically lower that tariff — potentially to 30 percent or less. If that happens, India could quickly become California’s largest walnut export market, with the potential to absorb an additional 100,000 tons annually. “That’s a game changer,” Verloop said, noting that growers planted acreage years ago in anticipation of broader access to the Indian market.
Beyond trade, the discussion focused heavily on marketing and consumer demand, especially domestically. While walnuts are a nutritional powerhouse — rich in omega-3s, fiber, and healthy fats — Verloop acknowledged the industry has been slow to modernize its image. “Today’s walnuts are not your grandmother’s baking ingredient,” he said. The Commission is now pushing a feel-good campaign aimed at younger families, repositioning walnuts as a daily snack and a versatile ingredient for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Health research is a major pillar of that effort. Verloop highlighted studies linking walnuts to improved heart health, gut health, sleep quality, and even potential benefits in colorectal cancer prevention and brain health. “A handful a day can make a difference,” he said, emphasizing that walnuts align perfectly with growing interest in plant-based nutrition.
On the production side, Verloop said California has about 380,000 producing acres of walnuts, with acreage beginning to stabilize after recent declines. Rising input costs, labor challenges, and water availability remain major concerns, particularly for smaller family farms averaging around 60 acres. Many growers, he said, rely on off-farm income to stay afloat.
Looking ahead to 2026, Verloop expressed cautious optimism. A strong recent crop, improving global demand, and potential tariff relief could help stabilize grower returns. “We have the product, the quality, and the health story,” he said. “Now we need the markets to line up.”
Papagni and McGill closed the episode by agreeing that walnuts may be one of California agriculture’s quiet comeback stories — rooted in tradition, but finally embracing modern marketing and global opportunity.

Jeff Aiello Says California’s Wolf and Water Crises Are Symptoms of Broken Environmental Policy

The February 5 edition of the AgNet News Hour featured one of the most candid and wide-ranging conversations of the year as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill sat down with Jeff Aiello, a 13-time Emmy Award-winning cinematographer, PBS host, and founder of 1830 Entertainment. Aiello, best known for his work on American Grown: My Job Depends on Ag and Outside Beyond the Lens, shared what he has learned firsthand while documenting California agriculture, wolves, forests, and water policy.
Aiello explained that his recent wolf documentaries were not planned around a narrative — they unfolded in real time. While filming in Sierra Valley, he witnessed California Department of Fish and Wildlife, USDA officials, drones, wardens, and ranchers all scrambling to respond to active wolf depredation events. “It was chaos,” Aiello said. “And it was completely unsustainable.”
What stood out most to him was how predictable the crisis had been. Wolves, reintroduced decades ago in Yellowstone and later migrating into California, were placed under strict protections without a meaningful management plan. Once deer and elk populations declined, wolves did what wolves are designed to do — find new prey. In California, that meant livestock. Aiello emphasized that wolves are intelligent apex predators, not villains, but said policy failures have forced them into conflict with people.
Aiello contrasted California’s approach with Canada and other western states, where lethal control is part of responsible wolf management. “When a pack learns cattle are dangerous, they move on,” he said. “Here, they’ve learned there are no consequences.” He warned that continued inaction risks pushing ranchers into desperate situations while ultimately putting wolves themselves in greater danger.
The conversation expanded beyond wolves into forest and water management, where Aiello believes California has repeated the same mistakes for decades. He described how shutting down logging while continuing aggressive fire suppression created overgrown forests — setting the stage for today’s catastrophic wildfires. Those fires, he noted, destroy habitat, forcing wildlife downhill and closer to farms and towns.
Water policy was another major focus. Aiello argued that California’s water problems are largely man-made, pointing to failed storage projects, Delta mismanagement, and a refusal to acknowledge infrastructure realities. He warned that a major earthquake in the Delta could instantly cripple water deliveries to Southern California, exposing how fragile the system truly is.
One of Aiello’s strongest messages centered on food security. He criticized the idea that reducing agriculture in California helps the environment, calling it hypocritical. “You’re exporting your environmental responsibility to countries with fewer regulations,” he said. “People still have to eat.” He reminded listeners that agriculture is the world’s largest carbon-removal industry, pulling CO₂ from the atmosphere every day through crops and orchards.
Papagni and McGill praised Aiello for telling agriculture’s story honestly, without spin. As Aiello put it, “Farmers aren’t the problem — they’re the solution. They just need to be allowed to do their jobs.”

World Ag Expo Countdown Begins as Megan Lausten Previews the Biggest Farm Show on Earth

The February 4 edition of the AgNet News Hour was all about gearing up for what many farmers call the Super Bowl of agriculture — the World Ag Expo, set for February 10–12 in Tulare. Hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill were joined by Megan Lausten, Marketing Manager for the World Ag Expo, who offered a behind-the-scenes look at the scale, impact, and excitement surrounding the world’s largest annual agricultural trade show.
Lausten explained that preparations for the event are already in full swing, with massive equipment beginning to roll onto the grounds weeks ahead of opening day. More than 1,200 exhibitors will fill over 2.6 million square feet of exhibit space, showcasing everything from cutting-edge automation and irrigation systems to livestock equipment, soil technology, and farm management tools.
One of the most important takeaways from the conversation was that World Ag Expo is far more than just a trade show — it’s a major economic driver for the Central Valley. Lausten said the event generates more than $60 million in economic impact for Tulare County, while relying on the support of over 1,000 volunteers who help make the show run smoothly. Those volunteers, easily spotted in bright orange jackets, play a critical role in guiding attendees and keeping operations moving.
Education remains a core mission of the Expo. Lausten highlighted the Seminar Center, where attendees can access free educational sessions with paid admission. Topics range from dairy and livestock management to safety, succession planning, and emerging ag technology. She also spotlighted the Women’s Conference Pavilion, which returns this year with networking events, cooking demonstrations using California Grown products, and panels focused on women in agricultural technology and leadership.
The hosts also discussed how accessible the event is for both farmers and the general public. Lausten emphasized that you don’t have to be a grower to enjoy the Expo. Families, students, and community members are encouraged to attend and explore the Ag Ventures Learning Center and Ag Career and Education Pavilion, where young people can learn about the wide range of careers available in agriculture — from drone pilots to agronomists to engineers.
Transportation and logistics were another highlight. Lausten encouraged attendees to take advantage of the free Park and Ride system, with locations across Tulare, Visalia, and Exeter, as well as free on-site parking and tram service throughout the grounds. She also stressed the importance of downloading the World Ag Expo mobile app, which allows visitors to plan their day, locate exhibitors, and navigate the massive grounds efficiently.
The episode wrapped with reminders about the Expo’s famous food scene, run entirely by local nonprofit groups that collectively raised more than $1 million last year, and a final encouragement to come prepared — with comfortable shoes, curiosity, and a full appetite.
As Papagni put it, “If you want to see where agriculture is headed next, World Ag Expo is where it all comes together.”

Rick Roberti Calls on Californians to Get Involved as Cattle Industry Faces a Crossroads

The February 3 edition of the AgNet News Hour wrapped up a powerful three-part interview series with Rick Roberti, President of the California Cattlemen’s Association, as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill explored what lies ahead for California agriculture — and why complacency could be its greatest threat. The conversation blended hard truths about politics, land use, and regulation with a clear call to action for farmers, ranchers, and ag supporters statewide.
Roberti explained that cattle production remains one of the least automated and most hands-on segments of agriculture. Raising beef is a three-year investment, from breeding to harvest, requiring constant care, daily labor, and long-term financial risk. “You don’t just flip a switch,” Roberti said. “Every animal represents years of work before it ever reaches a plate.”
Despite record-high cattle prices driven by strong consumer demand, Roberti warned that profitability is still fragile. Rising costs, regulatory pressure, predator losses, and uncertainty around water and land access continue to strain producers. He pointed out that California cattle numbers are historically low, and rebuilding herds takes years — not months — making policy mistakes especially dangerous right now.
A major theme of the episode was land conversion. Roberti said thousands of acres of productive farmland are lost every year to housing and development, and once land is paved over, it never comes back. In many rangeland areas, cattle are the only viable use of the land. Remove livestock, he warned, and those landscapes either become unmanaged fire hazards or targets for urban sprawl.
Politics also took center stage. Roberti acknowledged frustration within agriculture but urged producers not to disengage. “Giving up guarantees you lose,” he said. He believes progress is still possible by working with moderate lawmakers who are beginning to recognize that California’s current approach isn’t working. Local government, he emphasized, is where agriculture can make the biggest difference — from city councils to county boards of supervisors.
Roberti encouraged farmers and ranchers to tell their story directly. He shared an example where public understanding shifted dramatically once officials explained the realities of wolf depredation and livestock losses. “Most people don’t hate agriculture,” he said. “They just don’t understand it — because no one has explained it to them.”
The episode also featured updates on World Ag Expo, with Papagni and McGill reminding listeners that innovation remains one of agriculture’s strongest tools. Precision technology, smarter agronomy, and efficient equipment are helping growers stretch inputs and stay competitive, even as regulatory pressure increases.
As the series concluded, Roberti struck an optimistic tone. California, he said, still has unmatched climate, soil, and production capacity. What’s missing is leadership with vision and common sense. “This state isn’t lost,” he said. “But agriculture has to stand up for itself — or someone else will decide its future.”
Papagni summed it up plainly: “As long as people eat, farming matters. And California farmers deserve a fair shot.”

Rick Roberti California Cattle Threats: Wolves, Water, and Workforce

The February 2 edition of the AgNet News Hour continued the powerful, multi-part conversation with Rick Roberti, President of the California Cattlemen’s Association, as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill dug deeper into what ranchers are really facing on the ground. From unchecked predators to workforce uncertainty and food security, Roberti warned that California is drifting dangerously far from common sense — and the consequences are already showing.
Roberti explained that California’s wolf problem has moved well beyond theory and into daily reality. In regions like Sierra Valley, ranchers documented more than 100 livestock kills in just a few months, despite constant monitoring and intervention by state and federal agencies. Wolves in California, he said, have never been pressured or deterred, making them fearless around cattle and people. “They don’t know what consequences are,” Roberti said. “They’ve never had any.”
State agencies attempted extensive non-lethal methods, including round-the-clock wardens, night-vision surveillance, and even USDA drone teams. None of it stopped the killings. Roberti said the idea that ranchers can solve the problem with guard dogs or range riders ignores reality. “If drones and helicopters couldn’t stop them, how is a guy on horseback supposed to?” he asked.
The impact goes far beyond livestock losses. Ranchers are now pulling cattle out of mountain grazing areas entirely, making it impossible to sustain operations that have relied on that land for generations. That decision ripples outward — reducing county revenue, increasing wildfire risk due to unmanaged vegetation, and weakening already-fragile rural economies.
Roberti tied the wolf crisis into a broader pattern of policy failure. He said California continues to lose farmland to development while importing more food than it exports — a shift he called alarming. “A nation that can’t feed itself isn’t free,” he said, warning that the U.S. is edging closer to that reality.
Another major concern is succession. Roberti said fewer young people are willing to take over ranches that require seven-day-a-week commitment with constant regulatory pressure and financial risk. When families sell, land is often purchased by investors with no long-term connection to agriculture. “They’ll still run cows,” he said, “but it’s not the same when it’s not your life.”
Water management and forest policy also entered the discussion. Roberti argued that decades of mismanagement — including halting logging and controlled burns — have contributed to catastrophic wildfires and habitat loss, which in turn pushes predators closer to livestock and communities. “This isn’t climate change,” he said. “This is fuel buildup and bad decisions.”
Despite the challenges, Roberti stressed that cattle producers are not asking to eliminate wolves or abandon environmental responsibility. They want balance — and the right to protect their livelihoods. “Give us the ability to defend our property,” he said. “The wolves will learn fast.”
Papagni and McGill closed the episode by emphasizing that the cattle industry’s struggle reflects a larger disconnect between policymakers and rural California. As Roberti put it, “You can’t manage agriculture from a desk and expect it to work in the real world.”

Rick Roberti Warns California’s Wolf Crisis Is Devastating the Cattle Industry

The January 30 edition of the AgNet News Hour delivered one of the most graphic and hard-hitting conversations yet on California’s escalating wolf crisis, as hosts Nick Papagni and Josh McGill continued their in-depth interview with Rick Roberti, President of the California Cattlemen’s Association. This first installment of a three-part series pulled back the curtain on what ranchers are facing in real time — and why many believe state policy has gone dangerously off the rails.
Roberti explained that California’s wolf population did not organically re-establish itself, but instead migrated from Yellowstone wolves introduced decades ago. Once a single wolf crossed into California roughly a dozen years ago, the state quickly listed wolves under its own Endangered Species Act, creating some of the strictest predator protections in the country. That decision, Roberti said, left ranchers defenseless.
Under California law, ranchers are prohibited from hazing, deterring, or defending against wolves — even when livestock are actively being attacked. “You couldn’t even chase them off,” Roberti said. “That’s hard for people to believe, but it’s true.” As packs expanded, wolves adapted quickly, losing their fear of humans and learning that cattle herds offered easy prey.
Roberti described in disturbing detail how wolves kill livestock — often not to eat, but for sport. Unlike mountain lions, which kill quickly and return to their prey, wolves maim animals over long periods, leaving calves and cows paralyzed and suffering before consuming only select portions. In open valleys like Sierra Valley, ranchers have been able to document the damage firsthand, revealing daily losses that would otherwise go unnoticed in rough terrain.
The situation is compounded by declining wildlife populations. With deer and elk numbers collapsing due to unchecked predators like mountain lions and bears, wolves have shifted closer to human communities. Roberti said wolves are now being spotted near homes and ranch yards, creating safety concerns far beyond livestock losses.
Beyond wolves, Roberti highlighted the broader pressure facing the cattle industry. U.S. cattle numbers are at their lowest level since 1951, and rebuilding a herd takes years — not months. While producers have improved meat quality and efficiency, challenges like labor costs, regulation, border issues, and threats such as the New World screwworm continue to strain operations.
Despite the grim realities, Roberti emphasized that California cattle producers still have unique advantages, including year-round grass growth and fall calving that produces premium-timed animals for the market. But he warned that without policy changes, those advantages won’t be enough.
Papagni and McGill stressed that this issue goes beyond cattle — it reflects a growing disconnect between decision-makers and the realities of rural life. As Roberti put it, “You can’t manage wildlife from a desk in Sacramento and expect it to work on the ground.”
This episode served as a stark reminder that California agriculture isn’t asking for special treatment — just the ability to survive.