AgNet News Hour

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 02-17-25

In this episode of AgNet News Hour from AgNet West, Lorrie Boyer discusses the USDA's recent amendments to the federal milk marketing order with Roger Crayon, Chief Economist at the American Farm Bureau Federation. They delve into the detailed process and its significant impact on dairy farmers. The show also features a conversation with Julie Broadway, Executive Director of the American Horse Council, covering a wide range of current issues and trends in the equine industry, from tax matters to regulatory issues.
Additionally, Sabrina Halverson speaks with Katie Driver with UPL about a recent emergency exemption for a bactericide in almonds and interviews with various exhibitors from the World Ag Expo, highlighting technological innovations and efficiencies in agriculture.

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 02-14-25

On this episode of AgNet News Hour, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer delve into the topic of autonomous tractors in California. They discuss the state's plans to revisit a decades-old ban on driverless agricultural vehicles, highlighting the potential benefits and challenges of using such technology in farming. The hosts particularly focus on a recent AgAlert article by Caleb Hampton that outlines this regulation and updates from Cal OSHA. The conversation also touches on how such technology could transform agricultural labor and the importance of updating regulations to keep pace with technological advancements. Additionally, the show covers the proposed move of the U.S. International Food Assistance Program from USAID to the USDA, examining the implications for U.S. food aid and global diplomatic relations.

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 02-13-25

In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the Farm Bill, emphasizing the importance of specialty crops. They highlight priorities set by the Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance, including expanding the fruit and vegetable snack program to all states, establishing a specialty crop research initiative, increasing state-level grants for specialty crops, enhancing trade assistance, and investing in prevention and mitigation programs for invasive pests and diseases. The discussion underscores the need for more funding and prioritization of agricultural research to stay competitive globally, particularly against countries like China. The episode wraps up with this week’s Almond Update and interviews from the World Ag Expo.

AgNet News Hour, Wednesday, 02-12-25

In the latest AgNet News Hour, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the pressing topics in agriculture, focusing on the impact of the federal funding freeze on farmers. They detail how the freeze, intended to cut organizational grants, is adversely affecting individual farmers by halting essential reimbursements. Real-life examples from farmers dealing with revoked grants and the resulting financial burden are shared. The hosts also touch on the ongoing challenges in the agriculture sector, including tariffs and the need for trade improvements. They further emphasize the mental and emotional toll these uncertainties are having on farmers, providing resources for mental health support. Additionally, they discuss the importance of media literacy and recognizing bias, especially for the agricultural community, as presented by Sabrina at the World Ag Expo.

AgNet News Hour, Tuesday, 02-11-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, host Lorrie Boyer is joined by her 26-year-old son, Blake Boyer, to discuss various aspects of agriculture from a younger consumer's perspective. The conversation covers Blake's background in agriculture, although he doesn't work directly in the field. Topics include the importance of nutrition in food choices, perspectives on alternative protein sources, and challenges associated with veganism. They also discuss the implications of mass deportations on the agriculture industry, the rise of new technology like drones and electric vehicles, and how these innovations impact various sectors. The talk emphasizes the importance of different generations understanding the evolving agricultural landscape.

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 02-10-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer delve into the upcoming World Ag Expo in Tulare, California, discussing its vast exhibit space, international exhibitors, and the focus on new agricultural technologies, specialty crops, and dairy advancements. They also highlight the significance of the Women in Ag Pavilion. Further, the conversation pivots to the first on-farm robotics incubator, Reservoir Farms, which aims to bridge the gap between technology and agriculture with its facilities in Salinas and Merced. Additionally, the episode covers a proposed composting bill that seeks to increase composting capacities for farms and urban community projects, emphasizing its potential benefits for air quality and soil health.

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 02-07-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the recent Senate Agriculture Committee hearing titled 'Perspectives from the Field, Farmer and Rancher Views on the Agricultural Economy Part One.' Key witnesses included American Farm Bureau President Zippy Duvall and National Farmers Union President Rob LaRue, who testified on the urgent need for a modernized farm bill and the widespread challenges faced by farmers and ranchers, such as rising input costs, access to operating loans, and the necessity of crop insurance. The episode also highlights the lack of representation for fruit and vegetable specialty crops in the hearing and delves into the critical importance of supporting young and new farmers to sustain the agricultural industry.

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 02-06-25

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the increasing electricity demands across the U.S., driven by advancements and the growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). They highlight the challenges of meeting this demand with the current electric grid infrastructure and contemplate the significant energy draw from millions of EVs, especially with ambitious goals to go fully electric by 2030. The conversation also touches upon alternative energy sources like natural gas and nuclear energy, and the necessity of urgent action to upgrade infrastructure. Additionally, the role of the Trump administration in addressing energy concerns is discussed.
We also have this week’s Almond Update.