AgNet News Hour

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 10-21-24

On today’s show we have a discussion on the damage from wildfires but looking at another area that we may not always think about: damage to the Central Valley’s tree nut crops. Joining us on the phone are two University of California researchers who found just how costly that damage can be.

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 10-18-24

On today’s show, we recap the top stories and interviews from the week.

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 10-17-24

On today’s show we’ll find out how the Almond Board is helping PCAs get Continuing Education Credits for free with their new program, the Almond Learning Hub. That’s coming up in this week’s Almond Update.  
 
We also hear about the Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State’s Ag Tech Days event on October 25th. Joining us to tell us more about it is Charles Hillyer, director at the Center for Irrigation Technology at Fresno State.

AgNet News Hour, Wednesday, 10-16-24

On today’s show we have an update to a story we’ve been following out of the Midwest, as Pure Prairie Poultry, a poultry company operating in Iowa, Minnesota, and Western Wisconsin, has abruptly abandoned its contracts with local farmers.

AgNet News Hour, Tuesday, 10-15-24

On today’s show we report from the California Association of Pest Control Advisors (CAPCA) annual meeting, held this year at the Disneyland Hotel convention center in Anaheim.

AgNet News Hour, Monday, 10-14-24

On today’s show we turn to the Midwest. Midwest poultry farmers are facing a devastating crisis after Pure Prairie Poultry abruptly abandoned its contracts, leaving them without payments or resources to care for thousands of birds. Farmers are spending tens of thousands of dollars out of pocket to feed starving flocks, while state and federal officials scramble to address the policy gaps that left them unprotected. With no safety net in place and government agencies slow to act, many farmers are on the brink of financial collapse, pleading for immediate relief before it's too late. Tune in to hear the full story.

AgNet News Hour, Friday, 10-11-24

On today’s show, we talk with Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack about USDA’s efforts to help those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. He discusses key measures such as SNAP program flexibility, opportunities for hot meals, and meals for schoolchildren. For farmers, a variety of aid programs are available, and USDA has deployed surge teams to affected areas to assist.
We’re also joined by Ethan Lane, Vice President of Government Affairs with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. He discusses the organization's disappointment with a recent White House event where NCBA and other commodity groups were not invited. We also get a response from Agriculture Secretary Vilsack about the NCBA’s statement on the issue.
In addition, we talk with Samantha Buchalter, Vice President at the Russell Group, who discusses the Food and Agriculture Climate Alliance (FACA) and its 2020 launch aiming to bring diverse stakeholders together to support voluntary, market-based climate policies for agriculture and forestry.

AgNet News Hour, Thursday, 10-10-24

On today’s show Sidd Pal, assistant professor of geospatial science at Purdue University, explains digital soil maps utilizing technologies like AI, addressing spatial variability in soil health management through high-resolution data sets. He discusses the creation and advantages over traditional maps, enhanced by the Purdue Soil Explore, aiding farmers in site-specific management and carbon sequestration.
We also have this week’s Almond Update. Jenny Nicolaou, Associate Director at the Almond Board of California, discusses the annual process of recognizing distinguished members of the almond industry through the Almond Achievement Award and the Almond Technical Achievement Award.