California Ag Commodity Buzz -- 3/1/24
California Ag Commodity News3/1/24
Upwards of 625,000 acres will need to be taken out of farming over the next 15 years to comply with SGMA, with a bulk of that in Kern, Kings and Tulare counties according to Michael Ming, with Alliance Ag Services LLC who spoke recently at a World Ag Expo seminar. Regulations have required more water to run through the delta, which has crimped supplies sent south. Source: SJV Water
A strong rebound in almond prices is expected over the next 12 to 18 months, despite global production returning to higher levels according to David Magaña, economist at Rabo AgriFinance. Source: AgNetWest
California anticipates a somewhat smaller avocado crop this season (208 million pounds), slightly down from last year. Growers are hopeful rains in California will be followed by a period of warm days with sunshine to help the avocados on the trees continue to grow. If that happens then the forecast could increase. Source: FreshPlaza
Demand continues to grow for baby romaine lettuce which shares a similar shape and color as traditional romaine, but has a sweeter flavor plus the crunch of iceberg lettuce. "It has exponentially grown in the last two to three years especially," says Ernst van Eeghen, of Church Brothers Farms (Salinas, CA). Source: Fresh Plaza
The March snow survey conducted in the Sierra Nevada region of California showed an improvement in the snowpack, which is an encouraging sign for water resources. This positive development may contribute to better water supply in the state. Source: California DWR
The total cattle herd in the United States has reached its lowest level since 1951, leading to concerns about the future availability and pricing of beef products. Factors contributing to this decline include increased cattle feed costs and a shift toward alternative protein sources. Source: Wis Farmer
The U.S. grape market continues to face tight supply as it awaits the peak volume of Chilean grapes. Market conditions have created favorable prices for domestic grape producers, with strong demand expected to persist until the arrival of the larger Chilean grape shipments. Source: Fresh Fruit Portal
In an article published by scientists at the University of California Irvine, there is a direct relationship between drought, invasive species, and wildfires. The researchers found that drought conditions create favorable circumstances for invasive species to establish and spread, increasing the risk of wildfires. Source: Phys
Heavy rains and flooding in California pose a significant threat to the state's strawberry crop. There are concerns about potential damage to fields, delays in planting, and a decrease in strawberry production as a result of the adverse weather conditions. Source: RFDTV
The lawsuit against the USDA, which aimed to challenge their decision to increase poultry line speeds, has been dismissed. This ruling allows poultry processing plants in the United States to continue operating at faster speeds, despite concerns raised by worker safety and animal welfare proponents. Source: Pork Business
Cookie Bianco, a prominent figure in the produce industry, will be recognized with a Lifetime Achievement Award on March 11th for his contributions. His years of dedication, expertise, and leadership have made a significant impact on the industry. Source: The Produce News
Heavy rains and unusual weather patterns in California are anticipated to result in spring harvest gaps for another year. This could impact the availability and pricing of certain crops, potentially leading to supply chain challenges in the produce industry. Source: Fresh Plaza
California winegrape growers may be victims of their own success after harvesting a larger than average crop last fall. The 2023 crop came in at nearly 3.7 million tons, up from 3.3 million in ‘22. However, the production increase comes as U.S. wine sales dropped 9% in 2023, the third consecutive year after more than a decade of growth. Source: Newstalk KIT
According to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack a U.S. vaccine effective for current bird flu strains is about 18 months away. CCD data shows more than 81 million U.S. poultry and aquatic birds have been killed by avian flu since January 2022. This year, the U.S. has found bird flu in eight commercial flocks and 14 backyard flocks, affecting 530,000 birds. Source: Newstalk KIT
Ag Lending Job Board (New Jobs Posted)
Commercial Lending Credit Analyst (ag experience preferred)
Plumas Bank
Chico, CA
Loan Officer (AVP - VP)
AgWest Farm Credit
Imperial Valley, CA