A look at how the wine industry is confronting the wildfires and smoke that threaten its vineyards.
“White Gold”: California Farmers React to Recent Storms
Farmers rely on the Sierra snowpack as it melts to help feed their crops. The snowpack is up 200 percent from average levels this time of year.
Officials Discuss Putting Cap On Number of Marijuana Dispensaries In Northampton
“Local leaders in Northampton met Monday evening to discuss whether or not to put a cap on the number of marijuana dispensaries in the city… It would actually endanger youth and adult health by increasing the proportion of illegal cannabis in the market, and untested contaminants and its unknown potency.”
It Could Be Awhile Before Egg prices Fall. Here Are Some Egg Substitutes, According to Nutritionists
“The best projections right now from USDA is that egg prices will be down by 50 percent or 75 percent at the wholesale level early this year, this spring or summer. As of right now, we’re expecting prices to come down very rapidly, but still not get back to normal, if I can call it that, until 2024,” he said. A big factor in this timeline will be how long it takes to get the flu under control.”
Western Drought Forces Farmers to Make Tough Decisions
Modern Farmer / June 7, 2021
Droughts in California have been part of agriculture for a very long time…California is a wonderful place for many crops and that has not changed at all.
AIC DIrector Dan Sumner
Which rose first: the price of chicken or corn? Sumner comments on shifting markets
Marketplace / May 11, 2021
“So China has turned to U.S. corn, and that drives prices in the United States,” said agriculture professor Daniel Sumner at University of California, Davis.
He said American farmers have been growing more corn to meet demand, so they have less room for other crops.
“Corn takes land away from wheat. Well, that reduces wheat supply, and you increase the price of wheat as a consequence,” Sumner said.
Drought adds pressure on Central Valley farmers as other factors cause food prices to rise. Dan Sumner comments on drought and food price
Snowpack statewide is only at 59% of its April 1 average, based on electronic measurements according to the California Department of Water Resources. Farmers in the Central Valley producing water-intensive crops such as almonds and tomatoes are already facing some difficult choices. “It’s really serious, particularly in the Central Valley.”
UC Davis Agricultural Economist Daniel Sumner
AIC Director Sumner on a panel on climate economics for California farms
How California farmers view climate change action and adaptation. How carbon pricing and border adjustments will affect farm economics in California. Growing use of electric tractors, trucks, and solar power on California farms.
California Agriculture to 2050: Where are headed and what issues are driving?
Sumner presented data and projections for the long term future of California Agriculture to seed industry professionals at the UC Davis Seed Central Oniline Event on December 10.
Dairy Markets Prove Resilient
California Ag Today / October 7, 2020
These kinds of volatilities are partly because of the shutdown and the milk market, even though there were some videos showing people dumping milk, that was not particularly common. It was terrible. It’s emotional for me and everybody else who cares about the milk market. You hate to see milk poured out. But it was a headline because it was rare. And I do think that was a temporary thing; it got settled pretty quickly. And the dairy industry has really been remarkably resilient. And the marketing side of the industry just did a great job.
Daniel Sumner