In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson, Lorrie Boyer, and newcomer Nick Papagni discuss recent significant developments affecting the agricultural industry. They cover the challenges posed by California's erratic weather on crop production, specifically almonds and raisins, and the rebranding of the Western Agricultural Processors Association to the Western Tree Nut Association.

Additionally, they delve into the reinstatement of nearly 5,700 USDA employees by the Merit Systems Protection Board due to disputed firings over restructuring and performance concerns.

The episode is marked by Sabrina's departure as she transitions to a new role in a non-profit organization and passes the show's hosting duties to Lorrie Boyer. The segment also includes reflections on farm broadcasting, highlighting the importance of providing accurate, in-depth agricultural news while staying connected to the realities faced by farmers.

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson, Lorrie Boyer, and Nick Papagni discuss several pressing issues facing the livestock industry, highlighted by recent hearings of the House Committee on Agriculture's Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.

The episode features opening comments from California Representative Jim Costa, who talks about the state's fragile food supply chain, issues with tariffs, and pending challenges in agriculture. The discussion continues with comments at the hearing from Mike West, Chairman of United Egg Producers, on the significance of cooperation between poultry and dairy industries in combating high path avian flu.

The conversation between the hosts further delves into the mutations of bird flu and their broader implications, including concerns on the effectiveness of future vaccines.

The episode concludes with the week's Almond Update.

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, Sabrina Halvorson, Lorrie Boyer, and new co-host Nick Papagni discuss the latest updates and insights from the Commodity Classic held in Denver, Colorado. Key topics include the implications of tariffs, the shifting outlook on the Farm Bill, and the increasing focus on specialty crops.

They also delve into technological advancements such as precision agriculture and retrofitting tractors, as well as the growing interest in biostimulants and sustainable practices.

Additionally, the show explores the potential introduction of nutrition labels on wine bottles and their possible impact on consumers and the wine industry.

In this episode, Sabrina Halvorson announces her departure from AgNet West to join the North Dakota News Cooperative. Sabrina and co-host Lorrie Boyer introduce Nick Papagni as her successor. The discussion covers Sabrina's journey at AgNet West, Nick's background in Central Valley agriculture and sports broadcasting, and a variety of agricultural topics including the Commodity Classic, Prop 12, water issues, and evolving consumer trends.

The show wraps up by exploring the complexities of state versus federal legislation in agriculture.

In this episode of AgNet NewsHour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the newly introduced bipartisan Farmland Security Act of 2025 by Senators Baldwin and Grassley, aimed at reducing foreign investment in U.S. farmland. They highlight concerns about foreign ownership, shell companies, and national security implications.

The show transitions to Lorrie's coverage of the Commodity Classic 2025 in Denver, noting its lower attendance this year, significant industry discussions, and its emphasis on networking and educational sessions, covering topics from mental health to technological advancements in agriculture.

In this episode of AgNet News Hour, Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the recent legislation introduced by State Senator Shannon Grove aimed at creating a tax credit for agricultural employers to help cover the cost of providing overtime wages for farm workers. They clarify the nuances of overtime wages and its implications for both employers and employees. The discussion includes viewpoints from farm workers and the overall impact of overtime regulations on agricultural operations.

Additionally, they cover a new $75 million USDA initiative for wildfire mitigation in California and Oregon. This includes the creation of fuel breaks and the potential role of livestock grazing in reducing wildfire risks. The show underscores ongoing efforts and challenges in both farm labor and wildfire management.

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss a significant legal battle as a group of farmers files a lawsuit against the USDA. The lawsuit addresses the Trump administration’s deletion of decades-worth of climate change data, a crucial source of information for agricultural decision-making. The episode examines the implications of this action on farmers, including the potential impact on agricultural programs, organic certifications, and financial plans. Additionally, the discussion touches on new fees being imposed on Chinese-built ships entering U.S. ports. The hosts consider the broader ramifications for consumers and related industries.

We also have this week’s Almond Update, which discusses upcoming workshops for almond growers.

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss various topics, starting with a caution to listeners about a fraudulent GoFundMe campaign related to a tragic plane crash in DC.

The main focus of the episode then shifts to the unique programs in prisons across the United States where inmates are engaged in farming activities. These programs aim to reduce costs, provide inmates with valuable life skills, and prepare them for reintegration into society. The hosts discuss specific examples of prison farms in different states, highlighting the regional specialties and the types of farming operations being conducted.

They also consider the potential ethical concerns surrounding these programs, such as forced labor and lack of proper compensation for inmates.

The episode concludes with a discussion on the benefits of agricultural education, drawing parallels between prison farms and school gardens.

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss pressing agricultural issues in California. They start with the significant problem of rat infestations in orchards, particularly in the Central Valley, which has led to costly damages to irrigation systems and other infrastructure. The episode details the economic impact, estimated between $100 and $300 million, and explores potential methods of rat control. The hosts also delve into water management challenges in Kern County, focusing on issues like overdrafted sub-basins, subsidence, and the complexities of developing effective groundwater management plans. They highlight the difficulties faced by local water managers and the necessity of including agricultural professionals in water conservation efforts. The discussion emphasizes the importance of institutional knowledge and the challenges posed by an aging workforce in the water management sector.

In this episode of the AgNet News Hour, hosts Sabrina Halvorson and Lorrie Boyer discuss the latest updates on the Corporate Transparency Act and its impact on small businesses, including farms and ranches. The U.S. Treasury Department has set a new deadline of March 21st for companies to file their beneficial ownership information following a recent court decision. The discussion highlights the back-and-forth nature of the Act's enforcement, the ease of filing, the rationale behind corporate transparency, and the potential penalties for non-compliance.

We also have a segment sponsored by UPL, in which we talk with Cassandra Rieser, Technical Service Manager for UPL, about managing botrytis and hull rot, two challenging diseases for almond growers.