KSTE Farm Hour

Water, lots of it, has been the focus for agriculture across the country. But unlike the midwest flooding, the water story here in California is mostly good news. We have that report. The Trump administration’s threats to completely close down the border with Mexico could have serious ramifications for California’s farmers. We tell you which crops will face the biggest export losses…and, the crops from Mexico that might disappear from your local supermarket. Sunflowers play a big role in Sacramento Valley agriculture. We highlight that crop, and the problems it may face in 2019. All that, crop reports, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

The deadly chicken sickness, Virulent Newcastle Disease, is spreading in California. And now it has has been found in several commercial chicken operations. We have that report. The FCC paid a visit to some local ag operations here, to find out more about what rural California needs the most: higher internet speeds. The wet but warmer weather of early spring means more problems with mosquitoes for homeowners, ranchers and farmers. We have some control tips. And we take a peek into the magic 8 ball to foretell the ten year farm and livestock outlook. It’s all coming up, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

Congratulations, you’ve just enjoyed the wettest winter on record in the United States. And this spring and summer, California’s farmers will see increased water allocations from the Central Valley Project and the State Water Project. We have the numbers. The deadliest pest to California’s citrus industry has found its way into Sacramento County. The Asian Citrus Psyllid, which vectors citrus greening disease, was found earlier this month in the city of Sacramento. The County’s Agricultural commissioner will tell us how that find will effect the way citrus is handled on both residential and commercial levels. The farmers of tomorrow may be getting their start at Sacramento’s Cosumnes River College. We chat with the head of that school’s Horticulture Department. All that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

Central Valley Farmers and Southern California water users may see some steep rate hikes ahead. They and other State Water Project water customers may be on the hook for the costs of the majority of repairs at Oroville Dam, totaling hundreds of millions of dollars. All because the Federal Government says they won’t cover those costs. We’ll tell you why. The wet California winter is a combination of good news and bad news for the state’s farmers. We’ll explain. The EPA is proposing making gasoline containing 15% ethanol available year round. But farmers and rural residents who own typical small farm implements such as chain saws, mowers, tillers and more need to be very careful about what they put in those fuel tanks. We’ll tell you why. All that, crop reports, and more….on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s Get Started!

It was a wet February, and more atmospheric rivers have hit California to start off March. Overflowing streams have caused farm damage in Northern California, we’ll tell you where. There’s a lot of water flowing out to sea as a result of all those storms, but we will tell you about one irrigation district in California that’s taking that excess water and distributing it to farmers for a very good use. There are some happy farmers in Northern California that are satisfied with a couple of decisions to delay or suspend water and electrical projects that would’ve impacted their land. We’ll tell you all about that. And we visit the Sacramento Rice fields and find out what rice growers are doing this time of year. And a lot of it is hurry up and wait. All that crop reports and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

The atmospheric rivers of rain that have inundated California recently have area almond growers concerned about the 2019 crop. On the other hand, all that precipitation has raised water allocations for California farmers who contract with the Central Valley Project or the State Water Project. We chat with a fifth generation Yolo County farmer, Bruce Rominger, about his efforts at sustainable farming on his 6,500 acres of crops. And, why California is buzzing with bees right now in the state’s orchards. All that, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

We’ve got lots of good news for California’s farmers this week. It’s only late February, but already the Sierra snowpack is at its April 1 average…meaning there will be plenty of irrigation surface water coming your way from the State Water Project and the Central Valley Project. And the CVP has made its initial allocations of water availability. We have those nice numbers. What’s more important than water? Your children. And we put the spotlight on some of the best and brightest youngsters who are the future of California farming. These are standout California high schoolers who are getting ready to become this state’s next generation of successful farmers. We hear their stories. You want more good news? OK. It’s gonna rain and snow some more! All that, and more….on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

California’s new governor outlined his plans for the future of California, and Gavin Newsom couldn’t have been clearer. Plus, the governor made a big change in the leadership of the Department of Water Resources, a change in personnel that pleased many Central Valley growers. We have the details. New outbreaks of the deadly chicken illness, Virulent Newcastle Disease in California. We’ll tell you where. Flying drones over your farm this winter? Be careful, or you might come to a crash landing. And details about a new substitute for soil fumigation. It’s called Biosolarization…and its researchers recently won an achievement award from California’s Department of Pesticide Regulation. All that, and a lot more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour!

Donald Trump has kept his word to California’s farmers. He’s attempting to shift Delta water away from fish and send it to the farms and cities of the Central Valley. The details are in the just-released U.S. Bureau of Reclamation Biological Assessment for the Delta. And there’s already blowback. Farmers are filing for bankruptcy in record numbers in the Midwest. But what about California’s farmers? How healthy is their financial outlook? We talk with a noted ag economist. For great crops, you need great soil. And there’s a research facility here that you need to visit to see some really great soil in action. Think Valentine’s Day is a big day for Northern California flower growers? You better think again. We visit one and find out why they’re concentrating instead on weddings and special events. All that and more on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!

The Department of Water Resources conducted their monthly snow survey last week, and what they found is very good news for farm and city dwellers for 2019. More farm groups are telling Congress: we need workers. We need a fix to the immigrant farm labor issue. Nutrias are up, butterflies are down. The nutria is a large burrowing rodent that can destroy crops and levees. Its numbers have exploded in the Delta area in the last year. And the western monarch butterfly population is down 85%. What can farmers do to turn that around? Plenty, and the government is willing to help pay for your efforts. Those are just a few of the stories on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.