KSTE Farm Hour

Latest Episodes:

Headline: 2020 retrospective, Part 2. Sac. Co Ag report. Wild Boar Farms. Processing walnuts. Jan 01, 2021

Show notes

Welcome to Part 2 of our 2020 KSTE Farm Hour retrospective. We take a look back this week at some of the more interesting farm stories and farm people of the past year, involved with the changing face of California agriculture. And we have some feel good stories, as well.

2020 retrospective, Part 1. Ample Harvest. Birds vs. Codling Moth. CA rice to China. Dec 22, 2020

Show notes

Welcome to Part 1 of our 2020 KSTE Farm Hour retrospective. We take a look back this week at some of the more interesting farm stories and farm people of the past year, involved with the changing face of California agriculture. And we have some feel good stories, as well.

New long range forecast says drier CA winters ahead. More money for Delta tunnels. Dec 18, 2020

Show notes

Weather researchers say they miscalculated: revised models show California will likely experience drier winters in the future. We have that report. The Metropolitan Water District is pumping millions of dollars more into the proposed Delta tunnels project, despite the objections of many Delta residents. Here’s a twist for Golden State farmers who must wheel and deal for irrigation water in the spring and summer: you can now hedge your bets on water supplies by buying California water futures on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange. Farm trade with China is looking good for 2021. We have the forecast. All that, a look at the weather ahead, and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

State Water Project allocations. Fresno Top Ag County in Nation. Dec 04, 2020

Show notes

The State Water Project has released its first water allocation numbers for 2021…and it’s a small number. Which county is the number one county in the country for ag production? It’s here in California. There’s a record California pistachio crop this year. We have the numbers. And, it’s a great season for Christmas tree and poinsettia sales, we talk with two Northern California businesses who are deeply involved with these important seasonal commodities.

Does ash effect wine grape quality? Sacramento County Crop Report. Nov 25, 2020

Show notes

Wine grape researchers are well aware of the damage that smoke can do to the grapes. But what about ash? Some tips about what you shouldn’t do. We do a deep dive into the Sacramento County Agriculture crop report. The 2019 edition just came out. It’s no-till November, we talk with one farm advisor about the benefits of not tilling your fields. And we have more on cover cropping. All that and more, on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour. Let’s get started!

Despite smoke damage, vintners claim 2020 will be a good year for CA wines. Cover crops. Nov 19, 2020

Show notes

Despite smoke damage to hundreds of thousands of Napa-Sonoma wine grapes, growers in the area say the 2020 harvest will be a very good vintage. We have the details. Despite the USDA’s efforts, a robust, high-speed Rural Broadband system is still lacking in rural California and many other areas of the country. More and more people surveyed say farmers are doing the right thing when it comes to sustainability. We talk a lot of turkey this Thanksgiving week, and we take a deep dive into the world of cover cropping here in California. All that, the extended weather outlook, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

Winegrapes rejected due to smoke damage. Woodland rice mill sold. All about pecans. Nov 13, 2020

Show notes

A combination of lighter yields and smoke damage is playing havoc with the California wine grape crush numbers. Hundreds of thousands of wine grapes have been rejected due to smoke exposure. A famous rice mill that towers over Kentucky Avenue near Interstate 5 in Woodland has been sold. We have the details. A bit of good news: exports are up… a bit. Is there going to be a pecan orchard in your future? Some California farmers are expecting long term growth for this minor nut crop, which is currently grown in the Golden State on a little over 3,000 acres. All that, crop reports, the extended weather outlook, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour

More California rice headed to China. Freese protection for walnut trees. Biostimulants for field crops. Nov 06, 2020

Show notes

There is some good news this week for California farmers: more medium grain rice from the Sacramento Valley is headed to China. And, the federal government has okayed more funding to fight the 20 pound rodent that is a threat to Delta area farmland - the Nutria. The weather will be considerably colder in the days ahead. How cold? Will it get cold enough to damage young walnut trees in orchards? We talk with a farm advisor about precautions that walnut growers should now be considering. Also, we delve into the frontiers of agricultural science: the use of biologics on California farmland. That includes cutting edge products such as biostimulants for the soil and plant growth regulators for bigger crops. All that, crop reports, the extended weather, and more…on this week’s KSTE Farm Hour.

Kern County farmers file lawsuits to stop groundwater recharging fees. Wildfires and generators. Oct 30, 2020

Show notes

Wildfires, a Pandemic, Trade Issues, an election…where do you want to start this week? How about a good old reliable topic: California’s water wars. Lawsuits are flying in Kern County, after an attempt by a local water agency down there to start charging farmers $2100 an acre foot to replenish an aquifer. We have wildfire and trade news, too, with a little good news on both fronts. China is buying more ag products from the U.S. And table grapes in the Central Valley were unaffected by smoke taint. Rural broadband grants are back in the news. And how about we pay a visit to a Sacramento Valley wildlife refuge, where rice plays a big part in supporting overwintering migratory water fowl and other creatures. All that, crop reports and more…on this week’s KSTE farm hour. Let’s get started.

Damage figures soar due to Napa Sonoma wine country fires. USMCA trade update. Bat houses. Oct 23, 2020

Show notes

Winegrape growers in the Napa Sonoma area are getting a better handle on the damage estimates to their fields and facilities. We have the staggering numbers. Another staggering number: 10 million acres burned due to wildfires this year. We’re not there yet, but we are approaching it…for the third time in five years. Farmers are looking for estate tax relief, we have that report. And, an update on the U.S. Mexico Canada trade agreement. All that, crop reports, a look at the extended weather…and we celebrate Bat Week. It’s all on this edition of the KSTE Farm Hour.

Our TOPPODCAST Picks

Follow Us

Stay Connected

Related Podcasts

Links

Stay Connected