Articles by Section - Ag in the Valley

Lucas Dairy survives industry upheaval, for now

As many local dairies struggle to stay afloat amid increasing costs to do business and stricter environmental regulations, one dairy family hopes to hold on to their 60-year legacy. Norman and Mike Lucas, owners of Lucas Dairy, have been in the business for over 60 years and continue to keep their business running, despite odds. "Dairies are suffering a massive loss in their earnings," said Norman Lucas. "Within the past years, we ...

Farmers markets on the rise nation-wide

The trend of buying locally made products and home grown produce is continuing to gain momentum according to a newly released report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The USDA is reporting a 9.6 percent increase in the number of farmers' markets operating in the U.S. for the 2011 year. The increase follows a 17 percent gain from the 2010 year. The USDA's National Farmers Market Directory lists 7,684 farmers markets in ...

‘The Fight for Water’

The year was 2009 and most of the Central Valley was in the midst of a water crisis. The flow of irrigation water to many farming regions south of the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta had slowed to a trickle, forcing farmers to abandon or leave unplanted more than 100,000 acres of agricultural land. This water shortage had a devastating financial impact on farm owners, farm workers and those businesses that rely on agricultural dollars. ...

Technology makes for better milk

Dairy farmers work hard every day to bring consumers wholesome milk products. Almost all dairies are family-owned, and as active members of their communities, farm families take pride in feeding the country and maintaining natural resources. Local dairy farmer Ray Souza has provided an impeccable system on his farm to ensure families are receiving the best quality of milk. "In order to provide the best quality of milk for our consumers, we make sure ...

Turlock Irrigation District: Bringing water to the wasteland

Just 125 years ago, Turlock was a barren, arid wasteland. Wheat was the only viable crop. The Turlock of 1887 scarcely resembled the Turlock of 2012, now the heart of the most agriculturally productive valley on the planet. The transformation came not due to global warming, or natural changes in the landscape. It came due to the actions of a few dedicated men, those who founded the Turlock Irrigation District. The ...

Turlock Irrigation District: Bringing water to the wasteland

Just 125 years ago, Turlock was a barren, arid wasteland. Wheat was the only viable crop. The Turlock of 1887 scarcely resembled the Turlock of 2012, now the heart of the most agriculturally productive valley on the planet. The transformation came not due to global warming, or natural changes in the landscape. It came due to the actions of a few dedicated men, those who founded the Turlock Irrigation District. The ...

Cal State Stanislaus: Cultivating agricultural industry leaders

BLAST FROM THE PAST

Turlock will close its business doors and turn out for the traditional Turlock-Modesto High School football game here on Thursday in observation of Thanksgiving Day a la Roosevelt. But to many a Turlocker Thanksgiving this year will mean more than a holiday, a football game, and a turkey dinner - although the dinner, as a Thanksgiving Day institution, means their workaday 'three squares.' These persons are the Turlock turkey growers, turkey pickers, turkey shippers ...

Stanislaus County Top Commodities

2011

California farmers pay more for production expenses in 2011

California's Total Farm Production Expenditures totaled $31.2 billion in 2011, up 3.2 percent from the 2010 estimate of $30.2 billion. California had the largest percentage of the U.S. total at 9.8 percent. Expense items showing the largest increases from the previous year were: Feed, up $640 million; Fertilizer, Lime and Soil Conditioners, up $290 million; and Livestock, Poultry and Related Expenses, up $220 million; The three largest decreases occurred in: Labor, down $390 million from ...