PODCAST · leisure
KSTE Farm Hour
by Farmer Fred
Sundays Noon-1p on Talk 650 KSTE
Episodes
-
Headline: 2020 retrospective, Part 2. Sac. Co Ag report. Wild Boar Farms. Processing walnuts.
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.
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.
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...
-
State Water Project allocations. Fresno Top Ag County in Nation.
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...
-
Does ash effect wine grape quality? Sacramento County Crop Report.
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…
more -
Despite smoke damage, vintners claim 2020 will be a good year for CA wines. Cover crops.
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...
-
Winegrapes rejected due to smoke damage. Woodland rice mill sold. All about pecans.
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…
more -
More California rice headed to China. Freese protection for walnut trees. Biostimulants for field crops.
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...
-
Kern County farmers file lawsuits to stop groundwater recharging fees. Wildfires and generators.
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...
-
Damage figures soar due to Napa Sonoma wine country fires. USMCA trade update. Bat houses.
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...
-
Drought expands across Western U.S. California Farm Academy. Navel orange issues.
Drought is expanding throughout the country, but especially here in the Western United States. We have the ugly numbers. The USDA has released the latest forecasts for several important California farm commodities, including fruits, nuts and rice. And Citrus growers in California are still...
-
Wine region wildfire damage assessments. Raisin grape harvest threatened by smoke. School for organic farmers.
Even though the flames of September’s fires are subsiding there, wine grape growers in the Napa Sonoma area are still taking stock of the damage and lining up financial help. And winegrape growers with insurance face another obstacle in getting quick relief. Insurance companies want to see lab...
-
Catastrophic wildfire damage at Napa-Sonoma wineries. 2020 Sacramento Valley rice harvest.
California wildfires continue their rapid spread throughout some very valuable wine country in our area. We have an update. Several farm groups are petitioning the federal government for more Covid-19 relief aid for farmworkers. What is California doing to stop the spread of illegal pesticides…
more -
More CA crops suffering from summer of heat, fire, smoke. Dramatic increase of pistachio acreage in Yolo County. Rice growers provide shelter for salmon.
California farmers, their crops and their livestock continue to deal with a plethora of problems that will make 2020 one for the record books: the largest wildfires in state history, the resultant dense smoke that made Northern and Central California the most polluted area in the world recently;...
-
Fire, smoke, Coronavirus restrictions vex CA farmers at harvest time. World Ag Expo cancellation.
It’s been a tough year for many of California’s major crops. The combination of the Covid-19 shutdown, wildfires and persistent smoke throughout California, but especially in the Central Valley, have slowed crop development, interfered with the harvest, hampered farm labor, and possibly may taint...
-
Area honeybees decimated by fires. Livestock vs. smoke. Equine West Nile Virus.
California’s record shattering wildfire season continues. Honeybee losses from the fires in Yolo and Solano Counties will impact area almond growers in 2021. Smoke taint is an increasing concern for wine grape growers in Northern California. And livestock owners need to take precautions to…
more -
Smoke taint concerns NorCal wine grape growers. Record nut crop harvest expected.
Larger than the state of Delaware. That’s the description of the number of acres burned in California’s recent lightning-started wildfires, decimating many Northern California counties, and that includes farms, ranches, vineyards, and orchards. The damage is still being registered, but we have an...
-
CA wildfires continue to vex farmers, ranchers, farm workers.
California’s wildfires continue, and as the smoke somewhat clears, the impact of those fires on the state’s agricultural industries is becoming more apparent. We have an update. Hurricane Laura’s impact on the Louisiana-Texas coastline last week decimated some of that areas biggest crops…
more -
Nor Cal wildfires threaten wine grape crop. Covid-related ag machinery parts shortage.
Once again, Northern and Central California wildfires plague the entire region, with thick smoke blanketing populous urban areas, while flames are whipping up throughout farm and ranch land here. And once again, wine grape growers in the Napa Sonoma area who are about to begin harvesting are...
-
More federal relief for CA specialty crops. Controlling puncture vine.
California’s specialty crop growers can breathe a bit easier, more of the Golden State’s unique commodities have been added to the USDA’s Coronavirus Food Assistance Program. Those mysterious seeds from China that were received by unsuspecting homeowners here in the U.S.? There’s still a lot we...
-
Almonds, grapes, tomatoes lead 2019 Yolo Co ag. production. Mystery seed update.
Yolo County agriculture is in the spotlight this week. In Woodland, sheriff’s detectives recovered 70 stolen bee boxes. And those bees are critical to Yolo county’s largest crop, almonds. The latest yolo county ag report is out, and almonds remain number 1. But there is a new crop in the second...
-
More pandemic relief money for CA farms. Mystery seeds from China: a threat to CA ag?
Is more pandemic relief money headed for California’s farmers and ranchers, who have been upended by changes in markets and problems with supply chains? This past week, the U.S. Senate introduced a trillion dollar pandemic relief bill, that included $20 billion for farms, ranches and rural...
-
Restaurant, school closures roil CA farmers’ plans for fall vegetable acreage. Seeds for Bees.
California’s farmers have some tough decisions to make, real soon, about fall and winter planting. Just how much should they plant? The loss of markets due to Covid-19 related restaurant closures and an uncertain school year could mean tighter supplies for cool season vegetables such as lettuce,...
-
Farm labor shortage blamed on Covid-19. HLB cure: Australian Finger Limes?
Everything is getting thrown in the way of California farming in 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic is causing a serious labor shortage on the state’s farms. Ongoing trade disputes have some growers worried if they will have a market for their crops this fall. The bureaucratic morass of federal relief...
-
Reservoir water storage in good shape. Almond hull split. Rice fields wildlife.
Good news is hard to come by these days, so let’s start with this: reservoir storage right now in California is enough to get us through this water year, and maybe a bit more available to move to south state farming regions. And University of California researchers have a breakthrough: a peptide...
-
CA Farms take a big financial hit from pandemic. Record breaking 2020 almond forecast. National Pollinator Week.
California's farms, ranches and agricultural businesses are going to take a big hit from pandemic related losses. The range? Between $5.9 and $8.6 billion this year. That's according to an economic study recently released. We have the details. There's a record breaking almond crop on the way here...
-
COVID assistance payments for CA specialty crops. Pierce’s Disease update.
If your specialty crop is not on the list for those eligible for coronavirus assistance payments from the USDA, there is a way you can get included, but you better hurry. And among those currently not eligible are two major California agricultural producers, cut flowers and nursery products. The...
-
Japanese beetles found in Sacramento County. Klamath Basin farmers get water back.
There’s a bit of relief for California’s Klamath Basin Farmers. The water that was taken away from them last week, is back. We’ll explain that one. California latest ag statistics are out, you have a few minutes to think about which are the five leading agricultural commodities in California...
-
Drought in Northern California. Virulent Newcastle Disease stopped. Food prices rise.
Not to pile on with all the other problems right now…but there’s a drought in California. And, in a bit of a switch, much drier than normal soil is taking hold in Northern California rather than in Southern California. And up in the far north of the state, Klamath basin farmers say they are…
more -
SWP raises 2020 water allotment. Lodi cherry harvest. Food assistance program.
Following the lead of the Central Valley Project, the State Water Project is increasing its allocations of summer water to California’s farmers. But they’re saying don’t expect any more this year. We have the numbers. It’s picking time for some of our state’s tastiest crops: blueberries and...
-
$19 billion in pandemic relief for farmers. Garlic shortage. Rice pilots.
Amidst all the bad farm economic news due to the pandemic, there are some bright spots. The Central Valley Project is releasing more water to its farm customers south of the Delta. And we hear from President Trump, who last week announced a new, $19 billion dollar relief plan for farmers…
more -
California vs. Feds water wars continue. Almond acreage increase. Growing garbanzo beans.
There are about 25 million acres of farm and ranch land in California. Which commodity utilizes the most acreage? It’s almonds, and more and more almond trees are going in the ground in the Golden State. We have the numbers. Hard to say which is flowing faster right now, water from California’s...
-
Final snow water content survey results. Almond hull split. Covid-19 farm worries.
There is a lot of Covid 19 pandemic-related california farm stories this week, and we will get to them, but we turn our attention first to what could be the most persistent worry of California’s farmers: the summer water supply. We take a look at the final snow survey numbers that will play a big...
-
Covid 19 upends the business of California agriculture. USMCA to begin July 1.
Everyone’s concern level is heightened recently, and that includes California’s farmers. Will the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic fundamentally change the way we do business? What will be the new normal? We don’t know. But we do have good news - farmers, and everyone associated with agriculture here in...
-
Billions in Covid-19 Relief Aid Headed to Farmers. Seed shortage. Rice planting prep.
California farmers and the rest of the nation’s farmers were getting a bit miffed earlier this month at being on the short end - the real short end - of Covid19-related relief money from the Trump Administration. Well, that’s about to change. We have the numbers. And they’re big numbers. Another...
-
Reduced water allocations for Central Valley Project customers. Organic sales up. Barn Owls.
Despite the early spring rains in the valley and snow in the mountains, the Central Valley Project will be reducing the amount of available water to California’s farmers, including those with senior water rights. We have the numbers. Covid-19 woes continue for many sectors of California...
-
Covid-19 roils CA farmers and ranchers. Rice industry raises salmon. Chick frenzy.
The Covid-19 pandemic continues to roil California agriculture. The beef, dairy, poultry, fruit and vegetable sectors all have their tales of concerns and setbacks. We have the details. Farmers and fishermen haven’t been the best of partners when it comes to divvying up California water supplies....
-
April snow water survey results. More H2A workers from Mexico. Covid-19 vs. CA ag.
The April Sierra Snow Survey by the Department of Water Resources is considered the benchmark for spring and summer water deliveries to farmers throughout the Valley. The results are in. And let’s just say, it could have been worse. We have the numbers. New farmworkers from Mexico: are they…
more -
Arrival of new Mexican farm labor in doubt. How to stake a walnut tree. Birds vs. codling moths.
Water and labor issues once again dominate the worries of California’s farmers, oh, and yeah…that Covid-19 situation, as well, is creating confusion and problems. The coronavirus outbreak may put a halt to any new farm workers coming from Mexico. We update that story. Farmers markets: are they...
-
Coronavirus business woes for CA farmers.
Coronavirus woes are hitting everyone, including California’s farm communities. Markets for California farm goods are diminishing, especially crops earmarked for restaurants, airplanes and hotels. Confusion about what constitutes an essential service or an essential business in agriculture during...
-
Coronavirus impacts on CA farming. Grapevine Red Blotch disease. CA nectarines.
Impacts to California Agriculture due to the coronavirus are widespread and growing. A double hit to California’s grape growers: the grape crush numbers are down, and another grape disease looms: Grapevine Red Blight Virus. There is one bright spot on the China trade front: that country is now...
-
Spotted lanternfly, pest of almonds and grapes, found in CA. Prunes.
There’s a beautiful, but deadly new pest headed to California. It’s the spotted lantern fly, a voracious feeder on scores of important crops, including grapes and almonds. We tell you where they originated, and where they’ve landed, here in California. A third payment to farmers for trade relief…
more -
Meager water allocations for CA farmers. China trade uncertainty. High-chill apples in Southern California.
The President promised farmers in Bakersfield more water recently. It won’t be coming anytime soon. You may have noticed why: It hasn’t rained in the valleys or snowed in the mountains for over a month here. We have the ugly numbers. How’s that Phase One China trade deal working out for...
-
More water to flow to Central Valley farmers. Alfalfa and nitrogen use. Hemp.
The President paid a visit to Bakersfield last week. He brought good news for San Joaquin Valley farmers. That’s right, more Northern California water will be heading south. And, of course, lawsuits will be filed. How much nitrogen does alfalfa need? You might be surprised at how much money you...
-
The battle against illegal pesticides in California. Sierra snow level is shrinking rapidly, worrying farmers about future surface water availability.
Don’t be fooled by those views of the snow-capped Sierra Nevada mountains. With the lack of precipitation, that white stuff is shrinking rapidly, threatening summertime time agricultural water supplies. As a result, water talks are heating up here in Valley over who gets any available water. We...
-
Farm bankruptcies increase. Sierra snow water content: good, but not great. UC Davis to sell wine?
How are 2020’s surface water supplies faring for California agriculture so far? We’ll take a walk in snow country to find out. Chapter 12 farm bankruptcies are on the rise. We talk with an expert about the reasons why. The outbreak of coronavirus in China is having ramifications for California’s...
-
Farmers applaud new Navigable Waters Protection Rule. Brad Gates of Wild Boar Farms. Farmers get some trade certainty.
Farmers are fondly waving goodbye to WOTUS, and saying hello to the NWPR. What does that mean? Less federal interference to how farmers can grow your food. Don’t worry, we’ll explain those very wet acronyms. One local farmer is growing world-renowned tomatoes. We’ll have a conversation with Brad...
-
CA almond orchards are buzzing with activity. Bee thefts on the rise. Gophers.
Almond blossoms will soon dot the valley…that means that beekeepers are getting busy, moving more that two and half million beehives into California’s orchards right now. We talk to a couple of Valley beekeepers about this frenetic pace of activity. Central Valley grape vineyards are being yanked...
-
USMCA trade bill passes Senate. Wine sales down. All about pears.
A bit of good cheer for California agriculture got buried last week in the news coming out of the U.S. Senate. That body passed, overwhelmingly, the trade pact for the United States, Canada and Mexico: the USMCA. We have reaction, and the details. California winemakers a facing a double whammy:...
-
CA snow pack off to a good start. USMCA trade pact hits snags in Senate. Walnuts. Alpacas.
There’s good news on the outlook for 2020 surface water supplies. We’ll take a hike into the Sierra Nevada mountains to explain. California farmers are anxiously awaiting ratification of the USMCA trade agreement, to get some certainty about their farm sales to Mexico and Canada again. But there...
We're indexing this podcast's transcripts for the first time — this can take a minute or two. We'll show results as soon as they're ready.
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
Loading similar podcasts...
Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does KSTE Farm Hour have?
KSTE Farm Hour currently has 183 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is KSTE Farm Hour about?
Sundays Noon-1p on Talk 650 KSTE
How often does KSTE Farm Hour release new episodes?
KSTE Farm Hour publishes regularly with 183 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to KSTE Farm Hour?
You can listen to KSTE Farm Hour on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts KSTE Farm Hour?
KSTE Farm Hour is created and hosted by Farmer Fred.
URL copied to clipboard!