For California Ag Today, I’m Mike Stephens <p>Joel Poinsett, the first U.S. ambassador to Mexico, is credited with introducing the plant to this country in 1828. <p>• The red or otherwise colored bracts frame the plant s actual flowers, which appear as yellow clusters at the center of the bracts. The plant drops its bracts and leaves soon after those flowers shed their pollen. For the longest-lasting poinsettias, choose plants with little or no yellow pollen showing.<p>• Contrary to popular belief, poinsettias are not poisonous to humans or pets.<p>• Poinsettias are not frost- tolerant. They will grow outdoors in temperate coastal climates, such as Southern California beach communities. In the ground, they can reach 10 feet tall.<p>A major poinsettia grower for 25 years is Rocket Farms. They devote about 3.5 million square feet of greenhouse space to the holiday crop.<p>Rocket Farms supplies several major California chains, including Whol
For California Ag Today, I’m Mike Stephens <p><p>The California Ag Robotics forum deput’s in Fresno <p>The world’s most prestigious specialty crop agricultural robotics show is coming to Fresno, Calif., on October 18-22, 2022 – FIRA USA: The California Ag Robotics Forum.<p>Last week, Western Growers along with FIRA, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Fresno State University, GOFAR and Fresno-Merced Future of Food Innovation announced that they will together host the first annual FIRA USA.<p>FIRA USA 2022 AT A GLANCE:<p>• FIRA USA, an annual event for autonomous farming and agricultural robotics solutions<p>• A relevant and engaging event with high value for the ag sector<p>• A networking event between farmers, robot manufacturers and scientists<p>• The Agenda will be <p>o Day 1: Research & Development Day<p>o Day 2: Business Day<p>o Day 3: Demos Day<p>Registrati
For California Ag Today, I’m Mike Stephens <p><p>The California Ag Robotics forum deput’s in Fresno <p>The world’s most prestigious specialty crop agricultural robotics show is coming to Fresno, Calif., on October 18-22, 2022 – FIRA USA: The California Ag Robotics Forum.<p>Last week, Western Growers along with FIRA, University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, Fresno State University, GOFAR and Fresno-Merced Future of Food Innovation announced that they will together host the first annual FIRA USA.<p>FIRA USA 2022 AT A GLANCE:<p>• FIRA USA, an annual event for autonomous farming and agricultural robotics solutions<p>• A relevant and engaging event with high value for the ag sector<p>• A networking event between farmers, robot manufacturers and scientists<p>• The Agenda will be <p>o Day 1: Research & Development Day<p>o Day 2: Business Day<p>o Day 3: Demos Day<p>Registrati
For California Ag Today, I’m Mike Stephens <p>Farmers struggle with skyrocketing fertilizer prices. Market Intel examines the short- and long-term factors impacting fertilizer supply and demand.<p>Fertilizer prices continue to skyrocket, as much as 300% in some areas, as farmers grapple with increased costs as they prepare for the 2022 growing season. The American Farm Bureau Federation’s latest Market Intel examines the short- and long-term factors impacting fertilizer supply and demand.<p>Farm Bureau economists found several elements are contributing to record-high prices including:<p>• Increased prices for raw nutrients including nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium;<p>• Increased global fertilizer demand;<p>• Increased energy costs;<p>• Distribution and supply chain disruptions; and<p>• Trade duties.<p>“Rising fertilizers prices are a great concern for farmers across the country,” said AFBF President Zippy Du
For California Ag Today, I’m Mike Stephens <p>The California Farm Bureau to support petitions for citizenship<p>California s largest membership agricultural organization is partnering with immigration advocates to support U.S. citizenship applications from farm employees who may be eligible for naturalization.<p>California accounts for one in every three farmworkers in the United States, with an estimated 800,000 people working in agriculture at some point during the year.<p>Now the California Farm Bureau, whose nearly 31,000 members include farmers, ranchers and agricultural businesses across the state, will pay for U.S. citizenship application services and legal counseling for eligible employees of any Farm Bureau member seeking assistance on their behalf.<p>The program is the result of a new partnership between the California Farm Bureau and the National Immigration Forum. The Farm Bureau has signed a contract with the NIF for the naturalization ap