Ag Alert®

Dairy farmer Case van Steyn interacts with one of his cows at his farm in Sacramento County. As more restaurants and other food-service venues reopen from pandemic-related lockdowns, demand for milk and other dairy products is expected to rise, but analysts say greater milk output from U.S. dairy farms could pressure market prices if demand slows.

Sacramento County dairy farmer Case van Steyn checks on the progress of a milk truck collecting milk from his farm.

Dairy farms count on food-service demand
Reopening of restaurants, schools and other commercial kitchens should boost demand for milk and other dairy products, but analysts say food-service sales will need to see marked improvement to absorb the larger supplies of milk flowing from dairy farms. Read more...

Drought spreads water shortages throughout state
The 2020-21 California drought has led to significant water cutbacks, compelling farmers to fallow ground and public officials to respond with legislation intended to address the state's chronic water shortages. Read more...

Actions aim to broaden farmers’ insurance options
As farmers and ranchers in fire-prone regions of the state struggle to find insurance for their businesses and properties, the California Farm Bureau has pursued a two-pronged approach to providing new coverage options. Read more...

Commentary: Stepped-up basis in tax policy protects family farms
Any change in capital gains tax policy that eliminates or scales back stepped-up basis could result in a massive tax burden on the agricultural sector. Read more...

Subscribe
Sign up to receive weekly emails with links to the latest issue of Ag Alert^®.