Drought was a key factor as the total receipts from Fresno County decreased by more than 6 percent in 2015, an industry insider says. Farm gate receipts in the county totaled $6.61 billion last year, down from the $7.04 billion in 2014, according to county Agricultural Commissioner Les Wright’s most recent Crop and Livestock Report. […]
First seabirds started falling out of the sky, washing up on beaches from California to Canada. Then emaciated and dehydrated sea lion pups began showing up, stranded and on the brink of death. A surge in dead whales was reported in the same region, and that was followed by the largest toxic algal bloom in […]
Will it happen every year? That question hangs in the air as Lake County residents suffer through catastrophic wildfire for the fourth time in two years. This time, the fire is surging even after a relatively wet winter and spring in Northern California. And experts say it’s a reminder that California’s five-year drought has left […]
California’s drought is costing farmers an estimated $603 million this year, although the impact is far less than a year ago, according to a study released Monday by UC Davis.The latest annual survey by UC Davis researchers shows that the reasonably rainy winter has eased the effects of the drought, even though considerable shortages persist in […]
A pollutant that has leached into California aquifers since farmers first began using synthetic fertilizer continues to accumulate and would not be removed from groundwater even if the state’s agriculture businesses abruptly quit using nitrogen-based materials to boost the productivity of their crops. That’s one of the themes of a new study from the UC Davis […]
There’s plenty of summer left, but the season for boating at Folsom Lake is getting cut short because of low lake levels. Starting Monday, the maximum speed limit for boaters and other watercraft will be reduced to 5 miles per hour [mph]. “It’s very early, and it’s sad,” boater Darrell Perry said. “It feels unfair […]
Fresno County’s Production Value Drops 6 Percent During Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Capital Press (Salem, Ore.)by Tim HeardenDrought was a key factor as the total receipts from Fresno County decreased by more than 6 percent in 2015, an industry insider says. Farm gate receipts in the county totaled $6.61 billion last year, down from the $7.04 billion in 2014, according to county Agricultural Commissioner Les Wright’s most recent Crop and Livestock Report. […]
‘The Blob’: How Marine Heatwaves are Causing Unprecedented Climate Chaos
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /Reveal (Emeryville)by Michael SlezakFirst seabirds started falling out of the sky, washing up on beaches from California to Canada. Then emaciated and dehydrated sea lion pups began showing up, stranded and on the brink of death. A surge in dead whales was reported in the same region, and that was followed by the largest toxic algal bloom in […]
What’s Behind Lake County’s Back-to-Back Wildfire Catastrophes? Blame the Drought
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Adam Ashton and Phillip ReeseWill it happen every year? That question hangs in the air as Lake County residents suffer through catastrophic wildfire for the fourth time in two years. This time, the fire is surging even after a relatively wet winter and spring in Northern California. And experts say it’s a reminder that California’s five-year drought has left […]
Drought Costs California Farms $600 Million, But Impact Eases
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Dale KaslerCalifornia’s drought is costing farmers an estimated $603 million this year, although the impact is far less than a year ago, according to a study released Monday by UC Davis.The latest annual survey by UC Davis researchers shows that the reasonably rainy winter has eased the effects of the drought, even though considerable shortages persist in […]
California Farm Communities Pay Price for Decades of Fertilizer Use
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /The Sacramento Beeby Adam AshtonA pollutant that has leached into California aquifers since farmers first began using synthetic fertilizer continues to accumulate and would not be removed from groundwater even if the state’s agriculture businesses abruptly quit using nitrogen-based materials to boost the productivity of their crops. That’s one of the themes of a new study from the UC Davis […]
Low Lake Level Prompts Reduced Speed Limit on Folsom Lake
/in California and the U.S. /by Mike Lee /ABC10 (Sacramento)by Ericka SoThere’s plenty of summer left, but the season for boating at Folsom Lake is getting cut short because of low lake levels. Starting Monday, the maximum speed limit for boaters and other watercraft will be reduced to 5 miles per hour [mph]. “It’s very early, and it’s sad,” boater Darrell Perry said. “It feels unfair […]