Food And Farm News
3-4-2026
Precision is key to reducing antibiotic use on dairies
When cows develop mastitis—inflammation of a cow’s udder—dairies often respond with immediate antibiotic treatment. That approach has long protected animal health and milk production. But research suggests treating every case the same way may not always be necessary. Christian Bernal-Córdoba, a veterinarian and graduate researcher at the University of California, Davis, said the discussion around antibiotics should focus less on cutting use and more on improving precision. “Antibiotics themselves are not the problem,” he said. “The problem is how we use them.” Rather than emphasizing reduction alone, Bernal-Córdoba said producers should focus on optimizing antibiotic use by applying treatment when it provides clear benefit. At the same time, reducing unnecessary treatments lowers drug costs on the farm, decreases discarded milk during withdrawal periods and reduces time spent managing dairy hospital pens.
How joining FFA has impacted its members
Current and former members of FFA, formerly known as Future Farmers of America, from across California shared how the student-led organization has affected their lives in a special Ag Alert® series. “My biggest misconception about agriculture before joining FFA was that only farmers can be involved and have a career in this industry,” said Ella Rolland, an FFA member at East Nicholas High School in Sutter County. “Since joining FFA, I’ve been exposed to many career paths that allow us to serve others and support the industry that feeds and protects the world every day.” Destiny Reyes, a Stanislaus County college student and recent FFA member, said she has the organization to thank for some of her closest friends. Brendan Black, a Tulare County agriculture teacher, said he chose his career path “purely off of my FFA experience.” And Timmy Klittich, a Ventura County nursery operator and former FFA member, said his participation in the organization “was where I started to learn real leadership skills.”
FFA president shares what leadership has taught her
Lily Vaughan, the 2025-26 California FFA state president, reflected on what it means to lead the youth organization in an Ag Alert® commentary. “I joined FFA my freshman year for a practical reason. While I didn’t grow up immersed in agriculture, my family began raising and showing market hogs for the county fair when I was in middle school. I wanted to continue showing market hogs, which meant enrolling in an agriculture biology class and officially joining the Las Plumas FFA chapter,” Vaughan said. “Serving as California FFA state president has taught me that leadership is deeply personal. It is not about having the fanciest resume or the most impressive title. On the hardest days, leadership means asking for help and admitting when I cannot give my best. It means leaning on my team, my adviser and the people who reminded me that I was never meant to do this alone.”
Expert advises ways California farms can reduce pumping power costs
Improving pumping efficiency can significantly cut irrigation energy costs, Charles Burt, professor emeritus at California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, said in a recent Ag Alert® article. Burt said pumps often operate inefficiently due to wear or mismatched flow and pressure conditions. Cleaning wells and reducing drawdown can lower total pressure requirements and energy use per acre-foot pumped. In new drip systems, reducing discharge pressure from 40-45 pounds per square inch to about 25 psi can cut booster pump power costs nearly in half. However, in existing systems, pressure reductions won’t save energy unless the pump matches the new requirements. Variable frequency drives can improve control but should meet high efficiency standards. Farmers should always maintain adequate pressure to protect irrigation uniformity and crop performance.
For more information about any story in Food and Farm News, contact the California Farm Bureau Marketing/Communications Division at 916-561-5550 or email news@cfbf.com. Connect with us on Facebook, X, or Instagram: @CAFarmBureau.
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