**Plantings of most California-grown grain and field crops will be lower this year.

A government report issued last Tuesday estimates reduced acreage for nine of the 13 crops listed.

Analysts predicted record-low California acreage for hay, winter wheat, upland cotton, barley and safflower. Field crops with increased plantings in California included rice, oats, sunflowers and beans.

**The USDA released its annual Technology Transfer Report, which highlights ag innovations that are solving problems for America’s farmers, ranchers, and consumers, while creating opportunities for American businesses to thrive.

USDA’s total number of income-bearing licenses in 2019 was 510, total number of active Cooperative Research and Development Agreements was 278, 95 by USDA, and 97 new patent applications.

New ag innovations include a new, responsive, web data collection system for the 2017 Census of Agriculture that enhances the web experience for ag producers responding to the census.

**Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue announced the USDA’s Farmers to Families Food Box Program has distributed more than 20 million food boxes in support of American farmers and families affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Perdue says, “This milestone is a testament that the program is accomplishing what we intended, supporting U.S. farmers and distributors and getting food to those who need it most.

It’s a real trifecta, which is why we call it a win-win-win.”

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