California Crop Haulers Busy and Farm Bill Extension Likely

**Trucking companies that haul crops from fields and orchards to processing facilities, ports and retailers have been especially busy in recent weeks.

After three years of drought gave way to heavy rains, tomatoes, almonds, pistachios and winegrapes were expected to outpace last year’s production, according to USDA estimates.

Tulare County farmer, Tom Barcellos says his fleet of trucks has been stretched thin by the San Joaquin Valley’s record-setting pistachio harvest.

**U.S. Wheat Associates and the National Association of Wheat Growers are pleased that U.S. wheat growers now can increase global food assistance and expand export market access under new USDA funding programs announced last week.

The groups thank Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack for releasing the new funds that will directly benefit U.S. wheat farmers and their overseas customers.

**Congress will have to extend the life of the 2018 farm law into 2024 so it can finish work on its successor.

That’s according to Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack who tells www.agriculture.com most people acknowledge there will be an extension, although its duration is unclear.

Vilsack says chances of passing the farm bill this year were declining in part due to prolonged fighting over who to elect as speaker.

www.agriculture.com/farm-bill-there-will-be-an-extension-says-vilsack-8380219\