Dry weather and water-supply cutbacks add up to a busy year for California well drillers. The California Groundwater Association says demand has been particularly heavy in the Central Valley and other agricultural regions. The association says well drillers there have been "swamped" with requests. Farmers hope to tap into underground water to supplement cuts in surface-water irrigation that threaten crops. | Full Story

Destructive wildfire in Butte County has spared most farms and ranches, so far. The county agricultural commissioner reports fences and some outbuildings have been destroyed. The fire threatened a Christmas tree farm and apple and peach orchards, but crews held the fire lines during the weekend at the Feather River. | Full Story

By the end of the week, shoppers should see California-grown brussels sprouts on the market. Farmers have started harvesting sprouts along California's Central Coast. Growers say the weather has been ideal and the early brussels sprouts feature top quality. The only hitch so far comes from the light brown apple moth, which has been found along the coast. Brussels sprouts farmers must complete extra paperwork to export to Canada as a result. | Full Story

As acreage of organic rice increases, farmers look for new ways to sell their crops. One Glenn County farmer says he's one of the few to sell rice directly to consumers at farmers' markets. Farmers say weed control becomes the most difficult problem when growing rice organically. | Full Story

Presidential candidates John McCain and Barack Obama outlined their positions on farm issues Wednesday, during separate teleconferences with the American Farm Bureau Council of Presidents. McCain pledged his support for trade agreements that open markets for American farm goods. Obama stressed his support for the new federal farm bill. | Full Story

Small amounts of additional water have become available to farmers in the western San Joaquin Valley. The Westlands Water District negotiated transfers to provide one-half of an acre-foot of water to each of its farm customers. Farmers will use most of the additional water to keep orchards and vineyards alive. The transfer won't affect autumn water availability, and most growers have already decided not to plant lettuce and other fall vegetables because of water shortages. | Full Story

As firefighters battle the Gap fire in Santa Barbara County, agricultural officials assess potential damage to fruit trees near the fire lines. The county agricultural commissioner says the fire has singed avocado and citrus groves near the bottom of the steep hills that are burning. The commissioner says it's still too early to assess the extent of losses. But he says some trees look stressed from heat, and some may have to be replaced. | Full Story

Water is precious on the farm, and new technology allows farmers to manage their irrigation more precisely. Devices known as "smart controllers" calculate data on temperature, soil moisture, historic water needs and other factors, and automatically adjust irrigation timing. A specialist with the Center for Irrigation Technology at California State University, Fresno says controllers are becoming more sophisticated for both farm and home use. | Full Story

Extremely dry weather throughout the spring and summer has reduced the mildew pressure in Central Valley orchards. A government report says farmers are harvesting a wide variety of apricots, peaches, plums, pluots and nectarines ... and that table-grape harvest has started in Kern County. Nut growers have been protecting their trees from insects and worms, with harvests still a few weeks away. | Full Story

"Have you scratched a cow lately?" That question turns up in an unlikely spot: California lottery tickets. Cows from the California Milk Advisory Board's 'Happy Cows' campaign appear on the lottery's latest Scratchers tickets. The California Lottery calls it a first-ever promotion. The partnership promotes the Real California Milk campaign, and will feature cow-related games and prizes at the California State Fair and the Orange, Ventura and Los Angeles county fairs. | Full Story

Rangeland scorched by wildfire will need at least three years to recover. The wildfires burning around California have damaged thousands of acres of pasture and range. A University of California rangeland specialist says at least three years of average rainfall will be needed to restore the burned ground so it produces the forage it had been providing. Fires have destroyed forage that ranchers were relying on to provide food for their animals this fall. | Full Story

Dairy farmers know that the hot temperatures expected around California this week will lead their cows to produce less milk. But farmers do all they can to keep their cows comfortable during warm weather. A farm advisor says dairy farmers have water misters and fans working to cool their animals. | Full Story

In another month or so, consumers will start seeing California-grown fresh pomegranates in produce displays. The Pomegranate Council says a light set will lead to larger-sized fruit. In some cases, the fruit is growing so large that farmers fear the weight may break branches off pomegranate bushes. The main pomegranate variety, the Wonderful, is now in full bloom and will be ready for harvest in early October. | Full Story

As part of the effort to enhance the safety of leafy green products, researchers test new methods to sanitize fresh-cut greens before they're bagged. Government and university food technologists have developed a new combination of wash-water solutions to be used in sanitizing the greens. They're also testing ultrasound treatments, in combination with the new sanitizers, and say the method appears promising in preventing harmful bacteria in bagged greens. | Full Story

The rising cost of energy has chipped away at everyone's bottom line, and that's no less true for vegetable farmers. Government analysts say the costs farmers pay to grow vegetables and melons have jumped 14 percent, compared to the same time a year ago. Most of the change has come in rising costs for fuel and for fertilizer, which is tied to energy prices. | Full Story