Looking for sustainable, powerful, and cost-efficient farm equipment? The New Holland T6.180 Methane Power delivers diesel-level performance with up to 30% lower r unning costs — all fueled by biomethane from your farm.  Contact Garton Tractor to learn more!  With 12 locations across California, we’re here to support your farm with expert sales and service. 1-877-TRACTOR  www.gartontractor.com

Vineyards demand precision. From timing your irrigation cycles to deploying pest management solutions, every decision impacts your yield and your bottle. Propane makes that precision possible.  Whether it’s fueling water pumps for drip irrigation or powering weed and pest control torches, propane is an efficient, cost-effective, and clean energy that performs season after season. 💧 How Propane Powers Smarter Farming: Propane fuels irrigation systems without relying on unreliable grid power and solar which could be impacted by weather conditions or natural disasters Propane also can be used as a backup power source when grid variable pricing kicks in, giving vineyard owners and operators true flexibility  Helps vineyards adapt to water restrictions and changing climate conditions Propane offers distinct advantages over diesel fuel: its more stable, won’t contaminate ground water, and 56% cheaper than diesel fuel* source is perc Propane allows frost protecti

A draft Napa County Regional Climate Action and Adaptation Plan (RCAAP) has been released for public comment. The draft and related documents can be found at https://climateactionnapa.konveio.com/  Comments are due by September 30, 2025. This draft has been in development for many years, and covers the County of Napa, the Cities of American Canyon, Calistoga, Napa, and St. Helena, and the Town of Yountville. It includes Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission reduction targets of up to 85 percent by 2045. At the same time, it aims to achieve “carbon neutrality” by 2045, primarily by reforestation of burned areas of the County to promote natural carbon sequestration and removing GHGs from the atmosphere. The draft discusses 21 GHG reduction strategies with 46 GHG reduction measures across seven emissions sectors, (though the draft only quantifies the impact of 17 of those measures). The seven sectors, in declining order of their listed percentage of GHG Emissions, are: On-Road Tr

In the bustling world of construction, logistics, and material handling, efficiency is key. That efficiency often rides on the back of dependable on-site transportation — a critical component that can make or break the day-to-day operations of any business. At Papé Material Handling, we recognize the pivotal role that utility vehicles play in your success. That's why we proudly offer a selection of top-tier utility vehicles from renowned brands such as Cushman, Polaris, and Tuatara. Let's dive into what each has to offer and find out which one might be the best fit for your operations. Cushman Hauler 4x4: The All-Terrain Expert Imagine navigating through a rugged construction site or maneuvering around a vast farming operation with ease. The Cushman Hauler 4x4 is your go-to for such scenarios. Its robust 4x4 system offers unmatched traction and stability, ensuring that transporting materials, whether on a construction site, through agricultural fields, or during l

Afternoon Brief, February 12th

Napa Finds Itself in Court: Napa authorities – and several of the region's wineries – have been ordered to attend court, but no one is quite sure why...

Did you know that soil steaming increases yields, saves money and is organic? Soil steaming is catching on across the ag business landscape. From commercial greenhouses and nurseries to vineyards and orchards, there are a surprising number of research-supported benefits to switching from chemicals and herbicides to steam. Some fascinating facts… Who can get steamed? Soil steaming will benefit many ag-businesses. To name a few: vineyards, tree farms, greenhouses, nurseries, vegetable growers, cannabis growers, hemp growers, ornamental growers, orchards & more. Soil steaming is far less hazardous, frees up labor for more productive activities, gets you planting faster, and can help improve your overall yield. Plus new technologies enable precise zone control so you always steam at the right temperatures. Soil steaming benefits. Weeds & diseases can become resistant to chemicals over time, but steam will always remain effective. Supports Organic growing A commercial s

As the sun sets on summer and autumn approaches, vineyards across the country gear up for one of the most critical periods of the year – grape crush season. The bustling activity during this harvest time is a crucial moment for wineries, and the success of the grape crush season can significantly impact the quality and quantity of the wine produced. With agricultural operations becoming increasingly reliant on technology and electricity, a reliable power source becomes paramount. In this blog, we will explore the need for supplemental and mobile power solutions to support wineries during grape crush season and agriculture as a whole. Table of Contents The Grape Crush Season: A Critical Time for Wineries The Growing Dependence on Power in Winemaking Supplemental and Mobile Power Solutions Assessment for Rental of Mobile Generators Enhancing Agriculture Beyond Wineries Empower Your Harvest Season with CD & Power Power Your Harvest Success with CD & Power! The Grape Cr

John Deere is a well-known brand in the world of agriculture and heavy machinery. The company produces a wide range of equipment, including tractors, harvesters, and excavators. One of the most important components of these machines is the engine, and John Deere engines have earned a reputation for reliability and durability. In this blog post, we take a closer look at these engines, discuss their uses, and review the importance of regular John Deere engine service. Where Are John Deere Engines Used? John Deere engines are used in a variety of applications, including agriculture, construction, forestry, and mining. These engines are designed to provide reliable performance in tough conditions, making them ideal for use in heavy machinery. John Deere engines come in a range of sizes and power outputs, from small engines for lawn tractors to large engines for combines and other harvesting equipment. One of the key advantages of John Deere engines is their fuel efficiency. The company

What it means to winegrapes and what we can do about it I'm not an expert in climatology, and I’ll bet most of you are not either. That is why I listen to experts on the subject of climate change. I concluded, long ago, that not only is it real, but humankind has played a large part in the most recent and dramatic changes in weather patterns and weather-related events. I’d like to avoid politics in this viticulture column, but I find it painful to hear that deniers are still out there. Sure, there are some scientists that deny anthropogenic causes for climate change, but they represent only a tiny minority of scientists who have seen enough evidence supporting man-made climate change. In fact, many of the scientists being touted by climate change deniers are not climate scientists at all—some are not true scientists at all. What struck me and made me a believer many years ago, was the dramatic spike in atmospheric CO2 concentration over the last several decades

Nearly four years ago I moved to Sonoma County.  Since then I’ve seen drought, record rainfall, and devastating fires. The fires were too close for comfort but we were blessed to not lose our home or business. The resiliency of the local community to overcome adversity and rebuild has been amazing. If someone had told me I’d lose electricity for at least 12-full days, over the course of the past few years, I would have laughed! After the first 24 hours of no-power in October 2017, I bought a generator from my place of work, and since that time, it has worked perfectly, keeping cell phones charged, a radio playing, a light on, and a large refrigerator cold. I’ve been busy helping customers purchase the right generator ever since. A backup generator is proven technology. It’s an excellent choice for managing power outages that are expected to continue. Below are some things you should consider as you shop for a backup generator.  Determine your backup po