A proposal that would allow the creation of new agencies to secure new regional water supplies is stalled in the Arizona House, but Speaker Andy Tobin says he’s not convinced opposition from Yuma farmers means the bill won’t move this year.

Farmers and businessmen from Yuma said House Speaker Andy Tobin invited them to a meeting Thursday to discuss his proposed comprehensive long-term water plan for Arizona – but then he stood them up.

House Speaker Andy Tobin is sailing ahead in his attempt to pass a comprehensive long-term water plan for the state, even in the face of a flood of opposition from rural cities, counties, ranchers, farmers and conservationists.


Tobin’s marquee water legislation, HB2338, headed for a vote in the House Water and Agriculture Committee on Feb. 19. But when opponents showed up en masse, the committee decided not to hold a vote.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Tuesday it could appoint “socially disadvantaged” farmers in six Arizona counties where the elected county committees may be lacking in representation by women and minorities.

A federal agency is backing a request from Gov. Jan Brewer to declare a drought disaster that will help ranchers and farmers.

Zimmerman Diary has been operating in Arizona for nearly 90 years, but its long-lasting success doesn’t mean its third-generation owners haven’t had to innovate to survive along the way.

Facing rising costs, in March 2011 the Zimmermans installed a shiny new fixture they say will enable them to continue to stay in business regardless of electricity rates.

Arizona is set to get $5.2 million in disaster aid from the Department of Agriculture.

Proposed federal restrictions on the use of certain antibiotics in livestock and poultry wouldn’t have much an effect on Arizona’s farms and ranches, according to experts here.

An Arizona appeals court on Wednesday considers whether to block a judge’s ruling that a state agency will effectively scuttle most of its funding.

An Arizona appellate court says it was legal for the Legislature to take $161,400 from three agricultural research and promotion funds in 2008 to help balance the state budget.