http://cemadera.ucdavis.edu/index4.cfm?blogrss=49129&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed ANR Blogs en-us UC ANR http://cyber.law.harvard.edu/rss/ Sun, 19 May 2013 09:33:20 PST Sun, 19 May 2013 09:33:20 PST UC ANR Sun, 12 May 2013 19:12:52 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10373&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed vmbarlow@ucdavis.edu(Vonny Barlow) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10373 New video and recent protests highlight controversy.For those of you interested in the on-going public discussion about Genetically Engineered (GE) or Genetically Modified (GMO) foods, check out a new video produced for public television ‘The Next Meal: Genetically Engineered Foods’, airing tonight in San Francisco, and in May at other PBS stations. You can download it here: http://science.kqed.org/quest/video/next-meal-engineering-food/ This video contains a full (and balanced)......
]]> Wed, 08 May 2013 09:27:20 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10338&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed dhputnam@ucdavis.edu(Daniel Putnam) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10338 Many of us think about too much water killing alfalfa during the hot days of summer. And this does happen, especially at the tail end of fields where water may collect and stand for hours after the irrigation has ended. When temperatures are over 100 oF and the soil is saturated for extended periods, roots can essentially suffocate due to lack of oxygen. Plants die very quickly and roots begin to disintegrate. Because the root zone is usually saturated from the soil surface for a depth of......
]]> Tue, 07 May 2013 09:16:12 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9783&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cafrate@ucanr.edu(Carol Frate) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9783 “Hay fire continues to burn at Herald Ranch” (August 2012) “Hay Truck catches fire on I-5" (Redding, November 2012) “Firefighters Respond to Hay Fire Next to Santa Ana River" (November 2012) One of the greatest fears of the hay grower is the possibility of rain or mold damage, which can easily drop the price of hay $50 per ton or more. However, this fear pales in comparison to the fear of a hay fire. Some hay fires result in million dollar losses or more. Hay fires......
]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2013 16:33:07 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10239&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed dhputnam@ucdavis.edu(Daniel Putnam) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10239 When: Thursday May 2, 2013 and Friday May 3, 2013 11:30 AM – 2 PM Contact: Pete Goodell, pbgoodell@ucanr.edu Where: Thursday May 2, Willow Ranch Restaurant, Buttonwillow (27770 Lagoon Dr, Buttonwillow, I5 & Hwy 58) Friday May 3, Dale Hale Community Center, O’Banion Park, Dos Palos (SE Corner Center and Lorraine Streets) What: Informational meeting on Blue Alfalfa Aphid outbreak and future action Who: PCAs, alfalfa producers, crop protection industry Why: Severe......
]]> Thu, 25 Apr 2013 12:09:02 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10241&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pbgoodell@ucanr.edu(Peter Goodell) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=10241 The blue alfalfa aphid, Acyrthosiphon kondoi Shinji, was first identified by entomologists in the spring of 1975 in the Imperial Valley of California. Since then it has become widespread throughout the state and has become established in Arizona, Nevada, New Mexico, and as far east as Kansas and Oklahoma. Both adults and nymphs feed on photosynthetic fluids from the leaves and stems of the alfalfa plant. Low to moderate populations of blue alfalfa aphid may cause little to no visible yellowing......
]]> Wed, 24 Apr 2013 11:26:58 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9640&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed vmbarlow@ucdavis.edu(Vonny Barlow) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9640 As reported in this blog by Dr. Godfrey, the Blue Alfalfa Aphid has been reported at high levels. Entomologists with UCCE continue to monitor the situation with Pest Control Advisors and IPM Professionals. Here is a summary of observations in the San Joaquin Valley in past two weeks. Extent of Outbreaks While populations are widely noted, the heaviest densities have been very localized. In the Buttonwillow area of Kern County, populations exceed the threshold of 40-50 aphids per stem for......
]]> Fri, 19 Apr 2013 08:40:22 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9786&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pbgoodell@ucanr.edu(Peter Goodell) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9786 Wed, 17 Apr 2013 16:04:43 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9777&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed dhputnam@ucdavis.edu(Daniel Putnam) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9777 About a month ago I announced the 6th annual Rose Day and its new format. Held in collaboration with the California Center for Urban Horticulture (CCUH), this year's rose day is truly an 'Eyeconic' weekend complete with talks on rose maintenance, tours of the Foundation Plant Services rose collection, and a plant sale on both Saturday and Sunday, May 4th and 5th, 10 am - 4 pm. I shared the agenda last time (it's attached below as well), but I recently received the catalog for the......
]]> Wed, 17 Apr 2013 13:52:16 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9754&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9754 There have been several alfalfa fields in the Northern Sacramento Valley area that have been deficient in molybdenum (Mo or moly), which is unusual, but not unheard of for the Sacramento Valley. Symptoms of molybdenum deficiency are like those of nitrogen and sulfur deficiency: light green or yellow, stunted plants, caused by a lack of moly that is essential for nitrogen fixation by the rhizobium bacteria that live on alfalfa roots. There may be a region just south of Sacramento that may have......
]]> Thu, 11 Apr 2013 11:31:30 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9735&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed rflong@ucanr.edu(Rachael Long) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9735 With all the news about Grapevine Red Blotch, I’ve been linking to the UC Integrated Viticulture website quite frequently. This website is a useful tool for newcomers to grape growing and the seasoned viticulturist alike. The information comes from the experts, the University of California Cooperative Extension Farm Advisors, UC Faculty, and others who specialist in grape care and maintenance. Since I reference the site so often, I thought I should take a second and introduce it......
]]> Wed, 10 Apr 2013 11:50:13 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9729&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9729 On Wednesday, March 27, 2013, growers, scientists, and grape enthusiasts met online for a National Clean Plant Network for Grapes (NCPN-Grapes) Special Webinar on Grapevine Red Blotch. Tim Martinson, Senior Extension Associate at Cornell University, organized and moderated the event which had 430 registrants when registration closed on Monday, March 25. The webinar consisted of three presentations, each followed by a brief question and answer period. Marc Fuchs, Grapevine Virologist at......
]]> Mon, 01 Apr 2013 10:30:41 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9653&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9653 Spring is the optimal time for aphids to flourish. The cool weather is perfect for many aphid species to build-up high numbers. Some aphid species prefer hot conditions but as a general rule cool weather and aphids go “hand-in-hand”. Cole crops, roses, other ornamentals, etc. are stressed by aphids in the spring. Four species of aphids infest alfalfa with the pea aphid and blue alfalfa aphid being favored by the cooler conditions. The spotted alfalfa aphid prefers hot weather......
]]> Thu, 28 Mar 2013 11:42:16 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9639&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed ldgodfrey@ucdavis.edu(Larry Godfrey) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9639 Tue, 26 Mar 2013 08:41:42 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9615&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed scmueller@ucanr.edu(Shannon Mueller) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9615 Low temperatures experienced during the winter do not usually damage dormant grapevines in the San Joaquin Valley. However, succulent green shoots are much more sensitive to low temperatures, so spring frost damage is serious concern. Damage from spring frost can vary within and between vineyards. Some factors that determine the extent and severity of frost damage include vineyard location, stage of shoot growth, the minimum temperature reached, and the duration of time that the tissues are at......
]]> Mon, 25 Mar 2013 09:12:57 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9561&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9561 If you’ve ever been driving along the north side of Putah Creek in West Davis during late spring/early summer, you’ve probably noticed a spectacle of vibrant colors just off the road behind a research fence. Those beautiful colors belong to the roses in the FPS Rose Clean Stock Program. The story of the Rose Clean Stock Program starts back in the 1960s with Dr. George Nyland, a plant pathologist and advocate of virus-tested planting stock. He began using heat therapy to propagate......
]]> Wed, 20 Mar 2013 10:03:37 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9508&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9508 Do you still have questions about Red Blotch? You are not alone. One way to get your questions answered is to attended an upcoming webinar on the virus. On Wednesday, March 27, 2013, Tim Martinson, Senior Extension Associate at Cornell University, will moderate an informational session featuring Cornell University virologist Marc Fuchs, University of California Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Rhonda Smith, and University of California Davis Foundation Plant Services director Deborah Golino.......
]]> Fri, 15 Mar 2013 09:18:49 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9507&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9507 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 08:31:43 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9529&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed mmleinfeldermiles@ucanr.edu(Michelle Leinfelder-Miles) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9529 Walking through an alfalfa field the other day, I saw numerous leaves infected with downy mildew. Because only young leaves are susceptible, symptoms are near the top of the plant and easily visible. Early stage symptoms include a light green blotchy area on the leaf surface (Photo 1). In time the area will turn yellow and eventually may dry out (Photo 2). These diseased areas on leaves are usually localized. In the morning when humidity is high, on the underside of the leaf you can see light......
]]> Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:01:00 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9470&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cafrate@ucanr.edu(Carol Frate) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9470 Fri, 08 Mar 2013 11:38:50 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9450&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9450 This is the time of year that alfalfa fields provide a lush green carpet, outgrowing the damage from 4 months of cold and frost in California’s Central Valley. But not all fields are emerald green-some show the ugly, patchy, stunted evidence of a nasty little invader: stem nematode. Of course you can’t see the nematodes (ugly or not) with the naked eye but they sure make the alfalfa look ugly. Stem nematodes (Ditylenchus dipsaci) are causing significant damage to alfalfa fields......
]]> Tue, 05 Mar 2013 15:16:18 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9436&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed dhputnam@ucdavis.edu(Daniel Putnam) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9436 Earlier this year, I blogged about Grapevine Red Blotch associated Virus (GRBaV) – a newly discovered virus associated with red blotchy leaves in grapevines which had been in the forefront of viticulture news since it was announced at the 17th Congress of the International Council for the Study of Virus and Virus-like Diseases of the Grapevine (ICVG) in October. This past Wednesday, February 20, Red Blotch was back in the spotlight as the main focus of the FPS Annual Meeting. Dr. Deborah......
]]> Wed, 27 Feb 2013 09:28:08 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9386&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9386 It’s that time of year again when we need to start thinking about controlling weevils in alfalfa hay production. Egyptian alfalfa weevils are the most damaging insect pests of alfalfa in California, as the larvae feed on the foliage, causing yield and quality losses if left untreated. The life cycle of the Egyptian alfalfa weevil is predictable. Adults spend the summer outside fields in protected areas, such as behind tree bark (for example, eucalyptus trees) and in crevices. In late......
]]> Mon, 25 Feb 2013 12:39:20 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9369&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed rflong@ucanr.edu(Rachael Long) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9369 Dodder is a troublesome annual parasitic weed that infests alfalfa fields. Initial infestations are usually caused by sowing dodder infested seed (a good reason to purchase Certified seed) and by “sheeping off” fields with sheep that came from an infested field. Perhaps no weed problem is worse than an alfalfa field heavily infested with dodder. As a parasite, it lives at the expense of the alfalfa plant and literally sucks the vigor and life out of the plant. If left......
]]> Mon, 18 Feb 2013 16:54:05 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9331&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sborloff@ucanr.edu(Steve Orloff) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9331 Grapes like DOVine, Selma Pete, Sweet Scarlet and Scarlet Royal likely would not exist were it not for ARS scientists’ expertise with a laboratory technique known as “embryo rescue.” The technology “allows us to use two seedless grape plants as parents for new, seedless offspring,” says grape breeder David W. Ramming with USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS) at Parlier, California. “Seedless” grapes actually have a small seed inside, “but......
]]> Fri, 15 Feb 2013 13:48:07 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9322&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9322 Tue, 12 Feb 2013 09:04:32 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9278&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed etnatwick@ucanr.edu(Eric Natwick) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9278 Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:35:59 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9274&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9274 The alfalfa weevil complex, comprised of the Egyptian alfalfa weevil, Hypera brunneipennis, and alfalfa weevil, Hypera postica, is the most damaging arthropod complex in California alfalfa (Medicago sativa). If populations of alfalfa weevil are left unchecked, the larvae can cause severe defoliation, significantly reducing yields. Repeated use of insecticides such as organophosphates and carbamates has resulted in these insecticides being detected in surface waters, providing incentives to......
]]> Thu, 31 Jan 2013 20:38:00 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9193&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed vmbarlow@ucdavis.edu(Vonny Barlow) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9193 Fri, 25 Jan 2013 12:29:21 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9138&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9138 There is no question that managing pests in alfalfa is a challenge. But it’s even more of a challenge considering that we need to consider how our chemical tools impact our environment. Why is this is important? Two reasons: 1) no grower wants to pollute our natural waterways or wells, 2) ultimately unwanted environmental impacts will cause the loss of these pesticide tools over time. This became evident last year when the detection of the herbicide Velpar (hexazinone) in wells caused......
]]> Thu, 24 Jan 2013 11:59:24 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9130&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed rflong@ucanr.edu(Rachael Long) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9130 Tue, 22 Jan 2013 10:09:55 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9103&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed vmbarlow@ucdavis.edu(Vonny Barlow) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9103 Alfalfa weevil overwinters as an adult in field trash or other secluded hiding places and emerges in late winter or early spring. Soon after emergence and mating, the adult females begin inserting their eggs into the alfalfa stems, and hatching larvae make their way up the stem to feed on alfalfa terminals and drop to spin a cocoon and pupate by early summer. This species generally has only one generation a year. To sample for weevil larvae, divide the field into 4 or more sections and take 5......
]]> Mon, 21 Jan 2013 16:59:31 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8560&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed vmbarlow@ucdavis.edu(Vonny Barlow) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8560 After 38 years, David Ramming has retired from the USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS)-Parlier, California, where he bred grapes for California’s raisin and fresh market industries. Starting in 1975, he replaced John Weinberger who had just released ‘Fiesta’, the first grape developed to replace ‘Thompson Seedless’; the primary raisin grape for 100+ years. Since 1995, David has introduced four raisin grapes that helped make mechanized harvest a reality.......
]]> Fri, 18 Jan 2013 15:59:18 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9096&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9096 Fri, 18 Jan 2013 09:07:01 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9012&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9012 One of the most damaging pests of alfalfa is the pocket gopher. A recent study estimated that, when present, pocket gophers resulted in an 8.8% loss in revenue. The damage that pocket gophers cause to alfalfa can be quite varied but includes consumption of tap roots and above-ground vegetation that can result in reduced vigor and/or mortality of alfalfa plants, loss of irrigation water down burrow systems, and chewing on underground irrigation lines. Pocket gopher mounds can result in......
]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 17:19:00 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9056&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed rabaldwin@ucanr.edu(Roger Baldwin) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9056 We’ve had some pretty low morning temperatures lately in the San Joaquin Valley. How does alfalfa react to that? Established Plants I think most of us know that established plants in the San Joaquin Valley can withstand temperatures in the 20’s (Fahrenheit) unless plants are already weak or stressed by other factors such as disease or nematodes, or if very low temperatures continue day and night for several days. If there is significant growth since the last cutting, a hard frost......
]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 16:21:54 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9054&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cafrate@ucanr.edu(Carol Frate) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9054 In November, Grapevine Red Blotch Disease was announced by University of California, Davis scientists, Mysore Sudarshana and James Wolpert. The disease was discovered after grapevines that appeared to be exhibiting symptoms of Leafroll Disease tested free of Leafroll and Rugose Wood viruses. The symptoms include irregular red blotches on leaf blades of basal portions of shoots starting in late August, reddening of the secondary and tertiary veins, and a low Brix units. Occasionally reddening......
]]> Fri, 11 Jan 2013 09:07:00 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9014&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9014 Combating USDA's Top-ranked Invasive Insect First detected in the United States a decade ago, the brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) is now in at least 39 states, is wreaking havoc in homes and gardens, and is a major economic threat to vineyards, orchards, garden vegetables and row crops. It's no wonder the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) ranks this pest as its top "invasive insect of interest." But help may be on the way: USDA scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS)......
]]> Thu, 10 Jan 2013 17:04:38 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9047&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9047 Tue, 08 Jan 2013 14:13:33 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9027&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed dhputnam@ucdavis.edu(Daniel Putnam) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=9027 Welcome! And Happy New Year! Today marks the beginning of a wonderful new adventure for us here at Foundation Plant Services – we’ve started a blog. This blog is just another step we’re taking to become more accessible to those working with us and utilizing our services. In addition to our full-service website and our facebook page, we will be using this blog to stay in touch with our colleagues and customers and share information about our programs. As for this first post,......
]]> Fri, 04 Jan 2013 13:52:22 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8997&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed opisano@ucdavis.edu(Olivia Pisano) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8997 Within-field yield variability is often observed by growers while managing and harvesting their fields, however, it is difficult to determine the boundaries and magnitude of such variability. Identifying and understanding the causes of yield spatial variability can be extremely useful for improved crop and soil management and consequently maximizing production efficiency. Yield monitoring technology was developed approximately 20 years ago in Europe and in the Midwestern US with the objective......
]]> Mon, 17 Dec 2012 15:28:37 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8916&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed asbiscaro@ucanr.edu(Andre Biscaro) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8916 Thu, 20 Dec 2012 19:16:48 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8952&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed dhputnam@ucdavis.edu(Daniel Putnam) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8952 The 2012 Alfalfa and Grains Symposium took place last week, with the first day of the Symposium being a field tour of the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta region. Approximately 150 Symposium attendants boarded buses for the day-long tour, comprised of four stops in the San Joaquin County region of the Delta. The Delta spans 738,000 acres over five counties – San Joaquin, Sacramento, Yolo, Solano, and Contra Costa – with 43% of the Delta being in San Joaquin County (SJC......
]]> Mon, 17 Dec 2012 11:31:25 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8744&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed mmleinfeldermiles@ucanr.edu(Michelle Leinfelder-Miles) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8744 Wed, 12 Dec 2012 18:21:55 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8889&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed dhputnam@ucdavis.edu(Daniel Putnam) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8889 The 2012 Alfalfa & Grains Symposium was a tremendous success. There were over 450 people in attendance, great speakers and a variety of exhibitors showcasing the latest in alfalfa and grains seed, production supplies and equipment. If you missed the conference, all presentations were recorded and will soon be available on the alfalfa website (http://alfalfa.ucdavis.edu). Make plans to attend the symposium in December 2013! It is sure to be chock full of valuable information....
]]> Wed, 12 Dec 2012 13:19:37 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8884&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed scmueller@ucanr.edu(Shannon Mueller) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8884 Useful resources: On-line training for Year Round IPM Programs UC IPM website Alfalfa Pest Management Guidelines The UC Statewide IPM Program has announced the availability of an on-line tutorial to aid in the use of Year Round IPM Programs. Year Round IPM Programs were developed as another means to retrieve information from the comprehensive Pest Management Guidelines. While the Guidelines are organized by pest, the Year Round Program condenses a year's......
]]> Mon, 10 Dec 2012 17:05:56 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8850&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed pbgoodell@ucanr.edu(Peter Goodell) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8850 For the latest twist in the rhetorical water wars in western states, you may be interested in a recent Wall Street Journal op-ed piece, featuring, you guessed it, that scourge of agricultural water critics, alfalfa. This article decries the export of alfalfa hay from California to China, making the point that when alfalfa is exported, it represents the export of badly needed ‘water’ (see http://alfalfa.ucdavis.edu/-files/pdf/CulpGlennon2012.pdf for a pdf of that article). This is,......
]]> Mon, 03 Dec 2012 12:39:16 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8825&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed dhputnam@ucdavis.edu(Daniel Putnam) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8825 At a recent meeting held at UC Davis titled “Current Issues in Vineyard Health”, a newly-discovered viral disease being expressed in California’s vineyards was discussed. Currently named ‘Red Blotch Disease’, its symptoms distinguish it from leafroll virus expression, as does its PCR fingerprint. Presently, the most complete information available on the disease can be found in a brochure developed by Jim Wolpert, Viticulture Extension Specialist, UC Davis and......
]]> Fri, 30 Nov 2012 09:05:28 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8816&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8816 We may begin to see symptoms (stem wilting) and signs (white fungal mycelium growing on stems) of Sclerotinia stem and crown rot now that there has been some rain and fog. Although the fungus infects mature plants, we are most concerned when the disease infects fall planted fields because seedlings and young plants are more easily killed by Sclerotinia than established alfalfa plants. The disease begins in the late fall/early winter when spore bearing structures (apothecia) are produced by......
]]> Tue, 27 Nov 2012 15:21:20 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8797&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cafrate@ucanr.edu(Carol Frate) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8797 As the weather turns cool, how will insects cope with this? Have you ever pondered what keeps insects from perishing in unfavorable environmental conditions; they obviously survive successfully and annually compete with us for crops. This may have not “been on your mind” as much as the last 49ers football game or the stock market ups and downs but nevertheless it is important. With the millions of species of insects in the U.S., there are also numerous strategies for dealing with......
]]> Mon, 19 Nov 2012 13:06:16 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8748&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed ldgodfrey@ucdavis.edu(Larry Godfrey) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8748 This blog is an outreach tool for alfalfa and forage information. We hope you will find it convenient and the information relevant and timely. From time to time, however, we may stray from posts on production and management to bring you other interesting information, as related to alfalfa and forages. In that vein, I would like to take this opportunity to tell you about AgVenture in San Joaquin County, which took place last Wednesday. AgVenture is a field trip where third graders learn about......
]]> Thu, 08 Nov 2012 12:14:50 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8691&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed mmleinfeldermiles@ucanr.edu(Michelle Leinfelder-Miles) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8691 In the second week of October, we had a one-to-three trifoliate seedling alfalfa field in Tulare County with plants dying on the north end. The surviving seedlings had leaves with holes and ragged edges. No insects were observed on what remained of the foliage and none could be found in the soil. Returning to the field in the warm afternoon, we walked further into the field where there was less damage. This time as we walked we observed small, dark insects moving quickly on and off the plants.......
]]> Mon, 05 Nov 2012 13:46:11 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8642&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed cafrate@ucanr.edu(Carol Frate) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8642 Verticillium wilt disease of alfalfa is relatively new to California, having first been found in isolated fields in Humboldt and Monterey counties in 1985. Verticillium wilt is a disease caused by Verticillium albo-atrum alfalfa strain. Verticillium wilt is the most serious disease problem of alfalfa in the north-temperate areas of the United States, Canada, and Europe. In southern California the V. albo-atrum alfalfa strain was found in 28 of 52 fields sampled in Riverside and San Bernardino......
]]> Mon, 29 Oct 2012 17:57:31 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8559&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed vmbarlow@ucdavis.edu(Vonny Barlow) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8559 Several insects can reduce alfalfa yields such as the Empoasca leafhopper group (ELH) which feeds on a wide range of plants and is capable of successful reproduction on over 200 plant species in 25 different families. The ELH found in California alfalfa hay is actually made up of a complex of almost identical insects in appearance and behavior that include the Potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), the Garden leafhopper, Empoasca solana DeLong, and the Mexican leafhopper, Empoasca mexara......
]]> Tue, 23 Oct 2012 08:34:24 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8553&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed vmbarlow@ucdavis.edu(Vonny Barlow) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8553 Many growers have good intentions when it comes to controlling weeds in seedling alfalfa but often fields end up being treated beyond the optimum window. Proper application timing is critical for successful weed control in seedling alfalfa. Not only do weeds reduce the nutritional quality of the alfalfa and reduce alfalfa vigor, but weeds in seedling alfalfa can affect stand density potentially resulting in reduced alfalfa yield over the life of the stand. When herbicides are applied late, weed......
]]> Mon, 15 Oct 2012 16:57:03 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8471&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sborloff@ucanr.edu(Steve Orloff) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8471 The American Society for Enology and Viticulture (ASEV) Board announced Dr. Jim Wolpert, Viticulture Specialist, University of California-Davis, as ASEV's 2013 Merit Award recipient. Jim Wolpert is a native of Indiana. He received his bachelor of science from Purdue University in Horticulture in 1973. He took further training at Michigan State University, receiving a Master's degree in 1978 and a PhD in 1983. Both thesis projects involved research on production practices of 'Concord' grapes and......
]]> Fri, 12 Oct 2012 16:18:49 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8472&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8472 The threecornered alfalfa hopper is a green, wedge-shaped insect about the size of a Lygus bug. These leafhopper pests have piercing-sucking mouthparts and feed on the stems of alfalfa plants, often girdling stems at the base of plants. The resulting damage includes wilting and yellowing and eventual dieback of individual stems. Injury is also caused when adult female hoppers insert their eggs into stems, weakening them. Threecornered alfalfa hoppers can be found year-round, but in the......
]]> Wed, 10 Oct 2012 16:20:07 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8483&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed rflong@ucanr.edu(Rachael Long) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8483 I visited a grower recently who noticed his alfalfa wasn’t coming back as quickly after cutting this summer. He had taken plant tissue and soil tests which both indicated that phosphorus was deficient in the field. Since other management practices appeared to be in line, it looked like phosphorus might indeed be the culprit. Now he was trying to decide which phosphorus fertilizer to use, how much to apply, and when to apply it. A high-analysis phosphorus fertilizer, such as 11-52-0,......
]]> Tue, 09 Oct 2012 09:06:21 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8460&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed scmueller@ucanr.edu(Shannon Mueller) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8460 The latest innovations in alfalfa and grains will be showcased at the annual Alfalfa Symposium, December 10-12, in Sacramento. The symposium is sponsored by University of California Cooperative Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resources, UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, the California Wheat Commission and the California Alfalfa and Forage Association. Plan now to participate and Learn from over 30 expert speakers Visit with your colleagues from all over the state at the evening......
]]> Tue, 02 Oct 2012 09:29:47 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8420&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed scmueller@ucanr.edu(Shannon Mueller) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8420 SPECIAL OFFER-Vineyard Pest Identification and Monitoring Cards Stay on top of pest activity in your vineyard! Keep your vineyard healthy with this set of 50 sturdy, pocket-size laminated cards, now available in both English and Spanish. This is the perfect quick field references for identifying and monitoring vineyard diseases and pests for you and your crew. Each set covers 41 common insects and mites, 11 diseases, 23 beneficial insects, and a variety of other disorders, weeds, and......
]]> Fri, 07 Sep 2012 09:26:03 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8280&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8280 The last two years, San Joaquin Valley raisin growers experienced a high number of rolled raisin thefts. The majority of the thefts occurred near Biola and the area west of Selma. In past years the Sheriff’s Department has received reports of both bin and rolled raisin thefts. In 2011 thefts consisted primarily of rolled raisins taken from the fields, usually during the evening and late night hours. PREVENTION TIPS Place rolled raisin trays deeper in the vineyard away from main roads.......
]]> Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:29:22 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8220&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=8220 Help name the newest grapes from the Cornell University Grape Breeding Program! It’s hard to come up with new winegrape names-they have to be unique, distinctive, and descriptive, look good on a wine bottle, and meet a variety of complicated legal specifications that you don't even want to think about. Even more important, you have to like the grape and its name- because we hope we’ll be seeing the varietal name on wine bottles in the near future! So the Cornell University......
]]> Tue, 10 Jul 2012 12:27:45 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7896&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7896 The second annual Raisin and Wine Grape Mechanical Harvest Safety Training is set for July 18, 2012 at the C.P.D.E.S. Hall in Easton CA, located at 172 W. Jefferson Ave. Training will be provided in both English and Spanish. The free training for farm employees and supervisors will increase awareness and improve safety in the field during mechanical raisin and wine grape harvest. Trained participants are expected to pass the information on to the individuals they supervise. “This is an......
]]> Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:14:40 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7786&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7786 When an insect pierces the surface of a plant to feed, much of the action takes place in the plant's interior. A device called the Electrical Penetration Graph (EPG) is a critical tool for peering into the process. Now a new type of EPG developed by U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologists is giving scientists the clearest view yet of the wars waged between piercing-sucking insects and the plants they attack. The EPG was developed by Elaine Backus at the Agricultural Research......
]]> Sun, 10 Jun 2012 12:51:11 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7688&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7688 Wine grape varieties from warm climate grape growing regions are being imported to California, and tested in the San Joaquin Valley. It has been estimated that fewer than ten different winegrape varieties account for up to 80% of varietal wines. The San Joaquin Valley (SJV), historically a major producer of winegrapes, has increased the acreage of these core varieties over the past two decades. However, many of the most popular wine grape varieties were selected from cool climate regions, and......
]]> Wed, 23 May 2012 12:00:39 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7550&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed mwfidelibus@ucanr.edu(Matthew Fidelibus) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7550 The Plant Identification Lab at Foundation Plant Services (FPS), UC Davis provides variety identification using DNA Fingerprinting technology for grape, and other crops. The service makes DNA-based grape variety identification available to the public on a fee-for-service basis. The grape variety identification service can be used by nursery managers, grape growers, wineries, breeders and other industry representatives. The identification process begins by extracting DNA from the client's......
]]> Fri, 11 May 2012 17:37:36 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7485&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7485 According to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS),California raisin type grapes using the overhead trellis management system totaled 19,543 acres (bearing and non-bearing) during 2011. This amounted to 9.8 percent of the total raisin type grape acreage. Varieties ‘Fiesta’ and ‘DOVine’ had the highest percentage of acreage using the overhead trellis system, at 52.2 percent and 41.2 percent, respectively. However, ‘DOVine’ at 609 acres is......
]]> Wed, 09 May 2012 08:52:46 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7458&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7458 Total grape acreage for California in 2011 was 848,000 acres according to the California Grape Acreage Report, released April 17, 2012. Of the total grape acreage, 796,000 were bearing while 52,000 were non-bearing. The wine-type grape acreage is estimated at 543,000 acres. Of the total acres, 506,000 were bearing and 37,000 were non-bearing. Table-type grape acreage totaled 96,000 acres with 85,000 bearing and 11,000 non-bearing. Acreage of raisin-type grapes totaled 209,000 acres, of which......
]]> Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:36:54 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7329&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7329 Current weather forecasts predict the San Joaquin Valley may experience alternating periods of cool and warm temperatures in the next few weeks. Such conditions may lead to the development of weather-related disorder known as “spring fever”. On vines with spring fever, basal leaves will become chlorotic, with green leaf-color fading first from the leaf margins, and then progressing inwards, towards primary and secondary veins (Figure 1 shows a variety of spring fever symptoms). Also, leaf......
]]> Wed, 11 Apr 2012 16:54:58 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7244&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7244 The first in a series of seminars to help educate farm labor contractors, growers and supervisors about heat illness prevention regulations will be held on Thursday, April 5, in Easton. The training will be held at the C.P.D.E.S. Hall, located at 172 W. Jefferson Avenue, Eaton CA.  Attendees will be able to take what they learn back to their own operations, ultimately educating thousands of farm employees.   California employers are required to take these four steps to prevent heat......
]]> Fri, 30 Mar 2012 13:44:21 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7155&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=7155 A gene fusion research project led by a University of California, Davis, plant scientist delivers a one-two punch to Pierce's disease, a deadly threat to California’s world-renowned wine industry. The study is set for publication the week of Feb. 20 in the early edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. “Many disease-causing microbes can evade one defensive action by a host plant, but we believe that most microbes would have difficulty overcoming a combination of two......
]]> Thu, 23 Feb 2012 09:24:47 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6878&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6878 UC IPM Announces 2012 Dates for Pesticide Safety Training Certification Program California state regulations and the Federal Worker Protection Standard require fieldworkers and pesticide handlers to receive pesticide safety training according to specific criteria. The trainings must be given in a language that the worker understands and must be done by certified trainers. Several opportunities exist to become certified to conduct these pesticide safety trainings, or to get a refresher if you......
]]> Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:35:01 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6526&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6526 To date, the San Joaquin Valley has only received 1.57 inches of precipitation this season (July 1 2011-June 30 2012) with none in December. The last time the San Joaquin Valley had such poor December rainfall was in 1999 and 2000, receiving 0.03 and 0.07 inches, respectively. In both of the following springs, California grape growers observed severe delayed spring growth (DSG), the symptoms of which include irregular and poor bud-break and low shoot vigor. Entire vineyards were affected. Many......
]]> Thu, 29 Dec 2011 07:12:33 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6483&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6483 2012 will mark 31 years since the first San Joaquin Valley Grape Symposium. The inaugural symposium was held at the old Hacienda Inn at Clinton Ave. and 99 Hwy in Fresno, CA. The meeting had presentations by farm advisors and specialist covering soils, irrigation, grapevine nutrition and mechanical pruning in addition to other topics. This years meeting will be similar but will focus on raisin production and marketing activities. The 2012 SJV Grape Symposium is being held at the C.P.D.E.S.......
]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 12:08:59 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6254&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6254 Are you considering agritourism or nature tourism on your farm or ranch? Would you like to build your agritourism or nature tourism business? This class is for you! Local pioneering agritourism operators will share their own experiences and will be part of a supportive network of advisors as class participants plan and start new enterprises. Participants will learn from experts in business planning, regulatory compliance, risk management, hospitality and cost-effective marketing,......
]]> Tue, 22 Nov 2011 12:53:02 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6247&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6247 Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:13:27 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6157&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=6157 Rain is predicted for this Tuesday and Wednesday, October 4-5, 2011. Should rain occur, follow these practices to minimize damage and infestation to raisins: Tray-dried raisins• Slip trays to prevent their sticking to the soil. Move them just enough, 1 to 2 inches, to break the seal between the paper and the soil. This interrupts the wicking of moisture from the soil into the tray. • Turn the trays as soon as possible to expose bottom fruit. • Do not save fruit stuck to the bottom of trays......
]]> Mon, 03 Oct 2011 09:25:58 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5890&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5890 It has been several years since Pierce’s disease (PD), the debilitating grapevine disease caused by the bacterium Xylella fastidiosa, has caused significant problems for San Joaquin Valley vineyards. PD dropped off the radar of valley grape industries and growers partly due to other invasive grape pests (vine mealybug, EGVM, etc.) inhabiting vineyards and to a low incidence of PD found throughout the valley. However, in recent months glassy-winged sharpshooter (GWSS) has been trapped in west......
]]> Tue, 27 Sep 2011 17:14:17 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5859&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5859 Presenters will include Janet Ehlers, RN, MSN, Occupational Health Nurse and Pamela Graydon, MS, COHC, Electronics Engineer. Who should participate? Anyone who works with people exposed to noise in farming. This train-the-trainer online workshop will include how to select and insert hearing protection properly. In order to practice what is being demonstrated, please bring at least one kind of formable (foam) earplugs to the workshop. Tuesday, October 4,......
]]> Thu, 08 Sep 2011 16:06:07 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5725&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5725 Keep your vineyard healthy by staying on top of pest activity with this pack of 50 sturdy, pocket-size laminated cards. This is the perfect quick reference to identifying and monitoring vineyard diseases and pests.   Covers 27 common insects and mites, 8 diseases, 6 beneficial insects, and a variety of other disorders, weeds, and invertebrate pests. Each pest is identified by a description and excellent close-up color photographs-244 photos in all. On the reverse of each card is a description......
]]> Wed, 07 Sep 2011 16:05:50 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5708&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5708 A new winegrape variety trial at the University of California's Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier may help local vintners add a touch of distinction to San Joaquin Valley wines. At the recently held Kearney Grape Day (August 16, 2011), UC Cooperative Extension viticulture specialist James Wolpert  introduced growers to the 55 unusual varieties from Portugal, Spain, Italy and France being evaluated at the research center, located south of Fresno. But don't expect to......
]]> Fri, 26 Aug 2011 11:50:07 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5616&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5616 Tue, 23 Aug 2011 18:46:37 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5591&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5591 In agricultural settings (e.g., farms, ranches, forestry, and aquaculture), the hands, wrists and fingers are the body parts most likely to be injured at work, being at particular risk for bruising, lacerations, contact dermatitis, and frostbite. In addition, tasks involving the hands, wrists and fingers, including the use of power tools and hand tools, are associated with increased risk for cumulative trauma injuries of the upper extremities, which may be disabling. Appropriate hand protection......
]]> Wed, 27 Jul 2011 15:17:36 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5403&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5403 Harvest season will soon be upon us in the San Joaquin Valley, which means that testing fruit for maturity will become a daily task beginning shortly after veraison. Proper sampling for sugar is important for making decisions on harvesting specific varieties or locations. Often referred to as “soluble solids” or “sugar” testing, fruit maturity evaluation involves sample collection and testing procedures that accurately represent the crop. Testing for sugar content in fruit has become easier as......
]]> Thu, 21 Jul 2011 11:48:31 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5357&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5357 Fri, 01 Jul 2011 18:04:16 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5248&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5248 A new guide focused on moths and worms found in vineyards is available to grape growers. The guide focuses on moth species that may be confused with European grapevine moth, a recent introduction to San Joaquin Valley viticulture. Growers can follow the guide to distintuish one or more life stages of lepidopteran pests associated with damage to grapevine clusters. The following is a list of moths that the guide focuses on:European grapevine mothOrange tortrixLight brown apple mothOmnivorous......
]]> Thu, 16 Jun 2011 11:15:03 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5129&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5129 The current California Grown ad campaign highlights grape growers from the San Joaquin Valley and Central Coast in addition to other California family farmers.California Grown ad found in Sunday papers across the State.Raisin grower, Monte Schutz farms 350 acres in Caruthers CA. In addition to farming raisin grapes Monte is also active in the raisin industry, serving as Chairman of the Board of the Raisin Bargaining Association and Vice-Chairman of the Raisin Administrative Committee. Also......
]]> Tue, 14 Jun 2011 15:41:03 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5111&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=5111 Labor Trajectories in California's Produce IndustryPhilip Martin and Linda Calvin ABSTRACT: If wages increased, California fruit and vegetable growers would have to adapt. Possible adjustments include, mechanization, imports, and labor aids. Meeting a Growing Demand for Food and Fuel in a Sustainable MannerDavid Zilberman and Gal Hochman. ABSTRACT: Production of biofuel from grains has reached a limit, resulting from concerns about food and fuel trade-offs. Several nonfood biofuel......
]]> Fri, 20 May 2011 11:05:26 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4911&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4911 Temperatures will reach 85 degrees Fahrenheit this week. Once this occurs, shade must go up. The warm weather also serves as a reminder to make sure prevention programs are in place. REGULATIONS The program encompasses the five elements of heat illness prevention programs: Drinking of plenty of cool water: as close as practicable, never more than one-eighth of a mile away from workers; Ready access to shade: as close as practicable, never more than a quarter mile away from workers;......
]]> Tue, 03 May 2011 21:19:47 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4787&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4787 Mark Battany, Viticulture/Soils Farm AdvisorUCCE San Luis Obispo County Narrated online Frost Protection Training Units are now available at no charge through the UC Cooperative Extension. These presentations cover the topics of passive frost protection, active frost protection with both wind and water, and methods of measuring temperature. All of the Training Units are available in both English and Spanish. Frost damage remains one of the most economically important considerations for grape......
]]> Wed, 30 Mar 2011 14:44:15 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4505&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4505 Fri, 25 Feb 2011 15:01:12 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4304&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4304 California farmers lead the nation in producing fruits and vegetables farmed organically. Despite the slow economy, California’s organic farmers plan on maintaining or increasing their current acreage according to the Organic Production Survey conducted in 2008. Karen Klonsky, a Cooperative Extension Specialist in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Davis, has published a paper focusing on the challenges of producing, marketing and complying with new organic regulations......
]]> Thu, 17 Feb 2011 14:57:18 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4256&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4256 California’s 2010 crush totaled 3,980,229 tons, down 3 percent from the 2009 crush of 4,095,297 tons. Red wine varieties accounted for the largest share of all grapes crushed, at 2,047,766 tons, down 1 percent from 2009. The 2010 white wine variety crush totaled 1,535,133 tons, down 6 percent from 2009. Tons crushed of raisin type varieties totaled 273,577, down 11 percent from 2009, and tons crushed of table type varieties totaled 123,753, up 46 percent from 2009. The 2010 average price of......
]]> Wed, 16 Feb 2011 11:36:04 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4244&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4244 Scientists from UCLA's Cotsen Institute of Archaeology are participating in a cave excavation in southern Armenia. Since 2007, they have unearthed a 6000+ year-old wine-making facility, complete with a fermentation vat, a wine press, storage jars, drinking vessels, and remnants of grape seeds and vines. Gregory Areshian, assistant director of the Cotsen Institute and co-director of the excavation, recently published his work in the Journal of Archaeological Science. Areshian suggest that the......
]]> Mon, 31 Jan 2011 11:31:16 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4151&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4151 Joined by hundreds of friends, supporters and alumni, the University of California, Davis, officially opened the doors on January 28th to the world’s most environmentally sophisticated facility for making wine, brewing beer and processing foods. The new, 34,000-square-foot teaching and research complex, located within UC Davis’ Robert Mondavi Institute for Wine and Food Science, was financed entirely by private philanthropy — no state or federal funds were used. The campus received more than......
]]> Fri, 28 Jan 2011 14:43:42 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4136&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=4136 The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Climate Prediction Center (CPC) is currently tracking one of the largest La Nina events ever recorded. If La Nina plays out as predicted, it could have a big impact on California’s weather this winter, with carry-over into next spring and summer. The CPC long-term winter forecast for California is to be cold throughout the State and very dry over most of Southern California. In the past, California has experienced bad freeze/frost events......
]]> Mon, 08 Nov 2010 15:47:12 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3752&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3752   A recent study titled “The Perceived Benefits and Cost of Sustainability Practices in California Viticulture” was conducted by Principal Investigator Mark Lubell, Professor, Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis and colleagues. The study was funded by the National Science Foundation and focuses on California’s winegrape growers decision-making around sustainable viticulture practices. The researchers were interested in answering the question: Are the......
]]> Tue, 26 Oct 2010 14:19:41 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3671&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3671 Bayer CropScience announced today (October 20, 2010) that its Movento insecticide has received Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration for a second time, giving grape growers back a sorely missed tool for the management of one of the toughest pests, vine mealybug. Under the new registration, the product container labels include the uses found on the previous Movento product labels, with product available for the 2011 growing season. Growers depended on the use of Movento to protect......
]]> Wed, 20 Oct 2010 16:33:57 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3642&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3642 The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in California has set the application deadline for Fiscal Year 2011 Farm Bill conservation programs funding as November 12, 2010. The deadline includes all California Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) and Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP) priorities, except the EQIP Organic Initiative. The EQIP Organic Initiative sign up deadline will be provided at a later date. NRCS’s EQIP program priorities eligible for this sign......
]]> Mon, 18 Oct 2010 11:55:54 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3625&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3625 The 6th International Table Grape Symposium held at UC Davis was a great success. Forty oral presentations and 25 posters were presented to an international audience of approximately 300 participants. University of California Cooperative Extension researchers Matthew Fidelibus, Jennifer Hashim and Stephen Vasquez hosted meeting participants from a dozen nations and US growers from California, Colorado and Idaho. Highlights of the meeting were symposia that focused on the use and benefit of......
]]> Fri, 08 Oct 2010 10:31:01 PST http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3562&utm_source=RSS&utm_medium=RSS&utm_campaign=RSS%2BFeed sjvasquez@ucanr.edu(Stephen Vasquez) http://ucanr.edu/blogs/blogcore/postdetail.cfm?postnum=3562