- Author: Rachael Freeman Long
- Author: Daniel H Putnam
If trends continue as per current predictions, the continued drought in California will have serious impacts to forage production in 2014, affecting the availability and price of animal feed.
It’s like an 800-pound gorilla in the room, worrying everyone including growers, suppliers, livestock operators and consumers alike. According to the Western Regional Climate Center, October-December of 2013 was the driest on record in California. Other western states are also experiencing drought to varying degrees (note the U.S. Drought monitor map for the west below). Current predictions are for zero to slight chances of rainfall for the rest of January for most of California.
Figure 1. ...
- Author: Peter B Goodell
Early reports are coming in from PCAs that Blue Alfalfa Aphid (BAA), as well as other common aphids, are already making their appearance in alfalfa.
In 2013, there were widespread but localized outbreaks throughout southern and central California including locations in the Imperial, Palo Verde, Antelope, and San Joaquin Valleys. Within the San Joaquin Valley, western Kern and southwestern Merced County were most severely affected.
This earlier than normal aphid appearance has come as a surprise as many alfalfa fields are not normally being scouted during January. The attached photos indicate the severity of the build-up on seedling alfalfa. Reports from Merced and Kern Counties indicate early and high...
- Author: Larry Schwankl
We are facing the third-in-a-row, below average rainfall year and 2013–14 has started out as the worst of the 3 years. With the State's reservoirs depleted, many irrigation districts will be delivering little to no water to their customers. That leaves groundwater as the remaining water source for those fortunate enough to have wells.
When water is in short supply, growers have few good options. Annual crop growers may choose to idle land when water is not available, but tree and vine growers, and alfalfa growers, have a crop in the ground that needs water.
So what does an alfalfa grower do during a drought? Luckily, information is available on making the best use of any available water and if the...
- Author: Daniel H Putnam
OK, so your truck got a flat, the cows got out, and you were unable to attend the 2013 alfalfa shin-dig in Reno this year??
If you were not among the nearly 600 attendees, 35 speakers, and >70 exhibitors at the 2013 Western Alfalfa & Forage Symposium, now’s the time to log-in and see many of the presentations on–line.
It’s not quite the same as meeting with your friends in the hallway, perusing the latest technologies from the exhibit hall, participating in the exciting CAFA Auction, or asking questions of the speakers... but you can get a flavor of the meeting this way, from the comfort of your own home!
Please see the complete listing of the symposium talks...
- Author: Lisa Blecker
- Author: Maria Alfaro
By law, fieldworkers and pesticide handlers must be trained in basic pesticide safety and personal protection, but who trains their trainers? Pesticide Safety Education Coordinator Lisa Blecker will be giving Train the Trainer workshops in 2014 in various locations around the state. The purpose of these workshops is to teach and certify individuals to provide pesticide safety training to fieldworkers and pesticide handlers. Participants learn pesticide basics, laws and regulations that pertain to worker safety, required elements they must include in a pesticide safety training, and effective teaching methods for adult learners. During the course of the workshops,...