Retailers have a “responsibility to make sure that what’s on the label is consistent with the product itself,” said Selina Wang, the scientist who led the research and an associate food science professor at the University of California at Davis. “Based on our research that’s simply not the case.”
UC ANR in the news
November 2024
Upending Orchard Removal
(Pacific Nut Producer) Nancy Power, November
Over 35 years ago, Brent Holtz and his family lived on the outskirts of Modesto, where ag burning was prohibited. In response, the family started chipping their almond orchard prunings instead of burning them. Little did Holtz know that he was planting the seeds of a career that upended the way old orchards are removed around the world. Almost 30 years ago, as an assistant farm advisor, Holtz started research showing that shredding prunings was a viable alternative to burning and returned valuable organic matter to the soil. He gradually guided the California almond industry to transition from open field burning to the shredding of prunings.
https://pacificnutproducer.com/2024/10/28/read-november-2024-issue
Campus scientists find new form of sudden oak death pathogen
(Daily Cal) Amelia Pinto, Nov. 14
Across the Bay Area, a citizen science project has found four instances of a more aggressive and heat-resilient form of a pathogen killing California oak trees.
The project was started by Matteo Garbelotto, a campus environmental science, policy and management professor, to research sudden oak death, or SOD. The program, named SOD Blitz, is now in its 16th year and goes further than observational citizen science such as iNaturalist, Garbelotto said.
SOD Blitz participants follow protocol for collecting diseased leaves, storing them and then sending them to be analyzed by Garbelotto’s lab, the UC Berkeley Forest Pathology and Mycology Lab.
Trump’s proposed tariffs, especially on China and Mexico, could hit California hard
(CalMatters) Levi Sumagaysay, Nov. 13
…During Trump’s first term as China imposed retaliatory tariffs on the U.S., California exports of wine, walnuts, oranges and table grapes to China fell, according to the University of California Giannini Foundation of Agricultural Economics.
In addition, almond prices sank, with the foundation’s researchers saying prices fell from $2.50 a pound to $1.40 a pound in 2018. That had a negative impact on an industry that generates $4 billion to $5 billion a year and employs about 110,000 people, according to the website of lobbying group Almond Alliance.
The 2024 California Nursery Conference Explores Industry Trends and Research
(Greenhouse Grower) Saoi Sope, Nov. 12
In mid-October, the University of California Nursery and Floriculture Alliance (UCNFA) hosted its California Nursery Conference in Watsonville, an opportunity to share research, discuss challenges impacting nurseries and greenhouses, and network with industry leaders. It was the first gathering of this kind since 2019.
https://www.greenhousegrower.com/events/the-2024-california-nursery-conference-explores-industry-trends-and-research/
Bird flu raising concerns for Petaluma dairy farmers
(CBS News Bay Area) Nov. 9
… Dr. Maurice Pitesky, an animal epidemiologist at UC Davis, said we shouldn't sleep on the threat it may be posing.
"People are like, 'Oh, it's just a little conjunctivitis and it's just a handful of people here and there.' But I think that's the wrong mentality," said Dr. Pitesky. "Because there's so much virus floating around, the virus has already shown us the extraordinary ability to mutate and change. I think we're playing with fire if we have this general approach, which I think we have right now a little, where we're really not focused on what the worst-case scenarios are."
https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/bird-flu-raising-concerns-for-petaluma-dairy-farmers
Farmwork Is Difficult—But Not Hopeless
(Zocalo Public Square) Alexandra E. Hill, Nov. 7
Calling the U.S. farm workforce “critical” is an understatement. Agricultural workers’ labor feeds us. Yet their living and working conditions often do not reflect their immense contributions to society. They face a variety of challenges for at work—difficulties taking leave for sick days or family or personal obligations and harmful working conditions—and outside of work, like securing housing, child care, food, and health care.
https://www.zocalopublicsquare.org/farmwork-is-difficult-but-not-hopeless/
How did the Mountain Fire spread so fast?
(ABC7 LA) David Gonzalez, Nov. 7
“The vegetation is dry and receptive to fire and you’ve got wind behind it. So that fire got wind behind it. So that fire is capable of moving pretty quickly through those conditions.
“That combusted material got moved in the air column and deposited somewhere out in front causing a new spot fire.
"When you leave for the day, close the windows in the house. Do things so that your house isn't so open and available and porous to wind or embers, or other issues that might present themselves during the day," said Yana Valachovic with the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Trump policies cost California farmers during his last presidency. Could this time be worse?
(Fresno Bee) Robert Rodriguez, Nov. 7
…“A policy like this would truly be unprecedented,” said James Sayre, assistant professor of cooperative extension, Agricultural and Resource Economics at UC Davis. “What they are proposing now is logistically hard to imagine.” If a crackdown does happen, Sayre said California’s labor force would be decimated. He also predicted large expansions in the H-2A program. The program has never been widely used by California farmers, in part, because of the cost of having to provide housing and transportation. Sayre estimated that about 5% of California’s farm labor force are H-2A workers. “And that number will drastically increase, if the deportations happen,” he said.
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article295145664.html
While policy falls short, California farmers brace themselves against wildfire
(Agri-Pulse) Chloe Lovejoy, Nov. 6
Many California producers are unaware how federal programs could benefit them as wildfires continue to ravage agricultural land, according to a new policy brief from the University of California Cooperative Extension.
The brief includes 2023 survey results from 116 ranchers across 49 counties, inquiring how they were affected by wildfires between 2017 to 2022 and made policy recommendations based on the 2018 farm bill.
“We wanted to ask folks themselves, the producers, the folks on the ground, to get their local perspectives on what the impacts were and the things that they were doing — to not just respond to — but to prepare for for wildfire,” said Leslie Roche, UC Davis professor of cooperative extension in rangeland management.
… They also recommended creating additional staff positions for regional technical support, which Tracy Schohr, UCCE livestock and natural resources advisor, said could include research institutions, the Natural Resources Conservation Service or the USDA Farm Service Agency.
Schohr also noted that the lingering mental health effects of disasters was a repeated consequence for many respondents, an area the previous farm bill hasn’t explored.
“I'll be honest: I wasn't trained to work with ranchers who have dealt with catastrophic losses,” Schohr said. “Our NRCS staff haven't been extensively trained in that or FSA, and so I think it was an area that's being talked about a lot from other disaster bubbles, pillars, however you want to describe them.”
UCANR’s Strategic Vision prioritizes policy guidance and innovation
(Agri-Pulse) Chloe Lovejoy, Nov. 6
University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources has announced its 2040 Strategic Vision, which provides an outline for meeting the system’s goals over the next 15 years.
The vision lays out how UCANR can address challenges with agricultural “productivity, sustainability, profitability and equitable distribution of healthy foods.”
Grape Advice: Keeping Vine Mealybug and Leafroll at Bay
(Growing Produce) Thomas Skernivitz, Nov. 5
While the battle against vine mealybug (VMB) continues in California vineyards, the state’s grape growers, thanks to insect researchers like Kent Daane, have at least been able to keep the invasive pest at bay. “This is a project that’s been going on for almost 25 years,” Daane, a University of California, Berkeley, Cooperative Extension Specialist, says. “In fact, it’s really a little bit disappointing that I’ll be ending my career without feeling like I got ‘the answer’ for this pest, but we certainly have more tools now.”
https://www.growingproduce.com/fruits/grapes/grape-advice-keeping-vine-mealybug-and-leafroll-at-bay/
Keys To Effective Potassium Management in Nut Crops
(Growing Produce) Mae Culumber, Nov. 4
Potassium (K) is among the most critical nutrients for California’s agricultural tree nut crops. As the most abundant cation in plant cells, K is as important as nitrogen (N) for the regulation of many plant metabolic functions.
Tree crop K deficiencies are associated with increased sensitivity to drought stress, susceptibility to frost damage, vulnerability to pests and disease, early leaf senescence, fruiting spur mortality, reduced flowering, and reduced crop yield and quality. An understanding of tree crop K requirements, availability in different soil environments, signs of deficiency, and the properties of different K fertilizers is critical to a K management program that effectively supports orchard growth, vigor, and productivity.
https://www.growingproduce.com/nuts/keys-to-effective-potassium-management-in-nut-crops/
Hub farms to put new tech to the test
(Farm Press) Tim Hearden, Nov. 1
…“As robotics and automation become more integral to California agriculture, it’s essential to have facilities like Reservoir Farms embedded within the farming community,” said Gabriel Youtsey, chief innovation officer for UC’s Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
https://www.farmprogress.com/organic-grower-summit/hub-farms-to-put-new-tech-to-the-test
October 2024
As wild birds begin migration through Central California, poultry farmers on ‘high alert’
(Sacramento Bee) Robert Rodriguez, Oct. 31
…Although a spectacle for bird watchers, the wild bird migration adds to the potential for spreading the avian flu virus, an illness that is deadly to poultry, said Maurice Pitesky, associate professor in cooperative extension at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. Outbreaks of the virus occur worldwide periodically and in January 2022 surfaced in the United States, wiping out millions of wild birds, commercial poultry and backyard flocks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
What concerns Pitesky and others is that the virus has jumped from birds to mammals, and for the first time in history to dairy cows. On Wednesday, federal officials announced another first in the United States: A pig on an Oregon farm was infected with the virus. Pitesky points out that the virus has now spread to six continents. “It is slowly spreading to other species, including humans,” he said. “It keeps surprising us.” Pitesky warns poultry producers that with the abundance of dairy and poultry operations, coupled with the habitat for water fowl, the migration creates a very “dangerous combination” in the Valley.
https://www.sacbee.com/news/california/article294738034.html
In wake of suspected Sonoma County avian flu case, 5 ways to protect your backyard chickens
(Press Democrat) Amie Windsor, Oct. 31
…Maurice Pitesky, a flock management specialist and veterinarian at UC Davis, said fencing is important. “People often have good fencing around their chicken coop or run, but they often don’t have it at the top,” he said.
Fencing doesn’t just keep predators out, Pitesky said, but it prevents wild bird feces from entering the run, as long as it’s the right kind. Sun shades, canvases or tarps — in addition to chicken wire — are better deterrents than just chicken wire for keeping bird droppings out of a coop or run.
https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/sonoma-county-avian-flu/
A concerning development: H5N1 bird flu has infected a pig in Oregon, officials say
(LA Times) Susanne Rust, Oct. 30
… Asked if a new strain of H5N1 in the mix was going to complicate the situation, Maurice Pitesky, an associate professor with a research focus on poultry health and food safety epidemiology at UC Davis, said, “yes.”
“This is year three of migration, where the virus seems to be coming back down,” via birds that summered in the Arctic and swapped viruses, he said. “If that keeps happening, it makes it much more challenging to stop.”
He said that a few years ago, he worked on a computer model that could predict where the virus would show up as birds migrated south. He said it worked, and now people are asking him to develop another.
“I can’t,” he said. “It’s too complex now. Now it’s in urban wastewater, it’s in wild mammals. It’s in dairy cows. It’s in song birds. It’s in waterfowl and shore birds. It’s in marine mammals. ... We’ve never had anything like this before at a species level, at a geographical level, and at a food security level. Wow.”
Pistachio Power: Where Growing and Research Mesh for Success
(Growing Produce) David Eddy, Oct. 29
Ask an Extension agent from one of the world’s most productive agricultural regions — someone who works with a lot of fruit and nut growers — what makes pistachio grower Joe Coelho different, and she can hardly contain herself. “He’s sort of like an Extension person himself. There are a lot of innovative growers, but he takes it to another level,” Mae Culumber of University of California Cooperative Extension says. “If he has a problem, he’s likely to get a lab analysis. He does his own homework.”
https://www.growingproduce.com/nuts/pistachio-power-where-growing-and-research-mesh-for-success
Prescribed burns planned near Hopland today
(MendoFever) Oct. 29
The University of California Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) is working in partnership with CAL FIRE to implement a 10-year Vegetation Management Plan (VMP) of annual prescribed burns for fuel reduction, public safety, ecosystem health, research, and education.
https://mendofever.com/2024/10/29/prescribed-burns-planned-near-hopland-today
U.S. Forest Service halts prescribed burns in California, a letdown to crews ready to go
(San Francisco Chronicle) Julie Johnson, Oct. 26
“This was surprising and really disheartening,” said Lenya Quinn-Davidson, director of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Fire Network, who is based in Humboldt County.
The Forest Service’s directive was a blunt tool at a time when weather conditions were “ideal” for prescribed burning across some areas of Northern California in an era when forest treatments are essential to protect communities from out-of-control wildfires, she said.
“They said the weather is unpredictable and things are hazardous, but we’re just not seeing that,” Quinn-Davidson said. “Everyone else is burning.”
UC Riverside awarded $1.5 million for sustainable agriculture initiatives
(Morning Ag Clips) Iqbal Pittalwala, Oct. 25
Each of the three projects has received about $498,000 in funding and will integrate education, research, and practical application to help shape a sustainable future for global food systems.
“We are also committed to equipping and informing students with the knowledge and skills necessary for careers in agriculture,” said Georgios Vidalakis, a professor of plant pathology and director of the UCR Citrus Cloning Protection Program, who is the grants’ principal investigator. “We will use a holistic teaching approach to enhance academic and professional development and prepare students to continue their education or enter the job market as effective change agents.”
FIRA USA brings agricultural robotics to California
(AgNet West) Sabrina Halvorson, Oct. 25
The third annual FIRA USA event, held at the Yolo County Fairgrounds, highlighted the latest innovations in agricultural robotics and automation. FIRA USA, which has become the largest ag-tech conference of its kind in North America, showcases advanced technologies designed to address labor shortages and improve sustainability.
Gabe Youtsey, Chief Innovation Officer at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, described the conference’s unique approach. “We demonstrate [the technologies] in the real world by growing a vegetable field in the parking lot,” said Youtsey. The practical demonstrations allow growers, startups, and industry professionals to see these technologies in action, sparking potential adoption and partnerships.
https://agnetwest.com/fira-usa-brings-agricultural-robotics-california/
Forest Service Halts Prescribed Burns in California. Is It Worth the Risk?
(KQED) Danielle Venton, Oct. 24
“It’s just a reminder that year after year, the Forest Service shuts down their prescribed fire program during really good burn windows,” said Lenya Quinn-Davidson, director of the University of California Ag and Natural Resources Fire Network.
“Basically, everyone is burning, except for the feds right now. I’m looking around at my fire friends — the state is burning, the tribes are burning, the prescribed burn associations are burning. And we haven’t seen much from the federal agencies burning. And then to get this notice just seems almost laughable in the face of seeing what’s going on in the private sector.”
Long term, the risks to communities are much worse if we don’t see prescribed fire on the ground, Quinn-Davidson said.
https://www.kqed.org/science/1994972/forest-service-halts-prescribed-burns-california-worth-risk
Inside a flawed immigration system: Millions of undocumented workers and a verification program that few use
(LA Times) Don Lee, Oct. 23
Employers say that requiring E-Verify — without other overhauls to the immigration system, including easier ways to bring in workers — would be devastating.
“I think you would see a general overall collapse in California agriculture and food prices going through the roof if we didn’t have them do the work,” said Don Cameron, general manager at Terranova Ranch, which produces a variety of crops on 9,000 acres in Fresno County.
At least half of the 900,000 farmworkers in California are thought to be undocumented, even higher than what national surveys suggest, says Daniel Sumner, an agricultural economist at UC Davis. Neither Cameron nor most anyone else in California farms, among other sectors, is in favor of mandatory E-Verify.
Avian flu decimates Tulare County chicken operation as thousands of birds are killed
(Fresno Bee) Robert Rodriguez, Oct. 23
An outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza has led to the destruction of 786,600 broiler chickens at a Tulare County ranch, marking the second poultry outbreak in about a month in the Central Valley of California.
The latest outbreak is raising concerns among farmers and veterinarians that the highly infectious virus continues to wreak havoc in animal agriculture.
“Globally, we can’t get a handle on this outbreak,” said Maurice Pitesky, associate professor in cooperative extension at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine.
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article294373494.html
https://www.fresnobee.com/news/local/article294373494.html#storylink=cpy
Megafire smoke may dampen California’s nut harvests
(Science News) Sophie Hartley, Oct. 21
…Because all trees create and store energy similarly, the researchers hypothesized that natural forest ecosystems could be hindered by megafire smoke, too. But Max Moritz, a wildfire dynamics expert at the University of California, Santa Barbara, stresses that a certain amount of fire is necessary in many forests. Small fires or prescribed burns can clear underbrush, making room for plants and animals, and some species, like lodgepole pines, need fiery heat to release their seeds (SNE: 5/9/23).
“Current fire regimes are very out of whack in many places, and thus smoke regimes probably are too,” says Moritz. “But my gut feeling would be that agricultural systems are at far greater risk for smoke exposure than natural ecosystems.”
https://www.sciencenews.org/article/california-wildfire-smoke-nuts
Universities of Jordan, California sign MoU
(Fana News) Oct. 20
Amman, Oct. 20 (Petra) — The University of Jordan (UJ) and the University of California (UC) signed on Sunday a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at strengthening academic and research cooperation between the two parties in agriculture and natural resources fields.
The agreement was signed by the UJ president, Natheer Obaidat, and the UC, represented by its vice president for agriculture and natural resources, Glenda Humiston, and the president’s advisor, Barnett Hahn.
According to a UJ statement, the agreement aims to strengthen cooperation in several areas, most notably launching joint research programs in agriculture and natural resources, enhancing the UJ’s role in developing agricultural extension services at the regional and national levels, exchanging agricultural knowledge and technology, and providing training and practical opportunities for students and researchers from both universities.
https://www.fananews.com/language/en/universities-of-jordan-california-sign-mou
How to grow eucalyptus for a delightfully fragrant home
(House Beautiful) Susannah Bradley, Oct. 20
We spoke with Igor Lacan, Ph.D, the urban forestry advisor at the University of California Cooperative Extension, to get insights into growing eucalyptus at home.
...“There are over 500 species of what we usually think of as eucalyptus, now classified across at least three genera (Eucalyptus, Corymbia, and Angophora),” he explains. “The ideal conditions will vary immensely.” Some are tropical, some subtropical, and some temperate.
He particularly recommends looking at small eucalyptus species that are well-adapted to one’s local climate. However, Dr. Lacan cautions that some species can be invasive, meaning they can successfully escape cultivation and spread. “In California, eucalyptus can have a bad reputation due to invasive species like the Tasmanian blue gum, so choose wisely,” he says.
https://www.housebeautiful.com/lifestyle/gardening/a62590348/how-to-grow-eucalyptus-anywhere/
San Diego’s master food preservers explain how to make the most of homegrown produce
(San Diego Union-Tribune) Caron Golden, Oct. 16
You’ve probably heard of master gardeners, the volunteers with horticultural training offered by universities who then go out into their communities, offering lectures, helping to create gardens, and answering home gardening questions.
Well, now in San Diego we also have master food preservers. They, too, undergo extensive training and then serve the public.
According to Marilynn Click, one of San Diego’s 20 master food preservers, the program was initiated by Shirley Salado, the supervisor for the Expanded Food Nutrition Education Program at University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. The program already existed in other California counties.
“She runs the Expanded Food & Nutrition Education Program that teaches nutrition in the community and was able to get a grant to get the master food preservers program here,” explained Click, the group’s volunteer coordinator.
Small Farms: On the Front Lines of Emerging Agricultural Pests
(Entomology Today) Emily Kraus, Oct. 15
In the San Joaquin Valley of California is a large and diverse community of agricultural producers. Within this community are growers who own or rent small parcels to do their farming and generate less than $350,000 a year. These “small farmers” include Hmong, Hispanic, and African American growers who have historically been underserved and undervalued. Their farms are diverse, including southeast Asian vegetables, solanaceous crops like tomatoes, and perennial crops like jujube. The nature of these farms often present unique hardships in pest management, but these growers don’t shy away from a challenge. In fact, they are at the forefront of noticing when something isn’t “normal,” and often they are the first in the area to share observations of invasive and emerging pests.
A new wolf pack, irate ranchers, and the astonishing comeback of California’s most celebrated predator
(SF Chronicle) Kurtis Alexander, Oct. 13
… Preliminary research shared with the Chronicle shows that cows are indeed a dietary staple for many California wolves. An analysis led by Ken Tate, a professor of plant sciences at UC Davis, found that 72% of wolf scat collected in the area around the Lassen Pack in 2022 and 2023, from 18 different wolves, contained traces of cattle. About 45% contained deer. None had elk.
… “As a society that wants conservation,” said Tate, the UC Davis scientist, “there are real-world consequences.”
https://www.sfchronicle.com/california/article/wolf-pack-wolves-quincy-19748024.php
What’s Working: EMERGEN-SEED
(Politico) Camille von Kaenel, Oct. 11
…A special congressional allocation of disaster money in 2021 and Cal Fire wildfire resilience grants provided over $10 million for the Emergency Forest Restoration Team on the Caldor Fire, and also provided start-up funds for two other pilots, on the Dixie Fire in Northern California and the Tamarack Fire in Alpine County. By the end of 2023, the three programs had removed dead trees from 2,500 acres and planted new trees on 1,400 acres, according to a University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources report.
Bird flu is spreading rapidly among California dairy cows. Will milk prices rise?
(LA Times) Susanne Rust, Oct. 10
…“Things are going to get worse before they get better,” said Michael Payne, a researcher and outreach coordinator at the Western Institute for Food Safety and Security at UC Davis.
What this means for the nation’s milk supply — and milk prices — remains unclear.
“So far, there has been little industrywide impact of the disease on share of cattle affected in California, so little impact on marketable dairy production,” said Daniel Sumner, an agricultural economist at UC Davis. “There is almost no bird flu on dairies outside California, and that means farm milk prices have not risen measurably.”
Glenn County youth celebrate National 4-H Week
(Tri-County News/Corning Observer) Oct. 10
Glenn County 4-H observed National 4-H Week this year by highlighting some of the inspirational 4-H youth in the community who are working tirelessly to support each other and their communities.
With support from the 4-H Community Education Specialist Christine Kampmann, and University of California Cooperative Extension Office Manager Lea Eddy, 4-H youth members Reese and Paisley Martin presented the National 4-H Week Proclamation at the Glenn County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday, Sept. 24.
The County is home to more than 500 4-H youth and 100 volunteers from the community are involved in the 4-H program.
Bacon hogs the spotlight in election debates, but reasons for its sizzling inflation are complex
(Associated Press) Dee-Ann Durbin, Oct. 10
In 2018, California voters approved a law requiring more space for breeding pigs, egg-laying hens and veal calves. Producers in other states must meet those standards if they want to sell pork, eggs or veal in California. The pork industry sued, supported by the Biden administration. But the U.S. Supreme Court declined to overturn the law, which took effect on July 1, 2023. Because not all pork producers are meeting the standards, less bacon is available to Californians, thereby driving up prices.
Daniel Sumner, a professor of research and agricultural economics at the University of California, Davis, estimates that prices for pork products will be 7% to 10% higher in California over the long term because of the law.
https://apnews.com/article/bacon-harris-trump-election-economy-prices-inflation-68aa2bdb957809eaa133758a99f516ebInvasive beetle that kills trees detected in Felton
(Santa Cruz Sentinel) PK Hattis, Oct. 9
(Santa Cruz Sentinel) PK Hattis, Oct. 9
…Brian Woodward, a forest adviser with the UC cooperative managing Santa Cruz, Santa Clara and San Mateo counties, told the Sentinel that the infestation was detected Oct. 4. Because it was early in the monitoring process, researchers don’t know exactly when the beetle arrived in the area, though there are indications it’s not a new occurrence.
“It’s probably been here for more than a year, potentially even longer than that,” said Woodward, “because a number of trees are infested and there’s a number of different burrowing holes that are present on many of the trees at the site as well.”
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/invasive-beetle-that-kills-trees-detected-in-felton/ar-AA1rZomF
Henry Cowell State Park hosts 'Good Fire Fair'
(KAZU) Erin Malsbury, Oct. 8
…The Association cohosted a Good Fire Fair on Saturday with California State Parks and the University of California Cooperative Extension. The fair aimed to educate people about the benefits and risks of fire.
…UC Extension forest advisor Brian Woodward agreed the weather wasn’t right for prescribed burning. But he says the burns are essential for managing wildfires.
“We want to put fire on the ground in conditions where we can keep fire to low severity and have some of those ecologically beneficial properties,” he said.
https://www.kazu.org/kazu-news/2024-10-08/henry-cowell-state-park-hosts-good-fire-fair
Deadly oak-killing beetle on the march in Mendocino
(KZYX) Elise Cox, Oct. 7
Michael Jones, forestry advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension, warned local officials about the invasive beetle’s spread. "We've confirmed infestations in Hopland, areas south of Ukiah, and Potter Valley, which is heavily impacted," Jones said. The beetle primarily targets Valley Oak, Blue Oak, and Oregon White Oak, preferring areas with white oak species.
Originating from Mediterranean regions in Europe, the Middle East, and North Africa, the Mediterranean Oak Borer was first detected in Napa County in 2019.
https://www.kzyx.org/2024-10-07/mediterranean-oak-borer
Sex, radiation and mummies: How farms are fighting a pesky almond moth without pesticides
(LA Times) Noah Haggerty, Oct. 7
… While that might seem small, if you do the math “it’s going to be a lot of millions of dollars lost to this pest,” said David Haviland, a Kern County farm advisor with University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. “And that’s despite the control methods that people use,” he said.
California produces 80% of the world’s almonds, yet in 2022 the production value of the nut fell 34% compared with the previous year.
…“When you have to don a spacesuit, basically, to apply something, you’re definitely thinking, ‘This is not good,’” said Houston Wilson, an entomologist with UC ANR’s Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center and the mastermind behind the sci-fi shack.
…“Across the board, folks want to get away from chemical controls,” he said.
“For each additional generation, their population is increasing at an exponential rate,” said Tapan Pathak, an author on the study and a professor at UC Merced.
“If this additional generation is coinciding with … harvest,” Pathak said, “then they become unmarketable. That’s a huge economic loss.”
How bird flu spreads among dairy cows remains mystery
(Valley Voice) Ching Lee, Oct. 4
… “The truth is that we don’t really know how this virus spreads exactly,” said Deniece Williams, head clinician at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine, during a UC Cooperative Extension webinar last week.
California is the newest of 14 states affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza, or HPAI, in dairy cows, and infections have soared since the first three cases were confirmed on Aug. 30. As of Sept. 30, 43 dairy herds—all in the Central Valley—have been confirmed with H5N1. The Golden State ranks second in the nation—behind Colorado—with the most bird flu cases in dairy cows.
https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2024/10/04/how-bird-flu-spreads-among-dairy-cows-remains-mystery/
Good goats make good neighbors
(Civil Eats) Carmen Kohlruss, Oct. 2
...A free, online search tool and map called match.graze, launched by the University of California Cooperative Extension and previously reported on by Civil Eats, displays many more California herds for hire.
“In California every year, everyone gets nervous for wildfire season, and rightfully so,” says entrepreneur Willie Morris, the third Happy Goat co-founder. “But the fact that we can take goats—which to me are like such silly, funny creatures—and they can be the frontline of fire prevention, and they can get to places we could never really do with machinery, to me, it’s just a no-brainer.”
https://civileats.com/2024/10/02/good-goats-make-good-neighbors/
Commentary: Through 4-H, STEAM helps shape agriculture's future
(AgAlert) Kimberly Sinclair Holmes, Oct. 2
Many years ago, I was singing “Old MacDonald Had a Farm” with a toddler member of my family. I prompted the child by singing “Old MacDonald had a….” At first, he responded, “a chicken.” The second time, it was “a pig.” At the third time, a shift apparently occurred in his mind, and he excitedly responded, “a tractor.”
Naturally, his interest in agriculture had merged with his interest in machines. I laughed and agreed with him that a tractor was indeed very important to both Old MacDonald and the farm.
10 Plants Experts Say to Never Grow in Your Garden
(Martha Stewart) Ann Hinga Klein, Oct. 2
…Highly competitive and fast-growing, broom shrubs form dense stands that crowd out other plants, block wildlife movement, and create a dangerous fire hazard.5
"They're pretty, but they produce a lot of seeds," says Karey Windbiel-Rojas with the University of California. "And if they escape from your landscape, or if you are near a wildland area, they can spread into the wild lands very rapidly and become invasive."
https://www.marthastewart.com/invasive-plants-to-never-grow-8716137
Rethinking Your Fertilizer
(Grower Talks) Grant Johnson & Bruno J.L. Pitton, Oct. 1
Controlled-release fertilizers (CRFs) are commonly applied in container plant production due to their ability to provide a steady nutrient supply while minimizing leaching losses. However, the method of incorporating these fertilizers into soilless substrates can significantly affect their performance, as damage to the CRF coating can release nutrients faster than intended. A recent study explores the complexity of mechanically incorporating CRFs, offering insights that could help growers adjust their practices for better nutrient management.
September 2024
Do you have a fire plan for your family? Here's what experts suggest
(NBC LA) Berlin Fisher, Sept. 30
Learn how to best be prepared during fire season with California Live correspondent Berlin. Barb Satink Wolfson, a Northern California-based fire safety advisor, shares life-saving tips to keep you and your loved ones safe.
HPAI is spreading in California dairy herds
(Farm Press) Tim Hearden, Sept. 27
…The University of California Cooperative Extension is also working with the industry; in one recent webinar, UC Davis dairy medicine clinician Deniece Williams and Colorado State University veterinarian Jason Lombard presented research updates and biocontainment strategies to 78 attendees, including producers and industry professionals, UCCE dairy adviser Rubia Branco Lopes told Farm Press.
https://www.farmprogress.com/livestock-and-dairy/hpai-is-spreading-in-california-dairy-herds
That's Ricetastic!
(The Gridley Herald) Seti Long, Sept. 26
Excited children could be seen pointing and exclaiming as they piled out of the buses onto the Schohr Ranch on Thursday, Sept. 19 for Ricetastic Day.
In 2023, the Schohr family reinvigorated Ricetastic Day after years of the educational event being on hiatus.
This year saw an expansion, with first-grade students from Biggs, Richvale and Manzanita elementary schools joining Gridley students to learn about rice harvesting, milling process, equipment and more.
After an introduction by Tracy Schohr and her brother, Ryan, Schohr, Tracy Schohr walked the students through the harvesting process. Gridley FFA students helped her by holding up images of each stage of harvest as she explained it to eager students.
https://www.gridleyherald.com/2024/09/26/506637/that-s-ricetastic-
Western Region CCA Announces CCA of the Year & Award Recipients
(AgNetWest) Sabrina Halvorson, Sept. 24
The Western Region Certified Crop Advisers (WRCCA) announced Franz Niederholzer as the 2024 CCA of the Year. Niederholzer is a farm advisor with the University of California Cooperative Extension. The WRCCA of the Year award recognizes an exceptionally dedicated CCA whose leadership has made an impact in the organization and industry. The award for Certified Crop Adviser of the Year in the Western Region acknowledges a member’s exemplary dedication and contributions to agriculture as a Certified Crop Adviser. This individual also actively encourages and leads others to advocate for agricultural practices that are advantageous for both farmers and the environment.
https://agnetwest.com/western-region-cca-announces-cca-year-award-recipients/
What To Know about Seasonal Calcium Accumulation in Grapevines
(Growing Produce) Matthew Fidelibus, Sept. 21
Calcium (Ca) is a critical macronutrient for all plants, including grapevines. The divalent cation (Ca2+) serves structural roles in cell walls and membranes, is an important counter-cation for inorganic and organic anions in the vacuole, and is an intracellular messenger in the cytosol.
10 plants experts say to never grow in your garden
(Martha Stewart Living) Ann Hinga Klein, Sept. 20
Highly competitive and fast-growing, broom shrubs form dense stands that crowd out other plants, block wildlife movement, and create a dangerous fire hazard.5
"They're pretty, but they produce a lot of seeds," says Karey Windbiel-Rojas with the University of California. "And if they escape from your landscape, or if you are near a wildland area, they can spread into the wild lands very rapidly and become invasive."
https://www.marthastewart.com/invasive-plants-to-never-grow-8716137
Rodents are a growing concern in Los Angeles
(2UrbanGirls) Emilie St. John, Sept. 20
Rach[a]el Long, a former University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisor, warns, “Rodents are everywhere and they are opportunists. They move in from their surrounding urban habitats to take advantage of any food source they can find. And once that food source disappears, they search for food elsewhere.”
“They are also nesting in citrus trees, feeding on the fruit and terrifying field workers when they jump out as people are picking fruit,” she says, “The chewing pests are also girdling citrus limbs, causing branch dieback.”
https://2urbangirls.com/2024/09/rodents-are-a-growing-concern-in-los-angeles/
Mendocino County rated one of California’s most at-risk counties for drought impacts
(The Mendocino Voice) Lin Due, Sept. 19
During a public workshop on Sept. 5 of the group producing Mendocino County’s Drought Resilience Plan (DRP), two consultants tag-teamed to present a grim picture of the county’s ability to survive prolonged drought. The group was formed to satisfy 2021’s state Senate Bill 552, which requires all counties to plan and respond to drought and water emergencies. As Laura Garza, a University of California water and climate change advisor pointed out, the first part of creating a plan is understanding the lay of the land — or in this case, the state of the county’s groundwater.
Garza and Andree Lee, from EKI Environment and Water, cities, tribes, water district representatives and others, are all members of a County Drought Task Force (CDTF) formed to address what is likely to become a worsening problem....
Sonoma County farmers pushing back against factory-farm ballot measure
(CBS San Francisco) Kenny Choi, Sept. 18
Daniel Sumner is an agricultural economics professor at UC Davis who said prices at the grocery won't spike, as other CAFOs in other counties would quickly supply the lost production, but a larger ban statewide or beyond, would result in significant higher costs.
"As people think about, "Gee, we ought to do this everywhere.' Then, the biggest consequences would be food prices," said Sumner.
Efforts to prevent a ’90s-like whitefly infestation so far so good
(Holtville Tribune) Kimber Dial, Sept. 18
The most predominant strain of sweetpotato whitefly in the Imperial Valley — Bemisia tabaci MEAM1 — is what’s causing concern for growers, said Dr. Arun Babu, an entomology adviser for the University of California Cooperative Extension in Holtville. “It all depends on temperature and what types of crops they’re on … the female (whitefly) can lay up to 500 eggs in its lifetime.”
Babu and Dr. Oli Bachie, the cooperative extension’s director, have been working extensively with the Ag Commissioner’s Office and local growers in preparation for the period when the whitefly would infest the fall-planted crops and the heavily regulated pesticide would be needed.
California’s Farm to School program is bringing business and climate-friendly practices to farms: Report
(The Hill) Sharon Udasin, Sept. 17
“Decades of research shows the value to children from fresh, locally sourced food,” said Gail Feenstra, co-lead on the project and a researcher from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
“However, what is becoming more clear from this research is that long-term investments in the full farm to school system are crucial,” she added.
https://thehill.com/policy/energy-environment/4884943-california-farm-to-school-grant-program
This training program is helping get women into firefighting
(NPR All Things Considered) Brian Beach, Sept. 16
BEACH: Technical skills aren't the only thing being taught at this event. Lenya Quinn-Davidson, one of the founders of W-TREX, says it also serves as an opportunity for women in the fire industry to network with each other and experience firefighting in a space that's mostly female.
LENYA QUINN-DAVIDSON: It was really important for us to use W-TREX as a chance to provide leadership opportunities for women.
BEACH: Only about 9% of firefighters are women, according to data from the National Fire Protection Association. Quinn-Davidson says there are even fewer women in decision-making leadership roles. She hopes W-TREX's efforts to bring more people into firefighting will help meet a growing need.
Reflecting on the Contributions of Roger Duncan’s 30-Year Tenure with UCCE
(West Coast Nut) Kristin Platts, Sept. 9
For over three decades, Roger Duncan has equipped growers in Stanislaus County and beyond with essential tools for success. Duncan officially retired on July 1, concluding a prolific career. Since 1990, he served as the UC Cooperative Extension pomology farm advisor in Stanislaus County, participating in on-farm research projects with over 100 local growers there, ranging from single-season studies to those spanning more than two decades.
Guide aids in managing new almond pest
(Western Farm Press) Mike Hsu, Sept. 10
https://www.farmprogress.com/tree-nuts/guide-aids-in-managing-new-almond-pest
(Morning Ag Clips) Mike Hsu, Sept. 6
https://www.morningagclips.com/visual-id-guide-from-uc-aids-in-managing-new-almond-pest/
Pipeline won’t capture all carbon emitted by ethanol plants
(South Dakota Searchlight) Joshua Haiar, Sept. 8
“So, there are still existing emissions associated with corn ethanol that aren’t being neutralized here,” said Daniel Sanchez, an assistant professor at the University of California-Berkeley’s Department of Environmental Science, Policy and Management.
Sanchez said capturing CO2 emissions from industrial equipment, like boilers and grain dryers, is more expensive than capturing fermentation emissions. Industrial machinery uses a lot of natural gas, which releases more than CO2 when burned as fuel. He said it requires extra processes to separate that CO2 from water vapor and other gases.
Experts: Lean on trees for relief from extreme heat, heatwaves
(ABC7) Rob Hayes, Sept. 5
…"We're entering into unprecedented extremes, longer heat waves, hotter heatwaves, more frequent heatwaves," said Edith de Guzman, a researcher for the UCLA Cooperative Extension. "Trees are not just decorative but essential for keeping us cool."
Research shows that tree canopies can reduce ground temperatures by 11 to 19 degrees compared to ground with no tree cover. They not only block direct sunlight but also provide evaporative cooling, putting more moisture in the air.
https://abc7.com/post/trees-are-key-relief-extreme-heat-protect-related-death-experts-say/15272117/
Officials confirm H5N1 bird flu outbreaks in three California dairy farms
(LA Times) Susanne Rust, Sept. 4
Federal officials have confirmed that three California dairy herds have suffered outbreaks of H5N1 bird flu, due most likely to the transportation of cattle and not exposure to diseased birds.
…In an interview from July, Maurice Pitesky — an associate professor with a research focus on poultry health and food-safety epidemiology at UC Davis — noted that the dairy industry “is uniquely susceptible to the potential for disease transmission from a single dairy” in part because of these cattle transfers.
...“When you go on to a poultry facility, you have to fill out paperwork that says you haven’t touched any other birds for 48-72 hours, because they’re so concerned about disease transmission,” he said, underscoring the biosecurity of these operations.
Fusarium wilt-resistant lettuce aim of breeding trial
(Ag Alert) Bob Johnson, Sept. 4
…“Some of these plants look pretty good. It looks like there’s some potential for resistant varieties,” said Alex Putnam, a University of California Cooperative Extension plant pathology specialist based in Riverside.
… “Growers around Watsonville should have enough resistant varieties to plant,” said Yu-Chen Wang, UCCE plant pathology farm advisor based in Watsonville.
Generally, romaine lettuce holds up better than iceberg against all known variants of fusarium wilt, Wang said.
Gray wolf population growing fast in California — up sixfold in the past five years
(Mercury News) Paul Rogers, Sept. 2
…“We’re kind of at that point where we’re seeing the population accelerate,” said Dan Macon, an advisor at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources office in Auburn. “It’s still rare to see one, but they are becoming more common.”
https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/09/02/gray-wolf-population-growth-california
August 2024
Why your avocado oil may be fake and contain other cheap oils
(Washington Post) Anahad O'Connor and Aaron Steckelberg, Aug. 27
In a statement, the Food and Drug Administration acknowledged that “high value oils” such as avocado oil “are potential targets for economically motivated adulteration.” “The FDA does not comment on specific studies,” an FDA official said, “but evaluates them as part of the body of evidence to further our understanding about a particular issue.”
16 Pantry Items You’re Probably Keeping for Too Long
(Reader's Digest) Ashley Lewis, Aug. 25
(Reader's Digest) Ashley Lewis, Aug. 25
Garlic
The popular seasoning is best stored in a dark, cool pantry at a temperature of 60 degrees Fahrenheit for three to five months in mesh bags. “When stored for too long, the garlic cloves may shrivel or begin to sprout,” according to University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources. “Neither is harmful, but both are an indication that the garlic is no longer at its peak quality.”
https://www.rd.com/list/pantry-items-keeping-too-long/
How to Think About Fire (From a Fire Expert)
(EcoNews Report/Lost Coast Outpost), Aug. 24
Wildfires are burning across many parts of California, including in Humboldt County.* Fires are complicated. Fire is somewhat paradoxical. It is both a natural phenomenon and necessary for forest health, yet some large fires are unnatural. The way to reduce big bad fires may be more, smaller fires.
Complicated things are difficult to understand and even harder to discuss well in public. Luckily, the EcoNews Report has Lenya Quinn-Davidson, Director of the University of California Agricultural and Natural Resource’s Fire Network, who is both thoughtful and a good communicator about fire. Listen in and up your fire knowledge!
https://lostcoastoutpost.com/2024/aug/24/econews-report-oiuoui/
Tomato disease spreads to Sacramento Valley fields
(AgAlert) Vicky Boyd, Aug. 21
Spurred by moisture and warm soil temperatures, the fungal disease southern blight is typically a perennial problem of processing tomatoes in the southern San Joaquin Valley. But for the past two years, growers and pest control advisors have seen it in scattered Sacramento Valley fields where it’s been rare historically.
Patricia Lazicki, University of California Cooperative Extension vegetable crops advisor in Yolo and Solano counties, was taken aback by the presence of the crop disease after starting her work in the region in 2023.
“I was actually really surprised because I didn’t think southern blight was a concern we had here,” she said.
Boiling Point: Heat, fires, floods — extreme weather has affected 99% of Americans
(LA Times) Ian James, Aug. 20
…For local readers in Southern California: An art exhibit starting this weekend in Los Angeles focuses on L.A.’s water challenges. Co-curator Edith de Guzman, a cooperative-extension researcher at UCLA, says the exhibit explores subjects such as local water suppliers, imported water, trust of tap water and affordability.
“I hope that people come away understanding that our relationship to and stewardship of water in L.A. is not only a critical part of our past history, but essential to determining our region’s future as well,” de Guzman said.
The exhibit also features some interactive parts, including a blind water tasting comparing bottled water brands with L.A. tap water.
The exhibit is titled “What’s on Tap: LA’s Water Story … Source to Spigot.” It opens Saturday at El Tranquilo Gallery on Olvera Street at El Pueblo Historical Monument. Through Sept. 29, it will be open Fridays through Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Berkeley’s soda tax returns to November ballot for indefinite renewal,
(The Daily Californian) Matthew Yoshimoto, Aug. 19
…Ken Hecht, a researcher at UC Nutrition Policy Institute, emphasized that the tax is particularly important for uplifting Black and Latine communities, who are disproportionately affected by the health impacts of sugary drinks.
Despite opposition from major beverage companies such as PepsiCo and Coca-Cola, Hecht noted that the tax not only reduces consumption but also channels revenue back into these communities.
Milk-drinking toddlers sought for University of California study that pays $275 in gift cards
The University of California's Nutrition Policy Institute is seeking toddlers who drink cow's milk to participate in a 12-month study.
"The purpose of this UC study is to see how the type of milk toddlers drink affects their health, growth and development," Kassandra Bacon, NPI project policy analyst, said Thursday.
https://www.cbsnews.com/sanfrancisco/news/toddlers-milk-study-university-of-california/
https://thebharatexpressnews.com/milk-drinking-toddlers-wanted-for-university-of-california-study-that-will-yield-275-in-gift-cards/
Are California wasps aggressive? Here's what you need to know to get rid of the insects
(Palm Springs Desert Sun) Tiffany Acosta and James Ward, Aug. 16
California is home to a variety of wasp species. Some of the most common types include:
- Yellowjackets: These wasps are more aggressive and can be a nuisance, especially around food and garbage. They have stout bodies with black and yellow markings. "Concern about yellowjackets is based on their persistent, pugnacious behavior around food sources and their aggressive defense of their colony," wrote the University of California Integrated Pest Management division.
- Paper wasps: These wasps are often seen building umbrella-shaped nests under eaves, in attics, or in other sheltered areas. They have slender bodies with long legs and are typically brown with yellow or red markings. Most species are relatively unaggressive, but they can be problematic when they nest over doorways or in other areas of human activity, such as fruit trees, UCIPM reports.
Ag Commissioner Bell gives update on EPA ban of dangerous pesticide Dacthal at ag meeting
(Ojai Valley News) Marianne Ratcliff, Aug. 14
…Ben Faber, Ph.D., advisor for the UC Cooperative Extension, Ventura County, provided a department update on activities and programs important to Ventura County agriculture.
Barnes brings hometown knowledge to UCCE in Lake, Mendocino counties
(Lake County News) Mike Hsu, Aug. 10
Growing up in Upper Lake, along the Northshore of Clear Lake, Matthew Barnes lived near several of the Lake County region's seven federally recognized tribes.
Although he counted several Native Americans among his diverse circle of childhood friends, and was very familiar with those communities, Barnes was nonetheless quite nervous when he was appointed in 2009 as the inaugural executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of the Pomo Nation.
Kids drink contaminated water at schools, but testing for lead isn’t required
(Washington Post) Silvia Foster-Frau, Aug. 8
The patchwork of state testing has led some advocates to push instead for a national “filter first” policy, in which initial mass testing is skipped in favor of installing lead-filtering taps in schools en masse. They argue it is the quickest, cheapest way to ensure children get clean water, avoiding millions spent on testing and replacing plumbing. Michigan became the first state to adopt a filter-first policy in 2023....
...But others worry that filters would not be maintained and periodically replaced, as is necessary for them to be effective. Christina Hecht, a senior policy adviser at the University of California Nutrition Policy Institute, said she also worried a filter-first approach might convince children and their parents to avoid drinking water as dangerous, even when — depending on the severity of the lead level — it may still be a healthier option than carbonated beverages.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/08/08/lead-schools-pipes-testing/
Agriculture enthusiasts gather in Ramona to promote agritourism
(Ramona Sentinel) Regina Elling, Aug. 6
A July 24 “Agritourism Gathering,” designed to promote and cultivate local networks and programs focused on agritourism in San Diego County, was held by the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources Cooperative Extension, Western Extension Risk Management Education and USDA.
It was the second such gathering in the county.
The meeting was focused on encouraging local producers to meet to learn from each other, network and collaborate in program development, said Jan Gonzales, community education supervisor for the UC Cooperative Extension.
A megafire overwhelmed even some of the best preparations. What’s next?
(Washington Post) Scott Dance, Aug. 2
… Trees have evolved to survive moderate fires and even come out of them stronger. But when fires burn so hot that they kill trees across thousands of contiguous acres, that can leave the landscape even more prone to severe fires, said Scott Stephens, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley who studies fire ecology. Downed dead trees can fuel fires for longer and keep them burning hotter.
Any fire that spreads as quickly and burns as hot as the Park Fire is capable of setting a bad cycle of blazes in motion, he said.
“You’re in a loop that’s hard to get out of,” Stephens said.
…Around Cohasset, at least, there are some signs that prescribed burns and other work to reduce fire fuels were successful in defending the community. Cal Fire data showed nearly two thirds of structures inspected within the Park Fire as of Friday morning had survived without damage. Stephens called the share “quite high,” but that still left “terrible outcomes” for so many residents, he added.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2024/08/02/park-fire-prevention-prescribed-burns/
July 2024
California’s Fire Luck Just Ran Out
(Atlantic) Caroline Mimbs Nyce, July 27
… Fire is a natural part of California’s ecosystem, and can help clear space for new plant life. But in the past 10 years, the combination of dry fuels, hot temperatures, and winds have made for more explosive fire growth, according to Dan Macon, a UC Cooperative Extension livestock and natural-resources adviser who monitors the grass conditions in the area just south of where the Park Fire is. “When I was a kid, a big fire was 5,000 acres,” he told me. Abnormally hot weather, in particular, may be helping feed bigger and more violent fires. One paper tried to isolate the role of climate change in California’s wildfires over the past 50 years, and found that human-caused warming was responsible for almost all of the increase in acreage burnt.
Farmers Can Gain From Tracking Water Use With Satellites
(Growing Produce) Michael Cahn, July 25, 2024
Communities throughout California have had to come together in recent years to address an important challenge: Develop and implement plans to manage groundwater sustainably. This communal task originates from the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA), a law passed by the California Legislation in 2014. That year followed a multiyear drought that resulted in many wells in the state going dry as groundwater levels receded.
Fire with a Purpose
(Pelecanus Conservation Conversations podcast) Austin Parker, July 25
In this installment of the mini series "Conservation on Fire," Lenya Quinn-Davidson of the UC ANR Fire Network delves into the world of prescribed fire, diversity in fire management, traditional cultural fire practices, and more.
4-H makes presentation to supes
(The Vacaville Reporter) Nick McConnell, July 25
While the name 4-H might conjure up images of a livestock auction or fair barn, employees of UC Extension recently took to the Solano County Board of Supervisors meeting to provide an update on their work in the county.
4-H, funded and operated by the UC system under their Land Grant requirements, provides education and hands-on opportunities for youth in the areas of agriculture, STEM, leadership, the arts, public speaking, home skills and more.
Jennifer Henkens, Regional Coordinator for the Capitol Corridor region, which includes Yolo, Solano and Sacramento counties, attended the meeting and noted that despite pandemic-era setbacks, the organization is in a good position. “We have emerged strong and are seeing growth in all areas,” she said.
https://www.thereporter.com/2024/07/25/4-h-makes-presentation-to-supes/
Officials battle 'highly aggressive' red imported fire ant infestation in California
(ABC News) Leah Sarnoff, July 24
Siavash Taravati, an entomologist and integrated pest management advisor with the University of California's Cooperative Extension offices, noted the distinction between this species of ants and ants native to California.
Native fire ants and argentine ants appear similar to red imported fire ants in size and color but the quickest way to differentiate them is by their "aggressive behavior," Taravati told ABC News.
The ants' stinging behavior is hazardous to fieldworkers and infestations can clog irrigation systems and damage electrical wiring, Taravati said.
Could AI robots with lasers make herbicides — and farm workers — obsolete?
(LA Times) Hayley Smith, July 22
…Steven Fennimore, a weed researcher and professor of plant sciences at UC Davis, said the industry’s technological shift arrives as state regulators are “weeding out the old stuff.” Assembly Bill 1963 — a bill seeking to ban the use of paraquat in California — is working its way through the state Legislature and will be heard by the Senate Appropriations committee in August.
… “We’re not getting a lot of new pesticides because the path to commercialization is a whole lot different than it was in 1958 — it’s much more expensive, the toxicology has to be pristine, you can’t injure wildlife in any way,” Fennimore said. “So the machine vision products that are weeding are very much welcome, very much needed.”
…Still, AI farming technology has a ways to go, according to Brad Hanson, an herbicide researcher with the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences.
Robots and lasers that work on 30,000 acres of lettuce or broccoli may not yet be applicable or economical for millions of acres of soybeans, he said. However, their appeal is growing.
“There’s interest and there’s opportunity,” he said. “[With] high labor costs, environmental and toxicity issues with poured herbicides, regulatory challenges more broadly in California, this kind of thing is becoming important — and will become even more important.”
https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-07-22/are-robots-the-answer-to-harmful-agricultural-herbicides
Beetle potentially deadly to livestock found in Plumas, Sierra counties
(ABC 10) July 22
…UC Cooperative Extension Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor Tracy Schohr says the beetles typically don’t cause problems in California, but they do secrete a toxin that can blister skin and kill livestock.
“To reduce livestock mortality, you should check hay before feeding to livestock and to reduce incidence of blister beetles in hay by cutting before peak bloom,” said Schohr.
Spotlight On the Community Fridge and Pantry Growing Its Own Produce
(Modern Farmer) Daliah Singer, July 19
… It’s a symbiotic relationship. Second Harvest gains access to free land (the organization pays for water use and some equipment), and the soil health of UC’s otherwise unused plots is supported. Because the farm relies primarily on volunteers—an average of 170 per week—there’s also an educational component: The community has the chance to connect with farming and food in a way that shopping at a grocery store can’t offer. “People are losing touch with agriculture,” says Darren Haver, director of the REC system and interim director of South Coast REC. “This partnership allows a lot of volunteers that would have never set foot in an agricultural field to actually experience it and learn about it and have a greater understanding of that.”
Tech on display at Salinas field day
(Farm Progress) Todd Fitchette, July 18
Over 100 people, from farmers to scientists and tech industry folks, visited an ag tech field day at Hartnell College in Salinas, Calif., recently to view the latest examples of weed control technology. A dozen companies and a collaborative project between California and Arizona Extension advisors were on display for the event that was sponsored by the University of California.
https://www.farmprogress.com/technology/tech-on-display-at-salinas-field-day
Disease new to California threatens almond crops
(Growing Produce) Mike Hsu, July 17
Symptoms of red leaf blotch (RLB), a plant disease caused by the fungus Polystigma amygdalinum, have been observed for the first time in California across the Northern San Joaquin Valley.
Molecular DNA testing by the laboratory of Florent Trouillas, University of California Cooperative Extension fruit and nut crop pathology specialist, has detected P. amygdalinum. Pest identification was confirmed by the California Department of Food and Agriculture and U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Extreme heat may have increased spread of H5N1 at poultry farm
(LA Times) Susanne Rust, July 16
… Maurice Pitesky, an expert in poultry health and food safety epidemiology at UC Davis, said for “houses” as big as the one in Colorado, culling can take weeks.
The process requires that workers handle both live and dead birds. And officials on Tuesday’s call hypothesized that if their PPE was not on properly due to the excessive heat, or had been made less effective by large cooling fans (which were also kicking up dust), they may have been exposed and vulnerable to the virus.
“The heat is an issue,” Pitesky said. “The expectation that dairy workers, poultry workers, under those current heat conditions — or California’s Central Valley, for example, when it was over 110 degrees — that they would wear PPE like Tyvek suits that don’t breathe at all, and the N95 masks that USDA is offering for free, is unrealistic.”
Cover crops offer water-holding benefits
(Turlock Journal/Ag Alert) Christine Souza, July 16
…Glenda Humiston, vice president of the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources, said the UC collaborated with state agencies and private-sector partners to include different perspectives and the use of best science and viable policy options.
“By taking a comprehensive view, we can advance recommendations for cover crop policies that help us meet multiple goals, manage our natural resources more effectively and avoid unintended consequences,” Humiston said.
The report on cover cropping in the era of SGMA, assembled by Sustainable Conservation, emerged from a process developed by the California Association of Resource Conservation Districts, California Department of Food and Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service of California and UC ANR.
To view the report, visit https://suscon.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/SC-Cover-Crop-SGMA-Report.pdf.
https://www.turlockjournal.com/news/local/cover-crops-offer-water-holding-benefits
UC Cooperative Extension offers a forest stewardship workshop series in SLO County
(New Times SLO) Bulbul Rajagopal, July 11
Forest landowners in San Luis Obispo County or any resident interested in oak woodlands resilience can expand their knowledge with the Forest Stewardship Workshop series hosted by the University of California Cooperative Extension.
"We go to any county that has forestland, and that is defined by the Forest Service definition of having at least 10 percent canopy cover. That does include oak woodlands as well," Forest Stewardship Academic Coordinator Kim Ingram said. "We know that San Luis Obispo [County] has a large oak woodland forest eco type and so we've been working with our local offices there."
UCD finds almond disease in California
Davis Enterprise, July 10
According to a report produced by a collaborative effort between UC Davis and UC Cooperative Extension, red leaf blotch (RLB), caused by the fungal pathogen Polystigma amygdalinum, was detected in California almond orchards on the border of Merced and Madera counties in late May 2024.
Grasshopper apocalypse? Why these farmers are bracing for an insect invasion
(LA Times) Cindy Carcamo, July 8
…“The population of grasshoppers in the region have increased in size, scope and density in recent years,” said Rob Wilson, a University of California Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resource advisor in Tulelake.
Wilson, who specializes in pest management, said drought and government policies limiting allocation of water to farms, ranches and wetlands are to blame for the increase of grasshoppers.
...Some farmers have lost up to 70% of their hay crop in past years, said Laura Snell, a University of California Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resource advisor in Modoc County who is based in Alturas, a rural town in the state’s northeast that is about an hour’s drive from the Oregon border.
Garlic glut sparks spice plant closure. 275 jobs gone forever?
Business Journal, John Lindt, July 5
…UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor Tom Turini says he works “with OLAM personnel on production issues frequently (as I do with the other garlic/onion producers/processors) and I was unaware of the plant closure. Vegetable production in the westside was up by more than 20% from 2021 to 2022 and yields were very good in 2023, but this is the first time that I had heard mention of a surplus.
Garlic is an important commodity in California, where almost all of the U.S. garlic is grown. Garlic has been in the top 10 commodities in Fresno County for several years. “However, there could be more involved in any creation of a surplus (if that is the case) than higher levels of domestic production,” Turini says.
https://thebusinessjournal.com/garlic-glut-sparks-spice-plant-closure-275-jobs-gone-forever/
Interview with Organic Agriculture Institute’s Shriya Rangarajan on Top Concerns in California Organic Ag
(MyAgLife Podcast) Taylor Chalstrom, July 5
Taylor Chalstrom sits down with Shriya Rangarajan, postdoctoral researcher with the Organic Agriculture Institute, to discuss pressing concerns within the growing California organic ag industry and how these will be addressed in the future.
Interview with Jeff Mitchell on "Down on the Farm" program
(KFCF 88.1 FM Fresno) Tom Willey, July 5
Jeff Mitchell shared information from the recently published article, "No-tillage, surface residue retention, and cover crops improved San Joaquin Valley soil health in the long term", that was published in the May 2024 issue of California Agriculture. Willey was a co-author on the work and he talked with Mitchell about how the work came about, what its study goals were, how it was conducted, and what its findings were.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CXoyBLlImUo
CDC: Fourth US dairy farm worker tests positive for bird flu
(Healio) Gerard Gallagher, July 3
…Q&A: Could vaccinating birds, cows stop bird flu outbreak?
We reached out to Maurice Pitesky, DVM, MPVM, BMEA, a faculty member at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine-Cooperative Extension, to answer some lingering questions about H5N1, including whether it is possible to control the outbreak by vaccinating birds and cows. Read more.
June 2024
Is Chula Vista doing enough to manage its wildfire risk?
(KPBS) Kori Suzuki, Mike Damron, June 28
… These issues of built-up vegetation and generational differences in homes aren’t unusual, said to Luca Carmignani, a fire advisor for Southern California at the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources. He thinks it’s important for residents to know that many communities and local governments across California face these same types of risks.
“You need a lot of capacity to not only prepare these areas with vegetation, but also maintain them,” Carmignani said. “It's pretty realistic, in my opinion, that they don't really have the resources to do that by themselves.”
Interview with UC Davis’ Jeff Mitchell on Conservation Agriculture in California
(MyAgLife podcast) Taylor Chalstrom, June 28
Taylor Chalstrom sits down with Jeff Mitchell, cropping systems specialist at UC Davis, to discuss conservation agriculture in California and how certain practices, including no-till and cover cropping, have advanced in recent decades.
Kids have a right to water in US schools, but does that water make the grade?
(The Guardian) Lela Nargi, June 27
Christina Hecht remembers how water made its way into school lunch law because the process was unusually easy. Back in the mid-2000s, a researcher toured school cafeterias in California and wondered, “What are these kids to do if they want a drink of water?” said Hecht, a policy adviser at the University of California’s Nutrition Policy Institute.
At the time, 40% of the state’s schools failed to offer free water in their cafeterias. That fact eventually reached the then governor and former bodybuilder Arnold Schwarzenegger, who moved to pass SB 1413 requiring schools to offer free, fresh water during mealtimes. Advocates then used California’s example to convince US senators working on 2010’s Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA) – a federal package setting nutrition standards and food funding for public schools and childcare centers – to add drinking water to that legislation, too.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jun/27/drinking-water-access-schools
Squirrels gone wild in your L.A. yard? Here’s how to get your revenge
(LA Times) Adam Tschorn, June 26
…And that’s how I ended up on the phone explaining my situation to Roger Baldwin, a UC Davis Cooperative Extension specialist who focuses on human-wildlife conflict resolution.
“You’ll find various chemical repellents that are marketed and sold [to combat them],” Baldwin told me. “But there’s nothing that’s ever been proven effective against tree squirrels. So I wouldn’t anticipate there being anything that you could spray to really keep them away. [And] there’s no kind of sound devices or ultrasonic devices or lights or strobes — or anything like that — that’s really been proven effective.” (He did note that some repellents might work on a short-term basis until the wily critters adapt.)
California lawmakers reject proposal to curb well-drilling where nearby wells could run dry
(LA Times) Ian James, June 22
…Ruth Dahlquist-Willard, interim director of the University of California’s Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program, said some sort of policy intervention is needed, but “this type of ‘one size fits all’ approach usually hurts small farms, who have fewer resources to adapt to new policies and go through additional regulatory hurdles.”
If a well goes dry on a small farm, under the bill that farm would be treated the same as a large corporation or a hedge fund when trying to replace the well, she said.
Dahlquist-Willard said she hopes if similar legislation is proposed again, it will include protections for small farms.
PCOC Recognizes Vernard Lewis with 2024 Harvey Logan Lifetime Achievement Award
(Pest Control Technology) June 20
Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) President Mary Hernandez announced Vernard Lewis, Ph.D., as the 2024 Harvey Logan Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient. Lewis, professor emeritus of cooperative extension, is an individual who has inspired students, colleagues, and pest management professionals for more than 40 years. Lewis graduated from UC Berkeley’s College of Natural Resources in 1975 with a bachelor of science in agricultural sciences, later earning a master of science in 1979, and completed his Ph.D., in entomology in 1989.
https://www.pctonline.com/news/pcoc-recognizes-vernard-lewis-harvey-logan-award/
PMP Hall of Famer receives PCOC Lifetime Achievement Award
(Pest Management Professional) Heather Gooch, June 20
Dr. Vernard Lewis, a Pest Management Professional (PMP) Hall of Famer (Class of 2016), has been named the 2024 Harvey Logan Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient by the Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC). The award was named in honor of the late Harvey Logan, who served as PCOC’s executive VP from 1983 until his retirement in 2007.
https://www.mypmp.net/2024/06/20/pmp-hall-of-famer-receives-pcoc-lifetime-achievement-award
Cover Cropping in the SGMA Era
(MyAgLife Daily News Report) Taylor Chalstrom, June 19
UC Davis’ Daniele Zaccaria explains how the management actions of Groundwater Sustainability Agencies operating under the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act might be having unintended consequences for sustainable agricultural practices, such as the adoption of cover crops.
https://myaglife.com/podcast/episode-863-june-19-2024-cover-cropping-in-the-sgma-era/ (segment begins at 7:44)
Are we learning the right lessons to reduce the risks & damages of intensifying wildfires?
(KNX) Charles Feldman, June 18
After two straight years of subdued wildfire activity, Californians could be lulled into a false sense of security. KNX Chief Correspondent Charles Feldman asked fire advisor Luca Carmignani why we keep failing to adequately prepare for fire season.
He said that while we know where the potential dangers are – like power lines and roadside ignitions – it takes time to fix them.
“We are thinking about maybe burying underground the power cables. That could be a solution, but that’s not easy to implement, you know, because it takes time to update those infrastructure,” Carmignani said.
While utilities have been working for decades to upgrade their infrastructure, Carmignani said there are “thousands of miles of power lines” to tackle.
As for the idea of using state funds to move residents out of areas that are highly fire-prone, Carmignani noted that it’s not easy to displace entire communities that “had already been built without fire risk in mind.”
“It's also so important to keep in mind that fire is part of California's ecosystem,” he added. “We have to learn how to live, you know, with fire.”
https://www.audacy.com/knxnews/news/local/why-does-california-fail-to-reduce-wildfire-destruction
https://omny.fm/shows/knxam-on-demand/are-we-learning-the-right-lessons-to-reduce-the-ri
RTVI (Russian Television International) news about the Post Fire, you can see the clip at 32:03 here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DAu5daNq1sg
Avocados toast? Price and availability could suffer after USDA halts some Mexican inspections
(LA Times) Hannah Fry, Kate Linthicum and Patrick J. McDonnell, June 18
… The effect on consumers will depend on how long the inspections remain stalled, said Daniel Sumner, a professor of agriculture economics at UC Davis.
“If it goes away quickly it could be a little blip in the market,” he said. “If it lasts several weeks, we will likely see many fewer avocados.”
If the pause on inspections continue, Sumner said, people should be prepared for avocado prices to eventually rise. Stores and restaurants may choose to stop purchasing the fruit as well depending on the desires of their customer base, he said.
“That’s the sort of natural thing to happen. Things get rationed by price,” Sumner said.
High leafhopper survey counts cause alarm
(Farm Press) Todd Fitchette, June 17
…“I’m not surprised that there are beet leafhoppers this year in Imperial County, considering the amount of winter/spring rainfall they received, which led to more germinating and robust growing of weeds and desert plants than in typical years,” said Michael Rethwisch, a farm adviser with the University of California Cooperative Extension in Riverside County.
Rethwisch further said the one bright spot in the latest insect discoveries is that the desert sugar beet crop is largely done for the year. The greatest damage to sugar beets from these insects tends to be with the younger plants, he said.
...Ana Pastrana, a plant pathology farm advisor with UC Cooperative Extension in Imperial, San Diego, and Riverside counties, wrote in a recent Extension newsletter that BCTV has a wide host range, affecting such crops as beans, tomatoes, peppers, melons, sugar beets, and other crops.
“Yield losses due to curly top can vary significantly from year to year and are often associated with high leafhopper populations,” she writes.
https://www.farmprogress.com/insects/high-leafhopper-survey-counts-cause-alarm
Concerns grow as 'gigantic' bird flu outbreak runs rampant in US dairy herds
(USA Today) Dinah Voyles Pulver, June 16
…Wild waterfowl are the main carriers, said Maurice Pitesky, an associate professor in cooperative extension, poultry health and food safety epidemiology at the University of California Davis.
… Pitesky listed these examples of ways the bird flu virus may be transmitted:
- Virus spreads from wild bird poop in farm ponds or inside buildings.
- It can become aerosolized and passed in the air.
- A group of free-roaming cats died after contracting the virus from drinking rawmilkand showing neurological symptoms.
- Animals eat infected birds.
- Farm employees can track in shavings or dirt that may carry the virus from wetlands and farm fields.
- Farm tractors and other equipment can carry infected materials between farms.
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/06/16/bird-flu-spreading-concerns-grow/74090745007/
Thailand beat avian flu 20 years ago. What can we learn from their strategies?
(NPR) Gabrielle Emanuel, June 14
While Maurice Pitesky isn’t opposed to borrowing from the past’s avian flu playbook, he says, it’s also necessary to write a new chapter.
Pitesky — who studies avian flu at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine — says that two decades ago when Thailand was developing its strategy, there was one main threat: Wild waterfowl introducing the virus. “Now, we're dealing with an entire ecosystem issue,” he says.
That’s because in the past few years, H5N1 outbreaks have traveled far beyond chickens and cows. The virus has shown up on six continents and in a slew of wild and domestic mammals, from tigers and mink to cats and dogs. All in all, H5N1 has been reported in more than 48 mammal species across 26 different countries, according to a peer-reviewed journal published by the CDC. In South America, it’s caused the death of more than 17,000 elephant seals. Earlier this month, house mice in New Mexico tested positive for the virus.
“It's hard to see how this will ever not be an endemic disease at this point,” says Pitesky.
He says this will mandate new strategies that go far beyond the farm gates.
“We've never had anything like this before,” Pitesky says.
A little look into the local targeted grazing world: ‘I just like the personality of sheep better’
(Appeal Democrat) Angela Guglielmino, June 14
The idea with targeted grazing is to focus on landscape and vegetation goals, according to Dan Macon, the UC Cooperative Extension livestock and natural resources advisor for Placer, Nevada, Sutter and Yuba counties.
“We’re not trying to put weight on animals. We’re not trying to optimize livestock reproduction; we’re really trying to manage the landscape by removing undesirable plant material with a grazing animal,” Macon said.
Herding Innovation in Livestock
(The Scientist) Laura Tran, June 14
When Alison Van Eenennaam, an animal geneticist and cooperative extension specialist at the University of California (UC), Davis, grew up in metropolitan Melbourne, Australia, she never expected to establish her career in a city across the Pacific Ocean. Her trajectory towards genetic engineering, a career path that did not exist during her childhood, came as an even bigger surprise.
… Van Eenennaam and Spangler often speak to beef cattle producers on how to use various gene editing tools and technologies to advance their enterprises while keeping a keen eye on sustainability. “Alison is exceptionally unique because she has broadened the audience considerably. Her voice is backed by science, and I think she’s done an exceptional job at making science palatable to the public so that they can digest it and understand it on their terms,” said Spangler, who also partnered with Van Eenennaam and other scientists to develop a one-stop shop resource for GMO information, eBeef. This serves as a centralized platform for reliable beef cattle genetics and genomics information, offering expert-recommended resources that has garnered nationwide attention for its educational value.
https://www.the-scientist.com/herding-innovation-in-livestock-71888
MyAgLife in Fertilization: Episode 860
(MyAgLife Daily News Report) Taylor Chalstrom, June 14
In this installment of the MyAgLife in Fertilization series, UCCE’s Tian Tian discusses keeping up with grapevines’ unique nutrition requirements.
https://myaglife.com/podcast/episode-860-june-14-2024-myaglife-in-fertilization/ (segment begins at 9:51)
Eco-Conscious Pest Control and Environmental Justice Q&A with "Bug Ninja" Eric Middleton
(Oh Crop! A Public Health Podcast) Kat Morgan, June 13
In this episode, I’m thrilled to interview Eric Middleton, "full-time entomologist, part-time ninja warrior." He is an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Advisor at the University of California Cooperative Extension. With a B.S. in Biology from the University of Utah, a PhD from the University of Minnesota, and postdoctoral work on invasive pest control in Florida's citrus groves, Eric brings a wealth of knowledge on sustainable agriculture and eco-friendly pest management solutions. Eric will share his unique journey as an academic and communicator, including his involvement in the American Ninja Warrior reality show, where he’s known as the “?The Bug Ninja?.”
We’ll discuss:
- The connection between IPM, public health, environmental justice, and food systems.
- How pesticide use can exacerbate environmental injustice.
- IPM principles and its role in sustainable agriculture
- Practical pest management practices growers can adopt to reduce their environmental impact.
- The importance of making research accessible to a broad audience, from food producers to the general public.
While much of this episode is U.S.-focused, listeners will get broad exposure to IPM theory and application. Join us for an engaging conversation that bridges ecology, sustainability, and human well-being!
https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kat-morgan/episodes/Eco-Conscious-Pest-Control-and-Environmental-Justice-QA-with-Bug-Ninja-Eric-Middleton-e2krnin
MyAgLife Tech Thursday: Episode 859
(MyAgLife Daily News Report) Taylor Chalstrom, June 13
In this Tech Thursday episode, UCCE IPM Advisor Siavash Taravati discusses the new, easy-to-use online Pomerix pesticide database available to consultants and growers.
https://myaglife.com/podcast/episode-859-june-13-2024-tech-thursday/ (segment begins at 5:42)
Students blindsided, faculty outraged by news of multiple resignations from Agriculture and Natural Resources Department
(The Oak Leaf) Amy Moore, June 12
…The alleged managerial misconduct impacted others associated with the department as well. Stephanie Larson, county director for the UC Cooperative Extension and livestock range manager adviser, quit her position on the agriculture and natural resources advisory board committee. Larson did not respond to The Oak Leaf’s requests to speak with her.
https://www.theoakleafnews.com/features/2024/06/12/students-blindsided-faculty-outraged-by-news-of-multiple-resignations-from-agriculture-and-natural-resources-department/
MyAgLife Walnut Wednesday: Episode 858
(MyAgLife Daily News Report) Taylor Chalstrom, June 12
In this Walnut Wednesday episode, UCCE’s Jhalendra Rijal reminds walnut growers about budget-friendly husk fly management and discusses a novel biological approach to management the industry is looking into.
https://myaglife.com/podcast/episode-858-june-12-2024-walnut-wednesday/ (segment begins at 9:38)
Oakville Grape Day Takeaways
(Wine business) Kerana Todorov, June 12
… Demonstrations included the use of a 'black globe' and a 35-foot tall mast to evaluate extreme events, including heat spells and frost. Such black globes, which include sensors, are used by sports team and the military, said Mark Battany, water management and biometeorology advisor for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources in San Luis Obispo. These affordable tools help predict temperature inversions and better understand when to spray and when to use wind machines effectively.
In another presentation, Justin Tanner, UC Cooperative Extension viticulture advisor in San Joaquin County, introduced data on Cabernet Sauvignon clone and rootstock resilience and productivity under various conditions.
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/288579
Talkshop June 11th, 2024 – Alec Dompka
(Talkshop) Brian Papstein, June 11
Alec Dompka (UC Co-op Extension Rural Economics Development Advisor) calls into the studio for today’s Talk Shop to talk about rural cities & development
https://kins1063.com/talkshop-june-11th-2024-alec-dompka
MyAgLife in Citrus: Episode 857
(MyAgLife Daily News Report) Taylor Chalstrom, June 11
In this MyAgLife in Citrus episode, UC Merced’s Tapan Pathak explains how the CalAgroClimate online tool can inform citrus growers’ climate related management decisions in the short- and long-term.
https://myaglife.com/podcast/episode-857-june-11-2024-myaglife-in-citrus/ (segment begins at 9:29)
Mitloehner says don’t suck at communicating with city folks
(Feed Strategy) Roy Graber, June 10
The US fire season is heating up. Are we in for severe blazes and burns?
(Guardian) Gabrielle Canon, June 8
… “Repeated heatwaves can offset the benefit of having a lot of rain,” said Dr. Max Moritz, a wildfire specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension, adding that the warming weather will squeeze more moisture out of soils and plants, especially grasses, brush and other so-called “flashy fuels” that ignite easily.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/article/2024/jun/08/us-fire-season-wildfires
Fire and forestry unite for ‘good fire’ training in Santa Cruz Mountains
(Santa Cruz Sentinel) PK Hattis, June 5
...amid those concerns is a growing chorus of scientific, governmental and community-based experts touting the benefits of “good fire” coming in the form of prescribed burns that they say turn down the heat on catastrophic wildfires while providing ecological benefits and honoring practices employed for centuries by Native Americans.
The latest example came this week at Mount Madonna Center, a yoga teaching and retreat center sitting atop 380 acres of redwood forests and grasslands in the Santa Cruz Mountains above Watsonville. The center hosted a four-day, experiential-training event that explored the benefits of planned fires while teaching the skills necessary to ignite them safely.
“I feel like it demystifies fire a little bit. They watch the briefing, they see how much planning goes into it, they see all the contingency planning,” Barb Satink Wolfson, area fire advisor with UC Cooperative Extension which helped put on the event, told the Sentinel. “It’s not just someone out there with a match.”
Multiple structures burn in East San Jose fires; no injuries reported, SJFD says
(ABC7) June 2
…Dr. Steve Quarles is an advisor emeritus at the University of California, working to make homes safer from wildfire. He says this fire is a classic case of ember cast, where strong winds carry embers far from the flames, creating pockets of fire.
“That kind of distance isn’t so unusual. Embers can be blown easily up to a quarter-mile or half mile and still have enough energy when they land to ignite.”
https://abc7news.com/post/multiple-structures-burning-east-san-jose-fires-authorities/14904627
May 2024
Don't cut them down: Letting dead trees rot can help make new life
(National Geographic) Leah Worthington, May 31
… Upon its death, the tree’s tightly sealed plumbing, previously used to funnel nutrients and water, becomes empty and permeable, according to Matteo Garbelotto, a professor of forest pathology at the University of California, Berkeley.
… “As the amount of private forest that's used for logging has decreased in California, and as the Forest Service has implemented this wildlife tree policy, I think things definitely are looking up,” Garbelotto says.
…“For personal properties, it’s a little bit more complex,” Garbelotto says. Trees infected by diseases like sudden oak death, for instance, can appear healthy despite growing progressively drier and structurally unsound. For people who live in wildfire-prone territory, such as the wildland urban interface, he adds, “keeping a dead tree within your property—unless your property is very large—really represents a big risk.”
https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/dead-trees-new-life-wildfire-forest-biodiversity
How Safe Are We This Summer?
(India Post) Vidya Sethuraman, May 30
… Dr. Maurice Pitesky, Associate Professor, with a research focus on highly pathogenic avian influenza disease modeling, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine stated by way of background that the main source of avian influenza is waterfowl such as ducks and geese, which are migratory due to nature and can travel literally thousands of miles. The interactions among different flyways in the Arctic breeding grounds allow for unique virus reassortment. These reasserted viruses can then be brought back to regions like California through migratory patterns, leading to new outbreaks. Dr. Pitesky highlighted several transmission routes, including fecal shedding by infected birds, aerosol transmission, and even the involvement of other species like feral cats. Shared equipment and man-made water habitats near dairies and poultry farms also contribute to the virus’s spread.
https://indiapost.com/how-safe-are-we-this-summer
Program benefits inmates, small farms and local economies
(California Bountiful) Linda DuBois, Spring
…Harvest of the Month is the result of about three years of behind-the-scenes research and planning among the stakeholders, says Heile Gantan, a program associate with Impact Justice’s Food in Prison Project, which aims to improve the quality and nutritional value of food in the nation’s prisons.
Other key contributors include the Nutrition Policy Institute, a University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources organization that studies the impact of nutrition and physical activity on public health, and ChangeLab Solutions, a nonprofit that shares research, policy and planning expertise to advance health equity.
How to get rid of sugar ants inside your home
(Good Housekeeping) Karen Cicero, May 22
“It’s useful to identify what species may be causing you a problem because they may require different management strategies,” says Andrew Sutherland, Ph.D., an urban integrated pest management advisor at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. “In particular, you’ll want to find out whether you have a primarily outdoor species that has come in or if it’s an indoor species that’s nesting inside the house.”
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/home/cleaning/a60777083/how-to-get-rid-of-sugar-ants/
Cow methane emission reduction strategies expanding
(Brownfield Ag News) Nicole Heslip, May 22
An air-quality specialist says he expects strategies to reduce cattle methane emissions to greatly expand over the next five years.
Frank Mitloehner, a professor at the University of California-Davis, tells Brownfield carbon credits for capturing methane emissions from anaerobic digesters are helping farmers overcome cost barriers.
“In my opinion, within the next five years or so, it could happen that half of California’s dairy cows produce manure that ends up in a digester producing biogas, and as a result are receiving carbon credits.”
https://www.brownfieldagnews.com/news/cow-methane-emission-reduction-strategies-expanding/
Foothill center offers vital grounds for cattle studies
(Ag Alert) John Watson, May 22
During the summers of 2021 and 2022, as cattle roamed pastures and shaded woods of the University of California Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center in Browns Valley, a UC Davis research team closely monitored potential ties between each animal’s personality and its grazing habits.
…“We have to bring the cattle in every 45 days and change pastures seasonally, which is more than we could ask of local cooperators,” said co-principal investigator Josh Davy, in a nod to the center’s ability to navigate constraints faced by commercial growers or landowners.
“The center’s staff members always create a positive working environment for collaboration and good solutions,” he added.
Top 25 Worst Cities for Bed Bug Infestations
(Pest Gnome) May 21
The excitement of vacationing can quickly turn to panic in the presence of bed bugs.
We turned to a panel of experts to learn what everyone should know about bed bugs before heading to the airport or simply stepping out into the public sphere. Read their insights below.
Andrew Mason Sutherland, BCE
Cooperative Extension Advisor – Urban Integrated Pest Management
University of California (UC IPM, UC ANR), San Francisco Bay Area
https://pestgnome.com/blog/studies/worst-cities-bed-bugs/#expert=dr-andrew-mason-sutherland-bce
Organic Needs Assessment Highlights Need for Additional Research
(AgNet West) Lauren McEwen, May 20
UC Organic Agriculture Institute (OAI) post-doctoral researcher Shriya Rangarajan and her team released key findings based on their organic needs assessment last month. She said that the survey took a holistic approach, analyzing needs of farmers, retailers, and various industry partners to better understand the organic production experience in California.
https://agnetwest.com/organic-needs-assessment-highlights-need-for-additional-research/
Woodland to host national agriculture robot conference in October
(ABC10) Devin Trubey, May 14
The future of farming in California includes artificial intelligence and robots to help farmers.
The International Forum of Agricultural Robotics and University of California system partnered to show farmers what’s possible at the Yolo County Fairgrounds, Tuesday.
Guests at the news conference saw self-driving carts that can move alongside workers to ease the burden of carrying crops to robots that can operate independently.
The hope is AI can solve the labor shortage for farmers while helping small family farms continue for generations.
“We are losing farmers. Who’s going to do the farming in the future? One of the things we have to do is help make farming more profitable and more sustainable for our farmers and their next generations, so they see a future there,” said Glenda Humiston, the vice president of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.
The UC system hopes 50-60 new robots can be developed this year. They hold events like Tuesday’s to let farmers know they can get in on the ground floor and help design/create robots for their specific needs.
Sacramento Valley to host agtech robotics conference
https://www.agri-pulse.com/articles/21105-sacramento-valley-to-host-agtech-robotics-conference
Tech to shine at third FIRA USA gathering
https://www.farmprogress.com/technology/tech-to-shine-at-third-fira-usa-gathering
Burning down a house
(Politico) Camille Von Kaenel, May 9
…Adopting the rule through the Board of Forestry would provide an additional avenue for educating homeowners, said Yana Valavochic, a forest adviser in Humboldt and Del Norte Counties for the University of California Cooperative Extension. She said she sees it as a tool for a culture shift rather than a punitive measure; defensible space inspectors, after all, rarely fine homeowners for noncompliance.
“We can have a groundswell of trusted community partners to say, ‘It’s going to be a little different, but you can still use your home the way you like, and you still can find beauty in your home, and your yard is going to be welcoming and inviting, and it’s going to be more fire-safe,’” she said. “It’s going to take adjusting your lens and living a little differently, but I think it’s totally possible.”
https://www.politico.com/newsletters/california-climate/2024/05/09/burning-down-a-house-00157216
Commentary: Before wildfire season, take actions to protect farms
(Ag Alert) Tori Norville and Katie Low, May 8
Valley, Tubbs, Nuns, Atlas, River, Glass and August Complex. These are names of just some of the large wildfires that have impacted coastal and inland communities in Northern California since 2015.
In the past nine years, more than 2 million acres of forests, rangelands, chaparral and cropland burned from Sonoma, Napa, Humboldt and Trinity counties to multiple counties in the Sacramento Valley and Sierra Nevada.
Despite highly intense wildfire seasons in the past decade, the last two fire seasons were relatively calm. Slower fire seasons provide landowners the opportunity to improve their wildfire preparedness.
How race and education might be a factor in your grocery bill | (ABC 10 Dollars & Sense) Lora Painter, May 8
It might not come as a surprise Californians have the highest grocery bills in the country, averaging nearly $300 a week.
A new report from the U.S. Census shows race and education level might factor into how much you spend on food.
“There’s definitely different cultural elements that come into play,” said UC Davis Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension & Community Economic Development Keith Taylor.
City Trees Save Lives
(Wired) Matt Simon, May 8
As urban populations are rising around the world, so are temperatures, putting ever more people in ever-hotter environments. “We’re primarily urban dwellers at this point,” says UCLA environmental researcher Edith de Guzman, coauthor of both studies and the cofounder and director of the Los Angeles Urban Cooling Collaborative. “We know that that’s problematic, because there’s a magnification of heat that occurs in those spaces, because of the preponderance of heat-retaining surfaces that then release that heat at night, when the body seeks to cool off.”
https://www.wired.com/story/city-trees-save-lives
California State Board of Food and Agriculture visits campus
(UCSC) Erin Foley, May 7
… Glenda Humiston, Board member and vice president of the UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources (ANR) thanked Philpott and Division of Social Sciences Dean and UC Santa Cruz AES Dean Katharyne Mitchell for their collaboration with UC ANR as they have been integrating AES into the overall system. UC Santa Cruz currently hosts the first-ever UC ANR assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist devoted to organic agriculture across the state, as well as an assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist focused on agroecology.
https://news.ucsc.edu/2024/05/cdfa-secretary-visit.html
Dust from Dying Salton Sea Endangering Immigrant Communities Along its Shore
(Cronkite News – Times of San Diego) Jack Orleans, May 4
… The Salton Sea, California’s largest lake, is drying at a rate of 1.3 million acre feet per year. A study from the University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources tracked the deterioration of the sea and surrounding ecosystem and determined that in addition to evaporation, a lot of water has been diverted to urban areas since 2018. Because of that, the salinity of the water and toxic materials in it have been concentrated in the dust, making it dangerous.
Invasive stinknet dominates natural areas and poses threat to native habitats
(Riverside Press-Enterprise) Michael Viramontes, May 3
To help control stinknet at home, we should familiarize ourselves with it and pull it out where we can. According to the University of California’s Integrated Pest Management Program the plants seeds mature within a few weeks of flowering. Dr. Chris McDonald, natural resource adviser for UC Cooperative Extension has studied control of the species. “For all invasive plants, the best advice is to bag them and put them in the trash. We don’t want the seeds to spread,” McDonald said, further recommending to double bag highly invasive plants, like stinknet, to avoid seed spreading if a bag tears.
Coyotes Seem More Aggressive? That’s Because They’re Feeding Their Pups. Here’s What You Need To Know
(LAist) Caitlin Hernandez, May 3
… Coyotes have three biological seasons, said Niamh Quinn, a human-wildlife interactions advisor with the University of California’s Agriculture and Natural Resources.
There’s breeding season, pup season, and then what she calls the dispersal season, where the young coyotes go off on their own. But during pup season, the coyotes are focused on raising and caring for the babies.
“They're starting to den down, and it’s been shown in certain areas that coyotes can be very aggressive around the den itself at that time,” Quinn said.
…If you’re curious where coyotes have been reported near you, check out locations below, updated with the University of California’s Coyote Cacher data as of April 24.
https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/coyote-sighting-la-los-angeles-county-pup-season
Hunger on campus: why US PhD students are fighting over food,
(Nature) Laurie Udesky, May 3
…A 2016 report about food insecurity at the ten campuses of the University of California (UC) system found that 25% of graduate students and 48% of undergraduates didn’t have enough to eat (see go.nature.com/49dedjx).
“We started producing the data to go to the state and say, we have a problem and we need to do something about it,” said Suzanna Martinez, a health-behaviour epidemiologist at UC San Francisco. Martinez led the research in her previous role at the university’s Nutrition Policy Institute in Oakland, California. “Since 2016, the UC system has published updates on food insecurity and actions to address it on its campuses,” she adds. These reports can be accessed online through the university’s Basic Needs Initiative (see go.nature.com/4begaus).
https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-024-01279-y
Bird flu is bad for poultry and cattle. Why it's not a dire threat for most of us — yet
(KFF) Amy Maxmen, May 2
The government should also help poultry farmers prevent H5N1 outbreaks since those kill many birds and pose a constant threat of spillover, said Maurice Pitesky, an avian disease specialist at the University of California-Davis.
Waterfowl like ducks and geese are the usual sources of outbreaks on poultry farms, and researchers can detect their proximity using remote sensing and other technologies. By zeroing in on zones of potential spillover, farmers can target their attention. That can mean routine surveillance to detect early signs of infections in poultry, using water cannons to shoo away migrating flocks, relocating farm animals, or temporarily ushering them into barns. “We should be spending on prevention,” Pitesky said.
https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/bird-flu-bad-poultry-cattle-know-threat-people-rcna150494
Sustainable Control Tools for Vine Mealybug
(Wine Business) Kent Daane and David Haviland, May 1
VINE MEALYBUG, Planococcus ficus, is a serious pest of vineyards globally. The pest is believed to originate from the Mediterranean region of Europe, the Middle East and northern Africa-with invasive populations in the U.S. and Mexico likely to have come from Israel. Vine mealybug is one of at least eight invasive mealybug species that are pests in California vineyards and orchards, with only the grape mealybug, Pseudococcus maritimus, considered to be native to North America.
https://www.winebusiness.com/wbm/article/286237
European wine just had its worst growing season in 62 years. Climate change could make it worse
(Salon) Matthew Rozsa, May 1
… Speaking to Salon in 2020 about adaptation methods, Anita Oberholster — an associate specialist in cooperative extension of viticulture and enology at the University of California – Davis — said that there are ways of fighting climate change on behalf of wine including conserving water, reusing wastewater, working longer-term on rootstocks and varieties with higher heat and drought tolerance and protecting grapes against the heat. At the same time, there are certain climate change-caused developments from which there are no protections. Take the wildfires that devastated southern California's wine industry in 2020.
"As far as fires go, better management of fuel sources, looking at barrier sprays to protect grapes against smoke, improved treatment options for wines that are impacted, better insurance options, better risk assessment," Oberholster said. "We are applying for grants to try and link atmospheric data to smoke exposure risk data in vineyards."
April 2024
Dr. Maurice Pitesky On Bird Flu, The Next Global Pandemic?
(The Unknowns) Charlie Stone, April 29
In this episode of RCP's new series, "The Unknowns," host Charlie Stone interviews Dr. Maurice Pitesky, a recognized epidemiologist and veterinarian, about highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), aka "Bird Flu."
They discuss the origins and spread of HPAI, its impact on different species, and the potential risks to humans.
An Invasive Beetle Has Killed At Least 90,000 SoCal Trees: Can Indigenous Cultural Burns Help?
(LAist) Nate Perez, April 29
…The La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians began an insecticide program on the reservation in 2014, but nobody was available to volunteer until 2019. That’s when Joelene Tamm, a graduate student at the University of California Riverside’s entomology department, volunteered to manage the program.
Tamm, who’s also a Squaxin Island tribal member, is the La Jolla Band of Luiseño Indians natural resource manager. She also does outreach with the California firewood task force, and the University of California Agriculture And Natural Resources.
Expert describes devastating effects of bird flu as traces of virus are found in fifth of US milk
(Australian Independent) Katie Hawkinson, April 26
…With the rise in bird flu and its presence on six continents, the “worst case” for livestock is near, according to Maurice Pitesky, a specialist at the University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine.
“[The virus] has demonstrated an ability to move into dairy cows, and while it doesn't cause mortality it causes a decrease in milk production, which has economic impacts,” Mr Pitesky told The Independent. “This ultimately will affect the ability to produce fluid milk and all the things that are associated with it.”
https://au.news.yahoo.com/fifth-us-milk-supply-could-164321981.html
Resnick Center hosts food law and policy conference, reflects on its future
(Daily Bruin) Amy Wong, April 25
…At the conference, there was also a session dedicated to discussing the missing parts in supply lines. Paula Daniels, who founded the Los Angeles Food Policy Council in 2011, and Glenda Humiston, the UC vice president for agriculture and natural resources, discussed the problems with larger supply chains, including grocery stores running out of food during crises.
How bird flu virus fragments get into milk sold in stores, and what the spread of H5N1 in cows means for the dairy industry and milk drinkers
(The Conversation) Noelia Silva del Rio, Richard V. Pereira, Robert B. Moeller, Terry W. Lehenbauer, Todd Cornish, April 25
The discovery of fragments of avian flu virus in milk sold in U.S. stores, including in about 20% of samples in initial testing across the country, suggests that the H5N1 virus may be more widespread in dairy cattle than previously realized.
The Food and Drug Administration, which announced the early results from its nationally representative sampling on April 25, 2024, was quick to stress that it believes the commercial milk supply is safe. The FDA said initial tests did not detect any live, infectious virus. However, highly pathogenic avian influenza virus can make cows sick, and the flu virus’s presence in herds in several states and new federal restrictions on the movement of dairy cows between states are putting economic pressure on farmers.
Five experts in infectious diseases in cattle from the University of California, Davis – Noelia Silva del Rio, Terry Lehenbauer, Richard Pereira, Robert Moeller and Todd Cornish – explain what the test results mean, how bird flu can spread to cattle and the impact on the industry.
North Coast Viticulture Challenges and Resources for Climate Change Adaptation and Management
(Wine Business) Ted Rieger, April 23
…UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) Napa County Viticulture Advisor Monica Cooper discussed local climate change trends that present challenges and vineyard adaptation practices that present opportunities for farming winegrapes in Napa Valley. In general, climate change challenges for specialty crops in California include: higher temperatures and reduced chill hours, increased frequency of climate and weather extremes, changing rainfall patterns, and changing pest and disease trends.
…UCCE Integrated Vineyard Systems Advisor Christopher Chen for Sonoma, Lake and Mendocino Counties listed several climate concerns with direct and indirect impacts on winegrapes and vineyards: 1. Change in growing season length. 2. Earlier or later budbreak and ripening. 3. More extreme weather events. 4. Resource scarcity (water, fertilizer). 5. Increased soil salinity.
Work is ongoing to breed and evaluate new cultivars to be available in the future to be better adapted to climate variables such as drought, heat and soil salinity. But as Chen pointed out, "Breeding new cultivars is a really slow process." He has been evaluating rootstocks that are already available for adaptive traits. "By identifying current rootstocks for specific site conditions, these can be useful in the shorter-term when growers replant vineyards," he said.
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/286524
The Bird Flu Has Spread To Mammals – Will It Jump To Humans Next?
(LAist) Larry Mantle, April 23
For decades, public health experts have warned of the danger of H5N1, also known as the avian flu, crossing over to humans. That fear became a reality when earliest this month, a dairy farm worker in Texas tested positive for the highly pathogenic avian influenza. This is the first reported cow-to-human spread of the virus. The U.S. has only ever recorded a handful of cases but there is mounting concern that mutations in the virus will allow it to spread to more mammals and possibly, more people. Are we ready for an influenza pandemic of this kind? Joining us today on AirTalk to talk about this latest outbreak and the threat it poses to humans is Jennifer Nuzzo, Professor of Epidemiology and Director of the Pandemic Center at Brown University and Maurice Pitesky, Associate Professor in Poultry Health and Food Safety Epidemiology at UC Davis.
Parent Perceptions of School Meals Influence Student Participation in School Meal Programs
(Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior podcast) April 15
A survey of 1,110 parents, guardians and caregivers led by Monica D. Zuercher, PhD, MS, Nutrition Policy Institute, University of California, found that more positive parental perceptions about school meals and their benefits to families were associated with greater student meal participation.
"Parent perceptions of school meals appear to influence student participation in school meal programs. Working to ensure parents are familiar with the healthfulness and quality of school meals and the efforts schools are making to provide high-quality, appealing meals may be critical for increasing school meal participation rates.”
https://www.jneb.org/content/media
Billions in tax credits for working families go unclaimed. How the IRS and state can fix this
(San Francisco Chronicle) Wendi Gosliner, Lia Fernald and Rita Hamad, April 10
“During the past three years, our research team spoke to hundreds of low-income Californians entitled to earned income tax credits to understand why they haven’t received them. One key problem is the lack of awareness. When asked, “What do you know about the EITC?” many responses were similar to one mother, who said, “Not much. Zero.” Another woman replied, “I know of it, but don’t really know, you know, the details of it.”
We learned in our interviews that filing taxes was a barrier, involving complicated paperwork that took too much time and money to complete. One participant said, “Most people don’t know what they’re doing when they file taxes.” In fact, half the people we interviewed who filed taxes had paid $100 to $300 for tax preparation services even though they were eligible for free tax filing support.”
https://www.sfchronicle.com/opinion/openforum/article/earned-income-tax-credit-19322559.php
Arkansas led the nation sending letters home from school about obesity. Did it help?
(NPR) Kavitha Cardoza, April 9
…In what is considered the gold-standard study of BMI letters, published in 2020, researchers in California found that the letters home had no effect on students' weight. Hannah Thompson, a University of California-Berkeley assistant professor who co-authored the study, said most parents didn't even remember getting the letters. "It's such a tiny-touch behavioral intervention," she said.
… Hannah Thompson, the researcher from California, said that's the biggest problem with BMI letters: Parents don't know what to do with the information. Without support to help change behavior, she said, the letters don't do much.
"You find out your child is asthmatic, and you can get an inhaler, right?" she said. "You find out that your child is overweight and where do you even go from there? What do you do?"
Agriculture experts closely tracking economic impact of avian flu outbreak
(ABC7) Ahtra Elnashar, April 9
… “Replacing those type of birds takes time," said Dr. Maurice Pitesky, an associate specialist in cooperative extension at the University of California, Davis. “Not only are you losing birds that are producing eggs right now; you’re losing birds that were supposed to be producing eggs maybe in five, 10, 15 weeks.”
Pitesky said he expects egg prices to immediately be impacted, and it wouldn't be the first time. Last year, the flu helped push the price of eggs to a high of $4.82 per dozen in January, according to data compiled by the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. By August, they dropped to $2.04.
Bird flu spreads to Southern California, infecting chickens, wild birds and other animals
(LA Times) Susanne Rust, April 3
… Unfortunately, we're really just at the beginning" of this highly pathogenic avian influenza outbreak, said Maurice Pitesky, a UC Davis Cooperative Extension associate professor in the Poultry Health and Food Safety Epidemiology Department in the School of Veterinary Medicine. He noted that millions of birds are just beginning their southward migration from summer feeding grounds in the Arctic — a place where they've been mingling and communing all summer with species from across the globe.
Students build cooking skills at Culinary Academy in Santa Maria
(KSBY) April 3
…Mishelle Costa, the program supervisor of Cal Fresh Healthy Living and UC Cooperative Extension, told KSBY that the annual Culinary Academy brings all the local SNAC clubs together for students to showcase what they've been learning and build new friendships.
Click here to learn more about 4-H SNAC Clubs.
Operating Costs Increase While Prices Decrease for Pistachios
(AgNetWest) Brian German, April 2
Operating costs for pistachio growers have been steadily increasing over the past few years, while average prices have been trending in the opposite direction. Assistant Professor in Cooperative Extension in the Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics at the University of California, Davis, Brittney Goodrich has been working on preliminary estimates to update the cost and return study from 2020. She said that costs have increased by about five percent on average since 2020.
https://agnetwest.com/operating-costs-increase-while-prices-decrease-for-pistachios
9 Bugs That Look Like Bed Bugs
(Pest Gnome) Jane Purnell, April 1
Andrew Sutherland, UC Cooperative Extension integrated pest management advisor for the San Francisco Bay Area, answered a series of questions about bed bugs for Pest Gnome.
- How often have you experienced homeowners misidentifying bed bugs? What has proven (or can prove) to be the most significant consequence of misidentifying a bed bug?
Residents (I don’t use the word “homeowners” since many folks in my community don’t own their homes) sometimes misidentify other insects as bed bugs when bed bugs are suspected, especially if the insects occur near sleeping or resting areas indoors.
The most significant consequence of misidentification will be unnecessary pesticide application, which may lead to (unnecessary) pesticide exposure to people and pets.
https://pestgnome.com/blog/bed-bugs/bugs-that-look-like-bed-bugs/?msID=7cfcd4a1-a05b-43e9-b919-6c8de0396fc3#expert=dr-andrew-mason-sutherland-bce
https://pestgnome.com/blog/mosquito-control/bed-bug-bites-vs-mosquito-bites/?msID=0970bb0d-793b-43bc-a548-8c831bccae26#expert=dr-andrew-mason-sutherland-bce
https://pestgnome.com/blog/bed-bugs/how-do-you-get-bed-bugs/?msID=76a93bde-a3d2-406e-b57b-6f5045be96aa#expert=dr-andrew-mason-sutherland-bce
https://pestgnome.com/blog/bed-bugs/how-to-check-for-bed-bugs/?msID=f057bd90-71af-466f-a724-ebc5cb7b0d32#expert=dr-andrew-mason-sutherland-bce
https://pestgnome.com/blog/bed-bugs/what-bed-bugs-look-like/?msID=9e8a36fe-6f63-4fa6-8c81-6c10d9e0e39a#expert=dr-andrew-mason-sutherland-bce
https://pestgnome.com/blog/bed-bugs/how-to-prevent-bed-bugs/?msID=5a782311-b9e2-479e-a698-ef9602fb2e26#expert=dr-andrew-mason-sutherland-bce
March 2024
Inside the Battle Over School Fitness Testing
(Outside Magazine) Erin Beresini, March 31
… But in recent years, scientists have found substantial evidence that children’s BMI is a poor predictor of future health—and even of current body fat, especially in children younger than nine. “Even in the ‘overweight’ category, it’s not necessarily predictive of poor metabolic health,” says Dr. Hannah Thompson, an animated Berkeley [and Nutrition Policy Institute] professor who explores how youth physical activity can improve health. “Cardiovascular fitness is.”
https://www.outsideonline.com/health/wellness/school-fitness-testing-backlash-california/?scope=anon
Legislative changes could transform California into a rodent haven
(Downey Patriot) Renee Pinel, March 27
… In the agricultural sector, roof rats can run rampant in California orchards, according to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources scientists. “In pistachio and other nut orchards, roof rats are burrowing and nesting in the ground where they’re chewing on irrigation lines, causing extensive damage,” said Rachael Long, UC Cooperative Extension advisor. And it’s not just the fruit damage. They nest in citrus trees, feeding on the fruit and terrifying field workers when they jump out as people are picking the fruit. The chewing pests are also girdling tree limbs, causing branch dieback.”
It’s coyote pup season. Here are some precautions for pet owners
(LA Times) Karen Garcia, March 21
…Coyote pupping season stretches from the time when coyotes give birth to when the pups become juveniles and leave their parents, said Niamh Quinn, human-wildlife interactions advisor for the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources. The average litter is between five and six pups.
Once the pups are born they tend to emerge from the den three weeks later, Quinn said.
“Pups will stay with their parents for about six months, spring to summer, and will be taught how to hunt and behave in their environment by their parents,” Quinn said. “In the fall, which is when food becomes scarce, the parents will consider keeping their juveniles or have them disperse to be on their own.”
Why the spread of organic farms may prompt growers to use more pesticide, not less
(LA Times) Karen Kaplan, March 21
...If destructive critters migrate from an organic farm to a conventional one, a grower may respond by using more pesticide. That, in turn, would undermine the helpful creatures organic growers rely upon. On the other hand, organic farms nurture beneficial insects that migrate to other fields.
“Organic farms can be both a blessing and a curse if they’re your neighbor,” said David Haviland, an entomologist with the University of California’s integrative pest management program in Bakersfield, who was not involved in the study....
...Milt McGiffen, a cooperative extension specialist with the Department of Botany and Plant Sciences at UC Riverside...said growers make a point of planting organic crops in places where they know pest control won’t be a big problem since they can’t use conventional pesticides.
“Mostly why you have have a group of organic farms together is because that’s where you have the fewest pests, not the other way around,” said McGiffen, who wasn’t involved in the study.
Parasitic weeds threaten tomato plants on California farms
(Daily Democrat) March 20
“Most of the damage occurs before you can see it,” said Brad Hanson, a professor of Cooperative Extension in plant sciences, who is involved in much of the Orobanche research at UC Davis. “There’s a lot of ripples to the problem. We could see it spread to other crops and other regions in the state if it’s not managed.”
… At that same plot, Ph.D. student Mohammadreza Narimani and others from the Digital Agriculture Laboratory, which is run by associate professor of Cooperative Extension Alireza Pourezza, use drones equipped with special cameras and technology to scan the field.
https://www.dailydemocrat.com/2024/03/20/parasitic-weeds-threaten-tomato-plants-on-california-farms
Ascochyta Blight Discovered in Central Valley Garbanzo Beans
(AgNet West) Brian German, March 18
The presence of Ascochyta blight was confirmed in garbanzo bean fields in the Central Valley last month. Agronomy and Nutrient Management Advisor, Nick Clark said the discovery was made in the Five Points and Lemoore areas. While the disease has the potential to cause economic damage for growers, there are mitigation approaches available.
“We have azoxystrobin, boscalid, and pyraclostrobin that are registered for use in California garbanzos to control infection of Ascochyta leaf blight,” Clark explained. “Using foliar fungicides to control Ascochyta leaf blight doesn’t roll back the clock on infection and disease that’s already happened. It only works to help prevent new infection and new development of disease.”
https://agnetwest.com/ascochyta-blight-discovered-in-central-valley-garbanzo-beans
This state program offers assistance with your water bill
(ABC10) Lora Painter, March 13
“With energy costs going up, your water bill is going to go up as well,” said Keith Taylor, UC Davis professor of cooperative extension and community economic development.
It’s why there’s a state program to help called the Low-Income Household Water Assistance Program. It’s federally funded and offers one-time support to help low-income households pay past due or current water and sewage bills to keep their water on.
“The impact is huge," said Taylor. "It keeps them from going into debt. It keeps them from having bad credit, and it allows them to get the basics...paying for their rent, paying for medication, paying for their food."
Growing Shade Equity, One Tree at a Time
(The Equation) Edith de Guzman, March 13
Beneath the reputation of Los Angeles as a land of cars, palms, and sunshine lies a reality of stark inequalities—including access to trees and shade. Nearly 20% of L.A.’s urban forest is concentrated where only 1% of the city’s population lives, endangering lower-income communities and people of color with hotter-feeling summers and poor environmental quality. In the US and elsewhere, heat is the biggest weather-related killer, and people who live with less shade are two to three times more likely to suffer from heat-related illness and death.
https://blog.ucsusa.org/science-blogger/growing-shade-equity-one-tree-at-a-time
Spotted Lanternfly now present in 18 states
(Wine Business) Kerana Tdorov, March 11
The spotted lanternfly is now present in 18 states, said Cindy Kron, North Coast IPM advisor at UC Agriculture and Natural Resources. Originally from China, the spotted lanternfly was first discovered in 2014 in Pennsylvania, where it is commonly found in backyards.
Kron spoke last week during a virtual panel on the insect organized by UC Davis’ Viticulture and Enology Department.
So far, no live adult spotted lantern fly has been found in California, according to state officials.
https://www.winebusiness.com/news/article/284490
LA Has Big Plans To Turn A Landfill Into A Wetland, But Delays Are Jeopardizing The Project
(LAist) Erin Stone, March 11
…That will help to capture more stormwater locally when rain does come and lessen devastating flooding, said Edith de Guzman, a UCLA water equity and climate adaptation researcher.
“We’ve created a problem because we have paved a large majority of the area,” de Guzman said. “What used to be porous is not porous.”
https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/sun-valley-flooding-rory-shaw
2024 Nevada-Placer-Yuba Livestock Access Program Registration
(YubaNet) March 11
Ranchers in Placer, Nevada, and Yuba Counties, along with UC Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and the County Agricultural Departments from these three counties, have established a Disaster Livestock Access Program to facilitate livestock and human safety before, during, and after wildfire and other emergencies.
https://yubanet.com/regional/2024-nevada-placer-yuba-livestock-access-program-registration
Why Navel Orangeworm is Attracted to Pistachios
(AgInfo) Patrick Cavanaugh, March 8
Louise Ferguson is with the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis and a UCANR Cooperative Extension Specialist. She and others are working on a big question regarding why a female Navel Orangeworm has a desire to lay her egg on the pistachio hull. https://www.aginfo.net/report/59112/California-Tree-Nut-Report/Why-Navel-Orangeworm-is-Attracted-to-Pistachios
Entomologists study enemies of your enemy
(Good Fruit) Matt Milkovich, March 7
...There are parasitoids and other biological controls native to North America, but none evolved to successfully prey on SWD. Other fruit flies feed on soft, rotting fruit, but spotted wing drosophila feeds on ripening fruit with intact skin. SWD’s native enemies in Asia evolved to lay eggs in ripening fruit, allowing them to successfully parasitize SWD larvae, said Kent Daane, a cooperative extension specialist with the University of California, Berkeley.
Daane has studied SWD since it first appeared in North America nearly two decades ago. He was a member of the research teams that visited China, South Korea and Japan seeking SWD’s natural enemies. They found several candidates and brought them back to quarantine facilities in the United States. The samba and ronin wasps rose to the top as potential parasitoids and appeared to work even better in tandem.
https://www.goodfruit.com/entomologists-study-enemies-of-your-enemy
Precision Ag Requires Sensors and Models with Feedback Loops
(HiRes Vineyard Nutrition Podcast) March 5
How far have we come in developing sensors for monitoring vineyard nutrition? In this episode, Dr. Alireza Pourreza, Associate Professor of UC Cooperative Extension, talks about his lab’s research into nitrogen sensor development and the robust models they feed into that will be useful for farm decision-making.
How You Can Help Refill LA's Aquifers By Capturing Stormwater At Home
(LAist) Jacob Margolis, March 4
It's tough to quantify how much any one yard will contribute to an aquifer, but according to analysis done for LADWP's Stormwater Capture Master Plan released in 2015, if widely implemented, water catchment features could have an impact.
"Parcel by parcel there is an additive effect and we've shown qualitatively that additive effect is really significant," said Edith de Guzman, water equity and adaptation policy cooperative extension specialist at UCLA.
The master plan was prepared with Tree People, which de Guzman was with at the time.
It depends on how you slice it, but according to de Guzman, if you add together all the small distributed projects possible (swales, rain gardens, permeable pavement) on everything from commercial properties to those with single family homes, we could theoretically add an additional 110,000 acres of land to our water percolation portfolio.
https://laist.com/news/climate-environment/how-to-capture-stormwater-at-home
Beyond Beauty: The crucial role of almonds to the Valley’s multibillion-dollar agricultural economy
(Merced Focus) Christian De Jesus Betancourt, March 2
…The short-lived blooming window – usually about three weeks around February and March – is crucial to an industry where millions of bees are brought to the Central Valley to help cross-pollinate the crops that will be ready for harvest in August, said UC Cooperative Extension Orchard Crop Farm Advisor Cameron Zuber.
…“In Merced County, 20 to 25% of the almond growers are new to growing almonds,” said Zuber. “That doesn’t mean they’re new to agriculture. They might have grown other things or done other stuff prior.”
https://themercedfocus.org/beyond-beauty-the-crucial-role-of-almonds-to-the-valleys-multibillion-dollar-agricultural-economy
Storm barrels down on Sierra as blizzard conditions close Tahoe resorts
(KQED) Ezra David Romero, March 1
Susie Kocher lives in South Lake Tahoe in the unincorporated Meyers neighborhood, where the storm has dropped a foot of snow in the past 24 hours. As a forestry advisor for the University of California Cooperative Extension, she is working from home. She said as much as 8 feet of snow could fall on her area through Sunday.
“This lines up with the idea of a miracle March, where you haven’t had a whole lot of snow, but then all of a sudden, you get a dump, and now you have plenty of snow and water for the rest of California to use,” she said.
Compared to last year, where storm after storm piled snow on the region, Kocher said snowstorms this year have been much more manageable. They’ve sometimes produced less snow than what meteorologists forecast. This storm, which the National Weather Service has said will be the most extreme in several years, could be different. When she went to the store Thursday night, much of the groceries and other necessities were all but gone.
February 2024
UC offers water measurement workshop
(Farm Press) Feb. 28
The latest in the University of California Cooperative Extension’s periodic courses for water right holders who must report diversions is scheduled for March 15 in Red Bluff.
https://www.farmprogress.com/conservation-and-sustainability/uc-offers-water-measurement-workshop
Prima Wawona farmland yields 28 potential buyers for 13,000 acres. See who’s interested
(Fresno Bee) Robert Rodriguez, Feb. 27
…Kevin Day, a longtime farm advisor with the University of California’s Cooperative Extension Service, said farmers are getting antsy over taking possession of the property. Each has their own way of doing things and the potential buyers want to make sure the trees are being properly maintained.
Poor maintenance of a fruit tree could result in less fruit.
“You could see a decline in yield of anywhere from 30% to 75%,” Day said. “And your fruit will be small with a low sugar concentration.”
https://news.yahoo.com/prima-wawona-farmland-yields-28-153915637.html?guccounter=1
Voices for Change: February 2024 Black History Month
(KTVU) Greg Lee, Feb. 25
Vernard Lewis holds the distinction of being UC Berkeley’s first Black entomologist. He’s traveled the world studying insects and sharing his knowledge with young people, always sharing the value of a career in science, no matter what barriers might stand in their way.
(Vernard Lewis, UC Cooperative Extension specialist emeritus, is at the end of the show, starting around 18:30) https://www.ktvu.com/video/1416404
Wood Pellet Mills in California: A Blessing or a Boondoggle?
(Capital & Main) John Johnson Jr., Feb. 23
Ryan Tompkins, a forester in California’s Gold Rush country, has been cursed with seeing his darkest predictions — those he thought would come true in the distant future — come to pass in his own lifetime.
“We’re seeing rates of ecological change in the forest we only used to talk about and write about,” he said. A University of California scientist, Tompkins is based in Quincy, a short drive down Highway 89 from Greenville. Or where Greenville used to be. Most of it burned to ash in the Dixie fire in 2021, the largest in state history.
https://capitalandmain.com/wood-pellet-mills-in-california-a-blessing-or-a-boondoggle
California's almond crop under attack by invasive beetles
(ABC 10) Devin Trubey, Feb. 23
Growers reported the beetles in September to Jhalendra Rijal and his team at the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources....
"We don’t know how this came and when actually because the extent of the damage we are seeing in 2023 doesn’t seem like it’s just from that year," said Rijal.
They do know the beetle wreaked havoc on almond farms in Australia for the last decade.
"Anywhere from 2% to 5% damage they can see in most of the orchards, in almonds," said Rijal.
Poised to be first widely consumed gene-edited animals, virus-resistant pigs trot toward market
(Science) Jon Cohen, Feb. 23
…Alison Van Eenennaam, an animal geneticist at the University of California, Davis, is cheering the news. “There’s no point having a pig getting sick and dying if there’s an approach to genetically prevent it from doing so,” she says, adding that this benefits farmers, the pigs, and, ultimately, the consumer.
But Van Eenennaam laments the regulatory hoops the company is having to jump through. FDA views the DNA change made by the genome editor CRISPR as an “investigational new drug” that requires multiple submissions from Genus to establish the altered gene’s safety, ability to be inherited, and stability over generations, as well as the resulting pigs’ resistance to the virus. “You’re talking about a very, very expensive regulatory pathway,” she says, arguing it is unnecessary because unlike genetically modified organisms, to which DNA from other species has been added, the gene editing involved the pigs’ own DNA, creating changes that could happen naturally.
https://www.science.org/content/article/poised-be-first-widely-consumed-gene-edited-animals-virus-resistant-pigs-trot-toward
Invasive beetles threaten California almond crop: "One thing we know about this bug is we don't know anything"
(CBS13) Tori Apodaca, Feb. 22
… University of California researcher Jhalendra Rijal said that they do not know how the beetles got here, but they have been attacking almonds in Australia for the past ten years.
"If you get 1% statewide damage, which is 2 billion pounds, still, we're talking about millions of dollars lost every year," Rijal said.
https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/invasive-beetles-threatening-californias-almond-crop/
Almond bloom looks good, so far, as industry outlook brightens
(Bakersfield Californian) John Cox, Feb. 21
Mohammad Yaghmour, a local orchard adviser with the University of California Cooperative Extension, said he has received reports that the bloom is going well locally but that he remains vigilant about fungi such as brown rot, which destroys almond blossoms, fertilized or not. He noted the disease was a problem last year.
Some orchards and certain almond varieties are more susceptible to fungi than others, Yaghmour said. He noted that growers are able to protect their trees using fungicides, but that if disease takes hold, there's relatively little to be done.
"That's why we have to protect the bloom rather than just wait for the problem to happen and then try to manage it," he said.
U.S. pistachio industry faces mixed news
(Farm Press) Todd Fitchette, Feb. 20
…Brittney Goodrich, an Extension specialist in agricultural and resource economics with the University of California, warned growers at a meeting in mid-January that as global supplies continue to outpace demand. She said this could compound grower returns as the cost of production continues to rise.
Katherine Jarvis-Shean, an orchard systems advisor with the UC Ag and Natural Resources, cautioned farmers at the same meeting to consider promoting profitability practices over pure production gains to remain globally competitive.
https://www.farmprogress.com/tree-nuts/u-s-pistachio-industry-faces-mixed-news
How to know if the olive oil you’re buying is actually good for you
(CNN) Kristen Rogers, Feb. 19
…Just like the compounds in tea or chocolate, those in olive oil degrade with time, especially if it’s stored in a hot environment or exposed to light or air, said Dr. Selina Wang, an associate professor of cooperative extension in small-scale fruit and vegetable processing at the University of California, Davis.
https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/19/health/olive-oil-healthiest-quality-wellness/index.html
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/know-olive-oil-buying-actually-101852868.html
PRRS virus-resistant nucleus herd ready for breeding upon regulatory approval
(National Hog Farmer) Ann Hess, Feb. 19
CRISPR is king. That’s what Cooperative Extension Professor in Animal Genomics and Biotechnology at UC Davis, Alison Van Eenennaam, and her post-doc, Alba Ledesma, found out when the European Food Safety Authority asked them to do a review of the global research in genome editing of livestock for food and agricultural production.
“About 80% of all of the edits detailed in peer-reviewed research publications were being done using the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Other editing technologies such as zinc-finger nucleases and TALENs, predated CRISPR/Cas9, and comparatively they're more complicated and expensive to use. They do the same thing, make a double-stranded break in the DNA at a targeted location in the genome, but they're more expensive and complicated to use,” Van Eenennaam says. “That's part of the attractiveness and the democratization of genome editing is that with CRISR/Cas9, you just need to order a different CRISPR guide and you can target the Cas9 to cut at a different region in the genome.”
As organic sector thrives, research seeks to catch up
(Valley Voice) Bob Johnson, Feb. 16
…“Soil health, water and pest management are at the top in our preliminary survey of growers,” said Shriya Rangarajan, postdoctoral researcher at the UC Organic Agriculture Institute.
Rangarajan said many organic farmers have relied on getting information from other growers because of a lack of organic farm advisors and research.
The institute is attempting to coordinate the sources of information about organic agriculture scattered throughout the UC and Cooperative Extension systems and identify the most important knowledge gaps.
https://www.ourvalleyvoice.com/2024/02/16/as-organic-sector-thrives-research-seeks-to-catch-up
Will Southern California be the ‘Napa Valley of coffee’?
(LA Times) Julie Wolfson, Feb. 15
…It took Ruskey several attempts from the first planting of coffee trees in 2002 to learn best practices for growing coffee in Southern California. While tropical climates average above 60 degrees year-round and have generally high precipitation, he and other California coffee farmers are focusing on working with weather patterns, multilayer farming with other crops and careful use of water.
“I have always been passionate about crop adaptation,” says Ruskey. “I was working with the UC Cooperative Extension Service to plant lychee and longans when Dr. Mark Gaskell, a small berry crop expert, gave me 40 coffee plants and encouraged me to try planting them side by side with other plants.”
https://www.latimes.com/food/story/2024-02-15/frinj-coffee-grown-in-california-is-booming
Turkestan Cockroaches with Dr. Andrew Sutherland
(Arthro-Pod) Feb. 14
Hello bug lovers and welcome to a roach filled Valentine's edition of Artho-Pod! Jody and Jonathan meet up with Dr. Andrew Sutherland of University of California Extension. Andrew is an urban entomologist and an area IPM advisor for UC who serves the San Francisco area. As for today's topic, the Turkestan cockroach is an intriguing invasive species that is competing with other roaches, such as the oriental roach, for space. Due to a variety of factors, the Turkestan roach seems to be spreading and is also being noticed by people in the western US. All of that adds up to an interesting podcast episode filled with cockroach facts, thoughts on how the Turkestan roach is spreading, and possible management strategies.
https://arthro-pod.blogspot.com/2024/02/arthro-pod-ep-153-turkestan-cockroaches.html?m=1
CRISPRed Pigs: Precision Porcine Gene Editing Combats PPRS Virus Threat
(Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology News) Uduak Thomas, Feb. 14
…“They were able to generate in a couple of generations a founder population of breeding boars (10–15 per line) and gilts to serve as a gene edited nucleus herd for ultimate commercial pork production and sale using classical breeding,” said Alison Van Eenennaam, PhD, an extension specialist in animal genomics and biotechnology in the department of animal science at the University of California, Davis. “There are more sophisticated approaches to guarantee the edited allele is in a homozygous state and absent off-target indels in all animals produced, e.g., using edited porcine embryonic stem cells, but at the end of the day the approach they used did the job.”
The recent avian flu surge is affecting poultry farmers across the U.S.
(NPR) Leila Fadel, Steve Inskeep, Feb. 12
An avian flu outbreak that started in 2022 is still spreading.
MAURICE PITESKY: This outbreak is larger geographically. It's on six continents at this point.
FADEL: Dr. Maurice Pitesky is an associate professor at UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. He says the current surge in cases is decimating poultry farms across the country.
PITESKY: It's highly pathogenic, so unfortunately one of the more common symptoms is just mortality or death.
How California’s storms are projected to become more extreme with climate change
(LA Times) Ian James, Feb. 8
“The infrastructure that by and large we have today, it really wasn’t built for 21st century conditions. It was built during the 20th century, during a time when the extremes were less extreme,” said Edith de Guzman, a cooperative extension researcher at UCLA who focuses on water equity and adaptation policy. “We need to catch up with the changes and unfortunately, our flood management isn’t changing as quickly as our flood risk is changing.”
Research examining flood risks nationally has found that communities behind levees are disproportionately poorer and people of color.
https://www.latimes.com/environment/story/2024-02-08/climate-change-california-flooding-storms
California’s trees are dying in huge numbers — and Tahoe is the epicenter
(SF Chronicle) Kurtis Alexander, Feb. 8
...there’s the warming climate, which is intensifying droughts and making water even scarcer.
“You just have more trees than the rainfall we get on average,” said Bill Stewart, emeritus forestry specialist at UC Berkeley, who is not affiliated with the Forest Service mortality survey. “All the trees are getting stressed and the weaker trees are dying.”
In healthier times, only a few million trees, or less, might die in a typical year, according to the Forest Service. By contrast, the death count soared to a recent-high of 62 million in 2016.
The ramifications of forest decline are substantial. It can disrupt biodiversity, carbon storage and the towns and trades that rely on forest products. Dead and dying trees can also increase the risk of wildfire.
“It’s just all hot fuel,” said Stewart. “When you get a high wind event at a fire, now the fire just doesn’t stop. You’re getting these fires that change the forest for a century.”
https://www.sfchronicle.com/climate/article/california-forest-tree-die-18651549.php
Wet weather raising risks for local almond orchards
(Bakersfield Californian) John Cox, Feb. 5
Some almond cultivars are more susceptible than others to P. syringae, said Florent Trouillas, a fruit and nut pathologist specialist with the University of California Cooperative Extension.
"Nonpareils seem to be highly susceptible," he said, referring to one of Kern's most popular almond cultivars.
Treatment is done through the introduction of phosphates during irrigation. But Trouillas said that there's little sense trying to do anything about it as late in the year as May, because the disease dies when heat sets in by about June. He noted that any infections caused by this week's rains wouldn't become apparent until March.
UC Davis professor looking how to make table olive industry more economically feasible
(CBS Sacramento) Rachel Wulff, Feb. 2
Dennis Burreson has been growing table olives for 40 years.
"We used to enjoy a significant amount of the institutional marketplace. The pizza trade but we've lost 90% of it," Burreson said.
He says labor costs him half of his total revenue. It's one of the reasons production statewide is down from 37,000 acres when he started to just above 12,000 now. UC Davis professor Louise Ferguson has spent her career studying why.
"The table olive industry is hand harvesting and hand pruning costs," Ferguson said.
Entrepreneur spearheads proposal for nonprofit marketplace
(Morgan Hill Life) Calvin Nuttall, Feb. 2
… A big fan of the innovative project is Julie Morris. She serves as the Santa Clara County Agricultural Liaison at the University of California Cooperative Extension, working in collaboration with the county to implement its Agricultural Plan.
“What Joe and Lisa have proposed for this site is a perfect blending of supporting small farms and preserving ag land,” she said. “Because this is working agricultural land, we are going to need to work together with the county to create other uses, such as the event space and cafe or a restaurant. I hope that this will be a model for other places that want to support small farms and provide access to fresh, local food.”
Bird flu roils poultry industry, raising concern over egg prices ahead of Easter
(Food Dive) Nathan Owens, Feb. 2
… In the winter months, millions of waterfowl migrate to California for its warmer climate, said Maurice Pitesky, an associate professor at the University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. The proliferation of backyard flocks near commercial operations also “can be a recipe for disaster” once waterfowl get in the mix, he said.
“Wildlife are good at interfacing in all kinds of ways,” Pitesky said
… “If we keep dealing with this every year from an economic and animal welfare standpoint, we might have to pivot from poultry,” Pitesky said. “We consume 100 pounds of chicken every year — It hasn’t always been that way.”
Startup of the Month: AgriNerds
(Comstock’s) Russell Nichols, Feb. 2
…“If you’re a commercial poultry producer, for example, over the last two to three years, we’ve lost over 70 million poultry with billions of dollars in damage,” says CEO Maurice Pitesky, an associate professor at the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine. “The effects to consumers in the U.S. and beyond are huge. Hence we need new solutions that help our farmers protect their poultry.”
https://www.comstocksmag.com/web-only/startup-month-agrinerds
UC: Watch for phytophthora in almonds
(Farm Press) Mike Hsu, Feb. 2
With heavy rains in the forecast amid strengthening El Niño conditions, almond growers should be on the lookout for a rare disease that can cause severe damage to their orchards, according to Florent Trouillas, a University of California Cooperative Extension specialist in fruit and nut pathology.
https://www.farmprogress.com/tree-nuts/uc-watch-for-phytophthora-in-almonds
January 2024
Egg prices skyrocket as supplies tighten, avian flu spreads
(Capital Press) Brad Carlson, Jan. 31
… Driven by avian influenza, egg prices hit record highs in 2022 and into January 2023 before returning to normal in early 2023, although “they probably overshot on the downside, and have come back to what’s essentially normal prices,” said Dan Sumner, distinguished professor in the University of California-Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics and director of the UC Agricultural Issues Center.
What Nut Growers Should Know About the Carpophilus Beetle
(Growing Produce) David Eddy, Jan. 30
The latest pest to hit the Golden State is Carpophilus truncatus, more commonly known as the Carpophilus beetle. It doesn’t appear to be a threat in most of the rest of the country because only nuts have been attacked, so far. To date, almond and pistachio orchards infested by Carpophilus beetle have been confirmed in numerous San Joaquin Valley locations, suggesting that the establishment of this new pest is already widespread, according to Jhalendra Rijal, University of California Cooperative Extension IPM Advisor. In fact, some specimens from Merced County were from collections made in 2022 suggesting the pest has been present in the San Joaquin Valley for at least a year already.
“It has likely been here for a few years based on the damage we’ve seen,” Rijal says.
https://www.growingproduce.com/nuts/ahh-nuts-what-growers-should-know-about-the-carpophilus-beetle
A study most fowl: Backyard chicken raisers invited to test UC Davis poultry health app
(MSN) Jan. 30
The backyard chicken trend that’s popped up in all sorts of urban neighborhoods now has its own app.
The University of California, Davis, School of Veterinary Medicine developed the app to offer tips for raising healthy chickens — and will pay poultry owners to test its usefulness.
Burning Questions: Understanding Fire Management with Lenya Quinn-Davidson
(Nature’s Archive) Michael Hawk, Jan. 29
In today’s episode, we reconcile how it was possible for more acres of land to burn every year, but with less dramatic impact. In fact, that historical fire was largely beneficial to the land.
Our guest today, who helps us decipher historical fire and how we can add more beneficial fire back to the landscape is Lenya Quinn-Davidson.
And when you have a guest who’s first name literally means “firewood” in Spanish (alternative spelling), you know you’ve found the right person to discuss wildfire management.
https://naturesarchive.com/2024/01/29/wildfiremanagement
The greatest trees of Los Angeles
(LA Times) Ryan Bradley, Jan. 29
Donald R. Hodel is the Emeritus Environmental Horticulturist for the University of California, Cooperative Extension in Los Angeles. In 1988, Hodel authored a book, published by the California Arboretum Foundation, titled “Exceptional Trees of Los Angeles.” It is exactly what its title describes: a book of very good — or, I’m sorry, exceptional L.A. trees. It is long out of print, but I found a copy, and was thumbing through it when we spoke....
...Hodel thought first of the many streets in L.A. lined by great, glorious tree plantings: the coral trees along San Vincente, the Canary Island date palms lining the entrance to Dodger Stadium, the gum myrtles on Kenilworth Avenue in Pasadena, and of course, in Altadena, the deodar cedars along Christmas Tree Lane (“a spectacular planting,” Hodel said). But when I explained that it was specimens I was after, I heard Hodel go silent a moment. He had his book out, too, and was flipping through it. “Some of these trees,” he said quietly, almost to himself, “I haven’t been back to them in 30 years, and they may not be there.”
https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2024-01-29/greatest-trees-of-los-angeles
https://www.latimes.com/travel/list/great-trees-los-angeles
Farm-to-Preschool Festival brings joy to little farmers
(Desert Review) Amy Reyes, Jan. 29
It was a Farm-tastic day as sunshine filled the skies for the sixth annual Farm to Preschool Festival held Saturday, January 27, at the UC Desert Research and Extension Center west of Holtville. there were plenty of other hands-on activities for kids to enjoy related to harvesting.
Could California’s ACP fight be won with IPM?
(Farm Press) Todd Fitchette, Jan. 29
Mark Hoddle, an entomologist with the University of California, Riverside, has spent much of his career working on the natural enemies of various insects to control invasive pests. Hoddle believes that the fatal citrus disease Huanglongbing (HLB) will not become the catastrophe for California citrus farmers that it did in Florida because of what he and others are learning from integrated pest management (IPM) surveys and studies.
https://www.farmprogress.com/insects/could-california-s-acp-fight-be-won-with-ipm
Moss is blanketing the Bay Area right now. Here's what to know
(San Francisco Chronicle) Michael Cabanatuan, Jan 28
It's not hazardous,” said Steven Swain, an environmental horticulture adviser for the University of California Cooperative Extension in Marin ...
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/moss-bay-area-winter-18625646.php
Volunteers sought to test poultry health app
(NBC Bay Area) Jan. 27
The backyard chicken trend that's popped up in all sorts of urban neighborhoods now has its own app.
The University of California, Davis School of Veterinary Medicine developed the app to offer tips for raising healthy chickens — and will pay poultry owners to test its usefulness.
https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/california/volunteers-sought-test-poultry-health-app/3435554
Avian flu is devastating farms in California's 'Egg Basket' as outbreaks roil poultry industry
(ABC7 San Francisco) Letitia Juarez, Jan. 27
… "I think this is an existential issue for the commercial poultry industry. The virus is on every continent, except for Australia at this point," said Maurice Pitesky, a poultry expert at the University of California, Davis.
https://abc7news.com/eggs-california-avian-bird/14365642/
The farm bill is caught up in gridlock … again
(Marketplace) Savannah Maher, Jan. 24
… The farm bill is supposed to be renewed every five years. But the current one was passed a few months after deadline, and the one before that — the 2014 bill — came two years late.
So, does this thing ever show up on time?
“Good question,” said Daniel Sumner with a chuckle. “You know, occasionally.”
Sumner, an agricultural economist at UC Davis, says right now is an especially tough time to negotiate this massive spending package. Congress has been tied up just trying to fund the government.
“So if you’ve got your wrinkle that you’d like to see changed, then it’s disappointing to see it not go forward,” he said.
https://www.marketplace.org/2024/01/24/the-farm-bill-is-caught-up-in-gridlock-again
California ranks high worldwide for rapidly depleted groundwater
(CalMatters) Rachel Becker, Jan. 24
The study provides a global database that backs up observations that have long worried water watchers.
“The major contribution is to bring into much sharper focus this global problem of groundwater depletion and over-pumping,” said Graham Fogg, a professor emeritus of hydrogeology at UC Davis who was not involved with the research.
“With groundwater, if it’s left unmanaged and unregulated, it’s going to be abused in many, many cases. And if that abuse goes on long enough, some basins will be exhausted of water.”
https://calmatters.org/environment/2024/01/california-rapidly-depleted-groundwater/
Groundwater levels are falling worldwide — but there are solutions
(Grist) Jake Bittle, Jan. 24
While the case studies of recovery provide blueprints for other areas, climate change might make replicating them difficult, said Helen Dahlke, a professor of hydrology at the University of California, Davis. As the earth warms, precipitation totals in dry areas will fall, and the decline in rain might cancel out some of the positive effects of groundwater regulation.
“The measures that they’re talking about would be that much more impactful if they were able to counterbalance the decline in precipitation,” she said. “You’re playing a game of, ‘how much is coming in, and how much is going out?’”
https://grist.org/solutions/groundwater-aquifers-drought-shortage/
‘Love for gardening’: UC Master Gardeners Winter Series Workshop begins
(The Appeal-Democrat) Jeff Larson, Jan. 22
Despite the rainy conditions on Saturday, the University of California Master Gardeners opened their local Winter Series UC Master Gardener Learning Garden three-part workshop to provide knowledge on the winter crop growing season and offer gardening advice for anyone looking to hit their backyards this spring.
Part one covered three topics, according to UC Master Gardener Assistant Terri Hutton. It started with building raised gardens and how to correctly conduct hot, cold and worm composting, Hutton said.
A trial is underway to recycle old almond trees instead of burning them
(Australian Broadcasting Corporation) Victorian Country Hour, Jan 21
…University of California farm advisor Brent Holtz says turning almond orchards into wood chips at the end of their life is standard practice in the United States. He says in California the wood chips used to be burned to produce electricity, but he developed a technique to use them as mulch.
“Since 2015, our electrical industries have been mandated to produce more solar and wind power and burning wood chips to produce electricity is like burning coal. And they’ve fallen out of favor so we needed an alternative to our orchard removal because we couldn’t burn in California because of our air quality restrictions. That’s kind of when the industry turned to me when the cogeneration plants started shutting down in California. To look for an alternative to cogeneration burning or orchard burning in the field.”
Begins at 15:29 mark: https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/vic-country-hour/victorian-country-hour/103334790
Dr. Wendi Gosliner - Food Policy & Health Disparities Researcher
(If I Could Change One Thing) January 20
Wendi Gosliner [Nutrition Policy Institute’s director of food policy research and translation] works to improve population health and nutrition by eliminating health disparities and improving federal food programs. How did SNAP and WIC programs change during the COVID-19 pandemic? How do socioeconomic factors impact access to nutritious foods? What are common misperceptions about nutrition policy in the US? Find out, on this episode of If I Could Change One Thing, the Health Policy Podcast of San Diego State University.
Some key quotes:
On obesity as a target health outcome for interventions: “We are continuing to learn that [obesity] is really a symptom of something else. So, we are focusing on what's really about health, which is a healthy social environment for eating healthy, cultivating a healthy relationship with food, providing whole, healthy, real foods that we know provide nourishment, rather than heavily processed foods. Making sure that we have food systems—the physical part, the social part, all of it—that's health promoting and not negative and nor stigmatizing is the answer to having a pathway to truly cultivating the healthy outcomes that we're looking for.”
On school meals: “The place that kids go to meet their educational and other needs, also cultivates an opportunity to have an experience of being well-fed and in an environment that's healthy and productive and can teach all of us what a healthy eating pattern would look like… providing that reliable, healthy, acceptable meal at school can have all kinds of educational and other beneficial health outcomes for kids.”
On food waste: “When we think about growing food, and all of the inputs that are needed to grow food—the energy, the water, the soil, the human labor, the money to harvest it and transport it— then it gets to us, we buy it, we store it, and then we often throw it away. The amount of resources that's wasted with each food item that is thrown away is immense. And then not only that, but food, when it's decomposing in landfills, creates methane, which is a greenhouse gas contributor all on its own. So, for so many reasons, having us throwing away a lot of food is incredibly costly.”
https://changeonething.libsyn.com/dr-wendi-gosliner-food-policy-health-disparities-researcher
Understanding the Ongoing Bird Flu Crisis
(KPFA) Maureen Nandini Mitra, Jan. 20
...To understand more about this unprecedented panzootic — pandemic among animals — that could potentially spillover into the human world as well, Earth Island Journal editor and Terra Verde-cohost Maureen Nandini Mitra speaks with two avian influenza experts from the University of California, Davis’ School for Veterinary Medicine — Dr Marcela Uhart and Maurice Pitesky.
https://kpfa.org/episode/terra-verde-january-19-2024
Controlling Black Scale in California Groves
(Olive Oil Times) Thomas Sechehaye, Jan. 18
…“Black scale is location and time specific,” Kent M. Daane, an environmental science, policy and management specialist at the University of California – Berkeley, told Olive Oil Times.
“If you were in Bakersfield, there is enough summer heat that smaller stages of the pest die off because they can’t deal with the hot temperatures,” he added. “However, in places like Madero, Modesto and Corning, black scale survives and thrives in milder weather.”
Almond Update: Navel Orangeworm Challenges Took a Toll in 2023
(AgNet West) Brian German, Jan. 18
The almond industry endured a tough year for navel orangeworm challenges in 2023 for a variety of reasons. During The Almond Conference, UC Cooperative Extension Entomology and Pest Management Advisor, David Haviland explained some key factors that made 2023 an abnormal year for pest pressures. One critical aspect for effective management of navel orangeworm is a timely harvest. Haviland explained that ideally, growers can harvest nonpareils before the third flight begins and get the nuts fumigated before worms become adults. However, that was not the case in 2023 and many growers saw what happens when it is not a timely harvest.
https://agnetwest.com/almond-update-navel-orangeworm-challenges-took-a-toll-in-2023
California Chill Report: Navigating Changing Chill Patterns
(AgNet West) Jan. 18
Chill patterns have been shifting over the past 50 years as a result of a higher frequency of warmer winters. UC Cooperative Extension Orchard Systems Advisor, Kat Jarvis-Shean noted that “last year was a luxuriant chill year.” However, this year could be a marginal one for chill accumulation. To address problematic chill patterns, Jarvis-Shean has been researching dormancy-breaking materials like Dormex, seeking solutions for walnut growers.
“It wasn’t really high on people’s radar last year because we had so much chill,” Jarvis-Shean explained. “But as people are watching that chill counter and thinking about playing around with Dormex because it’s recently labeled, I would say that this is a good year to experiment on a small scale.”
https://agnetwest.com/california-chill-report-navigating-changing-chill-patterns
Soil sensors, drip reduce water use in desert lettuce
(Ag Alert) Vicky Boyd, Jan. 17
…Two years into a three-year study, University of California Cooperative Extension Irrigation and Water Management Advisor Ali Montazar said the two technologies paired together show promise to significantly reduce water and nitrogen use. The actual savings depend on a number of factors, including lettuce variety, soil type, planting date, prior irrigation system, planting configuration and bed width.
Farm Flock Losses Climb as Avian Flu Outbreak Spreads
(Ag Alert) Ching Lee, Jan. 10
…Maurice Pitesky, a poultry specialist and expert in highly pathogenic avian influenza at the University of California, Davis, said vaccines are likely part of the solution, but they’re not a panacea. He said not allowing the AI vaccine for poultry appears to be more of a political decision than one based on science. “This is an example of where the science is ahead of the policy and economics,” he said.
With millions of waterfowl arriving in California each fall during migration season, Pitesky said it’s clear poultry farmers need to do more than what they’ve done for years. He said biosecurity methods alone—including fencing, foot baths, vehicle washes and employee training—have not been sufficient to keep out AI.
“The reality is, if you have high waterfowl abundance around your farm and there’s AI in those waterfowl, there’s just no way that that physical operational barrier is good enough to prevent exposure and infection,” he said. “We need to think outside the barn.”
Pitesky is trying to get more farmers to also use prediction tools such as the Waterfowl Alert Network, a software subscription service that gives daily notifications to producers when waterfowl are close to their farms. Having this information, he said, would allow farmers to be more strategic about their biosecurity.
He compared the tool to weather forecasting that tells farmers when a storm is coming. If farmers know where high numbers of waterfowl are roosting, for example, they could deploy water cannons or blasters or change the habitat around the farm to push birds away.
UC ANR: Fifty Years of Water Research Projects in California
(Sierra Sun Times) Erik Christian Porse, Jan. 9
For decades, California has supported research to improve water resources management. Within our archives at the California Institute for Water Resources (CIWR), we have records of nearly 250 funded research projects going back fifty years. This led us to ask, how have water research topics in California changed over time?
Rising bird flu outbreaks threaten national poultry, egg supply again
(KTVH Helena, Montana) Jan. 8
…The recent spike in highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has led poultry providers to euthanize hundreds of thousands of chickens and ducks in Sonoma County, Marin County, and Merced County in California. Other states, including South Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kansas, Arkansas, Ohio, and Pennsylvania, have also reported outbreaks.
UC Davis Professor Dr. Maurice Pitesky tells CBS News that these figures are worrying, and there's a potential for another rise in poultry and egg prices.
"This is, at some level, an existential issue for the commercial poultry industry," said Dr. Pitesky. "It's going to take some time for the industry to adapt to this new reality. But unfortunately, I think, we're in kind of a new world in the United States with respect to the risk."
https://www.ktvh.com/rising-bird-flu-outbreaks-threatens-national-poultry-egg-supply-again
Avian flu surges in Northern California, threatening national poultry, egg supplies
(The Hill) Sharon Udasin, Jan. 7
…“There’s economy of scale in commercial agriculture, including poultry,” Maurice Pitesky, an avian disease specialist at the University of California Davis (UC Davis) School of Veterinary Medicine, told The Hill.
“No pun intended — if you put your eggs all in one basket, the virus gets into a facility and then all the birds have to be euthanized, unfortunately,” Pitesky said.
As of midday Friday, about 10.62 million birds in 63 flocks nationwide had been affected by highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) outbreaks over the past 30 days, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Of these flocks, 37 were commercial and 26 were backyard, and a total of 3.8 million birds were concentrated in California.
In a remote corner of California, roaming dog packs leave a trail of blood and terror
(LA Times) Susanne Rust, Jan. 4
… Dan Macon, a sheep rancher in the Sierra foothills outside Auburn, said it’s a problem that spans the state and is growing as more people move into that urban-wildlife or urban-agricultural interface.
“I don’t worry too much about coyotes, lions or black bears, but I do worry about domestic dogs,” he said.
In 2011, four of his sheep were killed by a neighbor’s dogs. It was the most brutal killing he’d ever seen. The animals were torn to pieces in what he described as a cruel, terrifying and likely very painful death.
Spread of avian flu in North Bay could be disastrous for future of poultry farmers
(KPIX) John Ramos, Jan. 2
UC Davis Professor Dr. Maurice Pitesky said there are very few tools to control it.
"We can't vaccinate because of economic and political reasons," he said. "So, the only method of control we really have are quarantine, bio-security and de-population."
Carpophilus beetle discoveries emphasize importance of winter sanitation
(AgNet West) Jan. 2
Houston Wilson, Associate Cooperative Extension specialist in the Department of Entomology at UC Riverside, emphasized the need for proper and thorough winter sanitation in nut orchards in the wake of the discovery of the invasive pest Carpophilus truncatus. The beetle, first discovered in Australia ten years ago, was identified in an almond orchard in Merced County in September 2023. The pest has subsequently been found in pistachio and almond orchards in Madera, Stanislaus, and Kings counties.
The carpophilus beetle can be identified by an oval-shaped cavity in the hull and the kernel “packed with a fine powdery mix of nutmeat and frass,” according to UC ANR researchers.
https://agnetwest.com/carpophilus-beetle-discoveries-emphasize-importance-of-winter-sanitation/
Bird flu infects Northern California’s historic poultry region, putting small farmers in peril
(Mercury News) Lisa Krieger, Jan. 1
…“The main reservoir of the virus are waterfowl — the ducks and geese that like the really rich habitat that California supplies,” said veterinarian Maurice Pitesky of the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine, who studies the spread of avian diseases. The federal government’s surveillance program has detected the virus in wild birds in 14 California counties this migratory season.
New research suggests that California’s shrinking wild spaces are forcing wild birds to congregate in dairy lagoons, irrigation canals and wastewater treatment ponds, he said. California has lost about 95% of its historic wetlands.
“We’re concentrating waterfowl onto smaller areas, which facilitates disease transmission,” said Pitesky. “This also puts those wild animals closer to our commercial poultry facilities. Potentially infected birds are right next to barns and ranches.”