Kayad hired as an Ag. Engineer advisor at the University of California Intermountain Research and Extension Center, Tulelake, CA

Ahmed Kayad started working as a UC Cooperative Extension Ag. Engineer advisor at the Intermountain Research and Extension Center (IREC) in January 2023. He will implement an applied research and extension program to address regional needs in relation to integrating and adapting new technologies related to mechanization, automation, and precision agriculture into intermountain cropping systems.

Kayad is an expert in developing precision and digital agriculture solutions at field scale to help farmers improve crop management, save money, and protect natural resources. His recent research activities prior to joining IREC include

Kayad earned a Ph.D in the field of digital agriculture from the University of Padua, Italy, studying corn yield mapping through ground and remote sensing techniques. He earned a bachelor's and Master's in Agricultural Engineering from Alexandria University, Egypt and King Saud University, Saudi Arabia respectively. Along with his education training, Kayad worked as a service engineer at farm equipment manufacturer, CLAAS, in Egypt specializing in hay balers and forage/grain combine harvesters. He was a visiting doctoral researcher at the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT), Mexico in 2020. Most recently, Kayad worked for UC Riverside as a postdoctoral researcher focusing on using drone imaging for weed detection.

Kayad is eager to investigate differences in crop growth and development within agricultural fields in Modoc and Siskiyou counties using satellite, drone and ground sensors. One of his first objectives is to map fields spatial and temporal yield variability to better understand management practices that increase crop production. Such information can allow farmers to make better and informed management decisions across their farming operation. Furthermore, he is willing to investigate and evaluate digital solutions for agricultural management practices such as weed robots, variable rate application equipment, drone and sensors applications.

Kayad is located at the Intermountain Research and Extension Center and can be reached at agkayad@ucanr.edu or calling his office at (530) 667-5117.

The Intermountain REC staff are hosting four public meetings in February and March.  The meetings are open to the general public with the target audience being the Klamath Basin Agriculture community.  A list of the meetings and agenda topics is shown below.  A significant focus for the meetings targeting individual crops is to learn about local producer needs and future topics of interest.  Agriculture in the Basin is changing quickly and producers are encouraged to attend and speak up about their needs!

Feb. 16^th- Tulelake Onion Growers Meeting- 9 am to 11 am at IREC

Agenda

UC IREC New Hire announcement

Research Updates from Around the State

Changes in Pesticide and Seed Treatment Labels

2023 Production Needs

Tulelake Grower Business

February 23rd- UC & OSU Klamath Basin Potato Seminar- 10 am to noon at IREC (serving lunch)

Agenda

UC IREC Announcements and Research Updates

OSU Announcements and Research Updates

Identify Klamath Basin Potato Research Needs and Production Issues

Lunch

March 1st- UC IREC Alfalfa and Small Grain Meeting- 10 am to noon at IREC

Agenda

UC IREC Announcements and Research Updates

Identify Local Research Needs and Production Issues

Discussion of Potential Research Project to Develop Digital Mapping Solutions for Alfalfa and Wheat

March 9th- OSU Irrigation Seminar- 9 am to noon at IREC

Agenda

Optimizing irrigation efficiency and scheduling under different water allocation scenerios

Water quality considerations when recycling irrigation water

Groundwater recharge and recovery 

The Intermountain REC annual field day is this Thursday, July 28th, 2022.  The tour starts at 8:30 am and ends at noon with a catered lunch for all participants.  We'd love to see you attend this year! The field day agenda is attached.  This year we will be celebrating Dan Putnam's upcoming retirement if you'd like to stop by and say thanks for his years of service.  The weather forecast for Thursday is hot and sunny, so we will be ending the outside portion of the tour mid-morning to beat the heat.  See you on Thursday-  Rob Wilson, IREC Director

Intermountain REC

2816 Havlina Rd.

Tulelake, CA 96134