- Author: Joseph DiTomaso
Yellow starthistle (Centaurea solstitialis) (YST) is the most pervasive invasive and noxious weed in California. Previous work showed that YST uses substantially more water than forage annual grasses it typically displaces. Soil moisture was 20% higher in annual grass test sites compared to YST test sites. Because yellow starthistle is found (sometimes in very extensive stands) on millions of acres of California, it is possible that removal of the thistle could substantially increase groundwater recharge and subsequent surface runoff. This could greatly improve range conditions, wildlife habitat and water supply, especially in the Sacramento Valley where groundwater levels are generally still fairly high and connected to surface water streams. Thus, improvements in groundwater levels in the Sacramento Valley could be expected to translate to improved surface runoff. In addition to the economic benefits of greater water generation, reducing YST will also benefit cattle ranchers. It has been estimated that statewide benefits to ranchers could exceed $20 million per year. There would also be substantial benefits to biodiversity, since native plants will do better when YST is removed. Increased streamflow due to greater groundwater recharge could also benefit native fish species and help listed rivers meet temperature TMDLs.
To test this concept, a three-year experiment is underway to evaluate the hypothesis that YST removal can improve groundwater levels and surface runoff. In particular, the ultimate objective is to estimate the potential saving of full-scale application on groundwater, runoff, soil moisture, and their interaction. The experiment is a collaboration among several researchers, including Joe DiTomaso and Leslie Roche in the Department of Plant Sciences at UC Davis, Jay Lund and Sarah Yarnell at the UC Davis Watershed Center, Mike Deas with Watercouse Engineering, and Geral Meral with the California Water Program Director of the Natural Heritage Institute. The project will be performed on four similar small watersheds covering about 30 acres on a ranch in Yolo County (in cooperation with John Anderson and Bruce Rominger). If the experiment demonstrates that water supplies can be improved, local water districts and those agencies that export water from the Sacramento Delta may find it financially attractive to pay for extensive yellow starthistle removal.
- Author: Devii R. Rao
Do you have sheep and/or goats? Are you interested in learning about small ruminant nutrition, disease prevention, the new veterinary feed directive, or using sheep and goats to manage weeds and fire fuels?
Survey responses are anonymous unless you choose to provide your name.
If you are not a sheep or goat producer, but you know someone who is, please feel free to pass this info on to them.
If you have any questions or additional suggestions, you can contact Devii Rao at drorao@ucanr.edu or 831-637-5346 x14.
- Author: Devii R. Rao
- Author: Dr. K. Satyanarayan
India is a major agricultural producer and small farmers are essential in providing staples like milk, rice and wheat to people inside India and abroad. Indian farmers produce many fruits, vegetables and spices as well. Dairy products are particularly important in India and are used on a daily basis as an ingredient in most dishes.
In India, 86% of agricultural producers are small farmers who may have 2-3 acres of land for farming and 2-3 cows or 10-15 sheep. Most crops (70%) are rain-fed. Farmers usually only get 1 crop per year, 2 if they get particularly good rain. In Rishikesh, a city in the northern state of Uttarakhand, it is common to see small wheat fields interspersed with a couple of trees. Farmers use the trees to store hay until later in the season when it is needed by their cattle.
Cattle Breeds
There are 30 breeds of cattle in India. Some are specifically for dairy (sindhi, sahiwal, and gir [or gyr]), others are draft animals used for ploughing fields or pulling bullock carts (Hallikar, Amritmahal, Khillari), and some are dual purpose (Tharparkar, Hariana, Deoni) (TNAU 2017). Because India is a large country with a diversity of climates, different breeds were developed to survive in different parts of the country. National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR) is interested in understanding and improving genetics of cattle and other livestock breeds in India. For more information, check out their website: http://www.nbagr.res.in/nbagr.html.
Dairy Production
When consuming dairy products in India, you may be consuming cow milk, buffalo milk or even a mix of the two. Labeling does not necessarily distinguish the source.
- 40-60% source of energy (from corn usually or any other cereal)
- 30 – 40% cereal byproduct like de-oiled rice bran/rice polish/wheat bran which will supply both energy and protein
- 20-30% oil seed cake especially for high yielding cows and growing heifers
- 2% mineral content (major minerals like calcium, phosphorous, sulfur and magnesium and trace minerals like zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and cobalt)
- 1% common salt which supplies sodium, chlorine and iodine
- If highly proteinaceous leguminous fodder is available, the quantity of concentrate will be reduced. (Every 5 kg [11 lbs] of leguminous green fodder is equivalent to 1kg [2.2 lbs] of concentrates.)
Marketing
Karnataka Milk Federation (KMF) has had a major impact on the dairy industry in the state of Karnataka. It established a 3-tiered cooperative dairy network with the state milk federation at the highest level, then the milk district unions, and the dairy cooperative societies at the village level. More than 2 million dairy producers in Karnataka are affiliated with more than 13,000 dairy cooperative societies. Every village has a cooperative society where producers bring their milk twice a day, every day. These dairy cooperatives are extremely important to poor rural people because if they are involved with the cooperative, they are guaranteed to be paid for their milk. These millions of dairy producers are very small scale, with 2-3 cows. Dairy operations with 200-300 cows or more are considered a very large and are rare. They are usually near cities and do not participate in the cooperative system.
There is a very small market for goat milk in India, which is sold mainly in the cities. Goat milk is sold through private vendors, not through the cooperative system. Although it is a small market, goat milk producers are paid a high price: 90-120 Rupees/liter ($5.08 - $6.77/gallon) for goat milk whereas farmers are paid 30 Rupees/liter ($1.69/gallon) for cow milk.
For additional information about dairy production, check out this great 8-minute KMF Dairy Tour video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oZ1ZiGkagaE.
Extension Efforts
Dairy production is an integral part of India's history, culture and economy. Indians use a lot of dairy products in their cooking, including milk, ghee (clarified butter), curd (yogurt), and lassi (liquid yogurt drink). Millions of very small-scale dairy farmers provide the country with its daily dairy needs for tea, coffee, traditional dishes, and sweets.
References
ABBA (American Brahman Breeders Association). 2017. ABBA History webpage, last accessed January 25, 2017, http://www.brahman.org/about/.
OSU (Oklahoma State University). 2017. Breeds of Livestock - Brahman Cattle webpage, last accessed January 25, 2017, http://www.ansi.okstate.edu/breeds/cattle/brahman/.
TNAU (Tamil Nadu Agricultural University). 2017. Breeds of Cattle and Buffalo webpage, last accessed January 25, 2017, http://agritech.tnau.ac.in/expert_system/cattlebuffalo/Breeds%20of%20cattle%20&%20baffalo.html,
- Author: Devii R. Rao
Ranchers are invited to CCA's Surviving Drought Risk Management Workshop at the Red Bluff Bull and Gelding Sale (Tehama District Fairgrounds) on Friday, January 27, 2017 from 8 - 10:30 a.m.
This workshop will feature research from UC Cooperative Extension specialists and advisors on a variety of drought topics including: rangeland management, irrigated pasture, feeding byproducts and rotational grazing.
This workshop is free to attend and open to all ranchers. For the complete agenda visit http://www.calcattlemen.org/cca_events/event.aspx?eventid=28.
- Author: Devii R. Rao
Please join the San Benito Weed Management Area (WMA) for a free weed workshop.
2.5 hours of pesticide continuing education credit (including 1 hour of Laws and Regulations) have been approved by the Department of Pesticide Regulation.
Topics will include control of whitetop, medusahead, and ground squirrels; using grazing and restoration to control weeds; laws & regs for 2nd generation anticoagulants; cattle vaccines; NRCS funding for ranchers; TNC conservation strategies; and an update from WMA partners.
Date: December 8
Time: 7:30 am to 11:20 am. Registration and refreshments begin at 7:30 am. Talks begin at 8:00 am.
Cost: Free - No registration needed.
Location: Hollister Veterans Memorial Building, 649 San Benito Street (Room 204), Hollister, California
For more information call (831) 389-4486 x259.
See below for the flier.
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Flier for weed workshop