- Author: Sarah Light

University of California Cooperative Extension Sutter-Yuba-Colusa is holding a series of webinars in September and October to provide research updates on some of the major crops in the Sacramento Valley. The classes are relevant to growers throughout California and are primarily focused on pest management and pesticide safety.
The September 9th webinar will feature Franz Niederholzer, Orchard Systems Advisor. "We will be reviewing proven almond IPM practices with an eye to reducing input costs, where possible, while delivering effective pest control," says Niederholzer. He has been working in almonds in the Sacramento Valley for almost 20...
- Author: Sarah Light
- Author: Helaine Berris
UC Cooperative Extension and Colusa RCD Launch Soil Health Connection
University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and Colusa County Resource Conservation District announce the launch of the Soil Health Connection, an informative outreach YouTube channel. The channel hosts virtual discussions and interviews with leading soil science researchers and farmers with the intention of shedding light on the importance of soil health in California's agricultural systems.
Hosts Sarah Light, UCCE Agronomy Advisor, and Liz Harper, Colusa County RCD Executive Director bring their own knowledge and expertise to the channel...
- Author: Sarah Light
Healthy Soils and Field Crop Meeting
Ag Building Meeting Room, 142 Garden Highway, Yuba City
Wednesday, February 19, 2020 ~ 8:45am - Noon
8:45 am Coffee and Registration
8:55 am Welcome
Sarah Light, UCCE Farm Advisor, Sutter, Yuba, Colusa Counties
Healthy Soils
9:00...
- Author: Sarah Light
UC Cooperative Extension is Pleased to Announce Two Upcoming Events:
Wheat Field Day in Colusa County
Tuesday, March 12th ~ 9:00-11:00 am
Topics Include:
-Small Grains Variety Testing and Resources
-Optimizing Nitrogen Management in Small Grains
-Soil Nitrate Quick Test Demo
Contact Sarah Light, Agronomy Advisor, with questions: selight@ucanr.edu ~ 530-822-7515
- Author: Sarah Light

Soil compaction is often a problem in field crop production and occurs when soil particles are pressed together, reducing available pore space for air and water. About half the soil volume is composed of particles, the other half is soil pores. At field capacity, these pores are roughly filled to equal parts with water and air. Pores are the spaces where roots grow, microbes live, and water and nutrients move through the soil. For this reason, compaction can lead to poor water infiltration, increased water runoff and soil erosion, restricted root growth, reduced nutrient uptake, and ultimately poor plant growth and lower yields. For example, last spring we visited a dry bean field where there was about an acre of beans along a road...