In 2022, I estimate rice acreage in the Delta, south of the Yolo Bypass, was at least 8,000 acres. Most Delta rice is grown in San Joaquin County, but there is some acreage in Sacramento County. While Delta rice acreage is relatively small compared to that in the Sacramento Valley, it has been steadily increasing over the last several years (Table 1).

Given the increasing interest in rice production among Delta growers, and the differences in production practices from the Sacramento Valley, UC Cooperative Extension and UC Davis will be releasing a cost of production report specifically for Delta rice later this year or in early 2023. A Delta rice cost study was...

Ben Faber (UCCE Advisor in Ventura County) shared the following article with me--thanks Ben.

Agronomic cover crop management supports weed suppression and competition in California orchards

Steve Haring and Brad Hanson (UC Davis)

Abstract

Cover crops enhance the biodiversity of cropping systems and can support a variety of useful ecosystem services, including weed suppression. In California orchards, cover crops are typically implemented as annual plants that can replace resident vegetation in orchard alleyways during the rainy winter season. Our research objective was to evaluate cover crop management factors that support a...

This year, I received a variety of questions from livestock owners in the region. All of the weeds I mention here were of concern to owners managing smaller (less than 20 ac) properties in Fresno and Madera Counties, impacting multiple kinds of livestock – horses, sheep, and cattle. The most common weeds infesting larger properties may be different, and this list is not comprehensive of the weeds found in this part of California.