Agriculture is Kern County's second highest export

Petroleum and coal products, with a 19.9 percent share, was the largest export sector in the Bakersfield-Delano market in 2010. Following closely behind was agriculture, with 19.4 percent of local exports, reported Courtenay Edelhard in the Bakersfield Californian.

Almonds, cotton, cherries and fresh vegetables account for the bulk of the region's agricultural exports, said Brian Marsh, UC Cooperative Extension advisor in Kern County, an agronomy and cotton expert.

It helps that the area's harvest for key crops, such as cherries, begins earlier than in other markets, so the local ag sector gets a jump-start with buyers, he said.

Minimal pruning boosts walnuts
Tim Hearden, Capital Press

Researchers affirm it may not be necessary to cut back young walnut trees as much as many farmers typically do.

In an orchard near Arbuckle, Calif., University of California Cooperative Extension farm advisors are finding that trees that are minimally pruned have so far yielded the best tonnage per acre.

"The lowest yield is the heavily pruned one," farm advisor Carolyn DeBuse told nearly 100 growers during a workshop March 6. "The other three treatments were not a significant difference, but the largest yield is the minimal-pruning low-vigor (method)."

Supervisor training offered in Modesto
Lake County Record-Bee

UC Cooperative Extension advisor Gregorio Billikopf is offering a four-day farm supervisor training in Spanish March 16 at the Stanislaus County Agricultural Center in Modesto.

According to Billikopf, a personnel management expert, topics that will be covered include employee discipline, including how to deal with the most difficult subordinate behaviors; interpersonal negotiation skills and the importance of praise in day-to-day communications.

Those who attend will participate in numerous role-plays and receive individualized attention and evaluation.

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