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Olive growers, enthusiasts invited to UC olive webinar April 4

Growers and others interested in growing table olives or olives for making olive oil are invited to a California Statewide Olive Seminar on Friday, April 4. The online seminar, a series of presentations from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., is sponsored by the University of California Cooperative Extension and UC Integrated Pest Management Program. “This webinar is free and open to anyone interested in learning more about the current knowledge and research happening in olive production,” said Cindy Kron, University of California Cooperative Extension IPM advisor, noting that people from other states and countries are welcome to attend. UC Cooperative Extension scientists will present the latest research information on pest management, irrigation, weeds, fertilizer needs, harvest, olive quality and alternate bearing of table olive trees. With 34,000 acres of olive orchards, California grows 100% of U.S. commercial olives, which are valued at $63.1 million, according to the most...

Bird flu's impact on egg and milk markets varies

Egg prices soar while dairy prices remain stable as H5N1 spreads through California Consumers have faced reduced egg supplies and high egg prices. A recent article by University of California, Davis agricultural economists explore the reasons for reduced egg supplies and high egg prices and assess what producers and consumers can expect now that the bird flu, or H5N1, has spread through poultry farms and California dairies. The authors find that California egg production in December 2024 was 30% lower than in January 2022, while national production, which is the source of most of California's retail supply, had declined by much less. California milk production is also decreasing as the virus sweeps through California dairies, but has not driven up consumer prices because of major differences in the relevant markets.  “Despite California producing more than 15% of U.S. milk, H5N1 has had little or no impact on milk prices because the disease has not substantially...

Gift extends UC Davis pistachio research on new scions, rootstocks

Rod Stiefvater of Oro Vista Farms donates money, farm resources Warming weather, water scarcity and a loss of winter fog threaten pistachio production in California's southern San Joaquin Valley, potentially disrupting one of the state's most valuable crops. The University of California, Davis, is enhancing and expanding its Pistachio Breeding Program after a generous gift from philanthropist and pistachio farmer Rod Stiefvater, who is donating more than $335,000 over three years to develop new rootstocks that thrive under changing climate conditions. Stiefvater is also donating plots in Kern County on his Oro Vista Farms property for UC Davis researchers to plant rootstocks and scions and conduct trials, all under the care of his seasoned farm managers and workers. “I view it as a way to give back to the industry that has provided for my financial success in ways that I never dreamed possible,” Stiefvater said. “They'll receive daily attention to whatever...

Date production workshop set for April 23 in Palm Desert

  Scientists to present date research on irrigation, nutrients, disease, pests and regulations The 2025 California Date Palm Workshop will be held on April 23 in Palm Desert at the UC Riverside Palm Desert Center. Anyone who is interested in growing dates is welcome to attend. "This workshop brings together researchers, growers and stakeholders to discuss recent research data on the ‘state of the date' crop in California,” said workshop organizer Ali Montazar, UC Cooperative Extension irrigation and water management advisor for Imperial, Riverside and San Diego counties. The international date research workshop runs from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Scientists will share the latest research and information on various aspects of date production, including irrigation and nutrient management, disease and pest management, and laws and regulations. Abdelouahhab Zaid, secretary general of the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in Abu...

UC ANR fire expert highlights materials, components and actions that saved homes from LA fires

Valachovic, UC Cooperative Extension advisor, visited neighborhoods affected by Palisades and Eaton Fires This essay was written by Yana Valachovic, a member of UC ANR's Fire Network with a specialty in community resilience and the built environment. She is the county director and forest advisor for the University of California Cooperative Extension in Humboldt and Del Norte counties. Many houses still stand among the blocks of fire-ravaged neighborhoods of both the Palisades and Eaton Fire footprints, each offering clues about what they and community members experienced during Jan. 7-8, 2025. A squirt gun, a blender jar used to scoop water from a pool, cut fence panels on the ground, gates off their hinges, rub marks from fire hoses on cement, and a shovel in the yard. Each is a sign that someone, who may have been a resident or firefighter, was trying their best to protect a home or stop a fire from advancing through the bushes, leaves and mulch surrounding each home. I am...

For information, contact

Norma De La Vega
Title: Broadcast Communications Specialist III
Unit: Strategic Communications
Address:
University of California, Riverside
ANR News & Information Outreach in Spanish
4501 Glenwood Drive
Riverside, CA 92501-3000
Phone: (951) 827-9541
Fax: (951) 781-2171
Email: ndelaveg@ucanr.edu

Pamela S Kan-Rice
Title: Assistant Director, News and Information Outreach
Specialty: Working with the news media in public information.
Unit: Strategic Communications
Address:
2801 Second Street
180
Davis, CA 95618-7779
Phone: (530) 750-1221
Fax: (530) 756-1079
Email: pam.kanrice@ucanr.edu

Basilisa M Rawleigh
Title: Administrative Assistant III
Unit: Strategic Communications
Notes: AsisTel de la UC: http://asistel.ucanr.org
Address:
University of California, Riverside
ANR News & Information Outreach in Spanish
4501 Glenwood Drive
Riverside, CA 92501-3000
Phone: (951) 827-9540
Fax: (951) 781-2171
Email: lrawleigh@ucanr.edu

Liz Sizensky
Title: Social Media Strategist
Specialty: strategic communications, social media, editing, writing, Connected newsletter
Unit: Strategic Communications
Address:
2801 Second Street
Davis, CA 95618-7779
Phone: (415) 635-7380
Email: lizsizensky@gmail.com

Ricardo A Vela
Title: Program Manager
Specialty: Video production, Video editing, Photography, Latino Community,Spanish Media, How to reach to Latinos,Bilingual (English - Spanish) Bicultural.
Unit: Strategic Communications
Address:
University of California, Riverside
ANR News and Information Outreach in Spanish
4501 Glenwood Drive
Riverside, CA 92501-3000
Phone: 951-827-9545
Fax: 951-781-2171
Email: rvela@ucanr.edu

Jeannette E. Warnert
Title: Communications Specialist
Specialty: Writing
Unit: Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension Center
Address:
Agriculture and Natural Resources
UC Kearney Research and Extension Center
9240 S. Riverbend Ave.
Parlier, CA 93648
Phone: (559) 240-9850
Fax: (559) 646-6593
Email: jewarnert@ucanr.edu