Agriculture

The UC Davis Western Center for Agricultural Health and Safety (WCAHS) is inviting all California growers, farm labor contractors and ag supervisors to complete a short survey about their experience addressing COVID-19? in the workplace.

Rice farmers are encouraged to monitor vigilantly for a rise in yield-reducing armyworms, reported Jake Abbott in the Appeal-Democrat. UC Cooperative Extension rice advisor Luis Espino said the most recent numbers were low but are expected to climb in the next few weeks.

When you think of potatoes, your thoughts probably turn to baked potatoes, French fries, the "one-potato-two-potato" game, or "couch potatoes" (especially during the sheltering-in mandates). You're not thinking of root-knot nematodes, major pests of potatoes.

The newly appointed Presidential Director for the Clif Bar Endowed Organic Agriculture Institute, Houston Wilson, has already initiated a needs assessment of organic agriculture in California, reported Lee Allen in Western Farm Press.

American Society of Agronomy IMAGE: PVC pipes painted with rust, known as IRIS tubes, help track how much oxygen is in the soil. When there isn't enough oxygen, microbes will turn the rust into regular... view more Credit: J.C. Fiola Stand outside and look underneath your feet.

It is widely known that the California Department Food and Agriculture (CDFA) has been providing financial initiatives to what is known as the Healthy Soil Incentive Program to California growers and ranchers.

New to cover crops? What alternatives are there and how does one figure out what might work in your special situation? Well, be one of the first to test out a new software program developed by Shulamit Shroder, our Climate Smart Specialist in Kern County.

Stink bugs are common pests in gardens but the brown marmorated stink bug, or BMSB, is of particular concern. BMSB (Halyomorpha halys) was first detected in Los Angeles County in 2006 and has since been detected in many other parts of California with large populations in some counties.

An excellent idea. Food ought to be incorporated as an integral part of our school curricula, says UC Davis agricultural entomologist Christian Nansen, an associate professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology. Yes! And he welcomes teachers' involvement in this important project.

Potato growers should think plant immunity, not toxic chemicals, when root-knot nematodes attack their crops, says UC Davis nematologist Shahid Siddique.