California Ag Network

Category: Events

  • Diagnosing Herbicide Symptoms Course, July 10-11

    Weed scientists at the University of California are offering the Diagnosing Herbicide Symptoms 2018 course on July 10-11, 2018. This 1-1/2 day course will focus on how an herbicide injury situation can arise, what types of information can help diagnose herbicide problems during field investigations, and what herbicide symptomology tools are available to you.

    The course provides a rare opportunity for professionals to update their understanding of herbicide symptoms and injuries and interact with experts in this field. Cooperative Extension specialists Kassim Al-Khatib and Brad Hanson along with farm advisor John Roncoroni are a few of the course instructors.

    Topics include herbicide mode of actions :: how symptoms develop and progress :: recovery from herbicide injury :: relationship between symptomology and economical damage :: symptoms from several classes of amino acid synthesis inhibiting herbicides :: symptoms from herbicides that mimic plant hormones and the synthesis of fatty acids :: symptoms from herbicides that affect photosystem I, photosystem II, or that act by disrupting cell membranes :: biotic and abiotic symptoms that resemble herbicide symptoms :: herbicide symptomology tools :: what happens during a field investigation :: what happens in an herbicide injury legal case.

    This program is intended for pest control advisers, sales representatives for chemical companies, field investigators, and insurance adjusters.

    Take advantage of the early-bird registration fee ($465.) The fee goes up after June 10 to $495 and then to $525 after June 26. The registration fee includes lunch, refreshments and course materials.

    The course is approved for DPR and CCA continuing education credits–PCA, QAC, QAL, Private Applicator: 8.0 Other; Certified Crop Adviser: 7.0 IPM, 1.0 PD

    More information, visit the UC Weed Research & Information Center website (http://wric.ucdavis.edu/) and click on DIAGNOSING HERBICIDE SYMPTOMS.

    Attached Files

    press release Diagnosing Herbicide Symptoms course 2018

  • CropManage Hands-on Workshop, June 6

    Bringing Irrigation & Nutrient Management Decision Support to the Field

    Date: Wednesday, June 6, 2018
    1pm – 4:30pm

    Location: UCCE Ventura, 669 County Square Drive, Ventura, CA 93003
    California Room

    669 County Square Drive Suite 100 Ventura CA 93003 805-645-1451 • ceventura.ucanr.edu

    • Learn how to use CropManage to support irrigation and nutrient management decisions and record-keeping
    • Learn the new version of CropManage (3.0) – also available in SpanishCropManage is a free online decision support tool for water and nutrient management of coastal crops. Based on in-depth research and field studies conducted by the University of California, CropManage provides real-time recommendations for efficient irrigation and fertilization applications— while maintaining or improving overall yield.

      At this free workshop, we will provide hands-on training so that you can learn to use the newest version of CropManage (3.0) which has been updated to be more compatible for in-field use by farm staff. CropManage is now available in Spanish.

      Crops currently supported by CropManage in Ventura County include strawberry and celery. In the Watsonville area, raspberry, head, romaine, and leaf lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, bell pepper, spinach, baby lettuce, cilantro and mizuna, in addition to strawberry and celery.

      Who should participate? Vegetable and berry growers, ranch managers, other farm staff, and technical service providers are welcome. The workshop is for both new and current CropManage users.

      What to bring? This is a participatory workshop. Please bring a tablet or laptop computer so that you can follow along and participate in the exercises. Each participant will need a user account for CropManage. Please set up a free user account at v3.cropmanage.ucanr.edu before the workshop.

      Registration is free: Please register by May 30 using the following link:http://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=24795

      Questions: Andre Biscaro at asbiscaro@ucanr.edu or 805-645-1465.

      AGENDA

      1:00 – 1:30 Registration and computer set-up
      1:30 – 3:00 Getting started with CropManage 3.0
      3:00 BREAK
      3:15 – 4:00 Strategies for using CropManage for decision support and record-keeping 4:00 – 4:20 Advanced features and interfacing sensors with CropManage
      4:20 – 4:30 Discussion of new features or changes needed

      2.5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) applied for Certified Crop Advisers (CCA)

      It is the policy of the University of California (UC) and the UC Division of Agriculture & Natural Resources not to engage in discrimination against or harassment of any person in any of its programs or activities (Complete nondiscrimination policy statement can be found at http://ucanr.edu/sites/anrstaff/files/215244.pdf ).

      Inquiries regarding ANR’s nondiscrimination policies may be directed to John I. Sims, Affirmative Action Compliance Officer/Title IX Officer, University of California, Agriculture and Natural Resources, 2801 Second Street, Davis, CA 95618, (530) 750-1397.

  • Nickels Soil Lab Annual Field Day, Tuesday, May 8, 2018

    Arbuckle, Calif., (May 1, 2018) – Come join in the festivities, fun and of course the .75 hours of PCA CE credits or the 2 hours of CCA CE credits, at the Nickels Soil Lab Annual Field Day at the Nickels Soil lab on Marine Avenue in Arbuckle, CA. There will be a tri-tip lunch by reservation so do not wait to register for this event, do it now to get all the wonderful benefits.

    Here is the agenda for the day:

    8:30 am — Registration: Coffee and Donuts provided by Farm Credit Services of Colusa-Glenn, ACA

    Cycle I: 9:20-10:45 am

    1. Overview of navel orange worm management – Dani Lghtle, UCCE Advisor, Glenn/Butte/Tehama Counties
    2. Band canker management – Themis Michailides, Plant Pathologist and Lecturer, UC Davis Plant Pathology Department
    3. Frost Protection in almonds – Joe Connell, Farm Advisor, UCCE Butte County (emeritus)
    4. Almond flower biology – Tom Gradziel, Professor, UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences.

    Cycle II: 10:45 am -12:10 pm

    1. Basic Bee Biology 101 – Elina Niño, Extension Specialist, UC Davis Entomology and Nematology Department
    2. Ceratocystis canker: diagnosis and management – Florent Trouillas, Extension Specialist, UC Davis Plant Pathology Department
    3. Using real time physiological data to guide irrigation scheduling – Tom Buckley, Professor, UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences
    4. What are we learning from orchard biomas (chip and mix) studies? – Emad Jahanzad, Postdoctoral researcher, UC Davis Plant Sciences Department

    12:15 – BBQ Tri-Tip Lunch (by reservation) – Lucheon Speaker, Mark Jansen, President & CEO, Blud Diamond Growers

    to review the flyer which contains the agenda, map, and registration form please copy this link into your browser window – http://cesutter.ucanr.edu/newsletters/Pomology_Notes74801.pdf

     

  • California and Chile to Co-Host Webinar On Climate Adaptation Strategies

    Sacramento, Calif., (April 25, 2018) – Prolonged droughts. Erratic rainfall. Fluctuating temperatures. These extreme weather events are just some of the many ways climate change is exacerbating existing challenges faced by farmers and ranchers across the globe.  According to the United Nations, more than 80 percent of the damage and losses caused by drought is to agriculture, especially livestock and crop production

    But instead of sitting idly by, farmers – in California and around the world – are adapting to these changes. They are implementing new technologies, forming partnerships and exploring innovative solutions that will better prepare them for climate induced extreme weather events.

    To better explore these strategies and solutions, the California Department of Food and Agriculture will host a webinar titled, “Chile and California: Exploring on-farm climate change adaptation strategies.”

    This free webinar brings together farmers, research scientists and government representatives from Chile and California to discuss strategies and practices to help growers around the world adapt to the impacts of climate change. The event will be held on April 25, 2018 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

    Registration information can be found at: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2207220504546643969

    California continues to work in collaboration with international partners to foster knowledge-sharing partnerships to address climate change impacts on agriculture. This webinar is the tenth in a series of international discussions focusing on climate smart agriculture. For more information, contact Jaydeep Singh at Jaydeep.bhatia@cdfa.ca.gov.

  • Public Forum On Proposed Temperance Flat Project

    Fresno, Calif., (April 17, 2018) – How big of a deal is the proposed Temperance Flat dam on the San Joaquin River?

    An April 27 forum hosted by the Friends of the Madden Library at Fresno State will help you learn more.

    The project is big, no question about it.

    There’s a lot of money involved: The dam will cost $3 billion, according to supporters, though opponents say it will turn out to be much more expensive. Physically, it’s huge: The dam, which would be located upstream of the existing Friant Dam, about 20 miles northeast of Fresno, would stand 665 feet high and have the capability to store more than 1.3 million acre feet of water. And politically, it’s become a high-stakes battle: Advocates say that farmers and residents need the water-storage capabilities of a new dam in times of drought, while foes decry the environmental impact and say that the cost for what they call a relatively small amount of water is far too high.

    As is the case with many complicated political issues, it’s a lot of information for the casual observer to absorb. The free library forum, to be held at 6 p.m. Friday, April 27 will help focus the discussion by featuring two passionate speakers on either side of the debate. Each has been following the project for more than 15 years.

    Speaking on behalf of the Temperance Flat project will be Mario Santoyo, executive director of both the San Joaquin Valley Water Infrastructure Authority and the California Latino Water Coalition.

    “For me, the message is going to be fairly simple,” said Santoyo. “We’re in a time in history when the Central Valley has never experienced this degree of water shortage and groundwater regulation. That makes it imperative to manage what is otherwise lost to the ocean for the purposes of stabilizing our water supply and our economy.”

    The City of Fresno is what Santoyo calls a “major potential investor” in the project. In November, the city council approved $500,000 in preconstruction planning and coordination related to the dam, with an anticipated goal of forming a joint-powers agency with other irrigation districts.

    Speaking in opposition will be Chris Acree, executive Director of Revive the San Joaquin.

    “I think the basic point is that this is a private project that’s trying to benefit off the conversion of public lands,” said Acree. “I think it’s a shame we have to flood a giant canyon area for 70,000 acre feet of water — because the only time it would be 1.5 million acre feet is after a 100-year storm. The amount of money it costs for the amount of money it generates is just absurd.”

    Acree says the $3 billion estimated cost doesn’t include the loss of hydropower, environmental-impact reports and the consequences of flooding hundreds of Native American burial sites.

    These are pivotal times for the proposed dam. Supporters are seeking $1 billion in state funding. In January, the California Water Commission, which administers water-project bond money approved by voters with the passage of Proposition 1, gave the Temperance Flat project a score of zero for the dam’s cost-benefit ratio. Supporters are appealing the score.

    Both Santoyo and Acree said they’re looking forward to getting their views across at the library forum and stress the importance of an informed public.

    “It’s clearly one of the most important projects in probably the last 50 years in the Central Valley,” said Santoyo. “It’s well worth taking the time to listen.”

    The event is presented in collaboration with the Central Valley Water Awareness Committee, which will sponsor the Water-Wise Plant event on campus the following day.

     

  • Second Annual Organic Grower Summit Coming to Monterey

    Monterey, Calif., (April 11, 2018) – The Organic Produce Network (OPN) and California Certified Organic Farmers (CCOF) are again teaming up to host the second annual Organic Grower Summit (OGS) on December 12 -13, 2018 at the renovated Monterey Convention Center in downtown Monterey, CA.

    OGS will bring together the entire organic growing and production chain as well as service providers and supply partners for two days of information, education and networking opportunities. Organic growers, producers and handlers from fresh produce, dairy, meat and grain sectors will have the opportunity to meet and engage with suppliers, service providers, packaging and technology companies, equipment manufacturers and other companies critical to their success.

    “Based on the success of last year’s inaugural Organic Growers Summit, CCOF growers look forward to this rare opportunity to network with each other and with other organic sector leaders and innovators,” says CCOF CEO Cathy Calfo. “Growers are key to meeting the demand for organic products and grower-driven events like OGS are important to their success.”

    OGS 2018 features an increase in show size to over 90 exhibitor booths and 1,000 attendees. New to OGS this year is a two-day format, with informative and educational sessions on core issues related to organic production, though-provoking and inspiring keynote speakers and an exhibition trade show floor on both days of the show.

    “There is a tremendous appetite for information and education as it relates to organic food production and we are once again thrilled to be partnering with the nation’s leading organic certification organization to bring together the various facets of the organic production community under one roof to exchange ideas and information that will make our industry stronger, “said Matt Seeley, cofounder of OPN.

    The event will be held at the Monterey Conference Center, with further information on educational session, keynote presenters and exhibiting opportunities available in the weeks to come.

    For more information, please visit organicgrowersummit.com

  • Barn to Yarn 2018

    Have you ever wondered where your wool sweater came from? Or just how to keep a 160lb sheep still enough to shear it? Join the Hopland Research and Extension Center (HREC) team and friends on Saturday, May 12th from 9am-2pm to get the answers to these and many more questions.

    Expert shearer Matt Gilbert will be offering demonstrations with a few of HREC’s flock of over 800 western whiteface sheep working as his models! Visitors will also have the chance to see different kinds of wool from the fine, soft merino to the long, coarse Navajo-churros and to learn how they are graded.

    Throughout the day children will be encouraged to try their hand at felting, spinning and dyeing wool! A spinning circle will be accompanied by storytelling, a place to relax and learn with a picnic.

    The day will provide opportunities for sheep farmers, fiber enthusiasts and families to get involved and learn more about every step of the process from sheep to sweater! Visitors will be welcomed to The Rod Shippey Building, and will have chance to picnic around the hall. “We can’t wait to welcome the community to our beautiful site and to raise awareness of just one of the areas of research and education that we conduct up here. Our sheep are not only vital for the UC Cooperative Extension sheep shearing school but also for research into best management practices for rangelands and animal science,” commented Hannah Bird, HREC community educator.

    Please register online in advance at: bit.ly/Barn2Yarn2018

    Admission is $10 for adults, children under 12 $5 (online registration or checks preferred). HREC asks visitors to leave their pets at home to protect the site and the sheep resident there. Bring your own picnic and all utensils; some light food will be available. Barn to Yarn will be held at the Rod Shippey Hall, 4070 University Road, Hopland, CA 95449 from 9am-3pm on May 12th. For more information contact Hannah Bird, (707) 744-1424, Ext. 105, hbird@ucanr.edu.

     

  • FCFB to Welcome Agricultural Comedian “Tim the Dairyman” on May 3!

    Fresno, Calif., (April 9, 2018) – Fresno County Farm Bureau (FCFB) is over the “moooooon” to welcome Florida dairy farmer and agricultural comedian “Tim the Dairyman” at its inaugural “Bounty of Fresno County” event on Thursday, May 3, at Wolf Lakes Park in Sanger.

    The social will begin at 5 p.m., followed by the dinner and program at 6:15 p.m. Seating is extremely limited due to venue size. This event will SELL OUT, and we don’t want you to miss this opportunity to celebrate with us!

    To purchase tickets or become a table sponsor, click here, or for more information, contact FCFB at 559-237-0263 or info@fcfb.org.

  • USDA Releases Final CA FMMO Decision

    Modesto, Calif., (April 4, 2018) – USDA released the long awaited final decision for a California Federal Milk Marketing Order today. The potential differences between the final decision and USDA’s draft recommended decision from February 2017 had been a source of speculation in the industry for many months. Exactly how different was the final decision from the previous version? The answer is: it was exactly the same! Ta-da! Those who attended WUD’s convention got to hear about the basics of USDA’s draft recommendation, which also apply to the final decision. Now that we know this is what we will be looking at for a vote, more analysis will be conducted to determine the potential impact for producers around the state. Specifically, WUD will host three informational sessions on April 16 (Petaluma), April 17 (Modesto) and April 18 (Tulare; details below). The analysis presented will be performed by two independent experts who do not come with any agenda about persuading attendees one way or another. The emphasis will be on education and answering questions. USDA will also host a session in Clovis on April 10 to highlight the mechanics of the program.

    USDA will conduct a referendum among dairy producers to determine whether they support the proposed FMMO; this referendum will be held from April 2, 2018 through May 5, 2018. The FMMO will become effective if approved by two-thirds of the voting producers, or by producers of two-thirds of the milk represented in the voting process.

    Dates and locations for WUD’s meetings to discuss the economic impact of the CA FMMO:

    • Monday April 16th 10am Sonoma County Farm Bureau (3589 Westwind Blvd, Santa Rosa, CA 95403)
    • Tuesday April 17th 9am Stanislaus County Harvest Hall (3800 Cornucopia Way, Modesto, CA 95358, Training Room Center DE)
    • Wednesday April 18th 10am Tulare Agri-Center, (4500 South Laspina Street, Tulare, CA 93274, Social Hall)

    Refreshments will be served each meeting. RSVP’s are greatly appreciated: molly@westernuniteddairymen.com, or (209)527-6453

  • Almond Board Announces “In the Orchard” Workshops

    Modesto, Calif., (March 22, 2018) – In the next month, Almond Board of CA will host four “In the Orchard” workshops featuring Irrigation and Nitrogen Budgeting and Compliance. Hosted by the Almond Board of California, in conjunction with local irrigation companies, these workshops will provide an update on the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program, a demo of automated and optimized irrigation infrastructure, and an overview of the California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP) online tools to assist growers’ increasing needs.

    With the ever-changing regulatory environment, these topics are more timely than ever. Continuing Education Credits for Self-Certified Growers (from CURES) are being applied for. Beyond meeting with industry experts and learning the latest and greatest updates, this short, half-day workshop will allow you to learn about the tools being offered to help understand these hot topics.

    Four workshops will be hosted in the almond-growing region on the following dates:

    • Woodland – March 27, co-hosted by Alsco Geyer Irrigation Inc.
    • Oakdale – March 28, co-hosted by Waterford Irrigation
    • Bakersfield – April 10, co-hosted by Bennett & Bennett
    • Firebaugh – April 11, co-hosted by Agri-Valley Irrigation, LLC

    Lunch is complimentary. Call for location details.

    Attendees can RSVP to, Rebecca Bailey, at rbailey@almondboard.com or 209-343-3245.