Watch this brief video with Chowchilla walnut grower Mark Hutson who chose to fallow some of his land for groundwater recharge purposes last year, not knowing that he’d be able to put it to use so soon with the tremendous storm systems that came through this past winter and spring. Learn about his experience in utilizing NRCS grant funding to prepare his land for recharge, and consider whether some form of groundwater recharge will work on your farm in the near future.
Category: Video News
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How This Farmer Returned 158 Acre-ft of Stormwater to the Soil in 10 Days
California has been blessed with a tremendous amount of snow and rainfall this spring. Coming after many dry years that have reduced our groundwater supply, farmers want to do all they can in this brief time of plenty to not only irrigate their drought-stressed trees and vines, but also recharge the groundwater supply beneath their fields. But how quickly can a farmer prepare his/her land to take on some of this snowmelt for groundwater recharge purposes and what will it require? Watch this video featuring Madera grape and nut grower Jennifer Peters, who in a very short time was able to install an on-farm groundwater recharge basin and capture much of this stormwater.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
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CA Raisin Grower Shares Experience with Two New Complete DOV Varieties
As the cost of labor increases and availability around harvest tightens, California raisin growers are hopeful that two new complete dried on the vine (DOV) varieties will make a big difference for the future of the industry. Austin Hubbell of Marthedal Enterprises is one such grower who has had the unique experience in harvesting both varieties, which appear to have promise. Watch this video with Austin and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
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Why Sun-Maid Growers Acquired Plum Organics
When Sun-Maid Growers announced its acquisition of baby food brand Plum Organics in 2021, it came as a surprise to many. Naturally, raisin growers wanted to know how this might benefit the California raisin industry, beyond simply growing and diversifying Sun-Maid’s portfolio. Watch this brief interview with Sun-Maid Growers Executive Chairman Harry Overly as he explains.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
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Central Valley Farmer Shares New Experience with On-Farm Groundwater Recharge
While growers still have many questions and concerns as to how flooding their vineyards and orchards for groundwater recharge purposes may impact their day-to-day farming operations and eventual crop yields, Madera almond & wine grape grower Nick Davis is more concerned with making the most of the recent rainfall and snowmelt to recharge their much needed soil profiles following extended drought conditions. Watch this video with Nick and read more about his experience with on-farm recharge in the coming issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
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Madera Irrigation District Leads the Charge on Groundwater Recharge
While farmers are accustomed to paying for the water they use, growers in Madera Irrigation District have recently been getting their water for free for groundwater recharge purposes. While the snow melts and water is aplenty, growers are working quickly to set their farms up to be able to spread some of this water across their fields, in a ditch, or a basin to replenish their groundwater supply. This not only serves to benefit the farmer, but the entire community as well. Watch this video with Thomas Greci, General Manager of the Madera Irrigation District as he explains.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
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100,000 Dairy Cows Relocated Due to Central Valley Flooding
March Madness was taken to a whole new level this year when torrential rainfall and snowmelt caused unprecedented flooding in the Southern San Joaquin Valley, necessitating the evacuation of homes, communities and about 100,000 dairy cattle. Watch this brief video with Anja Raudabaugh, CEO of Western United Dairies as she clarifies what really happened and how this tragedy has impacted the local dairy community.
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Introducing the New Viticulture Farm Advisor for Tulare & Kings Counties
The UC Cooperative Extension is pleased to introduce one of their newest Viticulture Farm Advisors, Joy Hollingsworth, who will be serving primarily table grape growers in Tulare and Kings Counties. Watch this video interview to get to know Joy, her history, and the research and extension she is currently focusing on. Joy can be reached at 559-684-3313 or joyhollingsworth@ucanr.edu.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
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Combatting the Arch Nemesis Pest of the CA Grape Industry
The arch nemesis pest of the California grape industry continues to spread to more grape growing areas. Vine mealybug damage not only leads to black sooty mold on grapevine leaves and clusters, but it can also transmit and spread grapevine leafroll associated viruses that have been devastating vineyards. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Kern County Entomology Advisor David Haviland as he encourages an integrated or combination approach to combatting this pest.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.
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Mitigating the Effects of Grapevine Red Blotch Disease
With grapevine red blotch disease widespread across the west, what’s a grower to do with a young or old vineyard that contracts this disease? How does it impact grape yield and quality and are there ways to mitigate the detrimental effects of this disease? Watch this brief interview with the new UCCE San Joaquin County Viticulture Advisor Justin Tanner to find out.
Please thank this video’s sponsor Ranch Systems for their industry support.