San Joaquin

Wine grape growers in the San Joaquin Valley who want to switch from hand pruning to mechanical pruning won't have to replant their vineyards to accommodate machinery, according to a new study published in HortTechnology by University of California Cooperative Extension researchers.

Lauren Hale is the new Research Soil Scientist at the USDA-ARS San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Sciences Center in Fresno. I knew Lauren from her PhD research at UCR under David Crowley. Her thesis explored the use of biochar as a shelter for beneficial soil microbes.

Lately, I have been corresponding with growers and consultants about slow spring growth in their alfalfa fields. There are several reasons why growth may resume slowly this spring. I describe them below and discuss some way we may be able to manage for them. Wet winter and spring.

Growers (mainly pistachios) and crop consultants in the southern and western parts of the San Joaquin Valley have recently reported the spread of alkaliweed from low-lying saline or alkaline soils (including seasonal wetlands and floodplains) into irrigation ditches, orchards, and some agricultural...

There is still time to register for the April 11th SJV Weed Science Extension Day at the Westside Research and Extension Center in Five Points (17353 West Oakland Avenue, Five Points, CA 93624). The meeting at the Westside Center will focus on agronomic crops, ROWs, and tree and vine systems.

There is still time to register for the April 11th SJV Weed Science Extension Day at the Westside Research and Extension Center in Five Points (17353 West Oakland Avenue, Five Points, CA 93624). The meeting at the Westside Center will focus on agronomic crops, ROWs, and tree and vine systems.

General situation After a dry and warmer weekend, the weather will return to a cooler, unsettled pattern next week, with temperatures in the mid 60's to low 70's and significant chance of further rain showers on several days.

General situation After a dry and warmer weekend, the weather will return to a cooler, unsettled pattern next week, with temperatures in the mid-to-high 60's and significant chance of further rain showers on several days.

New Series of Nitrogen Management Advice Available (Cal Ag Today) March 28 California growers can download a new series of publications summarizing efficient nitrogen management practices from UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.

About 10 years ago, I read (well, technically listened to) Barbara Kingsolver's book Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. She wrote about her family enduring one year of being hardcore locavores.