Water
Bicarbonate Complicates Orchard Iron and Zinc Uptake
Water alkalinity and cold, saturated soil can restrict nutrient availability. Understanding those effects requires more than a pH reading or a single moisture sensor.
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Research
UC ANR seeks grower costs and crop-specific problems for research roadmap
A UC ANR survey seeks details on which commodities face problems, where they occur and what they cost growers, with results planned for November.
Stone Fruit
Fall ET reports need an orchard check before prune irrigation decisions
UCCE guidance explains how Sacramento Valley prune growers can pair weather-based water-use estimates with soil moisture and tree water status through the postharvest season.
Vegetables
Shasta childcare produce project earns national recognition
CDFA reports that the early nutrition project purchased more than 8,000 pounds of produce from 11 farms and brought hands-on food education to 12 childcare…
Water
Prepare orchard drainage now, then watch flooded trees for root damage
UCCE guidance puts drainage maintenance first and explains how waterlogging differs from Phytophthora root and crown rot, with damage sometimes hidden until spring.
Citrus
How natural enemies help suppress California’s invasive pests
From yellow starthistle weevils to citrus psyllid parasitoids, biological control aims for lasting pest suppression, not eradication. Research and conditions after release shape the results.
Research
Why some invasive weeds win on more than one front
UC Davis ecologists propose looking at combinations of plant traits to explain invasive weeds’ success and identify native restoration candidates. An older rangeland trial illustrates…
Citrus
Nenna and Tate bring farm experience to citrus advisory work
In CDFA profiles, Maribel Nenna and committee chair Lisa Tate describe how farming, business responsibilities and women's experiences shape their approach to representing citrus growers.
Regulations
CDFA seeks grower input on draft biodiversity principles
Comments are due November 26 on a nonregulatory framework that would guide CDFA’s biodiversity work while recognizing production and food-safety needs.
Livestock
Fewer Mexican feeder cattle could lift U.S. prices and shift beef production
University of Missouri researchers model higher U.S. cattle prices under persistently lower imports, but also more Mexican beef production and greater U.S. reliance on imported…
Research
Northern California food hub connects local producers with schools
A Klamath-Trinity food hub has purchased from 26 local producers, illustrating the intermediary role highlighted in California’s farm-to-school evaluation.
Vegetables
Farm to School grants expand accessible growing in El Dorado County
A $200,000 grant supports hands-on agriculture in five high schools’ special education programs, with accessible gardens, growing-system comparisons and cooking activities.