Researchers and growers are tackling the formidable tree nut pest Navel Orangeworm from all fronts.  One method underway is in utilizing the same sterile insect technology and facility that eradicated pink bollworm from the cotton industry years ago.  There have been some challenges in adapting the system for Navel Orangeworm, as shared by Bob Klein from the Pistachio Research Board; …

Navel Orangeworm has become a serious pest in California for many agricultural commodities, especially for tree nuts.  Mating disruption technology has proven to be a critical tool in managing this pest; however some growers may have concerns with utilizing this technology on their farms.  Check out this brief interview with Brad Higbee, now Field Research & Development Manager for Trece, …

Citrus thrips have been a major nuisance for California blueberry growers, but how do you keep them under control and when should you apply crop protection materials? Is there an organic treatment available? Watch this brief interview UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor David Haviland as he answers all these questions. Read more about blueberry pest management in California Fresh Fruit …

Insects are much easier to manage when they start off the season in similar stages of development.  Unfortunately, that is not always the case, especially when you start off the season with inconsistent weather patterns.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Entomologist out of Kern County, David Haviland, as he explains this with regard to mealybugs.

With the threat of the deadly Huanglongbing citrus greening disease coming to the state, California citrus growers are doing all they can to keep the disease vector asian citrus psyllid out of their orchards; however, these treatments are also taking out natural enemies for red scale, causing a resurgence of the pest in California orchards. Watch this brief video as …

Remember the old got milk commercials that got consumers excited about dairy?  Today, the big dairy campaign is known as “Undeniably Dairy”.  This is funded through the National Dairy Checkoff program, managed by Dairy Management, Inc (DMI).  Watch this brief interview with DMI Chair, Marilyn Hershey, and read more about DMI’s efforts to promote the industry in California Dairy Magazine.

With so many misconceptions about the dairy industry among the public and the growing gap between the consumer and the farmer, it is more critical than ever for the industry to reach out and educate consumers in their youth true facts about the dairy.  But we can’t very well bring all California students onto the dairy.  So how do we …

At several recent California dairy conferences, dairy producers have been urged to share their stories with the consumer public, rather than have their stories told incorrectly by those that know nothing about dairy.  One great aspect to share with the public is the great health benefits associated with consuming dairy products.  The Dairy Council of California is a great resource …

The California Milk Advisory Board does a lot to promote California dairy consumption, not only through consumer marketing, but also through the food service industry.  Watch this brief interview with Jennifer Giambroni as she shares their latest efforts and successes with the food service industry, and read more about it in California Dairy Magazine. Don’t currently receive the magazine?  Subscribe …

Free Money!  That’s what people want to hear.  Although nothing is free, there are a lot of great new government incentives available to dairy farmers to modernize their facilities with newer sustainable technologies that may not otherwise be affordable to invest in.  Watch this brief interview with Paul Sousa from Western United Dairymen as he shares, and read more about …