Biocontrol agents, beneficial microbes, entomopathogenic fungi and bacteria that can enhance crop production — these were all topics of discussion at the recent UC Cooperative Extension Ag Innovations Conference in Santa Maria, led by UCCE Entomology & Biologicals Advisor Surendra Dara.  Watch this brief interview with Surendra as he shares more about what was discussed.    

As biopesticides become more available to the grape industry, growers and PCAs may wonder how to best go about incorporating them in the integrated pest management programs. This was a topic addressed by Dan Rodrigues from Vina Quest and the Cal Poly Viticulture & Enology Department at Malcolm Media’s recent Central Coast Grape Expo. Watch his brief interview here and …

Once confined mostly to the Great Plains of North America, coyotes have spread across much of the continent, and can be a real threat and nuisance to farming communities. Check out this brief interview with USDA Wildlife Specialist Derek Milsaps, as he offers some recommendations on how to identify and deal with these pests. Read more about it in the …

Rodents of unusual size —California has got them! The new kid on the block is Nutria, a semiaquatic rodent, that has invaded California’s waterways, and is doing a lot of damage.  USDA is asking farmers for help in locating these pests to be removed. Derek Milsaps from USDA-APHIS presented some information on this pest at the Tree & Vine Expo …

To date, the deadly citrus greening disease Huanglongbing or HLB has not been found in California’s commercial citrus orchards; however, it’s only a matter of time. HLB strikes continue to be detected in residential areas, and its vector has spread all over the state. Watch this brief interview with Victoria Hornbaker, head of the CDFA’s statewide citrus program, as she …

Malcolm Media’s Tree & Vine Expo was once again a big hit for growers & crop consultants looking to get a better grip on pest management in their orchards.  One of the seminars featured UC IPM Advisor Jhalendra Rijal who shared how to more effectively incorporate mating disruption in their navel orangeworm control programs.  Watch his brief interview and read …

The posting of this video is a little belated as almond harvest has already begun, but if you’ve had hull rot issues this season, be sure to watch this brief video interview with Nut Crops Advisor Mae Culumber as she provides some tips to prevent hull rot and trunk damage through better irrigation practices, as explained at a mid-July Nut …