MyAgLife

Shulamit Shroder, UCCE Education Specialist, joins Editorial Assistant Intern Taylor Chalstrom to discuss current applications and research of cover crops in California ag. Shulamit explains some of the creative ways that growers are utilizing cover cropping systems in their fields or orchards, even citing one that involves juicing the cover crop after its use to obtain maximum utility.

Listen to this article from West Coast Nut by Jenny Holtermann

Listen to this article from West Coast Nut by Julie R. Johnson

Listen to this article from West Coast Nut by The Hazelnut Marketing Board

Listen to this article from West Coast Nut by Rich Kreps

Jason Scott talks with Jhalendra Rijal, Area IPM Advisor for the North San Joaquin Valley, about UC Cooperative Extension research involving the walnut husk fly. The walnut husk fly is a small, colorful fly that lays its eggs in the husk of a walnut where its larvae soon hatch. Jhalendra explains how these hatching larvae create issues for the processing and marketing of walnuts. He theorizes how populations of walnut husk flies may be on the rise due to increased walnut acreages throughout the valley. Additionally, Jhalendra cites insufficient winter chill due to rising temperatures as a cause for increased issues, causing walnut husk flies to emerge over a longer period of time. He encourages growers to visit www2.ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/walnut/ for more information about walnut husk flies and other walnut pests.

Roger Isom, President and CEO of the Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA), and Jason Scott talk shop about current issues in the ag industry regarding trainings and regulations. Roger explains some of the new guidelines issued by Cal/OSHA as a result of COVID-19, and what WAPA is also doing to help members create better solutions for their businesses. Two critical measures mentioned by Roger include keeping a safe distance between employees and creating physical barriers to aid this.  Roger also went into depth with some new regulations put out by the CA government that may pose problems in the future.  Roger and Jason talked as well about key trainings WAPA is currently involved with, including but not limited to hazard training, fumigation training and worker background checks.  Information about trainings offered can be found at www.agprocessors.org.

Listen to this article from West Coast Nut by Roger A. Isom

Listen to this article from West Coast Nut by Roger A. Baldwin

Listen to this article from West Coast Nut by C.A. Pierce