Western Farm Press News Archive

Auto-guidance systems may enhance efficiency of conventional cultivation

Oct 24, 2008,

By Cary Blake
Farm Press Editorial Staff

Two University of Arizona researchers are adapting RTK-GPS-based auto guidance technology to push mechanical cultivation in cotton within 2.5 inches of the seed line to gain improved broadleaf control. ...

California almond IPM team wins award

Oct 24, 2008

The Entomological Foundation has named the California Almond Pest Management Alliance Team as the winner of the Integrated Pest Management Team Award....

Cotton Board announces four new Regional Communications Managers

Oct 24, 2008

After an extensive interview and selection process, the Memphis-based Cotton Board announces the hiring of four Regional Communications Managers to serve as direct links to the Cotton Research & Promotion Program for U.S. cotton producers and ginners across the four production regions of the Cotton Belt....

Eddie Foster named 2008 NRCS-Arizona Conservationist of the Year

Oct 24, 2008

Eddie Foster, a soil conservationist with the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Safford, Ariz., is the NRCS-Arizona Conservationist of the Year for 2008....

Alfalfa variety selection rates a closer examination from growers

Oct 23, 2008,

By Dan Bryant
Contributing Writer

Other than a few select breeders, practically no one can distinguish one alfalfa variety from another simply by viewing a stand, so it’s vital for a grower to investigate whether he’s growing the best variety for his location....

Rice water weevil celebrates dubious anniversary in California

Oct 23, 2008,

By Brenda Carol
Contributing Writer

There were no balloons, parades or cheers when Larry Godfrey, University of California, Davis, rice research entomologist, pointed out the rice water weevil was probably celebrating its 50th anniversary this season as a significant pest in California....

Field meeting Nov. 18 to review pruning/topping options in prunes

Oct 23, 2008

On Tuesday, Nov. 18, a field meeting is planned to review pruning and topping options in prunes....

2008 California rice crop: Good yield and quality, higher prices

Oct 22, 2008,

By Cary Blake
Farm Press Editorial Staff

Good rice yields and quality plus higher rice prices to offset spiraling input costs have combined to produce an average year for many California rice growers....

Water quality symposium scheduled for Nov. 6 in Santa Maria, Calif.

Oct 22, 2008

The Central Coast Agricultural Water Quality Coalition is dedicated to addressing agricultural water quality throughout the Central Coast of California — from southern San Mateo County and Santa Clara County to Santa Barbara County....

Variety improvement across all rice types

Oct 22, 2008,

By Brenda Carol
Contributing Writer

While some rice varieties are still considered workhorses by the industry, others on the experimental track are coming on fast....

Teaching herbicide use may help expand African food production

Oct 22, 2008,

By Forrest Laws
Farm Press Editorial Staff

Farmers in Africa routinely battle situations that would be their Western counterparts’ worst nightmares: an almost total lack of an infrastructure for transporting crops; bureaucratic red tape at border crossings; government purchasing monopolies; AIDS …...

Milk for the masses — PETA continues march to absurdity

Oct 21, 2008,

By Harry Cline
Farm Press Editorial Staff

“The breast is best! Won’t you give cows and their babies a break and our health a boost by switching from cow’s milk to breast milk in Ben and Jerry’s ice cream?”...

Roller coaster 2008 ends for processing tomatoes - uncertainty looms for 2009

Oct 21, 2008,

By Harry Cline
Farm Press Editorial Staff

California’s 2008 processing tomato harvest is winding down a season that has been characterized as about an average to nothing special year....

Producing new U.S. energy crops by the barrel

Oct 21, 2008

Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Peoria, Ill., have produced oils of camelina, canola, Cuphea, lesquerella, milkweed and pennycress by the barrelful in their commercial-scale pilot plant....