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LinkedInPosts Tagged: pears
Food bloggers visit the birthplace of integrated pest management
The San Joaquin-Sacramento River Delta is considered by local farmers to be the birthplace of integrated pest management, said Cathy Hemly of Green and Hemly farms on Randall Island.
"A group of pear growers, working with ag extension, came up with IPM," Hemly said.
Hemly shared the IPM history during a tour of the delta for the International Food Bloggers Conference (IFBC), held over the weekend in Sacramento.
Hemly said about 50 years ago, pear farmers were faced with growing pest resistance to the pesticide glutathione, which was used routinely to control coddling moth.
"Growers got together with a team of UC scientists. They were the NASA engineers of their day," Hemly said. "We had to figure out a better way to monitor pests. The growers and the university got that started."
An emerging technology, confusing male coddling moth by releasing pheromones into the air, was showing promise. Protocols for using pheromone confusion were developed with the pear industry, Hemly said.
The relationship with the pear industry and UC Cooperative Extension continues to this day. The IFBC tour visited the Randall Island pear farm of Richard Elliott and family. Son Rich Elliott said the family attends UC Cooperative Extension advisor Chuck Ingels' pear research meeting every year. Another son, Ryan Elliott, said fireblight is the biggest disease problem they deal with on the farm.
"Chuck Ingels comes by," Ryan Elliott said. "We learn a lot from him."
IFBC ended yesterday, but the organizers announced the conference will be back in Sacramento, scheduled for Sept. 29 - Oct. 1, 2017.
UC studies examine costs for growing pears, walnuts, winegrapes
UC studies examine costs for growing pears, walnuts, winegrapes
Analysis for each crop is based upon hypothetical farm operations using practices common in the region. Input and reviews were provided by UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors, researchers, growers, farm accountants, pest control advisers, consultants and other agricultural associates.
The studies describe the assumptions used to identify current costs for the individual crops, material inputs, cash and non-cash overhead. A ranging analysis table shows profits over a range of prices and yields. Other tables show the monthly cash costs, the costs and returns per acre, hourly equipment costs and the whole farm annual equipment, investment and business overhead costs.
The four new cost studies are the following:
- Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Pears, 2012, North Coast, by Rachel B. Elkins, Karen M. Klonsky and Kabir P. Tumber.
- Sample Costs to Produce Organic Pears, 2012, Sacramento Valley, by Chuck A. Ingels and Karen M. Klonsky.
- Sample Costs to Establish a Walnut Orchard and Produce Walnuts, 2012, North Coast, by Rachel B. Elkins, Karen M. Klonsky and Kabir P. Tumber.
- Sample Costs to Establish a Vineyard and Produce Winegrapes (Cabernet Sauvignon), 2012, San Joaquin Valley North, by Paul S. Verdegaal, Karen M. Klonsky and Richard L. De Moura.
These cost studies and cost of production studies for other crops are available online at http://coststudies.ucdavis.edu, at UC Cooperative Extension offices and by calling (530) 752-3589. For more information about the studies, contact Richard De Moura at rdemoura@ucdavis.edu in the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.
