Farms and Agricultural Fields

California relies on groundwater - water stored in underground aquifers and pumped through wells - for up to 41% of water supply in normal years and up to 60% during times of drought. In 2014, the California legislature signed into law the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) with the primary goal…

General situation, thrips population developmentPlanting is in full swing. Temperatures and precipitation this spring are close to historic norms, and the thrips population predictions are very similar to those we saw last year. We’re currently at the peak of 1st-generation adults; they’ll be laying their…

In the winegrape vineyards of northern California, fire and its associated smoke pose a unique threat in the form of smoke-taint damage to the fruit. A preliminary study looks at whether prescribed burning as a fire prevention method poses a risk to winegrape crops.

Dear Colleagues,1) California Department of Food and Agriculture’s (CDFA) Integrated Pest Control Branch is now accepting applications for the Vertebrate Pest Control Research Program (VPCRP). This funding opportunity is designed to support innovative research and education projects aimed at…

Los Contaminantes de Preocupación Emergente (CECs) son sustancias que representan un riesgo para la salud y el medio ambiente, pero no se monitorean regularmente en el agua potable. Este artículo examina varios tipos de CECs, incluyendo PFAS, microplásticos, pesticidas, productos farmacéuticos y…

Summary: This limited study indicated that a slight deposition of metals (Copper and Manganese) may have occurred in one agricultural field, but the increases measured in the surface samples were likely insignificant relative to normal background levels for these soil types. Other sites showed no increase in…

Home gardeners in our area have approached our gardening help line with concerns about potential heavy metal contamination in soil following the Moss Landing battery fire. Many are wondering whether their fruits and vegetables may absorb metals such as cobalt, cadmium, nickel, manganese, zinc, and…