Vineyards turn to UV-C light to fight powdery mildew
A Thorvald autonomous robot applies ultraviolet-C light to grapevines at night. Winegrape growers increasingly look to the nonchemical disinfection systems to manage powdery mildew in vineyards. Photo/Jason Henry
New date crop hits market as fruit goes ‘mainstream’
Medjool dates grow in bunches in farmer David Kohl’s Coachella Valley orchard. Photo/Faith Granger
Vineyard adaptation to heat an economic balancing act
Using cabernet sauvignon production in Napa County as a case study, new research findings concluded no single right answer for how winegrape growers should contend with severe heat. Ag Alert file photo
Owl study assesses rat management in nut orchards
Nestlings spend about two months in the owl box before they’re ready to try their wings. As many as a half dozen owlets typically fill a box, and they eat up to four to five rodents daily. Photo/Laura Montenegro Echavez
Irrigation can’t shield tomatoes from extreme heat
Photo/Licensed image
Vineyard workers feel wine industry pain
Contract laborers remove debris from old-vine zinfandel grapes this month in Lodi. Because of a downturn in the wine industry, California grape growers have removed vineyards, cut back on hand labor and left fruit unharvested, resulting in a substantial loss of employment for vineyard workers. Photo/Caleb Hampton
Mothballing offers middle ground in wine downturn
Photo/Licensed image
Almond hulls being tested for use as food ingredient
The Almond Board of California formed a biomass working group in 2017 to identify potential uses for almond hulls and shells, left, to eliminate postharvest waste. The group saw strong potential in almond hulls, with hull powder, right, being explored as a food ingredient. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has designated the byproduct as generally safe for human consumption. Photos/Courtesy of the Almond Board of California
Expected almond crop yield slightly smaller this year
Photo/Ching Lee
Study: Napa wine compliance costs near 18% of production
Graphic/Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo