July14,2016
Sheep, goats help reduce threat of wildfire
As the wildfire threat has grown around California, so has interest in using sheep or goats to eat vegetation that could fuel fires. Livestock ranchers who provide animals for such “targeted grazing” say demand for the service has risen. One rancher says she has six herds of sheep and goats grazing in five counties. Most customers are public agencies, but more private landowners have inquired about using animals to reduce the fire threat.
Avocado growers produce larger crop
It hasn’t always been easy, but California avocado farmers say they have been able to ship more fruit to market this season. A mid-June heat wave in Southern California damaged some fruit, and farmers have also had to cope with higher water costs and other obstacles. Nonetheless, avocado farmers say they’ve seen more fruit in their groves than they expected, heading into the season, and that demand for California-grown avocados has been strong.
Drones provide farmers with birds’-eye view
People who study use of unmanned aircraft systems in agriculture say they expect more California farmers to take advantage of drone technology. Agricultural engineers and farm advisors say drones provide farmers with new and potentially less expensive options for monitoring their crops—particularly through aerial imaging. One University of California farm advisor says he thinks almost all farmers will be using drones within the next 15 years.
Hackathon aims to create agricultural apps
Sponsors have upped the ante in a contest to design new mobile apps for farmers and ranchers. The University of California and the California State Fair will host an Apps for Ag hackathon this weekend. In the three-day event, teams will compete to develop apps to help farmers manage pests, irrigation, soil or other aspects of agriculture. Now, UC says it has added more cash to the prize money for winning teams of app developers.
courtesy CFB