September-October 2002

Cover: Beef cattle and calves are among California's top commmodities, with a farm-gate value of $1.36 billion in 2001. But with increasing packer consolidation and declining demand for red meat, the state's cattle industry faces major challenges (p. 152). An option for some ranchers may be to pursue niche markets such as grass-fed beef (p. 151). In the dairy industry, organic production has emerged as a niche market (p. 157). Ranked as California's number one commodity, dairy generated $4.6 billion in 2001 and spurred growth in the hay sector, which now constitutes the largest crop acreage in the state. Choices made by alfalfa growers and dairy producers can help protect water quality and aquatic life (pp. 148, 150, 163). Research beef cattle graze at the UC Sierra Foothills Research and Extension Center. Photo by Jack Kelly Clark.

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California Agriculture, September-October 2002

Volume 56, Number 5
California cattle industry at the crossroads

peer-reviewed research articles

California's cattle and beef industry at the crossroads
by Matt A. Andersen , Steven C. Blank , Tiffany LaMendola , Richard J. Sexton
pp152-156, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p152
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Survey quantifies cost of organic milk production in California
by Leslie J. Butler
pp157-162, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p157
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Insecticide choice for alfalfa may protect water quality
by Rachael Freeman Long , Mary Nett , Daniel H. Putnam , Guomin Shan , Jerry Schmierer , Barbara Reed
pp163-169, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p163
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Pheromones control oriental fruit moth and peach twig borer in cling peaches
by Carolyn Pickel , Janine Hasey , Walt Bentley , William H. Olson , Joe Grant
pp170-176, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p170
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editorial, news, letters & science briefs

EDITORIAL: Market consolidation poses challenges for food industry
by Richard J. Sexton
pp146, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p146
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Letter: Climate debate heats up
by Allan L. James
pp148, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p148a
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Sun setting on water quality exemptions
by Jeannette Warnert
pp148-149, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p148b
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Rapid test helps dairies manage wastewater
by Jeannette Warnert
pp150, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p150
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Marin ranchers bullish on grass-fed livestock
by Janet Byron
pp151, doi#10.3733/ca.v056n05p151
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