UC delivers research and extension programs that benefit California The tremendous impact of UC Agriculture and Natural Resource programs are being compiled in an online database to give California residents a better picture of ANR's collective contributions to the state. Called "UC Delivers," the database includes records of success in 26 categories, including 4-H Youth Development, biotechnology, environment, field crops, vegetable crops, fruits and nuts, Master Gardeners and waste management. Following are just a few examples of the impact stories found on UC Delivers: Lambs can control winter weeds by grazing in alfalfa fields As result of UC research, lamb grazing for winter weed control in alfalfa has become so popular, at times there aren't enough sheep to go around. Because the need for herbicides has been reduced, growers expect an improvement in drain water quality. Lamb grazing of alfalfa also benefits the sheep industry because of the increased demand for lambs. UC Riverside scientists found effective predator insect species to control persea mites and avocado thrips. The biological control strategies curb fruit damage losses to the state's $300 million-a-year avocado industry, which had been as high as $2 million a year. Urban residents living near avocado groves also benefit from these non-chemical solutions. UC Develops "West Wind" pistachio variety The cloned pistachio cultivar 'Kerman' has been so successful over the past 30 years, it has been planted almost exclusively by U.S. growers, making them susceptible to disease. As a result of ANR development and testing, a new variety named 'West Wind' has emerged with the potential of being a viable alternative to Kerman. West Wind matures at the same time as Kerman and appears to have as much as a 10% better nut-split percentage, while producing equal or better yields of larger-sized nuts with less shell stain. Money Talks: Should I Be Listening? A team of University of California Cooperative Extension advisors created an appealing curriculum that teaches teenagers financial literacy. Money Talks: Should I Be Listening? was designed to address the issues teens indicated were most important: simple ways to save, car buying, spending personality and smart shopping. The Money Talks curriculum consists of four upbeat and colorful newsletters, a video on savings and a bilingual Web site. Scientists are evaluating a system that allows the production of DOV raisins on the traditional trellis with no modification or retrofitting cost. This system cuts the cost of discing to prepare a terrace for tray drying and also eliminates burning of paper trays after harvest. Winter pruning will be about $50 a year less per acre. In all, a net increase in raisin revenue of from $400 to $500 per acre is expected. With 200,000 acres of raisins produced in the San Joaquin Valley, the increased profit potential is enormous. In addition, the fact that raisin trays are not burned has a positive impact on air quality. Rice straw can be cattle feed Rice straw has had a reputation as a poor cattle feed and even as a cause of death in some instances. Consequently, little rice straw was offered to cows, while pressure mounted to increase use of straw. UC research and education efforts with rice growers led to the identification and adoption of production practices that result in improved rice straw quality. Advisors were able to develop quality criteria for the rice straw that facilitated marketing. This has boosted the amount of successful rice straw feeding and reduced straw burning. Smaller grape picking tubs are easier on workers' backs Smaller picking tubs for grapes developed by UC have resulted in a five-fold reduction in harvest workers' reported pain and symptoms for back injury and other musculo-skeletal disorders. Workers are less tired and less likely to be injured using the smaller tubs. The tubs are commercially available and indications of worker preference suggest that they will be disseminated throughout vineyards in Napa and Sonoma counties. UC nutrition education yields healthier eating habits Last year, 667 low-income families graduated from the UC Cooperative Extension Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program. Among graduates, 77 percent showed improvement in one or more food resource management practices. (For example, they planned in advance, compared prices when shopping and used a list for grocery shopping more often. They ran out of food before the end of the month less often.) Eighty-four percent showed improvement in one or more nutrition practices. (Graduates used "Nutrition Facts" on food labels, prepared foods without adding salt and considered healthy food choices when deciding what to feed their family.) About 30% of EFNEP participants reported that their children ate breakfast more often. As of April 1, the number of success stories on the UC Delivers Web site totaled 50, and more are added every day. (March 2004) |
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Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California. All contents November 22, 2009 Regents of the University of California. All rights reserved. |
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