Veteran ag writer, ag editor, ag communicator, ag podcaster and ag photographer. Have camera and computer, will travel.
Joined August 2015
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2,215 Photos and videos
Vicky Boyd retweeted
Jun 12
First rice hoja blanca virus sighting for 2026
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Jun 12
The cat was already out of the bag when the state decided to try to stop the spread of golden mussels. Now they're giving up. These things breed faster than rabbits and can clog up motors, pipes, irrigation inlets, you name it calmatters.org/environment/2…
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Jun 10
Busted! Fresno County (CA) sheriff's deputies busted a pair stealing nectarines from an orchard at 2 a.m. And we're not talking petty theft, either We're talking a full pickup full, amounting to grand theft of crops. fresnosheriff.org/media-rela….
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It's official - Aubrey Bettencort, a third-generation farmer and former Almond Alliance president, has been tapped to lead the Bureau of Reclamation. Most recently, she was head of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. She still needs to be confirmed reviewjournal.com/news/envir…
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More flesh-eating screwworms showing up in Texas, with one case in a dog. So they're not just a cattle problem aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-a…
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Another sign that the California wine industry is still out of balance. Gallo shuts down Turner Road crush facility in Lodi. The move affects 20 employees. winebusiness.com/news/articl…
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Sparking apple juice maker Martinelli's abruptly cancels Central California apple contracts, leaving small growers in the lurch. Rumor has it they may source cheaper apple juice from out of state sfgate.com/centralcoast/arti…
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USDA confirms screwworm in the U.S. in South Texas. While the flesh-eating parasite is mostly attacks livestock, it also can go after pets and humans. If you see something, say something. Call your veterinarian! aphis.usda.gov/news/agency-a…
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You know Google AI isn't quite there yet when you search for a JC program to train artificial insemination technicians (AI spelled out to avoid confusion) and the search returns info on artificial intelligence classes.
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How ironic that it's Invasive Species Week, and California is battling a glassy winged sharpshooter infestation caused by infested grape vines sold at Northern California @Costco. GWSS are native to the Southeast and Mexico ucanr.edu/blog/salinas-valle…
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May 21
NRCS Chief Aubrey Bettencourt steps down after slightly more than a year, no reason given. Supposedly she is moving to a position with the Interior Dept. No further details on that. She was previously the CEO & president of the California Almond Alliance. no-tillfarmer.com/articles/1…
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May 20
While many of the snacks at Ranch 99 were not to my palate's liking, these caught my eye. Why doesn't Lay's or Utz make a rice-based chip? Rice is a neutral base and you could add sorts of flavors. @Think_Rice
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May 20
Transplanting brussels sprouts. And yes, those are houses that back right up to the field.
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May 20
Wonder if this banana slug is envious of the rattlesnake warning? Saw a fair number of the gastropods but no snakes, venomous or otherwise
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May 19
Although some believe that pest control advisers who work for ag chem companies overprescribe pesticides, a new study found that is NOT true. Growers working with sales-based PCAs didn't use more pesticides overall than those working with independent PCAs strawberrycenterblog.com/202…
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May 13
Cornell University finds grape pomace - material left over after pressing grapes for juice - can replace antibiotics in chicken feed. Fed at 0.5%, the pomace improves feed efficiency. Currently, pomace is typically incorporated into the ground news.cornell.edu/stories/202…
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With changes to USDA almond crop estimate, @BlueDiamond issues its own estimate of 2.675 billion to 2.72 billion pounds for 2026. The 2025 crop is expected to be about 2.7 billion pounds. media.bluediamond.com/upload…
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CA Gov. Newsom touts the Delta Tunnel project as he reflects on his accomplishments. But 5 Delta counties say the $20 billion project could cause devastating environmental and economic harm to the fragile Delta without providing any new water storage.
mavensnotebook.com/2026/05/0…
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Sweetpotatoes are labor intensive with hand singulation of the slips or cuttings. At harvest they're hand sorted & packed. Nearly all roots in grocers are sweetpotatoes, NOT yams. Yams are tubers grown mostly in Africa. This crew is planting the Murasaki variety bred by LSU
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Artificial turf is gaining popularity among homeowners & schools for ease of care & water savings. Yet it has several drawbacks including higher temps, fewer environmental benefits & increased runoff. Why not plant xeriscape (drought-tolerant) landscaping? journals.ashs.org/view/journ…
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