Backyard Orchard News
The Survivors
Just call them "The Survivors." They made it through the winter: the bitter cold with subfreezing...
A Gulf Fritillary spotted Feb. 17 near downtown Vacaville, Solano County. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Another Gulf Frit on a passionflower vine on Feb. 17 near downtown Vacaville. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Gulf Fritillary caterpillars on the move. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A seed pod from a passionflower vine. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Smart sprayers are good for agriculture and the environment.
Imagine a pesticide sprayer smart enough to only hit the target crop. What would that mean for the farmer's wallet and the cost of fresh produce? What would it mean for the rivers and streams near your orchard? View On Target, a video that shows how smart sprayer technology is helping farmers manage orchard pests with the benefits of:
- Substantially reduced pesticide use and cost
- Less pesticide movement to rivers and streams
- Full tree coverage
- Same efficacy as conventional sprayers
- Ease of use
- Valuable application data
Smart sprayer technology is based on the use of high frequency sound waves. An onboard computer directs sound waves toward trees. When sound waves are returned, a target is detected and the computer triggers nozzles to spray. When sound waves are not returned, a gap is identified, prompting the program to turn off the nozzles. This is one technology that can help farmers to use sustainable agricultural practices.
Walt Bentley, retired UC IPM Advisor, narrating a video of a smart sprayer in action.
The Almonds Are Blooming! The Almonds Are Blooming!
Everyone has a favorite almond tree, right? Mine--well, it's not exactly mine!--is on the grounds...
Springlike scene--a honey bee foraging in almond blossoms. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Golden is her color and white is her aim. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Close-up of honey bee pollinating an almond blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Susan Cobey: Queen Rearing and Instrumental Insemination
We know when spring approaches by the number of information requests we receive for bee...
Bee breeder-geneticist Susan Cobey (kneeling at right) at one of her queen bee-rearing classes at UC Davis. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Susan Cobey (right) adding bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
A healthy frame of bees. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
About That Cherry Tree...
Did he do it? Probably not. Did he admit it? No, if he didn't do it. Historians agree that the...
A young honey bee foraging on a cherry blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)
Honey bee deep inside a cherry blossom. (Photo by Kathy Keatley Garvey)