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Grazing sheep on alfalfa in the fall is widely accepted in the southern half of California, but is viewed with skepticism for a number of reasons in the northern part of the state. The greatest concern expressed by northern California growers is the possibility of increased soil compaction and subsequent reduction of water infiltration and yield. The potential for entry of pathogens into injured alfalfa crowns is also of concern. A lesser but still important concern is the possible introduction of weed seeds contained in fecal droppings or caught in the wool. We therefore began a three-year research program in the fall of 1984 at the University of California, Davis, to study the effects of fall grazing sheep on alfalfa.

May lead to a rapid method for detecting the disease in commercial strawberries

California annual rangeland pasture is generally poor in the fall and in short supply during winter. To correct deficiencies and maintain acceptable performance, ranchers usually provide supplemental nutrients to the range beef cow herd during the later part of the dry forage season (July to October) and the inadequate green forage season (October to January). Low profit margins, rising costs of supplemental feed and labor, and other expenses involved in distribution make the decision to supplement an important one.

The finding could be useful in developing more effective pheromone controls

Machine movement and soil characteristics are important

The economic loss due to structural pests in California is immeasurable. The state's structural pest control industry, estimated at $300 million plus, consists of more than1,200 companies and 6,000 pest control licensees. In addition, consumers pay in excess of $50 million annually for over–the–counter pesticides for use in and around the house. University of California scientists have taken the initiative in developing urban pest management during the last 30 years. These researchers and the Pest Control Operators of California recently joined forces to help provide additional professional training for the industry and stimulate research in urban pest management. The following articles on structural pests report on some of the current research in this field.

Despite the extensive use of insecticides, cockroaches remain one of the most widespread and troublesome of California's household and commercial pests. There are several species of cockroaches in California, but the German cockroach, Blattella germanica (L.), is by far the most pestiferous.

California's structural pest control industry is one of the most tightly regulated in the United States. One requirement is that a copy of each standard inspection report be filed with the state. In 1986, more than 1.5 million structural pest inspection reports were filed with the California Structural Pest Control Board (SPCB). The reports contain a wealth of information on the frequency with which wood-destroying organisms occur, their most likely areas of occurrence, the current treatments recommended to control and prevent structural pest damage, and the inspection fees and repair costs associated with controlling these pests.

Uniform irrigation systems are essential

Their infrequent, but damaging, occurrences may be related to environmental factors

Statistical analysis of regional, rainfall-related effects could help early-spring forecasting

Improved production and response to multiple harvests may lead to successful commercialization

A yield of 9.5 tons per acre was achieved in the Imperial Valley