The California Wheat Commission will meet in Sacramento on April 11 at 10am for its annual budget-setting meeting. The Commission, comprised of grower, handler, public and at-large members from around the state, will review assessment projections for the fiscal year beginning on May 1 and make funding decisions on its priority activities, including research and market development. The full agenda is posted on our website.
Small Grains Field Days in May - See our website for details
• May 1 - Tulare/Kings • May 9 - UC Davis
Farm Advisor Crop Update:
We asked UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors to report what they are seeing in their areas.
Kent Brittan, who covers Yolo, Solano and Sacramento Counties, conducts variety trials in four locations in the region. He provided the following comments on April 5: "All locations in the Southern Sacramento Valley look much better following the recent rains. Areas of clayey soil are ready for the rain to stop. Light textured soil areas will benefit from the rain this next week. November planted fields are heading out now. Diseases are starting to show up. I am finding Stripe Rust in Redwing, but nowhere else yet. I do expect to see some in the Triticale varieties Trical 118 and Camelot. I am hoping that most of those fields will not have to be sprayed. I have heard of a couple of fungicide treatments on Redwing. Please check our Stripe Rust Control Guidelines for detailed information.
I am finding Powdery Mildew and Septoria down low in the canopy in several varieties. If like past years, neither are worth trying to control. If Powdery Mildew gets bad it can be knocked back, but not completely cleaned up. We have not been successful controlling Septoria even though it is listed on several fungicide labels. I am starting to find a few aphids and a bit more Russian Wheat aphid damage then I have seen in recent years. Wheat crop is over all a bit uneven in our area from the dry start with a few holes. Most fields are showing very good fertility and head emergence. Later planted fields are looking very good as well. Please keep your eyes open as you walk your fields. Good Luck!"
Steve Wright, farm advisor in Kings and Tulare Counties, reported on April 3rd: "We are hearing and seeing our first stripe rust showing up in Joaquin Wheat. I have heard of some fungicides being applied to Joaquin wheat and some neighboring fields. I encourage growers and PCA's to pay close attention this week as the flag leaf is now exposed and in some areas some wheat or triticale fields are beginning to head. Pay closer attention to stripe rust susceptible wheat and triticale varieties, and even resistant varieties of wheat in bordering fields.
Boot stage applications of nitrogen are the last opportunity to increase grain wheat yields and also improve protein. Approximately 40 lbs. of nitrogen as UAN-32 is a good way to apply this and for most with the lack of rain a good time to irrigate. Applications of 30-40 lbs. of nitrogen in addition at the flowering stage can increase protein 1 to 2 percent. The decision to apply nitrogen with the water at either of these stages should coincide with the timing of the irrigations."
Team USA Takes Silver Medal at World Cup of Baking in Paris
The United States joined 11 other countries in Paris in early March at the Coupe du Monde de la Boulangerie, an international, invitational artisan baking competition held in every three to four years. Each team has three members competing in different categories: bread, pastries and artistic piece.
At the end of four days of hard fought competition, Japan was awarded the top prize, the United States second and Taiwan third. Team USA included Mike Zakowski from Sonoma, Jeremey Gadouas from Seattle, and Harry Peemoeller, Charlotte, NC. Mike's signature bread included specially-milled Yecora Rojo flour from California.
Begun in 1992, the Coupe du Monde is a competition where bakers who practice the craft of artisan baking compete against teams from other nations, using traditional techniques. The purpose of the competition is to gather artisan bakers from around the world to celebrate their profession, share knowledge of artisan baking techniques, and reinstate the value of the artisan baking profession. (Wikipedia)
Commission Update:
Watch our website for the 2012 Variety Survey, which is due to be released in mid-April. This report provides an early snapshot of how much of various varieties is planted around the state. Thanks to all the growers who completed the survey this year!
