Day One: Farm Tour <\/strong> <\/h2>\n\n\n\nMore than 50 conference attendees joined FREP this year in visiting two unique agriculture operations in Fresno. <\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Farm](\"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/FREP-farm-tour-2.jpg\")
Figure 1: The first tour stop provides a glimpse into the cultural practices and diversity of Southeast Asian Farms. The grower, Fong Tchieng, farms more than 80 crops on relatively small acreage and sells produce at farmers markets and a roadside stand. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Farm](\"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/FREP-farm-tour-grapes.jpg\")
Figure 2: The second tour stop is with Alan Asadoorian, Grape Production Manager at Fowler Packing. Alan gives attendees an overview of management practices and highlights the importance of staying on the cutting edge of the industry. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDay Two: Morning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe conference began with introductory comments from Renee\nPinel, Executive Director of WPHA, and Karen Ross, Secretary of the California\nDepartment of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). They stressed the importance of\nfurthering our efforts to improve on-farm nutrient management through research\nand education and they provided an excellent lead-in to the conference program.\nThe morning session covered updates on three current FREP research projects\naimed at developing decision-support tools and improving nitrogen management\npractices, as well as the organic farming techniques employed at Park Farming,\nlocated north of Sacramento.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overview of CropManage: Inputs, Outputs and Users<\/strong> – Dr. Michael Cahn, Irrigation and Water Resources Advisor, University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension, Monterey County <\/p>\n\n\n\nCitrus: Nitrogen Management Practices and Recommendations <\/strong>– Dr. Douglas Amaral, Postdoc Scientist, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis<\/p>\n\n\n\nEffects of Soil Biochar Amendment on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics<\/strong> – Dr. Suduan Gao, Research Scientist, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service<\/p>\n\n\n\nA Normal California Farm, Farmed Abnormally<\/strong> – Scott Park, Owner\/Operator, Park Farming<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpeaker Highlight:<\/em> Park Farming is a 1,700-acre organic farm just 50 miles north of Sacramento that relies on soil health to solve some of the major issues that California farmers are facing. Park stressed the importance of what he refers to as the \u201c7 Cs\u201d (cover crops, crop rotation, conservation tillage, crop residues, controlled traffic, compost and conserving inputs) in order to utilize the benefits that healthy soil can provide.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\nDay Two: Afternoon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe afternoon included a variety of engaging presentations,\nincluding a demonstration during lunch, a panel discussion and the choice of\nannual or perennial workshops. The day ended with a poster session, covering\nnutrient management research throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nitrogen Management Plans: Where Is This All Leading? <\/strong>– Parry Klassen, Executive Director, East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition<\/p>\n\n\n\nPanel: Nitrogen Budgeting with Organic Amendments<\/strong> – Facilitator: Dr. Karen Lowell, Agronomist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Panelists: Gina Colfer, Crop Consultant, Wilbur Ellis; Ward Burroughs, Owner, Burroughs Family Farms; Dr. Joji Muramoto, Organic Production Specialist, UC Cooperative Extension; and Gerald Davis, Lead Agronomist, Grimmway Farms<\/p>\n\n\n\nNitrogen and Irrigation Management Planning Workshop<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Annuals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Do-It-Yourself Tensiometer \u2013 Dr. Michael Cahn <\/li>
- Soil Nitrate Quick Test \u2013 Dr. Mark Lundy <\/li>
- Nitrogen Budget Exercise \u2013 Dr. Daniel Geisseler<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Perennials <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Irrigation Scheduling Pressure Chamber \u2013 Dr. Ken Schakel<\/li>
- Soil Amendments \u2013 Dr. Sat Darshan S. Khalsa <\/li>
- Nutrient Management Considerations \u2013 Dr. Sebastian Saa<\/li>
- CropManage Demonstration \u2013 Dr. Michael Cahn<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Poster Session<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIrrigation and Nitrogen Management and Monitoring to Improve Almond Production While Minimizing Groundwater Nitrate – Hanna Ouaknin<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nQuantifying Nitrate Leaching in an Organic System Using Anion Exchange Resin Pucks – Aaron Lee<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nA Multi-scale Modeling Assessment of Nitrogen Leaching from Central Valley Irrigated Processing Tomatoes – Iael Raij-Hoffman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Effect of Pre-Plant Fertilizer Management on Yield, Nitrogen Uptake and Disease Incidence in Four Strawberry Cultivars – Kamille Garcia-Brucher<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nNitrogen Balance as an Indicator of Nitrate Leaching Risk – Tim Hartz<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nSite-Specific Management Effects on Nitrate Leaching – Kenneth Miller<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nTools for Site-Specific Crop Management to Maximize Recovery of Applied Nitrogen Fertilizer – John Dickey<\/em> Comparing Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Drip and Deficit Drip Irrigated Sorghum and Corn Subjected to Varying Nitrogen Fertilization Rates \u2013 Ramandeep Kaur Brar<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Parry](\"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/FREP-conference-parry-klassen.jpg\")
Figure 3: As attendees enjoy lunch, Parry Klassen provides an update and demonstration to summarize the impacts of water quality regulations on growers’ reporting requirements and management practices.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Conference](\"https:\/\/blogs.cdfa.ca.gov\/FREP\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/FREP-poster-session.jpg\")
Figure 4: At the Poster Session, researchers present their posters and attendees have the opportunity to ask questions and network with others in the industry. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDay Three<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOn the last day of the conference, speakers highlighted\npractical in-field applications of nutrient and irrigation management research\nand education. The session included talks on potassium, soil texture, salinity,\ndeficit irrigation in high density olives, and irrigation system design and\nmaintenance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potassium Fertilization in Crops<\/strong> – Dr. Saiful Muhammad, Research Agronomist, QualiTech<\/p>\n\n\n\nIrrigation Maintenance and Distribution Uniformity <\/strong>– Trina Walley, District Manager, East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District<\/p>\n\n\n\nCharacterizing Soil Texture for Water and Nutrient Management<\/strong> – Dr. Toby O\u2019Geen, Soil Resource Specialist in Cooperative Extension, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis<\/p>\n\n\n\nDeficit Irrigation and Nutrient Management in High Density Olive Orchards<\/strong> – Dr. Richard Rosecrance, Professor, California State University Chico<\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Practices for Fertigation Design and Equipment<\/strong> – Dr. Franklin Gaudi, Project Manager, Cal Poly Irrigation Training and Research Center<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpeaker highlight:<\/em> Franklin Gaudi, a project manager at Cal Poly\u2019s Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC), engaged attendees with an overview of irrigation and fertigation system design and the common problems and solutions. He also introduced the \u201cIrrigation Consumer Bill of Rights\u201d which provides growers with a list of discussion items to make more informed decisions when selecting design and maintenance options. http:\/\/www.itrc.org\/reports\/icbr.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\nSalinity Effects and Management <\/strong>– Mark Battany, Water Management and Biometeorology Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties<\/p>\n\n\n\nLooking Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe FREP team would sincerely like to thank our speakers,\nvolunteers and attendees for making the event such a success. \n\nNext year\u2019s conference will be held in Modesto, California, on October\n26-28. If you have suggestions for speakers that you would like to hear from or\nfarms that we might visit on next year\u2019s tour, please reach out to us at FREP@cdfa.ca.gov<\/a>. \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 27th annual Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) Conference took place in Fresno, California, on October 28-30, 2019. Speakers from industry, academia and agricultural consulting provided pioneering information on nutrient and irrigation management in California agriculture. Below you will find highlights of some of the talks at this year\u2019s conference. The PowerPoint presentations …<\/p>\n
Day Two: Morning<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe conference began with introductory comments from Renee\nPinel, Executive Director of WPHA, and Karen Ross, Secretary of the California\nDepartment of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). They stressed the importance of\nfurthering our efforts to improve on-farm nutrient management through research\nand education and they provided an excellent lead-in to the conference program.\nThe morning session covered updates on three current FREP research projects\naimed at developing decision-support tools and improving nitrogen management\npractices, as well as the organic farming techniques employed at Park Farming,\nlocated north of Sacramento.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overview of CropManage: Inputs, Outputs and Users<\/strong> – Dr. Michael Cahn, Irrigation and Water Resources Advisor, University of California (UC) Cooperative Extension, Monterey County <\/p>\n\n\n\nCitrus: Nitrogen Management Practices and Recommendations <\/strong>– Dr. Douglas Amaral, Postdoc Scientist, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis<\/p>\n\n\n\nEffects of Soil Biochar Amendment on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics<\/strong> – Dr. Suduan Gao, Research Scientist, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service<\/p>\n\n\n\nA Normal California Farm, Farmed Abnormally<\/strong> – Scott Park, Owner\/Operator, Park Farming<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpeaker Highlight:<\/em> Park Farming is a 1,700-acre organic farm just 50 miles north of Sacramento that relies on soil health to solve some of the major issues that California farmers are facing. Park stressed the importance of what he refers to as the \u201c7 Cs\u201d (cover crops, crop rotation, conservation tillage, crop residues, controlled traffic, compost and conserving inputs) in order to utilize the benefits that healthy soil can provide.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\nDay Two: Afternoon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe afternoon included a variety of engaging presentations,\nincluding a demonstration during lunch, a panel discussion and the choice of\nannual or perennial workshops. The day ended with a poster session, covering\nnutrient management research throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Nitrogen Management Plans: Where Is This All Leading? <\/strong>– Parry Klassen, Executive Director, East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition<\/p>\n\n\n\nPanel: Nitrogen Budgeting with Organic Amendments<\/strong> – Facilitator: Dr. Karen Lowell, Agronomist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Panelists: Gina Colfer, Crop Consultant, Wilbur Ellis; Ward Burroughs, Owner, Burroughs Family Farms; Dr. Joji Muramoto, Organic Production Specialist, UC Cooperative Extension; and Gerald Davis, Lead Agronomist, Grimmway Farms<\/p>\n\n\n\nNitrogen and Irrigation Management Planning Workshop<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Annuals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Do-It-Yourself Tensiometer \u2013 Dr. Michael Cahn <\/li>
- Soil Nitrate Quick Test \u2013 Dr. Mark Lundy <\/li>
- Nitrogen Budget Exercise \u2013 Dr. Daniel Geisseler<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Perennials <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n- Irrigation Scheduling Pressure Chamber \u2013 Dr. Ken Schakel<\/li>
- Soil Amendments \u2013 Dr. Sat Darshan S. Khalsa <\/li>
- Nutrient Management Considerations \u2013 Dr. Sebastian Saa<\/li>
- CropManage Demonstration \u2013 Dr. Michael Cahn<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Poster Session<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nIrrigation and Nitrogen Management and Monitoring to Improve Almond Production While Minimizing Groundwater Nitrate – Hanna Ouaknin<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nQuantifying Nitrate Leaching in an Organic System Using Anion Exchange Resin Pucks – Aaron Lee<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nA Multi-scale Modeling Assessment of Nitrogen Leaching from Central Valley Irrigated Processing Tomatoes – Iael Raij-Hoffman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Effect of Pre-Plant Fertilizer Management on Yield, Nitrogen Uptake and Disease Incidence in Four Strawberry Cultivars – Kamille Garcia-Brucher<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nNitrogen Balance as an Indicator of Nitrate Leaching Risk – Tim Hartz<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nSite-Specific Management Effects on Nitrate Leaching – Kenneth Miller<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nTools for Site-Specific Crop Management to Maximize Recovery of Applied Nitrogen Fertilizer – John Dickey<\/em> Comparing Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Drip and Deficit Drip Irrigated Sorghum and Corn Subjected to Varying Nitrogen Fertilization Rates \u2013 Ramandeep Kaur Brar<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nFigure 3: As attendees enjoy lunch, Parry Klassen provides an update and demonstration to summarize the impacts of water quality regulations on growers’ reporting requirements and management practices.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nFigure 4: At the Poster Session, researchers present their posters and attendees have the opportunity to ask questions and network with others in the industry. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nDay Three<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOn the last day of the conference, speakers highlighted\npractical in-field applications of nutrient and irrigation management research\nand education. The session included talks on potassium, soil texture, salinity,\ndeficit irrigation in high density olives, and irrigation system design and\nmaintenance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Potassium Fertilization in Crops<\/strong> – Dr. Saiful Muhammad, Research Agronomist, QualiTech<\/p>\n\n\n\nIrrigation Maintenance and Distribution Uniformity <\/strong>– Trina Walley, District Manager, East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District<\/p>\n\n\n\nCharacterizing Soil Texture for Water and Nutrient Management<\/strong> – Dr. Toby O\u2019Geen, Soil Resource Specialist in Cooperative Extension, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis<\/p>\n\n\n\nDeficit Irrigation and Nutrient Management in High Density Olive Orchards<\/strong> – Dr. Richard Rosecrance, Professor, California State University Chico<\/p>\n\n\n\nBest Practices for Fertigation Design and Equipment<\/strong> – Dr. Franklin Gaudi, Project Manager, Cal Poly Irrigation Training and Research Center<\/p>\n\n\n\nSpeaker highlight:<\/em> Franklin Gaudi, a project manager at Cal Poly\u2019s Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC), engaged attendees with an overview of irrigation and fertigation system design and the common problems and solutions. He also introduced the \u201cIrrigation Consumer Bill of Rights\u201d which provides growers with a list of discussion items to make more informed decisions when selecting design and maintenance options. http:\/\/www.itrc.org\/reports\/icbr.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\nSalinity Effects and Management <\/strong>– Mark Battany, Water Management and Biometeorology Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties<\/p>\n\n\n\nLooking Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThe FREP team would sincerely like to thank our speakers,\nvolunteers and attendees for making the event such a success. \n\nNext year\u2019s conference will be held in Modesto, California, on October\n26-28. If you have suggestions for speakers that you would like to hear from or\nfarms that we might visit on next year\u2019s tour, please reach out to us at FREP@cdfa.ca.gov<\/a>. \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The 27th annual Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) Conference took place in Fresno, California, on October 28-30, 2019. Speakers from industry, academia and agricultural consulting provided pioneering information on nutrient and irrigation management in California agriculture. Below you will find highlights of some of the talks at this year\u2019s conference. The PowerPoint presentations …<\/p>\n
Citrus: Nitrogen Management Practices and Recommendations <\/strong>– Dr. Douglas Amaral, Postdoc Scientist, Department of Plant Sciences, UC Davis<\/p>\n\n\n\n Effects of Soil Biochar Amendment on Soil Nitrogen Dynamics<\/strong> – Dr. Suduan Gao, Research Scientist, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service<\/p>\n\n\n\n A Normal California Farm, Farmed Abnormally<\/strong> – Scott Park, Owner\/Operator, Park Farming<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaker Highlight:<\/em> Park Farming is a 1,700-acre organic farm just 50 miles north of Sacramento that relies on soil health to solve some of the major issues that California farmers are facing. Park stressed the importance of what he refers to as the \u201c7 Cs\u201d (cover crops, crop rotation, conservation tillage, crop residues, controlled traffic, compost and conserving inputs) in order to utilize the benefits that healthy soil can provide.\u00a0 <\/p>\n\n\n\n The afternoon included a variety of engaging presentations,\nincluding a demonstration during lunch, a panel discussion and the choice of\nannual or perennial workshops. The day ended with a poster session, covering\nnutrient management research throughout the state.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nitrogen Management Plans: Where Is This All Leading? <\/strong>– Parry Klassen, Executive Director, East San Joaquin Water Quality Coalition<\/p>\n\n\n\n Panel: Nitrogen Budgeting with Organic Amendments<\/strong> – Facilitator: Dr. Karen Lowell, Agronomist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service Panelists: Gina Colfer, Crop Consultant, Wilbur Ellis; Ward Burroughs, Owner, Burroughs Family Farms; Dr. Joji Muramoto, Organic Production Specialist, UC Cooperative Extension; and Gerald Davis, Lead Agronomist, Grimmway Farms<\/p>\n\n\n\n Nitrogen and Irrigation Management Planning Workshop<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Annuals<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Perennials <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Poster Session<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Irrigation and Nitrogen Management and Monitoring to Improve Almond Production While Minimizing Groundwater Nitrate – Hanna Ouaknin<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Quantifying Nitrate Leaching in an Organic System Using Anion Exchange Resin Pucks – Aaron Lee<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n A Multi-scale Modeling Assessment of Nitrogen Leaching from Central Valley Irrigated Processing Tomatoes – Iael Raij-Hoffman<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n The Effect of Pre-Plant Fertilizer Management on Yield, Nitrogen Uptake and Disease Incidence in Four Strawberry Cultivars – Kamille Garcia-Brucher<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Nitrogen Balance as an Indicator of Nitrate Leaching Risk – Tim Hartz<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Site-Specific Management Effects on Nitrate Leaching – Kenneth Miller<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Tools for Site-Specific Crop Management to Maximize Recovery of Applied Nitrogen Fertilizer – John Dickey<\/em> Comparing Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Drip and Deficit Drip Irrigated Sorghum and Corn Subjected to Varying Nitrogen Fertilization Rates \u2013 Ramandeep Kaur Brar<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n On the last day of the conference, speakers highlighted\npractical in-field applications of nutrient and irrigation management research\nand education. The session included talks on potassium, soil texture, salinity,\ndeficit irrigation in high density olives, and irrigation system design and\nmaintenance. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Potassium Fertilization in Crops<\/strong> – Dr. Saiful Muhammad, Research Agronomist, QualiTech<\/p>\n\n\n\n Irrigation Maintenance and Distribution Uniformity <\/strong>– Trina Walley, District Manager, East Stanislaus Resource Conservation District<\/p>\n\n\n\n Characterizing Soil Texture for Water and Nutrient Management<\/strong> – Dr. Toby O\u2019Geen, Soil Resource Specialist in Cooperative Extension, Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, UC Davis<\/p>\n\n\n\n Deficit Irrigation and Nutrient Management in High Density Olive Orchards<\/strong> – Dr. Richard Rosecrance, Professor, California State University Chico<\/p>\n\n\n\n Best Practices for Fertigation Design and Equipment<\/strong> – Dr. Franklin Gaudi, Project Manager, Cal Poly Irrigation Training and Research Center<\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaker highlight:<\/em> Franklin Gaudi, a project manager at Cal Poly\u2019s Irrigation Training and Research Center (ITRC), engaged attendees with an overview of irrigation and fertigation system design and the common problems and solutions. He also introduced the \u201cIrrigation Consumer Bill of Rights\u201d which provides growers with a list of discussion items to make more informed decisions when selecting design and maintenance options. http:\/\/www.itrc.org\/reports\/icbr.htm<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Salinity Effects and Management <\/strong>– Mark Battany, Water Management and Biometeorology Advisor, UC Cooperative Extension, San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties<\/p>\n\n\n\n The FREP team would sincerely like to thank our speakers,\nvolunteers and attendees for making the event such a success. \n\nNext year\u2019s conference will be held in Modesto, California, on October\n26-28. If you have suggestions for speakers that you would like to hear from or\nfarms that we might visit on next year\u2019s tour, please reach out to us at FREP@cdfa.ca.gov<\/a>. \n\n\n\n<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The 27th annual Fertilizer Research and Education Program (FREP) and Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) Conference took place in Fresno, California, on October 28-30, 2019. Speakers from industry, academia and agricultural consulting provided pioneering information on nutrient and irrigation management in California agriculture. Below you will find highlights of some of the talks at this year\u2019s conference. The PowerPoint presentations …<\/p>\nDay Two: Afternoon<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Day Three<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Looking Forward<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n