Six steps to calibrate and optimize airblast sprayers for orchards and vineyards

The goal for all pesticide applications should be to get every drop to the crop. Calibration ensures that the appropriate product rate is applied by the sprayer, while optimization ensures that the product is delivered onto the intended target. Calibrating and optimizing the sprayer are essential to sustainability, as they affect the environment, farm workers, and economic impact through fruit quality and pesticide costs. In six steps, this publication explains how to measure ground speed and nozzle output, check and adjust airflow and nozzle alignment, and verify coverage for an airblast sprayer. Methods are outlined for manual completion of the steps, and simplified formulas and suggestions for tools that can make the process faster are included

Food safety considerations for postharvest washing of produce and sanitation of packing areas

Many food safety issues that occur in postharvest unit operations are associated with: 1. Cross contamination between contaminated and uncontaminated produce during washing, or 2. Improper cleaning and disinfection of tools, equipment, and facilities used during packing and holding of produce. For these reasons, we will focus on proper use of two commonly used sanitizers, chlorine and peroxyacetic acid (PAA) during postharvest washing as well as how to develop a robust sanitation program for your farm or packinghouse.Funding for this publication was made possible, in part, by the Food and Drug Administration, grant PAR-16-13

Integrated management of jointed goatgrass in the Pacific Northwest

Jointed goatgrass is a weed that competes with wheat, resulting in reduced yield and increased grain dockage. Managing jointed goatgrass in winter wheat requires a systems approach that integrates multiple control tactics, described in this bulletin. Although jointed goatgrass is a major problem in most winter wheat growing areas west of the Mississippi River, the climate and cropping patterns of the Pacific Northwest (PNW) are unique and may influence the choice of options available for effective management of this pest. In particular, producers have noted that by adopting direct seed/reduced tillage management systems, both the number of jointed goatgrass infestations and the densities of these infestations tend to increase

Biodiesel in the Pacific Northwest

This publication presents background about biodiesel fuel and discusses its role in the Pacific Northwest (PNW), including relevant policies, usage, feedstock sources, and production. Biodiesel is an alternative to petroleum-derived diesel that is produced from fats, such as vegetable oil and used cooking oil. Potential benefits of biodiesel include reduced greenhouse gas emissions, lower dependence on foreign oil, air quality improvements, safer fuel handling and storage, and rural development opportunities. Both federal and state policies incentivize biodiesel production and use. These policies were created in response to rising oil prices and limited supply of domestic oil in the early 2000s. The PNW appeared to be a promising region for a biodiesel industry, with the ability to grow and process feedstocks and produce, transport, and consume biodiesel. Today in the PNW, biodiesel and its feedstocks are made, sold, and consumed, but significant economic barriers (e.g., low petroleum prices) and policy uncertainties have limited the expansion of the biodiesel industry. However, one of the largest US biodiesel production facilities is located in Hoquiam, Washington. Oregon is enforcing low-carbon fuel policies, and there is potential for increased regional growing and processing of biodiesel feedstocks

Financial analysis principles and applications for private forest lands

There are many reasons for owning forestland. Some are financial, such as generating income from timber harvest or a real estate sale after long-term investment. Others are not financial, such as aesthetics, recreation, or wildlife habitat. Whatever your ownership objectives may be, even if they are not primarily financially motivated, understanding basic financial principles as they apply to forestry will help you make informed decisions for sustainable management of your forest. A financially healthy forest is one in which costs and revenues are carefully planned for, minimizing financial burdens to landowners and providing opportunities for supplemental income that can offset the costs of management, be reinvested in the land to support stewardship activities, be invested in the stewardship of additional acreage, or be used to meet other family needs. Forests need to be managed over long time horizons because there may be several decades between harvests. Depending on rotation length and ownership turnover, some forest owners may only harvest once in their lifetime. A little bit of financial planning can make the difference between a successful harvest that meets multiple objectives or a poorly timed harvest that leads to needless loss for the landowner. The purpose of this manual is to introduce the basic principles of forest finance and provide examples of how these principles might be applied to the management of your property. Some advanced concepts are presented later in the manual in case you wish to go deeper into the subject matter

How to Take Representative Samples to Quantify Plastic Particles in Soil?

R program and codes used for the simulations

Growing winter malting barley west of the Cascades

Growing malting barley is increasingly being considered by farmers west of the Cascades to serve emerging craft brewing and distilling markets and to function as a rotation crop for horticultural crops, such as potatoes or vegetable and grass seed. Several publications provide information on growing barley generally and the prospects for a malting barley industry in the region. This publication provides a succinct resource for those preparing to grow winter malting barley

Davenport living snow fence demonstration : fifteen-year survival and growth update

This Washington State University publication discusses the Davenport Living Snow Fence, a dryland Rocky Mountain juniper (Juniperus scopulorum) demonstration project planted in 2003, and provides data on tree growth and survival rates during its first 15 years. The primary purpose of this planting was to demonstrate implementation. A secondary purpose was to examine tree growth, row variability, and survival. This demonstration was not intended to measure snow catchment effectiveness, although this could be accomplished in subsequent years. Empirical observations for snow catchment, impact of reducing snow drifting onto the state highway during periods of adverse winter weather, and wildlife uses of the Davenport Living Snow Fence are included

Growing quinoa in Washington State

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) is gaining popularity as a relatively new crop for Washington State. It has been cultivated for thousands of years around its center of origin in South America, but recently has gained worldwide recognition for its nutritional benefits and adaptability to a variety of environments. Quinoa production in North America was very limited until recently. Quinoa has been successfully cultivated in regions such as the Canadian prairies, the San Luis Valley of Colorado, coastal areas in central California, Willamette Valley of Oregon, and the Olympic Peninsula in Washington. Other areas of Washington State could also provide the right climate and conditions for producing quinoa, such as the maritime climates found along much of the western region, the mountainous regions in central and northern areas of the state, and the Palouse River Basin on the eastern edge. Quinoa may be a suitable crop for a variety of cropping systems that can be found in Washington State. Quinoa is known for producing quality yields even in adverse conditions, including low fertility, throughout the world. For any system, quinoa can be a beneficial rotation crop to help break cereal disease cycles, and even the conventional market value is high compared to similar crop types

Food preservation for special diets : adjusting sugar and sodium when preserving at home

Home food preservation can be an excellent option for people who want to reduce the amount of sugar or sodium in their diets. At harvest, foods are naturally low in sodium and added sugars. When fresh foods are processed commercially, both sugar and sodium are added because they function as preservatives. By processing fresh foods at home, you can modify the amounts of sugar and sodium, giving you the chance to prepare foods that interest you and meet your personal dietary goals. This publication provides a synopsis of the changes you can safely make to the sugar and sodium content when preserving foods at home. It also describes the few instances where these ingredients cannot be altered because they are essential to the outcome or the safety of the product