GROWER PRACTICES FOR BLACKBIRD CONTROL IN WILD RICE IN CALIFORNIA

We surveyed 29 wild rice growers, representing 96% of the California acreage grown in 1993, to determine current practices for blackbird damage control. Twenty-seven growers (93%) had blackbird damage. The period of greatest damage and most intensive control was July through September. Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) most frequently caused damage, but three other species of blackbirds and the European starling (Sturnis vulgaris) were also identified. Most growers (72%) reported 1 to 10% yield loss. Average loss ranged from $121 to$309/ha, and from $14,530 to$32,061/grower. Most growers (97%) attempted to control blackbirds for an average of 3.5 months during the growing season, relying primarily on shotguns, propane cannons, shell-crackers or bird bombs, and patrols. Growers in northeastern California tended to rate these techniques as more effective than growers in the Sacramento Valley, possibly due to the larger field sizes in the Valley. Average effectiveness ratings for all techniques indicated little better than slight control for the techniques used, suggesting grower dissatisfaction with the available techniques. Average cost for control averaged $86.21/ha, which was among the highest costs for any single aspect of wild rice production

Vascular Flora of Hooper Branch Savanna Nature Preserve, Iroquois County, Illinois

INHS Technical Report prepared for Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Heritag

Big Data: Managing the Future\u27s Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems

Big Data: Managing the Future\u27s Agriculture and Natural Resource Systems Big data is the incredible flow of information that surrounds each of us, every day. Big data tools identify patterns and habits, not only in research, but in manufacturing, logistics–even ordering items online

APPLICATION OF A BENEFIT:COST MODEL TO BLACKBIRD DAMAGE CONTROL IN WILD RICE

From commercial fields near McArthur, California, we collected data on methods for controlling blackbird (Icteridae) damage to wild rice (Zizania aquatica). Using and expanding upon an economic model proposed by Dolbeer (1981), we derived economic comparisons of three control programs employing: 1. methiocarb, 2. shooting and propane exploders, and 3. all methods combined. Shooting and propane exploders used together were the most cost effective with a benefit:cost ratio of 2.16:1. Under the assumptions used in the model, methiocarb was least effective with a benefit:cost ratio of only 0.62:1. We discuss assumptions of the model and using basic initial data (cost and efficacy of control, average yield and value of the crop, anticipated damage level) illustrate a format to derive figures for the amount and value of crop to be saved at a given efficacy level, benefit:cost ratios, and net income after control

Grower practices for blackbird control in wild rice in California

We surveyed 29 wild rice growers, representing 96% of the California acreage grown in 1993, to determine current practices for blackbird damage control. Twenty-seven growers (93%) had blackbird damage. The period of greatest damage and most intensive control was July through September. Red-winged blackbirds (Agelaius phoeniceus) most frequently caused damage, but three other species of blackbirds and the European starling (Sturnus vulgaris) were also identified. Most growers (72%) reported 1 to 10% yield loss. Average loss ranged from $121 to$309/ha, and from $14,530 to$32,061/grower. Most growers (97%) attempted to control blackbirds for an average of 3.5 months during the growing season, relying primarily on shotguns, propane cannons, shellcrackers or bird bombs, and patrols. Growers in northeastern California tended to rate these techniques as more effective than growers in the Sacramento Valley, possibly due to the larger field sizes in the Valley. Average effectiveness ratings for all techniques indicated little better than slight control for the techniques used, suggesting grower dissatisfaction with the available techniques. Average cost for control averaged $86.21/ha, which was among the highest costs for any single aspect of wild rice production

Vascular Flora of Iroquois County Conservation Areas, Iroquois County, Illinois

INHS Technical Report prepared for Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Division of Natural Heritag

Vascular flora of the Pembroke Savannas, Kankakee County, Illinois

Project completion report, field work completed April 2002 to November 2002INHS Technical Report prepared for Illinois Department of Natural Resource

Application of a benefit:cost model to blackbird damage control in wild rice

From commercial fields near McArthur, California, we collected data on methods for controlling blackbird (Icteridae) damage to wild rice (Zizania aguatica). Using and expanding upon an economic model proposed by Dolbeer (1981), we derived economic comparisons of three control programs employing: 1. methiocarb, 2. shooting and propane exploders, and 3. all methods combined. Shooting and propane exploders used together were the most cost effective with a benefit:cost ratio of 2.16:1. Under the assumptions used in the model, methiocarb was least effective with a benefit:cost ratio of only 0.62:1. We discuss assumptions of the model and using basic initial data (cost and efficacy of control, average yield and value of the crop, anticipated damage level) illustrate a format to derive figures for the amount and value of crop to be saved at a given efficacy level, benefit:cost ratios, and net income after control