IN THIS NEWSLINE ISSUED FEB 26, 2004:

1. WEED CONTROL IN THE HOME LANDSCAPE
2. CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURAL WATER USE IN ARIZONA
3. CALS GRADUATE SAYS DEGREE PREPARED HER FOR HER CURRENT JOB
4. UA GRADUATE IDENTIFIES NEW MAMMAL IN ARIZONA
5. PESTS AND DISEASES OF URBAN TREES IN ARIZONA
6. AG DAY 2004 IN PHOENIX
7. ISSUES IN WOMEN'S HEALTH
8. ARIZONA 4-H JAPANESE EXCHANGE PROGRAM
9. SNAKES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD
10. SUN-PROTECTIVE CLOTHING
11. SEAWEED RESEARCH
12. THE IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING RANGELANDS
13. CALS HORTICULTURIST HOSTS "THE DESERT GARDENER" ON WEEKDAYS
14. UPCOMING EVENTS
    

1 WEED CONTROL IN THE HOME LANDSCAPE

One of the most frequently asked questions homeowners ask this time of yearis, "How do I get rid of weeds?"

Sporadic winter rains have quickly produced an abundance of vegetative matter, including both wildflowers and weeds. It's important to know which is which before removing, especially if you sowed wildflower seeds in the fall.

Many weeds can be controlled with a pre-emergent herbicide to prevent weed seeds from germinating and growing, but this must be done prior to seedling emergence and not in an area where you want wildflowers to grow.

Remove weeds when they are small by hand-pulling or hoeing. Entrenched weeds can be removed with a glyphosate herbicide.

John Begeman, Pima County Cooperative Extension
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/pima/gardening/FAQ.html#q10

2 CONFERENCE ON THE FUTURE OF AGRICULTURAL WATER USE IN ARIZONA

Water is critical to all life, and is especially important to agriculture in the arid desert. "The Future of Agricultural Water Use in Arizona: A Conference-Dialogue" will feature panel discussions, commentary and keynote speakers on key issues surrounding current water usage.

The conference will be held Wednesday, April 28, 2004 at Francisco Grande Hotel and Golf Resort in Casa Grande, Arizona, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

This is a joint program of the UA Water Resources Research Center and the UA Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics.

Jackie Moxley, Agricultural and Resource Economics
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/AREC/dept/agwaterforum.html

3 CALS GRADUATE SAYS DEGREE PREPARED HER FOR HER CURRENT JOB

Blythe Koyiyumptewa is a graduate of the CALS Department of Agriculture and Biosystems Engineering (ABE), who now works as an agricultural engineer for the Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) in Flagstaff.

In a recent issue of Horizons, a monthly publication for Arizona employees of NRCS, she says, "The University was just starting a new program in agricultural and biosystems engineering, and after looking at some informational brochures, I realized it was exactly what I was looking for." Koyiyumptewa geared her studies toward soil and water topics, and conservation engineering. Koyiyumptewa credits Donald Slack, ABES professor and department head, with planting a bug in her ear about the NRCS. She says he guided her through to graduation and her current job.

Donald Slack, Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/media/archives/NRCSpage7.pdf

4 UA GRADUATE IDENTIFIES NEW MAMMAL IN ARIZONA

A Texas Tech University professor recently identified a new species of desert shrew that he first caught in the Santa Rita Mountains nearly 40 years ago, when he was a University of Arizona graduate student.

The N. cockrumi shrew is among the smallest of mammals in Arizona. It weighs only as much as a penny and is about the length of two AAA batteries. The only Arizona mammals that are smaller are the dwarf shrew, found at high elevations in central and northern parts of the state, and the Western Pipistrelle bat.

To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/media/archives/10.8.html

5 PESTS AND DISEASES OF URBAN TREES IN ARIZONA

A large percentage of mature pine trees in Phoenix and Tucson have been infected with Aleppo pine blight. Eucalyptus trees may be attacked by the long horn borer and the turquoise beetle. Irrigation, fertilizer and chemical applications can affect the health of trees and their ability to recover from pests and diseases.

The Arizona Foresty Council is holding a one-day tree workshop, March 2, 2004 at the Maricopa County Southeast Regional Library, 755 North Greenfield Road in Gilbert. Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. and a panel discussion featuring tree experts concludes at 4:00 p.m.

To learn more: http://www.aztrees.org

6 AG DAY 2004 IN PHOENIX

Each year, just before spring, agriculture producers and educators throughout the country put together displays and activities to inform the public about American agriculture.

In Arizona, "Ag Days" are held in various parts of the state. On March 10 in Phoenix, the public can learn about Arizona agricultural products and techniques, as well as purchase a full meal for $1.00--far less than the cost incurred by the farmer who grew the food. The event will be held at the Heritage Square/Arizona Science Museum complex in Phoenix, located at 7th St. and Washington in downtown Phoenix.

Pam Justice, 2004 Arizona Ag Day Chair, Maricopa County Cooperative Extension
To learn more: http://www.agday.org/

7 ISSUES IN WOMEN'S HEALTH

Osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease are two health problems women face as they age. These will be addressed on March 9, 2004 at the Halle Heart Center in Tempe, Arizona.

UA scientists Scott Going and Vanessa Stanford from CALS Nutritional Sciences and Timothy Lohman from the College of Medicine will present information at this free workshop.

The Halle Heart Center is located at 2929 S. 48th St., in Tempe, Arizona. That's just south of I-10 near the Phoenix-Tempe border. Seating is limited. For reservations contact andrew.weller@heart.org.

Scott Going, Nutritional Sciences
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/maricopa/fcs/bb/osteoporosis.html

8 ARIZONA 4-H JAPANESE EXCHANGE PROGRAM

Meeting youth from other countries can go a long way to fostering better international relations. Hosting a child at your home can build friendships that can last a lifetime. Young people who have the opportunity to host say they enjoy a priceless educational experience that better prepares them for life in a global society.

Three foreign exchange programs are offered through 4-H in Arizona. In the High School Exchange Program, a family hosts a Japanese high school student for a year. The host provides room, board and a supportive family environment for the student.

A second opportunity is to host a Japanese high school student for one month during the summer. In conjunction with this, Arizona 4-H provides a variety of supporting programs including a camp while leaving the host family plenty of time to plan their own activities.

The Summer Outbound Program offers the oportunity for an Arizona youth to spend a month with a host family in Japan.

Bill Peterson, Arizona 4-H Youth Development
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/4-h/teen.htm

9 SNAKES IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

They sleep all winter, bask in the sun in the early morning hours during the summer, and often frighten the wits out of unsuspecting hikers.

Snakes may be found more often in residential neighborhoods as more development takes place on the fringes of cities and out into the wild desert.

Researchers at the UA/Desert Ecological Research Unit have been studying snakes and other native wildlife to better understand the human-wildlife interface. They have found that snakes are better off relocated not far from their native range. The results of this research can help developers make better plans to accomodate wildlife.

Matt Goode, School of Natural Resources

To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/general/resrpt2003/article8_2003.html

10 SUN-PROTECTIVE CLOTHING

Research has determined that sun exposure and sunburning of skin is linked to skin cancer and premature aging of the skin. Sunscreen lotions are probably the number one means of protection from UV rays, but another effective means is to wear clothing that covers arms and legs as well as the trunk of the body.

Textile researchers at the UA and at other institutions have been developing methods for testing fabrics for their UV protection capability, and using these methods to study how cotton and other fabrics can be altered to
enhance sunburn protection capability.

Kathryn Hatch, Ag and Biosystems Engineering
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/pubs/general/resrpt2003/article9_2003.html

11 SEAWEED RESEARCH

Researchers from the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences are helping Molokai, Hawaii residents develop a new cash crop that also replenishes the reef's algae.

"Long ogo" was once the most important edible seaweed on Hawaii's reefs. Researchers from the CALS department of soil, water and environmental science's Environmental Research Laboratory (ERL) and others in Hawaii, have developed a way to grow the complete life cycle of "long ogo" without needing to harvest starter plants from the ocean. The sustainable system for growing fresh long ogo is unique in the United States.

Ed Glenn, Soil, Water and Environmental Science
To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/media/archives/6.8.html

12 THE IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING RANGELANDS

Today many ranchers and other land managers are choosing to collect data and keep their own records on the status of the rangeland resources they manage. Monitoring of vegetation and other natural resources has become an important
part of range management on both private and public lands. Rangeland monitoring identifies and documents changes in the land and other resources over time. This practice provides information that can be used to evaluate management practices in relation to natural influences such as weather.

The links on the Web site, Arizona Rangelands--Rangeland Inventory and Monitoring, introduce the concepts of inventory and monitoring and offer some guidance for those taking the first steps toward creating a monitoring program. Features include 1) technical resources for rangeland inventory and monitoring, 2) rangeland inventory and 3) monitoring workshops, products and
services.

George Ruyle, School of Natural Resources
To learn more: http://rangelandswest.org/az/monitoring.html

13 CALS HORTICULTURIST HOSTS "THE DESERT GARDENER" ON WEEKDAYS

KUAT-FM 90.5 will launch the new season of "The Desert Gardener," a 90-second program of gardening tips with horticulturalist John Begeman, on Monday, March 1. The programs will air Monday through Friday at 12:11 p.m., following the noon news. John Begeman is the urban horticulture agent for the University of Arizona-Pima County Cooperative Extension in Tucson.

The programs will be broadcast during the spring and fall growing seasons: March through May and September through October. Once they have aired, the programs will be available online at http://www.kuatfm.org. Programs that aired last season on KUAT-FM's sister radio station, KUAZ, will also be archived online.

Radio stations KUAT-FM and KUAZ are located on the campus of the University of Arizona. The stations are part of the KUAT Communications Group, an educational broadcast and production resource of the UA.

John Kelley, KUAT Station Manager
To learn more: http://www.kuatfm.org

14 UPCOMING EVENTS

March 4: Graham County Farmer's Day at Graham County Cooperative Extension Office, 2100 S. Bowie Avenue, Solomon, AZ. 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Lunch provided. For more information contact Randy Norton (rnorton@ag.arizona.edu or 928-428-2611).

March 5: 9th Annual Vegetable Crops Field Day, Maricopa Agricultural Center, Irrigation Facility, 37860 W. Smith-Enke Rd., Maricopa, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Sponsored by Arizona Cooperative Extension. Includes drip irrigation demonstration on broccoli, herbicide screening program, niche marketing for produce, and an overview of vegetable quality programs. Contact Pat Clay, (602) 470-8086, ext. 313.

March 15, 22 & 29: Equine Nutritional Management Educational Series for Horse Owners workshop will be held in the evenings at 6:00 p.m., 840 Rodeo Dr. in Prescott. Registration fees are $25 for the three sessions and include the cost of one forage analysis. Contact Mark Arns, marns@ag.arizona.edu or 520-626-9538, or see http://animal.cals.arizona.edu/equine.

March 17-18: Conception to Consumer: From the Ranch to Your Plate (workshop), UA Campus Agricultural Center, Tucson. Held 8:30 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. on the 17th, 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. on the 18th and includes lunch.

The program, offered through Cooperative Extension, offers information on the latest, emerging trends related to the safety and nutritional benefits of beef, including cattle evaluation, mandatory cattle identification, BSE/mad cow disease, use of antibiotics, irradiation of meat, nutritional value of protein dense diets, and more. The mix of topics is designed to meet the needs of those involved in the production, marketing and consumption of beef in Arizona the the United States. Cattle producers, nutrition counselors and interested members of the general public are invited to attend.

Registration is required and costs $15 in advance, or $25 the day of the program. For more information contact Peder Cuneo at (520) 621-2356, ext. 19, Dean Fish at (520) 281-2994, or Rob Grumbles at (928) 646-9113.

April 1-2: Global Retailing Conference, 2004: No Borders, No Boundaries--Evolving Markets, Westin La Paloma Resort and Spa, Tucson. Held 7 a.m. - 5 p.m. the first day, and 7 a.m. - 1 p.m. on the second. Offered through the UA Southwest Retail Center for Education and Research, the event focuses on maximizing opportunity in all aspects of a business, from product to people, to help companies compete locally and worldwide. Industry experts will share best practices and "fresh thinking" that can improve how a company does business. Registration fee required. Registration information available at http://ag.arizona.edu/fcs/srcer/conference/home.htm.

To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/calendar/

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