IN THIS NEWSLINE ISSUED JUNE 16, 2004:

1. MOSQUITOES AND WETLANDS RESTORATION
2. SOLE BRUISES IN HORSES
3. SOUTHWEST GARDENING INFORMATION
4. SEASONAL ALFALFA REPORT FOR YUMA COUNTY
5. EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON SAFE PESTICIDE USAGE
6. ORGANIC FOODS IN THE MARKETPLACE
7. EXTENSION COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP
8. V BAR V RANCH
9. UA HORTICULTURE CLUB
10. EVENTS
    

1 MOSQUITOES AND WETLANDS RESTORATION

Restoring wetlands has a foreseeable and inevitable downside: the creation of mosquito habitat.

Breeding disease-transmitting mosquitoes isn't just a surprising side effect of creating wetlands, but an inevitable and foreseeable consequence that must be acknowledged when planning wetland restoration projects, says Elizabeth Willott, a CALS assistant professor in the department of entomology.

Ultimately, the location and ecology of a restored wetland will determine whether intervention is necessary -- or even possible -- to control mosquito populations. Willott cites Tucson's Sweetwater Wetland, built in 1996 to help treat secondary effluent from the adjacent wasewater treatment plant, as an example of a well-managed wetland.

Elizabeth Willott, Department of Entomology
To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/media/archives/11.11.html

2 SOLE BRUISES IN HORSES

Sole bruises can be extremely painful to horses. The bruise represents a
bleeding under the horn (like a human fingernail, it covers the internal
structure) which can cause pressure to build up in the foot. When the
pressure becomes greatest, the horse will show the pain by not bearing
weight on that foot.

A sole bruise is a crushing of blood vessels between two reasonably unforgiving surfaces, the hoof (horn) and the internal bone. The crushing is created when the horse steps on a sharp object like a dirt clod or rock. Sometimes this crushing is man-made such as when too much sole is removed during shoeing or when a poorly fitted shoe is attached.

The location where the bruise exists will dictate the degree of tenderness or lameness for each horse. You may not, however, be able to see a bruise because there must be significant bleeding in the foot to show stains in the sole pigment. Also, some horses have pigmented colorations in the foot which may not allow a visual determination. Some breeds of horses, like the Thoroughbred and Quarter horse, seem to be more pre-disposed to bruising because they have been bred for lower heels, longer toes and flat soles, which all contribute to a weaker hoof.

To learn more: http://cals.arizona.edu/ans/alr/2004-Spring.pdf

3 SOUTHWEST GARDENING INFORMATION

Information on home gardening, expert and master gardening, and links to many Arizona, Southwest, and national gardening sites are just a click away. In addition to helpful information about the challenges of gardening in an arid environment, a list of Frequently Asked Questions addresses some common gardening questions.

Topics include plants that are rated for low water use, fertilization and pruning techniques, and planting calendars. Responses to these and other questions are compiled by horticulturists from throughout the state.

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

4 SEASONAL ALFALFA REPORT FOR YUMA COUNTY

Producing high quality hay in hot, dry desert areas is a challenge because of leaf loss during raking or baling. Growers typically wait for dew to appear late at night or early in the morning. 

Alfalfa leaf losses can range from 5 to 10 percent even under the best conditions, and can be as high as 20 percent or more if the leaves become too dry. Windrow moisture can be increased by irrigating closer to cutting or by applying moisture to the windrow. Moisture can be applied to windrows with equipment as simple as a water truck or with specially designed spraying equipment. 

Dodder, a parasitic vine, is becoming increasingly widespread in alfalfa. It can be effectively controlled with an appropriate preemergent herbicide. Post emergence control can only be successful if the current crop foliage is destroyed along with the dodder that is living off it.

Barry Tickes, Yuma County Cooperative Extension

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/crops/counties/yuma/alfalfareports/2004/alfalfarpt060204.html

5 EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS ON SAFE PESTICIDE USAGE

The informational labels on home and commercial weed and insect control products can be confusing. They are actual legal documents provided by the manufacturer on restrictions and conditions for application.

The UA Pesticide Information and Training Office provides educational materials for commercial pesticide licensing along with training on pesticide safety, worker protection, and pesticide security for Arizona residents. They also compile Agricultural pesticide use information and provide that data to stakeholders, researchers, and the general public via yearly reports and articles.

Information on the lastest Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) guidelines on pesticide usage and links to updated information on mosquito and bee control in Arizona are also available, along with labeling restrictions.

Paul Baker, Pesticide Information and Training

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

6 ORGANIC FOODS IN THE MARKETPLACE

The only organic foods available a decade ago were fresh fruits and vegetables sold seasonally at farmers markets and food co-ops. Today, organic fresh and processed foods such as bagged salads, snack foods, dairy products, breakfast cereals, and even chocolate are sold in mainstream and natural foods supermarkets.

UA agricultural economists are working to identify the consumers of organic foods. Both academic and industry studies have discovered economic and demographic characteristics of shoppers buying organic foods. Other research interests include agricultural production and marketing, particularly as they relate to fresh vegetables. 

Gary Thompson, Department of Agriculture and Resource Economics 

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/AREC/dept/flyers/organic.html

7 EXTENSION COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Arizona Cooperative Extension provides a wide range of leadership
development and educational programs that reach community leaders,
volunteers, youth and Extension personnel. The goal is to offer coordinated
leadership opportunities in order to assist Arizona residents in developing
leadership skills for better communities.

The Extension Community Leadership program provides resources, programs and links for leadership educators. The web site focuses on publications, curriculum and programs of the University of Arizona Cooperative Extension that promote community adult and youth leadership development.

Linda Block, Pima County Cooperative Extension

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/extension/leadership/

8 V BAR V RANCH

The V Bar V Ranch, owned and operated by the University of Arizona, is representative of a typical Arizona ranch. The ranch is primarily a public lands ranch, grazing cattle year round on US Forest Service lands.  

The ranch varies in elevation from 3200 feet to 7200 feet in elevation, starting at Camp Verde and continuing east over the Mogollon Rim to near Happy Jack (Clint's Well). The ranch is located in both Coconino and Yavapai Counties. Annual rainfall ranges from 15.6 inches at the lower elevations to 27.4 inches in the upper elevations. The ranch includes 43.8 acres of private land located at the summer headquarters near Happy Jack. The remainder of the 77,000 acre ranch is contained within the Walker Basin Grazing Allotment administered by the Forest Service. The ranch is approximately 30 miles long and varies in width from 1 to 8 miles.

Research involves an applied approach to problem-solving, rather than laboratory studies in basic science. Current studies focus on three main areas: cow herd management; range and watershed activities; and wildlife interactions, particularly with elk.

David Schafer, Resident Director, V-V Ranch

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/vbarv/overview.html

9 UA HORTICULTURE CLUB

The UA campus Horticulture Club was established in the 1950s and has been active off and on throughout the years. About 20 members currently comprise a rotating group of active people: undergrads, grads, alumni, faculty, and staff.

"We all come from different backgrounds-plant sciences, history, English-anyone can join," says Bill Liesenbein, graduate student and third-time president of the club. Liesenbein joined because of his interest in plants. Even as a kid he had his own garden.

Members have traveled to Mt. Lemmon to see the fire damage and to a greenhouse that processes fertilizer. They regularly pull weeds in planting beds around campus, and transplant large plants. The club holds a standard one planting a year policy for trees.

Elizabeth Davison, Department of Plant Sciences  

To learn more:
http://cals.arizona.edu/clubs/hortclub/

10 EVENTS

Arizona Farmers Direct Marketing Association Summer Meeting, July 19, 10:00 a.m., Willcox. For more information contact Rob Call(recall@cals.arizona.edu) 520-384 3594. For directions see http://cals.arizona.edu/crops/counties/all/meetings/2004/afdma071904.pdf. 

Arizona Cattlemen's Association Annual Conference, July 26-30, Prescott, (602) 267-1129.

Arizona Women in Agriculture Conference, August 5-6, Tucson. Jointly sponsored by CALS and the Arizona Farm Bureau. The theme this year is "Healthy, Wealthy and Wise." Register by July 6 at http://www.azfb.org/wiag.htm.

Fall Produce Pest Management Meeting, August 11, 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Yuma Civic and Convention Center. For more information contact Barry Tickes (btickes@cals.arizona.edu) 928-726-0458. 

Annual Ranch Explorer's Field Day, August 28, V Bar V Ranch at Mahan Park, near Happy Jack, AZ. The registration deadline is August 14. Adults - $15 students - $8 which includes lunch and bus transportation. For more information contact Dave Schafer (dschafer@cals.arizona.edu) or Debbie Pearson(dpearson@cals.arizona.edu) 928-646-9113.

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