JULY-SEPTEMBER 2005 • VOLUME 59 NUMBER 3 California Agriculture Collecting useful data streams to restore cold-water fisheries University of California | Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources | Research in Agricultural, Natural and Human Resources ANR pursues excellence in research, development and delivery Editor’s note: Rick Standiford was appointed — which means we take basic research from the lab, apply it associate vice president of ANR in January 2005. under strict scientific conditions in the field, then deliver the results to end-users. ver the past 6 months I’ve been But we face a real challenge over the next few years in traveling California to meet with maintaining these program strengths. The state budget cuts UCO Agriculture and Natural Resources have created gaps in campus- and county-based programs (ANR) faculty and specialists on the through workforce reductions and the loss of support funds. campuses, advisors and staff in county Not surprisingly, one of the major themes expressed by Richard B. Standiford Associate offices, and scientists at research and ex- stakeholders at the listening sessions held across California Vice President, tension centers. I’ve also talked with hun- in early 2004 was for ANR to better focus its mission, direc- Agriculture and dreds of people — growers and ranchers, tion and resources. Natural Resources regulators, nutrition professionals, land Another common theme was the importance of maintain- managers, elected officials, environ- ing viable, locally based UCCE programs. Our stakeholders mental advocates — who rely on the University for research repeatedly told us that UCCE advisors in the counties are a findings, new technologies, and practical know-how to make critical link in translating research and technology developed decisions affecting the economy, health and nutrition, and on our campuses into best management practices adapted for natural resources. local conditions. These visits have been an eye-opener and an enormous One outcome from the listening sessions was implemen- source of pride and satisfaction. Even though I had worked tation of a broad-based planning process in ANR. A specific with UC for 25 years as a Cooperative Extension forestry goal was to clearly focus our mission and resources in sup- specialist, I hadn’t fully appreciated the range of agricultural, port of high-priority research and extension programs that natural and human-related challenges facing California’s maximize the public good. The planning process, which will growing population. It gives me tremendous satisfaction to help guide our resource allocation decisions for the next 5 to know that talented ANR professionals are making a real dif- 10 years, identified 21 core issues (California Agriculture Oct- ference in the lives of millions of Californians. Dec 2004, p. 178). However, I’ve also seen the fallout from the state funding As a next step, we funded 28 projects addressing many cuts we experienced several years ago, resulting in the loss of of the high- and medium-priority core issues identified last nearly 350 positions in UC’s Agricultural Experiment Station fall. The goal was to provide incentives for campus-county (AES) and Cooperative Extension (UCCE). Our campus- and collaborative, multidisciplinary, systems-based research and county-based professionals are working longer hours, taking extension efforts. More than 200 ANR academics are now in- on greater responsibilities and seeking more effective ways to volved in this core-issues grant program. disseminate research findings to stakeholders. We also are in the process of rebuilding our county-based My travels have confirmed that UC is the leading public UCCE programs, which lost nearly 50 advisor positions. A research university in the world, with ANR being a major major step forward was the decision in April to approve 11 contributor to this success story. Even with budget cuts, we new UCCE advisor positions, funded by dollars freed by re- have nearly 1,000 research and extension academics at UC cent retirements. They address many of our core issues. Riverside, UC Davis, UC Berkeley, county UCCE offices, and For example, we are recruiting an air quality advisor to research and extension centers statewide. It is unprecedented serve a four-county area in the southern San Joaquin Valley. to have three great campuses in the same state dedicated to ANR has strong air quality research programs at Davis, the land-grant mission. Berkeley and Riverside, and the new CE advisor will help The University — through Cooperative Extension — has a bring science-based solutions and expertise to address agri- world-class system for translating science-based information culture and human health problems in an area that currently developed on the campuses and delivering it to end-users fails to meet federal ambient air-quality standards. across the state. UCCE advisors live and work in local com- The other new positions are a dairy advisor in Tulare munities and understand the economic, environmental and County, America’s leading dairy county; three vegetable community development issues facing their neighbors. This crops advisors; three nutrition, family and consumer sciences focus on local needs is critical in California where demo- advisors; two 4-H youth development advisors; and a natu- graphic diversity, rural-urban conflicts, a broad range of soils ral resources advisor. We are planning another round of new and climates, and the production of more than 250 specialty advisor position approvals later this year, again with funding crops and other commodities, create many challenges. from retirements. ANR is distinguished by our tradition of interdisciplinary We in ANR are proud of our partnership with the people problem-solving and bringing together experts from vari- of California. We look forward to our continued commitment ous fields. At the core of everything we do is a commitment to to quality science, linked directly to solving people’s real- practice research, development and delivery — or “R, D & D” world problems. 146 CALIFORNIA AGRICULTURE • VOLUME 59, NUMBER 3 News department California Agriculture 148 Letters Peer-reviewed research and news published 149 Research update by the Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California Monitoring aids control of ag-related stream-temperature increases VOLUME 59, NUMBER 3 Executive editor: Janet White 151 Outreach news Managing editor: Janet Byron Beef quality program meets evolving Art director: Davis Krauter consumer and producer concerns Associate Editors Animal, Avian, Aquaculture & Veterinary Sciences Research articles Edward R. Atwill Christopher M. Dewees Kathryn Radke Barbara A. Reed Focus: Collecting Economics & Public Policy useful data streams James Chalfant COVER: Monitoring of stream Henry J. Vaux, Jr. temperature and related fac- Food & Nutrition 153 Graphical analysis facili- tors is critical for protecting and Amy Block Joy restoring populations of salmo- Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr tates evaluation of stream- nids and other native fish that Human & Community Development temperature monitoring data require cold-water habitat to Marc Braverman Tate et al. grow and reproduce (see pages Ellen Rilla 149, 153, 161). Likewise, the Alvin Sokolow A case study shows how monitoring monitoring of flows into and out Land, Air & Water Sciences projects can display stream-temperature of irrigated pasture can help to David Goldhamer data, along with critical parameters mitigate environmental impacts Mark E. Grismer (see page 168). Data collected at Ken Tate such as canopy cover and stream flow. Bryan Weare Lassen Creek (shown), in north- eastern Modoc County, demon- Natural Resources Statistical analysis of 161 strates how shade from thick Adina Merenlender monitoring data aids in predic- Kevin O’Hara vegetative cover helps to main- Terry Salmon tion of stream temperature tain cool stream temperatures. Photo by Kenneth W. Tate. Pest Management Tate et al. Janet C. Broome Kent Daane Statistical analysis can make it Deborah A. Golino easier to interpret and present the Tim Paine huge amounts of data collected Plant Sciences in typical stream-temperature Kent Bradford Kevin R. Day monitoring projects. Steven A. Fennimore 182 Site-specific herbicide Carol Lovatt 168 Monitoring helps applications based on reduce water-quality impacts weed maps provide California Agriculture in flood-irrigated pasture effective control 1111 Franklin St., 6th floor Oakland, CA 94607-5200 Tate et al. Koller, Lanini Phone: (510) 987-0044; Fax: (510) 465-2659 Agricultural operators can improve Seedling and adult weeds were [email protected] water-quality by monitoring irrigation mapped by hand and incorporated http://CaliforniaAgriculture.ucop.edu runoff and downstream waters, then into a variable-rate spraying scheme, managing irrigation accordingly. for significant herbicide-use reduc- California Agriculture (ISSN 0008-0845) is published quarterly and mailed at period- icals postage rates at Oakland, CA and additional mailing offices. Postmaster: Send tions. change of address "Form 3579" to California Agriculture at the above address. RATES: Subscriptions free upon request in U.S.; $24/year outside the U.S. Af- ter publication, the single copy price is $5.00. Orders must be accompanied by 188 Drip irrigation can payment. Payment may be by check or international money order in U.S. funds 176 Soil sterilization and effectively apply boron payable to UC Regents. 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