Rice Program
Meet Our New Rice Advisor in Sutter, Yuba, Placer and Sacramento Counties
Why do you want to work in Cooperative Extension?
I really enjoy being out and about in the field, talking to growers and PCA's. I prefer doing research that can have an immediate impact, that results in new tools and information that growers' can use in their own fields. I find that I learn a lot from growers' and PCA's , as they are in the fields everyday, and are often the best at identifying the potential implications of a research idea--the risks and benefits to growers.
What is your background?
I am a weed scientist by training,and so far, my research has been primarily focused on weed agroecology: the interaction of weeds with the rice field environment. Since I started at UC Davis, I worked first with Dr. Albert Fischer and then with Dr. Kassim Al-Khatib at the Rice Experiment Station (RES) in Biggs, where I managed the weed science field trials. During my time at the RES, through the herbicide-resistant weed testing program, I met many growers and PCA's and I am looking forward to meeting more of you!
What are you research and outreach plans for the future?
This season, I plan to spend time getting to know Sutter, Yuba, Placer and Sacramento growers and PCA's, and to familiarize myself with the location of your farms, fields, and places of work. I'm looking forward to meeting as many of you as possible, so that I can begin understanding the issues that you identify as the most important.
Some of my future outreach ideas include a rice-specific workshop on weed management and identification and some videos on weed identification and seed collection. With the other farm advisors, I will be involved in research on the emerging weed issues, including red rice and winged primrose willow. Currently, I am involved in research focusing on identifying and managing herbicide resistance, since that is a concern for many rice growers. Over the next 1 to 2 years, this will include surveying and screening for resistant populations in growers' fields.
Contact Information
Feel free to contact me at any time, at the Sutter-Yuba Office, at 530.822.7515, on my cell at 541.292.1553, or by email at wbrimdeforest@ucanr.edu.
University of California Rice Project: http://ucanr.edu/sites/UCRiceProject/
UCCE Sutter-Yuba Rice Notes Newsletter: http://cesutter.ucanr.edu/news_204522/Rice_Notes/
UC Rice Blog
-
Rice Sustainability Webinars - First One Next Week
Webinar - U.S. Rice: The Sustainability Powerhouse An American Society of Agronomy webinar sponsored by The Rice Foundation and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. Date: Wednesday, October 16, 2019 Time: 12:00 Noon...
By Whitney Brim-DeForest
Author - County Director, Sutter and Yuba Counties and CE Rice and Wild Rice Advisor -
Field Survey of Rice Diseases Ongoing
UC Cooperative Extension is conducting a survey of rice diseases this fall. The objective of the survey is to document the incidence of rice diseases in Sacramento Valley rice fields so that the Air Resources Board agrees to continue to allow the...
By Luis Espino
Author - Rice Farming Systems Advisor -
Rice Blast in 2019
The last time we saw a severe blast epidemic was 2011. Since then, we haven't had much blast; in fact, I had not see any blast at all during several years. I don't think 2019 qualifies as a severe blast year, but there is more blast than in the previous...
By Luis Espino
Author - Rice Farming Systems Advisor -
Rice Weed Course 2019
The 2019 Rice Weed Course will take place: Friday, September 6, 2019 from 8:00AM to 4:10PM (Registration begins at 7:30AM) at the Hamilton Road Field (on West Hamilton Rd. between Hwy. 99 & Riceton Hwy.) and Rice...
By Whitney Brim-DeForest
Author - County Director, Sutter and Yuba Counties and CE Rice and Wild Rice Advisor -
New resources for integrated weed management in California rice
If you grow rice in California, you already know that effective weed management is not only essential for economical rice production, but also very challenging, complex, and regulated. The good news is that there is a new resource to help growers and...
By Kassim Al-Khatib
Author - Professor, Plant SciencesBy Whitney Brim-DeForest
Author - County Director, Sutter and Yuba Counties and CE Rice and Wild Rice Advisor