Vicky Boyd
Verified- Editor, Writer, Photographer, Podcaster, and Content Creator, Freelance
As seen in:
Wiley Online Library,
Delta Farm Press,
Farm Progress,
The Packer,
Daily Democrat,
Imperial Valley Press,
Red Bluff Daily News,
Turlock Journal,
Ag Alert,
AgFax
and
Covers:
agriculture, environment, forestry, water, wildlife
Doesn't Cover:
weddings, funerals, garden parties
Veteran ag writer, ag editor, ag communicator, ag podcaster and ag photographer. Have camera and computer, will travel.
Articles by Vicky Boyd
FARM: Owl study assesses rat management in nut orchards
For more than a decade, university wildlife researchers have studied how installing barn owl nesting boxes and accompanying owl predation help manage small rodents in vineyards. Now they hope to take a similar approach during a three-year study that examines the effects of barn owl predation alone or combined with trapping to potentially manage roof rats in nut orchards.
New Calrose rice variety has better milling quality
By Vicky Boyd The California Cooperative Rice Research Foundation released the better-milling M-212 Calrose medium-grain rice variety this season to replace M-211, which has some agronomic challenges. At the same time, the foundation plans to retire the 23-year-old M-206 Calrose variety.
Growers harvest short pistachio crop as costs mount
By Vicky Boyd A March heat wave and the natural tendency of pistachio trees to alternate-bear combined for a perfect storm that may reduce the 2026 harvest to less than half the record 2025 crop. While the market has responded with higher grower prices, they may not make up for the short crop, said Jeff Nichols, vice president of supply chain and grower relations with Nichols Farms in Hanford.
Owl study assesses rat management in nut orchards
For more than a decade, university wildlife researchers have studied how installing barn owl nesting boxes and accompanying owl predation help manage small rodents in vineyards. Now they hope to take a similar approach during a three-year study that examines the effects of barn owl predation alone or combined with trapping to potentially manage roof rats in nut orchards.
Vineyards turn to UV-C light to fight powdery mildew
By Vicky Boyd Nonchemical, ultraviolet disinfection systems originally designed for industrial and medical uses have begun to take root in winegrape vineyards to manage powdery mildew. Norway-based Saga Robotics introduced its Thorvald autonomous ultraviolet-C light-application robot to Central Coast winegrapes three years ago.
Owl study assesses rat management in nut orchards
For more than a decade, university wildlife researchers have studied how installing barn owl nesting boxes and accompanying owl predation help manage small rodents in vineyards. Now they hope to take a similar approach during a three-year study that examines the effects of barn owl predation alone or combined with trapping to potentially manage roof rats in nut orchards.
New 'smart' farm tech targets vegetable production
Agricultural technology took center stage during a field day as a dozen developers showed off “smart” weeders and thinners that differentiate weeds from crops, autonomous bird hazers and an autonomous lettuce harvester.
Owl study assesses rat management in nut orchards
September 16, 2026 Nestlings spend about two months in the owl box before they’re ready to try their wings. As many as a half dozen owlets typically fill a box, and they eat up to four to five rodents daily. Photo/Laura Montenegro Echavez By Vicky Boyd For more than a decade, university wildlife researchers have studied how installing barn owl nesting boxes and accompanying owl predation help manage small rodents in vineyards.
New 'smart' farm tech targets vegetable production
By Vicky Boyd Agricultural technology took center stage during a field day as a dozen developers showed off “smart” weeders and thinners that differentiate weeds from crops, autonomous bird hazers and an autonomous lettuce harvester.
FARM: Tomato variety key to controlling fusarium stem rot
As experts learn more about a relatively new fungal disease of processing tomatoes, they say variety selection is key to reducing potential yield losses. Crop rotation and equipment sanitation also are important in managing fusarium stem rot and decline, though to lesser extents. “I think the variety and sanitation would be my top priorities,” said Brenna Aegerter, University of California Cooperative Extension vegetable crops farm adviser who serves San Joaquin County.
Tomato variety key to controlling fusarium stem rot
As experts learn more about a relatively new fungal disease of processing tomatoes, they say variety selection is key to reducing potential yield losses. Crop rotation and equipment sanitation also are important in managing fusarium stem rot and decline, though to lesser extents. “I think the variety and sanitation would be my top priorities,” said Brenna Aegerter, University of California Cooperative Extension vegetable crops farm adviser who serves San Joaquin County.
Tomato variety key to controlling fusarium stem rot
August 5, 2026 Fusarium stem rot and decline, commonly known as FRD, affects the water- and nutrient-carrying vascular portions of processing tomato plant stems and canopies. Eventually, vines begin to decline, collapsing and exposing the fruit to the sun, leading to potential sunburn. Photo/Brenna Aegerter By Vicky Boyd As experts learn more about a relatively new fungal disease of processing tomatoes, they say variety selection is key to reducing potential yield losses.
Smart sprayers slash farm labor and herbicide costs
By Vicky Boyd An increasing number of specialty crop farmers in California are minimizing labor and chemical costs through the adoption of high-tech herbicide sprayers used for weed control. “When I talk to growers, it’s getting good reviews,” Walt Duflock, vice president of innovation at the Western Growers Association, said of the emerging technology used to power various smart sprayer machines.
FARM: It's not too soon to prepare for screwworm response
As the New World screwworm expands into the U.S. from Mexico, California’s pest exclusion leaders already have developed a response plan that includes trapping and education. The flesh-eating parasite, which was confirmed in one dog in New Mexico and more than two dozen cattle, sheep, and goats in Texas in June, has yet to be found in California.
It's not too soon to prepare for screwworm response
By Vicky Boyd As the New World screwworm expands into the U.S. from Mexico, California’s pest exclusion leaders already have developed a response plan that includes trapping and education. The flesh-eating parasite, which was confirmed in one dog in New Mexico and more than two dozen cattle, sheep and goats in Texas in June, has yet to be found in California.
Growers look to grafted watermelons to battle pests
By Vicky Boyd For the past seven years, University of California Cooperative Extension vegetable farm adviser Zheng Wang has studied optimizing seedless watermelon production using scion varieties grafted onto hardy rootstocks. While field trial results have shown that pairing the right scions and rootstocks can increase yield without affecting quality, particularly in the first couple of harvests, several questions remain.
FARM: Water uniformity tool helps farmers identify savings
A recently launched online computer program not only helps producers determine whether irrigation systems are applying water uniformly but can also estimate the cost of wasted energy, water, and fertilizer. Dubbed the Distribution Uniformity and Return-on-Investment Estimator, the free program is the work of irrigation experts Jim Anshutz and Inge Bisconer. Distribution uniformity refers to how evenly an irrigation system applies water throughout a field or orchard.
Farms increasingly use drones for aerial applications
Drone operators say they see an uptick in business as agricultural drone application technology improves, farmers become more comfortable with it and more products receive aerial labels. But they’re quick to point out that the remotely piloted aircraft, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, are not the be-all and end-all replacement for manned aircraft applications or ground sprayers. Instead, they view drone application as complementary.
Local farmers grow malting barley for brewing beer
June 17, 2026 Different kiln-drying times for malted barley give beer different flavors and colors. Photo/Vicky Boyd By Vicky Boyd Not all barley is created equal, as Ron Silberstein, co-founder of Admiral Maltings in Alameda, will quickly tell you. The barley he seeks to malt for distilling, beer brewing and food production is lower in protein and has only two grain rows, yielding less than higher-protein six-row varieties grown for grain.
Water uniformity tool helps farmers identify savings
By Vicky Boyd A recently launched online computer program not only helps producers determine whether irrigation systems are applying water uniformly but can also estimate the cost of wasted energy, water and fertilizer. Dubbed the Distribution Uniformity and Return-on-Investment Estimator, the free program is the work of irrigation experts Jim Anshutz and Inge Bisconer. Distribution uniformity refers to how evenly an irrigation system applies water throughout a field or orchard.
FARM: Growers use pressure bombs to fine-tune irrigation
With an eye on tree health and expenses, San Joaquin County walnut producer Richard Thompson has been a longtime fan of using pressure chambers, commonly called pressure bombs, to schedule irrigations. “I won’t do too much irrigation until I know I can get a good reading with the pressure bomb,” said Thompson, who farms walnuts near Manteca and Farmington.
Growers use pressure bombs to fine-tune irrigation
By Vicky Boyd With an eye on tree health and expenses, San Joaquin County walnut producer Richard Thompson has been a longtime fan of using pressure chambers, commonly called pressure bombs, to schedule irrigations. “I won’t do too much irrigation until I know I can get a good reading with the pressure bomb,” said Thompson, who farms walnuts near Manteca and Farmington.
FARM: Farms increasingly use drones for aerial applications
Drone operators say they see an uptick in business as agricultural drone application technology improves, farmers become more comfortable with it, and more products receive aerial labels. But they’re quick to point out that the remotely piloted aircraft, also known as unmanned aerial vehicles, are not the be-all and end-all replacement for manned aircraft applications or ground sprayers. Instead, they view drone application as complementary.
Farms increasingly use drones for aerial applications
May 20, 2026 Brothers Brandon, left, and Nicholas Steed show off their agricultural drones. They operate UAV Ag Solutions in Oakdale, an agricultural drone application business. Drones have joined manned aircraft and ground rigs as vehicles that apply agricultural inputs, including pesticides, fertilizers, beneficial insects and cover-crop seeds.
Beekeepers assess this year's colony health
Although California beekeepers have not seen the devastating hive mortality this winter that they did in 2025, they say they’re still losing colonies. “Things are looking OK, but we won’t really know until the end of bloom,” said Ryan Burris, California State Beekeepers Association president and a Palo Cedro beekeeper and queen breeder.
Researchers study ways to control flatheaded borer
April 22, 2026 Pacific flatheaded borer larvae pupate in the spring, with the adults emerging in late spring and early summer. They leave behind telltale D-shaped exit holes, left. The larvae are rarely seen because they spend most of their life under tree bark. At right, using a knife to peel the bark in suspected branches reveals feeding channels packed with sawdust-like frass, or excrement, and cream-colored larvae.
Study: Maximize winter cereal yields with less water
April 22, 2026 In this February 2024 aerial photo, small grain plots grow at the University of California’s West Side Research and Extension Center in Fresno County. The main field is an October 2023 planting that received 4 inches of irrigation. UC researchers planted the two-year trial to examine ways to maximize the productivity of winter cereal crops with as little water as possible.
Lopez’s legacy at Duarte Nursery leads farmworker honors
Stanislaus County Farm Bureau As the longest tenured employee at Duarte Nursery near Hughson, Paty Lopez’s influence can be felt throughout the family-owned operation. But her impact extends far beyond that into the community as she managed hundreds of employees and advocated on behalf of agriculture and farmworkers. Frank Olide, director of nursery operations, said Lopez was already working at the nursery when he arrived in 1992.
FARM: Despite acreage decline, asparagus growers hang on
Ever-increasing labor costs in California and free trade that led to a surge in cheaper, duty-free asparagus imports from Mexico have pushed the state’s asparagus industry to the brink of extinction. But a handful of growers and packers continue to hang on, with two expressing a ray of optimism. “I think we’ve felt better about it the last two years,” said Aaron Barcellos, a partner in the family-owned A-Bar Ag Enterprises near Firebaugh.
Despite acreage decline, asparagus growers hang on
April 8, 2026 During harvest at a Fresno County asparagus field last month, workers use specially designed long-handled asparagus knives to cut spears just below the soil surface but not so deep that it damages the crown, or root mass. California asparagus acreage has dwindled through the years due to competition from Mexico, but a handful of growers and packers remain in the business.
Tomato agreement aims to manage parasitic weed
By Vicky Boyd Beginning this season, processing tomato growers, haulers and harvesters will come under mandatory state compliance agreements designed to contain and manage the parasitic weed broomrape. The California Department of Food and Agriculture introduced the agreements, which spell out equipment sanitation and broomrape risks, just before the 2025 season as part of a soft launch.
Beekeepers assess this year's colony health
Although California beekeepers have not seen the devastating hive mortality this winter that they did in 2025, they say they’re still losing colonies. “Things are looking OK, but we won’t really know until the end of bloom,” said Ryan Burris, California State Beekeepers Association president and a Palo Cedro beekeeper and queen breeder.
Beekeepers assess this year's colony health
By Vicky Boyd Ag Alert Although California beekeepers have not seen the devastating hive mortality this winter that they did in 2025, they say they’re still losing colonies. “Things are looking OK, but we won’t really know until the end of bloom,” said Ryan Burris, California State Beekeepers Association president and a Palo Cedro beekeeper and queen breeder.
Beekeepers assess this year's colony health
By Vicky Boyd Ag Alert Although California beekeepers have not seen the devastating hive mortality this winter that they did in 2025, they say they’re still losing colonies. “Things are looking OK, but we won’t really know until the end of bloom,” said Ryan Burris, California State Beekeepers Association president and a Palo Cedro beekeeper and queen breeder.
Beekeepers assess this year's colony health
Although California beekeepers have not seen the devastating hive mortality this winter that they did in 2025, they say they’re still losing colonies. “Things are looking OK, but we won’t really know until the end of bloom,” said Ryan Burris, California State Beekeepers Association president and a Palo Cedro beekeeper and queen breeder.
Ag Alert
By Vicky Boyd Although California beekeepers have not seen the devastating hive mortality this winter that they did in 2025, they say they’re still losing colonies. “Things are looking OK, but we won’t really know until the end of bloom,” said Ryan Burris, California State Beekeepers Association president and a Palo Cedro beekeeper and queen breeder.
‘Unrelenting’ fog aids Central Valley fruits and nuts
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... Cold temperatures, which put trees into deep winter dormancy, may have been late to arrive last fall. But prolonged periods of tule fog during the winter made up for it by depressing temperatures, likely resulting in adequate chilling. “I do believe that the chill may have been more effective this year because of so many days with fog,” said Ted De Jong, a UC Davis, pomology professor emeritus.
'Unrelenting' fog aids Central Valley fruits and nuts
BY VICKY BOYD AgAlert Cold temperatures, which put trees into deep winter dormancy, may have been late to arrive last fall. But prolonged periods of tule fog during the winter made up for it by depressing temperatures, likely resulting in adequate chilling. “I do believe that the chill may have been more effective this year because of so many days with fog,” said Ted De Jong, a University of California, Davis, pomology professor emeritus.
Ag Alert
By Vicky Boyd Cold temperatures, which put trees into deep winter dormancy, may have been late to arrive last fall. But prolonged periods of tule fog during the winter made up for it by depressing temperatures, likely resulting in adequate chilling. “I do believe that the chill may have been more effective this year because of so many days with fog,” said Ted De Jong, a University of California, Davis, pomology professor emeritus.
Invasive mussels spread, could clog irrigation systems
Since the non-native golden mussel was first discovered in October 2024 in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the potentially pipe-clogging mollusk has spread as far south as Riverside County. Invasive pest management experts acknowledge eradication is likely impossible. They say the goal now should be to protect noninfested water bodies from mussel introductions. But it won’t be easy.
Invasive mussels spread, could clog irrigation systems
Since the non-native golden mussel was first discovered in October 2024 in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the potentially pipe-clogging mollusk has spread as far south as Riverside County, CA. Invasive pest management experts acknowledge eradication is likely impossible. They say the goal now should be to protect noninfested water bodies from mussel introductions. But it won’t be easy.
Ag Alert
January 28, 2026 In this November 2024 photo, golden mussels are found during surveys at O’Neill Forebay in Merced County. The invasive mollusks could clog irrigation pipes used by farmers. Photo/Courtesy of California State Parks By Vicky Boyd Since the non-native golden mussel was first discovered in October 2024 in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta, the potentially pipe-clogging mollusk has spread as far south as Riverside County.
Ag Alert
By Vicky Boyd A new citrus disease that so far remains confined to residential trees has industry leaders taking what they describe as a measured approach because of the unknown risks it poses. Caused by the citrus yellow vein clearing virus, the disease was confirmed in residential citrus trees during multipest citrus surveys in Tulare County in 2022 and in residential trees in Hacienda Heights near Los Angeles in 2023.
Ag Alert
By Vicky Boyd Fall rainstorms dampened many rice farmers’ expectations of a good crop this past fall by delaying harvest, reducing grain quality and increasing ruts in fields. While final yield figures haven’t yet been tabulated, University of California Cooperative Extension rice specialist Bruce Linquist said they’re trending toward an industry average. The 2025 crop saw a lot of late-planted and -harvested rice, he said, noting some growers harvested rice as late as the first week of December.
Ag Alert
By Vicky Boyd Stanislaus County farmer Darrell Cordova and his wife, Norma, had already laid the groundwork to pass on their Denair-area tree nut operation to the next generation by having an attorney draft an estate plan. When Darrell attended a Farm Bureau meeting and heard a Nationwide presentation about Land As Your Legacy, he thought about taking advantage of the no-cost service. After all, the Cordovas’ estate plan was last updated in 2012, and he said things had changed since then.
Walnut growers optimistic about markets
By Vicky Boyd Ag Alert California’s walnut industry entered the 2025-26 marketing year essentially sold out of supply, which bodes well for moving this season’s 710,000-ton crop, with reasonable grower returns. Strong export demand, a new domestic marketing push and mild summer growing conditions that produced light-colored kernels also have buoyed the industry.
Tools to control aggressive red leaf blotch a priority
Red leaf blotch has spread rapidly from a few San Joaquin Valley almond orchards in 2024 to throughout the state this season, showing the fungal disease’s formidability. “Red leaf blotch is such an aggressive pathogen that it’s a game changer,” said University of California Cooperative Extension plant pathologist Florent Trouillas.
Ag Alert
By Vicky Boyd The California Department of Pesticide Regulation plans to add pesticide-treated seeds to the monthly use reports growers already must file with county agricultural commissioners. As part of the proposal, the state would also limit seed treatments to those products registered both federally and by the state, said Jill Townzen, DPR Pesticide Evaluation Branch chief, during an informal online workshop last month.
Walnut growers optimistic about markets
BY VICKY BOYD AgAlert California’s walnut industry entered the 2025-26 marketing year essentially sold out of supply, which bodes well for moving this season’s 710,000-ton crop, with reasonable grower returns. Strong export demand, a new domestic marketing push and mild summer growing conditions that produced light-colored kernels also have buoyed the industry.
Walnut growers optimistic about markets
California’s walnut industry entered the 2025-26 marketing year essentially sold out of supply, which bodes well for moving this season’s 710,000-ton crop, with reasonable grower returns. Strong export demand, a new domestic marketing push and mild summer growing conditions that produced light-colored kernels also have buoyed the industry.
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