Climate Change, Drought and Agriculture Podcast

As part of her summer internship with the REACCH project at Oregon State University, Savannah Kisling developed an informative podcast about climate change, drought and their impacts on agriculture. For her project Savannah interviewed Dr. John Abatzoglou, Climate Scientist from the University of Idaho who discusses what it means to have a drought and Dr. Kristy Borrelli, REACCH Extension Specialist who discusses what drought means for regional producers, and some approaches they can take to lessen its negative impacts.

Observations of Aphid Dynamics Provide Clues to Risks and Benefits under Climate Change

Growers can anticipate future aphid-related risks by understanding current baselines and trends. – Sanford Eigenbrode

REACCH Education Workshop

MOSCOW, ID: About 20 high school teachers and community college instructors from across Idaho and Washington are participating in the Northwest Climate Education Resources workshop this week at the University of Idaho.

The workshop is a collaboration of NASA, U.S. Department of Agriculture and National Science Foundation projects that aim to engage teachers in climate change and agricultural education in the hope they will share what they learned with their own students.

New aphid found on wheat in North America and the PNW!

Until now, Metopolophium festucae cerealium has not been reported on cereal crops in the US, but it is a pest of wheat and other cereal crops in the UK. Studies suggest that this aphid prefers wheat to other grasses. In June and July 2011, a survey of aphids in wheat was initiated in Washington, Oregon and Idaho. M. f. cerealium was found in nearly every sample collected from both spring and winter wheat in all three states (Figure 1).

REACCH scientists contribute to National Climate Assessment

REACCH scientists highlighted Northwest agriculture perspectives in the National Climate Assessment. Sanford Eigenbrode, project director and University of Idaho professor, and Susan Capalbo and Philip Mote of Oregon State University contributed to the report. The White House released this document Tuesday. A 1990 law stipulates the climate assessments be published every four years.

The difference between weather and climate

If you were asked the question “What is the difference between weather and climate?” would you know how to answer it? Given the dependence of agriculture on weather and climate, it is important to clearly define both terms.

End-of-the-century climate and wheat production

"Climate change may increase wheat productivity in the Pacific Northwest." —Claudio Stöckle

Climate and Economics

The Economist recently covered the relationships among climate change, agriculture, and big data in "Digital disruption on the farm."

Big data--a catch term for examining the massive, available, digital data sets for emergent relationships--stands to help and change agriculture.

New aphid damages wheat more than crops

A new aphid has been found in North America! was pronounced in July 2013.

Precision Agriculture Offers Exciting Conservation Opportunities for Farmers

High-tech tools help us better understand natural and human-managed ecosystems. —Troy Magney

When I began working with REACCH last year, it was interesting that no matter where I went or who I spoke to, the topic of precision agriculture came up. Not only were researchers studying it but farmers were using it, professors were teaching it, regional businesses were selling software and equipment, and conservation organizations were promoting and funding it. So exactly what is precision agriculture and why is everyone so interested?

REACCH

Blog