Agriculture Glance 1-13-13

Learn about growing cacti

Master Gardener Cal Kelley will present the program “Cactus 101” at 10:30 a.m. Friday at the Foothills Library 13226 E. South Frontage Road. Learn about the various kinds of cacti in Arizona and how to keep them healthy and happy.

There is no charge to attend. For more information, call 342-1640.

Agriculture workshop

A workshop for cotton, small grain and alfalfa growers will be held from 8 a.m. to noon Wednesday at the University of Arizona Yuma Ag Center, 6425 W. 8th St. Registration precedes the workshop at 7:30 a.m. The workshop will be followed by a lunch at noon provided by Yuma County Cooperative Extension.

Applications for 4.5 Arizona and California continuing education units have been submitted.

Cotton topics include:

• Pest management update

• Glyphosate resistance research update

• Weather implications for crop management

• Nematode management in cotton

• Proposed new cotton plow down dates for Arizona growers

Small grain and alfalfa topics include:

• Using plant analysis to diagnose nutrient needs in alfalfa

• Alfalfa pest management update

• Heavy metal uptake and accumulation in small grains.

For more information, call 726-3904.

Farm Smart tours

The popular Farm Smart tours will again be offered by the University of California Desert Research and Extension Center in Imperial County. The 2013 tour season kicks off Jan. 22 and goes through Feb. 28 with nearly daily tours from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Arizona time.

Learn about natural and renewable resources, including agriculture in the desert Southwest, harvest fresh produce to take home, enjoy entertainment and lunch and in general have a fun day. The tours are held at the Research Center, 1004 E. Holton Road, El Centro. (From Interstate 8 take Exit 120, Bowker Road, turn north 2 miles to Even-Hewes Highway, turn right and go 1.5 miles to Meloland Road, turn left and make an immediate right and you're there.)

Advance reservations are required by calling 1-760-791-0261.