Digital Commons Network^™

Easy Calibration For Boom Sprayers, Cody Zesiger, Kalen Taylor, Corey Ransom, Earl Creech, Matt Yost

All Current Publications

Calibrating spray equipment is an important first step when applying pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals. If nozzles are not properly calibrated, it can result in over or under application of chemicals, causing crop damage, reduced pest control, and potential safety concerns. Making the effort to properly mix chemicals and calibrate sprayers can save money and headaches in the long run. This fact sheet provides simple guidelines for calibrating boom sprayers.

Easy Calibration For Backpack And Canister (Handheld) Sprayers, Cody Zesiger, Kalen Taylor, Corey Ransom, Earl Creech, Matt Yost

All Current Publications

When applying pesticides, fertilizers, and other chemicals, the applicator should know the amount of chemical applied to the treated area. Calibration is a method an applicator can use to measure and set the application rate. If sprayers are not properly calibrated, it can result in over or under application of chemicals, causing damage, reduced pest control, and potential safety concerns. Making the effort to properly mix chemicals and calibrate sprayers can save money and increase treatment effectiveness. This fact sheet provides simple guidelines for calibrating backpack and canister sprayers.

Greenhouse Biocontrol In Utah: Beneficial Insects And The Pests They Target, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

This guide provides information on biocontrol in Utah and pests that are targeted by beneficial pests, such as aphids, fungus gnats, mealybugs, scales, spider mites, thrips, whiteflies. Symptoms, monitoring, lifecycles, and biocontrol options are included.

Pavement Ants (Tetramorium Immigrans Santschi), Ryan S. Davis, Lori R. Spears, Austin Taylor

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes pavement ants. It covers identification, biology and habits, and management.

Asian Giant Hornet (Vespa Mandarinia Smith), Lori R. Spears, Carson Wise, Ryan Davis

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes Asian giant hornet and reviews similar-looking insects, its life cycle, predatory strategies, monitoring and management, and the related public health concerns.

Invasive Fruit Pest Guide For Utah: Insect & Disease Identification, Monitoring & Management, Claudia Nischwitz, Diane G. Alston, Lori R. Spears, Clint Burfitt

All Current Publications

This invasive fruit pest guide covers insects and diseases affecting fruit in Utah and reviews monitoring and management.

Japanese Beetle (Popillia Japonica Newman), Lori R. Spears, Diane G. Alston, Joey Caputo, Erin Hodgson, Cory Stanley, Kristopher Watson

All Current Publications

This fact sheet describes Japanese beetles and reviews damage symptoms, life cycle, monitoring, and management.

Invasive Pests Of Landscape Trees In Utah, Lori R. Spears, Ann Mull, Anna Fabiszak, Marion Murray, Ryan Davis, Diane G. Alston, Ricardo Ramirez

All Current Publications

This guide provides an overview of the Utah First Detector Program and how to submit samples. The guide reviews the diseases and insects that affect landscape trees in Utah.

Invasive Species Handbook: A Resource For Educators - Grades 3-8, Natalie D'Souza, Marion Murray, Lori R. Spears

All Current Publications

This handbook includes six chapters that discuss invasive species and their environmental, economic, and health impacts. It also reviews pathways of invasive species spread and prevention, monitoring, and control. The handbook is a resource for educators teaching children in grades 3 through 8. Learning objectives, activities, and vocabulary are also included.

Ten Considerations For Solar-Powered Irrigation In Utah, Ngonidzashe Mufute, Matt Yost, Burdette Barker, Kalen Taylor, Mark Nelson, Randall Violett, Jody Gale

All Current Publications

This fact sheet outlines considerations for using solar-powered irrigation in Utah:

• Solar powered irrigation (SPI) is becoming more cost effective and practical to consider on the farm as the cost of alternative sources of energy are rising.
• Irrigators can now benefit from incentives such as tax credits to help offset costs.
• Investing in solar provides more independence from price fluctuations and energy shortages.
• Considerations for SPI systems include energy demand of the irrigation system, type and value of crops grown, available incentives and support, cost and accessibility of alternative energy sources, and multiple uses of the …

Anemone Cut Flower Production Budget, One High Tunnel, Northern Utah, 2022, Shannon Rauter, Melanie Stock, Ruby Ward

All Current Publications

This budget contains costs (preplant and site preparation, establishment and maintenance, and harvest and processing) and returns for the production and sale of anemone cut flowers that were grown in a high tunnel (14 feet by 40 feet). Production methods, yield, costs, and pricing were determined from Utah State University (USU) research trials, as well as feedback from Northern Utah producers. The costs and returns represent typical production in Northern Utah but should be adjusted where necessary for individual situations. Site selection, tunnel use, variety, harvest timing, pest management, and other practices will impact costs and returns to a cut-flower …

The Backyard Garden - Pea Pests, Bridger Carey, Nick Volesky, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

As part of a series, The Backyard Garden, this fact sheet reviews pea pests. It includes general information, symptoms, and management for the following pea pest issues: thrips, spider mites, pea weevil, aphids, pea leaf weevil, damping-off, powdery mildew, fusarium wilt, fusarium root rot, and bacterial blight.

The Backyard Garden - Bean Pests, Nick Volesky, Bridger Carey, Marion Murray

All Current Publications

As part of a series, The Backyard Garden, this fact sheet examines bean pests. Insects and other pests include thrips, spider mites, cutworms and armyworms, Mexican bean beetle, and seedcorn maggot. Diseases include bean common mosaic virus, damping-off, beet curly top virus, common bacterial blight, and halo blight. The fact sheet includes general information about these issues, signs and symptoms on plants, and management.

Making And Managing Wild Bee Hotels, Ann Mull, Lori R. Spears, Sheriden M. Hansen, Andree' Walker Bravo, Ricardo Ramirez, Jaydee Gunnell

All Current Publications

Bee hotels (also called "bee boxes" and "bee blocks") are popular additions to Utah backyards and commercial agriculture alike, adding nesting habitat to aid local pollination efforts and address native pollinator declines. This fact sheet provides information about the construction, placement, and maintenance of bee hotels. It also addresses monitoring of bee enemies.

Sorghum-Sudangrass Production Guide, Dakota Boren, Matt Yost, Luree Johnson, Tina Sullivan, Earl Creech, Grant Cardon, Corey Ransom, Randall Violett, Cheyenne Reid, Cody Zesiger, Kalen Taylor, Jacob Hadfield, Michael Pace, Jody Gale

All Current Publications

Sudex is a warm-season forage crop that performs well in Utah’s dry climate due to its drought tolerance. It can be especially useful during drought years or when irrigation supplies are limited. As well as being a high-quality feed, Sudex has many benefits, including weed suppression and soil-building properties. Although there are concerns for prussic acid and nitrate poisoning, these concerns can be reduced and often eliminated with proper management. This fact sheet provides information to producers about using Sudex and best production practices. Much of the information may also apply to forage sorghum and a few of the major …

Backyard Fruit Production In Utah's High Mountain Valleys, Maegen Lewis, Jaydee Gunnell, Michael Pace, Teryl Roper

All Current Publications

Utah’s population has seen significant growth in recent years resulting in population increase outside of the Wasatch Front and into Utah's high mountain valleys. These locations include Bear Lake Valley, Ogden Valley, Morgan and Henefer, Park City, Wasatch Valley, and Sanpete Valley. Much of the information presented here would also apply to the Uintah Basin and other high elevation locations in eastern Utah. Common characteristics of these valleys include high elevations (greater than 5,000 feet) leading to short growing seasons. Many homeowners who are new to these regions wish to establish perennial fruit crops in their gardens. This publication outlines …

Lisianthus Cut Flower Production In Utah, Melanie Stock, Sheriden M. Hansen, Maegen A. Lewis, Anna Collins, Brent Black, Dan Drost

All Current Publications

Lisianthus is a florist staple and excellent crop for local farms. Its limited cool-storage period, long vase-life, and broad range of pastel- to jewel-tone colors are superior to wholesale imports. This fact sheet reviews lisianthus groups, site preparation, germination, transplanting, fertilizing, and irrigation and disease and pest management. It also provides information on trellising, harvest and storage, and economics as a specialty crop option for local farms.

Is Your Child Hydrated?, Hadyn Flygare, Stacy Bevan, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos

All Current Publications

Adequate hydration is necessary for proper functioning of the body. Since children are more prone to dehydration than adults, it is essential that fluid intake and hydration status are monitored. This fact sheet provides information on daily fluid requirements for children, barriers to staying hydrated, and warning signs and impacts of dehydration.

The Benefits Of Including Kids In The Kitchen, Cloie Malan, Stacy Bevan, Mateja R. Savoie-Roskos

All Current Publications

earning to cook is an essential life skill everyone should strive to develop at some point in their life. Involving kids in the kitchen is a great way to kickstart that learning from a young age and comes with numerous benefits. Cooking with kids provides opportunities to teach them about food and nutrition. Consequently, getting your kids cooking may be a great way to raise less picky and more adventurous eaters. The purpose of this fact sheet is to explore the benefits of cooking with children and provide some helpful tips to get started.

Values: Helping Agricultural Producers Find Motivation By Focusing On What Matters, Jacob D. Gossner, Elizabeth Fauth, Tasha Howard

All Current Publications

This fact sheet addresses the importance of tuning into values as a way of maintaining motivation and promoting mental health for agricultural producers.

Shallots In The Garden, Emmalee Rolfe, Dan Drost

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides information about growing shallots, a cool-season vegetable that grows best in full sun and fertile, well-drained soil. The fact sheet offers reliable information about varieties, soil preparation, planting and spacing, fertilization, harvesting and storage, nutrition facts, and problems like weeds and insects and diseases that affect shallots.

Lamb's Lettuce In The Garden, Evan Christensen, Dan Drost

All Current Publications

This fact sheet provides information on lamb's lettuce, also known as mâche, corn salad, fetticus, and Nüssli salat. It is native to southern Europe and a cool-season vegetable grown for edible leaves that add a mild, nutty flavor to any salad. This fact sheet offers reliable information about recommended varieties, how to grow lamb's lettuce, harvesting and storage, nutrition facts, and problems such as weeds, pests, and diseases.

County-Level View Of Irrigation Trends In Utah And The West, Matt Yost, Britta L. Schumacher, Luree Johnson, Emily Burchfield, Burdette Barker

All Current Publications

We explored water use management and trends in irrigated agriculture in the U.S. West using operator-level USDA-NASS Farm and Ranch Irrigation Survey (FRIS)/Irrigation and Water Management Survey (IWMS) data aggregated for the first time to the county instead of state scale. Our hope is that this study will guide water managers in developing regional conservation programs, inform extension and research initiatives related to irrigation, promote grower-informed water conservation education, and provide researchers with key information regarding if, how, and why growers consider water conservation in irrigation decision-making.

Integrated Pest And Pollinator Management, Ann Mull, Lori R. Spears, Marion Murray, Ricardo Ramirez

All Current Publications

An inextricable link exists between humans and pollinators, with benefits that include ecosystem health and function and human food security. Bees, butterflies, moths, wasps, flies, and beetles are responsible for most the world's pollination services. Considering the mounting scientific evidence denoting global pollinator declines, there is a critical need to prioritize pollinators and the essential services they provide. This fact sheet provides information about integrated pest and pollinator management (IPPM), which goes beyond integrated pest management (IPM) to include proactive, preventive measures that consider pollinators as well as pests in horticulture management.

Guide To Drought Tolerance Of Utah Field Crops, Matt Yost, Tina Sullivan, Dakota Boren, Luree Johnson, Melanie Mills, Earl Creech, Boyd Kitchen, Randall Violett

All Current Publications

Crop variety selection is one of the most important choices on the farm. Crop genetics determine a significant portion of the yield potential and resource use efficiency. Crop types and genetics that use water more efficiently will become increasingly important as water becomes scarcer. Throughout Utah and the Western United States, water availability is decreasing due to various factors, including reduced snowpack and rapid urban growth. Alfalfa, other hay, small grains, and corn are grown on more acres than any other crops in Utah and much of the Intermountain West. These crops all have varieties, hybrids, and cultivars with the …

Precision Irrigation Guide For Center Pivots, Elisa Flint, Matt Yost, Troy Peters, Clara Anderson, Burdette Barker, Neil Hansen

All Current Publications

This factsheet discusses the different variable rate irrigation (VRI) options for center pivots, when they might reduce water use and energy, produce higher crop yields, and when it might be unreasonable to expect these kinds of benefits.

Three Options For Mixing And Loading Spray Tanks, Kalen Taylor, Cody Zesiger, Corey Ransom, Earl Creech, Matt Yost

All Current Publications

Correctly mixing a tank for chemical applications is something most farmers, ranchers, and home gardeners do regularly. However, understanding how to properly mix and calculate rates can be complicated. Follow one of the three options outlined in this fact sheet to accurately obtain application rates and mix chemical products safely and effectively.

Irrigation Water Loss And Recovery In Utah, Bradley S. Crookston, Troy Peters, Matt Yost, Burdette Barker

All Current Publications

When deciding which irrigation systems to adopt, permit, or promote, it is important to consider how their efficiency and losses affect the water balance of Utah’s watersheds and drainage basins. Irrigators have no control over precipitation and only limited control of surface waters entering and leaving the state, as most of those are controlled by legal agreements. However, Utah’s water managers, elected officials, and water users can consider how surface water flows and groundwater storage is affected by using more efficient irrigation systems. Sprinkler, surface, or drip irrigation systems each have trade-offs in irrigation application efficiency, cost, and other factors. …

The Benefits Of Growth-Promoting Implants For Beef Cattle, Caleb C. Reichhardt, Reganne K. Briggs, Laura Motsinger, Kara Thornton-Kurth, Matthew D. Garcia

All Current Publications

Growth-promoting implants have been used in the cattle industry for decades. Their benefits allow cattle producers to become more sustainable by decreasing the amount of resources used. Resources such as water and land are decreased when using growth-promoting implants in beef cattle.

Landscape Tree Irrigation Calculator, Shital Poudyal

All Current Publications

Trees, undoubtedly, are the most valuable plant in a landscape and must be prioritized for irrigation in drought conditions. Grass easily recovers from a period of long drought; hence, it must be placed last on the priority list for irrigation. Many resources are available online that explain ways to irrigate landscape trees. However, growers and homeowners in Utah are still confused about quantifying and applying the appropriate amount of water a landscape tree needs. This Excel spreadsheet is an irrigation calculator designed to determine the amount of water a landscape tree needs in Utah’s hot and dry summer months. Find …