Precision agriculture utilizes information technologies to modify land management practices in a site-specific manner as conditions change spatially and temporally for optimum profitability, sustainability, and protection of the environment.
Climate models are the most sophisticated tool we have to better our understanding of how our climate will change.
Climate models have proven their utility in accurately reproducing past, observed changes in our climate. They have also shown the ability to pick up on key physical and human influences on our climate, improving confidence in their accuracy.
REACCH scientist John Abatzoglou explains why July and August were so hot.
Aside from a few locations in mid-latitudes, July and August are the warmest months of the year. However, the northwestern US experienced extraordinary warmth over the past 6-8 weeks with most locations 2-3 degrees C (3-5 F) above normal adding to the crescendo of the hottest time of the year.
"This Low Carbon Fuel Standard has the ability to increase the use of renewable fuels with the 'first-of-its-kind' regulation. In order to work properly and efficiently, a cost containment strategy would have to be implemented. My internship with REACCH has led me to explore the history and future of renewable and fuel standards and markets, with the hopes of decreasing fossil fuel use."
Figure 1. Effects of wireworms on wheat.
Agriculture has been relied upon as a food source for humans for thousands of years. For much of that time, wheat has been one of the most important crops that people have grown. Wheat, like most crops, is reliant upon certain quantities of water to grow properly.