Issue link: https://www.epageflip.net/i/16812
Saturday, September 25, 2010 – Daily News – 3C Agriculture & farm Smartphone app delivers soil data to growers in the field Growers can now get information about the properties of their soil by using their cell phones while standing in the field. The UC Davis Soil Resource Laboratory has developed a smartphone application that performs location-based queries from GPSˆenabled cell phones. Although soil infor- mation is on the Internet, it may not be convenient to bring a computer out to the field. Using its online soil survey, the SoilWeb application allows users to identify soils and access soil survey data from any place in the U.S. that has cell phone coverage in the 48 contiguous states. "The intent was to enable more people to access, and more importantly, apply soil survey information in a man- ner that best accommodates how soil surveys are used — in the field," said Anthony O'Geen, a UC Davis Cooperative Extension soil resources specialist. UC Davis Ph.D. candidate Dylan Beaudette and his advisor O'Geen developed SoilWeb to take advantage of the GPS or cell tower triangulation capabilities of modern smartphones. The spatial queries are sent to the UC Davis Soil Resource Laboratory‚s online interface to soil survey infor- mation. Query results are presented as a series of soil pro- file sketches, depicting soil horizons, series names, land- scape position and taxonomic classification. Clicking on a soil name provides the user with informa- tion such as depth profiles of soil chemical and physical properties, land classification indices, land-use interpreta- tions and links to a variety of other environmental databas- es. They designed SoilWeb for a wide range of users, from scientists to home gardeners. The application is available for free for iPhone and Android OS platforms. Details about the application appear in the latest issue of Soil Science Society of America at https://www.soils.org/files/publications/sssaj/abstracts/74- 5/s10-0144nabs.pdf. Angus breeders recognized Tehama Angus Ranch, Gerber, owns 15 bulls listed in the 2010 Fall Sire Evaluation Report published by the American Angus Association in Saint Joseph, Mo. David J. Holden, Red Bluff, owns one bull listed in the report and Byrd Cattle Company LLC, Red Bluff, owns one bull listed. Issued in both the spring and fall, the new report features the latest performance information available on 5,871 sires, and is currently accessible at www.angussiresearch.com. “This report provides both Angus breeders and com- mercial cattle producers using Angus genetics with accu- rate, predictable selection tools for improving their herd," says Bill Bowman, American Angus Association chief operating officer (COO) and director of performance pro- grams. Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) are generat- ed from the performance database of the American Angus Association, which includes information submitted by near- ly 9,000 Angus breeders this past year through the Associ- ation’s Beef Improvement Records (BIR) program. It didn’t rain, and it was a balmy high 70 to 80 degree evening. The inaugural Beef ‘N Brew in downtown Red Bluff and the Cone and Kim- ball Plaza was a success. A month ago Roger Brooks, president of Des- tination Development International told the 200 attending “A look at Tehama County, CA through the eyes of our visitors” that people wanted things to do in the evening, and the retail shops are closed. He was right, because more than 700, and perhaps 750, came out to enjoy Beef ‘N Brew, visiting the 16 different businesses on Main, Walnut and Oak between 5 and 7 p.m. fol- lowed by the dance at the Cone and Kimball Plaza. Downtown Red Bluff Business Association partnered with the Tehama County Cattle- Women to promote beef, and to raise money so the DRBBA can promote downtown and for the beautification of down- town. TCCW member Irene Fuller of Heartfelt Designs Gallery and DRBBA came up with this idea and invited Cat- tleWomen to become a part of this joint venture between “city folks and coun- try folks.” TCCW presi- dent Cathy Tobin with the help of Cattle- Women Linda Walker, Paula Holden, Char- lene Priest, Jean Barton, Una Jor- dan, Joyce Bundy, Jeanne Smith, Karen Maloney, DRBBA members Gayle Kemp, Laurel Sparrow, Rick Fitzgerald and Tanna Lewis made it successful beyond our hopes and dreams. Not only did the local people come to a fun event in downtown Red Bluff but I have heard there were visitors from as far south as Southern California, as well as out of state. The DRBBA had used television, radio plus Enjoy Magazine, and the 30 planter posters on Main Street to let the public know about the event. The internet was used by House of Design newsletter, HeartFelt Designs Gallery newslet- ter, and the Brew Pub Crawler which is a national list. It was on beer festival listings for September and the Red Bluff-Tehama Co. Cham- ber billboard and newsletter. The Daily News had published beef appetizer recipes and fea- ture articles, while the Redding Record Search- light included mention several times. We had printed 200 presale tickets, and hoped to get them all sold. When they were gone, the merchants used their business cards to write buyers name, number of tickets sold as they col- ranch ‘Oh, what a night!’ Courtesy photo A large crowd enjoys tasting and socializing during the Beef ‘N Brew event Sept. 18 in downtown Red Bluff. Jean Barton lected the presale money. The tickets were exchanged for wristbands at the plaza. When the 500 wristbands were gone on Saturday night, Mayor Jeff Moyer got wristbands from his busi- ness the Roundup Saloon to save the evening. Friday was fun, sitting out- side HeartFelt Design Gallery watching the cars and pick- ups go by as I sold 57 tickets at the table we had set up. I wish I had started to count the number of vehicles with a dog inside the cab, sitting very proudly on the front seat, or the passenger’s lap with dog leaning out the window in the southbound traffic lanes. A few dogs were tied in the bed of the pickup, but so many were inside. I was amazed. The benches and chairs outside the shops were appreciated by men waiting for their wives, and a few of us eating our lunch outdoors. That was another thing Roger Brooks had mentioned, benches, plants and chairs for the visitors. There were 17 stores participating, with 16 pouring micro-brews. We had 19 places to sample beef appetizers, and 14 were competing for the beef appetizer trophy. I didn’t get to sample all of the beef, but everyone was so creative, and none were duplicates. I don’t think anyone used the recipes printed in the Daily News on Tuesday, either. There were 26 vendors on Main and Walnut Streets with many interesting things for sale. People were amazed at what Red Bluff shops had to offer in merchandise because the beef and brews were set up in the back of the store, so you saw the art, clothing, jew- elry, pottery, ice cream, food, balloons and antiques as you sampled the next flavor of micro brew. Montana Morrison Art Gallery had beef and brew with an acoustic band. The judges had a hard time selecting a beef win- ner and were glad they only had to pick a first place, T J’s Antiques Gifts & Sweet Shop for the trophy. The peoples choice award went to Durango‚s RV Park with their beef fajitas. The younger genera- tion loved the idea of a dance with beef sandwich and brew at the Cone Kimball Plaza. It was something to do, and a wonderful evening to visit with their friends in the stores, on the streets and at the plaza. I had never heard the Rough Cut Band before, but they were easy listen- ing and I loved the singer’s version of “Stormy Weather.” Peo- ple were dancing and others just enjoyed sit- ting on the bleachers and listening to their great music. In keeping with the theme of micro brews, Sierra Nevada Brewery of Chico brought their beer trailer and celebrity pour- ers were Mayor Jeff Moyer, Councilman Bob Carrol, Red Bluff Plan- ning Director Scot Tim- boe, Second Congres- sional District candidate Jim Reed, and rancher Doug Reed. Rick Fitzger- ald of Plum Crazy Bou- tique was in charge of the microbrew tasting, using 14 breweries, with 33 dif- ferent flavors of beer in the 16 stores. Coffee was provided by Java Detour and water was available for those who don’t drink beer. The CattleWomen had Vic Woolery and crew bring enough tri-tip for 500 people, and in less than an hour and a half, we had used all the beef. Cat- tleWomen helping also included Renee Ewing, Rhyanne Truax, Carol Rini, Ruth Flory, Maxine Dean, Sandy Linehan, Marge Kutz, Danielle Zane, Beth Chaney and Bob and Pem Lester. Former National, Cali- fornia and Tehama Co. Beef Ambassador Michelle of Michelle Wiggly Graphics designed our logo for Beef ‘N Brew. Sponsors are always important, and we thank Sierra Nevada Brewing, Redding Distributing, West Wind Angus Ranch, Enjoy Magazine, Gayle‚s, Green Barn, Sparrow Fine Art & Antiques, Plum Crazy Boutique, Java Detour, Walker Printing, Brian Walker, Rolling Hills Casino, Masami Cattle Ranch, Barnes Cattle Company, Una Jordan, Durango RV Resort, Corning Ford, T J‚s Antiques, Dutch Broth- ers, The Loft, Tractor Supply Co, Round Up Realty, McCoy’s Hard- ware, House of Design, Mercy High School, HeartFelt Designs Gallery and Carmona’s Appliance. Jean Barton can be reached at jbarton@theskybeam.co m. Great Fall Color Ornamental Cabbage Kale along with Garden Mums Garden Center Red Bluff 766 Antelope Blvd. (Next to the Fairground) 527-0886