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“Redesign” alfalfa? Brummer urges just that

Alfalfa expert Charlie Brummer says it's time to "think about redesigning the alfalfa plant from first principles," after 40 years of frustrated efforts to increase yield. He made the remarks at a recent meeting of the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference. Students also presented their research, including trials to grow the crop with less water.

Miller Award supports careers in Cooperative Extension

Four students connected to the UC Davis Department of Plant Science have received grants from the Milton D. and Mary M. Miller Plant Science Award, which supports learners interested in careers with Cooperative Extension.

The 2024 awardees are Maya Shydlowski, Erika Escalona, Sam Dudley and Ben Baldi. All four students said they are eager to share what they are learning with people in the field who need solutions for everyday problems.

No-till, direct-seeded rice saves 15% of water, study shows

As water becomes scarcer and more expensive in California, growers of water-intensive rice are looking for ways to cut back on the precious resource. By not tilling their land and by using drill-seeders, growers can save water and money, researchers at UC Davis are showing.