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CapitalPress.com
Friday, February 7, 2020
People & Places
Spearheading digital ag initiatives
By PADMA NAGAPPAN
For the Capital Press
DAVIS, Calif. — Ali-
reza Pourreza is exploring
pathways to convert aerial
images from drones that
monitor crop fields into data
that farmers can use.
A faculty member at the
University of California-Da-
vis and the UC system’s
cooperative extension, Pour-
reza’s specialty is digital
agriculture.
“We develop interpreta-
tion models to make sense
of the data that’s collected
from the orchard or farm,”
Pourreza said. “Specifically,
we do aerial imaging using
drones with different sen-
sors, analyze it, and convert
it into actionable recommen-
dations for crop yield, nutri-
tion and disease.”
In line with precision
agriculture, what he and
his team focus on is stitch-
ing the images together for a
comprehensive view of the
field, and interpreting it.
They then use the inter-
pretative models as deci-
sion support tools to come
up with custom recommen-
dations for each section of a
field — as opposed to con-
ventional methods in which
growers manage entire fields
the same.
He works with a vari-
ety of specialty crops, rang-
ing from tree nuts such as
almonds to fruits such as cit-
rus and table grapes.
Virtual orchard technol-
ogy describes the canopy
geometry of each individual
tree in an orchard. Orchard
topography, individual tree
canopy cover, volume,
height, size and spacing can
then be estimated to gener-
ate prescription maps for
precision management of
the orchard.
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Through his work, Alireza Pourreza helps farmers interpret the images drones produce.
This technology has
several applications, from
orchard monitoring and
management to yield fore-
casting, mapping blos-
soms, robotic pruning and
thinning, variable pesti-
cide application, harvest-
ing, irrigation and nutrient
management.
“To get viability data we
need large-scale monitoring
devices, typically cameras,”
Pourreza said. “We collect
both visible and invisible
data, and nutrition status of
different plants.”
He evaluates nutrition
status based on color grad-
ing — assessing the leaf
color if a plant is under nour-
ished as opposed to when
it’s getting sufficient water
and nutrition.
Invisible data refers to
Western Innovator
ALIREZA POURREZA
Education: University of Florida,
Ph.D in agricultural engineering
Age: 38
Title: Faculty member at the University of California-Davis
College of Agriculture, Department of Biological and Agricul-
tural engineering
Research focus: Digital agriculture.
Personal: Married with one infant son.
Based in: Davis, Calif.; has a second lab in Kearny UCCE
center
Website: digitalag.ucdavis.edu
Laboratory Twitter: @DigitalAg_ucd
Twitter: @alirezapourreza
images that may not be eas-
ily visible to the human eye.
He explained how people
can see only a small por-
tion of the electromagnetic
spectrum.
“We cannot see ultravio-
let light, but still it can harm
To Reach Us
our eyes. That’s why we
wear UV glasses,” Pourreza
said. “But plants have sig-
nals in some of those invis-
ible ranges. They will look
similar to the eye, but with
captured images we can dis-
tinguish nuanced differences
in their color. It’s like a night
vision camera that works in
non-visible bands.”
The sensors he works
with can be customized for
different purposes, from
assessing crop health to
nitrogen efficiency. His
team also creates software
to help analyze the hun-
dreds of images that drones
generate.
“Many growers have
drones with cameras, and
my work in the digital ag lab
is helping them learn how to
use it in the right way.”
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CALENDAR
Submit upcoming ag-related
events on www.capitalpress.com
or by email to newsroom@capital-
press.com.
SATURDAY, FEB. 8
Oregon Pork Producers
Annual Meeting and Workshops:
8 a.m.-4 p.m. Oldfield Animal Teach-
ing Facility, 3521 SW Campus Way,
Corvallis, Ore. Please email your
RSVP by Feb. 1 to ensure enough
seminar materials and lunch. Con-
tact: oregonporkproducers@gmail.
com
WSU Extension Forest Own-
ers Winter School: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
WSU Vancouver Library, 14204 NE
Salmon Creek Ave., Vancouver,
Wash. This Forest Owners Winter
School will provide an opportunity
for landowners to gain experi-
ence from experts on a wide vari-
ety of topics related to forest man-
agement and stewardship. Classes
will cover wildfire, forest health,
climate change, soils, native tree
identification, tribal uses of forest-
lands, mushroom cultivation, land-
owner assistance programs, thin-
ning, planting, wildlife, and more. A
complete list of classes will be avail-
able at forestry.wsu.edu prior to the
event. Cost is $35 per person or $45
per family. Information: forestry.
wsu.edu. Contact: 360-740-1213 or
patrick.shults@wsu.edu.
TUESDAY-
THURSDAY,
FEB. 11-13
World Ag Expo: 9 a.m., Interna-
tional Agri-Center, 4500 S. Laspina
St., Tulare, Calif. World Ag Expo is
the world’s largest annual agricul-
tural exposition. More than 1,500
exhibitors display the latest in farm
equipment, communications and
technology on 2.6 million square
feet of exhibit space. Free seminars
focus on a variety of topics import-
ant to dairy producers, farmers,
ranchers and agribusiness profes-
sionals. www.worldagexpo.com
WEDNESDAY-
THURSDAY
FEB. 12-13
Food Processing Expo 2020:
Santa Clara Convention Center,
5001 Great America Parkway, Santa
Clara, Calif. California League of
Food Producers presents the state’s
top processing show. Contact: Cal-
ifornia League of Food Producers,
916-640-8150 Website: www.food-
processingexpo.org
THURSDAY, FEB. 13
Landscaping for Fire Pre-
vention: 1-4 p.m. UI Extension
Office, 6447 Kootenai, Bonners
Ferry, Idaho. Rural homeowners
can lessen the risk of wildfire dam-
age by modifying their houses
and landscaping. Those wishing
to pre-register should sign up at
the UI Extension office in Bound-
ary County by Feb. 11. Questions:
208-267-3235. Contact: cschnepf@
uidaho.edu
2020 Soil Health Symposium:
8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Four Rivers Cul-
tural Center, 676 SW Fifth Ave.,
Ontario, Ore. Payette Soil and Water
Conservation District presents the
11th annual Soil Health Sympo-
sium. The event features local pro-
ducer panels, scientists and other
agriculture specialists, along with
guest speaker David Johnson, a
researcher who will speak about
restoring soil fertility and reducing
carbon dioxide in the atmosphere
with soil carbon storage, through
understanding soil microbial com-
munities. For more information and
to register visit: payetteswcd.org
TUESDAY, FEB. 18
26th Annual Larry Branen
Idaho Ag Summit: 7:10 a.m., Red
Lion Downtowner, 1800 W. Fairview
Ave., Boise. The 26th Annual Larry
Branen Idaho Ag Summit will kick
off on Feb. 17 at Boise Centre East
with the All Idaho Strolling Sup-
per with Idaho legislators. Feb. 18
at the Red Lion Downtowner fea-
tures a full agenda of speakers and
award presentations for those who
have contributed greatly to Idaho
agriculture. The keynote speaker is
Todd Van Hoose, president and CEO
of the Farm Credit Council. Website:
www.idahoagsummit.org
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 19
SEDCOR Ag Breakfast — Mar-
ion County: 7:30-10 a.m. Mt. Angel
Festhalle, 500 Wilco Highway NE,
Mount Angel, Ore. SEDCOR’s yearly
Ag Breakfast is an opportunity
opportunities for everyone in ag to
hear from leaders in industry and
government what’s working, what
needs work, what happening now,
and what the future holds. Topics
include upcoming trends for grow-
ers and a hemp reality check. Free
for anyone in ag in Marion, Polk and
Yamhill counties. Contact: Jenni
Kistler, 503-588-6225, jkistler@
sedcor.com Website: https://bit.
ly/2NMLbR6
Tariff System and Schedule
B Trade Workshop: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.,
Food Innovation Center, 1207
NW Naito Parkway, Portland, Ore.
Understand how to use the Harmo-
nized Tariff System for imports and
the Schedule B listing for exports
for your business and in determin-
ing accurate product classifica-
tions. Contact: Theresa Yoshioka,
International Trade Manager with
the Oregon Department of Agri-
culture, tyoshioka@oda.state.or.us,
503-872-6626
WEDNESDAY-
SATURDAY,
FEB. 19-22
82nd Oregon Logging Con-
ference: 7 a.m., Lane County Fair-
grounds and Convention Center,
796 W 13th Ave., Eugene. View the
latest technology in logging and
construction equipment on dis-
play inside and outside at the Lane
County Fairgrounds. Participate in
hands-on training seminars and
earn as many as 11 professional
logger credits and 8 SAF-CFE cred-
its. Network and socialize with for-
estry professionals from around the
world. info@oregonloggingconfer-
ence.com, 541-686-9191.
THURSDAY, FEB. 20
Idaho Hay and Forage Confer-
ence: Canyon Crest Event Center,
330 Canyon Crest Drive, Twin Falls,
Idaho. The association’s annual con-
ference and trade show will be in
a new venue this year in Twin Falls.
Contact: 208-888-0988, www.ida-
hohay.com
Incoterms 2020 Trade Work-
shop: 12:30-4:30 p.m. One World
Trade Center, 121 SW Salmon St.,
Portland, Ore. Do you know how
the new changes in Incoterms will
impact your business? These terms
define responsibilities between
buyer and seller in terms of risk,
obligation, and cost. You will need
to understand these terms when
quoting a price to an international
customer. Information: Theresa
Yoshioka, International Trade Man-
ager with the Oregon Department
of Agriculture, tyoshioka@oda.state.
or.us, 503-872-6626.
THURSDAY-FRIDAY,
FEB. 20-21
Family Farm Alliance Confer-
ence: Eldorado Resort Casino, 345
N Virginia St., Reno, Nev. This year’s
agenda will include members of the
Trump administration’s “Water Sub-
cabinet,” ways to use technology
and innovation in water manage-
ment, Western litigation updates, a
Reclamation Roundtable and look
at key congressional water commit-
tees. Online: http://familyfarmalli-
anceconference.com/
FRIDAY, FEB. 21
PNWCTA Christmas Tree Short
Course: 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Holi-
day Inn Portland South, 25425 SW
95th Ave., Wilsonville, Ore. Experts
will discuss new growing and har-
vesting methods, research, pesti-
cide and safety information, busi-
ness practices and tax implications
for the industry. This program
offers attendees the opportunity
to earn pesticide re-certification
credits with ODA and WSDA. Angie
Smith, smith@pacwestcom.com,
503-364-2942.$60 for members,
$80 non-members. http://www.
pnwcta.org/news-events/events/
short-course/
SATURDAY, FEB. 22
Oregon State University
Small Farms Conference: 7:30 a.m.
LaSells Stewart Center, 875 SW 26th
St., Corvallis, Ore. A whole day of
learning about small-scale agricul-
ture. Among the speakers will be
Andrew Mefferd, editor of Grow-
ing for Market magazine, and Kath-
erine Deumling, founder of Cook
with What You Have, a website that
helps CSA customers learn how to
prepare the bounty of vegetables.
Cost: $60 before Jan. 20, $85 after-
ward. Website: https://bit.ly/2PB-
Jd6d Contact: 541-766-3556
WEDNESDAY, FEB. 26
Succession Planning Course:
10 a.m.-3 p.m. Gooding County UI
Extension Office, 201 Lucy Lane,
Gooding, Idaho. A four-class course
on succession planning will be
Telephone (toll free) ............800-882-6789
offered at the Gooding County,
Idaho, University of Idaho extension
office. The classes will help farm-
ers and ranchers identify a succes-
sor, develop transfer strategies and
determine the next step in the pro-
cess. The classes are set for 10 a.m.
to 3 p.m. on Feb. 26 and March 4,
11 and 18. Cost is $100 per farm
or ranch for the four-day course.
Lunch and materials are included.
The registration deadline is Feb. 21.
To register or for more information,
call (208) 934-4417. Website: http://
uidaho.edu/gooding
THURSDAY, FEB. 27
SEDCOR Ag Breakfast — Polk
and Yamhill Counties: 7:30-10 a.m.
Chemeketa Event Services at Eola,
215 Doaks Ferry Road NW, Salem,
Ore. SEDCOR’s yearly Ag Breakfast
is an opportunity opportunities for
everyone in ag to hear from lead-
ers in industry and government
what’s working, what needs work,
what happening now, and what the
future holds. Topics include upcom-
ing trends for growers and a hemp
reality check. Free for anyone in ag
in Marion, Polk and Yamhill coun-
ties. Contact: Jenni Kistler, 503-588-
6225, jkistler@sedcor.com Website:
https://bit.ly/2RjmHkL
SATURDAY, MARCH 7
Pollinator Conference for
Small Farms: 8:15 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Linn County Fair and Expo Center,
3700 Knox Butte Road E, Albany,
Ore. Featured topics will be bees,
plants and pesticides. Website:
http://linnmastergardeners.com
Contact: 541-967-3871, elizabeth.
records@oregonstate.edu
THURSDAY-SUNDAY
MARCH 19-22
Oregon FFA State Convention:
Deschutes County Fair and Expo
Center, 3800 Southwest Airport
Way, Redmond, Ore. Oregon’s FFA
members will meet and compete,
displaying their knowledge of agri-
culture. https://oregonffa.com/
FRIDAY-SUNDAY,
MARCH 20-22
Northwest Horse Fair and
Expo 2020: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Linn
County Fair and Expo Center, 3700
Knox Butte Rd E, Albany, Ore. Clin-
ics and workshops, exciting equine
entertainment, tons of trade show
shopping and a chance to inter-
act with horses up close and per-
sonal are available for one low
admission price. Lisa Pitts, jjcloe@
equinepromotions.net, (765) 655-
2107. http://equinepromotions.net/
northwest-horse-fair/
WEDNESDAY-
THURSDAY
MARCH 25-26
California Dairy Sustainabil-
ity Summit: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Cal Expo
Center, Sacramento, Calif. The sum-
mit will explore new ways for dairy
farmers to promote environmen-
tal sustainability, develop new busi-
ness opportunities, improve opera-
tional efficiencies, reduce emissions
and conserve water, set high stan-
dards for animal health and reduce
on-farm costs. Website: http://
cadairysummit.com
THURSDAY-SUNDAY,
APRIL 16-19
Shepherd’s Extravaganza: All
day, Spring Fair, Washington State
Fairgrounds, 110 9th Ave. SW, Puyal-
lup, Wash. There will be top quality
fleeces and sheep for sale, demon-
strations, classes, fiber vendors, and
sale of used equipment. Contact:
Lin Schwider, 425-432-3455. Email:
lin@shepherds-extravaganza
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THURSDAY-SUNDAY,
APRIL 23-26
1 year Internet only .........................$49.99
California FFA State Conven-
tion: Anaheim Convention Center,
800 W Katella Ave., Anaheim, Calif.
California’s FFA members will meet
and compete and demonstrate
their knowledge of agriculture.
Website: http://www.calaged.org/
stateconvention
9 months 4-H, FFA students/teachers ..$25
SATURDAY-SUNDAY,
APRIL 25-26
Oregon Ag Fest: 8:30 a.m. Sat-
urday, 10 a.m. Sunday, Oregon State
Fair & Exposition Center, 2330 17th
St. NE, Salem, Ore. A family-oriented
weekend full of fun-filled activities
that will help children — and their
parents — learn about Oregon agri-
culture. Online: http://oragfest.com/
THURSDAY-
SATURDAY
MAY 14-16
1 year 4-H, FFA students/teachers .......$30
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send the information to
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Letters to the Editor: Send your
Washington FFA State Con-
vention: Washington State Uni-
versity, Pullman. Washington FFA
members will meet and compete,
displaying their knowledge of agri-
culture. Website: http://www.wash-
ingtonffa.org
comments on agriculture-related public
MONDAY-TUESDAY
JUNE 22-23
Capital Press ag media
Idaho Cattle Association Sum-
mer Roundup: Burley Convention
Center, Burley, Idaho. The annual
summer conference includes pre-
sentations on topics of interest to
cattle producers, as well as social
events and a golf tournament.
Agenda to be announced. Website:
http://www.idahocattle.org
TUESDAY-FRIDAY
JUNE 23-26
Agriculture Transportation
Coalition Annual Meeting: Greater
Tacoma Convention Center, 1320
Broadway, Tacoma, Wash. This is the
largest gathering of agriculture and
forest products transportation pro-
fessionals in the U.S. Website: www.
agtrans.org
FRIDAY-SATURDAY
SEPT. 25-26
Pacific Northwest Christmas
Tree Association Trade Show:
Sheraton Portland Airport Hotel,
8235 NE Airport Way, Portland, Ore.
This is the annual meeting and
trade show of the Pacific Northwest
Christmas Tree Association. Contact:
http://www.pnwcta.org
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Index
Dairy .....................................................13
Markets .................................................16
Opinion ...................................................6
Water ................................................ 8-10
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