Weed Ecology and Cropping Systems Advisor
Lassen/Plumas/Sierra/Modoc Counties, Located in Susanville, Lassen County
Position Description: The programmatic focus of this Advisor position is weed ecology and cropping
systems, providing leadership in research and extension for invasive weed management and grass hay
production in the Intermountain sub-region.
The weed ecology program would focus on developing effective management and control strategies for
invasive weeds that impact forage crop production systems and natural ecosystems and associated
ecosystem services.
The primary thrust of the cropping systems program will be irrigated forage production, particularly high
quality grass hay. Despite the crop’s high value, acreage, and water use, there is currently little research
done on grass hay production in California and UC-ANR lacks associated publications and educational
resources. The Advisor will also have responsibility for the other crops grown in the area (e.g. alfalfa
and cereal grains) coordinating and collaborating with neighboring Advisors in the Intermountain area.
This position addresses several priorities in the ANR Strategic Vision including 1) Initiative for Managing
Endemic and Invasive Pests and Diseases, 2) Initiative to Enhance Competitive, Sustainable Food
Systems and 3) Sustainable Natural Ecosystems. Given the uniqueness of the area (high elevation, cool
climate and unique plant communities), UCCE can only address these initiatives effectively with an
Advisor located in the region.
Justification: The California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA) reports at least 16 A-rated
(highest priority) and 25 B-rated noxious weeds in the intermountain sub-region, representing 90% of
the A-rated weed sites in the entire state. The Intermountain area is geographically positioned between
the Pacific Northwest, the Great Basin, and California valleys and foothills, and has suffered weed
invasion from all directions. Also, unlike more intensive cropping areas in California, field crops in the
Intermountain Area are interspersed with rangelands, riparian areas, wetlands, and other non-crop
areas. As such, many invasive weeds occur in both forage crops and non-crop or wildland areas. This
significantly impacts multiple land uses and effective management strategies are needed for varying
land types. Invasive weeds continue to spread at an alarming rate in the Intermountain area. For example,
recent surveys have found that perennial pepperweed has expanded into the Klamath River system, the
knapweeds are establishing in new locations, and leafy spurge has made its arrival in northeastern California.
With this position, UC ANR has an opportunity to create a tremendous positive impact. From a
statewide perspective, the invasive weed program is one of the strongest within ANR. It has excellent CE
Specialist support, a strong team of CE Advisors, and the statewide IPM program. There is however a
large programmatic gap in the Intermountain area. There is also very little chance of effective sciencebased weed management information being developed in the region by sources outside of ANR. For
example, CDFA’s weed program is almost completely defunct due to budget cuts, there are no other
relevant university or community college programs in the Intermountain area, and few commercial pest
control advisors. Consequently, this Advisor position would fill a huge void in the development and
delivery of new effective control strategies while leveraging funding and collaboration from weed
management groups, private industry, and stakeholder groups, and land management agencies.
Furthermore, the Intermountain Advisors are eager to provide interdisciplinary collaboration on weed
management projects relating to range management, livestock grazing, forage crop production, etc.
Forage crops are the most common commodity throughout northeastern California, and combined
acreages of forage crops are substantial. There are 67,000 acres of alfalfa hay, 20,000 acres of grain hay,
and 120,000 acres of irrigated pasture/hay in the four-county area. The annual combined value of these
field crops easily exceeds $100 Million which is well over half the total agricultural production value of
the area.
Extension: The Advisor will work with and extend information to several clientele groups in the
intermountain area including the local weed management groups that operate across the four counties;
commercial farmers and ranchers; state and federal public land management agencies such as California
Fish and Game (Wildlife Management Areas), Bureau of Land Management and US Forest Service; local
tribes including the Susanville Indian Rancheria; the CDFA weed program and the county Ag
Commissioners. The UCCE office has strong programmatic partnerships with all of these agencies, and
organizations, and this position provides the critical leadership and CE link in this part of the state.
Extension of agronomic crop information will focus on forage crop producers in the four county area.
UC-ANR crop advisors are the primary source of new information for growers in these counties because
there are very few commercial pest control advisors or other professional consultants in this part of the
state.
Effective weed management should be integrated with productive and economically viable cropping
systems. Thus the advisor should research integrated crop management strategies including fertility,
variety selection, irrigation and other cultural practices.
Research: The Advisor will provide leadership for applied research such as developing effective
integrated weed management strategies for the most aggressive and problematic weeds. Due to the size
and scope of invasive weed infestations, northeastern California is a critical region for research in new
control methods. Many facets of control remain unknown and untried for some of the most damaging
weeds including biological controls, rate and timing of the newest selective herbicides, and ecological
relationships associated between weeds and forage crops in typical management systems. Research
needs in forage crops include management of soil and water resources associated with irrigated forages,
improving grass hay and alfalfa forage quality, and development of alternative cropping systems for
Northeast California producers.
ANR continuum – The weed and forage crop programs are among ANR’s strongest in terms of the
campus to county continuum. Most notable is the a strong group of crop and non-crop weed specialists,
forage crop specialists and AES faculty that work effectively with advisors and ANR workgroups. This
advisor will provide regional leadership to an otherwise strong ANR team. Also, the UC IPM program is
an excellent source of support and collaboration, and the Intermountain REC provides an additional
nearby resource for field research and extension. There are active workgroups that facilitate regional
and statewide collaboration including the weed workgroup, alfalfa and forage workgroup, and pest
management workgroup. The specialization and focus of this position will compliment rather than
duplicate those of neighboring crops advisors. This should help promote regional collaborations where
each advisor can provide leadership and expertise in a particular facet of crop management.
Support – Office, transportation, clerical, and communication support are available at the UCCE Office in
Susanville (Lassen County). Lassen County support has been solid even during difficult economic times.
Inter-county support from Plumas/Sierra counties has been available in the past and there is a very high
likelihood of that in the future if/when the counties are clustered. The new advisor would be supervised
by the Lassen County Director.
Location – Susanville is the selected headquarters for this position because it is centrally located in the
program area and has office space, a 4 WD vehicle, and strong county support.