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Facts from the Field: #23
Tools and Tips from Rainbow Ag
IN THIS ISSUE:
Recent Seminar Outlines the Value of Cover Crops
You may be in the middle of harvest now, but the rain will follow. With the current pressures on the North Coast to control erosion, Rainbow Ag, along with the University of California Cooperative Extension, The Mendocino Wine Alliance and others sponsored a workshop and field day on cover crops and erosion control. Rainbow's Keith Shields and Lory McAsey attended the workshop and they have filed the following report.
Carol Mandel, with the USDA Natural Resources Conversation Service, opened with an informative session on erosion control management practices. She covered the importance of soil surveys for farmers to highlight limitations, identify soil type and to begin treatment. She illustrated the three types of erosion we see in vineyards:
Sheet Erosion - Most common on flat areas and slight slopes. The soil wears away in even layers.
Hill Erosion - Small channels about 2-3 inches deep are formed on slopes with a loss of about 15 tons of silt per acre. Ripping the soil too deep usually causes this type of erosion.
Gully Erosion - Very dramatic. Streams and rivers usually carry off the soil. The sedimentation from this type of erosion is very detrimental to fish and waterways.
In previous years growers were interested is how cover crops could improve their soil. Fred Thomas from Cerus Consulting told the growers that cover crops can help in controlling nitrogen levels and building organic matter. But lately, most growers are concerned about the erosion control properties of seed as well. Thomas recommends rye grains and triticales because they grow quickly. Blando brome and zorro fescue is used if you want a low growing variety, and covar sheep fescue is recommended because it doesn't take much water.
Straw is being used for both for erosion control and seed coverage. 40 bales of straw is usually recommended per acre. The recent practice of "crimping" the straw into the ground was discussed. This can be done with a shovel or with a "crimper Implement." Contact Bob Mitrovich (BobMitro@aol.com) at Rainbow for more information on this method.
The day ended with a tour of Fetzer's Butler Ranch. Their Vineyard Manager, Dave Koball, is putting many of the techniques discussed to work on this property.
It was a great session, with good information, good industry participation, good contacts and good exercise. Hey, by walking to the top of the Butler Ranch I could skip the gym aerobic workout.
If you need cover crop, and or straw for this season contact Rainbow Ag:
Ukiah: Lori McAsey 462-2404
Lakeport: Keith Shields 279-0550
Calistoga: Todd Yandell 942-4566
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Do You Need Straw for The Winter?
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Great prices and delivery!
Truck load or by the bale
Call our Buyer for prices
707-279-0550 ask for Keith
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Have questions about an offer listed above? Call one of Rainbow's field reps today:
Jim Munson, Lake/Northern Mendocino
(707) 468-6549 (pager)
munsonjim@netscape.net
Bob Mitrovich, Napa/Sonoma/Mendocino
(707) 316-2108 (pager)
BobMitro@aol.com
Jerry Smith, Napa/Sonoma
(707) 324-1940 (pager)
jvsmithbow@aol.com
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Book Series: Fundamentals of Service
 At Rainbow Ag we know that properly trained employees are critical to the success of any operation. John Deere provides many classes and resources that help our technicians learn skills and techniques to make them better in their jobs. Rainbow spends thousands of dollars training our service staff to be the best in the area. Many growers have their own technicians and we though you might be interested in purchasing some of the resources that we have available to us. These books concentrate on mechanical technology, bringing together technical information and supporting instructional aids that will help you become more proficient in understanding, repairing, and maintaining engine-powered agricultural equipment (over 40 PTO horsepower).
If you are interested in ordering any of these books contact our parts department in Ukiah 707-462-2404 or Calistoga 707-942-4566. E-mail: parts@rainbowag.com
--- TITLES AVAILABLE IN THIS SERIES: ---
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Air Conditioning
Servicing, testing, and maintenance guide for
air-conditioning systems in off-road vehicles,
trucks, buses, and automobiles.
Book $17.95
Bearings and Seals
A basic guide to failure diagnosis and repair.
Book $15.95
Slide Set $118.95
Belts and Chains
A basic guide to the maintenance,
installation, and failure diagnosis of belt
and chain drives.
Book $14.95
Electronic and Electrical Systems
Servicing, testing, and maintenance guide for
electronic and electrical systems in off-road
vehicles, trucks, buses, and automobiles.
Book $27.95
Instuctor Guide $27.95
Student Guide $23.95
Engines
Servicing, testing, and maintenance guide for
engine systems in off-road vehicles, trucks,
buses, and automobiles.
Book $37.95
Instuctor Guide $33.95
Student Guide $20.95
Transparency Masters $74.95
Fasteners
A basic guide to the purpose and special uses
of each of the many kinds of fasteners,
including how they are designated and measured.
Book $15.95
Slide Set $132.95
Fiberglass
A basic guide to approved repair procedures
for fiberglass-reinforced plastic components.
Book $14.95
Fuels, Lubricants, Coolants and Filters
A training guide to the hows and whys
of modern fuels, lubricants and coolants.
Book $16.95
Glossary of Technical Terms
A complete dictionary for agricultural,
industrial, and compact-equipment applications.
Book $14.95
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Hoses, Tubing and Connectors
A basic guide to their design, installation,
and failure diagnosis.
Book $14.95
Hydraulics
Servicing, testing, and maintenance guide for
hydraulic systems in off-road vehicles,
trucks, buses, and automobiles.
Book $34.95
Instuctor Guide $31.95
Student Guide $20.95
Hydraulic Systems Diagnostics
This book enables the reader to apply an
informed systems approach to trouble
shooting rather than replacing components
until the problem goes away.
Book $16.95
Identification of Parts Failure
A highly illustrated failure-analysis guide
for automotive and off-road vehicle parts.
Book $36.95
Mowers and Sprayers
An inspection, repair, and maintenance guide
to mowing and spraying components.
Book $14.95
Plastics Repair
A basic guide to identifying and repairing
thermoplastic and thermoset components.
Book $14.95
Power Trains
Servicing, testing, and maintenance guide for
power trains in off-road vehicles, trucks,
buses, and automobiles.
Book $21.95
Instuctor Guide $24.95
Student Guide $17.95
Shop Tools
A basic guide showing the right tool for each
type of job and its proper use.
Book $14.95
Tires and Tracks
A basic guide to the inspection, repair, and
maintenance of tires and tracks.
Book $15.95
Welding
The fundamentals of welding, cutting, brazing,
soldering, and surfacing of metals.
Book $24.95
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Terry Sanderson: Calistoga's New Service Manager
If Terry's picture looks familiar there is a good reason. You may have seen Terry in the shop, behind the wheel of a delivery truck, or with a phone to
his ear answering technical questions. Terry has been with Rainbow for over seven years as our senior repair technician. Before Rainbow, Terry worked at A-1 Equipment rental in Santa Rosa. His knowledge of farm
equipment, along with knowing Rainbow's customers, makes him well qualified to head up our service team in Calistoga. Terry lives in Middletown where he enjoys fishing, hunting and spoiling grand kids.
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At Rainbow Agricultural Services, our primary interest is providing great
service to our customers. If you have questions or comments, or if there is any way we can serve you better, please e-mail us at:
facts@rainbowag.com
Your privacy is very important to us.
If you would like to "unsubscribe" from this newsletter, please let us know
by e-mailing:
offthelist@rainbowag.com
We will remove your address from our mailing list as soon as possible.
RAINBOW AGRICULTURAL SERVICES
UKIAH: 235 E Perkins St., 95482, Ph. (707) 462-2404, Fax 707-462-3627
CALISTOGA: 810 Foothill Blvd., 94515, Ph. (707) 942-4566, Fax 707-942-9668
NOVATO: 7546 Redwood Blvd., 94945, Ph. (415) 892-1030, Fax 415-893-1481
LAKEPORT: 1975 Argonaut Rd., 95453, Ph. (707) 279-0550, Fax 707-279-0594
www.rainbowag.com
Copyright © 2001 Rainbow Agricultural Services
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Previous issues of
Facts from the Field
22) Monitoring Soil Moisture
With good soil-moisture monitoring place, you can irrigate only when needed.
21) Let in the Light
Open the vine canopy to improve grape quality.
20) Reducing Drift: Part 2
More on how to increase spray efficiency.
19) Reducing Drift: Part 1
Learn how to increase spray efficiency.
18) Fighting Frost, Protecting Profits
Don't be caught off guard by spring frosts.
17) Power-Beyond Hydraulics
Care and preventative maintenance for your hydraulic equipment.
16) Maintaining Peak Performance
Tips to make your tractor service maintenance easier.
15) Don't be Stopped Cold
Cold northern blasts periodically sweep through our region. Prevent freeze damage to your irrigation system.
14) Protect Your Equipment from Theft
At season's end, it's nice to pull your equipment in and walk away knowing it'll be ready to go at the end of the rainy season. But, will it?
13) Profit from Finance Know-How: Part 2
Rainbow reviews two of four basic financing strategies for making a major equipment purchases.
12) Profit from Finance Know-How: Part 1
The first two of four basic financing strategies for making a major equipment purchases are reviewed.
11) Growing Soil Nutrition
Glenn T. McGourty, Viticulture and Plant Science Advisor for UCCE, shares important considerations for cover cropping in North Coast vineyards.
10) A New Spray Technology Charges into Town
Rainbow Ag offers demonstrations of the latest revolution in spray technology.
9) An Ounce of Prevention...
Keep your vineyard equipment ready for the job time after time with regular, seasonal maintenance.
8) Establishing Your Reputation as a Good Neighbor
New spraying practices minimize the potential for harm and promote profitability.
7) Picking for Premium Quality
We're predicting that, in the years ahead, winemakers will be asking for mechanically harvested grapes.
6) Adjusting the Volume to Low
Discover the benefits of low volume spraying.
5) Maintain an Open Canopy
Improve grape quality by letting the sun shine in.
4) Pump Up the Power!
Find out how to save money by becoming your own power provider.
3) Mulch Mower Cuts Costs
Chris Grow mowers' design works well with the new inter-row management systems.
2) Water Quality:
The Life-Blood of a Premium Harvest
Learn about our free water quality test.
1) Seminar Spotlights
Tools of the Trade
The event has already taken place, but this bulletin also features useful information about narrow vineyard tractors. from SAME.
A) Check List Prices Online, Then Call Rainbow!
Configure or accessorize a tractor on John Deere's website.
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