The price farmers receive for raw (unprocessed, unpasteurized) milk is largely determined by supply and demand forces that are influenced by federal and state dairy programs. Prior to January 2000, class prices under Federal Orders (FOs) were calculated from competitive pay prices for Grade B milk in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Currently, product price formulas are in place which set the price for milk components under FOs. Milk utilization patterns in the Federal Order market area, in which farm milk is sold, dictates the type of pricing system used to determine the price received for raw milk. The state of Arizona belongs to the Arizona-Las Vegas marketing area. This marketing area encompasses all of the state of Arizona and Clark County, Nevada. This particular Federal order (131, and three others, 5, 6, & 7) use the skim milk/butterfat pricing system. The price to producers is the average of class prices weighted by market wide utilization. Uniform prices are announced at 3.5% butterfat at the base zone, which is Phoenix, for Federal Order marker 131.

Pesticides are important for the agricultural industry. But they can show up where they're not wanted, such as in groundwater or surface water and hence pose health risk to humans and animals. This publication discusses the health risks pesticides cause and proper pesticide storage and handling practices.

The plant nursery business is complex and requires knowledge about the technical aspects of growing plants and managing a business. This publication is an introduction for those interested in starting their own wholesale nursery business. Different types of production systems - container and field production- are discussed as well as the types of plants typically grown in Southwest nurseries. Starting a business involves many decisions that will culminate in the development of a business plan. Resources for new producers include national, regional, and local trade organizations. A worksheet with questions is included to help future operators consider whether they want to start a new wholesale production nursery. Publication AZ1393 Revised 07/2017. Originally published 2006

Sonic pest devices are tools that emit sound in the attempt to repel, deter, or kill unwanted animals such as insects, rodents, birds and large mammals. There are many commercially available sonic pest devices that claim to be effective.Commercially available sonic pest devices for use in residential applications have not been shown to be effective in scientific studies. For this reason, use of these devices is not advised to treat common pest problems. Although some researchers are developing sonic techniques that illustrate promise for very specific pests, these technologies are yet to be commercially available.

In this publication, we will make the case of what Precision Agriculture (PA) technologies can do to enhance the productivity of farming systems, with particular attention to the case of irrigated agriculture in the semi-arid Arizona. This guide is intended to aid growers to select the right technology when considering the need to acquire new, or upgrade existing equipment.

Almost all farm houses use a septic tank system or similar on-site wastewater system to treat household wastewater. These systems are usually economical and safe. But, they must be able to safely handle all wastewater produced by your household and must treat wastewater adequately to prevent contamination of groundwater and surface water. This publication lists several questions to help you determine whether your household wastewater treatment system may pose a risk to your groundwater.

This publication is intended to be a brief Fact Sheet that provides estimates of turf consumptive use for the Flagstaff area. The publication should find utility in both irrigation management and water resource management and planning.

The majority of people who live in rural Arizona get their drinking water from wells. If a well is not constructed or maintained properly, the water quality could be affected. This publication lists some questions to help you determine whether your drinking water has a high or low potential of becoming polluted.