Navel Orangeworm is widely known as a serious pest in tree nuts; however, it is also becoming quite the nuisance in California’s fig crop as well. Check out this brief interview with Brad Higbee, now Field Research & Development Manager for Trece, Inc. as he talks about the work they are doing to help fig growers, and read more about it in California Fresh Fruit Magazine.
Researchers and growers are tackling the formidable tree nut pest Navel Orangeworm from all fronts. One method underway is in utilizing the same sterile insect technology and facility that eradicated pink bollworm from the cotton industry years ago. There have been some challenges in adapting the system for Navel Orangeworm, as shared by Bob Klein from the Pistachio Research Board; however there is great potential for this program to aid growers in managing this pest. Watch this brief interview with Bob and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Navel Orangeworm has become a serious pest in California for many agricultural commodities, especially for tree nuts. Mating disruption technology has proven to be a critical tool in managing this pest; however some growers may have concerns with utilizing this technology on their farms. Check out this brief interview with Brad Higbee, now Field Research & Development Manager for Trece, Inc. as he works with growers to overcome concerns and clear up any misconceptions regarding this novel technology in the nut industry.
“The California almond industry continues to prove itself as a leader in responsible practices, from the orchard to the processor,” said Almond Board President and CEO Richard Waycott. “The Almond Orchard 2025 Goals act as a guidepost on our journey towards continued advancement and innovation throughout the industry. With the latest acreage numbers, we’re confident in our ability to continue to meet global demand and to provide the world with a high-quality product.”
Citrus thrips have been a major nuisance for California blueberry growers, but how do you keep them under control and when should you apply crop protection materials? Is there an organic treatment available? Watch this brief interview UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor David Haviland as he answers all these questions. Read more about blueberry pest management in California Fresh Fruit Magazine.
California’s 2018 grape acreage totaled 925,000 acres. Of the total grape acreage, 863,000 were bearing while 62,000 were non-bearing. The wine-type grape acreage is estimated at 637,000 acres. Of the total acres, 590,000 were bearing and 47,000 were non-bearing. Table-type grape acreage totaled 132,000 acres with 121,000 bearing and 11,000 non-bearing. Acreage of raisin-type grapes totaled 156,000 acres, of which 152,000 were bearing and 4,000 were non-bearing.
The leading wine-type varieties continued to be Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. Flame Seedless was the leading table-type grape variety. Thompson Seedless continued to be the leading raisin-type variety and was utilized for raisins, fresh market, concentrate, and wine.
OBJECTIVES
The California Department of Food and Agriculture partners with the Pacific Regional Office of the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) to conduct an annual acreage survey of California grape growers. The purpose of this survey is to provide annual grape acreage with information on new plantings and removals. It is a continuation of a long series of industry- funded grape acreage surveys.
This report consists of two parts:
Estimated grape acreage — bearing, non-bearing, and total.
Detailed data by variety, and year planted — as voluntarily reported by grape growers and maintained in our database.
With perfect information, the estimated grape acreage and the detailed data would be the same. However, this will never be the case for the following reasons:
A voluntary survey of approximately 8,300 grape growers is unlikely to attain 100 percent completeness.
It is difficult to detect growers who are planting grapes for the first time.
The detailed data reflects vine removals from over 17,000 acres during the past twelve months. Of this number, significant acreage was harvested in 2018 prior to being pulled out. As a result, harvested acreage removed in 2018 is included in the estimated acreage, but excluded from the detailed data.
PROCEDURES
The major source of the grape detailed data was a questionnaire mailed to all grape growers from our database. The mailing was sent in late October 2018 to approximately 8,300 grape growers. The questionnaire contained previously reported crop, variety, and acreage information preprinted. Producers were asked to update the information with new plantings, removals, and any other corrections; new growers were mailed a blank questionnaire. Growers were given six weeks to respond by mail. A telephone follow-up was then undertaken. Field personnel personally visited large growers who did not respond by mail.
To arrive at the estimated grape acreage, the grape acreage data base was compared with data provided from the 2017 Census of Agriculture and the Department of Pesticide Regulation.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
We sincerely thank the many farm operators, owners, and management firms providing the information. Funding was provided by an assessment on wine grapes plus funding from the California Table Grape Commission and the Raisin Administrative Committee.
Insects are much easier to manage when they start off the season in similar stages of development. Unfortunately, that is not always the case, especially when you start off the season with inconsistent weather patterns. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Entomologist out of Kern County, David Haviland, as he explains this with regard to mealybugs.
With the threat of the deadly Huanglongbing citrus greening disease coming to the state, California citrus growers are doing all they can to keep the disease vector asian citrus psyllid out of their orchards; however, these treatments are also taking out natural enemies for red scale, causing a resurgence of the pest in California orchards. Watch this brief video as researcher David Holden explains, and read more about it in California Fresh Fruit Magazine.
Remember the old got milk commercials that got consumers excited about dairy? Today, the big dairy campaign is known as “Undeniably Dairy”. This is funded through the National Dairy Checkoff program, managed by Dairy Management, Inc (DMI). Watch this brief interview with DMI Chair, Marilyn Hershey, and read more about DMI’s efforts to promote the industry in California Dairy Magazine.
 This year the California Walnut Commission will be holding elections for members and alternates for the term beginning September 1, 2019 and ending August 31, 2021. “The diversity of our growing and evolving membership brings valuable perspective to industry. The CWC in partnership with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) welcomes participation of women, minorities and people with disabilities,” said Michelle McNeil Connelly, CEO of the California Walnut Commission.
Following are the specifications for the election:
Every two years the Commission law provides for the nomination of 13 members and 13 alternates that will be appointed by the California Secretary of Food and Agriculture.
The following is a list of the member and corresponding alternate positions for the Commission:
All producers and handlers participating in the election must complete a nomination form in order for their name to appear on the ballot. The nomination period is May 1-31. All producer candidates must return the form with at least 15 eligible grower signatures. All handler candidates must submit a petition with at least five other handler signatures.
We anticipate that ballots will be mailed to growers and handlers in late June. The election results will most likely be announced in August.
District 1 is comprised of counties in the state that lie north of a line drawn on the south boundaries of San Mateo, Alameda, San Joaquin, Calaveras and Alpine counties. District 2 consists of all other walnut producing counties in the state south of this boundary line.
If you have any questions please feel free to call the CWC office at (916) 932-7070.
About California Walnut Commission
The California Walnut Commission, established in 1987, is funded by mandatory assessments of the growers. The Commission is an agency of the State of California that works in concurrence with the Secretary of the California Department of Food and Agriculture (CDFA). The CWC is mainly involved in health research and export market development activities. For more industry information, health research and recipe ideas, visit www.walnuts.org.
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