California Ag Network

Category: Nut Industry

  • California Almond Acreage Drops Again in 2023

    California’s total almond acreage dropped again in 2023, this time by about 74,000 acres, making two years in a row that acreage has decreased, something that has not happened since at least 1995, according to a new report from Land IQ to the Almond Board of California (ABC).

    Total acreage dropped from just under 1.64 million acres last year to about 1.56 million in 2023, even though bearing acres – orchards producing almonds and planted in 2020 or earlier – increased slightly to 1.37 million acres compared with 1.34 million acres at this time last year. But the amount of non-bearing acreage – new orchards planted in 2021, 2022 or 2023 – sank about 105,000 acres from 294,000 acres in 2022 to 189,000 acres in 2023, according to the Land IQ 2023 Standing Acreage Final Estimate.

    “The latest Land IQ California almond acreage analysis continues to point to a reduction in total acreage driven by fewer new plantings and an increase in orchard removals,” said Richard Waycott, ABC president and CEO. “The 1.37 million bearing acreage in 2023 established a new record, reflecting plantings in 2020 or earlier, but going forward, the analysis points to a lowering of bearing acreage in 2024.”

    Orchard removals increased again in 2023 to about 83,000 acres as of Aug. 31, compared with 60,400 acres removed in 2022 and continuing a trend of an increasing pace of removals that started in 2021, according to the accompanying Land IQ 2023 Removal Update. That contributes to the analysis pointing to fewer acres next year and possibly beyond, Waycott said.

    In addition, nearly 41,000 acres are classified as either stressed or abandoned. They were included in the standing acreage total because the orchards “may have the ability to recover,” Land IQ said.

    The estimates come from multiple lines of evidence, including agronomic and remote sensing knowledge, robust on-the-ground verification, customized image analysis, artificial intelligence and more. Land IQ said the 2023 standing acreage estimate is 98.8 percent accurate.

    Land IQ’s acreage estimates are commissioned by ABC to provide statistical transparency and a robust picture of California almonds to industry stakeholders around the world. In 2018, ABC first commissioned Land IQ, a Sacramento-based agricultural and environmental scientific research and consulting firm, to develop a comprehensive, living map of California almonds. The map is the result of more than a decade of research.

  • Almond Board Outlook on Shipments & Exports

    Following his State of the Almond Industry presentations at the Tree & Vine Expo and the Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo, Richard Waycott, President of the Almond Board of California, shared some insights on successes and challenges with almond shipments over the past 12 months. Watch his interview with Matthew Malcolm and read the full State of the Industry report in the upcoming issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Thunder Creek Equipment for their industry support.

  • Almond Board Directors and New CEO Listen and Talk with Industry

    The Almond Board of California Board of Directors and President and CEO Clarice Turner engaged almond industry members up and down the Central Valley in an eight-stop listening tour to answer questions and hear concerns and ideas.

    Board members and Turner hosted gatherings starting in Shafter in the south valley and ending in Orland in the north to hear what growers and handlers have on their minds and to give people a chance to ask questions in informal settings. Turner also participated with  outgoing Almond Board President Richard Waycott in delivering the State of the Almond Industry address at Malcolm Media’s recent Tree & Vine Expo in Turlock and Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in Fresno.

    Incoming Almond Board of California President and CEO Clarice Turner addressing growers at Malcolm Media’s Tree & Vine Expo in Turlock (Photo by Matthew Malcolm)

    “While the long-term outlook for the industry seems promising, the short-term economics have left many growers contemplating their next steps,” said Alexi Rodriguez, chair of ABC’s Board of Directors. “The listening sessions were a great opportunity to engage with industry members to share information, experiences and ideas. It was also great for Clarice to hear from stakeholders in each region, as their challenges and priorities vary. Unfortunately, the Almond Board can’t solve every problem and many will be left to make some tough decisions going forward. That said, the Board and the organization are working hard to tackle the areas where we can make a positive difference for the future of the industry.”

    The listening sessions were casual and designed to be small so the questions and conversations could go deep. They are one of the ways Turner, who started as ABC president and CEO in September, is introducing herself to the industry and learning more about the people in the industry she serves.

    “I enjoyed meeting so many interesting, caring and knowledgeable people across the valley,” Turner said. “I heard many stories and learned so much about the history of this great industry, people’s hopes and concerns, and about their commitment to their land, roots, communities and to almonds. Despite the current difficult macro environment, we had very constructive conversations about the future of the industry. It was an inspiring week.”

    Subjects ranged from broad policy to technical questions, and the conversations will help guide sessions at The Almond Conference 2023 in Sacramento Dec. 5-7 where topics and issues will be addressed by experts during in-depth panel discussions. Rodriguez, Turner and Board of Directors members will also be available at The Almond Conference for industry members who have questions of their own.

    About the Almond Board of California

    California almonds make life better by what we grow and how we grow. The Almond Board of California promotes natural, wholesome and quality almonds through leadership in strategic market development, innovative research and accelerated adoption of industry best practices on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond farmers and processors in California, most of whom are multi-generational family operations. For more on California almonds visit Almonds.com.

  • Scott Fryer Joins American Pistachio Growers as VP of Global Marketing

    Scott Fryer, with more than a decade of experience in the food marketing sector, has joined American Pistachio Growers as Vice President of Global Marketing. Fryer will lead APG’s initiatives to expand consumption of American-grown pistachios in the U.S. and abroad.

    Before joining APG, Fryer served five years as Marketing Innovation Director for Sun-Maid  Growers in Fresno where he directed the innovation and base business marketing efforts. He brings to APG a strong track record of successfully marketing an array of products. For seven years in his prior career at WhiteWave Foods in Broomfield, CO, he expanded several businesses including International Delight Coffee Creamer, Stok Cold Brew Coffee, and So Delicious Dairy Free.

    “I am excited to join American Pistachio Growers and help drive demand for pistachios across the world,” Fryer said. “American pistachios are an incredibly heathy and nutritious snack, and if we can make consumers aware of the benefits, I have no doubt that they will love them as much as my family and I do.”

    Richard Matoian, APG President, said the addition of Fryer to the APG team is timely as the pistachio industry is coming off a successful 2023 harvest season and growers and processors are eyeing increased pistachio crops looming in the future.

    “We welcome Scott to the APG family and look forward to his contributions to the pistachio industry,” said Matoian. “Our industry has incredible opportunities to expand consumption of pistachios in the years ahead, especially in overseas markets. Scott will play a pivotal role in helping to fuel demand in our key markets.”

    Fryer earned a B.A. at Brigham Young University and an MBA from Purdue University’s Daniels School of Business. Scott and his wife, Elly, have four children. Among his off-duty pursuits are travel, sports and enjoying the outdoors with his family.

    American Pistachio Growers is the non-profit trade association representing more than 865 growers and member processors in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

  • Get Ready To Go ‘Nuts’ At Madera’s Pomegranate Fruit and Nut Festival

    The vibrant agricultural spirit of Madera is once again in the spotlight as we gear up for the 12th Annual Madera Pomegranate, Fruit & Nut Festival. Mark your calendars for this family-friendly extravaganza, scheduled for Saturday, November 4, from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Madera District Fairgrounds. The best part? Admission and parking are entirely free!

    Excited about this year’s event, Debi Bray, President and CEO of the Madera Chamber of Commerce, stated, “We are thrilled to honor Madera’s finest – from agriculture to live music, local products and delectable cuisine. Let’s remember that November is National Pomegranate Month, making this the perfect time to celebrate the pomegranate’s legacy in our beloved region.”

    Attendees can look forward to a delightful day brimming with pomegranate food and drink along with other fruit and nut goodies. The festival offers good music and entertainment with over 100 vendors and exhibitors as well as chef-led cooking demonstrations that are always a hit.

    The excitement does not stop there! Alongside the delectable pomegranate and nut-inspired treats, the festival boasts an array of thrilling extras:

    Ohana Comic Con: Comic book and pop culture enthusiasts are in for a treat as the Ohana Comic Con returns with an epic costume contest, keeping attendees entertained all day. Come in costume to compete! (No admission fee!)

    Live Music by Jaded: Get ready to groove with live music from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M.

    Classic Car Show: Feast your eyes on a dazzling array of classic cars, a spectacle that is free for all. (No admission fee!)

    The Kids’ Zone: Keeping the little ones entertained is a priority, with inflatable fun, games, pony rides, and camel rides for the children to enjoy throughout the day. (No admission fee!)

    MadTown Robotics: Championship-winning students will demonstrate their creative abilities and competitive expertise in robotics. The MadTown Robotics team are two-time world champions; they won first in 2019 and again in 2023 at the FIRST Charged Up Robotics Competition. (No admission fee!)

    Muay Thai Boxing Competition: Witness the intense action of Muay Thai, a martial art/combat sport originating in Thailand. Participants of all ages from across the region will be competing. (Admission fee applies.)

    ValleyStealz Streetwear & Thrift Expo: Streetwear enthusiasts are in for a treat as ValleyStealz hosts an event featuring a range of streetwear from shoes to jerseys and vintage finds.

    In addition to these attractions, over 100 vendors will be at the event, offering a treasure trove of artisanal arts, crafts and so much more!

    Join us at the 12th Annual Pomegranate, Fruit & Nut Festival on November 4th for a day filled with flavor, fun and festivities. Admission is free, so make sure to bring your family and friends for an unforgettable day celebrating the heart of Madera’s agricultural heritage.

    For more information, please visit www.pomegranatefestival.com or contact the Madera Chamber of Commerce at (559) 673-3563.

    About the Madera Pomegranate, Fruit & Nut Festival

    The Madera Pomegranate, Fruit & Nut Festival is an annual celebration of Madera’s rich agricultural heritage, highlighting the pomegranate and local nut production. The festival brings the community together for a day of entertainment, education and culinary delights, all in the heart of California’s Central Valley.

    About Visit Yosemite | Madera County

    Formed in 1985, Visit Yosemite | Madera County’s mission is to draw the millions of Yosemite National Park visitors to its gateway’s many businesses and attractions. We invite visitors to take a journey from the Fossil Discovery Center to the Madera Wine Trail and onward to the High Sierra. Discover incredible dining, talented tradespersons, four seasons of water sports at Bass Lake, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad and mighty adventures right up to the massive Giant Sequoia trees. Madera County is the gateway to so much more.

  • Bacterial blast/canker: What do we know?

    Diseases caused by Pseudomonas syringae can affect tissue throughout the entire tree, including bacterial blast of flowers, leaves, and shoots as well as bacterial cankers that develop under the bark in cambial and wood tissues of trunks, scaffolds, and branches. The pathogen commonly exists on plant surfaces in an orchard without causing disease, but cold, wet weather can trigger damaging infections. Bacterial canker/blast infections are most damaging, and potentially lethal, in stressed trees. Stress from ring nematodes or root-restricting hardpan predisposes almonds to blast and canker damage.

    The wet, cold spring of 2023 promoted widespread Pseudomonas bacterial infections in almond. This pathogen is becoming a consistent problem in cold, wet springs as almond plantings increase across the state.

    Currently, there are limited control options for bacterial canker/blast in almonds. The following list outlines factors influencing management practices and decisions.

    • Pseudomonas syringae is a damaging pathogen in cold, wet weather.
    • The pathogen is ubiquitous and occurs naturally on plant surfaces.
    • Infection risk varies with orchard site, rootstock, and variety selection.
    • Low spots (sites) are colder and thus, more prone to freeze damage.
    • Peach x almond hybrid rootstocks (Hansen, Nickels, Bright’s) are more vulnerable to ring nematode and subsequently to bacterial canker damage than Viking, Lovell, or Guardian rootstocks.
    • All almond varieties are susceptible to bacterial canker/blast infection, but some are more so than others. New self-fertile varieties are very susceptible to bacterial blast/canker.
    • Antibiotics can significantly reduce bacterial blast at bloom in almond, but none are currently labeled for almond. An effective, research-proven antibiotic (kasugamycin; Kasumin®) was available under Section 18 exception but is not currently labeled for almond.
    • Copper resistance is widespread in Pseudomonas syringae bacteria, making copper sprays ineffective.
    • Frost protection can help reduce damage.
    What can growers do to manage bacterial canker/blast?
    • If approved for use, treat with labeled antibiotic (for example kasugamycin; Kasumin®) 1-6
    • days ahead of forecast freeze. Expect only a week of protection. Note that very cold weather will damage buds even if an antibiotic is applied. Greatest economic benefit should come from bloom treatment.
    • If antibiotics are not labeled before bloom 2024, growers have limited options. Spraying copper to control bacterial canker/blast is generally ineffective. Adding mancozeb to copper may overcome resistance. Unfortunately, copper is phytotoxic and may cause leaf damage. Biologicals (Actinovate, Botector, etc) are not registered for blast control in almonds, but if applied for other bloom pathogens may reduce blast damage if applied multiple times (4, 3, 2, and 1 week before bloom).
    • Run frost protection irrigation if water is available. This will help reduce both frost damage and blast risk.
    • High rates (100 lbs urea/acre) of foliar lo-biuret urea in October reduced bacterial canker growth by more than 90% in UC studies in peach orchards. Lower rates of urea were not tested.

    In the long run, recognize bacterial blast and canker risk when selecting rootstocks and varieties for a colder site (valley floor, etc.). Almond variety and rootstock selections in the Sacramento Valley have changed, trending from more tolerant to more sensitive combinations. The traditional almond planting in the Sacramento Valley was Nonpareil and pollinators on Lovell peach rootstock – combinations generally tolerant to bacterial canker/blast. Trees on Marianna 2624 plum rootstock were much more susceptible to bacterial blast than those on Lovell peach. Newer rootstocks with a plum genetic background and newer varieties may also be more vulnerable to damage. Solid plantings of self-fertile varieties on certain newer rootstocks increase the risk of economic loss under cold, wet conditions.

    University of California researchers, funded by The Almond Board of California, continue to study Pseudomonas syringae bacterial infections of almond. Updates will be available at The Almond Conference (almonds.com/about-us/programs-and-events/almond-conference) this December. — By Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Farm advisor, Colusa, Sutter, and Yuba Counties

  • Post-Harvest Almond Orchard Considerations

    Postharvest nutrition: Use information from your leaf and hull tissue analyses along with 2023 yield and anticipated 2024 yields to plan your fall Boron, Potassium and Zinc applications. 1,000 lbs of almond kernels harvested removes 80 lbs of potassium from the field, so it’s important to wait until after harvest to develop your fall nutrition plan. These fall applications have an outsized impact on the following year’s yield. Nitrogen applied in the fall, however, does not benefit yield if an orchard is otherwise healthy. Read the Postharvest Nutrition Review for details on fall fertilizer applications.
    Cover crops: Cover crops or resident vegetation have numerous benefits including improving water infiltration and holding capacity, providing additional forage for bees in the spring, and providing easier access to the field when the soil is wet. It’s important to monitor soil moisture and irrigate after planting a cover crop if we have a dry fall. This ensures good germination of your cover crop. Check out the
    UC-Almond Board Cover Crop Best Management Practices Guide for information on timing, cover crop species selection, equipment and more.
    Weed survey: After the first rain, scout for weeds and develop your weed management strategy for the next year. Correct weed identification is critical for effective management plans, so utilize the Weed Research and Information Center Weed ID Tool if necessary.
    Winter sanitation: With reports of higher-than-average navel orangeworm damage in the 2023 harvest, winter sanitation will be necessary in most orchards. Count the mummies in 20 trees throughout each orchard. If more than 1 mummy nut per 5 trees is found, sanitize by shaking or poling nuts to the ground by Feb. 1 to reduce navel orangeworm pressure next year. Also note if mummy nuts are caused by hull rot, which may indicate a need to reevaluate your irrigation and nitrogen management practices next season. See the article on sanitation standards in this newsletter.
    Pruning: Prune out dead or damaged branches, taking care to avoid pruning if rain is in the forecast within 14 days to minimize the risk of infection of fresh cuts by rain-spread pathogens. Applying Topsin-M after pruning also provides protection against canker pathogens like Cytospora and Botryosphaeriaceae.
    Apply foliar zinc if deficient: Recent research in stone fruit showed that lower rates of zinc sulfate (5 lbs./acre) applied earlier in October were as effective in getting Zn into the trees as later sprays at higher rates without damaging leaves. Zn applied at a high rate (for example, 20+ lbs. zinc sulfate/acre) has the added benefit of defoliating trees, which may provide the advantage of reducing inoculum for the 2024 season in orchards where shot hole or rust were a problem. However, in a dry fall, heavy Zn applications will not defoliate trees.
    Dormant spur sampling: Sample dormant spurs for scale and mite eggs and examine green shoots for scab lesions. Use this data to decide whether to apply a dormant spray to manage scale and mites and then watch for scab lesion sporulation in spring.
    Honeybee planning: Get your order in for 2-3 honeybee hives per acre for self-sterile varieties for the spring pollination season. Self-fertile varieties should have 0.5-1 hive per acre. See our article on Honeybees, Colony Strength, and Beekeeper Challenges for best practices for using honeybees in the orchard.
    Process harvest samples: November is a great time to pull those harvest samples out of the freezer and evaluate them to identify specific pest damage.  — By Becky Wheeler-Dykes, Orchard Systems and Weed Ecology Farm Advisor, Glenn, Tehama, and Colusa Counties

  • Be Careful with Almond Variety-Rootstock Selection

    Almond variety and rootstock selection is a quarter century investment. After choosing which crop type to plant, this is likely the most important decision you will make when planting a new orchard. The difference in results is massive. A poor selection could lead to the orchard failing to establish and needing to be removed or providing sub-standard yield for the life of the orchard. A successful selection could mean your trees are regularly yielding twice as much as a different variety-rootstock combination.

    Variety and rootstock selections are typically thought of separately. Each rootstock is bred or selected to have different strengths and adaptations for different soil types, irrigation volumes, levels of anchorage, and ability to withstand adverse field conditions like nematodes, soil-borne pathogens, and toxic elements. Varieties are selected with self-fertility, pollen-compatibility and timing, marketing classification and price, quality and consistency, disease susceptibility, yield, and other factors in mind. However, evaluating the compatibility of different varieties and rootstocks together is critical to deciding whether a combination will be successful. A well-known nurseryman once said, “It takes 20 years to prove a rootstock”. We would add that it takes even longer to prove a variety, and a variety-rootstock combination. Why is the process as much as 30-40 years to provide growers with a winning variety-rootstock? Regional variety trials take the first 15-20 years but are only testing in three locations across the Central Valley and on only one rootstock per location. Once early adopters then plant the new variety-rootstock combination they become the researcher for another 20 plus years. If the grower decides to plant the same variety-rootstock combination for a second-generation orchard, we know we truly have a winner!

    In the Sacramento Valley, Krymsk®86, a hybrid of peach and Myrobalan plum parentage, is enormously popular due to rock-solid anchorage and a relatively higher tolerance of “wet feet” (flooding or soil saturation) compared to peach seedling rootstocks such as Lovell and Nemaguard. Krymsk® 86 rootstock has only been widely planted for about 15 years: while it consistently lives up to its promise of strong anchorage and strong production potential with many varieties, especially Nonpareil, we are still learning about how it performs with other varieties in different field conditions. In wet springs, Monterey and Butte on Krymsk® 86 rootstocks have demonstrated a higher tendency to have slow, yellow growth, a disorder termed ‘Yellow Curling Leaf’ (YCL). YCL symptoms have also been observed in Monterey on Rootpac®-R (almond x plum) rootstock. Trees with YCL express foliar symptoms similar to the Union Mild Etch (UME) disorder affecting those same varieties and others on the Marianna 2624 plum rootstock with typical symptoms including poor tree growth and yellowing leaves that roll and produce necrotic margins. YCL like UME, occurs mostly in second leaf orchards, although both disorders have been observed on older trees. UME was clearly linked to excess soil moisture in the root zone in wet springs or with over-irrigation resulting in excess soil moisture in late spring/early summer. Under those conditions weak pathogens attacked the small feeder roots, affecting growth, but rarely killing the trees. Affected Krymsk® 86 rooted trees, like those on Marianna 2624 usually recover over time when excessive soil moisture is corrected.

    More recently, some new self-fertile varieties have performed very poorly in the Sacramento Valley when grafted to Krymsk® 86. YCL symptoms for example have shown up in multiple seasons in some orchards – leading to a stunted orchard and the decision by the grower to remove the orchard entirely. Other orchards were removed early in the 2023 season after suffering massive tree losses due to suspected bacterial canker. Our current thinking is that like the UME issues on Marianna rootstock – the problems we are now seeing with certain varieties on Krymsk® 86 may have to do with the plum parentage of Krymsk® 86. Without testing each new variety that breeders produce on Krymsk® 86 over many years, we won’t know which varieties are more likely to have severe problems.

    Low vigor and yellow curled leaf (YCL) symptoms on 2nd leaf Independence® on Krymsk® 86 rootstock. Photos taken July 2, 2021. Photo Credit: Franz Niederholzer.

    Do you have a new variety struggling on Krymsk® 86?

    • Use the pressure chamber and soil moisture monitoring to avoid over-irrigation, which can exacerbate YCL symptoms.
    • Some growers have had success bypassing the rootstock and providing nutrition with foliar applications. However, this is very expensive, unsustainable, and doesn’t correct the fundamental problem for providing long-term nutrition.
    • Have ongoing discussions with your nurseryman, PCA, and farm advisor.
    For future orchards using a new variety:
    • If you have historic almond orchard performance, start your variety selection process with what has performed best previously. Your local farm advisor is a great resource for these variety and rootstock selection conversations.
    • Talk with your processor about what varieties the market wants now and what future trends could look like.
    • Consider rootstocks other than Krymsk® 86 (article and comparison tool / podcast). Self-fertile trees planted on other standard rootstocks without significant plum parentage (e.g. Viking and Atlas) or the more vigorous peach-almond hybrid rootstocks (e.g. Hansen 536, Brights, Nickels, and Titan) have not exhibited the same symptoms as those seen on Krymsk® 86 in the Sacramento Valley.
    • Stay tuned for developments at the UC Butte County almond variety trials (all varieties on Krymsk® 86 rootstock, planted at the CSU Chico University Farm) to help inform your decisions about new almond varieties. — By Luke Milliron, UCCE Orchard Advisor Butte, Glenn, and Tehama Counties; Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Farm Advisor Colusa, Sutter, and Yuba Counties; Katherine Jarvis-Shean, UCCE Orchard Advisor; Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo Counties; Clarissa Reyes, UCCE Orchard Advisor Sutter-Yuba, Butte, and Placer Counties; & Evie Smith, Former UCCE Staff Research Associate, Southern Sacramento Valley

  • Organic Center Awarded Nearly $900,000 in Research Grants, Including Study of Orchard Grazing Benefits

    The Organic Center is thrilled to announce it is the recipient of almost $900,000 in federal funds through the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI) research program. The funds will enable The Organic Center to collaborate in four new important OREI research grant projects.

    The projects announced by USDA will address a host of vital and diverse challenges facing today’s organic agriculture, including how to ensure food safety in organic production systems; the exploration of organic farming methods that increase resilience to climate change and also help fight pests; the benefits and challenges of livestock grazing in orchards; and ways to expand organic cotton production in the United States.

    USDA awarded a total of more than $50 million in grants for 24 OREI projects and for 8 Organic Transitions Program (ORG) projects. ORG helps existing and transitioning organic livestock and crop producers adopt organic practices.

    The OREI awards totaled a little over $43 million in funding. OREI helps support wide-ranging research projects that specifically address the most critical issues impacting organic growers. The 2018 Farm Bill approved increasing funding for OREI to $50 million per year by 2023, thus establishing permanent funding for the program.

    “Our mission is to strengthen and advance organic farming through science-based research, and this unprecedented level of funding from USDA will do much to help us achieve our goal,” said Dr. Amber Sciligo, Director of Science Programs for The Organic Center (TOC). “We are extremely honored to be partnering with esteemed research institutions, universities, and non-profits in these projects, and to support the growth, expansion and continued improvement of organic.”

    What the projects are  

    Developing Risk-assessment, Educational, and Communication Tools to Lower Food Safety Barriers for Organic Specialty Crop Growers.

    Food safety is of paramount importance for every organic grower, but organic producers face unique challenges in trying to meet both National Organic Program standards and multiple food safety requirements. The Center’s biggest single award of almost $635,000 is for collaboration in a project led by the University of Rhode Island to equip organic growers and industry stakeholders – organic technical assistance/trainers/certifiers and food safety auditors/inspectors – with science-based tools and training to enable them to comply simultaneously with organic agriculture rules and food safety requirements. A key function of The Organic Center will be to host 10 regional, in-person workshops with farmers, organic inspectors and certifiers and food safety auditors and inspectors to help the organic experts understand the biggest food safety rules challenges and to educate the food safety specialists on organic practices, particularly those that may conflict with food safety rules.

    Expanding Resilient Climate and Pest Protection Systems for Diversified Organic Specialty Crop Producers.

    Dealing with insect pests, weeds and severe weather are challenges for every farmer, and even more so for organic producers who do not use chemical pesticides, herbicides and synthetic fertilizers. Organic vegetable growers are especially susceptible to invasive insects and weeds and the vagaries of today’s climate. The Organic Center has been awarded $101,000 to work with the University of Kentucky and the non-profit organization Organic Voices to help advance the awareness and most effective use of mesotunnel protection systems – fine-mesh netting barriers secured over specialty crops – that have been proven to provide a dual purpose protection system for organic vegetable producers, including small-scale farmers, homesteaders, and gardeners.

    Influence of Orchard Grazing on Soil Health and Pest Control While Mitigating Food Safety Risk.  

    The benefits of grazing sheep or other livestock to help convert cover crops to manure are becoming more well known, and interest in grazing livestock on cover crops in nut orchards has shown a steady increase in recent years. However, there are concerns about food-borne pathogens and food safety with this practice. The Organic Center, with a $75,000 award, will collaborate with the University of California at Davis to help design and coordinate an integrated research-extension approach to assess the benefits of livestock grazing on cover crops on bacterial populations, soil health, pest control and economic outcomes, with the goal to enhance the value of cover crops while limiting food safety risks in organic orchards in two distinct nut orchard regions in California.

    Expanding Organic Cotton Production in the US Cotton Belt Through Research and Outreach on Organic, Regenerative Practices.  

    The organic cotton sector in the U.S. is currently a $2 billion industry and is poised for rapid growth, fueled by consumer demands and growing interest among leading textile industry players to include organic cotton in their product portfolios. But organic cotton acreage in the United States remains small, and the need to increase domestic cotton production is critical. The Organic Center has been awarded almost $60,000 to work with Texas A&M University to help implement a coordinated research, extension and education program to promote and expand organic cotton production in the U.S. Cotton Belt.

    “The OREI program provides the most important pool of funds to advance our work at The Organic Center,” said The Organic Center’s Sciligo. “While this pot of funding has seen tremendous growth through the implementation of the last farm bill, future bills need to continue to increase the funding dedicated to organic research. We have come a long way in the past few decades, but with the increased demand for organic in the marketplace and the initiation of several USDA programs aimed at significantly increasing organic transition, the need for current organic research is unprecedented.”

    About The Organic Center

    The Organic Center’s mission is to convene credible, evidence-based science on the health and environmental impacts of organic food and farming and to communicate the findings to the public. The Center is an independent non-profit 501(c)(3) research and education organization operating under the administrative auspices of the Organic Trade Association.

  • Minimize Potential Sudden Autumn Freeze Damage in Walnut

    Damage from a sudden autumn freeze can occur when trees experience freezing temperatures prior to going into dormancy. With sudden autumn freeze damage occurring in three of the last five years, preparing for these freeze events needs to be a regular part of every walnut grower’s summer and fall orchard operations. The best approach to escape damage from a fall freeze is to have frost alarms ready and turned on by October 15, completely rehydrate trees after harvest, and actively irrigate during frost events.

    Left: Withhold irrigation until a terminal vegetative bud sets on the trunk. Right: After a severe freeze event cut into the southwest-facing trunk, looking for dark brown discoloration of the cambium. (Photos: Janine Hasey)

    Steps to prepare:

      1. Tender new growth is most vulnerable to freeze damage: prevent trees from pushing late-season growth by cutting off N applications by mid-August (young trees) or early September (mature trees).
      2. For young trees, withhold irrigation starting in early to mid-September, waiting to resume irrigation until after a terminal bud (left photo) is set on the trunk. After the terminal bud has set, resume irrigation to avoid tree stress and defoliation. For bearing trees, terminal buds usually set as a side effect of the water cutoff done ahead of harvest.
      3. Keep groundcovers cut to 2 inches or less starting in mid-October. This allows sunlight to reach the soil surface, storing heat for a warmer orchard through the night.
      4. Rehydrate trees immediately after harvest, and actively monitor soil moisture and freeze predictions (usually from mid-October through December) until trees are acclimated to frost (see note below). Trees with adequate soil moisture are better able to withstand low temperatures without damage than trees in dry soil. This is because water-filled spaces in the soil conduct and store more heat than empty airspaces. If a freeze is predicted and the soil is dry, it should ideally be wetted 2 to 3 days before a freeze event. Light irrigation to moisten a dry soil surface the morning before a frost will help obtain the greatest heat storage for re-radiation at night (if there is no ponding going into the freeze event).
      5. Some growers with the ability to actively irrigate during sudden autumn freeze events have reported great success in preventing damage. We know from work in almonds that active frost protection can achieve as much as 4 degrees of warming with solid set, 1-2 degrees with micro-sprinkler, and maybe even some benefit running a drip system.

    When do you no longer have to worry about preparing for the next freeze?

    Fully dormant mature healthy trees can tolerate temperatures to the low 20’s (°F) or below. We believe walnuts acclimate by having the first mild frost events in autumn with lows near or just below 32° F. However, we do not know how many mild freezes are required to acclimate trees in autumn. If the soil is dry ahead of the third, fourth, and maybe additional freeze events – it’s better to irrigate and be safe if you can do so. In addition, consider keeping up your freeze response program longer into fall or early winter for younger orchards with lots of current season’s growth.

    If you suspect freeze damage occurred, cut into the branches shortly after the freeze event and check the tissue for drying or browning (right photo). Sunburn after freeze can further damage tissue on the southwest side of the tree. Paint the southwest side of damaged trees with 50% diluted (1:1 water to paint) white interior latex paint. Painting up to a week after the freeze event can reduce additional damage by half or more. You can learn more about freeze recovery in our article 2020 Walnut Freeze: Road to Recovery.

    — By Luke Milliron, UCCE Farm Advisor Butte, Glenn, and Tehama Counties; Jaime Ott, Orchard Systems Advisor, Tehama, Shasta, Glenn, and Butte Counties; Janine Hasey, UCCE Farm Advisor Emerita; and Joe Connell, UCCE Farm Advisor Emeritus