California Ag Network

Category: Nut Industry

  • Almond Board of California 2020 Election Underway

    Voting will begin April 29 to select one independent grower member and alternate position and two independent handler member and alternate positions on the Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors. These positions will serve terms beginning on August 1, 2020.

    Candidates for the independent grower position are:

    Position One, Member (One-year term): Position One, Alternate:

    Paul Ewing, Los Banos (petitioner) Joe Gardiner, Earlimart (petitioner)

    Louie Ott, Modesto (petitioner) Brad Klump, Escalon (petitioner)

    Mike Mason, Wasco (petitioner)

    Candidates for the independent handler positions are:

    Position One, Member (Three-year term): Position One, Alternate:

    Terry Boone, Modesto (petitioner) Ron Fisher, Modesto (incumbent)

    Alexi Rodriguez, Caruthers (petitioner)

    Micah Zeff, Modesto (petitioner)

    Position Three, Member (One-year term): Position Three, Alternate:

    Jonathan Hoff, Denair (petitioner) Chad DeRose, McFarland (petitioner)

    Darren Rigg, Le Grand (petitioner) Dave Phippen, Manteca (petitioner)

    Ballots and instructions have been mailed to all independent growers whose names are on file with ABC. The Almond Board must receive ballots by May 27, 2020, for them to be counted. If an independent grower or a handler does not receive a ballot, one may be obtained by contacting ABC’s Bunnie Ibrahim, senior analyst, Government Affairs, at (209) 343-3228.

    As a governing body for the industry, the ABC Board of Directors is comprised of five handler and five grower representatives who set policy and recommend budgets in several major areas including production research, public relations and advertising, nutrition research, statistical reporting, quality control and food safety.

    About the Almond Board of California
    Almonds from California are a healthy, natural, wholesome and quality food. The Almond Board of California promotes almonds with a research-based approach to responsible farming, production and marketing on behalf of the more than 7,600 almond growers and processors in California, many of whom have third- and fourth-generation family operations. Established in 1950 and based in Modesto, California, the Almond Board of California is a non-profit organization that administers a grower-enacted Federal Marketing Order under the supervision of the United States Department of Agriculture. For more information on the Almond Board of California or almonds, visit Almonds.com or check out California Almonds on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the California Almonds blog. – Article and photo courtesy of the Almond Board of California

  • Bullseye Farms: First California Almond Farm Recognized with “Sustainably Grown” Label

    SCS Global Services announced today that Bullseye Farms is the world’s first almond farm to be independently certified under the internationally recognized “Sustainably Grown” standard for agricultural crops. Bullseye Farms, a diversified farming operation based in Woodland, California, grows almonds marketed under the “Almond Lane” brand.

    “As the first almond grower to meet the high-bar requirements of the Sustainably Grown standard, Bullseye Farms has proven itself to be a leader in the industry,” said Kevin Warner, SCS’ manager of sustainable agriculture.

    “Working through the Sustainably Grown certification process has opened our eyes to the amount of thought and effort we have put into implementing progressive practices,” said Nick Edsall, Bullseye’s orchard manager. “We’ve worked hard to create a working environment that we can all be proud of. It’s not often that we step back from our day to day activities to reflect on decisions we have made that contribute to the wellbeing of our employees, our environment, and our community. Being formally recognized under the Sustainably Grown certification validates our efforts and gives us motivation to continue on the path of sustainability.” He described several of the company’s achievements, including:

    • Competitive employee benefits, resulting in a <1% average turnover rate
    • Hosting frequent educational community field days, industry tours, and university research and workshops
    • Increasing orchard soil health to decrease overall inputs
    • Moving away from pyrethroids and relying more on beneficial insects for pest management
    • Progressive and state-of-the-art irrigation monitoring data collection techniques that create a multi-faceted water management strategy

    The Sustainably Grown certification standard applies to products meeting the highest levels of environmental, social and economic sustainability. The program has been benchmarked to numerous international schemes for ethical and sustainable performance.  It applies to agricultural operations around the world, large and small, providing a roadmap to satisfy the emerging market for environmental stewardship and social responsibility.

    “Producers of Certified Sustainably Grown crops work diligently to provide a safe and healthy work environment, support farm communities, and protect vital environmental resources such as clean air, clean water, and wildlife habitat, while reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions,” explained Warner.  “Having earned the right to carry the Sustainably Grown label, the Almond Lane brand has proven its resilience and relevance to today’s sustainably-minded marketplace.”

    About Bullseye Farms

    Bullseye Farms is located in Woodland, CA, one of the most fertile areas for growing in the United States. It produces tomatoes, tree crops, and several award-winning rotational crops.  Its goal is to produce the best quality product possible on a large scale, bringing value and taste to buyers and consumers alike.   Bullseye Farm’s almonds are currently offered at select Northern California grocers, hotels, restaurants, and on Amazon under the label “Almond Lane.”

    For more information about Bullseye Farms and Almond Lane, visit www.bullseyefarms.com.

    About SCS Global Services

    SCS Global Services has provided global leadership in third-party sustainability and food safety certification, auditing, testing, and standards development since 1984. Its programs span a wide range of industries, recognizing achievements in food and agriculture, green building, product manufacturing, forestry, consumer goods, climate, and more. SCS is a California Benefit Corporation, reflecting its commitment to socially and environmentally responsible business practices. More information available at www.scsglobalservices.com.

  • Meeting Nutritional Needs Key to Almond Orchard Productivity

    In April and May, once new shoots start to grow, growers will be able to identify trees that are potassium deficient as their leaves will be pale, rolled into a boat shape and have developed tip and marginal scorching. Photo courtesy of UC IPM

    By Almond Board of California — Almond trees need a variety of different nutrients to thrive, though one of the most important among them is nitrogen. From proper management to understanding the relationship between nitrogen and yield, it’s imperative that growers understand how this element benefits tree health and their productivity each crop year.

    Comprehensive nutrient management improves many aspects of tree growth, yield and kernel quality during an orchard’s lifespan. Balanced nutrition, experts say, takes place over many months and should be timed to when the tree most needs it – typically, that’s in mid-March, when at least 70% of leaves are on the tree, and continues in phases throughout the growing season.

    Beyond nitrogen, though, two other key nutrients trees are also necessary to maximize trees’ productivity – zinc and potassium. As with nitrogen, growers always are advised to keep the four R’s in mind when applying any nutrient or fertilizer:

    • Right rate: Match supply with tree demand from all inputs (fertilizer, water and soil)
    • Right time: Application must coincide with tree demand and root uptake
    • Right place: Delivery must be to active roots, not below the root zone
    • Right source: Maximize uptake and tree response and minimize waste

    Zinc

    Zinc helps trees when cells are dividing and growing, and also is important for next year’s bud set, according to Univeristy of California (UC) Davis professor Patrick Brown, an expert on almond nutrient management. Typically, it is applied via foliar sprays or micro-drip irrigation in the spring.

    “Zinc needs to be ‘fed’ to the tree when it is hungry so that it can reach the buds,” Brown explained.

    Leaf and soil analysis are important in monitoring zinc needs, Brown said. Leaf values should be at least 20 parts per million (ppm) in the summer, though orchards with readings of less than 30 ppm “will frequently respond to zinc.” In addition, a soil pH level of more than 7.2 can impede zinc uptake. Reducing the soil’s pH from 5.5 to 7.0 via acid injections or ammoniacal nitrogen sources will help with trees’ zinc uptake, and frequent zinc applications via micro-irrigation are the most effective.

    Trees that are suffering from a lack of zinc will have small, pale leaves, Brown said. Other symptoms include late bud emergence and erratic flowering. Deficiencies often occur when cold, wet weather in early spring is followed by a warm period, which drives up trees’ zinc demand.

    More on zinc demand and foliar application can be found in this published research paperwritten by Brown, the Almond Board’s Sebastian Saa and UC Davis professor Claudia Negron in March 2018.

    Potassium

    Potassium is important for development of the hull, shell and kernel. As with nitrogen, Brown recommends applying potassium in multiple smaller applications throughout the growing season. The rate, he said, should be 80 pounds per 1,000 pounds in yield.

    Potassium deficiency symptoms often appear in early-to-midsummer and are worst on older leaves of current shoots. Trees also typically show slow growth and smaller leaves, and may produce yields below potential. Low potassium levels often carry over into the following year, “decreasing the number of flowering spurs where trees will set nuts,” as noted by Brown and UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors Katherine Jarvis-Sheen and Joseph Connell in the article “Potassium management for sustained almond yields.”

    Leaf analysis is the best way to measure potassium levels and detect concerns early. Brown, Connel and Jarvis-Sheen recommend collecting leaf samples in July because they are “relatively stable at that time.” Potassium levels about 1.4% are “considered adequate.” The trio also states that “higher-than-adequate levels will also help provide ‘back-up’ for heavy set years, which may be especially important to sprinkler irrigated orchards where in-season fertigation to meet higher than usual potassium needs is not effective.”

    A balanced approach

    Something all growers should recognize, Brown said, is that the right balance of many key nutrients is necessary to optimize a tree’s use of nitrogen. The way to detect balance, he said, is through regular leaf analysis and other monitoring methods (sap analysis, trunk measurements, carbohydrate analysis and soil nutrient status). 

    “Optimizing nitrogen use efficiency requires optimal management of all inputs,” Brown said. “If any nutrient is undersupplied, yield is lost and response to other elements cannot occur. And if any nutrient is oversupplied, money is wasted.”

    And, unlike the weather, nutrient management is something growers can directly impact.

    “Nutrient and water management are items that growers control that impact profit, the value chain and protection for the planet,” said Steve Petrie, director of agronomic services for Yara North America. “Nutrient and water management are intertwined. You can’t do one properly without the other.”

    For more information on optimal nutrient management, check out this presentation on nutrient management given by Brown, Petrie and others at The Almond Conference 2019 in December.

  • USDA California Crop Weather Report

    WEATHER

    Temperature highs ranged from the mid 40s to low 70s in the mountains, low 60s to low 80s along the coast, low 60s to mid 80s in the valley, and low 60s to high eighties in the desert.  Temperature lows ranged from the mid 10s to high 40s in the mountains, mid 30s to mid 50s along the coast, low 30s to mid 60s in the desert, and low 40s to mid 60s in the valley.

     

    FIELD CROPS

     In Tulare County, winter grain plants were in different stages of growth, with most wheat, oats and barley coming close to maturity.  Some wheat, oats, and barley fields were being treated for weed control.  With the added rain, alfalfa continued to thrive and was growing well.  Corn was being planted.  Safflower planting was finished with most emerged.  Due to cold weather, cotton planting was behind schedule.  Rice ground preparation was ahead of schedule with ground work done in the Sacramento Valley.

     

    FRUIT CROPS

     Stone fruit orchards continued to near the end of bloom and immature stone fruit was steadily developing. Nectarines, peaches, and plumscontinued to size as expected. Cherry and pear fruit were sizing also, but still in the immature stages of growth. Pomegranates, persimmons, and grapes continued to leaf out, with warm weather boosting grape vine budding. Lemon and grapefruit harvest continued. Navel oranges, tangelo, and mandarin harvest progressed well. Tangerine groves continued to be covered with netting to prevent pollination by bees during the bloom period.

     

    NUT CROPS

    Almond development was ongoing, with a few areas predicting a more than favorable crop. Walnuts continued to awaken from winter dormancy. Pistachio leaf out remained steady with no reported issues.

     

    VEGETABLE CROPS

    Summer vegetable fields were prepared for planting.  Processing and fresh tomatoes were showing good growth.  Artichokes were harvested in San Mateo County.  Onion, garlic and parsley fields were growing well in Fresno County. Tulare County reported summer vegetables developed well with warm temperatures and adequate rains.  Strawberries were produced and grew well. Garlic, onions and peas did well under mulch.

     

    LIVESTOCK

     Recent precipitation and the week’s warming temperatures promoted range development. Rangeland and non-irrigated pasture were reported to be in good condition. Movement of cattle to spring pasture began. Some bee hives were moved to citrus orchards and to the foothills.

  • Almond Orchard Recycling a Climate-Smart Strategy

    Recycling trees onsite can sequester carbon, save water and increase crop yields, making it a climate-smart practice for California’s irrigated almond orchards, finds a study from the University of California, Davis.

    Whole orchard recycling is when old orchard trees are ground, chipped and turned back into the soil before new almond trees are planted.

    The study, published in the journal PLOS ONE, suggests that whole orchard recycling can help almond orchards be more sustainable and resilient to drought while also increasing carbon storage in the soil.

    “To me what was really impressive was the water piece,” said corresponding author Amélie Gaudin, an associate professor of agroecology in the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences. “Water is central to how we think about agriculture in California. This is a clear example of capitalizing on soil health. Here we see some real benefits for water conservation and for growers.”

    Burn vs. turn

    Drought and high almond prices have encouraged higher rates of orchard turnover in recent years. The previous practice of burning trees that are no longer productive is now restricted under air quality regulations, so whole orchard recycling presents an alternative. But how sustainable and effective is it for the environment and for farmers?

    For the study, scientists measured soil health and tree productivity of an almond orchard that turned previous Prunus woody biomass back into the soil through whole orchard recycling and compared it with an orchard that burned its old trees nine years prior. 

    They also experimentally reduced an orchard’s irrigation by 20 percent to quantify its water resilience.

    Their results found that, compared with burn treatments, whole orchard recycling can:

    • Sequester 5 tons of carbon per hectare
    • Increase water-use efficiency by 20 percent 
    • Increase crop yields by 19 percent


    “This seems to be a practice that can mitigate climate change by building the soil’s potential to be a carbon sink, while also building nutrients and water retention,” said Gaudin. “That can be especially important as water becomes more limited.”

    Study co-authors included Emad Jahanzad and Kelsey Brewer of UC Davis; Brent Holtz, Sean Hogan and Cameron Zuber of UC Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Cooperative Extension; and David Doll, who was formerly with UC Cooperative Extension.

    The study was funded by a Specialty Crop Block Grant Program of the California Department of Food and Agriculture and the Almond Board of California. — By Kat Kerlin, News and Media Relations, 530-752-7704, kekerlin@ucdavis.edu

  • Pros & Cons of the Early Harvesting Golden Hills Pistachio Variety

    Many growers have probably heard of the newer Golden Hills pistachio variety by now, but it is now being more widely planted in the industry. Likewise, growers and researchers are learning more about the unique characteristics of this variety that growers should consider before planting it. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Kern County Farm Advisor Craig Kallsen, as he explains and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Pistachio Rootstock Options Today: Seedlings and Clones

    Pistachio growers have more options today when it comes to varieties and rootstocks to plant with. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Farm Advisor Elizabeth Fichtner as she shares some of the characteristics of rootstocks currently available to growers and some of the pros and cons to planting on a seedling vs. clone. Read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • USDA-APHIS Impact Report: Protecting 900 Million Acres of Farmland

    The USDA seal includes the inscription “Agriculture is the foundation of manufacturing and commerce.” It’s fair to say that it is also the foundation of a stable and caring society because agriculture feeds and clothes the people. For nearly 50 years, it’s been the job of APHIS to protect American agriculture’s ability to feed and clothe the world by keeping it healthy. Every American and untold millions of people around the world benefit from healthy and profitable U.S. farms and ranches. It is my honor on behalf of over 8,400 employees, working in all 50 States, 4 territories, and 35 countries to report to you on APHIS’ accomplishments in 2019. Some of the highlights include:

    • 100 percent of the United States is now free of the plum pox virus, thanks to the work of Plant Protection and Quarantine, ending a 20-year battle with the most devastating viral disease of stone fruit worldwide.
    • Unlike those in many countries, Americans don’t have to face African swine fever and foot-and-mouth disease, because Veterinary Services ensured there were no incursions of these most devastating of foreign animal diseases.
    •  More than 700 million air passengers flew more safely because Wildlife Services protected them from wildlife strikes at more than 870 U.S. airports and military bases around the globe.
    •  Dogs in breeding operations, primates in research projects, and zoo animals all were safer and healthier because 99 percent of Animal Welfare Act (AWA) licensees and registrants are in substantial compliance thanks to inspections, guidance, and outreach by Animal Care.
    •  All Americans have a more abundant and more affordable food supply, and many others overcame devastating hardships, because more than 1,300 APHIS employees took time away from their families, homes, and regular duties to fight 38 emergency incidents like pest and disease outbreaks, natural disasters, and other threats to U.S. agriculture and health and safety.

    And that’s just a small representation of the things reflected in our 2019 Impact Report. Please consider these numbers:

    • APHIS protected 900 million acres of U.S. farmland.
    • APHIS made it possible for $137 billion in U.S. agricultural exports to move around the world.
    • APHIS helped keep 21.6 million Americans employed in U.S. agriculture, food, and related industries.

    I hope you’ll take some time to review the APHIS 2019 Impact Report to find out more about the impact of

    our work across the nation and worldwide.

     

    You can also find more information about the impact of APHIS’ work by viewing the short videos linked below. Our Deputy Administrators tell the story of an agency with many missions, but one common purpose: keeping the American people fed, clothed, and safe.

    Kevin Shea

    Administrator

     

     

    Deputy Administrator Video Messages:

     

    Animal Health 

    Deputy Administrator Burke Healey

     

    Animal Welfare

    Deputy Administrator Betty Goldentyer

     

    Biotechnology

    Deputy Administrator Bernadette Juarez

     

    Global Trade

    Deputy Administrator Cheryle Blakely

     

    Plant Health

    Deputy Administrator Osama El-Lissy

     

    Wildlife Damage Management

    Deputy Administrator Janet Bucknall

     

  • Pistachio Extract Fights Off Bacterial & Viral Infections

    With the panic of an international pandemic, citizens are flocking the grocery stores stockpiling essential food and supplies. Recent studies suggest that pistachios should be on that list of groceries to stock up on too. In addition to their known health properties, recent published research shows that pistachio extract can thwart and even kill certain bacteria and viruses. Watch this brief video with Judy Hirigoyen from American Pistachio Growers and read more about it in the coming issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Dr. Oz Shares Why Pistachios Offer Complete Protein & Quality Sleep to Consumers

    Dr Oz shared some breaking news in the health and nutrition industry at American Pistachio Growers recent Annual Conference in Monterey, CA. In addition to talking about how much he enjoys incorporating nuts in his daily diet, he shared the results of recent research suggesting that eating pistachios will not only help consumers sleep better at night, but is also one of the only plant-based foods available that offer “complete protein.”  Watch this brief video with Judy Hirigoyen from American Pistachio Growers and read more about it in the coming issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.