California Ag Network

Category: Nut Industry

  • California Walnut Board Goes Worldwide with New Marketing Campaign

    Happy Valentine’s Day from Pacific Nut Producer Magazine and the California Walnut Board. In the midst of American Heart Month, the California Walnut Board has launched an exciting new worldwide marketing campaign. Watch this brief interview with Jennifer Olmstead to see how you can get involved to promote heart-healthy walnuts, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, February 11-13 (Booth K24), and at the APG Conference in Monterey, March 2-4 (Booths 20-21).

  • What to Expect at American Pistachio Growers’ Upcoming Annual Conference

    American Pistachio Growers Annual Conference is returning to Monterey on March 2-4th, where growers can expect some exciting new things this year.  Watch this brief video with the Executive Director of American Pistachio Growers Richard Matoian for more details.  Pacific Nut Producer Magazine is a proud sponsor of this annual event, so be sure to see us there!

     

     

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at the World Ag Expo in Tulare, February 11-13 (Booth K24), and at the APG Conference in Monterey, March 2-4 (Booths 20-21).

  • Tulare County Crop Report (For the week ending December 28, 2019)

    SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS:

    Winter grain crop planting is finished. Winter grain plants are beginning to emerge from the soil. Some wheat, oats, and barley fields are being treated for weed control, as the winter wheat germination will increase due to high moisture.

     

    DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES:

    Almond and pistachio harvest have ended. Dead and fallen almond and pistachio trees are being removed and burned or chipped. Older vineyards are being removed. Pistachios are being exported to Israel, Italy, Spain, Turkey, China, Korea, Poland Germany India, Singapore, Ukraine, Switzerland, the Philippines, Lithuania, India, Thailand, Saudi Arabia, and Hong Kong. Almonds are being exported to Korea, Israel, Taiwan, Colombia, India, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, Germany, South Africa, Indonesia, Chile, Barbados, Belgium, and Turkey. Black-eyed beans are being exported to the United Kingdom. Grape vineyards are being pruned and fertilized. Table grapes are being exported to Mexico, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Wine Grape vineyards are being pruned and planted with cover crops. Pomegranates from cold storage are being exported to Mexico. Walnuts are being exported to Italy, Turkey, and Morocco. Persimmons continue to be harvested, packed, and sent mainly to domestic markets, but a few loads continue to be exported to Mexico.

     

    CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES:

    Navel oranges, lemons, and limes continue to be harvested. Navel orange maturity testing is complete, and fruit is being exported to Malaysia, Peru, China, Korea, Japan, the Dominican Republic, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mexico, Vietnam, Singapore, Ukraine, Switzerland, Chile, Ecuador, Australia, and New Zealand. High sugar and acid navels are being exported to Korea and Japan. Organic Clementine Mandarins are being picked and packed for U.S. and Mexico markets. Blood oranges are being packed for domestic markets. Melogolds are being harvested and sent to Korea and Japan. Olives are undergoing post-harvest pruning.

     

    VEGETABLES, MELONS, HERBS, AND BERRIES:          

    Winter vegetables are in various stages of growth. Strawberries are continuing to develop under plastic mulch. Peas are germinating. Blueberries are being pruned and prepared for the winter.

     

    LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY:

    Irrigated pastures are in good to excellent condition. Non-irrigated pastures are in better condition from the recent rains which was a great benefit for the rangeland forage.

     

    TOM’S ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

    Winter storms are making their way into the valley this week. This will be good for many of the winter grain and silage crops. The snow accumulation will be good for refilling local reservoirs next spring and higher elevation pastures. Local nurseries have an increased demand for bare root trees and berries.

  • Federal Government Invests $6 Million to Combat Formidable Tree Nut Pest

    California tree nut growers received a ‘holiday gift’ from the Federal Government last week — to the sum of $6 Million in appropriation funds to combat the formidable pest of the tree nut industry, Navel Orangeworm.  Watch this brief video with the Executive Director of American Pistachio Growers Richard Matoian for more details.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support with an email of gratitude this holiday season.

  • How to Achieve Zero Waste — Almond Orchard 2025 Goals

    There are byproducts in any industry; but is it possible to eliminate waste and make use of it all?  The Almond Board of California believes so, and growers are working together to achieve this by 2025.  But how does this work at the grower level.  Watch this brief interview with local almond grower Christine Gemperle as she shared her experience in doing so at the recent Tree & Vine Expo at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. Read the full report in the coming issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at the California Almond Conference in Sacramento, December 10-12.

  • Almond Board Fueling Farm of the Future with $5.9 Million Research Investment

    The Almond Board of California (ABC) today announced an investment of $5.9 million dollars in 85 independent research projects exploring next-generation farming practices. With this commitment, the California almond community has invested $89 million in research since 1973 to build a foundation of knowledge on responsible farming practices, food quality and safety and almonds’ impact on human health.

    A tangible example of the almond community’s commitment to continuous improvement, the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals, launched in January 2019, will leverage this research as farmers strive to meet measurable objectives with the goal of growing almonds in better, safer and healthier ways. The Almond Orchard 2025 Goals Roadmap, released today, outlines the almond community’s sustainability journey in four goal areas, as well as the metrics that the industry’s progress will be measured against.

    “The California almond community takes a long-term view of success based on respect for the land and local communities. Earlier this year, the California almond community set four ambitious goals aligning with our vision to make life better by what we grow and how we grow,” says Holly King, chair of the Almond Board of California. “The Almond Orchard 2025 Goals build on decades of progress, fueled by research. Fulfilling these commitments will require hard work, dedication and resources, including funding independent research to test new technologies and sharing the results as these approaches are proven.”

    Further Reducing the Water Used to Grow Almonds  

    Of this year’s projects, ten focus on water with an investment of $678,000. Since 1982, California almond farmers have committed $8.1 million dollars to 221 different water research projects spanning irrigation efficiency, groundwater recharge and water quality. Together this investment has helped reduce the amount of water needed to grow each pound of almonds by 33 percent over the past 20 years.[1] By 2025, the California almond community commits to reducing the amount of water used to grow a pound of almonds by an additional 20 percent.

    Progress towards this goal is being measured against almond farmers’ annual irrigation water applied per unit of crop yield. While 77 percent of almond farms utilize efficient microirrigation,[2] nearly double the 42 percent average for California farms, further improvements are underway. ABC is working with farmers to support their progress up the Almond Irrigation Improvement Continuum, a roadmap created by irrigation experts that outlines key irrigation management practices and how to achieve increasing levels of precision in each area.

     Achieving Zero Waste by Using Everything the Orchard Grows

    Almonds grow in a shell, protected by a hull, on a tree, and the California almond community ensures that each of these coproducts is put to beneficial use. Since 1977, ABC has funded 79 research projects totaling $3.5 million exploring the best ways to utilize these materials, establishing traditional uses such as dairy feed, livestock bedding, and electricity generation. Thirteen new studies have been funded this year with a commitment of $607,000 dollars to determine how almond coproducts may address needs in other sectors, with promising leads in strengthening recycled plastics, creating biofuel and more. By 2025, the California almond community commits to achieving zero waste in orchards by putting everything grown to optimal use.

    Given that almond coproducts are widely utilized already, progress toward this goal focuses on reducing the industry’s environmental footprint and adding value – economically and environmentally – via three key measures. These include: 1) significant increases in recycling trees into the soil when an orchard is removed, using the trees’ woody biomass to build healthier soils and address climate change via increased carbon sequestration, 2) diversifying applications for hulls and shells beyond current uses in the California dairy industry and 3) the effective elimination of open burning as a means to dispose of woody biomass.

    Additional Opportunities for Innovation

    In addition to water sustainability and coproduct utilization, investing in research has also resulted in significant advancements in the areas of nutrient management, air quality and honey bee health. For example, farmers work closely with beekeepers and follow research-based best practices to ensure the safety of honey bees, essential to pollinating almonds. ABC has funded more research related to honey bee health than any other crop group,[3] with 125 projects funded to date. This year, California almond farmers have added to that investment with five new research projects totaling $336,000.

    “I often think of us as surfers,” said ABC chair, Holly King. “Surfers are strategic about where to catch a wave, and we’ve done that over the years with our research investments, catching the wave that will bring the greatest return. Today’s investment will not only help farmers grow almonds more efficiently, but also ensures we’re solidly riding the wave to a more sustainable farm of the future.”

    ABC research projects are funded through an assessment placed on each pound of almonds grown in California. After review by third-party research advisors and workgroups focused on distinct almond farming topics, projects are selected by a committee of almond farmers and processors based on strategic alignment to industry needs and anticipated impact of the research.

    For more information about ABC’s 46 years of almond farming and environmental research, and to explore how this research supports the California almond community in growing the farm of the future, visit Almonds.com/GrowingGood.

     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. 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, Pinterest, Instagramand the California Almonds blog.

  • How Far $3.6 Million Ag Trade Promotion Funding Goes To Boost California Walnuts

    In addition to the normal domestic and international trade promotions funded through the California Walnut Board and Commission, the industry received an additional $3.6 million from the government through the ATP program.  Watch this brief interview with Claire Lee to see how this funding is being used to boost California walnut sales and how growers can receive additional funding through the trade mitigation program.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at the California Almond Conference in Sacramento, December 10-12.

  • Improving Chill Accumulation to Boost Pistachio Yields

    Hoping to have a good winter, but concerned about chill accumulation in your pistachio orchard? Although you can’t control the weather, there are some things you can do to enhance chill accumulation in your orchard. Watch this brief interview with Gurreet Brar, pistachio plant physiologist at Fresno State, as he shares some insights based on his grower presentation at Malcolm Media’s annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo.  Read more about in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at the California Almond Conference in Sacramento, December 10-12.

  • The Truth Behind Fluctuating Walnut Prices & What Growers Need to Know

    In a special State of the Walnut Industry panel discussion at Malcolm Media’s annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo in Fresno, Mike Poindexter, CEO of Poindexter Nut Company pointed out to growers that the trade war isn’t responsible for the decline in walnut prices in recent years, but the perception of its impact on the walnut industry might be.  Providing a global outlook of supply and demand trends, Poindexter shared his insights on the market as well as his optimism for the future.  Watch this brief interview and read more about in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at the California Almond Conference in Sacramento, December 10-12.

  • Economic & Pest Damage Year in Review for California Pistachios

     

    What kinds of damage/losses did California pistachio growers incur this year? How was Navel Orangeworm, the industry’s most formidable pest? How about the international trade war? Can pistachios growers still get trade mitigation funding? Watch this brief video with American Pistachio Growers’ Executive Director Richard Matoian and read more about in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at the California Almond Conference in Sacramento, December 10-12.