Tag: Almonds

  • Navel Orange Worm Update

    Sacramento, Calif., (June 19, 2017) – Navel orange worm is the key pest in almond. Nut feeding by this pest directly reduces yield and grower income. For example, 1% damage* in a 2500 kernel lb/acre crop = 25 kernel lb/acre loss (and $62.5/acre at a price of $2.50/lb). Also, NOW damage is frequently contaminated with highly toxic fungus aflatoxin, which is carried by the pest. Certain major almond markets have an extremely low tolerance for aflatoxin.

    What should growers think about when planning for NOW management at hull split and harvest, particularly when egg and/or pheromone traps are largely empty in the spring?

    • NOW adults can fly a quarter of a mile. When hull splits starts in your orchard, your nuts can become vulnerable to moths from your neighbor’s orchard, if they are a quarter of a mile away, or less.
    • Time your hull split spray(s) based on crop sensitivity (hull split), not trap counts – especially in low pressure years. When NOW pressures are low, egg traps don’t always attract females for egg laying when flights begin – especially when there are thousands of splitting real nuts as competition.

    Here are some general reminders for NOW control as harvest approaches:

    • Harvest at 100% hull split. Shake your trees once the nuts have reached 100% hull split. NOW populations build with every generation (see graph below) and NOW females lay fewer eggs on harvested nuts than those nuts still in the trees. So get the nuts on the ground as soon as they are ready. For pictures and description of 100% hull split, see: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/C003/m003fchullsplit.html.
    • If you spray, spray early. Newer, soft pesticides used for NOW control last a long time and work well on eggs and small worms. Research by Dr. Frank Zalom, UC Davis Entomology Department, suggests that effective pesticide residual is in this order (roughly): Intrepid® 4 weeks > Altacor® 3 weeks > pyrethroids (Brigade®, etc.) 2 weeks. Consult with your PCA and consider spraying early, so eggs are laid on treated surfaces. This may mean starting to spray as blanks are beginning to split – depending on how long it takes you to get across the orchard. Why spray early when pressure is low? The longer you can keep the NOW population low, the lower the pressure will be later in the season when pollinators (Monterey, etc.) are splitting.
      Spray carefully. Field research results from Dr. Joel Siegel (USDA) and Ken Giles (UC Davis) have repeatedly shown that slower sprayer ground speed (2 MPH) and higher spray volume (150-200 gpa vs 100 gpa) delivers the best possible NOW control. Also, spraying when the humidity is higher (roughly 10 PM to 10 AM) means less spray evaporation and better coverage. Need to move faster? Consider using an additional sprayer instead of driving too fast and getting less control (lease/borrow?). If better spray timing could reduce damage by 0.5% (0.25% on your grade sheets*) in a 2500 kernel lb/acre orchard, that’s $31.25/acre/year back in your pocket before any quality incentives.
  • Reflections of 2016 Mite Pressure & Management in Almonds

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    2016 was an odd year for mite pressure & management in almonds. UC Kern County Entomologist David Haviland addressed this at Malcolm Media’s Annual Tree & Vine Expo in Turlock. Watch this brief interview with David as he reflects on last year’s trends of mite monitoring/control as growers prepare to manage them this year.

  • USDA World Market Report on Tree Nuts

    Note: This report does not include pistachios because the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) did not publish the Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2016 Preliminary Summary. Without U.S. production data for 2016/17, the Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) is unable to forecast the global supply and demand balance, of which the United States is a major component. FAS will update these data sometime after the June 27 publication of the Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts 2016 Summary.

    CLICK HERE FOR FULL REPORT

    Almonds

    Global almond production for 2016/17 is unchanged from the October 2016 forecast of 1.2 million metric tons (tons) shelled basis. Global exports are revised 10,000 tons higher to 727,000 and imports are raised 12,000 tons to 670,000. With consumption raised slightly from the previous forecast, ending stocks are lowered 20,000 tons to 234,000.

    2016/17 Key Changes Exports

    • The United States is revised up 10,000 tons to 635,000 on stronger demand from China.

    Imports

    • China is raised 30,000 tons to 100,000 on stronger-than-anticipated demand primarily from thebaking and snack food industry.
    • EU is lowered 10,000 tons to 265,000.

    Ending Stocks

    • The United States is lowered 15,000 tons to 191,000 on stronger exports to China.

    Walnuts

    Global walnut production for 2016/17 is nearly unchanged from the October 2016 record forecast of 2.1 million tons in-shell basis, with China and the United States accounting for nearly 80 percent of total output. World exports are revised 12,000 tons lower to 703,000 and imports are reduced 14,000 tons to 680,000. With consumption reduced slightly from the previous forecast, ending stocks are raised 24,000 tons to a record 136,000.

    2016/17 Key Changes Production

    • Ukraine is raised 10,000 tons to 110,000 on higher bearing area and yield.

    Exports

    • The United States is reduced 15,000 tons to 460,000 on lower-than-expected demand in topmarkets EU and China.
    • Ukraine is raised 10,000 tons to 75,000 on higher shipments to Turkey.

    Imports

    • EU is lowered 10,000 tons to 220,000 but remains a record on strong demand in Germany, Italy,and Spain from snack foods and cooking ingredients on the retail side and pastries on the industrialside.
    • Turkey is raised 10,000 tons to 105,000 as domestic production remains below the long-termaverage.
    • China is reduced 10,000 tons to 90,000.

    Ending Stocks

    • The United States is raised 24,000 tons to 72,000 on reduced shipments to China and the EU.

    FAS Reports from Overseas Offices

    The Tree Nut: World Markets and Trade circular is based on post reports submitted throughout the year for select countries and can be obtained on FAS Online at: http://gain.fas.usda.gov/Pages/Default.aspx.

    PSD Online

    The entire USDA PSD database is available online
    at https://apps.fas.usda.gov/psdonline/app/index.html#/app/home

    Additional Resources

    Please refer to the USDA-FAS Tree Nuts website at: https://www.fas.usda.gov/commodities/tree-nuts for additional data and analysis.

    Situation and outlook information on U.S. tree nuts can be obtained from the
    USDA-Economic Research Service at: http://www.ers.usda.gov/topics/crops/fruit-tree-nuts.aspx

    Future Releases and Contact Information

    Please visit https://www.fas.usda.gov/data/tree-nuts-world-markets-and-trade to view current and archived reports.

    To receive the circular via email, go to:

    https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/USDAFAS/subscriber/new

    For additional information, please contact Tony Halstead at 202-720-4620, or Tony.Halstead@fas.usda.gov

  • Almond Board Leadership Program Announces Class of 2017

    Almond Leadership Program enters its ninth year

    Almond Board of California (ABC) has unveiled its 2017 Almond Leadership Program class, a group of 18 future leaders representing nearly every aspect of the industry: growers, processors, suppliers, retailers and pest control advisers.

    Participants will spend the next year in a structured program, with the oversight of volunteer mentors, preparing them to become leaders not just within the California Almond industry, but also in their communities.

    The class will complete specialized training in a wide variety of topic areas, such as food safety, biomass utilization, honey extraction and nutrition research. Over the course of the year, they will spend time in nurseries, almond orchards, a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) research facility, and other venues where they will get hands-on experience and training.

    Along the way, the participants will build relationships and develop communications skills; gain a clear understanding of current social, political, scientific and economic issues facing the almond industry, as well as how to effect change; and learn how all sectors along the almond supply chain work together to provide a safe, sustainable product.

    At the end of the year, each participant will have to present their findings from a yearlong self-directed project designed to advance industry knowledge in an area of interest to them. In the past, some of these projects have led to important breakthroughs for the industry. ABC is currently conducting follow-up research on the promising initial project of one of last year’s Almond leaders around an alternative use of almond hulls and shells.

    “We are so fortunate to have this program,” said Kent Stenderup, a member of the ABC Board of Directors and also a volunteer mentor for this year’s Almond Leadership Program. “As an industry, we get to interact with the best and brightest individuals who will lead us in the decades to come. This program grounds these participants in the latest industry knowledge, but also teaches them how to be leaders, and to understand the responsibilities that come with that.”

    This year’s class has also pledged to raise $25,000 for California Future Farmers of America (FFA) scholarships.

    Over the past eight years, the program has graduated more than 100 participants. Daniel Bays of Westley is one of those alumni. The third-generation grower was in the program in 2013.

    “I loved going through the Almond Leadership Program,” he said. “It was invaluable for me. Even as someone who grew up in the industry, I had a lot to learn. The attention to the curriculum, as well as the emphasis on leadership and the responsibility we have to give back to our communities, are what I took from the program.”

    Members of this year’s class include: Lucas Avila, Farmland Management Services; Annie Benisch, Stewart & Jasper; Christina Brichetto, Terra Nova Trading Inc.; Brennon Christopher, Semios; Devin Clarke, Stanislaus Farm Supply; Kevin Esau, Arysta LifeScience; Luke Heuer, Heuer Farms; Ashley Hollis, Almond Alliance of California; Robert Holtermann, Holtermann Farms; Marcus McClure, Gar Tootelian, Inc.; Chris Parreira, RPAC; Michelle Penney, Del Rio Nut Company; Sharon Rucker, Law Office of Sharon E. Rucker, PC; Bret Sill, Sill Properties Inc.; Bikramjit Singh, Bapu Almonds Co., Inc.; Katelynn Staack, Grizzly Nut; Ryan Sunzeri, Sunworks; and Cameron White, Sierra View Ranch.

    The Almond Leadership Program is sponsored by Sunworks, Inc. for 2017.

    For More Information:

    Jenny Nicolau

    (209) 343-3248

    jnicolau@almondboard.com

  • Enjoy Your Tree Nuts: UC Scientists Help with Regulatory Compliance

    Davis, Calif., (March 28, 2017) – California tree nut growers will soon have to comply with new agriculture water testing requirements under the Produce Safety Rule in the 2011 Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA). University of California researchers and advisors are holding seminars to share information about the agricultural water requirements and proper water sampling methods in order to be in compliance with the regulations.

    Almond kernel emerging from dried hull. (Photo: Melissa L. Partyka)

    While irrigation or spray water is generally not the source of contamination, it is a vehicle for pathogens that are harmful to humans, especially on produce that is consumed raw; therefore, agricultural water was included as a part of the new regulation.

     

    The UC Cooperative Extension office in Yolo County was the site of the first information sessions for nut tree growers/producers. It was an ideal location, as the fertile soils of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys are home to the largest tree nut production industries in the U.S. Some nuts are also grown in the coastal valley regions and Sierra foothills.

    Good news for nut consumers

    Almond harvesting in California’s Central Valley. (Photo: Melissa L. Partyka)

    The new regulations and the focus on food safety practices, particularly within the nut tree industry, is of great interest because of the popularity of nutritious and delicious tree nuts. I for one am a big consumer. My day starts with almond butter on toast. That’s followed by snacks of raw walnuts and dates. And there’s always the handful of roasted pistachios to be grabbed for a salty treat.

     

    It is lucky for someone who is nuts about nuts to live in California. The state is the nation’s No. 1 walnut, almond and pistachio producer. California produces 80 percent of the world’s almonds. We produce one million tons of almonds each year, followed by walnuts at nearly half a million tons, and pistachios at over a quarter million tons.

    The California Department of Food and Agriculture reports the state’s leading agricultural export products by value in 2015 were almonds ($5.14 billion), dairy products ($1.63 billion), walnuts ($1.49 billion), wine ($1.48 billion), and pistachios ($848 million).

    Melissa L. Partyka, an ecologist at the UC Davis Western Institute for Food Safety and Security, (WIFSS) and Ronald F. Bond, a water quality researcher and field coordinator with WIFSS, are engaging local growers on issues of food safety and helping to educate them on not only the regulations but on ways to improve their water quality.

    Partyka and Bond are staff in the UC Agriculture and Natural Resources’ Vet Med Extension and Atwill Water and Foodborne Zoonotic Disease Laboratory, headed by UC Cooperative Extension specialist Rob Atwill, director of WIFSS.

    They are affiliated with the Western Center for Food Safety, a Food and Drug Administration Center of Excellence, and are helping break down the regulations for the growers, regulations which can be a little overwhelming to the untrained.

    Agricultural water, according to FSMA, is that water used to irrigate, treat, harvest, wash commodity or equipment on farm.

    Growers are required to test water if it:

    • Comes in contact with the harvestable portion of the commodity
    • Is used to clean harvest equipment
    • Is used to mix pesticides/fungicides applied to commodity
    • Is used by harvest crews to wash hands

    As of January 2016 growers will have 2 to 4 years (depending on farm size) to comply with most aspects of the Produce Safety Rule. Basically, the larger the production, the higher potential for risk to the consumer. How often a grower samples water depends on the water source. Well water requires an initial four samples, followed by one sample per year. Surface water, requires an initial 20 samples, followed by five samples per year. Water samples should be collected as close to harvest as is practical. During a long harvest season, samples can be spread out; in short harvest seasons, samples should be collected closer together; and in multiple harvest seasons, samples should be taken near each harvest if water is coming from the same source.

    A full day workshop to be hosted by UC Cooperative Extension is planned for late June. Look for announcement of date, time, and location on the following websites: www.wcfs.ucdavis.edu, http://ucanr.edu, www.wifss.ucdavis.edu.

     

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 28, 2017) – Another wet week, with temperatures staying steady. Widespread freezes were reported Thursday through Saturday across the State.

    Rainfall followed a similar pattern Monday through Wednesday, with the heaviest rains falling in the northwestern mountains, and the northern and central Sierra foothills. Four to five inches of rain fell in these places, with two to three inches in the northern and central valley. Rainfall tapered off to the south, with up to one inch in the southern valley and along the coast down to the Los Angeles area. Additional light rains fell on most of the State for the rest of the week and into the weekend. Most areas outside of the far southern coast and deserts received an additional quarter inch to half inch of rain. Cold temperatures and an active weather pattern led to yet more snow in the mountains, with up to two feet falling in parts of the central and northern Sierras. The northern mountains received another foot of snow, with the southern Sierras receiving under six inches. Temperatures were cold enough for an overall increase of the snowpack in the central and northern mountains, while a slight decrease of the snowpack was seen in the southern Sierras.

    Temperature highs were in the 20s to 50s in the mountains, 40s to 60s along the coast, 50s to 60s in the valley, and 50s to 70s in the desert. The temperature lows were in the 10s to 30s in the mountains, 20s to 30s in the valley, 20s to 40s in the desert, and 40s to 50s along the coast.

    The planted grains and field crops continued to mature, reaping the benefit from all the recent rain, and a few sunny days.  Growers waiting for excess water to dry up in the fields.

    Pruning, discing, weed control, and pre-bloom spraying continued where drying orchard floor conditions permitted. Olive groves were pruned. Pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding continued in the drier vineyards. The standing water in vineyards and orchards continued to cause concern for the health of the trees and vines. Herbicides were applied in some vineyards. Early varieties of nectarine and peach were blooming in Fresno County. Cherry bloom began in Tulare County. The Navel orange harvest resumed. Recent rains impacted the overall quality of the citrus. Zutano avocados harvest was ongoing. Tangelo harvest continued. Date trees were planted in Imperial County.

    As field conditions permitted walnut and pistachio orchards were pruned. Saturated soils and high winds toppled some walnut and almond trees in the San Joaquin Valley. Almond bloom was progressing well across the State. Rain and wind caused some almond petal drop. As flooded orchards dried and conditions permitted, beehives were moved in to facilitate almond pollination.

    Drying conditions allowed for fields to be prepared for cultivation in Madera, Fresno, and Tulare County. Ground was being prepped for planting tomatoes. Herbicide was being applied to onions. Strawberry fields continued to thrive. Carrots continued to be harvested.

    Non-irrigated pasture and rangeland continued to improve due to the winter’s precipitation and warming temperatures. Range was reported to be in excellent to fair condition. Supplemental feeding of livestock was waning as range conditions improved. Bees were active in the blooming almond orchards. Sheep grazed retired pasture, harvested broccoli fields, and dormant alfalfa.

  • Farmers Monitor Storms’ Impact On Crops, Water Supplies

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 23, 2017) – Strong storms during the Presidents’ Day holiday weekend flooded farm fields, caused several dairy farms to relocate their animals and brought other impacts on California farms and ranches. The storms also added more water to an already overtaxed system, and led to renewed calls to modernize the system.

    “In the long term, the surge of storms should bring an improved water outlook,” California Farm Bureau Federation President Paul Wenger said, “but it has definitely brought worries to farmers and ranchers whose land is inundated or whose crops may be at risk. We remain hopeful that weather in coming days will minimize any problems.”

    Wenger noted that many reservoirs have filled and have had to release water, which underlines the need to enhance California’s water storage capacity.

    “Believe it or not, there are people who think we don’t need more water storage, and that we should even tear down many of the facilities we now have,” he said. “These activists don’t care how many people suffer from devastating floods in winters like this. They don’t care how many people suffer from water shortages during droughts.”

    Wenger said California must move as quickly as possible to allocate money from the 2014 water bond, Proposition 1, to create more storage both aboveground and underground.

    “Environmentalists say we can solve water problems by conserving more water and storing more underground. But we’re not able to conserve most of the water flowing through the system now—we have had to let it go. And moving water into the ground takes time. You can’t replenish groundwater if you don’t have aboveground reservoirs and canals to hold and move water to where it can effectively filter underground,” Wenger said.

    Farm Bureau said farmers of a number of crops and commodities will be assessing the impact from the weekend storms, including:

    • Almonds—The storms hit just as almond trees were blooming. Bees that pollinate almond blossoms don’t fly in the rain and prefer temperatures higher than 55 degrees. In addition, a number of almond trees were blown down by strong winds during the weekend. But farmers said the tree losses weren’t as bad as feared, and expressed hope pollination would still be successful.
    • Berries—The rains delayed strawberry harvest along the Central and Southern California coast. Production may be temporarily reduced as farmers wait for waterlogged fields to dry and discard rain-damaged berries.
    • Dairy farms—Several dairy farms located near the Tuolumne and San Joaquin rivers needed to move their animals to higher ground as river levels rose. Other farmers are watching river levels carefully and preparing to move their animals if needed.
    • Field crops—Fall-planted grain crops that have germinated could take on too much water, which could ultimately reduce yields. Hay fields have also flooded. Soggy or flooded fields will delay planting for a number of crops.
    • Grapes—Vineyards in various grape-growing regions have been flooded. Farmers say that could leave vines vulnerable to root-rot damage if they remain flooded for too long.
    • Vegetables—Rains and muddy fields slowed vegetable harvest in Southern California and delayed planting in the Salinas Valley. Rain generally benefited vegetable crops in the Imperial Valley.
    • Walnuts—Flooded orchards that remain waterlogged for too long could be vulnerable to root diseases that can kill trees.
    • Miscellaneous—Heavy rains in foothill regions have washed out privately maintained roads, making it hard for cattle ranchers to reach their animals, and muddy pastures limit ranchers’ ability to reach herds on horseback. Pear orchards in Lake County have been flooded. Citrus fruit harvest was temporarily delayed. The storms brought large amounts of rain to Santa Barbara County farmers who have remained in severe drought. One farmer there reported losing about half an acre of avocado trees to a mudslide.
  • Almond Pollination Considerations During Adverse Weather

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    How do you manage almond bloom during adverse weather conditions? Watch this brief interview with Billy Synk, writer of Pollination Points column in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine as he shares some considerations.

  • California Exports Finished 2016 On A High Note But Dropped Slightly From Previous Year – The California Trade Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (February 9, 2017) – California’s merchandise export trade concluded 2016 with an exceptionally strong showing in December, posting a nominal 9.3 percent gain over the same month in 2015.

    According to a Beacon Economics analysis of U.S. trade statistics released by the U.S. Census Bureau, foreign shipments by California businesses totaled $14.04 billion for the month, a robust increase over the $12.85 billion recorded in December 2015. For the year, the state’s exports totaled $163.62 billion compared to $165.37 billion recorded one year earlier.

    “After a sluggish start to the year, export numbers picked up in the spring and, despite a strong dollar, finished the year briskly,” said Jock O’Connell, Beacon Economics’ International Trade Advisor.

    The state’s exports of manufactured goods in December increased by 8.6 percent to $9.05 billion from $8.33 billion one year earlier. Exports of non-manufactured goods (chiefly agricultural products and raw materials) jumped 14.1 percent, to $1.70 billion from $1.49 billion. Re-exports, meanwhile, rose 9.3 percent to $3.29 billion from $3.01 billion.

    For the year as a whole, the state’s manufactured export trade amounted to $103.41 billion, 2.9 percent shy of the previous year’s $106.50 billion. Non-manufactured shipments totaled $19.79 billion, off one percent from $19.99 billion one year prior. Re-exports hit $40.42 billion exceeding last year’s total of $38.88 billion by a four percent margin.

    “If you consider that the value of the dollar was at its highest in over a dozen years in 2016, it shouldn’t be surprising that California’s exports last year fell short of 2015,” said Robert Kleinhenz, Economist and Executive Director at Beacon Economics.

    Note – The latest comprehensive Ag export data for California (for 2015) are available here.

    Link to full California Trade Report 

     

     

  • Fresno County Department of Agriculture Crop Report

    Fresno, Calif., (February 8, 2017) – Heavy rains continued in January promoting vigorous growth in barley, triticale, wheat and winter forage. Fields have been fertilized, and herbicides applied. Dry-land barley have been planted and showing good growth.

    The rains have put much of the fieldwork on hold, waiting for drier conditions. Between storms, growers reshaped beds, and added soil amendments for the next round of field crops. Sheep continue to graze in some alfalfa fields when other fields received areal herbicide treatments to control weeds in wet fields. First cuttings of alfalfa are rapidly approaching in Sanger district.

    Working around storms, growers continued to prune, disc, and apply herbicides to orchards. Around the County dormant sprays were being applied between storm systems. In the Sanger and Selma Districts, early varieties of nectarines and peaches started to bloom. Almond buds are swelling in Sanger and Huron, loads of beehives were moved in. Work continues in the vineyards with pruning, tying, and herbicide applications. Around the County orchards and vineyards continue to be taken out, replaced with almonds and pistachios. Almonds, Asian pears, dry apricots, dry cranberry, dry figs, dry prunes, pecans, raisins, and walnuts were exported to; Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Viet Nam. Kiwi were exported to Guatemala, Japan, and Taiwan. Peruvian and Chilean grapes were re-exported to Canada

    Preparation for spring planting has started in a few fields with weeding, discing, irrigation repair, and formation of rows taking place. Field fumigations for eggplant, strawberries, and tomatoes had started in some districts but most were on hold due to ground saturation from recent rains. Garlic and onion planting have all emerged and show good growth. Broccoli is growing steadily in Firebaugh, while asparagus fields were topped and shredded for spring harvest. Harvesting of carrots and daikon continued. Broccoli, cilantro, kale, mustard, and leaf lettuce was planted for seed production. Onion and lettuce seed were exported to Germany, Japan, and republic of Korea. Blueberries started showing signs of swelling buds in Selma district, when other areas remain dormant.

    January had a few nights with below freezing temperatures but so far, no significant freeze damage has been reported in the districts. Rain also delayed citrus harvest in many districts but exports are steady. Around the storms, fungicide applications took place in many citrus orchards. Grapefruit, lemons, mandarins, Navel oranges, pummelos, tangelos, and tangerines were exported to; Chile, China, Ecuador, Fiji, Guatemala, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Tonga. Olive groves underwent discing, and herbicide applications to control weeds.

    The rain has had a huge impact on the rangeland, creating favorable conditions for grazing livestock. Sheep continue to graze on dormant alfalfa and fallow fields. In Huron district, cattle are being shipped out for processing. With the almonds and stone fruit starting to bud, beehives were brought in from out of state to be placed in orchards for pollination.