California Ag Network

Tag: CAC

  • California Avocado Commission Anticipates 286 Million Pound Crop

    The California Avocado Commission (CAC) recently reported the results of their mid-season crop update surveys with their growers and handlers, forecasting a smaller crop than was initially expected. Through use of grower and handler surveys, CAC is able to collect the most up-to-date volume information and anticipated harvest timing. The results are used to inform the industry of the total crop that is expected to come to market and as a guide that helps shape the timing of CAC’s marketing efforts.

    The results forecast a 2022 California crop estimate a 286 million pounds – which consists of 272 million pounds Hass, 8 million pounds Lamb-Hass, 5 million pounds GEM and 1 million pounds of other varieties. This updated volume is a 20-million-pound reduction from the December 2021 handler pre-season estimate of 306 million pounds. The decrease in volume mostly comes from Hass (19 million pounds), however a slight reduction to the Lamb-Hass volume also has been made (1 million pounds).

    Detailed results from the grower and handler survey can be found on CAC’s grower website, as well as revised monthly and weekly harvest projections based on the 286-million-pound crop volume. Please note that projected volume for the beginning of the season, which has already been harvested, does not match weekly actuals, but instead how the four-year average and handler forecasting models projecting a 286-million-pound crop would have come to market (based on the actual monthly volume that was harvested). As we move through the season, Commission staff will continue to track crop harvest and remaining volume closely, ensuring that CAC’s marketing efforts are aligned with when California fruit is in season.

  • Research Indicates Paint Not Effective At Protecting Young Avocados From Herbicide Drift

    California Avocado Commission — While it is often common practice for fruit growers to apply white latex paint to the bottom 2 to 3 feet of young, newly planted trees in order to provide some protection from herbicide drift, researchers note there is little evidence to prove this practice is effective.

    A recent blog post by Dr. Ben Faber summarized the findings of a California field experiment conducted in 2017 that measured the impact of latex paint in preventing herbicide injury on young almond trees. The block of trees consisted of greenhouse-grown trees in cartons. Nine weeks prior to the herbicide applications, the cartons were removed for trees in the “no paint” and “old paint” sections so their bark could harden off. Two days prior to applying the herbicide, the cartons were removed for the “new paint” trees and then the trees were painted.

    According to the researchers:

    • The paint did not provide significant protection from glyphosate or glufosinate.
    • Tree stress caused by trunk-applied herbicides was lowest in trees with no paint, suggesting that allowing the bark to harden on young trees is an important means of protecting them from herbicide drift.
    • In most treatment combinations, old and new paint applications did not reduce tree stress as effectively as allowing the bark to harden on trees nine weeks prior to application.
    • The most effective means of protecting trunks was installing a carton. However, it is important to remember that once the carton is removed (as the tree matures), there may be green bark present which would be vulnerable to herbicides.

  • AG Labor And Workforce Reform Update

    California Avocado Commission — Since 2019, the California Avocado Commission has worked with Congressional members, the Agriculture Coalition for Immigration Reform and other agricultural leaders and organizations to voice support for the Farm Workforce Modernization Act. The FWMA House bill was passed with bipartisan support in November 2019 and again in March 2021. During the summer of 2021, Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) and Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) led discussions concerning a Senate version of the FMWA. Those discussions were paused as the Senate engaged in efforts to pass the legislation via the budget reconciliation process. By the end of 2021, the Senate’s efforts to move “immigration via reconciliation” forward were rejected three times by the Senate parliamentarian. Further, the Build Back Better Act, which allocated funds for immigration reform and protections for farm workers, faltered after Senator Joe Manchin (D-WV) announced he could not support the BBB Act.

    Currently, the fate of BBB is uncertain and its unclear whether new versions of the Act will contain significant immigration reform. Observers note the most likely path forward for meaningful immigration reform may be a bipartisan agreement on a package that can secure the 60+ votes needed to pass in the Senate.

    While agriculture reforms remain a fairly popular component of a potential package and Senators Crapo and Bennet are interesting in furthering dialogue concerning a Senate version of FWMA, members of the Hill have noted they “aren’t hearing much from our constituents on the ag labor situation.” This year the agriculture industry faces pending H-2A wage rule changes that will not be favorable for growers, a potential jump in Adverse Effect Wage Rates due to the labor market and supply chain challenges, and continued challenges in securing a reliable workforce. In light of this, members of the agriculture industry are encourage to redouble their efforts to communicate with their elected leaders, especially their U.S. Senators, concerning the labor force challenges they face and the urgent need for action on reform.

  • CA Pre-Season Avocado Crop Estimate at 306 Million Pounds

    In December 2021, the California Avocado Commission surveyed industry handlers to develop the following 2022 California Avocado Pre-Season Crop Estimate (please note the California Avocado Commission’s crop year is aligned with the calendar year, January 1st through December 31st, and therefore information provided is for the 2022 calendar year.)

    Hass production is forecasted at 291 million pounds, Lamb-Hass at 9 million pounds, GEM at 5 million pounds, and 1 million pounds of other varieties, which comes to a total estimate of 306 million pounds. The Commission has also compiled detailed crop projections, including: pre-Season industry volume estimates broken down by month and variety; weekly harvest forecast utilizing AMRIC Handler Survey percentages for Hass variety (four-year historical forecast used for Lamb, three-year historical forecast used for GEM and Other); and weekly harvest forecast comparison of four-year historical forecast versus AMRIC Handler Survey.

    The Commission has also compiled detailed crop projections, including:

    • Pre-Season industry volume estimates, broken down by month and variety, based on AMRIC Handler Survey responses
    • Weekly harvest forecast utilizing AMRIC Handler Survey percentages for Hass variety (four-year historical forecast used for Lamb, three-year historical forecast used for GEM and Other)
    • Weekly harvest forecast comparison of four-year historical forecast versus AMRIC Handler Survey

    The Commission staff will remain in contact with growers, handlers and grove managers throughout the season, via surveys and telephone conversations, to track harvest strategy and will provide updated forecasts to the industry as they become available. As we have done in the past, CAC will plan to follow up with the handlers in February to discuss crop volume and harvest plans before the season gets underway.

    In addition to handler surveys and discussions, the annual grower crop survey and acreage inventory survey will be conducted in Spring 2022, with a mid-season crop estimate update available mid-May 2022.

  • CA Avocado Commission State of the Industry Report Available

    To provide the California Avocado Commission (CAC) and the growers it serves with a better perspective on the health of the California avocado industry, CAC retained the Tootelian Company to conduct a member survey. Summary findings from the report are now available on the California avocado grower website.

    The survey was sent to all CAC members in August 2021. The 77-page report includes detailed findings concerning:

    • Farm acreage
    • Pounds harvested and crop values by district and acreage
    • Overall farm income, expenses and net margin
    • Farm income, expenses and net margin by district and acreage
    • Water sources
    • Overall irrigation costs
    • Irrigation costs by water source, district and acreage
    • Perceived threats to future profitability

    Highlights from the survey are as follows:

    • Across all districts, bearing acres comprised about 80% of total acres.
    • From 2018 – 2020, the average number of pounds harvested per bearing acre declined at a rate of -2.4% per year.
    • During this same time frame, the average crop value per bearing acre rose at a rate of 0.8% per year. When examined by the acreage of the operation, the annual growth rates in crop values per bearing acre (2018-2020) were 6.7% for farms with 10 acres or less, 2.3% for farms with 11 – 50 acres and -1.4% for those with 51 acres or more.
    • The three-year average for total expenses as a percent of gross income was 93.7% with an average net margin of 6.3%.
    • Average gross income was 2.7% per year with expenses growing at a 4.4% rate annually.
    • Respondents indicated they did not change their water sources much from 2018 – 2020 with District 1 and District 2 relying primarily on water agencies, District 4 utilizing mutual water companies and Districts 3 and 5 relying mainly on wells/surface water on the property.
    • Overall irrigation costs per dollar of crop value dropped from 18.9% in 2018 to 15.9% in 2020, with irrigation costs as a percent of total expenses dropping from 20.2% in 2018 to 15.3% in 2020.
    • The highest average irrigation costs per acre in 2020 were associated with mutual water companies ($1,389/acre) and water agencies ($1,157/acre) and lowest when growers combined well/surface water with water agencies ($698/acre) and wells/surface water with mutual water companies ($555/acre).
    • Respondents indicated the most serious threats to future profitability are water costs, costs of complying with government regulations and labor costs.
    • Other factors identified as threats to profitability included availability of water, imported avocados and environmental regulations.

    Findings from the survey will be used to help the Commission explore potential opportunities to address growers’ most pressing challenges.

  • California Avocado Acreage Drops (Acreage And Condition Analysis Report)

    The California Avocado Commission gathers critical yield forecasting data to make informed budgeting and marketing decisions by partnering with Land IQ to conduct an annual acreage survey. Data from this survey is then compiled in a database for use by the Commission. In addition, Land IQ releases a yearly report for public consumption. The 2021 Statewide Avocado Acreage and Condition report is now available on the California avocado growers website.

    Highlights from the report are as follows:

    • Total planted acreage in 2021 was 51,988 acres, a reduction of about 2,000 acres from 2020
      • 46,727 producing acres
      • 2,668 new/young acres
      • 2,592 topped/stumped acres
    • The five major avocado growing counties — Ventura, San Diego, Santa Barbara, Riverside and San Luis Obispo — accounted for 96% of planted acreage
      • Ventura — 38%
      • San Diego — 29%
      • Santa Barbara — 13%
      • Riverside — 9%
      • San Luis Obispo — 7%
    • Updated tree age analysis
      • 9% of groves were newly planted to 4 years old
      • 14% were 5 – 8 years old
      • 17% were 9 – 15 years old
      • 16% were 16 – 20 years old
      • 44% of groves were 21 or more years old
    • Planting density analysis
      • 19% of acreage is planted at high density (15×15 or closer and 20×10)
      • 81% of acreage is planted at standard density (15×20 or greater

    The report also includes:

    • Tables and graphs illustrating avocado acreage by condition and county
    • Tables of statewide avocado acreage by county and zip code
    • Tables listing planted avocado acreage by year planted or stumped
    • A table noting the age of groves as a percentage of planted acreage, as well as a table summarizing planted avocado acreage by year planted or stumped
    • Tables comparing the condition (producing, stumped, young, abandoned) of high density and standard groves by acreage and county
    • Maps depicting planted avocado polygons in each of the Commission’s five districts
    • Table of net change in acreage from 2020 to 2021, by county
    • Table noting the change in avocado acreage classifications from 2020 to 2021

    A copy of the report is available HERE.

  • California Avocado Growers Encouraged To Vote In CAC General Election

    The deadline to vote in the California Avocado Commission General Election is fast approaching — October 27, 2021. Election ballots were mailed to commercial producers and all handlers of record in late September and must be returned to the California Department of Food and Agriculture in the postage paid envelope by the deadline. The results of the election will be announced on November 18.

    The elections will be for one producer member seat and one producer alternate seat in each of the five CAC districts, as well as one handler member seat and one handler alternate seat. A complete list of candidates can be found on the CAC General Election 2021 webpage.

    The 2021 General Election ballots will again use the ranked voting method, allowing voters to rank candidates in order of their preference. The candidate who receives the highest number of first choice votes will be offered their choice of available seats while the candidate with the highest combined total of first and second choice votes will then be offered the available seat.

    California avocado growers are highly encouraged to take part in the 2021 General Election. Please contact April Aymami at aaymami@avocado.org or 949.341.1955 if you did not receive a ballot.

  • California Avocado Commission Launches Sustainability Webpage

    The California Avocado Commission has launched a webpage to showcase the sustainability practices of California avocado growers. The information illustrates how California avocado growers are good stewards of the land as well as contributing members of their communities. The Commission’s consumer website, CaliforniaAvocado.com, now includes a section called “California Avocado Sustainability” where website visitors can learn about the four pillars of California avocado sustainability: environmentally friendly farming, worker well-being, healthy communities and economic viability.

    The website explains that California avocado growers farm under robust federal and state requirements and follow Good Agricultural Practices and the Food Safety Modernization Act. It highlights that tilling is not used in California avocado production and that California avocado farmers help to generate healthy soils. Regenerative agriculture practices that are already part of what California avocado growers do are noted as well.

    In the worker well-being section several California laws and regulations that set the state apart both from other states and other countries are noted building awareness that workers in the California avocado industry are treated well. The healthy communities section showcases both the physical benefits of avocado groves in a community as well as the contributions by California growers who participate in making their communities better.

    Economic viability is a key part of sustainability. Clearly, if California avocado growers can’t survive financially then the business cannot be sustained. This pillar of the sustainability initiative puts a spotlight on the economic value of the California avocado industry and encourages purchasers to support their communities and choose locally grown when available.

    One of the ways of communicating this sustainability information and making it more relatable to key purchasers, is by tying it back to California avocado grower stories. If you have a story you would like to share about your environmentally friendly growing practices, the well-being of your employees or your involvement in your community, please contact Ken Melban at kmelban@avocado.org.

  • National Weather Service Issues Excessive Heat and Elevated Wildfire Danger Warnings

    California Avocado Commission — The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat and elevated wildfire risk warnings in California this week beginning Tuesday, July 6 through Sunday, July 11. The conditions will pose a high risk for heat-related illnesses with possible record temperatures for the Antelope Valley area of Southern CA and brief critical fire weather conditions for the interior region. There also is a slight change of monsoonal thunderstorms and dry lightning from Wednesday through Sunday in the interior regions of Southern CA, most notably the mountain and desert areas.

    From Tuesday, July 6 through Thursday, July 8, the NWS notes there will be widespread highs of 95˚F – 105˚F in the inland valleys, mountains and deserts with warm overnight lows (about 70˚F) in the foothills and deserts. These conditions will pose a high risk of heat-related illnesses for those who work outdoors. During this same timeframe, humidities will lower to 5% – 15% and winds may gust from 25 – 45 mph during the afternoon and evening. The strongest gusts are predicted for the Antelope Valley and Santa Ynez Range. These high winds, low humidities and abnormally dry fuels will lead to elevated critical fire weather conditions over the mountains and interior valleys.

    From Friday, July 9 through Sunday, July 11, NSW predicts very hot conditions with temperatures ranging between 105˚F – 112˚F in the interior areas and Antelope Valley. Overnight lows will be in the mid to upper 70s in the deserts. Low humidities (5% – 15%) and gusty winds will continue the brief critical fire conditions in the mountains, deserts and inland valleys of this region.

    Employers should take special precautions to prevent heat-related illnesses from occurring. It’s important to provide ample water, provide shade and frequent rest breaks, and ensure supervisors and employees are aware of heat illness symptoms and those that require immediate medical attention. For more information, read “Reduce heat illness risk for employees” on the California avocado growers website.

    To ensure California avocados maintain their superior quality it is imperative growers manage their trees and harvest their fruit according to best management practices as outlined below.

    IRRIGATION
    Growers should be irrigating their trees now, in advance of the heat, to ensure their trees are fully hydrated. It is recommended that an additional 50% of the budgeted amount of water be applied the day before a heat wave. For extended heat waves, daily pulses of irrigation are recommended to maintain the trees’ water status. A well-watered tree will tolerate the stress of a heat wave much better than a tree that is suffering from water stress. Signs of heat damage to trees include fruit drop, shoot damage, leaf burn and in severe cases leaf drop.

    HARVESTING

    Every attempt should be made to harvest fruit when temperatures are below 90 °F, and no harvesting should take place when temperatures exceed 95 °F. Temperature in the shade should be monitored during harvesting and, when possible, harvesting crews should be moved to the coolest, least exposed areas of the grove.

    Field bins should be placed under the trees while being filled to protect the harvested fruit from sunburn. Once filled, bins should be moved to a shade structure (open-sided roofed building), or covered with bin covers or light-colored tarps if they cannot be immediately transported to the packinghouse. Never leave filled bins exposed to the direct sun. The surface layer of fruit can easily heat up to more than 15 °F above ambient temperature when exposed to direct sun. Acute sunburn will only show on fruit after it is packed and is a major quality detractor.

    To avoid water loss and decreased fruit quality do not hold fruit too long after harvest. Transport fruit to the packinghouse at least once per day, if not twice daily. Bins should not be left in the grove for more than 8 hours after harvest. Cover bins during transport to avoid sunburn and to reduce water loss.

    For more information about managing heat in avocado groves, growers can view the following articles on the California avocado growers’ website:

  • Excessive Heat, High Winds and Fire Weather Warnings Issued in Southern CA

    California Avocado Commission — The National Weather Service has issued warnings concerning an extended period of excessive heat, gusty winds and critical fire weather conditions beginning Monday, June 14 and lasting throughout the entire next week for the Los Angeles/Oxnard region.

    Beginning Monday, the region will experience higher temperatures and gusty winds, peaking Tuesday through Friday, June 18. The combination of extended high temperatures — in the triple digits — warm overnight temperatures, low humidity, abnormally dry fuels and Sundowner winds will create critical fire conditions during this time period. The Sundowner winds in Santa Barbara County and north winds along the I-5 corridor and the canyons and hills of the Santa Ynez Range and Santa Clarita Valley could create gusts in the 30 – 50 mph range. Driving conditions also could become hazardous due to downed branches or power lines.

    The highest temperatures will occur Tuesday through Friday with highs between 98˚F – 108˚F in the valleys and mountains. Overnight lows will be between 65˚F– 75˚F. Humidities will range from 8 – 15%.

    These conditions will post a high risk for heat-related illnesses for those working outdoors.

    For more information on how to avoid these risks, view “Reduce Heat Illness for Employees” on the California avocado growers’ website.

    To ensure California avocados maintain their superior quality it is imperative growers manage their trees and harvest their fruit according to best management practices as outlined below.

    IRRIGATION

    Growers should be irrigating their trees now, in advance of the heat, to ensure their trees are fully hydrated. It is recommended that an additional 50% of the budgeted amount of water be applied the day before a heat wave. For extended heat waves, daily pulses of irrigation are recommended to maintain the trees’ water status. A well-watered tree will tolerate the stress of a heat wave much better than a tree that is suffering from water stress. Signs of heat damage to trees include fruit drop, shoot damage, leaf burn and in severe cases leaf drop.

    HARVESTING

    Every attempt should be made to harvest fruit when temperatures are below 90 °F, and no harvesting should take place when temperatures exceed 95 °F. Temperature in the shade should be monitored during harvesting and, when possible, harvesting crews should be moved to the coolest, least exposed areas of the grove.

    Field bins should be placed under the trees while being filled to protect the harvested fruit from sunburn. Once filled, bins should be moved to a shade structure (open-sided roofed building), or covered with bin covers or light-colored tarps if they cannot be immediately transported to the packinghouse. Never leave filled bins exposed to the direct sun. The surface layer of fruit can easily heat up to more than 15 °F above ambient temperature when exposed to direct sun. Acute sunburn will only show on fruit after it is packed and is a major quality detractor.

    To avoid water loss and decreased fruit quality do not hold fruit too long after harvest. Transport fruit to the packinghouse at least once per day, if not twice daily. Bins should not be left in the grove for more than 8 hours after harvest. Cover bins during transport to avoid sunburn and to reduce water loss.

    For more information about managing heat in avocado groves, growers can view the following articles on the California avocado growers’ website:

    •    Managing Heat in California Avocado Groves
    •    Managing Avocado Heat Damage
    •    Best Practices for California Avocado Groves Impacted by Excessive Heat