California Ag Network

Tag: Malcolm Media

  • New Export Opportunities for Almond Hulls

    As California almond production continues to increase, so does the amount of coproducts such as hulls and shells.  Traditionally, much of these coproducts have been sold to California dairies as cattle feed and bedding amendments; however, the increase in production has led the industry to pursue further marketing opportunities and uses for these coproducts.  Watch this brief interview with Elaine Trevino from the Almond Alliance of California as she shares some exciting news regarding export opportunities and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Don’t Miss Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo Nov. 12-13

    Save the dates, Thursday & Friday, November 12th-13th for the annual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo held in an exciting new virtual format this year.  Historically held at the Big Fresno Fairgrounds by Malcolm Media Ag Publishing in cooperation with California Ag Network, Pacific Nut Producer, American Vineyard, and California Fresh Fruit Magazines, it is the ultimate postharvest industry gathering place for regional grape, nut & tree fruit growers and crop advisors.

    Fresno is the number one Ag County in the state and the center of the Central Valley’s rich and diverse agricultural production. Nearly a thousand growers, PCAs and industry stakeholders attend this annual expo to enjoy State of the Almond, Pistachio, Walnut, Pecan, Tree Fruit, Citrus, Raisin, Table & Wine Grape Industry presentations, Continuing Education Credited IPM seminars, great food & company, and an industry trade show featuring over a hundred Ag businesses.

    “2020 has been a year fraught with many challenges, and it has never been more critical for growers, PCAs and industry stakeholders to get together virtually to address the evolving needs of our essential agricultural industry,” shares Matthew Malcolm, Managing Editor at Malcolm Media Ag Publishing. “Our team, in collaboration with key industry partners, has put together an outstanding virtual program you won’t want to miss. Our special online format of the expo this year will include greater opportunities for our attendees to participate in more seminars, and obtain a greater number of FREE continuing education credits in a year where credited seminars have been more difficult to come by. The online format of our expos this year has been carefully designed to be user friendly and not require attendees to download any apps in order to participate. We are also pleased to announce a special 30-minute presentation featuring the USDA Farm Service Agency to assist growers that have faced financial difficulties this year due to COVID-19, wildfires, and other disaster-related issues.  Although we will miss meeting with all our industry friends in person this year, walking the bustling exhibition halls and enjoying the delicious breakfast burritos and tri-tip sandwiches, attendees will be pleased this year with special online features we’ve developed to help connect them with our generous sponsors and virtual exhibitors. We look forward to gathering virtually with you all in your homes, offices and farms this year.”

    This event is FREE to attend and wouldn’t be possible without the generous support of local industry associations, universities and our sponsors this year: Barrier Solar, Firman Pollen, Sun-Maid Growers, Almond Board of California, Ceres Imaging, Raisin Bargaining Association, Wonderful Nurseries, Semios, Almond Alliance of California, American Pistachio Growers, Fresno State Viticulture & Enology and the California Fresh Fruit Association.

    New to this year is an upgraded registration system (pre-register online HERE) that includes the ability to preregister for any CE credits attendees would like to receive.  Five hours of PCA/PA/QAL/QAC credits and ten hours of CCA credits have been approved for this event (must attend both days of the event for maximum credit; however, partial credit may be obtain for each seminar attended).

    As the deadline approaches for growers to apply for CFAP2, farm loans and disaster assistance, the USDA Farm Service Agency will also be conducting a brief workshop to assist growers in signing up for eligible programs.  See the full program by clicking the link below for more details.

    This event along with other Malcolm Media Ag Expos has generated nearly $150,000 in scholarship endowments for the agricultural programs at Cal Poly-San Luis Obispo, Fresno State, Santa Rosa Junior College and UC Davis.  Interested in exhibiting/sponsoring? Visit agexpo.biz/exhibit and give us a call at 559-298-6020 to see what options are still available.

    PREREGISTER

    AGENDA

  • Wildfire Impact on CA Almond Harvest & Crop Update

    Are California almond growers really going to reach their record 3 billion pound crop this year? How have the wildfires impacted the harvest season? What kind of pest pressure levels are growers experiencing this year? What should almond growers expect at the virtual Almond Board Conference this year?  Watch this brief interview with Richard Waycott from the Almond Board of California to find out and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Taking Vineyard Sustainability to the Next Level with Climate Adaptation Certification


    Sonoma County Winegrowers have reached nearly 100% certified sustainability in their growing practices, but they are not settling just at that.  They are currently working with the California Land Stewardship Institute to develop a Climate Adaption Certification program and launched a pilot program this year in preparation.  Watch this brief interview with Laurel Marcus as she explains and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Four Things All Pistachio Growers Should Know This Harvest

    Are American Pistachio Growers really going to reach their record billion pound crop this year? How have the wildfires impacted the crop/harvest season? What kind of pest pressure levels are growers experiencing this year? What should pistachio growers know about Round II of the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program.  Watch this brief interview with Richard Matoian from American Pistachio Growers to find out and don’t miss his annual State of the Pistachio industry address at the virtual Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on November 12th.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • CA Raisin Crop Update & Wildfire Impact

    With smoke-filled skies and ongoing wildfires in forested areas, one may wonder just how the California raisin industry may be impacted by all this.  As harvest continues through the pandemic year, what should we expect from the 2020 crop?  Watch this brief interview with Rick Stark from Sun-Maid growers to find out and read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • What to Expect from the 2020 California Wine Crop

    Wildfires and smoke exposure aside, what is the 2020 wine grape crop looking like.  Jeff Bitter from Allied Grape Growers reports that the crop could be much smaller than expected with supply and demand returning to a more balanced state.  Watch his brief interview now and be sure to attend Jeff Bitter’s State of the wine grape industry address at American Vineyard’s virtual Central Coast Grape Grape Expo on Nov. 6th and the Central Valley Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo on Nov. 13.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Reality of the Wildfire Impact on the 2020 Winegrape Crop


    Many of our wine grape industry friends and families have been impacted by the recent wildfires, and our hearts and prayers go out to them. Although vineyards tend to act as fire breaks helping to mitigate the spread of these wildfires, growers and winemakers are concerned about what the smoke exposure impact will have on the 2020 vintage.  Please watch this brief interview with Jeff Bitter from Allied Grape Growers as he corrects some misconceptions about smoke exposure and clarifies the most likely impact the wildfires will have on the 2020 California crop — and how grape growers should proceed to finish up harvest.  Read more about it in American Vineyard Magazine.
     
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Getting More Consistent Yields in Pistachios

    Pistachios are alternate bearing by nature, getting higher yields one year and then following with a short harvest.  The trees may enjoy the break every other year, but more consistent yields would be much more preferable to the grower and an expanding pistachio industry.  Watch this brief interview with UCCE Emeritus Farm Advisor Bob Beede as he shares about some trials that have been conducted to effectively reduce the volatility in pistachio yields from year to year and the effects of tree age and rootstock selection on its alternate bearing nature.  Read Bob’s monthly Pistachio Orchard Tasks column in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Special thanks to this video’s sponsor Suterra.

  • Turning Almond Shells into Plastics & Tires

    Here is a throwback video from a previous annual convention of the Almond Alliance of California as many were disappointed by the cancellation of the annual convention this year due to COVID-19 restrictions; however, very interesting research performed by USDA exploring alternative uses for almond hulls and shells — including plastics and vehicle tires through a process of torrefaction. Watch this brief interview Bill Orts Bioproducts Research Leader at USDA and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra by taking this brief Survey.