There is a lot going on in Ag politics right now. Other than the tariff wars going on currently, check out what Jim Zion shared in his legislative update report at the recent Pistachio Conference in this brief interview. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
With new pesticide regulations in effect this year, it’s important for growers to review the changes, as shared by Andrew Smith from the Sonoma County Ag Commissioner’s office back at the Sonoma Grape Expo. He shared some important things to know about the new regulations for pesticide use around school sites and the April 30th annual notification deadline rapidly approaching. Watch his brief interview for some key points.
When do you start pruning pistachios? Topping, hedging, hand-pruning… How do you go about it? Watch this interview with UCCE Emeritus Farm Advisor Bob Beede as he shares some tips at the Annual American Pistachio Growers Conference. Read more about it in Bob’s monthly column in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
There is a new California Water Bond coming down the pipeline for the November elections, with much promise to benefit California farmers. Watch this interview with California Fresh Fruit Association President George Radanovich at their annual conference as he briefly shares what the bond comprises.
“The raisin price is going up this year” is what raisin growers were looking to hear at the 51st Annual Meeting of the Raisin Bargaining Association (RBA), and that is exactly what RBA representatives shared at their recent gathering in downtown Fresno. Watch this brief interview with RBA CEO Kalem Barserian following his address at the meeting, and read the full report in the April issue of American Vineyard Magazine.
The Almond Alliance of California recently announced new President and CEO Elaine Trevino, who just started on the job at the beginning of this month. It was sad to lose former CEO Kelly Covello, who made tremendous contributions to the association and the almond industry, but the Board is excited to embark on a new era with Elaine, who introduces herself in this video and will address the industry at their upcoming annual convention, May 1-3. Watch this brief video and read more it in the April issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
Powdery mildew is an early season disease and growers should have a strategy in place as to how to manage it. Viticulture Farm Advisor Rhonda Smith talked about this at the recent Sonoma Grape Expo. Watch this interview with Rhonda as she offers some considerations for growers moving into the 2018 growing season.
What if you could have a pistachio variety that you could harvest earlier to reduce the chances of having Navel Orangeworm damage and concern for Aflatoxin levels? Well, the new early ‘Gumdrop’ pistachio is here. At the Annual American Pistachio Growers Conference, Bob Klein from the Pistachio Research Board talked about this new variety that is now available to growers on a small scale. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
With all the new tree nut orchards being planted in California, it’s important to remember that weed management is a priority, and it starts even before the planting process. Watch this brief interview with UCCE Farm Advisor Kurt Hembree as he explains, and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
The recent early Spring freeze hit various Ag commodities all over the state, and the extent of the damage so far is unknown. Fortunately, most vineyards were still dormant at the time; however, some early white wine grapes, such as Chardonnay, had begun budbreak when the freeze hit. Watch this interview with Temecula grower JD Harkey, who shared how some of the vineyards fared. Read more in the April issue of American Vineyard Magazine, coming soon!