California Ag Network

Tag: Pistachio Growers

  • Market Growing for Organic Pistachios

    The conversion to organic can take three to four years for pistachio growers, but it has significant potential as the market grows. Leading these efforts is Setton Farms, the largest producer of organic pistachios in America. Setton COO Mia Cohen recently spoke with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to discuss the recent trends in marketing and the industry. Watch this quick video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Studies Indicate Pistachios Healthier than Previously Thought

    Once cautioned against as fattening, new research indicates that pistachios are actually a superfood. Studies have shown the nut helps in lowering triglycerides and curbing appetite. Dr. Nikhil Dhurandhar from Texas Tech and Amber Wilson with American Pistachio Growers spoke recently with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to go over these recent findings. Watch this quick interview and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • When to Spray for Navel Orangeworm

    Navel orangeworm can be devastating for almond and pistachio growers and knowing when and where to spray can often depend on weather. Researchers have been working with state weather services to collect data and determine the best spraying times. Washington State entomologist Dave Crowder discussed these efforts recently with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network. Watch this quick video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Pistachio Demand Skyrockets in India

    Demand for pistachios is so high in India that American growers are having a hard time keeping up. This is facilitated in part by the viral rise of Dubai chocolate, while a new trade agreement with the United States could unlock new opportunities. At the annual American Pistachio Growers Conference, Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network spoke with APG India In-Market Representative Sumit Saran to go over these developments. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

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

  • Lower Global Harvest Benefits American Pistachios

    Pistachio growers are having a hard time keeping up with skyrocketing global demands despite a record crop, but down years in Iran and Turkey may keep buyers from going elsewhere. Meanwhile, American Pistachio Growers has seen unprecedented opportunities for marketing and exports. At the annual APG Conference, Vice President of Global Marketing Scott Fryer discussed these latest developments with Matthew Malcolm from Pacific Nut Producer. Watch this quick interview and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

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

  • Surging Pistachio Demand Outpaces Supply

    The pistachio industry is seeing unprecedented success, but there are still headwinds to look out for as high demand means that growers and processors alike are having a hard time keeping up with the consumers. At the American Pistachio Growers Conference, President and CEO Zachary Fraser urged everyone to stay “humble and hungry” as they meet any upcoming challenges head-on. Fraser spoke with Matthew Malcolm with California Ag Network to talk about what’s new in the pistachio industry, and what to expect moving forward. Watch this video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. (Editors Note: Since the filming of this interview, Zachary Fraser has departed from American Pistachio Growers.)

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

  • Land Tax Dispute

     

    Growers in Cochise County, Arizona are fighting back against a proposed tax increase on land used for permanent crops like pistachios, pecans and wine grapes. Growers like John Heuler have fought back and won in tax and appeals courts, but the county is taking the dispute to the State Supreme Court. At the American Pistachio Growers’ Annual Conference, Heuler spoke with Matthew Malcolm from Malcolm Media Ag Publishing to go over the latest details. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

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

  • High Demand Means Bright Outlook for Pistachio Industry

    Pistachio harvests were slightly smaller than initially anticipated, but still set record numbers. Optimism is also high with rising demand for pistachios. At Malcolm Media’s Grape, Nut & Tree Fruit Expo and in an interview with Matthew Malcolm on California Ag Net, American Pistachio Growers President/CEO Zachary Fraser discusses the state of the pistachio industry. Watch this brief video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going on at Fresno State, Thanks to Pistachio Harvester Partnership with OXBO

    Thanks to a collaborative partnership with OXBO, Fresno State ag students have hands-on access to state-of-the-art pistachio harvesting equipment. During the thick of pistachio harvest, Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Ag instructor John Williams, Jordan College of Agriculture Dean Rolston St. Hilaire, and OXBO Fruit Division President Robert Huckaby out in the Fresno State pistachio orchard to explain the collaborative nature of this partnership and how it stands to benefit the future of the pistachio industry. Watch this brief interview and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • American Pistachio Growers Awarded $1 Million for Regional Pest Management Collaboration

    American Pistachio Growers (APG), in collaboration with Washington State University, University of California – Riverside, UC Cooperative Extension, the USDA Agricultural Research Service and regional nut industry partners, has been awarded a $1 million grant through the California Department of Food and Agriculture’s Biologically Integrated Farming Systems (BIFS) Program to develop a Regional Integrated Pest Management (IPM) network for Navel Orangeworm (NOW) — the most damaging pest in California’s tree nut industry.

    The project, led by Dr. Houston Wilson (UC Riverside), Dr. David Crowder (WSU), Dr. Jhalendra Rijal (UC IPM), and Dr. Charles Burks (USDA ARS) will pilot a groundbreaking Decision Aid System (DAS) that integrates real-time trap data, weather models, and crop phenology into a single communication platform. The goal is to improve the timing and precision of pest control decisions while fostering regional cooperation among almond, pistachio, and walnut growers.

    “This project moves us beyond the farm gate,” said Joe Coelho, APG’s Director of Sustainability and Member Outreach, who serves as Technical Agronomist and PCA on the project. “For the first time, growers across commodities will have access to shared regional data and communication tools that allow them to anticipate pest pressure before it hits their fields and ultimately make precise, timely treatment decisions. The outcome is fewer sprays, lower costs, and higher quality nuts.”

    Through field-level data acquisition, the system’s meta-analytics will identify regional flight trends coupled with crop-specific phenological development and enhance forecasting of NOW flights — critical steps in breaking the pest’s lifecycle across neighboring farms. Ultimately, the program is expected to help reduce pesticide use, improve nut quality, and lower aflatoxin risk associated with pest damage.

    APG will serve as the grower administration partner, coordinating grower participation and outreach. Carlee Branco, APG Grant Programs Administrator, will conduct on-farm grower coordination, engagement and data collection. “This is a major milestone for sustainable pest management,” said Coelho, “and it demonstrates APG’s leadership in advancing research that directly benefits growers.”

    The Regional IPM for Navel Orangeworm Project represents a pivotal step toward the state’s Sustainable Pest Management (SPM) Roadmap by providing a scalable, data-driven framework that can be expanded statewide.

    “This is exactly the kind of innovation California agriculture needs,” said Dr. Wilson. “Regional coordination is essential to long-term pest reduction, especially for highly mobile insects like the navel orangeworm, and this project will now put those ideas into practice at scale.”

    The program launches in early 2026, with pilot regions in West Fresno County and Modesto, serving as the foundation for a future statewide expansion. Growers within these territories who are interested should contact Carlee Branco for more information at cbranco@americanpistachios.org.

    American Pistachio Growers (APG) is a non-profit trade association representing more than 800 growers and processors across California, Arizona, and New Mexico. APG’s mission is to enhance grower profitability through global marketing, industry research, and sustainability initiatives that promote economically viable and environmentally responsible pistachio production.