West Coast Nut - December 2023

Merry Christmas

WEST COAST NUT

December 2023 ISSUE IN THIS ISSUE:

PROJECTION OF BIG CROP PRESENTS MANAGEMENT CHALLENGES SEE PAGE 4

EFFECTIVE AERIAL APPLICAITON OF FOLIAR NUTRIENTS SEE PAGE 8

January 10th in Fresno, California

For more information, see page 51 January 31st in Chico, California

For more information, see page 33

PRODUCED IN THE HEART OF

BY REAL CALIFORNIANS

PUBLICATION

Merry Christmas

From JCS Marketing

There is no question that this year has been a difficult one for all of us. Through it all agriculture as always has remained strong and resilient, one of the many reasons I and the JCS family love this industry we serve.

To give back this year, JCS Marketing invited Fox News co-host Jesse Watters to meet with growers, dignitaries and local political leaders at our My Ag Nite celebration.

It was a reminder of what we all stand for and the values we share. The evening was a tribute to the toil and triumphs of farming, the grace of God, the steadfastness of our conservative values, and the precious freedoms we cherish.

We stand united on the fertile grounds of California, a land bountiful and generous. Yet, it’s with a heavy heart that we must acknowledge the looming shadow over our livelihoods. Agriculture, the lifeblood of the nation, is under siege. Regulations, unfounded criticisms, and economic pressures threaten to uproot our way of life, a way of life that feeds the world and represents the American spirit.

But as we approach a new year, let us remember that adversity seeds resilience. We are the custodians of this earth, the guardians of our heritage. It is not merely soil that we till, but the very foundation of our children’s future. Our legacy is etched in rows of tilled earth, in the sweat on our brows, and in the silent prayers whispered over our crops.

As Californians, as Americans, we must defend this legacy. If we do not stand resolute in protecting agriculture, the roots of this great land will wither. We must be the voice for the voiceless crops and the untold stories of the trees.

We cannot, we shall not, let this pass. Our resolve and commitment must not waver. We must nurture and defend our heritage, for in doing so, we safeguard the heart of our nation.

My Ag Nite helped to reaffirm our commitment. To the soil, to the soul of our nation, we pledge our unwavering dedication. For if we lose our grasp on agriculture, we lose ourselves.

This is my message and my promise to you, the loyal readers of West Coast Nut. God bless you, God bless our precious land and God bless America.

Award Winning Editorial By the Industry, For the Industry Publisher: Jason Scott Email: jason@jcsmarketinginc.com Editor: Marni Katz Email: marni@jcsmarketinginc.com Associate Editor: Cecilia Parsons Email: cecilia@jcsmarketinginc.com Production: design@jcsmarketinginc.com Tel: 559.352.4456 Fax: 559.472.3113 Web: www.wcngg.com

Contributing Writers & Industry Support Almond Board of California Contributing Writer Vicky Boyd Contributing Writer Lori Fairchild Contributing Writer Theresa Kiehn President and CEO, AgSafe Rich Kreps CCA, SSp., Contributing Writer Mitch Lies Contributing Writer Catherine Merlo Contributing Writer

Franz Niederholzer UCCE Farm Advisor, Colusa and Sutter/Yuba Counties Kristin Platts Digital Content Editor Priscilla Rodriguez Assistant Vice President, Western Agricultural Processors Association Rita Ruiz Safety and Food Safety Specialist, Western Agricultural Processors Association Mike Wade Caliofrnia Farm Water Coalition

UC Cooperative Extension Advisory Board Surendra K. Dara Director, North Willamette Research and Extension Center Kevin Day County Director/UCCE Pomology Farm Advisor, Tulare/Kings Counties Elizabeth Fichtner UCCE Farm Advisor, Tulare County

Katherine Jarvis-Shean UCCE Area Orchard Systems Advisor, Yolo and Solano Steven Koike Tri-Cal Diagnostics Jhalendra Rijal UCCE Integrated Pest Management Advisor, Stanislaus County Mohammad Yaghmour UCCE Area Orchard Systems Advisor, Kern County

View our ePublication on the web at www.wcngg.com

The articles, research, industry updates, company profiles, and advertisements in this publication are the professional opinions of writers and advertisers.

West Coast Nut does not assume any responsibility for the opinions given in the publication.

IN THIS ISSUE 4 8

Projection of Big Crop Presents Management Challenges Concentration, Coverage and Communication Needed for Effective Aerial Application of Foliar Nutrients

14 Money Matters: A CPA’s Advice for Now and Later 20 A Perfect Storm: Lack of winter sanitation, cost cutting, drawnout hull split and harvest cause NOW

24 Roger Isom Presented with 2023 West Coast Nut Industry Titan Award

26 Plan Ahead for a Possible El Niño Year 30 An Important Reminder in Huller and Processor Safety 34 Sacramento Valley Tree Nut Orchards: Winter Considerations 38 New Almond Board CEO Joins Association During Critical Time to Tell Almonds’ Story

44 Trials Provide Data to Help with Rootstock Choice 48 The Sacramento Valley Shows There is a Better Way to Manage Water

52 NOW Pressure Economics and Importance of Winter Sanitation 56 Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: ‘It is Here and Causing an Issue’ in Hazelnut

64 Biostimulants Find a Path Under FIFRA Amendment 72 New Research Sheds Light on Carbohydrate Storage and Zinc Levels After Harvest

76 Beetle Pest Presents New Challenge for Almond and Pistachio Growers

82 Karun Samran of Bapu Farming Co. is Committed to Family Farming Legacy

Correction In a September 2023 issue of West Coast Nut, an article on postharvest nutrition in pistachio orchards mistakenly identified Katherine Jarvis-Shean as the researcher in a nitrogen uptake trial. That work was done by another researcher at UC Davis. The trial resulted in the recommendation that 20% of the annual nitrogen budget be applied when the pistachio crop reaches maturity or shortly after harvest.

December 2023

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3

INPUTS

AG SUMMIT

Projection of Big Crop Presents Management Challenges

By MITCH LIES | Contributing Writer

Growers will be challenged to make crop input decisions for a large crop given low returns this year.

C

rop inputs, always important in almond production, are even more so in a big crop year. And with budgets tight after low prices and average yields the last two years, Franz Niederholzer, UCCE farm advisor for Colusa, Sutter and Yuba counties, said the upcoming year could present significant challenges for almond growers.

“This upcoming year will be perhaps the most challenging year in a while if this large crop scenario comes through,” Niederholzer said. “Growers are generally working with a smaller budget, but

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December 2023

they could be facing higher demands for in 2024 is nitrogen, Niederholzer said. certain inputs.”

“Successfully producing a big crop requires a lot of nitrogen. The bigger the After two straight years of light crop, the more your nitrogen demand crops, many are projecting the 2024 al- is going to be.” mond crop to be a big crop to the tune An almond tree has sizable nitrogen of 3 billion pounds. With that in mind, needs throughout most of the spring, Niederholzer offered some advice to Niederholzer said, and UC Davis help growers get the most out of their recommends spoon feeding it through 2024 almond crop. irrigation systems on a weekly basis.

Applications should begin as early as Nitrogen March, depending on the weather, and Perhaps the most important input almond growers need to think about Continued on Page 6

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December 2023

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5

sium per unit of crop produced than nitrogen, Niederholzer said, typically using about 90 pounds of potash (K 2O) per 1,000 pounds of kernel crop, versus about 68 pounds of nitrogen for the same amount of crop.

As for application timing, Niederholzer said there is no sweet spot for applying potassium. The crop uses potassium at a regular clip from March through July.

The object is to keep adequate levels of the nutrient available to Managing for a big crop in tight times requires reviewing past seasons and careful planning (photo by the crop throughout Vicky Boyd) the growing season.

Growers with high-pH soils “We’re not looking for maximum can use potassium thiosulfate Continued from Page 4 nutrient management, but for optimum to help lower pH, he added, and grownutrient management,” he added. “If ers with low-pH soils can use potassiyou have a big crop, take regular leaf um carbonate, an alkaline source, to start to slow by hull split in late June sampling, certainly in the spring, to bring up soil pH. “There is a price tag when a tree’s nitrogen demands tail off. see if you’re falling behind and feed that comes with those amendments,” “UC Davis used to recommend a accordingly.”

Niederholzer said, “but both of those 20/30/30/20 program, where you put One alternate source of nitrogen products are effective and come in 20% of your nitrogen on early, say that growers can consider involves stable liquid form.” the middle of March at full leaf-out, planting a legume cover crop. “That is Also, when applying potassium in followed by 30% at shell hardening and an alternative source that may help a dry form, Niederholzer said growers another 30% at nut fill and then angrower cut down on the nitrogen they should make sure it is applied where other 20% later in the season,” Niederbring in on the truck,” Niederholzer water will be applied the next year. holzer said. “That program increased said. Groundwater nitrates are an “You want to band it as close to the nitrogen use efficiency compared to additional source of nitrogen to be con- dripline as you can,” he said. previous programs, but now Dr. Patrick sidered. Growers can use the Almond One alternative source of potassium Brown’s lab at Davis recommends Board of California’s booklet Nitrogen can be found in almond shells. “They applying so many units a week and diBest Management Practices to fine tune are not a huge source (about 35 pounds rectly feeding it through your sprinkler their nitrogen program, he added.

K 2O per ton), but if you could put on system in the amount that corresponds two to three tons of shells per acre, to the crop use at that time.

Potassium it’s good mulch for the winter, helps “Knowing when the crop is going to Like nitrogen deficiencies, potasincrease water infiltration and lessens use it and getting it delivered efficiently sium deficiencies should be avoided. erosion,” he said. “And the potassium is critical to both nitrogen and potassi- “Maintaining good potassium levels, or in those shells will leach out with the um applications,” Niederholzer said. at least adequate potassium levels, is rainfall and you’re putting potassium Neglecting a tree’s nitrogen demand essential to the long-term productivity back in the orchard, and that’s a plus.” can result in smaller nuts and, deof an orchard,” Niederholzer said. pending on how deficient the nitrogen, In a light crop year, soil potassium Crop Diseases could lower the next year’s yield as well. can be enough to meet a crop’s needs, When it comes to managing crop “For long-term productivity, you want Niederholzer said, but in a big crop diseases, Niederholzer again said growto try to stay above those minimum leaf year, it can be deficient, especially if ers should be vigilant. “This last year, nitrogen and potassium levels,” Nieder- maintenance applications are not kept there were growers that skipped a funholzer said. up. Almonds, in fact, use more potasgicide spray with rain in the forecast 6

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December 2023

hoping it wouldn’t rain, and it turned out it actually did rain and they had disease outbreaks,” he said. Leaf loss from rust, scab, Alternaria and anthracnose can reduce flowers and yield the following year as well as affect the current year’s crop.

Niederholzer said growers may be able to skip a second fungicide application if conditions are dry. “One good spray where there’s very little rain at bloom is going to be effective,” he said. If rain is in the picture, growers will want to consider two applications.

If going with a single application, doing so when 40% to 50% of the flowers are open is recommended. In a wet year, recommendations are to come in at pink bud stage and at full bloom.

Avoiding any bloom sprays is risky, Niederholzer said.

“One good dew event and there could be infection,” he said.

“So, budget for one spray as much as possible and talk with your PCA about making sure the one spray contains the materials to give you maximum pest control at that timing.”

Group 3 fungicides are effective on the main diseases of concern in almonds, including brown rot, he said, but not so much on jacket rot, which can be a problem in a year with a cool bloom period. Group 9 fungicides are generally effective on jacket rot, so should be considered as a tank mix partner in a cool bloom year, he said.

Insect Pests

As for insect control, Niederholzer said it is important to remove mummies from orchard floors to protect against navel orangeworm infestations. Occurrences this past year when many growers lost significant yield to the pest drive that home, he said.

“The critical first step is to do orchard sanitation,” he said.

“Shaking the mummies out of the trees and sweeping them up and destroying them is always important. It is even more important in a year like this next year when the overwintering population coming out of this crop should be very high.”

As for insect sprays, Niederholzer said whenever possible growers should consider using materials that don’t harm natural enemies. “Research shows that spraying materials that are safe on beneficial mites and insects can really help manage your mites,” he said. A list of pesticides and their impact on beneficial insects in almond production is available at ipm. ucanr.edu.

A careful spray job that delivers the best coverage possible gives the best return on any money spent on product, diesel and labor, Niederholzer added.

In general, Niederholzer said managing for a big crop in tight times means prioritizing proven inputs and cutting back due to budget demands, but not ignoring proven practices.

“Economic sustainability will come from working somewhere between ‘not missing any chance to spray’ and ‘walking away from critical inputs.’

“Growers know this from experience, but reviewing and careful planning should be helpful going into what could be another challenging year,” Niederholzer said.

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December 2023

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7

Concentration, Coverage and Communication Needed for Effective Aerial Application of Foliar Nutrients

By CECILIA PARSONS | Associate Editor

8

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December 2023

Coverage is a key benefit of aerial applications, especially in the upper canopy of mature trees.

A

erial application of foliar nutrients in an orchard can be an effective method to achieve the desired plant uptake in a small window of time.

“We are not just spraying material on the trees; we want to make sure it gets into the plant,” CCA Rich Kreps said.

Aerial applications of foliar nutrients have been done for decades, he said, and the application technology has im-

proved; however, regulations, adverse weather conditions and miscommunication between crop consultants and pilots can throw a monkey wrench into the best application plans.

Determining the nutrients needed by the trees to reach production potential, calculating the application rate and complying with regulations requires knowledge of tree nutrition demands

and uptake, communication, applicator skills and equipment that can do the job.

Doug Thiel, founder of Thiel Air Care in Chowchilla, Calif., said ag aviation technology has been around for the past 15 to 20 years and has given applicators the ability to make precision and variable rate applications of

December 2023

Continued on Page 10 www.wcngg.com

9

Many of the same rules for ground applications also apply for aerial application: good communication, calibration and speed among them.

Continued from Page 9 foliar nutrients. In fixed wing aircraft, flow controls are accurate within a

tenth of a gallon, he said. Flow rates, swath widths and acres per minute are all calculations that can be made to ensure good plant coverage. Global po-

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sitioning systems show the exact track of the application.

In a presentation at the California Association of Pest Control Advisors annual meeting, Thiel noted modern aircraft can deliver foliar nutrients at the desired rates and swath width while preventing drift. “We can’t afford to simply pump water anymore. We are better than that in this day and age.”

Each application has its own mission, he said. Drip control, coverage and efficacy are some desired outcomes.

Different amounts of water and different droplet sizes make each application unique. It is important, he stressed, that pilots, growers and PCAs communicate their needs.

Thiel said calculation of the application rate is needed to comply with regulations and achieve the desired nutrient concentration on the leaves without causing damage. Aerial applications can also increase the nutrient concentration in droplets, offering improved uptake by the leaves.

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Paul Leonardo, PCA with Simplot, said a correctly calibrated aerial application of foliar nutrients can deliver a higher concentration of the nutrients per droplet than ground delivery.

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December 2023

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Nutrient Concentration

Continued from Page 10 “That is the goal of a foliar application, to get the nutrients into the plant.”

Kreps said application type depends on the nutrient and the mix. Getting the pH right will allow more penetration into the leaves. The objective is for maximum absorption into the plant tissue with minimum damage to the plant tissue.

Leonardo explained aircraft delivery can put out 10 times the nutrient concentration in each droplet.

Type of foliar nutrient and timing of application depends on many factors including soil type, water source and variety.

Leonardo said foliar applications can be an efficient way to get nutrients into a plant, but the key is the nutrient concentration in each droplet. For leaves or buds to take up the nutrient, the droplet must contain a higher concentration of the nutrient than the leaf.

Aircraft speed is the dominant factor in determining spray droplet size because the high-speed air around the plane shears the liquid as it leaves the nozzles. Droplet size affects plant coverage. At equal volume, halving the droplet diameter creates eight times as many droplets. Quartering creates 64 times as many droplets. The smaller the diameter, the greater number of droplets and less control an applicator has over where they land. Minimizing fine droplets limits drift offsite. In addition to the increased concentration of the nutrient in each droplet, air delivery can ensure good coverage throughout the tree canopy.

“We look at what we are trying to accomplish. For example, applying a foliar nutrient in the fall on almond trees can be done to load nutrients the tree needs for a good bloom.

Bloom is a high need time and trees need the stored energy through bloom for pollen tube development and fertilization that will hold more nuts on the tree. Bloom time is another common time for foliar nutrient applications, Leonardo said.

Today’s modern aircraft and a skilled pilot ensure the material is landing where it is needed.

“The planes used for aerial applications have the equipment necessary to provide excellent coverage at a fast rate.

One plane can cover about 1500 acres in a day compared to maybe 50 with a ground rig,” Leonardo said. This is important, he added, when there is a small window for the application.

Weather a Factor

The National Agricultural Aviation Association states aerial applications must deposit the same amount of the product across the orchard or field. Spray booms and nozzles are

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mounted to account for how propellers and nozzles push air around the aircraft and direct liquid flow from each nozzle.

Aircraft wings create a wake of air that pushes spray down and away, allowing the spray boom to cover an area wider than its length. Applications are made in trapezoidal patterns so each pass partially overlaps to ensure even coverage across the orchard. Calibration determines the exact swath width and overlap needed for even distribution.

Weather conditions dictate if foliar applications can be made as scheduled or if they must be postponed. Calm winds, low humidity and clear weather are favorable for ae-

rial applications. Temperatures above 85 degrees F or windy conditions can increase risk of drift and product evaporation.

Depending on the application, buffer zones around dwellings must be observed.

Kreps said for an application to work, communication is important. “You want to have someone helping the crew mix the application, to monitor and to answer any questions. The technology is there to do good applications, but it has to be done according to the recommendation.”

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Money Matters: A CPA’s Advice for Now and Later Eight tips to help minimize your farm’s tax obligations and make better business decisions.

By CATHERINE MERLO | Contributing Writer Reviewing your numbers at year’s end is key for good business decisions (photo by C. Merlo.)

H

ow much can I take in bonus depreciation? Can I still use Section 179? What’s my tax bill going to be?

Tree nut growers routinely raise these questions in their year-end meetings with CPA Jeff Bowman, a principal with Modesto-based accounting and business advisory firm Grimbleby Coleman.

Bowman totally understands why.

Tax rules change. Income rises and falls. Family dynamics shift. Land and equipment are bought and sold.

Everybody wants to keep more of what they’ve earned while lowering their tax burden.

“That’s why reviewing your numbers at year’s end is key for good business decisions,” said Bowman. “We can potentially uncover some opportunities to save or make you money. We can find areas where you can improve or make changes. Plus, you’ll be better prepared 14

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December 2023

when tax time rolls around.”

Here are key tips for tree nut growers to consider as 2023 winds down and the new year unfolds: Make the most of bonus depreciation before December 31.

“People need to know this tool is starting to lose some of its edge,” Bowman said.

The bonus depreciation tax incentive allows a business to deduct a large percentage of the purchase price of eligible assets like equipment in the same year they’re purchased, rather than write “Bonus depreciation is losing some of its edge,” them off over the “useful life” of that says CPA Jeff Bowman (photo courtesy J. asset.

Bowman.)

Up to 2022, you could write off 100% of the cost of those assets. For 2023, however, the bonus depreciabeyond equipment. “According to the tion dropped to 80%. Next year, the IRS, a purchase means any kind of asset allowance falls further to 60%. You with a 20-year-or-shorter life,” he said. have until Dec. 31, 2023 to capitalize on “It means any kind of farm building (an this year’s 80% bonus depreciation. office, a shop, farm storage). So, you Bowman urged growers to think could use the bonus depreciation to de-

Farming losses this year can be offset against taxes paid two years ago, CPA Jeff Bowman says (photo by C. Merlo.)

duct that purchase in the year you place it in service. That’s big.”

“If the bonus depreciation continues to phase out and Congress doesn’t make any changes to it over the next year or two, we’ll have to start thinking about Section 179 again,” Bowman added.

Keep Section 179 on your radar.

Under this incentive, the IRS allows farmers to deduct the full purchase price of certain equipment and other assets for the year it was placed in service. That’s higher than the 80% depreciation allowance, offering you a lower tax liability.

The Section 179 deduction limit for 2023 is $1.16 million. The total equipment purchase limit stands at $2.89 million. Both dollar limits are up from 2022. This deduction is good on new and used equipment as well as off-theshelf software.

Like bonus depreciation, Section 179 rules also cover what’s known as “10-year assets.” These include trees and orchards. If you buy a piece of property

Continued on Page 16

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Bonus depreciation and Section 179 allow a partial tax deduction of “10-year assets” such as trees and orchards in the year they’re purchased (photo by C. Merlo.)

Continued from Page 15 that has an orchard on it, you can deduct a portion of the cost the year you buy the orchard.

“That’s a big tool we’ve used if clients are buying property to offset other income or gains,” Bowman said.

Keep in mind that, unlike bonus depreciation, Section 179 deductions are limited by taxable income. “So, work with your CPA to maximize planning and carry-forward opportunities,” he said.

In addition, to take the Section 179 deduction for tax year 2023, the equipment or asset must be financed or purchased and put into service between Jan. 1, 2023 and the end of the day on Dec. 31, 2023.

Bear in mind that farming losses this year can be offset against taxes from two years ago.

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December 2023

If you paid tax in a prior year because you had a very good year, and now you have a loss, you can amend or re-file your tax return and get some of that tax back. “It’s an option if you’re running into a farm-related loss this year and paid a lot of tax in the last two years,” said Bowman.

This could apply if you purchased property and take a large bonus depreciation expense, which creates a loss.

Remember that higher limits for estate gift-giving will expire in 2025.

In 2023, the estate tax exemption for an individual is $12.92 million; for married couples, it’s $25.84 million. These limits will expire at the end of 2025 and revert to lower levels.

You may want to think about taking advantage of these higher levels now in passing on your estate or other higher-valued assets before the exemption falls.

“Some clients think they don’t have a big estate until we sit down and talk about what your land is worth at today’s values,” Bowman said.

Take another look at your estate plan.

When was the last time you reviewed this document? Sometimes people think once their estate plan is completed, they don’t have to touch it again. That’s not true, said Bowman.

It’s worth checking it now so you have time to make any needed changes.

Estate planning is one of the most important things you can do for your future. It protects, in writing, your family, farm and assets. It clarifies how you’ll transition or transfer your business when you’re no longer in charge. It can minimize the tax burden on your beneficiaries. Your estate plan provides

Continued on Page 18

“If the bonus depreciation continues to phase out and Congress doesn’t make any changes to it over the next year or two, we’ll have to start thinking about Section 179 again.”

– Jeff Bowman, Grimbleby Coleman

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Continued from Page 16 transparency and clarity, helping avoid the painful scenario of siblings or other family members fighting over the estate. When your wishes are laid out in Yosemite Farm Credit’s William Ray urges growers to communicate with their an estate plan, there’s lender to improve their options (photo no guessing about courtesy Yosemite Farm Credit.) what you want.

Stay on top of farm program obligations and opportunities.

Keep in mind that payments received from federal farm programs and state disaster relief generally tend to be taxable, unlike the non-taxable Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and other funds that were available during the pandemic. At the same time, make sure you’re talking with the Farm Service Agency and following up on any program eligibility you might qualify for.

“You want to make sure you’re not missing out on something that’s out there,” said Bowman.

Get your accounting records up to date.

Add up the numbers. Pull together the year’s purchases, expenses, revenues and other data. Maybe there are spending areas where you can cut back.

“It’s hard to help you make good year-end decisions when you don’t have the complete information,” Bowman said.

Keep your lender in the loop.

The more your lender knows, the more options they can offer. “I always remind my clients that if you make any big moves for tax or estate planning, make sure you talk with your banker ahead of time so there are no surprises,” Bowman said. “For example, if the property you’re about to gift someone is collateral for your loan, then your banker really needs to know in advance.”

Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com

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With multiple challenges in the tree-nut sector this year, it’s important to know where you stand financially. And that means communicating with your lender.

“I encourage any grower to reach out to their banker as soon as possible to go over what we call the crop margin, or working capital, position,” said William “Bill” Ray, senior relationship manager with Yosemite Farm Credit in Merced, Calif.

That includes determining how much cash you have in the bank, your crop inventory or receivables, bills you owe and loan payments you will need to make. “Knowing those will allow you and your lender to figure out your options,” Ray added.

Most growers have variable-rate operating loans, Ray said, and some “are going to be in for a rude awakening if they haven’t been paying attention to what their loan balances are. Their payments are going to be quite a bit higher than they were last year.”

If you’re not financially sound, you will likely have to make some changes, he noted. You may have to take out some orchards or get out of leased acreage that’s not yielding good returns. You may have to sell property or excess equipment to improve your cash position. Some growers generate additional revenue by doing custom work for neighbors or absentee owners.

“The worst thing you can do is procrastinate,” said Ray. “If you’re in trouble, waiting takes away a lot of your options for next season. Get started sooner rather than later.”

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West Coast Nut

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19

A PERFECT STORM Lack of winter sanitation, cost cutting, drawn-out hull split and harvest cause NOW almond rejects to soar.

By VICKY BOYD | Contributing Writer

NOW larvae were common in nut samples PCAs collected shortly after shaking that they cracked out (photo by Jim Cook, CCFS.)

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December 2023

L

ack of winter sanitation, a drawn-out hull split that complicated spray timing, abandoned orchards and cost cutting conspired to create the perfect storm for navel orangeworm (NOW) damage in almonds this season.

As a result, many growers and PCAs experienced NOW rejects at least double and frequently many times more than what they usually have.

To reduce the risk of another train wreck happening in 2024, growers need to take an integrated approach to NOW management beginning with winter sanitation, said Mel Machado, Blue Diamond Growers vice president of member relations.

“We’ve got to drop the inoculum (the number of moths out there), and the number of larvae out there has to be reduced,” he said. “It starts with sanitation, that’s the foundation.”

Other components of an integrated program should include timely hull split sprays, obtaining good spray coverage with ample water volume and applying material to every row, mating disruption and a timely harvest, said UCCE orchard and integrated pest management advisors.

Machado described the NOW situation in 2023 as “horrible.” The Northern San Joaquin Valley (Stanislaus, San Joaquin and Merced counties) had reject levels about twice as bad as last year on average. In the Sacramento Valley and a region from Madera south to Kern County, reject levels were averaging three to four times worse than 2022, he said.

“It’s not unusual to see loads come in at 5% or more rejects, and growers who have never had issues are running 5, 6, 7, 8% rejects, and it’s primarily attributable to NOW,” Machado said.

Jhalendra Rijal, UCCE integrated pest management advisor for Merced, Stanislaus and San Joaquin counties, said he had heard reject levels all over the board.

“Some people have 1% to 2%, others 5% to 10% and still others 15% to 20% damage. That’s in our area,” Rijal said.

In the eight years he has served the northern San Joaquin Valley, he said he has never seen NOW damage this severe.

Kevin Hodges, a PCA and CCA with Nutrien Ag Solutions in Fresno, said NOW rejects of 7% to 10% were more common this season than past years in the area he serves from Arvin north to Madera.

“Typically, anything that breaks 3% would warrant a conversation with the grower to make changes to avoid this and could be done fairly reasonably,” he said. “In this challenging environment with pricing issues and cost increases, growers were faced with some tough budgetary decisions this year. In some cases, this meant routine pracNOW traps reflected high moth populations in almond tices such as winter shakes and orchards this season (photo by Jim Cook, CCFS.) dormant sprays were cut from their programs. These issues coupled with strong persisting (NOW) The Almond Board of California populations created a perfect storm, recommends keeping NOW rejects which unfortunately led to an imperfect below 2% and striving for 1% or less. outcome.”

Continued on Page 22

MIST NOW

Navel Orangeworm Mating Disruption Getting the job done year after year!

December 2023

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21

To prevent a repeat of the 2023 season, almond industry experts and PCAs recommend a winter mummy shake. Equally important is windrowing the mummies followed by shredding or chopping (photo by V. Boyd.)

Continued from Page 21 Not only does the damage reduce overall nut quality, yields and grower payments, but it also opens the door to Aspergillus mold infections and the aflatoxin it produces.

Several export markets have classified aflatoxin as a carcinogen and mutagen. The EU, for example, has set a maximum threshold for aflatoxin B1, the most toxic form, of 8 parts per billion in ready-to-eat almonds.

Lack of Winter Sanitation Hurt

Kern County farm advisor David Haviland said he wasn’t surprised by the high NOW reject levels this season because growers generally conducted less winter sanitation than normal.

“That increased the risk,” he said.

“We know prices were down, so people did the minimum amount they could.”

Although the south San Joaquin Valley received near-record rains, it wasn’t nearly the overall amount as regions to the north. In addition, much of the south valley orchard ground comprises sandy soils, allowing for fast drainage.

Most growers who wanted to shake mummies as part of winter sanitation were able to do so, but Haviland said many didn’t to reduce costs.

Because NOW moths can fly signifi22

West Coast Nut

December 2023

cant distances, Hodges said even many of his growers who took integrated approaches still had high reject levels as the pest migrated in from less-managed orchards. He also pointed to socalled “abandoned” orchards, some of which were let go during the prolonged drought. Until those trees are removed and chipped, Hodges said they will continue to be a liability.

In the northern San Joaquin Valley, Rijal said the extensive rains also prevented many growers from conducting winter shakes to remove mummies.

The leftover nuts provided overwintering sites for larvae, and they emerged as moths in the spring. This flight is generally referred to as the first NOW flight.

The mummies also served as egg-laying sites for the first-flight moths. This allowed the population to build, creating an even larger second flight that generally starts around late June-early July. This year, about the first half of the second-flight moths also recycled the mummies and laid eggs on them because of the later-than-normal hull split.

Growers had a situation where moths emerged from the mummies and new-crop nuts at the same time, resulting in a huge population boost in subsequent NOW generations, Rijal said.

“IF [ALMOND] PRICES ARE HIGH AND LABOR COSTS ARE LOW, AND ACCESSIBILITY TO POLLING CREWS IS NO PROBLEM, GETTING DOWN TO ONE PER FIVE TREES IS A GREAT GOAL.” – DAVID HAVILAND, UCCE He said some growers who weren’t able to conduct winter sanitation turned to a May pesticide application, sometimes called a mummy spray, to try to reduce NOW populations. Both he and Haviland recommend against a May spray because conceptually it doesn’t appear effective. When hull split time comes, the abundance and movement of NOW among orchards becomes so common that killing a few insects in May likely won’t make any difference, at least economically, Rijal said.

Tree Phenology Played a Role

In Kern County, Haviland said it wasn’t just a lack of winter sanitation that contributed to the NOW issue.

A cooler-than-normal growing season resulted in an extended hull split as well as a longer harvest, worsening the problem.

NOW moths do not damage nuts themselves; they only mate and lay eggs. It’s the larvae that burrow into the Because of slower denuts and feed on the kernels (photo courtesy USDA-ARS.) gree-day accumulation, hull split was about two weeks later than normal and was less synchroNOW emerged from Nonpareils and production areas. nized, both of which made hull split became a large third flight, infecting In those regions, UCCE recomspray timing more difficult, he said. the nuts before they could be shaken. A mends scouting at least 20 random In the south San Joaquin Valley, similar scenario played out in the poltrees in a block and counting the numHaviland said, almond growers typlinizers, where the third flight reprober of mummies. The goal is to reduce ically make their first hull split spray duced, resulting in a larger fourth flight. the average number to two or fewer per around the Fourth of July. This year, “Basically, a timely harvest didn’t tree by February 1. cool weather delayed that until at least happen, insecticide timings were all “If [almond] prices are high and mid-July. messed up and it was hard to figure out, labor costs are low, and accessibility to Then the question arose about a and sanitation was less than optimal,” polling crews is no problem, getting second spray, which is typically applied he said. down to one per five trees is a great two weeks after the first. This year, that goal,” Haviland said. “Considering timing would have put growers into Reset the Clock with what labor costs are compared to 10 August.

Winter Sanitation years ago, I would hope everybody Because the region typically begins To help minimize a repeat of the would shoot for two per tree. There’s harvest in early August, he said many 2023 season, Haviland and Rijal said nothing wrong with that number. If growers decided against the second growers need to begin with a strong you want to do better, great, but you spray. Weather-related delays carried winter sanitation program. shouldn’t spend $400 per acre to try to into harvest as nut moisture levels were “They need to get on top of sanitado that.” slow to drop. tion this winter, that’s the way to reset Hodges agreed, saying winter sani“Some of those trees sat out there for the clock,” Haviland said. tation and overall NOW management three or four weeks under high NOW Rijal agreed. “Moving forward, works better when neighbors join to pressure because the crop was delayed,” winter sanitation needs to be the form larger blocks.

Haviland said. “And there were trees bottom line because you can’t clean up “It’s really important that everybody that were probably out there for four to NOW unless you clean the mummies is on the same page in getting control weeks since the last NOW spray before from the trees, that’s the evidence we on this together,” he said. “You have they got shaken, so the residuals were saw this year. Then you use other tools to check all the boxes and do this by worn off.” during the season.” the book. If you get a number of your For example, he said, Nonpareils In the early 2000s, research by Joel neighbors together and everybody is on this season were exposed to both the Siegel and Brad Higbee found that reboard and driving these points, then I second and third flights instead of ducing the number of mummies to an think everybody in the area can projust the second flight in a typical year. average of one or fewer per tree paid an duce a cleaner crop.”

Pollinizers this season were exposed to economic return for south San Joaquin Once the nuts are on the ground both the third and fourth flights.

Valley producers. That was back when after shaking, Hodges said it’s equally “The biggest problem is when the labor was significantly less expensive important to sweep them into windworms get into the nuts,” Haviland said. and polling crews were more available. rows and shred or chop them to destroy “If those nuts can be removed from the In light of today’s higher labor costs overwintering larvae and NOW habitat. orchard before the [larvae] become and less worker availability, Haviland Comments about this article? We want adults, it prevents reinfestation and said growers and PCAs may want to reto hear from you. Feel free to email us decreases the subsequent flight.” assess mummy counts and consider the at article@jcsmarketinginc.com This year, the second generation of thresholds used in the more northern December 2023

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23

Roger Isom Presented with 2023

West Coast Nut Industry

TITAN AWARD

By MARNI KATZ | Editor

In typical humble fashion Isom gave credit to his staff for the accomplishments he and WAPA have been able to achieve on behalf of nut handlers and processors while accepting the Industry Titan Award at My Ag Nite in November.

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est Coast Nut magazine, the leading monthly publication for nut growers and handlers in the U.S., each year presents its Industry Titan Award. This annual award recognizes a researcher, farm advisor, grower or industry leader who has made significant contributions to the production of almonds, walnuts, pistachios and 24

West Coast Nut

pecans in the Western U.S. West Coast Nut Publisher Jason Scott presented the award to this year’s recipient, Western Agricultural Processors Association CEO Roger Isom at the My Ag Nite celebration in Tulare in November.

Isom has been a fearless and tireless industry advocate for over 30 years. He

December 2023

started his career with California Cotton Ginners Association and California Cotton Growers Association in 1992 after working at the Fresno Air Pollution Control District for three years. He often represents the industry on major regulatory fronts and can be seen in the halls of Congress and the state capitol testifying on behalf of the industry,

providing a valuable voice on pending legislation or regulation.

After serving the cotton industry in that role, he helped form Western Agricultural Processors Association in 2009 after multiple almond hullers approached the association for the same representation/services CCGGA was providing to the cotton industry. After a year, the rest of the tree nuts (walnuts, pistachios and pecans) asked to be a part of it and WAPA never looked back.

WAPA now has 180 regular members (hullers and processors of almond, walnuts, pistachios and pecans).

Roger Isom has been a titan in his efforts against the Department of Pesticide Regulation and environmental activists. Roger Isom called them out on their lack of science and fear tactics when pushing policy or legislation without merit. So much so he was deemed public enemy No. 1 by activists during a recent hearing on pesticide policy. He took flak from labor activists

“Isom has been a fearless and tireless industry advocate for over 30 years... He often represents the industry on major regulatory fronts and can be seen in the halls of Congress and the state capitol testifying on behalf of the industry.” for his work against indoor heat illness and nighttime lighting standards, and he takes the hot seat every time on any air quality regulation from the environmental justice community.

“Roger is not afraid to go to bat for the industry, especially when the science does not back the proposed regulations,” said WAPA Assistant Vice President Priscilla Rodriguez.

He also has been actively bringing together legislators, including urban legislators, from across the aisle to educate them on ag issues and find common ground on the industry’s behalf.

Isom serves on several committees

outside of his association, including as President of the Ag Energy Consumers Association (AECA), Chairman of the Ag One Foundation at California State University, Fresno, a board member of the California Ag Leadership Foundation Board of Directors, and managing the Navel Orangeworm Action Committee (NOWAC).

Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com

December 2023

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25

Plan Ahead for a Possible El Niño Year

By CECILIA PARSONS | Associate Editor

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December 2023

Standing water in this Glenn County orchard had nowhere to go. It percolated into the soil after about three days.

F

acing a second wet winter in a row, tree nut growers in California might want to adopt the Boy Scout motto “Be Prepared.”

Originator of the motto, Robert Baden-Powell declared the meaning to be always “in a state of readiness in mind and body to do your duty.”

Translated to tree nut production, “You want to be proactive with your orchard management. Plan ahead” Sebastian Saa, associate director of agricultural research for Almond Board of California, said. “It is more than likely an El Niño year will bring more precipitation and challenges, but there are actions growers can take to deliver good outcomes.”

A starting point for preparation would be a look back at impacts on orchards from the last winter and spring storms. Where water accumulated on orchard floors, where water entered orchards, what diseases affected tree health and how irrigation was initiated are all noteworthy observations. Being proactive means taking advantage of opportunities for groundwater recharge in orchards where possible, planting cover crops, planning disease control measures and adding soil amendments.

Willows-area walnut grower Leslie Nerli said the potential for another wet winter is already on her mind. While standing water was not an issue in her orchards last year, moving water delivered debris and orchard floors needed

to be reworked. She said last year there was also erosion where ground was bare. This fall, she said she is allowing native vegetation to remain in those places and plans to remove burn piles of broken limbs out of the orchard before rain. Fungicide applications with phosphite are planned to prevent phytophthora.

Zack Raven, farm manager at Keenan Farms, said he plans to tackle orchard sanitation as soon as possible after the end of pistachio harvest.

“Get your zinc spray done, prune and mummy shake and spread,” Raven advised. He said it would also be smart to make ditches so rain runoff flows where you want it to go.

Soil amendment applications and preemergence herbicide sprays should also be timed appropriately. Finally, the initiation of irrigation should be considered.

Groundwater Recharge Opportunities

“It is important to have a two-way conversation with your water district,” Saa said. This is the first step toward taking advantage of groundwater recharge opportunities.

Questions to ask the district include if the location has access to surface water and if the soil is suitable for re-

December 2023

Continued on Page 28 www.wcngg.com

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Last spring in Nerli’s walnut orchard fast moving water and rippling is where erosion of the road ended up in the orchard (all photos courtesy Lesli Nerli.)

Continued from Page 27 charge or are there impermeable layers below the surface. Recharge methods must be evaluated, and some management changes may be necessary to perform recharge.

Methods include surface application to the orchard, below surface application or basin structures. With each, there are management considerations, and they require coordination between district and grower to achieve credit for water. Almond Board, in their groundwater recharge guidelines, reports using groundwater recharge to direct excess flows underground has been shown to be more economical than other storage methods. It also mitigates overdraft and supports SGMA implementation.

Cover Crops

The key word here is “infiltration.”

Cover crops can improve soil health over time, but the plant roots also act as a conduit for water to permeate the soil and move downward. Cover crops are compatible with groundwater recharge, Saa said.

UC Davis studies show cover crops in orchards can increase soil water retention by increasing infiltration capacity and reducing surface runoff.

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December 2023

In hillside topography, erosion can be reduced where there are permanent or annual cover crops compared to bare soil managed with traditional tillage.

A study in Yolo County suggested nutrient and water runoff can be reduced where cover crops are planted.

Cover crops are generally planted in the November to January time frame and germinate over the winter when rain can encourage growth. Choosing the right mix of cover crop seed is important and Saa recommended discussing choices with a crop consultant.

Cover crops can help reduce soil compaction by increasing structure and helping to improve soil water holding capacity. A good stand may also help accessing the orchard in wet conditions.

Disease Potential

Phytophthora and Botryosphaeria are two diseases triggered by rain. UC Plant Pathologist Themis Michailides said spores from the fungal disease Botryosphaeria are developed in late summer and spread by rain. Infections begin at the base of developing shoots and clusters.

Phytophthora or crown rot infections are more likely to kill young trees.

Chronic infections in older trees can reduce growth. Saturated soil for more than 24 hours can lead to infections.

Although almond rootstocks vary in

susceptibility, none are resistant to this fungal disease. UC IPM guidelines recommend providing adequate drainage in areas that flood. Saa said Phytophthora prevention is important, and some growers may plan improving drainage in complicated areas and/ or treat hotspots in consultation with their local farm advisor or PCA. CCA John Post reported a fairly new material called Orondis is registered in walnuts and almonds. He said growers can also apply a phosphite spray to help control Botryosphaeria.

Applications should be made as soon as nuts are shaken in walnuts.

Michailides said it is important to apply a fungicide in the spring to protect green tissue from infection.

Botryosphaeria infections were on the rise last spring, he said, and have been increasing in recent years. Wet spring weather is conducive to infection and growers should anticipate applying fungicides and prepare their spray equipment.

Improving soil health is another avenue to protecting trees from disease. Saa said adding amendments to orchard soil will also help with water infiltration.

Irrigation Timing

Saa noted the first irrigation event would likely be a bit later than usual this spring, especially if El Niño brings cold/mild weather in early spring. In a nutshell, he said to be careful with starting your irrigation plan too soon!

“This is not a calendar decision,” he said, “You have to monitor soil moisture.” He said it is likely the start time will be later in the spring depending on orchard location.

Irrigation system and pump maintenance needs to occur between post-harvest and bloom. Pump time could be reduced if enough winter rain is received.

Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com

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29

Lockout/Tagout:

An Important Reminder in Huller and Processor Safety

By RITA RUIZ | Safety and Food Safety Specialist, Western Agricultural Processors Association and PRISCILLA RODRIGUEZ | Assistant Vice President, Western Agricultural Processors Association

Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures outline specific procedural steps for shutting down each piece of machinery or equipment.

E

very year, Cal/OSHA publishes the top 10 most cited safety standards, and the LOTO standard is consistently in the top 10 every year since 2014. In the most recently released list for 2022, Cal/OSHA reported the most cited and appealed violations with Control of Hazardous Energy, Including Lockout/Tagout ranking in at No. 6. With Lockout/Tagout being among the top concerns, it is important employees understand and are familiar with the company’s Lockout and Tagout procedures and all the key elements of the regulation are met.

The Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) procedures, or hazardous energy control procedures, outline the specific procedural steps for each piece of machinery or equipment. When equipment is properly shut down, it reduces the risks of accidents and injuries from an unexpected startup. Whether it be during cleaning, servicing, adjusting operations, un-jamming or when an employee places any part of body in contact with point of operation, LOTO procedures should be implemented properly.

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December 2023

Some key elements of the regulation include a lockout/tagout written program, periodic inspections, certifications, training, machine specific procedures and lockout devices. Let’s take a closer look into some of the key elements.

Machine-Specific Procedures

In 1974, Cal/OSHA required machine-specific procedures for each piece of equipment in a facility. As mentioned, LOTO procedures are written-out procedures that outline the steps of each piece of machinery in your facility, including but not limited to mobile equipment such as tractors and any other piece of equipment that will require servicing by the employee. The written LOTO procedures will include the name and location of equipment; identity of hazardous energy sources, such as electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic, etc.; procedural steps for location and method of application of hazardous energy control devices; and procedural steps for shutdown and restart of equipment.

These procedures should be followed

when performing routine tasks where an employee is servicing, repairing, unjamming or unchoking a machine.

For instance, out at the stockpile yard, through the unloading process debris can sometimes jam the elevator, and when unjamming occurs, employees must follow LOTO protocol to remove the blockage. Consequently, uncocking or unjamming can be an overlooked practice when it comes to LOTO procedures. It is extremely important that everyone follows machine-specific procedures to reduce the risk of injury.

Periodic Inspections of Procedures

During the season, you may find yourself needing to modify or replace your equipment to meet the season’s needs, and the question is how do we ensure that any new equipment gets included in the LOTO procedures or our procedures are up to date? With an annual periodic inspection conducted by an authorized employee, one can ensure any new equipment or modification is included in the LOTO machine-specific procedures.

Continued on Page 32

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31

At the left are examples of non-compliant lockout tools, compared to compliant lockout tools on the right.

Continued from Page 30

Training

Another key element of the regulation is training. Training should be provided to all employees to some degree.

Employees who will be involved in the lockout and tagout process (authorized employees) should have an in-depth understanding of the regulation, procedures, hazards, energy sources and how to apply lockout/tagout devices. Affected and other employees must also receive training and have a general knowledge of LOTO. To ensure training is effective, apply practical demonstrations and small group discussions alongside exercises in their language at a level they can understand.

When training is not adequate, devastating consequences can occur. As reported by the Cal/Osha Reporter, a death at a paper company in Moreno Valley occurred in 2022 was noted with the 58-year-old employee being crushed inside a recycling baler by climbing into the hopper to remove a jam.

The employee suffered a fatal injury due to lack of implementation of LOTO procedures and training, and this company faced hefty penalties of more than $68,000 in proposed penalties. It is crucial to provide training to employees to reduce risk of injury.

Certification

After the training, you must verify the employees under-

stand the procedures. This can be achieved through certifying authorized employees annually. The certification of the authorized employee includes a review in which the authorized employee demonstrates knowledge and skills required for identifying the specific procedures for a certain piece of equipment or machine. The following elements are evaluated during the certification: The identity of the machine or piece of equipment that will be utilized Listed shutdown and restart procedures to show competency and understanding Date of certification Employees included in certification, including the person performing it Apart from being a requirement, the evaluation of procedural steps for shutting down and reenergizing equipment is to help provide a reinforcement/refresher and ensure steps are being followed by employees.

Lockout Devices

Lockout devices are also an essential part of the program.

The devices used in the LOTO program such as tags and locks must meet certain requirements. They must be durable and substantial, easily identifiable and used for LOTO purposes only. The energy isolating device is a mechanical device that physically prevents the transmission or release of energy for electrical, mechanical, pneumatic, hydraulic or any other hazardous energy. Examples of these tools are locks, blocks, blocks for valves, cable locks, plug lockout canisters and others.

As the end of the year and season for some is approaching, we would like to remind folks to remain vigilant and ensure LOTO practices are being followed. Injuries and accidents can be reduced by including in the LOTO program machine specific procedures, periodic inspections, certifications, training and lockout devices. It’s everyone’s responsibility to ensure a safe workplace environment, proper LOTO procedures and related programs go a long way in ensuring the necessary safety environment. Be vigilant!

Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com

32

West Coast Nut

December 2023

NORTH VALLEY Nut Conference

January 31, 2024 Silver Dollar Fairgrounds

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7:00am 8:00am

Registration and Trade Show Butte and Glenn County Ag Commissioners Updates Katharine Quist, Butte County Ag Commissioner's Office Jason Beauchamp, Glenn County Ag Commissioner's Office

8:30am

Advances in Walnut and Almond Irrigation Management

9:00am

Josette Lewis, Almond Board of California and Robert Verloop, California Walnut Board and California Walnut Commission

9:30am

Trade Show Break

10:30am

Economics of Tree Nut Production

11:00am

Managing Almond Blast and Walnut Blight

11:30am

Update on Navel Orangeworm and Carpophilus Beetle in Almonds

12:00pm

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Ken Shackel, UC Davis

Almond and Walnut Board Flash Updates

Brittney Goodrich, UC Davis

Jim Adaskaveg, UC Riverside

Houston Wilson, UC Riverside

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33

Sacramento Valley Tree Nut Orchards:

Winter Considerations

By FRANZ NIEDERHOLZER | UCCE Farm Advisor, Colusa and Sutter/Yuba Counties

W

ith winter upon us, here are a few things to keep in mind going into next season.

Irrigation Check out/maintain your system. Information on maintaining the system is available in the notes at the end of the column. In the Sacramento Valley, there are two mobile irrigation labs that offer irrigation system evaluation services.

Now is also a good time to look back on the irrigation year. Anything you liked/didn’t like with your system(s)? What can you add/consider that improves irrigation, which improves orchard health, which should improve yield and returns?

One almond mummy can house multiple NOW (all photos by F. Niederholzer.)

For example, last summer we tried out an irrigation monitoring device implanted in the trunk of an almond tree and connected to the internet through a sim card. Output from this device closely mimics sanitation suffered. The resulting bump-up in the 2023 NOW pressure chamber values in UC research. It also tracks water population in many districts tested all parts of NOW IPM, pressure in the irrigation system so irrigation set timing and including spray practices, harvest timing, etc. tree water status can be compared. After testing this one deWhat can be done going into 2024 to help deliver a cleanvice in one tree for a year, I’m more comfortable expanding er crop? use of this technology while maintaining spot checking with First step is to sanitize, sanitize, sanitize. NOW has a pressure chamber. I recognize we are in very tough times, multiple generations per year, and the numbers build with but finding small (or large) ways to improve important practices now should help in the long run and, at least for me, help think toward a Nuts left on dry berm 63 12 positive future despite our current reality.

Pests Navel orangeworm Nuts left in vegetation on 9 9 (NOW) damage was terrible orchard floor in many regions of the state this past year. Damage was Nuts disced 2x 2 4 especially bad in the areas of the Sacramento Valley hard hit by the Feb. 24, 2022 freeze. Crop and income loss Nuts shredded 0 0.3 in those areas made sanitation difficult to afford last winter. Add in the general Table 1. Trial results comparing NOW moth emergence the following spring after different fall/winter economics of both almond treatments of walnuts in the fall (Sibbett and Van Steenwyck 1992). and walnut growing, and

Treatment

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West Coast Nut

December 2023

Moths Next Spring, Year 1

Moths Next Spring, Year 2

Researchers working in Kern

In the trees

On the ground

Co in early 2000's recommendevery generation. The lower ed a threshold of 4 mummies the starting population, the under each tree. lower the pressure when the Gold Standard < 2 mummies per tree No set standard crop becomes vulnerable in the summer.

So, right now, reduce the overwintering population Platinum Standard < 1 mummy per 5 trees 8 mummies/tree and remove habitat for the spring generation. Sanitize as completely and as carefulTable 2. “Gold” and “Platinum” standards are not part of the UC IPM guidelines, but they point out while ly as possible. All the varietboth sanitation levels are good, one is a level up from the other. ies. All tree nut crops. NOW can overwinter between the hull and shell in almonds, so hard shell varieties need to be cleaned

by March 1. Each step is reducing NOW and some NOW survive. In pistachio up too. The lower the remaining mumsurvival somewhat, but the complete orchards, discing mummies reduced my count in the spring, the lower the program (shake, sweep, destroy by NOW survival compared to mowing in NOW pressure in your orchard as the shred or disc) should be done to make research trials. season starts. That’s the basic starting the investment really pay off (see Table The goal of orchard sanitization is point for a NOW IPM program for the 1, page 34) for NOW moth survival fol- to reduce the number of mummies year. lowing different sanitation steps). The in the orchard to levels established by Careful sanitation is needed, so final step (shredding by flail mower) in careful research. The lower the number it’s good to review the overall pracalmond and walnut orchards must be of mummies in the orchard, the lower tice. Sanitation is a three-step process: done carefully. Tractor speed should the population in the spring. Each Knock the mummies out of the trees by be slow enough that all mummies are roughly February 1, gather in windrows destroyed. If the tractor moves too fast, and grind/shred up with a flail mower all the mummies may not be crushed Continued on Page 36

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Mummy shaking. A complete program (shake, sweep, destroy by shred or disc) should be done to make the sanitation investment pay off.

Continued from Page 35

“creep up” on growers, and occasionally an orchard will need treatment. Scale mummy in the trees or on the ground inject toxin into wood. If ignored, large can house/host multiple NOW. Five to scale populations can kill scaffolds. seven NOW larvae in a single almond Also check dormant canopies for scab mummy nut were common in a UC lesions. If pressure is strong enough, trial several years ago. One mummy an oil and chlorothalonil (Bravo®, etc.) contained 12 worms. or copper spray can delay sporulation UC IPM’s almond orchard sanitaand possibly avoid a spring spray (if no tion standards appear in Table 2. These rainfall at the later sporulation timare the number of mummies to be ing). Check with your PCA regarding found in 20 trees per orchard as of Feb- monitoring, treatment thresholds and ruary 1 to reduce NOW populations to materials. If a dormant spray is needed, the point where other practices (mating be careful with dormant spray timings disruption, pesticide sprays and timely and practices to avoid spray drift off the harvest) can reduce NOW damage to orchard. Faster ground and slower fan acceptable levels. “Gold” and “Platispeeds can be used to get the job done num” standards are not part of the UC efficiently, effectively and reduce drift.

IPM guidelines, but I use these terms to Talk with your PCA about options point out while both are good, one is a for weed control, especially considering level up from the other. the forecast of a wet El Niño winter.

NOW are strong flyers, and “dirty” Preemergent herbicides can provide orchards can be sources of invading longer control than repeated use of NOW into carefully sanitized orchards postemergent “burndown” materials. at hull split. Wherever possible, work Sequential applications of preemergent with your neighbors to reduce NOW herbicides using lower label rates can populations in the region by sanitizprovide longer control than one single ing all orchards and removing wild spray at a high rate. See the article on volunteer almonds in right of ways and sequential pendimethalin applications other locations. The fewer mummies for control of glyphosate-resistant sumin your neighborhood, the cleaner your mer grass (jungle rice) in the notes. crop (and your neighbors) can be next Preemergent herbicide use can harvest. also improve weed control and rodent While NOW sanitation is the No. 1 management in young orchards in task this winter, there are other pracwet springs. Vole damage in young tices to consider. Check dormant spurs orchards can spike up in wet winters/ for scale, especially San Jose scale. Most springs due to difficulties getting into growers will probably not have to spray orchards to maintain weed control with for scale, but this stationary pest can postemergent herbicide sprays (the best 36

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December 2023

approach to vole control is keeping the tree rows clean so hawks and owls can see the rodents and control them.)

Consider a preemergent program this winter to maintain good weed control through at least the spring in a young orchard. Talk with your PCAs about label requirements and orchard age to set up a safe and effective preemergent program in young orchards.

For all preemergent applications, make sure to blow leaves off the soil where the spray will go to allow direct application to the soil, not onto leaves.

This will provide the best weed control possible.

Finally, gopher management in the winter before breeding spikes the population should be on the radar. With practice, a fresh mound system can be probed and trapped or baited very quickly. Keep the tools handy.

Nutrition Nutrient use is basically zero in dormant trees. Soil-mobile nutrients should not be applied now as winter rains will leach the nutrients out of the rootzone before leaf-out and the start of tree nutrient uptake. On the other hand, nutrients with relatively low soil mobility, particularly potassium (K), can be applied in the winter without fear of significant loss. In sandy soils, some potassium can be leached, so a lower rate may be applied, and the remainder delivered in the spring via fertigation.

A fall maintenance application of 175 to 200 lbs K 2O per acre, banded

on the soil, is the traditional orchard potassium recommendation and is still valid in almonds (recent UC research indicates annual crop K use is roughly 90 lb K 2O per 1000 pounds of kernel crop, so higher rates may be justified to replace crop K use in highly productive orchards.) If banding dry K fertilizer in a drip-irrigated orchard, place the fertilizer band where irrigation water will reach next summer. Work in walnuts orchards in the 1990s showed that K levels were similar whether the fertilizer was placed on both sides of the tree row or just one, cutting application drive time in half. Local broadcasting of dry K fertilizer in the tree row is now common in microsprinkler irrigated orchards.

With uncertain bloom weather and relatively high cost of K fertilizer, growers may want to wait to assess tree nut set next spring before starting a K fertigation program tailored to feed the crop in the orchard. Ultrafine SOP is the most cost-effective K fertilizer material to my knowledge, but using it requires a solution machine and labor to feed it. Liquid K fertilizers such as potassium thiosulfate (KTS) and potassium carbonate (potcarb) are convenient, effective and relatively high in K content (24% to 30% K 2O by weight). In addition, these liquid materials serve as soil amendments, lowering (KTS) or raising (potcarb) soil pH (fertilizer rates and soil texture determine just how much the pH changes.) Some growers split K fertilization between fall banding and in-season fertigation.

Growers have many choices in K fertilizer materials and timings. The main objective is to keep July leaf K levels at

least at 1.4% K. Given current almond economics, light K input and monthly leaf K analysis (April, May, June) ahead of July sampling should give growers and CCAs working with them the needed information to avoid yield losses that follow deficiency. Current UC research is examining potassium application practices.

Walnuts

of the strategies listed there apply to walnuts, but talk with a licensed PCA regarding materials and rates.

Happy Holidays to all.

Links to FREE Resources Mobile irrigation labs: North Sacramento Valley: tehamacountyrcd.org/ mobile-irrigation-lab

Many of the same practices listed South Sacramento Valley: https://sutterrcd. above for almonds apply to walnuts. specialdistrict.org/mobile-irrigation-lab Sanitizing orchards by shaking, sweeping and mowing/shredding old nuts is Pests: also an important in walnut production. As in almonds, completing the job UC IPM Navel orangeworm management by shredding the nuts on the ground is ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/almond/navel-orcritical to reducing NOW populations angeworm/ to the lowest level possible. See a link to the research article on this topic in the UC IPM dormant spur monitoring in almond notes.

Monitor for walnut and San Jose ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/C003/m003dcdmtspursmpl. scale this winter and, where needed, html plant to treat orchards in the delayed dormant. Unlike almonds, oil use in Shredding walnut for best sanitation article walnuts should be approached with calag.ucanr.edu/Archive/?article=ca.v047n05p26 caution. Check the label and consult your PCA regarding oil with IGRs Kern Co almond sanitation research (Centaur, Seize, etc.) for scale control.

Controlling scale can be an important calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca.v063n01p24 part of Botryosphaeria management.

Check the July leaf analysis results Walnut scale IPM from last summer and consider applying dry potassium fertilizer this ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/walnut/walnut-scale/ winter if needed. Talk with your PCA about rates and materials. Walnuts are San Jose scale IPM in walnuts much more sensitive to chloride than ipm.ucanr.edu/agriculture/walnut/san-josealmonds, so be cautious when considscale/ ering using MOP (muriate of potash, potassium chloride) in walnut orchards.

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37

New Almond Board CEO Joins Association During Critical Time to Tell Almonds’ Story

By KRISTIN PLATTS | Digital Content Writer

T

he almond industry has a story to tell, and Clarice Turner wants to help tell it. The new Almond Board of California (ABC) president and CEO was hired this past summer to replace Richard Waycott, who announced he would step away at the end of 2023 to pursue other interests but remain on to help ensure a smooth transition.

Turner joins the organization during a challenging time for the industry when supply chain disruptions, trade tariffs, regulatory constraints and several other factors are driving record low prices for almonds. She wrapped

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up a multi-city California listening session tour in late October to address some of those issues and familiarize herself more with industry stakeholders through one-on-one, candid conversations.

At a stop in Modesto, Calif. on October 25, Turner told those who turned out to meet her she had been enjoying spending time out in the orchards, meeting with growers, processors and shellers, and had come to have tremendous respect for what they do every day.

A ninth-generation Californian, Turner’s ag roots go back to her child-

Attendees at an Almond Board of California hosted Modesto listening session had the opportunity to meet the organization’s new president and CEO, Clarice Turner, and talk with her about issues facing the almond industry. Some of those issues included food security, consumer pricing control, crop insurance and bee hive research among others.

hood when she spent summers on her aunt and uncle’s peach and nectarine farm in Riverbank, Calif. where she helped operate a small farmstand with her cousins. Her dad, she said, grew up poor, knocking almonds with his cousins to earn money, but he always shared fond stories about working hard in the orchards.

Turner brings with her an extensive background in consumer goods, food service and wine and spirits, having worked for companies like Boudin

Continued on Page 40

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Continued from Page 38 Bakery, Starbucks Coffee Company, YUM! Brands, Papa Murphy’s International and PepsiCo. Most recently, she was the president of Napa Valley winery Joseph Phelps Vineyards.

At the Modesto event, Turner said she was worried about California agriculture and sees her new role as an opportunity to make a difference.

“At this stage in my career, I only spend time on things that I’m passionate about and I care about, so when the call came, I was like ‘Oh my gosh, that’s an opportunity to really make a difference on behalf of an industry I care deeply about,’” she said of making the move to ABC.

Addressing the Challenges

Clarice Turner joined the Almond Board of California earlier this year at the new CEO and President. She will replace Richard Waycott, who has led the organization since 2002.

Calling the almond industry a global success story like no other, Turner said she sees tremendous opportunity to take it into the next chapter.

“We’ve got to innovate, we have to think about doing things differently, not everything, but some things,” she said.

“What I see is that there’s a lot of opportunity for innovation.”

In a recent Deloitte research study commissioned by ABC, Turner said it highlighted areas of focus for markets in the future, such as India, Indonesia and Turkey.

She also addressed the need for finding more opportunities to market almond inclusions.

“I think there’s a lot more room to expand and get almonds into more products,” she said.

Another area of focus, Turner said, needs to be on setting the record straight about the environmental impact of almonds, with consumers often equating an almond with the gallon of water required to grow it.

That doesn’t tell the whole story, she said.

“We could have such a positive environmental story today without doing one thing differently because we’re producing four things with that gallon of water, including an orchard that sequesters 60% more carbon in the atmosphere as the same amount of forest,” Turner said. “We have to tell that story because if people feel guilty for eating almonds, it’s going to hurt demand.”

Smoothing out pricing and demand is another area that needs attention, she explained, and said that by increasing some of the supply chains that the industry provides almonds to, like consumer packaged goods (CPG) and food service, it could provide more stability over time.

“Whether it’s the U.S. or the EU, where eventually we teach India, Japan or other countries how to further process

“We’ve got to innovate, we have to think about doing things differently, not everything, but some things.

What I see is that there’s a lot of opportunity for innovation.”

’

– Clarice Turner, Almond Board of California 40

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December 2023

Left to right, ABC directors Brad Klump, Mel Machado, Alexi Rodriguez, Clarice Turner and Christine Gemperle sit on a panel during a listening tour in Modesto on October 25 to introduce Turner to stakeholders.

almonds and get them into more of the mainstream of their diet, their schools, that then starts to pull out a certain percentage of our crop that’s much more stable,” she said.

Stakeholders Weigh In

During a Q&A at the Modesto listening session, attendees had the opportunity to gain further insight into Turner’s goals as well as to share their

own concerns with her and the ABC Board of Directors. Some of those concerns addressed food security, consum-

December 2023

Continued on Page 42

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41

Left to right, ABC directors Alexi Rodriguez, CEO and president, Clarice Turner and Christine Gemperle discussed a number of issues with industry stakeholders during a listening tour with the new CEO on October 25 in Modesto.

Continued from Page 41 er pricing control, crop insurance and bee hive research among others.

Overall, attendees at the Modesto event seemed hopeful about the fresh perspectives that Turner might bring to the organization.

Tommy Tickenoff, founding partner of Fresh Vintage Farms in Turlock, Calif., makes pressed artisan oils from tree nuts sourced in the Central Valley. He said he’s especially excited to see what Turner might bring to the area of CPG.

“I think at this time in the industry, we need to see a little bit more of a push toward consumer products and innovations,” Tickenoff said. “I think her experience in the space working with food scientists and things of that nature should be a positive move.”

Tickenoff says the industry has done a great job of educating the public on the nutritious value of almonds and believes Turner will be able to make a similar push in some of those other areas.

“We have a lot of room to grow in getting some of that message out,” he

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said. “I think a new voice is going to be able to knock on some doors.”

Di Lauresma was just hoping to learn more about Turner at the Modesto event and said she was especially excited about having a female CEO leading a heavily male-dominated industry.

“I think the thinktanks and the detail people and the nutritionists and the marketers are primarily female,” she said, noting she has a background in marketing herself. “So, I’m all about marketing new products, innovation and growing this domestic market.”

Lauresma said she’s hoping to see a

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West Coast Nut

December 2023

greater focus on educating consumers about products made from almonds like the almond butter she produces, Almondee Almond Butter. She sells her product at local stores in Northern California and on Amazon and touts it as the “Godiva” of almond butters, a nod to the well-known Belgian chocolate, because she says it tastes that good.

But she thinks consumers are often reluctant to buy a product like almond butter, regardless of how delicious it is, if they don’t know anything about it.

Contending with name brand peanut butters like Skippy, Lauresma says sampling her almond butter in stores to make that connection with consumers is key.

“The kids love it, they lick it off the cracker or the apple,” she said. “If I can get it in their mouth, I will sell out.”

Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com

ABC directors, Brad Klump, BKI Exports, Inc., left, listens as Mel Machado, Blue Diamond, fields a question from the audience at an ABC listening session where stakeholders had the chance to have a discussion with the organizations new CEO and president, Clarice Turner, and board members.

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43

Trials Provide Data to Help with Rootstock Choice

By CECILIA PARSONS | Associate Editor

Tree replacements of paradox seedling-rooted Chandler likely because of crown gall, compared to RX1 with a healthy and uniform stand of trees on the right.

I

t starts with a production problem.

The purpose behind a rootstock or Then a field trial becomes a priority. variety trial is to evaluate them under Tree nut growers and crop conrealistic growing conditions. Field sultants want to know if the genetics trials are used to see plant responses to of a certain rootstock can overcome a environmental conditions and diseases specific challenge where it is planted. which cause production issues.

Nematodes, diseases and salinity, Sites with specific problems are to name a few, are challenges that can chosen to test rootstocks to determine drag down production in tree nuts and if their genetic combinations can field trials help when valuating new overcome or tolerate that condition. rootstocks to determine if they can tol- Trials are also replicated for larger data erate or resist various issues in the soil. collection.

44

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December 2023

With the tremendous diversity of germplasm available, new rootstocks are developed to address specific conditions that affect tree growth and health. New rootstocks can come from university researchers or industry, or they may be joint projects. For example, two walnut rootstocks were developed by the UC Davis Walnut Breeding

Continued on Page 46

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Nickels rootstock (a peach/almond hybrid) delivers larger tree size and yield compared to Rootpac-R rootstock (plum/almond) in the distance (all photos by L. Milliron.)

Continued from Page 44 Program in a joint effort by UC and USDA. Another rootstock, Vlach, was an industry product.

Luke Milliron, UCCE orchard systems advisor in Butte, Glenn and Tehama counties, has been involved in various field trials for rootstocks and varieties to determine which genetic combinations can overcome production

challenges in the field. He said tree nut growers, industry groups, including Almond Board of California, California Walnut Commission and California Pistachio Research Board, and University researchers typically identify an issue with tree health or production and initiate a field trial to determine if another genetic combination can overcome that issue.

UC researcher Thomas Gradziel, in a report of his almond rootstock

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December 2023

breeding program to Almond Board of California, said the UC breeding program has developed an unprecedented range of interspecies hybrid rootstocks that possess the required traits of nematode, disease resistance and salinity tolerance with a diverse genetic background that promotes greater orchard resilience under changing production and regulatory climates.

In his report, Gradziel said 12 ongoing trials are evaluating resistance/tolerance to regionally important orchard afflictions, including nematodes, soil salinity, reduced quantity and quality of irrigation water and oak root fungus.

Milliron said a proposal for a field trial starts when specific challenges to tree growth or health are recognized by researchers and growers.

UC sites, including Kearney and Shafter research stations have been used for many rootstock and variety trials, but Milliron said he values landowners who are willing to undergo the inconvenience of a long-term trial and have hosted trials because they believe in ongoing industry improvement.

“They are also curious to see if a problem can be overcome with different genetics,” Milliron said. “It takes growers who are willing to plant new rootstocks and find their strengths and weaknesses.”

Almond, pistachio and walnut rootstocks are bred to grow in different soil types and conditions and provide the best anchorage, vigor and resistance or tolerance to soilborne pests and diseases. However, no individual rootstock is tolerant of all factors that impact walnut production. The strengths and weaknesses of each rootstock should be

considered in the context of a specific orchard location.

Trials of new rootstocks are initiated to solve the problem, recognizing, however, that it may take years to prove the genetics of the rootstock will improve tolerance or resistance to conditions where it will be planted.

“We look at what is the greatest risk of failure,” Milliron said. Trials test rootstocks at sites with known risks of failure.

Rootstock trials are the endpoint of a selection process, Cliff Beumel, president of Agromillora California Nursery, said. Nurseries and university researchers begin the process with DNA marker assisted breeding. Development of this technology assists with choosing the genetic material sought by the breeder.

“You can go from 10,000 combinations to 100 much faster with this technique,” Beumel said. If nematode resistance or tolerance is the sought-after trait, he said seedlings will be planted in infested soil to see which ones

survive. This selection process might go through several rounds before the most promising breeding combinations are chosen for a field trial.

He said the nursery field trials are designed to be as close as possible to commercial production and are also replicated. Typically, there will be four to five rows planted across a field to avoid oddities in planting sites. Beumel said where there is some duplication in trials, the goal is wider collection of data in replicated trials that can show statistical differences.

Once the rootstocks and variety combinations are in the ground, the researchers and advisors who planned the trial are in it for the long haul, particularly with later maturing walnuts and pistachios.

The No. 1 thing they watch is tree survival as the establishment phase is critical in rootstock trials. Incompatible grafts, anchorage and crown gall all threaten tree viability. Milliron said researchers also monitor rootstock

growth, measuring rootstock circumference which indicates tree vigor.

“One of the main things we measure is shade on the ground, size of canopy,” he said. "That reflects the suitability of the rootstock where it is planted."

Over the next few years of the trial, Milliron said anything that leads to increased risk of mortality of a rootstock is tossed. Once the trees begin bearing, yield and nut quality data collection begins. Collection of that data is done over four to five years, but he said he likes to follow up, walk the blocks and be on the lookout for disease indicators that may show up in later years.

“The story can change,” he said, citing older trials where rootstocks showed promise in the early years, but developed problems later.

“Some of these looked okay at year six, but not at year 20.”

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The Sacramento Valley Shows There is a Better Way to Manage Water

By MIKE WADE | California Farm Water Coalition

A near-record wet winter filled Lake Shasta to capacity, shown here in a photo taken on May 22, 2023 (photo by California Farm Water Coalition.)

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O

ctober 1 marked the beginning of the new water year in California. And while 2023 provided an abundant amount of water, anyone who lives here knows we can’t assume 2024 will be the same. In fact, the only thing we know for certain is our water supply is utterly unpredictable. California’s droughts and floods have always been cyclical, but it is never certain when that cycle will shift. While this pattern has not changed, unfortunately neither has the way we deal with our variable water supply, and it very much needs to.

All of California must share our available water, not just farms, families and businesses but the environment and wildlife as well. Unfortunately, many of the rules governing water distribution are outdated and do not utilize current science. What they do is

attempt to pick winners and losers, and the result is often we all lose.

Let’s look at the Sacramento Valley as an example. The Sacramento Valley has a deep connection between the urban and rural areas that is reflected in Sacramento’s designation as America’s ‘Farm to Fork’ capital. This fertile region of the state grows rice, almonds, prunes, tomatoes, olives and more.

According to 2021 data, over half a million acres in the Sacramento Valley produce nuts, contributing $1.6 billion in revenue to the state’s economy. Its rice fields also provide a critical winter stop along the Pacific Flyway for migrating waterfowl.

A year ago, 95% of the rice land in the Sacramento Valley’s Colusa County lay barren, producing nothing but dust, widespread unemployment and

an economic crisis. Farming had all but stopped in the region and the impacts on the economy were clear: $1.3 billion in lost economic activity, 14,300 lost jobs, $732 million in lost labor income and devastated supply chains.

Yes, 2022 was a very dry year, but the devastation inflicted on the Sacramento Valley could have been minimized if the rules regarding water flow were governed by a more updated approach. Narrowly focused rules dictated that water supplies for farms be withheld apparently to provide sufficient cold water to protect salmon in the Sacramento River. However, routinely taking that water away from farms and keeping it in the river has failed to deliver the rebound in salmon

December 2023

Continued on Page 50 www.wcngg.com

49

Lake Shasta and the Pit River Bridge as drought gripped California (photo courtesy iStock.com/simonkr.)

Continued from Page 49 population we were told to expect.

The reasons for that failure are simple, and they are based on current science. Salmon need things other than water to thrive. They need habitat, not rock-lined channels, and a place to rest and grow. They need the safety of passage to the ocean, protected from non-native predators and access to a food supply on their journey. And they need water within a range of safe temperatures similar to what nature delivered on its own in the past.

By depriving farms of water in a critical year, local economies were devastated and yet those efforts also failed to benefit fish. This lose-lose dynamic could be avoided if we took a more holistic approach to managing water.

Innovative projects throughout Northern California that consider the entire ecosystem are having a remarkable impact on salmon survival and proving there is a better way.

Public water agencies, federal and state governments, environmental groups and individual growers are investing in projects like the Butte Creek 50

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December 2023

Salmon Restoration Project that helped salmon numbers rise from a few hundred fish in the 1990s to over 10,000 per year today. On the Sacramento River, Painter’s Riffle is a project that restored a side channel, giving fish a place to rest, eat, and hide from predators on their journey to the ocean.

In addition to updating our water management system, we must prepare for future droughts by capturing water during wet years, like the one we had this year, and saving it for the inevitable dry years on the horizon. We need facilities to store water and to do so in ways that deliver water to people in cities and towns, growers who produce our food and for the environment.

The development of Sites Reservoir presents an opportunity to alleviate some of these challenges by capturing and storing excess winter runoff that would otherwise be lost to the ocean.

With a storage capacity of up to 1.5 million acre-feet, Sites Reservoir in Colusa and Glenn counties offers a substantial boost to California’s water infrastructure, ensuring a more resilient water supply system.

In 2023, if Sites Reservoir had been constructed, it could have saved

700,000 acre-feet more water for the future. Many projects like this have been on the books for years and are still far from completion. Specifically, Sites has been in process for more than 30 years.

There is broad support for Sites Reservoir, but it is still almost 10 years away from entering service. Sites Reservoir is eligible for approximately $875 million in Prop 1 funding, passed by voters in 2014, and the largest share of the eight successful applicants. Much must be done to finalize permitting and then build the project, but it is critical it moves forward without further delay, allowing it to be online in 2032.

It is possible for farms, families and the environment to not just co-exist but support each other by looking at the ecosystem as a whole, working to take advantage of water when Mother Nature supplies it and implementing policies that focus on sustainability for all. And the Sacramento Valley is proof that a better approach is possible.

Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com

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51

INPUTS

AG SUMMIT

A WORD FROM THE BOARD: THE ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA

NOW Pressure Economics and Importance of Winter Sanitation

By ALMOND BOARD OF CALIFORNIA | Contributing Writer

Handlers are reporting high damage numbers from NOW this season, which can be attributed to several factors, one being the lack of sanitation efforts performed last winter (all photos courtesy Almond Board of California.)

O

ver the past two years, California almond growers have endured perhaps the most challenging times the commodity has seen. Between unprecedented low market value, shipping troubles, and skyrocketing input costs, there simply is no room for error these days.

As the season ends, another challenge growers are having to deal with is a pest known all too well in almonds: navel orangeworm (NOW). Handlers

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are reporting higher-than-normal damage from NOW this season, which can be attributed to several factors, one being the lack of sanitation efforts performed last winter.

“We heard from industry last year that insect damage was rising, yet given the economic pressures growers were facing, coupled with heavy winter rains, winter sanitation was difficult,” said Tim Birmingham, director of quality assurance and industry services at Al-

mond Board of California (ABC).

The Economic Effects of NOW

Regardless of the reason for insufficient winter sanitation efforts, the industry is seeing the impact of those decisions. Now more than ever, experts are emphasizing a thorough integrated pest management (IPM) plan to stop this upward climb of NOW infestations.

“We’re at a point where we have to pay close attention to every dollar we’re

Proper winter sanitation remains the base of effective IPM programs and can help to break the trend of rising NOW pressure.

spending,” said Brittney Goodrich, assistant cooperative extension specialist at UC Davis. “It’s really important to be scrutinizing the dollars being spent on pest management practices.”

To better assess the economic impact NOW can have on a grower, Goodrich and a team at UC Davis analyzed how many applications, on average, are put on an orchard to control NOW, and associated costs.

The researchers assessed 53 conventional chemical pesticide products and seven mating disruption products and applied these products during the time that NOW would be an issue.

It was found on average statewide, 1.4 applications of pesticides are put on each acre to treat NOW; however, this varies depending on geographic location. For example, in Placer County where almonds are fewer in number, the application was 0.2 per acre, whereas in Fresno County, it was 2.0 per acre.

In terms of cost per acre, the statewide average totaled $99 per acre, which includes the application cost and mating disruption cost when used. Again, there is variation depending on the country, with Placer County costing $8 per acre and Fresno County costing $146 per acre.

This year’s harvest is proof there is an obvious need for more resources to help growers assess the economic impact of various IPM practices, which is why UC Davis is piloting the NOW IPM Program Comparison Decision Tool.

This tool allows growers to plug in combinations of various IPM programs and assess which will work best for their specific operation. In an example presented by Goodrich,

Continued on Page 54 December 2023

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53

Continued from Page 53 she compared Program 1, which included winter sanitation, pesticide application in the spring and pesticide application at hull split to Program 2, which consisted of a winter sanitation,

mating disruption and pesticide application at hull split.

This decision tool showed reject percentages were the same between the two programs, although there was a price loss difference of $35 per acre from Program 2.

PECAN

The tool also gives insight into what a grower’s breakeven would be, considering damage percentages, input costs and market prices for almonds.

“This shows you what we should be considering when we’re making these decisions,” Goodrich said. “A lot of times, we only think, ‘Mating disruption is really costly; it’s really hard to fork out that extra money,’ but if it is going to result in lower damage rates, it might be a net benefit to employ some of these more costly pest management methods.”

Losses from NOW

Perhaps one of the trickiest characteristics about NOW is the impacts are not fully exposed until after harvest.

Mel Machado, vice president, grower relations at Blue Diamond Growers, said at the processing level, losses from NOW are not only seen in premium values but also in weight.

Machado warned even though these losses are shown on the processing statement, they don’t always tell the full story. Growers now are seeing even more rejection at the huller/sheller level because many processors have implemented color sorter technology that picks through nuts even more closely.

“For navel orangeworm actual losses, you can figure it’s double what you’re seeing on the statement because the real light stuff is getting blown out at the harvest,” he said.

On more infectious years like this 54

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December 2023

year, Machado said he has seen growers who usually never have problems with damage experience 8% to 12% rejects once harvest is wrapped up, costing them potentially thousands of dollars per acre.

Destroying Mummies

The only way to ensure there are no surprises by the time harvest comes is to invest in proper winter sanitation practices like removing and destroying mummy nuts. This ensures NOW do not have the opportunity to survive into the spring season and infect the future crop.

It is well known in the industry that mummies left after harvest have a direct correlation with NOW. Justin Nay, president and CEO of Integral Ag, Inc., has been sampling mummy nuts for NOW larvae for over 15 years. He said in 2022, the average number of larvae found in the mummies they inspected was the third highest they have seen, with 27 larvae per 100 mummies. That number is expected to grow this year,

given 2023 conditions, which is why Nay stresses the importance of an IPM plan.

“The January 2023 Almond Position Report showed a 2.02% Nonpareil reject number,” Nay said. “That roughly comes out to 100 to 150 females per acre. It’s a reasonable assessment that we’re not sanitizing enough to keep those numbers below 2% to get our premiums.”

Subsequently, NOW infestation triggered by mummy nuts also opens the door to further threats to the industry like aflatoxins. Aflatoxins are a food safety contaminant and a major concern for exporters, Birmingham said. The industry does not want to get into a position where trade partners are concerned with the quality of California almonds over a matter that can be, in large part, prevented.

“Basically, European authorities closely watch the rejection rates; the more rejections they have, the more they will test for aflatoxin,” Birmingham said. “Even though we have a very

robust protocol, every time a container is sampled and tested, there is a risk.

The more they recognize the California industry understands the concern and is addressing it, the more confidence they have in our system.”

Looking Ahead

The good news is the industry is in a position to stop this cycle. The 2022 and 2023 harvests have provided a great learning lesson for many growers in the industry, and this winter it is encouraged that orchards are sanitized through and through to ensure solid protection against NOW that lasts yearround.

The Almond Board of California recommends consulting with your PCA to see what the best plan of action is for your winter sanitation program.

Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com

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December 2023

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55

Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: ‘It is Here and Causing an Issue’ in Hazelnut

By MITCH LIES | Contributing Writer

Hazelnut growers are finding pest management is growing more complex with filbert worm persisting longer in the season and brown marmorated stink bugs having emerged as a significant pest.

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one test conducted in 2022, researchers measured the percent corky tissue damage in one hazelnut orchard increased 6% between September 13 and October 11.

“If you are letting those nuts hang there and you are not protecting them, you’re going to be getting at least 5%

or 6% extra damage in a bad scenario,” Walton said. “Late season is when we really do need to protect the nuts from stink bug.”

Early season infestations of stink

Continued on Page 58

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s recently as 10 years ago, despite dire warnings from East Coast researchers, Oregon State University Extension Entomologist Vaughn Walton did not think brown marmorated stink bug (BMSB) would be a big issue in hazelnuts.

He has since changed his tune.

“We’ve been in several orchards in the last few years where I’m seeing it is here, and it is causing an issue,” Walton said in a presentation at the Nut Growers Society’s Summer Tour on August 2 in Albany, Ore. “The scientists on the East Coast would tell us, ‘This is going to be the worst problem that you’ve ever had,’” Walston added. “I did not believe that.

I did not believe it would cause an economic issue. But now I’m a believer.”

Stink bugs first emerged as a pest of concern in agriculture in the Eastern U.S. in the 2000s. By 2010, it was causing significant crop loss in orchards back East. In Oregon, the pest was first found in the Portland area in 2004. Walton started monitoring for the pest after seeing it in orchards for the first time nine years ago in the Beaverton, Ore., area.

The pest damages hazelnuts by penetrating shells with mouth parts and injecting enzymes into nuts, which can lead to corky tissue, blanks and shriveled nuts. Often, Walton said, a grower won’t know there is a problem until after harvest.

“You will only see this after you crack those nuts open,” he said.

“You’ll harvest them. You’ll put all that seasonal energy and money to keep those nuts clean. And this will be the product you will only see after the nuts are cut open.”

Walton said he has found between 16% and 18% of crop loss to the pest in some orchards. Also, according to OSU Extension Orchard Specialist Nik Wiman, packers are now checking for stink bugs as part of their insect damage sampling protocol.

The pest can inflict damage throughout a season, Walton said, but is most damaging in late season. In

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57

Oregon State University Extension Entomologist Vaughn Walton displays a trap for brown marmorated stink bug during a presentation at the Nut Growers Society Summer Tour in Albany on August 2. Nut Growers Society President James McDonald is holding the trap (all photos by M. Lies.)

Continued from Page 57 bugs also should be avoided if possible, Walton said. “If you have early stink bug pressure in your orchard, you’re not only getting corky tissue, you’re also getting blanks and you’re also getting shriveled nuts,” he said.

Traps should be placed in the upper canopy of trees early in the season to get accurate counts. “The stink bugs will be in that upper portion of the canopy,” Walton said.

Pest Complexities

Stink bugs are adding to an already diverse pest complex in hazelnuts that is getting increasingly difficult to manage, Walton said. “We used to only worry about filbert worm. The only thing we needed to worry about was to put out a spray on the Fourth of July.

In the new world, with this bug, we are going to have to be aware throughout the season,” he said.

“And the filbert worm seems to be becoming an increasingly difficult problem to deal with as well,” Walton said. “We are not seeing that extreme peak on the Fourth of July 58

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December 2023

anymore. Now we’ve got this filbert worm emerging in May, and they’re just hanging in there, and people are finding their peak numbers in late July, early August.”

Efforts to control the BMSB have also exacerbated issues with aphids, according to Wiman, particularly because the only materials that control both stink bug and filbert worms are nonselective materials that are affecting populations of the parasitoid wasp Trioxys pallidus, which, until recently, has been effective at keeping down aphid populations.

Wiman said he is seeing more aphid pressure in recent years because of this.

Shell Thickness

At one point, researchers had hoped that thicker-shelled hazelnut varieties would lend some resistance to stink bugs. But, Walton said, that has not been proven to be the case.

“Irrespective of shell thickness, these bugs can still cause damage,” he said.

“That shell can be the thickest shell you can find, and the stink bug will stick its mouthparts in there, it will inject enzymes into it, and it will move its tongue around.”

Researchers also had hoped to have determined an action threshold for stink bug by now, but to date, their research has failed to show a clear relationship between trap counts and crop damage in hazelnuts, Wiman said.

“So, we are just using the traps as an indicator of presence,” Wiman said.

“We need to get better IPM tactics for the stink bug so that we can use sprays against stink bug more judiciously.”

OSU Extension Entomologist Vaughn Walton provides a presentation on brown marmorated stink bug during the Nut Growers Society Summer Tour.

are hearing from your packer or your dryer,” he said.

“Late in the season, when you start getting numbers like 70 bugs per trap, the damage has already been done,” Walton said. “It’s too late at that stage, so we need to try and catch this a little bit earlier.”

As for the future, Walton said researchers are hoping to develop non-toxic products that will control stink bugs. Work to date indicates

they may have tools utilizing fatty acid compounds to help control stink bugs within the next five years.

“There is light at the end of the tunnel,” he said. “I think we just need to keep at it.”

Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com

Multiple Hosts

Stink bugs enter orchards from a variety of sites including outbuildings and alternative host plants that are present near an orchard. In its nymphal stages, the bug lodges itself between the husk and nut in a hazelnut tree and is very difficult to see, Walton said.

“The majority of orchards that are mature can be up to 20 feet high and the nuts are in that upper portion of the canopy, so you’re not going to be seeing brown marmorated stink bug in that orchard until it’s too late, until you December 2023

www.wcngg.com

59

Biostimulant Use in Agriculture is Rapidly Increasing Worldwide Tom Gerecke, Product Development Manager - Nutrient TECH

Biostimulant use increases resiliency in agriculture production. Biostimulants applied with proper nutrition can increase crop yields. In some cases, biostimulants can reduce fertilizer application rates while maintaining yields. Many growers are asking ”could my crop benefit from using a biostimulant?” According to Dr. Fred Below from the University of Illinois, “(Biostimulants) are here to stay and are going to be key management practices in our quest for high yields, but you better understand how they work and what they do…”

Biostimulant use has rapidly increased in worldwide agriculture over the last decade. The most rapid growth has been in Europe, in part to maintain yield levels with the loss of traditional inputs. The use of biostimulants in the US is lagging behind Europe, but also increasing rapidly. US growers spent $416.8 million in 2022 and are expected to increase their spend to $1.2 billion by 2026.

Biostsmulants are a topic of much discussion, skepticism and even arguments in our industry. Consensus has not been reached over a technical definition, and the lack of specific regulations has allowed individual interpretations to flourish. The following definition is taken from the proposed US Biostimulant Act in Congress: a ‘plant biostimulant’ is a substance, micro-organism, or mixture thereof, that, when applied to seeds, plants, the rhizosphere, soil, or other

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growth media, acts to support a plant’s natural processes independent of the biostimulant’s nutrient content, thereby improving nutrient availability, uptake or use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and consequent growth, development, quality, or yield. Micro-organisms which act as biopesticides are excluded from the biostimulant definition. Microbial inoculants that act as biofertilizers are often indirectly included in many biostimulants definitions.

Second is stress relief mode, whereby abiotic stress redirects plant growth resources toward survival mechanisms. As a consequence of prevalent crop stress, crop yields rarely reach their full potential.

Many biostimulants enable plants to respond more effectively to stress. The following is a general list of major abiotic stressors:

Lack of specific regulations creates labeling difficulties for many companies and products. There are no federal regulations for these products yet, let alone a standardized definition. To legally make verified performance result claims for most biostimulant products, the materials would need to go through the FIFRA PGR registration process. Consequently, most products with biostimulant components are registered as simple fertilizer products or non-nutritive plant and soil products with few claims of added performance.

This is especially true on the West Coast.

If governmental regulators decide biostimulants require FIFRA labeling, this will present an enormous barrier to market entry and stifle innovation, which could set the industry back a decade or more.

In a 2015 publication, Drs. Patrick Brown and Sebastian Saa proposed 2 general means of activity for biostimulants. The first way is a microbiome mode, whereby microbes in the environment have beneficial effects on crop growth primarily by modulating plant response to stress (biostimulants have been demonstrated to favorably alter the plant microbiome).

December 2023

•

Excessive heat and cold

•

Saturated soil and dry soil

•

Intense UV light

•

Excessive wind

•

Soil salinity

•

Soil compaction

•

Nutrient deficiency and toxicity

Following the Stress Hypothesis above, “plants constantly act to balance growth with the need for survival. The perception of stress results in an immediate reallocation of energy to defensive strategies that compromise yield,” according to Plant Physiology and Development (2015 Sinauer & Assoc). Since abiotic stress occurs in all environments, crop yield rarely reaches full potential. The encountered stress is rarely singular. Instead, multiple stresses occur together, such as drought and heat, or salinity and moisture stress. Biostimulants enable plants to respond more effectively to stress or alter normal plant metabolic limitations to productivity. Some means by which this is accomplished are: A. Improved nutrient availability: less energy is utilized for nutrient uptake.

Many categorizations of biostimulants can be found in popular and scientific literature.

Broad categorizations can be difficult to understand, so the following is a practical list with examples. Don’t forget commercial products often contain a combination of materials, which take advantage of beneficial interactions among components, such as seaweed extract and amino acids.

B. Higher nutrient use efficiency: improved growth under less nutrient load.

C. Stress tolerance: increased antioxidant production, enzyme activities and plant hormone production.

D. Specific physiological/genetic responses: e.g., photosynthetic rate increase, hormonal changes for growth, flowering and fruit set.

E. Humic Substances, Natural Organic Matter Extracts Humic and fulvic acids, tannins, phenolics, compost tea

Biostimulant products are often formulated with multiple modes of activity.

Dr. Gabriel Krouk has stated “combinations of molecules in biostimulants can have dramatically different effects on gene expression and/or physiological plant response.” For full response, plants require adequate nutritional and carbohydrate building blocks. An applic ation of biostimulants often exhibits responses that cannot be identified simply through the functions of the individual components, or “the system is more than the sum of its component parts” (Dr. Christopher Johnson, 2006). If ideal environmental conditions are guaranteed, there is less need for biostimulants.

F.

Seaweed and Botanical Extracts Seaweed, algae and plant extracts

G. Inorganic Salts Silicon, cobalt, phosphite (“non-essential nutrients” for plants) H. Beneficial Microorganisms Mycorrhizae, beneficial bacteria, fungi and their by-products/extracts I.

Chitosan, Chitan and other Biopolymers Shellfish extracts, synthetic polymers

J.

Protein Hydrolysates, N Containing Compounds Amino acids, peptides, organic N substances (betaines, polyamines)

Biostimulants are an essential component within the Nutrient TECH™ product portfolio. We have developed a number of proven biostimulant products with established technologies, such as ROOTERRA™, Amylis, N-Leaf, Ful Strength™, and NexxGen™. All of these products have established performance records in Europe and have demonstrated improved plant growth in California field trials.

Our flagship product, ROOTERRA, contains synergistic natural compounds, trace elements, and essential nutrients to promote the rapid establishment of new plantings and reduce environmental stress impacts. This combination of ingredients stimulates root development, plant vigor, stress tolerance and crop growth to maximize yields and quality. Field research with ROOTERRA has confirmed positive yield responses in a broad array of crops including nut trees, grapes and a wide array of small fruits, vegetables and field crops.

Amylis and N-Leaf are non-nutritive bacterial products which stabilize plant nitrogen status for crop growth. Research has demonstrated each of these materials

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can supplement growth at an intensity similar to 25-30 lbs. of nitrogen. They display additive effects when applied together. These materials are applied t o soil and foliage respectively and fit both conventional and organic production practices.

Ful Strength is a unique fermented plant extract, high in fulvic acid, interactive natural compounds and essential plant nutrients. These ingredients encourage plant nutrient availability and uptake, soil biological activity and root growth. Initial California field research has demonstrated improved soil microbial response and crop yield, making Ful Strength an excellent addition to organic production systems.

field research has demonstrated improved fruit set resulting in increased yield.

The prevalence of environmental stress in all our fields raises the question “could my crop benefit from a biostimulant?”

Understanding biostimulants and product options will help increase confidence during the decision-making process.

Product application and follow-up on crop response will provide in-field validation of benefits and allow localized adjustments for best use.

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• Improves tolerance to environmental stresses • Aids in nutrient uptake supporting increased yields

For more information contact your PCA or visit www.Nutrient.TECH Scan to download the Crop Nutrient Advisor App Today!

Northern CA & Intermountain West Ryan Sanderson, CCA PCA 208-565-6431 RSanderson@Nutrient.TECH

Coastal CA, Southern CA, AZ & HI Craig Wyatt 831-809-1588 CWyatt@Nutrient.TECH

Pacific Northwest Michael Ruttan, PCA 509-378-5357 MRuttan@Nutrient.TECH

CA Central Valley Devin Lilles 559-287-7724 DLilles@Nutrient.TECH

About Nutrient TECH Nutrient TECH focuses on the development and marketing of advanced plant nutrition products and BioSolutions for agriculture in North America. Nutrient TECH continually strives to improve its production and QC/lab support for its advanced foliar nutrition and BioSolutions platform to consistently meet and exceed the exacting demands of today’s quality-conscious growers. Based in Dinuba, California, Nutrient TECH was founded in 1986 and was purchased by the De Sangosse Group in December 2015.

About De Sangosse The De Sangosse Group, based in Agen, France, is a major international player in BioSolutions for crop protection and crop nutrition as well as for pest control. De Sangosse has been awarded the “Committed to CSR” label by AFNOR. Overall, the company has 975 employees, 26 operating companies and distribution activities in over 60 countries. The group’s mission is to bring about a major transformation in the agricultural industry through BioSolutions, thanks to dedicated investments and fruit of its R&D efforts, technical development, registrations and several strategic partnerships and make them available for all types of agriculture and all means of cultivation. The cross synergy of these technologies can Nourish, Boost and Protect crops for a three-way economic, social and ecological performance. The group’s aim is to develop, manufacture and market biofertilizers, biostimulants, biocontrol solutions, adjuvants and services to meet food needs, climate risks and environmental challenges, and to comply with regulatory changes in Europe and the rest of the world. De Sangosse contributes to creating value for its customers and the industry through innovation and by offering an elevated level of expertise. De Sangosse’s share capital comes mostly from its employees, thus guaranteeing its independence and ensuring a long-term vision of its business plan.

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IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Exclusive Articles Twice a Month

TOP ARTICLES FROM PREVIOUS ISSUES

Monitor for San Jose Scale Outbreaks

Natural enemies, left alone, are normally successful in keeping San Jose scale (SJS) levels low in almonds, but changes in insect pest pressure and pest management can upset the balance and provide an opening for infestation.

Precipitation Spurred Rust Outbreaks in Almond Orchards

Not surprisingly, rust raised its ugly head in many almond orchards this year.

Mohammad Yaghmour, a UCCE plant pathologist and orchard systems advisor in Kern County, predicted late spring rains and high humidity levels would spur higher incidences of this fungal disease in almonds. Rust outbreaks were common in Kern County this year, he confirmed.

Bins, Harvest Equipment Can Spread the Pistachio Pest Gill’s Mealybug

Pressure washing of pistachio harvest equipment and bins as well as any other equipment used in pistachio orchards is recommended to slow the spread of Gill’s mealybug to new orchards in northern growing areas.

Don’t miss a single article

Subscribe Today receive them directly to your inbox

To subscribe scan the QR code or63visit December 2023 www.wcngg.com

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INPUTS

AG SUMMIT

Biostimulants Find a Path Under FIFRA Amendment

By KRISTIN PLATTS | Digital Content Writer

Left to right, Jerome Pier, senior agronomist with QualiTech Plant Nutrition, introduces biostimulant panelists Rich Kreps, CCA, SSp., Ultra Gro; James Henderson, CCA, president, Prime Dirt, Inc.; August York, CCA, Intuit Ag Consulting; moderator Russell Taylor, vice president, Live Earth Products; and Kirk Van Leuven, CCA/PCA, Stoller USA.

T

he Plant Biostimulant Act (PBA) was reintroduced earlier this year to amend the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA), with the goal of providing a consistent definition for plant biostimulants. Originally introduced in the 1950s, FIFRA has been a frustrating law to navigate for an industry that has grown tech-

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nologically by leaps and bounds in the 20th century.

FIFRA applies to all types of pesticides, including insecticides, herbicides, fungicides, rodenticides, antimicrobials and devices. The PBA will require the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to revise the existing code of federal regulations to include a new plant

biostimulant definition. It will also define nutritional chemicals and require USDA to study how plant biostimulant products can contribute to soil health and several other environmental and agronomic benefits.

Russell Taylor, CCA and vice presi-

Continued on Page 66

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Left to right, Rich Kreps, James Henderson, August York and Kirk Van Leuven spoke on a panel addressing the Plant Biostimulant Act, which will amend the 1950s FIFRA law.

Continued from Page 64

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dent of Live Earth Products, was the moderator at a discussion panel held on the topic at the 2023 Crop Consultant Conference in Visalia, Calif. in September. He said one of the greatest challenges ag faces with FIFRA is the law is archaic and just hasn’t updated with agriculture.

Taylor, who has also served as president of the Humic Products Trade Association for the past decade, added that, in the past, pesticides considered to be minimum risk could be exempt from FIFRA, but some of the common nutrients used in agriculture today aren’t included on the exemption list.

“Technically, some of your uses of those plant nutrients can be considered outside of FIFRA under the pesticide rule, so obviously that’s problematic,” he said.

Taylor said the law was written so poorly, that even water could be considered a pesticide under its broad criteria. He said the amendment to FIFRA will do several things to improve it like make room for biostimulants as currently only fertilizers and pesticides are outlined with no space in between. The amendment will also require the government to study the issue further, resulting in promotion and research that could be beneficial to the ag industry.

Panelists Address PBA Pros and Cons

Opening the panel discussion, Taylor said there are

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If this product provides more benefit to my commodity than it costs, then I’ll use it.

"

– Lorianne Fought, small farm owner, on biostimulants

two elements to how fertilizers and plant biostimulants are regulated.

While pesticides are regulated under the EPA, he said there is no federal agency that regulates fertilizers at the federal level, so it is left up to the states.

There is a model that has come out in recent years that states can use, however. Written by the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFCO), the Beneficial Substance Model Bill, which is a model that every state can use, Taylor explained, essentially outlines how all the products that are not pesticides are handled.

Taylor read a statement to the

August York speaks on a panel that addressed the pros and cons of the Plant Biostimulant Act.

audience from CDFA that stated it will soon be submitting a legislative proposal to formally include plant biostimulants into law. He said it would be a slow turn for states to adopt the rules, but at the end, all 50 states will be able to take charge to make changes that will be impactful.

Posing his first question to panelists, Taylor asked how relevant those upcoming changes by CDFA will be to California farmers and if they thought the changes were positive.

Calling California ag products some of the best quality anywhere, Kirk Van Leuven, CCA/PCA, Stoller USA, said he sees the advantage in the

state’s fruit and vegetable return on farmgate.

“Where I see the big advantage to these changes for biostimulants is in the quality you get with the end product because you’re able to affect every physiological stage all the way through the growing process,” he said.

Van Leuven noted crop stress is one of the biggest things that will be able to be addressed through the new language in the amendment, and having biostimulants available during stressful stages of flowering and fruit setting will be beneficial.

Continued on Page 68

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Rich Kreps speaks about a recent amendment to FIFRA that will provide clearer language for plant biostimulants.

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Continued from Page 67 “The biostimulant products, from my experience, are giving you new tools beyond what you have with just fertilizers in order to improve the crop at those stages,” he said.

Regarding product labeling, Taylor asked panelists if they would support law changes that help issues like nutrient retention and stress management, and asked if they thought those labels and products are helping innovation or not.

August York, a CCA with Intuit Ag Consulting, said he sees an inconsistency in the way products are taxed, noting something designated a fertilizer or bulk agricultural mineral is exempt from sales tax while auxiliary plant and some other stimulants aren’t exempt. He said there’s an incentive there for formulators to label as a bulk agricultural mineral.

“I think that’s an unfortunate misalignment that’s going to continue to occur as long as that tax incentive structure persists,” York said. “So, from a labeling standpoint, I feel like it is limiting, and why, as a formulator, would you ever put yourself at that disadvantage, and yet, you’re kind of forced to.”

James Henderson, CCA and president of Prime Dirt, Inc., believes growers need to have all the options they can get and said those options are becoming less and less on the chemistry side, especially.

“For example, if you grow citrus right now, you had to spray three to four or as many as six times this year for thrips because the products didn’t work,” he said. “A

heavy-handed regulatory body that’s going to say that you cannot have this product or that product, to me, is not a great road to go down.”

But Henderson said he also understands the other side of it.

“I get it, as a producer and a consumer myself, you want to know, there’s a lot of white noise out there,” he said. “You want to know what’s real and what’s not real.”

Panelists also discussed soil health and how biostimulants could help with nitrogen loss.

Van Leuven said biostimulants give you the ability to manage stress in several ways, which is beneficial to the soil.

“When a plant’s working efficiently, those photosynthates go all the way down, they go out the roots, they go into the biome, they feed everything there, and an efficiently working plant that is less stressed has the ability to actually regenerate the soil,” he said.

During an audience Q&A, agricultural research scientist and small farm owner Lorianne Fought said the economic standpoint is the driving force behind using a product, regardless of how large or small an operation is. “If this product provides more benefit to my commodity than it costs, then I’ll use it,” she said.

But she said she also needs to know before she ventures into using a product how well it’s going to work. Speaking as both a scientist and a grower, Fought said she wants to see independent data beyond the manufacturer that will show what the benefit is, especially under different environmental circumstances, since she farms on hard, difficult-to-grow-on ground.

“We need to see the information, and I need to see that it’s going to provide a benefit beyond the input cost,” she said.

"

The biostimulant products, from my experience, are giving you new tools beyond what you have with just fertilizers in order to improve the crop at those stages.

– Kirk Van Leuven, Stoller USA

Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com

December 2023

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M

y Ag Nite featured an intimate gathering of agricultural and political dignitaries, growers and industry leaders in celebration of the bounty of California agriculture. Following a locally sourced Farm to Fork dinner, Fox News Personality Jesse Watters sat down with West Coast Nut Publisher Jason Scott to share some inside baseball with those in attendance. He also took a number of questions from the audience and noted he was surprised to learn about California’s best kept secret: agriculture.

As promised, he followed up his visit with several commentaries on the challenges agriculture faces, including water, labor and an urban legislature that does not understand its importance and issues.

For more on My Ag Nite, tune into the MyAgLife show or visit MyAgLife.com.

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Thank you for supporting California Agriculture at the My Ag Nite c elebration featuring Fox News Host Jesse Watters.

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Research is showing that carbohydrate storage after bloom in pistachios may be less than initially thought.

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T

Turning a Belief on Its Head New research sheds light on carbohydrate storage and zinc levels after harvest.

By RICH KREPS | CCA, SSp., Contributing Writer

hey say it takes a big man to admit when he’s wrong. That’s a lie.

I’m only 5’ 7” and I am relatively sure 160 pounds doesn’t find itself anything past the low level of average. But I do stand corrected. Carbohydrates may not climb as high as we once thought during the postharvest period.

I have always tried my darnedest to make sure my growers push their chlorophyll production as far into fall as possible. I was under the assumption that every last bit of carbohydrate storage would make winter recovery and spring bloom that much more effective. And quite honestly, I still think so. But what I didn’t count on was the recent discovery that we may not get as much carbohydrate production as once thought after harvest. At the most recent California Pistachio Research Board (CPRB) meeting, we had this discussion involving zincing the leaves off our trees in the fall. It is a solid practice for young trees with an early onset winter and early fall freezing temperatures.

The argument isn’t as valid for mature orchards but there were a couple things at play here.

Many growers were under the assumption heavy loads of zinc to toxic levels that “burnt” the leaves off were also influential in restoring zinc levels in the trees. There are two things in play here. When a tree experiences toxic levels of nutrients, it pushes them to the margins of the leaves. We see “burnt tips,” scorching and a desiccation. This happens as the tree is pushing those nutrients or antinutrients as far away from the core as possible. Zinc is critical in the abscission process and creating the means of “cutting” the leaf loose from the tree. Heavy, toxic shots of zinc don’t go into the tree as it tries to stop it before it moves through the phloem and into the branches. Hence the leaves cut themselves off, dry up and fall (think of it like drinking something awful.) It’s already in you if you took a sip, but it can still be spit out before its digested and in the blood stream. This zinc serves its purpose to shut the tree down and accelerate the dormancy, but it’s not feeding it.

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It’s a good idea to start postharvest nutrition as early as possible for better assimilation before the trees shut down.

What Does This Mean?

Continued from Page 73 The second thing at play here is the practice of doing this for dormancy.

And here’s where my “theory” doesn’t seem to hold as much water as previously thought. I have always tried to get my growers to hit postharvest with the nutrients to ramp up photosynthesis before dormancy to build carbohydrates for winter. I always push a little phosphorus to make ATP (energy), potassium to move the nutrients and take in carbon dioxide, a little nitrogen if we were deficient at harvest, and, most importantly, the central element of chlorophyl: magnesium for photosynthesis.

The problem is Dr. “Z” at UC Davis has surmised the trees don’t actually store as much as originally hypothesized. At the CPRB meeting, I got confirmation of this from my good buddy and grower Joe Coelho. It was his opinion that carbohydrate storage was far less than we thought during this period.

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ed. And lastly, start your postharvest If you are short of any nutrients in nutrition as early as possible for better your harvest tissues, there is still plenty assimilation before the trees shut down. of time to get them into your trees.

I have many growers I consult start You must stay up on that to maximize this process the last irrigation before yields and orchard health. Having the harvest. We even sprayed a zinc foliar right nutrients during spring bloom this year to help the abscission layer for relies on this. It’s hard to make phosbetter shaking. This will be a multi-year phorus available in some forms when process to see if it worked as most trees it’s cold and wet. If you have young shook very well this year in general. trees and a hard early winter is on its We tend to stick to our convictions way, the last two weeks of delaying leaf strongly based on our experiences, but drop with a toxic zinc application isn’t we also must be able to look at the rehelping you like we thought. When search and make new conclusions if the the leaves do fall, any incorporation data says otherwise. It’s imperative to of them into the soil will also give also know exactly what you are trying you a more stable form of zinc locked to accomplish with applications. A little up in that organic matter that should discussion with the powers that be to become available later in the new confirm the physiology is supporting season. Depending on your outlook the theory will make us better growers. for weather, you should then be able When the leaves fall off, it’s more fun to knock out winter sanitation earlier to scare the crows in our field than eat and get those mummies broken down one. sooner. With the disaster we had with navel orangeworm in almonds this year, Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us anything any grower can do to lessen at article@jcsmarketinginc.com the pressure will help all crops affect-

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Beetle Pest Presents New Challenge for Almond and Pistachio Growers

By CECILIA PARSONS | Associate Editor

Beetle infesting almond at hull split. Lack of mummy sanitation in the majority of orchards last fall and winter due to early and heavy rains likely allowed this pest to build numbers in some regions.

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“

F

urther incentive to sanitize orchards is here in the shape of a small black beetle.

UCCE and PCAs have been documenting damage to almonds and pistachios by a new invasive pest known as the carpophilus beetle (Nitidulidae: Carpophilus truncatus). Adults deposit their eggs onto new crop nuts, and the larvae that emerge feed on the developing kernels. This species is already well known in Australia, where almond growers have been battling it for the past 10 years. More recently, the carpophilus beetle has also been reported on walnuts in Argentina and Italy.

Carpophilus beetle infestations were first observed in almond and pistachio orchards by Houston Wilson, UCCE entomology specialist (Dept. of Entomology, UC Riverside) based at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center in Parlier, Calif. Specimens were subsequently confirmed as Carpophilus truncatus by CDFA. Fol-

FOR NOW, CROP SANITATION IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING GROWERS AND PCAS CAN DO TO CONTROL THIS NEW CARPOPHILUS BEETLE. WE CANNOT EMPHASIZE THIS ENOUGH. – HOUSTON WILSON, UC RIVERSIDE

“

lowing these initial finds, Wilson partnered with UCCE Kern County farm advisor David Haviland and UCCE IPM advisor Jhalendra Rijal, who is based in northern San Joaquin Valley, to initiate a broader survey of the San Joaquin Valley to determine the extent of these infestations. To date, carpophilus beetles have been confirmed in Stanislaus, Merced, Madera and Kings counties, suggesting this new pest is already quite widespread.

“It’s important that we get on top of this immediately,” Wilson said. “We

are already starting to put together a game plan for research and extension in 2024 and beyond.”

Overwinters in Mummy Nuts

Carpophilus beetles overwinter in remnant mummy nuts, and then move onto new crop nuts at hull-split. The adults deposit eggs onto the developing nuts, and the larvae that emerge feed on the kernels. The adults will sometimes also feed on the nut. Damage from

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Continued on Page 78

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Continued from Page 77

Beetle inside hull. Winter sanitation is the best method for control as of now.

carpophilus beetle typically produces a fine powdery mixture of whitish nutmeat and frass, and sometimes an oblong-shaped bore hole can be seen on the nut. Rijal reported almond samples taken recently in Merced and Stanislaus counties showed Carpophilus truncatus damage along with navel orangeworm (NOW) damage inside the same shell.

Wilson said inspecting mummy or new crop nuts may reveal various small black beetles, but they may not all necessarily be Carpophilus truncatus since it is easy to confuse them with other similar-looking beetles. For instance, there are other closely related beetle species in the genus Carpophilus that resemble each other. UC IPM guidelines note that the dried fruit beetles, Carpophilus hemipterus, are the most common species in San Joaquin Valley orchards. Carpophilus mutilatus can also be present in some orchards.

Neither of these species will attack tree nuts.

“If you see any small dark beetles that are suspect, reach out to your local farm advisor or County Agricultural Commissioner to get the identification confirmed,” Wilson said.

Given that Carpophilus beetle overwinter in mummy nuts, just like navel orangeworm, both Wilson and Rijal strongly emphasized the need for crop sanitation. “Given the lack of reliable biological and chemical control options for this new pest, crop sanitation is the primary method of control.” Wilson said.

Rijal said that some of the carpophilus beetle specimens confirmed from Merced County were collected in 2022, so it is likely that this beetle has been in the San Joaquin Valley for at least a few years. “Effective sanitation has likely kept numbers low and/or beetle damage was mistakenly attributed to ants, NOW or some other pests,” Rijal said. Lack of mummy sanitation in the majority of orchards last fall and winter due to early and heavy rains likely

Continued on Page 80

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hundred sample nuts we evaluated at the harvest, we found roughly 35% of the nuts were attacked by Carpophilus beetle, 35% by navel orangeworm, and 30% by both. So, it clearly indicated that the Carpophilus beetle does not need navel orangeworm to infest the nuts; they can do direct damage without any help.”

The ability to use insecticides to control carpophilus beetle is unclear.

The majority of the beetle’s life cycle is spent protected inside the nut with relatively short windows of opportunity available to attack the adults when they are exposed. The location of the beetles within the nut throughout most of their life cycle also allows them to avoid meaningful levels of biological control.

Without clear chemical or biological control strategies, Wilson stressed the most important tool for managing this beetle is orchard sanitation.

“Given that this pest overwinters on remnant nuts, similar to navel orangeworm, sanitation will be fundamental to controlling it,” Wilson said. "If you need another reason to clean up and destroy mummy nuts, this is it.”

Wilson and Haviland are now working with researchers in Australia to formulate monitoring and management strategies in California. “Over the past 10 years, our colleagues in Australia have generated a lot of good information on the ecology and management of carpophilus beetle, much of which is Carpophilus beetle and larvae feeding on kernel. Researchers say they have seen both larvae and readily applicable to our conditions in adults of the Carpophilus beetle and navel orangeworm larvae inside the same kernel in almonds California,” Wilson said. (all photos by J. Rijal.)

“For now, crop sanitation is the most important thing growers and PCAs Continued from Page 78 pest, including when it emerges, where can do to control this new carpophilus the adult beetles move to and how far beetle.” Wilson said. “We cannot emthey can fly. Klein added there are phasize this enough.” allowed this pest to build numbers in several species of beetles that look alike, Wilson said if you suspect that you some regions. and there is a need for positive identihave this beetle in your orchard, please Bob Klein, manager of California fication. contact your local UCCE farm advisor Pistachio Research Board, said Austra“They are small and quick. If you (https://ucanr.edu/About/Locations/), lian growers report the beetle is more of open a nut with an adult beetle inside, County Agricultural Commissioner a pest in almonds than pistachios. He they fly off quickly,” Klein said. (https://cacasa.org/county/) and/or the said pistachio hulls that remain intact Rijal confirmed that if an adult bee- CDFA Pest Hotline (https://www.cdfa. are a barrier to beetle infestation. tle came out when a nut is opened, it is ca.gov/plant/reportapest/) at 1-800“Like navel orangeworm can’t infest a carpophilus beetle.

491-1899. a pistachio nut with an intact hull, it is “I have seen both larvae and adults also a barrier to this beetle,” Klein said. of the Carpophilus beetle and navel orangeworm larvae inside the same Comments about this article? We want Need Positive Identification kernel (i.e., nutmeat) in almonds that to hear from you. Feel free to email us Much remains to know about this we cracked out. Also, out of the several at article@jcsmarketinginc.com 80

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From the Orchard

Karun Samran of Bapu Farming Co. is Committed to Family Farming Legacy

From left to right, Karun Samran works with his dad, Sohan Samran and brother Arjun Samran at Bapu Almond Co. and Bapu Farming Co.

By LORI FAIRCHILD | Contributing Writer

L

ike many children of farming parents, Karun Samran of Bapu Farming Co. and Bapu Almond Co. left his family farm to attend college.

But unlike many of those children who leave for college, he chose to come back and join the family operation after he graduated in 2017 despite the appeal of better weather and more things to do in the Bay Area.

His decision came down to family expectations and the belief that farming held a host of opportunities to explore. He saw a chance to fill some of the vacuum being left by other family farms that were selling out. After returning home, he jumped into his role, exploring new farming practices like regenerative farming and getting involved in problem-solving the ever-present water situation.

West Coast Nut asked Samran to share some of his experiences and views on where the nut industry is going in the future.

Q. Tell us a little bit about your family history when it comes to farming.

My family immigrated here from

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Punjab, India back in the ‘70s, and they settled in Madera in the early ’80s.

They started out as farm laborers and later became labor contractors. From there, they saved up to start buying farms and became full-time farmers.

It’s the typical American Dream they achieved.

I went off to college, and my decision was always to come back. My dad was a one-man show, so I came back to help him out. I have a younger brother, and he also went out of the Valley for college, got his bachelor’s and came back. So now it’s the three of us in the operation.

We farm almonds, tomatoes, wine grapes and pistachios in Madera and Kern County. We’re pretty spread out and have a fair number of acres to deal with. On top of that, we have our own almond processor here in Madera.

When it comes to actual farming, we try to do what we can to be vertically integrated, so we have a lot of our own heavy machinery to do orchard removal and development, and we have tree grinding. We got into orchard removal as well because we saw four or five years ago there were going to be so

many orchards out there that need to be grinded, and there were not going to be enough grinders out there. We did not want to have our farm developments held up waiting on others.

Q. Did you ever consider doing anything else or was it always, ‘I want to come back and be part of the farm?’

You do consider it; it’s hard not to.

I went to UC Berkeley, but from the beginning, my dad always tried to emphasize to my brother and I that, ‘You guys need to come back; the Valley needs you.’ He’s seen it so often; in the Valley, we lose so many of our brighter minds to outside places. They leave because they don’t see the opportunity for change in the Valley, and that’s opened up a vacuum here.

My dad told us there’ll be a lot of opportunities because he saw it firsthand. I mean, more often than not, almost every ranch we buy is a family farmer’s last ranch because they didn’t have a succession plan. Someone sells

Continued on Page 84

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Crates of nuts await shipping. Karun Samran said educating consumers about the health benefits of tree nuts is critical for developing new markets for the tree nut industry.

Continued from Page 82 out because they don’t have someone in their family who wanted to continue farming. That’s a trend you see across the nation.

Also, in our Sikh culture, if you have a family business, it’s expected for the kids to partake in the family business because there will be always a spot for them and to eventually take it over to continue over the generations.

Q. Can you talk a little bit about how you have seen farming practices evolve in the last several years?

It’s a lot more tech now, more than we know what to do with since it just exploded in the last 5 to 10 years. We’re

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sitting right next door to Silicon Valley, the hub of tech innovation, so it’s nice that we’re finally getting a little bit of that trickling down this way. That’s the biggest difference.

Tech has really helped the irrigation aspect of farming; now, you can get real-time readings and that can help you really effectively manage your irrigation and water. There’s water scarcity everywhere in the state, so you want to manage your water to a T. There are also other things like smart sprayers that we have tech to thank for. We have a couple of those, and they’re really nice as we save a lot on inputs by using them. We don’t have any autonomous tractors or anything, but that looks like that’s going to be the next step. It’s still in the early phase.

It’s a little bit cost-prohibitive for a big

adoption, but I’m pretty sure eventually the price of that will come down, and next thing you know, almost everyone will have one in their fleet. Who knows, maybe in the next 10 to 15 years, it will be common to see them laying around just doing one repetitive task, so it frees up a farmer to do something else.

Q. Talk a little bit about the water situation and how that is impacting your plans now and going forward.

The water situation makes you think twice about what you want to plant. You have a bank account of water allocation. It’s going to be slowly, slowly, slowly cut back. So now we have this finite amount of water.

Even though our trees likely have another 10 years of life left, we have

to focus on surviving right now. The almond economics have been depressed for the last couple of years, and it doesn’t look like there’s a light at the end of the tunnel. Since the almond economics are not working out, we are finding ourselves tearing out prime-age almond orchards to plant tomatoes because it’s like, ‘Hey, we don’t have that much water. Why should we throw good water at crops that don’t make money?’

in the “seeds” on the marketing side now so you can reap the benefits down the road.

You’re always wondering if you’re doing the right thing, but that’s the thing when it comes to marketing; it’s not always instant results. It could take a few years. Sometimes that’s the risk you must take.

No. 3 is water. It seems more and more evident that there’s just not

enough to go around the state. It’s kind of funny to say that after a rain-heavy year like this, but sometimes we can become a little too short-minded. We forget about last year and how tough it was to find any surface water. SGMA restrictions are going to become tougher and tougher every year, and permanent crops have the most to lose

Continued on Page 86

Q. What are three things that keep you up at night related to growing nuts?

No. 1, interest rates. We finally got a break with input prices coming down a little bit to normal. We got water this year. So, irrigation costs are down, fertilizer costs are down. I would like to see fuel prices come down, but they just haven’t. But at the same time, interest rates are a killer. With these high interest rates, it paralyzes you a little bit.

You don’t want to go buy a new piece of property because the interest rates don’t make sense financially.

Then on top of that, you’ve got to be wary of your credit line. You can’t go over the top with your growing costs for the year because then you don’t want to pay that 10% interest on your crop line. With every decision you make, you have to factor in interest rates.

No. 2 is marketing these big crops.

We’re seeing the pains of the almond industry right now having to deal with big crops. The last few years of big almond production arrived; however, the markets weren’t there to sustain the supply. Some of it is because of how COVID-19 just stopped the world a few years ago and it started this whole glut.

However, now in the pistachio industry, we’re looking at another record crop here this year. American Pistachio Growers know this, and they understand it. That’s why they’re doing their best in terms of marketing right now because they know it’s a big year this year, and these big years are going to keep coming with the amount of acreage coming in. You must start putting

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alternative methods to get protein.

We have nutritious products, and the Almond Board and American Pistachio Growers understand that.

They continue to push the nutrition message to consumers because we want them to buy almonds and pistachios for the benefits on a person’s health and vitality. Not because “X” celebrity eats it or we have the funniest ads on TV. Those help, but they help more short term. People will see it, it gets in their mind, they’ll buy it and they’ll consume it. But then who knows if it’ll be a staple in their diets.

That’s why nutrition is so important because people understand that, ‘Hey, consuming this will actually have a long-term benefit in my life.’

Q. What are your thoughts on what needs to happen to make that future a reality for the tree nut industry?

Harvested almonds await processing. With a glut of almonds in inventory, some farmers are plowing under still-producing orchards to plant more profitable crops like tomatoes.

Continued from Page 85 because of that.

Going back to the decision we’re making tearing up 10-year-old trees and putting in tomatoes because we need that cash flow. Other growers probably are going to start making similar types of decisions. Before it was older blocks, but I bet you there’s going to be some growers that might have a 10-year-old or 12-year-old orchard where they need some money right now.

Almonds aren’t making money right

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now. Who knows when the almond economics will turn around. We can’t just wait around and find out.

Q. As far as the tree nut industry goes, what are you most hopeful for in the future?

What I’m most hopeful for or my wish is that we could get almonds and pistachios in every kitchen in every household in the entire world. They’re a great form of nutrition, and we just need to keep pushing the message, especially as the world becomes more health-conscious and we’re looking for

The Almond Board has had to deal with huge crops. We had 3 billion pounds just a few years ago, and this year we don’t know what we’re going to finish up with. They changed up their marketing approach a little bit.

The Almond Board has gone toward that celebrity side by bringing on Deion Sanders. So that’s something we might need right now because we just have this glut of product sitting around, and we just really need to push it out.

The Almond Board is doing the right things. It’s just going to take some more time to pick ourselves out of this inventory issue.

I don’t know if the solution is going to be tearing out more almonds. It looks like that might be the case. I’m a wine grape farmer, too. We went through a similar cycle with wine grapes in the last decade and the California Association of Winegrape Growers told growers, ‘Hey, we have too many vines in the ground. We need to tear out more vines.’ That’s kind of shocking to hear that from trade associations. There’s just too much in the ground, and growers finally heard the message and people didn’t hold out

on optimism.

Maybe we are in that same boat with almonds right now. There are just too many older orchards and poor-producing orchards where growers are holding out on optimism. Maybe it’s time to tear out those bad blocks and look at the water situation. Maybe you’re not going to be able to go back in 100% or your soil is not the best suited for almonds. That means you need to think of something else. So, on the almond side, ABC needs to keep doing what they’re doing. But we also need growers to kind of face the music and be like, ‘You know what? We can’t keep holding out. We just need to start helping out the industry and tearing out some of these bad blocks.’

We need more grower participation with American Pistachio Growers.

We’re going to keep churning these big crops, and like I said, we need to

“We're seeing the benefits of regenerative farming... I think that could be the biggest impact in the future... it could go a long way to solving lots of issues.”

– Karun Samran, Bapu Farming Co. start setting up these markets now for the future. That’s where we need more growers to buy in and give their assessments to the APG. Even in pistachios, last year’s inputs were high, especially with water, so growers had to cut back on spending.

It’s a voluntary assessment. Growers are saying it’s not a needed cost right now. But the thing is as an almond grower myself, if the Almond Board would have told me 8 or 10 years ago,

Continued on Page 88

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Q. What do you think are the biggest assets of the tree nut industry?

So much of it is about California. We have a great water infrastructure that you can’t really match anywhere in the world and our Mediterranean climate.

The state’s so vertically long, if you get a weather event down in Bakersfield, the industry will still be fine. We’ve got strong trade associations with APG and ABC. You don’t really see that all over the world.

However, I think the biggest asset is the products themselves with their nutritional value. We’re not producing products that are a detriment to people’s health. We are only scratching the surface on the nutritional benefits on almonds and pistachios.

Lastly, the high food safety standards that we hold ourselves to here give consumers ease of mind.

When they buy CalKarun Samran is implementing regenerative farming techniques in his orchards including using cover crops, ifornia pistachios or which can host beneficial insects and improve soil health.

California almonds, consumers know they’re going to get a Continued from Page 87 have signed up. We’re kind of at that safe product. You can’t say that across crossroads right now with the pistathe board for other commodities and chio industry where these big crops are other parts of the world. They run into ‘Would you be open to bumping up going to keep coming. We need to get problems. That’s one thing the conthe assessments so we don’t run into a these markets set up now. Otherwise, sumers don’t have to think twice about problem where we have 800, 900 milwe could run into the inventory probwhen they buy our products. lion pounds left in inventory?’ I would lems as well.

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Q. What advice would you give to someone who was in your position trying to decide if they wanted to stay in the family farm or get into farming for the first time?

I would say the same advice my dad gave us. There’s going to be a lot of opportunity here for the next generation.

We know ag is a predominantly older demographic right now. As they will be phasing out, there will be a shortage of the next generation in terms of succession.

If you want an opportunity and you’re young and hungry, agriculture is where it’s going to be. There’s going to continue to be consolidation. You’re going to see bigger farmers either get bigger, or more investor money is going to start pouring in.

I always say no one can beat the perspective of a farmer who owns the ground and works the ground. I’m not trying to put the knock on some of these big companies because some of these big companies have some bright and intellectual people working for them. But they’re not the owners, they’re not the stewards, they don’t have a connection to the local stores, they don’t have the connections to their employees. For them, it’s not the same.

That’s an advantage for people who come back to their lands. They have a tie to the area, to the property, to the employees, to everything.

Q. Who is the biggest influence or mentor to you?

That’s easily my dad. He’s always told my brother and I never to be shy and to try something new. He’s always been the guy who’s like, ‘Trust your gut and don’t be afraid to take risks.’

This year, we did it all ourselves. We could have easily just leased it out to somebody who does some cost share and made some little money out of that. But he’s like, “No, we’re going to do it ourselves. I think you guys can do this.” So, we did it ourselves, and we’ve had pretty good success so far. We’re looking at increasing our acreage for

next year.

When it comes to trying new things, he’s always pushing for us to do it.

I’m kind of embracing regenerative farming, and a lot of people, if they’re going to try something new like trying cover crops, they might try a block or two, and he’s like, ‘Hey, if you believe in it, go for all 100%.’ So, we ended up planting cover crop on almost all our acreage wherever I could get in.

Q. Tell us a little bit about what you’re doing when it comes to regenerative farming.

The first thing was doing the cover crops, and from there, it’s been discussions with my PCA. Are we spraying?

Okay, are we spraying because there is a problem or are we spraying to prevent a problem? If there’s a problem, let’s hop on it. If we’re spraying to try to prevent a problem, well, let’s see if the problem

comes because you don’t want to just go in there and blast insecticides. This is because one of the things about cover crops is they can be a host for beneficials, and those beneficials can eradicate some of the invasive pests.

There’s been a learning curve. How can we thread the needle when it comes to applications not to overdo it and allow the cover crop and regen practices handle it. The cover crop came in really well, so it’s been a little tough harvesting the almonds right now. We’ll have to think hard on how we will have to terminate it so we don’t run into this problem again next year. I’m excited to see the results next year.

Q. What was it about regenerative farming that made you look into it?

People have been mentioning it to

Continued on Page 90

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doing unless you’re making money at it, right?

Q. What do you think the biggest advancement has been in the field during your career?

I think for almonds, it’s probably been how the industry has become more sustainable and environmentally friendly. Almonds were painted as a bad guy, especially since the 2015 drought, but we have found ways to be more efficient in terms of irrigation and production. We have become more bee-conscious by avoiding sprays when bees are active and creating more bee-friendly habitats.

Advancements in harvesting have us trying our best to cut back dust and that’s going to be a target on our back for a long time, but we’re addressing it.

Off-ground harvesters are becoming more effective at reducing dust, and now we have the over-the-top harvesters where you’re able to eliminate sweeping. So, you’re cutting back a lot of dust there. Lastly, we’re finding more use for our byproducts. Instead of burning trees, we’re grinding them up, putting the carbon back in the soil.

A few companies are also trying to use the almond hulls as biochar fertilizer.

Q. If you had to pick one thing, what would you say is going to have the biggest impact say in the next 10 years?

Karun Samran said he thinks regenerative farming techniques like using cover crops in orchards will be one of the biggest innovations in the future of the tree nut industry.

Continued from Page 89 me to try it out for years. I was going to do it a couple of years ago but couldn’t get the planner lined up and all that.

People will do things for a number of reasons. Some people will do it because

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it’s the right thing to do. Some people will do it because of the monetary aspect. I was hearing from people about the money they were saving.

And I was like, ‘Whoa, if this is real, then I need to try it out.’ So, I was the latter. You can’t keep doing what you’re

I think it’s going to be the regenerative farming way to achieve that task.

We’re seeing the benefits of regenerative farming including water penetration/ retention. Decreasing pest pressure by hosting beneficials. I think that could be the biggest impact in the future. I don’t know if it will be the silver bullet for all that plagues us in farming, but it could go a long way to solving lots of issues.

Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com

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