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ALMOND BOARD CAMPAIGN..............................................5 TOP CROPS OF 2015...........................................................6
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AAC_TurlockJournHvst_Almonds_4.95x11_4c.indd AG HARVEST 2016
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#almondharvest
Social media program allows Almond Board to educate, engage consumers
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BY ALYSSON AREDAS Turlock Journal
he Almond Board of California put almond orchards in the hands of almond lovers everywhere with a week-long interactive digital and social media program that aimed to educate consumers about the almond harvest process and the ways farmers make the most of each almond tree. “We find that many of our fans don’t know much at all about how almonds grow and are harvested,” said the Almond Board’s director of North America Molly Spence. “Many people don’t even know almonds grow on trees, let alone that those trees have multiple products that can all get used — like hulls for livestock feed and shells for livestock bedding and mulch. “Overall, we found this to be a muchneeded opportunity to share information about where almonds come from, as many consumers around the country don’t know all the hard work that goes on here in the Central Valley to bring almonds to consumers,” continued Spence. Though the almond harvest spans across a couple of months up and down the Central Valley, Spence said that the Almond Board chose to highlight the process for just one week on various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Almonds.com using the #almondharvest hashtag. Throughout the course of five days, the Almond Board published infographics and informative content, and gave consumers the opportunity to follow California farmers through a virtual harvest tour. “I think people are hungry to know where their food comes from, and all the hard and smart work that it takes to bring food to everyone’s table,” said Spence. “The almond industry isn’t necessarily bucolic; generally speaking, it’s an innovative one that employs a lot of technology, which helps us be efficient and sustainable, and we’re really proud of that.” Consumers were shown the lifecycle of almonds — including how they go through dormancy, bloom, get pollinated by bees, and then grow throughout the summer — and how farmers know when it is time to harvest almonds. The program also provided information on differ-
ent machines involved in almond harvest, from the shaker to the sweeper to the pickup machine, and how almonds are hulled, shelled, sorted and graded before they leave a processing facility. “The goal of the program is to show almond lovers that there’s a lot that goes on — with the weather, with the care of trees, with each detail of harvesting and processing — to bring them a safe, stable supply of almonds, and to celebrate how great that is, and help them truly appreciate where their food comes from,” said Spence.
The goal of the program is to show almond lovers that there’s a lot that goes on — with the weather, with the care of trees, with each detail of harvesting and processing — to bring them a safe, stable supply of almonds, and to celebrate how great that is, and help them truly appreciate where their food comes from.
Spence said that the Almond Board has taken a “crawl, walk, run” approach to social media, which has proven to be a “phenomenal” way to communicate with consumers about the almond harvest for the past three years. “We don’t just talk to almond lovers anymore, we talk with them, and we love hearing what’s on their minds,” said Spence. “Our social media channels are intended to reach people far beyond the Central Valley, but one thing that’s really valuable is hearing from people here, with pictures of their trees or their harvest, or fresh almonds they just got from their neighbor. “We’ve learned more about all the 6,500+ farmers in California who grow almonds, as well as their neighbors in the community,” continued Spence.
—Molly Spence
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Spence said the Almond Board once again achieved its goal for the social media program this year, which was to exceed the “likes” and engagement of the year before. “Our goal hasn’t been to get the biggest number of fans, but to get a solid group of authentic fans, who talk with us a lot — and we’ve done that,” she said. The Almond Board plans to bring back the #almondharvest interactive digital and social media program in late August or early September of next year, according to Spence, who also encouraged consumers to follow the Almond Board on all social medial platforms to engage with them all year long. “You might learn something new about how almonds are grown — and you might get some super yummy recipe ideas, too,” said Spence.
County crop report reveals $518 million drop in ag commodities
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BY ALYSSON AREDAS Turlock Journal
ollowing a record-breaking year for county growers in 2014, the Stanislaus County Agricultural Report showed that a number of factors hindered producers from continuing the trend last year, which wrapped up with a staggering $518 million drop in agricultural commodity values. “This 12 percent decrease in total commodity value is mainly due to a drop in unit price paid to farmers for many of their commodities, the continuing effects of the drought and changes to global markets,” said Stanislaus County Agricultural Commissioner Milton O’Haire. “Over 20,000 acres were fallowed in 2015 due to the drought.” According to the report, which was released in September, the value of agricultural commodities produced in Stanislaus County last year came in at $3.9 billion, which is a 12 percent decrease from 2014’s all-time high value for agricultural commodities at $4.4 billion. “As always we’d like to emphasize that these are gross values of the agricultural commodities, they do not represent the production costs or profits,” said O’Haire. O’Haire said the decrease in value is primarily attributed to a reduction in yields for many commodities due to the sustained drought and a drop in the values of milk, walnuts, almond meats, silage, cattle and calves and turkeys. Milk underwent the largest decrease amongst agricultural commodities in 2015 with a $304 million—or 32 percent—decrease from 2014. This drop is attributed to
This 12 percent decrease in total commodity value is mainly due to a drop in unit price paid to farmers for many of their commodities, the continuing effects of the drought and changes to global markets. —Milton O’Haire
a decrease in dairy milk production prompted by lowered milk prices in both market and manufacturing milk. Valued at $172 million in 2015, walnuts continued their decline on the list of top agricultural commodities throughout the county with a $127 million decrease from 2014 numbers. In 2015, walnuts were surpassed by chickens and in 2014 they were exceeded by cattle and calves. “Walnuts were hit hard last year with a decrease which reflects a 42.5 percent loss,” said Agricultural Inspector Richard Homer. “Walnuts decreased in number of acres, had smaller yields and a very large price drop from $4,020 per ton to $2,622 per ton because of oversupply and increased worldwide competition.” Other agricultural commodities that experienced a decrease in value in 2015 were turkeys at $37 million due to a price drop and six million fewer turkeys and poults, silage at $42 million due to 9,800 fewer acres of corn and a price decrease from $64 per ton to $49 per ton, cattle and calves at $42 million due to the cost of supplemental feeding, lowered prices and fewer beef cattle and almond meats at $100 million. “In 2015, almonds had lowered yields and price per ton,” said Homer. “There is a soft global demand for California almonds because of the increased strength of the U.S. dollar and the almond industry continues to expand the use of almonds, such as almond crackers, almond butter, almond flour, almond face scrub and as a binder for CONTINUED ON PAGE 7
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veggie burgers to name a few. “Although there has been volatility in the almond prices in the last year, almonds continue to be the driving factor in Stanislaus County for their agricultural economics,” continued Homer. While the value of almonds decreased in 2015, last year marked the third time that the almond industry has achieved the number one commodity spot after overthrowing the dairy business and earning the title as the county’s first $1 billion dollar crop in 2013. In 2015, almonds had an overall value of $1.3 billion. Not all agricultural commodities in Stanislaus County saw a decrease in value in 2015 as the report revealed that almond pollination increased by $4 million due to the increase of almond trees, deciduous fruit and nut trees and vineries increased by over $35 million to reflect a trend towards permanent crops; chickens increased by $52 million due to a 21 percent rise in value and eight million additional birds; and eggs increased by $14 million. “This is due to the Midwest outbreak of avian influenza, which caused the elimination of a reported 48 million birds which drove prices higher,” said Homer. “Production in Stanislaus County increased and the price increased by 76 cents per dozen.” To view the 2015 Stanislaus County Agricultural Report, visit stanag.org/crop-reports. shtm.
STANISLAUS COUNTY TOP TEN COMMODITIES 2014
2015
#1 Almonds — $1.4 billion
#1 Almonds — $1.3 billion
#2 Milk — $952 million
#2 Milk — $648 million
#3 Cattle & Calves — $392 million
#3 Cattle & Calves — $350 million
#4 Walnuts — $299 million
#4 Chickens — $304 million #5 Walnuts — $172 million
#5 Chickens— $252 million
#6 Silage — $164 million
#6 Silage — $206 million #7 Turkey— $100 million
#7 D eciduous Fruit & Nut Nursery — $129 million
#8 Deciduous Fruit & Nursery — $94 million
#8 Eggs, Chicken Market — $73 million
#9 Eggs, Chicken Market — $60 million
#9 Pollination, Almond — $63 million
#10 Pollination, Almond — $59 million
#10 Turkeys — $62 million
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Record walnut production forecast
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STAFF REPORTS Turlock Journal
he 2016 California walnut production is forecast at 670,000 tons, up 11 percent from 2015’s production of 603,000 tons. This forecast is based on the 2016 Walnut Objective Measurement (O.M.) Survey, which was officially conducted Aug. 1 through Aug. 23, 2016. There were a few samples completed before Aug. 1 for training and scheduling purposes. The 2016 walnut season began well with adequate chilling hours and a fair amount of winter rains. Weather during bloom was considered average, with some ideal days and some days of stronger winds and wet weather. Spring rain increased the threat of blight. Hot weather in August resulted in an earlier than usual start to harvest, which is expected to begin in early September. The 2016 Walnut O.M. Sur-
vey utilized a total of 729 blocks with two sample trees per block. Survey data indicated an average nut set of 1,406 per tree, up 11 percent from 2015’s average of 1,272. Percent of sound kernels in-shell was 98.7 percent Statewide. In-shell weight per nut was 21.6 grams, while the average in shell suture measurement was 32.2 millimeters. The
in-shell cross-width measurement was 32.7 and the average length in-shell was 38.2 millimeters. All of the sizing measurements were below average levels since 1985. Estimated nut sets, sizing measurements, average number of trees per acre, and estimated bearing acreage were used in the statistical models.
The 2016 walnut season began well with adequate chilling hours and a fair amount of winter rains. Weather during bloom was considered average, with some ideal days and some days of stronger winds and wet weather.
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Blue Diamond unveils state-of-the-art bulk warehouse in Salida
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BY ALYSSON AREDAS Turlock Journal
s the California almond industry continues to grow, the world’s largest receiving station at Blue Diamond Growers in Salida is ready with a new and innovative bulk warehouse that is engineered to store up 60 million pounds of almonds. “It truly is our vision at Blue Diamond to deliver the benefits of almonds to the world and we think that this is a very important step towards achieving that vision,” said President and CEO Mark Jansen. “Thanks to its unique design, we have the highest quality of almonds, not only coming into Blue Diamond, but also being shipped out to our markets around the world.” Completed in August 2015, this year’s harvest marked the first opportunity that the Salida site had to fill the building, known as Bulk Warehouse 7, with almonds. The warehouse is 100 feet wide, 480 feet long, 60 feet tall and extends 23 feet into the ground. It is capable of storing up to 60 million pounds of almond meats and increases Blue Diamond’s receiving capacity by 33 percent. Director of Major Projects Darrell Nelson said Blue Diamond partnered with Whiting-Turner to construct the bulk warehouse, and all construction materials were designed and built within a 100 mile radius of the Salida site. “We had a vision to construct a bulk storage warehouse, not an ordinary bulk warehouse. We wanted a warehouse that was very unique, efficient, flexible, food safe, safe for our employees, and able to preserve the quality of the almonds delivered to us by our growers,” said Nelson. “That was no easy task, but WhitingTurner is a great partner. They not only helped create and implement our awardwinning Turlock plant just three years ago, but they followed up with this plant.” The warehouse has three separate storage areas for storing different varieties of almonds and is dedicated exclusively to gentle, hands-free processing from time of delivery to finished package. A sloped floor allows the almonds to free-flow out the bottom to conveyors controlled by computers and feed directly to the main plant for further processing. “The floors are very unique,” said Nelson. “They’re sloped at 26 degrees for self-unleveling.” Nelson said in September that the Salida Blue Diamond already processed through 7 million pounds of nonpareil almonds, with plans to completely fill it to nearly 60 million pounds throughout the remainder of
CANDY PADILLA/The Journal
The Blue Diamond Salida site held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new bulk warehouse in September, an event that was well attended by members of Blue Diamond’s senior leadership team, Board of Directors, and members of the community.
the harvest season. “We can say since we’ve processed product already that our results are proven,” said Nelson. “We’re meeting throughput expectations and exceeding quality expectations.” Blue Diamond held a ribbon cutting ceremony for the new bulk warehouse in September, an event that was well attended by members of Blue Diamond’s senior leadership team, Board of Directors, and
CANDY PADILLA/The Journal
The new bulk warehouse is capable of storing up to 60 million pounds of almond meats and increases Blue Diamond’s receiving capacity by 33 percent.
members of the community. “I know I speak for our entire membership when I say that I am excited to see all the benefits that this new warehouse and its technology will bring to our products,” said Chairman Dan Cummings. “From improved receiving times to increase storage capacity as the almond crops in California continue to grow.”
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CANDY PADILLA/The Journal
Director of Major Projects Darrell Nelson said Blue Diamond partnered with Whiting-Turner to construct the new bulk warehouse, and all construction materials were designed and built within a 100 mile radius of the Salida site. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
Dale Payne, Julie Estacio Teran, Rod Green, Jeff Petersen, Norma Cederlind, Brandon Olesen
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Drought continues to impact ag revenue, jobs BY KRISTINA HACKER
hile rain did finally fall last winter, the economic and agricultural impact of the previous four years of drought are still being felt, especially in the Central Valley, according to a recent report by UC Davis researchers. Those impacts include the loss of hundreds of millions of dollars in revenues, over 1,800 jobs and millions of acre feet in water supply. In their report, “Economic Impacts of the 2016 California Drought for Agriculture,” researchers Josué Medellín-Azuara, Duncan MacEwan, Richard E. Howitt, Daniel A. Sumner and Jay R. Lund forecast that 2016 will see an increase in crop fallowing, reduced revenues and employment, especially in areas without access to groundwater. The researchers estimated that the 2016 drought will result in a $247 million loss of farm-gate revenues and 1,815 full and part time jobs statewide, with losses concenJournal file photo trated in the Central Valley. The numbers are even worse when the researchers conStanislaus County Farm Bureau Executive Director Wayne Zipser urges county residents to continue to pray for rain as impacts sidered other sectors that rely on agriculfrom the recent drought are still being felt on local agriculture. ture, with an estimated total loss of $600 million and 4,700 full and part time jobs ment this year, with a positive effect on statewide due to drought. our situation in regards to the drought... Crop fallowing as a result of water short- Last year was a little bit of catch up, but Video age was estimated to be approximately we have a long ways to go,” he said. “This Inspection Of 80,000 acres, relative to average water year is going to be critical.” supply conditions, representing just below While agriculture remains strong locally Pipelines 1 percent of all irrigated area in California. and statewide, the drought is contributing A. TEEPLES PLUMBING 2”-60” About 90 percent of land fallowed due to to other economic factors. Sewer & Drain Cleaning drought was in the Central Valley. “Some commodity prices dropped In 2016, drought conditions will likely greatly over the last couple of years, like result in surface water RESIDENTIAL • COMMERCIAL • INDUSTRIAL SERVICE milk prices and almonds supply losses of about 2.6 are half of what they were MAF, of which 1.9 MAF a year ago,” said Zipser. The researchers will be replaced with “There are areas where estimated that additional groundwater it’s not profitable to farm pumping. The researchers the 2016 drought right now and that has also noted that drought an economic impact as will result in a effects to agriculture in well.” $247 million 2016 were driven largely How water resources by low water availability are managed in the future loss of farmsouth of the Delta and will also have an impact gate revenues restrictions on ability to on agriculture in the Valmove water across the and 1,815 full ley. Delta. “We have great irrigaand part time Stanislaus County Farm tion districts which have Residential & Commercial jobs statewide, Bureau Executive Direccarried us for 125 years, Plumbing & tor Wayne Zipser said that but it’s also what we can Drain Cleaning Service with losses while 2016 was a much keep behind the reservoirs (Discount for Labor only) concentrated in better year for agriculture as well,” said Zipser. locally than the previous the Central Valley. Looking ahead, Zipser four years of drought, it’s had one comment: “Still still going to take some years to get back to pray for rain.” “normal” conditions. The full UC Davis report can be found “We definitely have seen an improve- at: https://watershed.ucdavis.edu/drough-
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Turlock Journal
14TH ANNUAL
Journal file photo
U.S. exports of livestock, dairy, and poultry products are up $800 million, primarily due to higher poultry and dairy exports.
U.S. agricultural exports forecast up $6 billion
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STAFF REPORTS Turlock Journal
gricultural exports are projected at $133 billion for fiscal 2017, up $6 billion from the revised fiscal 2016 forecast of $127 billion, largely due to higher exports of oilseeds and products, horticultural products, cotton, and livestock, dairy and poultry. Oilseeds and product exports are up $2.7 billion to $31.0 billion, driven by record soybean export volume and higher unit values. Horticultural product exports are forecast to increase $1.4 billion, led by tree nut exports. Cotton exports are projected to rise $900 million due to sharply higher U.S. production and tighter foreign stocks. Exports of livestock, dairy, and poultry products are up $800 million, primarily due to higher poultry and dairy exports. Grain and feed exports are forecast unchanged at $29.3 billion, as higher wheat and corn exports offset reductions in sorghum. Agricultural exports to China are forecast $3.5 billion higher than fiscal 2016, primarily due to increased soybean, tree nuts, and pork exports. China is expected to edge out Canada and return as the largest U.S. market after spending 2016 in second place. “These numbers once again demonstrate the resiliency and reliability of U.S. farmers and ranchers in the face of continued challenges. The projected $133 billion in total exports for FY 2017 is up $6 billion from last forecast and would be the sixthhighest total on record. The United States’
agricultural trade surplus is also projected to rise to $19.5 billion, up 40 percent from $13.9 billion in FY 2016. The United States has continued to post an agricultural trade surplus since recordkeeping began in the 1960s,” said U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Exports are responsible for 20 percent of U.S. farm income, also driving rural economic activity and supporting more than one million American jobs on and off the farm. The United States has the opportunity to expand those benefits even further through passage of new trade agreements such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership. Such agreements are key to a stable and prosperous farm economy, helping boost global demand for U.S. farm and food products, increasing U.S. market share versus our competitors, and ensuring that our farmers and ranchers have stable and predictable markets for the quality goods they produce,” Vilsack continued. U.S. agricultural imports are forecast at $113.5 billion, $400 million higher than fiscal 2016. Increases in import values are expected for horticultural and tropical products, which more than offset reductions in livestock, dairy, and poultry products. The U.S. agricultural trade surplus is expected to increase by $5.6 billion in fiscal 2017 to $19.5 billion. For fiscal 2016, the revised export forecast of $127.0 billion represents an increase of $2.5 billion from May. Imports are forecast $1.7 billion lower at $113.1 billion. WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2016
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