AGRO K

Use Agro-K’s “Science Driven Nutrition” approach to maximize nut set and nut size.

Maximizing yields year in and year out starts with maximizing nut set. Achieving consistency in set and minimizing alternate bearing years is key to consistent yields and higher profits in pistachios. The secret is ensuring the tree has the right nutrients at the right time in the right forms and right mix. Using a combination of Agro-K phosphite and Dextrose/Lactose (DL) based foliar nutrients, including Vigor SeaCal, Sysstem LeafMax, Top Set DL, and Micro SeaMix, designed to help growers meet peak nutrient timings at critical points of the crop cycle.

Nut set can be influenced by boron which enhances pollination. Boron synergizes calcium and enhances its affect. Molybdenum plays a direct role in nut set and retention and nitrogen utilization. Top Set DL is a unique boron-moly blend designed for synergistic application with Vigor SeaCal to address early season nutrient needs and maximize nut set – especially in cool wet springs.

Sysstem LeafMax is a low pH, phosphite based fertilizer that delivers a highly systemic (phloem and xylem mobile) nutrient mix with rapid and complete uptake and fast support to early leaf and root development. Zinc is essential for maximum leaf size, vascular function and root growth. Magnesium, iron, manganese and copper are all are critical for complete chlorophyll development and part of Sysstem LeafMax and Micro SeaMix. Large leaves and chlorophyll production is key to maximizing photosynthesis that generates the carbohydrate production in the tree not only for the current year’s productivity but also as storage for the following year. Low carbohydrate production can be tied directly to increased alternate bearing issues and higher incidence of blanks. Implementing an Agro-K nutrient program will reduce blanks and improve off year yields. immediate and urgent attention. What’s affecting us most are these Endangered Species Act biological opinions. They are what cause water to flow through the Delta and out to the ocean to save the various species. We believe those biological opinions have more flexibility than what they say or suggest. We want that flexibility so, when we have all this water flow, some of it can be diverted for agricultural use. The other thing would be drought declarations that could be made to provide low-interest loans to producers or provide funding for infrastructure building.

Yield results from three consecutive years of replicated data, on the same trees, are shown in the chart above. Fully replicated plots, conducted on the same trees over three years, demonstrate Agro-K’s “Science Driven™” nutrition programs can consistently improve yield, quality and profitability.

Speak to an authorized Agro-K distributor today to learn more about increasing your yields with a science driven nutrient program.

Q. You also asked for a funding increase for the navel orangeworm sterile-fly program. Can you explain?

Currently, there is about $10.5 million from the federal government to run a sterile fly facility in Phoenix. They’re bringing sterile navel orangeworm flies into California and spreading them over about 4,000 acres of pistachios and almonds to see what effect they have on the native wild population. Our goal is to reduce that population so we can reduce pesticide use. The program is in its fourth year. We need more funds to get more researchers involved to determine if the project is actually having success.

Q. The Market Access Program, or MAP, was also on your list. What are you asking for?

Between 60% and 70% of U.S. pista- chio, almond and walnut production is exported. MAP provides federal dollars, and we have to provide matching dollars, to promote our product generically in a foreign country. The problem with the program is that it’s been funded at $200 million for two decades. More than 80 organizations participate in MAP. We’re all competing with each other for this same pool of $200 million. We believe that dollar amount needs to be increased to at least $400 million.

Q. You also addressed Section 32 purchases, the government purchases of commodities.

It’s not a single block of cheese that people get through this program. There are many other commodities that are part of it. The government has done a Fresh Box Program. During COVID-19, they had Whole Meal Programs. Each box of food could not exceed a certain dollar amount. Commodities like pistachios couldn’t participate because our price point was very high. In recent years, almonds, walnuts, pistachios, prunes, table grapes, dried cherries and raisins have all been a part of this program. When there is an oversupply of our product, like this last year when we had our largest-ever carryovers of almonds, pistachios and walnuts, we want the government to purchase it. The food is given to programs geared to needy families, senior citizen, homeless shelters and other outlets. We want to ensure the program continues.

Q. Your last request involved federal crop insurance. What do you want farm bill policymakers to keep in mind?

Crop insurance is important, and we want to make sure it gets continued. Very few people know that pistachios were one of last permanent crops to gain federal crop insurance. Pistachios did not have a federal crop insurance program until 2012. It’s been a good program, although not every grower participates. We want our legislators to know how important the program is to our industry and the need to keep this USDA-backed program in place.

Q. Can you clarify how the Adjusted Gross Income and payment limits apply to government programs?

Think about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program and the Ag Trade Mitigation Program. If you had an AGI level of $900,000 or more, you couldn’t participate in those programs. There is also the payment limitation of $250,000. For some commodities, that seems like a lot of money. But for some specialty crops, the payment limit of $250,000 is a drop in the bucket. We’re not saying to remove the cap. We’re saying it needs to be adjusted upwards to reflect the fact that specialty crops are, in fact, a high- er-income crop on a per-acre basis than, say, corn or soybeans.

Q. What’s the next step for these farm bill recommendations?

The Specialty Crop Farm Bill Alliance has a legislative committee that, at any and every opportunity, provides the information to policymakers so they know what our position is. A consistent message from all alliance members is important.

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