HARVEST MODEL BRINGS OFF-GROUND A STEP CLOSER FOR ALMOND GROWERS
Photo Courtesy K. Coatney
Publisher: Jason Scott
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Editor: Marni Katz
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Contributing Writers & Industry Support
Athena Ushana Programs and Communications Manager, AgSafe
California Walnut Board and Commission Contributing Writer
Catherine Merlo Contributing Writer
Julie R. Johnson Contributing Writer
Kathy Coatney Contributing Writer
Kristin Platts Digital Content Writer
Lori Fairchild Contributing Writer
Mike Wade Executive Director, California Farm Water Coalition
Mindy Patterson President, Cavalry Group
Priscilla Rodriguez Assistant Vice President, Western Agricultural Processors Association
Rich Kreps CCA, SSp., Contributing Writer
Stetcyn Maldonado Seeds for Bees Manager, Project Apis m.
Vicky Boyd Contributing Writer
UC Cooperative Extension Advisory Board
Surendra K. Dara Entomologist, Oregon State University
Kevin Day County Director/UCCE Pomology Farm Advisor, Tulare/Kings Counties
Elizabeth Fichtner UCCE Farm Advisor, Tulare County
Web: www.wcngg.com View our ePublication on the web at www.wcngg.com
Katherine Jarvis-Shean UCCE Area Orchard Systems Advisor, Yolo and Solano The articles,
Steven Koike Tri-Cal Diagnostics
Jhalendra Rijal UCCE Integrated Pest Management Advisor, Stanislaus County
Mohammad Yaghmour UCCE Area Orchard Systems Advisor, Kern County
FACING THE GROWING THREAT OF INVASIVE PESTS IN CALIFORNIA’S TREE NUT INDUSTRY
By JASON SCOTT, MS | CEO/Publisher, JCS Marketing Inc. and West Coast Nut
Dear Readers,
As the publisher of West Coast Nut, I want to take a moment to discuss an issue that’s increasingly on our radar: the growing threat of invasive pests. These uninvited guests are more than just a nuisance; they pose significant challenges to California’s tree nut industry. With the combination of record heat and ever-expanding global trade, it’s crucial to consider whether we truly have the tools and strategies needed to tackle this problem head-on.
The Rise of Invasive Pests
California has always been a hotbed for agricultural innovation, but it’s also become a prime target for invasive pests. Our state’s mild climate and bustling trade routes make it an attractive landing spot for pests from all over the world. Unfortunately, these pests often arrive without any natural predators, allowing them to spread quickly and cause extensive damage.
Here are a few pests we’re currently concerned about:
• Navel Orangeworm: This pest continues to wreak havoc on almond, pistachio and walnut by damaging the nuts and opening the door to harmful fungi.
• Brown Marmorated Stink Bug: Originating from Asia, this bug is now a serious problem for many growers as it feeds on a variety of crops.
• Spotted Lanternfly: Though not yet in California, this pest could become a significant threat based on the damage it has caused in other states.
• Polyphagous Shot Hole Borer: A tiny beetle that, along with its symbiotic fungi, threatens the health of nut trees.
Why Are These Pests Increasing?
The rise in invasive pests can be attributed to several factors:
• Global Trade and Travel: With more goods and people moving across borders, it’s easier than ever for pests to hitch a ride into California.
• Record Heat and Climate Change: This year, we’ve seen record-breaking heat, which creates ideal conditions for pests to thrive. Warmer temperatures speed up their life cycles, increasing their
numbers and expanding their reach.
• Lack of Natural Predators: Without predators to keep them in check, these pests can multiply rapidly and cause widespread damage.
Are We Ready?
So, are we equipped to handle these pests? It’s a mixed bag. We’ve made strides in detection and management, but the landscape is constantly changing.
Here’s what we’re doing:
• Detection and Monitoring: California has a robust system of traps and surveillance programs designed to catch new infestations early. Public awareness campaigns also encourage everyone to report unusual sightings.
• Management Strategies: Integrated pest management is our go-to approach, combining biological, cultural and chemical methods to control pests sustainably. We also look at introducing natural predators and using targeted pesticides when necessary.
Spotted lanternfly has caused extensive damage in other states and is one of multiple invasive pests that pose potential threats to California agriculture (photo courtesy Lance Cheung, USDA.)
• Research and Innovation: Our research institutions are hard at work developing new solutions. From breeding pest-resistant tree varieties to using drones for precision agriculture, we’re exploring every avenue.
Moving Forward
The threat of invasive pests is a significant challenge, particularly with the added pressure of this year’s record heat. But by staying informed, collaborating across the industry and investing in research, I believe we can protect our crops and ensure the continued success of California’s tree nut industry.
Thank you for your ongoing support and dedication. Together, we can face these challenges and continue to thrive.
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A TOUGH CRIME TO CRACK
Take precautions and pay attention to details to thwart nut thefts.
By VICKY BOYD | Contributing Writer
When the trucking firm couldn’t make it before a holiday, Dave Phippen didn’t think much about leaving two shipping containers of processed almonds on chassis in the locked yard overnight. They even removed the keys from their parked semi-tractors.
But Phippen, a partner in the Manteca-based grower-packer-shipper Travaille & Phippen, learned a hard lesson that if thieves want to steal valuables, not much will stop them.
The suspects cut through the fence, hot-wiring the semi-tractors and hauling the loads of nuts to a nearby truck stop where they switched out the stolen tractors for their own, and off they went.
Insurance covered most of the loss except for a hefty deductible.
Ten years later, Phippen still follows Western Agricultural Processor Association theft deterrent measures religiously but has added his own rule: Never leave shipments on wheels overnight.
“If we load a container and for any reason they fail to pick up the container, it’s put back in the warehouse,” he said. “It means we have to take [the load] out of the container and put it back in the warehouse.”
Each load consists of 22 pallets, which Phippen admitted were a pain to unload from the trailer, move to the warehouse and reload when the truck finally shows.
But he said it’s a small price to pay to minimize potential thefts.
Devil’s in the Detail
Taking those extra steps, remaining vigilant and paying attention to even the smallest details go a long way to reduce the chances of becoming a victim, said Keith Lewis, vice president of operations for Verisk’s CargoNet.
Phippen’s experience with nut theft wasn’t unique, either. Between 2014 and 2016, thieves (many part of organized crime rings) made off with millions of dollars’ worth of nuts. In a six-month period in 2016 alone, more than 30 loads were stolen.
Nuts are attractive to criminals because they are high value and low risk as they are difficult to track once stolen (photo by V. Boyd.)
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Many of those involved a more sophisticated approach known as “fictitious pick-up,” where truckers with fake credentials impersonate legitimate drivers or companies and haul away loads, Lewis said. By the time the shipper realizes a crime has been committed, the suspect is long gone.
While joint state and federal efforts helped crack rings responsible for many of the thefts in the mid-2010s, heists of large nut shipments still continue today, although at lower levels. Loads of nuts, for example, were stolen in May from facilities in Tulare and Modesto.
As part of client services, CargoNet monitors cargo theft trends of com-
modities, including food and beverage. Within the food and beverage industry, Lewis said hot items currently include energy drinks and snack foods that contain peanuts.
Nuts are particularly attractive because they’re what law enforcement considers high value and low risk “because you can’t track them once they’re stolen,” he said. “You have to have [food] because you have to eat, so there’s a market for it.”
Beware ‘Fictitious Pick-Ups’
Fictitious pick-ups are fairly simple and involve the bad guys taking advantage of tools the transportation industry has set up to increase efficiency, Lewis
“
The little prevention you take now can save you a lot of pain down the road. – Keith Lewis, CargoNet
”
said. A former Georgia Bureau of Investigation task force agent, he also spent 20 years working in transportation management for third-party logistics providers. Now at CargoNet, a cargo theft prevention and recovery network, Lewis works with clients to help prevent thefts.
Most tree nut processors and handlers are not transportation professionals and instead rely on truck brokers or in some cases, carriers, to provide trucks to haul loads. A broker typically posts an order on an internet load board, which Lewis compared to a match-making app for truckers.
The order includes the pick-up point, equipment, rate, date and destination. An interested trucker then responds that he or she is interested and will take the load.
Based on past investigations and arrests, he said many criminals have worked for trucking companies and know how the load board functions. They also understand how to take advantage of it by removing legitimate orders and reposting them with small changes, like a different driver’s name or different company name.
“We overcomplicate things,” Lewis said. “They aren’t hacking into the system. It’s basically very rudimentary. As bad guys, they take advantage of the speed and efficiency built into the supply chain.”
Avoid Pain Down the Road
That’s why he said it’s important that tree nut handlers thoroughly vet the carriers and brokers they use. For example, pick-up appointments should be made at least 24 hours in advance and include the pick-up number, driver’s name and license number, and trucking company name.
Posting entryway warnings that the handler checks all identification and takes photos of all vehicles can act as a deterrent, Lewis said. In addition, installing high-definition surveillance cameras may
Follow the Western Agricultural Processors Association theft-deterrent measures to reduce your chances of becoming a victim (photo courtesy Wikipedia.)
Although chains and padlocks may slow thieves, nothing will stop them if they’re determined enough. Consider hiding tracking devices in loads as another layer of security (photo courtesy Wikipedia.)
Double check the license plates of trucks entering your yard to pick up an order. Most commercial truck plates should say “apportioned.” License plates for California passenger vehicles will have dmv.ca.gov printed on the bottom (photo courtesy Wikipedia.)
TIPS TO DETER NUT THEFT
The Western Agricultural Processors Association and American Pistachio Growers developed the following recommendations based on the outcome of the 2016 Emergency Tree Nut Theft Summit. They also included input from law enforcement officials, risk management companies and industry representations.
All pick-up appointments must be made at least 24 hours in advance and require:
• Pick-up number.
• Driver’s name and driver’s license number.
• Trucking company name.
• Verify paperwork upon arrival.
• Take photographs of driver, truck and trailer.
• Take photographs of license plates and VIN number.
• Take thumbprint of driver.
• Post warnings at truck entrance.
• Install high-definition surveillance cameras.
• Use GPS tracking devices.
provide additional evidence should there be an issue.
When the trucker arrives, he said staff should verify the pa perwork, comparing the name on the truck to the appointment information. Staff also should ask the driver his or her name and call the broker to verify it.
Lewis recommended taking photos of the driver, the truck and trailer, license plates, VIN number and any ghost lettering on the rig. By ghost lettering, he was referring to faint images left when logos or U.S. Department of Transportation identification numbers are peeled off equipment.
Pay attention to other small differences, too, he said. Check the class designation on the driver’s license. Class C licenses are for non-commercial drivers. Class A licenses are required to operate any combination of vehicles with a gross vehicle weight rating of 26,001 pounds or more. That includes semis.
Lewis said there have been cases where a bogus truck driver arrives to pick up a load with a Class C license. In two training classes he conducted recently in North Carolina, only one person
in each session picked up on an incorrect Class C driver’s license.
At the same time, Lewis pointed out details on license plates that can be red flags. In California, most non-commercial automobile plates include the Department of Motor Vehicle’s URL, dmv.ca.gov, printed on the bottom. Plates for commercial semi-tractors in most states, including California, typically say “apportioned.”
He said there have been cases where a semi comes to pick up a load with license plates that carry the DMV website. They ended up being stolen from regular passenger vehicles.
Lewis also recommended hiding multiple covert telemetric tracking units in each shipment. These are similar to Apple Air Tags or the Tile tracker but rely on GPS or cellular signals to provide load location information.
Sealing and locking both doors of a trailer, rather than just the right-hand door, helps reduce the chance they’re tampered with, he said.
Unfortunately, no set of recommendations is fool proof, and criminals may find a way to thwart them. But by paying attention to details, Lewis said, “The little prevention you take now can save you a lot of pain down the road.”
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Don’t Forget the Postharvest Nutrients
By KATHY COATNEY | Contributing Writer
Nutrient applications are one of the most important things that can be done for an almond or pistachio orchard, according to Phoebe Gordon, UCCE orchard systems advisor for Madera and Merced counties, and postharvest applications also set the stage for tree health and production the next season and beyond. These nutrients might include nitrogen, potassium, boron and zinc, although growers, consultants and researchers are fine tuning postharvest recommendations.
Is Nitrogen Needed?
Gordon said a lot of growers are still in a habit of making postharvest N applications.
“In the past, we did suggest in almonds that you should save 20% of your nitrogen
In general, I think it's a good idea just to get a hull analysis for almonds. Given how closely connected to yield boron is, I think it's an inexpensive input to ensure you're not losing out on yield.
"– Phoebe Gordon, UCCE
(N) for postharvest. We don't really think it's necessarily a good idea anymore unless your July tissue samples show that your trees are deficient,” she said, especially with an early harvesting variety. But with a late-harvesting variety like
Monterey that harvests in late September, and some years even early October, or if trees are stressed and the leaves are yellowing and falling off, Gordon suggests timing N in the spring when the trees are actively taking it up.
In pistachio, there's never been much evidence of N uptake after harvest, Gordon said. “My colleague, Doug Amaral in Kings County, was looking at nitrogen uptake patterns in Golden hills and Lost Hills pistachio varieties. He confirmed there's not really any nitrogen uptake postharvest, so for pistachios especially, apply nitrogen before harvest.
“If for some reason you fall behind on your nitrogen applications, maybe you can apply just after harvest, but again, if the trees are super stressed, or there was a late harvest, just wait until next year for your nitrogen applications,” Gordon said.
Potassium application in an almond orchard. Growers are moving away from banding potassium because it’s expensive to do these applications instead of running it through the drip system (photo courtesy Franz Niederholzer, UCCE.)
Potassium Strategies
Strategies for potassium (K) fertilization are different than N. “One strategy with potassium is to fertigate throughout the growing season, like you would nitrogen and aim to get your annual potassium requirement on during fruit development. Traditionally, potassium has been banded on in the fall, and the winter rains push that nutrient in the soil. There are still some folks I know who successfully do that,” Gordon said.
Growers are moving away from banding K because it’s expensive to do these applications instead of running it through the drip system. But banding is still a valid application, Gordon continued. It just has to be banded within the wetting zone of whatever irrigation system is used.
K-fixing soil isn’t uncommon on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley. This is a soil that K will actually get trapped in clay particles. It can still be banded, but it needs a really heavy application rate to saturate those fixation capabilities and have K left over, Gordon said.
“In those soils, it might just be better just to fertigate during the growing season,” Gordon said.
“And you don't need to worry about leaching potassium because for the most part it sticks around in soils. If you have a really sandy soil, it might move a little bit, but you don't have to worry about it leaching from the soil during wintertime unlike nitrogen,” she added.
“Pistachios have ‘on’ and ‘off’ years. In on years they might take up some potassium postharvest, but most people band their potassium too late to meet those needs, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend trying to time your fall bands for that small postharvest potassium uptake It also takes time for fertilizer to dissolve and move into the soil. But it's not a bad idea just to make sure you have potassium available in your soil postharvest with pistachios,” Gordon said, adding she’s encountered K deficiencies but never seen N deficiencies.
“Potassium absolutely affects yield, but if your trees are sufficient and you're looking to cut costs, you're not really going to suffer in the short term if you skip next year or apply less. I might suggest, if you're going to cut back on the potassium, you fertigate it during the growing season to make sure it is delivered directly to the root zone,” Gordon said.
“But,” Gordon cautioned, “over time, the trees will become depleted if you're not replacing what was lost.”
This will result in a long-term decline in yield, and it will take time for the trees to recover. It's a situation where a grower may save money now, but depending on how severe and how long the cutback is, it will take work to rebuild the orchard in the future.
“I'm not the one who's writing the checks and balancing the accounts, so this is something that growers are going to have to make their own decision on.
But if you're cutting back or limiting potassium applications, you're going to eventually see effects on yield in your orchard,” Gordon said.
Is there a benefit of banding over fertigation? “No, but I think that banding is just a very, very old application method,” Gordon said, adding when doing a banded application, it has to be placed within the wetted zone.
“Past research looking at fertigation versus surface applications of potassium fertilizer showed fertigation moved the potassium farther laterally in the soil, but when the researchers made a heavy application on the soil surface, potassium did move down into the root zone,” Gordon said.
Boron Differences
Boron (B) is different between almonds and pistachios because it is mobile in almond and immobile in pistachio, which means it ends up in the fruit in almond and in the leaves in pistachio. B, like N and K, is important for yield.
“Boron is really critical for yield because it's important for successful fertilization of the flower,” Gordon said.
“Because it's immobile in pistachios, if a foliar spray is done after harvest, it will land on the leaves, it might be absorbed by the leaves, but will not be distributed to other parts of the plant, so boron is better applied as a foliar spray in the spring for pistachios,” Gordon said.
“Fall sprays of boron have been very
Testing almond hulls for boron as close to harvest as possible is advised (photo by K. Coatney.)
It's not a bad idea to make sure growers have potassium available in their soils postharvest with pistachios, according to UCCE Orchard Systems Advisor Phoebe Gordon (photo by K. Coatney.)
effective in almonds,” Gordon continued.
There is an excess of B in certain areas of California like the west side of the San Joaquin Valley. In those cases, a B application is not recommended for almond if the hull values are approaching toxicity. If it’s not at toxicity level, a B application can be a good idea to ensure ideal levels, Gordon said.
Gordon recommends testing B levels before making applications. “I will say out of all the nutrients that are required in California, I have most often seen boron deficiencies for both almonds and pistachios. That's on the east side of the San Joaquin Valley, very sandy soils, surface water and well water are both low on boron,” Gordon said, so testing almond hulls as close to harvest as possible is advised.
With pistachio, B ends up in the leaves, so it’s recommended to test the leaves for boron, Gordon said.
“In general, I think it's a good idea just to get a hull analysis for almonds. Given how closely connected to yield boron is, I think it's an inexpensive input to ensure you're not losing out on yield,” Gordon said.
Zinc for Almond
Gordon said Zinc (Zn) can be applied in the fall for almond but not pistachio. “It should be applied in the spring for pistachios, and it can be applied during the spring for almonds, too.
“Zinc has been shown to have limited mobility in Prunus species if applied during the fall as a foliar spray. I find most folks I talk to do spring sprays, but a fall spray can be done, too.
“Testing for zinc is tough with any metal micronutrient-containing spray applied on the leaves because some of it actually becomes bound to the leaf cuticle. If you do a foliar spray on your trees, you're going to see really high levels of zinc because it's on the leaves. I think the reality is if you do foliar spray at the right time, your trees probably aren't going to be deficient. You might have to do it every single year, but within that growing season, they're probably not going to be deficient,” Gordon said.
“Keeping an eye out for zinc deficiency symptoms is always a good idea, but it's just a tough one because once you see
symptoms, you’re affecting growth and yield. I know folks that just spray zinc because they can throw it in the tank with other things,” Gordon said.
In conclusion, Gordon said, “For almonds, make sure you don't stress out the trees too much postharvest. Research on deficit irrigation shows really severe cutbacks in water after harvest could reduce bloom the follow-
ing year. I also like to see folks do soil testing at the end of the year just to see what the salinity levels are. It's always a good idea to kind of have an idea what's going on your soil.”
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Your trees and vines spent tremendous energy producing this year’s crop. Addressing abiotic stress and key nutritional deficiencies now will place your trees and vines in an ideal state for bud formation and pollination next year. Carbohydrate reserves need to be met now so that you can achieve maximum crop potential next season. Redox Bio-Nutrients suggests H-85™ Flowable , Rootex™ Flowable , RootRx™, and Rx Platinum™ for post harvest nutrition.
CALIFORNIA WALNUT INDUSTRY FOCUSES ITS COMMITMENT TO FOOD SAFETY
By CALIFORNIA WALNUT BOARD AND COMMISSION | Contributing Writer
Even low-risk products
The California walnut industry has long upheld food safety as paramount. With an extensive history of producing high-quality walnuts, we have maintained a strong food safety record for over a century.
As an industry, we know even low-risk products like walnuts are not immune to potential contamination. Recognizing the need to be proactive, the industry is focused on implementing preventative steps to mitigate food safety risk throughout the production process, from orchard to consumer. This commitment to producing the highest quality and safest food for consumers remains unwavering.
To support the industry’s efforts and commitment to food safety, the California Walnut Commission (CWC) has made available tools and resources to assist:
• Walnut-specific food safety workshops to update on best practices and latest regulations
• Additional resources to support food safety programs
• Continuous monitoring of food safety rules and regulations to inform and prepare the industry
• Readiness to support if a food safety concern arises through communications, food safety experts and consultation
In July, CWC sponsored six food safety workshops conducted for growers, huller/dryers, and handlers to share best practices, provide updates on regulations and strengthen food safety culture in preparation for harvest in the coming months. Events saw
Quality and food safety set California walnuts apart from the competition.
like walnuts are not immune to potential contamination. Recognizing the need to be proactive, the industry is focused on implementing preventative steps to mitigate food safety risk throughout the production process, from orchard to consumer.
“Industry members have responded tremendously to the training sessions, with the walnut-specific courses providing the right tools and information to prepare their food safety efforts for the upcoming season.” – Joshua Rahm, California Walnut Commission
a huge attendance, with many selling out, and received a positive response on the information provided.
Joshua Rahm, director of technical and regulatory affairs for the California Walnut Commission, shared, “Industry members have responded tremendously to the training sessions, with the walnut-specific courses providing the right tools and infor mation to prepare their food safety efforts for the upcoming season. This valuable content had helped remind and reinforce the importance and value of preventative steps at all stages of the production process to ensure we continue to provide safe walnuts to customers around the world.”
The California walnut industry looks to continue to offer training and resources on food safety as well as other issues important to grow ers and the broader industry. The industry is committed to investing in food safety education, training and research projects on an ongoing basis to reinforce its commitment to providing high quality and safe food for consumers.
For more information, please visit our website at www.walnuts.org.
The California Walnut Commission represents more than 4,600 California
walnut growers and nearly 70 handlers, grown in multi-generational growers’ family orchards. California walnuts, known for their excellent nutritional value and quality, are shipped around the world all year long, with more than 99% of the walnuts grown in the U.S. being from California. The CWC, established in 1987, promotes usage of
walnuts through domestic and export market development activities as well as supports health research with consuming walnuts.
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The Walnut Commission held a series food safety workshops for growers, huller/dryers and handlers to share best practices.
LARGER PISTACHIO CROPS PUSH PROCESSING CAPACITY
By CECILIA PARSONS | Associate Editor
As California pistachio crops continue to increase in size, processors are expanding hulling, drying and processing capacity to meet demand. Several processors are planning expansions or have recently expanded, and one new large capacity plant is in the works.
Spiro Stefanopoulos recently received approval from Fresno County Planning Commission for a 98-acre pistachio processing plant in the Mendota area, where his family’s pistachios are grown. The plant will be built in four phases and consist of two hullers, 40 29-foot dryers and 48 50-foot silos for storage when complete.
When construction is complete, Stefanopoulos said the plant will have a 45-million-pound storage capacity.
In the first two years of plant operation, he said only pistachios from the family orchards will be processed. By 2028-29, he said, they will begin processing pistachio crops from other growers.
“The goal, depending on yields, will be processing capacity of 50 million pounds in 2025,” Stefanopoulos said.
The plant will be adjacent to the family’s 13,000 acres of pistachio orchards and will eliminate trucking costs they now incur by taking their crop to another processing plant 25 miles away.
Richard Matoian, grower and former president of American Pistachio Growers said plant capacity has been a topic in the industry for the last 10 years as pistachio acreage expanded in the Central Valley. Plants need capac-
ity to hull and dry incoming pistachio nuts within 24 hours of harvest for quality reasons, they need storage capacity and, if further processing is done, they need capacity to achieve that step.
Pistachio trees were first commercially planted in California less than 50 years ago. By 2020, production acres pushed crop size to 1 billion pounds for the first time.
Matoian advocated for the proposed Firebaugh plant earlier this summer and told the Fresno County Planning Commission the California pistachio crop size could double by 2031 due to new acreage being planted. There are currently seven pistachio processors in California representing 95% of capacity, Matoian noted.
Several pistachio processors are planning expansions or have recently expanded, and one new large capacity plant is in the works (all photos by C. Parsons.)
“Processors recognize the growth trend and have the unique challenge with this crop, the nuts must be hulled and dried within 24 hours of harvest to maintain quality,” he said. “That creates a bottleneck at the processor.”
Processors Anticipate Tonnage
Matoian said each processor knows the tonnage that will be coming in each year and plans expansion to meet that demand. Some processors are also offering bonuses for nighttime harvest deliveries or early harvest to alleviate congestion with incoming loads which can be difficult at the height of harvest. There may be temporary glitches with machinery breakdowns, or power outages at processors, but overall, Matoian said he has seen the necessary infrastructure planned or put in place to handle the larger pistachio crops.
Referencing the Stefanopoulos plant project, he said when pistachio growers reach a certain production level they begin to look at hulling and drying their own product. Some may move beyond that, going into size grading, color grading and/or increasing their capacity to handle neighbor’s pistachio crops.
Matoian said the industry will continue to plan for handling larger crops in the future and add necessary infrastructure to move the crop.
Mitch Keenan at Keenan Farms said their capacity was expanded by 50% two years ago in anticipation of larger pistachio crops. The family has been farming pistachios in the Avenal area since 1972. Their processing plant was built for their own use but now takes in nuts from growers down to the Buttonwillow area.
Jeff Gibbons, manager at Setton Pis -
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The industry will continue to plan for handling larger crops in the future and add necessary infrastructure to move the crop.
Vines
Almonds
Pistachios
“PROCESSORS RECOGNIZE THE GROWTH TREND AND HAVE THE UNIQUE CHALLENGE WITH THIS CROP, THE NUTS MUST BE HULLED AND DRIED WITHIN 24 HOURS OF HARVEST TO MAINTAIN QUALITY. THAT CREATES A BOTTLENECK AT THE PROCESSOR." – RICHARD MATOIAN, GROWER
cessors are adding capacity in anticipation of larger crops, but concerns with long term water availability may insert some caution into expansion plans.
“In the past, there were always plans for expansion, but with SGMA, there may be some limitations and hesitation to expand,” Gibbons said. Processing plants could be built and then lack sufficient tonnage.
A 2022 study by American Pistachio Growers showed 25% of California pistachio acreage had only a single source of water. Restrictions on groundwater pumping or higher costs for surface water delivery (if water is even available) can make pistachio production uneconomical for some growers.
That scenario may cause some hesitation in plant capacity expansion, Gibbons said. The capacity might be built and not needed if acreage is taken out of production.
tachio in Terra Bella said at Setton they are always analyzing capacity to keep up with the expected increase in pistachio production. New orchard plantings will continue to boost production for some time as trees reach production age, and processors recognize the need to add room, Gibbons said.
One of the state’s largest pistachio processors, Wonderful, has been aggressive in building capacity as has Setton, Gibbons said .
Setton’s main processing and pro -
duction facility is in Terra Bella, Calif. on their primary 80-acre site, and they have another newer facility seven miles to the west. The two plants can process more than 125 million pounds of pistachios annually.
Limiting Factors
While pistachio trees have drought and salinity resistance in their favor, the limiting factor to increased crop growth could be water availability and cost. Gibbons said other pistachio pro -
Extending the harvest period could also take some pressure off plant capacity. New pistachio varieties that mature earlier can initiate an earlier start in the processing season, perhaps extending it from 25 days to 45 days. That scenario has extra benefits, Gibbons said. The earlier harvest helps with crop quality, lowering the insect damage percentage. Quality can be high with a first shake even though about 10% of nuts are still left on the tree. Coming back for a second shake 10 to 14 days later to get the remaining nuts can pay for itself with higher quality overall, Gibbons said. That last 10% also will come off the tree easier than a harder first shake that attempts to get all the nuts off. That later release also means fewer mummy nuts left in the orchard.
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New orchard plantings will continue to boost production for some time as trees reach production age, and processors recognize the need to add room.
Celebrating 35 Years of the California Farm Water Coalition
By MIKE WADE | Executive Director, California Farm Water Coalition
Note from the Editor: California Farm water Coalition is a regular contributor to West Coast Nut magazine. Wade’s articles have helped raise awareness of regulatory, storage and legal issues surrounding water in the West and the magazine is proud to be part of the CFWC’s outreach efforts. This year marks a significant mile-
stone for the California Farm Water Coalition (CFWC) as we celebrate our 35th anniversary. Since its founding in 1989, CFWC has been at the forefront of educating the public about the critical connection between farm water and our food supply, advocating for adequate and sustainable agricultural water supplies and serving as a leader in California's irrigated agriculture industry.
CFWC’s many accomplishments are the result of strong local support from our members, including irrigation and water districts, agricultural businesses, including farm credit associations and individual growers throughout the state. Telling agriculture’s story is made possible by these industry leaders.
A Legacy of Public Education
CFWC was established with a clear mission: to increase public awareness of agricultural water issues and the importance of a reliable water supply for growers of nuts, fresh fruit, forage,
vegetable, nursery and many other crops. Over the past 35 years, we have successfully executed numerous programs and initiatives aimed at educating the public, policymakers and the media on the value food production brings to the state and nation.
The cornerstone of our efforts is our comprehensive outreach and education programs. Public awareness, including highway banners, radio ads, informational handouts at grocery stores and social media campaigns, helps consumers, policymakers and the media make the connection between farm water and our food supply. Building and maintaining strong public support for farming is part of the three-legged stool of public education, legislative advocacy, and litigation.
Programs and Activities
CFWC’s activities are diverse and far-reaching. Educational exhibits include an ongoing 15-year partnership with the SMUD Museum of Science and Curi-
California Farm Water Coalition’s interactive exhibits at Sacramento’s Museum of Science and Curiosity where over 300,000 people have visited since opening in November 2021 (all photos courtesy M. Wade.)
Mike Wade has served as executive director of the California Farm Water Coalition since 1998.
osity in Sacramento. This world-class science and learning center includes CFWC-sponsored interactive exhibits that educate students and their families about farm water use. Exhibits offer hands-on learning experiences that show the water it takes to produce a nutritional diet, how growers use the latest technology to improve water use efficiency and the importance of water storage and conveyance infrastructure for the state’s 69,600+ farms and ranches, including 2.5 million acres of tree nuts.
Our informative fact sheets like "Sustainability & Imports," "Sample Daily Menu" and "Where Does Farm Water Go?" further educate the public about the water used to grow our food. Fact sheets highlight sustainability on local farms, the importance of water in producing a balanced diet and the potential risks associated with over-reliance on imported food products. By disseminating clear, concise and fact-based information, CFWC helps the public understand how responsible water management is crucial for maintaining a reliable and secure food
supply, ensuring consumers recognize the value of supporting local farms and the resources needed to sustain them.
Media Outreach
CFWC has worked tirelessly from the beginning to correct misinformation about agricultural water use. By publishing opinion pieces and letters-to-the-editor, we address misconceptions and highlight the importance of water for farming in California. These efforts ensure accurate data and real-world perspectives are shared, educating consumers and policymakers about the critical role water plays in food production and the sustainable practices employed by farmers. Engaging in media outreach and public discourse, CFWC helps foster a well-informed community that understands the complexities of agricultural water issues.
Our expanding presence on social media generated tens of millions of online impressions last year and helped us reach millions of individuals, delivering positive, educational and consistent content to consumers across the state.
With a robust presence on Facebook, Instagram and X, we’ve engaged a diverse audience, sharing insights about the critical role farm water plays in producing the food we all depend on.
Looking to the Future
As we celebrate our 35th anniversary, we remain committed to our mission of promoting the importance of farm water for a sustainable food supply. The challenges of water management in agriculture are ever-evolving, particularly in the face of an uncertain climate and increasing demands for resources. With our rich history of education and leadership, CFWC is well-equipped to navigate these challenges and continue making a positive impact far into the future.
For more information about the California Farm Water Coalition and its programs, please visit www.farmwater.org.
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Reflecting on the Contributions of Roger Duncan’s 30-Year Tenure with UCCE
By KRISTIN PLATTS | Digital Content Writer
For over three decades, Roger Duncan has equipped growers in Stanislaus County and beyond with essential tools for success. Duncan officially retired on July 1, concluding a prolific career. Since 1990, he served as the UC Cooperative Extension pomology farm advisor in Stanislaus County, participating in on-farm research projects with over 100 local growers there, ranging from single-season studies to those spanning more than two decades.
Duncan's research has significantly impacted California agriculture. His 22-year trial on almond tree spacing and minimal pruning showed closely planted trees are easier to maintain, more productive and potentially more profitable with a longer lifespan than conventionally spaced orchards. The study also found pruning does not benefit yield. Initially skeptical, Duncan noted similar findings from previous studies, including a 21-year trial in Arbuckle, Calif. with consistently confirmed results.
Other important studies he worked on included almond rootstock and variety trials, almond orchard compost trials and studying whether self-fertile almond varieties benefit from bees (they do, he found).
But Duncan’s legacy is more than just statistics and research. In the wake of his retirement, his colleagues, grower collaborators, and friends, are reflecting on the legacy of a man whose contributions to California agriculture paved the way for a future that wouldn’t look the same without him.
Growers, Colleagues on Duncan’s Impact
Duncan is leaving a huge hole, said Blue Diamond Grower Relations Vice President Mel Machado. There’s a joke among many in the industry, according to Machado, that Duncan could call a last-minute meeting in a random location without even providing coffee and donuts, and 300 people would still show up.
“He’s got that kind of respect within the grower community,” Machado said. “He’s a solid researcher who speaks farmer. He understands what the producer is trying to accomplish, he understands the challenges they face. His work has been very practical.”
Duncan was the authority on rootstocks, Machado said.
“There are things that I say I can’t keep up with, I’m just going to lean on other people, and rootstocks was one of those things,” he said. “I’d say, ‘You know what? We’re just going to call Roger.’”
But it was Duncan’s pruning study that was the most revolutionary and impactful in Machado’s mind.
“It was just spot-on for answering a lot of questions that people had, and answering questions that people had never even thought of,” he said. “It’s changed the way we grow almonds.”
The study taught almond growers that just by altering the way they do things a little bit, they could make more money, Machado said.
Noting the almond industry is blessed with top-notch UCCE farm advisors a lot of other crops in California don’t necessarily have, Machado said while he will miss being able to work closely with Duncan, he doesn’t think this is the last the industry will hear from him.
“Like a lot of the other farm advisors, they tend to not fade away, they’re still out there and available, and I’m looking forward to working with him in the future,” Machado said.
Tom Orvis, governmental affairs director for Stanislaus County Farm Bureau (SCFB), board president for Oakdale
Roger Duncan officially retired July 1, 2024 after serving as UCCE pomology farm advisor in Stanislaus County for more than three decades (photo courtesy R. Duncan.)
Irrigation District and an almond grower who has worked with Duncan for years, recalls Duncan's passion for walking among the trees.
“As a new grower, Roger pointed things out to me I didn’t see,” Orvis said.
Like Machado, Orvis was also impacted by Duncan’s pruning study.
“The studies he was involved with changed the way we do business,” Orvis said. “I haven’t pruned in four years, and my trees are growing.”
His research on wintertime flooding was also notable to Orvis, who said it gave growers more options with storm water, which is especially important as the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act starts to take effect.
As farm advisor’s cycle through SCFB’s board meetings each month to deliver research updates, Orvis said Duncan was a familiar face who the board was always eager to hear from.
“When Roger came, there was always a lot of interest and a lot of questions,” Orvis said. “Our board probably has at least 50% that grow almonds, so they loved to pick his brain, and he was always very open and honest with them. We had a very good relationship with Roger and still have one with the entire [UCCE] team; they’re an important member of our Farm Bureau team.”
Jennifer Heguy is a member of that team. Serving as Stanislaus County’s UCCE dairy advisor and county director, she’s worked with Duncan in some capacity for more than a decade and a half.
To Heguy, Duncan exemplified what it means to be a farm advisor.
“Roger is extremely knowledgeable and personable, which, when combined with 30 plus years of asking questions and learning through his re search, made him the source of infor mation on all things almonds, peaches, etc.,” Heguy said. “His research and extension program has set the bar for all new farm advisors in Stanislaus County, and I consider myself extremely lucky to have worked with him for the first 16 years of my career.”
Heguy said UC ANR awarded Roger with the Distinguished Service Award this past June for Outstanding Extension for his exceptional contributions.
“I couldn’t think of a more fitting way to end such an amazing career,” she said.
UCCE Orchard Systems Farm Advisor Franz Niederholzer said Dun can’s extension efforts were extensive
and exceptionally effective.
“His spacing trial in eastern Stan-
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Roger Duncan and other pomology advisors pose for a photo during a 2013 UCCE Pistachio workgroup tour. (photo courtesy Joseph Connell.)
He said Duncan’s immense impact on the almond industry during his career stemmed from his careful research on varieties, rootstocks, all manners of pest management, irrigation and fertility and nutrient inputs.
“He presented those results in careful, effective and memorable language,” Niederholzer said. “When Roger talked, people listened.”
UCCE Orchard Systems Farm Advisor Katherine Jarvis-Shean first met Duncan when she was a grad student at
UC Davis about 15 years ago. As a colleague, she said he’s an amazing person who always had time for mentoring in all thing’s almonds and farm advisor how-to’s.
While much of Duncan’s career consisted of research that was well-known within the ag community, Jarvis-Shean said he was also someone who did far more work behind the scenes than most people realize.
“Roger’s just been great for the industry as a whole in a lot of ways that people realize and in a lot of ways people probably don’t realize,” she said.
Jarvis-Shean is currently the pomology program team chair for the UC system, a position that Duncan held for several years. She refers to it as the “team mom” role for orchard crops, and while it’s likely one of the lesser-known positions within the UC system, she said, it’s a crucial one that Duncan excelled in.
“It keeps all the orchard people connected, makes sure we’re all talking to each other, that our research makes sense, that it’s practical, that research projects are taking advantage of the different kind of smarts within the UC system, and getting new farm advisors connected and tapped in to the whole community as well as advocating for new orchard advisor positions,” she said.
She noted Duncan also served as a committee member and liaison for the Almond Board of California (ABC), a responsibility that allowed him to be an advocate for growers within ABC.
“He’s been a great voice for research-based practicalities and what the Almond Board has been doing, where they’re going to spend their money and where they were going to invest in research,” Jarvis-Shean said.
Jarvis-Shean said Duncan’s farm advisor position will eventually be filled with one of 30 or so advisors in a new round of hiring that will be based in Stanislaus County but also cover San Joaquin County.
“I think across the system we recognize there’s a huge number of acreage there, but also there are a lot of small growers there, growers who really benefit from having a position like Roger’s that we didn’t want to leave high and dry,” she said.
Duncan, right, shown talking with Ken Shackel, UC Davis pomologist, and Helen Dahlke, UC Davis hydrologist, in an almond orchard for a groundwater project, collaborated with numerous UC ANR colleagues on research (photo courtesy Pam Kan-Rice/Regents of the University of California.)
Roger Duncan discusses a research project with other pomology advisors during a 2004 Almond Workgroup Tour. (photo courtesy Joseph Connell.)
A Dream Job
While appreciation for Duncan runs deep within the grower and UC community, he remains modest about his impact.
“The part I guess I’d be the proudest of is that people actually called me for advice, and sometimes even followed it,” he joked.
He is also pleased with his role in helping the almond industry consider new rootstocks tailored to specific orchards, rather than just falling back on what they’ve always done or what the nurseries suggested, he said.
Duncan also highlighted an early study in his career that challenged the routine practice of annual dormant spraying with copper, oil, and insecticides, leading to most orchards no longer receiving dormant sprays. He said, all of their fears of the disease and insect outbreaks were unwarranted.
“Although I know that PCAs and the ag supply dealerships were affected, that’s a big savings for growers and also has an environmental impact as well,” he said.
He humbly noted that while some of the most interesting things he’s been
a part of may not seem groundbreaking, they’re still important, like the evolution of orchard design, spacing, and rootstocks.
“Just the whole orchard design configuration has changed, and I guess I feel like I have contributed at least a little to that,” he said.
Born and raised in Stanislaus County, where he later spent his career, Duncan quickly built strong connections within the ag community. He said he was pleasantly surprised by how eager people were to welcome him into the role and onto their farms.
“I was amazed at how welcoming everybody was and how they really wanted to help, to get me trained up, so I could hopefully be of some value for people here,” Duncan said.
Despite being officially retired, he continues to oversee several ongoing studies, aiming to maintain them in Stanislaus County until a successor can take over.
Reflecting on his career as a UC farm advisor, Duncan described it as a dream job.
Duncan’s research on groundwater recharge gave growers more options for storm water use (photo courtesy Pam Kan-Rice/Regents of the University of California.)
“It really was a good fit for what I enjoyed; the public service aspect of the job, being a part of the ag community and having an economic impact in the community that I live and work in. This job also helped satisfy my scientific curiosity. What happens when we do this or don’t do that? I’m just thankful I had the opportunity,” he said.
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The Overturning of Chevron Deference: A Win for Tree Nut Growers and All of Agriculture
By MINDY PATTERSON | President, Cavalry Group
In a landmark decision, the Supreme Court has overturned Chevron Deference, a judicial doctrine that has, for decades, allowed federal agencies substantial leeway in interpreting ambiguous statutes. This ruling marks a significant shift in the balance of power between the judiciary and administrative bodies, promising profound implications for various sectors, including agriculture. For row crop and tree nut growers who have long contended with stringent and often burdensome regulations, the end of Chevron Deference heralds a new era of potential relief and opportunity.
Understanding Chevron Deference
Chevron Deference originated from the 1984 Supreme Court case Chevron U.S.A., Inc. v. Natural Resources Defense Council, Inc. The doctrine established that when a statute is ambiguous, courts should defer to the agency’s interpretation of the law if it is reasonable. This effectively granted agencies like EPA and USDA considerable discretion in shaping and enforcing regulations.
While intended to ensure expertise and efficiency in regulatory matters, Chevron Deference has often led to what many perceive as overreach by federal agencies. This has been particularly problematic in agriculture, where complex and sometimes opaque regulations can significantly impact farming operations and profitability.
The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Chevron Deference is grounded in a commitment to restoring the proper balance of power among the branches of government. Critics of the doctrine have argued that it allowed unelected bureaucrats to wield legislative power, effectively bypassing the democratic process.
Overturning Chevron could lead to more stable and predictable policies, enabling growers to plan their pest management strategies more effectively.
By removing this deference, the Court aims to ensure that laws are interpreted and applied based on their plain meaning, without undue influence from the regulatory agencies.
Implications for Row Crop and Tree Nut Growers
For row crop and tree nut growers, the end of Chevron Deference presents several potential benefits. These growers have historically faced a morass of regulations covering everything from pesticide use to water management. The heavy-handed approach of some agencies has often translated into increased costs, operational uncertainty and reduced competitiveness.
Reduction in Regulatory Overreach
One of the most immediate benefits of this decision is the potential reduction in regulatory overreach. Without the cushion of Chevron Deference, agencies will need to ensure that their regulations are more closely aligned with the clear intent of Congress. This could result in a more predictable and transparent regulatory environment, allowing growers to plan and operate with greater confidence.
Enhanced Judicial Oversight
With courts no longer deferring to agency interpretations, there will be enhanced judicial oversight of regulatory actions. This means if a grower believes a regulation is overly
burdensome or inconsistent with the statute, they can challenge it in court with a higher likelihood of success. Judges will now scrutinize the agency’s interpretation more rigorously, potentially leading to more balanced and reasonable regulations.
Encouragement of Legislative Clarity
The overturning of Chevron Deference may prompt Congress to draft clearer and more precise legislation. Ambiguities in the law have often been a source of contention, leading to varied interpretations by different administrations. Clearer statutes would reduce the room for regulatory agencies to impose overly stringent rules, thus providing a more stable regulatory environment for growers.
Economic Benefits
By curtailing excessive regulation, the decision could lead to significant economic benefits for growers. Compliance with complex regulations often involves substantial costs, including administrative burdens, legal fees and the implementation of specific practices or technologies. A more balanced regulatory
framework could lower these costs, improving the overall profitability of farming operations.
Specific Areas of Impact
Several specific areas within the agricultural sector stand to benefit from this shift in judicial philosophy:
Pesticide and Herbicide Regulations
Row crop growers sometimes rely on pesticides and herbicides to manage pests and weeds. The regulation of these substances has been a contentious issue, with agencies like the EPA imposing stringent restrictions based on varying interpretations of environmental laws. The end of Chevron Deference could lead to more balanced regulations that consider both environmental protection and the practical needs of growers.
Water Rights and Usage
Water management is crucial for both row crop and tree nut growers, especially in regions prone to drought. Regulations governing water usage, often influenced by interpretations of the Clean Water Act, have sometimes been seen as excessively restrictive. With greater judicial oversight, there may be a more equitable approach to water rights, balancing environmental concerns with agricultural needs.
Land Use and Conservation Programs
Programs aimed at land conservation and sustainable farming practices, such as those administered by the USDA, can also be affected. While these programs are essential for environmental stewardship, the regulatory requirements can sometimes be overly complex or misaligned with the realities of farming. A shift toward clearer, more straightforward regulations could enhance participation and effectiveness.
Food Safety and Inspection
Tree nut growers, particularly those involved in the production of almond, walnut and pecan, are subject to rigorous food safety regulations. While ensuring food safety is paramount, the administrative burden can be significant. By fostering clearer legislative guidance and reducing arbitrary regulatory changes, the Supreme Court’s decision may lead to a more efficient and grower-friendly inspection process.
Case Study: The Impact on California Almond Growers
To illustrate the potential benefits, consider the case of almond growers in California. The state produces approximately 80% of the world’s almonds, making it a critical player in the global market. However, almond growers have faced numerous regulatory challenges, particularly related to water usage and pesticide application.
Water Usage
California's complex water rights system and stringent regulations have made water access a contentious issue. The ambiguity in the interpretation of water laws has often led to restrictive measures that do not account for the nuances of agricultural needs. The end of Chevron Deference could lead to more balanced water management policies that better support the agricultural sector while ensuring sustainable usage.
Pesticide Applications
Almond growers rely on specific pesticides to protect their crops from pests. Regulatory changes based on broad interpretations of environmental laws have sometimes led to sudden restrictions on essential pesticides. Greater judicial scrutiny of such regulations could lead to more stable and predictable policies, enabling growers to plan their pest management strategies more effectively.
While the overturning of Chevron Deference presents significant opportunities, it also poses challenges. The shift places a greater burden on Congress to draft clear and precise legislation. This requires a deep understanding of the agricultural sector and a commitment to balancing various interests, including environmental protection and agricultural productivity.
Growers and industry groups will need to engage actively with legislators to ensure that their concerns are heard and addressed. Advocacy efforts will be crucial in shaping future legislation that supports sustainable and profitable farming practices.
Moreover, the judiciary will now play a more prominent role in interpreting agricultural laws. This underscores the importance of a well-informed and balanced judiciary that can navigate the complexities of agricultural regulation. Growers and their advocates may need to invest in legal expertise to effectively challenge and shape regulations in this new landscape.
For growers, this presents an opportunity to operate with greater confidence and profitability. However, realizing these benefits will require active engagement with the legislative and judicial processes to ensure that future regulations support productive farming practices. As the agricultural sector adapts to this new reality, I
The end of Chevron Deference could lead to more balanced water management policies that better support the agricultural sector while ensuring sustainable usage (photo by M. Katz.)
am hopeful that the potential for positive change is substantial, offering a brighter future for growers and the broader agricultural community.
Mindy Patterson is the president of The Cavalry Group, a member-based company
protecting and defending the Constitutional and private property rights of law-abiding
tively
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September 25-26, 2024
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Thursday, September 26 Wednesday, September 25
BREAKFAST Sponsored by SQM Specialty Plant Nutrition
Akif Eskalen, Professor of Cooperative Extension, Dept. of Plant Pathology, UC Davis
9:00 AM
Navigating Agricultural Challenges: Physiological Impacts and Innovative Solutions
Dr. Muhammad Ismail Siddiqui, Director R&D and Product Innovations, AgroPlantae
DPR TRACK Roof RatinManagement Citrus
Roger Baldwin, UCCE
Human-Wildlife Conflict Res. Spec.
9:30 AM
CCA TRACK Continuous Fertigation
Devin Clarke, Agronomy Solutions Manager, Yara North America
10:00 AM TRADESHOW & BREAK
11:00 AM
Sustainable Solutions for Twospotted Spider Mites - Integrated Strategies for Strawberry Growers Todd Burkdoll, Field Market Development Specialist, Valent USA Luis Mora, Sustainable Solutions Specialist, Valent USA
11:30 AM
Updates in Anaerobic Soil Disinfestation Efforts
Joji Muramoto, CE Specialist, UC Santa Cruz
LUNCH Sponsored by Deerpoint Group
12:00 PM LUNCH
Searching EPA-Registered Pesticide Products More Effectively
Siavash Taravati, UCCE Area IPM Advisor, Riverside County
Jon Pasquinelli, Southwest Regional Manager, Rovensa Next 1:30 PM 2:00 PM 2:30 PM 3:00 PM
Methods of Beneficial Insect Release for Integrated Pest Management
Hanna Kahl, Ecological Pest Management Specialist, CAFF
Plant Stress and Management
Eryn Wingate, Lead Agronomist, Tri-Tech Ag Products Inc.
Best Management Practices for Foliar Fertilization
Jerome Pier, Senior QualiTechAgronomist,
Panel Discussion: Potassium Applications and Timing in Perennial Crops
Stephen Vasquez, ED, Admin. Committee for Pistachios; Ehsan Toosi, Dir. R&D, True Organic Products Inc.; Paul Giboney, Ranch Agronomist, Hronis Inc.; Mae Culumber, UCCE Farm Advisor, Fresno County; Bryce Belgum, VP, Tri-Tech Ag Products Inc.
3:30 PM TRADESHOW & BREAK 4:30 PM
Impacts of Rodenticide Act on Rodent Management
Renee Pinel, President/CEO, Western Plant Health Association
Irrigation Strategies and Technologies for Navigating Water Curtailments
Cory Broad, Agronomic Sales Manager, AvidWater
Disease Management in Prune Orchards
Themis Michailides, Plant Pathologist, UC Davis
Artificial Intelligence and Farm Data Management
Zac Ellis, Sr. Director of Agronomy, Olam
Nitrogen Stabilizers
Larry Stauber, Technical Development Manager, Verdesian Life Sciences
Presentation of WRCCA’s CCA of the Year award, Scholarships and Honorariums 1:00 PM 1:30 PM 2:00 PM
Top 10 Pesticide Violations in 2022/23
Judy Brant, Inspector, Tulare Ag Commissioner’s Office 2:30 PM ADJOURN
NEW RED LEAF BLOTCH FUNGAL DISEASE SPREADING IN ALMONDS
By CECILIA PARSONS | Associate Editor
Almond growers can add another fungal disease to be on the lookout for next spring. Red leaf blotch (RLB), caused by the pathogen Polystigma amygdalinum, was detected in at least four northern San Joaquin Valley counties this spring.
CDFA, USDA and the Trouillas Lab at UC Davis have confirmed the outbreak was caused by this specific pathogen, which is one of the most important leaf diseases currently affecting almond production in Spain, Portugal and the Middle East. This is the first detection of this pathogen in California.
Florent Trouillas, a UCCE fruit and nut crop pathology specialist at Kearney Agriculture Research and Education Center and UC Davis, said it was likely the pathogen was introduced to California in plant material. He said this year’s outbreak is related to a recent introduction of the pathogen in almond orchards.
RLB causes trees to prematurely defoliate. In the early stages, symptoms of the infection are small, yellowish spots or blotches on both sides of the leaves. Blotches grow in size as the disease progresses, and they will change color from yellow to yellowish-orange with a reddish-brown center. In advanced stages of infection, leaves become necrotic, curl and drop prematurely. Trouillas reported in a UC newsletter the disease may not be noticed in orchards before late April to mid-May as the infection remains latent for 35 to 40 days after infection. Growers and PCAs should be on the lookout for RLB at that time and understand the inoculum is present in the orchard and can affect subsequent crops.
RLB has only one primary infection cycle. The inoculum comes from sexual fruiting bodies on fallen infected leaves from the previous growing season. The infection strikes after petal fall when young
Red leaf blotch (RLB), caused by the pathogen Polystigma amygdalinum, was detected in at least four northern San Joaquin Valley counties this spring (photo by C. Zuber, UCCE.)
In the early stages, symptoms of the infection are small, yellowish spots or blotches on both sides of the leaves. Blotches grow in size as the disease progresses, and they will change color from yellow to yellowish-orange with a reddish-brown center (photos by Alejandro Hernandez, UCCE.)
leaves begin to emerge. Rain at this time spreads the fungal spores. During spring and summer, leaves contain the pathogen, but the spores do not cause new infection on the leaves. Infections drop with high summer temperatures. The inoculum goes dormant until dispersed by rain at bloom time.
Trouillas said orchards that were infected this year are likely to have repeat infections in 2025 due to the inoculum in
the orchard on the fallen leaves.
Premature defoliation affects photosynthesis which can affect the current crop, depending on the level of infection. A bigger concern is the effect the disease can have on the next year’s crop due to reduction of carbohydrate reserves in the tree.
Like many other fungal diseases, rain is necessary for the release and dispersal of the fungal spores.
‘There is definitely a relationship between last spring’s wet weather and the
spread of this disease,” Trouillas said. Last year’s wet spring provided an opportunity for the disease to spread. It has been observed in orchards in Fresno, Madera, Merced, San Joaquin and Stanislaus counties. RLB symptoms were first noticed in Nonpareil, Monterey and Fritz almond varieties, but Trouillas said it is likely to be widespread in other cultivars.
In addition to the wet spring sparking the RLB outbreak, Trouillas said growers may have skipped critical fungicide sprays, missing an opportunity to prevent the disease outbreak. By the time symptoms are noticeable and diagnosed, it is too late for treatment.
Effective RLB control
Effective control of RLB is similar to other fungal bloom diseases like shot hole or anthracnose, but timing may vary. In Spain, growers are using one preventative fungicide application at petal fall followed by two more at two and five weeks after petal fall if rain persists.
Fungicides from FRAC groups 7, 11, M3, M4 and some FRAC 3 chemistries are most effective. Cultural practices, such as removing leaf litter or applying urea to accelerate its decomposition, are crucial but effective only when widely applied.
Almond Board is asking growers who suspect RLB in their orchard to avoid collecting leaf samples and transporting them to reduce the potential spread of the pathogen to uninfected areas. Growers who suspect the disease in their orchards are urged to contact their local UCCE farm advisor. Early detection and management are vital to protecting California's almond industry from this new threat.
Orchard Visits
Cameron Zuber, orchard crops advisor in Merced County, said he was first contacted by a consultant about unusual lesions on tree leaves in early June. By that time lesions were large with some having a slightly darker center. RLB was diagnosed by the Trouillas lab and confirmed by CDFA. Zuber said 1% to 5% percent of leaves had visible lesions at that visit.
Other orchards Zuber visited later had similar severity, and some were worse. He noted other UC advisors had also been told of orchards with disease symptoms in other northern San Joaquin Valley counties. The level of disease
varied from orchard to orchard, he said.
“With some, you had to look closely, others you could just drive by the orchard and see a high rate of infection,” Zuber said. Lesions on affected trees are found throughout the canopy.
Current understanding with RLB says there is one infection period, and those leaves affected at that time could shed when they become necrotic later in the season.
Zuber said some growers and consultants have been trying to reduce pesticide application during bloom and post-bloom, and though they typically do make fungicide applications for other diseases, he said timing for sprays to prevent RLB may be different.
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Hanford Nut Grower Mike Miya Brings Coaching Mentality to Industry Leadership From the Orchard
By LORI FAIRCHILD | Contributing Writer
and even allowing him to turn the irrigation
and off when he is not at the farm
Mike Miya of Miya Farms in Hanford, Calif. farms the same land his grandparents worked in the 1920s. He and his brother, Mark, and sister, Melynda, farm nearly 500 acres of almond, pistachio and walnut. But they don’t expect the next generation to follow in their footsteps.
“We will hopefully keep farming for a number of years, but we don’t have the fourth generation,” he says. “It doesn’t look like they want to come into farming. I think in farming these days, you have to be pretty educated. Sometimes that education is not always going to lead you to agriculture. My son is an aerospace engineer, and my daughter is getting her Ph.D. They don’t want to come back to the farm.”
While Miya farms full-time, he also has his real estate license and works in commercial real estate. He says he thinks the regulatory climate and the low prices for commodities simply make tree nut farming unattractive to the next generation, but that doesn’t stop him and his siblings from continuing on in the family business.
Despite the tough financial and political climate for California tree nut growers, Miya is constantly working and looking for ways to make the future brighter, including using technology and serving in positions that can make a difference.
Mike Miya and his wife, Faye, have raised two children on the family farm, but their now-grown children have no interest in returning to the family business. "My son is an aerospace engineer, and my daughter is getting her Ph.D.," Miya says. "They don’t want to come back to the farm.”
We asked Miya to share his thoughts on growing tree nuts and the state of the tree nut industry with West Coast Nut.
Q. Tell me a little bit about the history of your farming operations.
My grandfather immigrated from Japan in the early 1900s. He and my grandmother settled in the Hanford area
Mike Miya of Miya Farms says automation has changed the way he farms, letting him better understand the needs of each tree in the orchard
system on
(all photos courtesy Melynda Miya.)
in the early ’20s. They raised eight children on the farm, three girls and five boys. Two remained on the farm after World War II (my father Harry and Uncle Kiyoshi).
This goes back to the early ’40s, maybe late ’30s, when my grandfather, father and uncle started with 10 acres of trees, and they would harvest it by hand. They put the nuts in the back of the truck and hauled it into Sequoia Walnut. They would haul the walnuts in the back of the truck, dry the walnuts on the ground then haul it into market.
Their main crop was fruit trees, and they would cut fruit and dry fruit on the ground. We slowly began planting more and more walnuts as the years went on. When my brother and I took over the family farm, we went from 200 acres to 500 acres of walnuts. Now we’re down to 250 acres of walnuts.
We have almonds and pistachios. Pistachios are about 150 acres, and our almonds are about 70 acres. The pistachios were the first nut we branched out into about 15 years ago. We do enjoy farming the permanent crops. At the time, it was a little bit more stable income working with permanent crops.
Q. How does diversification play into your farm plan?
Going back 30, 40 years, that was my dad and uncle’s thinking to diversify the farm. Cotton, corn, wheat, plums, peaches, nectarines, apricots. We had quite a few different crops going. Then we started converting over to more of the nut crops. With economies of scale, we could purchase things like walnut shakers and pickers. We harvested walnuts and almonds ourselves.
We still do the corn and the wheat on rotation. A ways back, corn and wheat were just our rotation for our permanent crops, but we’re going back with corn and wheat as a permanent crop. We have to adapt to the times. We’re probably going to have to sell some farm ground to continue farming.
Q. How has the economy affected your ability to farm?
Farming is my full-time gig. I also have my real estate license. I was coaching high school tennis for almost 15 years, not really for the money. Now I quit the coaching because the farm isn’t doing that well. We had to lay off some of the employees due to the California economy. We had to reduce our workforce. What it means is I have to work more. Now I’m on the tractor, I’m irrigating. I’m doing it all.
It's a great lifestyle if you enjoy it. The younger generation doesn’t like the long hours and working seven days a week.
Q. How have your farming practices evolved in recent years?
My grandparents and father started shaking trees with poles, washing, drying and hulling them on the driveway. Some of the drying was done on wooden fruit trays.
We currently run two shakers, two sweepers, a desticker and a self-propelled picker. We move nuts from the field in shuttles and use a pivoting elevator to load trucks. We have moved from a few acres around a house to nearly 500 acres of various varieties. Recently, we removed acres of older varieties.
Q. What new production practices have you embraced and why?
GPS planting, moisture probes, microsprinkler irrigation. It’s more efficient and makes decision-making easier.
Our first automation project was on the almonds. We can see what the almonds need. We can see the moisture draw of the almond tree at different depths. We can see which profile of the soil needs water. The lower levels of the soil will deplete faster most of the time, so then we need to get water deeper into the soil profile. That tells us that we need to irrigate a little bit longer. Or if we have a rainy year, we might need to irrigate less. It’s all about maximizing the longevity of the tree.
The automation makes it so I don’t need to be in the field to see problems. I can see problems on my phone. Recently, I was on the beach, and they said we’re having problems starting up the irrigation system. I was able to start the water for the guys from my phone.
Q. What are the three things that keep you up at night related to growing tree nuts?
Why have nut prices fallen from $1.80/pound to $0.25/ pound. How long can we keep losing money? Where are we going to get water and how much will it cost us?
I would rather go back to how we were successful by growing profitable crops rather than relying on disaster and emergency relief government payments. How do we afford the increasing wage rates with decreasing employee hours? How
can we afford chemicals and fertilizers? Should I apply for low-income programs for medical, food and insurance?
Since we have few choices to insure our business and with the increasing prices of expenses and lower income, do we need to continue farming? With the lowest net income in nuts, do I put the steak back at Costco and buy a $1.50 hotdog?
Q. What are you most hopeful for in the future when it comes to farming tree nuts?
A better political environment for reasonable tariffs to open and grow international markets. Our pistachio future may look the brightest but there are concerns in that area also.
Q. What in your opinion needs to happen to set the industry in the best possible direction for the future?
We need to not only expand markets domestically but internationally. In my travels overseas, there is potential to grow markets with the right environment. Education and research have always helped propel California agriculture in the right direction. Research needs to continue to give all farmers the tools to become better.
California farmers are the best farmers in the world but with all the government regulations, do the regulators think they know how to farm better? Do regulators make us produce better, healthier or safer food? Let farmers farm.
Q. What do you think the biggest assets are of the tree nut industry in California?
We can produce the best, healthy and safest food in the world. The farmers know how to farm, but with all the regulations, who is actually farming?
Q. What is your proudest achievement as it relates to your professional development?
I have many achievements, such as being the past president of the KCFB, current president of the Excelsior/Kings River RCD, a past advisor of the FSA and serving on other boards. Our family have received the Kings County Agriculturalist of the year award and many years ago received the highest quality award with Diamond Walnut.
With all this, my proudest achievement has been coach-
Mike Miya of Miya Farms works full time on the same land his grandfather and father farmed, growing walnut, almond and pistachio. The farm has provided the family, (left to right) Mike and his wife Faye, his nephew Max, niece Emma, brother Mark, mom Nancy, sister Melynda and dog Luna, with a lifestyle Mike loves, but the current economic climate has him worried about the future.
ing tennis at the high school level for 15 years, not only winning seven league titles, seven Valley and Central Section championships, but I’m most proud of developing the athletes into successful contributing people to society. This might not sound like professional development, but because of our success in agriculture, I was able to take time to help high school students. I was able to send both of my children to Ivy League schools because of agriculture, and what’s more professional than developing more professional people than yourself?
Q. What advice do you have for a young person getting into farming tree nuts today?
Farming is not for everybody. Get an education! You need to work for others, and often family is not the only path. Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You can’t be afraid of long hours, working seven days a week, getting dirty, and most importantly, advice you get is not always correct. Learn by doing!
Q. Who was the biggest influence or mentor for you in your career?
It has to be my dad because it’s not only what you learn in books and school, but you need to have a person show and explain why things are done a certain way. He was patient in a way that I could express my own opinion and he would listen. He was able to accept change and still laugh and smile when things didn’t always go right.
Q. What do you think the biggest advancement has been in the field of tree nut growing during your career?
Technological advancements in the past decades are unbelievable. We use drones to spray, irrigation has moved from multiple shift irrigators to managing water with an iPhone. It’s too bad that advancements are being slowed by regulations and low prices.
Q. What advancements do you foresee having a big impact in the future?
New drought-tolerant crops. Pistachios are a more drought-tolerant crop, and it still has a fairly high value when you weight the value and the cost of water. Even shortterm, our politically caused droughts are really going to weigh on us. I understand there’s more non-bearing acres than bearing acres. A lot of people are doing it because it is more drought tolerant.
I think people aren’t planting as many pistachios as they have been. We’re looking at other crops, whether it be olives or something else. You almost have to find something that nobody else is thinking about. We’re even fallowing some ground that we’ve never done so that we don’t lose as much.
Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com
Mike Miya and ranch manager Rick Alves inspect some trees in the orchard. Miya worries about the low price of tree nuts and wonders how long tree nut growers can continue to lose money.
COVER CROPS ENHANCE NAVEL ORANGEWORM MANAGEMENT IN ALMOND ORCHARDS
By STETCYN MALDONADO | Seeds for Bees Manager, Project Apis m.
Navel orangeworm (NOW) is a primary pest affecting almond orchards, causing substantial economic losses through nut damage and the spread of aflatoxin. Current management practices rely heavily on winter sanitation, well-timed insecticide sprays, timely harvests and mating disruption to reduce NOW populations. In addition, research efforts are looking into the potential of sterile insect release to combat this widespread pest.
NOW greatly reduces crop profitability and is the number one insect pest in almonds. Estimates show as little as 2% damage can cost almonds $105 million, pistachios $60 million and walnuts $26 million in lost yield in addition to the costs of managing this pest. With depressed nut prices and a changing climate, NOW damage has become exacerbated over the years. Historically, there were three flights of NOW per year, and now four flights have become an industry standard with a fifth flight becoming a likely inevitability. Early management of this pest is vital in reducing crop damage. Each female NOW moth can lay between 80 to 200 eggs, and multiple larvae can develop in each nut. These large offspring numbers give NOW the potential to multiply by 1,900% with each generation. In combination with this generational growth, the largest flight occurs when the crop is most vulnerable: during hull split.
In addition to NOW, a new pest is emerging in almonds with the introduction of Carpophilus beetle (Carpophilus truncatus). This beetle was first noted in the San Juaquin Valley in 2023 and is known to overwinter in mummy nuts. Little is known about which pesticides may affect this beetle, prompting UC researchers and extension officers to strongly promote winter sanitation efforts for both NOW and the Carpophilus beetle.
Destruction of mummy nuts has additional effects on yield quality and disease management. Mummy nuts act as pathogen reservoirs for diseases, such as anthracnose and hull rot. These diseases often cause gumming of the peduncle, making infected nuts harder to remove during harvest. Mummy nuts will eventually fall from the tree and, if not removed before the upcoming harvest, can increase the rejection percentage in the following year’s crop. The numerous detrimental effects of mummy nuts highlight the importance of winter sanitation efforts. Integrating cover crops presents a promising approach to supplement these
efforts by enhancing mummy nut decomposition, promoting predation and reducing female NOW moth oviposition.
Cover crops influence mummy nut decomposition dynamics by fostering favorable conditions for microbial activity and nutrient cycling in orchard soils. Studies have shown that the presence of cover crops accelerates the breakdown of mummy nuts compared to bare orchard floors. Earlier planted winter cover crops, which were established by November to December, provided better mummy nut decomposition than later-planted cover crops. Additionally, the height and density of the cover crop affected NOW survival with taller, denser plantings, having an increasingly detrimental effect on overwintering NOW populations.
Cover crops can have an indirect influence on some of the underlying causes of sticktights (unharvested nuts which will become mummy nuts). Some of these causes include nutrient or water stress, which leads to uneven ripening of nuts. This situation puts the farmer in the uncomfortable position of shaking some nuts too early or risking NOW infestation of ripe nuts. Cover crops increase water infiltration, boost soil microbial communities and improve the availability of some plant nutrients. These improved soil conditions can have a compounding effect over time, boosting orchard health.
Habitat Complexity
Establishing cover crops enhances the habitat complexity of almond orchards, providing refuge and food sources for natural predators of NOW larvae. Ground beetles and other beneficial insects are observed to increase in abundance and activity in cover-cropped areas. These predators actively prey upon overwintering NOW larva in exposed mummy nuts, thereby reducing the population of NOW before they can infest the following summer crop. However, due to the extremely low treatment threshold for NOW (less than 2% nut infestation), natural predators are rarely relied upon for NOW control.
Cover crops contribute to NOW management by concealing mummy nuts from female moths during their oviposition period. The vegetation acts as visual and olfactory camouflage, making mummy nuts less detectable to female moths seeking suitable egg-laying sites. This reduced visibility and
accessibility disrupt the moth's reproductive cycle, thereby lowering the likelihood of infestation in mummy nuts on the ground. It was found that cover crops did not affect mummy nuts in the tree canopy, demonstrating the continued need to remove them.
While cover crops offer significant benefits in NOW management, they are not intended to replace traditional orchard sanitation practices entirely. Winter sanitation remains crucial for removing mummy nuts that remain after harvest. To address concerns about cover crop interference during mummy nut removal, growers can adopt a strategic planting approach. Some growers plant cover crops in alternate rows while leaving adjacent rows bare to allow for effective winter sanitation efforts without compromising cover crop establishment. Other growers elect to plant the cover crop immediately before or shortly after completing winter sanitation.
Integrating cover crops into almond orchard management strategies provides multifaceted benefits for NOW suppression. By accelerating mummy nut decomposition, increasing predation and hiding mummy nuts from female moths, cover crops contribute to reducing pest pressure early in the almond growing season. This integrated approach enhances the ecological sustainability of almond production while supporting effective pest control practices. Growers are encouraged to consider these findings when developing comprehensive pest management plans that integrate both cover crops and traditional sanitation practices.
Growers located in California can experiment with cover crops at little cost through the Seeds for Bees® program. Seeds for Bees® awards participants with free or subsidized cover crop seed. First year participants can receive up to $2,500 in free seed while second year participants can receive up to $1,500 in free seed. Returning participants can continue to purchase discounted seed through the program. Growers are seeing the value cover crops offer their farms with 40% of all seed shipped through the program being purchased by past participants in 2023.
To qualify, growers need to meet the following criteria: Be in California, be
or represent a commercial grower or beekeeper, and be able to plant four or more acres of cover crop. The application is quick to complete and does not require any additional documentation. The Seeds for Bees® program is open from April 1 to August 31. Those interested in applying can access the application link at projectapism.org/sfb-home.
References
Almond Board of California (2021) Navel Orangeworm best management practices. (490) Navel Orangeworm Best Management Practices - YouTube Wauters, V., & et al. (2023) Developing cover crop systems for California almonds: Current knowledge and uncertainties. Journal of Soil and Water Conservation. Developing cover crop systems for California almonds: Current knowledge and uncertainties | Journal of Soil and Water Conservation (jswconline.org)
Wilson, H., & et al. (2022) Winter cover crops reduce spring emergence and egg deposition of over wintering Navel
Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in almonds. Environmental Entomology. Winter Cover Crops Reduce Spring Emergence and Egg Deposition of Overwintering Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in Almonds | Environmental Entomology | Oxford Academic (oup.com)
Wilson, H., Burks, C., Reger, J., and Wenger, J. (2020) Biology and management of Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) in California. Journal of Integrated Pest Management. pmaa025. pdf (silverchair.com)
Wilson, H., Rijal, J., and Haviland, D. (2023) New pest infesting almonds and pistachios in the San Juaquin Valley. UC Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. New pest infesting almonds and pistachios in the San Joaquin Valley - Food Blog - ANR Blogs (ucanr.edu) Comments
View from the Top
‘I Want Eight Billion People Eating Pistachios Every
Day’
Zachary Fraser, American Pistachio Growers’ new top executive, wants to build a supercharged, sports-like fan base for the green nut.
By CATHERINE MERLO | Contributing Writer
For now, Zachary Fraser may know more about college sports than he does about the pistachio industry.
But that’s changing as he plunges headfirst into his new role as president and CEO of American Pistachio Growers. Since taking the reins June 17, Fraser has been learning all he can about the pistachio industry and the 865-member trade organization he’s tasked with leading.
Fraser, 45, comes to APG after four years with LEARFIELD, the media and technology company behind many of the most influential brands in collegiate sports. There, he led the company’s Fresno State athletics property, helping manage traditional and digital media rights, broadcast platforms and media and sponsorship sales for the Fresno State Bulldogs.
Before that, Fraser was the founding general manager and managing partner of Pacific Baseball Ventures, an investment group which owns and operates summer collegiate teams in Washington State. Under his stewardship, more than 30 players went on to play Major League Baseball.
Just two weeks after starting his new job at APG’s Fresno office, Fraser spoke with West Coast Nut about his plans for APG and how he’ll apply what he knows about building a sports fan base into “supercharging” a global passion for pistachios.
Q. Why did you decide to pursue the position of APG’s president and CEO?
I wanted to be excited about what I was doing every single day. I’ve been blessed to have a great career in sports media and sports marketing. When I started out 20 years ago, that was a pas-
We need everybody who loves pistachios, who’s involved in this industry, to be a member of what’s going on and chip in however they can...
"Fraser has a college sports background, speaks French and has been a diehard Buffalo Bills fan since he was eight years old.
find ways nobody’s ever thought of to get our pistachios into the hands and diets of 8 billion human beings around the earth.
Q. Did a recruiting firm find you?
How did you and APG connect?
APG had done some work with my company over the last two or three years here locally with Fresno State Athletics. If you’re from the Central Valley, you know it’s a small town. If you make a lot of connections, but also if you’re good at what you do, and you work hard, and you’re transparent and honest with people, that gives you an opportunity to stand out. It’s kind of fun being a guy who just popped on the scene and who’s being given a chance to be a rookie in asking questions and learning in a way that, if I’d come from the industry, I don’t know that I would be as open to doing.
-Zachary Fraser, American Pistachio Growers
sion. And I still care about it. But it wasn’t something that got me really juiced and pumped up to get out of bed every morning. As I started to have conversations with members of APG and some of their leadership, I became more and more excited about what I saw as an opportunity to really supercharge a product and to
Q. How can APG benefit from what you learned during your career in collegiate sports media?
The genius of sports, and collegiate sports in particular, is that it’s not transactional. If you are a fan of a sports team, you are enveloped in experiences. For instance, I’m a huge Buffalo Bills fan. I grew up back East and have been a diehard Bills fan since I was eight years old. I have a professional obligation, when I see somebody wearing a Buffalo Bills hat in an airport, to yell across the aisle and say, “Go, Bills!” That’s a fan reaction.
DETERRENT FOR SMALL MAMMALS
• Protects elds and orchards from damage by small mammals
• Suitable control of gophers, ground squirrels, voles, moles and similar pests
• Eliminates fencing requirement
• Safeguards irrigation equipment from damage
• Encourages small mammal pests to vacate the premises
• Promotes small mammal population control
• Helps limit the (potential) spread of wildlife-borne disease
• Shown to be e ective even after precipitation
• Odorless and non-toxic to humans and animals
SMALL MAMMAL DETERRENT
Each year small ground mammals cause extensive damage to farm elds, crops and equipment. Besides foraging on eld crops, many are burrowing animals, whose mounds and holes create hazards for livestock, obstacles for farm equipment and inhibit crops from growing on disturbed land. In other instances, these small mammals can get into stored grain or damage agricultural infrastructure (i.e. causing damage to drip irrigation lines).
Penergetic b ZV’s purpose is to act as a deterrent by discouraging these pests from inhabiting treated areas. Since the target species often live under ground and have developed elaborate networks of tunnels, with multiple entrances, when using penergetic b ZV it is important to carry out a fairly land-expansive spraying program to ensure adequate coverage of the area they occupy.
That’s not a transaction or a customer reaction. Sports creates fans. They don’t create customers.
We have a remarkable story to tell around pistachios’ nutrition, around the quality of taste, around the farmers who are growing pistachios, around the processors using best-in-class methods to get those into market. We have 8 billion humans that can buy and enjoy our product. How do we create that type of fan reaction, that fan experience for pistachios? That is what can come from sports.
Q. What plans and ideas do you have for APG and the industry? How do you plan to build consumer demand?
My plans are specifically around this idea that every single human on earth can eat and love eating pistachios. The specific key results, the specific tactics, activities and processes that we’re going to use to get there are very much still in the embryonic stage. That’s going to develop over the next 30 to 60 days as I get to know who I’m serving and working with, as I spend a significant amount of time with our VP of marketing, and understand our consumer data reports and other things that help us create a strategy.
Q. What are the first three goals on your list?
The first is for me to be mobile, to be on the road, be in front of people, meeting members face to face. I won’t be able to meet everyone in the first 90 days, but I set a personal key result for myself to meet 100 growers or more by Sept. 30.
The second one is to listen and learn. I don’t come from pistachios. I didn’t grow pistachios. I didn’t go to school here. I wasn’t raised in Future Farmers of America. I don’t have any connection to the industry whatsoever, other than the fact that I really like to eat pistachios. There’s a lot of good that preceded me at APG. What can we pull out and replicate?
There are also some challenges, right? Anytime an industry goes through an explosive growth over a 35-year period, there
are growing pains in relationships, in personalities and in processes. Because I was not involved in any of them, you can scream at me for an hour if you want. It’s not going to hurt my feelings. I have the benefit of just smiling and listening. Once we listen and build that relationship of trust, we take that information to see how we can apply that wisdom to not repeating some of the same mistakes.
The third goal involves the team we have onboard. There’s phenomenal talent here. This is the kind of team I would hire if I was building this team from scratch. I’ll be looking to identify with this team, to understand where their strengths and weaknesses are, how I can best position them, how I can best fill in the gaps to really put a supercharged team together so we can hit that objective. I want 8 billion people eating pistachios every day and loving it.
Q. An enormous volume of pistachio production is forecast for the next few years. How do you plan to market that increased supply?
I like to find any way that’s not illegal or immoral! And then be very intentional about our use of resources. I love marketing-planning meetings because that’s where you get to be really creative. When you start to translate what those ideas will cost, it tends to get you in perspective as to what you can actually do. So, let’s go find really crazy ideas, and let’s make sure we can afford them. Those are two important components. Let’s identify the buy-low, sell-high opportunities in terms of developing markets. Where are folks with disposable income? Where are folks that are able to spend money on a great American product?
India is the fastest-growing middle class in the world right now. They like nuts that supply proteins. How do we use our strong base of Indian farmers here in the Central Valley, paired with our great processors? How do we get more pistachios into the Indian market?
California’s larger pistachio crops mean more ambitious marketing efforts for Fraser and APG. (Photo: C. Merlo).
Asia is another market with great opportunities. Asia is tough because it’s not really a buy-low market. Media in Asia is fairly expensive, but the upside is the significant number of people we can reach. How do we make inroads there?
The other idea is looking at other industries. Every industry has a tendency to basically do what everybody else is doing and just do it a little bit better. What are great things happening in other verticals that we can bring over and replicate in the pistachio market? Everything is on the table for review. If we’ve been doing something for a long time and we’re not seeing a significant growth or results, let’s stop doing it. Let’s be willing to test the waters with other things that we may not be comfortable with today.
Q. Why should pistachio growers support APG?
Because, by being able to combine forces, we will deliver products that are going to create an exceptional experience for the consumer, and on a scale that’s hard to do for an individual grow-
er or individual processor. Eight billion people is a lot of human beings. The number of dollars needed to reach all the media channels, the influencers and every possible way that we can reach human beings, they’re vast and expensive. A rising tide lifts all boats. We need everybody who loves pistachios, who’s involved in this industry, to be a member of what’s going on and chip in however they can, whether it’s a membership assessment or a level of expertise or pairing brands together to open
markets. We can figure out a way to get everybody working together. Let’s break open the hole for every market that’s out there. We need to push the market through so our growers and processors can move billions of pounds of pistachios over the next five years. Let’s ride this wave together.
Comments about this article? We want to hear from you. Feel free to email us at article@jcsmarketinginc.com
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Zachary Fraser presents his first state-of-theindustry report at the Pistachio Industry Insights Day July 26 in Visalia (all photos by C. Merlo.)
Fraser greets U.S. Rep. John Duarte at the Pistachio Industry Insights Day. The congressman and Central Valley grower spoke on the event’s Sustainable Groundwater Management Act panel.
TOP 5 THINGS TO KNOW ABOUT APPLYING FOR GRANTS AND INCENTIVES
By CECILIA PARSONS | Associate Editor
Intimidating language and paperwork along with requests for financial information can cause growers to shy away from applying for federal, state and local funding programs that offer financial incentives aimed at improving farming practices.
The application process doesn’t have to be intimidating, Michael Roots, Almond Board of California’s specialist for field outreach and education, said. With the proliferation of incentives and grants to persuade growers to adopt climate friendly and environmentally friendly practices, growers should take a closer look to see if they qualify, and what is required of them, Roots said. Growers may find stewardship practices already being done in their orchards may make them eligible for financial rewards.
That is not to say the process to find and apply for appropriate incentives is easy. Growers will have to put in the effort to prove their eligibility, Root said. One hurdle, he noted, is the cap on Adjusted Gross Income which is averaged over three years. He advises growers who have an interest in adopting conservation practices, investing in irrigation system improvements or equipment replacement first just go to their local Farm Service Agency office and talk.
“Tell them what you want to do,” Roots said. “They will look at your farm holistically, assess your farming operations and determine if you are eligible. Then you can develop a plan.”
Roots said the impetus to apply may be as simple as noting a neighbor acquiring a new tractor with financial assistance and going to the office to find out if you qualify. Larger projects may involve converting irrigation systems, adding monitoring equipment for scheduling and weather stations. Whole orchard recycling and compost applications and adoption of integrated pest management practices are all
examples of common practices where incentives are offered.
Growers who are interested in grant funding will have to look in multiple places for information. Local Farm Service Agencies, ag consulting firms and commodity boards are typically good sources of information and can be of assistance
Roots explained that the last Farm Bill contained more money to support a wide range of agriculture conservation projects. California also is supplying funding for water conservation, greenhouse gas reduction and healthy soils. In many cases, third parties, including resource conservation districts or industry groups, apply for the funding and administer the programs. For example, CDFA’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water on California agricultural operations. A CDFA Healthy Soils grant is being administered by American Pistachio Growers as well as several local resource conservation districts and other organizations supporting growers.
On the federal level, Farm Bill-funded programs include the Conservation Stewardship Program, which is designed to help growers maintain and improve existing conservation systems and adopt additional practices that address resource use. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program provides financial and technical assistance for projects that can improve water and air quality, conserve ground and surface water, increase soil health and reduce erosion and sedimentation.
Growers who are interested should:
1. Find Out What Is Available
Kelli Evans with Evans Agricultural Consulting in Live Oak said growers often do not realize the financial incentive programs that are offered.
“They tell me, ‘I wish I had known about this,’” she said. “They might be aware of the bigger programs, but with all the third parties administering the funding, there are a lot of opportunities out there. Finding one that will work for them is something they may not be used to doing.”
Growers who are interested in grant funding will have
(photo by K. Evans.)
CDFA’s State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) provides financial assistance in the form of grants to implement irrigation systems that reduce greenhouse gases and save water (photo by M. Katz.)
to look in multiple places for information, Evans said. Many grants are administered by third parties, including resource conservation districts that diligent searches are needed to find the right fit for each situation.
Almond Board, Roots said, is also helpful in connecting growers with appropriate programs.
2. Have a Plan
After finding the right program, Evans said growers should not expect immediate results. Any plan will have a long timeline. There is no guarantee that a particular incentive program will be offered in the next funding cycle.
Evans said it is important to know the window when applications will be accepted. The actual plan depends on the farm. Roots said an office visit at the nearest Natural Resources Conservation District office is the best place to start, particularly if you need help understanding the scope of the incentive program.
3. Determine Eligibility
For USDA grants, individual, entity or joint operations are eligible and
must have a tax ID number. Those applying will need a farm and tract number, property deed or lease. Adjusted Gross Income requirement is less than $900,000 averaged over three years. The grower should also be up to date on Farm Service Agency records. The person submitting the application must also have an interest in the farming operation associated with the land being enrolled.
The land needs to be used in agriculture production, be privately owned and not receive other USDA program payments for the same conservation practice.
4. Make an Application
This is where a face-toface meeting in the Natural Resources Conservation Service district office or local administering agency will be a
good move. It is helpful to have the necessary paperwork listing land ownership or lease agreement, location and scope of project. Taking care of paperwork and verifications are important.
5. Wait
Depending on when you hit the cycle, Evans said, you should be prepared to wait after submitting an application.
Work on the project cannot begin before the agreement is signed and funding granted. Evans said she thinks of this stage as the “rebate stage.” After the plan is approved and contract is signed you can then begin the work, but you will have to pay all costs and wait for reimbursement after the work is completed and verified, Evans said.
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Workplace Violence Prevention: Be Prepared
By ATHENA USHANA | Programs and Communications Manager, AgSafe
California's Senate Bill 553 (SB 553) addresses the pressing issue of workplace violence by mandating businesses to adopt Workplace Violence Prevention Plans (WVPP). Effective July 1, 2024, SB 553 amends California Labor Code 6401.7 and adds 6401.9, making it the first law to recognize workplace violence as an occupational hazard regulated by Cal/OSHA.
Key components of SB 553 include:
• Workplace Violence Definition: Threats or use of physical force against an employee that could result in injury, psychological trauma or stress.
• WVPP Requirements: A written, accessible plan including 13 statutory requirements.
• Incident Log: Written records of qualifying incidents maintained for five years.
• Training: Effective training is provided initially and annually, covering at least six statutory requirements.
• Records Retention: Various WVPP, training and incident response records must be maintained for specific periods and made available upon request.
Non-compliance can lead to fines, enhanced civil liability, and reputational damage. Implementing a comprehensive WVPP is not only a requirement but a demonstration of your vigilance to the safety of those in your operations. Such a plan should be clear and accessible, meeting all statutory requirements while being tailored to the workforce's specific needs.
Initial Assessment and Evaluation of Risk Factors
Any preventive measure and proce-
dure taken by an employer to correct, respond to or prevent workplace violence must be determined based on a thorough understanding of the risk factors and/or hazards associated with the various types of workplace violence that exist in the workplace.
Every employer must perform an initial assessment to identify and evaluate workplace violence hazards which have been shown to, or that may contribute to the risk of violence in the workplace. Potential factors that could exist in workplaces that may increase the risk of workplace violence include but are not limited to:
• Exchange of money.
• Working alone.
• Working at night and during early morning hours.
• Availability of valued items (e.g., money and jewelry).
• Guarding money or valuable property or possessions.
• Performing public safety or social welfare functions in the community.
• Working with clients, passengers, customers or students known or suspected to have a history of violence.
• Employees with a history of assaults or who have exhibited belligerent, intimidating or threatening behavior to others.
Workplace Violence Prevention Plan Requirements
Employers are required to address workplace violence hazards to protect employees and comply with the regulatory requirement of establishing, implementing and maintaining an effective written WVPP. Per LC 6401.9, employers must include the following required elements and effective procedures in their establishment's written
WVPP or include them as a separate section in their IIPP for Workplace Violence Prevention:
• Names/titles of persons responsible for implementing the written WVPP.
• Procedures to obtain the active involvement of employees and authorized employee representatives in developing and implementing the WVPP.
• Methods the employer will use to coordinate the implementation of the plan with other employers.
• Procedures to ensure all employees (supervisory and nonsupervisory) comply with the WVPP.
• Procedures to communicate and provide training to employees on workplace violence.
• Procedures to identify, evaluate and correct workplace violence hazards.
• Procedures on how to respond to actual or potential workplace violence, and how to accept and respond to reports of workplace violence, including procedures to prohibit retaliation against employees for reporting workplace violence.
• Procedures for post-incident response and investigation.
• Procedures to review WVPP for effectiveness and revise the plan as needed.
• Procedures or other information required by the division and standards board as being necessary and appropriate to protect the health and safety of employees.
Employers can prevent and reduce the risk of workplace violence with an established, effectively implemented, and maintained WVPP, along with strong management commitment and the day-to-day involvement of all employees and their authorized representatives.
Framework for Combating Workplace Violence in the Ag Industry
As you begin to develop your plan, take into consideration a framework to implement and orient your staff. The following are suggestions for successful implementation:
1. Policy Development and Communication
• Develop Clear Policies: Establish comprehensive policies that define workplace violence, including physical violence, verbal abuse, bullying and harassment. Ensure policies com ply with federal, state and local regulations.
• Communicate Policies: Regularly communicate these policies to all employees through training sessions, employee handbooks and visible postings in the workplace.
2. Training and Education
• Regular Training Programs: Conduct mandatory training for all employees on recognizing, preventing, and respond ing to workplace violence. Training should cover de-esca
lation techniques, reporting procedures and the impact of workplace violence.
• Specialized Training for Supervisors: Provide additional training for supervisors and managers on handling complaints, conducting investigations and supporting affected employees.
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A supervisor leading a team regroup checking in and reminding the team of safety strategies and communication channels (all photos courtesy AgSafe.)
4. Support Systems for Affected Employees
• Employee Assistance Programs (EAP): Offer access to counseling and support services for employees affect-
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• Peer Support Networks: Establish peer support groups where employees can share experiences and receive
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5. Workplace Environment and Safety Measures
• Risk Assessments: Conduct regular assessments to identify potential risks for workplace violence and implement measures to mitigate these risks.
• Enhanced Security: Implement security measures such as surveillance cameras, alarm systems, controlled facility access and adequate lighting.
• Safe Work Practices: Promote a culture of safety by encouraging employees to report unsafe conditions and participate in safety committees.
6. Monitoring and Continuous Improvement
• Incident Tracking: Maintain a detailed log of all reported incidents of workplace violence to identify patterns and areas requiring attention.
• Regular Reviews: Periodically review policies, training programs and incident response procedures to ensure they remain effective and up to date.
• Feedback Mechanism: Establish a feedback system where employees can provide input on the effectiveness of workplace violence prevention measures.
7. Compliance with Regulations
• Stay Informed: Regularly update policies and practices to comply with the latest federal, state and local regulations regarding workplace violence.
Template of the Cal/OSHA Form 300 that needs to be completed after any incident and kept on file.
• Documentation: Keep thorough records of all training sessions, reported incidents, investigations and responses to demonstrate compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Engage Legal Counsel: Consult with legal experts to ensure all aspects of the workplace violence prevention program adhere to legal standards and best practices.
All California employers must identify and correct workplace hazards in a timely manner and provide effective training to their employees to prevent injuries from occurring as a result of their employment. Additionally, every employer must immediately report to Cal/OSHA any serious injury or illness, or death of an employee occurring in a place of employment or in connection with any employment, including incidents resulting from workplace violence.
What Should Employers Do If an Employee Is Injured Due to Workplace Violence?
• Ensure employees receive timely and appropriate medical treatment: Employers must ensure all needed medical care is provided through the employer’s workers' compensation insurance provider.
• Provide Notice: Employers must give employees notice of workers' compensation eligibility within one working day of a workplace violence incident.
• Record and Investigate: Record required information about the violent incident in the employer’s violent incident log, investigate and evaluate the workplace violence incident and determine and implement changes needed to reduce workplace violence hazards in the workplace.
• Review and Report: Review the effectiveness of the written WVPP and revise the plan if necessary. Report all serious injuries and deaths to Cal/ OSHA and complete the "Employer's Report of Occupational Injury or Illness" (Form 5020).
What Records Must Employers Keep on Workplace Violence?
• Records of workplace violence haz-
ard identification, evaluation and correction for a minimum of five years.
• WVPP training records for a minimum of one year.
• Violence incident logs for a minimum of five years.
• Records of workplace violence incident investigations for a minimum of five years.
• Cal/OSHA Form 300 for five years.
By implementing this framework, agricultural work can effectively combat workplace violence, ensuring a safer environment for employees. The commitment to continuous improvement and compliance with regulations will not only protect employees, but also enhance the overall well-being, productivity and reputation of the organization. Creating a “speak-up” culture within the organization is another crucial aspect. Employees should feel safe to report concerns without fear of retaliation, further enhancing
the organizational commitment to prioritizing psychological safety. This requires a commitment from leadership to support and protect those who come forward with issues or observations related to workplace safety.
If you should have specific questions about workplace violence prevention, please contact the AgSafe team at 209526-4400 or email safeinfo@agsafe.org.
AgSafe is a 501c3 nonprofit that provides training, education, outreach and tools in safety, labor relations and human resources for the food and farming industries. Since 1991, AgSafe has educated over 100,000 employers, supervisors and workers about these critical issues.
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Hybrid Harvest Model Brings Off-Ground a Step Closer for Almond Growers
By CECILIA PARSONS | Associate Editor
Sun and ambient air have been known as the most efficient drying method for almonds since the first commercial crops were planted in California. While the industry is looking at changing this standard harvest routine, there are signs growers are adapting.
Declaring a goal of 50% reduction in harvest-generated dust by 2025, along with listing numerous advantages of keeping nuts off the ground, Almond Board of California (ABC) has funded research to investigate and solve issues with off-ground harvest. Investments have also been made by harvest machine manufacturers to meet the challenge of off-ground harvest.
Sebastian Saa, director of agricultural research at ABC, emphasized the positives to off-ground harvest in addition to dust reduction, including reduction of water stress in late harvest varieties, less herbicide use, less insect damage and improvements in soil health among others.
An off-ground harvest panel at the 2019 Almond Conference noted harvest can potentially begin earlier, cutting down on insect damage. Nuts that do
not hit the ground escape ant damage. Cleaner loads can be delivered to hullers. Dust generated by sweeping nuts into windrows is eliminated. A single pass uses less labor and fuel. Growers would have more flexibility with irrigation scheduling, and there reportedly is less need for orchard floor preparation.
No Single Solution
Progress toward off-ground almond harvest is being made, but industry leaders agree there isn’t a single solution for every orchard. Mel Machado, vice president of grower relations for Blue Diamond, said while there is plenty of interest in off-ground harvest, the challenges to widespread adoption in the near future are many.
“Not in all orchards, and not every year will it work,’’ Machado said, citing concerns in the north with losing crop to windfalls with off-ground harvest. Orchard design may need changes.
Machado noted he has witnessed offground harvest operations and reported the machinery did a good job.
Almond grower Brian Wahlbrink said that the biggest hurdle he sees for widespread adoption of offground harvest currently is the cost. Extra handling, drying and equipment are tough to take on when growers may just be in survival mode due to low almond prices.
“The concept is great, but until there are financial benefits, it is hard to move forward,” he said.
One segment of the almond industry where off-
One segment of the almond industry where off-ground harvest really makes sense is organic, according to almond grower Brian Wahlbrink. Off-ground harvest would circumvent the problem of weed management, a significant cost in organic production.
ground harvest really makes sense is organic, Wahlbrink said. Off-ground harvest would circumvent the problem of weed management, a significant cost in organic production.
Tom Thomas, sales manager with OMC, said every year there is more interest in using off-ground harvest equipment. The Yuba City-based equipment manufacturer has done demonstrations of off-ground harvest equipment in recent years, and Thomas said they will be doing about 600 acres this year for a grower using pistachio harvesting-type catch frames. The nuts will go into a cart and be moved to another site for drying.
“Those growers are thinking about the future and want to reduce dust, but complications remain,” Thomas said, referring to drying methods.
Drying the nuts and the extra handling costs when stockpiling or spreading the nuts to dry at another location are current deterrents to adoption. Wahlbrink noted unloading green hulls can be challenging.
Scott Hermann from TOL in Tulare confirmed there are a few forward-thinking almond growers who are making the move to full off-ground harvest each year. Those choices depend on having an economical drying method.
“I was told by one that they saved $300 an acre with off-ground by saving pesticide and herbicide spray costs,” Hermann said. “There are people out there who see the potential in full offground, but they are in the minority right now. It makes sense, but not until the drying issue is resolved.”
Hermann said the cost estimate for drying nuts off-ground is a minimum of 8 cents per pound depending on the heat
Scott Hermann from TOL in Tulare confirmed there are a few forward-thinking almond growers who are making the move to full off-ground harvest each year. Those choices depend on having an economical drying method (all photos courtesy S. Hermann.)
source. Growers will have to decide if they can save enough on sweep, condition and harvest passes, plus potential savings on reducing pesticide and herbicide sprays to make it a break-even proposition.
TOL’s Twin D has a catch frame and can put the nuts in a cart or in a windrow. It will fit in most orchards. Earlier harvest is possible, Hermann said, but that needs to be better understood.
Drying the nuts offsite has been identified as a major issue with off-ground harvest. ABC-funded research on drying techniques highlighted the challenge. Stockpile drying using wind and hot air drying in trailers were studied. UC Davis researcher Zhongli Pan reported at the 2019 Almond Conference the recommended drying process is using stepwise drying with minimum temperature of 140 degrees F to achieve high drying throughput with reduced energy costs. While stockpiling and using forced hot air adds to almond processing costs, Pan said off-ground drying can validate the significance in reduction of insect damage, resulting in less rejections and
higher-quality kernels and hulls. There remains the extra time and cost for stockpiling and delivery to a huller.
Another drying tactic cited by Hermann involved a UC Merced drying trial involved stockpiling over an air duct and sucking the ambient air from the bottom of stockpiles of almonds as a method of drying.
Then, there are tradeoffs. A hybrid of off-ground harvest is gaining traction. Hermann said the TOL machine can shake, catch and then drop the almonds in a windrow in the orchard for drying. The machine removes sticks and leaves, leaving a clean windrow that does not need conditioning. For those who want to move the nuts out of the orchard, there is a cart that can be connected to the harvester to haul the nuts out of the orchard for drying off-site.
Running a Conditioner is an Option
Billy Schuh, a west Fresno County almond grower, said growers and custom harvesters have been adopting harvest changes that help with the goal of dust
reduction but are not yet embracing full off-ground harvest. Use of a conditioner on windrows to sift out dirt and debris is one of the biggest harvest moves. Running a conditioner adds another pass through the orchard, but turnout is improved as less dirt, rocks and stick arrives at the huller.
Not every grower wants to pay for that extra pass through the orchard to clean up windrows, Schuh said, but it can pay off when they aren’t penalized for low turnout.
Schuh said harvest pick-up machines have been modified to reduce the amount of dirt picked up with the nuts, helping to deliver cleaner loads. It is hard to beat the free drying done by the sun, he added.
Wahlbrink said just managing the 4 to 6 feet in the middles to lay the windrows makes sense with the hybrid harvest model. Dry and clean ground allows for better drying and the tree row soil benefits from a ground cover.
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CARB Passes Electric Forklift Rule: Here’s What You Need to Know
By PRISCILLA RODRIGUEZ | Assistant Vice President, Western Agricultural Processors Association
In June, California Air Resources Board (CARB) adopted the Zero Emission Forklift Regulation to phase out the sale and use of propane forklifts in California by 2038. This regulation includes propane forklifts used in agricultural operations, such as tree nut hullers and processors. The regulation takes effect on Jan. 1, 2026. Starting in 2026, equipment dealers will be prohibited from producing or selling Class 4 or Class 5 propane forklifts with a lift capacity of less than 12,000 lbs., with a few exceptions.
Western Agricultural Processors Association (WAPA) led an ag coalition against yet another California regulation. Throughout the regulatory process, WAPA coordinated several meetings and onsite visits with CARB to emphasize impacts this rule will have on agricultural operations. During an infrastructure meeting with CARB, the California Public Utilities Commission, California Energy Commission, utility companies and other state agencies, the utility companies acknowl-
edged systemwide constraints. As a result, infrastructure extensions were incorporated into the rule. We worked tirelessly to fight against this rule altogether, ultimately resulting in a regulation which recognized some key issues agriculture faces.
Unfortunately, California's agenda to push for electrification across various equipment prevailed, and the regulation passed. This will significantly impact agricultural operations as many will need to upgrade their electrical infrastructure to support increased demand, along with the costs of charging stations, storage, and zero-emission forklifts. CARB stated that the phaseout schedule allows for gradual conversion. For agricultural operations, compliance will begin in 2029, after most other operations. The final draft includes a 25% cap on fleet phaseout for the first compliance year, but planning the conversion based on forklift model year will be critical.
Some key elements you should be aware of are exemptions, extensions, compliance dates, reporting require-
ments and required communications with your utility provider.
Exemptions
A couple of the exemptions to note for tree nut operations included rough-terrain forklifts, if the forklift has a permanently integrated telescoping boom as its primary work implement and if the forklift is a pellet jack. Based on the precedent set by the previous Large Spark Ignited (LSI) Rule, in-field forklifts used for agricultural operations in general are exempt. Specifically, forklifts used for more than 50% of the time in-field are not required to phase out propane forklifts. However, the usage hours must be documented yearly to maintain this in-field exemption.
Low-Use forklifts are exempted so long as the operation hours are under 200 hours per year and documented. The low use exemption sunsets on Dec. 31, 2030. A microbusiness may continue to operate a single forklift as a Low-Use forklift beyond the sunset date. A microbusiness means an operation with annual gross receipts of $5,000,000 or less over the previous three years, or is a manufacturer, as defined in subdivision (c) of Government Code Section 14837, as effective on Jan. 1, 2018, with 25 or fewer employees.
Extensions
Additional considerations were included given the states statewide infrastructure challenges, allowing for compliance extension for infrastructure delays or construction delays.
ZEV Forklift Delivery Delay
Operations experiencing difficulty acquiring due to supply chain challenges can receive up to a one-year-at-a-time extension delay. Extensions can continue to be renewed until the ZEF the fleet operator has ordered is received. Recognizing today’s economy, the extended timelines will be necessary to secure forklifts given the uncertainty of procuring in a specified timeframe.
Operations Delay
The technical infeasibility delay acknowledges that the allocated time frame of 2038 may not be adequate for technology to meet the demands or requirements of all operations types. The delay offers additional flexibility for businesses facing
Figure 1. Class 4 forklift phaseout schedule for small fleets and ag operations.
Figure 2. Class 5 forklift phaseout schedule for all business.
this particular circumstance. This extension can be renewed until a suitable ZEF model becomes available.
Infrastructure Delay
The infrastructure delay offers delays due to circumstances beyond the operation’s control on a project to install ZEF-related charging and fueling infrastructure. An extension granted will be valid for a period of up to two years per project. This extension cannot be renewed. Infrastructure can be related to permits, installation of charging or fueling infrastructure, construction of ZEF-related storage or shelter, and delays in the delivery of necessary building materials.
Electrical Infrastructure Delay
The current statewide electrical infrastructure shortfall we are facing poses a challenge to the state’s transition to ZEV forklifts. As a result, if your utility provider cannot provide the needed power for ZEV forklift conversion, an electrical infrastructure delay extension can apply. The initial extension will be granted for
three years, followed by an additional twoyear extension and a one-year extension as needed through 2038.
For any operation seeking an extension or exemption, you are required to label a forklift with an EIN label to each applicable forklift within 30 calendar days of receiving the EIN for such forklifts (CARB will assign a unique EIN to each forklift once reported.)
Reporting Requirement and Compliance Dates
General recordkeeping requirements such as company name, contact information, responsible official, forklift fleet manufactures, model year, rated capacity, etc. The initial report must be submitted by Sept. 20, 2026 and annually thereafter until full conversion over to ZEV forklifts.
Agricultural operations received additional time to comply and will begin phasing out Class 4 and Class 5 propane forklifts in 2029 and 2030 respectively. The schedule in Figure 1 is for agricultural operations and small fleets of Class 4 forklifts.
Communications with Utility Provider
The regulation requires early communication with utility providers regarding the expected demand and timeframe based on the phaseout schedule and the specific fleet at each operation. Operations must initiate this conversation by April 26, 2026.
In preparation for compliance with the new regulation, WAPA is developing guidance to assist our membership with the requirements and nuances of the rule. Additionally, a resolution was negotiated to review the rule in future years to determine if any changes are necessary.
While this is not a good rule, WAPA’s involvement led to one of the more workable rules as we received numerous concessions to alleviate some pressures. Our Association is also working to find and secure incentives for forklift and charging station upgrades.
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GRASSHOPPER INFESTATION ON THE MARCH IN THE NORTH STATE
By JULIE R. JOHNSON | Contributing Writer
Almond, walnut and pistachio ranch manager DC Felciano watched as the infestation of grasshoppers consumed the leaves and hulls in one of his almond orchards west of Corning, Calif. and in the same area devoured the leaves in a walnut orchard in late June and early July.
The summer of 2024 has been the season of grasshoppers in the region of western Tehama County where the valley meets the foothills. Anywhere that a field of dry grass lies adjacent to an orchard, particularly young trees, the ravenous insects are causing havoc.
Tehama County isn’t the only area suffering infestation; reports have also come in from Placer County and other sites in Northern California’s Sacramento Valley. Grasshoppers have reached outbreak levels in other states as well, such as Montana, Nebraska and Colorado.
The problem isn’t anything new. In the 1930s, grasshoppers destroyed millions of acres throughout 17 western states, leading to a nationwide state of emergency. The National Guard was summoned, desperately addressing the problem with flame-throwers, dynamite and, eventually, arsenic.
Thankfully times have changed in the area of damage control, and a variety of insecticides are helping to curtail the problem.
Grasshopper Identification
According to the UC Davis Dept. of Entomology and Nematology, grasshoppers are robust, elongated insects with winged adults that are good flyers. Commonly they are brown, gray, green or yellowish insects with greatly enlarged hind-leg femurs adapted for jumping, and have relatively short antennae, which distinguishes them from crickets, katydids and other Orthoptera, which have long antennae.
They overwinter as eggs, hatching when the soil warms in spring. The nymphs feed on most any species of nearby green plants, molting five or six times before becoming adults.
Adults live and feed for two to three months, during which females typically lay pods of 20 to 100 eggs in the topsoil of undisturbed areas.
Grasshoppers are movers, feeding voraciously and migrating to “greener pastures,” so to speak, sometimes in large swarms with the adults flying and nymphs jumping.
In addition to consuming almost anything green in its path, the insect can be carnivorous, with adults feeding on young nymphs.
As Felciano was walking down Black Butte Road west of Corning, grasshoppers were jumping all around him.
“They are everywhere out here among
the dry grass where they hatched this wet, warm spring,” he said.
Sporadic Damage
Driving down roads in western Tehama County the damage caused by the grasshoppers is hit-and-miss, no apparent method to the madness.
“I have seen areas where entire young orchards are hit, not hardly a leaf left on the trees,” Felciano said. “What I have found in my orchards is trees hit pretty bad that are next to roads that are next to fields of dry grass. The grasshoppers have crossed the roads into the orchards and attacked the outer perimeter trees. You go three or four rows in and the damage is less and less. The further in you go in, there isn’t any damage at all.”
He noted the worst damage is among the young trees.
UC Davis researchers report grasshoppers become economic pests mostly among young trees, as Felciano has witnessed, where the insects devour the leaves.
Felciano has also seen firsthand the swarms eating the green hulls off this year’s almond crop.
“Even with the damage I’m seeing, we are going to have a good crop as the damage has been somewhat limited to the outer trees and young trees that didn’t have much of a crop anyway,” he added.
Among Felciano’s walnut orchards, he has seen the same damage. The grasshoppers have attacked the outer perimeter trees, but less and less within the depths of the orchard.
They haven’t gone after the fruit, but the damage comes from sun damage to the now unprotected fruit, resulting in sunburn,” Felciano said.
In the bigger picture, the damage caused by the grasshopper invasion goes into next year, both in financial costs and stress to the trees.
Felciano explained, “Everywhere that the grasshoppers have eaten the trees’ leaves, the trees are pushing out new
DC Felciano, who manages over 6,000 acres of almond, walnut and pistachio orchards, stands next to the road where thousands of grasshoppers migrated from the adjacent dry grass field into one of his almond orchards, damaging the orchard’s perimeter trees.
leaves. That is a lot of stress on these trees, especially during this hot, hot summer, and as they are also ripening their fruit.”
He is already planning for the need of additional fertilizer application to the damaged trees to compensate for the added stress and energy the trees are using to combat the insect damage.
The damage is also seen in the pocketbook. Felciano talked about the cost of additional pesticide applications and fertilizers.
“It’s in the hundreds of thousands,” he said. “It is a really good thing almond prices are up a bit this year to help compensate.”
Control Measures
As soon as Felciano was aware of the infestation, he went into damage control mode.
“I immediately called my pest management company that uses a helicopter and started applying pesticides from the air,” he said. “We have also applied from the ground and placed Sevin around the perimeters of the orchards. And we haven’t done this just once, with grasshoppers the applications have had to be several and aggressive.”
Grasshoppers can be difficult to manage once large numbers move onto orchards, especially young trees, according to UC Davis.
“If you believe grasshoppers may become a problem, monitor for them in uncultivated areas near young trees. Before adjacent vegetation dries or is cut, consider applying insecticide combined with bait or spraying border areas to kill grasshoppers before they migrate and start to damage crops,” researchers advised.
UC IPM said growers can apply a bait containing carbaryl around the borders of their orchards before grasshoppers arrive.
These insecticides have only a few days of residual activity against grasshoppers, and because baits lose their effectiveness after rain or irrigation, they will need to be reapplied if migrations continue.
Pesticides containing the active ingredient carbaryl are restricted use materials in California. A valid pesticide applicator’s license is required for their possession and use.
“Carbaryl and other insecticides such as cyfluthrin or other pyrethroids commonly used as sprays for grasshopper control are very toxic to bees, natural enemies of grasshoppers, and aquatic life, although carbaryl in bait form is less hazardous to bees. Reserve the use of insecticides for serious situations where they may provide a significant level of control, ideally as baits around the edge of the garden before grasshoppers invade,” UC IPM reported.
Help
During a Tehama County Board of Supervisors meeting in June, Agriculture Commissioner Thomas Moss said the department has been receiving reports of destruction caused by the grasshopper infestation but has yet to determine the overall outcome. The damage won’t be known until the infestation has abated, and when that will be is yet to be seen.
Moss said the Tehama County Dept. of Agriculture is sending out a survey to growers and residents to establish an understanding of the problem.
The damage from grasshoppers eating the leaves off this walnut tree near Corning will result in the fruit being severely sun-damaged, especially with days on end of triple-digit temperatures this summer.
In addition to the surveys, inspectors from the county and state will be onsite to assess the damage.
With the outcome of the infestation still uncertain, Moss said disaster declarations must happen within 60 days of the incident, so his department is quickly trying to keep abreast on the situation daily and relay information to the Farm Bureau.
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Working the Soil Sample Report Puzzle
By RICH KREPS | CCA, SSp., Contributing Writer
When we look at soil tests and try to make sense of it all, it often seems like we are working a jigsaw puzzle. Not only do you need all the pieces, you need to see the big picture to be able to bring it to completion. One puzzle piece in a thousand puzzle pieces without the nuances of the colors and margins, it would be near impossible to make an optimal crop. In this case, for us growers, it’s a good yielding harvest with high quality. Those colors and shapes represent water, best management practices, timing and nutrition. Soil, solubility and the proper nutrient formulations play a major role in that process.
Understand your water to help you understand your soil.
‘WE
Soil
Looking at a soil sample report can be daunting even for an experienced crop advisor. We used to get caught up in a specific issue such as those perfect cation ratios, pH, TDS numbers or meq/L. While those play a huge part in our recommendations, every one of those has to be taken in context with each other. You can have the best level of PPMs or percentages by volume of an element, and not have any available. The acetate cation test is supposed to give you an example of what will become available this year. Even if we have a number as low as 1000 ppm of calcium, you multiply times two for every 6 inches of soil since its approximately 2,000,000 pounds per acre. Then you multiply times four to get the number for what 2 feet of soil should release this year. How would we ever be short with 8000 pounds of available calcium in our soil in a year. And yet we often are.
Solubility
So it’s solubility that must be the solution? Well, not exactly. A nutrient has to be soluble to be absorbed, that’s true. However, if its favorite life partner, the perfect anion, is in abundance, it’ll tie right back up quickly as things dry down. We need to balance our nutrients and make them soluble at the right time to match nutrient demand curves. These tell us when the tree wants what and how much.
Derivative
So it’s the derivative that’s the most important right? Many times, it’s a solution, yes, but again, taken in context. You can have a very soluble potassium as an example that should
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do the trick quite nicely. But loading up on muriate of potash might just be the straw that broke the camel’s back if chlorides are already high. Calcium sulfate in soils already high in sulfate may not work. Phosphorus may be almost impossible to get into a tree if calcium is high, or zinc is high, even if it’s an orthophosphate. Zinc sulfate, sprayed on a tree to knock the leaves off, isn’t getting into a tree if it went toxic and shed leaves? We have to be cognizant of what we are trying to do.
Biology
Active biology, that’ll do it, right? I’m hoping to give you something to
hang your hat on, but again, not exactly. If you overwater, that biology may cause phytophthora, pythium, root rots, etc. We need to keep that moisture dialed in, well drained, pulse irrigated when able, and add some of those beneficial, active bugs. We can also manipulate the soil with specific carbon sources that feed biology and make it flourish. There are tests we can do to see how active your soil is presently and know if what you are doing has it going in the right direction.
Water
Know your water. Period. Just because you may be in an irrigation
Lean on a Certified Crop Advisor to help put all the pieces of the puzzle together.
district and receiving surface water doesn’t mean it is as clean as you think. Check the pH, know the cation levels and bicarbonates. High-calcium water makes it very hard to inject phosphorus or iron into your fields. High-saline water is going to need leaching fractions to fix in the fall and winter. High-pH water will need supplementation to make most nutrients more available and soluble to the trees.
It’s extremely difficult for a grower with a million things going on all season to put it all together. Lean on your CCA to help you build a program. You have to deal with employees, financials, equipment and schedules to name a few. Have a trusted agronomist develop and analyze demand curves for you to apply the correct nutrients at the right physiological stages. Calculate the projected yields and match the application rates. Keep the good biology active with proper watering schedules for your infiltration rates and soil type. Add the good biology if need be, especially after fungicides, insecticides, herbicides and acid applications.
Add carbon sources to keep it all propagating and efficient. You’ll probably find savings in nutrients like nitrogen and potassium that are overapplied at the wrong times. That savings can go to more expensive but smaller-quantity nutrients like molybdenum, cobalt or silica that can make big impacts in vitality. I believe they call a chess master a grandmaster, but I don’t have a fancy name for what God made you to be, with everything you deal with. But Paul Harvey hit it right on the head when he described those that do some of the most beneficial work on the planet by saying, “So, God made a farmer.” There should be nothing puzzling about that statement.
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