Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Almonds

  • Almond Alliance Action Alert: NO on SB1

    Senate Bill 1 (Atkins) – California Environmental, Public Health, and Workers Defense Act of 2019

    Summary: This bill makes current federal clean air, climate, clean water, worker safety, and endangered species standards enforceable under state law, even if the federal government rolls back and weakens those standards. The bill directs state environmental, public health, and worker safety agencies to take all actions within their authorities to ensure standards in effect are being enforced as of January 2017 remain in effect.

    Status Update: SB 1 passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee with amendments and is heading the Assembly Floor to be voted on.

    Concerns:

    •  The amendments change the meaning of “Waters of the State” to “any current or historic definition of “Water of the United States” promulgated by the United States Environmental Protections Agency (US EPA).
    • The amendments change and expand the definition of “waste” in the bill to include all other “pollutants, dredged or fill materials.”
    • SB 1 threatens to undermine current state efforts to utilize science-based decision making to manage and provide reliable water supplies for California and protect, restore, and enhance the ecosystems of the Bay-Delta and its tributaries.
    • SB 1 impairs the Voluntary Agreements that are essential to advancing a comprehensive approach of flow and non-flow measures to provide reliable water supplies for all of California. SB 1 would freeze existing biological opinions.
    • SB1 would freeze the existing federal biological opinions. Future permits would be subject to outdated science and ineffective federal baseline measures, thus permanently, constraining the coordinated operations of the Central Valley Project.
    • SB 1 most recent amendments do not address the concerns regarding the “Endangered Species Act.”

    Messaging: Please contact your elected official (Senator/Assembly Member) and express your outstanding concerns and issues with the bill.  Please urge your representative to vote NO on Senate Bill 1.

    Key Assembly Members:
    Assembly Member Cecilia Aguiar-Curry:   916-319-2004
    Assembly Member Joaquin Arambula:   916-319-2031
    Assembly Member Jim Cooper:   916-319-2009
    Assembly Member Susan Eggman:   916-319-2013
    Assembly Member Adam Gray:   916-319-2021
    Assembly Member Robert Rivas:       916-319-2030
    Assembly Member Rudy Salas:   916-319-2032

    Key Senators:
    Senator Anna Caballero:   916-651-4012
    Senator Cathleen Galgiani:  916-651-4005
    Senator Melissa Hurtado:   916-651-4014
    Senator Richard Pan:   916-651-4006

  • Boron Tissue Sampling in Almonds at Harvest

    As California almond growers hit the ground running with harvest, don’t miss this brief video reminder to collect some hull samples for boron testing. Watch this interview with UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Franz Niederholzer to learn the WHY and the HOW. Boron levels can make a huge difference in yields. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine (Boron Deficiency photos by Dr. Dani Lightle, Glenn County UCCE).

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support HERE.

  • Blue Diamond Growers Break Ground & Prepare for Record Almond Production

    As almond acreage and production continues to soar in California, almond processors and handlers are strengthening and increase their capacity to be able to take in the record crops to come.  Blue Diamond Growers recently announced the construction of their largest almond storage facility yet.  Watch this brief interview with Blue Diamond CEO Mark Jansen as he shares more details at the site of their construction and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery and attend one of their upcoming Bennett Hickman Almond Field Days in Pixley or Modesto.

  • Creating A Safe, Clean Home For Stockpiled Almonds

    Once harvest kicks off, stockpiles of in-hull almonds become a favorite spot for Aspergillus mold as the moisture in almonds, combined with larger swings in air temperature from day to evening, result in elevated moisture levels and create a hospitable environment for the damaging mold to thrive.

    Aspergillus mold produces aflatoxin that causes significant food safety concerns that can put export shipments at risk as there are stringent maximum limits for aflatoxin contamination in key markets. High moisture levels in stockpiles can also lead to black mold on hulls and concealed damage of kernels – a condition in which nuts develop off-colAspergillus moldor and off-flavors after roasting.

    Proper moisture control before stockpiling, and regular monitoring and adjusting of moisture levels in stockpiled almonds can help to limit the amount of moisture build-up and prevent these issues. Prior to stockpiling, field samples should be taken either before sweeping or in the windrow. Because there can be great variability in the moisture levels of crop that is drying on the ground, growers should sample from areas where the moisture content is likely highest. The highest moisture levels prior to sweeping can typically be found in almonds on the north side of the canopy next to the trunk. For windrows, moisture levels are higher in the bottom layer of almonds. Moisture content for almonds should be below 6% for the in-shell kernel, less than 9% for the total fruit (in-hull almond) and less than 12% moisture content for hulls. If moisture exceeds these recommended levels, growers should hold off on stockpiling and take the crop to a dry area where the nuts can be turned and spread to reduce moisture. Machine drying is also an option.

    Once almonds are ready for stockpiling, the orientation and shape of the stockpile plays an important role in moisture management. Stockpiles should be placed on a firm surface in an area that encourages optimal drainage – either with a raised or sloped bottom. Creating drainage channels can further prevent water or rain from affecting stockpiles. Since condensation and mold growth are typically worse on the north end of a pile, it’s recommended to position the long side of the stockpile on a north-south axis to minimize that effect. Finally, one should ensure that each stockpile has an even, flat top to reduce the number of areas where condensation can build up on the underside of the tarp.

    With stockpiles in place, hullers/shellers should implement proper management practices to keep moisture in check. While covering stockpiles with tarps is important, tarp selection is just as important to keep humidity minimized. White-on-black tarps work best as they minimize temperature fluctuations. Clear tarps allow the greatest temperature fluctuations, but are fine to use on dry, in-hull almonds that are below the moisture threshold. And white tarps fall somewhere in the middle in terms of their ability to minimize temperature fluctuations. When ongoing moisture monitoring indicates that moisture levels are too high, hullers/shellers should open up the tarps during the day to allow moisture to escape and cover again at night.

    Additionally, it’s important to manage trash, dust and other potential contaminants, particularly pests like insects and rodents who can spread bacteria such as Salmonella and E. coli. When disease-carrying pests are found they should be treated, as needed, keeping detailed records if fumigants are used.

    The Almond Board of California (ABC) is committed to continued research into best practices around almond storage and processing. You can learn more about stockpile management in ABC’s “Stockpile Management Best Practices” guide. This resource provides valuable information on creating and managing stockpiles in ways that help our industry deliver a safe, high-quality product to the U.S. and around the world.

  • Successful Hullsplit Requires Thoughtful Irrigation, Nutrient Management

    While the onset of hullsplit signals that harvest season is near, it also marks the start of an unwelcomed orchard guest: hull rot. Almond hulls are susceptible to hull rot fungi from the beginning of hullsplit until the hulls dry, which is typically a month long, though the period may vary depending on fertilization and irrigation. Successful hull rot control is based upon effective strategic deficit irrigation and nitrogen management.

    Strategic Deficit Irrigation

    Strategic Deficit Irrigation (SDI) is the practice of stressing almond trees at specific crop stages to reduce water use without impacting crop productivity. By managing SDI, growers can reduce hull rot by 60–90% and experience a more uniform hullsplit and earlier harvest. These factors may contribute to less crop damage from weather, late-season NOW flights and aflatoxin contamination.

    The target period for stressing trees is from the start of hullsplit through 90% hullsplit, a period of about two weeks. The most accurate way to implement SDI is to use a pressure chamber to track and maintain slight tree water stress levels, between -14 bars and -18 bars, depending on the weather. Watch a short video from the Almond Board of California (ABC) about how to use a pressure chamber here.

    Growers who do not rely on pressure chambers, particularly those with a history of hull rot and a visual baseline from which plant stress can be observed, may achieve similar results by irrigating at 50% of normal tree demand, using crop evapotranspiration (ETc) calculations during hullsplit. More information about this strategy is available at the UC Almond Doctor’s website.

    Hullsplit typically occurs at the beginning of July in the early growing seasons and spreads to later growing seasons accordingly. However, onset of hullsplit can vary according to orchard conditions, with stress levels varying based on soil type and other factors. In shallow soils where trees may dry quickly, growers should initiate stress when blanks start to split, usually about a week before the onset of hullsplit. On deeper, well-drained soils, it can take up to 20-to-30 days to reach mild-to-moderate stress levels. In this case, growers may want to use the UC Almond Hull Split Prediction Modelto determine when to initiate water stress. More information about the fundamentals of strategic deficit irrigation are explained in this short ABC video here.

    Nitrogen Management

    Almond Board-funded research has found that excessive nitrogen increases incidences of hull rot. It is critical that a proper nitrogen budgeting plan is in place for the growing season to ensure that only the necessary amount of nitrogen is applied. It is important to follow the nitrogen budgeting plan throughout the growing season, which is a function of crop load.

  • 2019 California Almond Forecast Down 3.5 Percent

    The California Almond Objective Measurement Report, published today by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service – Pacific Regional Office (NASS/PRO), estimates that the 2019 crop will be 2.20 billion pounds, down 3.5% from the 2018 crop production of 2.28 billion pounds. The California Almond Objective Measurement Report is the official industry crop estimate.

    This year’s Objective Report projects an almond crop down 12% from the May 2019 California Almond Subjective Forecast of 2.5 billion pounds. The Objective Report collects data later in the growing season, closer to harvest, and is based on an actual count of nuts on the trees versus phone interviews with farmers, the method used for the Subjective Forecast.

    According to the Objective Report, the average nut set per tree is 4,667, down 17.8% from the 2018 almond crop. The Nonpareil average nut set per tree is 4,429, down 10.1% from last year’s set. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.54 grams, unchanged from the 2018 average weight.

    “While the industry experienced less than ideal weather conditions this spring, California remains the best place in the world to grow almonds,” said Holly A. King, Kern County almond farmer and Chair of the Almond Board of California (ABC) Board of Directors. “As leaders in California agriculture and producers of 82 percent of the world’s almonds, we have made a public commitment to grow almonds in better, safer and healthier ways, protecting our communities and the environment. We feel a great sense of obligation to responsibly produce a healthy food accessible to people around the world.”

    Last year, the Almond Board of California’s Board of Directors announced the Almond Orchard 2025 Goals to focus on areas that define the California almond industry’s journey towards continuous improvement and commitment to sustainability.

    The amount of almond coproducts – hulls, shells and woody biomass – correlates with crop size, and the California almond industry is more committed than ever to finding new uses for these valuable products. In fact, achieving zero waste in California almond orchards by putting everything the industry grows to optimal use is one of the four goals established by the Board of Directors. The Almond Board is committed to finding high-value uses for almond coproducts that support California by creating a genuine bioeconomy where every coproduct is an input for another valuable product. ABC will continue to fund research to investigate how components of almond hulls and shells can be transformed to provide increased value for farmers as well as other industries such as food, pharmaceuticals and automotive.

    “California almond farmers produce the vast majority of the world’s almonds, and for every pound of kernels there are nearly three pounds of hulls and shells. With size comes great responsibility and the resources to continue to meet steadily growing demand for almonds and fund research into ways to grow almonds more sustainably,” said Richard Waycott, ABC president and CEO. “Our vision is to make life better by what we grow and how we grow.”

    Since 1973, almond farmers and processors have invested $80 million in research through the Almond Board. These funds have propelled the industry to make significant advancements in the areas of water, nutrient management, air quality, honey bee health and more, increasing farming efficiencies while minimizing environmental impacts.

     

     

    SAMPLING PROCEDURES

    To determine tree set, nuts are counted along a path within a randomly selected tree. Work begins at the trunk and progresses to the end of the terminal branch. Using a random number table, one branch is selected at each forking to continue the path. A branch’s probability of selection is directly proportional to its cross-sectional area. This methodology is used because of its statistical efficiency. The method also makes it possible to end up at any one of the tree’s numerous terminal branches.

    Since the selected path has a probability of selection associated with it, this probability is used to expand nut counts arriving at an estimated set for the entire tree.

    Along intermediate stages (i.e., the bearing surface between forkings), every fifth nut is picked. All nuts on the terminal branch are picked. These nuts are used to determine size and weight measurements.

    FIELD SAMPLING ACTIVITIES

    The survey began May 30 and sampling was completed by June 27. There were 1,634 trees sampled for the 2019 survey in 817 orchards. Additional orchards were not sampled for one of the following reasons:

    1) Orchard had been sprayed.

    2) Orchard had been recently irrigated and was wet.

    3) Orchard had been pulled.

    4) Grower would not grant permission or could not be contacted.

    The Objective Measurement Survey is funded by the Almond Board of California.

    DATA RELIABILITY

    The 80 percent confidence interval is from 2,050 million meat pounds to 2,350 million meat pounds. This means that the results of our sampling procedures will encompass the true mean 80 percent of the time.

     

  • Increase of Early Almond Varieties Demands Evolution in the Industry

    One of the main concerns with recent almond acreage trends is in the exponential growth of earlier harvesting varieties and how the how that will impact early stockpiling at hulling and processing facilities.  Growers obviously want to harvest their crops as soon as possible, but Navel Orangeworm damage doesn’t stop as soon as the nuts leave the orchard.  Watch this brief video with Martin Pohl from Hughson Nut as he explains the situation and need for the almond industry to evolve with the trends.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Considerations for Determining Which Almond Varieties to Plant

    As growers, both new and experienced, continued to add to the record almond acreage in California, many are constantly evaluating what varieties to plant.  With many new varieties on the market and consumer trends continuing to evolve, there is a lot to consider in variety selection.  Check out this brief interview with Martin Pohl from Hughson Nut Company as he shares his insights from a processor’s perspective.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Does FSMA No Longer Apply to Almond Growers?

    With the recent announcement that almonds would be exempt from the Produce Safety Rule under FSMA, growers may think they got off the hook regarding extra trainings and documentation for food safety practices in the field, but watch this video with Tim Birmingham from the Almond Board of California who clarifies the recent change. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • 2018 USDA California Almond Nursery Sales Report

    The primary objective of the California Almond Nursery Sales Survey is to estimate future almond acres based on the number of almond trees sold for new plantings. This report summarizes data supplied by California nurseries throughout the State who sold to almond growers for commercial plantings. Results from this survey will be used in conjunction with the Almond Acreage Survey to estimate the almond acres in California.

    Questionnaires were mailed to all known almond nurseries in California and responses were received from 7 out of 10 operations. The nurseries were asked to report the total number of almond trees sold for commercial plantings and the total number of Nonpareil variety sold. They were also asked to report the percent of trees sold for new almond orchards, for replanting an existing orchard, or to replace trees within an already existing almond orchard. The totals are only for those nurseries that reported. Acres planted were calculated using the reported number of trees sold, along with the trees per acre from the Almond Acreage Survey.

    Results

    There were at least 10.1 million almond trees sold by California nurseries since June 1, 2017. Based on the Almond Acreage Survey, plantings from 2014 to 2018 were used to calculate an average trees per acre of 130. This results in approximately 78,000 acres of almonds planted from June 2017 through May 2018. Roughly 36,000 of these acres were Nonpareils. Nearly 53 percent of the total trees sold (41,000 acres) are new almond orchard acres and 41 percent (32,000 acres) replaced existing almond orchards. The remaining trees sold replaced trees within existing almond orchards.

    Acknowledgments

    The USDA, NASS Pacific Regional Office sincerely appreciates the nurseries for providing the information. A special thanks is due to the Almond Board of California for providing funding and support for this special Almond Nursery Sales Survey.
    Almond Nursery Sales Survey
    Almond Nursery Sales Survey Chart