Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Hazelnuts

  • Introducing the New Head of a World-renowned Hazelnut Breeding Program

    Oregon State University has a world renowned hazelnut breeding program, guided and funded by the Pacific Northwest hazelnut industry.  Following the retirement of longtime extension hazelnut breeder Shawn Mehlenbacher, Oregon State University has recently hired a new head of their hazelnut breeding program. Watch this brief video interview as Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm introduces the new OSU Extension Hazelnut Breeder, Gaurab Bhattarai. Read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. Don’t currently receive the magazine? Subscribe for free at: https://malcolmmedia.com/subscribe/

    Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support.

  • Oregon’s Hazelnut Success Rooted in OSU Research, Extension

    Oregon is renowned for producing some of the highest quality hazelnuts in the world, thanks to its ideal climate and rich volcanic soils. The state ranks No. 1 in the United States in hazelnuts, producing 99% of the hazelnuts grown in the United States. About 1,000 Oregon farm families grow hazelnuts on almost 97,000 acres. The farmgate value of Oregon’s hazelnut harvest has averaged over $120 million annually in recent years.

    Oregon State University (OSU), through its Agricultural Experiment Station and Extension Service, plays a crucial role in supporting Oregon hazelnut growers. Investments in OSU research and development help improve hazelnut production practices, leading to higher yields and better-quality nuts. This, in turn, enhances the economic viability of hazelnut farming.

    New strains of Eastern Filbert Blight (EFB) are infecting hazelnut trees with the Gasaway resistance gene in Oregon and Washington. Genetic analysis shows these strains differ from those in the eastern United States and are evolving regionally. Affected cultivars include Jefferson, McDonald and Yamhill, with infections reported in several areas.

    OSU fungicide research and breeding programs for quantitative resistance are ongoing. Despite the challenge, new promising hazelnut varieties are in development, and OSU Extension provides resources and guidance to hazelnut growers on how to manage the disease. This includes scouting for cankers, pruning infected wood, implementing fungicide spray programs and submitting samples for testing.

    In addition to breeding new varieties, OSU conducts hazelnut research that focuses on improving tree health, pest and disease management and enhancing yield and quality. OSU collaborates with industry partners, such as Ferrero, to fund research projects aimed at addressing key challenges faced by hazelnut growers. These partnerships help ensure the sustainability and profitability of the hazelnut industry.

    Here are some key initiatives:

    • Researchers like Nik Wiman, an associate professor and Extension orchard crops specialist and Marcelo Moretti, an associate professor, both of whom are in the Department of Horticulture, are leading efforts in areas such as biological control of pests and integrated weed management.
    • María Isabel Zamora Re, and assistant professor and statewide irrigation specialist in the Department of Biological and Ecological Engineering, is studying hazelnut water use and development of irrigation crop coefficients for irrigation.
    • OSU Extension research focuses on developing effective IPM strategies for both new and existing hazelnut pests, including the brown marmorated stink bug.
    • Studies are being conducted to optimize nutrient management practices, ensuring trees receive the right balance of nutrients for optimal growth and yield.
    • OSU is exploring the use of precision agriculture technologies to enhance hazelnut production, including soil health monitoring and targeted pest control.
    • OSU partners with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s IR-4 Program to help hazelnut growers access new crop protection tools like herbicides, insecticides and plant growth regulators. Through research at the OSU North Willamette Research and Extension Center, the university supports pesticide registration, ensuring safe effective pest management and sustainable hazelnut production.
    • OSU is studying hazelnut organoleptics, which is the science of how we experience food through our senses: taste, smell, sight, touch and sometimes sound. The Department of Food Science and Technology and OSU Food Innovation Center in Portland are collaborating on consumer sensory panels, providing data to improve product quality and development. This research ensures hazelnut products meet consumer expectations and maintain high standards.

    OSU’s hazelnut research and Extension programs provide invaluable support to the state’s hazelnut industry. By developing disease-resistant cultivars and implementing advanced agricultural practices, OSU ensures higher yields, improved kernel quality and sustainable farming methods.

    These initiatives not only bolster Oregon’s position as the leading hazelnut producer in the United States but also contribute to the economic vitality and environmental sustainability of the region. — By Nik Wiman, Jay Pscheidt and Marcelo Moretti, Oregon State University Extension

  • Introducing the New Horticulture Department Head at Oregon State University

    Oregon State University has done an amazing job not only training the next generation of innovators in the Pacific Northwest agricultural industries, but also plays a leading role in extension research that has particularly made a big difference for viticulturists and hazelnut growers. Here to coordinate future agricultural education and extension research is Patricia Stock, the new Horticulture Department Head at Oregon State University. Learn more about Patricia in her interview with Laura Malcolm here and read more about Oregon State University’s world-renowned agricultural education, research and extension in American Vineyard and Pacific Nut Producer Magazines.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support.

  • New Hazelnut Varieties Found More Susceptible to This Pest

    While the hazelnut breeding program at Oregon State University has done a phenomenal job developing new tasty hazelnut varieties with disease resistance and other favorable characteristics that has made growing the crop easier in the Pacific Northwest, these varieties may have some setbacks as well.  It seems that not only growers and consumers are enjoying these new varieties, but an invasive pest known as brown marmorated stink bug has also taken a particular fondness of these new varieties. Watch this video interview with Oregon State University Entomologist Vaughn Walton as he discusses the issue with Matthew Malcolm at the Nut Growers Society Winter Meeting. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. Don’t currently receive the magazine? Subscribe for free at: https://malcolmmedia.com/subscribe/

    Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support.

  • Hazelnut Farmer Sues Federal Gov’t Over Credibility of Organic Claimed Foreign Imports

    Organic farmers in the US undergo some of the most strict regulations and certification procedures in the world in order to obtain the consumer-trusted “USDA Organic” logo on their harvested crops, naturally commanding a premium price; however, when imported foreign products hit the US market and secure “USDA Organic” status, can consumers trust that those products came from farms that met the same criteria as required by US organic farms?  Bruce Kaser, an organic hazelnut grower in Oregon would beg to differ and is suing the federal government over what he claims not only comprises the integrity of the entire organic sector, but is also financially damaging to the American farmer. Watch this brief interview as Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm meets with Bruce to discuss the details.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support.

  • In-Season Orchard Hedging to Cut Labor Costs & Maintain Double-Density Hazelnut Planting

    Ag labor and other input costs continue rising, while the returns growers are getting for their crops just aren’t keeping up. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Oregon hazelnut grower Jimmy Lee to discuss how he’s combatting the rising costs with new innovative farming practices and maintaining his double-density planted orchard. Watch this brief interview and read more about Jimmy in the January issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support.

  • Hazelnut Growers Bargaining Association Market Forecast

    Oregon hazelnut growers are pleased with improving market conditions this year, especially after wrapping up potentially a record large 2024 harvest. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Terry Ross from the Hazelnut Growers Bargaining Association to discuss factors influencing what growers will be receiving in return for their crop and the association’s critical role in negotiating fair prices. Watch this brief interview and stay current on hazelnut industry news by reading your monthly issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support.

  • Oregon Hazelnut Industry Loses Two of Six Packers – Should Growers Be Concerned?

    Oregon hazelnut growers are beginning their 2024 harvest with two fewer packers than last year. While this seems pretty alarming, seeing that growers may potentially deliver their largest crop ever this year, the remaining four packers remain dedicated and confident in their ability to take in the extra inventory without any real setbacks to the growers. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with hazelnut packer Michael Severeid of Willamette Hazelnut who elaborated on the subject. Watch this brief interview and stay current on hazelnut industry news by reading your monthly issue of Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support.

  • 2024 Oregon Hazelnut Production & Market Forecast

    As Oregon hazelnut growers begin the 2024 harvest with the potential of reaching another record crop, many wonder how the market will receive it and what kind of return growers should be expecting for their hard work this season. Pacific Nut Producer Editor Matthew Malcolm met with Larry George of George Packing Company, the largest hazelnut packer in the Pacific Northwest, to share his expectations and optimism in taking this crop to market.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor George Packing Company for their industry support.

  • Survey Projects Another Record Crop for U.S. Hazelnuts

    The Hazelnut Marketing Board (HMB) concluded its annual Subjective Yield Survey (SYS), and with approximately 20 percent of acres accounted for, the harvest is anticipated to be 97,460.39 tons.

    This would represent a slight increase from the 2023 harvest of 93,300 tons, and a moderate boost over informal industry estimates that have placed the 2024 harvest closer to 90,000 tons. All totaled, 20,505.95 acres were submitted for in the Subjective Yield Survey. Extrapolated over the total industry acreage, per the Pacific Agricultural Survey aerial field mapping data from July 2024, the total merchantable weight would be 194,920,782.18 pounds, or 97,460.39 tons.

    The Subjective Yield Survey is conducted by sending postcards to all hazelnut growers in early July and asking them to project what they think their yield will be. Cards were accepted through the Nut Growers Society Summer Tour on August 7 to allow growers more time to complete the survey and more accurately predict their harvests.

    The Subjective Yield Survey is the only industrywide predictor for the U.S. hazelnut harvest this year. Questions regarding the Subjective Yield Survey may be directed to the Hazelnut Industry Office at 503-582-8420 or Hazelnut@OregonHazelnuts.org.