Category: Industry News

  • USDA-FSA Approves Pistachio Bushy Top Syndrome for Natural Disaster Assistance

    Pistachio Bushy Top Syndrome has caused a lot of economic injury and heartache to the western pistachio industry over the last several years.  Thankfully, the USDA Farm Service Agency recently announced approval of Bushy Top as a natural disaster qualifying for coverage under the federal Tree Assistance Program for replacement of affected trees.  Watch this brief interview with Richard Matoian from American Pistachio Growers as he explains and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • California Pistachio Crop Update: Summer 2018

    What started off as a potentially disastrous year for the pistachio industry is now shaping up to potentially be one of the largest crops ever for California growers.  Watch this brief interview with Richard Matoian from American Pistachio Growers as he provides an update on the crop and invites growers to APG’s Summer Luncheon this week.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • USDA Hawaii Macadamia Final Crop Estimate

    Macadamia Nut Utilized Production up 17 Percent from Last Season

    Hawaii utilized macadamia nut production for 2017-2018 increased 17 percent from last season to 49.0 million pounds (net, wet-in-shell basis) according to the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The crop posted the largest production in six year and had a new record high farm price. Growing conditions were generally favorable for the crop but spoilage was higher. Labor shortage, wild pigs, and pest problems continued to be challenges this season.

    The in crop and harvested acreage estimates for 2017-2018 remained unchanged from the previous season at 18,000 and 16,000 acres, respectively. Approximately 1.3 million trees were estimated for in crop acreage.  Yield averaged 3,060 pounds per acre, up 16 percent as compared to the previous year’s estimate of 2,630 pounds.  Average moisture content for the overall crop this season was 20.5 percent compared with 19.8 percent from last season.

    Farm value for the 2017-2018 crop is estimated at $53.9 million (net, wet-in-shell basis), up 28 percent from the 2016-2017 season. The 2016- 2017 net farm price of 100 cents per pound increased 10 cents to 110 cents per pound for 2017-2018 crop year and a new record high. Please see Table 2 on the next page for the macadamia nut historical data series.

    For the full USDA release, click Here.

  • USDA Estimates Record-Breaking 2018 Almond Crop

    Forecast estimated at 2.45 billion pounds for the 2018 California almond crop

    MODESTO, Calif. – Despite concerns earlier in the year about freezing weather during almond bloom, careful management by California farmers and newer orchards coming into production have resulted in a record-breaking crop according to the 2018 Almond Objective Measurement Report. This confirms earlier predictions from the 2018 Almond Subjective Forecast released in May.

    Published today by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service – Pacific Regional Office (NASS/PRO), the Objective Report is the official industry crop estimate. The report finds that the 2018 crop estimate is up 7.9% from the 2017 crop production of 2.27 billion pounds.

    “2018 looks to be a milestone year for California almonds with over one million almond-bearing acres now in California,” said Holly King, chair, Almond Board of California (ABC) and Kern County almond grower. “However, it is not just about the number of acres, it’s also about growing more almonds per acre. As we have grown in size, we have continued to find ways to grow almonds more efficiently, using fewer resources and leaving a smaller footprint per nut.”

    The California almond community, through ABC, has invested nearly $70 million over more than 40 years to build a foundation of research on improving how almonds are grown, processed and consumed. This culture of continuous improvement brings benefits to local communities and the environment while helping farmers be responsible stewards of the land.

    Today’s Objective Report follows the Subjective Forecast, which provides an early estimate of the coming crop after it has set on the trees. 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. This year’s Objective Report projects an almond crop up 6.5% from the May forecast of 2.30 billion pounds.

    “California is home to the world’s most efficient almond farmers, who produce more than 80 percent of the world’s supply,” said Richard Waycott, president and CEO, ABC. “The California almond community continues to meet the steadily growing demand for almonds, supporting healthy and diverse diets around the globe.”

    Per the Objective Report, the average nut set per tree is 5,677, down 0.6% from the 2017 almond crop. The Nonpareil average nut set is 4,924, down 13.9% from last year’s set. The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled was 1.54 grams, down 1.9% compared to the 2017 average weight of 1.57 grams.

    For More Information:

    Ashley Bloemhof

    (209) 531-7628

    abloemhof@almondboard.com

  • July 2018 Calendar Image Download

    [one_half]This image was featured in the 2018 Pacific Nut Producer Calendar for the month of July.  It is free for personal use for a desktop wallpaper etc. Commercial use of this image without written consent is prohibited.
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  • What to do When ICE or OSHA Shows Up

    California farmers have become quite the target for Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Cal/OSHA visits.  Whether these visits are warranted or come by surprise, farmers should be prepared for them, based on the following suggestions offered by labor law attorney Stacy Henderson at the recent Almond Alliance Convention, presented in this video.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!
  • Pistachio Bushy Top Approved for USDA TAP Program

    Pistachio Bushy Top Syndrome, New Mexico State University

    On May 31, the United States Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency (USDA-FSA) State Committee approved pistachio Bushy Top Syndrome as a natural disaster, thereby allowing pistachios to be included in USDA’s Tree Assistance Program (TAP).

    This means that eligible growers affected by the Bushy Top Syndrome could receive government assistance for the replacement of their affected trees. The program will be implemented in Fall of 2018 and will be retroactive to 2012.

    Growers from all states affected by Bushy Top Syndrome will be allowed to participate. Like a number of other Federal programs, TAP participation has a number of restrictions, including participation limited to entities with adjusted gross income below the federal cap of $900,000; and cost reimbursement only for the removal and replanting costs of the affected trees, not for the trees themselves.

    American Pistachio Growers (APG) has been diligently working on this issue for over a year attempting to qualify pistachios for this Federal program. We will keep you updated as more details are released.  This is a significant victory for our industry and it was accomplished through the perseverance of APG and our ongoing federal lobbying effort.

  • June 2018 Calendar Image Download

    [one_half]This image was featured in the 2018 Pacific Nut Producer Calendar for the month of June.  It is free for personal use for a desktop wallpaper etc. Commercial use of this image without written consent is prohibited.
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  • Four Tools to bring Navel Orangeworm Damage Down to Zero

    Special Thanks to This Video’s Sponsor

    Navel Orangeworm (NOW) continues to increase its presence in California right alongside the growing number of orchard hosts for this pest. Many nut growers experienced significant levels of NOW damage in their orchards last season, in spite of their ongoing pesticide spray programs. So what’s a grower to do? Watch this interview with Zach Raven from Keenan Farms, who shared his experience in utilizing several key tools in to control this pest and keep Aflatoxin levels down, going from 3% damage to nearly zero from one season to the next. Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!
  • Minimizing Risks for Food Recalls & What to do During Them

    Special Thanks to This Video’s Sponsor

    Any grower or packer that has experienced a food recall knows how stressful things can get and all that is at stake; yet those who have never experienced them tend to be the least prepared for a recall when it occurs.  Watch this brief video interview with Rachael Dettmann Spiegel as she addressed growers, hullers and processors at the recent Almond Alliance Convention on how to prevent recalls from happening — but also how to deal with them in the event that a food recall does occur, like the one that has been all over the news recently with romaine lettuce.

    Enjoy our Ag video news?  Be sure to let our sponsor Duarte Nursery know & thank them for their industry support!