The engineering of flowering agricultural field borders has emerged as a research and policy priority to mitigate threats to pollinators. Studies have, however, rarely addressed the potential that flowering field borders might compete with neighboring crops for pollinator visits if they both are in bloom at the same time, despite this being a concern expressed by growers. We evaluated how wildflower plantings added to orchard borders in a large (512 ha) commercial almond orchard affected honey bee and wild bee visitation to orchard borders and the crop. The study was conducted over two consecutive seasons using three large (0.48 ha) wildflower plantings paired with control orchard borders in a highly simplified agricultural landscape in California. Honey bee (Apis mellifera L.) and wild bee visitation to wildflower plots were at least an order of magnitude higher than to control plots, but increased honey bee visitation to wildflower plots did not lead to any detectable shifts in honey bee visitation to almond flowers in the neighboring orchard. Wild bees were rarely observed visiting almond flowers irrespective of border treatment, indicating a limited short-term potential for augmenting crop pollination using wild bees in highly simplified agricultural landscapes. Although further studies are warranted on bee visitation and crop yield from spatially independent orchards, this study indicates that growers can support bees with alternative forage in almond orchards without risking competition between the wildflower plantings and the crop. Read the full report from Oxford’s Environmental Entomology Journal Here.
Category: Industry News
-
Western Pecan Growers Conference, March 4-6
The Western Pecan Growers 52nd Annual Conference is returning again to Las Cruces, New Mexico March 4-6 at the Hotel Encanto (705 South Telshor Blvd). Topics to be addressed at the conference this year will include: airblast sprayers, insecticide efficacy for pecan aphids, pecan orchard site evaluation, rootstock resistance to cotton root rot, pigs in pecans – they ain’t squirrels, soil drainage, trace yet substantial elements in pecans, preemergence herbicides in Western Pecans, how do roots grow, American Pecan Council update, pecan marketing update, US Pecan Growers Council update, Pecan Weevil update, state pecan grower associations update, and farming along the urban-rural interface. For more information and registration details, contact director@westernpecan.org or click Here.
-
Congratulations Hazelnut Grower of the Year Verne Gingerich!
One of most exciting features of the Nut Growers Society’s Annual Winter Meeting is the announcement of the Hazelnut Grower of the Year award. This award goes to an individual in the industry who has not only demonstrated leadership and innovation, but a long-term commitment and love for the Oregon hazelnut industry. This year’s grower of the year went to none other than R. Verne Gingerich.
Based out of Canby, Oregon, Gingerich is very passionate about growing hazelnuts and has been in the industry for 35+ years. He has served on the Nut Growers Society board from 1988-1993, and as President in 1990. He has served on the Hazelnut Marketing Board, and at many other capacities in agriculture, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Award for Individual Contributions to the Agricultural Industry in 2013.
“With Verne being a hazelnut grower, running a receiving station, and also being a hazelnut processor — he fully understands all sides of the hazelnut industry,” Shared Lisa Pascoe from Northwest Hazelnut Co., presenter of this year’s award. “Verne has always been there for the hazelnut industry: encouraging and educating new growers, helping understand and developing markets, and providing true leadership when called upon. He is always a huge asset for those he helps.” Read more about Gingerich soon in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
-
Get Ready for American Pistachio Growers 2018 Annual Conference
Special Thanks to this Video’s Sponsor! Save the date for the American Pistachio Industry 2018 Annual Conference to be held at JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa, in Palm Desert, CA on March 5-7. Watch this brief interview with Executive Director of APG Richard Matoian to learn more. Pacific Nut Producer Magazine is a proud sponsor of this event, so be sure to come and see us there!
-
February 2018 Calendar Image Download
[one_half]This image was featured in the 2018 Pacific Nut Producer Calendar for the month of February. It is free for personal use for a desktop wallpaper etc. Commercial use of this image without written consent is prohibited.
[/one_half][one_half_last][btn btnlink=”http://www.pacificnutproducer.com/download/264/” btnsize=”full” txtcolor=”#ffffff” color=”#FFF” bgcolor=”#492500″ btnnewt=”1″ nofollow=”1″] Download Image[/btn][btn btnlink=”https://malcolmmedia.com/order-a-back-issue/back-issue-pacific-nut-producer-magazine/” btnsize=”full” txtcolor=”#ffffff” color=”#FFF” bgcolor=”#492500″ btnnewt=”1″ nofollow=”1″]Order A PNP Calendar[/btn]
[btn btnlink=”http://malcolmmedia.com/pacific-nut-producer-magazine-subscriptions/” btnsize=”full” txtcolor=”#ffffff” bgcolor=”#492500″ btnnewt=”1″ nofollow=”1″]Subscribe Free[/btn][/one_half_last]
-
2018 Pistachio Crop off to a Poor Start
Spring is coming and Central Valley growers are concerned about the lack of rain and chill portions their orchards have received this winter, shares Executive Director at American Pistachio Growers Richard Matoian. Watch this brief interview with Richard and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
-
New Pesticide Laws & Regs Now Taking Effect in California
If you missed the Annual Tree & Vine Expo, Marline Azevedo with the Stanislaus County Ag Commissioner’s office provided an update on changes in laws and regulations for growers moving into 2018. Watch her brief interview as she describes two key changes in Chlorpyrifos permit conditions & pesticide use around school sites. Read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
-
State of the California Almond Industry Report
If you missed the State of the State of the Industry presentation at the annual Almond Conference, watch this brief interview with Richard Waycott and Mike Mason from the Almond Board who shared their outlook of the future of the California almond industry. Read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. Don’t currently receive it? Subscribe for free HERE today!
-
Almond Board Conference Wrap up with Richard Waycott
Special Thanks to this Video’s Sponsor The 45th annual Almond Board Conference brought thousands of almond growers and industry members together at the Sacramento Convention Center for another great event featuring the latest production and market research funded by the industry through the Almond Board of California. Watch this brief video for Richard Waycott’s final remarks at the conclusion of the three day event as growers move into a new year.
-
Efficacy of Mating Disruption Technology for Navel Orangeworm Control
Special Thanks to this Video’s Sponsor Mating disruption technology for Navel Orangeworm Control has been around for a while now, but today there are a lot more products on the market available to tree nut growers. UCCE Entomology Farm Advisor in Kern County, David Haviland shared in an interview with California Ag Network that his research trials prove that not only is mating disruption technology a worthwhile investment for growers, but growers have several effective options to choose from. Watch this interview and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.