Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Industry News

  • Blue Diamond Releases Crop Progress Report

    Blue Diamond Growers release its monthly crop progress report, noting that harvesting conditions began earlier this year due to the impact of the weather.

    Warm summer temperatures dominated the conditions in California’s Central Valley during much of July, with a significant heat wave developing during the final week of the period. Daily maximum temperatures ranged predominately between the mid- and upper 90’s to just over 100 degrees with highest temperatures reported in the southern San Joaquin Valley. Morning lows exhibited greater variability, with readings ranging from the low 50’s to lower 70’s, depending on the degree of cloud cover each morning. Temperatures were amplified by monsoonal moisture traveling northward, bringing occasionally cloudy skies and increased humidity. Increasing daytime temperatures materialized in the final days of the period, marking the start of a significant heat wave. Temperatures were reported to be between 102 to 105 degrees, with higher temperatures forecast for the first week of August.

    The annual return of summertime monsoon flows stirred a bit of apprehension among California’s almond growers, as memories of the challenging 2025 harvest season were rekindled. With that in mind, growers and huller/sheller operators alike worked to complete final pre-harvest tasks during July, focusing on crop maturity that is running well ahead of normal.

    Insect and vegetation management were prime considerations during the period. As noted in our previous report, treatments to protect early harvesting varieties from damage by navel orangeworm were initiated in June, causing the early or advanced crop and pest development. As the crop continues to develop, secondary treatments, intended to catch the insect’s next generation and protect mid and later maturing varieties, were completed in July. As a reflection of the year’s advanced crop development, second treatments have been conducted in roughly the same time frame that initial applications would have been in “normal” years.

    As for other pest issues, observers are reporting increased population of web-spinning mites in the Sacramento and southern San Joaquin Valleys. Control at this stage of crop development presents several challenges and the forecast heat wave promises to expand existing infestations. Treatments targeting almond-damaging ant species have also been performed, including second applications in cases with particularly high populations.

    Observers are reporting widespread instances of red blotch infections in orchards throughout the Central Valley. As may be seen in the photo accompanying this report, if untreated, red blotch can cause severe foliar damage. However, symptoms of this new fungal disease do not appear until 30 to 40 days after infection. Easily spread by airborne spores that are activated by rain events, and potentially by irrigation, this disease spread from a single orchard in Merced County in 2024 to most of the Central Valley by 2025. Orchards that did not receive adequate protection, or any treatments at all are presenting significant symptoms, with the worst infections beginning to defoliate the trees. This is especially problematic in orchards that have been abandoned. Leaf rust, which follows a similar symptomology, has also been observed.

    After delaying or deferring mower passes during the growing season to control costs, vegetation management on the orchard floor became particularly important during the period. Growers must provide for a clean, firm soil surface within the orchard middles (the area between the tree rows), to facilitate an efficient harvest. Where warranted, treatments to control weed regrowth, followed by flail mowers running close to the soil surface, provide the best conditions for a clean harvest.

    Crop maturity also made irrigation management a focal point. Machinery passing through the orchards must be timed between irrigations to prevent rutting of the surface. For those working to employ regulated deficit irrigation (RDI) described in our previous report, the hotter temperatures complicate grower decisions. Under RDI, growers reduce irrigation to one-half of the orchard’s consumptive use for a two-week period at the initiation of hull split. Keeping in mind that water consumption increases as temperatures rise, in extreme cases, normal irrigation scheduling can result in one-half of consumptive use. For those with orchards ready for harvest, water must also be withheld to prevent bark damage during shaking.

    Owing to the advanced crop maturity, harvest operations of the 2026 crop were launched in mid-July. Observers reported the shakers entered the first orchard on July 10 in western Colusa County. Shakers began working in other advanced plantings along the west side of the Sacramento and San Joaquin valleys during the week of July 12 and the first crop to be picked up was delivered to huller/shellers during the week of July 19. For those along the east side and along the Highway 99 corridor, shaking of advanced blocks is expected to begin during the first week of August.

    Growers and observers have noted that hulls have begun splitting in several pollinator varieties, indicating a potentially compressed harvest. However, how the crop will flow though huller/shellers will be determined as more crop arrives in the first weeks of August. Observers have noted thick hulls in many orchards that can potentially reduce flow rates during hulling.

    — Story by Mel Machado, Blue Diamond Growers

  • Madera County Seeks Pistachio Grower Input

    The Madera County Ag Commissioner’s office is gathering data to determine if the pistachio crop has been damaged due to weather and pollination earlier this year. They are hearing reports of low yields and lots of blanks in the current pistachio crop and would appreicate the filling out of this survey form.

    The survey form can be downloaded here.

  • Can Growers Store Carbon by Changing their Water?

    What if Central Valley Farmers could sequester carbon in their soil by only changing how they treat their irrigation water? That is the question driving a new $500,000 study at Fresno State. If 400,000 acres — 10% of the irrigated acres in California — adopted this practice, over 30 million tons of CO2 could be stored in soil through the water every year, as estimated by the research study’s hypothesis. Currently, less than 1% of the acreage in California is using it.

    “Soil health is what brought me to California, and this study is exactly the kind of work I came here to do. A simple change to water treatment could have a meaningful impact on soil health and carbon sequestration, and this research will help us understand that potential,” said Dr. Sangeeta Bansal, assistant professor of plant science at Fresno State and the principal investigator.

    The study is the largest and longest farm-scale investigation of CO2 in water treatment ever conducted, spanning three years on six working pistachio farms in California’s Central Valley. The California Energy Commission provided primary funding, with support from F3 Innovate.

    ECO2MIX, a Fresno-based agriculture company, is providing the water treatment for the study. Their equipment dissolves CO2 into irrigation water to produce carbonic acid, primarily to adjust water pH.

    “I started ECO2MIX because I saw the damage sulfuric acid was causing to farms and people, and I knew there had to be a better solution, and carbonic acid was exactly that. This study will finally help us understand the additional benefits after water treatment. If this can sequester carbon across the Central Valley through the water, that is a big deal for California sustainability,” said Waldo Moraga, CEO and President of ECO2MIX.

    High-pH irrigation water is common throughout the Central Valley and affects the health of soil and plants. Correcting water pH addresses many problems simultaneously. Carbonic acid also offers a safety advantage over current practices. Other acids are corrosive to equipment and require specialized handling and safety. On the other hand, carbonic acid, the same compound that gives sparkling water its bubbles, is safe to handle.

    “We are always evaluating what tools are available to us as farmers and what they can do for our operation. If the water we are already using can do more for the soil and increase profitability, we want to know about it,” said Joe Coelho, a farmer participating in the research and the Director of Sustainability and Member Outreach for American Pistachio Growers.

    About ECO2MIX

    ECO2MIX provides water pH control as a service by dissolving CO2 in water. The company designs, installs, and operates on-site reactors that treat irrigation water, which supports nutrient availability and efficient irrigation with additional soil health and sustainability benefits. ECO2MIX serves production agriculture and golf customers across high-pH water regions of the United States. For more information, visit www.eco2mix.com. For interviews or farm visits, contact Waldo Moraga at cherbert@eco2mix.com or call 559-321-7917.

  • Pistachio Week Begins Aug. 10

    Pistachio Week will begin Aug. 10, with restaurants throughout California sharing dishes that showcase American-grown pistachios.

    “Pistachio Week celebrates the culinary versatility of American-grown pistachios by partnering with restaurants, cafés, ice cream shops and other food-service businesses across California to showcase unique pistachio-inspired menu offerings,” American Pistachio Growers (APG) wrote in its promotion.

    This is the fifth year that APG has hosted the event.

    “We’re seeing everything from pistachio-crusted fish to really innovative ice cream flavors at Ampersand,” said APG Marketing Manager Hannah Young. “And we are also tapping into some of the bakeries, coffeeshops, and people are getting really, really excited about playing with pistachios and creating some really great products and recipes from them.”

    Click HERE for a full list of participating restaurants.

     

  • USDA Reminds Ag Producers of Approaching Deadlines

    The USDA is reminding ag producers impacted by increased input costs and natural disasters that the deadlines to apply for safety net and disaster assistance programs designed to protect their financial security are coming soon.  USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) wants to remind producers that the Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF) program and the Supplemental Disaster Relief Program (SDRP), both have deadlines in early August. Additionally, thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, eligible landowners have until the end of August to review and consider base acre increases for the first time since 2002 for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs.

    “Whether it’s disaster assistance, support for specialty crop growers or the first chance in more than two decades to update base acres, I encourage producers not to wait until the last minute,” said FSA Administrator Bill Beam. “These deadlines represent real opportunities for producers to recover from market and weather challenges. Reach out to your local FSA office now and make sure you don’t leave assistance on the table.”

    Agricultural producers are reminded of these important upcoming deadlines:

    • Aug. 7 — Deadline to apply for ASCF
    • Aug. 12, — Deadline to apply for SDRP
    • Aug. 31 —Deadline to review base allocations through ARC/PLC

    Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers

    ASCF provides payments to specialty crop producers based on reported 2025 planted acres. Pre-filled ASCF applications are available to producers who reported their 2025 crop acreage for eligible specialty crops. Producers with a secure Login.gov account can access and submit their pre-filled application online. Producers can also request their pre-filled application from their local FSA county office. Eligible crops and payment rates can be found at fsa.usda.gov/ascf. The deadline to apply is Aug. 7.

    Supplemental Disaster Relief Program

    SDRP provides more than $16 billion in disaster relief payments to producers who suffered revenue, quality or production losses to crops, trees, bushes, or vines due to qualifying disaster events in calendar years 2023 and 2024. Producers with indemnified losses can apply through SDRP Stage 1 which leverages Federal Crop Insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program data as the basis for calculating payments. Producers with non-indemnified (including shallow losses), uncovered (uninsured), and quality losses can apply for Stage 2 assistance. Producers can request an application from their local FSA county office. Aug. 12 is the deadline for both Stages 1 and 2. Additional information can be found at fsa.usda.gov/sdrp.

    Agriculture Risk Coverage/Price Loss Coverage

    ARC and PLC are cornerstone commodity safety net programs that provide financial protection to farmers when market prices or revenues decline. Landowners have the opportunity to increase base acres in preparation for enrollment in ARC and PLC beginning with the 2026 and future crop years as authorized by the Working Families Tax Cuts Act. Nationwide, up to 30 million new base acres can be added by eligible farms.

    Eligible landowners should review their Base Allocation Summary, which outlines potential base acre increases. These Base Allocation Summaries can be accessed online at fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc using a Login.gov account. Landowners who do not currently have a Login.gov account are encouraged to contact their local FSA county office to obtain their Base Allocation Summary and review and take any necessary action by Aug. 31.   

    County Committees

    Additionally, Aug. 3 is the last day to submit nomination forms for eligible candidates to serve on their local FSA county committees. County committees are a critical component of the day-to-day operations of FSA and allow grassroots input and local administration of federal farm programs. Elections occur each year in certain Local Administrative Areas (LAA). LAAs are elective areas for FSA county committees in a single county or multi-county jurisdiction. Ballots will be mailed to eligible voters in November. Learn more at fsa.usda.gov/coc.

    More Information

    For more information, producers can contact their local FSA office. Producers can also book an appointment with local FSA farm program and farm loan staff using FSA’s new online scheduling system.   

  • 2026 Pistachio Week Kicks Off August 10th

    Pistachio Week is returning for its fifth year. Restaurants across California are creating new dishes to showcase American-grown pistachios with everything from desserts, to drinks and main entrees. Hannah Young of American Pistachio Growers spoke with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to talk about the event and some of the creations that will be available. Watch this quick video and read more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Mike Forbes Named Next CEO of American Pistachio Growers

    Mike Forbes will take over as CEO of American Pistachio Growers on Sept. 1, bringing over 20 years of experience in the food, ag and health and wellness industries. Forbes spoke with Matthew Malcolm at the 2026 APG Pistachio Industry Insights Day in Visalia to talk more about his incoming role with promoting American-grown pistachios. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Baking Innovations in Mexico Incentivize Almond Exports

    Mexico has been a market of interest for California almond growers for many years, importing 33.5 million pounds last year — up 8% from the year prior — with California almonds holding a 99% market share. Along the way, the strategy for reaching consumers and food professionals has evolved alongside the market itself.

    Earlier efforts focused on building awareness and familiarity among consumers through the ¡Ponte Almendra! campaign, introducing almonds as a nutritious and versatile food. Those programs helped establish a foundation for the category and positioned almonds as a recognizable ingredient among Mexican consumers.

    Today, the Almond Board of California’s (ABC) efforts in Mexico are centered on a different opportunity: the country’s bakery industry. That shift is grounded in market research and analysis commissioned by ABC, which identified Mexico’s bakery sector as a strong short-term growth opportunity for California almonds.

    The work extends beyond traditional marketing. ABC is also creating opportunities for bakery professionals to connect more closely with California almonds through educational programming, chef engagement and industry events. This includes participation in leading bakery trade shows such as ExpoPan and MexiPan, where bakers can see new applications for almonds and learn how the ingredient can be incorporated into a wide range of products. Planned activities also include bringing influential bakery professionals and industry partners closer to the California almond story through programs that highlight how almonds are grown and produced.

    At the heart of the strategy is a simple goal: helping make almonds a more frequent ingredient choice in one of Mexico’s largest food categories. Every time a bakery introduces an almond-filled pastry, a sweet bread topped with sliced almonds or a new premium product featuring almond ingredients, almonds become part of consumers’ everyday purchasing decisions. Those choices create opportunities for repeat use and long-term category growth.

    Across Mexico, bakery professionals are responding to changing consumer preferences, introducing more premium products, experimenting with new flavors and formats, and blending traditional Mexican bakery with influences from Europe and other global baking trends. As bakeries look for ways to elevate their offerings and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive marketplace, almonds are well positioned to play a larger role.

    To support that opportunity, ABC has shifted its focus toward engaging directly with bakery professionals through trade marketing, industry partnerships and targeted outreach. Marketing efforts now include bakery-focused advertising, media relations and digital communications. The messaging centers on the role almonds can play in enhancing baked goods through flavor, texture, visual appeal and versatility, whether they are used as toppings, inclusions, fillings or ingredients in specialty formulations.

    Mexico’s bakery sector continues to innovate, and ABC sees an opportunity to ensure California almonds are part of that evolution. By staying engaged with the professionals developing new products, influencing ingredient decisions and shaping consumer trends, ABC is working to position almonds as a valued ingredient in the next generation of Mexican baked goods. The result is a strategy focused not only on increasing awareness, but on creating lasting demand by encouraging greater almond usage throughout the bakery category and strengthening the connection between California almonds and one of Mexico’s most important food industries. — Story contributed by the Almond Board of California

  • Regulators gain Insight at ABC’s Environmental Stewardship Tour

    Sixteen regulatory staff got a firsthand look at almond farming during the Almond Board of California’s (ABC) 18th annual Environmental Stewardship Tour on May 8 at Chamisal Creek Ranch in Arbuckle. Grower Mike Dougherty and his daughter Emma welcomed representatives from the California Department of Pesticide Regulation, State Water Board and Central Valley Regional Water Board for an on-the-ground conversation about how almonds are grown and how stewardship practices play out in the field.

    Designed to help regulators have a better sense of what it takes to grow almonds; the annual tour gives regulators an opportunity to see the range of factors growers face throughout the season. Attendees spent more than four hours in the field engaging directly with growers and ABC staff through open dialogue and seeing almond trees up close.

    Beyond giving regulators a firsthand look at almond production, the tour also provides ABC with an important opportunity to demonstrate the depth of knowledge, research and practical information it can offer as a resource on almonds. Through conversations throughout the day, ABC staff and growers can answer questions, share context and strengthen relationships with regulatory audiences who play a key role in shaping the environment in which California almonds are grown.

    “It’s really just time for them to ask in-depth questions,” said Danielle Veenstra, ABC Senior Manager of Global Stewardship. “These tours create space for candid conversations and help show that we’re open and we’re here to share the real-world realities of farming.”

    Throughout the morning, participants saw both young and mature orchards, providing an almond growing 101-education while learning how growers approach key decisions around irrigation, nutrient management and crop protection. ABC staff also highlighted the organization’s investment in research and the outreach efforts that help translate science into practical, on-farm solutions.

    Natalie Henderson, ABC Director of Global Communications, emphasized the value of bringing new regulatory staff to the farm each year. “They leave more educated and more knowledgeable,” Henderson said. “That understanding doesn’t stop there, it spreads across agencies. And these growers get to share their challenges directly with the people helping shape regulations.”

    Following the orchard visit, the group continued to Dunnigan Hills Huller & Sheller, where the focus shifted to what happens after harvest. There, attendees saw how almond hulls and shells are utilized, from traditional livestock feed to value-added products that extend the value of every part of the crop.

    “They had products we could actually touch and feel, which really helped bring the story to life,” said Dan Sonke, Environmental Stewardship Workgroup Chair. “The byproduct story came through clearly, showing the full picture of how nothing goes to waste.”

    The visit also highlighted how co-product innovation contributes to the industry’s overall environmental footprint, reinforcing the role almonds play in a circular, resource-efficient system. According to ABC staff, these conversations often provide new perspectives for regulators, particularly when they see how interconnected farming practices, economics and environmental outcomes can be.

    By the end of the tour, participants left with a deeper understanding of the complexities of almond production, and the continuous improvements being made through research, innovation and grower-led stewardship.

    As Veenstra noted, “These opportunities help close the gap between perception and reality. When regulators see it firsthand, it changes the conversation.”

    — Story contributed by the Almond Board of California

  • California’s Pistachio Industry Is Looking Ahead

    Growers, researchers and industry leaders gathered in Visalia for the 2026 American Pistachio Growers Industry Insights Day to discuss the future of the industry. Topics ranged from global market expansion and nutrition research to sustainability and one of California agriculture’s biggest challenges, water reliability. Subscribe to Pacific Nut Producer Magazine free to stay up to date on what’s going on in the Pistachio Industry.