Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Industry News

  • Honey Bees Can Detect Viruses in Food

    Honey bees encounter viruses in their environments, especially when they forage on flowers and other food sources. Being able to detect viruses is important for reducing infection and the spread of disease. Many insects, including honey bees, can detect viruses indirectly with sick nestmates, but it has been unclear if honey bees can directly detect viruses in food sources.

    To help beekeepers protect their colonies by reducing viral spread, ARS researchers from the Honey Bee Breeding, Genetics, and Physiology Research Unit in Baton Rouge, LA, studied if honey bees could sense viruses such as deformed wing virus, black queen cell virus, and chronic bee paralysis virus in contaminated food sources.

    In an experimental study, the researchers found that when honey bees were presented with the choice between a spiked sugar solution with viruses and a plain sugar solution, the honey bees preferred the virus-spiked solution.

    “These findings demonstrate that honey bees can directly detect the presence of viruses in contaminated food sources, which has important implications for pathogen transmission within pollinator communities and disease management strategies aimed at improving honey bee health,” said Michael Simone-Finstrom, ARS Research Molecular Biologist.

    According to Simone-Finstrom and ARS Research Entomologist Elizabeth Walsh, both co-lead authors of the study, the results highlight the need to control viral infections and spread in bee colonies.

    One major concern is viral spread from Varroa mites, parasitic pests that feed on honey bees. Currently, controlling Varroa mite populations is one of the most effective ways to protect honey bee colonies. Beekeepers can consider changing how they feed honey bees to limit outside insects from getting access to their food, according to Simone-Finstrom and Walsh.

    “Open feeding scenarios where bees from different colonies and other insects, who may carry viruses, get food from the same source may not be in the honey bees’ best interest,” said Walsh. “Beekeepers can consider an alternative like an individual colony feeder where only honey bees from one colony have access to the food.”

    It is unknown what mechanisms cause bees to gravitate towards the contaminated food sources. More research is underway to better understand honey bees’ foraging behaviors and how the viral presence affects their behaviors.

    “The study’s findings will help us with providing data-driven decisions in honey bee management and ecological decisions,” said Walsh. – By Jessica Ryan, ARS Office of Communications

  • Hot March Results in a Lighter Pistachio Crop

    Hot March temperatures are leading to a lighter pistachio crop this year. However, growers and processors remain optimistic that the 2026 growing season is a fluke, and that the industry will have an excellent yield in 2027. Jeff Gibbons with Setton Farms and Joe Coelho with American Pistachio Growers discussed this anomalous year in the pistachio industry with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Legal Compliance in the Almond Industry

    California can feel like a legal minefield with the potential lawsuits that almond growers can face. Knowing the latest laws and regulations, and how to be compliant with them, is more important than ever. Henderson Arreola Partner Stacy Henderson spoke with Matthew Malcolm to discuss some tactics for how growers can stay ahead of regulations. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Are GLP-1s a Threat or an Opportunity for the Almond Industry?

    GLP-1 weight loss drugs have been found to decrease consumption and lower household spending, thereby generating much discussion about their impact on appetites and on the almond industry. Terrain Ag analyst Matt Woolf spoke with Matthew Malcolm from California Ag Network to discuss what these drugs could mean for almond growers in California. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Almond Hulls Receive GRAS Status from FDA

    Almond hulls were recently given Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) status by the FDA. This designation opens the door for them to be used in a variety of different food products, as they are high in fiber and phytonutrients. Almond Board of California CEO and President Clarice Turner spoke with Matthew Malcolm at California Ag Network to discuss this recent breakthrough and what it means for the almond industry. Watch this quick video and learn more in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • Roof Rat Bait Stations Available for Pistachio Growers

    American Pistachio Growers (APG) is offering free roof rat bait stations to all grower members.

    There is no limit on the number of bait stations growers may receive. Bait stations can be picked up at the APG office, or by contacting Joe Coelho to inquire about delivery options that may be available in the grower’s area.

    Roof rats can cause significant damage in orchards, and proper bait station placement is an important part of an effective management program. To help get the most from this resource, APG included links to a roof rat bait station guide, instructional video tutorials, and informational article below.

    If you have questions or would like to arrange pickup or discuss delivery options, please contact Joe Coelho at JCoelho@americanpistachios.org.

  • Almond Board of California Looks to Improve India Marketing Strategy

    India remains the most important export market for California almonds, making it central to the industry’s long-term outlook. After reviewing how the market is changing, the Almond Board of California (ABC) concluded that past approaches alone will not be enough to fuel future growth. To meet long-term demand goals, the industry must reposition almonds for a new generation of Indian consumers.

    A High-Value Market with More Room to Grow

    India already has a strong almond consumption base. Almonds are widely recognized, associated with nutrition and consumed by more than half of households in some form.

    But that strength does not mean the market is saturated. Consumption varies sharply by region, with lower penetration in parts of the country, especially in the South. That gap points to opportunity. Future growth will come from reaching new consumers, new regions and new occasions.

    For growers, expanding total demand matters because broader consumption helps support long-term market stability and value.

    Identifying the Barriers to Continued Growth

    ABC research shows that almonds still hold a strong position in India, but perception challenges are beginning to limit growth. Among non-users and light users, three barriers stood out: low excitement, weak differentiation and limited understanding of why almonds deserve a place in everyday diets.

    Many consumers see almonds as dependable but somewhat dated. Some view them as interchangeable with other nuts, while others are unclear on how almonds fit into modern daily routines, especially in newer markets.

    That makes this a critical moment. A product that is widely known can still lose relevance with younger consumers if the industry does not actively refresh how it is positioned.

    A Rapidly Changing Consumer Landscape

    India’s consumer landscape is evolving. It is home to a young population, rising digital engagement and increasingly urban lifestyles that are reshaping how people discover and buy food.

    Younger consumers are influenced by health goals, personal ambition and digital culture. They are less responsive to traditional messages and more drawn to brands that feel modern, useful and relevant to everyday life.

    For almonds, that creates both risk and opportunity. Legacy messaging is losing strength, but a large, increasingly affluent population still offers major growth potential if almonds are positioned in a way that resonates now. — Story contributed by the Almond Board of California

  • Researchers Requesting the Help of Pistachio Growers

    California pistachios now cover more than 600,000 acres and generate over $2.5 billion annually. As demand for pistachios continues to grow worldwide, production remains concentrated in the Central Valley with some acreage in coastal counties. However, a changing climate is creating new challenges for growers.

    Although the 2025–2026 winter felt “normal” with cold, foggy days, a closer look at the data shows that some pistachio orchards may not have received adequate winter chill. The March heatwave, which coincided with bloom, further intensified bloom and nut-set irregularities, issues many growers have already reported. However, some orchards were severely affected while others showed little or no impact, pointing to underlying factors that are not yet fully understood.

    This situation presents a valuable opportunity to better understand how unseasonable weather affects bloom, fertilization and set. To this end, the University of California, Davis (UCD) and the California Pistachio Research Board (CPRB) have developed a short grower survey. The information collected will help researchers evaluate the impacts of climate variability during this critical developmental stage. Several CPRB-funded research trials focused on improving yield and quality may also benefit from the survey data. These findings will help researchers develop strategies to prevent or mitigate similar impacts in the future and identify priority areas for targeted research. Grower participation is essential: the more orchards represented, the clearer the picture will be for guiding future research and management decisions.

    The California Pistachio Research Board encourages growers to complete the survey and share observations from their orchards this season. Growers with multiple orchards showing different performance under the same cultural practices (e.g. irrigation, fertilization) are welcome to submit separate responses for each site. The survey takes only a few minutes to

    complete but will provide valuable insights for future research.

    All responses are anonymous unless you choose to provide contact information. Growers can use the link or QR code below to access the survey.

    Pistachio Survey: https://forms.gle/vyeXgnoGfYG3aDDQ9

  • Hillari Bynum Promoted to Senior Position at DFA of California and Safe Food Alliance

    DFA of California and Safe Food Alliance recently announced the promotion of Hillari Bynum to Senior Director, Growth and Innovation. In this newly expanded leadership role, Hillari will oversee the organization’s growth-focused functions, including business development, marketing, customer experience, technology enablement and innovation initiatives.

    “Hillari has consistently demonstrated the ability to look beyond traditional marketing and identify opportunities to strengthen our organization. From relaunching Safe Food California to leading technology initiatives, she has helped modernize how we serve our members and customers,” said Brendan O’Donnell, President and CEO of DFA of California and Safe Food Alliance.

    Reflecting on her new role, Hillari shared, “By combining three teams into one cohesive organization with two clear mandates, we’re creating a stronger, more aligned team that can move faster, innovate more effectively, and deliver greater value to our customers and
    members.”

  • Blue Diamond Releases Early June Crop Report

    California’s Central Valley experienced variable weather conditions during May, with wide temperature swings serving as the norm for the period, punctuated by a few days of rain.

    Daily maximum temperatures ranged from the lower 60’s to nearly 100 degrees during the month, while minimum temperatures exhibited more stability, ranging from the lower 40’s on the chilliest mornings to mid-50’s under “balmier” conditions. Brisk winds also blew through the orchards on several days during the month, with sustained speeds at double digit levels and gusts reaching over 20 mph. While skies were clear and dry on the majority of days, late season storms in the opening and closing days of the period brought measurable rain to much of the Central Valley. Rainfall totals were generally limited to a few hundredths of an inch. However, the final storm of the month proved more vigorous. While most areas reported receiving from .25 to .60 inch of rain, a particularly strong cell passing over Yolo County dropped over an inch of rain near the community of Davis.

    May 2026 continued the pattern of late-spring storm systems that began in April. Grower activities were largely focused on vegetation management, fertilization, and irrigation, which was offset by adequate rainfall in some cases. While the wet conditions have increased concerns for fungal infections on the foliage and developing nuts, most growers feel that they have adequate protection provided by previous treatments. The rain events have limited the expansion of web-spinning mites and observers are reporting that the orchards are in generally good condition in all areas of the valley. Areas with the strongest winds experienced some blown-over trees, broken branches, and nut loss. However, losses have been minimal.

    Kernels in all varieties became fully solidified during the month, providing the first confirmation of the crop maturity since the completion of the bloom. There is now strong solidarity that the crop is running approximately 10 days ahead of “normal” in all areas. While June temperatures can influence exact timing, many believe the hull split will follow the current advanced timing, with the split in advanced examples of early maturing varieties expected during the week of June 21.

    As May concludes, many growers were winding down applications of fertilizer materials, and mowing vegetation in the orchard middles to manage the orchard floor in advance of the upcoming harvest. Growers whose orchards have high populations of almond feeding ants have begun the earliest treatments using bait formulations to target them. Some of these materials require several weeks to effectively reduce the ant populations and need to be applied as much as eight weeks prior to harvest.

    Growers and their pest control advisers, (PCAs), have been monitoring orchards for signs of leaffooted plant bugs and stink bugs. Brown spot, the damage resulting from the feeding of these insects on the developing nuts has been increasing for several years. Pheromones have been developed and are being tested in orchards to combat leaffooted plant bugs as PCAs work with university researchers to develop protocols for implementation. Growers have treated increasing populations of these insects where warranted.

    Growers have also begun preparations for hull split treatments to control navel orangeworm (NOW). In anticipation of the advanced timing this year, growers are shifting their attention to spotting the discoloration and splitting of blank nuts at the top of the orchard canopy and along the tree rows at the edge of the orchards. These blanks (nuts that formed a hull and shell but were not fertilized during the bloom and have no kernel) split approximately ten days ahead of the sound nuts that contain almond kernels. These serve as a signal of the approaching hull split. By monitoring the split of blank nuts, growers and their pest control advisers can fine tune treatment timing during the split to optimize control.

    Low and minimal care orchards, as well as abandoned plantings, are present in all areas. Pest management programs have grown complicated for many growers managing plantings near abandoned/low care orchards due to adult NOW moths moving into their orchards to lay eggs on the splitting hulls. Orchard sanitation (the reduction of NOW residing within the orchards) is the foundation of NOW management. NOW adults migrating from nearby sources have created significant financial hardship and mounting frustration for growers in recent years. — Story contributed by Blue Diamond Growers