Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Industry News

  • Bloom Season Specific Sprayer Calibration Saves Money & Time

    Bloom Season Specific Sprayer Calibration Saves Money & Time

    If your sprayer can deliver good spray coverage at hull split, with a little work it can deliver good bloom spray coverage faster and cheaper. How is this possible? With no leaves in the canopy, air movement is less restricted at bloom than hull split. Also, there is less surface area to cover at bloom than hull split so volume needed to cover the susceptible tissue per acre (Gallons per acre, GPA) are less at bloom than hull split.

    How could this work? Assuming your hull split spray set up is for 100 GPA (or more) and 2 miles per hour (MPH), at bloom you can increase ground speed, GPA and reduce power to the sprayer (less tractor engine or sprayer engine RPMs). All this means less time and diesel burned per acre and more acres per tank with no change in pest control. The exact settings should be worked out on the farm, but here are some general guidelines to use before bloom starts. [I am assuming that anyone trying this has a good knowledge of sprayer calibration. For the sake of space in the newsletter, I will not go into all the calibration details. Check the Almond Production Manual for details or call me at 530.218.2359. We do need an airblast sprayer extension publication.]

    -Increase speed and reduce RPMs. Reduce engine RPMs by 15-20% from full speed and shift up a gear or two so that tractor and sprayer speed is somewhere around 3-3.5 MPH. For a PTO sprayer delivering 540 PTO RPMs with engine RPM at 2200, the target is somewhere around 1800 RPM for the tractor engine. This is quickly checked with a GPS unit or a quick pass down a row in the orchard counting trees (2 MPH=176 ft/min, etc.).

    -Check that there will be enough upward air movement at this new speed. Readjust as necessary. Put a length of PVC pipe with a 1.5-2’ long length of flagging tape tied on the end up through the tree so that the top of the pole is roughly 3-4 feet above the top of the tree. Run the sprayer down the row with the fan on, water in the tank but nozzles turned off. Check how much the flagging tape moves as the sprayer goes by the tree? (I use the video function on my phone to capture the flag movement as the sprayer goes by.) If the tape flutters out to 45-90o off the vertical, that is enough sprayer fan air movement to give good coverage. If the flagging kicks straight up, you can speed up more and try it again until the desired 45-90 o movement is reached.

    *If you spray every-other-row (EOR) at bloom, check air movement through the tree (next section) very carefully to make sure spray gets all the way through the tree or don’t use the approach described in this article. Every-other-row spraying delivers acceptable disease control at pink bud, but ineffective on the far side of the tree from the sprayer after 40% bloom. Every row spraying gives the best possible coverage. If you do spray EOR, do it carefully.

    -Figure out the flow rate you’ll use based on your new speed and the product’s recommended GPA. Use your new tractor speed and row spacing to figure out the acres per minute you’ll cover at that speed. Using the measured acres per minute and the gallons per acre you want to spray, calculate the gallons per minute (GPM) needed from the sprayer.If you are using an air shear/electrostatic sprayer (Lectroblast, Windmill, etc.) make sure the system pressure is set to that required by the manufacturer, set the flow rate on each side of the sprayer and you are ready

    -Adjust your nozzles to favor upward movement at this new speed. The general rule is that roughly 70% of the sprayer output (GPM) should come out of the top half of the open nozzles. Because of faster ground speed, larger nozzles will be needed and/or swirl plates changed (45’s used instead of 25’s). Large nozzles (D8-12) are a better choice in my opinion as the obvious nozzle exit hole difference between a D6 and a D8 make it easier to use the right nozzle for the right job if you are using rollover nozzle bodies (Rears or Nelson) or 2-3 nozzles/vane (AirOFan). In the table at the bottom of the page is an example of how a set up might go for a sprayer with two nozzle options per location on the spray boom.

    In the orchard, place the disc/cores on the nozzle bodies that point at the tree. You may need to skip a nozzle body or two along the spray boom to make sure the spray targets the tree. For example, the first (very top) nozzle body on many sprayers basically points straight up and the second body is inches away and slightly angled into the canopy. I usually skip the top one. Lower on the sprayer you may skip a nozzle site, turning off the nozzle body. The goal with fungicide spraying is to aim high; rainwater will recycle the fungicide down through the canopy if it’s placed up high.

    -Make sure your actual flow rate matches your desired flow rate. Ground truth the sprayer output by filling it to overflowing with clean water, running it for a set amount of time (a minute or two minutes) and then refilling it with a hose attached to a flowmeter or buckets marked with gallons/quarts/pints. Calculate gallons per minute sprayed to use in the following equation to check your actual sprayer output and determine how much material to put in the spray tank:

    𝐺𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒 =𝑔𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒/𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑚𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒

    -Double-check your coverage in the canopy. A final step in the calibration process is to check coverage with water sensitive paper either placed on poles or attached to the canopy.

    If you are interested in this bloom sprayer set up concept and want some help with the setup, please give me a call 530.218.2359. — By Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Advisor, Colusa and Sutter/Yuba Counties

    Example of nozzle selection and position on a standard airblast sprayer (Rears, AirOFan, Nelson, etc)
  • CIDETRAK® NOW MESO™ – Add this TOOL to your BELT

    CIDETRAK® NOW MESO™ – Add this TOOL to your BELT

    – SPONSORED CONTENT –

    “We are on year 2 with having CIDETRAK® NOW MESO™ in our orchard, and we are extremely pleased with the results. We’re treating 500 acres of Almonds and have seen a major reduction in NOW injury of up to 80%.

    What makes CIDETRAK unique for us is the application flexibility. We do not have flat square orchard blocks that other products can be used on. We have staggered rows and imperfect orchard shapes, and this is where we can use multiple MESO source points to cover

    Hanging the MESO’s was easy and even the local Trécé rep was willing to come out and show the team exactly how to apply the product.

    CIDETRAK’s non-mechanical, non-failure simplicity combined with “beyond the harvest, field life” are other important aspects that drive us to continue with MESO.

    CIDETRAK is a key tool in our toolbelt for controlling NOW. I recommend anyone thinking about their options for mating disruption products, to strongly consider CIDETRAK NOW.”

    About Kevin:

    Kevin grew up working in various aspects of Agriculture. At an early age he learned how to manage and operate a cattle ranch, as well as learned to manage large acreage of Almonds and Walnuts. After graduating from Chico State, he assumed the responsibility of managing Tehama Angus Ranch tree nut operations, and has been doing so ever since 2014. Kevin is the acting Orchard Manager for all of Tehama Angus Ranch tree nuts.

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  • Satellite Imagery Reveals Startling Difference in Pistachio Bearing Acreage

    Satellite Imagery Reveals Startling Difference in Pistachio Bearing Acreage

    Knowing how much acreage of a crop has been planted is a very important factor in preparing to bring it to market, and the pistachio industry has recently invested in satellite imagery to get a better picture of how many acres of pistachios and bearing-pistachios are actually out there.  The analysis has recently come in and revealed some interesting adjustments in the stats that growers should know about.  Watch this brief interview with Richard Matoian, President of American Pistachio Growers, as he shares some of the results, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
  • Have Pistachios Chilled Enough for the 2021 Season?

    Have Pistachios Chilled Enough for the 2021 Season?

    As California pistachio growers head into another season with insufficient rainfall, they are hoping at least that winter will have provided sufficient cold weather to meet the chill requirements their trees need in order to put on a solid crop.  Watch this brief interview with Richard Matoian, President of American Pistachio Growers, as he shares where the industry is at to date, and what they can expect at this point for the 2021 crop.  Read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
  • California Farmland Trust Announces Matching Support to Protect Fiorini Ranch

    California Farmland Trust Announces Matching Support to Protect Fiorini Ranch

    Thanks to support from the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation, California Farmland Trust (CFT) is embarking on a conservation fundraising campaign to protect Fiorini Ranch.

    Located in Merced County, the 60-acre almond operation is owned and operated by a multi-generational farming family, the Fiorini’s. Currently operated by a third-generation family member, Randy Fiorini, the fourth and fifth generation family members are now engaged, and becoming more involved, continuing the family’s legacy. The Fiorini family reached out to the California Farmland Trust to ensure the land and their legacy will remain in agriculture, forever.

    The California Farmland Trust has partnered with farmers for over 16 years to protect farmland from being subdivided and developed into homes and shopping centers, while contributing to agriculture’s unique role in climate benefits. “Working with the Fiorini family to ensure this land will provide food, open space and climate benefits is essential,” said Charlotte Mitchell, CFT Executive Director. The Fiorini family has adopted and embraced sustainable farming practices that reduce greenhouse gas emissions, improve the biodiversity of beneficial insects, and further reduce soil erosion.

    In the coming months, CFT will be pursuing a grant that will provide some of the funding needed to purchase the development right and protect the land with an agricultural conservation easement. CFT is required to source matching funds when pursuing grant funding, which is where the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation (Foundation) support is focused. In late 2020, the Foundation provided CFT with nearly half of the matching funds needed to meet this requirement. Funds from the Foundation will be leveraged by CFT to raise the remaining $85,000.

    “The support from the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation really made this project achievable,” shared Mitchell. “It’s difficult to obtain the match requirement needed for a grant and the Henry Mayo Newhall Foundation provided funding that will essentially double every other donation we receive for the project, helping us achieve the match requirement.”

    The first step will be launching a campaign that leverages the Foundation’s $80,000 donation to raise the remaining $85,000 needed to obtain the match required. CFT will simultaneously pursue a grant for the remaining seventy-five percent needed to fund the easement. Once secured, the easement will ensure the farmland will never be subdivided and will no longer be subject to development pressures from nearby communities for housing or commercial development.

    “Our family has farmed this land sustainably, and productively for over 100 years. It is threatened by the potential of urban development and our family wishes to preserve the ability to continue to contribute to our nations healthy food needs,” shared Randy Fiorini.

    If you would like to learn more or become involved in this project, please visit: www.cafarmtrust.org/protect-fiorini-ranch.

  • Pacific Nut Producer March Issue

    Pacific Nut Producer March Issue

    Pacific Nut Producer March Issue

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    Contents of the March Issue:

    Bad Luck, Good Luck & a Whole Lotta Work
    Silva Family Legacy Continues Farming Walnuts
    Bumble Bees Under the Endangered Species Act
    CF&G Commission Decision on Appealing Decision
    Earl Bruck Gets Nut Grower of the Year Award
    Hazelnut Growers Gather Virtually for NGS Meeting
    March Orchard Tasks
    Almonds, Hazelnuts, Pecans, Pistachios, Walnuts

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  • New Gov’t Relations Director at American Pistachio Growers

    New Gov’t Relations Director at American Pistachio Growers

    American Pistachio Growers (APG) is pleased to announce the hiring of Cadee Condit as their new Director of Government Relations. Cadee has two decades of experience in governmental public affairs, an extensive vision in achieving strategic objectives in complex political landscapes, and broad collaboration across a spectrum of business, trade associations and community organizations.

    APG President Richard Matoian noted, “Cadee comes to APG with a wealth of knowledge at both the Federal and State levels. Her expertise in the legislative and regulatory process will serve the needs of APG’s membership well.”  Cadee will coordinate her efforts on behalf of APG’s membership with our existing outstanding State and Federal lobbyists and their staff.

    APG’s Government Policies and Partnership’s Committee Chair, Jamie Bledsoe, who was involved in the interview process added, “Cadee was far and away the right person and best fit for our ongoing, excellent government relations program.” Cadee officially began her duties on February 1.

    “The American Pistachio Growers is a dynamic and exciting organization,” Cadee shared.  “The San Joaquin Valley is the most productive and diverse agricultural region in the world, and I couldn’t be more excited to be working with APG to protect the future of agriculture.”

    Some of the top priorities and issues Cadee will be working on will include: water, tariffs, international market access and additional COVID relief programs.  Seeking out more federal funding to keep the Navel Orangeworm Sterile Insect Technology program going will also be a priority.  Cadee can be reached at ccondit@americanpistachios.org.

     

  • USDA Announces Results of Walnut Marketing Order Referendum

    USDA Announces Results of Walnut Marketing Order Referendum

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recently announced amendments to the federal marketing order regulating the handling of walnuts grown in California. These amendments authorize the California Walnut Board to provide credit for market promotion expenses paid by handlers against their annual assessments due under the program.

    The amendments were approved in a referendum conducted Nov. 30 through Dec. 11, 2020. They were favored by 80.57% of the growers voting, representing 82.81% of the total volume of walnuts. To gain approval, the amendments needed support of at least two-thirds of the growers voting in the referendum or at least two-thirds of the volume of walnuts grown by those voting in the referendum. A final rule amending the marketing order will be published in the Federal Register.

    USDA’s process for considering this change included an administrative hearing conducted April 20-21, 2020.

    The board locally administers the marketing order that maintains minimum grade and size regulations for walnuts grown in California. The marketing order also authorizes promotion, and research and development projects. More information about the marketing order is available on the Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) 984 California Walnut webpage, the AMS Marketing Orders and Agreements webpage, or by contacting the Marketing Order and Agreement Division at (202) 720-2491.

    Authorized by the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, marketing orders are industry-driven programs that help producers and handlers achieve marketing success by leveraging their own funds to design and execute programs that they would not be able to do individually. AMS provides oversight to 29 fruit, vegetable, and specialty crop marketing orders and agreements, which helps ensure fiscal accountability and program integrity.

  • Whole Orchard Recycling and Its Impact on Future Plantings

    Whole Orchard Recycling and Its Impact on Future Plantings

    Whole orchard recycling is really catching more interest among farmers recently, particularly in the almond industry; and leading the charge in the research/outreach of this practice is UC Cooperative Extension Farm Advisor Brent Holtz.  Watch this brief interview with Brent as he discusses benefits and considerations for implementing this practice in the orchard; and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.
  • How US Pistachio Shipments are Keeping Up After Record Crop

    How US Pistachio Shipments are Keeping Up After Record Crop

    After bringing in a record billion pound pistachio crop amidst a global pandemic and a continued international trade dispute, growers may be concerned about the global market for pistachios and whether shipments are keeping up with the increased supply.  Watch this brief interview with Richard Matoian, President of American Pistachio Growers, as he shares some optimism in that regard, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.
    Please thank this video’s sponsor Trece for their industry support.