Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Pest/Disease Management

  • Resources for Employers Amidst COVID-19 Outbreaks at Ag Facilities

    Almond Alliance of California – There have been multiple COVID-19 outbreaks at agricultural facilities and operations throughout the State.  Several of the outbreaks in agricultural areas have been reported in farmworker housing facilities, fields and processing facilities.  CalOSHA, Department of Health Services and the Attorney General’s office have been engaged in situations with multiple positive cases.  Many of our peer agricultural organizations and individual employers have received letters from the Attorney General’s office reminding about the need to provide guidance to our membership on the health and safety of the agricultural workforce. 

    Many grower and employer associations, local farm bureaus, and health and safety compliance businesses have shared resources with their members to help agricultural operations conduct an examination of workplaces to ensure that adequate measures are being undertaken to protect the health and safety of agricultural workers. 

    Below are resources for almond growers, huller shellers and processors.  As these materials are updated, the Almond Alliance will distribute revisions. Please post COVID-19 safety materials in Spanish and English throughout the workplace. Please call the Almond Alliance team if you have any questions or need additional information.

    Responding to COVID-19 in the Workplace:

    This guidance and checklist are for use by employers experiencing an outbreak of COVID-19 in their workplace. Employers should be proactive and keep in mind that identification of even a single positive case among employees may quickly develop into an outbreak. As outbreak circumstances and work practices vary, employers may need assistance from their local health department (LHD) to plan and coordinate a response to the outbreak that meets the needs of the workplace.

    • Industry Guidance:  Agriculture and Livestock: Click Here.
    • COVID-19 General Checklist for Agriculture and Livestock Employers: Click Here.

    COVID-19 Safety Posters and Materials for you to Place in the Workplace in English and Spanish to Reduce the Risk of Employee Exposure in the Workplace:

    • CDC Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19) English Poster: Click Here.
    • CDC Síntomas del coronavirus (COVID-19) Spanish Poster: Click Here.
    • CDC Share facts about COVID-19 English Factsheet: Click Here.
    • CDC Comparta la información sobre el COVID-19 Spanish Factsheet: Click Here.
    • OSHA Ten Steps All Workplaces Can Take to Reduce Risk of Exposure to Coronavirus English Poster: Click Here.
    • OSHA Diez Medidas que Todos los Lugares de Trabajo Pueden Tomar para Prevenir la Exposición al Coronavirus Spanish Poster: Click Here.

    Cal/OSHA Guidance and Resources:

    • COVID-19 Daily Checklist for Agricultural Employers: English | Spanish
    • COVID-19 General Checklist for Agricultural Employers: English | Spanish
    • Infection Prevention for Agricultural Employers and Employees: English | Spanish
    • COVID-19 Worker Protection Video – Infection Prevention for Agricultural Workers (Video Transcripts:  English | Spanish | Mixteco

    What to Do if You Have COVID-19 Confirmed Positive or Exposed Workers:

    This document recommends a consistent approach in how a company can continue operations in the event an individual has tested positive, given the global COVID-19 pandemic and high transmissibility of this respiratory virus from person to person.

    U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA):  What to Do if You Have COVID-19 Confirmed Positive or Exposed Workers in Your Food Production, Storage, or Distribution Operations Regulated by FDA: Click Here.

    Food Industry Recommended Protocols When Employee/Customer Tests Positive for COVID-19:

    This summary, derived from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations, outlines key steps that employers and workers can take to help stay open, prevent and slow the spread of COVID-19, and support continuity of essential operations if workers are diagnosed with or exposed to COVID-19, or show symptoms associated with COVID-19: Click Here.

    Additional Materials:

    • Agricultural Employer Checklist for Creating a COVID-19 Assessment and Control Plan: Click Here.
    • Testing Strategy for Coronavirus (COVID‐19) in High‐Density Critical Infrastructure Workplaces after a COVID‐19 Case is Identified: Click Here.

    Note: This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Almond Alliance of California does not advise on the application of law to an individual’s or company’s specific circumstances. Although we go to great lengths to make sure our information is accurate and useful, we recommend you consult a lawyer if you want professional assurance that our information, and your interpretation of it, is appropriate to your particular situation.

  • Pistachios Added to Coronavirus Food Assistance Program

    Today, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue announced an initial list of additional commodities that have been added to the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program (CFAP), and that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) made other adjustments to the program based on comments received from agricultural producers and organizations and review of market data. Producers will be able to submit applications that include these commodities on Monday, July 13, 2020. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting through Aug. 28, 2020, applications for CFAP, which helps offset price declines and additional marketing costs because of the coronavirus pandemic. USDA expects additional eligible commodities to be announced in the coming weeks.

    “During this time of national crisis, President Trump and USDA have stood with our farmers, ranchers, and all citizens to make sure they are taken care of,” said Secretary Perdue. “When we announced this program earlier this year, we asked for public input and received a good response. After reviewing the comments received and analyzing our USDA Market News data, we are adding new commodities, as well as making updates to the program for existing eligible commodities. This is an example of government working for the people – we asked for input and we updated the program based on the comments we received.”

    USDA collected comments and supporting data for consideration of additional commodities through June 22, 2020.

    Changes to CFAP include: Adding the following commodities: alfalfa sprouts, anise, arugula, basil, bean sprouts, beets, blackberries, Brussels sprouts, celeriac (celery root), chives, cilantro, coconuts, collard greens, dandelion greens, greens (others not listed separately), guava, kale greens, lettuce – including Boston, green leaf, Lolla Rossa, oak leaf green, oak leaf red and red leaf – marjoram, mint, mustard, okra, oregano, parsnips, passion fruit, peas (green), pineapple, pistachios, radicchio, rosemary, sage, savory, sorrel, fresh sugarcane, Swiss chard, thyme and turnip top greens.

    Expanding for seven currently eligible commodities – apples, blueberries, garlic, potatoes, raspberries, tangerines and taro – CARES Act funding for sales losses because USDA found these commodities had a 5 percent or greater price decline between mid-January and mid-April as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Originally, these commodities were only eligible for marketing adjustments.

    Determining that peaches and rhubarb no longer qualify for payment under the CARES Act sales loss category.

    Correcting payment rates for apples, artichokes, asparagus, blueberries, cantaloupes, cucumbers, garlic, kiwifruit, mushrooms, papaya, peaches, potatoes, raspberries, rhubarb, tangerines and taro.
    Additional details can be found in the Federal Register in the Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) and Final Rule Correction and at www.farmers.gov/cfap.

    Producers have several options for applying to the CFAP program: Using an online portal, accessible at farmers.gov/cfap, allows producers with secure USDA login credentials—known as eAuthentication—to certify eligible commodities online, digitally sign applications and submit directly to the local USDA Service Center. New commodities will be available in the system on July 13, 2020.

    Completing the application form using our CFAP Application Generator and Payment Calculator found at farmers.gov/cfap. This Excel workbook allows customers to input information specific to their operation to determine estimated payments and populate the application form, which can be printed, then signed and submitted to their local USDA Service Center. An updated version with the new commodities will be available on the website on July 13, 2020.

    Downloading the AD-3114 application form from farmers.gov/cfap and manually completing the form to submit to the local USDA Service Center by mail, electronically or by hand delivery to an office drop box. In some limited cases, the office may be open for in-person business by appointment. Visit farmers.gov/coronavirus/service-center-status to check the status of your local office.

    USDA Service Centers can also work with producers to complete and securely transmit digitally signed applications through two commercially available tools: Box and OneSpan. Producers who are interested in digitally signing their applications should notify their local service centers when calling to discuss the CFAP application process. You can learn more about these solutions at farmers.gov/mydocs.

    Getting Help from FSA

    New customers seeking one-on-one support with the CFAP application process can call 877-508-8364 to speak directly with a USDA employee ready to offer general assistance. This is a recommended first step before a producer engages the team at the FSA county office at their local USDA Service Center.

    All other eligibility forms, such as those related to adjusted gross income and payment information, can be downloaded from farmers.gov/cfap. For existing FSA customers, these documents are likely already on file.

    All USDA Service Centers are open for business, including some that are open to visitors to conduct business in person by appointment only. All Service Center visitors wishing to conduct business with FSA, Natural Resources Conservation Service or any other Service Center agency should call ahead and schedule an appointment. Service Centers that are open for appointments will pre-screen visitors based on health concerns or recent travel, and visitors must adhere to social distancing guidelines. Visitors may also be required to wear a face covering during their appointment. Field work will continue with appropriate social distancing. Our program delivery staff will be in the office, and they will be working with our producers in office, by phone and using online tools. More information can be found at farmers.gov/coronavirus.

  • Pacific Nut Producer July Issue

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    Contents of the July Issue:

    Farming & Managing Walnuts in Tulare County
    Gary Hester is Fourth Generation Farmer
    Coronavirus Food Assistance Program for Growers
    FSA Accepting Applications Through August 28th
    Orchard Tasks
    Almonds, Hazelnuts, Macadamias, Pecans, Pistachios, Walnuts

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  • Three Ways to Prevent Almond Hull Rot

    As almond growers in California prepare for hull split, almond hull rot is often a problem on their minds during this time. As UC Cooperative Extension Orchard Systems Farm Advisor Franz Niederholzer says, prevention is key.  Watch this brief interview with Franz as he shares three tips on avoiding this costly issue in the orchard, and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine. Don’t currently receive the magazine? Subscribe for free at: https://malcolmmedia.com/pacific-nut-producer-magazine-subscriptions/

  • YOU KNOW WHAT HULLSPLIT MEANS: IT’S TIME TO SPRAY

    Almond experts say there is only one proven way to know when hullsplit begins: inspect your trees from the top down, starting in the southwest corner of the canopy.
    The importance of knowing precisely when hullsplit occurs is critical because it signals the proper timing for treatments to control Navel Orangeworm (NOW). Whether growers use a ladder, climb into a pruning tower or lop off a few high branches with extension pruners, the goal is to understand what’s happening in the top of the tree, where nuts mature at a faster rate.

    Simply looking up into a tree’s canopy from the orchard floor is a sure way to miss the advent of hullsplit. When hulls split, a scent is released into the air, attracting female NOW moths to lay their eggs on the suture of the splitting hull. As the hull splits, fungal spores also can enter and spawn hull rot infections.

    Missing the beginning of hullsplit and allowing NOW or pathogens to gain a toehold in an orchard can wreck a grower’s entire season and reduce the value of the crop, costing growers in returns if nuts are rejected after harvest..

    Summer split invites unwanted guests 

    Growers can determine if hullsplit has occurred – and if it’s time to spray – if, when they squeeze the end of the hull, the entire suture opens up, exposing the shell within.

    Almond hulls split as the fruit ripens, and timing varies based on weather conditions and variety. For instance, the variety Nonpariel typically splits in early- to- mid-July, earlier than some other varieties.

    In addition, Director of Member Services for Blue Diamond Growers Mel Machado advises growers to look for blank nuts – those without a kernel inside – as those hulls are the first to split, several days ahead of the “sound” nuts (those with a full kernel).

    “The blanks are like the warning shot, signaling the start of hullsplit,” he said. “When full hullsplit does occur, the nuts at the top of the canopy will open up first.”

    Experts say growers also should pay attention to trees on the edge of their orchards as they often ripen more quickly.

    ‘Better to be too early than late’ 

    Once growers identify hullsplit in their orchard, their next step should be to initiate timely treatment. Experts warn that waiting too long to begin spraying will cost growers, as will performing a poor spray job.

    Machado advised, “It’s better to be a bit on the early side than late” when spraying. Once hullsplit begins, he recommended the entire orchard be sprayed in five days or less. “If it takes 10 or 15 days, that’s too long,” he said.

    Planning ahead – especially for smaller growers who rely on custom applicators – is essential.

    “Watch your fields closely and be in contact with your operator early on,” Machado advised.

    In larger orchards, Machado advises growers consider starting with aerial sprays, recognizing that ground-based sprays don’t always provide complete coverage at the tops of the trees.

    “We’re seeing growers effectively incorporate aerial applications into their treatment programs for the first application in order to cover the acreage in a timely manner,” Machado said.

    The best time to spray is early in the morning or at dusk.

    “Do not spray in the heat of the day – your application will evaporate into thin air and you won’t get the material where it needs to go. That’s a waste of time and money, as you’re not only wasting spray material but you also won’t achieve the coverage necessary to combat crop damage,” Machado said.

    Finally, growers should ensure their ground-based sprayers are properly calibrated, the nozzles are unplugged and that air flow isn’t restricted. Once it’s time to spray, growers should remind applicators to drive no more than two mph through orchards to ensure optimum coverage and to drive down each row to ensure the trees are equally covered.

    “There are some guys who spray every other row, and that’s not a good idea,” Machado said. “There are two sides to the tree; you need to spray both of them.”

    Machado reinforced that hullsplit sprays offer the final chance to manage NOW populations before harvest. Still, these applications are only part of a coordinated, year-round, integrated pest management plan to combat NOW that also must include winter sanitation and mating disruption, both of which are performed earlier in the crop year. — By the Almond Board of California

  • Six Ways to Improve Pesticide Sprayer Calibration/Coverage

    Are you not seeing the results you expected in your latest fungicide/insecticide application? Watch this brief interview with Peter Ako Larbi from the UC Cooperative Extension who shares several considerations on how growers can improve their pesticide spray coverage in their orchard or vineyard.

  • PPE in Short Supply for Farm Work During the COVID-19 Crisis

    While most Californians are staying home to slow the spread of the novel coronavirus, California farmers, farmworkers and other agricultural professionals are out in the fields and packing houses working to produce food. With increased demand for personal protective equipment, or PPE, to protect against COVID-19, these essential workers are facing shortages. Agricultural commissioners in 28 counties are hearing from farmers who are having trouble getting PPE for their employees and farmers in another 11 counties who are worried about running out of PPE in the next month or two, according to a California Department of Pesticide Regulation survey.

    Gloves, N95 respirators, coveralls and other gear that workers wear to protect themselves from COVID-19, pesticides, dust and other health hazards are in short supply as priority is given to health care workers during the pandemic.

    To reduce the spread of COVID-19, workers may wear homemade face coverings, but for applying pesticides, they must wear respirators specified on the pesticide product label, said Whitney Brim-DeForest, UC Cooperative Extension rice advisor.

    Pesticide applicators may use gear that is more protective than required by the product label and regulations. 

    “Although this could change in the days ahead, half-mask and full-mask respirators are more available than disposable N95 respirators for now,” said Lisa Blecker, coordinator for the UC Pesticide Safety Education Program.

    Before the pandemic, 10% of N95 respirators from 3M went to health care, but that number is now 90%, the company said in a letter to distributors. This has led to significant backorders of PPE supplies for distributors.

    Carl Atwell, president of Gempler’s, an online distributor of worker supplies, said that before the crisis, normal lead times for PPE was up to 10 days. He estimated disposable respirators will become available in the fall and other PPE supplies in August.

    In the meantime, there is alternative PPE that agricultural professionals can use during the shortage.

    Atwell suggests looking for lesser known brands of PPE as opposed to the first tier of choice: “It’s sort of like searching for Purell hand sanitizer. Purell brand might be out of stock, but can you find a different disinfectant?”

    On Gempler’s website, the more recognizable Tyvek coverall from Dupont is sold out, however disposable protective clothing is available from other brands. Reusable chemical-resistant clothing is also available as opposed to their disposable counterparts. Supplies in high demand are reusable and disposable nitrile gloves, protective clothing, disposable respirators and certain protective eyewear, such as goggles and face shields.

    For workers who will be applying pesticides, Blecker and Brim-DeForest offered some guidelines on how to meet PPE requirements as the shortage continues.

    General PPE requirements: “Remember, the label is the law,” said Brim-DeForest. “PPE requirements for agriculture are not being loosened.” The UCCE advisor recommends purchasing only what you need for the season and choosing reusable PPE whenever possible. Growers who have excess supplies of PPE can coordinate with their county agricultural commissioner or UCCE advisor to help other producers in their area.

    Respirators: If you can’t find the respirator required on the label, Blecker said, “Use an alternative, more-protective respirator. For example, if an N95 is required, you can use a half-mask with N95 particulate filters; these can be stand-alone filters or ones that attach to an organic vapor cartridge. You could also use a different pesticide that doesn’t require a respirator. Consult with your PCA (pest control adviser) for options.”

    Gloves: Chemical-resistant gloves, usually 14 mil or more in thickness are required for most California pesticide applications and should be worn by mixers, handlers and applicators. If nitrile gloves are not available, viton and laminate gloves are universal chemical-resistant materials for most pesticide labels. If the glove material is specified on the label, that instruction must be followed.

    “Disposable gloves less than 14 mil can be worn, but not for more than 15 minutes at a time,” Blecker said. “Farmers should also note that thinner gloves cannot be layered on top of one another.”

    Coveralls: Coveralls should be worn when required by the pesticide label or when the signal word is “WARNING” or “DANGER,” or when applying by backpack or airblast. “Coveralls can be made out of high-density polyethylene fibers (Tyvek and other brands), which are disposable, or cotton, which are reusable,” Brim-DeForest said. “If reusable coveralls are worn, the employer must ensure employees are provided clean coveralls.”

    Goggles/face shields: Face shields are required for mixing and loading pesticides only if it’s stated on the label. “If a face shield is unavailable, a full-face respirator can be used,” Blecker said. “Goggles or protective eyewear should always be worn in California when handling pesticides, regardless of what the label says. The face shield, goggles or safety glasses must provide front, side and brow protection and meet the American National Standards Institute Z87.1 standard for impact resistance.

    The UC Integrated Pest Management Program also covers these topics in their pesticide safety webinar series at http://ipm.ucanr.edu/IPMPROJECT/workshops.html.

    For more information about PPE, contact your county agricultural commissioner or see the California Department of Pesticide Regulation’s posters at https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/whs/pdf/gloves_for_pesticide_handling.pdfand https://www.cdpr.ca.gov/docs/whs/pdf/n95_alternatives_for_pesticide_handling.pdf. — By Katrina Hunter, UC Integrated Pest Management Program pesticide safety writer

  • What Pistachio Growers Can Do Right Now to Control Gill’s Mealybug

    Gill’s Mealybug was an unusually difficult problem for many pistachio growers last year. Watch this brief interview with David Haviland to learn what growers can do right now to get these pests under control and read more about it in Pacific Nut Producer Magazine.

  • CAL/OSHA COVID-19 Infection Prevention for Ag Employers & Employees

    California employers are required to establish and implement an Injury and Illness Prevention Program (IIPP) to protect employees from all worksite hazards, including infectious diseases. This guidance contains information, recommendations, and requirements for agricultural employers on how to update their IIPPs to include preventing the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace. This guidance does not introduce any new legal obligations, but because COVID-19 is widespread in the community, most California workplaces must consider the disease a workplace hazard.

    Employee Training on COVID-19

    Agricultural employers must provide training in a way that is readily understandable by all employees. Employees should be trained on the following topics:

    • Information related to COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), including:

    o   What COVID-19 is and how it is spread.

    o   Preventing the spread of COVID-19 if you are sick.

    o   Symptoms of COVID-19 and when to seek medical attention.

    • Information fromCalifornia’s COVID-19 Response Webpage for additional resources, including ones in Spanish.
    • The importance of frequent hand-washing with soap and water, including:

    o   Following CDC guidelines to wash for at least 20 seconds.

    o   When employees arrive at work and before they leave work.

    o   Before and after eating or using the toilet.

    o   After close interaction with other persons.

    o   After contacting shared surfaces or tools.

    o   Before and after wearing masks or gloves.

    o   After blowing nose or sneezing.

    • That hand sanitizer is not as effective ashand-washing but can be used as an interim measure if a hand-washing station is not immediately available.
    • Methods to avoid touching eyes, nose, and mouth.
    • Coughing and sneezing etiquette, including covering a cough or sneeze with a tissue or a sleeve instead of a hand.
    • Safely using cleaners and disinfectants on surfaces and objects, which includes:

    o   Carefully following label directions.

    o   Assessing the hazards of all cleaners and disinfectants used at the worksite.

    o   Wearing personal protective equipment (such as gloves).

    o   Ensuring cleaners and disinfectants are used in a manner that does not endanger employees.

    • Limiting close contact with others as much
      as possible and maintaining safe physical distancing (see Physical Distancing information on next page).
    • The importance of not coming to work if theyhave a frequent cough, fever, or difficulty breathing, or if they live with or have had close contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19.
    • The employer’s plan and procedures to protect employees from COVID-19 illness.

      2019

    Procedures to Help Prevent the Spread of COVID-19 at the Worksite 

    IIPP administrators should establish and implement the following procedures to help prevent the spread of COVID-19:

    • Immediately send employees with acute respiratory illness symptoms home or to medical care as needed.
    • Establish procedures to notify local healthofficials upon learning that someone has a COVID-19 infection. These officials will help employers determine a course of action.
    • Encourage sick workers to stay home by not punishing them for missing work. Considersick leave benefits to help prevent the spread among workers who might otherwise work out of economic necessity. Educate eligible employees on other benefits they can access if symptoms, illness, or caring for an ill family member prevents them from working.
    • Make hand-washing stations more readily available and encourage their use. Employers are advised that hand-washing is compensable as nonproductive time for piece-rate workers.
    • Establish procedures to routinely clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and objects (e.g., water containers, steering wheels, shared tools, shared work stations, door handles, seat belts, insides of toilet facilities) throughout the workday. These procedures should include:

    o   Using products that are EPA-approved for use against the virus that causes COVID-19.

    o   Providing EPA-registered disposable wipes for employees to wipe down commonly used surfaces before use.

    o   Following the manufacturer’s instructions for all cleaning and disinfection products (e.g., safety requirements, protective equipment, concentration, contact time).

    o   Ensuring there are adequate supplies to support cleaning and disinfection practices.

    Procedures to Increase Physical Distancing

    Physical distancing is an infection control measure that can stop or slow down the spread
    of an infectious disease by limiting contact between people. Safe physical distancing means maintaining a distance of at least six feet from other people. Agricultural employers should use the following physical distancing measures to stop or slow down the spread of COVID-19:

    • Physical distancing should be practiced, whether outdoors, in vehicles, or in structures.
    • Establish work practices and work stations, and adjust line speed and other processes to enable employees to maintain safe physical distancing while working.
    • Stagger break and lunch times.
    • Limit crew size by staggering work shifts or increasing the number of work shifts.
    • Provide additional seating and shade structures to allow employees to take breaks while staying at least six feet apart.
    • Encourage employees to avoid large gatherings and practice physical distancing during non-work hours. Employers who house workers are encouraged to be proactive in making physical distancing possible and totake affirmative steps to quarantine any housed worker exhibiting symptoms.
    • Establish a location for receiving regulardeliveries away from on-farm high-traffic areas and housing.

    o   Place drop-boxes or drop-off locations near the road so vehicles do not need to enter the farm.

    Health experts do not recommend the use of respirators by the general public or the general workforce for COVID-19. However, if available, employers should provide them to agricultural workers when needed to protect workers against excessive dust, Coccidioides fungus (the source of Valley Fever), or other harmful agents.

    • Create specific instructions for deliveries.

    o   Provide suppliers and customers with the location of and all the procedures to be used at the drop-off point.

    o   Create signage to easily identify drop-off points. Include contact information on the signs to assist with questions leading up to delivery and upon arrival.

    Good Sanitation Practices

    • 
Agricultural employers must ensure bathrooms and hand-washing facilities are readily accessible to all employees at all times.

    o   Restrooms must be clean and sanitary.

    o   Hand-washing facilities must be located at or near the restrooms.

    o   Soap or other suitable cleansing agent and single-use towels must be provided.

    o   Additional hand-washing supplies should be placed as close to work areas as possible to allow for frequent hand-washing.

    o   Enough time must be allowed for frequent hand-washing.

    o   Due to increased hand-washing, the employer should frequently check the supply of soap, paper towels, and toilet paper, and replenish them before they run out.

  • Navel Orangeworm Host Preferences & Need for Collaborative Control

    Some may think Navel Orangeworm is just a pest of almonds and pistachios, but there are other crops it thrives off of as well. Watch this brief interview with Bob Klein from the California Pistachio Research Board as he shares his insights on preferred overwintering hosts for this pest as well as in-season comparisons.  It’s going to take a unified approach across industries to defeat this pest.