Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Category: Non-Video

  • Late Fruit & Tree Nut Nursery Icon Commemorated

    On November 6, 2025, Dave Wilson Nursery (DWN) hosted about 200 people – from family to friends, co-workers, and people throughout the nursery and farming industry – to celebrate the life of family member and long-time DWN owner, Robert Woolley.  Woolley passed away in May after a long illness.

    Woolley was born in Stockton, CA in 1949.  After graduating from high school in Modesto in 1967, Woolley attended San Francisco State University, where he studied traditional and artistic woodworking.  He later became an expert cabinet maker and award-winning furniture designer.

    Woolley later applied the same diligence and creation of exceptional quality to developing and commercializing nut, fruit and ornamental tree cultivars.  After moving to the Central Valley with his wife, Jane Wynne Woolley, and their daughter Erica in 1980, he joined his father-in-law, John Wynne, in managing DWN in Hickman.  The Nursery had been founded in 1938 by Dave Wilson, Jane’s grandfather.  In 1989, Robert and Jane acquired the company, preserving its identity as a family‑owned enterprise while professionalizing and expanding its operations.  Under their 30+ year leadership, the nursery added the 640‑acre Red Rock Ranch in 1996, incorporated in 1999, and grew to farm more than 1,000 acres and produce over four million trees annually for both commercial orchards and the home‑garden trade.  Robert’s leadership positioned DWN as the nation’s largest producer of fruit, nut, and shade trees.

    Robert’s ownership coincided with some of the most important varietal and rootstock innovations in modern orchard crops.  Continuing John Wynne’s close relationship with Zaiger Genetics, Robert positioned DWN as the private propagator and exclusive U.S. licensor for many of their introductions, including key rootstock advances and the Independence® self‑fertile almond.  He called Independence® “huge” for growers, as it reduced reliance on pollinizer rows and beehives.

    Robert Woolley, prior owner of Dave Wilson Nursery, advanced the tree nursery industry. Most notably, during his tenure he released Independence almond, the first self-fruitful almond cultivar, developed by Zaiger Genetics.

    For decades, Woolley and other team members gathered at Zaiger Genetics every Wednesday during fruit season to taste-test and discuss prospective new varieties.  In cherries, Woolley promoted the use of inter-stem rootstocks to widen the range of “cherry ground,” enabling production on soils previously considered unsuitable.  He often shared this practical knowledge with growers in California and beyond.  Beyond commercial varieties, he supported the preservation and propagation of non‑commercial heirloom apple cultivars.

    Off the farm, Woolley played a central role in advancing clean‑plant and nursery certification programs.  A respected industry statesman, he chaired the California Fruit Tree, Nut Tree and Grapevine Improvement Advisory Board, which advises the California Department of Food & Agriculture on registration and certification of nursery stock and funds research to improve plant health. At UC Davis, he served as one of the co‑chairs of the UCD – Industry Task Force that reshaped the Foundation Plant Materials Service (now Foundation Plant Services).  Nationally, he testified before both the US House Agriculture Subcommittee on Livestock and Horticulture and the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, speaking on behalf of the nursery and greenhouse sector about labor, specialty crop competitiveness, and the critical need for a robust National Clean Plant Network. He also worked closely with regulators and researchers on issues such as nematode certification and fumigation alternatives, emphasizing “zero tolerance” standards for nursery stock destined for commercial orchards.

    Colleagues remember Woolley as combining a designer’s eye with a plantsman’s pragmatism—someone equally at home discussing joinery, color and form as he was talking about rootstocks, fumigants, or clean‑plant protocols.  His work took him across California, the Pacific Northwest, Canada, and internationally to Mexico, Spain, Australia, and elsewhere, sharing expertise on tree selection, propagation, and orchard establishment.  His collaborative spirit was evidenced at his Celebration of Life event, where almost every major California tree nursery was represented.

    Through his intelligence and passion, creativity and competence, Woolley advanced the fruit and nut tree industry in California and beyond, enriching the lives of those around him along the way.

    Woolley has reunited with his wife, Jane, who passed away in 2007. Woolley is survived by his daughter Erica, the current owner of DWN.

  • Christine Roth Welcomed as New Oregon Hazelnut Industry Executive

    Oregon Hazelnut Industry Office — The Oregon hazelnut industry is pleased to announce the appointment of Christine Roth as its new Executive Director. In this role, Roth will provide leadership for the Oregon Hazelnut Commission, Hazelnut Marketing Board, Associated Oregon Hazelnut Industries, and the Nut Growers Society.

    Roth brings an accomplished record of leadership across the public and private sectors, with particular focus on agriculture, agribusiness, and higher education. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong respect for the growers and producers who form the foundation of Oregon’s agricultural success.

    Her connection to farming runs deep. Raised in agriculture, Roth developed an early appreciation for the commitment and creativity required of producers. Those formative experiences gave her both empathy for the challenges farmers face and insight into the opportunities that shape agricultural markets.

    Professionally, Roth has built bridges between research, business, and government to strengthen industries and open new opportunities. While at Oregon State University, she advanced corporate and academic partnerships that connected programming and research with industry operations and business organizations. Her work forged collaborations among diverse stakeholders, demonstrating her ability to bring together different perspectives in support of shared goals.

    Additionally, Roth has firsthand experience managing a commodity commission and trade association. She successfully guided one of Oregon’s leading agricultural organizations – Oregon Wine Board and Oregon Wine Growers Association – through a period of growth and heightened visibility. Under her direction, the organization expanded marketing efforts, strengthened government relations, and advanced research programs essential to producers. This experience underscores her ability to manage commissions with discipline while enhancing their market position both domestically and internationally.

    Roth has also built a strong record in business development. She has secured significant funding, created lasting partnerships, and designed strategies that help businesses remain competitive in an evolving marketplace. Her combination of operational skill and strategic vision will be essential as Oregon hazelnuts continue to grow in global recognition while preserving the premium quality that has become their hallmark.

    “Oregon hazelnuts hold a special place in the state’s agricultural landscape,” Roth said. “This industry has grown tremendously while earning a reputation for exceptional quality. The unified office will focus on serving growers and producers by strengthening governance, advancing research and marketing initiatives, and sustaining the momentum that has made Oregon hazelnuts such a success story.”

    Her appointment also signals a continued commitment to collaboration with research and educational institutions, including Oregon State University, which has long been a critical partner in developing innovative solutions for growers. Drawing on her experience in higher education and public service, Roth is well positioned to build stronger partnerships with universities, business leaders, sponsors, and policymakers who support the industry’s future growth.

    As Executive Director, Roth will oversee the combined activities of the four organizations that make up the Oregon Hazelnut Industry. Through her leadership, the office will serve as a reliable hub for growers, producers, processors, and stakeholders, emphasizing clarity, responsiveness, and collaboration as the Oregon hazelnut industry is poised to strengthen its reputation for quality, expand its global markets, and secure long-term success for growers and producers across the state.

  • Blue Diamond Growers Details Actions to Maximize Grower Returns, Honors George Goshgarian Jr

    Blue Diamond Growers, the world’s leading almond cooperative, held its 115th annual meeting on Nov. 19 in Modesto, highlighting a year defined by bold operational decisions and strategic transformation.

    Kai Bockmann, president and CEO, Blue Diamond Growers, shared with growers in attendance that the cooperative navigated a challenging year by responding with urgency and clarity to strengthen long-term competitiveness and grower returns.

    “Our industry is facing real headwinds, from rising input costs and pest-related crop damage to persistent market volatility,” Bockmann said. “But we

    must stay focused on what matters most: maximizing returns for our growers while building a cooperative that will thrive for generations to come. The actions we are taking position us to do exactly that.”

    At the meeting, Blue Diamond’s leadership outlined concrete steps taken to enhance operational efficiency and strengthen the cooperative’s market position across three strategic pillars.

    Transforming Operations to Drive Efficiency

    Earlier this year the cooperative announced plans to close its Sacramento manufacturing plant and consolidate operations to the existing Turlock and Salida facilities. The move will maximize efficiencies while moving the manufacturing facilities even closer to the almond-growing regions that are at the heart of the cooperative. The transition strengthens both efficiency and sustainability while honoring Blue Diamond’s commitment to growers.

    “It comes down to one fundamental thing: build a stronger and more profitable Blue Diamond that provides the best return for our growers’ almonds,” Bockmann said. “We’ve made the tough calls this year with decisions that position us for long-term success.”

    Driving Brand Performance and Innovations

    Despite category softness, Blue Diamond maintained the No. 1 position in both Almondmilk and Snack Almonds. The cooperative executed its first brand refresh in more than two decades, laying critical groundwork for renewed consumer engagement. The year saw the successful launch of new product lines including Almonds and More mixed nuts and almond-fruit produce blends in partnership with Oppy® to help establish a presence and ignite growth in the produce section. Additionally, limited-time flavors – including Cherry Slurpee® and Mike’s Hot Honey® – drove consumer excitement and helped the brand remain top-of-mind in a competitive marketplace.

    Expanding within International Markets

    Blue Diamond continues to expand its international footprint across multiple regions and segments. In Canada, the cooperative grew distribution with major retailers at a pace faster than both category and private-label growth. Strategic beverage partnerships and pipeline opportunities took shape in Japan, while new flavor tests launched across Europe for broader retailer expansion. The cooperative also strengthened its core almond segment leadership with in-shell almonds showing impressive growth in key markets including India, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates.

    Announcing the 2025 Chairman’s Grower Ambassador of the Year Award

    At the annual meeting, Blue Diamond’s Board Chairman Steve Van Duyn presented the 2025 Chairman’s Grower Ambassador Award to George Goshgarian Jr., a Blue Diamond grower whose family has farmed with the cooperative for nearly 50 years. Goshgarian Jr. is from Fresno and is completing his MBA at Fresno Pacific University School of Business.

    For more than 13 years, Goshgarian Jr. has served in various capacities at the Almond Board of California, including the Environmental Committee, Almond Quality and Food Safety Services Committee, and Strategic Ag Innovation Committee. He also served on the Board of Directors for eight years, including two terms as vice chair. He values being part of a team that creates solutions to challenging industry issues and serves as a voice for farmers.

    “Serving at the Almond Board gives even the smallest farming operation a seat at the table,” Goshgarian Jr. said. “I’ve been very proud to represent Blue Diamond at the Almond Board of California for more than a decade.”

    Bockmann concluded the annual meeting with remarks reflecting the cooperative’s readiness for the years ahead.

    “Our balance sheet is strong, our strategy is clear, and our team is energized to execute,” he said. “The coming year – and beyond – is about translating strategy into results. We do this in service to our growers, and we’re confident in the direction and path forward.”

    About Blue Diamond

    Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing approximately 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients, and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs more than 1,800 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops. To learn more about Blue Diamond Growers, visit www.bluediamond.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn and Twitter.

  • California FFA Partners with Blue Diamond Growers to “Give the Gift of Blue” on Giving Tuesday

    This Giving Tuesday, the California FFA Foundation and Blue Diamond Growers are teaming up to make twice the impact through the “Give the Gift of Blue” campaign. On December 2, 2025, Blue Diamond Growers will match every donation, dollar for dollar, up to $25,000, providing FFA jackets to deserving members statewide.

    “For the last nine years, our partnership with Blue Diamond Growers has created a lasting tradition of giving back through the ‘Gift of Blue’ campaign,” said Emily Rooney, chair of the California FFA Foundation and president of the Agricultural Council of California. “With their support, we have collectively raised over $525,285, providing 5,717 FFA jackets to members throughout California—a remarkable effort and true testament to the generosity within the agriculture community.”

    With California’s record-breaking membership of more than 108,000 middle and high school students, the demand for blue jacketshas never been greater. The iconic blue jacket stands as more than just a part of the official FFA uniform; it also embodies the values of leadership and rich agricultural tradition instilled in FFA members for nearly 100 years.

    “Blue Diamond is, once again, pleased to match funds dollar for dollar up to $25,000 to support FFA students in receiving their iconic, blue jackets,” said Mel Machado, Blue Diamond Growers chief agricultural officer and California FFA Foundation board member. “As a century-old farmer-owned cooperative, our legacy depends on supporting the next generation of farmers. FFA students are bright, dedicated, hardworking, and learn valuable skills to ensure the future of farming. Blue Diamond Growers is honored to support the FFA mission.”

    Beyond Giving Tuesday, Blue Diamond Growers has been a steadfast ally to FFA and agricultural education, extending support through sponsorships of various proficiencies and awards. Last year, Blue Diamond Growers was awarded the Distinguished Service Citation from the National FFA Organization. This esteemed honor is given to a select group of organizations, agencies, businesses, or other groups that have made outstanding contributions to FFA.

    With 115 years of agricultural history in Northern California and the participation of approximately 3,000 family growers responsible for producing almonds for the world, Blue Diamond Growers is a premier example of a legacy of excellence.

    To discover more about the California FFA Foundation’s Giving Tuesday initiative or to contribute, please visit www.calaged.org/givingtuesday. Follow California FFA on Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

    About the California FFA Foundation

    California FFA Foundation serves more than 108,000 California students and strives to make a difference in their lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success through educational education. To learn more about the California FFA, visit calaged.org.

    Facebook: @CaliforniaFFA | LinkedIn: @California-FFA-Association | Instagram: @californiaffa | TikTok: @officialcaliforniaffa

    About Blue Diamond Growers®

    Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing approximately 3,000 of California’s almond growers, is the world’s leading almond marketer and processor. Established in 1910, it created the California almond industry and opened world markets for almonds. Blue Diamond is dedicated to delivering the benefits of almonds around the world and does so by providing high-quality almonds, almond ingredients, and branded products. Headquartered in Sacramento, the company employs about 1,300 people throughout its processing plants, receiving stations and gift shops. To learn more about Blue Diamond Growers, visit www.bluediamond.com and follow the company on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.

  • Healthy Soil, Stronger Crops: How Live, Native Microalgae is Transforming California Farming

    —SPONSORED CONTENT—

    Across California, growers are seeing measurable gains in yield, water efficiency, and soil health, all thanks to live, native microalgae.

    California growers know that every drop of water, every inch of root zone, and every dollar spent matters. With drought, salinity, and floods happening nearly every year, the margin between surviving and thriving often lies beneath the surface, in the soil.

    Healthy soil is alive with organisms that each play a role in supporting crop growth. Some, like earthworms, are easy to see, while others work on the microscopic level. Among these tiny contributors are microalgae, which naturally occur in most soils and help drive key biological processes like root development, soil structure, and water and nutrient availability. When microalgae are thriving, the whole soil system becomes stronger and more productive.

    That’s where MyLand’s Soil as a Service™ comes in. MyLand, a soil health company based in Phoenix, is returning live, native microalgae to the soil through growers’ existing irrigation systems, helping farms rebuild biological activity and unlock the full potential of their land.

    The results, verified by independent third-party data, speak for themselves. In 2024, California farms using MyLand saw:

    • 168% increase in harvested pistachios during an off-bearing year
    • 23% more marketable citrus fruit per acre
    • 4% less soil sodium
    • 32% higher organic carbon
    • 50% drop in tree water stress

    For California nut growers like Justin Wylie and Joe Coelho, MyLand’s Service is helping rewrite what’s possible for long-term soil health and profitability.

    Building resilience in pistachio orchards: Justin Wylie’s story

    At Wylie Farms, a fifth-generation pistachio operation in California’s Central Valley, Justin Wylie has spent years watching extreme weather push his soil to its limits. Heavy rains once meant phytophthora, runoff, and erosion, while drought cycles left the ground compacted and trees under stress.

    That trajectory began to change when he adopted regenerative practices, including the integration of live, native microalgae through the MyLand Service. His orchards began to thrive even during intense rain, with stronger ground cover and native grasses helping stabilize sloped terrain and minimize erosion.

    The addition of microalgae quickly became central to his soil health strategy. Supporting the soil with live biology helped jumpstart broader microbial activity, which in turn supported nutrient cycling and improved water dynamics.

    With soil function improving year-over-year, Justin was able to scale back chemical inputs without sacrificing yield or crop quality, thereby sidestepping the typical ‘J curve’ many growers experience when transitioning to regenerative systems.

    Healthier soil has also meant less tree stress and more efficient water use. This change has helped Justin create a foundation of resilience that now carries his orchards through both wet and dry years. His message to fellow growers is practical and encouraging: “Take the smallest amount of acreage that you can stand to lose the crop on, which is, of course, a worst-case scenario. My goal has been to not experience any sort of drop-off in production and quality. And I think we’ve been successful.”

    Now, Justin’s trees are more resilient, his soil is more balanced, and his operation is better positioned for the next generation.

    From skeptic to advocate: Joe Coelho’s journey at Terra Linda Farms

    A few hours south, in Riverdale, California, Joe Coelho was facing familiar challenges at Terra Linda Farms. Saline soils, uneven infiltration, and the constant pressure of water scarcity were daily stressors. After nearly four decades of farming pistachios and almonds, Joe had seen countless improvement options come and go.

    “I’ve seen a lot of solutions over the years,” he said. “But some of the changes I’ve seen with MyLand are very shocking and in a good way. It’s the first time in my career I’ve seen something move this fast.”

    Skeptical at first, Joe decided to try MyLand’s Service on 600 acres. Within two years, the data told a clear story. He cut nitrogen use by 30%, replaced $450 per acre of inputs, and maintained the same yields.

    MyLand’s soil analysis confirmed rapid improvements:

    • +359% organic phosphorus reserves
    • +428% total phosphorus
    • +98% iron availability

    “Part of my problem is just having enough time in the day to do everything,” he said. “Just having MyLand as a one-stop shop for a lot of different solutions is fantastic and saves a lot of headaches at the end of the day.” As a fully managed service provider, MyLand requires no extra effort from growers.

    As Director of Sustainability and Member Outreach for the American Pistachio Growers, Joe now shares his experience with peers facing the same challenges. “It’s not just about yields,” he said. “It’s about reducing complexity, farming more efficiently, and solving multiple problems with one solution.”

    A future rooted in healthy soil

    From Wylie’s pistachio orchards to Coelho’s mixed nut farms, a clear theme is emerging across California agriculture: live, native microalgae do the job. By restoring the living foundation of soil, MyLand’s Service is helping growers achieve measurable results faster than conventional methods alone.

    For California farmers navigating water limits, soil salinity, and rising costs, the path forward is simple: let biology do the work.

    Visit MyLand.ag to learn more.

  • 2025 Results of Pre-Emergent Herbicide Demonstration Trial for Walnut

    The 2025 UCCE walnut pre-emergent herbicide demonstration trial is completed, and the results show strengths and weaknesses of 19 different herbicide treatments, applied either in February or March.

    Takeaways:

    1. All treatments were applied with a strong post-emergent mix, but hairy fleabane and white clover were not adequately controlled with post-emergent treatments alone. Control was dependent on the addition of an ALS inhibitor herbicide (products like Craze, Matrix, or Mission).

    2. Summer annual weeds were best controlled by products with long residuals (products like Alion, Chateau, Brake On! (not registered in CA), and Prowl.

    3. Yellow nutsedge was controlled by treatments with Zeus or Craze.

    4. Conclusion: Pre-emergent treatments in late winter must account for winter annual weeds that have already emerged and perennial weeds while also maintaining good residual control further into the summer.

    Introduction

    Winter pre-emergent herbicide applications are critical to get right if yearly weed management operations are going to be successful in walnut orchards. Poor selection of herbicides or missed timing could make the difference between good control and battling an overwhelming infestation of weeds. In walnut orchards I have regularly heard two comments concerning pre-emergent herbicide applications in walnut orchards:

    1. Those who apply pre-emergent herbicides in the fall, just after harvest, tend to have the cleanest orchards.

    2. February or March are the most common times to apply pre-emergent herbicides in walnut orchards.

    Maybe my perception is incorrect, but these weed control strategies seem to be at odds. When it comes to winter annual weeds, it is likely safest to apply pre-emergent herbicides before germination due to several common weed species with herbicide resistance issues (hairy fleabane, Italian ryegrass, annual bluegrass). Applications later in the winter will have to deal with emerged weeds, potentially resulting in more escapes and misses.

    However, herbicide treatments in February or March are common, and many growers have been successful with these treatments. Why is this, and what is the key to achieving good control later in the winter? Success at later timings depends on how much post-emergent activity you are getting out of your tank mix. Some pre-emergent herbicides can contribute to your post-emergent activity. Common pre-emergent herbicides like Goal, Chateau, Matrix, Pindar, and others add some extra post-emergent activity to tank mixes when used in winter months. Dr. Brad Hanson (UCCE Weed Specialist at UC Davis) discussed this topic when he addressed tank mixes of Alion and Matrix in his UC Weed Science Blog article (linked here). My recent work with rimsulfuron on established johnsongrass also explored this subject (linked here). These prior discussions focused on rimsulfuron products as tank mix partners for pre-emergent applications, but I wanted test a broader range of products applied in February and March. This year’s walnut preemergent herbicide demonstration made some progress toward that goal.

    I will discuss my findings next, and at the end of this article I have included results tables. All products except one are currently labeled for use in walnut orchards, though with some restrictions on orchard age. The one unlabeled product in this study was Brake On!, manufactured by SePRO, currently pending registration in CA. This is not an exhaustive list, and the data provided here does not constitute a recommendation of any product.

    Trial design

    In 2025, I arranged my pre-emergent demonstration trial to evaluate individual products and tank mixes for weed control efficacy when applied in February and March. This trial was installed in the Loybas Hill region of Tehama County, in a 4-year-old walnut orchard with Tehama silt loam soil. A post-emergent mix of 2 qt/A Roundup Powermax 3 and 2 qt/A Rely 280 was added to every plot in February, and pre-emergent herbicides were applied either in the mix, or one month later in March. The tables at the end of this article show the full list of treatments and when they were applied. The first table represents weeds that were present at application, hairy fleabane and white clover. The second represents weeds that grew to be prominent in May and June, so their control depended on residual activity from my herbicide treatments lasting long into the summer.

    Results overview

    White Clover and Hairy Fleabane (Table 1): Both weeds were controlled by all three group 2 herbicides tested: Craze, Revolt, and Mission. Revolt was weaker on fleabane while Craze was weaker on clover and these differences also showed up in the tank mix treatments with both products applied with Prowl. February and March treatments with these three herbicides produced very similar results. The 12 fl oz/A rate of Chateau also effectively suppressed both species.

    Summer annual weeds (Table 2): The primary weeds in the categories recorded here were grass weeds (jungle rice and large crabgrass) and broadleaf weeds (prostrate knotweed, spurge, and pigweed). Many herbicides provided good control until June (3-4 months after treatment) but only Alion, Brake on! (not currently labeled for CA), and March-applied Mission maintained “good” control of broadleaves through July. Only Alion and Prowl maintained “good” control of grasses through July.

    Yellow Nutsedge (YNS; Table 2): Zeus was the best tested product for nutsedge control, but Craze also showed some effects in July by keeping nutsedge coverage low. Rimsulfuron products like Matrix and Revolt are also labeled for YNS control, but labels suggest sequential applications, and the application timings used in this trial may not have been ideal to target YNS with this product.

    Summary and cautions:

    This is a single trial only representing one weed population and one soil type, so results may vary by location. However, hopefully this demonstrates the importance of tank mixing to control emerged weeds as well as future emergence. Group 2 herbicides like Revolt, Mission, and Craze can provide good post-emergent control in addition to their pre-emergent activity. But be cautious, this herbicide group is notorious for herbicide resistance. Do not overuse this class of herbicides or you will likely start seeing weeds escaping your treatments.

    Look through the following tables if you are interested in seeing more information on efficacy in these trials. To see weed coverage data, view the report on the UCCE Tehama website here. Thanks to the California Walnut Commission for supporting this work. For any questions or additional information, contact Ryan Hill at 530-527-3101 or rjahill@ucanr.edu. — By Ryan Hill, UCCE Agronomy and Weed Science Advisor, Tehama County

    Weed control tables:

    Control was determined by calculating % reduction in weed coverage, relative to the plot with the worst infestation. Control is summarized by four categories. These categories may not represent each grower’s threshold of tolerance for weed control, but they can still provide relative comparisons between the products tested.

    Poor control is indicated by a “p”, representing control between 0 and 50%.

    Moderate control is indicted by an “m”, representing control between 50 and 70%.

    Good control is indicated by a “g” and highlighted light green, representing control between 70 and 90%.

    Excellent control is indicated by an “e” and highlighted dark green, representing control between 90 and 100%.

    Table 1: The effect of different pre-emergent herbicides on two weeds that were present at application, hairy fleabane and white clover.

    Table 2: The effect of different pre-emergent herbicides on weeds that germinated or sprouted in summer. Summer annual broadleaves included prostrate spurge, knotweed, and pigweed and summer annual grasses were primarily crabgrass and jungle rice.

  • AI Tool to Help Farmers Measure Real-Time Crop Health from the Field

    Leaf Monitor, a new mobile tool backed by artificial intelligence and predictive modeling, could revolutionize how farmers monitor crops and make decisions by providing real-time nutrition and leaf trait information in the field.

    “Having this information is very valuable for the farmers,” said Alireza Pourreza, associate professor of Cooperative Extension and director of the Digital Agriculture Laboratory in the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering at the University of California, Davis. “In five seconds, they can have a sense of how much nutrition they have in a leaf.”

    Development of the AI model was funded by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Institute of Food and Agriculture’s HiRes Vineyard Nutrition multistate project and its Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service, as well as the California Table Grape Commission.

    Maha Afifi, director of viticulture research at the California Table Grape Commission, said the tool could be a game changer for the table grape industry if it leads to faster decision-making about fertilizer use. The right amount typically leads to healthier vines that produce more grapes with optimal size, weight and color.

    “The evaluation of vine nutrient status is one of our top priorities,” Afifi said. “At the same time, exploring new technology tools like this project is a high priority for us because they will be important to the future of the table grape industry.”

    Field testing

    The Leaf Monitor tool uses a handheld spectrometer to measure leaf reflectance beyond the range of light visible to the human eye.

    Once a leaf is scanned, its spectral data is uploaded to a cloud-based machine learning system designed to predict leaf traits and nutrient content. This algorithm was developed and trained by the Digital Agriculture Laboratory over five years using a dataset of thousands of leaf samples collected from California’s specialty crops, primarily grapevines and almonds. The samples were chemically analyzed to determine nutrient levels and structural leaf traits, providing the data needed to build an accurate prediction model.

    “Nutrient deficiencies in plants often go unnoticed until late in the season, by which point the damage is already irreversible,” said graduate student Parastoo Farajpoor, who is running the project. “This is why early detection is essential. Spectrometry provides a rapid and reliable way to identify these deficiencies before visible symptoms appear.”

    After a recent demonstration, Bulleseye Farms Irrigation Manager Geoff Klein said the tool could help save money and improve yields. Bullseye grows walnuts, pistachios, tomatoes, corn, wheat, rice and sunflowers in Yolo and Solano counties.

    Tailored crop management

    Currently, farmers typically take leaf samples, dry them, grind them up and send the samples off to a lab for testing, which can take up to two weeks to return results. Bullseye samples leaf tissues about three times a year.

    “Right now, it doesn’t really make sense to go out and take tissues in every single corner just because it’s expensive,” Klein said. “It’d be really cool if I could just walk out there and test a couple of different places.”

    The Leaf Monitor tool helps farmers tailor management decisions to specific areas rather than an entire field. Calibrating fertilizer use to real-time data can prevent overuse and nitrogen runoff, a financial and environmental challenge that many growers face.

    “I feel like there’s a lot of times we do need to put less [fertilizer] on, where we end up putting more, because that’s what the nitrogen removal formula says,” Klein said. “But with this app we can use less because we know the actual conditions at the time. I think it opens a lot of doors in terms of getting data back in real time and also utilizing the level of control we have with the data.”

    The app can also aggregate the scans and map out spatial patterns over a large area.

    “What we know is every field has variability that is not necessarily visible to the farmer’s eye,” Pourreza said.

    The prototype Leaf Monitor tool is free and included in a set of tools that can be downloaded on the Digital Agriculture Laboratory website. A web-based version of the tool will follow while the team continues to feed new data into the algorithm to refine the predictions. On average, it achieves about 65% accuracy across all traits, with predictions for certain nutrients, such as nitrogen and phosphorus, performing better than the overall average. Users will need to pair it with a spectrometer.

    “We need to produce more food while using less resources so we need to have some kind of monitoring system to give us precise and accurate feedback on our management practice,” Pourreza said. “This technology is growing very fast.” — By Emily Dooley, UC Davis

  • Turning Food Scraps into Opportunities

    For every juicy tomato or crunchy almond California grows, there’s a pile of pulp, hulls or scraps that often goes to waste. A new online tool, created by University of California, Davis researchers, tracks those agricultural byproducts aiming to find innovative ways to put them to use.

    The Byproduct Database, maintained by the AI Institute for Next Generation Food Systems, is an ongoing research project that includes a catalog of byproducts like fruit skins and nut shells, and potential ways to reuse them across different industries.

    Edward “Ned” Spang, principal investigator and associate professor with the Department of Food Science and Technology, said about one third of the food produced worldwide, doesn’t get eaten. The database consolidates information about food waste in one place, detailing what the various leftovers are made of and where they’re available in the state. Spang believes it could help guide decisions on reducing waste by potentially turning these materials into new products for food, cosmetics or pharmaceutical industries.

    “In the food production space, there’s a lot of edible material, or potentially valuable material, that’s been overlooked for a long time as waste,” Spang said. “So, the questions we are trying to understand include: ‘How much of this material is out there? What is it composed of? Where is it? When is it available?’”

    Tomatoes, almonds, pistachios and pomegranates

    The pilot phase of the database currently features four major crops: tomatoes, almonds, pistachios and pomegranates. As the research team continues to gather data, they will update the site to include other crops and byproducts, including wine grapes, stone fruits and citrus. In collaboration with Ilias Tagkopoulos with the Department of Computer Science, Spang is looking into developing and applying AI tools to expand the site faster and with less manual work.

    For pistachios, the website illustrates that the largest byproduct is the hull, which is often discarded, and that undersized pistachios could be a valuable resource if there was a market for it. The website helps outline the various byproducts for potential upcycling, where leftovers are transformed into new ingredients. Local companies are already developing new products using materials such as brewers’ spent grain (a byproduct of beer production), okara (a fibrous byproduct from soymilk production) and grape pomace (leftovers from winemaking).

    Researchers are looking at where food gets lost in the field and at the processing plant. With tomatoes, some get damaged on the vine, others get tossed out for not meeting quality standards. Spang said those leftovers, or side streams, are opportunities for upcycling.

    “It’s a material that’s already been cultivated, harvested and processed, so anything you do that’s economically productive means that all the resources embedded in that material, like fertilizer, water and energy, were not wasted in vain,” said Spang, who also directs the Robert Mondavi Institute of Wine and Food Science. “It is a real win-win opportunity.”

    Finding new uses

    The skin and pulp of a tomato contain lycopene, an antioxidant known for its health benefits. Users of the website can visualize where these leftover tomato parts, and its valuable lycopene, are found, helping to imagine new ways to make use of this healthy compound.

    “We expect our primary user to be entrepreneurs who are looking for new business models in upcycling, or who might have an advanced extraction technology to derive value from some of these overlooked materials,” Spang explained. “But producers and growers would also benefit as new revenue streams deliver value up and down the food supply chain.”

    The database will soon include cost estimates and economic variables to help users make more informed decisions. This will allow them to assess factors like how much lycopene is in a byproduct, its value per milligram and the costs associated with extracting it.

    New space for agricultural innovation on campus

    The research project is funded by a grant from the Resnick Agricultural Innovation Research Fund, created by a $50 million gift by Lynda and Stewart Resnick, co-owners of The Wonderful Company. Part of that donation also establishes the Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation, currently under construction on campus, that will include a large space for biomass staging and extraction, a process to pull valuable compounds from fruits, vegetables and grain residues.

    Food waste happens, but this work is helping build a food system that wastes less and supports sustainability, which Spang hopes will excite everyone.

    “We have to be a little more creative with our food system,” he said. “We can make our current food system more productive by investigating novel upcycling ideas and processing systems that create more revenue for producers and hopefully deliver more value to consumers as well.” — By Tiffany Dobbyn, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, UC Davis, tadobbyn@ucdavis.edu

  • Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo Awarded Almond Champion of the Year

    The Almond Alliance is pleased to announce Assemblywoman Alexandra Macedo as the recipient of the 2025 Almond Champion of the Year Award. Assemblywoman Macedo is being recognized for her leadership on key issues affecting California agriculture and the almond industry. She has advanced efforts to address abandoned agricultural properties and invasive species, supported improvements to water infrastructure and wildfire prevention, and worked to reduce fuel costs for Californians. Her practical approach and engagement on agricultural policy reflect a strong commitment to the state’s farming communities.

    “Assemblywoman Macedo has taken a thoughtful, solutions-oriented approach to some of the biggest challenges facing California agriculture,” said Alexi Rodriguez, CEO of the Almond Alliance. “Her focus on abandoned land, water infrastructure, and wildfire prevention demonstrates an understanding of the pressures facing the almond industry today.”

    The Almond Champion of the Year Award is presented annually to individuals who demonstrate leadership in education, coalition building, partnerships, and the advancement of policies that support California agriculture, including the almond industry. Assemblywoman Macedo’s efforts reflect the purpose and spirit of this recognition.

    Past recipients of this prestigious award include Assemblymember Juan Alanis, Department of Water Resources, Assemblymember Adam Gray, Assemblymember Heath Flora, former USDA State Executive Director of Farm Service Agency Connie Conway, Assemblymember Carlos Villapudua, and CDFA Undersecretary Christie Birdsong.

    The award will be formally presented to Assemblywoman Macedo at the California Almond Political Action Committee’s Annual Modesto Fundraiser, taking place at Del Rio Country Club on November 5, 2025, at 5:30 p.m. This event brings together members of the almond community, FFA students, elected officials, and special guests.

    For RSVPs or more information, please contact Annie Romero at 209-300-7140 or aromero@almondalliance.org.

    About the Almond Alliance

    Almond Alliance is the leading authority in state and national policy, championing American almond farmers, industry, and community for the continued global growth, innovation, and success of American almonds and agriculture.

    Established in 1980, the Almond Alliance is a non-profit trade association with a local and international network of almond processors, hullers/shellers, growers, and allied businesses. The Alliance is dedicated to providing resources and solutions for our members, ensuring industry success and growth opportunities. Learn more at almondalliance.org.

  • Inaugural $100,000 Grant Program to Advance Honey Bee Health and Beekeeping Innovation

    Sweet Harvest Foods, the largest producer of raw, unfiltered honey and parent company of Nate’s Honey and Nate’s Hives, today announced the launch of Nate’s Hives Research Grant Program, reinforcing its commitment to advance the long-term success and sustainability of honey bees and the honey industry through science, innovation and collaboration.

    The program will provide up to $100,000 in annual funding for research projects that strengthen honey bee health, improve sustainable beekeeping practices, and drive innovation in pollination practices and across the honey supply chain. Proposals may be submitted by academic institutions, nonprofit organizations and industry researchers, with funding available for projects up to three years in duration.

    “As the industry leader in honey and a top apiary, we believe scale brings both responsibility and opportunity, and the honey industry’s future depends on science and collaboration,” said Michael Carle, Chief Executive Officer of Sweet Harvest Foods. “Through the Nate’s Hives Research Grant Program, we’re investing in the kind of research that will strengthen honey bee health, advance sustainable beekeeping practices and support pollination, a more resilient food ecosystem and the honey industry. Innovation has always been central to how we operate and it’s more important now than ever to fuel continued progress.”

    Proposals may address one or more of the following areas of focus: honey bee health, sustainable beekeeping practices, environmental impacts, supply chain innovation, consumer demand and nutritional impacts, or trade policy and production economics. Each submission will be evaluated by a volunteer review board composed of Sweet Harvest Foods employees and external experts from academia and the beekeeping industry.

    “At Nate’s Hives, we believe science can and should shape the future of beekeeping,” said Matt Halbgewachs, president of Nate’s Hives. “This grant program puts that belief into action and empowers researchers to uncover solutions that help honey bees and beekeepers everywhere. By linking researched insights with on-the-ground experience, we accelerate progress for honey bees, beekeepers, farmers and consumers alike.”

    Applications are due March 1, 2026, with awards announced on April 15, 2026. For full eligibility details, proposal requirements and submission instructions, visit nateshives.com/research-grant-program.

    About Sweet Harvest Foods

    We believe in making life a little sweeter. As the leading procurer of honey in the U.S., Sweet Harvest Foods provides the highest-quality ingredients for some of the most iconic brands and beloved products. That’s a serious responsibility, which is why we keep innovating and setting higher standards in quality, taste and reliability. Sweet Harvest Foods is bolstered by its ownership of Nate’s Honey, the number-one branded honey, and Nate’s Hives, a top U.S. apiary. Join us on our mission to lead the honey industry by innovating from the hive to beyond the kitchen. For more information, visit www.sweetharvestfoods.com.