Pacific Nut Producer Magazine

Tag: USDA NRCS

  • Roller Crimping – A Cover Crop Termination Option

    With the end of harvest comes the beginning of winter prep work. One practice that provides a bevy of positive impacts for orchards is planting a winter cover crop. Adding organic matter to the soil via cover crops can improve water infiltration and water holding capacity of the soil. Fixing nitrogen and breaking up compacted soil can also be achieved by selecting appropriate species for your cover crop mix.

    While the benefits of winter cover cropping in orchards are well-known, the particulars of when and how to terminate the cover crop can be overwhelming. Using herbicides to terminate a crop can be expensive, and achieving good coverage can be difficult with large amounts of biomass. Mowing or tilling can disrupt the soil, losing some of the accumulated carbon. Annie Edwards and Margaret Smither-Kopperl with the USDA recently released a report on termination using a roller crimper in orchard systems. Their findings show that, while this can be a great tool to maximize the benefits of cover cropping, roller crimping works best with certain cover crop species and growth stages.

    Figure 1. Roller crimper implement. Photo credit: Tracy Robillard, USDA NRCS.

    Roller crimping is a common practice in other parts of the country but had not yet been studied in California orchard systems. A roller crimper is a drum-shaped implement with blunt curved blades (Figure 1.) that rolls over and crushes down the vegetation without disturbing the roots. This creates a mat of biomass over the soil’s surface, similar to mulch. This has been shown to reduce soil temperatures, conserve soil moisture, decrease erosion, and reduce herbicide use. The timing of roller crimping is critical; too early and you won’t have enough biomass produced to adequately cover the soil and provide the desired benefits. Too late and the cover crop may have produced seed that can germinate in the current season, depending on irrigation practices and precipitation.

    Research completed at the USDA’s Lockeford Plant Materials Center compared four different cover crop seed mixes to determine how well the roller crimper terminated each. Additionally, each of the four mixes was crimped at 6 different times to evaluate which growth stage was most successful for termination. Data on “bounce back” (when plants stood back up and continued to grow) as well as regrowth, biomass, vegetative stage, and cover crop canopy height were collected.

    • Results showed that the brassica mix “bounced back” and regrew when roller crimped too early. Termination with the roller crimper was most effective when these species were at least a week into flowering, with termination remaining effective through “seed maturing” stage.This termination timing allowed for good biomass accumulation,  and the study notes that the brassica mix formed a vegetative mat when crimped, which is the ultimate goal of this termination technique.
    • The fava beans alone remained crimped after the plants had visible early pods reaching about 3/16”. The fava beans and the brassica mix were the only treatments that were completely successfully terminated with the crimper.
    • The “annual plow down” mix, consisting of oats, vetch, peas and fava beans, showed best results when crimped at early visible pods in the fava. This mix also had the largest biomass accumulation over the season. However, the oats in the mix had a high rate of “bounce back”. Crimping was not an ideal method of termination for this mix.
    • The triticale crop continued to regrow when crimped too early. Crimping was most successful for this species after the plants started to flower. However, even then, the triticale “bounced back” and was never fully successfully crimped.

    Ultimately, roller crimping is most effective for termination of cover crop mixes without grass species. Crimping brassica mixes and fava beans produces a vegetative mat that can protect soil and maximize the benefits of cover cropping. It is key to use this technique at the appropriate vegetative growth stage for the species in your mix, as crimping too early can necessitate repeating the practice.

    The entire USDA report, including seeding densities, seed sources, and photos can be found here. — By Becky Wheeler-Dykes, UCCE Farm Advisor, Glenn, Tehama and Colusa Counties

  • Low-Dust Harvesting Now a Conservation Management Practice

    Growers required to have a Conservation Management Practice (CMP) plan in the San Joaquin Valley for dust reduction have received some favorable news. The San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD) announced an update to their list of approved practices to reduce dust emissions, now including the use of low-dust harvesters.

    The SJVAPCD Conservation Management Practices, Rule 4550, was adopted in 2004. The purpose of the program is to reduce dust emissions, both PM10 and PM2.5, from agricultural sites. Growers with 100 acres or more in the district must provide a CMP plan, choosing to participate in dust-reducing practices across several categories. In April 2024, the SJVAPCD approved the addition of Low-Dust Nut Harvesters as an approved practice for the nut crops harvest category.

    Benefits of Low-Dust Harvesters

    Low-dust harvesters are designed to minimize the amount of particulate matter released into the air during the harvesting process. These machines employ advanced technologies that reduce the turbulence and agitation of soil and debris, which are primary sources of dust. The benefits of using these harvesters extend beyond regulatory compliance:

    • Improved Air Quality: Reduced dust emissions lead to better air quality, benefiting both agricultural workers and neighbors.
    • Enhanced Worker Health: Lower dust levels mean fewer respiratory issues and related health problems for farmworkers, promoting a safer working environment.
    • Environmental Impact: Decreasing dust emissions helps protect the local ecosystem, including plant and animal life that can be affected by poor air quality.
    Implementation and Cost Considerations

    Growers can take advantage of low-dust harvest technology by either contracting with a custom harvester who uses the equipment or replacing a conventional harvester or sweeper they currently use. For both options, there are incentive programs available to growers.

    If a grower is interested in purchasing low-dust harvest equipment, both NRCS and the SJVAPCD offer significant cost-share assistance to help purchase the equipment:

    • Through NRCS’s EQIP program to replace old in-use harvesting equipment, low-dust harvesters can receive up to $1,174.80 per horsepower (hp), while tractors and most other equipment can receive payments of $517.85 per brake horsepower (bhp) for 25-160 bhp and $806.60 per bhp for greater than 160 bhp.
    • Through the SJVAPCD’s program to replace conventional harvesters or sweepers, growers can receive 50% of the equipment cost and up to a maximum of $150,000 per unit. Growers can also apply for up to five pieces of equipment.

    If growers currently use or are interested in using a custom harvester that has low-dust equipment, USDA-NRCS offers a by-acre cost-share incentive to help pay for the practice at a rate of $66.82 per acre.

    For both incentive options, applications should be submitted well in advance of using or buying the equipment, and both programs also have several eligibility requirements. Contact your local San Joaquin Valley Air District Office or local NRCS office for more information. — By the Almond Board of California

  • Application Deadline Approaching for On-Farm Water Recharge Incentive Funding

    It’s very important for California farmers to know that not only will there be more funding available in the next round of the NRCS Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), but the application deadline is coming much earlier this year. And for growers that are interested in getting some incentive funding for participating in on-farm groundwater recharge, applications are due by Nov. 3rd. Watch this brief interview with Wendy Rash from NRCS to learn more.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor afimilk for their industry support.

  • NRCS Incentive Funding for On-farm Groundwater Recharge Projects

    As drought conditions persist in California, farmers are making the most of every drop of water they use. However, there may be more they can do during the rainy season to put water back into the ground with assistance of the USDA-NRCS.  Watch this brief interview with California Water Quality Specialist Wendy Rash to find out.

    Please thank this video’s sponsor Suterra for their industry support.

  • Agricultural Organizations Demonstrate Alternatives to Agricultural Burning

    On June 29, Nisei Farmers League, along with other agricultural organizations, held an in-person demonstration pilot project at a vineyard in Madera County to display alternatives to agricultural burning. The project is looking for cost-effective solutions to orchard and vineyard removals due to most agricultural burning being phased out by December 31, 2024, as passed earlier this year by the California Air Resources Board (CARB).

    Participating in the event were Jared Blumenfeld, Secretary of Cal-EPA; Carlos Suarez, State Conservationist for USDA-NRCS; Richard Corey, Executive Officer for California Air Resources Board; Samir Sheikh, Executive Director and Air Pollution Control Officer for the San Joaquin Air Pollution Control District (SJVAPCD); Dr. Tania Pacheco- Werner, CARB and SJVAPCD board member; Fresno County Supervisor Buddy Mendes, as well as SJVAPCD board member; Madera County Supervisor Tom Wheeler, as well as SJVAPCD board member; and City of Los Banos Mayor Pro Tem Deborah Lewis, as well as SJVAPCD board member.

    Equipment demonstrated included:

    • An air curtain burner built by AirBurners. This machine utilizes a constant stream

      of air on the top of the wood waste to push emissions/smoke back into the fire to

      reburn, which significantly reduces particulate matter.

    • A horizontal grinder, provided by Bandit Industries, that chips wood debris and

      can remove metal, including wire, from the material.

    • A vineyard mulcher, built by Seppi, which drives over the top of the vine and

      mulches it back into the soil.

    • A mobile grinder that would grind trees, brush and vines (material that does not include metal.)

      Other equipment used in the demonstration process included excavators, tree grapple machines, and log and brush loading equipment.

      With some agricultural entities losing the ability to burn by December 31 of this year, finding economical alternatives quickly has become a top priority. Agricultural organizations are working with the SJVAPCD and CARB to locate and distribute funds for these alternative methods. All the demonstrated alternatives are many times more expensive than open burning because of the additional labor and equipment needed.

    Agricultural groups sponsoring the event included: Fresno County Farm Bureau; Allied Grape Growers; California Fresh Fruit Association; California Cotton Ginners and Growers; Western Agricultural Processors Association; and

    Nisei Farmers League. Other participating agricultural groups included: Sun-Maid Growers of California, Madera County Farm Bureau, Tulare County Farm Bureau, Raisin Bargaining Association and Milk Producers Council.

    Equipment being demonstrated was provided by Shawn Sage, Cal-Line Equipment and Bandit Enterprises; Ed Martinez, Mowbray’s Tree Service; John Yergat, JFS Enterprises; and Jordan Harris, Seppi Subsoiler. Special thanks to these companies and their employees.

    Local chippers and grinders participating included: Bill Boos of William Boos and Company; Lionudakis Orchard Removal; and Myron and Ryan Liebelt.

    Special thanks go to Samir Sheikh and his staff at the SJVAPCD for helping with the demonstration, the documentation and acquiring the funding needed to make the alternatives available to growers in the San Joaquin Valley.

    Lastly, a special thanks to Daniel Hartwig and Woolf Farms for providing the vineyard site.

    Nisei Farmers League will continue seeking viable alternative to agricultural burning over the coming months.

  • USDA Announces $15 Million for Conservation Innovation Grants

    The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced today a $15 million investment to help support the adoption of innovative conservation approaches on agricultural lands. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is accepting proposals through June 29, 2020, for national Conservation Innovation Grants (CIG). CIG projects inspire creative problem-solving solutions that boost production on farms, ranches and private forests and improve natural resources.

    This year’s priorities are water reuse, water quality, air quality, energy and wildlife habitat.

    “Through Conservation Innovation Grants, we’re able to co-invest with partners on the next generation of agricultural conservation solutions,” NRCS Chief Matthew Lohr said. “Conservation Innovation Grants have helped spur new tools and technologies to conserve natural resources, build resilience in producers’ operations and improve their bottom lines. This year will be the first time we are offering water reuse as a priority, and we’re excited to see how these projects play a role in USDA’s broader strategy for water reuse on agricultural land.”

    National CIG

    CIG is a competitive grants program that supports development, testing and research of conservation technologies, practices, systems and approaches on private lands. Grantees must match the CIG investment at least one to one.

    All U.S.-based non-Federal entities and individuals are eligible to apply. Complete funding announcement information can be accessed through the Conservation Innovation Grants webpage.

    The National CIG program supports early pilot projects or demonstrations of promising conservation approaches and is distinct from the $25 million announced on March 12 for On-Farm Conservation Innovation Trials. On-Farm Trials is a separate CIG component created by the 2018 Farm Bill. It includes a Soil Health Demonstration Trial.

    State NRCS CIG

    State NRCS offices are also able to fund and hold their own CIG competitions in addition to the National CIG signup. Please visitNRCS state office websites for information about state CIG competitions.

    More Information

    NRCS’s CIG program is identified in the federal government’s National Water Reuse Action Plan as an opportunity to support development of innovative projects that focus on water reuse on private lands. Read this April 28 post on the USDA Blog for how USDA is working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, Department of Interior, Department of Energy and others to promote water reuse across sectors.

    CIG applications must be submitted through Grants.gov by 11:59 p.m. EDT on June 29, 2020. A webinar for potential applicants is scheduled for 3 p.m. EDT on May 13, 2020. Information on how to participate in the webinar is posted on the CIG website.

    CIG also contributes to the Agriculture Innovation Agenda: a USDA initiative to align resources, programs, and research to position American agriculture to better meet future global demands. Specifically, USDA is working to stimulate innovation so that American agriculture can achieve the goal of increasing production by 40 percent while cutting the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half by 2050.

    For more information on CIG, visit nrcs.usda.gov or contact your local NRCS field office .

  • Get Funding for On-Farm Conservation Projects with the USDA-NRCS

    From floods to drought, fire to hurricanes, NRCS provides disaster recovery assistance to farmers, ranchers and landowners through a variety of USDA programs. Watch this brief interview with Brooke Pippi to find out how NRCS can support you.

    Please thank our sponsor Duarte Nursery for their industry support and see them at their booth at Unified Wine & Grape Symposium in Sacramento, February 4-6 (Booth P1842).