The California almond industry will receive more than $6 million to help identify and access new export markets. USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue announced that the USDA has awarded the Almond …
Unexplained Thrips Increase Helping Control Mites
A rise in beneficial insects against mites is somewhat unexplained but welcomed. There has been an increase in six-spotted thrips over the last several years. “We’re not sure why, but there …
Almond Update: Improvement Grant Deadlines Approaching
California has allocated money to help growers improve practices in their orchards. Almond Board of California’s Spencer Cooper said the State Water Efficiency and Enhancement Program (SWEEP) has been helping …
Wet, Cloudy Early Winter Should Benefit Pistachios On Off Year
The cloudy and wet winter so far is good news for pistachio chilling hours. Three things much of valleys have seen so far during the winter months is precipitation, fog and cloudy …
Sterile Pink Bollworm Project Had Issues Too
Similar to the sterile navel orangeworm project, pink bollworm sterilization efforts had issues at first too. California Pistachio Research Board Manager Bob Klein noted the same problems as UC Cooperative Extension Specialist Houston …
Challenging Years Ahead for Wine Industry?
A longstanding wine industry report stated that the next five years wouldn’t be a smooth ride. Silicon Valley Bank has produced the State Of The Wine Industry Report for 18 consecutive …
Little NOW Damage in Pistachios Never Happens Twice
Letting up on your navel orangeworm management program in pistachios based on your last season experience isn’t a good idea. NOW damage and management was, of course, a large part of …
Grapeleaf Skeletonizer Flaring Up Again in California
A familiar foe to grape producers is back on the radar as a few reports of grapeleaf skeletonizer are coming out of the Central Coast. The western grapeleaf skeletonizer (WGLS) was first found in California back …
Sterile Navel Orangeworm Project Tweaks Expected
It’s no surprise that the sterile navel orangeworm (NOW) project in Kern County needs some tweaking. Sterilized male moths in the pilot project that is releasing irradiated moths into orchards to …
Almond Update: Participation Crucial for Industry Sustainability
The California Almond Sustainability Program (CASP) is a tool for growers to help share what they are doing in the orchard with the general public and join the sustainable journey. Almond Board of …
Table Grape Industry Feeling Secondary Impacts of Tariffs
Some unexpected, secondary impacts of the chaotic trade relationship between the U.S. and China are appearing in the international table grape market. Increased tariffs placed on American agricultural goods, combined …
Female Sterile NOW Moths Did Perform in Trial
Further research proved that some of the sterile moths in the pilot navel orangeworm project were successful. Tests evaluating the trial that is releasing sterile NOW moths into pistachio and almond orchards …
NOW Sterile Moths Not Performing Well
The sterile moths aiming to help curb navel orangeworm (NOW) populations aren’t performing very well on a small-scale. Research is following the project that is releasing sterile NOW moths into pistachio orchards. “Anytime …
Shasta Variety a Vigorous Almond Tree
Self-fertile almond varieties are becoming more popular as the first trees in production continue to mature. The Shasta variety was introduced a few years ago and growers are starting to see …