March Almond Orchard Management Considerations
It is looking like spring outside, and almond bloom is winding down. Keep reading for almond orchard management tasks to keep in mind this month. Continue reading
Author Archives: Sacramento Valley Orchards
March Walnut Orchard Management Considerations
It is looking like spring outside! Keep reading for walnut orchard management tasks to keep in mind this month. Continue reading
Phytophthora Root and Crown Rot & Paradox Canker Disease in Walnuts
Walnut trees affected by Phytophthora root and crown rot and Paradox canker disease may have decreased yield and vigor for a few years before succumbing to the disease. This article provides resources for identification and control of these diseases. Continue reading
Ganoderma Butt Rot Spore Survey
Ganoderma butt rot has been responsible for almond trees falling over all throughout the Central Valley. In order to better focus our management efforts, researchers must conduct a spore survey that will help us determine the times and locations that are at greatest risk of infection and spread by spores. Continue reading
Weed Technology Survey
A team of weed scientists from UC Davis, Oregon State University, and Cornell are asking berry, tree fruit, tree nut, and vine crop growers to take 5 to 10 minutes and answer this short and anonymous survey (link below) about your current weed management practices and your interest in novel technologies, like vision-guided sprayers and cultivators, and electric, steam, and pressurized water weeders. This will help us plan research and extension projects that will address stakeholder concerns regarding the future of weed management. Continue reading
Current South Sacramento Valley ET Report – November 13, 2020
Irrigation Evapotranspiration (ET) Report for the Woodland, Davis, Dixon, and Verona CIMIS stations. Continue reading
Current Northern Sacramento Valley ET Report – November 13, 2020
Irrigation Evapotranspiration (ET) Report for Tehama, Butte and Colusa county CIMIS stations. Continue reading
Walnut Cultivar Table
The University of California’s Walnut Improvement Program has been hard at work for decades breeding varieties with characteristic that are desirable to both growers and consumers. The following table compares many industry standards with more recent releases. Continue reading
Ant Management is Especially Important in a Heavy Crop Year
Because the percentage of ant damage is related to how long the nuts remain on the orchard floor, planning for ant management this season is vital. The size of this year’s crop will likely translate into longer periods of almonds sitting on the orchard floor waiting for pick up – especially for growers that depend on contract harvesters. Continue reading
Managing Walnut Orchards for Insect-eating Birds
Codling moth are challenging to control during the growing season because the larvae burrow inside nuts to feed, keeping them safe from natural enemies and insecticides. However, during winter months, larvae are more vulnerable to predators, offering opportunities for biocontrol by natural enemies, including insectivorous birds. Continue reading
PPE in short supply for farm work during the COVID-19 crisis
With increased demand for personal protective equipment, or PPE, to protect against COVID-19, agricultural professionals are facing shortages. But there is alternative PPE that agricultural professionals can use during the shortage. Continue reading
New EPA Paraquat Restrictions
As the 2020 growing season approaches, California growers, PCAs and handlers will have new regulations to take into consideration. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced the new requirements for handling paraquat (paraquat dichloride). The new EPA restrictions on paraquat aim to help protect Restricted Use Pesticide handlers, and others who may come into contact with these pesticides. However, these requirements will have a ripple effect on growers, distributors and the California agriculture community. Label changes emphasizing paraquat toxicity, restrictions and safe handling were completed November 2019. Continue reading
Young Orchard Weed Management
Weeds in young orchards compete with trees for orchard resources such as sunlight, water and nutrients. This can lead to reductions in growth and future yields. If weed stands are allowed to mature, not only are they harder to control via chemical and mechanical methods, but they can also create cover for voles and gophers, which can then damage tree trunks, root systems and irrigation systems. Continue reading
Walnut Blight Management
Walnut blight is caused by the bacterial pathogen Xanthomonas arboricola pv. juglandis (Xaj). This devastating bacterium can overwinter in between scales of healthy buds, “waiting” to be rain-splashed onto the developing flowers and leaves. Continue reading
Rootstock research needs your input
Selecting the optimal walnut rootstock for your orchard is a critical decision. To better understand what rootstock characteristics growers need, these researchers are asking walnut growers to take a ten-minute rootstock survey. Continue reading