Example 1 and 2 – Healthier Orchards with A Careful Start of Irrigation
More details on the examples in “Healthier Orchards with A Careful Start of Irrigation in 2023.” Continue reading
Blog
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Some factors to consider when evaluating a new crop enterprise for your farm
Domena A. Agyeman, UCANR Economic Advisor; Butte, Glenn, and Tehama Counties One of the common requests I have received from crop producers and other agricultural stakeholders in the Sacramento Valley is for insights into alternative crop options that are drought- … Continue reading
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GDH30 for 2025: where we stand and what it means
Jaime Ott, UCCE Tehama, Shasta, Glenn, and Butte Counties The growing degree hours in the 30 days after full bloom (GDH30) is a measurement which predicts reference date, harvest date, and fruit sizing potential. It is counterintuitive, but higher GDH30 … Continue reading
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Technology Spotlight: Cropload Estimation in Prunes
Becky Wheeler, Farm Advisor, UCCE Glenn, Colusa and Tehama Counties Recent advances in imaging technologies combined with highly accurate GPS tracking can provide growers with detailed and precise information about their orchards. While there are no current UC replicated studies … Continue reading
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Prune Fruit Bloom Report, 2025
Franz Niederholzer, UCCE Farm Advisor, Colusa and Sutter/Yuba Counties In 2025, prune bloom was late with a very hot spike in temperature around full bloom. This led to concern for a very light fruit set across all orchards (crop failure). … Continue reading
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Almond Variety Trials: Bloom Observations (2025)
Luke Milliron, UCCE Orchards Advisor, Butte, Glenn, Tehama Counties 2025 Observations at Bloom: My former colleague Dani Lightle wisely noted that what stands out in the early years of a variety trial is not what looks good – it’s what … Continue reading
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Managing true bug (leaffooted plant bug and stink bug) pests in almond orchards
Sudan Gyawaly, UCCE IPM Advisor, Butte, Colusa, Sutter-Yuba, Glenn, and Tehama Counties Jhalendra Rijal, UCCE IPM Advisor, Stanislaus, Merced and San Joaquin Counties Brown spots caused by feeding damage from true bugs can be graded as a defect and so … Continue reading
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Bloom weather and prune fruit set: what we know so far
Crop failure in years with extreme bloom weather (cool or hot) challenges successful prune growing in California. A new bloom weather model is a good starting point to predicting crop potential and, eventually, managing risk of crop failure. Continue reading
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Integrated Pest Management Update – April 29, 2025
University of California Sacramento Valley Integrated Pest Management Update April 29, 2025 Disclaimer: Pests/natural enemies’ activities and abundance updates provided on this site are for reference purpose only. Information provided here do not replace or supersede your orchard site-specific pest activity … Continue reading
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Nubbins and Doubles on Peaches: Potential Causes
Cameron Zuber, Orchard Crops Farm Advisor, Merced and Madera Counties Roger Duncan, Pomology Advisor, Stanislaus County Maxwell Norton, Farm Advisor Emeritus Originally posted September 2022 here Occasionally smaller sized fruits are seen on the same variety of peaches midway through … Continue reading
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Flooding and Almond Tree Survival
An excerpt from The Almond Doctor on a tree’s response to flooding. Continue reading
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Adapting to Season-Long High Temperatures: Understanding Peach Fruit Growth and Development
Raymond Mireles, UCCE Fruit and Almond Advisor Tulare and Fresno Counties Many growers in the Central Valley were challenged with consecutive days of high temperatures in 2024, making it difficult to meet orchard demands throughout the season. The early warm … Continue reading
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March Prune Orchard Management Considerations
It is looking like spring outside, and prune bloom is picking up. Keep reading for prune orchard management tasks to keep in mind this month. Continue reading
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Native hedgerows as a weed management tool in orchards
Justin Valliere, Assistant Professor of Cooperative Extension, Invasive Weed & Restoration Ecology, UC Davis Rachael Long, Emeritus Farm Advisor for Field Crops, Pest Management Field edges are a common source of weed intrusion into farms, often requiring intensive management. Establishing … Continue reading
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May Prune Orchard Management Considerations
Read this article for prune orchard management tasks to keep in mind in May. Continue reading