Previous Southern Sacramento Valley ET Reports- April 2022
This report covers the CIMIS stations in Woodland, Davis, Staten Island, and Verona for June 02- June 30, 2022. Continue reading
Yearly Archives: 2022
Previous Northern Sacramento Valley ET Reports- April 2022
This report covers the CIMIS stations in Woodland, Davis, Staten Island, and Verona for June 02- June 30, 2022. Continue reading
Managing Mold in Walnut (Updated 2022)
Growers and processors have reported elevated mold levels in harvested walnuts to farm advisors and Dr. Themis Michailides, UC Davis Plant Pathologist. Although all possible predisposing factors have not yet been investigated, conditions that compromise the integrity of the hull, such as walnut blight, sunburn or insect-damage can serve as an entry point for mold fungi. Continue reading
Previous Northern Sacramento Valley ET Reports- June 2022
This report covers the CIMIS stations in Woodland, Davis, Staten Island, and Verona for June 02- June 30, 2022. Continue reading
Previous Southern Sacramento Valley ET Reports- June 2022
This report covers the CIMIS stations in Woodland, Davis, Staten Island, and Verona for June 02- June 30, 2022. Continue reading
When do you shake almonds?
Historically, the recommendation from UC almond experts for the ideal time to shake was as soon as 100% hull split occurred throughout the orchard, however, these considerations vary widely among varieties and locations. Potential challenges that growers should consider when timing harvest include pest and disease management, nut removal/drying time, and nut quality. Continue reading
Is it time for a closer look at alternative nutrient sources?
With continued tight nut markets and high input costs, it’s worth considering all nutrient input options in an effort to lower costs and maintain production. Sustainable nutrient management includes assessment of irrigation nitrate, adding compost manure amendments or almond shells, and using nitrogen-fixing cover crops. Continue reading
Protecting Sacramento Valley Waterways from Pyrethroid Exceedances
As farmers have reduced their reliance on organophosphate insecticides for pest control, there has been a shift to other control tactics. Most challenging for the topic of watersheds has been a shift towards increased use of pyrethroids. In general, the amounts found are low, nevertheless, cases of exceedances do occur, and these cases need to be eliminated. Continue reading
Drought Strategies for Walnut Orchards
With 41 California counties officially in a drought emergency and water allocations significantly reduced in many areas, many growers and managers are stuck with less water than walnuts use for prime production levels. Read this article for more information about how to manage walnut irrigation in drought years. Continue reading
Applying Almond Hulls & Shells as Potassium-Rich Amendments
New studies show that almond hulls and shells can be used as low-cost organic matter amendments and can release potassium into the soil. This can help increase soil exchangeable potassium with benefits to July leaf potassium values, and in the long term, could build soil organic matter content while reducing dust and erosion. Continue reading
Previous Southern Sacramento Valley ET Reports- May 2022
This report covers the CIMIS stations in Woodland, Davis, Staten Island, and Verona for April 29-June 02, 2022. Continue reading
Previous Northern Sacramento Valley ET Reports- May 2022
This report covers the CIMIS stations in Tehama County (Gerber South), Butte County (Biggs and Durham) and Colusa County (Williams). More information on using ET Reports is available here. Accumulations started on February 25th 2022 for pasture, table and high density … Continue reading
Checking Cropload and Shaker Thinning Prunes
When needed, shaker thinning can improve a grower’s bottom line this year and next year. Careful, timely thinning increases A & B size fruit production, limits small, lower value prunes in the bin at harvest and improves return bloom next year. Continue reading
Fertilizing Almonds after a Frost
In a light crop year following frost, fertilizer savings are possible, but some fertilizer, especially N should be applied to maintain orchard health and crop potential for next year. Continue reading
Irrigating Freeze Damaged Almonds in a Drought
Record low temperatures on February 24 severely reduced nut set and limited almond yield across thousands of acres of orchards in the Sacramento Valley. The following are our best suggestions for irrigating to bring the remaining crop to market, and ensure good crop potential for next year. Continue reading