News for nut crops, stone fruits, and figs
Carpophilus information session July 9
Jun 26, 2024
Are you interested in learning more about Carpophilus truncatus, the beetle pest of almonds and pistachios that was found in the state last year?
Come learn from experts from Australia! July 9 from 3 - 6 PM.
The meeting will be held for free over Zoom, but pre-registration is required. More information can be found in the attached flier.
Download (826KB PDF)
Spring 2024 newsletter
Apr 26, 2024
In this issue:
Silverleaf nightshade in young pistachios
Irrigation of young pistachios
Carbohydrates, dormancy, and yield in pistachios
Early leaf sampling protocol of pistachios
Save the date for the 2024 pistachio short course, November 5-7!
Download (4,718KB DOCX)
Madera/Merced Pistachio day is tomorrow!
Apr 8, 2024
It will be held at the Madera County Farm Bureau. The agenda and address are in the attached PDF. I hope to see you there!
Download (1,783KB PDF)
Reminder Madera County Almond Day is tomorrow!
Jan 25, 2024
Madera County almond day will be held on March 22, 2024, at the Madera County Farm Bureau building again.
This year, the Madera/Merced pistachio day will be back in Madera, on April 9, 2024. It will also be held at the farm bureau building. Please see the PDF newsletter for the agendas!
Download (2,282KB PDF)
Winter 2024 meetings
Jan 11, 2024
Happy new year, everyone!
There are three upcoming meetings in the San Joaquin Valley:
January 17: Statewide Pistachio Day, in Visalia, California
February 1: Tri County Walnut Day in Tulare, California
February 2: Quad County Walnut Institute in Stockton, California.
See the attached newsletter for the agenda and registration information!
Download (1,098KB PDF)
Winter meetings and research site request
Dec 8, 2023
We have three upcoming meetings. If you're interested in the agenda, location, and signup links, please see the attached PDF.
An overview:
Salinity management meeting - December 13
Statewide pistachio day - January 17
Tri county walnut day - February 1
Additionally, I am looking for a newly planted nursery budded or recently field budded pistachio orchard for a nitrogen and phosphorus fertilization trial. More details are in the newsletter, and feel free to reach out with any questions.
Happy holidays!
Download (788KB PDF)
Soil health and whole orchard recycling field day May 18
Apr 21, 2023
Are you interested in soil health and/or have questions about whole orchard recycling? Come attend a field day in Gustine on May 18! Details are in the attached flier.
Download (2,775KB PDF)
Almond replant field day May 17
Apr 14, 2023
Come to the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center to see a research trial examining whole orchard recycling, fumigation, and a nitrogen+phosphorus fertilization trial. We will also be having talks on phytophthora management in newly planted almonds.
Registration is required and we are charging a $5 attendance fee. Lunch will be provided with an RSVP, but only if you register before May 12.
The agenda and registration link are in the attached PDF.
I hope to see you there!
Download (741KB PDF)
Almond replant field day May 17
Apr 14, 2023
Come to the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center to see a research trial examining whole orchard recycling, fumigation, and a nitrogen+phosphorus fertilization trial. We will also be having talks on phytophthora management in newly planted almonds.
Registration is required and we are charging a $5 attendance fee. Lunch will be provided with an RSVP, but only if you register before May 12.
The agenda and registration link are in the attached PDF.
I hope to see you there!
Download (741KB PDF)
Madera County Resource Conservation District Events
Mar 31, 2023
The Madera County Resource Conservation District is holding several events in April, listed below. They are also offering free distribution uniformity tests in April through November. If you are interested in a DU test or any of these meetings, please see the attached PDF!
1) Grower experience with recharge (April 12)
2) Ag plastic container recycling event (April 17)
3) Benefits of healthy soils in agriculture (April 28)
Download (9,502KB PDF)
Census of Agriculture
Mar 28, 2023
The USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service is currently conducting the 2022 Census of Agriculture, and questionnaires were sent out in December 2022. Please take the time to respond to these! The data collected in these informs decisions on policy, programs, rural development, and research. More information can be found in the attached flier.
Download (106KB PDF)
NRCS Groundwater Recharge Pilot Program
Mar 23, 2023
The National Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) pilot program for groundwater recharge (On-Farm Recharge, and Groundwater Recharge Basin or Trench) is open for applications and the deadline is April 3rd. Please see below details for additional information. If you are interested in signing up, please contact your local NRCS field office or Wendy Rash at 209-483-8257, or by email at wendy.rash@usda.gov.
Download (724KB PDF)
Crop Manage workshop April 19
Mar 20, 2023
A crop manage and hands-on pressure chamber training workshop will be held at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center on April 19. Please see the attached PDF for the agenda and the sign-up link.
Download (257KB PDF)
Climate change workshop March 22
Mar 10, 2023
Are you curious to learn how climate change may impact your nut orchard in the future? Are you interested in learning more about the climate smart agriculture program, including how to get incentives?
Come join a workshop on March 22 from 8 to 12:30 (includes a free lunch!) at the UC Cooperative Extension building in Merced. Registration is free but required for an accurate head count.
Download (616KB PDF)
Wildfire preparedness survey
Mar 6, 2023
UCANR researchers would like to understand what Californians need for wildfire preparedness. Please consider taking this 15 minute survey - the QR code in the attached PDF will take you to the webpage!
Download (2,228KB PDF)
Quad County Walnut Institute Feb 28
Feb 14, 2023
The 2023 Quad County Walnut Institute will be held in Stockton on February 28. Please see the attached PDF for the agenda.
Download (292KB PDF)
Quad County Walnut Institute Feb 28
Feb 14, 2023
The 2023 Quad County Walnut Institute will be held in Stockton on February 28. Please see the attached PDF for the agenda.
Download (292KB PDF)
Madera (and Merced) county almond and pistachio meetings
Jan 19, 2023
I will be hosting an almond and pistachio commodity meeting again this year. As I have formally assumed responsibilities for pistachios in Merced county, I will be changing the location every other year. This year it will be held in Merced! The almond meeting will still be held in Madera. Please see the attached PDF for the agendas and locations. Registration is not necessary and attendance is free.
Download (2,279KB PDF)
U.S. EPA proposed changes to rodenticide labels for agricultural use: opportunity for public commen
Jan 19, 2023
Rodenticides are currently under review by the EPA. The attached PDF describes what you might expect when the review is done, as well as the opportunity to provide public comment.
Download (1,596KB PDF)
Crop Manage hands on workshop
Jan 17, 2023
Crop Manage is an irrigation and nitrogen fertilization decision support tool developed by University of California researchers. This workshop will provide hands-on training to help you learn the newest version. Almonds, walnuts, pistachios, and many other crops are supported. Space is limited to 25 individuals, so sign up today if you're interested!
Download (235KB PDF)
Jan-Feb meetings
Jan 5, 2023
We have three upcoming meetings in the San Joaquin Valley:
January 13: North San Joaquin Valley Almond Day
January 18: Statewide Pistachio Day
February 2: Tri-County Walnut Day
The agendas and location are in the attached PDF.
Download (346KB PDF)
Four upcoming meetings in November
Oct 27, 2022
Irrigation management basics classes, held in
Madera on November 7
Bakersfield on November 14
Modesto on November 16
And a soil health field day in Parlier on November 16. Agendas and registration links are in the attached PDF. Hope to see you there!
Download (391KB PDF)
Back to Basics Irrigation meeting Nov 7
Oct 10, 2022
I'm holding a meeting on the foundations of irrigation management at Madera Community College on November 7. Space is limited, please RSVP in advance! The agenda and registration link are in the attached PDF.
Download (239KB PDF)
Advances in pistachio water management workshop
Jun 17, 2022
July 7 at the International Agri-Center, $60 to attend (lunch included). You can find the agenda and registration link in the attached newsletter, hope to see you there!
Download (216KB PDF)
Summer 2022 meetings
May 12, 2022
UCANR advisors are hosting two meetings on June 1. One is a meeting on olive oil irrigation in San Joaquin County, the other is a rootstock field day and hands on pressure chamber training at the Lindcove Research and Extension Center. Locations, agendas, and CE information is in the attached PDF.
Additionally, a UC Davis research group is hoping to collect suckers and flower/nut formation data in a pistachio orchard that is transitioning from non-bearing to bearing (approximately 3-5th leaf). Contact information is in the attached PDF.
Download (939KB PDF)
Variety Trial Field Day in Chowchilla 5/5
May 2, 2022
Good morning,
I will be holding a variety trial field day on May 5, 9 to 11. Please be at the meeting location a bit early as it takes some time to get to the actual location. More information is in the attached flier!
Download (2,258KB PDF)
Reminder: 2022 Madera County spring meetings
Mar 2, 2022
Friendly reminder that I have two meetings coming up: a pistachio meeting on March 29 and an almond one the following week on April 5. Looking forward to seeing you there, the agenda is in the attached PDF.
We're back to in person meetings (hopefully)! I've scheduled a pistachio meeting for March 29, and an almond meeting for April 5. Both will be held at the Madera County Farm Bureau from 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM. Please see the attached PDF for the agenda. I will send out an announcement via this newsletter if COVID restrictions force the meeting online.
Additionally, a Ph.D. student at UC Davis is looking to talk to growers about how they are impacted by water management decisions made by the state. If you would like to share your experiences, her contact information is also in the attached PDF.
Download (2,387KB PDF)
Cover Crop Tour March 3
Feb 2, 2022
Are you interested in cover cropping but want to talk to growers who have actually done it? Interested in learning about the benefits of cover cropping? The Western Cover Crop Council is holding a tour in the Sacramento Valley. The attached flier contains the agenda and registration details.
Download (505KB PDF)
North San Joaquin Valley Almond Day
Jan 31, 2022
North SJV almond day is February 8, held in person. Admission is free, you can sign up at the door.
Download (185KB PDF)
Spring 2022 meetings
Jan 26, 2022
Please see the attached PDF for information on a meeting going over aflatoxin contamination in pistachio and the 2022 principles in fruit and nut tree growth, production, and maintenance course.
Download (3,160KB PDF)
Soil health funding available
Jan 7, 2022
Please see the attached flier for more information.
Download (1,723KB PDF)
November 2021 In A Nutshell
Nov 29, 2021
Meeting announcements: Kearney Nematode Day(s), Statewide Pistachio Day
Articles: Pistachio chill, Gill's Mealybug
Download (8,187KB PDF)
Nematode Management Field Day Nov 30 and Dec 1
Oct 21, 2021
Come to the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center to learn about nematode management from UC Riverside nematologist Andreas Westphal. CEUs pending.
Registration is limited to 100 participants. You can sign up here: https://surveys.ucanr.edu/survey.cfm?surveynumber=35743
Download (8,617KB PDF)
New fig pest alert - Black Fig Fly
Aug 30, 2021
A newly detected pest of figs, the Black Fig Fly, has been detected in Southern California. Due to the potential risk to the California fig industry, we are asking folks to keep on the lookout for this damaging pest, and to alert your county Agricultural Commissioner if you find something.
Download (522KB PDF)
Summer 2021 Newsletter
Jun 18, 2021
Attached are two pistachio specific articles: large bug control and irrigation considerations during a drought year.
Download (743KB PDF)
Summer 2021 meetings
May 12, 2021
There's still time to sign up for Turning Lab Reports into Action held June 11
The agenda and registration link is in the newsletter
Download (2,645KB PDF)
Looking for research collaborators
Apr 19, 2021
Are you hoping to learn how to control alkali weed better? What about increase your pistachio fertilization efficiency? We're looking for collaborators for two research projects on these subjects, please see the newsletter for more information.
Download (1,059KB PDF)
New In A Nutshell Issue
Mar 17, 2021
Attached is the 2021 March In A Nutshell. This issue includes information on walnut budbreak and bloom, Phytophthora, an orchard recycling how-to guide, nitrogen and zinc fertilization, and information on upcoming webinars.
Download (2,829KB PDF)
We've moved! And a walnut meeting announcement
Jan 20, 2021
We've moved! We are now located at:
145 Tozer Street Suite 103
Madera, CA 93638
The office will still be minimally staffed while Madera County is in the Purple Zone, so if you need to stop by please contact me. I am still available for farm calls.
The Statewide Walnut meeting is virtual this year, please see the agenda for more details.
Download (268KB PDF)
Reminder: Upcoming meetings January 2021
Dec 11, 2020
Statewide Pistachio Day is January 12 and 13, 2021, featuring talks on water and irrigation, climate change, salinity tolerance of rootstocks, new Navel Orangeworm research, and more. Click the link below for the full agenda, as well as to register. Continuing education credits have been requested.
https://ucanr.edu/sites/pistachioday/
San Joaquin Almond Day is January 14, and talks include research updates, stink bug monitoring, and nitrogen management. Continuing education credits will be requested.
You can find the full agenda and registration link here: San Joaquin Valley Almond Day (ucanr.edu)
Download (263KB PDF)
Pistachio Short Course Early Bird Pricing Ends October 26
Oct 8, 2020
The University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources will be offering a virtual, multi-day, multi-topic Pistachio Production Short Course in November 2020. This course will provide participants with the latest information and research from experts on pistachio orchard production, field preparation, planting, pruning, economics, diseases, integrated pest management, and harvesting. The course is designed for orchard decision-makers, and covers the accepted science that supports current and developing production practices, including regional differences.
The program will take place virtually, over a span of six days Registration is currently open and offers a full course package or individual day registrations.
Download (743KB PDF)
Establishing Nut Orchards Webinar
Jul 13, 2020
Register today to learn about Establishing Nut Crop Orchards from experts with the University of California and USDA. Different topics will be presented during each session. $10 registration fee will allow you to attend any or all of the sessions from 3-5 PM on July 29, August 5 and August 12. CEUs have been obtained from CCA for all 3 sessions and have been applied for from CA DPR for Aug. 5 (1.0 Other). For more information on registration, contact anrprogramsupport@ucanr.edu, 530-750-1361 or for course content, contact Phoebe Gordon, pegordon@ucanr.edu, Orchard Crops Farm Advisor, UCCE Madera (detailed agenda at //ucanr.edu/sites/PSU/files/329744.pdf)
Download (295KB PDF)
Winter 2020 meetings
Jan 9, 2020
Please see the announcements for Tri County Walnut Day and Statewide Pistachio Day.
Download (272KB PDF)
2019 Orchard IPM Meeting December 18
Oct 23, 2019
Come to the 2019 orchard IPM meeting. Hear talks on hull rot in almonds, navel orangeworm control, orchard weed management, and updates from the Madera County Agricultural Commissioner's office. Location and times in the atttached PDF.
Download (594KB PDF)
San Joaquin Valley Spray Application Short Course
Sep 25, 2019
Register today to attend the San Joaquin Valley Spray Application Short Course, November 12-14, 2019 at the Kearney Agricultural Research and Extension Center.
Join us for this intensive 3-day short course on spray application research and extension, led by CE Specialist Peter Larbi. Includes two in-classroom lecture days and one outdoor, hands-on demonstration day.
Goals/Objectives:
- Teach participants about improving agricultural productivity while reducing the impact of pesticides and other agricultural chemicals on the environment.
- Share knowledge of best practices for safe, economical, and environmentally sound pesticide spray application.
Register online before October 22 for the $750 Early Bird price.
Continuing Education credits from California Department of Pesticide Regulation and California Crop Advisors have been applied for and are pending approval.
Interested in becoming a Sponsor? Please complete the Sponsorship Form.
Contacts for more information:
Logistics and Registration – Julia Kalika, Program and Events Specialist, anrprogramsupport@ucanr.edu 530-750-1380
Course Content – Peter Ako Larbi, Assistant Cooperative Extension Specialist
Download (236KB PDF)
Irrigation training day August 27
Jul 29, 2019
Come learn basic irrigation management in orchards and vineyards at the Madera Farm Bureau from 8-10 AM on August 27. We will cover evapotranspiration, soil sensors, and pressure chambers. Registration is free, but since space is limited, required. The link for registration is in the flier!
Download (1,848KB PDF)
Spring 2019
Mar 5, 2019
Alkalaiweed is a new weed popping up in pistachio orchards. If you have it, please participate in a survey to help us learn more about it.
Pistachio crop insurance listening session held on March 13th in the Madera County Farm Bureau building.
Almond nutrient and water management field day held on March 14th in Del Rey, California.
Almond orchard cover crop field day held on March 21st in Winton, California.
See inside for more details.
Download (716KB PDF)
Summer 2019
Jul 9, 2019
Maximizing walnut quality to improve value in a low-price year, Regulated Deficit Irrigation in Almonds to Manage Hull Rot, and On-Farm Recharge on Pecans for Groundwater Sustainability
Includes a Survey on grower interest in the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act (SGMA) and On Farm Recharge (OFR),
Meeting announcement: Kings/Tulare Counties NUT HARVEST SAFETY TRAINING DAY
Download (838KB PDF)
Winter Meeting Announcement
Oct 29, 2018
REMINDER: the second annual winter IPM meeting is on December 12, 2018. Speakers and location details are in the attached PDF. You can register for this free event online at cemadera.ucanr.edu or by calling 559-675-7879 ext. 7209. Registration is not necessary, but appreciated.
2.0 DPR continuing education credits have been approved. See you there!
Download (397KB PDF)
Almond Mating Disruption Meeting
Sep 5, 2018
Kris Tollerup will be holding a meeting on mating disruption at the Kearney REC in Parlier, California on September 25. 2.5 units of other credits will be offered. For more information, please see the attached flier.
Download (158KB PDF)
Summer 2018
Jun 25, 2018
CORRECTION: I stated that you could soil apply Solubor at 50 lbs/acre, when I should have stated Borax, which is approximately 10.5% boron (Solubor is 20%), and added the pounds of actual boron/acre. The corrected sentences now read:
"Major boron deficiencies can be corrected via a soil application (major deficiencies would be far below the critical value). In both almonds and pistachios, broadcast 25 to 50 lbs of Borax per acre (about 2-4 lbs of actual boron). Make sure to take into account soil texture: lighter textured soils should have lower rates of application."
New podcast: Growing the Valley, Alternaria leaf blight in pistachios, how to monitor boron in almonds and pistachios, and announcement for the 2018 Walnut Short Course.
Download (318KB PDF)
Spring 2018
Mar 8, 2018
Stink bugs and plant bugs in fruit crops, guest article with an herbicide sprayer checklist by Kurt Hembree, and March 20th nutrient management meeting announcement
Download (527KB PDF)