Growing the Valley

In our 1-minute challenges we describe key almond, pistachio, prune, and walnut orchard tasks for the month of August.

The effects of climate change are already here, and unless we cut down on carbon emissions, things will only get worse. Agriculture is an industry that is incredibly vulnerable to this threat, and is an area of intense research among scientists. While we know a lot about current and future affects, the complexity of this problem means that we won’t fully understand the impacts until they are already here. Because of this, this series is focused more on speculations based on modeling, as well as research on insect and plant responses to changes in carbon dioxide, temperatures, and earlier transitions from winter into spring (which results in less chill accumulation and earlier emergence of pests). This introductory episode with Tapan Pathak will lay the foundation for the series. You will hear some things multiple times in different episodes, but from different perspectives. Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.  The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

Dr. Kari Arnold (UCCE Orchard and Vineyard Systems Advisor) discusses both the history and current state of walnut blackline in California.

Dr. Kari Arnold (UCCE Orchard and Vineyard Systems Advisor) discusses both the history and future goals for growing apricots in California.

In our 1-minute challenges we describe key almond, pistachio, prune, and walnut orchard tasks for the month of July.

Dr. Greg Browne (USDA-ARS Plant Pathologist based at UC Davis) shares his expert insights on the diagnosis and management of Phytophthora in almond and walnut orchards.

Then graduate student, Bob Johnson (UC Davis) discusses Phellinus, the cause of heart rot and wood decay in prunes, and the potential of biocontrol as a treatment.

Breeding Pt. 4: Craig Ledbetter on the USDA breeding program

An effective foliar spray depends on picking the correct product for the job, applying at the right time, getting the concentration correct, and most importantly: making sure the product is applied correctly. The last step, despite being the most important, is often overlooked. Peter Ako Larbi, a new spray engineer based at Kearney Research and Extension Center in Parlier, discusses how to improve foliar spray applications in orchards.  Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.  The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.

In our 1-minute challenges we describe key almond, pistachio, prune, and walnut orchard tasks for the month of June.

On May 18 California hosted the virtual International Prune Association Congress. As part of the congress Luke moderated an orchard management panel. The panelists were Joe Turkovich (USA), Maud Delavaud (France), and Andres Olivos del Rio (Chile). The conversation sheds light on the struggles faced by prune production and orchard agriculture more broadly in three key global production areas. Many thanks to the panelists and to the California Prune Board for lettings us share this session as a podcast.

In this encore performance of the premier episode of our irrigation series, David Doll and Luke Milliron dive into why skilled irrigation management is what separates the best almond farmers from the rest of the pack.

Phoebe, Luke, and Roger Duncan (UCCE Stanislaus) discuss the latest results out of their respective regional almond variety trial sites.

In our 1-minute challenges we describe key almond, pistachio, prune, and walnut orchard tasks for the month of May. Luke also discusses the extensive freeze damage that farm advisors are observing in walnut orchards.

Tom Devol of the Almond Board of California shares how leaks can quickly lead to large losses, complicating nutrient management as well as good irrigation system management. He shares tips on where to look for leaks and how to best maintain your irrigation system. If you farm in Tehama, Butte, Colusa, Glenn, Shasta or Yolo counties you can apply for a free system evaluation from the Tehama Resource Conservation District Mobile Irrigation Lab. For more information, or to schedule a free evaluation, please contact: Kevin Greer (530) 727 – 1297, kevin@tehamacountyrcd.org.  If you do not farm in those counties, your local RCD may also provide help. Thank you to the Almond, Pistachio, Prune, and Walnut Boards of California for their kind donations. Thank you to Muriel Gordon for the music. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of the University of California. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only.  The "University of California" name and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service.