Almond Nut Quality Earns High Marks for the 2011 Season

Editor’s note: We welcome again our guest blogger UC IPM entomologist Walt Bentley, whose specialty includes managing pests in almonds.

The final almond harvest samples are being evaluated and most of you have already gotten the quality grades from your processor. Based on what laboratory assistant Alex Newton and I have found, nut quality was excellent. As might be expected, navel orangeworm (NOW) was the most common problem followed by shriveled nutmeats. There was no plant bug or ant damage and very minor peach twig borer damage. 

Table 1 below presents the infestation summary for the orchards in the San Joaquin  Sustainable Farming Project, which is directed by the Sustainable Cotton Project.

UC IPM photo by Jack Kelly Clark

Not all samples have been evaluated. Nut infestation ranged from zero to 4.8 percent.  Interestingly, the variety with the greatest damage was a Butte (hard shell) orchard. It is the orchard where our greatest navel orangeworm egg counts were found and the mummy load going into the summer was high.

Overall the infestation levels are very low. You can see from the harvests sample data that there were numerous locations where we found no infestation. Be sure to compare these results with what you get from your processor. We are still in the process of cracking almonds so, if you don’t see your orchard code in the table it means it has not been evaluated yet.  This information will be available for the fall SJSFP almond meeting, which is scheduled for November 29. A field day announcement will be mailed to you.

Figure 1 presents the pooled egg count information from all 13 almond farmers in the project. This information comes from the trapping data in the egg counts. The egg laying is not the same as the harvest sample.

This year almond development was quite late and early harvest was not really possible. We didn’t see the initiation of hull split (Nonpareil - NP) until July 20 and 100 percent NP hull spit until August 3.  NOW deposition, although later than normal, was not as affected after May. Consequently, most of the Nonpareil crop avoided infestation in July, but was completely exposed to moths in late August.

Compare your harvest date to the graph showing the development of the third period of egg laying beginning on August 10. This time frame is important because the new crop is not susceptible to NOW until the hulls split.  Once 100 percent hull split occurs the new crop can be attacked.  When moths are abundant and hull split has completed, infestation results. 

Finally, I have included a graph from work done by Dr. Dick Rice, University of California, Davis emeritus, that compares the dynamics of NOW based on either male moth capture, black light capture of males and females, and eggs found on egg traps.  Figure 2 presents this information. I interpret this to show that the egg traps are very effective in determining the dynamics of moth activity, particularly late in the season.  It gives us confidence in the information gained from egg traps.

UC IPM photo by Jack Kelly Clark

After studying the cause of your rejects, make a mental note to count mummies left after harvest in your orchard. This will be done after the leaves are gone, but it is important.  Unharvested mummies left in the orchard are the single best indicator of navel orangeworm problems to come.  Only two trees counted per acre gives a good estimate of potential problems.  Problems result when the orchard averages two mummies per tree.  Remember it is a pair of deuces, two trees per acre counted and two nuts per tree.

Walt Bentley is a long-time entomologist with the University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management program at the Kearney Ag Center in Parlier.

Annual Cotton Tour Nears: The deadline nears to sign up for our annual Cotton Tour on Tuesday, November 8. The free day-long tour offers participants have the opportunity to meet growers, visit a gin and even pick some cotton. Buses will leave the Best Western Apricot Inn – Interstate 5 and West Panoche Road about 23 miles southwest of Firebaugh – at 8:30 a.m. and return about 4 p.m.  Spread the word to anyone you think is interested in joining us. Registration is required. Sign up at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RQG9P3G

Table 1.  SJ Sustainable Farming Project: almond crack out, 2011 based on 500 nut sample.

Grower ID	Variety	Harvest date	% NOW	% PTB	% Total
30	NonPareil	24 Aug	0.0	0.0	0.0
14	Butte	31 Aug	4.6	0.2.	4.8
11	Butte	1 Sep	0.0	0.0	0.0
12	NonPareil	12 Sep	2.2	0.0	2.2
12	Fritz	26 Sep	0.0	0.0	0.0
0	NonPareil	12 Sep	2.6	0.0	2.6
15	NonPareil	15 Sep	0.2	0.0	0.2
29	Butte	---	0.0	0.0	0.0
29	Padre	---	0.2	0.0	0.2
13	Monterey	13 Sep	0.4	0.0	0.4
16	Padre	23 Sep	0.0	0.0	0.0

Fig. 1. NOW egg trap oviposition, 13 Orchards West Side  

Fresno and  Madera counties, Sept. 28, 2011.

It's Cotton Picking Time for Growers Across the Valley

Acres and acres of cotton are ready for harvest in the Valley.

The wait is almost over.

 In a few days, we should see some Pima growers sending out harvesters to pick their cotton. These grower will have a head start over other Pima producers because they were able to plant their crop during a break between storms in March.

 I wouldn’t be surprise to find the Pima harvest wrapping up after Thanksgiving – thanks to early season cool weather.

Acala cotton harvest is in full swing.

Even with the late harvest, growers should have amble time to shred the cotton stalks and disc their fields to meet the plow-down deadline aimed at managing the crop-damaging pink bollworm in the spring. Of course, Mother Nature needs to cooperate. Last year, the deadline was extended in December because rain made the fields too muddy for farmers to get equipment into their fields.

For Acala growers, their harvest is well under way and they should continue picking their cotton for another week to 10 days.

Overall, the lint looks good. Acala growers should get good yields. Right now, cotton modules are lining up at the gins. To save costs, gins start firing up in November when lower winter electrical rates kick in. Then the ginning picks up steam.

Our annual Cotton Tour is a perfect photo opportunity.

 Cotton Tour Nears: Our annual Cotton Tour is around the corner. The free event is Tuesday, November 8 and includes lunch in downtown Firebaugh. Participants will have an opportunity to meet growers, visit a gin and even pick some cotton. One of the stops will include a visit with Windfall Farms’ growers Frank Williams and Mark Fickett. Visitors will have a chance to inspect Windfall’s cotton fields and perennial hedgerow. So spread the word. Buses will leave the Best Western Apricot Inn – Interstate 5 and West Panoche Road about 23 miles southwest of Firebaugh – at 8:30 a.m. and return about 4 p.m. Registration is required. Sign up at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RQG9P3G

                         

Growers Finally Start the Cotton Harvest in Central San Joaquin

Growers have started picking the Acala cotton in the Valley.

   It’s mid-October and the cotton harvest is finally here in the central San Joaquin Valley.

 With the unseasonable rain behind us, harvesters started traversing local Acala cotton fields last week. Pima growers began defoliating their crop and in another few weeks, they will start picking the fluffy fiber.

I’m seeing anywhere from nine to 14 open bolls per plant. In my plant mapping, I’m counting an average of four locks (bunches of lint) within the boll in Acala and three locks in Pima as well as six to seven seeds per boll. All this indicates  good crop set.

Wet cotton after last week's rain. The
lint dried quickly once the sun came out.

Because of this, Acala growers should see good yields this season. For Pima, it could turn out to be an average year for yields. But good commodity prices certainly will help everyone. You can attribute this year’s healthy yields to three things: Good pest management, ample availability of water (unlike those drought years) and warm summer weather, which allowed the cotton plants to make up some of the lost time due to late plantings caused by last-spring rains and cool temperatures.

Speaking of the rain, the early October wet stuff didn’t harm the fiber. Lint dried up quickly with the return of warmer temperatures. The rain did help wash off dirt and sticky honeydew from the cotton. Overall, growers are excited as they head for the final stretch of the season. They certainly will be ready for a little post-season rest and relaxation.

I'm describing a harvester to last year's Cotton Tour group.

Cotton Tour Countdown: Don’t forget to spread the word about our annual Cotton Tour on Tuesday, November 8. There’s still room available for the free event, which includes lunch in downtown Firebaugh. Participants always enjoy the opportunity to meet growers, visit a gin and pick a little cotton. For many, it’s the first time they have come face-to-face to a real cotton farmer. Buses will leave the Best Western Apricot Inn – Interstate 5 and West Panoche Road about 23 miles southwest of Firebaugh – at 8:30 a.m. and return about 4 p.m. Registration is required. Sign up at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RQG9P3G

Rain Leaves Cleaner Cotton Plants as Growers Prepare for Harvest

The sun is shining. And Indian summer is back in the Northern San Joaquin Valley with high temperatures heading back into the 80s for the rest of this week.

October sure started off with a storm. We had up to 1 inch of rain around the region. On the plus side to cotton growers, the rain helped wash off any dust or sticky honeydew on the plants. Right now, growers don’t expect to have any mold or mildew problems with the fiber.

Kevin Long of Olam Cotton in Fresno tells us that he doesn’t think any fiber quality issues will develop because of the rain. “The sun was out after the rains and additionally there was a nice wind blowing afterwards that would help dry the cotton out. There is a smaller percentage of cotton exposed to the rain now vs. what will be open and exposed three weeks from now.”

Last week's rain across the Valley left fields muddy.

The rain did interrupt work in the cotton fields last week. Now, everything is buzzing again.  Acala growers are ready to harvest their crop and Pima farmers are moving ahead with defoliation.  Around our area, many growers should start picking Acala around mid-week.

As I traveled around Friday, the fields were too muddy for any ground application of defoliants. I saw some planes making aerial applications as growers rushed to take advantage of the warmer weekend weather.

With the later-developing Pima varieties, I expect growers to start defoliating sometime this week. If Mother Nature cooperates, look for the Pima harvest to start the first week of November.

Buses  will shuttle dozens of Cotton Tour participants
directly to the field to meet and talk with cotton growers.

Cotton Tour Coming Up: Here’s another reminder about our annual Cotton Tour on Tuesday, November 8. There’s still room available for the free event, which includes a tasty lunch in downtown Firebaugh. Participants will have an opportunity to meet growers, visit a gin and even pick some cotton. Buses will leave the Best Western Apricot Inn – Interstate 5 and West Panoche Road about 23 miles southwest of Firebaugh – at 8:30 a.m. and return about 4 p.m. Registration is required. Sign up at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RQG9P3G

Cotton Experts Weigh in on Early Fall Rain in the Valley

Because of the unseasonably cool weather and early fall rain swooping into the San Joaquin Valley this week, we are publishing a special post updating growers about the weather's impact on this year's cotton crop. We thank two leading California cotton experts for providing their perspectives and tips.

Dr. Pete Goodell, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management advisor, Kearney Ag Center: Westside Fresno and Merced counties received between 0.35 inches at the UC West Side Research and Extension Center in Five Points and 1.28 inches in Los Banos.

Dr. Pete Goodell

In general, a half inch is considered good for cleaning dust, dirt and honeydew off plants. However, if cotton is still green with defoliation weeks away, rainfall could wash more dirt and honeydew onto lint.

If defoliation has occurred, this will affect efficacy due to lower temperatures. It might also cause some re-greening as plants receive some limited moisture. If defoliation and harvest is still a ways off, it might have no effect.

The bottom line: It all depends on location, amount of rainfall and condition/maturity of crop.

Bob Hutmacher, UC statewide cotton specialist: Lower temperatures and the start of rain bring some challenges to getting this cotton crop harvested and out of the field.

Bob Hutmacher

Lower temperatures slow the rate of maturation of later developing bolls, making it harder to get them open and ready for harvest. The cooler weather also means that chemicals like Ginstar don’t work quite as well as harvest aids. As a result, you may need to consider higher application rates at lower temperatures (such as with Ginstar), or if temperatures drop well below 80 degrees, you may do better by changing to different harvest aids (defoliation/prep combination, for instance) that work better at lower temperatures.

Rain is always a threat as we prepare for harvest. In some cotton varieties, cotton is held relatively “loose” in the boll and the added weight of rain can cause the cotton to “string out” even more than would otherwise occur. This brings the real threat of cotton dropping to the ground instead of hanging on the plant waiting for the picker. Fields usually hold up pretty well through the first rain, but repeated rains can result in some significant losses, particularly those varieties with loosely held cotton and fully mature bolls (such as some of the Acalas). Try to stage harvests to get the worst-affected fields harvested first, before losses can become more severe.

Storm clouds hover over Firebaugh area Thursday morning.

To be harvestable, some of the really late-developing cotton bolls need some additional heat units to fully mature and be ready to open up as we apply harvest aids. If there are too few heat units for the really late bolls, such as some of the late bolls in the upper canopy on Pima plants this year, it is unlikely that those can be opened for harvest no matter what combination of harvest aid chemicals are used.

In many parts of the San Joaquin Valley this year, particularly in Pima fields, there may be more second-picking of cotton fields, as the growers get the first picks out of the way during better weather and then see if a second pick might be a possibility for later maturing bolls.

Cooler Weather Puts Pima Defoliation in Holding Pattern

Ominous rain clouds hover over the California Aqueduct.

When it comes to farming there’s one prediction that’s sure to come true: Unpredictable weather.

That’s certainly the case for cotton growers.

First rain and cool weather pushed back spring plantings. Now, Mother Nature is at it again in early fall. Unseasonal cool daytime high temperatures and the chance of rain in the coming days have put prepping and defoliation plans on hold for pima cotton growers. (Acala bolls develop faster so growers don’t have to do prep work. They started defoliating last week).

Rain will impact work in cotton fields.

Pima growers will prep their plants with materials (boll openers) to enhance boll development before applying defoliants. You want plants to have at least 50 to 65 percent of the bolls open. 

 However, growers are in a holding pattern because any significant rainfall could wash away some material and force growers to spend more money on re-application. Moreover, daytime temperatures need to be above 80 degrees for several days to ensure proper defoliation. The forecast calls for highs in the 70s through Friday. Historically, Valley daytime highs hover in the 80s during the first couple weeks of October. So we wait. The University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management website has more information about harvest aid chemicals for cotton.

For the optimists, a little rain could help clean off dust and any honeydew on the plants, which can prevent sticky cotton and a downgrade on fiber quality. If Mother Nature cooperates, we may see some Pima being harvested after Thanksgiving.

Overall, everything is pretty much moving ahead.  Pests aren’t a real concern now. And growers are expecting some good yields this season.

The media learns about cotton cultivation during our annual farm tour conducted at harvest time.

Annual Cotton Tour Reminder: Don’t forget to spread the word about our annual Cotton Tour on Tuesday, November 8. It’s a free event and includes lunch in downtown Firebaugh. Participants will have an opportunity to meet growers, visit a gin 

and even pick some cotton. Buses will leave the Best Western Apricot Inn – Interstate 5 and West Panoche Road about 23 miles southwest of Firebaugh – at 8:30 a.m. and return about 4 p.m. Registration is required. Sign up for the tour at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/RQG9P3G