Orchard Crops

California cherry growers look for 2012 rebound

Fri, 25 May 2012 19:21:00 +0000

A good San Joaquin County cherry harvest would be a welcome change from 2011, when late spring rains wiped out much of the valuable crop, causing losses estimated at $146 million.

Western Pecan Gowers Association Conference photos

Thu, 17 May 2012 21:47:00 +0000

Agriculture relying more on wild pollinators

Wed, 16 May 2012 20:41:00 +0000

Penn State University

Orchard crops such as fruits and nuts are being heavily impacted by honey bee shortages for pollination, so growers are relying more and more on wild bees and other native pollinators to ensure an abundant harvest.

California olive industry eyes import enemies

Wed, 16 May 2012 13:34:00 +0000

Dennis Pollock, Contributing Writer

California's olive oil industry is dealing with import pain. Olive oil producers in California last year accounted for 1.5 percent of the olive oil consumed in the United States. The state’s production was 1.2 million gallons, compared to 78 million gallons that was imported into the country. California producers of oil and table olives share threats from lower quality imports, along with subsidized competition.

Arizona wine grape growers optimistic about 2012

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:02:00 +0000

Arizona Wine Growers Association

The Arizona wine industry is receiving attention as the number of vineyard acres are expanding, wine production is increasing, and the quality of Arizona wines are recognized.

New avocado rootstocks high-performing and disease-tolerant

Fri, 11 May 2012 20:28:00 +0000

Iqbal Pittalwala, UC Riverside

Phytophthora root rot (PRR) has already eliminated commercial avocado production in many areas in Latin America and crippled production in Australia and South Africa. Just in California the disease is estimated to cost avocado growers approximately $30-40 million a year in production losses.

Large olive crop may benefit from chemical thinning

Fri, 11 May 2012 18:54:00 +0000

Elizabeth Fichtner and Bill Krueger, UC Olive Notes

A heavy crop load of olives does not come without consequences. A high fruit load will result in reduced vegetative growth during 2012 and exacerbate the degree of alternate bearing in the following 'off' year. Production of a large crop of small fruit may impact profit. Management of fruit size may be achieved by pruning and/or chemical thinning.

California Crop Weather: Temperatures spike vine growth

Thu, 10 May 2012 01:01:00 +0000

Almond nuts developed nicely. Hail damage was evaluated in the SJV, but the overall crop looked large. Heavy sets were reported across the state.

California crops get production cost studies

Wed, 09 May 2012 19:54:00 +0000

Almonds, walnuts, mandarins, wine grapes, peppermint oil

UCANR

New studies showing production costs for almonds, walnuts, mandarins, wine grapes and peppermint oil are now available from the UCCE.

Illegal trees put California citrus industry at risk

Wed, 09 May 2012 19:54:00 +0000

Craig Kallsen, UC Farm Advisor, Citrus, Pistachios/Subtropical Horticulture

Bringing in an illegal bud and propagating a new branch or tree of a favorite pummelo from a country in Asia, no matter how sweet the fruit; or a lime from Mexico, no matter how much it reminds one of home or a fun vacation; or possibly even a citron from an arboretum in Europe, no matter how good the fruit smells; puts the entire California citrus industry at extreme risk.