CROP PROTECTION
Almonds: Burn down herbicides are going on to keep berms clean in mature orchards and ensure an effective pre-emergent herbicide. Some growers are applying soil amendments. It may be a warm, dry winter ahead. We may want to consider including an insecticide with our dormant sprays to be proactive for insect activity in the spring. Some growers are doing a zinc leaf drop spray and adding in boron as one last shot to get ready for bloom time. Having adequate boron levels stored in the tree is important for pollen tube elongation during bloom. This spray is a good shot to ensure your boron levels are ideal for bloom.
Citrus: Gibb sprays are being wrapped up. Some earlier varieties have been picked. The copper fungicide treatment for Korea protocol needs to be done by November 30. Be sure to talk with your packing house about what products may be used. Citrus fix sprays are being applied to help keep stems green and prevent drop. This is typically done on any later harvested varieties and blocks that have been gibbed. Some growers are still applying soil amendments. Burn down sprays are going on as we get the ground prepped for pre-emergent herbicides.
Grapes: We are currently in a holding pattern for this crop. Harvest is about done. Pruning is just starting. PCAs are talking with growers who are doing early pruning about wood disease. PCAs are also starting to talk with growers about burn down materials for weeds. We are planning out soil amendments such as sulfate of potash, gypsum and/or compost.
Stone Fruit: We are finishing up our zinc sulfate sprays for leaf drop. Some growers are applying soil amendments and spraying weeds. Dormant sprays for early varieties may begin the end of December. PCAs are encouraging growers to get their permits turned in early.
Pistachios: We are coming into dormant season on this crop. Some growers are putting on some soil amendments and cleaning up berms.
Walnuts: Growers are currently pruning and cleaning up weeds after harvest. Soil samples are being pulled to help get any soil amendment plans together for winter.
Tomatoes: Groundwork has started for next year’s crop.
Dehydrated Onions: Growers are currently planning and starting groundwork for next year’s crop.
Cotton: Harvest is approximately 80% completed. Some groundwork has started for next year’s crop.
Garlic: Herbicides are being applied for grass control.
Onions: Planting is completed. Growers are running insecticide applications through sprinklers to eliminate onion maggot flies. We are currently waiting for germination and emergence.
CROP NUTRITION
The Importance of Winterization
GAR Bennett’s Water Treatment Specialist recently helped one of our growers flush their irrigation system in Woodlake, Calif. The grower called explaining he was experiencing some plugging throughout his vineyard. Both pictures are from the same drip line, one immediately after opening the end and the other is two minutes after letting the water run. This grower has not done their drip line flushing, and this is after a season of build up from surface and well water. Our specialist will now be performing a shockwave treatment to unplug all the emitters. Once completed, this irrigation system will be ready to put to bed and set to go for the next growing season.
For a full description of our Winterization Program, please contact:
Matt Acosta | 559.904.7755 | macosta@garbennett.com
Potassium Fertilization May Help a Plant Overcome Water Stress Impacts on Growth and Productivity
contributed by Tom Gerecke of Nutrient Technologies
When asked about the function of potassium (K) in plants, many Crop Advisors respond, “plant water relations”. Potassium does much more with its regulation of stomatal opening and closing than simply help a plant regulate its water use. The open stomates are necessary for CO2 to enter for photosynthesis to occur. Sugars from photosynthesis are necessary for shoot growth, root growth, and yield. Expanding leaves on growing shoots drive water uptake with essential potassium contained within. Active roots take up water for cell expansion and sugar production.
Benefits of Early Spring Lo-bi Urea Foliar Applications
contributed by Vanessa Vicencio of Yara North America
Foliar sprays are an efficient method for providing nutrients to plants through their leaves. They are most useful for micronutrients, but they can also be a great way to supplement macronutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. An important note to remember is that plants primarily take in water and nutrients through their roots, not their leaves, so foliar fertilizers should be used to support your fertilization through the soil. Foliar nutrients are taken into the plant by direct absorption by the leaves. For this reason, a foliar application is usually faster and more efficient than a soil application to correct nutrient deficiencies.
Irrigation Nitrogen Management Plans (INMPs)
Avoid state enforced fines by allowing GAR Bennett to help
In November, coalitions across the state will supply members with an INMP packet of information related to your crops. Don’t wait! Call GAR Bennett today to begin the INMP and Summary Report process.
Pricing for INMP assistance is based on the date we receive your completed packet of information:*
- $250 if received by January 1
- $350 if received after January 1
- $500 if received after coalition March 1 deadline
*Additional charges may apply for incomplete or missing data
*Pricing is adjusted for late harvest crops, please inquire
For a full description of our INMP services, please contact:
Gabby Nikolich | 559.480.3025 | agronomy@garbennett.com
WATER SERVICES & TECHNOLOGY
Shutting Down for Winter
As we plan to shut down our irrigation, it’s important to give our system a thorough maintenance check and prepare to winterize. Not sure how to get your system ready for dormancy? GAR Bennett has some key reminders to get your irrigation system in top shape for the next growing season.
WORKER SAFETY
One of our most requested training topics at GAR Bennett is pesticide handler training. Our team customizes each training to the exact products a grower uses in their operation. This ensures each customer receives the most current information that DPR implements. November is the month where trainers will begin reiterating this important topic to make sure all applicators are up to date on the exact labels being used. This is a benefit to our growers because the employees not only get a knowledgeable and hands-on trainer, but the training is tailored to their farming operation, so retention levels remain high. This is a great time to update your product list so all applicators will be geared up for when the busy season hits, which is right around the corner. Rest easy as GAR Bennett’s trainers are staying busy adding additional topics to the list of offered topics.
FOOD SAFETY
Our food safety team is in the hustle and bustle of citrus season. This includes a few varieties that most growers don’t know can be certified, like Fukumoto oranges or citron (also known as Buddha hands). As some know, the audit process to become certified can be confusing and frustrating, causing some to lease land or even sell. GAR Bennett has removed the stress of the certification process, streamlining all aspects for our growers. We plan, prep and facilitate the audits, including water and fruit sampling. A few other services we offer are inspecting sites to make sure FSMA regulations are being followed not only on your field, but Farm Labor Contractors as well. We work hand in hand with the worker safety team, ensuring all food safety training topics are being covered on a yearly schedule. Our goal is to help growers stay in compliance with packing house needs and federal guidelines so they may continue to feed the world.
Click HERE to avoid hefty fines by contacting our food and worker safety teams.
WHAT’S HAPPENING
American Grown: My Job Depends on Ag, Season 2 coming January 2021.
American Grown highlights the stories of people in agriculture, giving a voice to multiple sides on important matters impacting the industry. The agricultural industry touches our daily lives far beyond the dinner table, and agriculturists around the Valley are once again ready to share how our lives depend on agriculture!
Farmers encouraged during No-Till November
By Western Farm Press
The Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is encouraging California farmers to consider ways to minimize tillage operations. Minimizing tillage protects soil physical properties, thereby maintaining soil health and enhancing soil functions to hold and supply both water and nutrients to crops, and providing many conservation benefits to soil, water and air natural resources. – Read More
Applications Being Accepted for Sustainable Groundwater Management Grants
By Brian German, AgNet West
Applications are being accepted for Sustainable Groundwater Management (SGM) grants. The final proposal solicitation package has been released for the Proposition 68 SGM Grant Program. A total of $26 million is being made available for the current round of funding for projects located within critically overdrafted basins. The packages will need to be submitted by Friday, January 8. – Read More
GM Changes Stance, Won’t Fight California’s Tougher Emissions Rules
By Colin Beresford, Car and Driver
General Motors has reversed its decision to back the Trump administration’s fight to force California, along with 12 other states, to comply with the less stringent fuel-efficiency standards Trump’s EPA put into place in 2018 for 2022 to 2025. The move signals that GM expects President-Elect Joe Biden to take a much different stance on emissions regulations once his presidency begins in January. – Read More
