IN YOUR ORCHARD
Figure 5 by Mel Machado
starts well before an application. It starts with finding and removing areas or hosts where these pests can overwinter. Leaf-Footed Bugs will overwinter in fruit trees (pomegranates), evergreens, and wood piles. Stinkbugs can overwinter in the orchard, but that is why scouting becomes vital as we enter the season. Once a bug or damage is found, there is no waiting period before an application should be made. The longer you wait the longer they will have to feed. Lastly, choose the correct product and make sure to have a good application. Your PCA can help you with all the elements listed above. There may be a few of you readers who have not yet dealt with these pests and are wondering why I am talking about them so much. Here is why: according to our Blue Diamond reject data, since 2014 Brown Spot has increased dramatically and is now the number two cause of rejects, only behind Navel orangeworm. In 2022 Brown Spot was the number one reject in the Independence variety. In some cases, the damage has been so severe that reject levels exceeded 30%, deeming those deliveries as oil stock. These are pests that you, as growers, need to be aware of so you can scout for and control them. They are a pest we can no longer ignore.
Trent Voss, Regional Manager, Blue Diamond Growers
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ALMOND FACTS
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