Consult your PCA immediately if you see gumming on nuts in the spring, which is a sign of feeding by plant bugs. Information on BMSB can be found at www.stopbmsb.org. An Important Point About Reject Damage… One must also consider that the reject level determined during grading reflects the weight of kernels with reject damage that remained in the delivery lot at the time of receipt. However, reject kernels are also “lost” throughout the harvesting, hulling, and shelling processes, reducing the overall level of damage reflected on your grower statement. For those producing meat deliveries, it has been well documented that the harvesting, shelling, and cleaning processes can remove approximately half of the reject kernels from the flow of product. In other words, the actual crop losses coming out of the orchard can be much higher than the level indicated on a delivery’s grade sheet, typically twice as high. Growers producing inshell do not enjoy the same “benefit.” Inshell almonds with insect damage are not typically light enough to be separated from the product flow during hulling and even the most modern technology cannot detect insect damaged kernels within inshell almonds. Thus, the damaged kernels remain in the crop at delivery, producing higher reject levels than if the crop had been shelled. For this reason, growers producing inshell should sample their crop during the harvest prior to pick-up to determine the best option for further processing when deciding to deliver
as inshell or meats, maximizing the value of the crop. Your Regional Manager is a valuable resource who can help with this decision. The table below presents the financial impact of varying reject levels on a 2,500 per acre yield, produced as meats at $2.00 per pound and includes the almond loss during the harvest and shelling process. When calculated, a 1% reject level can produce a reduction in value of more than $130 per acre; at 5%, the loss is more than $800 per acre and at 10%, the loss is nearly $1,500 per acre! An additional threat imposed by excessive reject levels comes in the form of potential increases in aflatoxin levels resulting from extreme worm damage. Aflatoxin is a carcinogen by-product of the fungus Aspergillus flavus, which can be introduced into the kernel by the Navel Orangeworm. Controlling reject levels can have a definite effect in reducing aflatoxin levels within the crop. All growers should employ the services of a professional Pest Control Advisor to provide the best opportunities for a successful Integrated Pest Management program. When dealing with NOW, proper treatment timing and complete coverage are critical components of proper insect management. There is no substitute for orchard sanitation during the dormant season. Clearly, poor mummy shaking conditions can contribute to the rising reject levels. Orchard sanitation, mating disruption, population monitoring, and proper application are the keys to maximizing quality and value.
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