Almond growers can’t seem to catch a break. After years of drought and limited irrigation supplies, producers have had to deal with a series of El Nino rain storms that have created conditions that could lead to more pest problems in 2016.

To help growers deal with those challenges, Western Farm Press and Arysta LifeScience presented a webinar on “Best IPM Pest and Disease Practices for Almonds During Drought & Rain” on Thursday, March 17. 

To view the archived webinar, click on http://bit.ly/21zpIse

“Today, the California almond industry is challenged to produce a healthy nut that's not only safe to eat but grown in a sustainable manner,” says Cary Blake, editor of Western Farm Press. “Making this is a bit challenging, weather wise, is the impact of drought and rain on timely and effective pest and disease management in almond orchards.”

Speakers for the webinar were Emily Symmes and Kris Tollerup, IPM specialists with University of California Cooperative Extension. They discussed the major insect and disease pests confronting almond producers and integrated pest management practices for dealing with them. They also addressed issues that may be created by El Nino weather events and lower prices for almonds and other tree nuts.

Dr. Symmes, who is located in Oroville, Calif., works with almonds and walnuts as major commodities in the area of the Sacramento Valley she covers. She has been developing research and outreach programs for those crops tailored to the pest management issues specific to the northern part of the Sacramento Valley.

Dr. Tollerup, based at the Kearney Agricultural Research & Extension Center in Parlier, Calif., specializes in almonds, pistachios, tree fruits and grapes in his work with area growers. He is pursuing several insect pest management projects important to almonds.

“This webinar will provide important tools to help almond growers, pest control advisers, consultants and other maximize the use and timing of applications of chemical products during drought and rain events, including wet El Niño weather patterns,” says Blake.

For more information on western agriculture, visit http://westernfarmpress.com.