California’s almond crop down significantly

California’s almond harvest is in full swing. “We started harvesting in mid-August this year, about two weeks earlier than normal,” says Caleb Gervase with Van Duyn Farms, Inc. The company grows nearly 1,200 acres of almonds in California’s Central Valley. “Based on what we’ve harvested so far, this year’s crop appears to be down from last year as much as 15 percent, although it is too early to know for sure,” mentioned Gervase. The trees didn’t get enough chill hours and fog during winter, which may result in a decrease in the California almond crop for the state compared to last year. 

Van Duyn Farms grows several different nut varieties including Nonpareil, Aldrich and Carmel. The company has almost finished its Nonpareil harvest and started harvesting the Aldrich variety last week. The photo below shows almond trees being shaken. The nuts stay on the ground for about five to seven days to dry before they are picked up by the harvester. “It continues to be a balancing act leading up to and during harvest, scheduling irrigations, shaking, sweeping, and picking up the nuts from the ground at an ideal moisture level,” said Gervase. 

California’s drought has made 2015 even more of a challenging year than 2014 was. “The Irrigation districts we farm in have further reduced water allocations this year and as a result, some of our ranches will receive about 45 percent of the amount of water the trees require, while other ranches in other irrigation districts are better off.” Van Duyn’s wells need to make up for the shortfall. “Prior to the drought, the majority of our ranches have been irrigated with surface water from the irrigation districts, however, due to the drought, we’ve had to rely on our wells to supplement.” Gervase feels very fortunate to farm in some of the very good irrigation districts and that the groundwater levels and water quality in his area have remained adequate so far. “We utilize drip irrigation and micro sprinklers, allowing us to apply water as efficiently as possible,” Gervase added.

This year’s lower crop results in the possibility of demand for almonds exceeding supply. According to Gervase, prices are expected to stay high during California’s drought as many are hesitant to plant new acreage. “I expect acreages to increase once the drought ends, after strong rainfall and a significant snowpack,” Gervase mentioned. “However, the availability of tree stock from the nurseries will be a limiting factor in acreage expansion,” he added. 

The US is the largest single market for California almonds. Nevertheless, 80 percent of the nuts are exported overseas. Europe is a large, but mature consumption market. China and India are the largest growth markets for California almonds. 

Van Duyn Farms has implemented an array of sustainable farming practices. For its irrigation management, the company utilizes CIIMIS crop evapotranspiration data to schedule irrigations and efficiently apply the amount of water required via drip irrigation and micro sprinklers. Regarding nutrient management, soil and plant tissue tests are performed throughout the year to compile a nutrient budget used to determine the right rate, time, place and source of nutrients to be applied to the orchard. In addition, the company is using solar energy to offset electricity needs for irrigation pumps. 

For more information:

Caleb Gervase

Tel: (+1) 209-482-1765