Issue link: http://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/1170186
A L M O N D O R C H A R D 2 0 2 5 G O A L S HARVEST DUST 5 He recognizes there are challenges to overcome — perhaps some that have yet to be identified. "We're still trying to figure out the right time to go in and shake," he said. "If you wait too long, the nuts will be ready and we'll lose some product as it will fall to the ground through windfall. We think if we can do better than 1 or 2 percent loss on the ground, we'll be way ahead." Off the farm, Wahlbrink has been engaged in ongoing research funded by the Almond Board of California (ABC), serving as the chair of the ABC Harvest Workgroup. Composed of fellow growers, processors and equipment manufacturers, the group is committed to exploring all possibilities to help reduce dust during almond harvest by 50% by 2025 — one of the four Almond Orchard 2025 Goals adopted by the ABC Board of Directors in 2018. The Workgroup evaluates technologies and funds research proposals that will advance the California almond industry toward its 2025 Goals. "ABC is trying to keep an open learning platform for everybody," Wahlbrink said. "We've had really good success with the major equipment manufacturers. Most of them are at the table collaborating with us, which is really a big compliment to them. They are setting aside their proprietary nature for the sake of the industry." A recently completed University of California research project funded by ABC also sheds light on the costs associated with off-ground harvesting, as well as barriers to adoption. Dr. Christopher Simmons, associate professor and Vice Chair of the Department of Food Science & Technology at UC Davis, designed a study to quantify the potential profit impacts of off-ground harvesting for growers compared to conventional harvesting practices. "The industry has had a working system that has capitalized on free and abundant energy for drying almonds in the orchard by virtue of using passive solar drying," Simmons said. "The thought that we would take almonds out of the orchard or use some other type of drying method that may require fuel input or other resources was not necessarily as attractive in the past as it may be now." However, Simmons notes that when other considerations are factored in, such as dust generation and the changing regulatory landscape, there's an incentive to look at different harvesting methods, such as off-ground harvesting. A year's worth of studying off-ground harvesting techniques based on different drying methods, such as in-orchard windrow drying, lot drying with stabilized or tarped soil and mechanical drying, provided promising results. Of the off-ground harvesting scenarios Dr. Simmons' team analyzed, several passive and active drying strategies are projected to deliver a positive change in profit to growers, up to $178 per acre, along with varying degrees of dust control. "This research allows us to see what options we have when it comes to off-ground harvesting, and what avenues for further exploration and technological development are best suited for the California almond industry. Ultimately, the industry's work in this area is bringing us one big step closer to achieving our 2025 Goal of reducing dust during harvest; that's an exciting reality," said Sebastian Saa, senior manager of Agricultural Affairs at the Almond Board. Added to the environmental benefits and projected cost savings to growers, Wahlbrink looks forward to the prospect of a less chaotic, more peaceful harvest season on his ranches. "Maybe one day, a machine comes through, shakes the trees and the almonds are gone and the harvest is done," Wahlbrink said. "Can you imagine?" Change in net return per acre above total costs relative to conventional practices ($/acre) + (desirable) - (undesirable) Harvest operations • Blowing/sweeping are avoided • Pickup may be avoided Cultural practices • Fewer pest control measures needed • Less stringent leveling needed Losses due to windfall; may be affected by • Region • Variety • Harvest schedule Harvesters; effect currently unknown; rental cost will be affected by • Capital cost • Fuel/labor demand/cost • Lifespan/depreciation • Maintenance cost ? This is a summary of orchard and harvesting factors that may be impacted by off-ground harvesting techniques and their potential to affect grower profit. Summary taken from Almond Board of California-funded research conducted by UC Davis' Dr. Christopher Simmons and team. Continued from page 4