Issue link: https://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 PEST MANAGEMENT 9 Other tools in a grower's toolbox Though early harvest and winter sanitation are foundational practices for NOW control, the battle doesn't end there. Other summit speakers emphasized the importance of monitoring in-orchard pest levels through the use of egg traps or Peterson (adult female moth) traps to help optimize spray timing and reduce NOW populations. In addition to sprays, mating disruption (MD) is becoming increasingly important for controlling NOW, Lewis said. MD involves releasing female NOW pheromones into orchards, confusing males and delaying or even preventing mating, leading to reduced egg laying. The Almond Board is encouraging growers to increase their use of MD because of its proven track record in reducing NOW levels and integration with integrated pest management (IPM) systems. In line with ABC's recommendation to growers, Kent Stenderup, a Kern County almond grower and session speaker, shared how the use of MD allowed him to eliminate one spray, and how he was able to access USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) incentive funds to help pay for MD. To be clear, though, MD cannot outmatch the effectiveness of an early harvest and winter sanitation. "We're not typically using MD to replace sanitation or all insecticides. At this point, it's another tool in the toolbox being used in addition to other tools," David Haviland, UCCE entomology and IPM farm advisor in Kern County told West Coast Nut earlier this year. "One concern is that some growers want to pay for MD as a method to save money, and time, on sanitation – essentially doing less or no sanitation," Haviland said. "Unfortunately, growers who don't sanitize and expect that MD by itself is going to solve the problem are setting themselves up for problems. However, research has shown that using MD in addition to existing management programs, including sanitation and insecticides, is effective and can reduce damage by another 50%." Spending to save – control worth the cost During the summit, several speakers shared one key message: NOW damage costs growers more than they think, and a heightened focus on controlling this pest likely makes up for the investment required to do so — and then some. Mel Machado, director of Member Relations for Blue Diamond Growers, reported that Nonpareil rejects caused by NOW damage are generally below 1.5% across the state, though the levels rose above 2% in 2017 when pest pressure was exceptionally high. He noted that the shelling process already screens out Removal of mummy nuts by shaking and/or poling is fundamental and the most effective navel orangeworm control method. Continued from page 8