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(WOR), which recent research 4 has discovered has a plethora of benefits, not the least of which include a 32% increase in water holding capacity. ROI (Return on Insects) Controlling pests remains an important cost to manage for almond producers. "The nature of IPM," said ABC's Chief Scientific Officer Josette Lewis, Ph.D., "is to take economics into consideration – you want effective control at the lowest price." That is why, since 1973, ABC has invested in Integrated Pest Management (IPM) approaches for all significant almond pests to help the industry combat these pests and do so in a way that's least economically burdensome. One study that led to grower savings focused on improved mite management. Although typically a problem later in the season, mites have been regularly controlled using a prophylactic spray around May. ABC- funded research, 5 however, indicated that growers can forgo this preventative spray and instead monitor beneficial insect populations via sticky traps: If beneficial populations stay above the established threshold, a spray application is not necessary. This is one example of research that delivers cost savings to growers also aligning with the 2025 Goal of increasing adoption of environmentally friendly pest management tools by 25%. And, according to Lewis, each one- hundred acre plot that you do not need to spray can provide a savings of $2,750. In addition, pollination costs have risen steadily over the past decade to 15-20% of the total cost of production for almonds. Growers are now paying, on average, over $200 per hive with a current recommendation of two strong hives per acre for conventional varieties. This is a significant premium over other crops pollinated after almonds that don't require as many bees. The rise in demand and cost is due in large part to the expansion of acreage and the impact of Varroa mite on bee health. To support growers in achieving their pollination needs in a cost-effective manner, in 2020 ABC initiated a new hive stocking rate study to revisit the recommendation for conventional varieties and, for the first time, to establish a recommended stocking rate for self- compatible varieties. The multi-year study could lead to a reduction in the recommended number of hives, though collecting enough data to support a new recommendation is likely to take at least three years. "If there's a chance to reduce the recommendation from the current level of 12-16 frames to a lower level, that would be a significant cost savings for growers," Lewis said. Better the carrot than the stick Advancement of the almond industry with support from positive financial incentives is certainly preferable to broad regulations that can have unintended consequences. Data from ABC-funded research has provided the basis for several state and federal financial incentives to help reduce costs to growers for adopting practices that benefit the environment and local communities. For instance, growers may be eligible for incentive funding to help cover the cost of mating disruption technology to combat navel orangeworm (NOW). While orchard sanitation is critical for managing NOW, a thorough IPM approach encourages growers to deploy multiple tactics to ensure more robust pest reduction. 6 Mating disruption is a great tool, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) can help growers cover some of the costs of this technology through its Environmental Quality Incentives Program Pest Management Conservation System 595 program. 7 Incentive funding is also available for WOR. While currently the practice costs more than burning, the San Joaquin Air Quality District 8 and the California Department of Agriculture's Healthy Soils Incentive Program both provide incentive programs that aim to help growers defray some of the costs from WOR. 9 Incentives and cost savings ensure that the industry can continually produce a healthy and nutritious product as profitably and sustainably as possible. "In the current situation where almond prices are lower than they've been in recent years, growers are experiencing more economic pain," said Lewis. "If research can help improve their profitability in the near term and keep the industry on track towards its 2025 Goals, that's a good thing, and that's the focus we will continue to maintain moving forward." Would you like to weigh in on future research? Get involved! ABC-funded research is overseen by the Strategic Ag Innovation Committee and Nutrition Research Committee, both of which are composed of industry members. If you would like to submit an application to join either committee contact Lewis at jlewis@almondboard.com. 6 https://bit.ly/2LENaJ7 7 https://bit.ly/38b9Ub6 4 https://bit.ly/3monJIe 5 https://bit.ly/3mjIrcl 8 https://bit.ly/3oSW83I 9 https://bit.ly/3oWon1y Take advantage of the two sticky traps included with this issue of How We Grow! Almond Board of California 14