How We Grow

2021 Jan/Feb How We Grow

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ALMOND ORCHARD 2025 GOAL information about your orchard and irrigation system. You can also use the Calculator to fine-tune your irrigation program so that water is applied to your trees based on needs identified by data, not by the calendar. 3 The Irrigation Station video series ABC packaged many of the key topics from the Continuum into short video segments featured in the YouTube video series "The Irrigation Station." 4 The series covers everything from ground truthing and pressure chamber use to strategic deficit irrigation and applied water calculations. Each episode, equally educational and entertaining, focuses on a single topic with the philosophy of "showing is better than telling." Partnership with Resource Conservation Districts The only way to know if water is being applied evenly to your orchard is by measuring distribution uniformity, pressures and flow rates of your irrigation system. ABC launched a formal partnership with the Tehama County and East Stanislaus Resource Conservation Districts (RCD) to bring this service to more growers at no cost. "Proper distribution uniformity has tangible impacts in the orchard," Devol said. "Better uniformity means more uniform yields and maximized water use and nutrient applications. Growers may also be surprised at how much water they can save by fixing small system leaks." For example, Devol said that Tehama County RCD conducted a distribution uniformity test in an 18-acre orchard earlier this year and found that common leaks from missing micro-sprinklers, hose breaks, and leaks at the filter station can add up to more than 24,000 gallons of lost water in a week. Growers in the Tehama County and East Stanislaus RCDs can contact their local office to schedule their free distribution uniformity test. RCDs across California also offer similar free or low-cost technical assistance programs – contact your local RCD representative to learn more. CASP workshops and webinars 2021 will see the return of CASP workshops (hopefully in-person) and complimentary webinars, where growers will receive training on how to complete the CASP water module and use the Irrigation Calculator. These workshops also offer an opportunity for growers to hear from irrigation researchers and experts, and to learn from each other. New in 2021: Industry Roadshow The Field Outreach and Education team, along with other ABC staff and board members, want to see you this spring! Devol and Field Outreach and Education team member Ashley Correia, based in the south valley, are planning to load up the ABC van "Fritz" with 3,000 informational packets to hand out to growers across the state. They will set-up shop under a pop-up tent at grower-frequented venues so you can quickly drive up to receive your packet, which will include irrigation materials, ABC's 2020 Research Update, best management practices for pollinator health, spray drift and nitrogen, and other industry resources. 3 More about the Irrigation Calculator: https://bit.ly/3gKV4w5 4 Watch "The Irrigation Station:" https://bit.ly/32ZzQVq One grower's feedback on "The Irrigation Station" videos. ABC's Field Outreach Team – Ashley Correia, Tom Devol and Fritz, the almond van – plan to hit the road this spring. Continue on page 5 Almond Board of California 4 Common irrigation leaks from missing micro-sprinklers, hose breaks and more can cause growers to lose 24,000 gallons of water in a week.

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