The 2025 season has been largely favorable for Fresno County, California, almond grower Ryan Jacobsen, aside from pricing and other external pressures.
"Right now things have been pretty decent," said Jacobsen, who grows nonpareils and Montereys in southern Fresno County. "You always have variables every single year, but so far we have had a gorgeous bloom out here. Going into spring, we did have some storms roll through, but nothing of significance there. No freeze issues during that period. As we go into the spring months, things were great, and now the summer, thus far has been on the moderate side. The trees have done exceptionally and have what looks to be a decent crop out here right now."
Pest and disease issues have been minimal. "The biggest ones you're looking at for almonds are mite issues and also navel orangeworm, but right now I can't complain," Jacobsen said. "Things have been on the very low side in this particular area."
Preparation for the season began last winter with a "mummy shake" to remove unharvested nuts that can harbor navel orangeworm and other pests. The farm carried out its standard spring applications and, in July, applied hull split sprays.
"The biggest thing is just staying on top of it, being prepared and not getting behind the 8-ball," Jacobsen said. "A few years ago, as an industry, we learned that just a few hiccups or delays in some of those applications can have some big ramifications on the back end."
In 2023, a widespread navel orangeworm infestation reduced the marketable almond crop. Contributing factors included weather events, heavy rain, and humidity from Tropical Storm Hilary, which led to mold and staining, and inadequate winter orchard sanitation. That winter, University of California Cooperative Extension and Almond Board of California experts advised growers on the importance of winter sanitation.
This summer, tight or non-existent profit margins due to low pricing have been the main concern for almond growers, a situation compounded by the National Agricultural Statistics Service's forecast of a 3-billion-pound crop.
"I think there was a little more optimism coming into this year with almond prices going upward, but that's changed over the last couple of weeks," said Jacobsen, who is also CEO of the Fresno County Farm Bureau. "The biggest thing is a lot of folks are maybe not as optimistic, but getting ready to go into the season now."
Source: FarmProgress