WCN Dec e

Almond grower Paul Ewing said if the outlook for water does not look good, growers might consider removing orchards earlier than expected.
differences in operating costs, Ewing
said. With a strong market and a
productive orchard, growers can still
expect a profit.
Some almond growers are making
the decision to pull orchard blocks due
to water uncertainty, he confirmed. If
the outlook for water does not look
good, such as in some federal districts,
they might look at removing orchards
earlier than they would have.
In the almond industry, Ewing said,
there is a price/market cycle where,
when prices are low, there is an uptick
in replanting. When prices are good,
more orchards are retained.
Planting a permanent crop like nut
trees is a long-term decision. Market
trends and recent history are part of
that decision, along with water outlook,
Ewing said.
Sound Plans are a Must
Tom Vermeulen, a certified public
accountant and an almond grower in
the Modesto area, said growers must
have a sound plan for their almond
farming operation going forward.
Stakeholders in the operation, including
family members who depend on
you to make good financial choices
and your banker who must judge your
decisions, rely on your financial plan,
he said.
Considerations in the plan must
include water availability or alternative
land use, age of orchard and soil profile
or amendments needed to optimize
production. Those considerations are
vital in a decision to invest in a new
orchard for future productivity.
When assessing orchards, Vermeulen
said, look at production per acre,
cost per acre and cost per pound of
nuts produced.
For the Control of
Bacterial Blights
3 Right
Copper
3 Right
Place
3 Right
Concentration
Smart, Effective
Copper Fungicide
Rain Proof
With those numbers, he said, the
next step is to prepare a budget, including
your expectations and changes that
might occur. Plan an extra 5% to 10%
Continued on Page 26
Goes Beyond Surface Protection
for Superior Control
Low Dose - Crop Safe - Liquid Copper
Instill is quickly absorbed into treated crops for rain
proof disease control. It provides the same surface
bactericidal/fungicidal sanitation as other coppers,
but goes deeper into the treated plant tissue.
Once the Instill copper is inside the plant tissue it won’t
degrade or wash off, ensuring consistent protection
regardless of weather conditions, providing 14-21 days
of crop protection.
www.sym-agro.com
541-607-5097
Info@Sym-Agro.com
December 2021 www.wcngg.com 25