2008 Almond Forecast Announced
(Modesto, Calif., June 30) —The June 30, 2008 objective almond
forecast for the 2008-2009 crop year is 1.50 billion meat pounds, according
to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service – California
Field Office (NASS/CFO). This forecast is based on 660,000 bearing acres.
Doug Flohr, statistician for USDA-NASS, California field office, said
the forecast is up 3 percent from the May 7, 2008 subjective forecast
of 1.460 billion pounds. The estimate is also up 9 percent from this
year’s crop to date of 1.380 billion pounds as of May 31, 2008.
The official announcement was made today at the Modesto office of the
Almond Board of California, which funds the forecast.
The average nut set per tree is 7,452, up 1 percent from the 2007 almond
crop. The Nonpareil average nut set of 7,079 represents a 0 percent change
from last year’s set. The average kernel weight for all varieties
sampled was 1.43 grams, down 3 percent from last year.
The May 7, 2008 subjective forecast for the 2008
almond crop is 1.460 billion pounds, shelled basis, according to
the National Agricultural
Statistics Service – California Field Office (NASS/CFO). The
forecast is based on a survey of growers by NASS/CFO.
The 2008 estimate is up 6 % from the 2007 crop of approximately 1.378
billion pounds to-date. NASS/CFO forecasts the 2008 bearing acreage
to be 660,000 acres. To access the 2007 California Almond Acreage Report
released by NASS/CFO, please visit the “Statistics” section
on www.AlmondBoard.com.
The Objective Measurement Survey, which uses sample almond counts to
forecast the crop, is scheduled to be released on Monday, June 30,
2008, at 12:00 p.m. at the Almond Board of California conference room
in Modesto, California.
Almond Bloom Report (March
19, 2008)
After a slow start, California has enjoyed excellent conditions
throughout this year's almond bloom period. The bloom arrived
approximately two weeks late but the weather conditions were ideal.
Steve Gikas, Executive Vice President at Golden West Nuts, considers
this to be one of the best bloom weather conditions he has seen in
years. The rain that came just before bloom provided the trees with
deep
moisture. There was a good overlapping among varieties which contributed
to ideal conditions for bees to cross-pollinate.
In the Northern Sacramento Valley, the delayed bloom gave growers some
much needed time to clean up and prepare their orchards after the
extensive damage suffered from the January 4th storm. Despite a few
days of drying northern wind and a touch of frost, the weather has
been
highly conducive to setting a productive 2008 crop. According to Tera
McGowan, Field Representative for Golden West Nuts in Chico, strong
beehives, warmer temperatures and little precipitation contributed
to
the overall success of this pollination season. All of the above are
critical factors given the time constraints of a shotgun bloom.
The
conclusion of bloom season is marked by the early to mid variety nutlets
starting to develop and emerge from their jackets with the
late
varieties soon to follow. As the trees convert from flowers to leaves,
growers will be shifting their focus towards crop protection and
irrigation for the remainder of the season.
The next six weeks growers will be watching for frost that could
damage the nutlets. Carmen Crooker, Field Representative for Golden
West Nuts
in Ripon, reported two nights of frost in the Central Valley as of
this
date.
2007 Crop Estimate (June 29, 2007)
The June 29, 2007 objective almond forecast for the 2007-2008 crop
year is 1.330 billion meat pounds, according to the USDA’s National
Agricultural Statistics Service – California Field Office (NASS/CFO).
This forecast is based on 615,000 bearing acres.
Doug
Flohr, statistician for USDA-NASS, California field
office, said the forecast is up 1.5 percent from the May 9, 2007
subjective
forecast
of 1.310 billion pounds and up 19 percent from
this year’s
crop to date of 1.113 billion pounds as of May
31, 2007. The official announcement
was made today at the Modesto office of the Almond
Board of California, which funds the forecast.
The average nut set per tree is 7,413, up 10 percent
from the 2006 almond crop. The Nonpareil average
nut set of 7,067
represents
a 3 percent increase from last year’s set.
The average kernel weight for all varieties sampled
was
1.47 grams, down
6 percent
from last
year.
2007 Subjective Almond Crop Forecast Issued (May 9, 2007)
The subjective forecast for the 2007 almond crop is 1.31 billion pounds,
shelled basis, according to National Agricultural Statistics Service – California
Field Office. The forecast is based on a survey of growers. Click here for complete report
