UC ANR hosted Statewide Pistachio Day on Jan. 21. The event attracted over 500 attendees, including growers, pest control advisers, (PCAs), crop managers and members of allied industries.
Attendees were either growing or influencing production of pistachios throughout California’s Central Valley and Arizona. International interest was also evidenced by attendees from Australia and Chile.
This year’s event was organized by Gurreet Brar, assistant professor of pomology at Fresno State, illustrating the strong partnership between ANR and Fresno State. Some growers may even be acquainted with Brar from his prior service as a UC Cooperative Extension farm advisor in Fresno County.
The morning agenda focused on market outlook, as well as horticultural topics ranging from pollination biology to tree training systems and carbohydrate dynamics. Phoebe Gordon, UCCE Madera County farm advisor discussed her research on internal kernel discoloration and Mae Culumber, UCCE nut crops advisor for Fresno County, discussed her work on new tree training systems. Other presenters included Elizabeth Fichtner, UCCE advisor for Tulare County, and UC Cooperative Extension specialists Giulia Marino, Georgia Drakakaki and Louise Ferguson, all of UC Davis.
Additionally, Stephen Vasquez, executive director of the Administrative Committee for Pistachios, provided a comprehensive industry outlook.
The afternoon session focused on pest management and included talks by U.S. Department of Agriculture and UC scientists. Topics covered included insect, disease and weed management, as well as an update on roof rat management.
The 33 industry sponsors were integral to the meeting’s success. Additionally, the program logistics were managed by UC ANR’s Program Support Unit. The UC ANR Pistachio Workgroup is grateful to Jennifer Zimmerman for her organization of the event, and to Maya Maniar for her leadership with the Program Support Unit.