- Author: Sonia Rios
The University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE), UC Riverside, United States Department of Agriculture/Agriculture Research Service (USDA/ARS), and the California Date Commission hosted a Date Field Day on February 15, 2017 at the UC Riverside Coachella Valley Agricultural Research Station. It was a full house that day, with approximately 55 Growers, farm managers, and other date stakeholders. The field day included a field research plot tour, lunch, and Continuing Education hours where available for attendees.
Robert Krueger, Citrus and date researcher Riverside USDA/ARS spoke about nitrogen assessment of date palms. He discussed diagnostic sampling implications, which suggest that there are differences in concentrations of various elements that occur in different portions of the leaf, and at different aged leaves can show different results, and also different seasons may also effect results. Based on the research it is suggested that the best sampling strategy is near khalal stage from middle pinnae of intermediate aged leaves during the summer.
Peggy Mauk, UCCE-UCR Subtropical Horticulture Specialist spoke about establishment of date palms: Tissue Culture vs Off-shoots.
Sonia Rios, UCCE Riverside/San Diego Counties Subtropical Horticulture Farm Advisor spoke about pest issues in date palm, more specifically about weevils . Date palms flourish in high summer temperatures and low humidity which creates a perfect breeding ground and living conditions for pest, especially for the Red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) (RPW) and South American palm weevil (Rhynchophorus palmarum) (SAPW). The RPW is considered most destructive arthropod pest of palms world-wide. SAPW causes similar damage on smaller scale. Both larvae's can cause economic damage as they feed on palm near apical growing point causing damage, which weakness the tree, and eventually causes death. The SAPW has been eradicated, however the RPW has been slowly showing up in date species in California, threatening the date industry. (Weevil Photos: Mark Hoddle)
The California date industry is worth ~$68 million (NASS, 2015). In 2015, 43,600 tons of dates where harvested. Coachella Valley produces about 95% of the dates consumed in the US. Date palms flourish in high summer temperatures and low humidity climates, which permits their production to certain growing regions. There are many threats to this economically important commodity and the University of California Cooperative Extension and other agencies are committed to assure the date industry thrives locally and globally. The planning committee looks forward to next year's event.
- Author: Sonia Rios
The macadamia is native to Australia and has been grown in California continuously since 1879 (Arpaia 1994). In addition to the commercial growers, macadamias make excellent back yard trees, are beautiful as landscaping, and can be grown in tubs on your patio. There will be a great opportunity for all that are interested to learn about growing macadamia nuts in California.
The University of California Cooperative Extension in conjunction with the California Macadamia Society and the Gold Crown Macadamia Association will hold their Annual Field Day on Saturday 24 September 2016, 8:45 A.M. to 1:30 P.M at the home of Jim and Jane Zeimantz, 3410 Alta Vista Drive, Fallbrook, California. There will be classes on topics relevant to the current macadamia industry, with plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions, both general in nature and about the specifics of your operations. We will also be serving a continental breakfast and a delicious lunch. Please plan to join us for a fun and information filled day.
Cost: $20.00 per person with pre-registration, $25.00 at the event. That includes a continental breakfast and delicious lunch.
Contact Person: Jim Russell, (760) 728-8081 e-mail russellfarms@Roadrunner.com
Visit www.macnuts.org/fieldday.htm for a registration form.
The Objectives of the California Macadamia Society are:
To furnish authoritative and timely information on Macadamia culture.
To assist growers with harvesting and marketing data.
To advise nurserymen on varieties and propagation.
To encourage the University to assist the industry with research.
To formulate policies, where indicated, for presentation to the state legislature.
The Objectives of the California Macadamia Association are:
To assure a reliable market to our growers.
To provide the highest return to our growers for nuts delivered.
To explore new and developing markets for macadamia nuts.
Directions:
From I-5 take exit 54a (east) onto Ca-76, Pala Road. Go 13.5 miles and turn left (north) onto Via Monserate. Go 1.3 miles and turn right on Alta Vista Drive. Go 1 mile to 3410 Alta Vista Drive, on the right.
From I-15 take exit 46 (west) onto Ca-76, Pala Road. Go 3.4 miles and turn right (north) onto Via Monserate. Go 1.3 miles and turn right on Alta Vista Drive. Go 1 mile to 3410 Alta Vista Drive, on the right.
- Author: Sonia Rios
The macadamia is native to Australia and has been grown in California continuously since 1879 (Arpaia 1994). In addition to the commercial growers, macadamias make excellent back yard trees, are beautiful as landscaping, and can be grown in tubs on your patio. There will be a great opportunity for all that are interested to learn about growing macadamia nuts in California.
The University of California Cooperative Extension in conjunction with the California Macadamia Society and the Gold Crown Macadamia Association will hold their Annual Field Day on Saturday 26 September 2015, 8:45 A.M. to 1:30 P.M. at the home of Jim and Jane Zeimantz, 3410 Alta Vista Drive, Fallbrook, California. There will be classes on topics relevant to the current macadamia industry, with plenty of opportunities for you to ask questions, both general in nature and about the specifics of your operations. We will also be serving a continental breakfast and a delicious lunch. Please plan to join us for a fun and information filled day.
Cost: $20.00 per person with pre-registration, $25.00 at the event. That includes a continental breakfast and delicious lunch.
Contact Person: Jim Russell, (760) 728-8081 e-mail russellfarms@Roadrunner.com
Visit www.macnuts.org/fieldday.htm for a registration form.
The California Macadamia Society has members all over the world.
The Objectives of the California Macadamia Society are:
To furnish authoritative and timely information on Macadamia culture.
To assist growers with harvesting and marketing data.
To advise nurserymen on varieties and propagation.
To encourage the University to assist the industry with research.
To formulate policies, where indicated, for presentation to the state legislature.
The Objectives of the California Macadamia Association are:
To assure a reliable market to our growers.
To provide the highest return to our growers for nuts delivered.
To explore new and developing markets for macadamia nuts.
Directions:
From I-5 take exit 54a (east) onto Ca-76, Pala Road. Go 13.5 miles and turn left (north) onto Via Monserate. Go 1.3 miles and turn right on Alta Vista Drive. Go 1 mile to 3410 Alta Vista Drive, on the right.
From I-15 take exit 46 (west) onto Ca-76, Pala Road. Go 3.4 miles and turn right (north) onto Via Monserate. Go 1.3 miles and turn right on Alta Vista Drive. Go 1 mile to 3410 Alta Vista Drive, on the right.
Work Cited:
Arpaia, M.L. 1994. Macadamia situation for selected countries. California Macadamia Soc. Yearb. 40:27-30.