Highlights from December's Global Update by the Global Technical and Regulatory Affairs team at the Almond Board of California details ABC's participation in the U.S. Ag Trade Mission to China, where ABC staff joined a large team of U.S. Ag Trade Associations at the China International Import Expo. ABC CEO Clarice Turner presented on California almonds during the US-China Agricultural Trade Forum, and the team engaged in media interviews and field visits with major companies like Starbucks China and PepsiCo. Additionally, we cover the USDA and FDA's joint Request for Information on food date labeling and provide an update on Alternaria mycotoxins for EU shipments. Tune in for all the latest insights.

UC Cooperative Extension Tree Crop Farm Advisor Franz Niederholzer joined the Journey to provide a practical overview of best practices for spray operations in an orchard. Trained as a soil scientist, Niederholzer started with Cooperative Extension over 20 years ago. Over the past few decades, he has developed and shared expertise on spray-related topics like coverage, drift, nozzle selection, technology, calibration, ground speed and more. He emphasizes that the best equipment and most expensive products will never be as effective if there are errors made in the application process.

“An effective job, an efficient job, and a safe job. All of those things have to come together for a successful spray application. Paying attention to your spray program is a big part of successful farming.” - Franz Niederholzer

In Today’s episode:

• Meet UC Cooperative Extension Tree Crop Farm Advisor Franz Niederholzer
• Understand the importance of protocols including focusing on the efficacy, safety and technique of the application
• Explore the many variables to be considered before and during an application

The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.

ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.

Dan Lawson is a licensed Qualified Applicator and the Huller Manager at Treehouse California Almond. Lawson joined the Journey and shares about his job as a huller manager, what they’ve seen come in from the orchard these past couple of years, and how he keeps current in his continuing education efforts to stay up to date on best practices.

“Navel Orangeworm, and some of these other types of serious damage, seems like they can be spread out across the crop as a whole. This year, there were a few fields that had brown spot and they had it in very high percentages in the 20% plus range.” - Dan Lawson

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Huller Manager at Treehouse California Almonds and Qualified Applicator Dan Lawson
• Discover the continuing education Dan is required to complete in order to maintain his Qualified Applicators License
• Learn about his experience with the ABC Almond Learning Hub

ABC Update:

At this year's CAPCA Conference, The Almond Board of California unveiled this new Almond Learning Hub. ABC’s Taylor Hillman and Jenny Nicolau share about the learning hub, who it's for, and why people like Dan Lawson are finding so much value in it.

“This is a free online site for growers, pest control advisors, certified crop advisors, and really all other almond industry professionals. The new site really helps the Almond Board to extend how we serve the industry.” - Jenny Nicolau, Associate Director of the Industry Relations and Global Communications Team at the Almond Board of California

The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.

ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.