Rain doesn't worry growers

Almond blossoms across the north state are adding color to the stark winter landscape, and almond growers are feeling in the pink too.

Recent storms pelted orchards in several Mid-Valley counties, but many local growers said they’re not too concerned. Sunny weather Thursday and Friday helped the blooms recover from the storm earlier this week, and clear weather next week will benefit the almond set, they said.

Orland-Artois farmer Mike Vereschagin said Wednesday the orchards are on the “early side of the bloom.” Next week will be the main week for pollination, he said, so the upcoming 10 days  will set the tone for this year.

Vereschagin has 900 acres of almonds between Orland and Artois, he said, but some orchards are young and not yet producing. “As bad as we needed the water, it is better to have rain this week than next,” he said.

Despite the rain, Vereschagin said, the water tables supplying his irrigation wells are 25 to 30 feet below normal for this time of year. Allocations of surface water may range from zero this year to just a fraction of what was released in 2008, he said, depending on what federal and state officials decide.

As for prices on the ‘09 crop, he said it’s too soon to predict. Prices are down now to around $1.10 to $1.20 per pound the last he heard, Vereschagin said, but a smaller harvest than expected could boost prices.

“Every year is a different year,” he said. “You do what you can to adjust.”

Blooms started early in Tehama County as well, according to grower Hal Crain, who has 105 acres of almonds west of Corning.

Last weekend’s cold storm stopped the bloom, he said, but the trees were able to dry Wednesday and Thursday. If it stays dry, bees will have a good window to pollinate, Crain said, and things should proceed rapidly.

He said his orchards did not have a heavy bud set, but the crop’s success will be decided by the number of buds that stick to become nutlets.

Stan Cutter, manager of the Leslie Nickels Estate southwest of Arbuckle, said the bees didn’t come out much on the rainy days, but they had good hours Thursday.

“They were out and about, and it was not windy,” he said, which makes it better for pollination.

In general, Cutter said pollination should be OK for the majority of almond varieties if the weather stays clear part of the time in the next week or two.

“I don’t think many growers are unhappy to see the rain,” Cutter said, given the drought situation. As for the diseases, it will take some time to discover what impact the wet weather had in creating them.

He said 2008 had the best pollination weather in years, so it is possible the trees may not have quite as big a crop in ‘09.

 Contact Rick Longley at 934-6800 or rlongley@tcnpress.com