From the Fields

Stan Lester
Yolo County

At this time of year we are ahead of most of our field work due to the drier than normal weather. However we just received a good rain over the weekend and the weather has turned cold.

We are pruning the walnut and apricot trees as well as removing the prunings out of the orchards and burning them. We have finished all of our winter strip weed spraying, so the strips are clean for our late winter pre-emergent weed spray. We still have some dead tree stump removal to complete prior to tree planting in the spring.

We completed a very good walnut harvest at the end of October. Yields and quality were outstanding and harvest went smoothly. However the walnut industry is in shock as a result of some of the selling prices we are hearing about. Supposedly because of the stronger dollar, weak worldwide economics and the large crop, the walnut prices have plummeted in a downward spiral. As usual the growers will end up taking it on the chin. The real sad thing is that apparently the lower wholesale prices are not reflected in retail prices. Retail prices are still three to four times the wholesale price. Then the wholesale buyers wonder why there is lack of movement or sales.

Well, enough of my complaining. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. Eat more walnuts and dried fruit.