Our featured topic for today’s episode, and a challenge many almond growers deal with: navel orangeworm. Kent Stenderup joins the show to talk about mating disruption for navel orangeworm, water, and so much more. Kent is a third generation farmer and has been an almond grower since 2006. Along with his experience with mating disruption techniques, he also shares the challenges he has faced with sourcing water in the face of droughts and getting started in almond farming. Kent has had a lot of success incorporating mating disruption into his integrated pest management program, and his experiences are definitely worth sharing. The integrated approach to managing navel orangeworm used by Kent and many others is a direct result of decades of research funded and supported by the Almond Board. 

“We spray one time less, and the grades are better in the mating disruption fields. It works. It really does. And it definitely covers the cost.” - Kent Stenderup

To further our discussion, Drew Wolter, pest management senior specialist at the Almond Board, chimes in to share the research that is not only being applied to navel orangeworm, but to other pests as well. 

“The Almond Board has been funding navel orangeworm research, and has made great progress in terms of determining various production practices that growers can implement for navel orangeworm. Now this isn't just IPM practices that include mating disruption, but also cultural practices such as winter sanitation.”  - Drew Wolter

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.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

• California Almonds Youtube Channel
• Email address for pest ID cards
• Crop Protection Tips

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.