Redox Grows

California’s 1.6 million acres of almonds have reached a critical juncture in the growing season. 

Hull split signals harvest is nearing. It’s also a time when this multi-billion dollar crop is susceptible to threats from Navel Orangeworm and fungal infection. 

“It’s both a direct pest and an indirect pest,” remarked Dr. Joel Siegel, Research Entomologist with the USDA’s Agricultural Research Service in Fresno County. He has spent many years studying Navel Orangeworm and working with growers to fight it. 

 Siegel said if damage occurs from this pest, it could impact almond export trade. 

“People want a clean product,” he added. “They want a high-quality product, and this insect is one of their main enemies.”

There are ways growers can protect their valuable investment.

“What’s really worked well for our customers for many years is putting diKaP™ in our hull split sprays,” commented Jared Sannar, Western Regional Sales Manager for Redox Bio-Nutrients. 

“That has been a really good return on investment. Our 2-3 pound application (per acre), depending on the goals and what you’re trying to accomplish there, has really worked well. You’re trying to drive potassium and phosphorus at late season, but you’re also looking to reduce abiotic stress and other stress factors that you have in the orchard this time of the year.”

 Sannar added Rx Platinum and diKaP™ soil applied applications are also helpful to help finish the crop and build buds for the next year. 

 This year’s almond crop is forecast at 2.8 billion pounds, which is nearly identical to last year’s. 

Rising costs and instability in many key areas have caused big headaches for farmers this year. From record high fertilizer costs to supply chain issues, there seem to be challenges at every turn.

Navigating through uncertainty isn’t new in agriculture, although 2022 has taken that process to an entirely new level.

“Agriculture is facing some interesting times,” remarked Darin Moon, founder and owner of Redox Bio-Nutrients. “Coming out of the pandemic, then the entire energy sector in agriculture- fertilizer is part that energy sector- that has created a dynamic that agriculture hasn’t seen before. You add on top of that the desire for the world to become more sustainable, more planet friendly. All of those things have created a dynamic where there is incredible opportunity going forward, but the foundation is a little bit shaky because people aren’t quite sure.”

As a result, many growers are being cautious with their farming decisions – with greater scrutiny on cost, availability and options for growing their crops.

Redox Bio-Nutrients is focused in areas that can help agriculture thrive, even in difficult times. Through their products and technologies, they help growers build a strong foundation of the four pillars of Yield and Quality - Soil Health, Root Development, Abiotic Stress Defense, and Nutrient Efficiency.

From its inception nearly 30 years ago, Redox has grown to provide products in more than 40 states and 32 countries.

Moon said when growers work towards healthy, productive, sustainable fields and orchards, they are better positioned to get through challenges.

“That’s the DNA of this company,” he added. “Dealing with reduced input costs, dealing with all of these things. We have survived through incredibly turbulent economic times for 30 years and here we stand. I think now able to lead the agricultural economy going forward, because of our experience, our technology and, most importantly, because of our people and passion.”

Bio-nutrition is a growing area that has helped produce healthy farms that positively impact a grower’s return on investment.

“Bio-nutrition for us is the way Mother Nature does it,” Moon said. “If you think about how Mother Nature would do it if we didn’t add fertilizer to the soil, she would use the soil microbiology, the soil carbon base, to cycle nutrients for plant nutrition and uptake. What we’ve done is we’ve spent an inordinate amount of time and money studying those processes and then trying to figure out how to add to commodity fertilizer or create our own fertilizer blends that mimic what Mother Nature does.”

Despite the rocky start to the year, Moon said he’s optimistic that farmers will persevere and succeed.