Upcoming CAC Field Day: Irrigation and Nutrition Management Plans, Common Pests and Pruning

The California Avocado Commission is hosting its winter grower field day on February 13 from 9:00 – 11:00 a.m. The session will take place at the Pine Tree Ranch, located at 19455 E Telegraph Road, Santa Paula, CA. The session will cover a variety of topics of interest to growers.

Jodi Switzer, Water Program Director, Farm Bureau of Venture County will discuss the new requirements for growers to develop an Irrigation and Nutrient Management Plan. By March 1, 2025, all operators must develop an INMP and annually thereafter. For perennial crops, an INMP must be developed for the given calendar year, with the initial INMP developed for the 2025 calendar year. By March 1, 2026, all operators must report summary information from the INMP on their Irrigation and Nutrient Management Report. For perennial crops, the INMR will cover the INMP(s) from the prior calendar year.

Dr. Danny Klittich, Director of Agronomy, Mission Produce, Inc. and CAC Production Research Committee Chair, will discuss common avocado pests and things that look like pests but are not. He also will provide current information on the avocado lace bug. To our knowledge, ALB is still restricted to the Carpinteria area but has a high potential for spread. It is important growers familiarize themselves with this pest and keep an eye out for it.

Lastly, Dr. Ben Faber, UC Farm Advisor, and Dr. Tim Spann, CAC Research Program Consultant, will discuss pruning 101 and conduct pruning demonstrations.