November/December 2024 - 12
WALNUTS
started thinking about a product I learned about at Davis,
a mustard derivative, and they said they would give
me enough to do 10-12 trees. Well, I have 11,000 trees, "
Unruh said.
He did some research and learned that regions of
Oregon, Washington and Idaho that produce vegetables,
plant mustard cover crops growers terminate before
tilling, specifically for nematode control.
So, a lightbulb went off for Unruh - why not just plant
mustard and let it decompose back into the soil?
" When I terminated my crop in April, it was quite tall -
almost 8 feet - and about a month after, we took nematode
samples and I reduced my numbers by 40%, " he said. " In
2018, my nematode numbers came back as 'no nematodes
found.' This past year, the count came back as less than 100
count per 500 ccs. And I started out at over 5,000. "
That put him on the road to more cover cropping to
reduce synthetic chemical and synthetic fertilizer inputs.
By implementing cover crops, holistic soil management
and effective farm management techniques, Unruh
successfully addressed the nematode issue.
" We started doing the whole cover crop thing in more
diverse species mixes, " he said. " There was one year I
planted almost 30 different species out there. It seems to
be working well. "
In addition to utilizing cover crops, Unruh practices no-till
farming in the orchard, employing methods like crimping
the cover crops or grazing sheep before May 1. Since 2017,
he has refrained from using sprays or insecticides, opting
instead for holistic pest management strategies that
incorporate beneficial insects.
" I try to operate as holistically as I can, " Unruh said.
" Instead of spraying chemicals for pesticides - and I'm
not against spraying pesticides entirely if there is no other
alternative - but if there is an alternative, I like to not
spray pesticides. "
Another big issue with walnuts is twospotted spider
mites, especially bad in 2024, and Unruh got by with
spraying half contact spray one time.
" I haven't sprayed my trees with a systemic since 2016, "
he said.
By implementing cover crops, holistic soil
management and effective farm management
techniques, the farm successfully addressed its
nematode issue.
12 NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2024
https://seregionalconference.org/
November/December 2024
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of November/December 2024
Editor's Letter
2024 Labor Survey
Finding success
Processing redefined
A trusted partner
Fruit & Nut Buyers' Guide
Climate
Regulations
Ad index
November/December 2024 - 1
November/December 2024 - 2
November/December 2024 - 3
November/December 2024 - Editor's Letter
November/December 2024 - 5
November/December 2024 - 2024 Labor Survey
November/December 2024 - 7
November/December 2024 - 8
November/December 2024 - 9
November/December 2024 - Finding success
November/December 2024 - 11
November/December 2024 - 12
November/December 2024 - 13
November/December 2024 - Processing redefined
November/December 2024 - 15
November/December 2024 - 16
November/December 2024 - 17
November/December 2024 - A trusted partner
November/December 2024 - 19
November/December 2024 - 20
November/December 2024 - 21
November/December 2024 - 22
November/December 2024 - Fruit & Nut Buyers' Guide
November/December 2024 - 24
November/December 2024 - 25
November/December 2024 - 26
November/December 2024 - 27
November/December 2024 - 28
November/December 2024 - 29
November/December 2024 - 30
November/December 2024 - 31
November/December 2024 - 32
November/December 2024 - 33
November/December 2024 - 34
November/December 2024 - 35
November/December 2024 - 36
November/December 2024 - 37
November/December 2024 - 38
November/December 2024 - 39
November/December 2024 - 40
November/December 2024 - 41
November/December 2024 - 42
November/December 2024 - Climate
November/December 2024 - Regulations
November/December 2024 - 45
November/December 2024 - 46
November/December 2024 - 47
November/December 2024 - 48
November/December 2024 - 49
November/December 2024 - Ad index
November/December 2024 - 51
November/December 2024 - 52
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