Crop Planning

Whether you’re writing a budget for a dry land winter oat crop for hay, or a 30 year development project for a walnut, almond or prune orchard, having a financial budget and operating timeline is critical. We’ve helped growers over the years develop annual budgets as well as helped to develop budgets for long term projects.

1. Utilize soil survey maps and soil test pits, along with lab samples, to determine site and soil suitability.
2. Enlist biologists, when appropriate, to delineate wetlands or other environmental issues.
3. Consider tree varieties, planting density, and rootstocks given your objectives and soil conditions.
4. Evaluate the quality and quantity of your irrigation water supply, and carefully plan irrigation system design with varying soil types, field conditions, and crop requirements in mind.
5. Manage topography, drainage, and soil preparation/deep tillage to optimize growing conditions.
6. Work with reputable nurseries to purchase healthy trees, and good labor contractors to properly plant your trees to insure a healthy start.

Nutrient management plans, sediment and erosion plans, manure management plans, and carbon sequestration/greenhouse gas emission plans are all either required or being considered for California agriculture. Like it or not, these plans are becoming part of what is required to farm in California. As a Certified Crop Advisor (CCA), grower, and outspoken advocate of the great job California growers do to farm responsibly, I’m engaged in this process. I attend meetings, talk with researchers and those formulating policy, and try to best represent the agricultural community.

For my clients, I get their opinions, ideas, and concerns, and bring them to those meetings I attend, in an attempt to bring the real world to the discussion. Yes, I can also help clients with the paperwork and practices to keep them in compliance with the regulations and policies, but my main focus is to help my clients to farm better and be more profitable.