As the harvest season comes to an end, how did you fare?
What are you seeing in your orchards and crops?
How did the crop finish?
What signals from your orchard and the crop did you catch?
What signals did you miss?
Packed fruit quality is much like a final exam and report card. Harvest is the culmination of all your growing season efforts.
So, what was your grade? Did you pass, with flying colors? Did you squeak by with the skin of your teeth? Or did you completely miss the mark and fail miserably?
Things to consider while assessing fruit finish quality.
Events and Contributing Factors:
What clues or indicators presented themselves during the season that could have, or should have, alerted you to the condition and developing problem? In-season sampling and the data provided is foundational for improving the likelihood of success at harvest, in that it provides clues as to what is, and is not, in the plant and crop.
Timely sampling and sound interpretive analysis help to make this a reality for you the grower. This should include the following:
Plant Tissue analysis: Postbloom, mid-season (if needed) and harvest time.
Fruitlet analysis: 30-40mm fruitlet diameter.
Fruit analysis: At harvest time.
Soil analysis: Annually in the fall or spring.
Water analysis: As needed for varying water sources.
This turns into a lot of data over multiple crop years, especially when combined into a data archive. Data is powerful when properly applied. Application of the data is critical for detecting problems, finding connections and confirming successes or areas needing improvement. In order to do so requires consistency, in many areas, by the grower and crop adviser.
Document, Document, Document:
Consistency in documenting key details each growing season, like the growing conditions, Seasonal Dynamics, weather events, cultural practices, treatment details, irrigation schedules, field observations, etc.
Timely Sampling & Interpretation:
Consistency in timely sampling (data collection) of the different types of samples collected through the growing season. Every growing season has different variables which affect growth and development of plants and crops. Adjusting sample collection timing, based on the current season’s conditions, is vital for the data collected to be meaningful for the stage of development, not the date on the calendar. Sample collection provides nutrient content information about plants and crops at key stages of development. This information guides in-season nutrient management decisions in order to maintain productive growth and crop development. These decisions, however, should be driven by the sample data in order to reduce, if not eliminate, nutrient misapplications.
Consistency by the adviser in timely interpretation of the sample data to the grower.
This includes the good, bad and ugly details. Oftentimes, an analysis is an effective early warning for guiding mid-season corrections for plants and crops.
Decide & Apply:
Consistency by the grower in making timely decisions and applications for plant and crop benefit - to maximize the ‘window of opportunity.’ What good comes from timely collection of plant tissue samples only to review them, discuss areas of concern and then do nothing with that information? The whole point of in-season sampling is to have the ability to accurately assess the status of the plant/crop and adjust nutrient management plans, as needed, for the improving crop quality. Not all nutrient management plans allow for this application flexibility for various reasons, suffice it to say, when using ‘plant-ready’ and ‘bio-available’ nutrient formulations this is a reality.
Track Progress:
Consistency by growers and advisers together to track progress of the project and grading its efficacy. Tracking should be done using objective measurements, not subjective opinions or guidelines. There isn’t margin for that kind of sloppiness in the current Ag economy. We suggest pre-determining objective results prior to starting on a treatment project. There needs to be a reasonable timeframe allotted, what improvement benchmarks can be expected over that period of time and analytical data to verify the improvements.
Track Quality:
Consistency in tracking crop quality is vital for success. With this information, look for connections between the processed crop quality, cullage reports and the analytical nutrient values collected throughout the growing season. For example, fruit cullage reports concern me in terms of sunburn, bitterpit, bruising, punctures, undersize, to name a few areas where nutrient management is a key factor. Reviewing processor pack out reports also reveals important data that should be considered in light of the nutrient management plan.
Stay the Course:
Consistency in staying on track for the duration of time required with a project or treatment. Having the patience to stay on task can be difficult. Just like the degradation of the soil health, plant productivity or crop quality happens slowly over time. Likewise, it will also take time for lasting corrections and improvements to be made. When growing permanent crops, like tree fruit, grapes or tree nuts, you get one opportunity per year with that crop to make measurable improvements.
It’s the adviser’s job to identify the source of the problem (not just the symptoms) and provide treatment options to make corrections. It is also their job to set reasonable expectations for the grower in order to prepare accordingly.
It’s the grower’s job, first, to understand the problem and learn to look beyond the symptoms. Next, determine what is the best treatment option available and understand the resources required. Finally, make an informed decision.
Be a forever student:
Consistency with being aware of current research, industry technology and breakthroughs, in order to maintain a competitive advantage in your industry. Often, it can be these advantages that make the difference when making vital ranch management decisions AND staying in business.
Cost accounting has long been a part of farming to track how your revenue centers are performing. In-season sampling is similar to cost-accounting, in that, there is much practical information to be gleaned from a sampling program - revealing which blocks are performing well (or underperforming) and why. We recommend enlisting the guidance of a knowledgeable and experienced Certified Crop Adviser to interpret the sample data. Having the data allows you to make nutrient management adjustments throughout the growing season based on the developing crop’s potential in order to maintain high plant productivity and crop quality.
Going Forward:
As we move into a new growing season, you may realize your crop didn’t make the grade and needs improvement. Here are some questions you may need to ask your crop adviser before proceeding with next season’s horticultural plans.
Is the fertilizer recommendation based on current sample data? What type of sample? Soil, plant tissue, fruit and/or water? If not, why not?
Is the fertilizer recommendation different from last season (or seasons)? Why or why not?
When reviewing your sample analyses, ask questions to gain a more foundational understanding of ‘why’ things are happening the way they are in your field(s). What are the agronomic principles behind the recommendation? Look for an adviser with the ‘heart of a teacher’, someone that will take the time to help you better understand ‘the art of the craft.’ Are the answers given satisfactory to help you proceed confidently?
Get the idea? A crop adviser works for you and should be able to provide you with treatment options that fit your needs and goals.
As you are reviewing your operation’s performance this year - Did it Make the Grade? Look for specific areas that need improvement. Define what areas need attention and make a prioritized plan. Be sure that you are addressing problems and not symptoms, in order that your efforts aren’t in vain. We encourage you to seek the counsel of an experienced and knowledgeable Certified Crop Adviser who will help you with your needs. With the right treatment plan, you should be back at the top of your class!
Here’s to your crops’ success!