Episode 18: Evaluating and Adapting Your IPM Program with Justin Nay

In this episode of the Almond Journey Podcast, independent PCA and crop consultant Justin Nay shares his experience and advice for your almond orchard’s integrated pest management program. Before Nay’s company Integral Ag Incorporated was formed in 2008, he earned his Ph.D. in entomology from UC Riverside, where he worked with the carob moth, a cousin to the almond industry’s biggest pest – navel orangeworm.

Nay walks listeners through a year of pest management in almond orchards beginning with winter sanitation, followed by monitoring during the growing season and finishing with harvest sampling. It is a unique perspective from someone dealing with pest management as a scientist, business owner and PCA.

In Today’s episode:

• Meet Justin Nay, independent PCA and crop consultant with Integral Ag Incorporated.
• Explore the different practices Nay employs to manage navel orangeworm and what producers can do to be most effective.
• Discover the best times and sampling methods for monitoring population levels and measuring efficacy of management programs.

ABC Update

Advancements in integrated pest management are really an important part of ensuring growers can grow almonds profitably while meeting the highest quality standards. Almond Board Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Josette Lewis says IPM is as much about cost effectiveness as it is about pest control.

The Almond Journey Podcast is brought to you by the Almond Board of California. This show explores how growers, handlers, and other stakeholders are making things work in their operations to drive the almond industry forward. Host Tim Hammerich visits with leaders throughout the Central Valley of California and beyond who are finding innovative ways to improve their operations, connect with their communities, and advance the almond industry.

ABC recognizes the diverse makeup of the California almond industry and values contributions offered by its growers, handlers, and allied industry members. However, the opinions, services and products discussed in existing and future podcast episodes are by no means an endorsement or recommendation from ABC. The Almond Journey podcast is not an appropriate venue to express opinions on national, state, local or industry politics. As a Federal Marketing Order, the Almond Board of California is prohibited from lobbying or advocating on legislative issues, as well as setting field and market prices.