In this episode, we visit Kern County almond grower Bret Sill of Sill Properties to talk about harvesting technology. Bret’s family has been farming in the Shafter area for nearly 100 years. Bret attributes some of their success to the fact that they embrace innovation and technology, which recently has meant new irrigation technology, autonomous sprayers, and low dust harvest equipment.
“When we take it to the huller, we have a cleaner product for them to run. And now with freight being an issue and the hullers charging for freight, we can take advantage of this new, better efficient equipment that’s going to give us a cleaner product.” - Bret Sill
Sill Properties continues to take advantage of the incentives available for low dust equipment from the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District.
“There’s so much technology out there. You’ve got to see what’s going to work for you and for your farm, because if not we’d go broke trying to use all of the technology that’s out there. It’s just deciphering what I think I can use that’s going to be good for me and for our farm.” - Bret Sill
In Today’s episode:
- Meet Bret Sill, the ranch manager of Sill Properties
- Learn about Sill Properties, its origin and Bret’s involvement in its management
- Discover the benefits Bret acquired from the Almond Leadership Program
- Explore the new equipment and technology they are implementing on their operation and the incentives to support these upgrades
ABC Update
In today’s ABC Update, Jesse Roseman, principal analyst for the Almond Board, joins us to discuss ongoing projects to improve air quality and dust management in orchards. Jesse shares the research projects of the Almond Board that cross over into this regulatory space and the incentives for producers that will help defray the cost of some of the low-dust equipment.