Guidelines for Good Stockpile Management

With the California Almond Objective Report forecasting a crop that will surpass 2 billion pounds, more crop than ever may be subject to stockpiling.

Stockpiles should be placed with the ends facing north and south and covered with a white-on-black tarp.

Keeping almonds dry during storage is critical in minimizing damage to your crop and risk of contamination. Keep in mind these steps as you prepare to stockpile almonds:

1. Allow almonds to dry fully on the orchard floor. If rain falls on windrows, be sure to spread out the almonds to allow for proper drying. Almonds with hull moisture more than 12% or kernel moisture more than 6% should not be stockpiled.
2. Choose a stockpile location in an area that will provide a raised or sloped bottom to drain moisture away. Be sure stockpile is free of trash and away from stored equipment.
3. Create stockpiles oriented with the pile in a north/south direction, and smooth the tops so they are flat.
4. Manage stockpile moisture. Cover with a white-on-black tarp, and measure relative humidity. If moisture levels are too high, open up the tarps in the daytime to allow moisture to escape, and close them at night, when relative humidity tends to increase.

Read the Almond Board of California’s “Stockpile Management Best Practices” to be sure you know how to safely stockpile almonds.