Buttonwillow Warehouse Company

Almond bloom this year has been in different stages across the board. Almond orchards can be located on the same intersection, and be the same varieties, but be totally different within stage of bloom. Bloom seemed to want to start slow this year, but sped up – almost what we used to call a “flash bloom”. Earlier in the month Fresno/Madera counties saw warmer temperatures and bees seemed to be active. Nonpareil and most other California pollinators seem to be reaching peak bloom this week. Butte, Padre, Independence, and Aldridge plantings range from low bloom to full bloom. Note - Nonpareil and Shasta varieties look to have a potential lighter set based on reports from the field- still too early to validate. There are concerns that temperatures may continue to climb too fast. Fungicide materials are being applied to orchards now, but as the accelerated bloom progresses, the concerns are timing may off. Decisions are finely being made to start seasonal fertility applications with growers starting to apply their early Nitrogen requirements to be followed by other N-P-K-Micro’s after bloom set is evaluated. Herbicide applications have begun as well as mowing to address any vegetation management needs. With drier conditions in the forecast, some growers are also looking to start irrigation needs.

This past Tuesday, I was honored to participate in a visit to Capitol Hill as part of the Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA). We spent the day meeting with several of our California Representatives to discuss the pressing issues facing agriculture. In the end, our country asks a lot of our farmers, and we must be willing to support them if we are to maintain a sustainable and reliable domestic food supply to feed our population for generations to come. #SupportFarmers #WeNeedFarmers #USGrown

Developmental stages of almonds range from bud swell to 5% bloom across the southern Central Valley. Growers and crop advisors are gearing up for our first fungicide application with rain on the horizon. BWC crop advisors will package the correct foliar nutrients to enhance pollination, improve flower development, help increase stress tolerance and regulate hormones to maximize fruit set. 2025 almond bloom is here! ???? #bwc #agriculture #almondbloom

As almond buds start to swell and we shift from the cold of winter to a hint of the upcoming spring, our mind shifts to the impending almond bloom.?The latest double blind test results reveal that ZinCa Bloom maintains its position as our highest yielding foliar bloom nutrient with an average increase of 600 lbs over untreated.

On January 23rd , BUTTONWILLOW WAREHOUSE was recognized at the quarterly Kerman Chamber of Commerce for meeting certification within the Responsible Ag Program and congratulated for the Ag Retailer 2024 Retailer of the Year Award as presented by the Ag Retailer Association. Representing BWC was Branch Manager Marcos Cortez accompanied by the Kerman BWC customer service team and spouses.

BWC Annual Dispatchers Meeting Last week, our dispatch team gathered at the International Agri-Center in Tulare, CA for an all day training session focused on core competencies and excellence in customer service. The event was lead by our Head of Purchasing, John Alindajao. At the conclusion of the day, everyone walked away better prepared for the coming season. Let's Make Agriculture Better.

Please join us in welcoming Troy Manning as the new Branch Manager for our Delano location! Troy brings an impressive background in Warehouse Management and has spent the past year excelling as a Dispatcher with BWC. His dedication, expertise, and leadership have already made a lasting impact, and we can’t wait to see how he helps our Delano branch grow and thrive. Congratulations Troy! We’re excited for what’s ahead. #WelcomeToTheTeam #Leadership #BranchManager #BWC”

Thank you to Margy Eckelkamp and the Scoop Magazine for the great article on BWC.

BWC just wrapped up hosting our Annual Crop Adviser Meeting in Ojai, CA. It is a two day training collaboration with our key crop protection manufacturers and fertilizer suppliers. The meeting is a great opportunity to share learning lessons from 2024 as well as a deep dive into training and planning for 2025. It is one part of how we are preparing to help California Growers meet the challenges of the coming crop year. Cheers to a successful 2025 for California Agriculture.

Oxidative stress in the strawberry fields of Ventura County, intensified by the strong Santa Ana winds, is challenging plant resilience. To mitigate this impact, various strategies have been implemented, such as the use of natural antioxidants, bioestimulants and others management practices that support crop health. However, the fight against climate stress remains a critical challenge for agricultural production.