Heat Effects Pistachio Crops

Calaveras County, CA — Pistachio crops may not produce great numbers this year.

According to the California Farm Bureau Federation, the recent hot weather has cast uncertainty over the growth of pistachios.

Farm advisors say now is when the pistachio nut starts to grow inside the shell. However, with the recent hot weather, the trees are using their nutrients for other things.

Growers aren´t sure if the nut development will continue when the weather cools.

The federation says the pistachio crop is already smaller than expected in some areas because of the cool wet spring.

The true extent of the damage will not be known until harvest starts in September.

The federation says Calaveras County produced 37,000 pounds of pistachios last year.

According to the UC Cooperative Extension Office, Calaveras Pistachio in Burson has 22 acres in production and Media Cashatt has six acres near West Point.

Written by Vanessa Turner.