May 07 Good Agricultural Practices

Good Agricultural Practices
May 2007

The concept of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) has evolved in recent years in the context of rapidly changing food industry. All food products are coming under increasing scrutiny by government agencies and consumer groups. As a result, the concerns and the commitment of our company are to supply almonds in a safe, responsible manner and to promote the highest level of confidence to our customers around the world.

Security for food safety, quality and food production as a company begins at the farm level with our growers. With the use of Good Agriculture Practices, growers are the first defense in eliminating potential risks associated with the harvesting of almonds.

~ The Seven Key Practices of GAPS ~

1. Documentation

2. Employee Training

3. Fertilizer and Soil Amendment Practices

4. Water Quality Source

5. Field Sanitation and Employee Hygiene

6. Orchard Floor Management

7. Pest Control

Are GAPs overwhelming to you? ~ Implementing GAPs does not mean making wholesale changes to your operation. For the most part, they will mean subtle changes to your operation. Try phasing in one or two at a time and proceed from there . . .

For the Month of May we are going to focus on item number two of the key practices of GAPS - “Employee Training”

A knowledgeable and well-trained workforce is a great asset to almond growers. If your work crews are aware of the potential for bacterial contamination in the orchard, and understand how to reduce this risk, they become your allies in producing and harvesting a clean, safe crop.

Begin with a comprehensive, written training program; then conduct training sessions with all your employees, including both year-round and seasonal work crews. These sessions can be held at the same time you provide worker-safety training. It is important to keep records of these training sessions as part of your GAP documentation.

Did you know the California Almond Board offers training ~ The Almond Board of California offers an e-learning course summarizing the Good Agricultural Practices for California almond growers. Complete with narration, pop quizzes, sample forms and animation, this course breaks down almond food safety practices into seven simple stages. You can find this course on the Almond Board website under our link button. The Almond Board of California also has available Good Agricultural Practices Training Manuals, Illustration Cards. (available in English & Spanish)

Spycher Brothers is happy to provide you with these tools in order to help you educate your staff. Contact Shelly Broumas at sbroumas@spycherbros.com.

~GAP Tips for the month of May~

GAPs improve working relationships between growers and huller/shellers by minimizing the potential for pathogens to spread in accompanying solid or debris. This will improve almond cleaning efficiency and effectiveness along the entire almond production channel. Prevention of contamination through GAPs is highly preferred to contamination reaction.

* Order sweepers, harvesters, conveyor carts, and shuttle trucks if you are in need of new equipment for this season.

* In-season sprays for navel orangeworm should be considered if removal of mummies to less than 2 per tree was not successful in February. In-season sprays may also be considered if clean areas (less the 2 mummies) are adjacent to non-clean areas.

* Water used for foliar and pesticide applications should come from a pathogen-free source. Recycled water may harbor parasites, viruses and harmful bacteria that cause plant damage, or lead to human health and safety concerns. Unless documented as having received tertiary treatment, which includes an terminal pathogen disinfection step, using recycled water for irrigation is NOT recommended.

* Maintain a pest control log that includes inspection dates, findings and steps taken to eliminate problems.

For more information regarding these issues, we invite you to visit the Almond Board of California’s website under our Link button.

Last Modified: October 19, 2007

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