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determining an economically feasible pest control budgetthat may well be impacted by the cost of winter shaking.Ultimately, mummy removal should fall into the positive“return-on-the-investment” column when weighed againstthe real loss of crop and important premium opportunities.Crop loss is not just what was reported on your gradesheets. Most huller operators believe that modern hullingoperations remove +/- twice again the rejects duringthe hulling process. For example, if you had 3 percentreported rejects, it’s entirely possible that the field damagewould approach 6 percent. If you double your grade levelreject number, it may change how you feel about orchardsanitation. Hopefully, with some cooperation of theweather, growers can establish a good baseline for NOWcontrol for next year.While the following may seem a little comical, it is truethat the best humor has shreds of truth running throughit. Basically it serves to focus on why we are continuing tofight NOW. If you identify with one, or any combinationof these, you could have a problem.Take Home Message:1. I’ve only got a “few” mummies per tree — they allcame off at harvest. (It only takes as little as twomummies per tree to make a difference.)2. Yes, the neighbors had bad NOW. (NOW are strongflyers; they WILL invade your field.)3. Winter storms will remove all my mummies. (If it’s ahurricane…)4. The birds will clean all my mummies. (West Nileanyone?)5. I put on a good dormant spray. (Oops, this doesn’tcontrol NOW.)6. I sprayed when my PTB traps peaked. (PTB does notconsult with NOW.)7. Hull-split spray: Better late than never. (Once NOW& PTB start feeding under the hull, they won’t comeback out to feed where the material was deposited.)8. It was the huller’s fault. (While he can usually cleanup some of your NOW, you can’t expect miracles.)Fan-Jet® System or Dual Line Drip?Advantage Fan-Jet®Bigger Wetted Area- Larger Root Zone- Potentially Bigger YieldsFrost Protection- Raise ambient temperatureup to 2 degreesLeaching Capabilities- Leach Salts Away From The Root ZoneCosts Less- Less Plastic- Save Up To $100/AcreBowsmith® Fan-Jet® Microsprinklers - helping growers irrigate since 1977.Precision Rain: Water where you want it!Call 1-800-269-7648 to schedule an appointment with yourFan-Jet® Specialist, or to learn more go to www.bowsmith.comAmerican Invented American Made American OwnedNOVEMBER | DECEMBER 2012 Almond Facts 45