Yara Incubator Farm - Modesto, CA

Modesto, CA

The Yara North America Incubator Farm in Modesto, California, was established as a center for research, solution trials and knowledge sharing. Through collaborative efforts with customers, partners, and various technology providers, Yara utilized the farm to study and advance insights into all aspects of the cropping system.

Utilizing 40 acres of fertigated and established almonds, and 40 acres of irrigated and established walnuts, Yara and its partners were able to gather many layers of data and intimate knowledge of every aspect of the cropping system over the coming years. The field-scale research at the farm provided valuable insight into the conditions and challenges that growers and advisors face.

Four-year Trial Review

For over four years, Yara has implemented controlled practices with the goal of evaluating different crop nutrition management strategies that addressed site-specific demands to different degrees and evaluated the programmatic effect, crop response, and the associated economic and environmental impacts. These treatment protocols were in place from 2020 crop year until 2024, with considerable variation in results due to factors like wildfire smoke, frost events, poor pollination conditions, and intense heat. We have managed these trials with the utmost care and have consistently produced valuable insights during our tenure at the Modesto Incubator Farm. We see this work as a critical service to the almond industry in light of ever-evolving regulatory, environmental, and producer prosperity challenges facing our advisors and growers.

Click/tap on the booklet to view the Four-year Trial Review.

Find below some of the key results.

6% Increase in Nut Set

12,000 flowers buds surveyed per treatment
Impacted by carbohydrate reserves, nutritional status, water management, and abiotic conditions response

24% Reduction of Hull Rot

4,400 nuts surveyed per treatment
Impacted by water management, and nitrogen status early and at hull-split

18% Yield Increase

Each row harvested individually
Combination of all management factors

15% Increase in Grower Profitability

+$2,400/ac total over baseline

Net profit after accounting for input costs
True measure of economic viability for long-term implementation

Baseline Program

Static program
N from UAN-32™
K₂0 from SOP™
NPK+Zn foliars during development
K+Zn & B foliar at hull split

Modified Program

Static program
N from YaraLiva^® CAN-17™ & UAN-32™
K₂0 from SOP™
NPK+Zn foliars during development
K+Zn & B foliar at hull split

Improved Program

Reactive program
N from YaraLiva^® CAN-17™ & CN-9^®
K₂0 from SOP™
NPK+Zn foliars during development
K+Zn & B foliar at hull split
Additional adjustments made during season to address deficiencies

MyAlmonds Program

Dynamic & proactive
Tailored to crop demand curves
Addressing deficiencies before they occur
Balanced ammoniacal and nitrate N sources
High frequency/low vol strategy (16 fertigation events to deliver nitrogen vs. 4 in other programs)
Comprehensive nutrition management