California Almond Farmers Brace for Rain During Critical Blooming Season

Potential rain could impact almond crop as farmers race to protect blooms before peak pollination period ends

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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With rain forecasted this week, California almond farmers are working quickly to protect their crops during the crucial blooming season over the next few weeks. Almonds are a $5 billion industry in the state, and the next few weeks are critical for the more than 7,000 almond farmers who produce 80% of the world's almonds. Farmers are applying fungicide sprays before the rain to protect the delicate blooms, which are sensitive to frost and rain. While they hope to avoid major crop losses, some reduction in yield is expected due to the weather.

Why it matters

Almonds are a vital agricultural product for California, generating billions in economic activity. Any disruption to the almond crop during the blooming season can have significant financial impacts on farmers and the broader industry. This story highlights the challenges faced by almond growers in adapting to unpredictable weather patterns during a critical time of year.

The details

Almond farmer Mike Weststeyn, who farms 700 acres in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties with his son Erik, is among the many growers taking precautions ahead of the rain. Weststeyn said his team has been spraying fungicide on the trees to protect the blooms until the weather clears. While they're hoping to avoid major crop losses, Weststeyn expects their yield may be slightly below the typical 2,500-3,000 pounds per acre 'bumper crop.' To offset any reduction in yield, Weststeyn is hoping almond prices will rise to help offset the impact on his bottom line.

  • The almond blooming season will end around March 1.
  • Rain is forecasted to arrive in the region this week.

The players

Mike Weststeyn

A California almond farmer who grows 700 acres of almond trees in San Joaquin and Stanislaus Counties with his son, Erik.

Erik Weststeyn

The son of Mike Weststeyn who recently graduated from UC Davis with an ag systems management degree and returned home to help run the family almond farm.

Daniel A. Sumner

The director of the UC Agricultural Issues Center who notes that almonds make up a $5 billion industry in California, which triples when accounting for the economic output and ripple effect.

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What they’re saying

“That's how we make a living. We're producing those and that's what we're trying to sell, those, as in if we don't have a crop to sell, that's hard on the bottom line. If we don't have a crop to sell, yeah, not making money.”

— Mike Weststeyn, Almond Farmer (CBS Sacramento)

“It's really a critical time, even after bloom, and that nut starts to grow, it'll shed this outside covering, and it'll be sitting there, like with this little green nut, was really sensitive to frost at that stage. If we get a frost, any temperate down below 32 degrees, that will freeze that little nut there and it'll fall off. It's not going to bloom again. You're going to have to wait again until next year.”

— Mike Weststeyn, Almond Farmer (CBS Sacramento)

“The last couple nights you could hear the sprayers running out in the orchards. Lot of guys have been doing that, getting everything covered, so it gets a fungicide treatment on before the rain, so it will hold until we can get back in the orchards after the rain.”

— Mike Weststeyn, Almond Farmer (CBS Sacramento)

What’s next

Almond farmers will be closely monitoring the weather and crop conditions over the next few weeks as the blooming season reaches its peak. They will continue applying fungicide sprays as needed to protect the delicate blooms from any additional rain or frost.

The takeaway

This story underscores the precarious nature of California's almond industry, which is highly dependent on favorable weather conditions during the critical blooming season. Almond growers must constantly adapt to unpredictable weather patterns to safeguard their crops and livelihoods, highlighting the challenges facing California's agricultural sector as it grapples with the impacts of climate change.