Kyran Rice has been successfully growing Valencia and Fisher Navel oranges in the Exeter area of California for over 10 years. The trees average 45 years in age. He is also a Certified Crop Advisor with Natural Resources Group (NRG) in Woodlake, CA. In his role with NRG, Kyran advises growers throughout the region of Madera to Bakersfield on optimal fertility programs for soil fertility, health, and profitable crop production. By applying the same practices to his own groves, he has been able to profitably increase yields and fruit quality.

Kyran uses a soil fertility program on his orchard of two tons of compost per acre (2 ton/ac) annually spread between the tree rows. For the last two years he has added AZOMITE to the finished compost prior to delivery, at the rate of 150 lbs./ton (for a total of 300 lbs./ac of AZOMITE applied to the soil). Along with AZOMITE, he also adds 1,000 lbs. of gypsum per acre and 200 lbs. of potash per acre per year. Kyran adds 5 lbs./ac of AZOMITE to every spray that goes on the trees, pre and post bloom, so he is foliar feeding the nutrients. Soil and tissue sampling help monitor tree nutrient status. AZOMITE is labeled for potassium, calcium, and magnesium, and these important minerals help boost tree performance.

The ranch consistently produces good crops and quality fruit, but in 2018 Kyran had the highest profit to date due to yield, fruit quality and prices, netting an outstanding return on investment. 2019 delivered an excellent set and fruit load and he is hoping for another record-breaking year. To have the trees do this two years in a row is a testament to the good nutritional program Kyran has developed using AZOMITE.

Learn more about AZOMITE grades for US application here.