This orchard design seems to have a stabilizing effect on production from year to year. Butte pollen is adding a lot to the set in all rows but more so in the solid row and so is diminishing the effect of Mission pollen in dual row. The benefit of alternating two varieties down the same row could be even greater if only two varieties were planted in the block. Orchards with just two varieties could benefit more than this data shows. Due to the stick tight problem harvesting the Padre variety late, we cannot accomplish a once over harvest operation.
Padre nuts require earlier shaking than the Mission to get acceptable nut removal.
Two passes down the same row with a shaker is needed on the alternating M P rows. Sweeping and pickup operations are done in a single pass combining the two varieties. Handlers generally accept P M loads as Missions. Other varietal combinations may appear more desirable in terms of yield but may lead to more harvest difficulties or result in mixed loads. This orchard continues to show poorly anchored Padres, many trees are leaning badly or have been pruned severely to rebalance.