THE OLD PARADIGM

The 1960s and 1970s were boom years for the California avocado industry. During this time, vast acres of avocados were planted across San Diego, Ventura, and Santa Barbara counties—a period I refer to as the “avocadoization” of California.

Avocado growers were completely protected from foreign imports, and the costs of labor, land, water, and materials were significantly lower. As a result, profit margins could be relatively high.

While many of these rapidly expanding avocado farms were actively managed by highly engaged, hands-on owners, others were developed by investors with discretionary funds but little or no agricultural experience. This led to the rise of what I call absentee avocado farmers. Sufficient funds were typically allocated for the initial development of the ranches, but once the trees started producing, owners often expected the orchards to generate revenue without significant ongoing investment. As a result, many failed to provide adequate funding for long-term orchard care.

In many cases, trees were planted too far apart and allowed to grow over 40 feet tall. While this approach reduced the immediate costs of orchard development and maintenance, it came at the expense of lower per-acre yields and significantly higher harvesting costs—the lowest-hanging fruit might be 20 feet off the ground.

Absentee farmers also frequently underestimated the importance of proper irrigation. Avocado and citrus trees, which have vastly different water requirements, were often planted within the same irrigation blocks. Citrus trees, with their deep taproots, thrive on less frequent, 24-hour watering cycles. In contrast, avocados have shallow root systems and require shorter, more frequent irrigations.

So, what might a cost-sensitive absentee farmer do when faced with the challenge of watering both avocado and citrus trees together? In many cases, irrigation duties would be assigned to the least qualified employee, with instructions to water everything for 24-hour durations once a week, regardless of weather conditions or the time of year.

In reality, soil conditions, tree species, and tree ages vary widely across a single ranch. Maximizing long-term orchard performance requires the expertise of a skilled and experienced irrigator. However, for those treating avocado and citrus farming as an investment rather than a lifestyle, taking the time to properly plan irrigation systems and invest in trained irrigation staff may have seemed unnecessary.

INTENSIVE FARMING PRACTICES

As the 1980s and 1990s progressed, foreign avocado imports from Chile and Mexico were gradually allowed into the U.S. market, increasing supply and driving down crop values. Meanwhile, urban expansion pushed land and water costs higher, while fuel and farming material prices continued to rise. By the early 2000s, the profit margins once enjoyed in the 1960s and 1970s had significantly declined, making the inefficiencies of undermanaged orchards unsustainable. The only solution to offset rising production costs was to increase per-acre avocado yields—thus ushering in the era of intensive avocado farming.

This shift began in Chile, where growers abandoned the traditional model of planting 100 trees per acre and instead planted 300 to 500 trees per acre. Rather than allowing trees to grow tall and unchecked, they were pruned once or twice annually to maintain a shorter height. This prevented trees from shading each other and encouraged flowering and fruit set lower on the canopy, making harvesting easier. Additionally, all trees were planted on berms to improve root-zone drainage.

To mitigate the alternate-bearing tendencies of the Hass variety, growers adopted a technique called girdling every early spring. This practice involved making a sawblade-width, bark-deep incision around the circumference of selected branches to stimulate flowering.

Irrigation and fertilization also became highly strategic. Watering was done frequently in short durations, and irrigation blocks were carefully designed to prevent trees with different water needs from being mixed. The overall irrigation system was built to be adaptable, allowing adjustments based on changing weather and tree conditions. Soil and leaf samples were sent to labs every spring and fall, and fertilizer applications were customized based on the results.

BROKAW RANCH COMPANY STYLE

Transitioning a ranch to accommodate intensive farming techniques is no small undertaking. Trees must be removed, the irrigation system reconfigured, berms created, and the orchard replanted. Current staff members need to be trained, and both labor requirements and ongoing tree care increase significantly.

Brokaw Ranch Company planted its first two acres of Chilean-style avocado orchards in 2006. It didn’t take long for the production numbers to prove that the extra initial and ongoing investment would pay off through increased productivity. In response, Brokaw Ranch Company began removing its least productive blocks and replanting them in the Chilean configuration in 2008. A long-term plan was put in place to convert a few blocks each year until the entire ranch followed this model. While a handful of other California avocado farmers have also adopted intensive farming techniques, not all have taken the leap—implementing these methods requires a major commitment and is not for the faint of heart.

Brokaw Ranch Company’s intensive farming approach reflects how they have always operated. Since founding their nursery in the 1950s, Hank and Ellen Brokaw have been innovators and problem solvers, investing in skilled staff and committing both time and resources to continuous improvement. Their approach to ranch development and management has always been hands-on, making the transition to Chilean avocado growing techniques a natural evolution. Brokaw Ranch Company values working with smart, skilled, and dedicated team members, and they take pride in operating a system that demands ongoing attention, problem-solving, and respect.

The commitment to intensive farming defines Brokaw Ranch Company as a family farm, as it isn’t suited for automation. To properly nurture an orchard, management must go beyond a block-by-block approach and instead focus on tree-by-tree care. When an irrigator notices a stunted or struggling tree within a block, they take note and work to rehabilitate it over the next few months. This type of “good micromanagement” is why the orchard appears solid, healthy, and vibrant green when viewed from afar. This level of care doesn’t happen by accident, and such an approach would be impossible on an industrial scale with a less dedicated staff.

As a conventional farm, Brokaw Ranch Company’s intensive farming practices also make it sustainable. Increased per-acre avocado production allows for higher yields while minimizing land, water, and fertilizer inputs.
Finally, enhanced tree health and active harvest management result in superb, unmatched fruit quality. This allows Brokaw Avocados to fast-track produce to farmers’ markets, direct restaurant clients, and distributors. Between Brokaw Ranch Company and Brokaw Avocados, we are proud to grow and provide a premium product that our clients recognize and appreciate.

Thank you for supporting our family and staff, and for making Brokaw Ranch Company’s preferred farming methods a success!