This Informational Memorandum establishes the 2017 crop year Prune Reference Date and provides Approved Insurance Providers with the average dry prune count per pound for calculating second-period immature prune appraisals.

Each year the Davis Regional Office (DRO) establishes the Prune Reference Date. This date occurs one to two weeks after prune pit tip hardening when 80 to 90 percent of the seed shows the presence of endosperm, a clear jelly-like substance at the bloom end of the seed.

The DRO also annually compiles prune industry data to determine the average dry prune count per pound for second-period immature appraisals. The appraised production to count for second-period immature appraisals uses the average dry prune count.

Effective for the 2017 crop year:

1) The Prune Reference Date for all applicable California prune counties for the 2017 crop year is May 3, 2017; and
2) The following tables shall be used to calculate second-period immature appraisals.

County	Dry Prune Count		County	Dry Prune Count
Butte	59		Solano	57
Colusa	57		Sonoma	57
Fresno	62		Sutter	57
Glenn	57		Tehama	58
Madera	62		Tulare	62
Merced	62		Yolo	57
Santa Clara	62		Yuba	59

For counties not included on this list that insure prunes by written agreement, contact the DRO for the applicable dry prune count per pound.

DISPOSAL DATE
December 31, 2017.