An almond industry group is crediting growers for their water efficiency while cultivating what is expected to be a big crop this year. California’s 2016 almond production is expected to be 2.05 billion meat pounds, up from the 2 billion pounds projected in May and up nearly 8 percent from last year’s yields, reports the National Agricultural Statistics Service. The agency cites several factors for the improved crop, including more precipitation and chill hours than last year and a quick and uniform almond blossom.