California Ag Network

Tag: California Crop Weather Report

  • USDA California Crop Weather Report

    WEATHER

    Temperature highs ranged from the mid 40s to low 70s in the mountains, low 60s to low 80s along the coast, low 60s to mid 80s in the valley, and low 60s to high eighties in the desert.  Temperature lows ranged from the mid 10s to high 40s in the mountains, mid 30s to mid 50s along the coast, low 30s to mid 60s in the desert, and low 40s to mid 60s in the valley.

     

    FIELD CROPS

     In Tulare County, winter grain plants were in different stages of growth, with most wheat, oats and barley coming close to maturity.  Some wheat, oats, and barley fields were being treated for weed control.  With the added rain, alfalfa continued to thrive and was growing well.  Corn was being planted.  Safflower planting was finished with most emerged.  Due to cold weather, cotton planting was behind schedule.  Rice ground preparation was ahead of schedule with ground work done in the Sacramento Valley.

     

    FRUIT CROPS

     Stone fruit orchards continued to near the end of bloom and immature stone fruit was steadily developing. Nectarines, peaches, and plumscontinued to size as expected. Cherry and pear fruit were sizing also, but still in the immature stages of growth. Pomegranates, persimmons, and grapes continued to leaf out, with warm weather boosting grape vine budding. Lemon and grapefruit harvest continued. Navel oranges, tangelo, and mandarin harvest progressed well. Tangerine groves continued to be covered with netting to prevent pollination by bees during the bloom period.

     

    NUT CROPS

    Almond development was ongoing, with a few areas predicting a more than favorable crop. Walnuts continued to awaken from winter dormancy. Pistachio leaf out remained steady with no reported issues.

     

    VEGETABLE CROPS

    Summer vegetable fields were prepared for planting.  Processing and fresh tomatoes were showing good growth.  Artichokes were harvested in San Mateo County.  Onion, garlic and parsley fields were growing well in Fresno County. Tulare County reported summer vegetables developed well with warm temperatures and adequate rains.  Strawberries were produced and grew well. Garlic, onions and peas did well under mulch.

     

    LIVESTOCK

     Recent precipitation and the week’s warming temperatures promoted range development. Rangeland and non-irrigated pasture were reported to be in good condition. Movement of cattle to spring pasture began. Some bee hives were moved to citrus orchards and to the foothills.

  • California Crop Weather Report ( For Week Ending: September 1, 2019)

    Weather

    Temperature highs ranged from the high 60s to high 90s in the mountains, low 70s to mid 100s along the coast, high 70s to mid 100s in the valley, and mid 80s to mid 110s in the desert. Temperature lows ranged from low 40s to mid 70s in the mountains, low 50s to mid 60s along the coast, mid 50s to high 80s in the valley, and low 50s to high 90s in the desert.

    Field Crops

    In Tulare, Fresno, and Kings Counties, alfalfa continued to be irrigated, cut, and baled. Cotton was in full bloom. Corn was being cut for silage. Harvesting of safflower continued. Garbanzo beans were harvested. Black-eye peas continued to set and fill pods. Sorghum was growing well. In Sacramento County, sunflower was drying down and harvesting began.

    Fruit Crops

    Nectarine, peach, pear, plum, pluot, fig, and Asian pear harvest continued. Post-harvest pruning and mechanical topping was ongoing. Dried pruning debris was shredded. After harvest, some older stone fruit orchards were pushed out and burned to clear for replanting. Pomegranate harvest began. Kiwis, olives, and persimmons were maturing well. Table and wine grape harvest continued. Irrigation and mechanical vineyard maintenance was ongoing. A limited amount of Valencia oranges were harvested. Gassing of Valencia oranges continued to counter re-greening. Ruby Red grapefruit and finger limes were harvested. Citrus groves were pruned, hedged, and skirted. Some groves were whitewashed for sunburn prevention.

    Nut Crops

    Orchards continued to be irrigated. Walnuts were developing well with no significant pest or disease problems reported. Orchard floor cleaning continued in preparation of harvest. Almond harvest was well underway and pistachio harvest began.

    Vegetable Crops

    Tulare County reported certified producers grew cucumbers, squash, tomatoes, bell peppers, eggplant, and jalapeños for local farmers’ markets and roadside stands. In Colusa, Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo counties, processed tomato harvest continued.

    Livestock

    Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture remained in fair to poor condition. Water was hauled to livestock in some dry locations. Supplemental feeding was ongoing. Some cattle were moved to higher elevation pasture, while in the northern counties, cattle were grazing on recently harvested grain stubble.

  • California Crop Weather Report ( Week Ending: August 11, 2019)

    Weather

    Temperature highs ranged from the mid 60s to mid 90s in the mountains, high 60s to mid 100s along the coast, mid 70s to mid 100s in the valley, and low 90s to low 120s in the desert. Temperature lows ranged from the mid 30s to low 60s in the mountains, high 40s to mid 60s along the coast, mid 50s to mid 70s in the valley, and high 40s to low 90s in the desert.

    Field Crops

    In Tulare County, cotton fields were in full bloom and bolls were filling. Alfalfa continued to be cut and baled with some fields on their third cutting. Corn for silage was being cut. In Sacramento County, rice and safflower continued to grow and mature.

    Fruit Crops

    Stone fruit orchards were irrigated. Nectarine, peach, plum, and pluot harvests continued. Post-harvest pruning and mechanical topping was ongoing. Some older stone fruit orchards were pushed out after harvest. Olives and persimmons were maturing well. Asian pears, figs, and pears were harvested. Table grape harvest continued. Irrigation and mechanical vineyard maintenance was
    ongoing. Some Valencia oranges were harvested. Gassing of Valencia oranges continued to counter re-greening. Ruby red grapefruit were harvested. Citrus groves were pruned, hedged, and skirted. Some citrus were pushed out in preparation for new plantings.

    Nut Crops

    Orchards continued to be irrigated. Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios were developing well. Almonds were treated for Navel orange worms and mites. Orchard floors were cleaned up in preparation of almond harvest. Almond harvest was underway in the southern end of the San Joaquin Valley.

    Vegetable Crops

    Tomato harvest increased in the valley. Corn crop matured at a slower rate due to mild weather conditions. In Tulare County, certified producers grew tomatoes, squash, peppers, and cucumbers for local Farmers’ markets. In Kern County, sweet potatoes were doing well in high heat.

    Livestock

    Rangeland grasses continued to dry. Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture remained in fair to good condition, though water was hauled to livestock in some locations and supplemental feeding had commenced. Some cattle were moved to higher elevation range. Sheep grazed in fallow fields. Bees were active in sunflower fields.

  • California Crop Weather Report (Week Ending: August 4, 2019)

    Weather

    Temperature highs ranged from the mid 70s to high 90s in the mountains, mid 60s to low 100s along the coast, high 80s to mid 100s in the valley, and mid 90s to mid 110s in the desert.  Temperature lows ranged from low 40s to mid 60s in the mountains, high 40s to high 60s along the coast, low 50s to low 90s in the desert, and mid 50s to mid 70s in the valley.

    Field Crops 

    In Tulare County, corn for silage was maturing with some fields being harvested. Black-eyed beans were sizing up, and pods drying. Cotton continued to be irrigated and cultivated. Alfalfa was cut and baled.  In Siskiyou, Trinity and Modoc counties, cattle were moved to range land at higher elevations. San Mateo County, hay continued to be cut and baled.  Fresno County corn continued to be harvested for silage. Alfalfa yields are good with lower quality with prices decreasing. In Fresno County, alfalfa seed has been dried and harvest expected to begin soon.

    Fruit Crops

    Stone fruit orchards were irrigated. Apricot, peach, plum, pluot, and nectarine harvest continued. Post- harvest pruning and mechanical topping was ongoing. Some older stone fruit orchards were pushed out after harvest. Persimmons, figs and olives were maturing well. Grape harvest was underway. Irrigation and mechanical vineyard maintenance continued. Valencia oranges were harvested. Citrus groves were pruned and hedged. Some citrus were pushed out in preparation for new plantings.

    Nut Crops

    Orchards continue to be irrigated. Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios were developing well. Almonds were treated for Navel Orangeworm and mites. Orchard floors were cleaned up in preparation of almond harvest. Almond harvest began in Fresno County with the first shaking reported this season.

    Vegetable Crops

    Monterey County is reported good weather conditions for lettuce.  In San Mateo County, fall squash plants are in flower.  In the Sacramento Valley, tomato harvest began.  Tulare County summer vegetables continue to be sold at roadside stands and famer’s markets. Producers are picking tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, and squash. In Fresno county processing tomatoes and garlic have been reported with below average yields and carrot harvest will begin soon.

    Livestock

    Rangeland grasses continued to dry. Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture remained in fair to good condition, though water was hauled to livestock in some locations and supplemental feeding had commenced. Some cattle were moved to higher elevation range. Sheep grazed in fallow fields. Bee were active in sunflower fields.

  • California Crop Weather Report ( For Week Ending: July 28, 2019)

    WEATHER

     Temperature highs ranged from the high 60s to high 90s in the mountains, low 60s to high 100s along the coast, mid 90s to high 100s in the valley, and low 90s to high 100s in the desert.  Temperature lows ranged from low 40s to high 60s in the mountains, mid 50s to high 70s along the coast, high 50s to mid 90s in the desert, and high 50s to low 80s in the valley.

    FIELD CROPS

    In Tulare County, corn for silage continued to mature. Black-eyed beans are sizing up, and pods are beginning to dry. Cotton continued to be irrigated and cultivated. Alfalfa hay was cut and baled. In San  Mateo County, hay continued to be cut and baled.  Fresno County corn was to be harvested for silage. Alfalfa yields are good, with lower quality decreasing prices.

     FRUIT CROPS

    Stone fruit orchards were irrigated. Apricot, peach, plum, pluot, and nectarine harvest continued. Post-harvest pruning and mechanical topping was ongoing. Some older stone fruit orchards were pushed out after harvest. Persimmons and olives continued to mature. Grapes were growing well as harvest began. Some vineyards continue to have leaves thinned to allow better airflow and light. Irrigation and mechanical vineyard maintenance continued. Valencia and Navel oranges were harvested. Valencia were gassed to improve color. Citrus groves were pruned and hedge rowed. Some citrus were pushed out in preparation for new plantings.

    NUT CROPS

    Orchards continued to be irrigated. Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios were developing well. Almonds were treated for Navel Orangeworm and mites.

    VEGETABLE CROPS

    Monterey County reported good weather conditions for lettuce. In San Mateo County, fall squash plants were in flower. In Colusa, Sacramento, Solano, and Yolo counties tomato harvest is set to begin in early planted fields. In Tulare County, summer vegetables continued to be sold at roadside stands and farmers’ markets. Producers are picking tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, cucumbers, and squash. In Fresno county organic processing tomato and garlic harvests were completed with below average yields.

    LIVESTOCK

    Pastureland continued to dry. Only about a fifth of the five year average acres have burned so far this fire year. Late spring rains and moderate temperatures in the early summer months have contributed to this slow start to the fire season. Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture remained in fair to good condition, though water was hauled to livestock in some locations. Sheep grazed in fallow fields. Bees were active in sunflower fields. 

  • California Crop Weather Report (Week ending: July 7, 2019)

    WEATHER

    Temperature highs ranged from the low 60s to low 90s in the mountains, mid 60s to mid 90s along the coast, low 70s to high 90s in the valley, and mid 80s to low 110s in the desert.  Temperature lows ranged from the high 30s to mid 60s in the mountains, high 40s to low 60s along the coast, low 50s to mid 80s in the valley, and low 50s to high 80s in the desert.

     FIELD CROPS

    In Tulare County, corn, cotton, and safflower progressed well. Wheat and oats continued to be harvested. Silage crops were being cut. Safflower progressed well and sorghum was planted in Kings County. Cutting of alfalfa continued. In the Sacramento Valley, winter wheat harvest continued, and rice continued to progress well. Safflower started to bloom, and sunflower continued to be planted.

    FRUIT CROPS

    Stone fruit orchards were irrigated. Apricots, peaches, plums, pluots, and nectarines were harvested. Late season stone fruit were hand thinned. Older stone fruit orchards were pushed out after harvest. Persimmons and olives continued to mature. Grapes were growing well as fruit thinning activities continued. Mechanical vineyard maintenance continued. Grapefruit and Valencia and Navel oranges were packed for export to domestic markets. Citrus groves were thinned, topped and skirted. Some citrus was pushed out in preparation for new plantings.

     NUT CROPS

    Orchards continue to be irrigated. Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios were developing well. Sunburn protective sprays were applied to some walnut groves.

     VEGETABLE CROPS

    Black-eye peas progressed well in Kings County. In Tulare County, bell peppers, cucumbers, eggplant, and tomatoes continued to be harvested. Tomato, cucumber, and zucchini harvests continued in the Sacramento Valley. Cherry tomato harvest began.

    LIVESTOCK

    Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture remained in fair to good condition. Sheep grazed in fallow fields. Bees were active in melon and sunflower fields.

     

  • California Crop Weather Report (WEEK ENDING: June 30, 2019)

    WEATHER

    Temperature highs ranged from the high 50s to mid 80s in the mountains, mid 60s to mid 90s along the coast, mid 70s to high 90s in the valley, and mid 80s to low 110s in the desert.  Temperature lows ranged from the mid 30s to high 50s in the mountains, mid 40s to high 50s along the coast, mid 40s to mid 80s in the desert, and mid low 50s to high 70s in the valley.

     

    FIELD CROPS

    In the Sacramento Valley, winter wheat harvest continued and rice continued to progress well. Safflower started to bloom and sunflowers continued to be planted. Safflower progressed well and sorghum was planted in Kings County. Cutting of alfalfa continued. In Tulare County, corn, cotton, and safflower progressed well. Wheat and oats continued to be harvested. Silage crops were being cut. Blackeye peas progressed well in Kings County.

     

    FRUIT CROPS

    Nutrient sprays and pesticides, herbicides and fungicides were applied to orchards and vineyards. Stone fruit orchards were irrigated. Apricots, peaches, plums, pluots, and nectarines were harvested.Cherry harvest drew to a close. Late season stone fruit were hand thinned. Reflective sheets were laid between rows to promote color development. Olives continued to mature. Grapes were growing well as fruit thinning activities continued. Mechanical vineyard maintenance continued. Mandarins, lemons, grapefruit and Valencia and Navel oranges were packed for export and domestic markets. Citrus groves were thinned, topped and skirted. Some citrus groves were pushed out in preparation for new plantings.

     

    NUT CROPS

    Orchards continued to be irrigated. Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios were developing well. Sunburn protective sprays were applied to some walnut groves. Young nut orchard floors were mowed.

     

    VEGETABLE CROPS

    In Tulare County, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes continued to be harvested andeggplant progressed well. Tomato, cucumber, and zucchini harvests continued in the Sacramento Valley. Cherry tomatoes progressed well and will be harvested soon.

    LIVESTOCK

    Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture remained in fair to good condition. Sheep grazed in fallow fields. Some cattle were moved to better range as lower elevation grasses and watering holes dried. Bees were active in melon and sunflower fields.

  • California Crop Weather Report ( Week Ending: June 23, 2019)

    WEATHER

    Temperature highs ranged from the mid 60s to high 80s in the mountains, mid 60s to low 100s along the coast, high 70s to high 100s in the desert, and low 80s to high 100s in the valley. Temperature lows ranged from the low 30s to high 50s in the mountains, mid 40s to high 50s along the coast, mid 40s to low 80s in the desert, and mid 50s to mid 80s in the valley.

    FIELD CROPS

    In the Sacramento Valley, winter wheat harvest began and rice continued to progress well. Safflower progressed well and sorghum was planted in Kings County. Cutting of alfalfa continued. In Tulare County, corn, cotton, and safflower progressed well. Wheat and oats continued to be harvested. Silage crops were being cut. In Fresno County, barley was harvested. Cotton progressed well.

    FRUIT CROPS

    Nutrient sprays and pesticides, herbicides and fungicides were applied to orchards and vineyards. Stone fruit orchards were irrigated. Apricots, peaches, plums, pluots, and nectarines were harvested. Late season stone fruit were hand thinned. Reflective sheets were laid between rows to promote color development. Olives were maturing. Grapes were growing well as fruit thinning activities continued. Mechanical vineyard maintenance continued. Mandarins, lemons, grapefruit and Valencia and Navel oranges were packed for export and domestic markets. Citrus groves were treated with post-emergent herbicides, foliar fungicides, and nutrient applications. Citrus groves were thinned, topped, and skirted. Some citrus were pushed out in preparation for new plantings.

    NUT CROPS

    Orchards continued to be irrigated. Almonds, walnuts, and pistachios were developing well. Young nut orchard floors were moved.

    VEGETABLE CROPS

    Blackeye peas progressed well in Kings County. In Tulare County, zucchini, squash, cucumbers, and tomatoes continued to be harvested and eggplant progressed well. Tomato, cucumber, and zucchini harvests continued in the Sacramento Valley. Cherry
    tomatoes progressed well and will be harvested soon.

    LIVESTOCK

    Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture remained in good condition. Some rangeland was burned as grasses began to dry. Sheep grazed in fallow fields. Some bees were moved to melon and sunflower fields for pollination.