California Ag Network

Tag: Crop Report

  • TULARE COUNTY CROP REPORT – For week ending September 8, 2018

    SMALL GRAINS, OTHER FIELD CROPS:
    Corn and sorghum continue to be harvested for silage. Alfalfa cutting and baling for hay continues. Cotton is in bloom with bolls being set.

    DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES:

    The stone fruit season continues on. Peaches, nectarines, and plums continue to be exported to Mexico, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, Peru, Taiwan, Panama, Colombia, Guatemala, the Philippines, and China. Apricots continue to be exported to Mexico and Australia. Early hand- pruning is taking place in some stone-fruit orchards after harvest. Some stone fruit orchard blocks are being removed after harvest to make way for new plantings. Almond harvest continues, with exports going to Korea, India, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Japan, Germany, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Spain, and Trinidad & Tobago. It is currently the middle of harvest season for pistachios, with nuts being exported to Israel, Italy, Vietnam, and Hong Kong. To the north, pistachios continue to develop. Table grapes are being shipped domestically, as well as exported to Australia, Taiwan, Guatemala, El Salvador, Malaysia, the Philippines, Honduras, Mexico, Costa Rica, Japan, Colombia, China, Indonesia, Vietnam, Korea, Ecuador, Nicaragua, and Thailand. Raisin grapes are being picked for sun-drying, with raisin beds being prepared. Pears are being exported to El Salvador and Mexico. Persimmons continue to mature and develop external color. Pomegranate harvest is underway. Walnuts continue to develop.

    CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES:

    Valencia oranges are still being packed for domestic markets and some exports to China, Hong Kong, Korea, Singapore, and Mexico. Limes are being exported to New Zealand. Development and maturation of olives continues. Citrus groves are being hedged and thinning of fruit continues. Pushed-out citrus groves continue to be prepared for planting, and some are now being replaced with young trees.

    VEGETABLES, MELONS, HERBS, BERRIES:

    Various summer vegetables continue to be grown and sold at roadside stands and farmer’smarkets, including assorted peppers, squash, Zucchini, eggplant, cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelons, and cantaloupes.

    LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY:

    Pasture conditions are poor. Supplemental feeding with hay and/or grain continues. The fed cattle price is at $109 per cwt.

    ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Fall shipments of nursery stock from local wholesale nurseries continue. Roses are being exported to Lebanon. Most citrus groves, tree fruit, nut tree orchards and row crops are being irrigated.

    Prepared by:
    Marilyn Wright
    Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer

  • Fresno County Department of Agriculture Crop Report

    Fresno, Calif., (January 8, 2018) – Barley, triticale, and dry land wheat emergence has been slow due to lack of rain. Forcing some growers to irrigate fields. Early planted fields continued to mature and were treated with herbicides.

    Alfalfa went dormant, fields were treated with herbicides or grazed by sheep. Every District reported that, all cotton was disced and in compliance with plow down regulations. Due to lack of rain, ground prep and field fumigations continued for 2018 rotational crops. Alfalfa was exported to Argentina, Germany, Italy, and Qatar.

    Pruning in dormant stone fruit and nut orchards started to wrap up. Orchards were irrigated, disced, treated for weeds and had dormant sprays applied. Mummy shaking continued in lmond orchards. Older almond orchards were pushed out, for replanting later. Grapes were pruned and tied, along with having herbicides applied. Vineyards continued to be removed for planting of nut trees. Almonds, Asian pear, grape, kiwi, pecan, persimmon, pistachio, pomegranate, raisins, and walnut were exported to, Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, Chili, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Latvia, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Viet Nam.

    Garlic and onion planting continued. Earlier planting had emerged and showed good growth. Fields were treated for weeds. Harvesting for winter greens such as, bok choy, cabbage, chard, collard greens, kale, parsley and daikon continued. In Firebaugh District, the broccoli harvest ended as temperatures dropped, fields were staring to be prepared for a spring crop. Head and leaf lettuce has been planted for the spring 2018 crop. Organic broccoli, celery and spinach are growing nicely in the Huron District. As well as next season’s tomato and garbanzo bean fields being worked prior to planting. In Sanger District, eggplant and strawberry fields were fumigated with Chloropicrin in preparation of planting. Asparagus fields were shredded in preparation for the spring growth. With the lack of rain, fields underwent discing, forming rows and irrigation line replacement in much of the County. Lettuce and arugula seed was exported to Brazil, Netherlands, Philippines, and South Korea.

    Grapefruit, lemon, mandarin, navel orange, and pomelo harvesting continued throughout December. Mandarin and navel harvests are approximately 1/3 completed in the Sanger District. Citrus is showing good color. The County experienced some low temperatures towards the end of the month but no freeze damage reported. Growers used fans, running water, and small fires to keep temperature up. Citrus is being exported to Australia, Dominican Republic, French Polynesia, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, in addition to the Philippines. Olive groves underwent discing and herbicide applications.

    Lack of rain in December kept rangeland very dry. Sheep with their new lambs continued to be grazed in alfalfa and fallow fields. Beehives are overwintering around the County and being given supplemental feedings.

  • Fresno County Department of Agriculture Crop Report

    Fresno, Calif., (September 11, 2017) – Wheat, barley and oats were harvested, straw as stacked and baled; harvested fields were being prepared for rotation crops. Rice matured rapidly.

    Alfalfa for hay production was ongoing; most growers were on their last cutting and fields were being windrowed and baled; alfalfa seed was being harvested, irrigation and treatments to control pests were ongoing. Cotton plants bloomed, bolls began to set; growers continued to irrigate and treat the fields to control lygus. Some garbanzo bean fields grew vigorously and were being irrigated, while others grown for seed production were harvested. Sweet corn grew well and harvest continued. Silage corn and sorghum were being cut for fodder. Alfalfa seed was exported to Algeria and Saudi Arabia.

    Grapes for raisins were cut and placed on trays to dry; furrows were knocked down and terraced for grape trays; fields harvested earlier had been rolled and boxed already. Growers also started harvesting for wine and juice. Dry on vine (DOV) grapes were getting ready to be harvested; vineyard and orchard operators applied herbicides, fungicides, and insecticides; and the fields were cultivated and irrigated. Harvesting of nectarines and peaches was nearing the end; the fields continued to be irrigated and received treatments to control pests. The dried plum harvest was over. Persimmons and jujubes were ripening. Pomegranates were sizing rapidly; growers applied herbicides applications as needed. Walnut and well-established pistachio orchards continued to mature; the young pistachio orchards continued to be hand pruned and new orchards were being planted. Almond harvest was in full swing, growers continued to control the Naval Orange Worm (NOW), mites and other significant pests; fields continued to be irrigated and orchard floor was being prepared prior to harvest. Growers had paused on new almond planting waiting for the cooler weather to start. Export volume for stone fruit decreased due to the strong dollar and high domestic prices. Dry fruits (raisins, fig, and prunes), cranberry (being re-exported), apples, Asian pears, apricots, grapes, nectarines, peaches, plums/IS, pomegranates, were packed and exported to Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, the Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Viet Nam. Grape (Bud Stems) was shipped to Chile.

    Roadside stands were selling summer squash, tomatoes, basil, cucumbers, eggplants, Peppers (chili and sweet), stone fruit, strawberries, grapes, melons, and a variety of Asian vegetables (opo, long beans, and bittermelon). Summer squash, cucumber, daikon, jalapeño, eggplants, tomatoes, and bell peppers continued to be harvest. Huron District had harvested 75% of the cantaloupe, 80% of the honeydew, and 90% of the watermelon fields, which was a lower yield than normal. Lettuce seed had been harvested and fall crops of head, leaf and romaine lettuce were being planted. Spring planted sweet corn was picked, packed, and shipped; late season corn planting grew well. Winter squash (kabocha and butternut) became available. Harvesting of fresh and processing tomatoes continued. Garlic and onions were harvested and shipped to processors; growers had been preparing the fields for next year’s planting. Fresh tomato market harvest was complete in Huron District and processing tomatoes were about 85-90% complete. Asparagus ferns were high; hand weeding was underway in a few fields. Seedling broccoli in Firebaugh had emerged and grew well; organic broccoli in Huron had been planted. Growers in Selma District had transplanted their second crops of melons, cucumber, and squash and prepared fields for strawberry planting. Garlic, onions, jack beans, cantaloupes, honeydews, melons, and squash were exported to Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom.

    Growers of citrus have treated their orchards for weeds and pests and irrigated the floor; some orchards had been treated for red scale. Olive orchards grew nicely. Valencia oranges from in county and lemons from the coastal areas were packed.

    Bees have been moved to fields of melons and squash for pollination. Some beekeepers left their hives throughout district to enhance rebuilding of the hives. Cattle were fat and happy with all the rangeland feed; stockers were being shipped to market. Poultry and egg production was normal. Sheep grazed in a few harvested grain fields and were observed eating cull melons. The rangeland was parched and dry; hazy conditions persist due to smoke from mountain wildfires.

  • 2017 California Processing Tomato Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (September 6, 2017) – Contracted production for California processing tomatoes is forecast at 11.5 million tons, averaging 50.0 tons per acre. The current forecasted production is 8 percent below the 2016 crop, and 2.5 percent below the May forecast.

    Spring rains brought relief from the drought but delayed planting. Harvest began in early July in the southern growing areas, which is about two weeks later than in 2016. The 2017 crop has experienced lower disease and pest pressures compared to last year. The overall crop has developed well so far with the early harvest reported to be of good quality. Potential concerns reported by the tomato growers

    were the delayed harvest and stress from triple digit heat waves. The projected harvested acreage of tomatoes is 230,000 acres, a decrease of 10 percent from 2016 and the lowest acreage since 1988.

    The shipping reports published by the Processing Tomato Advisory Board showed that shipments through August 19, 2017 were running 22 percent below those of 2016.

    This processing tomato estimate is funded by the California League of Food Processors, in cooperation with the California Department of Food and Agriculture.

    To view the report go to: https://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/California/Publications/Vegetables/Processing_Tomato/2017/201708ptom.pdf

  • Sonoma County 2016 Crop Report

    Santa Rosa, Calif., (September 1, 2017) – The Sonoma County Department of Agriculture presented the 2016 Crop Report at the Board of Supervisors Meeting on Tuesday August 1st. The theme of this year’s crop report was “Growing Winegrapes, Sustainably”.

    2016 Crop Report Presentation at the Board of Supervisors meeting on August 1st. Photo by Emily Janowski.

    The total reported value of agricultural products in Sonoma County was $898,125,200, a 17% increase from 2015. The increase in value was attributed to an increase in rain over 2015 and an increase in both tons crushed and price per ton of winegrapes.

    Sonoma County’s apple yield increased significantly over 2016 while the value of livestock and poultry products decreased 6%. The 2016 apple yield increased significantly over 2015, which Ag Commissioner Tony Linegar referred to as “the worst apple crop in recent history”. The 2016 apple crop grossed $5,466,800, up 42% from 2015’s value of $3,752,400.

    Sonoma County’s 60,000 acres of winegrapes accounted for more than 50% of Sonoma County’s crop value totaling $586,517,700. This was up significantly from the 2015 value of $446,538,900. Chardonnay was the top producing varietal with 16,000 acres values more than $162 million. Chardonnay was followed by Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon which each have more than 13,000 planted acres have values over $100 million.

    Sonoma County produced 14 million dollar crops in 2016. In millions these were: Winegrapes ($586), Market Milk ($146), Misc Poultry ($40), Misc Livestock and Poultry Products ($31), Cattle and Calves ($20), Nursery – Ornamentals ($14), Nursery – Misc ($13), Vegetables ($9.9), Sheep and Lambs ($8.4), Oat and Rye Silage Crops ($4.0), Nursery – Cut Flowers ($3.9), Apples – Late Varieties ($3.9), Apples – Gravenstein ($1.6) and Nursery – Bedding Plants ($1.2).

    The 2016 crop report can be found online at sonomacounty.ca.gov/Agriculture-Weights-and-Measures/Crop-Reports/

    By Rachel LaFranchi – and courtesy of Sonoma County Farm Bureau

  • Fresno County Department of Agriculture Crop Report

    Fresno, Calif., (August 10, 2017) – Grain harvesting started to wrap up with only a few wheat and oat fields left to be harvested around the County. Wheat was harvested for seed and straw. Oats were cut for fodder and hay. Straw was awaiting shipment. Fields started to be cultivated for the next round of crops. Irrigation was underway in many rice fields and was showing good crop growth.

    Alfalfa continued to be cut and baled for feed. When alfalfa for seed production was treated for pest pressure. Cotton started to set but a persistent lygus and aphid pressure resulted in a Section 18 Crisis Exemption for an insecticide. That went into effect at the end of July and runs for 2 weeks, with hopes of decreasing insect activity. Corn for silage was growing rapidly. Alfalfa was exported to Bolivia and France.

    Almond hull split started and orchards were treated for mites and Navel Orange Worm. Almonds, pistachio, and walnut orchards received insecticide and herbicide applications. Grape vineyards continued to receive sulfur and herbicide applications. Some vineyards completed the sulfur applications as berries have reached veraison (point in growing season when ripening grapes begin to soften and change color from green to either red or yellow depending on variety). Table grape harvest started, with some early varieties of raisin grapes being harvested for champagne. Furrows were being knocked down and ground was terraced to lay trays down for the upcoming harvesting. Many stone fruit orchards finished up with harvesting but late varieties continued to mature. Orchards were disced and irrigated. Pomegranates continued to grow well and received herbicide treatments. Jujubes started to ripen. Almonds, apple, apricots, apriums, Asian pears, grapes, interspecific plums, nectarines, peaches, pecans, plums, prunes, raisins, and walnuts were packed and/or exported to ­Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Viet Nam.

    Harvesting started for fresh market and processed onion and garlic fields. Processed onions and garlic had their tops shredded to prepare for harvest. Both conventional and organic processing and fresh market tomatoes, started to be harvested. Garbanzo bean harvesting continued with a few fields wrapping up at the end of the month. Cantaloupe, honeydew, mixed melons, and watermelon were harvested, packed, and shipped out. Sweet corn harvest continued and harvested fields were plowed to prepare for the next crop. Harvesting continued in all other crops, like: cucumbers, daikon, eggplant, peppers (bell, jalapeno, pasilla, and serrano), squash (acorn, butternut, kabocha, and spaghetti). Lettuce beds started to be prepared for fall planting. Lettuce for seed production started to dry out for harvest. Carrots were being harvested. Garlic, onions, shallots, melons, and squash were exported to Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and United Kingdom.

    Across the County, citrus harvesting wrapped up. Grapefruit, lemons, tangelos, and Valencia oranges were all packed. Orchards continued to be treated with herbicides, insecticides, and coated with sunscreen as needed. Current season fruit continued to increase in size with the hot weather and irrigation. Oranges where exported to Mexico and Republic of Korea. Mandarin bud wood was sent to Australia. Olives were growing nicely everywhere

    With the rangeland dry and offering little forage. Cattle and sheep were sent to harvested hay and wheat fields to graze. Bees were still being placed in alfalfa, assorted melon and squash fields; while others were placed around the county to rebuild their hives.

  • Fresno County Department of Agriculture Crop Report for February 2017

    Fresno, Calif., (March 9, 2017) – Across the County, plantings of barley, oats, triticale, wheat, and winter forage are all growing well due to an abundance of rain. Some fields have already started to develop seed heads. Herbicides and fertilizers were applied to fields between storms. Ground preparation was underway for rice fields in Firebaugh.

    Alfalfa broke dormancy but growth is slow. Alfalfa fields continued to be sprayed for weeds, with some having to be by areal application due to wet ground.

    Growers started preparing ground for the upcoming cotton season by tilling, making furrows, and applying herbicides. Alfalfa seed was exported to China, France, Italy, Qatar and United Kingdom.

    Almond bloom started mid-month, accompanied with applications of fungicides to control disease. Some apricot, nectarine, peach, and plum orchards, started to bloom as well. Fungicide treatments began in these orchards as well as being sprayed for weeds. Buds started to swell in cherries. Growers participating in the Mexico Stone Fruit Program hung pheromone traps for the Oriental Fruit Moth as of February 15. Vineyard operators applied herbicides to combat the increase in weeds after all the rain. Stakes and trellis wire were repaired. In some warmer areas, grape buds started to swell. Many vineyards around the County continued to be removed for planting of almond, pistachio, and walnut orchards. In pistachio and walnut orchards application of herbicides took place. Almonds, Asian pears, prunes, and raisins were exported to Algeria, Australia, Belgium, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United Arab Emirates and Viet Nam. Pistachios were exported to Hong Kong. While kiwi was exported to Japan and Taiwan.

    Strawberry plantings were delayed in some districts due to wet conditions, but where previously planted they showed signs of slow growth. Carrots were harvested and beds where prepared for the next rotation. Garlic and onions around the County were growing well and had herbicides applied. In Kerman district, cilantro, kale, leaf lettuce, and mustard for seed production was growing well. Lettuce and pepper seed was exported to Australia. Growers continued to prepare for tomatoes and eggplant by applying herbicides, cultivating and fumigating to control soil borne pests. Winter crops of broccoli, cabbages, cauliflower, chard, collards, gai lan, and kale were harvested to be sold in local markets. Spring lettuce is growing slowly due to cooler conditions. Blueberries started to bloom around the County and fungicides were applied.

    Cara Cara, lemons, Navel oranges and mandarins continued to be harvested between storms. Nets were placed around mandarins to exclude bees from pollinating. Fungicide applications were made in a few citrus orchards. Grapefruit, lemons, mandarin, Navel, pomelo, tangelo, and tangerines were exported to Belgium, Chile, China, El Salvador, France, French Polynesia, Indonesia, Japan, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, and Singapore.

    Cattle and sheep continued to graze on the lush rangeland. Frequent rains have kept the rangeland grasses growing, providing excellent feed. Lambing season started with lots of babies produced in Huron district. Egg production ramped up again after the winter lull. Beehives were placed in lots of orchards and bees were busy pollinating.

  • USDA California Crop/Weather Report

    Sacramento, Calif., (March 7, 2017) – A lot of variation in the weather across the State as a departing Pacific system exerted its influence onto the State. Monday, heavy rainfall across the southern quarter of the State, with areas along the immediate coast receiving up to two inches of rain. Heavier rainfall fell in the coastal mountains immediately inland of the San Diego area, with locations receiving over five inches. Most of the deserts received a quarter inch of rain. Midweek was mostly dry, expect for light rainfall in a few southern coastal areas. By Friday, the next storm system arrived, with light showers falling on the northwestern mountains. Saturday and Sunday brought heavier precipitation, with up to one to two inches falling in the northern portion of the State, and up to one inch falling in the southern parts of the state outside of the deserts. Light snow was reported in the central Sierras on Monday before warming temperatures mid-week resulted in the first significant snowmelt of the season. Heavy snowfall returned by Saturday with twelve to eighteen inches of snow falling in the central and northern Sierras. Further south, three to six inches of new snowfall occurred, maintaining the pre-week snowpack level there. Mountain snowpacks continued to be very heavy with Lodgepole in the southern Sierras and the Tahoe area reporting snowcover of nearly seven feet.

    Temperature highs were in the 30s to 40s in the mountains, 40 to 80s in the desert, 50s to 70s in the valley, and 60s to 70s along the coast. The temperature lows were in the 10s to 20s in the mountains, 20s to 40s in the valley, 30s to 50s in the desert, and 40s to 50s along the coast.

    Growers continued to wait for fields to dry out sufficiently to resume planting winter grain and field crops. Reports of lodging in mature wheat fields due to the recent high winds and rain of last week. Alfalfa fields were flooded and recharging underground water.

    Pruning, discing, weed control, and pre-bloom spraying continued where dry orchard floor conditions permitted. Olive groves were pruned. Pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding continued as vineyard floors dried. Herbicides were applied in some vineyards. Early varieties of stone fruit, including cherries were blooming in Tulare County. Citrus harvest continued. Recent rains impacted the overall quality of the citrus. Orange groves were hedge-rowed and skirted.  A few seedless tangerine groves were being netted to prevent cross pollination during the pending bloom.

    As field conditions permitted walnut and pistachio orchards were pruned. Where dry enough cleanup of trees toppled by high winds began. Almond bloom was progressing with the southern portion of the state nearing completion. Rain and wind caused some almond petal drop.

    Recent rains slowed some harvesting but broccoli, romaine, and red lettuce harvest continued in Imperial County.  In Fresno County, winter onion and garlic fields were being fertilized and cultivated.  In Tulare County, squash was being planted in hot tunnels.  New fields were being prepared for spring planting.  Strawberries continued to thrive.

    Non-irrigated pasture and rangeland continued to improve with warming temperatures promoting forb and grass growth. Range was reported to be in excellent to fair condition. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued to wane as range conditions improved. Bees were active in almond orchards. Sheep grazed stubble fields, idle cropland, and dormant, alfalfa.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (February 10, 2017) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Growers continue to wait for fields to dry out sufficiently that they can resume planting winter grain and field crops. The planted grains and field crops continue to mature at an excellent rate, reaping the benefit from all the recent rains.

    Table grapes from cold storage continue to be exported primarily to Canada and Mexico. Field work in vineyards and orchards: pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding, are starting up again as fields dry. Kiwifruit are being exported to Colombia. Pistachios are being exported Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Vietnam. Almonds are being exported to Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Pecans are being shipped to Australia, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. Walnuts are being shipped to Hong Kong. Pomegranates are primarily being exported to Mexico. In drier locations the removal of older orchards and vineyards continues in preparation for replanting with new varieties.

    The citrus harvest is gaining strength with the clearer weather. Navel oranges are being shipped to Australia, China, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The second application of copper fungicide has or will be made to meet the February 4th deadline for continued export to Korea. Mandarin oranges continue being shipped to Australia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, and Mexico. Satsuma tangerines continue to be harvested and sent to domestic markets only. Melogold grapefruit are being exported to Japan and Korea. Lemons are being exported to Australia, China, Korea, and New Zealand. Removal of older orchards continues in preparation for replanting to new varieties this spring. The domestic market for citrus fruit remains steady at a good price.

    Winter vegetables continue to mature ideally. The drier weather is allowing the harvest to resume. Strawberries fields continue to thrive. Blueberries continue to be planted, weather permitting.

    Rangeland and dryland pasture quality continue to improve with the recent rainfall.

    Bare root rose nursery stock continues to be received, processed and shipped out. Potted roses are currently being shipped. Shipments of wholesale nursery stock have remained slow due to winter weather and a lack of demand.

  • Fresno County Department of Agriculture Crop Report

    Fresno, Calif., (February 8, 2017) – Heavy rains continued in January promoting vigorous growth in barley, triticale, wheat and winter forage. Fields have been fertilized, and herbicides applied. Dry-land barley have been planted and showing good growth.

    The rains have put much of the fieldwork on hold, waiting for drier conditions. Between storms, growers reshaped beds, and added soil amendments for the next round of field crops. Sheep continue to graze in some alfalfa fields when other fields received areal herbicide treatments to control weeds in wet fields. First cuttings of alfalfa are rapidly approaching in Sanger district.

    Working around storms, growers continued to prune, disc, and apply herbicides to orchards. Around the County dormant sprays were being applied between storm systems. In the Sanger and Selma Districts, early varieties of nectarines and peaches started to bloom. Almond buds are swelling in Sanger and Huron, loads of beehives were moved in. Work continues in the vineyards with pruning, tying, and herbicide applications. Around the County orchards and vineyards continue to be taken out, replaced with almonds and pistachios. Almonds, Asian pears, dry apricots, dry cranberry, dry figs, dry prunes, pecans, raisins, and walnuts were exported to; Algeria, Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Bulgaria, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Egypt, El Salvador, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, Iceland, India, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Macedonia, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Panama, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and Viet Nam. Kiwi were exported to Guatemala, Japan, and Taiwan. Peruvian and Chilean grapes were re-exported to Canada

    Preparation for spring planting has started in a few fields with weeding, discing, irrigation repair, and formation of rows taking place. Field fumigations for eggplant, strawberries, and tomatoes had started in some districts but most were on hold due to ground saturation from recent rains. Garlic and onion planting have all emerged and show good growth. Broccoli is growing steadily in Firebaugh, while asparagus fields were topped and shredded for spring harvest. Harvesting of carrots and daikon continued. Broccoli, cilantro, kale, mustard, and leaf lettuce was planted for seed production. Onion and lettuce seed were exported to Germany, Japan, and republic of Korea. Blueberries started showing signs of swelling buds in Selma district, when other areas remain dormant.

    January had a few nights with below freezing temperatures but so far, no significant freeze damage has been reported in the districts. Rain also delayed citrus harvest in many districts but exports are steady. Around the storms, fungicide applications took place in many citrus orchards. Grapefruit, lemons, mandarins, Navel oranges, pummelos, tangelos, and tangerines were exported to; Chile, China, Ecuador, Fiji, Guatemala, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Tonga. Olive groves underwent discing, and herbicide applications to control weeds.

    The rain has had a huge impact on the rangeland, creating favorable conditions for grazing livestock. Sheep continue to graze on dormant alfalfa and fallow fields. In Huron district, cattle are being shipped out for processing. With the almonds and stone fruit starting to bud, beehives were brought in from out of state to be placed in orchards for pollination.