California Ag Network

Tag: Fresno County Department of Agriculture

  • CA Compliance Bucket Inventory Checklist for Growers

    With ongoing changes in California pesticide laws and regulations, growers should be prepared with the right tools and resources, especially if County Ag inspector pays you a surprise farm visit.  That is why Amanda Zito and Alya Wakeman-Hill from the Fresno County Department of Agriculture provided growers with a bucket inventory checklist regarding pesticide applications at a Sun-Maid Growers meeting in Selma this morning.

    Here is what is required:

    -Emergency Medical Care Posting (Outside)

    -Soap

    -3+ Gallons of Water

    -Single-use Towels

    -Clean Coveralls

    -Chemical Resistant Gloves

    -Eye Protection

    -Labels for Chemicals being Applied

    Highly Recommended:

    -Eyewash

    -Extra N95 Respirators

    -Chemical Resistant Apron

    Remember, it is always better to be safe than sorry!

  • Fresno County Department of Agriculture Crop Report

    Fresno, Calif., (October 12, 2017) – Small grains (wheat, barley, and oats) were harvested; the fields were leveled, cultivated, and the soil was amended in preparation for new plantings. Rice was maturing and nearing to be harvested. Straw from harvested grain fields was stacked and awaiting shipment to customers.

    Alfalfa seed production was nearing completion. Alfalfa for hay production was maturing well; growers continued to irrigate the fields, cut, windrow, and bale straw for livestock feed. Pest control treatments were underway in other fields. Harvested field corn was worked up into green chop and stored for silage production. Silage corn and sorghum were being harvested and the empty fields were prepped up for triticale planting. Cotton grew well and the bolls were opening; growers continued to irrigate and spray for lygus. Alfalfa seed was exported to Algeria and Argentina.

    Wine, juice and table grape harvesting continued; late season table grapes were covered with plastic to protect the berries from “wishful” rain. Grapes in Selma District were cut and placed on trays to make raisins; 0% on the vine, 25% on open trays, 25% rolled, 50% boxed; open trays of drying grapes were splashed by two unexpected rains. Late season stone fruits were harvested. Growers irrigated the orchards and applied herbicides to control weeds; some orchards were fumigated in preparation for new plantings. Plums trees were treated for borer. Almond harvest continued; harvested fields were irrigated and received herbicide treatments; some growers pulled out vineyards and prepared the ground for fumigation to start new almond orchard; shipments of almond were picking up. Pistachio harvesting has begun in full swing; young pistachios continued to be hand pruned and the floor was being treated with herbicides; new plantings continued. Pomegranates were sizing, coloring, picked, and shipped to packers. Walnut harvesting has begun and processing was underway. Almonds, apples, apricots, grapes, nectarines, Asian pears, peaches, pecan, plum/IS plum, pomegranates, prunes, raisins, and walnuts were exported to Algeria, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Estonia, El Salvador, France, French Polynesia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Lebanon, Lithuania, Malaysia, Mexico, New Caledonia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Panama, Peru, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and Viet Nam.

    Harvesting of green beans, carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers (bell and chili), tomatoes, watermelons, and zucchini continued. Strawberries were still being harvested in Reedley District. Some growers in Selma District transplanted the second crops of eggplant, cucumber, green bean, and squash. Cantaloupes, honeydews, sweet corn, and watermelons were picked, packed and shipped and harvest season was nearing to completion; empty fields were cultivated in preparation for next crops plantings. Garlic and onions were being harvested and processed; packing and shipping were on going; growers had started to prepare the ground for next year plantings. Early planting of fresh and processing tomatoes in Huron District was 90-95% finished; late plantings of tomatoes had been reported to some lost due to unusual high temperatures. Organic and conventional cantaloupe in Huron District was winding down and organic broccoli, celery, and spinach were being planted. Broccoli grew well and the fields were being irrigated. Lettuce was being rogued and lettuce seed was being harvested. Plantings of lettuce (head, leaf and romaine) for fall had started; some lettuce fields received treatments to control thrips, aphids, beet armyworm, spider mites and whiteflies. Garlic seed from Oregon was processed. Melons, onions, and squash were exported to French Polynesia, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan.

    Citrus was starting to change color and the orchards were irrigated; the trees were treated for scales and weeds. Lemons were packed in the Selma District. Olives maturing. Some bee hives were being placed around fields of melons and squash for pollination; others were being placed on vacant land for rebuilding of hives; and a few bee hives remained in local bee yards. Beekeepers provided supplemental feed to replace nectar and pollen normally foraged from blooming plants. Ranchers had left sheep and cattle grazed in harvested grain fields; cull melons fields; and in retired farmland areas. A few ranchers in Huron District grazed sheep in Westlands Water District set aside fields. The eastern slope of the Coast Range Mountains was very dry; rangeland conditions were dry.

  • 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.

  • 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

    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.

  • Fresno County Department of Agriculture Crop Report

    The recent rains have fueled good growth in the barley, oats, and wheat plantings. Planting of these grains continued and herbicides were applied to control weeds as needed. Straw shipments were on going.

    With the cold weather alfalfa fields have gone dormant, and have either had herbicides applied or sheep added to graze. All cotton growers have completed the shredding and cultivation to comply with the cotton plow down regulations; growers have started to cultivate and add soil amendments to make beds ready for spring. Alfalfa seed was exported to Algeria, Bolivia, Italy and Saudi Arabia.

    Winter is the time for cleaning and all around the county that’s exactly what’s happening. Stone fruit and nut orchards were mostly done being pruned and shredding was underway. Dormant sprays and herbicides to control weeds were being applied. Vineyards were also being pruned and the vines tied. The trend is continuing of pulling out vineyards and switching to nut crops. Asian pears, almonds, pistachios, dried fruits (blueberry, cherries, fig, peaches, and pears), grapes, kiwi, pecans, persimmons, plums, prunes, and walnuts were exported to: Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Egypt, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Italy, India, Japan, Korea, Republic of, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Viet Nam.

    Spring preparation has started with many fields undergoing weeding disking and irrigation repair. Fields were being fumigated for next season’s eggplant, carrots, tomatoes and strawberry crops. As the temperatures dropped, fall broccoli harvest came to an end. Broccoli fields planted for seed production was showing good growth. Asparagus fields where topped and shredded to prepare for spring harvest. Onion and garlic fields have showed good growth; while bokchoy, carrots, daikon and Napa cabbage continued to be harvested. Lettuce seed was exported to Greece, Korea, and Netherlands and garlic was exported to Mexico.

    Oranges and mandarins were showing good color, the harvest continued. In Sanger district, harvest was approximately one third complete. Some freezing temperatures occurred early in the month but so far no widespread freeze damage has been reported. Growers have been running wind machines and burning small fires to protect the fruit. Although the rains have slowed entry into the fields for harvest, the moisture has helped with fruit protection. Cara Cara, grapefruit, lemon, mandarins, navels, pummelos, and tangerines have been exported to Australia, Chile, China, Dominican Republic, Fiji, French Polynesia, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, and Tonga. Exports had slowed do to glut in the markets in the middle of the month, but picked towards the end due to Chinese New Year. Olive groves were being disked and sprayed with herbicides to control weeds

    The rains had made the rangeland grasses germinate, providing favorable grazing conditions. Sheep have been moved to alfalfa and fallow fields for weed control and pregnant Ewes are welcoming new lambs. Beehives have been arriving from other states and were being stored in local yards to be ready for spring bloom. Beekeepers were feeding their hives due to lack of blooming vegetation this time of year.