California Ag Network

Tag: Tulare County

  • Tulare County Reports On Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (September 1, 2017, 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 Alfalfa fields continue to be irrigated, cut, and baled. Sorghum for silage is in various stages of development, with some fields close to maturity. Corn silage continues to be harvested. Cotton is still being irrigated and bolls continue to develop. Cotton is blooming and forming bolls. Black-eyed beans are drying and nearing harvest.

    Peaches, nectarines, and plums continue to be picked and shipped to both domestic and export markets. Stone fruit is being exported to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, and Taiwan. Pistachio harvest has begun. Almond harvest is continues throughout the county. Almonds are being exported to Chile, China, Costa Rica, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates. Pears are being exported to Mexico. Table grape harvest continues, with exports going to Australia, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Pomegranate harvest is now underway, with exports going to Brazil. All permanent plantings are being irrigated.

    Valencia orange harvest continues, primarily for the domestic market. Valencia oranges are being exported to China, Korea, and Mexico. Valencia oranges and Meyer lemons are being bagged for export to Mexico. Finger limes are being harvested and exported to France, Japan, and the Netherlands. Olives continue to develop.

    Certified producers are picking tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers for sale at the local Farmer’s Markets. Yellow squash, Zucchini, eggplant, Bell peppers, green Chili peppers, and cucumbers are being harvested and shipped domestically. Fall vegetables have been planted and are developing well.

    Low elevation rangeland continues to dry and conditions are fair to good, but quality is continuing to decrease. Cattle are still being moved to higher elevations. The higher elevations are providing more grass than previous years. Feed costs for cattle remains high. The fed cattle market price is down to $110.00 per hundred weight. Harvested grain fields continue to be sheeped-off in the southern portions of the county.

    Nursery shipments are slowing overall. Wholesale nursery shipments to Canada and domestic markets have decreased due to the hot summer temperatures. Small amounts of citrus nursery stock continue to be sold. Kiwi pollen is being exported to Chile, Japan, and South Africa. New wells continue to be drilled, with many existing wells showing higher levels due to increases in the water table.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (August 25, 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 Alfalfa fields continue being irrigated, cut, and baled. Sorghum for silage is in various stages of development, with some fields close to maturity. Corn silage continues to be harvested. Cotton is still being irrigated and growing well. Cotton is blooming and forming bolls. Black-eyed beans are drying and nearing harvest.

    Peaches, nectarines, and plums continue to be picked and shipped to both domestic and export markets. Stone fruit is being exported to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, and Taiwan. Almond harvest is underway throughout the county. Last season’s almonds and pistachios are being exported to Hong Kong, India, and Turkey. Pears are being exported to Canada, Mexico, and Panama. Table grape harvest continues, with exports going to Australia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, and Taiwan. All permanent plantings are being irrigated.

    Valencia orange harvest continues, primarily for the domestic market. Valencia oranges are being exported to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. Valencia oranges and Meyer lemons are being bagged for export to Mexico. Variegated lemons are being exported to China. Finger limes are being harvested and exported to France, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands. Olives continue to develop.

    Certified producers are picking tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers for sale at the local Farmer’s Markets. Yellow squash, Zucchini, eggplant, Bell peppers, green Chili peppers, and cucumbers are being harvested and shipped domestically. Fall vegetables have been planted and are developing well.

    Low elevation rangeland continues to dry and conditions are fair to good, but quality is continuing to decrease. Cattle are still being moved to higher elevations. The higher elevations are providing more grass than previous years. Feed costs for cattle remains high. The fed cattle market price is down to $114.00 per hundred weight. Harvested grain fields continue to be sheeped-off in the southern portions of the county.

    Nursery shipments are slowing overall. Wholesale nursery shipments to Canada and domestic markets have decreased due to the hot summer temperatures. Small amounts of citrus nursery stock continue to be sold. Kiwi pollen is being exported to Chile, Japan, and South Africa. New wells continue to be drilled, with many existing wells showing higher levels due to increases in the water table.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (August 11, 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 Alfalfa fields continue being irrigated, cut, and baled. Sorghum for silage is still being cultivated and irrigated. Corn silage is being harvested. Cotton continues to be irrigated, cultivated, and growing well. Cotton is blooming and forming bolls. Black-eyed beans continue to be irrigated and cultivated.

    Peaches, nectarines, and plums continue to be picked and shipped to both domestic and export markets. Domestic demand is strong enough to cause the number of export shipments to continue to be significantly less than that of previous years. Stone fruit is being exported to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, and Taiwan. Almond harvest is now underway. Last season’s almonds and pistachios are being exported to Belgium, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Trinidad & Tobago, and Vietnam. Both mechanical and chemical weed control continues in orchards. Asian pears are being exported to Mexico. Table grape harvest is in full swing throughout the county, and grapes are being exported to Australia, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, New Zealand, Panama, the Philippines, Taiwan, and Thailand. All permanent plantings are being irrigated.

    Valencia orange harvest continues, primarily for the domestic market. Regreening continues to be a problem, due to the high temperatures. Valencia oranges are being exported to China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and Taiwan. Valencia oranges and Meyer lemons are being bagged for export to Mexico. Variegated lemons are being exported to China. Finger limes are being harvested and exported to France, Italy, Japan, and the Netherlands. Olives continue to develop.

    Certified producers are picking tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers for sale at the local Farmer’s Markets. Yellow squash, Zucchini, eggplant, Bell peppers, green Chili peppers, and cucumbers are being harvested and shipped domestically. Sweet corn harvest is continuing and available at roadside stands and the local Farmer’s Markets.

    Low elevation rangeland continues to dry and conditions are fair to good, but quality is continuing to decrease. Cattle are still being moved to higher elevations. The higher elevations are providing more grass than previous years. Feed costs for cattle remains high. The fed cattle market price is down to $117.00 per hundred weight.

    Nursery shipments are slowing overall. Wholesale nursery shipments to Canada and domestic markets have decreased due to the hot summer temperatures. Potted roses are being shipped to Florida. Small amounts of citrus nursery stock continue to be sold. New wells continue to be drilled, with many existing wells showing higher levels due to increases in the water table.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (June 2, 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 The last of the winter wheat is being dried and baled. Alfalfa fields are making excellent progress; and being cut, dried, and baled. Last year’s Black-eyed beans are being exported to Hong Kong, Korea, and Malaysia. Corn continues being planted, and earlier planted fields are growing well. Corn field are being injected with nitrogen to promote growth. Cotton is emerging and being irrigated.

    Stone fruit harvest is going strong, with a strong domestic market. Peaches are being exported to Australia, Canada, Mexico, and Taiwan. Nectarines are being shipped to Brazil, Canada, Japan, and Mexico. Apricots are being exported to Canada and Mexico. Summer pruning of stone fruit has begun. Orchard floors continue to be lined with reflective plastic to improve color prior to harvest. Cherry harvest continues. Last year’s almonds are being exported to Belgium, Colombia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Pistachios in storage are being exported to Australia, Bulgaria, France, Hong Kong, Israel, Korea, Lithuania, and the United Kingdom. Both mechanical and chemical weed control continues in orchards. Grapevines continue to have leaves removed to allow for improved air circulation and light around the developing bunches to improve color.

    Valencia oranges continue to be harvested and exported to China, Japan, Malaysia, and the Philippines. Grapefruit harvest is finishing up, with Star Ruby grapefruit being exported to Guatemala, Japan, and Mexico. Old citrus trees are being pulled to make way for new citrus varieties. Seedless tangerines are still netted. Olives are still blooming.

    Summer vegetables are being harvested and shipped domestically. Melons are being irrigated, and cantaloupes are being picked. Zucchini is being harvested. Blueberries are being harvested, with exports to Canada, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan. Strawberries are being harvested and sold at roadside stands.

    Low elevation rangeland continues to dry, and cattle are being moved to higher elevations. Fed cattle prices are at $138.00 per hundredweight.

    Wholesale nursery shipments to Canada and domestic markets continue.

  • Tulare High School Sophomores, Apply NOW for Youth Leadership!

    Tulare, Calif., (April 19, 2017) – High school sophomores in Tulare County are encouraged to apply for the 2017-2018 Tulare County Farm Bureau Youth Leadership Class. Applications are due by May 1, 2017.

    TCFB’s Youth Leadership Program began in 1983 as an opportunity for juniors in high school to develop their leadership skills. Since then, the program has trained over 500 young adults, many of which have gone on to pursue agricultural fields of study in college and beyond.

    Students are not required to have a connection to agriculture or Farm Bureau but should demonstrate an interest in developing leadership qualities and be able to take advantage of this program through active participation.

    Participants must be able to commit to an eight-month program that features monthly seminars that focus on topics such as county and state government processes, leadership, team building, community service, and exposure to careers in agriculture. The program concludes annually with a Sacramento experience to visit our state’s capitol, meet with elected state officials, and participate in a lobbying exercise.

    The application can be found at www.tulcofb.org by following the Application Forms tab. After the Youth Advisory Committee reviews the paper applications, students are selected for interviews, and the class is selected in early summer. Notification Letters are sent to all applicants, both chosen and those not chosen for the program.

    For more information about TCFB’s Youth Leadership Program, email tcfb@tulcofb.org.

  • Annual Dinner Sponsorship Invitation

    Tulare, Calif., (April 7, 2017) – This year’s 100th Annual Meeting of Members and Awards Dinner for the Tulare County Farm Bureau is set for May 2, 2017 and we know many of you may be asking about decorating tables.  We have chosen to take a break from decorating, because as our event has grown the table count has grown substantially and our local businesses willing to decorate has not.

    Linked below to this note is a Sponsorship form, and if your business or organization would like to be featured and recognized as a sponsor to the Annual Meeting, we would be honored to have you support the event with a financial donation.  Tickets will still be sold separately from sponsorship, since some businesses prefer to keep those decisions separate.

    We want to let you know that we will have a special and separate Centennial event scheduled in November, and we will invite our business support members and organizations to attend this too! The November event will be a dinner celebration of our 100th milestone, and we will make sure to send out information in the early fall about business involvement, sponsorships, tickets, and inviting other area businesses also celebrating 100 or more years in service.

    We hope you will join us for this year’s Annual Meeting and Dinner on May 2, and if your business would like to be recognized as a sponsor please respond using the form below.

    Heritage Members (Platinum and Gold level) will be featured in the Annual Dinner program as major supporters, as part of their membership benefits. The choice to donate additional support to the event is completely optional.

    Thank you!

    Download Annual Meeting and Dinner Sponsorship form.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Visalia, Calif., (March 3, 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 so that they can resume planting winter grain and field crops. Lodging has occurred in mature wheat fields due to the recent high winds and rain of last week.

    Field work in vineyards and orchards continues with: pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding. Some early varieties of stone fruit are beginning to bloom. Cherries are beginning to bloom. Kiwifruit are being exported to the Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan. Some almond orchards are beginning to bloom, and bee colonies are being moved in for pollination. Almonds are being exported China, Colombia, France, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom. Pistachios are being sent to China, Germany, Hong Kong, and Spain. In drier locations the removal of older orchards and vineyards continues in preparation for replanting with new varieties.

    The citrus harvest is continuing. All the recent rains are having some impact on overall quality. Navel oranges and Mandarins are being shipped to Australia, China, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Cara Cara oranges are being shipped to Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Minneola tangelos are sent to Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Grapefruit and pomelos are being exported to Japan. Lemons are being exported to Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines and Singapore. Orange groves are being hedge-rowed and skirted. A few growers are starting to net the seedless tangerines to prevent cross pollination by bees during the coming bloom.

    Squash are currently being planted in hot tunnels. New fields are being prepared for spring planting. Strawberries fields continue to thrive. Previously planted onions continue to progress well.

    Rangeland and dryland pasture quality continue to improve with all the recent rainfall. Condition is excellent due to continued rainfall and warmer weather.

    Bare root rose nursery stock continues to be received, processed, and shipped out. Shipments of wholesale nursery stock are picking up as spring sales begin in earnest. Local bare root nurseries are busy digging stock as weather and soil conditions allow. Some mature olive trees continue to be dug for landscape purposes.

  • 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.

  • County To Review Nut Theft Ordinance

    Tulare, Calif., (February 6, 2017) – The Tulare County Board of Supervisors held a public forum on January 30 for local walnut growers, processors, agents and buyers to meet and discuss the county Nut Theft ordinance, and the consideration of changes which may help improve the ordinance and deter theft.

    County officials from law enforcement, the district attorney, agriculture commissioner’s office, and Board of Supervisors had representatives present to answer questions.

    The Board of Supervisors will review the county nut ordinance and suggest revisions, a public hearing would be held for those interested.

    It was suggested that a full countywide prohibition be enforced, and no cash buying allowed.  It was suggested that buyers could still buy nuts using checks or credit cards, but only during the allowable window of time determined by the Ag Commissioner at the conclusion of the Chandler walnut harvest in late November.

    Questions about the current ordinance may be directed to the Ag Commissioner’s office, at 684-3350 or suggested improvements may be voiced to Samantha Ferrero at 636-5000.  If you wish to be noticed about the Public Hearing to be held once the ordinance is revised, you may ask Samantha Ferrero with the Board of Supervisors to notify you.

  • Tulare County Reports on Current Crop Status

    Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of major crops in the second most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Fields continue to be prepared and planted to winter wheat and barley forage. The growth of planted grains and field crops continue grow at an excellent rate, reaping the benefit from this past week’s ongoing precipitation. The forecast for optimal returns continues to look good. Sorghum seed continues to be received for future planting.

    Table grapes from cold storage continue to be exported to Canada, China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Vietnam. Vineyards continue being pruned. 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. Pomegranates are primarily being exported to Mexico. Deciduous fruit and nut orchards continue to be pruned and the brush shredded as weather conditions allow. Tree fruit, nut orchards, and vineyards have halted most post-harvest field activities due to the recent rain. In drier locations the removal of older orchards continues in preparation for replanting new varieties.

    Wet weather continues to slow citrus harvest. Navel and Mandarin oranges are being harvested as conditions allow. Exports of citrus fruit have slightly slowed down between Christmas and New Year. However, navel oranges continue to be exported to Australia, China, the Dominican Republic, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, and Singapore. Melogold grapefruit are being exported to Japan and Korea regularly. Lemons are being exported to Australia, China, Korea, and New Zealand. Growers continue to implement frost protection measures for new plantings. Removal of older orchards continues in preparation for replanting to new varieties in drier locations.

    Winter vegetables continue to mature ideally. Strawberries fields continue to thrive. Blueberries continue to be planted, weather permitting.

    Rangeland continues to improve with the recent rainfall. Rangeland quality is benefiting from this week’s rain at the lower elevations. The fed cattle market price held steady at about $112.00 per hundredweight.

    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.