Sacramento, Calif., (November 14, 2017) – Temperatures across the State last week were typical for the fall season. Along the northern coast, close to two inches of precipitation was reported. More precipitation is expected to fall in the coming week for parts of the State.
Temperature highs were in the 50s to 60s in the mountains, 60s to 70s in the valley, 60s to 80s along the coast, and 70s to 80s in the desert. Temperature lows were in the 10s to 30s in the mountains, 20s to 50s in the desert, 30s to 40s in the valley, and 30s to 50s along the coast.
Early plantings of small grains had germinated and showed good emergence and growers continued to prepare more fields for fall planting of wheat, barley, and oats. Alfalfa for hay production was finishing up with the last cuts of the season and growers windrowed, baled and stacked the hay. The fields received herbicide treatments. Corn, milo, and sorghum continued to be harvested for green chop. Silage corn grew well and harvesting was ongoing. Rice harvest neared completion. Cotton fields were defoliated and harvesting was in full swing. Black-eyed beans were being harvested and processed. Most summer crops have been harvested, and fields were being prepared for winter planting.
Apple harvest was winding down. Pruning has started in some stone fruit orchards. Some old orchards were being removed and prepared for replanting. Wine grape harvest was almost complete. Thompson seedless grapes were being rolled and picked up for raisins. Table grape harvest was winding down for the season. Quince, pears, pomegranates, kiwifruit, and persimmons were harvested. Olive groves were pruned. Early Navel orange harvest was underway. Lemon, grapefruit and pomelos were harvested. Tangerine harvest began.
Almond harvest was complete. Orchard pruning and planting of new orchards was ongoing. Walnut and pistachio harvest was wrapping up. Harvested nut orchards were irrigated.
Harvest continued for green beans, cucumbers, daikon, eggplant, yellow bell peppers and tomatoes. Processing tomato harvest was completed and the harvested fields were cultivated. Melon harvest was near completion. Garlic harvest was complete. New garlic crops were being planted. New fresh market onions were being treated for worms. Organic cantaloupe harvest ended. Organic broccoli, celery and spinach fields were growing nicely. Head, leaf, and romaine lettuce for the fall season grew nicely with many fields starting to be harvested.
Non-irrigated and foothill rangeland forage was primarily in poor to very poor condition. Supplemental feeding of cattle was ongoing. Cattle were moved down from high elevation ranges. Sheep grazed on harvested alfalfa and grain fields. Some bees were moved to Fresno County to overwinter. Local bees were provided with supplemental feed.
Leave a Reply