Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending June 29, 2014.
WEATHER
High pressure over California at the start of the week brought dry and warm conditions to the northern part of the State, while gusty westerly winds cooled temperatures somewhat in the southern region. By Wednesday, an upper level disturbance approached the State, bringing scattered showers to the northern California coast, and reducing temperatures across most of the State.
Showers persisted along the north coast on Wednesday as a weak cold front moved across the northern half of the State. This front managed to spread showers into the Sierra Nevada on Thursday.
By Friday, a few residual showers lingered on the north coast, while the rest of the northern portion of the State saw dry conditions and warming temperatures. Building high pressure resulted in drier and warmer weather for all of the State by Friday. This pattern continued through the weekend, with the warmest temperatures of the week occurring on Sunday.
FIELD CROPS
In Stanislaus and Tulare Counties, early planted corn is in the tasseling stage and the planting of corn silage is almost complete. Alfalfa fields are being harvested. Some spraying for worms in a few alfalfa fields. Wheat harvest for grain was complete and wheat straw was baled.
In San Bernardino County, cotton is squaring nicely and lygus counts are low. In the lower San Joaquin Valley, cotton is blooming in more areas this past week due to the warm weather. Cotton continues to develop very well with blooms appearing in fields as far north as Merced County. In San Mateo County, baled fields of hay and oat hay fields appear about ready for pickup. Potatoes were harvested in San Joaquin Valley.
FRUIT CROPS
Orchards and vineyards were being sprayed and irrigated. Early clingstone peach harvest continued. Apricot, nectarine, freestone peach, and plum harvests continued with many mid-season varieties. Prune fruit continued to develop. Fuyu persimmons were thinned. Grape growers pulled leaves in the vineyards to allow for better air flow and sunlight. Table grape harvest was ongoing in the Coachella Valley. Fig harvest continued in Merced County.
Olive bloom finished and fruit was sizing normally. Apples and pomegranates were increasing in size. Blueberry harvest was slowing. Valencia orange harvest remained active. Ruby Red grapefruit was harvested. Growers monitored for citrus re-greening disease.
NUT CROPS
Almond growers increasingly applied hull split sprays, as hull split was expected soon. Walnut orchards were sprayed for sunburn. Pistachio nuts were filling; growers sprayed for Navel Orangeworm.
VEGETABLE CROPS
Sweet Corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, eggplant and peppers harvests remained active in Tulare County. Strawberry and blueberry harvest neared completion. Tomatoes finished set in Merced County. Harvest began on early tomato fields in Kings County. Lettuce and broccoli were harvested in Fresno County. Sweet Corn progressed well in the Imperial Valley.
Brussels sprouts and pumpkins progressed in San Mateo and leeks were harvested. Onions, potatoes, sweet corn and watermelons were harvested in San Joaquin County. In Stanislaus County, tomato plantings were finished, broccoli was planted and picked, and cantaloupe harvest will begin next week on early plantings. Blueberries and strawberries were harvested.
LIVESTOCK
Range and non-irrigated pasture were primarily in poor to very poor condition. Cattle and sheep grazed on idle fields, dry land grain and alfalfa fields. Supplemental feeding of livestock increased as availability of quality range continued to diminish. Bees were active in sunflower fields.
