Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending September 28, 2014.
WEATHER
The week began with near to above normal temperatures with dry weather. There were moderate to strong winds ahead of an approaching strong, low pressure system for most of the Northern portion of the State Tuesday and Wednesday. The low pressure system then brought much cooler temperatures and widespread precipitation Wednesday into Thursday.
The rain began along the north coast and spread south and east to the central coast and central Sierra Nevada. The north coast and mountains received 2 to 4 inches of rainfall. The central coast, valley/foothill, and Sierra Nevada locations also received rain. By Friday into the weekend, lingering showers and thunderstorms over the north and central part of the State brought additional precipitation to local areas and a few inches of snow above 7,000 feet.
The southern coast and mountains remained dry through the week, but days cooled with near to below normal temperatures by the end of the week as the low pressure system influenced the region.
FIELD CROPS
Land was prepared and some winter wheat was planted. Corn silage, alfalfa, and sorghum were cut. Cotton conditions were rated 80 percent good or excellent. Field borders were knocked down and defoliated. Pasture and rangeland was 70 percent poor to very poor. Rain did not slow down rice harvest. Fields were dried and harvest was 13 percent complete. A few unharvested fava beans and sunflower fields remained. Beans were midway to fully harvested throughout the State.
FRUIT CROPS
Raisin grapes that completed the drying process were collected from the fields before the rain fell. Harvest of fresh grapes was in full swing. Wine grape harvest was ongoing. Pomegranate, apple, and olive harvests were active. Fig and pear harvests were slowing. Prune harvest was completed. Pruning of stone fruit orchards that have completed harvest was almost finished. Valencia orange harvest continued. Lemon harvest slowed. In Yuba County, the golden kiwi harvest continued and the green kiwi harvest slowly picked up.
NUT CROPS
Pecan growers were preparing their orchards for harvest. Almond harvest was winding down, but walnut and pistachio harvests remained active. Walnut harvest was interrupted by rain towards the end of the week. In Fresno County, pistachios were given a second shaking.
VEGETABLE CROPS
Pumpkins were harvested and lined up; other winter squash was still fruiting. Processing tomato harvest continued. Some fava beans remained on the plants, while most other beans finished. Brussel sprouts were harvested. Cantaloupe harvest and packing continued with some fields over-mature by the end of the week. Remaining crops for farmers’ markets
