Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending October 12, 2014.
WEATHER
Dry conditions persisted across the State. Coastal areas in the northern portion of the State had highs drop from the 80s early in the week to as low as 50 by the weekend. The southern part of the State had highs from the 90s to over 100 by the end of the week for areas away from the coast. The coolest part of the State was in the northeastern Lake Tahoe area, where overnight lows dropped to the upper 20s the last part of the week.
FIELD CROPS
Alfalfa and corn were irrigated and harvested. Field preparations for winter grains were underway. Cotton was defoliated and 30 percent of the acreage was harvested by week’s end. Cotton conditions were 85 percent good or excellent. Rice harvest was 59 percent complete. Pasture and rangeland was 70 percent poor to very poor.
FRUIT CROPS
In Yuba County, peach and prune orchards were irrigated and topped. Debris was cleaned up, piled, and removed. In Fresno County, nearly all of the grapes have been harvested. In Madera County, fruits and grapes were harvested. In Tulare County, raisin grape harvest was completed, with some dried fruit still in the vineyards awaiting pick-up. The late peach, plum, and nectarine harvest was nearing completion. Pomegranates were harvested and packed for the domestic and foreign markets.
Persimmons were coloring up. Pruning of stone fruit orchards continued, with older orchards pushed out to make way for new plantings. Valencia oranges and lemons were packed for domestic markets and export. Most packinghouses were preparing for the coming navel orange season. Olive harvest continued.
NUT CROPS
In Madera County, the harvest continued in some pistachio and almond orchards. In Fresno County, almond harvest was completed. In Yuba County, the almond orchard cleanup irrigation and fertilization continued. Walnut harvest accelerated as Chandlers were harvested and a second shake to a few earlier harvested varieties. In-shell walnuts and pistachios were packed for export, as well as the domestic market.
VEGETABLE CROPS
Harvest continued for some late summer crops such as dehydrator onions, carrots and peppers (Bell, jalapeno, and Anaheim). Early fall crops such as squash, eggplant, pumpkins, and gourds were also harvested. Many growers continued with their fall ground preparation by irrigating, cultivating and fertilizing.
LIVESTOCK
No moisture events have occurred to lesson drought impacts. Feed shortages continue. Due to the lack of quality feed, supplemental feeding is essential for range cattle. In Fresno County, dairy producers are cleaning up corrals in preparation for winter rains. Manure was piled up and removed. In Tulare County, severe drought conditions continue to affect rangeland pastures.
