For the week ending November 8, 2015, above normal temperatures and mostly dry conditions promoted fall harvest, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.
The western half of the State received less than half an inch of rain, while the east remained mainly dry. There were 5.4 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture rated 9 percent very short, 34 short, 55 adequate, and 2 surplus. Subsoil moisture rated 12 percent very short, 34 short, 54 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Winter wheat condition rated 2 percent very poor, 11 poor, 41 fair, 41 good, and 5 excellent. Winter wheat emerged was 87 percent, equal to last year, and near 88 for the five-year average.
Corn harvested was 97 percent, ahead of 91 last year, but near 95 average.
Soybeans harvested was 91 percent, ahead of 82 last year, but near 89 average.
Sorghum harvested was 84 percent, ahead of 65 last year and 79 average.
Sunflowers bracts turning brown was 95 percent, near 93 last year and 98 average. Harvested was 70 percent, ahead of 58 last year, but near 72 average.
Cotton condition rated 1 percent very poor, 10 poor, 27 fair, 51 good, and 11 excellent. Cotton bolls opening was 95 percent, near 93 last year and 97 average. Harvested was 33 percent, ahead of 20 last year, but behind 39 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Conditions: Pasture and range condition rated 5 very poor, 15 poor, 38 fair, 38 good, and 4 excellent.
Stock water supplies rated 5 percent very short, 23 short, 71 adequate, and 1 surplus.
Rainfall and disease spread:
Farming is a tough enough business. Don’t help disease damage your orchard. There are a number of fungal and bacterial diseases in the Sacramento Valley that can infest your orchard and reduce orchard productivity. When you prune before rain, you could help the pathogen(s) damage your orchard – especially young orchards. Although these diseases can have vastly different biology, there are some basic practices to keep in mind that will help keep them in check.
