SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS: Dried beans and mixed grains are being exported to Guadeloupe, France, and Martinique, as well as national retailers. Winter grains such as wheat and oats are growing well. Alfalfa fields continue to show progress as the first cutting approaches. Some row crop fields have pasture grass and rye growing for cattle feed needs. Recent rains have been beneficial for all winter crops. 

DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES: Almonds are being exported to India, South Africa, Argentina, United Arab Emirates, Japan, Poland and Taiwan. The first almond blooms of the season have begun with bee boxes being placed nearby for pollination. Some pistachio and walnut orchards have sheep penned inside to help with weed control. Pistachios are being exported to Saudi Arabia, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Mexico, Hong Kong, Singapore, Spain, Italy, India, Israel, Norway, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Bosnia, Herzegovina, Morocco, Switzerland, United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. Persimmons are being picked and packed for domestic markets and exported to Mexico. Plum orchards have begun to bloom their bright, white blooms. Peach orchards are turning slightly pink-toned on their limbs before the upcoming bloom in a few weeks. Cherries are in bloom. Bee boxes are being distributed among blossoming trees. Grape vineyards and nut tree orchards are being pruned and fertilized with compost. 

CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES: The heavy rains caused a slight delay for citrus harvest. The rinds of navel oranges, mandarins, and tangelos have been creasing due to the warmer, wetter weather. There is a great number of oranges heading to juice due to the pressures of the environment. Domestic pricing and orders have been good for navels. Navels are being shipped domestically and exported to Mexico, Japan, Peru, Chile, Dominican Republic, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Nicaragua, Korea, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, El Salvador, Guatemala, Philippines, Malaysia, Panama, China and New Zealand. Blood oranges are being packed for domestic retailers and exported to Mexico and European Union. Tangelos are being packed for domestic markets and exported to Japan, Korea, Mexico and European countries. Lemons continue to be picked for domestic markets and exported to Japan, Mexico, Nicaragua, Korea, Panama, Dominican Republic, Peru, Chile, El Salvador, Guatemala, Australia and New Zealand. Grapefruit are being packed for domestic markets and exported to Japan and South America. Pummelos are being picked and packed for domestic markets along with exports to Japan and South America. Mandarins are being packed for domestic markets and exports to Mexico, Nicaragua, Taiwan, Japan, Australia, Korea, Peru, Korea, Panama, Guatemala, El Salvador, Chile, Dominican Republic and New Zealand. County of Tulare will be performing spot checking of navel oranges, especially when a new variety is being picked or after rain. Citrus groves are being treated for pests and weeds.

VEGETABLES, MELONS, HERBS, AND BERRIES: Spring strawberry crops are starting to mature. Cool season crops continue to grow, with lettuce, daikon, cauliflower, and broccoli being harvested and shipped domestically. Blueberry fields are beginning to bloom.

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY: Cattle pairs are doing well. The fed-cattle price is $205/cwt this week. Rangeland is in very good condition. Mild spring weather and the addition of more rain have greened up the grazing land. Irrigated pastures are in good to excellent condition. Non-irrigated pastures are in good condition. 

TOM’S ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Nursery stock continues to move into and out of the county from other parts of the United States and Canada. Bareroot fruit trees and shrubs are being sold at local nurseries. Cut flowers are being imported from Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Colombia to flower shops in Tulare County. Out of county bareroot roses continue to be received at local nurseries. Roses are being shipped domestically and exported to British Colombia and Canada. Ornamental landscape plants and houseplants continue to be shipped into Tulare County from other counties in California, Ohio and Canada. Local wholesale nurseries are continuing to ship small volumes of early spring nursery stock to local and out of state retailers. Local wholesale citrus nurseries are shipping citrus trees, graft wood and seed to local, domestic and international nurseries and to growers in Canada, Bahamas, French Polynesia, Mexico and Egypt.