SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS: Winter grains such as oats, ryegrass, triticale, and wheat are growing well. Fields that were planted early will be ready for harvest soon. Some winter grain fields received damage from the recent storms. Many silage fields have been plowed and are ready for planting. Alfalfa crops are growing well. Farmers have been prepping beds for the upcoming tomato season.   

DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES: Stone fruit orchards of later varieties are nearing the end of bloom while early varieties of stone fruit orchards have leaves. Immature fruit is now present and increasing in size as it develops. Almonds continue to develop and mature. Some beehives from almond orchards are being removed and relocated. Walnut and pistachio orchards are beginning to bloom and develop greenery. Cherry trees are developing fruit as later varieties are losing their final bloom flowers. Grape vineyards are waking up from dormancy and are developing their first sets of bright green leaves. Kiwi vineyards are also coming out of dormancy and are more mature when grown in covered canopies. Persimmon and pomegranate trees have begun to show foliage development. Asian pear trees are in bloom. Grape vineyards and nut tree orchards are being fertilized with compost. Pistachios are being exported to Spain, India, Netherlands, Norway, United Kingdom, Vietnam, Morocco, Italy, Ukraine, Latvia, Singapore, Thailand, Israel, Taiwan, Mexico, Turkey, Jordan, Switzerland, Hong Kong and United Arab Emirates. Walnuts are being exported to Egypt. Almond export shipping continues to Argentina, India, Malaysia, Vietnam, China, Japan, Korea, Dominican Republic, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Belgium and United Arab Emirates.

CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES: Citrus bloom in district one was declared on Wednesday April 2^nd. Navel oranges are moving domestically and are being exported to Peru, Chile, New Zealand, Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, Thailand, China, Vietnam, Dominican Republic, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Korea. Lemons are being harvested for domestic markets and exported to New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, Korea and Japan. Mandarins are being harvested for domestic markets and exported to Mexico, China, Taiwan, Panama, Korea, Peru, Japan, Chile and New Zealand. Blood oranges are being packed for domestic retailers and exports to Mexico. Star Ruby grapefruit are being packed for export to Japan, Taiwan, Fiji, and Korea. Tangelos are being packed for domestic markets and exports to Japan, New Zealand, Netherlands and Mexico. Local citrus processors are receiving organic mandarins and navels. Mandarins are being netted to prevent pollination. Bee hives are being placed in citrus groves. Olive trees are in bloom and sending out pollen. Some avocados are being picked for local farmers markets and roadside stands.

VEGETABLES, MELONS, HERBS, AND BERRIES: The first strawberries are being harvested at local roadside stands as are onions and garlic. Blueberry fields are in full bloom with bee pollination and small green berries forming. Blueberries are being picked and packed for export to Taiwan. Blackberries are developing leaves.

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY: The fed-cattle price is $210/cwt this week. Rangeland is green with added rain and mild weather making the cattle easier to feed. Irrigated pastures are in good to excellent condition. Non-irrigated pastures are in good condition.

TOM’S ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Local nurseries are swarming with home gardeners and are offering many fruit and vegetable plants like tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, squash, onions, bareroot berry plants, artichokes and bareroot plum, peach and cherry trees as well as a large assortment of spring florals. Nursery stock continues to move into and out of the county from other parts of the United States and Canada. Cut flowers are being imported from Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Colombia to flower shops in Tulare County. Local wholesale nurseries are continuing to ship large 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.