SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS: Corn and sorghum planting for the 2025 season is complete. Corn silage fields that were planted in mid-April are about 10 or more feet high and are being harvested. Corn growth stages are between tassel and kernel. Ears of corn can be seen in some districts. Cotton fields are growing well. The warm weather is great for plant growth. Alfalfa continues to be cut, raked, and bailed. Tomatoes continue to grow with fruits ranging from small and green to ripe red. Sugar cane continues to develop. Row crop farmers are utilizing surface irrigation if infrastructure allows.

DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES: Stone fruit crops continue to mature and be harvested. Several stone fruit varieties are being shipped for domestic markets and exported to New Zealand, Vietnam, British Colombia, China, Australia, United Arab Emirates, Brazil, Taiwan, Mexico and various other locations in Central and South America. Mylar reflective sheathing has been placed under peach and nectarine trees to assist fruit coloring. Orchard surveys, cull cutting, and high intensity inspections for export programs continue. Almond harvest is nearing as nuts continue to grow larger in their hulls, split, and are being shook in preparation of harvest. Almonds are being exported to Singapore, India, South Africa, Hong Kong, Belgium, Spain, and the Philippines. Pistachio and walnut orchards continue to develop. Pecan trees have completed bloom and have small, immature nuts developing. Pistachios are being exported to Malaysia, Thailand, Switzerland, Latvia, Mexico, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Spain, India, Turkey, Netherlands, France, Germany, United Kingdom and Italy. Grape leaves are being picked to increase air flow and light around bunches of grapes. In a few vineyards, some grape bunches are being thinned to allow fruit size to increase. Kiwi crops are developing well. Drip irrigation is being closely monitored with the higher temperatures in grape and kiwi vineyards. Early grape varieties are being tested for sugar content, harvested and exported to Mexico, Ecuador, Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Japan, Korea, Vietnam, and Taiwan. Immature persimmons, pomegranates and Asian pears continue to develop and increase in size. Sunblock protectant is being applied to protect fruit and trees from summer heat.

CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES: Citrus exports have not been busy this week with a few domestic and juice orders of navels and Valencia oranges. Some citrus has been sprayed for scale. Valencia orange orchards are developing fruit and are being harvested for domestic markets and export to Hong Kong, Japan, Mexico and Taiwan. Export of organic mandarins has completed. Lemons are being harvested for domestic markets and exported to Mexico. Star Ruby grapefruit are being packed for domestic markets and exported to Mexico. Warmer weather patterns are making citrus growers increase the frequency at which they irrigate their citrus varieties. Olive trees are developing fruit. Spray treatments for pests and sunblock treatment are being applied to citrus orchards. 

VEGETABLES, MELONS, HERBS, AND BERRIES: Strawberry harvest is nearing completion. Local roadside stands are selling sweet corn, beans, okra, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupe, gold melons, blackberries, cucumbers, onions, squash and garlic. Blueberry harvest is nearing completion. Blueberry fruit continues to develop, increase in size, and change color and be harvested. Blueberries are being sold at local fruit stands and exported. Blackberry harvest has begun. Pumpkins continue to develop.

LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY: The fed-cattle price is $223/cwt this week. Rangeland at lower elevations has turned a beautiful golden color. Irrigated pastures are in good to excellent condition. Non-irrigated pastures are in poor condition and being affected by the high temperatures. 

TOM’S ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Local nurseries have slowed down. Some warm seasonal vegetables, herbs, citrus, avocado and mango trees as well as landscape and indoor plants and heat-tolerable florals like pansies and zinnias are moving around a little on the shelves for consumers. Nursery stock slowly 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 small volumes of 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 Brazil. Surface water is flowing in many of the irrigation ditches and canals throughout the county.