SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS: Corn silage fields that were planted in mid-April are 10 or more feet high. Corn planted in midspring has tassels and is also starting to produce ears. Some sweet corn farmers are harvesting. Corn silage harvest has begun on the earliest planted fields. The warm weather is great for plant growth. Alfalfa is being cut, raked, and bailed. Tomatoes continue to grow. Tomato plants have fruit ranging from small and green to ripe and red. The tomato harvest started this week southeast of Tulare. Cotton fields continue to grow well. Row crop farmers are utilizing surface irrigation if infrastructure allows.
DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES: Hull split has occurred in most almond orchards; almond harvest has started in a few areas of the county. Almond harvest will be ramping up in the next few weeks. Stone fruit continues to be picked and packed for domestic and international markets. Orchard surveys for the stone fruit to Mexico program are ongoing for nectarines, peaches, and plums. Pistachios continue to grow. Table grape harvest continues. Persimmon fruit continues to increase in size. Walnut trees are in the fruiting stage, with green fruit the size of a golf ball. Pecan trees are in the early stages of Pecan growth. Pomegranates are bearing fruit and continue to develop. Kiwi fields are in the mature stages, nearing harvest.
CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES: Skirting and topping of citrus groves continues. Valencia oranges are being picked and packed for Hong Kong and Mexico. Star Ruby grapefruit are being packed for domestic markets and to be exported to Mexico. Lemon harvesting has slowed. Olive fruit continues to develop. Pest control and irrigation are occurring in all citrus groves along with soil fertilization. Spray treatments for pests and sunblock treatment are being applied to citrus orchards.
VEGETABLES, MELONS, HERBS, AND BERRIES: Blueberry and strawberry harvest continues to slow to the end of their season. Some older blueberry fields have been removed and will be planted with newer varieties. Blackberries are still being harvested. Local roadside stands are currently selling white nectarines, white peaches, sweet corn, beans, onions, garlic, jalapeño, zucchini, okra, strawberries, tomatoes, watermelons, cantaloupe, golden melons, blackberries, and various summer squash varietals.
LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY: The fed-cattle price is $223/cwt this week. Irrigated pastures are in good to excellent condition. Non-irrigated pastures are in poor condition and are being affected by the high temperatures and drier conditions.
TOM’S ADDITIONAL COMMENTS: Local wholesale nurseries continue 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 continues to flow in many of the irrigation ditches and canals throughout the county.
