Small grains and other field crops: Corn harvest is abundant and continues countywide for commercial consumption. Corn silage fields are now being fertilized and tilled for winter forage crop planting. Alfalfa continues to be cut, raked, and bailed with most fields going into their fifth cutting. Cotton fields have reached maturity and have been treated with defoliants in preparation for harvest. Black eyed beans are drying in the fields to prepare for the nearing harvest and will add nitrogen back into the soil. Recently planted sweet potato fields are developing. 

Deciduous tree fruits, nuts, and grapes: Almonds are being actively harvested and being shipped domestically and exported to India, Poland, Taiwan, Morocco, New Zealand, Trinidad, Tobago, Mexico, Columbia, the United Kingdom and the Dominican Republic. Stone fruit continues to be picked and packed for domestic and international markets. Orchard surveys of stone fruit for the Mexico and Vietnam programs are ongoing. Stone fruit is being enjoyed locally as well as being exported to Mexico, Canada, Guatemala, British Colombia, Australia, New Zealand, United Arab Emirates, Taiwan, Brazil and various other countries in Central and South America. Pistachio harvest has begun; the crop appears to be substantial. Pistachios are being exported to Germany, Latvia, Switzerland, Netherlands, Ukraine, Thailand, Turkey, Malaysia, Austria, and Mexico. Grape harvest continues throughout the county. Vineyards that will be harvested late in the year have been covered with plastic to protect them from adverse weather. Raisin grapes have been laid out to dry. Walnut harvest has begun. Pecans continue to grow nicely and await harvest. Persimmon orchards continue to mature with fruit going through color changes ranging from green to yellow. Pomegranate orchards are bearing fruit and continue to increase in size. Some districts have begun harvesting and exporting pomegranates to international markets. Kiwi fields are in the mature stages, nearing harvest.

Citrus, avocados, and olives: Olive orchards are being cleaned of brush, irrigated, and pruned as fruit grows heavy on the branches in anticipation of harvest. Skirting, topping, and hedge rowing of citrus groves continues. Star Ruby grapefruit are being picked and packed for domestic markets as well as export to Mexico. Valencia orange harvest season is coming to an end with most orchards being picked and packed for domestic orders and for juice. Preseason citrus meetings are being scheduled, and citrus presses are being tested before titrations are preformed to test sugars in the coming months.

Vegetables, melons, herbs, and berries: Local farms are preparing the soil for fall plantings, including discing and fertilization. Locally grown produce continues to be offered for sale at roadside stands. Certified producers are offering figs, onions, squash, peppers, sweet potatoes, garlic and brassicas for sale at local farmers markets. Okra, peppers, zucchini, sweet corn, and pumpkins continue to grow and should be mature by the beginning of October.

Livestock and poultry: The fed-cattle price is $242/cwt this week. The rangeland continues to be a golden yellow color but cooler nights and dew may help to begin re-greening the hills as we near fall. Irrigated pastures are in good to excellent condition. Non-irrigated pastures are being heavily affected by the high temperatures and drier conditions. 

Tom’s additional comments: Local nurseries continue to receive drought-tolerant florals and groundcovers as well as some more fall items like marigolds and chrysanthemums. Local wholesale nurseries continue to ship small volumes of nursery stock to local and out of state retailers. Local landscape supply companies have started receiving rye and fescue grass seeds. 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.