Visalia, Calif., (January 27, 2017) – Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner released the current status today of Major crops in the most valued county in the California Ag portfolio. They report that Growers continue to wait for fields to dry out in order to resume winter grain and field crop planting. The planted grains and field crops continue to mature at an excellent rate, reaping the benefit from all the recent rain. Sorghum seed continues to be received for future planting. Black-eyed beans were exported to Malaysia.
Table grapes from cold storage continue to be exported primarily to Canada and Mexico. Field work in vineyards and orchards: pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding, are all on hold until workers can get back in wet fields. Kiwifruit are being exported to Colombia. Pistachios are being exported Belgium, China, Egypt, France, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden, and Vietnam. Almonds are being exported to Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Korea, the Netherlands, Norway, Pakistan, the Philippines, South Africa, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Pecans are being shipped to Australia, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia. Walnuts are being shipped to Hong Kong. Pomegranates are primarily being exported to Mexico. In drier locations the removal of older orchards and vineyards continues in preparation for replanting with new varieties, but even this has been delayed by the extended wet weather.
The citrus harvest was essentially stopped during the recent rains. With the clearer weather it should resume at a rapid pace. Navel oranges are being shipped to Australia, China, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand. The second application of copper fungicide has or will be made to meet the February 4th deadline for continued export to Korea. Mandarin oranges continue being shipped to Australia, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, and Mexico. Satsuma tangerines continue to be harvested and sent to domestic markets only. Melogold grapefruit are being exported to Japan and Korea. Lemons are being exported to Australia, China, Korea, and New Zealand. Removal of older orchards continues in preparation for replanting to new varieties in drier locations. The domestic market for citrus fruit remains steady at a good price.
Winter vegetables continue to mature ideally. The wet weather stopped the harvest of cole crops, but the harvest should continue as fields dry in the coming days. Strawberries fields continue to thrive. Blueberries continue to be planted, weather permitting.
Rangeland and dryland pasture continues to improve with the recent rainfall. Rangeland quality is benefiting from this week’s rain at the lower elevations. The fed cattle market price up at $120 per hundredweight.
Bare root rose nursery stock continues to be received, processed and shipped out. Potted roses are currently being shipped. Shipments of wholesale nursery stock have remained slow due to winter weather and a lack of demand. Mature olive trees are being dug up and sold for landscaping as soil conditions permit.
