Visalia, Calif., (March 3, 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 sufficiently so that they can resume planting winter grain and field crops. Lodging has occurred in mature wheat fields due to the recent high winds and rain of last week.
Field work in vineyards and orchards continues with: pruning, tying, berm sanitation, and brush shredding. Some early varieties of stone fruit are beginning to bloom. Cherries are beginning to bloom. Kiwifruit are being exported to the Dominican Republic, Japan, Mexico, and Taiwan. Some almond orchards are beginning to bloom, and bee colonies are being moved in for pollination. Almonds are being exported China, Colombia, France, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United Kingdom. Pistachios are being sent to China, Germany, Hong Kong, and Spain. In drier locations the removal of older orchards and vineyards continues in preparation for replanting with new varieties.
The citrus harvest is continuing. All the recent rains are having some impact on overall quality. Navel oranges and Mandarins are being shipped to Australia, China, El Salvador, Guatemala, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Peru, the Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Cara Cara oranges are being shipped to Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, and Thailand. Minneola tangelos are sent to Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Singapore. Grapefruit and pomelos are being exported to Japan. Lemons are being exported to Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, the Philippines and Singapore. Orange groves are being hedge-rowed and skirted. A few growers are starting to net the seedless tangerines to prevent cross pollination by bees during the coming bloom.
Squash are currently being planted in hot tunnels. New fields are being prepared for spring planting. Strawberries fields continue to thrive. Previously planted onions continue to progress well.
Rangeland and dryland pasture quality continue to improve with all the recent rainfall. Condition is excellent due to continued rainfall and warmer weather.
Bare root rose nursery stock continues to be received, processed, and shipped out. Shipments of wholesale nursery stock are picking up as spring sales begin in earnest. Local bare root nurseries are busy digging stock as weather and soil conditions allow. Some mature olive trees continue to be dug for landscape purposes.
