Fresno, Calif., (August 10, 2017) – Grain harvesting started to wrap up with only a few wheat and oat fields left to be harvested around the County. Wheat was harvested for seed and straw. Oats were cut for fodder and hay. Straw was awaiting shipment. Fields started to be cultivated for the next round of crops. Irrigation was underway in many rice fields and was showing good crop growth.
Alfalfa continued to be cut and baled for feed. When alfalfa for seed production was treated for pest pressure. Cotton started to set but a persistent lygus and aphid pressure resulted in a Section 18 Crisis Exemption for an insecticide. That went into effect at the end of July and runs for 2 weeks, with hopes of decreasing insect activity. Corn for silage was growing rapidly. Alfalfa was exported to Bolivia and France.
Almond hull split started and orchards were treated for mites and Navel Orange Worm. Almonds, pistachio, and walnut orchards received insecticide and herbicide applications. Grape vineyards continued to receive sulfur and herbicide applications. Some vineyards completed the sulfur applications as berries have reached veraison (point in growing season when ripening grapes begin to soften and change color from green to either red or yellow depending on variety). Table grape harvest started, with some early varieties of raisin grapes being harvested for champagne. Furrows were being knocked down and ground was terraced to lay trays down for the upcoming harvesting. Many stone fruit orchards finished up with harvesting but late varieties continued to mature. Orchards were disced and irrigated. Pomegranates continued to grow well and received herbicide treatments. Jujubes started to ripen. Almonds, apple, apricots, apriums, Asian pears, grapes, interspecific plums, nectarines, peaches, pecans, plums, prunes, raisins, and walnuts were packed and/or exported to Algeria, Australia, Bahrain, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Republic of Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Spain, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom and Viet Nam.
Harvesting started for fresh market and processed onion and garlic fields. Processed onions and garlic had their tops shredded to prepare for harvest. Both conventional and organic processing and fresh market tomatoes, started to be harvested. Garbanzo bean harvesting continued with a few fields wrapping up at the end of the month. Cantaloupe, honeydew, mixed melons, and watermelon were harvested, packed, and shipped out. Sweet corn harvest continued and harvested fields were plowed to prepare for the next crop. Harvesting continued in all other crops, like: cucumbers, daikon, eggplant, peppers (bell, jalapeno, pasilla, and serrano), squash (acorn, butternut, kabocha, and spaghetti). Lettuce beds started to be prepared for fall planting. Lettuce for seed production started to dry out for harvest. Carrots were being harvested. Garlic, onions, shallots, melons, and squash were exported to Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and United Kingdom.
Across the County, citrus harvesting wrapped up. Grapefruit, lemons, tangelos, and Valencia oranges were all packed. Orchards continued to be treated with herbicides, insecticides, and coated with sunscreen as needed. Current season fruit continued to increase in size with the hot weather and irrigation. Oranges where exported to Mexico and Republic of Korea. Mandarin bud wood was sent to Australia. Olives were growing nicely everywhere
With the rangeland dry and offering little forage. Cattle and sheep were sent to harvested hay and wheat fields to graze. Bees were still being placed in alfalfa, assorted melon and squash fields; while others were placed around the county to rebuild their hives.
