Visalia, Calif., (September 8, 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 Alfalfa fields continue to be irrigated, cut, and baled. Sorghum for silage is in various stages of development, with some fields close to maturity. Corn silage continues to be harvested. Cotton is still being irrigated and bolls continue to develop. Cotton is blooming and forming bolls. Black-eyed beans are drying and nearing harvest.
Peaches, nectarines, and plums continue to be picked and shipped to both domestic and export markets. Stone fruit is being exported to Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Ecuador, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, and Taiwan. Pistachio harvest has begun. Almond harvest is continues throughout the county. Almonds are being exported to Chile, China, Costa Rica, France, Germany, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates. Pears are being exported to Mexico. Table grape harvest continues, with exports going to Australia, China, Colombia, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Panama, the Philippines, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Pomegranate harvest is now underway, with exports going to Brazil. All permanent plantings are being irrigated.
Valencia orange harvest continues, primarily for the domestic market. Valencia oranges are being exported to China, Korea, and Mexico. Valencia oranges and Meyer lemons are being bagged for export to Mexico. Finger limes are being harvested and exported to France, Japan, and the Netherlands. Olives continue to develop.
Certified producers are picking tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers for sale at the local Farmer’s Markets. Yellow squash, Zucchini, eggplant, Bell peppers, green Chili peppers, and cucumbers are being harvested and shipped domestically. Fall vegetables have been planted and are developing well.
Low elevation rangeland continues to dry and conditions are fair to good, but quality is continuing to decrease. Cattle are still being moved to higher elevations. The higher elevations are providing more grass than previous years. Feed costs for cattle remains high. The fed cattle market price is down to $110.00 per hundred weight. Harvested grain fields continue to be sheeped-off in the southern portions of the county.
Nursery shipments are slowing overall. Wholesale nursery shipments to Canada and domestic markets have decreased due to the hot summer temperatures. Small amounts of citrus nursery stock continue to be sold. Kiwi pollen is being exported to Chile, Japan, and South Africa. New wells continue to be drilled, with many existing wells showing higher levels due to increases in the water table.
