Sacramento, Calif., (September 6, 2017) – Hot and dry weather continued across most of the State under the influence of stubborn high pressure over the interior western United States. Rain only fell in parts of the Sierras, as well as a couple areas of the desert, which were driven by a monsoon. Some locations experienced record high temperatures; San Francisco recorded its highest temperature ever recorded. Patchy snow existed at elevated, sheltered areas in the Lassen Volcanic Park, with a maximum depth of one foot in places. In addition, there are still one to three feet of snow on the peak of Shasta.
Temperature highs were in the 60s to 80 along the coast, 70s to 90s in the mountains, 90s to 100s in the desert, and 100s in the valley. Temperature lows were in the 30s to 50s in the mountains, 50s to 60s along the coast, 60s to 70s in the valley, and 60s to 80s the desert.
Alfalfa fields continued to be irrigated and baled. Sorghum for silage was in various stages of development. Corn silage continued to be harvested. Cotton was being irrigated and bolls continued to develop. Black-eyed beans were drying and nearing harvest.
Peach, nectarine, pear, fig, and plum harvest continued. Harvested stone fruit orchards were pruned and topped. Table grape harvest continued as wine grape harvest began. Valencia orange and finger lime harvest were ongoing. Irrigation and repair of irrigation systems continued. Olives were developing well. Pomegranate harvest was now underway.
Almond harvest was underway. Pistachio harvest began. Walnut orchards continued to be irrigated. Both mechanical and chemical weed control continued in orchards.
In San Joaquin County, harvest continued processing tomatoes, onions, honeydew melons, watermelons, cantaloupes, and sweet corn. Farmer’s Market vegetables continued to be harvested and offered for sale. In Monterey County, the weather was moderate and allowed for continuous harvest and fieldwork. All fall season commodities were in production. In Fresno County, harvest continued for tomatoes and peppers. In Tulare County, tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers were picked by certified producers and sold at the local Farmers’ Markets. Yellow squash, zucchini, eggplant, Bell peppers, green chili peppers, and cucumbers were harvested and shipped domestically. Fall vegetables were planted and developing well.
Low elevation, non-irrigated pasture and rangeland quality continued to deteriorate. Range conditions were reported to be fair to very poor. Cattle were being moved to higher elevations. The higher elevations provide more grass than previous years. Feed costs for cattle remained high. As the nutritional quality of range grasses diminished, supplemental feeding increased. Some cattle were moved to higher elevations. Sheep grazed retired pasture and dormant alfalfa.
