Visalia, Calif., (September 15, 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. Black-eyed beans are being exported to Korea.
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, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, New Zealand, and Taiwan. A few old stone fruit orchards are being pushed out. Pistachio harvest is continuing, with exports to China, the European Union, Hong Kong, Mexico, and Turkey. Almond harvest continues throughout the county. Almonds are being exported to Belgium, Colombia, France, Germany, India, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Korea, and the Philippines. Walnuts are being harvested. Pears are being exported to Mexico. Asian pears are being shipped to Colombia and El Salvador. Table grape harvest continues, with exports going to Australia, China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Thompson seedless grapes are being placed on trays for drying. Pomegranate harvest continues, with exports going to Brazil and Australia. Kiwifruit are nearing maturity and harvest should begin in one to two weeks. Persimmons are starting to color up in some areas.
Valencia orange harvest continues, primarily for the domestic market. Valencia oranges are being exported to China, Korea, and Mexico. Most citrus packing houses are wrapping up Valencias, and getting ready for the new navel orange season. Some orange groves are being pushed out to make way for new plantings. Finger limes are being exported to France and the Netherlands. Olives continue to develop, and are nearing maturity.
Certified producers are picking tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, and peppers for sale at those local Farmer’s Markets that are still open. 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. Recently planted strawberries continue to grow. Pumpkins are being prepared for harvest.
Low elevation rangeland continues to dry and conditions are fair. Feed costs for cattle remains high. The fed cattle market price is staying at $107.00 per hundred weight. Harvested grain fields continue to be sheeped-off in the southern portions of the county.
Nursery shipments continue to be slow. Wholesale nurseries are shipping small amounts of stock to local and out-of-state retail outlets. New wells continue to be drilled.
