Visalia, Calif., (October 27, 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 Cotton is being harvested for lint and seed, and farmers are expecting a decent yield. Alfalfa fields are still going strong, and continue to be irrigated, cut, and baled. Sorghum fields are being harvested. Most summer crops have been harvested, and fields are being worked and having fertilizer spread for winter planting. Seed is being shipped in for winter planting.
Stone fruit season is all but finished, with a few being exported to Canada, Chile, Mexico, and New Zealand. Soil amendments are being applied to some stone fruit orchards. Pistachio harvest is wrapping up, with a few exports to Hong Kong, Israel, and Turkey. Almonds are being exported to Argentina, Chile, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, New Zealand, Thailand, and the United Arab Emirates. Walnuts continue to be harvested. Table grape harvest continues, and are being exported to Australia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Taiwan, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, and Vietnam. Thompson seedless grapes are being rolled and picked up for raisins. Pomegranate harvest continues, with shipments going to Australia, Brazil, Korea, and domestic markets. Kiwifruit are being harvested, and exported to Mexico and Panama. Persimmon harvest is underway, with the cooler weather helping external color.
Early navel oranges are being picked and tested for maturity. Navel oranges are also starting to hit the domestic market. Valencia oranges are finishing up, with a small amount going to domestic markets. Citrus orchards are being skirted and trimmed for the coming season. Melogold grapefruit are being picked and exported to Japan and Korea Limes are being exported to Japan, the Netherlands, and New Zealand. Lemons are being picked and shipped domestically. The olive crop is heavy and continues to be harvested.
Pumpkins and specialty pumpkins are available for those looking to buy. Certified producers are picking tomatoes, sweet corn, okra, cucumbers, squash, and peppers. Commercial plantings of Yellow squash, eggplant, Bell peppers, Green Chili peppers, and cucumbers are being harvested and shipped domestically. Fall vegetables are developing well, and some early varieties are almost ready for harvest. Some strawberries continue to grow at roadside stands.
Rangeland quality and forage is seen as only adequate for this time of year. The fed cattle market price is up to $111.00 per hundred weight. The milk price for local dairymen is sitting around $15 per hundred weight. Harvested grain fields continue to be sheeped-off in 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. Potted roses are being shipped to Texas. New ag wells continue to be drilled.
