Visalia, Calif., (November 22, 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 harvest is coming to an end. Fields are being shredded and disked to comply with Cotton Plowdown Regulations. All fields must be brought into compliance prior to December 20th. Black-eyed beans are being exported to Argentina. Fields are being worked and having fertilizer spread for winter planting. Seed is being shipped in and planted to winter forage crops such as wheat, barley, and other cereal grains and forage mixes. Recent rain may have helped germinated planted forage, but irrigation will be necessary if more rain isn’t forthcoming.
Table grape harvest is coming to an end, and grapes are being exported to China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Fiji, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Panama, the Philippines, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Trinidad & Tobago, and the United Arab Emirates. Kiwifruit are being exported to Colombia, Costa Rica, Honduras, and Mexico. Persimmons are being harvested and sold domestically and exported to Mexico. Pomegranates are being exported to Australia and Taiwan. Pistachio nuts are being exported to Australia, China, France, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Walnuts continue to be harvested and exported to the United Arab Emirates and Vietnam. Almonds are being exported to Brazil, Chile, China, Colombia, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Korea, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Panama, Taiwan, Trinidad & Tobago, the United Arab Emirates, and Vietnam. Walnuts are being shipped to China. Pruning continues in some stone fruit orchards. Some older, poorly producing orchards and vineyards are being removed and prepared for replanting.
The navel orange harvest is ongoing. Early varieties are being shipped domestically and some exported to Australia, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Taiwan, and Thailand. Pomelos are being harvested and sold domestically as well as exported to Australia. Melogold hybrid grapefruit are being exported to Japan and Korea. Mandarins are being packed and shipped to El Salvador and Honduras. Lemons are being exported to Mexico. Limes are being shipped to New Zealand. Finger limes are being exported to France and the Netherlands. Young citrus trees are being bagged to protect them from frost.
Fall vegetables are being harvested. Acorn and Spaghetti squash, pumpkins for pies, turnips, yams, kale, cauliflower, chard, collards, and leeks are just some of the choices available now at the local Farmer’s Markets. Strawberries continue to grow at roadside stands.
Rangeland forage conditions are fair to poor. Rains should help with germination of rangeland forage, but more is needed. Some supplemental feeding is required. The fed cattle market price was stable this week at $124.00 per hundred weight.
Nursery shipments continue to be slow. Wholesale nurseries are shipping small amounts of stock to local and out-of-state retail outlets. Bare-root roses are being received and processed for reshipment out-of-state.
