Visalia, Calif., (December 11, 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 fields are being shredded and disked to comply with Cotton Plowdown Regulations. All fields must be brought into compliance prior to December 20th. Seed is being shipped in and planted to winter forage crops such as wheat, barley, and other cereal grains and forage mixes. Irrigation is going to be needed to maintain growth without rain.
Table grape harvest is coming to an end, and grapes are being exported to China, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, the Philippines, and the United Arab Emirates. Kiwifruit are being shipped to the Dominican Republic, French Polynesia, Honduras, and Mexico. Persimmons are being harvested and sold domestically and exported to Mexico. Pomegranates are being exported to Korea. Pistachio nuts are being exported to China, Hong Kong, India, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates. Almonds are being exported to Belgium, Hong Kong, Israel, Jordan, Korea, Pakistan, South Africa, and Taiwan. Pruning continues in some stone fruit and nut orchards. Some older, poorly producing orchards and vineyards are being removed and prepared for replanting.
The navel orange harvest is well underway, with exports of early varieties to Australia, Chile, China, Japan, Korea, Myanmar, New Zealand, Singapore, and Taiwan. Mandarins are being packed and shipped to Saudi Arabia. Pomelos are being harvested and sold domestically, as well as exported to Australia and New Zealand. Melogold hybrid grapefruit are being exported to Japan. Lemons are being exported to Australia, El Salvador, and New Zealand. Limes are being shipped to New Zealand. Finger limes are being exported to France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland. Young citrus trees are being bagged to protect them from the recent frost.
Fall and winter vegetables are being harvested and available at roadside stands. Strawberries are growing at roadside stands.
Rangeland forage conditions are fair to poor. More rain is needed to help with germination and growth of rangeland forage. Some supplemental feeding is required. The fed cattle market price was steady this week at $124.00 per hundred weight.
Bare-root roses are being received and processed for reshipment out-of-state.
