(Week Ending on March 9)
SMALL GRAINS AND OTHER FIELD CROPS:
Recent rains have benefited wheat and alfalfa crops. Dairy forage crops are still flourishing from
the additional rain. Some fields are beginning to be planted for spring silage as weather permits.
DECIDUOUS TREE FRUITS, NUTS, AND GRAPES:
Bee hives are still being placed in almond orchards. Petal-fall on almonds is occurring. Stored
almonds are going to India, Denmark, Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Finland, South Africa,
Russian Federation, Chile, Germany, Israel, Kuwait, Japan, Jordan, and Belgium. Pistachios are
being exported to Mexico, Hong Kong, Spain, Germany, the United Arab Emirates, the United
Kingdom, Israel, Vietnam, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, and the European Union.
Some stone fruit orchards are still being pruned, and are in bloom. Due to the rain pesticides are
being applied to protect the bloom from fungal diseases. Kiwis are still being pruned and tied.
Kiwifruit are being packed for the domestic market and exported to Japan and Mexico.
CITRUS, AVOCADOS, AND OLIVES:
Citrus packing houses are behind in their packing schedules due to the wet weather. Navel
oranges are continuing to experience quality issues as the season and rain continues. Navel
oranges are being exported to New Zealand, Australia, Korea, Japan, China, Chile, Peru, Tonga,
Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Dominican Republic, Guatemala, El Salvador, Ecuador, and
Mexico. Golden Nugget Mandarins are being packed for the domestic market. Lemons are still
being exported to Japan. Pummelos are being sent to New Zealand, Mexico, and Japan.
Minneola tangelos are being exported to Japan and the Netherlands. Seedless tangerines are
being tented to prevent cross pollination. Olive trees are being pruned.
VEGETABLES, MELONS, AND BERRIES:
Small amounts of winter vegetables continue to be grown and harvested. Radishes are being
harvested. Strawberry transplants continue to be planted. Blueberries are blooming in
greenhouses and Bumble bees have been imported for pollination.
LIVESTOCK AND POULTRY:
Rangeland forage is in good condition, and continued rains promoted excellent growth. The fed
cattle market is consistent at $124 per hundredweight.
ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:
Wholesale nurseries are starting to pick up on shipments to out-of-state locations for the spring
planting season. Ornamental nursery stock continues to be imported. Bare root rose nursery stock
shipments continue to be received, as well as go out to eastern and western states. Mature olive
trees continue to be dug and shipped to Florida.
