Tulare County Crop Report
For the week ending March 16, 2013.
Small Grains And Other Field Crops:
Corn and other row crop fields are being prepared in some areas. Winter forage silage crops are maturing due to the mild spring weather.
Deciduous Tree Fruits, Nuts, And Grapes:
Pistachio exports continue to countries like Russia, Luxemburg, Netherlands, Germany, and Mexico. Full bloom in stone fruit varieties continues, and honey bees are being used for pollination in these orchards. Early stone fruit varieties are starting to leaf out. Almond orchards are in bloom, with good development. Most grape vineyards are already pruned and tied.
Irrigation continues in vineyards and stone fruit orchards. Herbicide applications are being made to control weeds.
Citrus, Avocados, And Olives:
The demand for navel oranges continues in the domestic market and for exports to Australia, New Zealand, China, Chile, Dubai, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand. Lemons continue to be exported to Chile, New Zealand, Australia, Mexico, and Japan. Midnight Valencia oranges have been packed and exported to Japan. A few of Blood oranges are being exported to Australia and Japan. Recent warm weather is helping to accelerate maturity in some fruit. Navel oranges continue to be harvested in some areas, and citrus trees are being topped. Mandarin trees have been netted to prevent bees from cross pollinating them during the citrus bloom. The resulting fruit should be seedless.
Vegetables, Melons, And Berries:
Additional strawberry fields have been planted along roadsides. Italian squash continues to grow under hot caps. Spinach is developing well. Certified producers are preparing fields for the planting of summer vegetables.
Livestock And Poultry:
Recent rains are helping rangeland conditions, but there is still a need of more rain. Dairy production has benefited from the spring like weather. There is an increase in demand for feed cattle, and the price went up to $129.00/cwt.
Bare-root roses continued to be shipped to nurseries in Southern and Eastern regions of the country, and some were exported to Canada, France, and Japan.
-Prepared by Marilyn Kinoshita, Tulare County Agricultural Commissioner/Sealer.