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Writer's pictureby AGC News

California Crop Progress and Conditions Week Ending 10/6/23


Information Sourced from the USDA // Photo Sourced on Unsplash



Weather

Average low temperatures for California ranged from 28 to 54 in the mountains, 44 to 65 along the coast, 44 to 76 in the desert, and 50 to 62 in the Central Valley. Average high temperatures for the state ranged from 49 to 87 in the mountains, 61 to 93 along the coast, 65 to 103 in the desert, and 67 to 88 in the Central Valley.


Field Crops

Across the state, corn was maturing and chopped for silage. Alfalfa was harvested for hay and silage. Harvested fields were fertilized and disced in preparation for winter crops. In the Sacramento Valley, rice harvest continued. In the San Joaquin Valley, cotton fields had significant insect pressure. Cotton fields were being prepared for defoliation and producers prepared equipment for harvest. Dry bean fields were being cut, windrowed, and harvested.


Fruit Crops

Table grape and wine grape harvests continued. Peach, pluot, and plum harvests were winding down and nectarine harvest was completed. Prunes, figs, apples, pears, pomegranates, and kiwifruit were being harvested. Persimmons were reaching mature size and starting to show color. Cherry and apricot orchards were pruned and treated for nematodes. Table olive harvest continued. Olive trees for oil were pruned in preparation for harvest. Strawberries continued to develop despite poor weather conditions. Blackberry and raspberry harvests were ongoing. Valencia oranges and grapefruit were harvested. District 2 lemon harvest was winding down. Some orange trees were topped and skirted.



Nut Crops

Almond harvest continued with orchard floors cleaned and trees shaken. Pistachio and walnut harvests continued. Pecans continued to mature. Almond and walnut orchards were sprayed for pests and weeds.


Vegetables

Across the Central Valley, processing pumpkins, tomatoes, sweet corn, melons, and winter squash continued to be harvested. Growers treated tomato fields with fungicides to control mold and pesticides to control armyworm. In the Northern San Joaquin Valley, sweet potatoes, onions, and garlic were harvested. In the Southern San Joaquin Valley, garlic, carrots, cucumbers, and peppers were being harvested. Along the Central Coast, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, celery, lettuce, and peppers were harvested.



Livestock

Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture were in poor to fair condition. Irrigated pasture was in good condition. Supplemental feeding was underway in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys. Some cattle were moved to higher elevation range. Fall calving is underway. Sheep grazed retired cropland as well as harvested melon and vegetable fields.

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