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California crop report

Jun 11, 2008 10:09 AM

Field crops

California Barley, oat, and winter forage harvest continued, according to the USDA/NASS California field office. Wheat harvest continued to show variable yields and quality, while winter wheat harvest remained underway. Alfalfa third cutting continued. Corn planting and weed spraying was winding down. Rice planting continued to wind down but pesticide applications for weeds and insects were ongoing. Dry lima bean and blackeye bean planting continued in Merced. Sugar beet harvest continued to wind down. Cotton was still growing nicely while being cultivated and side-dressed with insecticides to control insects. Safflower fields remained in various stages of growth.

California tree, vine crops

California grapevines continued to form bunches. Fungicides were being applied to grapes and growers were thinning leaves to increase sunlight and airflow to vines. Wind damage occurred to apricots and cherries in Stanislaus County. Some stone fruits were still being thinned. Stone fruit harvest progressed. Poppy, Helena, Patterson, Robada and Judy’s Delight apricots; Golden Sweet and Honey Gold apriums; Attika, Bing, Rainier and Regina cherries; Brittany Lane Crimson Lady, Crown Princess, Red Honey, Early Saturn, Island Prince, May Sweet, Queencrest, Sweet Sun, Spring Snow, Saucy Queen, Saturn, Spring Flame, Spring Flame 22, Snow Angel and Spring Treat peaches; Black Ice, Earliqueen, Flavor Royale and Red Beaut plums; Flavorosa, Sugar Rosa and Spring Flavor pluots; Flavorella plumcots; and Arctic Star, Crimson Baby, Diamond Bright, May Pearl, Polar Ice, Prince Jim, Red Roy, Rose Diamond, Royal Glo, Sunny Gun, and Zee Fire nectarines were picked.

Boysenberries, blueberries and strawberries were being harvested. Pomegranates were growing well. A few late Navel orange groves remained to be picked. Valencia oranges and lemons were harvested. Spraying for thrips was ongoing. Olives continued to form fruit.

Tree nuts crops

Irrigation measures in Califonria nut groves continued and growers remained concerned over the availability of water. Almonds were progressing well. Cleanup of downed almond branches and trees from strong winds that occurred in May continued. Miticides were applied in some almond groves. Treatments for codling moth on walnuts continued. Some growers were shedding their orchards of frost-damaged nuts. The pistachio crop in Kern County was looking good.

Vegetable crops

Growers in California's Imperial Valley were nearing completion of the harvest for sweet corn and cantaloupe but watermelon and onion harvests were in full stride. All the processing tomatoes had been planted and were growing well. In the south Central Valley, lettuce harvest was nearly completed. Peas, peppers, sweet corn, onions (red, white and yellow), beans (green, fava and long), cucumbers and summer squash were reported to be in good condition and growing nicely. Broccoli harvests continued while asparagus harvest was complete. In southern and central San Joaquin Valley, early planted fields of cucumbers and summer squash were being harvested. Sweet corn was progressing normally for a mid June harvest. Farmers market oriental crops continued to be harvested. In northern San Joaquin Valley areas early planted processing and fresh market tomatoes continued to grow well. Planting continued for bell peppers, fresh market tomatoes, freezer bean, cantaloupe, watermelon, and honeydew melons. Current vegetables harvested were lettuce and carrots. Harvests of fresh market onion and summer squash continued with good quality reported in areas farther north into Sacramento Valley. Other crops being harvested were dehydrated onions, carrots, sweet corn and artichokes. Radicchio packing was complete.

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