Here is the California Crop Production Report for June from the Sacramento, Calif., Field Office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service.

Apricots

The 2010 California apricot crop forecast is 60,000 tons, up 1 percent from the 2009 crop.

The California apricot harvest started in mid-May in the San Joaquin Valley. Cool spring temperatures slowed crop maturity. Lower than normal temperatures and above average precipitation has not been an issue because of the lag in ripeness.

Larger fruit is expected due to the delayed harvest. At the current pace, the Patterson variety harvest is expected to begin in mid-June.

Cherries

The 2010 California sweet cherry crop forecast is 90,000 tons, up 15 percent from the 2009 crop.

A strong cherry bloom occurred in March. Spring weather generated occasional rain and cool temperatures during the critical development of California's sweet cherry crop. The cool spring weather delayed the harvest by about a week. Rain in the later part of May caused damage to the cherry crop.

The Brooks and Bing cherry harvest continues.

Peaches

The 2010 California Freestone peach crop forecast is 365,000 tons, unchanged from the May forecast, but up 5 percent from the 2009 crop.

California experienced an adequate number of chilling hours which benefitted the Freestone crop. Bloom started quick but was slowed due to cool spring temperatures. Lack of warm weather resulted in pollination problems. Hail damage hit various growing areas throughout the spring.

Growers are still expecting a larger crop than last year's freeze-damaged crop.

Harvest continued during May with Spring Flame, Super Rich, May Saturn, and Spring Snow the major varieties harvested.

The 2010 California Clingstone peach crop forecast is 410,000 tons, up 3 percent from the May forecast and 13 percent below the 2009 crop. California experienced a more than adequate number of chilling hours for peach tree requirements.

Full bloom on a statewide basis was declared on March 9, six days later than the 2009 full bloom timing. The 2010 bloom was not as strong as last year's bloom and occurred over a longer period. Rain, and colder than normal spring temperatures, slowed crop development.

The Late and Extra Late varieties are reported lighter than normal. Cooler temperatures have allowed peaches to grow larger than normal for mid-May. The cool rainy weather required growers to spray more to control diseases.

Bartlett pears

The 2010 California Bartlett pear crop forecast is 195,000 tons, down 2 percent from the 2009 crop. The California Bartlett's began blooming in March.

Some areas reported minor bloom issues due to rain. Cool spring temperatures are expected to delay the harvest by one to two weeks. Minimal pest pressure is reported.

Dried plums

The 2010 California dried plum (prune) crop forecast is 150,000 dried tons, down 10 percent from the revised 166,000 tons in 2009, but 16 percent above the 2008 crop.

Cooler weather and lighter fruit sets this year contributed to lower production compared with the previous year. Growers reported less thinning or skipped thinning altogether. Pest pressures are a concern this year because of increased rain and cooler temperatures.

Wheat

California's 2010 Durum wheat harvested acreage is estimated at 105,000 acres. The yield is forecast at 3.15 tons per acre, resulting in a total production of 331,000 tons. Durum wheat is progressing normally this season with no major quality or disease issues reported.

Cooler weather delayed the harvest of Durum wheat by about 10 days. So far, the harvest is about half complete in the Imperial Valley. Good yields are reported from harvested acres.

California's wheat other than Durum harvested acreage is estimated at 380,000 acres for 2010.

The forecast yield is 2.10 tons per acre bringing the total production to 798,000 tons. The wheat growing season in California has been cool with higher than average precipitation.

Growers in southern California have started harvesting. The cool weather put the harvest about a week behind normal. The southern Sacramento Valley is expected to begin harvest in the coming weeks. Disease pressure is slightly higher this year due in large part to wetter conditions.

This survey was conducted during the last week of May and the first week of June.

Production forecasts are released monthly and do not reflect final production estimates. Late summer and fall harvests may change the estimates.

The next production forecast will be issued July 9.