The following is the latest California Crop Weather report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Sacramento, Calif., Field Office:

Weather

A series of Pacific storm systems moved through California during the week of Dec. 28 bringing rainfall to most of the state. The first of the storms brought rain to the northern part of the state at the start of the week. The rain spread to southern California later in the week.

Other quick moving storm systems spread light rains across much of the valley, and spread down to southern California through midweek. By Thursday, high pressure began to rebuild over California bringing an end to the precipitation.

Fog was trapped across much of the Central Valley; otherwise the state enjoyed mostly sunny skies at the start of the New Year.

Field crops

Winter wheat and barley benefitted from winter rains and continued development. Emergence has been good due to favorable soil moisture. Some acreage remains to be planted for oats and other grain crops. Ground preparation, weed treatments, and fertilization continued for this year’s crop.

Alfalfa has gone dormant and fields were grazed off by sheep.

Fruit crops

Grape growers were pruning, irrigating, cultivating, and removing old vines. Mowing and disking of orchards continued. Weed and pest treatments also continued. Fruit and nut nursery harvest continued.

Satsuma and Clementine mandarins, Navel oranges, and grapefruit were picked in the Central Valley. The lemon harvest continued normally in the desert region. Normal tree maintenance included pre-pruning and pruning.

Nut crops

Post-harvest pruning and maintenance activities continued. Pre-emergence herbicide applications continued.

Vegetable crops

Greenhouse cucumbers and cauliflower were harvested in Tulare County along with some broccoli. Ground preparation was ongoing in Sutter County. The radicchio harvest progressed in Merced County and fields were prepared for spring planting.

Some cabbage, specialty lettuce, chard, broccoli, and cauliflower were growing in Kern County. Tomato beds were constructed in Fresno County; lettuce and broccoli were harvested. The harvest of fresh market carrots was ongoing, with only a few more fields of baby carrots left. Dehydrator onions were mostly planted with the planting of fresh market onions expected to begin soon.