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

Weather

A low pressure system brought rain to the northern half of California Monday and Tuesday along with below normal temperatures across the state. Snow levels over the mountains were low for this time of year.

The system brought isolated showers over the northern part of California Wednesday into early Thursday. By Thursday, high pressure began to build over the state. This continued through Sunday with statewide dry conditions and warmer temperatures.

Field crops

Barley, oat, and wheat fields matured at a slower rate due to cool, damp conditions. Weed control continued in winter wheat, rye, oat, and alfalfa fields. Wheat and oats continued to head out. Winter forage crops were harvested for silage.

Dryland crops continued to benefit from recent showers. Lodging occurred in some grain fields. Small grain fields were planted in northern California. Rice fields were sprayed with pre-plant herbicides and planted as field conditions allowed.

Producers continued operations on the first cutting of alfalfa, some of which were rained on. Corn, cotton, and sunflower field preparation and planting took place as permitted by field moisture. Fertilizer was applied to sugar beet fields. Safflower and garbanzo bean growth continued.

Fruit crops

The picking of tangerines, Navel oranges, Valencia oranges, and lemons continued as the grapefruit harvest wound down. The cherry bloom was completed with isolated reports of hail damage to fruit in cherry, peach, nectarine, and plum orchards.

Irrigation and fungicide applications were ongoing in grape vineyards in the Central Valley. Warmer weather and late spring precipitation aided growth in grape vineyards along the Central Coast. The early strawberry harvest continued in the San Joaquin Valley.

Nut crops

Almond orchards showed good development amid ongoing cool, wet, and windy weather. Miticides were applied in almond orchards as growers considered pairing fungicide applications with May hull-split sprays.

Walnut blight applications were ongoing as the early walnut bloom continued. Growers irrigated pistachio orchards while blooming increased.

Vegetable crops

In Tulare County, major field activities for vegetable plantings were halted by rain early in the week. Wet conditions permitted only a limited volume of squash to be picked. Field work, pre-plant herbicide treatments, and ground preparation continued in Sutter County. Producers planted cucurbits and transplanting tomatoes.

Spring planting also continued in San Joaquin County. Market onions were harvested in Imperial County. Sweet corn shipments progressed and the carrot harvest neared completion.

Kern County producers staggered processing tomato plantings to ease the burden on processing plants during harvest time. Peppers, melons and specialty vegetables were planted while the carrot harvest progressed.

The asparagus harvest continued in Merced County. The planting of bell pepper, tomato and watermelon fields was ongoing, while honeydew and cantaloupe planting just started.

Newly planted spring vegetables were progressing nicely in Fresno County. Herbicides were applied to carrots through sprinkler systems. Onions were weeded, cultivated, fertilized, and treated with fungicide. Processing tomatoes were planted.