The latest California Crop Weather report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Sacramento, Calif.

Weather

Sunny, warm, and dry conditions prevailed across most of California beginning the week of Oct. 11. A dry offshore flow created gusty conditions across much of the state Monday bringing record warm temperatures to the San Francisco Bay region. The dry and warm conditions persisted through mid-week.

By Thursday, a low pressure system approached southern California cooling the temperatures, and bringing some drizzle and light rain to the coastal areas. As the low moved over southern California, temperatures statewide cooled off and showers increased in the south.

By Sunday, the low pressure was moving through southern California and pushing a cold front through the entire state resulting in widespread rains across California, plus some snowfall at the highest elevations of the Sierra Nevada mountains.

Field crops

Rice harvest continued with increased strength as north winds brought dryer conditions. Rice straw was baled or chopped and incorporated into the soil. Limited burning took place.

Alfalfa and Sudangrass was cut and baled while new alfalfa plantings continued.

Cotton was harvested in Kern County. In other areas, defoliation sprays were applied to cotton fields in the preparation for harvest.

Corn harvest for grain and silage continued. Field work for winter wheat and other small grains was ongoing as fields were prepared for planting. The bean harvest continued in Tulare County and started in San Joaquin County. Sugar beets were planted in Imperial County.

Fruit crops

The apple, kiwifruit, pomegranate, and fig harvests were ongoing in the Central Valley as the pear harvest ended. Kiwifruit and pomegranates were harvested and exported in Tulare County.

The table grape harvest was ongoing while the raisin and wine grape harvests neared completion.

Navel oranges and mandarins showed good development in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) with harvest expected to begin in two to three weeks. The Valencia orange harvest neared completion in the SJV and along the southern coast. Some lemons were picked in Imperial Valley.

The SJV olive harvest was ongoing. Plants were harvested and shipped from strawberry nurseries in Lassen County. Post-harvest irrigation and pruning was ongoing in orchards.

Nut crops

The shaking, harvesting, and irrigation of almonds continued in the Central Valley, but slowed in Sutter County. The harvesting of early and late varieties of walnuts continued in the Sacramento Valley as the harvest slowed in the SJV.

The full-scale pistachio harvest was ongoing. Irrigation and pest control was ongoing in pecan orchards.

Vegetable crops

Kern County reported the continued harvest of carrots, lettuce, cabbage, and asparagus. Onions, cabbage, and carrots were planted. Tulare County reported cucumbers, peppers, tomatoes, eggplant, sweet corn, and squash harvests. Pumpkins were picked for Halloween festivities.

In Fresno County, the garlic and onion harvest were completed. The harvest of fresh market and processing tomatoes continued. Bell peppers were picked and shipped. Sweet corn grew well and was harvested. Fields were weeded and treated to control pests.

Fall broccoli fields were planted. The carrot harvest began. Processing cucumbers were harvested. Fall lettuce grew well and beds were weeded.

Summer and leafy vegetables including beets, bittermelon, chards, choys, squash, market tomatoes, eggplant, beans, herbs, kales, lemon grass, tomatillos, collard and mustard greens, and turnips were harvested.

San Joaquin County harvested bell peppers, watermelons, melons, squash and pumpkins. The bean harvest began and onions were planted.

Sutter County continued field work and ground preparation while the processing tomato and bean harvests neared completion. El Dorado County reported pumpkins being harvested.