The latest California Crop Weather report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service’s Field Office in Sacramento, Calif., released Aug. 22.

Weather

A strong high pressure ridge over the central United States remained in place for the week of Aug. 15 while a low pressure trough lay just off the West Coast. This resulted in temperatures across California near or slightly below seasonal normal.

For the most part, monsoonal moisture from Mexico remained south and east of California, except for one band of moisture which moved across the southern Sierra Nevada midweek.

The moisture resulted in scattered thunderstorm activity at a few High Sierra locations and produced the only significant precipitation recorded statewide on Wednesday and Thursday as the moisture interacted with the low pressure trough which gradually shifted over California at that time.

This low pressure also resulted in slightly cooler temperatures across the Golden State for the weekend.

Field crops

(NASS) cotton reporters rated the crop as mostly good to excellent. Cotton continues to show good growth as more blooms and squares develop. Producers continue to battle insect pressures to increase boll retention rates.

Rice fields developed well with most fields headed and rated mostly good to excellent.

Corn for silage harvest was ongoing. Weed and insect control in corn and alfalfa fields continued.

Safflower fields dried down in anticipation of harvest. Black-eye beans matured and blooms were more visible. The garbanzo bean and sugarbeet harvests continued.

Fruit crops

The table grape harvest continued in the San Joaquin Valley (SJV) with the main varieties Summer Royals, Crimson, Princess, and Flame Seedless picked.

The wine grape harvest was underway in some areas while raisin grapes continued to develop.  The stone fruit harvest continued at a steady pace.

Numerous varieties of peaches, nectarines, pluots, and plums were picked and packed. Apples were harvested in the SJV. The olive crop developed; however the set was reported extremely light.

Pear harvest continued. Cherry orchards were pruned. Dried-plum growers prepared for harvest.

Valencia oranges, tangelos, grapefruits, and lemons were packed. The new Navel crop was slightly behind normal for the season.

Nut crops

There was shaking and harvesting in a few orchards of Nonpareil almond varieties as hull splitting continued and final hull split sprays were applied in later varieties.

Codling moth and husk fly sprays were ongoing in walnut orchards as the crop developed.

Pistachio and pecan orchards showed good development.

Vegetable crops

Kern County reported the harvests of bell peppers and carrots.

In Tulare County, farmers’ markets were at the peak season with summer fruits and vegetables harvested. The summer harvest included tomatoes, eggplant, green beans, squash, and assorted peppers.

The processing tomato harvest continued. Onions, tomatoes, and carrots were harvested in Fresno County.

San Joaquin County reported sweet corn harvest, plus fresh market tomatoes, bell peppers, watermelon, cucumbers, and onions. 

In Sutter County, field work and ground preparation continued while tomatoes were harvested and treated for mold.