Farm Progress

High pressure dominated the weather over California during the week of Jan. 3.Wheat, barley, and other winter forage crops emerged and developed with the recent rains.The Navel orange, mandarin, lemon, pummelo, and grapefruit harvests continued in the San Joaquin Valley at a slower pace due to wet conditions.Almond pruning and orchard removal was ongoing in the Central Valley as field conditions allowed. 

January 10, 2011

2 Min Read

The California Crop Weather report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Sacramento, Calif., for the week ending Jan. 9.

Weather

High pressure dominated the weather over California during the week. The first part of the week brought sunny skies and near normal temperatures to most areas. Beginning Thursday, fog and low clouds formed in parts of the Central Valley bringing much below normal afternoon highs through Sunday. The rest of the state was at or slightly below normal.

Field crops

Wheat, barley, and other winter forage crops emerged and developed with the recent rains. Saturated areas were yellowing and showing signs of water stress.

Field work continued in alfalfa fields as conditions permitted. Hay growth has been slow in Southern California due to cool temperatures. Field operations are on hold in most areas until the soil moisture is acceptable.

Fruit crops

The Navel orange, mandarin, lemon, pummelo, and grapefruit harvests continued in the San Joaquin Valley at a slower pace due to wet conditions. Lemons and grapefruit were picked in the desert region.

Dormant orchards and vineyards were pruned and serviced with other off-season maintenance. Cool, overcast weather kept orchard floors from drying which slowed weed and soil pest treatments.

Nut crops

Almond pruning and orchard removal was ongoing in the Central Valley as field conditions allowed. Nut trees were in dormancy for the winter across the state.

Vegetable crops

Kern County reported fields of growing cabbage and onions, plus the carrot harvest. Tulare County reported winter vegetable planting was put on hold due to wet soil. Already planted vegetables thrived with ideal growth and maturity.

Broccoli harvest continued, as did the harvests of beets, cabbage, daikon, choys, chards, kales and turnips in Fresno County. Growers fumigated, cultivated beds, and applied pre-emergent herbicides as weather permitted. Onion and garlic fields were planted and germinating. Wet soil delayed the carrot harvest.

Merced County reported the continued harvest of radicchio and emerging fields of broccoli. San Joaquin County reported wet weather. Ground saturation delayed field work, planting, and maintenance. Ground preparation continued in Sutter County. 

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