Information Sourced from the USDA // Photo Sourced on Unsplash
WEATHER
Average low temperatures for California ranged from 34 to 63 in the mountains, 41 to 73 in the desert, 43 to 69 along the coast, and 48 to 71 in the Central Valley. Average high temperatures for the state ranged from 50 to 87 in the mountains, 60 to 101 along the coast, 70 to 102 in the desert, and 73 to 99 in the Central Valley.
FIELD CROPS
Across the state, corn continued to mature and was chopped for silage. Alfalfa was harvested for hay and silage. Harvested fields were fertilized and disced in preparation for winter crops. In the Sacramento Valley, rice, dry bean, and sunflower harvests continued. In the Northern San Joaquin Valley, cotton fields continued to have significant insect pressure. Fields were prepared for defoliation and initial defoliation began in some areas. Milo fields were harvested. In the Southern San Joaquin Valley, cotton fields continued to develop, with bolls opening. Some fields were defoliated. Dry bean fields were cut and windrowed.
FRUIT CROPS
Table and wine grape harvests continued. Peach, pluot, prune and plum harvests were winding down. Processing peach orchards were sprayed for weeds. Figs, apples, pears, pomegranates, and kiwifruit were harvested. Persimmons were reaching mature size and starting to show color. Cherry and apricot orchards were pruned and treated for nematodes. Table olive harvest continued. Olive trees for oil were pruned in preparation for harvest. Strawberry, blackberry, and raspberry harvests were ongoing. Valencia oranges and grapefruit were harvested. District 2 lemon harvest was winding down, and District 3 lemon harvest began.
NUT CROPS
Almond harvest continued with orchard floors cleaned and trees shaken. Pistachio and walnut harvests continued. Pecans continued to mature. Nematodes were treated in walnuts. Almond and walnut orchards were sprayed for pests and weeds.
VEGETABLE CROPS
Across the Central Valley, pumpkins, tomatoes, sweet corn, melons, and winter squash continued to be harvested. Growers treated tomato fields with fungicides to control mold and pesticides to control armyworm. In the Northern San Joaquin Valley, sweet potatoes, onions, and garlic were harvested. In the Southern San Joaquin Valley, garlic, carrots, cucumbers, and peppers were harvested. Along the Central Coast, squash, broccoli, cauliflower, brussel sprouts, celery, lettuce, kale, and peppers were harvested.
LIVESTOCK
Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture were in poor to fair condition. Irrigated pasture was in good condition. Supplemental feeding was underway in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys. Some cattle were moved to higher elevation range. Fall calving is underway. Sheep grazed retired cropland as well as harvested melon and vegetable fields.
