Information Sourced from the USDA
Weather
Average low temperatures for California ranged from 30 to 51 in the mountains, 40 to 75 in the desert, 41 to 62 along the coast, and 46 to 63 in the Central Valley. Average high temperatures for the state ranged from 47 to 81 in the mountains, 57 to 86 along the coast, 74 to 94 in the Central Valley, and 76 to 106 in the desert.
From the California Department of Water Resources, snowpack water content in the Northern Sierra was 4.10 inches, 5.30 in Central Sierra, and 4.70 in Southern Sierra.
Field Crops
In the Sacramento Valley, winter wheat harvest continued. Rice was progressing at a slower-than-normal pace due to cooler temperatures. In Sutter County, winter wheat harvest began. Rice herbicide and fertilizer treatments continued. In Stanislaus County, corn continued to be planted, while some fields were emerged and growing well. Alfalfa was harvested for silage and dried for hay. Silage corn and sudan grass were sprayed for weeds. In the San Joaquin Valley, treatments for lygus were applied to cotton fields. Cotton crop progress was slowed due to cooler temperatures.
In Tulare County, winter forage harvest was nearly complete. Harvested silage fields were being tilled and furrowed. Corn and sorghum fields were fertilized, tilled, and planted. Dryland wheat was harvested. Cotton fields continued to develop and were cultivated and treated for weeds. Alfalfa was cut, raked, and baled. In the northern mountains, the first cutting of alfalfa was baled.
Fruit Crops
Grape vineyards were thinned to allow for sunlight exposure. Stone fruit harvest was in full swing as plums, nectarines, apricots, and peaches were picked and packed. Cherry harvest was nearing completion. Citrus groves were treated for pests and weeds, and some trees were topped. Valencia orange harvest continued. Lemons, grapefruit, and mandarins continued to be picked and packed. Seedless tangerines remained netted to prevent pollination. Kiwi vineyards were leafing out, tied, and irrigated. Pomegranates, apples, and olives continued to develop. Blueberries and strawberries continued to be picked.
Nut Crops
Cool temperatures throughout the week slowed the almond maturing process. Almond meat fill was complete in most areas. Ant bait traps were placed in orchards. Pistachios, walnuts, and pecans continued to mature. There was an increase in alternaria and rust in some almond orchards. Pistachio nut clusters continued to grow.
Vegetables
Processing tomatoes progressed in the Sacramento Valley. Crop progress was about two weeks behind schedule. Cherry tomatoes continued to grow in the Capay Valley. In Tulare County, summer crops continued to be planted, and benefitted from cooler weather. Zucchini, sweet corn, eggplant, okra, onions, broccoli, cabbage, and peppers continued to grow. Tomato plants were treated for pests. Stanislaus County sweet potatoes and tomatoes continued to grow well. Bell pepper harvest neared completion in the Coachella Valley. Broccoli, celery, lettuce, mushrooms, and cauliflower were harvested in the Salinas Valley. Carrot harvest began in Kern County.
Livestock
Successive weeks of mild temperatures and elevated humidity delayed the seasonal drying of rangeland grasses and forbs in some locations. Foothill rangeland and non-irrigated pasture were reported to be in good to excellent condition. Bees were active in melon fields. Cattle grazed on lower elevation range and some were moved upslope as conditions permitted. Sheep grazed on fallow fields and retired farmland.
