Summer heat a benefit for California crops

In the photo, 13-year-old Ryan Packwood of Bella Vista, a 4-H member, sprays down his cow on a warm afternoon at last week's Shasta District Fair.

Most crops in interior California took the weekend's triple-digit heat in stride or even thrived on it, according to the latest crop weather report from the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Sacramento.

Here is their report:

WEATHER
High pressure patterns dominated the weather over California this week. Subtle changes in this
pattern created different temperature extremes in the north and south parts of the state. The Central
Valley saw hot and dry conditions develop, with highs hitting the triple digits across the Valley. The
intense heat in the interior created a sort of vacuum which drew cool and moist marine air onto the
immediate coast, created cloudy conditions for much of the week, even producing occasional high drizzles. This, along
with some isolated thunderstorm activity over the southern Sierra and Northern Trinity Mountains, was the only
precipitation noted during the week. Southern California also saw the development of an onshore flow pattern that kept
temperatures close to seasonal normal. The southeast interior deserts were typically hot, with Death Valley reporting a
high of 119 degrees on Sunday.

FIELD CROPS
Crops thrived in the hot temperatures at all developmental stages throughout the week. Over a third of the wheat crop
was harvested by week’s end. Alfalfa continued to be cut, raked and baled. Virtually all the cotton crop has been
planted, and nearly a third of the crop was squaring. Cotton was progressing well in the heat, and many producers had
finished their first irrigation cycle. The crop was being monitored for pests, since gusty winds have aided in their
movement across fields. Over three quarters of rice fields were emerged. Cotton and wheat crops were rated mostly
good to excellent; while rice crop conditions were spread between fair, good and excellent.

FRUIT CROPS
Plum, prune, peach, apricot and nectarine fruit continued to progress and develop. Harvest continued for plums,
plumcots, peaches, apricots and nectarines in the San Joaquin Valley. In the Sacramento Valley, prunes were sizing
nicely and cling peaches were thinned. Cherry harvest was winding down in the San Joaquin Valley. Apple fruits were
developing. Kiwis were flowering. Figs were leafing out and setting fruit. Jujubes were in bloom. Grapes ranged from
in bloom to developing fruit, depending on the variety and region. Grapes in the San Joaquin Valley continued to be
sprayed for powdery mildew; some growers were getting ready for sizing sprays. European Grapevine Moth counts were
remaining low; growers were preparing for another pesticide application for the second generation. Pomegranates were
blooming and fruit was beginning to develop. Olive bloom was complete. Blueberries and strawberries were being
picked and packed. The harvest of Valencia oranges and lemons continued. The late navel orange harvest was
wrapping up.

NUT CROPS
The almond crop was progressing well; limbs continued to bow under the heavy crop. Walnut coddling moth sprays
were complete for the first generation; growers were waiting for second flight to start. Pistachio shells were hardening.

VEGETABLE CROPS
Kern County reported carrots, organic vegetables and watermelon were being harvested. In Tulare County summer
vegetables such as tomatoes, cucumbers and eggplants were progressing well, while squash and other vegetables
continued to be harvested. Fresno County reported onions and garlic were treated with herbicides, and continued to
grow well. Transplanting of processing and fresh tomatoes continued. Sweet corn had emerged and developed tassels.
Winter vegetables such as broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage harvest were ending. Artichoke and asparagus harvests
were complete. Carrot fields had emerged. Bell peppers were growing well. Harvests of cucumbers, eggplants, beans,
beets, choys, chards, kales, daikon, herbs, spinach, peas, squash, turnips, zucchini and hot housed tomatoes
continued. Watermelon, cantaloupe and honeydew crops were planted as some fields were flowering. Potatoes,
strawberries and corn were growing well as blueberries and onions were harvested in San Joaquin County. In Merced
County, tomato planting was winding down and bean planting was complete. Radicchio harvest continued. Stanislaus
County reported corn was growing well in the heat.

LIVESTOCK
Rangeland conditions continued to deteriorate and ranged from poor to good. The foothill and higher elevation range
were in good to fair condition. Supplemental feeding increased as range quality declined. Fire season continued with
over 5,500 acres burned as the result of twelve fires started during the week. Cattle and sheep grazed idle fields, dry land
grain and alfalfa fields. Bees continued to work kiwi, pomegranate and seed onions for pollination and citrus for honey
production.

The federal Climate Prediction Center believes the cooler temperatures we're experiencing will linger for the next couple of weeks, but the next three months could be hotter than normal in most interior areas of the state.

For my story on how that could affect walnuts, prunes, oranges and other crops, check CapitalPress.com soon.