Deciduous fruits, nuts and grapes: The late harvest of Angeleno plums is over. Stone fruits are approaching the end of the harvest season. Most of the plum orchards have already been picked for the domestic market. Peaches, nectarines and plums are exported to Mexico, Taiwan, the Dominican Republic and British Columbia. Investigations of orchards for shipment through Mexico’s export program are drawing to a close. The raisin vines are harvested and dried. Table grapes continue to display high sugar levels as we approach late season varieties. Table grapes are now shipped to Panama, Mexico, Vietnam, China, Thailand, Indonesia, Taiwan, Australia, Chile, Guatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica, Colombia, Nicaragua, in Malaysia, Ecuador, the Philippines and the Dominican Republic. Pecans thrive. The pistachio harvest is going well as the trailers transport many loads daily from the orchards to the facilities to store and process the nuts. Pistachio exports went to Luxembourg, Korea, Vietnam, Italy, New Zealand and the Netherlands. The almonds have been exported to Greece, India, Mexico, Korea, Japan, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Israel, India and Hong Kong. The almond harvest is drawing to a close. Persimmons, kiwis, pomegranates and Asian pears continue to grow and be harvested.

Citrus fruits, avocados and olives: The olive harvest has started with average quantities reported. Lemons continue to be picked and packaged for export to Mexico and domestic markets. Irrigation is the top priority for citrus growers. Valencia oranges are packaged for the domestic market as well as for China, Taiwan, Mexico, Malaysia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Regreening Valencia oranges is a constant problem. Soil fertilizer is applied to citrus groves.

Vegetables, melons, herbs and berries: The fields are broken up and plowed for the planting of autumn / winter vegetables. Some fields of blueberries are being removed to make room for new varieties. Squash and peppers are harvested. Farmers continue to harvest cantaloupe. Onions, eggplants and herbs grow well and are harvested for sale in farmers’ markets.

Cattle and poultry: The dry weather always keeps the rangelands very dry and the pastures deteriorate. Light and medium weight cattle continue to dominate the local market. The livestock market continues to see higher prices for livestock with vaccinations and good husbandry. The feeder cattle market remained the same as in previous weeks at $ 123 / cwt. Pastoralists continue to provide additional feed and water.

Additional comments from Tom: Nursery stock continues to move in and out of Tulare County from other parts of the United States and Canada. Cut flowers are imported from Costa Rica, Ecuador and Colombia to local florists in Tulare County. Incoming plant shipments are inspected by shipping companies in Visalia. Nurseries are replanting to increase stocks for fall shipments. Local wholesale citrus nurseries ship citrus fruits, scions and seeds to local, overseas and international nurseries and growers.