Small grains and other field crops: Triticale, and Montezuma oat seed continues to be shipped into local dealerships. Cornfields and sorghum are still being harvested. Alfalfa is growing well but recent rain has slowed down the harvest process. Dried beans are being shipped to national retailers and exported to the French Territory of Martinique. Most corn has reached maturity and corn harvesting for silage is nearing completion. Black eyed beans are being harvested. Oats are being exported to Nicaragua. Cotton harvest has begun. Manure trucks can be seen picking up and spreading into nearby fields.
Deciduous tree fruits, nuts, and grapes: Pecans are being exported to the Middle East, New Zealand, United Kingdom, Italy, and Singapore. Pistachio growers have completed their harvest for the season. Packing is continuing with export shipping to China, Mexico, Morocco, Spain, Vietnam, Portugal, Italy, India, Turkey, and Hong Kong. Almonds continue to be harvested and sent to the packing facility. Recent rain caused more work for the companies to dry out their products, delaying some outgoing shipments. Packing and shipping continued to Turkey, China, India, Mexico, Japan, Philippines, New Zealand, Italy, Germany, United Arab Emirates, Korea, and Norway. Wine grapes continue to be harvested. Table grapes are being packed and shipped to domestic retailers and exported to Mexico, Chile, Taiwan, Korea, Thailand, Japan, Indonesia, Philippines, and Australia. Apples are continuing to develop. Kiwi harvest is beginning. Pomegranates are being harvested for both juice and fresh pack. Late varieties of plums and peaches are still being exported to Mexico.
Citrus, avocados, and olives: New citrus crops continue to develop and gain size. Some orange trees are being topped and skirted. Some mature olive trees are being dug for landscaping. The olive harvest has ended. Valencia oranges are now being picked and packed for the domestic market, as well as Japan, Taiwan, Mexico, Hong Kong, and Malaysia. Grapefruit are being harvested and exported to Japan and Korea. Lemons are being harvested and packed. They are being exported to Japan and domestic markets.
Vegetables, melons, herbs, and berries: Broccoli has been planted and has started to grow. Roadside stands remain busy selling locally grown produce such as melons, zucchini, tomatoes, squash, and sweet corn. Certified Producers are offering vegetables such as okra, tomatoes, onions, squash, cucumbers, and peppers for sale at local farmers’ markets. Vegetable and ornamental plants are being shipped in and inspected from Arizona to sell in retail locations throughout the valley. Watermelons, honeydew melons, and cantaloupes have been harvested and sold at local fruit stands. Locally grown produce such as pumpkins, squash, and decorative gourds are being sold at fruit stands. Garlic is being exported to Mexico.
Livestock and poultry: The cooler weather is benefiting milk production for local dairymen. Local cattle ranchers are moving their herds from foothill locations to the mountains for better forage. Irrigated pastures are in good condition. Non-irrigated pastures and rangeland conditions are poor due to temperatures and lack of moisture. Higher feed and fuel prices are affecting market prices. The fed-cattle price continues at $183/cwt this week.
Tom’s additional comments: Local wholesale nurseries are still shipping small volumes of fall nursery stock to local and out of state retail nurseries. Local wholesale citrus nurseries are shipping citrus trees, graft wood, and seed to local markets, and out of state to Hawaii, Arizona, Texas, the East Coast, international nurseries, growers in Canada and Bahamas.
