Harvest Winds Down Across the Valley
Here’s this cycle’s Crop & Field Report from our PCAs: harvest wrapping up across several crops, post-harvest care getting underway, and early dormancy planning for next season across the Central Valley.
Citrus: Applications are getting underway as temperatures drop, with maturity running about a week ahead of typical timing. Growers should watch for scattered red scale activity, overlapping generation flights, and mealybug pressure in lemons, along with occasional nail damage in young trees. Nutrition programs are focused on potassium and calcium to support fruit sizing, coloring, firmness, and storability — especially important for fruit headed to export markets.
Grapes: Raisin grapes are being boxed and moved out of the field, and wine grape harvest is nearing completion, with Ruby Reds wrapping up the season. Post-harvest fertility programs are underway to support vine recovery, and berm weed cleanup is expected to begin in about a month.
Pistachios & Raisins: The first pistachio shake is complete, with a second shake beginning shortly. Crop load is mixed this year, with some blocks running strong and others notably lighter. Post-harvest nutrition planning is underway to support next season, while Madera-area raisin harvest continues with an average crop — market pricing has not yet been established.
Almonds & Stone Fruit: Almonds are showing a lighter crop with smaller nut size this year, particularly in Nonpareil. Almond and pistachio harvest is winding down, as is the last of the late stone fruit season, with later stone fruit varieties generally seeing stronger grower returns than earlier-season fruit.
Pistachio Dormancy Planning: Some blocks are seeing lighter pistachio crops along with noticeable bud abortion this year, prompting growers to start evaluating dormancy management programs ahead of next season.
Orchard Removals: A number of cherry orchards in the area have been removed or are showing stress this season. Several factors appear to be contributing — including crop insurance considerations that can influence replant timing — though no single cause explains all of what we’re seeing.
Organic Crops: Organic almonds are looking strong this year, while organic raisins are running poor and plums are shaping up acceptably. A newer organic pistachio planting is expected to perform well economically despite a lighter crop, though continued growth in organic acreage is worth watching for its effect on market conditions.
As always, every ranch and block is different — the notes above reflect general trends across the region, not a substitute for a conversation with your own PCA about your fields specifically.
Questions about how this applies to your fields? Reach out to your GAR PCA, or call us at (559) 638-6311. Follow us on LinkedIn for the full report and photos.