The latest survey, which was conducted during the last week of August and the first week of September, included the following commodities:
Oranges, Navel – California’s initial 2012-13 Navel orange forecast is 93.0 million 40.0-pound cartons, up 6 percent from the previous year.,but the same as 2010. Of the total forecast, 90.0 million cartons are estimated to be in the Central Valley.The forecast is based on the Navel Orange Objective Measurement Survey conducted in the Central Valley.Survey data indicated an average fruit set of 345 oranges per tree, with a diameter of 2.25 inches as of September 1, the five year average. Fruit set is above the five year average.
Tulare county groves had the smallest set pre tree in the Valley at 309 compared to 435 in Kern County.
Walnuts – The 2012 California walnut production is forecast at 470 thousand tons, up 2 percent from the 2011 production of 461 thousand tons. Bearing acreage is unchanged from 2011 at 245 thousand acres, resulting in a yield of 1.92 tons per acre. The forecast is based on the Walnut Objective Measurement Survey conducted duringAugust. Survey data indicated an average nut set of 1,375 per tree, down 1 percent from the 2011 average of 1,388. The San Joaquin Valley set is 1,120, up slightly from last year, and the Sacramento Valley set is 1,582,down 1 percent from last year. The percentage of sound kernels in-shell was 98.0 percent statewide.
Cotton – Upland cotton production in California is forecast at 495 thousand bales, down 11 percent from the 2011 crop, and up 5 percent from the August 1 forecast. Harvested acreage is estimated at 141 thousand acres, down 5 percent from the previous forecast. Yield is forecast at 1,685 pounds per acre, slightly down from last month. The forecast for American Pima cotton production was 630 thousand bales, up 1 percent from last month’s production and down 20 percent from the 2011 crop. Harvested acreage is forecasted at 224 thousand acres. Yield is forecast at 1,350 pounds per acre.
Rice – All rice production in California for 2012 is forecast at 47.3 million cwt., up 2 percent from the previous year. The yield forecast is 8,400 pounds per acre, unchanged from both last month and year. Planted and harvested acreages are forecasted at 568 thousand and 563 thousand acres, respectively. As of September 1, nearly all of the rice acres had headed.
Corn – Corn for grain production in California for 2012 is forecast at 958 thousand tons, up 23 percent from last year’s crop and unchanged from the August forecast. With harvested acreage forecasted at 180 thousand acres, the yield is 5.32 tons per acre. Compared with the 2011 crop year, harvested acreage is up 20 percent and the yield is unchanged.
