Almond and peach bloom under way

A report on crop conditions for Merced County for the week ending March 20 has been released by the Merced County Agricultural Commissioner’s office.

Herbicide spraying on small grain fields continues. Preparation for spring planting is almost complete.

Almond pruning and orchard removal continue, and new orchards and tree replants continue to be planted. Almond and apricot bloom is ongoing. Thinning of peach orchards continues. Orchard bloom spraying is winding down. Orchard field fumigations are complete.

Sweet potato field fumigations and sweet potato hotbed planting continue. Tomato planting continues.

Supplemental livestock feeding continues. Rangeland conditions are good, and grass continues to grow due to recent rains.

-- Carol Reiter