The crop is developing nicely in many areas across the areas of the San Joaquin Valley in which I observed. Crop loads vary, depending on last season’s stress or crop-load, but generally look good. Looking forward to this week, there area few pointers to keep in mind. Rain is forecasted for this weekend with chances through next week. This will have minimal impacts on the physiological development of the crop. It will, however, impact the amount rates of evapotranspiration and soil moisture. This variance should be accounted for by either using soil moisture monitors or plant based measurements. If possible, rain gauges (or other measurement tool) should be placed at the various farms as rainfalls can be variable. Last year, for example, a thunder cell dropped around 3/4″ of rain in a farmer’s field on the North side of Livingston, while his block on the south side received less than 1/4.” Accounting for these differences can prevent the “stalling-out” of growth from over-irrigation. Even though it warmed up this week, it might be wise to question the start of the irrigation season. Only two out of four plots in which we are measuring stem water potential have indicated the need to irrigate. The other two are still reading around baseline…one is even in a Delhi sand. Plant based measurements should be used to help determine the need to irrigate. Remember: the tree is essentially a giant tensiometer with a lot larger volume of soil impacting the result. Disease update: Multiple days of rain are predicted. This could mean conditions suitable for Bacterial Spot (especially on ‘Fritz’ and ‘Padre’), Anthracnose (for ‘Monterey’), Scab, and Shot-hole. Lingering infections of green fruit rot may also progress. If a treatment is warranted, check the fungicide efficacy table. Remember to rotate away from the last spray