Early this week, rain was in the forecast for Bakersfield, the southernmost city in the Great Central Valley, but UC Cooperative Extension farm advisors were unconcerned, reported John Cox in the Bakersfield Californian.

The rain never materialized, and that was good news for Craig Kallsen, UCCE Kern County citrus and pistachio advisor.

"In general, on the valley floor, if it's raining, somebody's going to get hurt," he said.

Kallsen said the ideal situation for farmers is when rain and snow fall on the...