The Week in Florida Agriculture
June 8-14, 2009
First cutting of hay is under way. Peanut planting is 96 percent complete compared with 99 percent this time last year. Condition is 30 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 12 percent excellent. Growers are finishing up the peanuts that will be double-cropped behind wheat or oats. Hay cutting is in progress. Wheat harvest is near completion. Some wheat may only be used for feed instead of grain due to the extended wet season. Bean harvest is complete. Organic harvest continues. Watermelon harvest continues. Hay cutting is in progress. Cucumber harvest is nearly complete. Harvest of cantaloupes and watermelons continues. Harvest of okra, tomatoes and mangos continues. Seafood: Red grouper, flounder, soft- and hard-shell blue crab, red snapper and mutton snapper are plentiful. Vegetables: The spring harvest is mostly complete with the exception of watermelons, cantaloupes, cucumbers, okra, mangos, tomatoes, and organic crops. Other crops marketed include sweet corn, eggplant, peppers and radishes. Citrus: A high-pressure pattern centered over the state last week brought hot temperatures and humid weather conditions. Typical, seasonal temperatures range from highs in the mid-90s to lows in the mid-70s. The summer rainy season pattern brought isolated thunderstorms and scattered showers to most citrus-producing regions. Immokalee received almost 3 inches of rain. Extreme heat had little impact on harvesting the remaining citrus crop. Widespread ground spraying is the dominant production practice currently conducted. Next season’s citrus crop is maturing well. Recent weather conditions are responsible for excellent fruit growth and tree foliage. Processing plants are closing with most shutting down by the end of the month and the remaining in mid-July. The packing of oranges and small quantities of grapefruit is limited.
