The Week in Florida Agriculture
August 24-30, 2009
Peanut harvesting is under way in early-planted fields. Peanut condition is rated 1 percent poor, 22 percent fair, 58 percent good, and 19 percent excellent. Tobacco harvest is nearly complete. Rainfall was reported at all Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) locations. Southern field peas are being planted. Vegetable planting continues across central and northern counties. Growers continue to prepare land, lay plastic, and plant vegetables. Forestry: The Florida Division of Forestry (DOF) has several types of first-generation improved slash pine seed for sale. All seed were produced in DOF seed orchards. The minimum quantity for purchase of seed is one pound and there is no limit. The seed is available on a first-come-first-served basis. Payment for seed must be received before the seed is released. Customers are responsible for all shipping costs and arrangements. Contact Steve Gilly at (352) 493-6096 or . Seafood: Red grouper, flounder, pompano, spiny lobster, oysters, red snapper, blue crab are plentiful. Vegetables: Okra and avocados are being marketed. Livestock and Pastures: In the Panhandle and northern areas, pasture is mostly good with the condition ranging from fair to excellent. Recent rainfall has improved the condition of pasture grass. Cattlemen are fighting weeds which have filled in the bare spots and thin stands where pastures were short earlier in the season. Cattle condition varies from fair to excellent with most in good condition. In the central areas, pasture is poor to excellent with most in good condition. Rainfall has been sufficient to keep up with forage growth. Some pasture is poor due to damage caused by armyworms. In the southern areas, the range condition varies from poor to excellent with most in good condition. Statewide, cattle are mostly in good condition. Citrus: Quick-moving, heavy thunderstorms developed over wide areas with many western-coastal counties receiving heavy rain on two to three days during the week. Ona and Balm recorded over 2 1/4 inches, while other areas across the citrus-producing region had between one-half and 2 inches of rain. Lakes and rivers are at average to above average levels due to the past several weeks of abundant rainfall. High temperatures reached the high-80s to low-90s on most days in all areas. Grove practices include herbiciding, mowing in preparation for harvest, fertilizing, spraying, and young tree care. Trees look good in well-tended groves. New crop fruit is in good condition and sizing well with little evidence of off or late bloom.
