The Week in Florida Agriculture
August 31 - September 6, 2009
Peanut harvesting continues in early-planted fields with more growers starting to dig. Peanut condition is rated 1 percent poor, 23 percent fair, 63 percent good, and 13 percent excellent. Haying is active throughout the state. Rainy weather has slowed baling in many locations. Cucumber harvest continues. Rainfall was reported at all Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) locations. Vegetable planting continues across central and northern counties. Cucumber harvest continues. Cucumbers and sweet corn are being planted. Excess water is being pumped off vegetable fields in southwest. Field preparations continue for planting vegetables in the southern Peninsula. Sugarcane is in good condition. 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 is one pound; there is no maximum. 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: Spiny lobster, red grouper, amberjack, pompano, oysters, red snapper, blue crab meat, clams and soft shell blue crab are plentiful. Vegetables: Growers continue to prepare fields for the fall planting. Heavy rain delayed land preparation in some areas. The tomato crop condition is good. Okra and avocados are being marketed. Livestock and Pastures: In the Panhandle and northern areas, pasture is fair to good with most in good condition. Land preparation for seeding winter forage is under way. Cattle conditions ranges from fair to excellent. In the central areas, pasture is poor to excellent. Armyworms caused damage in some pastures. In the southern areas, range condition varies from poor to excellent. Some pastures have standing water from previous or recent rain. Cattle condition is very poor to excellent with most good. Calves are being weaned. Statewide, most cattle are in good to excellent condition. Citrus: Ona received the most rainfall at almost 7 inches; Arcadia had just over 3 inches. Daily highs were in the upper 80s to lower 90s in all areas. Trees are responding well to the recent precipitation and long days of sunshine, with limbs flushing out new growth and fruit in good condition. New crop fruit is sizing well with little evidence of off- or late-bloom. Grove practices include herbiciding, mowing in preparation for harvest, fertilizing, spraying, and young tree care. Grove caretakers continue to survey groves for greening, treat trees for the citrus psyllid, and remove infected trees.
