The Week in Florida Agriculture
September 7-13, 2009
Peanut harvesting is 20 percent complete compared to 7 percent this time last year and a five-year average of 9 percent. Peanut condition is rated 18 percent fair, 61 percent good, and 21 percent excellent. Cucumber harvest is complete. Harvesting corn for grain is nearly complete, with very good yields reported. Planting of cabbage and beets will begin soon. Snap bean crop is well established. In southwest Florida, growers continue preparing fields for planting vegetables. Seafood: Spiny lobster, flounder, soft shell crab and oysters are plentiful. Weather: Rainfall was reported at all Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) locations. Counties across central Florida received the heaviest rainfall during the week with amounts between 3 to 4 inches. South Florida locations reported precipitation generally in the 2 to 3 inches range. Osceola, Desoto and Hillsborough counties reported 4.86, 4.50 and 4.32 inches, respectively. For updated weather impacts visit www.ag-er.blogspot.com 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 . Vegetables: Mid-week precipitation caused more delays in land preparation and crop planting. Livestock and Pastures: In the Panhandle and northern areas, pasture condition is fair to good with most in good condition. Land preparation for seeding winter forage continues and was aided by showers. Cattle condition ranges from fair to excellent. In the central areas, pasture condition is poor to excellent with armyworms causing some damage. Pasture and rangeland are suffering nutrient loss from excessive rainfall. In the southwest areas, range condition varies from poor to excellent. Many pastures are flooded or have standing water from previous or recent rain. However, pastures in other locations have poor condition due to low soil moisture. Cattle condition is poor to excellent with most in good condition. Statewide, most cattle are in good condition. Citrus: Citrus-growing areas along the west coast and some inland areas had heavy rain over the weekend; other areas had lighter rain showers. Arcadia and Balm received the most rainfall at over 4 inches. Lake Alfred followed with just over 3 inches. Trees continue to look good due to the rain 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. Groves continue to be surveyed for greening. Trees are being treated for citrus psyllid. Infected trees are being removed.
