The Week in Florida Agriculture
April 26 - May 2, 2010
Planting of peanuts in the central region has progressed more quickly than in the Panhandle and Big Bend. Peanut planting is 30 percent completed. Potato harvest continues. Planting of cotton is complete. Erosion has caused leaching of nutrients, which may need to be replaced in some field crops. Potatoes dug on a trial basis indicate sizes are smaller than normal. Planting of corn for silage continues. Windy conditions and lack of rain have resulted in dry topsoil conditions. Cabbage harvest is nearing completion. Continued cool nights are delaying forage growth in most areas. Tomato and pepper yields remain below normal. Watermelon harvest may be delayed due to prior cold temperatures. Weather Summary: Warm and windy with beneficial rains. Seafood: Black and red grouper, flounder, red snapper, golden tilefish, yellowtail snapper, clams and stone crab claws are plentiful. Vegetables: Snap beans, blueberries, cabbage, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, peppers, radishes, squash and tomatoes are moving through the market. Livestock and Pastures: Statewide, pasture condition is mostly fair due to drought, nighttime cold and local flooding. Statewide, the condition of the cattle is very poor to excellent with most fair to good. Citrus: Most packinghouses remain open. Varieties being packed include Valencia, white and colored grapefruit, and Honey tangerines. Fifteen processors are open and accepting fruit. Valencia oranges and grapefruit comprise the majority of fruit going to the plants.
