The Week in Florida Agriculture
May 17-23, 2010
Scattered rains aided the emergence of newly planted peanuts and cotton. Planting of both crops is slightly behind schedule. Peanut planting is 65 percent complete, compared to 52 percent this time last year and the five-year average of 54 percent. Cotton and peanut planting continues. Harvesting of tomatoes in Quincy is expected to begin early June. Harvest of cabbage and greens in Hastings is completed. Digging of potatoes continues with good yields. Growth of vegetables and melons is good. Cabbage harvest in south Florida is concluding. Tomato harvest is concluding in the central and southern Peninsula. Weather Summary: Scattered showers are allowing planting to progress. Seafood: Black, red, yellowedge and snowy grouper, amberjack, flounder, red snapper, yellowtail snapper, oysters crab meat and soft shell crabs are available. Forestry: Schedule site preparation and locate seedlings for winter planting. Begin growing season prescribed burns where applicable. Conduct treatments to reduce hardwoods in pine stands. The signup period for the Southern Pine Beetle Prevention Cost Share Program for eligible non-industrial private forest landowners runs through July 1. Application forms and information is available from local Division of Forestry offices and online at http://www.floridaforestservice.com/. Vegetables: Supplies of snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplants, radishes, and squash are declining seasonally as hot temperatures are bringing harvesting to an end in central and southern Peninsula. Livestock and Pastures: Overall, pasture condition is very poor to excellent, with most fair to good. Statewide, cattle condition is poor to excellent, with most good. Citrus: Twenty-three of the 51 packing houses remain open. Varieties being packed include Valencia and colored grapefruit. Valencia oranges and grapefruit comprise the majority of fruit going to plants.
