The Week in Florida Agriculture
May 24-30, 2010
Peanut planting is 85 percent complete, compared to 69 percent this time last year and the five-year average of 73 percent. Ideal conditions have allowed the pace of planting to increase. Planting of cotton is nearing completion in some areas. Planting of tobacco is progressing well. Planting of soybeans is slightly behind schedule. Vegetable harvest is under way with volume expected to increase in the coming days. Potato harvest continues. Harvest of snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, radishes and squash is seasonally declining in central and southern areas of the state. Planting of rice has begun. Weather Summary: Warm temperatures, high humidity, and afternoon showers. Seafood: Black and red grouper, red snapper, yellowtail snapper, mahi-mahi, oysters, shrimp, blue crab, and soft shell crab are all plentiful. 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: Tomatoes, sweet corn, watermelon and cantaloupe are being harvested with good yields. Snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, radishes and squash are seasonally declining in southern and central areas. Livestock and Pastures: Statewide, pasture condition varies from poor to excellent, with most good. Statewide, cattle condition is poor to excellent, with most good. Citrus: Many packinghouses remain open. Varieties being pack include Valencia oranges and few grapefruit.
