The Week in Florida Agriculture
May 31 - June 6, 2010
Peanut planting is 92 percent complete, compared to 83 percent this time last year and the five-year average of 87 percent. Peanut planting has been delayed due to saturated soil making it difficult for large equipment to function in the fields. Tobacco planting is progressing well. Winter wheat harvest is nearing completion. Potato harvest is nearing completion. Various herbs are being harvested. Caladiums are being planted. Weather Summary: Rain, thunderstorms and high humidity. Rain was reported at all weather stations. Seafood: Red and black grouper, scamp, amberjack, flounder, black sea bass, shrimp. For daily updates on Florida seafood availability, call the Florida Seafood Hotline at 1-800-357-4273. 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: Light harvesting of vegetables continues. Watermelons are being harvested statewide. Sweet corn harvest is nearly complete. Cantaloupe, sweet corn, cucumber, eggplant, okra, pepper, tomato, and watermelon are being marketed. Livestock and Pastures: Pasture condition continues to improve and summer annual pastures are growing well. Cattle condition is poor to excellent, with most good. Citrus: Growing conditions continue to be good. Twenty-one of the 51 packinghouses are open. Varieties being packed included Valencia and a few colored grapefruit with Valencia comprising the majority of fruit going to the processing plants.
