The Week in Florida Agriculture
July 5-11, 2010
Corn crop is in good condition with harvesting expected to begin in two weeks. Peanut crop condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 21 percent fair, 63 percent good, and 14 percent excellent. Peanuts pegging is 45 percent complete, compared with 54 percent this time last year and the five-year average of 55 percent. Early-planted cotton crop is in good condition and beginning to bloom. Tomato harvest is nearly complete. Preparation for fall planting will begin soon. Watermelon harvest is nearly complete. Tobacco harvest continues. Hay harvest continues in most areas. Fields in the southern peninsula are being prepared for planting of fall crops. Okra harvest continues. Weather Summary: Scattered showers across the state. Seafood: Grouper, red snapper, blue crab, clams and shrimp are in steady supply. Forestry: Prepare for winter planting by ordering pine seedlings and selecting tree planting contractors. Complete mechanical and chemical site preparation. Conduct growing season prescribed burns in suitable pine stands. Vegetables: Light supplies of avocados are being shipped with movement expected to increase as the season progresses. Livestock and Pastures: Statewide, pasture grass is growing well due to adequate soil moisture and seasonal summer temperatures. Statewide, cattle condition ranges from poor to excellent with most good. Citrus: Few fresh fruit packinghouses remain open. The Valencia orange harvest has ended and all processing plants have closed for the season.
