The Week in Florida Agriculture
July 19-25, 2010
Heat is causing stress to row crops. The peanut crop condition is rated 2 percent poor, 16 percent fair, 65 percent good, and 17 percent excellent. Peanut pegging is 75 percent complete, compared to 65 percent this time last year and the five-year average of 82 percent. Dry weather is causing stress to non-irrigated crops. Planting of fall tomatoes continues. Harvest of hay continues. Mild drought conditions are being reported. Heat is causing stress on overgrazed pastures. Fields are being prepared for the planting of fall vegetable crops. Weather Summary: Heat is causing stress to field crops. Seafood: Grouper, red snapper, yellowfin tuna, amberjack, flounder, sheepshead, yellowtail snapper, blue crabs, clams and shrimp are plentiful. Forestry: Land owners should prepare for winter planting by ordering pine seedlings, selecting tree planting contractors, completing mechanical and chemical site preparation, and conducting growing-season prescribed burns in suitable pine stands. Vegetables: Limited vegetables are moving through the market with light supplies of avocadoes and okra. Livestock and Pastures: Pasture condition decreased slightly from last week due to drier conditions. Statewide, most cattle are in good condition. Citrus: Favorable growing conditions continue across the citrus region.
