The Week in Florida Agriculture
August 2-8, 2010
Rainfall benefited some field crops, but others continue to be stressed by hot and dry conditions. Peanut condition is rated 11 percent poor, 9 percent fair, 61 percent good, and 19 percent excellent. Peanut pegging is 92 percent complete, compared with 84 percent this last year, and the five-year average of 93 percent. Corn harvest is under way in many areas. Some early-planted peanuts are being harvested. Mild drought conditions continue. Vegetable fields are being preparing for fall planting. Sugarcane is in excellent condition with near-ideal growing conditions spurring rapid development. Weather Summary: Hot and humid with occasional showers. Seafood: Spiny lobster, grouper, red snapper, blue crab meat, mullet, yellowtail snapper, blue crabs, shrimp and clams 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: Vegetable fields are being preparing for fall planting. Okra and light supplies of avocados are being marketed. Livestock and Pastures: Drought and heat are stressing most pastures, with some areas benefiting from scattered rainfall. Statewide, cattle condition is poor to excellent with most good. Citrus: Good growing conditions continue across the citrus region.
