The Week in Florida Agriculture
September 20-26, 2010
Cotton harvest continues across the Panhandle. Peanut crop condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 14 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 45 percent good, and 7 percent excellent. Continued dry weather has hindered peanut digging. Peanut harvest is 37 percent complete, compared to 26 percent this time last year and the five-year average of 22 percent. Peanut harvesting was halted in some locations due to hard soil. Quincy-area tomato harvest is expected to begin in mid-October. Preparations are under way for planting strawberries. Land preparation and vegetable planting remain active across the peninsula. Weather Summary: Dry conditions persisted in most areas allowing field work to continue. Seafood: Spiny lobster, grouper, red snapper, flounder, king mackerel, shrimp, blue crabs, blue crab meat are in good supply. 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: Avocadoes, cucumbers, and okra continue to move through the market. Livestock and Pastures: Statewide, pastures are in fair to excellent condition with most fair. Statewide, cattle condition is poor to excellent with most good. Citrus: Growing conditions continue to be good across the citrus region.
