The Week in Florida Agriculture
October 4-10, 2010
Peanut yields and grades are down significantly. Peanut crop condition is rated 4 percent very poor, 30 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 29 percent good, and 10 percent excellent. Peanut harvesting is 62 percent complete, compared to 39 percent this time last year and the five-year average of 46 percent. Land preparation for planting strawberries continues. Soybean and cotton yields are down significantly. Corn harvest is complete. Soybean harvest continues. The Quincy area tomato harvest continues. Cabbage planting continues. Light harvesting of tomatoes is expected to begin within the next two weeks. Severe drought conditions continue. Fall vegetable harvesting in central and southern peninsula areas is slowly increasing. Everglades region sugarcane harvest continues. Okra harvest continues. Weather Summary: A cold front swept across the state bringing cooler nighttime temperatures. Temperatures averaged from 2 to 7 degrees below normal. Daytime highs were mostly in the 80s with some areas recording at least one high in the 90s. Cooler evening temperatures were in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Dry weather across the Panhandle down to the southern peninsula continue to deplete soil moisture supplies. Seafood: Spiny lobster, grouper, red snapper, amberjack, flounder, king mackerel, yellowfin tuna, live blue crabs, crab meat, and clams are plentiful. Florida stone crab season opens October 15. Forestry: Landowners should establish fire lines and prepare plans for dormant season prescribed burns. For winter tree planting, they should order seedlings, select planting contractors, and complete site preparation. Vegetables: Avocados, cucumbers, okra, squash and tomatoes are moving through the markets. Livestock and Pastures: Statewide, pasture condition is fair to excellent with most fair to good. Statewide, cattle condition is poor to excellent with most good. Citrus: Growing conditions continue to be good across the citrus region.
