The Week in Florida Agriculture
October 11-17, 2010
The cotton harvest continues. Peanut harvesting is 77 percent complete, compared to the five-year average of 60 percent. The peanut crop condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 27 percent fair, 44 percent good, and 11 percent excellent. Mole crickets are affecting pastures. The tomato harvest continues. The peanut harvest continues. Cabbage planting continues. Drought conditions remain severe. In the central and south areas, land preparation and planting of vegetables continue. Small amounts of early squash, cucumbers and specialty items are being harvested. Weather Summary: High temperatures in the 80s. Lows ranged between the 30s and 60s. Small amounts of rain were reported during the week, with the greatest amount in Miami-Dade County with a little over half an inch of rain. Pastures are suffering from drought. Only 52 percent of the soil moisture levels are reported as adequate or surplus. Seafood: Spiny lobster, grouper, red snapper, amberjack, scamp, flounder, yellowfin tuna, live blue crab, and blue crab meat are in good supply. 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: Vegetable, strawberry and citrus crops are being irrigated. Avocados, cucumbers, okra, squash, and tomatoes are being marketed. Livestock and Pastures: Drought and cool nights have put an end to the growth of warm season grass. Pasture grass growth has slowed due to dry conditions, seasonally cooler temperatures and shorter days. Stock pond water levels are below normal for this time of year. Cattlemen have started feeding hay to supplement the pasture in poor condition. Statewide, cattle condition ranges from poor to excellent with most good. Citrus: Overall, conditions across most of the citrus-growing area have been abnormally dry, according to the U.S. drought monitor. Twenty-six packinghouses and five processors have opened, with more scheduled to open.
