The Week in Florida Agriculture
November 1-7, 2010
Patchy frost was reported. Peanut harvesting is 97 percent complete, compared to 86 percent this time last year and the five-year average of 92 percent. Late-planted peanuts are yet to be harvested. Planting of cabbage continues. Fields are being prepared for planting of potatoes. Harvesting of rice, soybeans, cotton, and peanuts is concluding in most areas. Recent rains did not fully relieve drought conditions. Drought conditions remain severe. Vegetables are good condition with limited pest or disease reported. Sugarcane harvesting continues with all four mills active. Light harvesting of sweet corn is under way. Weather Summary: Cooler temperatures across Florida within the past week with many locations receiving rain. Temperatures were up to 4 degrees below normal. Highs were in the 80s and lows were mostly in the 30s and 40s. Seafood: Spiny lobster, stone crab claws, grouper, amberjack, red snapper, yellowfin tuna, swordfish, clams, oysters, blue crabs and blue crab meat are in good supply. Visit www.FL-Seafood.com for information about Florida seafood. 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: Field preparation and planting of winter season vegetables continues. Vegetable harvest is increasing seasonally. Cucumbers, eggplant, okra, bell peppers, squash, and tomatoes are moving through the market. Livestock and Pastures: Statewide, pasture condition is fair to good as seasonal cool temperatures slowed forage growth. Statewide, cattle condition is very poor to excellent with most good. Citrus: Abnormally dry conditions in all of the citrus area, according to the U.S. drought monitor last updated on November 2. Moderate to extreme drought conditions extend over a third of the citrus area. Thirty-nine packinghouses and eight processors are open with others scheduled to open soon.
