MAITLAND, Fla. — According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Florida, there were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, April 5, 2020. Precipitation for the state ranged from trace amounts of rain in multiple locations to 3.1 inches in Naples (Collier County). The average mean temperature ranged from 64.4°F in Whiting Field NAS (Santa Rosa County) to 79.1°F in Key West (Monroe County).
Citrus
Maximum temperatures in the citrus growing region ranged from the mid 80s to mid 90s. The highest reading was in Central Florida (Lake County) which reached
95°F. The citrus region received very little rain for the week. The greatest rainfall was in Scottsmoor (Brevard County), at 0.9 inches. According to the April 2, 2020, U.S. Drought Monitor, moderate drought conditions existed in all citrus areas.
Valencia orange harvest was in full swing, with utilization over 3.5 million boxes per week.
Fresh Valencia oranges were packed, as were red and white grapefruit. Tangerine harvest was winding down for the season.
Bloom was finished in all areas. The trees have formed an abundance of pea size fruit for next season. Growers and caretakers were irrigating regularly in all areas. Reports
from the field indicated the pushing of old trees and replanting of new ones. Grove activities included spraying, fertilizing, hedging, and topping.
Crops
Most of the watermelon crop had been planted and growing at an accelerated rate due to the hot, dry conditions. Multiple varieties of vegetables were being planted and harvested throughout the state; however, several producers reported abandoning, plowing under, or dumping millions of pounds of crops due to the impacts of COVID-19 on the food service industry. Whitefly numbers were spiking again, as were reports of whitefly vectored virus in cucurbits. Sugarcane harvesting continued. Field corn planting was finished or nearly finished throughout the Panhandle and northern peninsula.
Most peanut and cotton producers were preparing fields to be planted soon. A few peanut growers started planting already. One hayfield in the southern peninsula caught on fire, which then spread quickly and required great effort to extinguish.
Livestock and Pastures
Cattle were in mostly good condition throughout the state. Ongoing dry conditions continued negatively impacting many pastures, most especially in the central and southern peninsula. Limited rainfall has helped improved the conditions of some pastures in the Panhandle. Many producers continued supplying water and hay to cattle.
–USDA, NASS