MAITLAND, Fla. — According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Florida, there were 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, October 4, 2020. Precipitation for the state ranged from trace amounts of rain in multiple locations to 12.6 inches in Nettles Island (St. Lucie County). The average mean temperature ranged from 65.8°F in Whiting Field (Santa Rosa County) to 84.3°F in Key West International Airport (Monroe County).
Citrus
High temperatures in the citrus growing region ranged from the mid 80s to low 90s. The highest maximum temperature reading was in Ortona Lock (Glades County), at 92°F. All areas received sufficient rainfall for the week. The greatest rainfall was near Fort Pierce (St. Lucie County), at 10.9 inches, followed by Muse (Glades County), at 6.3, and Mount Plymouth (Lake County), at 5.3 inches. According to the October 1, 2020, U.S. Drought Monitor, the entire citrus growing region remained drought free.
Growers began harvesting Fallglo tangerines. Early non- Valencia oranges are just beginning to be processed.
Next season’s fruit progressed well. Early oranges were about baseball size, while Valencia oranges were approximately tennis ball size to baseball size. Grapefruit were softball size or larger. Grove activities included mowing, spraying herbicides, spraying nutritionals, fertilizing, removal of dead trees, planting new trees, and general grove maintenance.
Crops
A variety of fruits and vegetables were planted and marketed. Vegetable growers prepared for fall planting in the southern peninsula. Cotton damage assessments due to Hurricane Sally continued. Farmers in the Panhandle noted boll rot, disease, a loss of lint, and seeds sprouting in bolls due to excess moisture. Many farmers were digging peanuts, but noted harvesting them may be challenging with the wet soil. With dry conditions in the northern peninsula and Panhandle, many farmers cut hay. Strawberry plants were planted in the middle part of the peninsula. Sugarcane harvest continued this week in the southern part of the peninsula. Farmers noted standing water in the southern parts of the peninsula reducing time spent in the field this week.
Livestock and Pastures
Cattle and pastures remained in mostly good condition throughout the state. Plentiful pastures showed some seasonal decline. Fields were prepared for cool-season forage.
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–USDA, NASS
