MAITLAND, Fla. — December temperatures were on average 1.7 degrees cooler to 14.3 degrees warmer than historical values depending on location. Total rainfall for the month ranged from 0.1 inches in multiple locations to 7.5 inches in Palm Beach County.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, 22 percent of the state was moderately dry in December and no areas experienced drought conditions. Pasture conditions remained mostly fair to good. Seasonal decline of pasture was slowed due to unseasonably warm weather. Cattle conditions remained mostly good throughout the state. Sugarcane planting and harvest progressed well with few complications. Fungal problems were reported to be under control in the state, but disease in the southern region of the state continued because of heavy fog late in December.
Vegetable growers began terminating fall crops and started planting spring crops. Crops marketed included tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, sweet corn, green beans, yellow squash, zucchini, bitter melons, herbs, and avocados. Grove activities included mowing, fertilizing, maintenance hedging, spraying and general grove maintenance. Citrus fruit harvested included white and red grapefruit, early and midseason oranges, tangerines, and tangelos.
–USDA, NASS