MAITLAND, Fla. — According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Florida, there were 6.8 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, February 27, 2022. Precipitation for the state ranged from little rain to 0.8 inches at the Miami Opa Locka Airport (Miami-Dade County). The average mean temperature ranged from 62.5°F in Niceville (Okaloosa County) to 80.5°F Key West (Monroe County).
Citrus
Temperatures continued to warm across the citrus growing region this week, with average highs in the high-70s to the mid-80s. No weather monitoring station in the citrus belt received any measurable precipitation during the reporting period. According to the half of the citrus growing region, including portions of the northern, central, and southern areas, and all of the western area. Furthermore, moderate drought conditions had formed in part of the northern area due to deteriorating moisture profiles there.
Varieties harvested for the fresh market included early, midseason and late oranges; Honey, Royal, Tango, and Orri tangerines; Minneola tangelos; and red and white grapefruit. Processing plants were transitioning to regular field run Valencias while continuing to take freeze affected fruit; processing of early and midseason oranges was winding down. Processing plants were also running field run fruit and accepting packinghouse eliminations for grapefruit.
Reports from field personnel indicated continued bloom and flush in orange groves, along with Valencia oranges beginning to break color. Grove operations included spraying pesticides and nutritional formulas, fertilizing, herbiciding, mowing, hedging, topping, removal of dead trees, replanting young trees, and general grove maintenance. Due to the lack of rain over the past several weeks, irrigation was being run frequently in all areas. The water level in canals and ditches remained low across the state.
Crops
Corn fields were prepared, and some producers started planting. Dry conditions continued through the week, contributing to some wind erosion. A variety of fruits and vegetables were harvested last week. Producers nearly finished harvesting January’s frost damaged sugarcane. Rice planting continued and some boniato potatoes were replanted.
Livestock and Pastures
Pasture remained in mostly poor and fair condition which may impact the spring green up, causing livestock producers to supplement feed a little longer. Cattle conditions remained mostly fair and good.
To view the complete report please click here! FL-CropProgress-2-28-22
–USDA, NASS