MAITLAND, Fla. — According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Florida, there were 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, March 14, 2021. Precipitation for the state ranged from no rain in many locations to 0.9 of an inch in North Miami Beach (Miami-Dade County). The average mean temperature ranged from 55.9°F in Niceville (Okaloosa County) to 74.1°F at Key West International Airport (Monroe County).
Citrus
Maximum temperatures in the citrus growing region ranged from the high 70s to low 80s. The citrus region did not receive any rainfall for the week. According to the March 11, 2021, U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions were sporadic across all citrus areas. Most counties in all citrus growing areas had patches of abnormally dry conditions. Only Saint Lucie, Okeechobee, Indian River, Martin, Osceola, Hillsborough, Citrus, and Marion counties are drought free.
Non-Valencia harvest is over for the season. All processing plants are processing Valencia oranges. Grapefruit harvest was less than two-hundred thousand boxes, with relatively all the white grapefruit going to processing, and about half of the red grapefruit being processed.
Mandarin harvest is running behind last season. Harvested varieties included Honey (Murcott) tangerines, Tangos, and a small quantity of other minor varieties.
Grove operations included fertilizing, mowing, hedging, topping, applying herbicide, minimal spraying, and taking care of young trees. Irrigation was being run in all areas. Groves given care looked good, with new growth. Tree are in full bloom, some with open flowers and some showing small fruitlets.
Crops
A variety of fruits and vegetables were planted and marketed last week. A very dry and warm week allowed producers to get into their fields to conduct planting and harvesting activities. Many producers prepared fields for spring and summer planting. In the panhandle, corn was planted and fields were prepped for cotton, peanuts, and soybeans. Cover crops were planted and herbicides were applied. High winds in the southern part of the peninsula delayed spraying. Sugarcane harvest continued.
Livestock and Pastures
Cattle and pasture conditions remained in mostly fair to good condition throughout the state.
To view the complete report please click here! FL-CropProgress-03-15-21 (1)
–USDA, NASS