Crop Progress and Condition for the Week Ending July 5, 2015.
Weather Summary: According to Florida’s Automated Weather Network (FAWN), rainfall ranged from 0.2 of an inch to 4.05 inches at Sebring (Highlands County). Per the U.S. Drought Monitor, Florida was 59 percent drought free the week of June 30 – July 5. Temperatures ranged from 66 degrees for night time lows to 98 degrees for day time highs. The daytime high temperatures ranged from 91 in Mayo (Lafayette County) to 98 degrees in Sebring (Highlands County). The lowest temperature in the State was 66 degrees in Quincy (Gadsden County).
Field Crops: There was an average of 5.9 days suitable for field work this past week, down from 6.4 in the previous week. Jefferson County crops were responding well to cooler temperatures and more rain. Farmers in Dixie County were harvesting corn. Corn silage harvest was underway in Suwannee County.
Fruit and Vegetables: Crops harvested in Miami-Dade County were okra, boniato, malanga, bitter melon, mango, and avocadoes.
Livestock and Pastures: Pasture quality improved this past week in the Panhandle and southwest Florida due to much needed rain. Statewide, the cattle condition was mostly good, while the pasture condition was fair to good.
Citrus: Daily temperatures were seasonably warm across the citrus region. All areas reached the mid to high 90s on at least one day this past week. Sebring (Highlands County) recorded the highest temperature at 97.7 degrees. Rainfall was abundant this past week in citrus producing counties. Thirteen of sixteen monitored rain stations recorded over two inches for the week.
The other three station recorded about an inch of rainfall. The highest amount was in Sebring (Highland County) at 4.05 inches. As per the U.S. Drought Monitor, last updated June 30, 2015, abnormally dry conditions still cover the complete Indian River District and eastern portions of Osceola, Okeechobee, Glades, Hendry, and Collier Counties. The remainder of the citrus area was drought free.
Growers were focusing on next season’s crop. Irrigation was running only where needed. Grove maintenance included pump repair, some mowing, and spraying as rainfall permitted. Old non-productive or “loser” blocks and trees were being pushed. Those that have trees available were being encouraged to reset young trees in established groves or plant new groves.
