According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Florida, there were 6.4 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, December 31, 2023. Precipitation for the state ranged from 0.1 inches in Palm Beach Gardens (Palm Beach County) to 5.2 inches at  Marathon Airport (Monroe County). The average mean temperature ranged from 49.0°F at Whiting Field Naval  Air Station South (Santa Rosa County) to 70.6°F in Dry Tortugas (Monroe County).

Citrus 

Temperatures were below average in the citrus-growing region last week, with highs from the high 60’s to the low 70’s. The warmest readings were recorded in Sebring  (Highlands County) hitting 72 degrees, followed by  Clermont (Lake County), Kenansville (Osceola County),  and Bartow (Polk County), all reading 69 degrees. The citrus belt received widespread light to moderate rainfall during the reporting period associated with the passage of a  minor cold front. The most rain fell in Muse (Glades  County), reporting 1.90 inches of precipitation, followed by  Clermont (Lake County) registering 0.69 inches, and  Kenansville (Osceola County) measuring 0.55 inches.  According to the December 28, 2023, U.S. Drought  Monitor, there were no appreciable changes to the various levels of drought and abnormal dryness in the Gulf coast citrus counties. The rest of the citrus growing region continued to be drought free.

Grove operations included spraying pesticides and nutritionals, applying herbicide, fertilizing, mowing,  hedging, topping, removal of dead trees, replanting young trees, construction of screenhouses, and general grove maintenance. Irrigation was being run on an as-needed basis statewide. Sizing on this season’s fruit was as follows:

oranges approximately tennis ball to larger than baseball size and grapefruit softball size or larger. Field personnel reported color break beginning in many Valencia orange groves. Bloom was observed in scattered groves across the state.

Harvest of Orri, SugarBelle, and Tango tangerines; Navel,  early, and midseason oranges; and red and white grapefruit for the fresh market was in a lull due to the holidays,  however, harvest was expected to be back in full swing shortly thereafter. After brief holiday closures, thirteen packinghouses were active and all processing plants were open to accept packinghouse eliminations and field run fruit.

Crops 

Most of the state received light to moderate showers last week, which helped to alleviate drought conditions in some areas. The state also experienced cooler temperatures last week, although no adverse impacts have been reported. Cool-season crops were reported to be in good condition. Crops planted and harvested last week include green beans, yellow squash, zucchini, sweet corn,  eggplant, peppers, bitter melon, cabbage, and other Asian vegetables. Many farmers continued laying plastic and planting tomatoes and boniato potatoes.

Livestock and Pastures 

Cattle were reported in mostly good to fair condition while pastures were reported mostly fair to good. Cattle producers reported an overall increase to herd health and pasture & range conditions due to the timely rain.

Source - https://www.morningagclips.com