Mostly Dry Conditions; Field Work Moved Forward

Weather Summary: Last week most Florida Automated Weather Network (FAWN) stations received rainfall. The higher levels of precipitation were in the southern Peninsula with Broward, Miami-Dade, and Sarasota counties collecting over an inch each. Jefferson and Gadsden counties in the Panhandle recorded 1.66 and 0.94 inches, respectively. Other locations around the State received less than half an inch. High temperatures were in the upper 70s to mid 80s. Lows ranged from the 50s to 70s, with a few nights reaching the 40s. In major cities, temperatures averaged normal to 3 degrees above normal. Soil moisture levels were mostly short to adequate.

Field Crops: Flagler County potato growers reported that the crop made it through the cold and did not have to be replanted. Potato harvest progressed in the southern Peninsula. Corn, tobacco, and peanut planting took place in some north Florida fields. Many other fields were still being prepped and needed more rain. Hay was growing well in Flagler County.

Vegetables: Light volumes of cucumbers were marketed from central and south Florida. In central and northern Florida, blueberry growers began light harvesting. Hernando County growers reported the blueberry crop two weeks behind schedule due to the cold. Cabbage production in Flagler County was still below normal. Melons were planted in Washington and Dixie counties, while most watermelon fields in Gilchrist, Charlotte, and Levy counties were already planted. Spring tomatoes in Gadsden County were in excellent condition. Producers in Okeechobee and Manatee counties experienced cold delays and began spring harvest only recently. Snap beans, cabbage, celery, sweet corn, eggplant, endive, escarole, peppers, radishes, squash, strawberries, specialty items, and tomatoes moved through the market last week.

Livestock and Pastures: The pasture condition improved slightly following warmer growing condtions; however, forage growth was limited due to unseasonably cool weather. In the Panhandle areas, the pasture condition was poor to excellent with most fair to good. Ryegrass was at peak condition. Summer perennial pasture was turning green as the soil temperature slowly increased. Some pasture in Jefferson County had standing water, while in Santa Rosa County it was dry. In the northern areas, pasture condition was poor to good with most fair to good. Pasture and range had greened up but growth was minimal due to cool soil and nights. Cool season forages were about at maturity and stopped growing. Hay feeding was active but at a reduced rate. In the central areas, the pasture condition was very poor to good with most fair. Most cattle were in fair condition. Pasture grass growth remained very slow due to a combination of cold weather, cold soil temperatures, and now dry conditions. The cattle condition was in very poor to fair condition. In the southwestern areas, the pasture condition was poor to good with most fair. The pasture condition improved markedly over the last week. Statewide, the condition of the cattle was poor to excellent with most fair to good.