United States Department of Agriculture
National Agricultural Statistics Service
Florida Crop Progress
and Condition Report		
			
Cooperating with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and the UF/IFAS Extension Service
Southern Region, Florida Field Office · 851 Trafalgar Court Suite 310 E · Maitland, FL 32751 · (407) 648-6013 ·(855) 271-9801 FAX
www.nass.usda.gov	
This report contains data collected each week from respondents across the state whose occupations provide them opportunities to discuss agricultural production with farmers in their counties as well as to make visual observations. We thank all who have contributed to this report.	
September 6, 2022

	Media Contact: Mark Hudson	

General
According to the National Agricultural Statistics Service in Florida, there were 6.3 days suitable for fieldwork for the week ending Sunday, September 4, 2022. Precipitation for the state ranged from no rainfall to 8.4 inches in Muse (Glades County). The average mean temperature ranged from 79.9°F in Naples (Collier County) to 89.4°F at Naval Air Station Key West (Monroe County).

Citrus
Temperatures were seasonably warm in the citrus growing region last week, with highs in the low to mid-90s. The hottest readings were recorded in Clermont (Lake County) with 94 degrees, followed by Bartow (Polk County), Kenansville (Osceola County), and Sebring (Highlands County), all registering 92 degrees. The citrus belt received scattered light to moderate rainfall during the reporting period, with some notably heavy local totals, as the normal wet-season pattern of afternoon thunderstorms formed by the collision of sea breezes remained dominant. The most rain fell in Bartow (Polk County), receiving 8.6 inches of precipitation, followed by Muse (Glades County) reporting 8.4 inches. According to the September 1, 2022, U.S. Drought Monitor, abnormally dry conditions persisted from the Atlantic coast inland past Lake Okeechobee, and from Melbourne south through the Everglades. This broad area of abnormal dryness thus overspread all citrus production along the Indian River, surrounding Lake Okeechobee, and approximately half of the central citrus producing counties. The pocket of moderate drought in southern Brevard County and northern Indian River County also remained entrenched, however the rest of the citrus producing region continued to be drought free.

Grove operations included spraying pesticides, herbicides, and nutritionals, fertilizing, limited mowing, removal of dead trees, and general grove maintenance. Irrigation was being run as needed in all areas. Next season’s crop progressed as normal, with oranges about golf ball to baseball size and grapefruit larger than softball size. Field personnel continued reporting color break on grapefruit and early oranges.
Crops
Most of the central to western part of the peninsula along with parts of the Panhandle received a few inches of rainfall during the week. With most of those locations receiving reoccurring afternoon showers during the week, soil conditions along with crop conditions continued to improve.

Cotton bolls setting was completed across the state and many producers noted bolls were beginning to open. Despite mostly good conditions, some cotton producers in the northern part of the state noted hardlock disease starting to appear. Peanut digging gained momentum while some producers began harvesting activities. Sugarcane producers were optimistic that wet conditions will allow planting activities to get off on a strong start in the next couple to weeks. 

A variety of fruits and vegetables were harvested throughout the state last week including okra, bitter melons, and avocados. Tomato and watermelon planting began in the west central and southern part of the state. Farmers mowed down remaining cover crops and started preparations for fall strawberry and vegetable production.

Livestock and Pastures
Cattle conditions as well as pasture and range conditions remained mostly good to excellent. Widespread showers continued to help pastures keep up with cattle needs. Producers started weaning calves. 

Crop Progress for Week Ending 09/04/22
Crop	Prev year	Prev week	This week	5 Year avg	
	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	

Cotton – Setting Bolls..	
100	
99	
100	
98	
Cotton – Bolls Opening	19	16	20	29	
Peanuts – Dug………..	12	7	11	12	
Peanuts – Harvested…	9	2	5	7	

Conditions for Week Ending 09/04/22
Crop	Very poor	Poor	Fair	Good	Excellent	
	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	(percent)	

Cattle……………...	
0	
1	
16	
60	
23	
Cotton…………….	0	1	24	63	12	
Pasture & range…	0	1	17	55	27	
Peanuts…………...	0	0	22	72	6	

Soil Moisture for Week Ending 09/04/22
Topsoil	Previous week	This week	
	(percent)	(percent)	

Very short……………....	
1	
0	
Short…………………….	7	8	
Adequate………...……..	78	81	
Surplus………………….	14	11	

https://mrcc.purdue.edu/CLIMATE