**FLORIDA**

**Weather:** Dry conditions over most of the Peninsula during the first
two weeks in **October,** allowed fieldwork to progress on schedule**.**
Pleasant daytime highs were in the 80s and 90s while nighttime lows were
in the 50s, 60s. The harvesting of sweet corn, squash, cucumbers,
tomatoes and watermelons got underway with very light amounts picked. By
mid-month, vegetables harvesting in central and southern Peninsula areas
continued to increase slowly. Tomato picking remained active around the
Quincy area, while in Dade County, growers continued to cut okra
throughout the month. In Washington County, irrigated fall vegetables
were in good condition. In Hillsborough County, growers started planting
strawberries. Towards the end of the month, recorded temperatures at the
major stations averaged from two to four degrees above normal with
Miami, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach setting record highs.
Vegetable growers lay plastic in Hardee County. By the last week in
October, a cold front crossing the State brought welcomed rains to
nearly all localities. However, Homestead, Orlando, Miami and Ft.
Lauderdale reported a third of an inch or less rain. The picking of
beans and bell peppers got underway, while the harvesting of corn,
cucumbers, eggplant, other peppers, squash and tomatoes increased with
light amounts available. In Washington County, tomato and watermelon
harvests were in full swing with watermelon picking winding down.

**November** began with measurable rain falling in southern Peninsula
localities, with Miami recording nearly four and a half inches for the
week; Ft. Lauderdale reported a little over two inches; Homestead,
nearly an inch and two thirds; and Ft. Pierce, about a third inch.
Elsewhere, most areas received no measurable rain. A very light amount
of strawberries were harvested in the Plant City and Dover areas. In
Washington County, watermelon producers completed fall crop harvesting
while tomato picking continued at a very active pace. Other vegetables
marketed included snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers,
radishes, squash, and tomatoes. By mid-November, harvesting of fall
vegetables continued to increase moderately over the central and
southern Peninsula localities as growers prepared to meet the
Thanksgiving Day demand. Some areas in the southern Peninsula received
less than the average amount of rainfall for the season. Voluntary cut
back on water usage was requested to ensure there was enough water for
various uses, including crop irrigation. Warm days and mostly cool
evenings aided crop development, which allowed field activities to
progress on schedule. During the latter part of November, two cold
fronts crossing the State brought chilly temperatures to nearly all
areas. The cool temperatures slowed plant growth and fruit maturation in
most areas. However, the dry conditions allowed planting and harvesting
to proceed on schedule. Strawberry picking around Plant City and Dover
and the harvesting of escarole, endive, and lettuce around Lake
Okeechobee increased slowly with very light amounts marketed. Other
vegetables marketed included snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers,
eggplant, okra, peppers, radishes, squash, and tomatoes.

**December** started with mostly favorable conditions, which allowed
planting and harvesting to stay on schedule. Growers in Alachua County
finished harvesting snap beans with growers experiencing stem rot
disease on some acreage. Strawberry growers in Hillsborough County were
slightly behind schedule due to the continuous temperature changes.
Growers needed cooler temperatures to aid maturation and berry
development. Growers started marketing light shipments of strawberries.
Light harvesting of endive and escarole got underway. By mid-December,
warmer temperatures around Immokalee, Homestead, Balm, and Ft. Pierce
helped the growth and development of vegetables with harvesting for the
holiday market in full swing. Towards the end of the month, drier
weather over the southern Peninsula kept most planting and harvesting on
schedule. Vegetables being marketed included snap beans, cabbage, sweet
corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, peppers, radishes,
squash, strawberries, and tomatoes. Very light amounts of celery, okra,
and parsley were also shipped.

**[Snap Beans]{.smallcaps}:** Winter harvested acreage is forecast at
12,400 acres, down 6 percent from last year. Harvest started by the
fourth week in October with very light movement reported. Mostly mild
conditions during October through December allowed growers to keep
winter crop planting on schedule.

**[Cabbage]{.smallcaps}:** Producers expect to harvest 4,300 acres
through March, up 400 acres or 10 percent, above last year\'s revised
3,900 acres harvested. Harvesting in central and southern Peninsula
areas started by the second week of December with producers marketing
very light amounts.

**[Sweet Corn]{.smallcaps}:** Harvested acreage is forecast at 7,000
acres, up 3,400 acres or 94 percent, from last year\'s freeze damaged
revised 3,600 acres harvested as the winter crop. Harvesting began by
mid-October and marketing activity continued during November and
December.

**[Bell Peppers]{.smallcaps}:** Winter harvested acreage is forecast at
6,100 acres, unchanged from last year's revised acreage. Collier County
growers were still planting peppers by the fourth week in October. Bell
pepper picking got underway between the end of October and beginning of
November, with light amounts marketed.

**[Strawberries]{.smallcaps}:** Area expected to be harvested is
forecast at 7,500 acres, up 200 acres or 3 percent, from last year\'s
revised 7,300 acres harvested. Producers started transplanting at the
end of September with virtually all planting completed by the end of
October. Cooler temperatures at the end of October through all of
November increased the quality of the berries. However, very warm
temperatures for most of December adversely affected berry quality. Very
light harvesting started in early November with a moderate amount
available for the Thanksgiving Day market. Picking increased steadily as
more acreage reached maturity in December.

**[Tomatoes]{.smallcaps}:** Winter tomato acreage is forecast at 10,000
acres, down 1,000 acres or 9 percent, from last year\'s 11,000 acres
harvested. By the third week in October, tomato picking was active in
the Quincy area and has started in some southern Peninsula areas.
Towards the end of November, tomato picking was gaining momentum in the
Palmetto-Ruskin, Immokalee, and East Coast areas, while in the Quincy
region tomato picking was decreasing. Mostly mild conditions in November
and December allowed harvest to proceed on schedule.

**UNITED STATES**

The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables
during the winter quarter is forecast at 179,200 acres. This is
unchanged from 2006 but 3 percent below 2005. Acreage declined for snap
beans, carrots, celery, head lettuce, spinach, and tomatoes. Acreage
increased for broccoli, cabbage, and sweet corn. Cauliflower and bell
peppers remain the same.

**[Cabbage:]{.smallcaps}** Winter acreage for harvest is forecast at
10,800 acres, 2 percent above 2006 but down 14 percent from 2005. In
Florida, mostly mild conditions during October through December allowed
planting to proceed on schedule. Light harvest started by mid-December.
In Texas, heavy rainfall in the Lower Valley during September caused
flooding and seed washouts that kept the cabbage crop from getting a
good start. Some fields had to be transplanted instead of grown from
seed.

**[Celery]{.smallcaps}**: The winter celery crop for harvest in
California is forecast at 6,800 acres, down 6 percent from last year and
9 percent below the year before. The winter celery crop is in good
condition with no pest or disease problems reported.

**[Head Lettuce]{.smallcaps}**: Area for harvest is forecast at 65,000
acres, down 2 percent from last year and 4 percent below the year
before. In Florida, the growing and harvest season has been
significantly affected by below average and freezing temperatures. These
temperatures resulted in delayed harvest with the crop suffering from
frost damage, epidermal peeling, and smaller head sizes. In California,
lettuce fields are in various stages of growth. Growers had to treat
their crop to control insects. There are concerns that mildew may affect
the crop by causing smaller head sizes, lower yields, and reduced
quality.

+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Selected Fresh  |       |         |         |         |         |
| Market Vegetables  |       |         |         |         |         |
| and                |       |         |         |         |         |
| Strawberri         |       |         |         |         |         |
| es]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
| Area for Harvest   |       |         |         |         |         |
| by Crop, State,    |       |         |         |         |         |
| and                |       |         |         |         |         |
|                    |       |         |         |         |         |
| Total, Winter      |       |         |         |         |         |
| Season, 2005-2006  |       |         |         |         |         |
| and Forecasted     |       |         |         |         |         |
| Area 2007          |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| Selected crops     | Usual | Winter  |         |         | 2007    |
|                    |       | acreage |         |         | area    |
| and States         | ha    |         |         |         |         |
|                    | rvest |         |         |         | for     |
|                    |       |         |         |         | harvest |
|                    | p     |         |         |         |         |
|                    | eriod |         |         |         | as      |
|                    |       |         |         |         | percent |
|                    |       |         |         |         |         |
|                    |       |         |         |         | of 2006 |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|                    |       | Ha      |         | For     |         |
|                    |       | rvested |         |         |         |
|                    |       |         |         | harvest |         |
|                    |       |         |         |         |         |
|                    |       |         |         | 2007    |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|                    |       | 2005    | 2006    |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|                    |       | *Acres* |         |         | *P      |
|                    |       |         |         |         | ercent* |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Snap            |       |         |         |         |         |
| Bea                |       |         |         |         |         |
| ns]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Florida          | Ja    | 12,500  | 13,200  | 12,400  | 94      |
|                    | n-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Cabba           |       |         |         |         |         |
| ge]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Florida          | Ja    | 5,000   | 3,900   | 4,300   | 110     |
|                    | n-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Texas            | De    | 7,600   | 6,700   | 6,500   | 97      |
|                    | c-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Total            |       | 12,600  | 10,600  | 10,800  | 102     |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Sweet           |       |         |         |         |         |
| Co                 |       |         |         |         |         |
| rn]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Florida          | Ja    | 7,800   | 3,600   | 7,000   | 194     |
|                    | n-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Bell            |       |         |         |         |         |
| Pepp               |       |         |         |         |         |
| er]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
| ^1/^               |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Florida          | Ja    | 6,300   | 6,100   | 6,100   | 100     |
|                    | n-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Tomato          |       |         |         |         |         |
| es]{.smallcaps}:** |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Florida          | Ja    | 12,500  | 11,000  | 10,000  | 91      |
|                    | n-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Carro           |       |         |         |         |         |
| ts]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > California       | Ja    | 18,000  | 20,000  | 19,300  | 97      |
|                    | n-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Texas            | De    | 1,500   | 1,200   | 1,000   | 83      |
|                    | c-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Total            |       | 19,500  | 21,200  | 20,300  | 96      |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Head            |       |         |         |         |         |
| Lettu              |       |         |         |         |         |
| ce]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| >                  | No    | 49,600  | 47,600  | 46,000  | 97      |
|  Arizona\--Western | v-Apr |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > California       | Ja    | 18,000  | 19,000  | 19,000  | 100     |
|                    | n-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Total            |       | 67,600  | 66,600  | 65,000  | 98      |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Brocco          |       |         |         |         |         |
| li]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
| ^1/^               |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > California       | Ja    | 27,000  | 28,500  | 30,000  | 105     |
|                    | n-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Cauliflow       |       |         |         |         |         |
| er]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
| ^1/^               |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > California       | Ja    | 8,500   | 9,000   | 9,000   | 100     |
|                    | n-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Cele            |       |         |         |         |         |
| ry]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
| ^1/^               |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > California       | Ja    | 7,500   | 7,200   | 6,800   | 94      |
|                    | n-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Spina           |       |         |         |         |         |
| ch]{.smallcaps}**: |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Texas            | De    | 2,100   | 2,200   | 1,800   | 82      |
|                    | c-Mar |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **TOTAL OF CROPS   |       |         |         |         |         |
| LISTED**           |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Florida          |       | 44,100  | 37,800  | 39,800  | 105     |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > United States    |       | 183,900 | 179,200 | 179,200 | 100     |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
|                    |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| **[Strawberries]{  |       |         |         |         |         |
| .smallcaps}**:^1/^ |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| > Florida          | De    | 7,300   | 7,300   | 7,500   | 103     |
|                    | c-May |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+
| ^1/^ Includes      |       |         |         |         |         |
| fresh market and   |       |         |         |         |         |
| processing.        |       |         |         |         |         |
+--------------------+-------+---------+---------+---------+---------+