April 4, 2008

**FLORIDA**

**[Weather:]{.smallcaps} January** began with harvests of squash, beans,
tomatoes, and other vegetables in the southern Peninsula. However,
harvests were quickly halted in several locations throughout the State
during a cold front. Hillsborough County reported some losses in
strawberries and tomatoes due to frost damage. Some strawberry growers
kept a constant stream of water on the crop to protect them from
freezing. Hendry County reported a 10-15 percent loss from wind and
freezing temperatures. Temperatures warmed back to normal as the month
continued. Cool and dry conditions allowed field work to progress on
schedule. In Washington County, foggy mornings and mild temperatures
caused disease problems in cole crops. Occasional scattered showers in
mid-to-late January eased dry soil, but more rains were needed. Some end
of the month yields were negatively impacted from the prior freeze.
Growers marketed broccoli, sweet corn, avocado, lettuce, squash, beans,
tomatoes, asparagus, peas, strawberries, cabbage, celery, cucumbers,
eggplant, endive, escarole, peppers, and radishes. Spring planting got
underway in early **February**. Mild temperatures and mostly dry
conditions allowed harvesting and planting on most days. In the Plant
City area, peppers and squash were being planted. Farmers were getting
prepared to plant watermelons in Sumter County. Harvesting of the winter
crops continued with some decline in the volume and quality due to
earlier freeze damage. Mid-to-late February thunderstorms brought high
winds and heavy rainfall in some areas, especially in the Panhandle.
Early spring field preparations were temporarily delayed, but drought
conditions were eased. Producers marketed cabbage, broccoli, peppers,
mixed greens, beans, cucumbers, celery, endive, escarole, eggplant,
squash, strawberries, sweet corn, tomatoes, potatoes, and radishes. In
early **March** cool temperatures resulted in several freeze and frost
reports across the State. Except for a spurt of storms in early March,
very little rain fell. Cold in Flagler County caused damage to the
cabbage and potato crops. Damage reports for potatoes were widespread
and ranged from minimal to significant depending on location and stage
of growth. In Sumter County, some freeze damage was reported for
blueberries, watermelons, and squash. Harvesting of winter crops ended
while spring planting continued. Vegetables marketed during March: snap
beans, broccoli, cabbage, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, mixed
greens, okra, onions, peppers, potatoes, radishes, squash, snap beans,
strawberries, tomatoes, and zucchini.

This report reflects conditions as of April 1 and represents acreage
planted for harvest during the months of April, May, June, and July.
Estimated acreage by growing region is no longer available.

[**Snap beans:** F]{.smallcaps}reezing temperatures around mid-January
damaged the crop. Most of the beans are grown in Hendry and Miami-Dade
counties. In February, crops recovered from the January freeze and
growers were only able to supply lighter volumes. Throughout February
and the first half of March, snap beans were harvested in Florida City.
March brought dry and warmer conditions, which allowed plants to get
back on track to a more normal production.

**[Cabbage]{.smallcaps}:** From January through March harvesting of
cabbage was continuous, especially in Flagler, Putnam, and St. Johns
counties. Planting of the spring crop began in January and progressed on
schedule due to mild conditions. In Washington County, foggy mornings
and mild temperatures were causing disease problems in mid-January. The
cold temperatures in Flagler County in early March caused the cabbage
crop, which was about 50 percent harvested, to show minor signs of
damage. Cabbage harvesting gained momentum as the St. Patrick's Day
holiday drew near. Towards the end of March cabbage season wrapped up in
central parts of the State, but continued to be harvested in the
southern Peninsula.

**[Cucumbers:]{.smallcaps}** Spring planting began in January and
remained on schedule as warm, dry conditions were experienced.
Harvesting was slow in January and February due to cold temperatures. By
mid-March, cucumbers were in good condition in Fort Pierce and continued
to be replanted. Planting in Lafayette County began mid-March. In
Hillsborough County, acreage expectations were similar to last year.
Also, in Hendry County pressure on cucumbers from Downy Mildew continued
as it becomes resistant to fungicides normally used to control it. Yield
was reported as below normal.

**[Bell peppers:]{.smallcaps}** Mostly favorable weather during January
and February allowed planting and harvesting to progress. In
mid-February, cool temperatures slowed plant development over the
central and southern Peninsula.

**[Tomatoes]{.smallcaps}:** Harvesting was active in the southern and
East Coast regions in January. Growers ran overhead sprinklers and
covered vegetables to protect them from the near freezing temperatures
in early January, with some damage reported. Mostly favorable weather
conditions over the central and southern Peninsula during late January
boosted crop growth and development. In February, some areas experienced
delayed field work due to rain while others received some crop damage
from cold weather. In St Lucie, Hillsborough, Lee, and Hendry counties
tomatoes were being planted, with the number of fields planted being
reduced due to higher production costs and water use restrictions in
place. In Plant City tomatoes were harvested and marketed from February
to March. In the southern Peninsula, tomatoes that were hit with the
January freeze came to maturity by mid-March with lighter harvests.
Overall the quantity marketed was less due to cold weather and fewer
acres being planted. Warm March temperatures allowed crops to get back
on track.

**[Watermelons:]{.smallcaps}** Minor freeze damage was reported, but
some early growers were able to reset plants. Harvesting will begin in
April and continue into early July if prices hold up. Watermelon prices
and hauling truck availability will impact how long growers harvest
their crop. By early February, growers in Sumter County in central
Florida, were preparing to plant watermelons. Suwannee County began
planting their crop a few weeks later in the Big Bend area. Around
mid-March, Jefferson County in the Panhandle, reported the start of
their planting, while the watermelon crop in Sumter County received some
freeze damage.

**UNITED STATES**

**[General:]{.smallcaps}** The prospective area for harvest of 11
selected fresh market vegetables during the spring quarter is forecast
at 203,300 acres, down 1 percent from last year. Acreage declines for
snap beans, carrots, cauliflower, head lettuce, bell peppers, and
tomatoes

more than offset acreage increases for broccoli, cabbage, celery, and
sweet corn. Cucumber area remains unchanged. Melon acreage for spring
harvest is forecast at 72,450, down 2 percent from last year. Watermelon
acreage is down 1 percent from 2007 while cantaloupe acreage declined 4
percent from a year ago. Honeydew melon acreage remains unchanged from
2007. Asparagus area for spring harvest is forecast at 34,100 acres,
down 11 percent from last year. Strawberry area for harvest is forecast
at 46,500 acres, up 2 percent from a year ago.

**[Snap beans:]{.smallcaps}** Area for spring harvest is forecast at
20,200 acres, down 2 percent from last year. Georgia snap beans are in
fair to good condition. Soil moisture has been mostly adequate this
spring and temperatures were close to normal.

**[Cabbage]{.smallcaps}:** Area for spring harvest is forecast at 7,900
acres, up 14 percent from last year. In Texas, dry weather combined with
heavy irrigation provided favorable growing conditions for the cabbage
crop.

**[Cucumbers:]{.smallcaps}** Spring harvested area is forecast at 7,200
acres, unchanged from 2007.

**[Tomatoes]{.smallcaps}:** Area for harvest is forecast at 24,500
acres, down 12 percent from 2007. In California, sporadic rainfall
provided adequate water to promote plant growth. There have been no
reports of significant pest infestations or diseases.

**[Watermelons:]{.smallcaps}** Area intended for harvest is forecast at
38,500 acres, down 1 percent from last year. California\'s spring melon
crop is progressing well.

+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| **[Selected     |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Fresh Market    |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Vegetables and  |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Melons:, Area   |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Harvested by    |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Crop, State,    |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| and             |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Total,          |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| ]{.smallcaps}** |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| **[Spring       |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Season, 2006-07 |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| and Forecasted  |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Area            |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| 2008            |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| ]{.smallcaps}** |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+=================+===+=========+========+===+=======+===========+===========+
| Selected crops  | U |         | Fall   |   |       |           | 2008 area |
|                 | s |         | a      |   |       |           |           |
| and States      | u |         | creage |   |       |           | for       |
|                 | a |         |        |   |       |           | harvest   |
|                 | l |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        |   |       |           | as        |
|                 | h |         |        |   |       |           | percent   |
|                 | a |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 | r |         |        |   |       |           | of 2007   |
|                 | v |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 | e |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 | s |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 | t |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 | p |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 | e |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 | r |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 | i |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 | o |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 | d |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
|                 |   |         | Har    |   |       | For       |           |
|                 |   |         | vested |   |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        |   |       | harvest   |           |
|                 |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        |   |       | 2008      |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
|                 |   |         | 2006   | 2 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 7 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
|                 |   |         | *      |   |       |           | *Percent* |
|                 |   |         | Acres* |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| **[Snap         |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Beans]          |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| {.smallcaps}**: |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > **Florida**   |   | Apr-Jun | 11,000 |   | 1     | 11,300    | 102       |
|                 |   |         |        |   | 1,100 |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Georgia       |   | Apr-Jun | 9,600  |   | 8,000 | 7,300     | 91        |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > New Jersey    |   | Jun-Aug | 1,600  |   | 1,600 | 1,600     | 100       |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total         |   |         | 22,200 |   | 2     | 20,200    | 98        |
|                 |   |         |        |   | 0,700 |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| **[Cabbage]     |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| {.smallcaps}**: |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > **Florida**   |   | Apr-Jun | 1,400  | 1 |       | 1,900     | 106       |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 8 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Georgia       |   | Apr-Jun | 3,900  | 3 |       | 4,400     | 122       |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 6 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > New Jersey    |   | May-Aug | 1,000  | 1 |       | 1,000     | 100       |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Texas         |   | Apr-Jun | 700    | 5 |       | 600       | 120       |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total         |   |         | 7,000  | 6 |       | 7,900     | 115       |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 9 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| **[Sweet        |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Corn]           |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| {.smallcaps}**: |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > **Florida**   |   | Apr-Jul | 21,000 | 2 |       | 21,700    | 106       |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 5 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > California    |   | Apr-Jun | 12,000 | 1 |       | 13,000    | 108       |
|                 |   |         |        | 2 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total         |   |         | 33,000 | 3 |       | 34,700    | 107       |
|                 |   |         |        | 2 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 5 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| **[Cucumbers]   |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| {.smallcaps}**: |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > **Florida**   |   | Apr-Jun | 5,500  | 5 |       | 5,800     | 104       |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 6 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > South         |   | May-Aug | 1,100  | 1 |       | 1,000     | 83        |
| > Carolina      |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 2 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Texas         |   | Apr-Jun | 600    | 4 |       | 400       | 100       |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total         |   |         | 7,200  | 7 |       | 7,200     | 100       |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 2 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| [**Bell         |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| Peppers**:      |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| ^1^]            |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| {.smallcaps}^/^ |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > **Florida**   |   | Apr-Jul | 7,500  | 7 |       | 7,100     | 96        |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 4 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Texas         |   |         | 100    |   |       |           |           |
| > [^2           |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| /^]{.smallcaps} |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total         |   |         | 7,600  | 7 |       | 7,100     | 96        |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 4 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| **[Tomatoes]    |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| {.smallcaps}**: |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > **Florida**   |   | Apr-Jul | 17,500 | 1 |       | 15,000    | 87        |
|                 |   |         |        | 7 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 2 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > California    |   | Apr-Jun | 8,000  | 8 |       | 7,000     | 88        |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > South         |   | May-Aug | 3,000  | 2 |       | 2,500     | 93        |
| > Carolina      |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 7 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total         |   |         | 28,500 | 2 |       | 24,500    | 88        |
|                 |   |         |        | 7 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 9 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| **[Watermelons  |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| ]{.smallcaps}** |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > **Florida**   |   | Apr-Jul | 25,300 | 2 |       | 24,300    | 98        |
|                 |   |         |        | 4 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 8 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Texas         |   | Apr-Jun | 10,100 | 1 |       | 10,600    | 100       |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 6 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > California    |   | May-Aug | 3,300  | 3 |       | 3,600     | 106       |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 4 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > Total         |   |         | 38,700 | 3 |       | 38,500    | 99        |
|                 |   |         |        | 8 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 8 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| **TOTAL OF      |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| CROPS LISTED**  |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > **Florida**   |   |         | 89,200 | 8 |       | 87,100    | 99        |
|                 |   |         |        | 8 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 4 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| > United States |   |         | 1      | 1 |       | 140,100   | 99        |
|                 |   |         | 44,200 | 4 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 1 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | , |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 4 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        | 0 |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+
| ^1/^ Includes   |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| fresh market    |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| and processing. |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
|                 |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| ^2/^ Estimates  |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| discontinued in |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| 2007[^          |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
| .^]{.smallcaps} |   |         |        |   |       |           |           |
+-----------------+---+---------+--------+---+-------+-----------+-----------+