In some areas hay is starting to run low. Statewide, cattle are mostly in poor to fair condition. Florida's citrus groves were treated to cool days and cold nights until Saturday and Sunday when the daytime temperatures reached the 70-degree mark. The cold nighttime temperatures have helped refrigerate most of the fruit and minimize any juice loss from the freezing temperatures the first of the year. There were a few scattered rain showers the first of this week.
More rain is needed in all areas.
Growers and caretakers are irrigating to help maintain good tree condition and to try to improve juice levels. Early and midseason orange harvest continues at a very active pace with just about a million boxes per day average. All juice plants are very busy. The fresh fruit packing houses are shipping all types of citrus with very little difficulty. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops prior to harvesting for fire protection.