Fall vegetable acreage down

With storage onions showing a big decline, the USDA's Oct. 3 vegetable report revealed moderately lower acreage for fall harvested fresh vegetables. From the summary:


The prospective area for harvest of 11 selected fresh market vegetables during the fall quarter is forecast at 151,370 acres, down 4 percent from last year. Acreage declined from last year for snap beans, cabbage,cauliflower, celery, head lettuce, and bell peppers while acreage increased for carrots, sweet corn, cucumbers, and tomatoes. Area harvested for broccoli remains unchanged. Area forecasted for fall melon harvest is 15,600 acres, up 1 percent from last year. Cantaloup harvested area is forecast at 12,100 acres, unchanged from 2007. Hneydew harvested area is forecast at 3,500 acres, up 6 percent from last fall.

Summer storage onion production is forecast at 51.5 million hundredweight, down 10 percent from last year. Storage onion harvested area is forecast at 99,620 acres, down 8 percent from 2007. California production, at 12.9 million hundredweight, is 1 percent below 2007. Harvested area is expected to total 30,000 acres, down 2 percent from last year.


Snap Beans: Fall fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 16,200 acres, down 12 percent from last year. In Florida, during late August, rainfall from Tropical Storm Fay delayed some fieldwork. In early September, some growers delayed planting due to persistent standing water in their fields. By mid-September fields began to dry out allowing growers to proceed with planting. In New Jersey, growing conditions were favorable for the fall snap bean crop. However, severe storms in late August damaged some fields in the South Jersey area. Overall, the crop is reported to be in good condition.

Broccoli: California's area for fall harvest is forecast at 28,000 acres, unchanged from 2007. Harvest of the fall crop is underway and is reported to range between very good to excellent condition. Production volume is expected to remain strong throughout the growing season.

Cabbage: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 5,770 acres, down 8 percent from last year. Soil moisture supplies in Georgia are reported to be adequate to short. In Florida, Tropical Storm Fay delayed some planting over the central and southern Peninsulas throughout August and September. Warm temperatures after planting boosted crop growth and development. Growers expect to plant their cabbage crop through mid-December. In New Jersey, harvest of the cabbage crop started in late September. Crop quality is reported to be good. In Texas, planting was on schedule. Harvest is expected to begin by early October.

Cantaloups: Fall cantaloup area for harvest is forecast at 12,100 acres, unchanged from 2007. Arizona's harvest began the third week of September. The season is expected to be in full swing by mid-October. In California,ideal temperatures benefitted the melon crop. No major insect or disease problems have been reported.

Carrots: Area for fresh market harvest is forecast at 19,300 acres, up 1 percent from last year. In California, baby carrots are in high demand. Harvest is underway and the crop is reported to be in good condition with no unusual disease or insect problems. In Texas, planting was on schedule. Condition of the crop is reported to be excellent in the southwest area of the State. Rainfall during July and August benefitted soil moisture.

Cauliflower: Area for fall harvest in California is forecast at 7,900 acres, down 5 percent from last year. Ideal growing conditions contributed to excellent sizing and crop quality. Harvest is underway with no disease or insect problems reported.

Celery: California's fall area for harvest is forecast at 7,000 acres, down 1 percent from 2007. Growing conditions have been favorable for the early fall celery crop.

Sweet Corn: Fresh market area for harvest is forecast at 8,800 acres, up 6 percent from last year. The California crop is in excellent condition due to favorable weather during the summer and early fall. In Florida, during late August, rainfall from Tropical Storm Fay delayed some fieldwork. In early September, some growers delayed planting due to persistent standing water in their fields. By mid-September fields began to dry out allowing growers to proceed with planting.

Cucumbers: Area for fall harvest is forecast at 5,700 acres, up 2 percent from 2007. In Florida, tropical storms during August and September delayed some plantings over the central and southern Peninsula areas. However, warm temperatures after planting boosted plant growth and development. Growers in South Carolina experienced a hot and dry growing season. In Texas, planting was on schedule despite downy mildew being reported in some fields.

Honeydews: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 3,500 acres, up 6 percent from last year. Arizona's harvest of fall season honeydews began the third week of September. California's fall melon crop is progressing well due to ideal temperatures. No major insect or disease problems have been reported.

Head Lettuce: California's area for fall harvest is forecast at 30,000 acres, down 9 percent from last year. Early planted lettuce fields have begun to emerge. Fields were being fertilized and treated to control insects.

Bell Peppers: Florida's fall a rea for harvest is forecast at 3,700 acres, down 16 percent from 2007. Planting was delayed in South Florida due to excessive rainfall.

Tomatoes: Fresh market area for fall harvest is forecast at 19,000 acres, up 3 percent from 2007. In California, harvesting of fall tomatoes was delayed in Fresno County due to water shortages. In Florida, acreage remains historically low due to flooded fields, lack of demand during the summer season, and high input costs

Summer storage onion production is forecast at 51.5 million hundredweight (cwt), down 10 per cent from last year. Harvested area is forecast at 99,620 acres, down 8 percent from 2007. The yield, at 517 cwt per acre, is down 15 cwt from last year. Planting of California=s storage onion crop was on schedule. However, cool temperatures during the growing season delayed harvest. No major disease problems were reported. In Colorado, harvest was
a week behind schedule. In Idaho, harvest was delayed due to excessive moisture and a cool summer during the growing season. In Michigan, early- planted onions emerged by the beginning of May. Prospects for the onion crop is reported to be good to excellent. In New York, severe hailstorms in central New York resulted in some loss of acreage due to abandonment. Malheur and Other Oregon producers expect lighter yields this season due to a cold spring. Wisconsin experienced very wet conditions during the early part of the year, then unseasonable dry conditions later in the season.