By Clint Thompson
Another month of sweet corn harvests is expected in South Florida. One grower believes the favorable weather conditions contributed to strong quality and quantity in this year’s crop.
“We’ve had really good weather. It’s been a little dry, but we have not had any freezes that have knocked things out. We haven’t had any floods to damage fields or make fields where you couldn’t harvest,” said Florida sweet corn producer Eric Hopkins. “That’s one of the reasons there’s extra quantity around is because of the favorable weather conditions.
“There’s plenty of it. Everybody is harvesting right now, and it’s prime season. There’s good quality around and good quantity around, also.”
Drought Monitor
Dry weather is prevalent across most of Florida, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. Drought-like conditions, ranging from abnormally dry to extreme drought, are observed across most of the state. Hopkins’ farm, Hundley Farms, is based in Belle Glade, Florida, which is located in an area of extreme drought.
Hopkins understands the unpredictability of Florida weather, however, and a heavy rain event is not out of the question with another month of harvest left.
“We haven’t dodged it yet; still got another month to go. There’s a lot of times in May where you’ll get some crazy rains. All of a sudden you get a 3- or 4-inch rain event, and you can’t get in the field to harvest,” Hopkins noted. “We’re getting a little sprinkle around today, but to be honest, we need it. We’re a little dry right now.”
Hopkins said pricing has been low this season, which is not uncommon for this time of year.
“It’s always a little slow right after Easter. The couple of days before Easter and few days after Easter tend to be slow because of the holiday. But movement seems to be picking up,” Hopkins said.
Hopkins’ Florida sweet corn will be harvested through the end of May.