U.S. Crops Hit By Return of Cold Weather

February 23, 2006
UPI
Monsters and Critics

WASHINGTON, DC, United States (UPI) -- Below normal temperatures returned to most of the United States last week, posing a threat to some winter wheat that lacked snow cover.

Meanwhile, precipitation was scare across the nation, the U.S. Agriculture Department said Wednesday.

In California, harvest of navel oranges, grapefruit, lemons, mandarins, and tangerines continued, while blooming was active in many early almond orchards. Conditions in Arizona were mostly warm and very dry. Harvest of citrus and vegetable crops was active.

In Georgia, hay producers reported short supplies due to the increase of supplemental feeding of livestock.

Record low temperatures in Florida slowed development and harvest of vegetables, though there were no reports of fruit damage in citrus groves.

Copyright 2006 by United Press International

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