5 Top Agricultural Products Grown in Florida

Florida is a major agricultural center in the United States. When many people think of farming in Florida, they think of groves of citrus trees. Citrus fruits are one of the most significant crops grown in Florida but are not the only agricultural products from the state. Because the climate of Florida is warm, it has a long growing season suitable for a number of crops. Modern equipment such as a farm and fleet air compressor Jacksonville FL helps to make agriculture easier and more successful. Here are some of the top products grown in Florida.

1. Field Crops

Field crops are products such as soybeans, peanuts, and tobacco. One of the most significant field crops grown in Florida is sugarcane. Sugarcane is a type of grass that contains sucrose. When extracted from the plant, sucrose forms ordinary table sugar. In the United States, Florida is the leading producer of sugarcane.

2. Eggs/Poultry

It is not only farm crops that are grown in Florida but livestock as well. Livestock includes animals both large and small. Chickens are an example of the latter. Poultry farming in Florida involves raising chickens both for their eggs and for their meat.

3. Non-Citrus Fruits

Some non-citrus fruits grown in Florida can only grow in tropical or subtropical climates. Examples include papayas and bananas. Other non-citrus fruits can also grow in the north, but only during the summertime. Fruits like watermelons and strawberries can grow in Florida during the off-season in the northern states so that they are available all year round. Many people consider tomatoes vegetables, but they are technically a type of fruit. After citrus fruits, tomatoes are the second leading crop in Florida.

4. Large Livestock

Many people think of large animals, such as horses and cows, when they think of livestock. Thoroughbred horse breeding is important in Florida. Milk produced on dairy farms is a significant agricultural product as well. Cold weather can be tough on cows, both because of the low temperatures and the scarcity of food. This is rarely, if ever, an issue on Florida dairy farms. Cattle in Florida are sometimes also raised for beef.

5. Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits are the most important agricultural product in Florida. They include tangerines, limes, tangelos, and grapefruit. However, the most significant citrus fruit grown in Florida is the orange. Citrus fruits may be sold in their natural state or processed into juice. They are not native to Florida but have flourished there due to the favorable climate.