HDR101200019001 FL WEEKLY WEATHER-CROP NEWS Week ending July 13, 1997 Released 4:00 P.M. July 14, 1997 WEATHER SUMMARY: Warm temperatures and almost daily showers continued during the week of July 6 through 12. Most stations reported from two-thirds inch to one and two-thirds inches of rain falling except for two and two-thirds inches at Orlando and about four inches at Jacksonville. Most high temperatures averaged in the low 90s while lows were mostly in the low to mid- 70s. Temperatures for the week ranged from three degrees above normal at Valparaiso to one degree below at Orlando and Jacksonville. Official stations' reports for June show that rainfall varied from five inches at Valparaiso to thirteen inches at Miami with Tampa reporting only about an inch and a half accumulation. These totals were a quarter inch to almost four inches above normal except for Valparaiso at a third inch below normal and Tampa at four inches below normal. June temperatures averaged normal to two degrees below normal with daily highs averaging mostly in the mid to upper 80s. Low temperatures for June averaged mostly in the 70s. FIELD CROPS: Almost daily rainfall delayed hay baling and other fieldwork in some areas. Topsoil moisture remains mostly adequate with isolated pockets of short and surplus moisture. Tobacco harvesting remains active with markets to start opening next Tuesday. Peanut condition is rated 6% fair, 55% good, and 39% excellent with 87% of the crop pegged. Corn, cotton, sugarcane, and soybeans are growing normally. Drier conditions in a few localities allowed growers to cultivate and spray crops as needed. The abundant rainfall in some areas is causing some reduction in hay quality. Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 0 0 0 0 Short 19 15 15 12 Adequate 67 76 71 67 Surplus 14 9 14 21 LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: Pastures have generally improved. The rainfall in the Panhandle has been good for pasture growth. Moisture levels varied from short to surplus in the central area. The southeast area reported surplus moisture. Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 0 0 0 0 Fair 15 25 10 15 Good 75 60 80 75 Excellent 10 15 10 10 CITRUS: There was normal summer weather this week with rain, thunderstorms, and hot temperatures. These conditions promoted a lot of new growth on trees of all ages in all areas. Growers have limited their use of irrigation depending on the frequency of rains. New crop fruit is progressing well in most well-cared-for groves. Harvest of the remaining current crop Valencias and seedless grapefruit is limited to the demands of the few fresh fruit packing houses and fresh squeeze juice operations. There currently are very small quantities of the remaining fruit being picked as the season is almost over. Caretakers are cutting cover crops and herbiciding in well- cared-for groves. Those groves with minimum or discontinued care have weeds and cover crops growing out of control. Summer sprays and fertilizations continue in most areas. Many of the large grower operations are pushing dead trees and replanting new ones. VEGETABLES: Producers shipped a light amount of tomatoes and watermelons with most harvesting finished. Producers in Gadsden County have laid most of the plastic for fall crop plantings with tomato transplanting to begin soon. Dade County growers continue to pick and ship okra. Harvesting of summer crops for local markets remains active. FLORIDA PASTURES June 1996, the pastures in the northern and central areas started to grow after receiving 1 to 4 in. of rain. Pasture condition improved in June as more rain fell, but at month's end, some areas experienced flooding. The southeast reported problems with smut grass. Timely rains fell in mid- July in the south and central areas but the northern counties were dry. Mosquitos were reported to be a problem on livestock in central locations. In August there were pockets of drought in the north, and ponds and pastures were drying out in the south. Rain in mid and late August improved pasture in the north, while the east coast reported surplus water. Army worms were reported in hay fields in the Panhandle and the central area in early September. Pastures in the central and south were dry early in September. At mid month, rain fell to improve the grass growth, but the southwest had some flooding. At the end of September, cool temperatures slowed grass growth in the North, and central pastures were lower in condition due to poor moisture. Fall calving started in the Peninsula in late September. The condition of pasture in the north, Big Bend and central areas was hurt by flooding in mid- October. Also, seasonally cool weather slowed grass growth in the north. Ranchers were planting winter pasture. Permanent pasture grass was short in the west central area. Pasture conditions improved in November in the central and southern areas as water receded. In mid-November, a freeze, generally dry weather, and seasonal coolness lowered the condition of the State's pasture. Small-grain pasture emergence and growth were seasonally behind normal. Frost and seasonally cool temperatures lowered northern county pasture conditions in early December. Ranchers started to feed supplemental hay in the north, central and west central areas. The south and central areas reported mole cricket damage. Pasture conditions worsened in January, as north and central areas were dry. The Big Bend received significant rain but that was followed by a freeze. Mole crickets reduced the quality of southern pasture. Cattlemen continued to feed hay and supplements. In late January, ranchers in the southwest started seasonal burning of permanent pasture. In February, there were storms and heavy rains in the Panhandle and central areas, with some pastures in the Panhandle flooded. Tropical soda apple showed up in the southeast. Seasonal pasture burning continued in the southwest. Hay and supplement feeding was active. Warmer temperatures helped small grain pasture. At month's end, hay was running short in northern areas and some pasture had been severely overgrazed. Pastures were still dry in north central and southwest areas despite recent rains. In early March, permanent pastures were greening in all areas, but supplemental feeding was still active. By mid-March, pastures were generally in poor condition. Rain and warmer temperatures in late March improved pasture conditions. Ranchers in central counties applied spring fertilizer. Mole cricket damage and weed problems showed up in some pastures. In mid- April, rain fell and southeastern counties reported surplus moisture. Cool temperatures, especially in northern counties, slowed grass growth, but were good for haymaking on small grain pasture. Some pastures were flooded in the southwest and central areas. Damage by mole cricket was severe in some west central counties. In May, local flooding was reported. Though most pastures were in good condition, cool temperatures held back pasture growth. Some pastures showed signs of being overgrazed. Pasture growth continued slow through May due to cool temperatures and limited rainfall. In early June, pasture condition was fair to good from general statewide rain. Rain in the Panhandle improved pasture growth, some central area ponds were going dry. Warmer temperatures helped grass growth but overgrazing was still reported. Moisture was generally limited throughout the State. Mole crickets were a renewed problem in the southern area. In mid-month, heavy rain in the south caused standing water. Pastures were in fair to excellent condition at the end of June, 1997.