FL WEEKLY WEATHER-CROP NEWS Week ending August 3, 1997 Released 4:00 P.M. August 4, 1997 WEATHER SUMMARY: Typical summer weather consisting of hot temperatures and daily rains continued over the State during the week of July 27 through August 3. Official rain totals varied from less then two tenths of an inch at Miami and Key West to over five and a half inches at Jacksonville. The passage of a cold front over northern and central areas late in the week brought cooler temperatures. Temperatures averaged within a degree of normal at most stations except for three degrees above normal at Miami. Daytime highs were in the 80s and 90s while nighttime lows ranged from the upper 60s into the 80s. FIELD CROPS: Topsoil moisture is adequate to surplus throughout the State with a few scattered areas of short moisture. Ninety-nine percent of the peanuts have pegged. Peanut condition: fair 3%, good 67%, excellent 30%. Haying was delayed by rains. Sugarcane growth is normal. Tobacco marketing is active. Tobacco harvest is starting to wind down in some areas. Forage is making good growth. Cotton and soybean growth is normal. Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 0 0 0 0 Short 4 2 9 2 Adequate 69 54 54 66 Surplus 27 44 37 32 LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: The almost daily summer rains have helped grass growth. Both the State's pastures and cattle conditions were reported good to excellent. Some areas are beginning to report surplus moisture. However, mole crickets were continuing to cause damage to pastures in some west central locations. Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 0 0 0 0 Fair 10 5 10 5 Good 65 80 70 80 Excellent 25 15 20 15 CITRUS: Most of Florida's well-cared-for citrus groves are in very good to excellent condition. Heavy rains in all areas have provided adequate to surplus moisture. Ponds, lakes, and streams are refilling with the assistance of the summer thunderstorms. Those groves with minimum or discontinued care are showing signs of stress in the form of yellowing foliage. There is an abundance of new growth on most trees. New crop fruit continues to make good progress in all areas of the citrus belt. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops that have made good growth with the help of the summer rains. Spots sprays and a few fertilizations are being applied between the summer showers. Pushing, burning, and resetting continue in most large groves. VEGETABLES: Frequent showers continue to delay some land preparations for the laying of plastic and the planting of fall crops over the southern Peninsula. Growers began laying plastic in the northern localities of the south west region with activity to start in central and southern localities within the next seven to ten days. Tomato transplanting continues around Quincy. Pepper and eggplant planting is starting in the East Coast region. The harvest of summer crops for local sales is active.