fl-crop-weather Week ending July 12, 1998 Released 4:00 P.M. July 13, 1998 WEATHER SUMMARY: Scattered showers dropped welcome rain over many localities during the week of July 5 through 11. Most of the major stations recorded around two inches of rain with Tampa reporting almost ten inches from showers on six days during the week. Rainfall since July 1 has put some precipitation totals at or above the normal July total with Ft. Meyers reporting 3.91 inches for July 1 through 12 versus the 1961 through 1990 monthly average of 3.62 inches; West Palm Beach recording 4.80 inches versus the monthly average of 2.66; Tampa showing 10.57 inches versus the normal 2.64; and Melbourne reporting 5.65 inches versus the normal 2.17. However, most areas need much more rain to decrease the threat of fire. Most temperatures averaged one to three degrees above normal during the week. Daily highs averaged in the 90s and most lows in the mid-to-upper 70s. For June, rain at the major stations totaled from two-thirds inch or five inches below normal at Valparaiso, to a total of almost seven inches or three inches below normal at Miami. Most temperatures during June averaged four to five degrees above normal with daily highs averaging in the 90s, and lows in the 70s. FIELD CROPS: Topsoil moisture is mostly very short to short with a few scattered areas of adequate moisture. Rain showers in most areas during the week have helped but most areas are still in need of rain. Fires have slowed but continue to be a problem. Stressed cotton and peanut crops started recovering. Pastures improved but more rain is needed. Corn for grain is being chopped for livestock feed and haying is stopped in almost all areas. Fifty- seven percent of the peanuts are pegging. Peanut condition: poor 12%, fair 69%, and good 19%. Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 34 24 28 21 Short 58 48 64 65 Adequate 8 28 8 14 Surplus 0 0 0 0 LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: Pastures improved slightly following showers and thunderstorms. The pasture recovered some if it was not under grazing pressure. In the Panhandle, some cattlemen were putting cattle into the cornfields and some corn was being fed green-chopped. Ponds were very low. Early populations of armyworms were showing up. Pastures in the northern counties were still very dry. Pasture and hayfield losses from the drought were high. Supplemental feeding was still active. Many cattle producers were selling stock for lack of feed. Central and southwestern pasture conditions were mostly unchanged. Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 15 10 0 0 Poor 45 25 20 15 Fair 40 60 75 80 Good 0 5 5 5 Excellent 0 0 0 0 CITRUS: Most of Florida's citrus belt received several rains and thunderstorms this week helping relieve one of the hottest and driest springs and early summers in recent history. Many growers and caretakers on the west and east coast have temporarily discontinued irrigating as they have gotten more than a few good soaking rains. The central and upper areas have just started getting their normal afternoon showers. Those groves which have been getting rain for the last week and a half are looking much better with some new growth showing on both old and young trees. New crop fruit is making good progress in those well-cared-for groves. Those non-irrigated groves have leaves and new crop fruit in varying conditions depending on the amount of care given during the past few months. Valencia orange harvest is virtually over as the last large processor closed for the season. Limited amounts of late bloom and scattered fruit on both oranges and grapefruit will be moved throughout the summer to a few fresh squeeze juice plants. Caretakers are cutting cover crops for fire protection. Growers have been applying herbicides, spraying, and fertilizing. Hedging and topping continue along with stacking for future burning. Resets are being planted in some of the bigger groves. VEGETABLES: Watermelon growers are finishing harvesting. Dade County producers continue to harvest okra. Tomato plantings for the fall crop will start within the next five to seven days in the Quincy area. Picking of other vegetables for local market sales continues. 1997 CENSUS OF AGRICULTURE If you are a farmer or rancher in Florida, you have probably received a Census of Agriculture form in the mail or you may have been contacted by telephone or in person and asked to provide information about your farm or ranch. The data you provide on the census is very important. The 1997 Census of Agriculture is the most thorough source of data about the structure and activities of agricultural production in the United States. It is the only source of uniform, comprehensive data on agricultural production and operator characteristics for each county, state, and the nation. We sincerely appreciate the time and effort Florida growers and producers have given to helping us complete this census. We also appreciate the assistance of the county agricultural offices around the State who have encouraged producers to cooperate and have answered questions about the Census. The Census of Agriculture has been conducted every five years since 1925; prior to that is was conducted every 10 years. The data collected in the Census of Agriculture are used by government policy makers (federal, state, and local), farm organizations, farm cooperatives, commodity and trade associations, and agribusinesses in many ways for planning and analysis. The final results are scheduled to be released beginning in the Spring of 1999, after the data is collected, analyzed, and summarized. If you have any questions about the Census of Agriculture, please call the Florida Agricultural Statistics Service at 800-344-6277.