fl-crop-weather Week ending July 23, 2000 Released 4:00 P.M. July 24, 2000 WEATHER SUMMARY: Scattered rains helped ease dry conditions in many western Panhandle and northern Peninsula areas during the week of July 16 through 22. Rainfall over the central and southern Peninsula ranged from about a tenth inch at Apopka to almost four inches at Tavares and Umatilla. Most high temperatures were in the 90s while most lows were in the 70s. Umatilla recorded at least one high of 100 while several localities reported at least one low in the 60s. FIELD CROPS: Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies are mostly adequate to short across the State with scattered areas of very short supplies. Marginal rains and showers improved moisture in selective areas. Other areas remain dry. Extreme heat and drought over the past week are having a detrimental effect on some peanut and cotton fields. Cotton growers in some areas expect to abandon some fields. Peanut bloom and pollination are poor at temperatures in the mid 90s and above. Some producers are making hay but getting only light cuttings. Growers continue to harvest tobacco. Sugarcane is in mostly good condition. Soybeans are in mostly good condition but need rain in most areas. Peanut condition is rated at 10% poor, 64% fair, and 26% good. Growers report 78% of the peanuts are pegged. Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 14 3 14 6 Short 43 46 47 50 Adequate 43 51 39 44 Surplus 0 0 0 0 LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: Statewide, pasture improved somewhat from the previous week. Cattle and calves were in fair to good condition. Marginal rainfall and extreme heat held pasture condition down. In the Panhandle, temporary forage has not produced much grazing due to the extreme heat and drought. Some first-cutting of hay was done. Pasture in the central area is mostly fair. Weeds are becoming a problem. Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 10 5 10 5 Fair 70 70 75 65 Good 20 25 15 30 Excellent 0 0 0 0 CITRUS: All areas of Florida's citrus belt received afternoon rains and a few isolated heavy thunderstorms. Some locations have had a little hail and high winds associated with the summer storms. All of this recent rainy weather has been very wel comed by virtually all citrus growers. Varied late bloom continues in those groves that had been stressed during the prolonged winter and spring drought. However, the recent rains have generated an abundance of new growth on trees of all ages in all areas. Most new crop oranges generally are now larger than golf balls whiles the regular bloom grapefruit are near baseball size. Temples, tangerines and tangelos range in size from marbles to a little smaller than golf balls. Harvest of the current crop of Valencias is nearly over as the final few crops are being moved to fresh squeeze operations, which are also receiving late bloom grapefruit. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops that have made good growth with the help of the summer rains. Young trees and resets are being fertilized and herbicided to take advantage of the current ideal growing conditions. The second and third summer sprays are being applied on some crops grown for fresh utilization. Hedging and topping contin ues in all areas. VEGETABLES: Some central and southern Peninsula producers are starting to plant fall crops. Dade County growers continue to harvest okra. To receive this report via e-mail, send an e-mail message to nass-state-releases@news.usda.gov with the following message: subscribe fl-crop-weather. The report will be e-mailed automatically to your e-mail address each week.