fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week Ending January 27, 2002 Released 4:00 P.M. January 28, 2002 Report Code FL-CW0402 Weather Summary Most rainfall was limited to the northern Peninsula and western Panhandle during the week of January 20 through 26. Rain amounts ranged from almost two thirds inch at Pierson to over two inches at Tallahassee with most southern Peninsula areas receiving no measurable rain. Temperatures for the week averaged six to thirteen degrees above normal at the major stations. Most highs were in the 70s and 80s with Pensacola highs in the 60s. Lows were mostly in the 50s and 60s except for the 40s at Tallahassee and 30s at Pensacola. Field Crops Report Producers are starting to work land for spring planting in northern Peninsula localities. Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies remain short to mostly adequate. Sugarcane harvesting continues in the Everglades. Soil Moisture Chart Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 0 0 0 0 Short 24 26 34 34 Adequate 76 74 66 66 Surplus 0 0 0 0 Livestock Report Warmer soil temperatures are boosting the growth of forages in some northern areas while pasture growth remains stagnant in drier localities. Hay supplies are short in some areas. Cattle condition is mostly fair to good with producers feeding supplemental hay as needed. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 0 5 0 0 Poor 30 35 0 5 Fair 40 25 50 55 Good 30 35 50 40 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report CITRUS: Most of the week was unseasonably warm and dry. Daytime temperatures generally were in the mid to upper 80s. The warm weather along with the moist soils from the mid- January rains, are producing varying degrees of feathery new growth on most young and middle-aged citrus trees. This tender new foliage is very vulnerable to frost or freezing temperatures should either arrive prior to spring. Harvesting crews are continuing to move a lot of early and midseason oranges to the processors. Grapefruit, Temples and tangerines are being picked for both fresh and processed utilization. Most of the current tangelos being picked are going to the juice plants. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops prior to harvesting and for fire protection. Growers are pres ently removing and burning dead and dying trees. Reset trees are being ordered in most areas and a few have been planted in the warmer locations. Pre-bloom or late winter fertilizations are still being applied. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Jan 13 Jan 20 Jan 27 Navel oranges 130,000 112,000 104,000 Early & Mid oranges 8,271,000 7,314,000 7,542,000 All grapefruit 1,005,000 1,126,000 923,000 Early Tangerines 140,000 90,000 50,000 Honey Tangerines 73,000 145,000 178,000 Temples 38,000 79,000 62,000 Tangelos 148,000 160,000 154,000 Vegetable Report Recent rain and earlier cold weather affected the quality and quantity of some vegetables around Immokalee with some fruit not meeting grade standards. Potato digging is increasing seasonally in southern Peninsula areas. Vegetables available include tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, celery, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, parsley, potatoes, radishes, snap beans, squash, sweet corn and strawberries. Comments/Contact Information To receive this report via e-mail, send an e-mail message to listserv@newsbox.usda.gov with the following message: subscribe usda-fl-crop-weather your.name An example: subscribe usda-fl-crop-weather John Smith. The report will be e-mailed automatically to your e-mail address each week.