fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week Ending February 24, 2002 Released 4:00 P.M. February 25, 2002 Report Code FL-CW0802 Weather Summary Mostly clear conditions prevailed during the week of February 17 through 23 until a storm system from the Gulf of Mexico brought soaking rains to most Panhandle and some northern Peninsula areas during mid-week, and to the rest of the Peninsula during the last two days. Rain from the storm system ranged from a third inch at Jacksonville to almost five inches at Ona. The rainfall eased the threat of wildfires in most localities. Temperatures averaged from two degrees below normal to one degree above at the major stations. Daytime highs were mostly in the 60s and 70s while lows ranged from the 40s to the 60s. Jacksonville, Tallahassee and Pensacola each recorded at least one low in the 30s. Field Crops Report The rains replenished soil moisture in most areas. Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies are rated short to mostly adequate with a few northern Peninsula localities reporting very short supplies. Peaches, other low chill cultivars of fruit trees and azaleas are blooming in northern areas. Barley yellow dwarf virus is lowering oat yields in some northern localities. Land preparation for the planting of corn, tobacco and other field crops is gaining momentum in northern Peninsula and Panhandle localities. Growers are applying herbicides to some hay fields for weed control in northern areas. Soil Moisture Chart Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 0 4 2 4 Short 31 22 35 34 Adequate 63 74 57 62 Surplus 6 0 6 0 Livestock Report In the Panhandle, permanent pasture grass is greening up. In the northern counties, cool season forages are growing. Some farmers are burning their pastures to fertilize. The central area's pasture is greening up after the recent rain. In the southwest, pasture condition varies from poor to good with most in good condition. Statewide, cattle and calves are in fair to good condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 25 15 5 0 Fair 60 50 60 60 Good 15 35 35 40 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report CITRUS: There were numerous daylong drenching and soaking rains Friday, February 22 and Saturday the 23rd. Many areas in Florida's citrus belt recorded 2 to 5 inches of rain in the two day period. The much needed moisture provided near excellent tree condition for the upcoming bloom period. There are many trees that currently have a lot of open bloom, however, most trees have swelling buds that range from pin head to pencil eraser size. Only those trees in the poorest condition show very little, if any, new growth and bloom formation. The early and midseason orange harvest is winding down as supplies are running low. Valencia orange harvest is increasing for both fresh and process use. Most of the grapefruit are coming from the lower east coast and a lot are being processed. Both Temples and Honey tangerines are being packed for fresh shipments and some are going to the juice plants. Caretakers are busy mowing, chopping and discing cover crops for fire protection and prior to harvesting. Lots of trees are being removed and burned in all areas. Resetting is very active in some of the larger groves in the warmer locations. Fertilizers are being applied in all areas. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Feb 10 Feb 17 Feb 24 Navel oranges 92,000 41,000 29,000 Early & Mid oranges 8,562,000 6,800,000 5,148,000 Valencia oranges 243,000 275,000 575,000 All grapefruit 1,752,000 2,055,000 2,065,000 Early tangerines 16,000 14,000 7,000 Honey tangerines 133,000 134,000 147,000 Temples 149,000 142,000 192,000 Tangelos 115,000 86,000 59,000 Vegetable Report Planting and harvesting continued at a normal pace for most of the week. The rain at the end of the week delayed fieldwork in the southern Peninsula vegetable regions, and lowered the quality of some vegetables with actual damage currently being assessed. Northern producers are laying plastic for the planting of spring crop watermelons. 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.