fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week Ending March 24, 2002 Released 4:00 P.M. March 25, 2002 Report Code FL-CW1202 Weather Summary Showers near the end of the week barely settled the dust in most localities during the week of March 17 through 23 with several areas reporting no measurable rain for the week. The danger of wildfires remains high in most central Peninsula localities. Rainfall totaled two-tenths inch or less at most stations except for Homestead which recorded about an inch, Tallahassee with about three-quarters inch, and Jacksonville with nearly two-thirds inch. Temperatures averaged two to five degrees above normal for the week although thermometers plunged at the end of the week bringing lows in the 40s to many central Peninsula areas on Saturday, March 23. Tallahassee and Pensacola reported at least one low in the 30s for the week. Daytime highs were in the 70s and 80s while most lows were in the 50s and 60s. Umatilla recorded at least one high in the 90s on Tuesday, March 19. Field Crops Report Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies are mostly short to adequate with nearly all areas reporting some short supplies. Northern producers are currently assessing damage from the cold to small grains and other field crops planted. Most growers have not started planting spring field crops. Tobacco transplanting is getting underway. Sugarcane harvesting is slowing in the Everglades region with some mills closed. Soil Moisture Chart Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating This week Last week This week Last week Percent Very short 6 13 2 0 Short 49 29 56 47 Adequate 45 58 42 53 Surplus 0 0 0 0 Livestock Report In the Panhandle and north, good growing conditions brought on growth in Bahia grass in many locations. Small grain forage is generally in good condition. However, grass growth in much of the area is limited by dry conditions. In the central counties, pastures remain green, however there is little grass growth due to very dry and windy conditions. Statewide, the condition of cattle ranges from poor to good, with most in fair condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last week Last week This week week Percent Very poor 10 5 0 5 Poor 15 15 10 5 Fair 55 65 50 40 Good 20 15 40 50 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report CITRUS: This was a very normal spring weather week in Florida's citrus belt. There were very few scattered showers, lots of wind and warm temperatures. Growers in all areas are irrigating to keep their trees in good condition during the current final stages of this year's bloom period. Most groves have had petal drop with tiny new fruit showing all over the trees. The majority of well-cared-for citrus continues to be in good condition following a wetter than average winter. Harvest of early and midseason oranges is in the final stages as very few crops remain. Picking of Valencias is increasing with the largest portion of these oranges going to the processors. Grapefruit movement is very active for both fresh and processing. Temple and Honey tangerine harvests are slowing as supplies are running low. Caretakers are very busy mowing, chopping and discing cover crops to help generate new spring growth. Growers are removing and burning dead trees. Some burning permits are being limited in the drier areas. Hedging and topping continues in the harvested groves. Resetting is very active where new trees are available. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Mar 10 Mar 17 Mar 24 Navel oranges 4,000 1,000 0 Early & Mid oranges 2,373,000 1,362,000 193,000 Valencia oranges 2,351,000 3,435,000 6,642,000 All grapefruit 2,980,000 2,887,000 2,684,000 Early tangerines 7,000 3,000 1,000 Honey tangerines 159,000 180,000 165,000 Temples 130,000 90,000 51,000 Tangelos 15,000 8,000 1,000 Vegetable Report The cold caused no significant damage to tomatoes around Quincy. Northern watermelon growers are currently assessing effects of the cold temperatures on recent sets. The temperatures were not low enough to cause major damage to acreage in the central and southern Peninsula. Vegetables available include tomatoes, peppers, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, celery, cucumbers, 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.