fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week Ending April 7, 2002 Released 4:00 P.M. April 8, 2002 Report Code FL-CW1402 Weather Summary Spotty showers provided some relief to drought conditions over the central Peninsula during the week of March 31 through April 6. However, most localities need more rain to bring water levels back to normal. Rain for the week totaled from traces at Daytona Beach to almost an inch and a quarter at Jacksonville with several central and southern Peninsula localities reporting a half inch to an inch for the week. Temperatures at the major stations averaged one to four degrees above normal. Daytime highs were in the 70s and 80s. Nighttime lows were in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Field Crops Report Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies are short to mostly adequate. Tobacco transplanting and corn planting are very active in northern Peninsula areas. Growers continue to prepare land for peanut and cotton planting which are expected to begin in one to two weeks. Sugarcane harvesting is almost done with several mills closed. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This week Last week Last This week Last week Last Year Year Percent Very 2 1 3 3 2 8 Short 43 44 68 44 34 66 Adequate 55 55 28 53 64 26 Surplus 0 0 1 0 0 0 Livestock Report In the Panhandle and north, the pasture is in fair condition. Warm season pastures are greening nicely and slight grass growth is beginning. However, grass growth is hampered by drought. Summer forage land preparation is underway. In the west central area, pasture condition is poor due to drought. Statewide, most cattle are in fair condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This week Last week This week Last week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 0 5 10 0 Fair 90 75 75 65 Good 10 20 15 35 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report CITRUS: There were some scattered rains and even a thunderstorm or two in most areas this week. Rainfall accumulations ranged from a trace to more than two inches in the center of the State and on both coasts. Growers that had heavy rains have discontinued using their irrigation for now. There is an abundance of new growth on virtually all trees in well-cared-for groves. New crop fruit is making good progress. Harvest of Valencia oranges is very active in all areas with most of this late fruit going to the juice plants. Movement of white and colored grapefruit continues for both fresh and processing with most of the fruit coming from the lower east coast. Picking of Honey tangerines and Temples is slowing. Caretakers are busy mowing, chopping and discing cover crops. Post bloom nutritional sprays are being applied in all areas. A few fresh crops are now getting their second sprays. Hedging, topping and cutting of limbs and branches has been reported in all parts of the citrus belt. Dead tree removal and burning of the grove trash continues. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Mar 24 Mar 31 Apr 7 Early & Mid oranges 193,000 221,000 4,000 Valencia oranges 6,642,000 6,877,000 7,226,000 All grapefruit 2,684,000 2,504,000 1,974,000 Honey tangerines 165,000 143,000 113,000 Temples 51,000 27,000 8,000 Vegetable Report Dry conditions are providing excellent harvesting weather for most crops. Strawberry picking is nearly complete. Vegetables available include tomatoes, peppers, blueberries, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, parsley, potatoes, radishes, snap beans, squash and sweet corn. 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.