fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week Ending April 21, 2002 Released 4:00 P.M. April 22, 2002 Report Code FL-CW1602 Weather Summary Storms during early-to-mid week dropped from traces to over five inches of rain with heavier amounts falling over Apopka, Bradenton, Dover, Ft. Pierce, Immokalee, Lake Alfred, Okahumpka, Tampa and West Palm Beach. Several localities recorded less than a half inch of rain for the week of April 14 through 20. Daytime highs were mostly in the 80s with several localities recording at least one high in the 90s. Lows were mostly in the 60s and 70s. Temperatures averaged two to nine degrees above normal at the major stations. Field Crops Report Recent rains reduced the danger of wildfire in the western Panhandle and most of the northern Peninsula. However, several central and southern Peninsula localities remain very dry. Topsoil and subsoil moisture is short to mostly adequate. Drier conditions over the Panhandle and northern Peninsula allowed field work to progress normally. Cotton planting is increasing. Tobacco is in good condition. Peanut planting is getting underway. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This week Last week Last This week Last week Last Year Year Percent Very short 1 6 37 1 2 58 Short 23 60 54 31 72 28 Adequate 76 30 9 68 26 14 Surplus 0 4 0 0 0 0 Livestock Report Pasture conditions improved slightly throughout the northern and eastern counties following the rain. In the Panhandle, pasture and hay is growing rapidly. Stock ponds are still short despite heavy rains at some locations. The condition of the cattle is fair to good. Clover is blooming and the condition of winter forage is peaking. In the Northern counties, warm season grasses for pasture and hay in many locations are making good growth due to warmer temperatures and adequate moisture. However, other locations are still hurting from drought. Central area cattle and pasture are in fair condition. In the southwest, pasture conditions improved slightly following the return of seasonal showers. Statewide, cattle condition is fair to good. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This week Last week This week Last week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 5 20 5 10 Fair 45 65 50 55 Good 50 15 45 35 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report CITRUS: This was a very warm week with temperatures at the end of the week reaching the lower 90s in many areas. There were a few scattered coastal showers Monday through Wednesday. Growers are using all types of irrigation to keep trees in good condition. Tristeza and young tree or sand hill decline are wiping out a lot of trees in all areas of the citrus belt. However, the well-cared-for groves on different rootstocks have a lot of new growth and varying amounts of new crop fruit that is making good progress. Harvest of Valencia oranges continues in full swing with the processors limiting the amount of fruit that is picked. Grapefruit movement continues active with most of these fruit coming from the lower east coast. Fresh grapefruit shipments are slowing as supplies are limited. Most of the remaining Temples are being processed. Honey tangerines are still being packed for fresh utilization with some going to the juice plants. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops for moisture preservation and fire protection. Hedging, topping and chopping up of trash limbs were reported in all areas. Post bloom nutritionals are generally completed with second sprays underway. Dead trees are being pushed out with resets going in the larger groves. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Apr 7 Apr 14 Apr 21 Early & Mid oranges 4,000 0 NA Valencia oranges 7,226,000 7,401,000 NA All grapefruit 1,974,000 2,044,000 NA Honey tangerines 113,000 80,000 NA Temples 8,000 19,000 NA Vegetable Report Cabbage harvesting is nearing the end. Harvesting of most vegetables in Dade County is beginning to slow as temperatures become hot. Vegetables available include tomatoes, peppers, blueberries, Chinese cabbage, celery, cantaloupes, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, parsley, potatoes, radishes, snap beans, squash, sweet corn and watermelons. 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.