fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week Ending May 26, 2002 Released 4:00 P.M. May 28, 2002 Report Code FLCW2102 Weather Summary Cooler temperatures prevailed during the week of May 19 through 25. Temperatures averaged from two degrees below normal to nine degrees below at the major stations. Daytime highs were in the 70s and 80s while nighttime lows were in the 50s and 60s. Tallahassee and Alachua each recorded at least one low in the 40s. Rainfall varied from traces to over four and a half inches. Southeastern coastal localities and a few inland areas of the southern Peninsula recorded heavier amounts of rain as a low pressure system passed off the east coast on a north bound journey. A few localities reported no measurable rain for the week. Field Crops Report Scattered storms left some areas wet and others dry. Topsoil and subsoil moisture remains mostly short in the northern Peninsula and Panhandle areas, while central Peninsula soil moisture varies from very short to adequate according to the amount of rain received recently. Southern Peninsula localities report mostly short soil moisture supplies. The danger of wildfire is high. Seventy-five percent of peanuts are planted equal to a year ago but below the five-year average of 79 percent. Dry soils are delaying some planting of cotton and peanuts. Producers replanted some cotton acreage due to grasshoppers and poor germination caused by dry soils in the Panhandle. Cool temperatures are slowing the growth of peanuts and cotton. Corn condition is rated excellent in localities that received recent rainfall but varies in drier areas. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 8 44 43 12 23 39 Short 76 43 44 76 64 47 Adequate 16 13 14 12 13 14 Surplus 0 0 0 0 0 0 Livestock Report Pasture condition ranges from poor to good in the Panhandle region with localities receiving recent rainfall reporting better conditions. Northern Peninsula pastures are rated very poor to fair while central and southern Peninsula range condition is mostly poor to fair. Ranchers located in drier areas are feeding supplemental hay to animals. Most cattle are rated in fair condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 5 5 5 Poor 40 40 5 10 Fair 45 50 85 75 Good 10 5 5 10 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report CITRUS: Most areas of Florida's citrus belt were very dry this week with some growers reporting windy conditions. There were a few insignificant showers in some of the coastal groves. However, caretakers are still irrigating around the clock to maintain good tree condition. There is some wilt in those groves with little or no supplemental water supplies. New crop fruit continues to make good progress. Most shelling off of excessive new little green fruit is complete as most trees have adjusted to the size crop they can carry for the next fruit season. Harvest of Valencia oranges continues active with some areas slowing due to picker shortages, dwindling supplies and a few processors shutting down for the season. Movement of white and colored grapefruit is slowing due to limited supplies and the closing of fresh fruit packing houses. Temple and Honey tangerine harvests have been completed. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops for fire protection and moisture conservation. Harvested groves are being hedged and topped with the limbs being burned where permits are available. Dead trees with Tristeza and other types of decline are being pushed out and stacked for future burning. Resets are being planted in the larger groves. Growers are spraying and fertilizing in all areas. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop May 12 May 19 May 26 Valencia oranges 6,895,000 7,386,000 5,498,000 All grapefruit 1,083,000 656,000 360,000 Honey tangerines 1,000 0 0 Temples 1,000 0 0 Vegetable Report Harvesting of most crops slowed for the Memorial Day observance. Watermelon picking gained momentum to meet the holiday demand. Tomato picking is underway in the Quincy area. Supplies of blueberries, cantaloupes, celery, cucumbers, eggplant, squash and snap beans are declining seasonally as hot temperatures bring harvesting to an end in some central and most southern Peninsula areas. Other vegetables and melons available include tomatoes, peppers, okra, potatoes, radishes, sweet corn and watermelons. Comments/Contact Information To receive this report via e-mail, send message to listserv@newsbox.usda.gov with the following message: subscribeusda- 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.