fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week Ending August 11, 2002 Released 4:00 p.m. August 12, 2002 Report Code FL-CW3202 Weather Summary Tropical Storm Bertha dropped significant rains over the Panhandle early in the week of August 4 through 10 as the storm traveled the Gulf coast to Texas. The formation of Tropical Storm Cristobal off the east coast kept most Peninsula areas dry until the middle of the week when a front passing over from the north and outer rain bands from Cristobal caused showers and thunderstorms in many eastern, central and southern Peninsula localities. Rains from Cristobal helped ease dry conditions, especially over the southeastern Peninsula. Rainfall totaled from traces at Jacksonville to about three and a half inches at Avalon. Cloud cover and the frontal system kept temperatures normal to three degrees below at the major stations with several localities recording the coldest lows on record at the end of the week. Daytime highs were in the80s and 90s while nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s. Field Crops Report The drier days earlier in the week left more areas with very short to short topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies, especially in the Big Bend area. However, most topsoil and subsoil moisture is adequate to surplus. The scattered rains left a few cotton and peanut fields flooded and producers irrigating some acreage in drier areas. Cotton and peanuts are in mostly good condition. Growers are combating fall armyworms, southern armyworms, velvet bean caterpillars and corn ear worms in some peanut fields. Insect infestations in cotton are fairly low with producers spraying for southern armyworms and other pests. Oldest cotton fields are blooming. Hay producers are spraying for fall armyworms. Recent rains reduced the quality of some hay. Hay and tobacco harvesting are active. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 0 0 5 5 0 Short 20 15 0 20 10 11 Adequate 59 70 77 55 70 68 Surplus 20 15 23 20 15 21 Livestock Report Statewide, pastures are generally in good condition, with seasonal armyworm damage showing up in the Panhandle and North. In the north, most pastures are in good condition, with some in fair condition due to short soil moisture. Flooding lowered the condition of pastures in the central and southern counties. Statewide, most cattle are in good condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 0 10 0 0 Fair 15 5 5 15 Good 80 80 90 80 Excellent 5 5 5 5 Fruit Report CITRUS: All areas of Florida's citrus belt had light to moderate showers on several afternoons this week. Virtually all citrus trees are in very good to excellent condition as a result of the daily summer rains and good grove care. There is an abundance of new growth on trees of all ages. Those groves that were hedged and topped in the spring have new growth showing on almost every limb and twig. New crop fruit is generally in very good condition and sizing well. There are varying quantities of June and later bloom on some groves. Very few fresh squeeze juice operations are open due to the lack of available fruit. Caretakers are very active mowing, chopping and discing cover crops and removing vines that are covering the tops of trees. Hedging, topping and sprouting continues on an as needed basis. Summer fertilizations, herbicide treatments and sprays on fresh fruit crops are being applied in all areas. Dead trees are being removed and burned. Resets are being planted in the larger groves with irrigation. Vegetable Report Fall crop planting is becoming more active in southern Peninsula areas. Okra harvesting remains active in Miami-Dade County. 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.