fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending February 9, 2003 Released 4:00 P.M. February 10, 2003 Report Code FL-CW0603 Weather Summary Report Slightly warmer temperatures, especially over the southern Peninsula, aided crop growth and development during the week of February 2 through 8. Most temperatures for the week averaged one to two degrees below normal in the major cities except for two to three degrees above at Miami and West Palm Beach. Most daytime highs were in the 60s and 70s with several southern Peninsula localities recording at least one high in the 80s. Nighttime lows were mostly in the 40s, 50s and 60s with most localities reporting at least one low in the 30s. Showers brought nearly two inches of rain to some Panhandle and northern Peninsula areas while several central and most southern Peninsula areas recorded from none to only traces of rain for the week. Field Crops Report Mostly rainy conditions over the Panhandle and most of the northern Peninsula increased most topsoil moisture supplies. Mostly drying conditions over the central and southern Peninsula lowered soil moisture. Topsoil moisture supplies, statewide, are rated mostly short to adequate while subsoil moisture is short to mostly adequate. The southeastern Peninsula reported very short topsoil moisture. Producers are preparing land for planting of spring acreage. Tobacco growers are tending hot beds. Sugarcane harvesting remains active in the Everglades. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 1 3 0 0 3 Short 64 54 47 43 35 56 Adequate 35 45 50 57 65 41 Surplus 0 0 0 0 0 0 Vegetable Report Warmer and mostly dry weather over the major areas of production boosted the growth and development of most crops. Potato digging is getting underway. Vegetables available include snap beans, carrots, cabbage, celery, cilantro, cucumbers, sweet corn, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, miscellaneous herbs, parsley, peppers, radishes, squash, strawberries, tomatoes and very light supplies of potatoes. Livestock Report Pastures from the Panhandle through the central area are in very poor to good condition. Freezing temperatures and drought are limiting grass growth. In the south, the condition of range is slightly improved, but growth of grass is held back by drought. Statewide, the condition of cattle is mostly fair. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 15 0 0 Poor 30 45 5 10 Fair 50 40 60 70 Good 15 0 35 20 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: This was another mild week with cool nights and average days where temperatures got into the upper 60s and lower 70s. However, there was rain on Sunday in most northern areas that brought some relief to the relatively dry citrus groves. Generally, groves are in very good condition in spite of the freezing conditions that covered most counties on the morning of January 24. Trees and foliage are getting ready to start blooming as soon as the temperature warms up. There is currently some feathery new growth showing in a few of the younger groves in the southern and coastal areas. Harvest of early and midseason oranges is slowing as some areas are running out of mature fruit. Fresh fruit packing houses are finding good grapefruit for current shipments. Honey Tangerines and Temples are both being picked for processing and fresh utilization. Tangelo harvest is just about over for this season. A few juice plants are slowing operations with one or two closing for a short period because they are out of early and mid oranges. Most harvesters are waiting for Valencias to get a little more mature. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops for fire protection and prior to harvesting. Dead trees are being cut out of groves and burned. Burn permits are being limited in some of the drier areas near woods. Growers are currently working on and servicing their irrigation equipment for the upcoming bloom cycle and the normally dry spring weather. Fertilizers are being applied in most areas to help generate new growth and bloom buds. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Jan 26 Feb 2 Feb 9 Navel oranges 121,000 100,000 80,000 Early & Mid oranges 6,458,000 7,068,000 6,346,000 Valencia oranges 10,000 65,000 132,000 All grapefruit 1,293,000 1,357,000 1,779,000 Early tangerines 2,000 6,000 3,000 Honey tangerines 101,000 125,000 93,000 Tangelos 142,000 87,000 33,000 Temples 88,000 125,000 165,000 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.