fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending February 16, 2003 Released 4:00 P.M. February 18, 2003 Report Code FL-CW0703 Weather Summary Report Most temperatures at the major stations averaged within a degree or two of normal during the week of February 9 through 15. Daytime highs were mostly in the 60s and 70s while nighttime lows were mostly in 40s, 50s and 60s. Showers during the first part of the week brought needed moisture to many areas but dry weather followed for most of the period. No rainfall was reported at Ft. Lauderdale, Homestead, Immokalee, Miami and West Palm Beach; nearly two inches were reported at Tavares and Umatilla. A strong storm system passing over the eastern part of the nation brought significant rains to some Panhandle and northern Peninsula localities at the end of the week and continued over the central and some southern Peninsula areas on February 16 and 17. Field Crops Report Rains replenished soil moisture in many areas during the week but left some localities very dry. Both topsoil and subsoil moisture are rated short to mostly adequate with very short supplies reported for the southeastern coast and some Panhandle localities. Sugarcane harvesting continues in the Everglades region. Tobacco producers continue to care for transplants. Corn, soybean and cotton growers are preparing land for spring planting. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 1 1 1 0 2 Short 39 64 33 20 43 38 Adequate 60 35 61 79 57 55 Surplus 0 0 5 0 0 5 Vegetable Report The rain missed most of the areas of production with planting and harvesting very active. 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 a very light supplies of potatoes. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, the condition of pasture is poor and the condition of cattle is mostly fair. Grass growth is poor as soil is much colder than normal. Hay feeding is active, and the poor quality of hay harvested during the wet haying season contributed to poorer cattle condition. In the Big Bend area, drought is hindering grass growth. In the northern counties, hay feeding is active, the condition of pasture is poor and cattle condition is fair. Cool season forage production has some disease problems limiting production. In the central area, pasture is mostly fair, while in the southwest, range condition is mostly poor. Statewide, cattle condition ranges from poor to good, with most in fair condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 5 0 0 Poor 50 30 10 5 Fair 40 50 55 60 Good 5 15 35 35 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: Ideal weather covered most of Florida's citrus belt this week. Daytime temperatures ranged from the upper 60s at the beginning of the week to lower 80s on Saturday and Sunday. Nighttime temperatures were generally in the 40s. Light rains on Sunday started on the west coast and gradually moved across the state during the night. Most areas got minimal rainfall. The weather has been ideal for the upcoming bloom period. Trees in all areas are showing feathery new growth and pinhead bloom buds. This new foliage is very vulnerable to frost or freezing temperatures should either arrive before the spring weather. Growers are irrigating in all areas to maintain good tree condition. It has been several weeks since the last good soaking rain. Most of the fruit remaining to be picked is in very good condition. Harvesting crews are winding down on the early and midseason orange harvest as supplies are running low. Some Valencias are now being picked for both fresh and process utilization. Temple and grapefruit harvests are increasing as most of these crops are now passing maturity tests. Several juice plants have completed their early orange processing and are waiting for higher Valencia ratios. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops prior to harvesting and for fire protection. Hedging and topping continue in all areas. Dead trees are being cut out and burned. Prebloom fertilizing continues in most areas to promote new growth and bloom buds. New trees, mostly resets, are being planted in the warmer locations. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Feb 2 Feb 9 Feb 16 Navel oranges 100,000 80,000 72,000 Early & Mid oranges 7,086,000 6,346,000 4,669,000 Valencia oranges 65,000 132,000 257,000 All grapefruit 1,357,000 1,779,000 1,843,000 Early tangerines 6,000 3,000 2,000 Honey tangerines 125,000 93,000 88,000 Tangelos 87,000 33,000 16,000 Temples 125,000 165,000 170,000 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.