fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending February 23, 2003 Released 4:00 P.M. February 24, 2003 Report Code FL-CW0803 Weather Summary Report Significant rain fell in most areas, except for some west central and extreme southern Peninsula localities, at the beginning of the week of February 16 through 22, and again at the end. Most areas received at least an inch with Pensacola and Tampa recording nearly two inches for the week. A few Big Bend and a few other northern Peninsula localities recorded higher amounts of up to four inches for the week. Temperatures at the major stations averaged from one to seven degrees above normal except for two degrees below at Pensacola. Daytime highs were in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Nighttime lows were in the 40s, 50s and 60s with Jacksonville, Pensacola and Tallahassee reporting at least one low in the 30s. Field Crops Report Statewide, soil moisture supplies are mostly adequate to short. The extreme northeastern Peninsula and some Big Bend localities reported surplus soil moisture while some southeastern coastal localities reported very short soil moisture. Panhandle and northern producers continue to prepare land for corn, soybean and cotton planting. Tobacco growers are starting to prepare land for transplanting. Sugarcane harvesting remains active in the Everglades region. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 5 1 3 10 1 4 Short 30 39 23 25 20 34 Adequate 63 60 73 64 79 61 Surplus 2 0 1 1 0 1 Vegetable Report Mostly dry conditions in Dade County and the Immokalee area allowed planting and harvesting to proceed at a normal pace. Some field activity slowed in the East Coast region due to showers. Supplies of strawberries are increasing with growers preparing to meet the demand from the Strawberry Festival which gets underway in a few days. Vegetables available include snap beans, carrots, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, sweet corn, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, radishes, squash, strawberries and tomatoes. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and northern counties, pasture condition is low due to cold temperatures and extremely low rainfall. Prescribed pasture burns were delayed due to continued drought. Pasture condition somewhat improved in many areas following rain and warmer temperatures. Oats for winter grazing are severely affected by a virus. Condition of pasture in the Big Bend area is lower due to drought. In central areas, grass grew as temperatures reached summertime levels. Haying is active. Disease in cool season forages is slowing production. Insouthern areas, pasture conditions are mostly fair. Statewide, condition of cattle is mostly fair. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 5 0 0 Poor 25 50 5 10 Fair 60 40 70 55 Good 10 5 25 35 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: Most of this week was mild to warm with sun-filled days. There was a fast-moving cold front that passed through the state Saturday night. Needed scattered rains covered most of the citrus belt. Rainfall accumulations in the citrus regions were generally in the three quarters to an inch and a half range. This new moisture along with the current warm temperatures will help produce more new growth and pin head bloom buds. Virtually all citrus trees are showing feathery new growth. Harvest of early and midseason oranges is just about completed for this season as very few crops remain to be picked. Some growers have started picking Valencia oranges for fresh utilization and also to keep their pickers busy. Grapefruit movement is increasing for both fresh and processing. Fresh packing houses are also shipping Honey tangerines and Valencia oranges. Some processors are closed waiting for better acid to sugar ratios. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops prior to harvesting and for fire protection. Growers are hedging and topping harvested groves. Dead trees are being cut out and burned. Prebloom fertilizing continues in most areas to promote new growth and bloom buds. New trees are being planted in some of the larger groves with permanent irrigation. Spring herbicides are being applied in all areas. Bee hives have been placed waiting for the open citrus blooms. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Feb 9 Feb 16 Feb 23 Navel oranges 80,000 72,000 36,000 Early & Mid oranges 6,346,000 4,669,000 3,972,000 Valencia oranges 132,000 257,000 661,000 All grapefruit 1,779,000 1,843,000 1,950,000 Early tangerines 3,000 2,000 2,000 Honey tangerines 93,000 88,000 109,000 Tangelos 33,000 16,000 9,000 Temples 165,000 170,000 116,000 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.