fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending March 2, 2003 Released 4:00 P.M. March 3, 2003 Report Code FL-CW0903 Weather Summary report Dry weather gave way to sporadic and sometimes heavy showers over much of the State during the last part of the week of February 23 through March 3. Amounts of rain varied from traces in many southern Peninsula localities to nearly six inches at Jacksonville with a few southern Peninsula areas recording no measurable rain for the week. Temperatures for the week averaged from normal at Pensacola to seven degrees above at West Palm Beach. Daytime highs were in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Nighttime lows were in the 40s, 50s and 60s with several Panhandle and northern Peninsula localities reporting at least one low in the 30s. Field Crops Report Localities in most areas report short to adequate soil moisture supplies. The rainfall replenished soil moisture, especially over the Panhandle and northern Peninsula. However, several southern Peninsula localities, especially those that the rain missed, reported short to very short soil moisture. Surplus soil moisture exists in areas receiving the brunt of the recent rain, such as the northeastern Peninsula and a few Big Bend and Panhandle localities. Tobacco, cotton, corn, soybean and peanut producers in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula continue land preparations for planting. In the Everglades, sugarcane harvesting is active with the recent rains causing very few delays. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 10 5 1 5 10 2 Short 35 30 14 35 25 27 Adequate 45 63 77 55 64 68 Surplus 10 2 8 5 1 3 Vegetable Report Dry conditions during the first part of the week aided planting and harvesting activities. Some northern Peninsula producers are preparing land for watermelon and other vegetable planting. Vegetables available include snap beans, carrots, cabbage, celery, sweet corn, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, radishes, squash, strawberries, tomatoes and very light supplies of cucumbers. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and northern counties, pasture condition improved, helped by warmer nighttime temperatures and rain. Rye grass and cold season forage growth is rapid due to warmer temperatures. Pasture in some locations is flooded from locally heavy rain. Brood cows in some herds are exceptionally thin for this time of year due to poor quality hay and delayed grazing. In the central areas, pasture condition is fair due to drought. In the south, range grass is hurt by persistent drought. Statewide, cattle and calves are in fair condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 5 0 0 Poor 15 25 0 5 Fair 70 60 60 70 Good 15 10 40 25 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: The first part of this week had some warm days and mild nights over the citrus areas, then Friday through Sunday were generally overcast and rainy with highs in the low 80s. Rainfall accumulations were less than one inch in most locations. In fact, virtually all of Florida's citrus belt recorded below average rainfall for the month of February. New growth and bloom buds of all sizes are showing on all citrus trees. Some young Valencia and Navel trees are currently showing a lot of open bloom. Most older trees have developing pinhead buds. Groves and trees are in very good condition for the current bloom cycle. Harvesting of early and midseason oranges is all but over as most of these crops have been picked. A few crews have started picking Valencias for both fresh and processing. Many of the fresh fruit packing houses are working long hours to fill current orders. Grapefruit, Honey Tangerines and Valencia oranges are currently in demand and being shipped in good numbers by most packers. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops to help generate new growth for the upcoming bloom period. Dead trees are being pushed, cut out and burned in record numbers in the areas where sour orange root stock was used. A few sprays and fertilizations are still being applied. Hedging and topping were reported for many harvested groves. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Feb 16 Feb 23 Mar 2 Navel oranges 72,000 36,000 22,000 Early & Mid oranges 4,669,000 3,972,000 1,146,000 Valencia oranges 257,000 661,000 1,282,000 All grapefruit 1,843,000 1,915,000 1,865,000 Early tangerines 2,000 2,000 1,000 Honey tangerines 88,000 109,000 117,000 Tangelos 16,000 9,000 5,000 Temples 170,000 116,000 91,000 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.