fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending May 11, 2003 Released 4:00 P.M. May 12, 2003 Report Code FL-CW1803 Weather Summary Report Warm temperatures were felt in all areas during the week of April 27 through May 3. Temperatures averaged one to three degrees above normal in the major cities. Daytime highs were mostly in the 80s with several localities recording at least one high in the 90s. Nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s with many areas recording at least one low in the 50s. Storms dropped from traces to over two and a half inches of rain. A few localities recorded no measurable rain for the week. Field Crops Report Soil moisture supplies are short to adequate with some surplus supplies reported for a few southern Peninsula areas. Soil moisture supplies remain very short to short in the extreme southeastern Peninsula. Peanut planting is only ten percent finished compared with 27 percent planted by this date last year and the five-year average of 23 percent finished. Rain slowed cotton planting in some areas of the Panhandle and northern Peninsula. Hay baling is active in the Panhandle and the Peninsula. Early planted corn has emerged and is making a good stand with recent rains boosting growth and development. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 10 20 0 5 14 Short 24 55 59 25 40 64 Adequate 60 30 21 60 55 22 Surplus 15 5 0 15 0 0 Vegetable Report Wet fields curtailed some harvesting. Winter vegetable harvesting in Dade County is virtually finished for this season. Vegetables available include cabbage, cantaloupes, carrots, celery, cucumbers, sweet corn, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, radishes, squash, tomatoes, watermelons and light supplies of blueberries, endive, escarole, lettuce, and okra. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, the grass is growing and ryegrass hay harvesting is active. In the north and central areas, the pasture condition is mostly fair and cattle are in good condition. The grass is growing following timely rains and higher nighttime temperatures. In the southern counties, light rains and warmer temperatures have pasture in good condition. Statewide, 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 5 15 5 0 Fair 30 25 25 50 Good 60 60 65 50 Excellent 5 0 5 0 Fruit Report Citrus: The first part of this week was overcast with scattered rains and showers. Friday through Sunday was warm and hot. Generally the west coastal citrus groves received the most rain with some of the east coast groves getting only light rains. There continues to be an abundance of new growth on trees of all ages, except for the multitude of older trees with various types of decline. In the well-cared-for groves, trees and new crop fruit are all in very good condition. The healthy trees continue to shed the new little fruit that they cannot carry for next fruit season. Some of the older sick and diseased trees have very little if any new fruit. Valencia harvesting crews are staying very busy in all areas. Some of the juice plants are continuing to close for the weekends for cleaning and to organize the following week's schedule. Grapefruit harvest slowed considerably as supplies are running low. Temple harvest is complete. A few Honey tangerines are still being picked in all areas. Caretakers are active mowing, chopping and discing cover crops for moisture preservation and for fire protection. Hedging and topping continue in harvested groves. Dead and dying trees are being pushed, cut out and burned. Growers are starting their second sprays where crops are being groomed for the fresh fruit trade. Spring herbicides are being applied in all areas. Young tree groves and resets are getting fertilized. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Apr 20 Apr 27 May 4 Valencia oranges 6,942,000 6,697,000 5,891,000 All grapefruit 863,000 697,000 493,000 Honey tangerines 107,000 85,000 66,000 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.