fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending June 29, 2003 Released 4:00 P.M. June 30, 2003 Report Code FL-CW2603 Weather Summary Report The week of June 22 through 28 again brought fairly consistent temperatures but quite variable rainfall across the State. High temperatures were mostly in the upper 80s and a few in the low 90s, with recorded temperatures ranging from 86 in Ft. Pierce to 92 in Tallahassee. Most low temperatures were low to mid-60s, with actual reported temperatures ranging from 61 in Alachua to 73 in Miami. Several stations - Alachua, Apopka, Avalon, Hastings, Jacksonville, Pensacola, and Pierson - reported less than one half inch of rain during the week. Key West and Miami reported over 4 inches for the week, and Bradenton, Homestead, and Tampa all reported over 3 inches. Counties in the lower Gulf Coast area are still very wet, but flood waters are receding. Field Crops Report Farmers in areas in the Panhandle receiving little or no rain were able to get into the fields and cut hay and do other field work. Some farmers are getting caught up with their herbicides and fungicides. Topsoil and subsoil moisture are mostly adequate to surplus across the State. Counties in the northern part of the State are reporting good corn and cotton crops. Silage is being harvested in the northern Peninsula. The condition of the peanut crop across the northern counties varies, with 19% reported very poor (due partly to excessive moisture), 1% poor, 1% fair, 43% good, and 36% excellent. The crop is 50% pegged, compared to 40% last week and 44% last year. The 5-year average at this point of the season is 47% pegged. In St. John's County, most of this year's potato crop has been dug. Cover crops of corn and sorghum have been planted with some good growth. 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 0 1 4 Short 5 4 12 6 4 27 Adequate 54 55 51 58 60 38 Surplus 40 40 36 36 35 31 Vegetable Report In the Panhandle, harvesting of cantaloupes, watermelon and other vegetables is in full swing. Harvesting in Hillsborough County and surrounding areas is continuing as growers can get into the fields. Okra harvest in Dade County is about finished. Other vegetables being harvested include eggplant, tomatoes and potatoes. Livestock Report Livestock and Pastures: In the Panhandle and northern areas, pastures are in generally good condition. Haying is active when and where weather is dry. In the central and southern areas,pasture and range is generally good, but some locations have pastures with standing water from recent heavy rain. Statewide, condition of cattle was mostly good in all areas of the State. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 5 0 0 Poor 5 15 0 0 Fair 10 5 10 10 Good 75 65 80 80 Excellent 10 10 10 10 Fruit Report Citrus: Most areas of Florida's citrus belt were hot, humid and dry the first of the week. There were scattered rains in virtually all citrus locations on Saturday and Sunday. Some of those showers contained thunderstorms and soaking rains. The recent tropical weather patterns have helped produce an abundance of new growth on trees of all ages. Most younger trees are loaded with new growth and generally bunches of new crop fruit. Tristeza is still killing a lot of the older trees on sour orange rootstock in all areas of the State. Harvesting of Valencias is just about over for this season. A few crops are being held for special uses such as fresh squeeze juice operations and fresh fruit roadside stands. Very few grapefruit are remaining to be picked. Caretakers are very busy mowing, chopping, and discing cover crops that are making rapid growth with the help of the summer rains. Dead and dying trees are being cut, pushed out and burned. Resets are mostly going in older groves with permanent irrigation. Summer fertilizations are going on in all areas. Growers are digging out vines before they cover the trees and the new crop fruit. Some fresh fruit producers are applying their third to fifth sprays so that they have very clean fruit for the markets. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Jun 15 Jun 22 Jun 29 Valencia oranges 2,527,000 1,136,000 193,000 All grapefruit 15,000 3,000 17,000 Honey tangerines 1,000 3,000 0 Comments/Contact Information To receive this report via e-mail, log onto http://www.usda.gov/nass/sso-rpts.htm Then click on “Subscribe” (upper right part of screen), then select “Florida Crop-Weather”, enter your name and your e-mail address, then click on “Subscribe”. The report will be sent automatically to your e-mail address each week.