fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending July 27, 2003 Released 4:00 P.M. July 28, 2003 Report Code FL-CW3003 Weather Summary Report Showers became more numerous during the week of July 20 through 26 as the remains of Tropical Depression six passed northward along the Atlantic Coast and redeveloped into Tropical Depression seven. Rainfall totaled from about a quarter inch in Miami to nearly four inches in West Palm Beach. Panhandle localities escaped the heavier showers with Jay recording only about a third inch for the week. Temperatures in the major cities averaged from one degree above normal in Miami to four degrees below in Pensacola. Daytime highs were in the 80s and 90s. Nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s. Field Crops Report Abundant rains and mild temperatures are boosting growth and development of peanuts and cotton in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula. Some low lying areas that are retaining water have reduced yield prospects. Peanuts are in mostly good to excellent condition with a small acreage reportedly in fair condition. Peanuts are ninety percent pegged compared with eighty-five percent last year and the five-year average of ninety percent pegged by this date. Tobacco producers continue to deliver contract poundage to the collection centers. Soil moisture in the Panhandle is adequate to mostly surplus. Northern Peninsula reporters show soil moisture mostly adequate to surplus. Most southern Peninsula soil moisture is adequate with spotty areas of surplus and short supplies depending on the amount of rain received. 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 0 0 Short 4 19 3 5 5 8 Adequate 70 65 45 80 80 41 Surplus 25 15 51 15 15 51 Vegetable Report Okra harvesting continues in Dade County. Producers delayed some fall crop planting until the weather became drier. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, most pasture is in good to excellent condition. However, pasture in some locations is in very poor condition due to too much rain. Excessive rain made haying virtually impossible in Washington County. In the northern counties, rainfall of the past week helped grass growth. In the central areas, armyworms have been spotted in Lake County. In the southwest, cattle are in good to excellent condition with pasture in fair to excellent condition. Horse producers are concerned over West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis as the mosquito population grows. Some armyworm problems were noted. The rain caused delays in fertilizer applications. Statewide, the condition of the cattle is mostly good. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 0 0 0 0 Fair 10 10 5 15 Good 75 75 75 75 Excellent 15 15 20 10 Fruit Report Citrus: Summer patterns of hot, humid weather continue with moderate and widely scattered rainfall. Thunderstorms were severe in some areas with the heaviest rainfall in the interior areas of the citrus belt. Sebring reported the most rain, almost 2.5 inches for the week, with all coastal areas receiving over 1.5 inches. Growers suspended irrigation in most areas as rainfall is sufficient at this time. In areas with heavy soils, growers are deep plowing middles to move water away from tree roots. Trees in all areas are reported in excellent condition. Fruit sizes are reported good at this time with golf ball size oranges and softball size grapefruit showing in all areas. Growers and caretakers continue with summer cultural practices including cover crop control, summer spraying for mites and insects, and dead tree removal. 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.