fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending November 30, 2003 Released 4:00 P.M. December 1, 2003 Report Code FL-CW4403 Weather Summary Report Mostly mild conditions during the first half of the week of November 23 through 29 gave way to cold temperatures during the last half with many northern and central Peninsula, and Panhandle localities recording at least one low in the 30s. Heavy frosts occurred in the colder areas. Many Panhandle areas reported lows in the 20s on Sunday, November 30 accompanied by hard freezes. Temperatures for the week averaged from three degrees below normal to two degrees above in the major cities. Daytime highs averaged in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Nighttime lows averaged in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Rainfall ranged from none in several central and southern Peninsula areas to over one and a half inches in Jay. Most Panhandle and Big Bend localities received from a half inch to one and a half inches of rain during the week. Elsewhere, most reports showed no rain or only traces falling. Field Crops Report Sugarcane harvesting continues in the Everglades region. Rainfall over the Panhandle delayed most cotton picking with most acreage already harvested. Rainfall over the Panhandle and Big Bend areas replenished most soil moisture. Mostly dry conditions elsewhere lowered topsoil moisture supplies. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 1 4 1 1 9 Short 24 19 18 14 19 24 Adequate 74 79 72 84 79 65 Surplus 1 1 6 1 1 2 Vegetable Report Freezing temperatures brought most Panhandle and northern Peninsula harvesting to an end. Cooler, drier weather in central and southern Peninsula localities permitted planting and picking to remain on schedule. Most growers paused field work for the Thanksgiving observance. Irrigation is active in drier areas of the central and southern Peninsula. Vegetables available include snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peppers, squash, tomatoes and a very light volume of watermelons. Livestock Report Cattle condition is rated fair to mostly good. Pasture condition is rated fair to mostly good. Cold temperatures in the Panhandle and northern areas are deteriorating some grazing with most small grain pastures stillgrowing. Dry conditions in some central and southern areas are slowing grass growth. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 5 5 0 5 Fair 35 25 25 15 Good 55 65 70 70 Excellent 5 5 5 10 Fruit Report Citrus: Very limited rainfall occurred in the citrus producing areas as the first strong cold front of the winter moved through the State late in the week. Only trace amounts occurred in most areas with one station reporting a quarter of an inch rain for the week. Temperatures dipped into the high 30s and low to mid 40s as far south as Immokalee on two mornings. Most growers continue to irrigate in the sand hill groves to maintain surface moisture levels. Warmer temperatures prevailed early in the week and then turned colder as the front passed through the State. Cover crop control ahead of harvest and dead tree removal and replacement continues. Fruit growth is reported good and the majority of trees are in excellent condition. Growers and packers report good natural color and excellent external appearance on early tangerines, early oranges, and grapefruit. Most fresh fruit packing houses are open. Varieties being packed include early oranges (Navels, and Hamlins), white and colored grapefruit, Sunburst tangerines, and Orlando tangelos. All processing plants are reported open and receiving eliminations and field run fruit. As more harvesting crews arrive, volume for processing is expected to increase. Some plants closed on Thanksgiving Day while others reduced shifts. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Nov 16 Nov 23 Nov 30 Navel oranges 189,000 264,000 224,000 Early and Mid oranges 4,338,000 5,340,000 5,917,000 Grapefruit 438,000 893,000 709,000 Tangerines 315,000 308,000 157,000 Tangelos 25,000 35,000 49,000 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.