fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending February 1, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. February 2, 2004 Report Code FL-CW0504 Weather Summary Report Significant rains near the beginning and again near the end of the week of January 25 through 31, brought from a half inch to over three inches precipitation to all regions. Temperatures for the week averaged normal to two degrees below in the major cities. Daytime highs were in the 60s and 70s with most localities, except for the Panhandle, recording at least one high in the 80s. Nighttime lows were in the 30s, 40s and 50s with several Panhandle and northern Peninsula localities, and some central Peninsula areas, recording at least one low in 20s. Field Crops Report Northern producers continue to prepare land for tobacco planting. Sugarcane harvesting is active in the Everglades region. Ample rains over most areas decreased the danger of wild fires and raised soil moisture levels. Most soil moisture is rated short to adequate. Some very short soil moisture, mostly subsoil supplies, exists in spots of Washington, Union, Columbia, Baker and Broward counties. Some areas of Seminole County have surplus subsoil moisture. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 5 1 1 5 0 Short 29 30 50 34 25 32 Adequate 69 65 49 64 70 68 Surplus 1 0 0 1 0 0 Vegetable Report The rains curtailed some planting and harvesting during the week. Potato planting is active around Hastings with some fields planted later than normal due to a lack of early contracts for chipping types. Northern producers are preparing land for spring crop vegetable planting. Cabbage, broccoli and Asian vegetable harvesting remains active in the Hastings area. Other vegetables available include snap beans, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, peppers, radishes, squash and tomatoes. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, the impact of the cold weather on cool season forages was offset by the rain. In the northern areas, cool season forage is making slow growth due to the cool weather with recent rainfall relieving some stress. Supplemental feeding of livestock is active. The condition of oats forage is reduced in some locations by disease. Statewide, the condition of cattle is mostly fair. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 5 0 0 Poor 15 15 5 10 Fair 55 40 60 35 Good 25 40 35 55 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: Typical winter weather occurred during the week with cool nights and moderately cool days. Late in the week, a weak low pressure system moved over the State bringing slow, steady rainfall to almost all citrus areas. Temperatures were in the mid to low 30s in some locations mid-week with light to moderate frost reported as far south as Polk County. No damage was reported. Rainfall through the weekend totaled up to one and one half inches in some locations. With the colder weather, trees are hardy and should withstand any later cold weather. Some growers are starting to fertilize groves in anticipation of springtime new growth emerging. Most fresh fruit packinghouses are packing all available varieties with emphasis on the export of grapefruit increasing. Varieties being packed include oranges (Navels, Hamlins, Pineapple, and Valencia), white and colored grapefruit, Honey tangerines, tangelos, and Temples. Processing plants are open to receive and process fruit on a continuous basis with weekly volumes of oranges beginning to decline as grapefruit amounts increase. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Jan 18 Jan 25 Feb 1 Navel oranges 65,000 39,000 22,000 Early and Mid oranges 8,442,000 8,465,000 7,245,000 Valencia oranges 16,000 19,000 42,000 Grapefruit 1,481,000 1,357,000 1,399,000 Early tangerines 32,000 7,000 4,000 Honey tangerines 166,000 109,000 99,000 Tangelos 46,000 33,000 23,000 Temples 58,000 69,000 95,000 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.