fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending February 8, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. February 9, 2004 Report Code FL-CW0604 Weather Summary Report Temperatures during the week of February 1 through 7 averaged from one degree below to six degrees above normal in the major cities with most three to five degrees above. Daytime highs were in the 60s, 70s and 80s. Nighttime lows were in the 40s, 50s, and 60s. Several Panhandle and northern Peninsula localities and some central Peninsula areas recorded at least one low in the 30s during the week. On Saturday night, February 7 into Sunday morning, February 8, temperatures plunged into 30s over the Panhandle and over the northern and central Peninsula with southern Peninsula areas experiencing lows in the 40s. Strong winds accompanied the low temperatures. Rains fell mid-to-late week dropping only traces over most west central localities, and an inch to two and two thirds inches of precipitation over many Panhandle, northern Peninsula and a few central and southern Peninsula areas, especially around Hastings and Homestead. Field Crops Report Sugarcane harvesting in the Everglades area continues. Ground is too dry to dig fence post holes in Union County which had some spots with very short soil moisture prior to the late week rainfall. Surplus soil moisture exists in some Panhandle localities, especially after the late week rainfall, and in some areas of Seminole County. 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 1 1 0 Short 14 29 63 24 34 42 Adequate 80 69 36 74 64 58 Surplus 5 1 0 1 1 0 Vegetable Report Mostly dry conditions in the Palmetto-Ruskin and Immokalee areas allowed planting and harvesting to proceed at a normal pace. Spring crop planting is active in Columbia County. Rain in the Homestead area slowed some field activities in mid-to-late week. Tomato producers in the Quincy area are planning preparations for the spring crop. Rains slowed potato planting and cabbage cutting around Hastings at the end of the week. Other vegetables and non-citrus fruit available include snap beans, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, peppers, radishes, squash, strawberries and tomatoes. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, growth of cool season forages varies from poor to good, depending on location. Growth is helped by longer days in some locations, but cooler than normal weather is hampering growth in the area. Hay supplies are starting to get short. In the northern area, rain lastweek and mild temperatures are really helping improve the condition of pastures and livestock. In the central area, soaking rains over the weekend helped rye pastures recover from dry topsoil conditions, but soil is drying again. Stock ponds remain low. In the southwest, range condition varies from very poor to good, with most being in fair condition. Statewide, most cattle are in good condition. 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 5 Fair 60 55 40 60 Good 20 25 55 35 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: Warmer, but still winter weather occurred during the week with moderately cool nights and warm days. Temperatures were in the mid 40s in some locations mid-week with some nighttime temperatures only into the 50s. Daytime highs reached to the 80s on several days. Near the end of the week, a fast moving cold front moved across the State bringing light amounts of rainfall and dropping temperatures to the high 30s in some locations. Less than two tenths of an inch of rain was reported in most locations. Some growers are reporting feathery new growth beginning to show on some varieties and are starting to fertilize groves in anticipation of new growth emerging. Most fresh fruit packinghouses are packing all available varieties with emphasis on export of grapefruit increasing. Varieties being packed include oranges (Navels, Pineapple, and Valencia), white and colored grapefruit, Honey tangerines, and Temples. Processing plants are receiving and processing fruit on a continuous basis with weekly volumes of oranges beginning to decline as grapefruit amounts increase. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Jan 25 Feb 1 Feb 8 Navel oranges 53,000 22,000 12,000 Early and Mid oranges 8,228,000 7,245,000 7,313,000 Valencia oranges 20,000 42,000 117,000 Grapefruit 1,462,000 1,399,000 1,373,000 Early tangerines 11,000 4,000 2,000 Honey tangerines 107,000 99,000 127,000 Tangelos 36,000 23,000 27,000 Temples 74,000 95,000 101,000 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.