fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending February 15, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. February 17, 2004 Report Code FL-CW0704 Weather Summary Report Significant rains fell over most Panhandle and northern Peninsula localities, and a few central areas, during the week of February 8 through 14. Homestead and Immokalee reported no rainfall for the week; nearly 4 inches were reported in Pensacola. Temperatures for the week averaged three degrees below to three degrees above normal. Daytime highs were in the 50s, 60s, 70s and 80s. Nighttime lows were in the 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s with several Panhandle and northern localities recording at least one low in the 20s Field Crops Report Harvesting of sugarcane in the Everglades is active. Tobacco beds are in good condition in Columbia County. Marion County growers are preparing land for peanut planting. Most soil moisture supplies in the Panhandle are adequate to surplus with a few spots of short topsoil moisture which missed the recent rains. A few spots of very short soil moisture were reported in Broward and Baker counties. Elsewhere, soil moisture is short to adequate with areas getting the recent rain reporting mostly adequate 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 1 1 1 1 Short 14 14 43 14 24 23 Adequate 80 80 56 83 74 76 Surplus 5 5 0 2 1 0 Vegetable Report Mostly clear weather again helped keep planting and harvesting on schedule in the Immokalee, Homestead and Palmetto-Ruskin areas while the recent rain delayed some land preparations in Duval County. Jefferson County producers are preparing land for spring crop watermelons. 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, cold, frosty nights and mornings have prevented winter forage growth. In some areas, surplus moisture and trampling by livestock have reduced much forage. In Leon County winter forage is in good shape with adequate moisture. Permanent pasture is beginning to return. In the northern counties, cool season forage is growing well following light rain. The cool, rainy conditions of the past week have been stressful on livestock. In the west central area, the condtion of cattle and pasture is mostly good. In the southernarea, the condition of the range is poor to good with most in good 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 10 5 Fair 45 60 40 40 Good 35 20 50 55 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: Warm, pleasant weather occurred during the week with moderately cool nights and warm days. Temperatures were in the low to mid 50s most mornings with daytime highs reaching to the 80s on several days. Late morning fog occurred several mornings. Near the end of the week, a fast moving cool front moved across the State bringing varying amounts of rainfall. Amounts reported ranged from 1/4 inch to 1 1/4 inches in interior and west coast areas. Growers are reporting abundant feathery new growth. Bloom buds are beginning to show on oranges and grapefruit. Cultural practices, in anticipation of bloom, are beginning, including fertilizations and hedging following harvest. Most fresh fruit packinghouses are packing all available varieties with emphasis on the export of grapefruit. Varieties being packed include oranges (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 Feb 1 Feb 8 Feb 15 Navel oranges 35,000 12,000 7,000 Early and Mid oranges 7,560,000 7,313,000 6,478,000 Valencia oranges 49,000 117,000 238,000 Grapefruit 1,425,000 1,373,000 1,838,000 Early tangerines 3,000 2,000 4,000 Honey tangerines 113,000 127,000 152,000 Tangelos 23,000 27,000 36,000 Temples 114,000 101,000 109,000 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.