fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending February 29, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. March 2, 2004 Report Code FL-CW0804 Weather Summary Report Significant rains occurred early to mid- week over nearly all localities during the week of February 22 through 28. Rainfall totaled from about an inch at Ft. Lauderdale to nearly five inches in Brooksville. Most areas received two to three inches. Temperatures for the week in the major cities averaged from six degrees below normal at Jacksonville and Tallahassee to one degree above at West Palm Beach. Daytime highs were in the 50s, 60s and 70s with several central and southern Peninsula localities recording at least one high in the 80s. Nighttime lows were in the 40s, 50s and 60s with several Panhandle and northern and central Peninsula localities reporting at least one low in the 30s. Field Crops Report Soggy soils slowed some land preparation for peanut and corn planting in northern Peninsula and Panhandle areas. The wet conditions also hindered some sugarcane harvesting in the Everglades with most on schedule. Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies are adequate to surplus in most areas. Wakulla, Columbia, Lake and Seminole counties reported a few spots of short soil moisture. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 0 1 9 0 1 6 Short 2 14 34 3 14 34 Adequate 68 81 48 72 82 56 Surplus 30 4 9 25 3 4 Vegetable Report Rains delayed some planting and harvesting in most areas. Potato digging continues in southern Peninsula localities. Strawberry growers are supplying fruit to the festival at Plant City which runs through March 7. Other vegetables available include snap beans, cabbage, celery, sweet corn, peppers, radishes, squash, and tomatoes. Only very light amounts of cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole and lettuce are available. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, the condition of cattle varies from fair to good. Pasture condition is poor at some locations due to flooding. In the northern area, the condition of cattle is good and pasture is fair to good with most in fair condition. Cool season forage is fair due to cold weather and wet ground in low places. In the central counties, grasses are growing and greening up. Pasture is mostly fair. In the southern area, most of the cattle are in good condition, and the condition ofpasture is mostly fair. Statewide, cattle condition is poor to excellent with most in good condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 4 0 0 Poor 15 10 10 5 Fair 60 40 35 25 Good 25 45 50 70 Excellent 0 1 5 0 Fruit Report Citrus: This week's weather was dominated by a slow moving cold front that moved through the State mid-week, bringing needed rainfall and colder temperatures. Most coastal and some upper interior stations reported over 2.5 inches of rain with all other areas reporting over 2 inches from the three day event. Temperatures dropped to the mid-40s following the front with cloudy, windy conditions extending into the weekend. Growers are reporting feathery new growth and abundant bloom buds on oranges and grapefruit. Because of the colder weather this week and last, full open bloom is several weeks away. 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 export of grapefruit. Varieties being packed include oranges (primarily Valencia), white and colored grapefruit, Honey tangerines, and Temples. Processing plants are receiving and processing fruit on a continuous basis with weekly volumes of early-mid oranges declining as grapefruit amounts increase. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Feb 15 Feb 22 Feb 29 Navel oranges 10,000 2,000 1,000 Early and Mid oranges 6,309,000 5,089,000 3,641,000 Valencia oranges 244,000 889,000 1,404,000 Grapefruit 1,960,000 2,207,000 1,939,000 Early tangerines 2,000 4,000 0 Honey tangerines 149,000 127,000 169,000 Tangelos 35,000 11,000 13,000 Temples 129,000 124,000 102,000 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.