fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending March 28, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. March 29, 2004 Report Code FL-CW1304 Weather Summary Report Spotty showers occurred over some central Peninsula areas during the week of March 21 through 27 while significant rains fell over the extreme southern Peninsula. Homestead, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and Kenansville reported a quarter to an inch and a quarter rain for the week. However, most rainfall amounts in areas receiving showers totaled less than a tenth inch with most localities recording no measurable precipitation for the week. Temperatures in the major cities averaged from three degrees below normal at Jacksonville to one degree above at West Palm Beach. Daytime highs were mostly in the 70s while nighttime lows were in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Several northern Peninsula and Panhandle localities recorded at least one low in the 30s while West Palm Beach reported no lows below 60. Field Crops Report Some Panhandle and northern Peninsula producers are irrigating dry soils to ease land preparation for corn, peanut and cotton plantings. The dry dirt is hindering some germination of earlier plantings. Recent frost caused no significant damage to ornamental and non-citrus fruit trees in Jefferson County. Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies continued to be depleted due to the lack of rain in most localities. Statewide, soil moisture is rated short to mostly adequate. Holmes, Washington, Jackson, Madison, Columbia, Baker and Broward counties reported spots of very short soil moisture while Seminole and Marion counties reported a few areas of surplus soil moisture Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 5 1 1 2 0 0 Short 35 19 8 33 25 8 Adequate 59 77 80 64 72 81 Surplus 1 3 11 1 3 11 Vegetable Report Planting and harvesting continued at a normal pace in central and southern Peninsula areas. Jefferson County growers are starting to transplant watermelons. Oldest plantings of potatoes are at full flower around Hastings. Strawberry picking, celery cutting, radish digging and the harvesting of leafy green vegetables such as escarole, endive and lettuce in southern areas are slowing seasonally as warmer temperatures arrive. Other vegetables available include snap beans, cabbage, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, squash and tomatoes. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and northern areas, winter grazing is stressed from drought and freezing temperatures. In the central counties, spring weather has been very favorable for pastures. However, pasture condition in the central and southwest is mostly fair. Statewide, cattle are in mostly fair condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 0 0 0 Poor 10 5 5 10 Fair 70 65 50 50 Good 15 30 40 35 Excellent 0 0 5 5 Fruit Report Citrus: Cloudy and windy weather dominated this week in the citrus belt with daytime high temperatures in the mid 80s and lows only into the upper 50s. The only rainfall was associated with a cold front that passed through the State mid-week with light, scattered showers. Rainfall was variable, with most areas receiving less than two tenths inch. Most growers are returning to frequent irrigation as trees are in open to completed bloom. Growers are reporting abundant new growth. Petal drop is complete in lower interior areas with open bloom in most others. Cultural practices are continuing, including fertilizations and hedging following harvest. Some growers are beginning post bloom spray applications. Most fresh fruit packinghouses are packing all available varieties with emphasis on export grapefruit. Varieties being packed include Valencia oranges, white and colored grapefruit, and Honey tangerines. Processing plants are receiving and processing fruit with weekly volumes of early-mid oranges declining as grapefruit and Valencia orange amounts increase. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Mar 14 Mar 21 Mar 28 Navel oranges 4,000 2,000 2,000 Early and Mid oranges 885,000 146,000 63,000 Valencia oranges 4,918,000 6,684,000 7,762,000 Grapefruit 2,426,000 2,108,000 1,960,000 Honey tangerines 184,000 177,000 214,000 Temples 140,000 52,000 46,000 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.