fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending April 4, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. April 5, 2004 Report Code FL-CW1404 Weather Summary Report Cool, dry conditions persisted during the week of March 28 through April 3. Temperatures in the major cities averaged one to four degrees below normal. Daytime highs were in the 70s with most localities recording at least one high in the 80s. Nighttime lows were in the 40s, 50s and 60s several northern Peninsula localities reporting at least one low in the 30s. Most areas recorded no measurable rain. During the first part of the week a few scattered localities reported from traces to about an inch and a half of rain. Field Crops Report Significant rainfall in Washington County let producers begin planting corn, again, and preparing land for peanuts at a rapid pace. Some Jackson County producers are irrigating corn and also irrigating land prior to planting. Most cotton planting is being delayed due to dry soils and cool temperatures. Most soils are too dry to plant in Madison County. Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies are decreasing in most areas due to the dry weather. Moisture supplies in nearly all localities are short to adequate. Holmes, Jackson, Madison, Columbia, Union, Baker and Broward counties reported areas of very short soil moisture. Seminole County also reported a few spots with 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 6 5 1 2 2 0 Short 46 35 6 40 33 4 Adequate 47 59 83 57 64 86 Surplus 1 1 10 1 1 10 Vegetable Report Planting is slowing seasonally in southern Peninsula areas. Harvesting in the central and southern Peninsula remains active as growers supply the spring holiday demand. Significant rainfall in Washington and Jackson counties allowed growers to resume watermelon planting. Oldest potatoes are bulking up nicely in the Hastings area. Broccoli, onion and leafy greens harvesting are active in the Hastings region. Vegetables in Leon County have emerged. Other vegetables and non-citrus fruit available include snap beans, cabbage, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, radishes, squash, strawberries and tomatoes. Livestock Report Producers in Leon County and other northern Peninsula and Panhandle localities are fertilizing pastures.Winter grazing condition is decreasing rapidly in Madison County. Crimson and Red Clover are heading out in Leon County. The condition of grazing improved with most central and southern Peninsula pastures in mostly fair to good condition. Most Panhandle and northern Peninsula grazing is poor to mostly fair. Cattle are in mostly fair to good condition, statewide. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 5 0 0 Poor 10 10 5 5 Fair 50 70 50 50 Good 30 15 40 40 Excellent 5 0 5 5 Fruit Report Citrus: Clear, cool and windy weather prevailed this week in the citrus belt with daytime high temperatures in the 70s and 80s and lows into the upper 40s on several mornings. Virtually no rainfall was recorded at any stations in the citrus areas this week. Growers are returning to frequent irrigation as trees show abundant new growth. Petal drop is complete in lower interior areas with open bloom to petal drop in all 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 which is drawing to a close for the season. Varieties being packed include Valencia oranges, white and colored grapefruit, and Honey tangerines. Processing plants are receiving and processing fruit with weekly volumes of grapefruit beginning to decline and Valencia orange amounts increasing. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Mar 21 Mar 28 Apr 4 Navel oranges 2,000 2,000 2,000 Early and Mid oranges 124,000 63,000 6,000 Valencia oranges 7,078,000 7,762,000 8,652,000 Grapefruit 2,149,000 1,960,000 1,844,000 Honey tangerines 197,000 214,000 187,000 Temples 58,000 46,000 63,000 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.