fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending May 2, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. May 3, 2004 Report Code FL-CW1804 Weather Summary Report Scattered showers replenished soil moisture in most localities especially at the end of the week of April 30 through May 1. Rainfall ranged from less than a tenth inch at Bronson to about five and a half inches at Ona and Umatilla. Some Panhandle areas received about three and a half inches while most Peninsula localities reported from a half inch to three and a half inches for the week. Temperatures in the major cities averaged from two degrees below normal at Pensacola to three degrees above at Daytona Beach and West Palm Beach. Daytime highs were in the 70s and 80s while nighttime lows were in the 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s. Several central and southern Peninsula localities reported at least one high in the 90s. Scattered storms continued to drop ample rain over some localities on Sunday and Monday, May 2 and 3. Field Crops Report Most crops escaped flood damage except for a few spots in low lying areas. Some growers stopped planting cotton prior to the rains because soils were too dry. Peanut planting is 15 percent finished compared with 8 percent planted last year and the five-year average progress of seventeen percent done by May 1. Most peanut producers delayed planting due to a lack of moisture and cool soil temperature with activity expected to get underway as soon as soils dry. Most tobacco growers have finished transplanting in Madison County. Most soil moisture supplies in the Panhandle are rated very short to short with Leon, Wakulla, Jefferson, Madison and Jackson counties reporting a few spots of adequate moisture. Jackson County also reported a few localities with surplus moisture. Most northern Peninsula soil moisture is very short to short with Baker, Madison, Nassau, Duval, Alachua, Marion and St. John's counties reporting a few localities with adequate moisture. Most central and southern Peninsula soil moisture supplies are short to adequate with St. Lucie County reporting very short soil moisture, Broward County reporting some areas with very short supplies, and Seminole and Dade counties reporting some localities with surplus supplies. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 15 25 4 15 15 1 Short 45 45 33 50 40 29 Adequate 39 30 51 34 45 59 Surplus 1 0 12 1 0 11 Vegetable Report Strong winds accompanying storms tossed vegetables with some yield prospects lowered. Producers in some parts of the Hastings area and central Peninsula are delaying potato digging until fields dry from the heavy rains. Other vegetables and non-citrus fruit available include snap beans, blueberries, cabbage, cantaloupes, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, okra, peppers, radishes, squash, tomatoes and very light supplies of watermelons. Livestock Report Pasture condition in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula varies from very poor to good. Pasture was suffering from drought and cool conditions. However, since this past week's good rains, pastures are now greening up. In the central area, pasture condition is mostly fair. Rain late in the week promised improved pasture for next week. In the southwest, pasture condition is mostly fair. Some low lying pasture is temporarily flooded by heavy rain. Statewide, the condition of cattle varies from very poor to good, with most in fair condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 5 5 1 Poor 20 25 5 3 Fair 65 50 60 55 Good 10 20 30 40 Excellent 0 0 0 1 Fruit Report Citrus: Typical spring weather continued this week in the citrus belt with daytime high temperatures reaching into the mid and upper 80s and lows into the 60s. Growers welcomed rainfall from a low pressure system and several fronts that moved through the state. With all stations reporting some rainfall, most occurred in interior areas with coastal stations receiving less. Over five inches was reported in some areas with most areas receiving a minimum of one-half inch. Cultural practices are continuing including fertilizations, hedging following harvest, and post bloom spray applications. Most fresh fruit packinghouses are packing all available varieties including Valencia oranges, decreasing amounts of colored grapefruit, and Honey tangerines. Processing plants are receiving and processing fruit with weekly volumes of grapefruit declining. Valencia orange harvest is at peak levels, near eight million boxes weekly. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Apr 18 Apr 25 May 2 Navel oranges 2,000 1,000 3,000 Early and Mid oranges 1,000 0 0 Valencia oranges 8,184,000 8,441,000 8,518,000 Grapefruit 1,138,000 1,220,000 835,000 Honey tangerines 145,000 114,000 65,000 Temples 22,000 21,000 5,000 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.