fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending May 9, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. May 10, 2004 Report Code FL-CW1904 Weather Summary Report Storms early in the week gave way to dry conditions during the rest of the week of May 2 through May 8. Rain for the week totaled from mostly traces at Live Oak and Marianna, to over two and a half inches at Tallahassee with Jacksonville, Pensacola and Balm also receiving over two inches. Other localities reported about a quarter to an inch and a half of rain for the week. Temperatures at the major stations 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 with several localities recording at least one high in the 90s. Nighttime lows ranged from the 40s to the 70s. Field Crops Report Cotton and peanut planting became very active in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula after soils dried from the early week rains. The moisture boosted growth of corn with most fields in good condition. Most tobacco fields are transplanted in Taylor County. Haymaking is active in the Panhandle. All areas report short to adequate soil moisture supplies with some spots of very short moisture in Santa Rosa, St. Lucie, Charlotte and Broward counties. A few locations in Seminole County have surplus moisture. Dry conditions from mid-week until the end depleted soil moisture in most areas. Percentage of Peanuts Planted to Date This year 20 Last year 21 Five-year Average 30 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 10 15 7 10 15 1 Short 30 45 43 35 50 35 Adequate 59 39 46 54 34 60 Surplus 1 1 4 1 1 4 Vegetable Report Harvesting is increasing as producers satisfy the Memorial Day demand. Vegetables and non-citrus fruit available include snap beans, blueberries, cabbage, cantaloupes, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, okra, peppers, potatoes, radishes, squash, tomatoes and watermelons. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and northern areas, pasture condition ranges from very poor to good, with most pasture in fair shape. Cooler than normal temperatures midweek slowed growth. Forages emerged following the early-week rains. The feeding of supplemental hay to livestock is still active. In the south, cattle condition ranges from poor to good, with most of the cattle in good condition. Pasture condition is low due to drought. Statewide, cattle are in fair to good condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 5 0 5 Poor 10 20 5 5 Fair 70 65 45 60 Good 20 10 50 30 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: Spring-like weather prevailed this week in the citrus belt with daytime high temperatures reaching into the mid and upper 80s and lows into the mid 50s. Growers welcomed rainfall from a low pressure system and several fronts that moved through the state early in the week. With all stations reporting some rainfall, the most occurred in interior areas with coastal stations receiving less. Almost one and a half inches was reported in some areas with other areas receiving less. 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 25 May 2 May 9 Navel oranges 2,000 3,000 2,000 Valencia oranges 8,331,000 8,518,000 7,813,000 Grapefruit 1,220,000 835,000 650,000 Honey tangerines 114,000 65,000 45,000 Temples 10,000 5,000 0 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.