fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending May 30, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. June 1, 2004 Report Code FL-CW2104 Weather Summary Report Dry, hot weather increased the danger of wildfire during the week of May 23 through 29. Virtually no rain fell during the period with only traces reported in West Palm Beach, Ft. Lauderdale and Ft. Pierce. Temperatures in the major cities averaged from normal at Miami to five degrees above at Jacksonville. Daytime highs were in the 80s and 90s while nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s. A few northern localities reported at least one low in the 50s. On Tuesday, May 31, temperatures in some east coast localities reached 99 degrees. Field Crops Report Most cotton fields are in good condition. Some producers are waiting on rain before finishing peanut planting. A few others are waiting until small grain harvesting is finished before planting peanuts as a double crop. Hay making is in full swing in Washington County. The dry weather caused soil moisture to drop with most supplies rated very short to short. A few spots in Seminole County still have surplus moisture. Percentage of Peanuts Harvested To Date This year 75% Last year 86% 5 - year average 84% Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 30 13 5 15 10 4 Short 55 50 23 70 50 15 Adequate 14 37 68 14 40 77 Surplus 1 0 4 1 0 4 Vegetable Report Hot temperatures are bringing most harvesting to an end in the southern and central Peninsula. Some truck shortages are hindering the movement of potatoes from the central Peninsula and Hastings areas. Most blueberry, snap bean and squash harvesting is finished for the season. Other vegetables and non-citrus fruit available includes cantaloupe, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peppers, radishes, tomatoes and watermelons. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, north, and central counties, pasture condition is declining rapidly due to the dry, hot weather. Pasture on high ground is especially stressed while pasture on bottom land is still looking pretty good. Cattle condition ranges from poor to good. In the south, pasture condition ranges from very poor to good with most fair to good. Throughout the State cattle are being fed supplemental hay with supplies dwindling in several areas. Statewide, cattle condition is mostly good. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 5 1 1 Poor 30 15 5 4 Fair 40 45 30 40 Good 25 35 63 50 Excellent 0 0 1 5 Fruit Report Citrus: Hot, dry weather continued this week in the citrus belt with daytime high temperatures reaching into the mid and sometimes high 90s in several areas. Growers in all areas report needing rain as soil moisture levels declined dramatically. All stations reported no rainfall all week. Irrigation is being used extensively to maintain soil moisture levels in this important fruit set period. Water restrictions are in force in some locations and several major flood canals on the east coast are too low to pump water from. Cultural practices are continuing including fertilizations, hedging, and the reseting of young trees. Most fresh fruit packinghouses are closed for the season but several continue packing Valencia oranges and decreasing amounts of colored grapefruit. Processing plants are receiving and processing fruit with weekly volumes of grapefruit declining. Valencia orange weekly harvest is declining as plants close for the season. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop May 16 May 23 May 31 Navel oranges 1,000 1,000 0 Valencia oranges 8,452,000 7,887,000 6,774,000 Grapefruit 329,000 265,000 89,000 Honey tangerines 9,000 1,000 1,000 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.