fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending June 6, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. June 7, 2004 Report Code FL-CW2304 Weather Summary Report Scattered storms helped alleviate dry conditions in many Panhandle and central Peninsula areas and a few northern and southern Peninsula localities during the week of May 30 through June 5. Rainfall totaled from less than a tenth inch at Bradenton, Homestead, Okahumpka, Umatilla, Jacksonville and Miami, to over three inches at Quincy and Tallahassee. Many central Peninsula and some east coast localities received one to three inches of rain from these storms. Lightning accompanying the rains started several fires. The scattered nature of the recent rain left some areas dry with the danger of wildfire high. Temperatures in the major cities averaged from normal at Pensacola to four degrees above at Miami and West Palm Beach. Daytime highs were in the 80s and 90s. Nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s. Field Crops Report Cotton remains in good condition, statewide, with only a few farmers, especially in Washington County, having to replant due to poor germination. Peanut condition is rated five percent poor, twenty percent fair, fifty-five percent good and twenty percent excellent with most growers expected to finish planting, except for the green peanut crop, this week. Soil moisture supplies increased in areas that received the recent rain. However, soil moisture in localities which the rains skipped remain dry. Union, Alachua, Citrus, Brevard, St. Lucie, Okeechobee, Charlotte and Broward counties reported some areas with very short soil moisture. Some Panhandle and a few central Peninsula areas that received abundant rainfall reported some spots with surplus soil moisture, especially in Jackson, Holmes and Osceola counties. Percentage of Peanuts Planted To Date This year 85% Last year 96% 5 - year average 92% Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 15 30 3 10 15 2 Short 30 55 21 30 70 14 Adequate 50 14 61 55 14 73 Surplus 5 1 15 5 1 11 Vegetable Report Truck shortages continue to slow movement of potatoes, as well as other crops, from the Hastings and central Peninsula areas. Tomato picking was delayed by showers in the Quincy area with most producers expected to increase volume thisweek. Most radish digging is finished for the season. Other vegetables and non-citrus crops available include cantaloupe, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peppers, tomatoes and watermelons. Livestock Report Panhandle, the condition of pasture and cattle is fair to good, with pasture benefitting from recent rains. In the Big Bend area, pasture is poor to fair, with drought stifling grass growth. Ranchers are feeding supplemental hay to livestock in some cases. In the south, the condition of the cattle and pasture is mostly fair due to drought. Statewide, the condition of the cattle is fair to good. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 5 0 1 Poor 25 30 5 5 Fair 50 40 50 30 Good 20 25 40 63 Excellent 0 0 5 1 Fruit Report Citrus: The extreme hot and dry weather pattern of the last few weeks was broken this week with the arrival of afternoon thunder- storms. Although widely scattered, most areas in the citrus belt received some rainfall. Coastal and upper interior areas received the least, only up to an inch. Many interior areas received over 1.5 inches with some reporting up to four. Temperatures moderated with the arrival of afternoon rains. Growers in all areas report needing more rain to replenish soil moisture levels which declined dramatically in the spring. Water restrictions are still in force in some locations and several major flood canals on the east coast are still to low to pump water from. Cultural practices are continuing including fertilizations, hedging, and reseting of young trees. Most fresh fruit packinghouses are closed for the season with only a few continuing to pack Valencia oranges. Valencia orange weekly harvest is declining as plants close for the season. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop May 23 May 31 Jun 6 Valencia oranges 7,474,000 6,774,000 4,674,000 Grapefruit 210,000 89,000 74,000 Honey tangerines 7,000 1,000 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.