fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending June 27, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. June 28, 2004 Report Code FL-CW2404 Weather Summary Report The week of June 20 through 26 brought consistent temperatures but quite variable rainfall across the State. Some localities received traces of rain while others received over one to four inches of rainfall. Alachua and Dover reported less than a tenth inch of precipitation for the week while Jacksonville reported over five inches. Cloud cover kept temperatures from one to three degrees above normal at the major stations, while Pensacola was two degrees below normal. Daytime highs were mostly in the 90s with a few in the upper 80s. Nighttime lows were in the upper 60s and low 70s. Field Crops Report Frequent rains are hampering hay cutting, curing and baling, as well as timely applications of pesticides to cotton and peanuts in several Panhandle and northern Peninsula localities. Some fields are too wet for equipment movement. Peanut condition is rated one percent poor, nine percent fair, seventy percent good and twenty percent excellent with sixty percent of the acreage pegged. Disease infecting some tobacco was caused by long periods of leaves being wet which reduced the effectiveness of pesticides. The corn crop is in good condition. Pecan trees are showing an extremely light nut set in Jefferson County. Soil moisture increased with the scattered showers; however, some areas, skipped by the rains, remain dry. Several Panhandle and some central Peninsula counties report spots of surplus moisture. Pockets of short soil moisture conditions were reported in several Peninsula localities. Very short soil moisture supplies were reported in spots along southeastern coast. Percentage of Peanuts Pegged To Date This year 60% Last year 47% 5 - year average 47% Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 5 5 1 5 5 0 Short 30 25 5 15 30 5 Adequate 55 60 54 70 60 59 Surplus 10 10 40 10 5 36 Vegetable Report Field preparation for fall crop planting is underway in central and southern Peninsula localities. Tomato picking remains active in the Quincy area with supplies declining seasonally. Watermelons are dwindling as more producers finish harvesting. Disease infecting some Jefferson County melons was caused by long periods of leaves being wet, which reduced the effectiveness of pesticides. Sweet corn, okra, and potatoes continue to be marketed. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and northern areas, pasture and hayfields are responding well to rain and warm temperatures. Pastures are recovering from mole cricket damage. Pasture in the Big Bend counties is in fair condition due to lack of soil moisture. Livestock are showing the results of good grazing. Southwestern pasture condition varies from poor to excellent with the poor condition caused by drought. Statewide, the condition of cattle is mostly good. Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 5 5 0 0 Fair 25 50 25 30 Good 65 40 70 65 Excellent 5 5 5 5 Fruit Report Citrus: Typical summer weather patterns continue over the citrus areas of the State with hot, humid afternoons and thunderstorms developing over wide areas. Most areas received some rainfall with up to 2.5 inches reported at several locations. Even though reporting stations report minimal amounts, areas nearby may receive more because of the widely scattered nature of these fast developing, sometimes intense, storms. Some coastal stations reported less than an inch but areas just a few miles inland received much more. Growers in most areas report trees in good condition with a flush of new growth showing in many groves. Cultural practices are continuing including fertilizations, hedging, and the resetting of young trees. Some summer sprays are being applied as rainfall permits. Most fresh fruit packinghouses are closed for the season. The Valencia orange harvest is declining as plants close for the season. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Jun 13 Jun 20 Jun 27 Valencia oranges 4,162,000 2,933,000 940,000 Grapefruit 18,000 5,000 3,000 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.