fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending July 11, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. July 12, 2004 Report Code FL-CW2804 Weather Summary Report Hot temperatures with light rain prevailed during the week of July 4 through 10. Temperatures at the major stations were normal to two degrees above average. Daytime highs were in the 90s. Nighttime temperatures varied from low the 60s to the mid 70s. Miami recorded at least one nighttime low at 78 degrees. Several localities recorded traces of rain for the week while others received over two inches. Rain totaled from no precipitation at Tampa and Marianna to over 4 inches at Daytona Beach and Tallahassee. Field Crops Report The scattered rains left some areas dry in the Panhandle, the Big Bend area and some inland localities of the central and southern Peninsula. Drier conditions in Jackson County allowed field work to make good progress. Excessive rains in Washington and Gadsden counties continued to lower the quality of cut hay with harvesting delayed. The rainfall is advancing the growth of hay with abundant amounts available in some areas. Peanut condition improved slightly and is rated one percent poor, twenty-four percent fair, forty- five percent good and thirty percent excellent. Soil moisture supplies declined slightly due to the lack of rain in scattered localities. A few spots in the Panhandle reported surplus soil moisture while some localities along the southeastern Peninsula coast reported very short soil moisture. Percentage of Peanuts Harvested To Date This year 80% Last year 79% 5 - year average 70% 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 15 15 15 25 20 5 Adequate 70 65 68 65 70 76 Surplus 10 15 16 5 5 19 Vegetable Report Producers continue to market light supplies of sweet corn, watermelons and tomatoes. Okra harvesting continues in DadeCounty. Excessive rain in some Panhandle localities is lowering the quality and quantity of vegetables available for the local market. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and northern areas, pasture is growing well as soil moisture and temperature are very good. Pasture in the central area is good. Pasture in the south is suffering from drought. Statewide, the condition of cattle is fair to excellent with most in good condition. Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 5 5 0 0 Fair 20 30 20 25 Good 65 60 70 70 Excellent 10 5 10 5 Fruit Report Citrus: Variable weather patterns continued over the citrus areas of the state but with hot, humid afternoons prevailing. Thunderstorms developed over wide areas with some receiving heavy, violent storms and others only light rainfall. Most areas have not received even average rainfall amounts for the last three months, however it seems to rain when it is most needed. Many areas received some rainfall, up to 3.3 inches reported at one location. Even though reporting stations may 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 groves that received rainfall. Cultural practices are continuing including fertilizations, hedging, mechanical and chemical weed control, and the resetting of young trees. Some summer sprays are being applied as rainfall permits. Fresh fruit packing houses are closed for the season. Valencia orange harvest is complete with only fresh squeezed plants reported open. 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.