fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending August 8, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. August 9, 2004 Report Code FL-CW3204 Weather Summary Report Heavy showers brought significant showers to the Central and Southern Peninsula areas during the week of August 1 through 7. Bradenton, Daytona Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami all received over five inches of rainfall. Rainfall totaled from hardly any precipitation at Live Oak to over ten inches at Tampa. Daytime highs were in the upper 80s and 90s. Nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s. Temperatures for the week averaged from one degree to three degrees above normal in major cities while Tampa and Miami were two degrees below normal. Field Crops Report Some areas in the Panhandle and Northern Peninsula experienced short to adequate topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies due to the lack of precipitation as well as high temperatures, causing some peanuts in Jackson County to show drought stress. Most soil moisture supplies in the Southern Peninsula localities are adequate to surplus with adequate supplies reported for the central counties. Peanut condition is rated 15% fair, 50% good, and 35% excellent. Breaks from the rain allowed most growers to resume spraying pesticides. In Washington County, hay harvesting is resuming at a rapid pace. Corn is showing moisture stress in Leon County. Cotton remains in good condition. Tobacco harvesting is active in Taylor County. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 5 1 0 5 0 Short 10 15 2 9 10 3 Adequate 74 75 49 75 80 53 Surplus 15 5 48 16 5 44 Vegetable Report Field preparations for fall crop planting continues actively in southern Peninsula areas. Dade County producers continue to cut okra. Livestock Report Pasture condition in all areas ranges from fair to excellent with most pasture in good shape. Good soil moisture and growing temperatures are promoting grass growth. In the central areas, there is some damage from armyworms in pastures. Statewide, the condition of cattle is mostly good. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 0 5 0 0 Fair 15 25 10 20 Good 75 50 75 55 Excellent 10 20 15 25 Fruit Report Citrus: Wet weather over the state for the second week was very welcome as unsettled weather conditions provided scattered but heavy rainfall in most areas. High temperatures reached the low 90s on several days but were moderate most days. Slow moving but heavy thunderstorms developed over wide areas with west coast areas receiving heavy rains on several days. Bradenton reported over seven inches for the week. East coast areas also reported over four inches for the week with all interior areas reporting lesser amounts. Rainfall amounts are so variable that although reporting stations may report minimal amounts, areas nearby may receive more. Growers in most areas report trees in better condition because of the recent rainfall. Cultural practices continue, including fertilizations, hedging, mechanical and chemical weed control, and resetting of young trees. Summer sprays are being applied to crops designated for fresh use as rainfall permits. 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.