fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending September 12, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. September 13, 2004 Report Code FL-CW3704 Weather Summary Report Rain bands crossed the Peninsula as Hurricane Frances moved northward during the week of September 6 through 12, causing substantial flood damage in many areas. Significant rainfall at the major stations ranged from no precipitation at Pensacola to over twelve inches at Marion; however, some localities may have received more than the “official” recorded amount. Temperatures for the week averaged from two degrees below to two degrees above normal at the major stations. Daytime highs were in the upper 80s and lower 90s. Nighttime lows were in the high 60s and low 70s. Field Crops Report Soil moisture supplies in the Panhandle and southern Peninsula are short to adequate while central and northern Peninsula moisture is adequate to surplus. In Jefferson County, limb breakage and uprooted trees have left much of the remaining pecan crop lost. Producers in Leon County report there will be a shortage in hay supplies this winter. Cotton is maturing rapidly in Santa Rosa County with some early planted fields nearing defoliation time. Peanuts are in good to excellent condition. Clearer conditions allowed peanut producers to rapidly advance harvesting with 20 percent of the crop dug. Twelve percent of the peanuts were harvested by this date last year. Percentage of Peanuts Harvested To Date This year 20% Last year 12% 5 - year average 12% Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 0 4 1 0 1 0 Short 1 5 8 1 9 8 Adequate 29 57 54 31 57 55 Surplus 70 34 37 68 33 37 Vegetable Report Okra harvesting is active in Dade County. Fall field preparations for vegetables continue in southern and central Peninsula localities although rainfall delayed many activities. Some growers lost plastic ground cover and some new plants due to the hurricane winds and rain. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, pastures and hay fields look good. There is some concern that hay supplies will be short this winter. In the Big Bend, central and southwest areas, low spots in pastures are flooded from Hurricane Frances. Most pastures on the east coast and across the lower Peninsula are saturated and some are completely under water. Statewide, the condition of the cattle decreased significantly. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 0 0 0 Poor 20 5 0 0 Fair 60 5 25 5 Good 10 70 60 90 Excellent 5 20 15 5 Fruit Report Citrus: Unstable weather conditions occurred over the State following the passage of Hurricane Frances on Sunday the 5th with rainfall amounts variable. Hot temperatures returned with high humidity levels. Slow moving, heavy thunderstorms developed over wide areas with coastal and many interior areas receiving heavy rains on several days. Lakes and rivers are at their highest levels in many months. Growers continue to report many trees blown over or broken from both hurricanes in the interior counties and in the east coast counties. Groves hard hit from both hurricanes continue to drop fruit as growers assess damage and move downed trees to provide access to groves. Growers are trying to move excess water from groves as quickly as possible. 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.