fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending October 24, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. October 25, 2004 Report Code FL-CW4304 Weather Summary Report Scattered rains covered many localities throughout the State during the week of October 18 through 24 with totals ranging from a tenth inch in Daytona Beach to nearly three inches in Homestead. However, a few areas received less than a tenth inch of rain, such as Balm, Bradenton, Jacksonville, Lake Alfred, MacClenny, Okahumpka, Ona, Pensacola, Putnam Hall and Tampa. Temperatures in the major cities averaged from normal in West Palm Beach to eight degrees above normal in Pensacola. Most daytime highs were in the 80s while nighttime lows were in the 50s, 60s and 70s. Field Crops Report Rainfall over some Panhandle and southern Peninsula localities improved soil moisture, while in other areas the soil moisture supplies dried. The few localities getting rain the Panhandle and southern Peninsula reported surplus moisture levels while scattered areas in the northern and central Peninsula and in the Panhandle reported short to adequate supplies. Very short soil moisture was reported for spots in the southeastern Peninsula. In Taylor County, hay making was active as well as in other areas as weather permitted. Rains delayed cotton and peanut harvesting in Washington County around mid-week; however, by the end of the week harvesting resumed. Nearly 35 percent of cotton picking was completed in Santa Rosa. Peanut digging progress reached 91 percent finished. Last year by this date, 94 percent of peanuts were dug with the five-year average at 92 percent completed. Percentage of Peanuts Harvested To Date This year 91% Last year 94% 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 1 1 4 0 1 4 Short 11 9 29 3 9 27 Adequate 55 70 65 64 70 63 Surplus 33 20 2 33 20 6 Vegetable Report Disease is affecting cucurbits in Dade County. Cabbage and broccoli planting remained active in the Hastings region with a very limited acreage of potatoes already planted. Most potato producers around Hastings plan to start planting in late December and early January. Panhandle producers, around Quincy and Chipley, continued to pick tomatoes with a strong demand and light supplies driving prices to record high levels. Producers continued to pick watermelons with very light supplies available. Other vegetables available include okra, sweet corn and pickles. Harvesting of snapbeans, eggplant, peppers and squash is getting underway with very light supplies available. Livestock Report The condition of range and pasture is mostly good in all but the central areas. In the Panhandle, north and Big Bend areas, pasture grass growth has slowed down due to cooler night temperatures. Haying was active and the planting of winter grazing continued. Pasture and winter grazing in some locations could stand a little rain. In the central areas, pasture condition is mostly poor as some pastures are still flooded and cattle condition is mostly fair. Statewide, the condition of the cattle is mostly good. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 5 0 0 Poor 20 15 0 5 Fair 25 35 30 30 Good 50 40 60 60 Excellent 5 5 10 5 Fruit Report Citrus: Light rainfall occurred across the citrus areas, mostly towards the beginning of the week, with only northern and central stations receiving more than an inch for the entire reporting period. The coastal areas were dryer, with the east coast reporting less than a half-inch, and the west coast reporting less than a tenth of an inch for the week. Warm temperatures were predominant throughout the week, with cooler temperatures coming through towards the end of the week, dropping to the low 60s by Sunday in all areas. Groves are beginning to dry out significantly due to the small amounts of rain and mild weather over the past few weeks. Moderate temperatures helped encourage color break in early and mid oranges as well as grapefruit. About half of the fresh fruit packing houses are now open with only about three processing plants running. Varieties being packed include early oranges (Navels, Ambersweet, and Hamlins), white and colored grapefruit, and Fallglo tangerines. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Oct 10 Oct 17 Oct 24 In thousands of 1 3/5 bu. boxes Early & Mid oranges 9 34 62 Navel oranges 3 27 58 Grapefruit 40 95 115 Tangerines 49 112 127 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.