fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending November 21, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. November 22, 2004 Report Code FL-CW4704 Weather Summary Report The week of November 15 through 21 was mostly warm and dry. Most major stations reported temperatures slightly above normal for the week; however, West Palm Beach was two degrees below normal. Daytime highs were in 70s and 80s. Nighttime lows were mostly in the 40s, 50s, and 60s with at least one low recorded in the 30s in some Panhandle and northern Peninsula localities. Light showers brought over one inch of precipitation to Marianna while other areas across the State received barely an inch of rainfall. Most localities recorded less than a quarter of an inch of rain for the week. Field Crops Report Topsoil and subsoil moisture is mostly short to adequate with some central and southern Peninsula localities reporting surplus supplies. Very short moisture supplies were reported for Broward County. Washington County growers continue to harvest cotton and expect to complete harvesting within two weeks. Rains are needed to finish planting small grains in Washington County. Some cotton yields in Jackson County were lower due to disease. Sugarcane harvesting remains active in the Everglades area. Peanut condition is 99 percent finished compared to 100 percent for acreage dug by this date last year and the five-year average of 99 percent. Percentage of Peanuts Harvested To Date This year 99% Last year 100% 5 - year average 99% Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 0 1 0 0 1 Short 24 52 19 18 35 18 Adequate 72 47 79 70 64 80 Surplus 3 1 1 12 1 1 Vegetable Report Harvesting to meet the Thanksgiving demand continued at an active pace. Warm days and mostly cool nights aided crop development which allowed field work to progress on schedule. Potato field preparation and planting are active in the Hastings area. Strawberry harvesting around the Plant City region is increasing even though planting was delayed due to hurricanes. Tomato picking around Quincy is virtually complete while central and southern Peninsula areas are increasing seasonally. Celery growers expect to begin harvesting by early December. Producers are picking snap beans, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peppers, pickles, and squash. Light supplies of sweet corn, okra, radishes, and watermelons are available. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and northern areas, production of warm season grass is declining seasonally. Planting of small grain for winter forage continues. Rain is needed to finish planting of cool season forage. Pastures are getting dry and grass has really started to slow down. Cows are starting to calve and cow condition is down due to calving and poor quality grass. In the central and southwest, range condition is poor to good, with most in good condition. Some locations in Okeechobee County have pastures flooded. Statewide, the condition of cattle and calves 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 20 10 5 0 Fair 35 55 40 25 Good 44 34 54 65 Excellent 1 1 1 10 Fruit Report Citrus: Overall, temperatures were slightly above average in the citrus producing areas. Small amounts of rainfall were recorded across the citrus belt, with no significant amount in any given area. Color is improving on early tangerines, early oranges, some mids, and grapefruit. Fruit droppage of most varieties appears to be evident in hurricane affected areas. Horticultural practices in response to the effects of the hurricanes include hedging and topping, and adjusted fertilizing practices. Removing of completely damaged trees and the recovery of partially defoliated trees is also taking place in areas where hurricane damage occurred. Minimal irrigation practices on surface roots and ground is occurring where dry conditions over the last few weeks have been prevalent. About half of the fresh fruit packing houses are open with a few more processing plants opening during the last week. Varieties being packed include early oranges (Navels, Ambersweet, and Hamlins), white and colored grapefruit, Fallglo and Sunburst tangerines and small amounts of Tangelos. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Nov 07 Nov 14 Nov 21 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Early & Mid oranges 134 160 1,180 Navel oranges 104 101 122 Grapefruit 309 312 332 Tangerines 142 201 221 Tangelos 3 9 59 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.