fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending December 26, 2004 Released 4:00 P.M. December 27, 2004 Report Code FL-CW5204 Weather Summary Report A cold front passing over the State at the end of the week of December 20 through 26 brought much needed rain to most areas. Rainfall for the week in the major cities ranged from none in Homestead to over three and a half inches in Pensacola. The Panhandle and Big Bend areas received two to three inches with some coastal localities recording over four inches. Northern Peninsula localities received a half inch to two inches. Most central and southern Peninsula areas reported a half inch to over three inches with some west central localities saturated and the extreme southern Peninsula recording none or only traces for the week. Temperatures plunged below normal with the weekly average temperature two to nine degrees below normal. Daytime highs averaged in the 50s, 60s and 70s with a few southern Peninsula areas recording at least one high in the 80s. Nighttime lows averaged from the 30s to the 60s. Several Panhandle and northern Peninsula localities recorded at least one low in the 20s. Some frosts occurred in a few central Peninsula areas with several Panhandle and northern Peninsula localities reporting frost and a few hard freezes. Field Crops Report Sugarcane harvesting was active in the Everglades region. Soil moisture supplies were short to mostly adequate in most areas prior to the late week rainfall. The end of week rains saturated some low lying areas and caused surplus soil moisture supplies, especially in the Panhandle and west central Peninsula. In the extreme southeastern Peninsula, soils remained dry with no significant rain falling over the area during the week. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 13 1 1 11 4 Short 9 30 19 14 22 16 Adequate 75 55 78 80 60 79 Surplus 15 2 2 5 7 1 Vegetable Report Some planting and harvesting slowed as the rain spread southward and growers observed the holidays. Cooler temperatures slowed the maturation of some crops but aided the development of strawberries. Vegetables and non citrus fruit marketed during the week included snap beans, cabbage, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, peppers, radishes, strawberries, squash and tomatoes. Celery harvesting is getting underway in the Lake Okeechobee area. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and northern areas, freezing temperatures slowed the growth of small grain winter forage. Supplemental hay feeding was active in the north and central areas. In the central areas, pasture condition is poor to fair due to cold temperatures. Standing water is receding in flooded pastures. In the southwest areas, cold weather and drought limited grass growth. Statewide, the condition of cattle is mostly fair. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 30 25 5 10 Fair 55 65 55 65 Good 15 9 35 20 Excellent 0 1 5 5 Fruit Report Citrus: A cold front moved across the citrus belt on Monday night, bringing temperatures ranging from 28 degrees in the Bradenton area to 40 in Ft. Pierce. In areas where the temperatures were below freezing, the duration was less than three hours, and was not long or cold enough to cause any freeze damage. The middle of the week was mild and dry until Christmas Day, when rain bands covered the State. All stations reported at least a half an inch on Christmas. The Southern stations (Sebring and Ona) reported the most at over two inches. The removal of dead or damaged trees and reduction of excessive weed growth is occurring in citrus groves. Color break is evident on late oranges in many areas. Early and mid oranges are going to processing plants, while fresh fruit packing houses are still running early oranges (Navels and Hamlins), white and colored grapefruit, Sunburst and Honey tangerines and tangelos. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Dec 12 Dec 19 Dec 26 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Early & Mid oranges 4,790 5,610 4,004 Navel oranges 309 187 61 Grapefruit 414 471 367 Early tangerines 239 222 122 Honey Tangerines 0 0 6 Tangelos 125 77 39 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.