fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending February 13, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. February 14, 2005 Report Code FL-CW0705 Weather Summary Report Mostly clear conditions prevailed during the week of February 7 through 11. Most rainfall across the State ranged from traces or less over the Peninsula to a half inch or more in some western Panhandle localities. Temperatures hovered around normal in some northern areas whereas other areas were one to four degrees below normal. Nighttime lows were mainly in the 40s and 50s. Many localities recorded at least one low in the 30s. Jay, Tallahassee and Alachua recorded at least one low in the 20s. Areas in the southern Peninsula as well as some northern and central Peninsula localities are at high risk for wild fire hazard. Field Crops Report Rains in the western Panhandle interrupted some land preparation for spring crop planting. However, mostly mild, clear conditions elsewhere allowed field work to stay on schedule. Sugarcane harvesting continued in the Everglades area. Dry weather over most eastern Panhandle localities and throughout most of the Peninsula caused soil moisture levels to decrease and increased the danger of wildfire, especially in a few northern and central Peninsula areas, and over most of the southern Peninsula. Citrus, Brevard, St. Lucie, Broward and Dade counties reported spots of very short soil moisture supplies. Holmes, Jackson and Union counties reported some areas having surplus soil moisture. Elsewhere, soil moisture supplies are short to adequate. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 10 2 1 10 1 1 Short 50 48 14 40 38 17 Adequate 31 44 80 48 60 80 Surplus 9 6 5 2 1 2 Vegetable Report Planting and harvesting continued at a normal pace for most of the week. Growers continue to harvest snap beans, cabbage, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, peppers, radishes, squash, strawberries and tomatoes. Light harvesting of potatoes is active around Hastings. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and northern areas, pastures and winter grazing are starting to look somewhat bleak due to the drought and cold. Some pasture burning began for insect and weed control. Pasture in the central areas is poor to good, normal for this time of year. Hay feeding is active. In the southwest, range condition varies from very poor to good. Statewide, cattle condition varies from poor to good. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last Two week week Two weeks ago week week weeks ago Percent Very poor 5 5 5 0 0 0 Poor 45 40 45 5 5 15 Fair 15 30 25 45 45 50 Good 35 24 25 45 50 35 Excellent 0 1 0 5 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: Temperatures in citrus producing areas were in the mid 40s at night, and upper 70s for most of the week. On the weekend, temperatures dipped into the mid to low 30s on the east and west coast and in the northern areas. Rainfall was limited to less than one tenth of an inch in all areas. The warm weather along with moist soils from irrigation and some rains produced feathery new growth on most varieties. No bloom is being reported as of yet. Growers are continuing fertilization and irrigation practices in anticipation of abundant springtime new growth now emerging. Caretakers are mowing, hedging, topping and continuing to remove hurricane damaged trees. Late oranges are in the beginning stages of picking with the harvesting of early and mid oranges still going strong and the large majority going to processing. Small quantities of Sunburst tangerines and tangelos are still being picked for processing. Fresh fruit packing houses are still running oranges (decreasing amounts of Navels and mid-seasons, and increasing amounts of Valencias), white and colored grapefruit, small amounts of Tangelos, and increasing amounts of Temples and Honey tangerines. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Jan 30 Feb 06 Feb 13 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Early & Mid oranges 5,783 5,759 6,335 Navel oranges 68 47 27 Late oranges 9 24 42 Grapefruit 591 512 715 Tangelos 115 72 76 Sunburst tangerines 5 7 9 Honey tangerines 99 90 106 Temples 27 35 71 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.