fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending March 13, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. March 14, 2005 Report Code FL-CW1105 Weather Summary Report Frequent showers crossing from the Panhandle down to the southern Peninsula brought moisture to all areas during the week of March 7 through 13. Rainfall ranged from about a quarter inch at Jay to over three inches at West Palm Beach. Immokalee received over two inches of rainfall while a few other localities recorded over an inch of rainfall. Several areas recorded over a quarter of an inch of precipitation to nearly an inch of rainfall for the week. Temperatures ranged from three to seven degrees below normal in the major cities. Daytime highs were in the 60s and 70s with many areas recoding at least one high in the 80s. Nighttime lows were mainly in the 40s and 50s with some localities reporting at least one low in the 30s. Field Crops Report Sugarcane harvesting is slowing seasonally in the Everglades area. Showers slowed some ground preparations for planting in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula. Rainfall increased soil moisture in most areas with supplies rated mostly adequate to surplus except for some spots of very short to short moisture in Washington, Jackson, Leon, Jefferson, Hernando, Indian River, Martin, Palm Beach, Broward and Dade counties. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 2 1 1 1 0 Short 6 11 25 12 10 26 Adequate 78 84 70 72 84 68 Surplus 15 3 4 15 5 6 Vegetable Report Some field activity was delayed due to showers. Producers marketed snap beans, cabbage, celery, potatoes, strawberries, sweet corn and tomatoes. Light supplies of cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, lettuce, peppers, radishes and squash were also available. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, pasture improved following nice rains. In the northern areas, pasture grass began to emerge due to warmer temperatures. The warm weather, combined with some moisture, has the winter grazing finally growing. The Bahia grass pasture is starting to green up. In the southwest, pasture condition is good. Statewide, condition of cattle is fair to good. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 5 5 5 5 Poor 10 20 10 15 Fair 50 45 40 40 Good 35 30 45 40 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: For the third week in a row, all citrus producing counties recorded some rainfall. Immokalee recorded above average rainfall at over two inches; Lake Alfred recorded the least at one third of an inch. All areas recorded daytime temperatures in the upper 70s, and nighttime temperatures in the low 40s. Scattered bloom was reported across the State from pencil eraser size bloom buds to blossoms erupting, primarily on weaker trees. Abundant feathery new growth appeared on most varieties with generous flush coming on strong in many areas. Most growers are finishing or have finished mowing, hedging and topping. They are now applying fertilizers, copper sprays and herbicides. Early and mid orange harvesting is winding down with increasing amounts of late oranges (Valencias) being picked primarily for processing. Tangelos are still being picked for processing while white and colored grapefruit are being picked for both fresh and processing. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Feb 27 Mar 06 Mar 13 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Early & Mid oranges 3,662 2,453 1,163 Navel oranges 4 0 0 Late oranges 205 690 1,424 Grapefruit 578 606 543 Tangelos 47 49 30 Sunburst tangerines 1 6 1 Honey tangerines 117 119 116 Temples 80 105 26 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.