fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending March 27, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. March 28, 2005 Report Code FL-CW1305 Weather Summary Report Significant rainfall over the northern and most of the central Peninsula as well as the Panhandle region helped elevate soil moisture supplies during the week of March 21 through 27. Rainfall totaled from less than a tenth inch at Ft. Lauderdale to nearly six inches in Pierson. Most southern Peninsula localities rainfall totaled from under a tenth inch to nearly one inch with some areas still needing more precipitation. Several areas throughout the northern and central Peninsula received rains that ranged from over of an inch to almost four inches of rainfall with a few localities reporting under an inch of precipitation. Scattered areas of the Panhandle also received substantial showers with Jay reporting over three inches and Jackson County reporting five inches of rainfall. Temperatures for the week in the major cities averaged from two to five degrees above normal. Daytime highs were in the 70s and 80s. Miami recorded at least one high in the 90s. Nighttime lows were in 50s, 60s and 70s with some localities reporting at least one low in the 40s. Field Crops Report In the Panhandle and northern Peninsula, plowing and discing of land for peanut and cotton planting was very active between showers. Some field corn germinated well and was reported to be in good condition in Jackson County. Sugarcane harvesting slowed seasonally with activity expected to be completed this week. Ample rains over the northern Peninsula and most of the central Peninsula and Panhandle kept soil moisture supplies mostly adequate to surplus. Lesser amounts of rain in some central Peninsula areas and most of the southern Peninsula kept some soils dry and in need of moisture. Hernando and Washington counties reported some spots of short soil moisture while several counties along the southeastern coast continued to report very short to short soil moisture. Statewide, soil moisture supplies were rated mostly adequate to surplus. 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 1 1 2 Short 4 4 33 4 10 32 Adequate 65 79 62 75 74 65 Surplus 30 16 1 20 15 1 Vegetable Report Most southern Peninsula vegetable areas escaped the frequent showers this week with planting and harvesting on schedule. Potato harvesting around the Hastings area is expected to begin in one to two weeks. Some potato fields are saturated around the Hastings region with fields draining nicely and no significant water damage expected. The low carb and other types of potatoes from Southern Peninsula areas are currently being marketed. Blueberry harvesting got underway with very light amounts available. Other vegetables and non citrus marketed during the week included snap beans, cabbage, celery, cucumbers, peppers, potatoes, radishes, squash, sweet corn, strawberries and tomatoes. Light supplies of endive, escarole, eggplant and lettuce were also available. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, permanent pasture is greening up following rain and warmer temperatures. In the north, winter forages are growing well. Some pasture is drying out from the weekend rains. In the south, pastures are greening up and cattle condition improved somewhat. Statewide, the 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 0 Poor 10 10 10 5 Fair 40 25 35 20 Good 45 60 50 75 Excellent 0 0 0 0 Fruit Report Citrus: Warmer weather prevailed during most of the week in all citrus producing counties with rainfall levels between one tenth of an inch in Ona, to over three inches in Tavares. Oranges are in full bloom with some petal drop in the northern, western and southern counties. Bloom progression is still two to three weeks behind in some of the eastern counties, primarily due to the cooler temperatures earlier in the month. Cultural practices include applying herbicides, fertilizing, aerial spraying and post harvest hedging. Early and mid orange harvesting is almost complete with increasing amounts of late oranges (Valencias) being picked mostly for processing. White and colored grapefruit are being picked for both fresh and processing. Tangelo and Temple harvesting is decreasing, with Honey tangerine harvest remaining steady, primarily for the fresh market. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Mar 13 Mar 20 Mar 27 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Early & Mid oranges 1,064 360 91 Late oranges 1,609 2,183 3,523 Grapefruit 517 503 418 Tangelos 15 5 5 Honey tangerines 128 115 118 Temples 36 8 8 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.