fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending April 10, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. April 11, 2005 Report Code FL-CW1505 Weather Summary Report Significant showers crossing from the Panhandle down to the southern Peninsula slowed some field activities throughout the week of April 4 through 9. Statewide, rainfall ranged from traces at Avalon to over seven inches in Pensacola. Most southern Peninsula rainfall ranged from over a half an inch at Bradenton to over five inches at Miami with several locations receiving an inch to two inches. Several areas throughout the central and northern Peninsula received rains that ranged from under a tenth of an inch at Tavares to over three inches in Tallahassee. Ocklawaha and Putnam Hall received over two and a quarter inches of rainfall. Several areas of the Panhandle recorded substantial showers with most areas receiving one to four inches of rainfall. Temperatures for the week at the major stations averaged around normal in Jacksonville and Daytona Beach; however, at other stations temperatures were one to three degrees below normal. Daytime highs were in the 70s and 80s. Nighttime lows were in the 50s and 60s with several localities recording at least one low in the 40s. Tallahassee reported at least one nighttime low in the 30s. Field Crops Report The ample rains over the Panhandle again delayed most land preparation and planting due to soggy fields with flooding reported in many localities. Recent heavy rains caused a lot of soil erosion in Jefferson County. Drier weather in scattered localities of the northern, central and southern Peninsula allowed field work to remain on schedule. Soil moisture supplies remained adequate to surplus in most Panhandle and northern Peninsula areas. Lesser amounts of rain over most central and southern parts kept soil moisture supplies adequate except for Citrus and Hernando counties, which reported short supplies, and some spots of the southeastern coast where supplies remained very short. Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 1 14 0 1 9 Short 9 3 41 2 4 44 Adequate 60 50 44 78 50 47 Surplus 30 46 1 20 45 0 Vegetable Report Wet conditions delayed some field activity and planting during the week. Central Peninsula producers picked blueberries with very light supplies available. Strawberry harvesting continued to slow seasonally around Plant City. Some early potato digging was curtailed by rains. Growers continued to harvest snap beans, cabbage, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, radishes, squash, and tomatoes. Light supplies of endive, escarole, and lettuce were also available. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and Northern areas, pastures are fair to excellent. Some pasture is flooded from recent heavy rains. Permanent pasture is starting to grow as temperatures increase. Cattle condition is poor to excellent. In the central areas, good rains this spring resulted in good pasture condition. Cattle condition is fair to good. Pastures in the southern areas are mostly good. Statewide, most of the cattle are in good condition. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 5 5 0 10 Fair 25 35 20 40 Good 60 60 75 50 Excellent 10 0 5 0 Fruit Report Citrus: This past week had fairly mild weather in citrus producing areas, with temperatures reaching the mid 80s during most days in all areas, and dropping down at night to the low to mid 50s. There was some rainfall recorded on Thursday morning in all areas. Totals were between less than one tenth of an inch in Tavares to almost two inches in Ft. Pierce. Oranges and grapefruit are in full bloom in all counties with petal drop in some. Growers continue to conduct post harvest herbiciding, fertilizing, aerial spraying and grove maintenance clean- up. Early and mid orange harvesting is relatively complete. Harvest of late oranges (Valencias) continues in full swing with most of the fruit being picked for processing. White and colored grapefruit harvesting, being picked for both fresh and processing, is decreasing. Tangelo harvesting is complete and Temple harvesting is winding down. Honey tangerine harvest slowed down some, but they are still being picked, primarily for the fresh market. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Mar 27 Apr 03 Apr 10 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Early & Mid oranges 84 18 4 Late oranges 3,958 4,990 5,297 Grapefruit 426 406 394 Tangelos 4 0 0 Honey tangerines 118 104 99 Temples 10 6 4 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.