fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending May 1, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. May 2, 2005 Report Code FL-CW1805 Weather Summary Report Scattered showers interrupted some field activities but missed some localities during the week of April 25 through May 1. More precipitation is needed in many localities to help elevate soil moisture supplies, especially over the southern Peninsula. Rainfall ranged from none at Belle Glade and Palm Beach to nearly five and a half inches at Pensacola. Localities in the western Panhandle received significant amounts of much needed precipitation. Several central and northern Peninsula areas received over a half an inch to nearly three inches. Sporadic showers dropped minimal traces of rain to nearly two inches in many southern Peninsula localities. Temperatures for the week were two to six degrees below normal at the major stations. Daytime highs were in the 70s and 80s with nighttime lows in the 40s, 50s and 60s. Tallahassee recorded at least one low in the 30s. Field Crops Report Wet soils delayed most peanut and cotton planting in the Panhandle. Peanut planting is five percent complete compared with 14 percent planted by this date last year and the five-year average progress of 14 percent planted. Frequent rainfall over the Panhandle and most of the northern Peninsula increased soil moisture supplies with most rated adequate to surplus for the region. A few spots in Wakulla and Washington counties have short soil moisture. Less rainfall over the central and southern Peninsula kept soil moisture mostly adequate with some localities in Hernando, Lee, Marion, Brevard, Indian River and St. Lucie counties reporting short soil moisture, and Hardee County reporting surplus soil moisture. The lack of rain over the extreme southern tip of the State left soil moisture very short to short in most parts of Collier, Hendry, Monroe, Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties with the potential for wild fires very high in the area. Percentage of Peanuts Planted to Date This year 5 Last year 14 Five year average 14 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 2 2 16 1 2 15 Short 18 32 45 19 25 48 Adequate 60 62 38 65 64 36 Surplus 20 4 1 15 9 1 Vegetable Report Wet fields curtailed some harvesting. Cantaloupe growers expect to begin harvesting within the next three weeks. Reports of cool over night temperatures in Gadsden County slowed growth and development of tomatoes as well as other crops. Watermelons are showing 12 to 18 inch runners in Jefferson County. Producers marketed snap beans, blueberries, cabbage, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, potatoes, squash, tomatoes and watermelons. The volume of endive, escarole, lettuce, okra and radishes declined seasonally. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, pasture is in very poor to excellent condition with most in good condition. Pasture in some locations is drying out after recent heavy rains. In the northern areas, pasture green-up slowed due to cool temperatures. In the southwest, cattle are in fair to good condition. The range grass is in poor to good condition with most in good condition. Drought hurt grass growth. Statewide, most 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 10 0 5 Fair 25 35 20 15 Good 60 35 75 65 Excellent 10 20 5 15 Fruit Report Citrus: The citrus producing areas experienced warm weather for most of the week with the exception being a cold front last Monday morning bringing temperatures to the low 40s in Ona and the mid to high 40s in all other citrus areas. Rain recorded throughout the state ranged from almost three inches on the west coast to less than an inch in both the northern-most citrus area and in the southern-most citrus area. New foliage is hardening on trees of all ages in well-cared-for groves. Some of the new little pea size fruit is dropping as the trees adjust to the size or quantity they can carry for the next crop year. Growers are still mowing and applying post harvest sprays. Harvest of Valencia oranges for processing continues to be strong. Grapefruit harvest for fresh and processing shipments slowed as supplies are depleted. Most of the colored grapefruit currently being picked is going fresh, while white grapefruit is going to the juice plants. Temple harvesting is complete and Honey tangerine harvest continued to slow, but is still being picked, primarily for the fresh market. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Apr 17 Apr 24 May 01 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Early & Mid oranges 2 1 0 Late oranges 6,220 6,481 5,694 Grapefruit 291 256 97 Honey tangerines 82 71 46 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.