fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending May 29, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. May 31, 2005 Report Code FL-CW2205 Weather Summary Report Mostly dry, sunny days with a few scattered showers occurred in most areas during the week of May 23 through May 29. Most stations received less than an inch of rain with several localities receiving no rain such as Alachua, Balm, Bronson, Pierson, Quincy, and Tavares. Hastings and Ona received over two inches of precipitation. Temperatures for the week averaged from around normal in Orlando and Tampa to three degrees below normal in Jacksonville. Daytime highs were mainly in the upper 80s with nearly all localities receiving at least one high in the 90s. Evening temperatures were in the 60s and 70s with some areas recording at least one low in the 50s. Field Crops Report Very dry soils delayed some peanut planting with progress 80 percent finished. Last year 73 percent of peanuts were planted by this date. The five-year average progress for peanut planting is 77 percent done by this date. Growers reported peanut condition as 30 percent fair and 70 percent good. Some dryland corn in Jefferson and Washington counties showed stress from the lack of moisture during May. Most growers irrigated crops where equipment was available. Soil moisture supplies were rated short to mostly adequate with Jackson and Broward counties reporting some areas with very short top soil moisture. PERCENTAGE OF PEANUTS PLANTED TO DATE This year 80 Last year 73 Five-year average 77 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 3 5 28 1 1 14 Short 37 55 54 24 29 67 Adequate 60 39 17 75 69 18 Surplus 0 1 1 0 1 1 Vegetable Report Low humidity, in addition to warm temperatures, caused some producers to run irrigation sprinklers for vegetables. Vegetable harvesting remained active as producers supplied the Memorial Day demand. Producers marketed blueberries, cantaloupes, cucumbers, sweet corn, eggplant, okra, peppers, potatoes, radishes and watermelons. Light supplies of snap beans and squash were also available. Celery harvesting is virtually done. Tomato picking is slowing in southern areas with the Quincy harvest to start in about a week. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, cattle are in fair to excellent condition. Pasture is in poor to excellent condition with much in fair condition due to moisture stress. In the north and Big Bend areas, cattle and pasture are in fair condition. Pastures are short of moisture. In the central areas, spring conditions were unusually cool with adequate moisture good for pasture. In the southwest, cattle are in fair to good condition and pasture is in fair condition. Statewide, cattle are mostly 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 0 0 0 Fair 35 45 20 35 Good 55 50 75 60 Excellent 5 5 5 5 Fruit Report Citrus: Rain fell in five of the seven monitored citrus producing areas, bringing over two inches in Ona and over an inch in Sebring. No rain was recorded on the west coast and in the extreme northern citrus area. Daytime high temperatures were in the low 90s and high 80s throughout the week in all areas. Lows were in the mid to high 60s. Growers are hedging, irrigating, and conducting more aggressive spray programs. There is still cleanup of trees and debris from the effects of last year's hurricanes. Harvest of Valencia oranges dropped below five million boxes a week and is continuing to decrease weekly. Grapefruit movement is down to the last few thousand boxes as harvest comes to an end. Grapefruit is going to both fresh and processing in equal amounts. Honey tangerine harvest is relatively done for the season. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop May 15 May 22 May 29 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Late oranges 5,469 4,696 4,407 Grapefruit 85 43 9 Honey tangerines 13 1 0 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.