fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending June 12, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. June 13, 2005 Report Code FL-CW2405 Weather Summary Report Tropical Storm Arlene brought rain to most areas during the week of June 6 through 12 with the storm moving north through the Gulf of Mexico just off the west coast and making landfall near Pensacola. The clash of the Atlantic and Gulf sea breezes also produced thunderstorms during the week. Heavy rains from the storms totaled from about a third inch at Kenansville to over nine inches in Apopka. Most localities received from an inch to four inches of rain during the week. Temperatures for the week averaged from one degree below normal to two degrees above in the major cities. Daytime highs were in the 80s and 90s while nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s. Field Crops Report The rainfall delayed most hay harvesting. Clover in Leon County showed great blooms with most blooms now in the seed stage of growth. Producers are nearly finished planting the peanut crop with one percent of plants already forming pegs. Peanut condition is rated 2 percent poor, 30 percent fair, 48 percent good and 20 percent excellent with the excessive rainfall lowering the condition from last week. Actual storm damage to peanuts, cotton and other crops in the Panhandle is currently being assessed by growers. The excessive rainfall boosted soil moisture in nearly all areas. Only a few localities along the southeastern coast reported very short to short soil moisture supplies. Elsewhere, soil moisture is adequate to surplus. Percentage of Peanuts Pegged This year 1 Last year 21 Five year average 23 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 1 3 0 0 2 Short 1 2 29 1 8 25 Adequate 53 68 65 58 90 70 Surplus 45 29 3 41 2 3 Vegetable Report Rains over the vegetable producing areas delayed harvesting with most southern Peninsula picking of sweet corn, peppers and squash nearly finished for the season. Growers completed tomato harvesting around Immokalee. The tomato harvest got underway around Quincy with the crop pounded by rains from Tropical Storm Arlene. Producers are currently assessing damages to the Quincytomatoes. Less rain fell over the Hastings potato area with virtually no damage from the storms reported. Many potato producers in the Hastings area finished digging with only some of the processing crop left. Harvesting of Rabbiteye blueberries is active in Clay County. Other vegetables available include snap beans, eggplant, okra, cantaloupes and watermelons. Livestock Report The condition of pasture throughout the State improved considerably due to ample rainfall of the past two weeks. However, pastures at several locations in the Panhandle, central and southwest areas are flooded. Statewide, the 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 0 0 5 0 Fair 20 20 15 5 Good 75 70 70 70 Excellent 5 10 10 25 Fruit Report Citrus: For the second week, heavy rains occurred in almost all citrus producing counties. This week's weather was dominated by the passage of Tropical Storm Arlene along the west coast of Florida. Although not close enough to cause any strong winds, the bands of rain from the storm were evident in all areas. Interior areas received up to nine inches on top of heavy rains the previous week. Coastal areas along both coasts also received heavy rainfall. For the second week, harvest was interrupted to the point that processing plants had to slow down operations and in some cases close down temporarily. Groves are now very wet and that hampers all field work, including harvest. Temperatures were hot although not too much above normal for this time of year. Humidity levels were extremely high because of the rainfall. Harvest of Valencia oranges would be near complete if not for the two weeks of interruptions due to rain. Grapefruit harvest is virtually complete and Honey tangerine harvest is finished. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop May 29 June 5 June 12 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Valencia oranges 4,366 2,023 2,399 All grapefruit 13 4 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.