fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending June 26, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. June 27, 2005 Report Code FL-CW2605 Weather Summary Report Substantial rainfall brought copious amounts of precipitation to various localities during the period of June 20 through 26. Recorded rainfall totals ranged from none in Marianna to more than six inches in Miami. Significant showers were mainly in the central and southern Peninsula with nearly all areas receiving over two inches. Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Homestead, Immokalee, and Kenansville reported over three inches for the week. Rainfall over the rest of the central and southern Peninsula totaled one to two inches. The rain missed many areas in the Panhandle as well as the northern Peninsula. Temperatures were below normal for this time of year with most major cities one to four degrees below. Daytime highs were in the 80s and 90s with evening temperatures in the 60s and 70s. Field Crops Report Drier conditions over the Panhandle and some northern Peninsula counties allowed growers to apply herbicides, pesticides, and fungicides to peanuts and other crops. Growers reported lots of grasshoppers, spittle bugs and corn ear worms in Leon Count y. Peanut condition was rated 1 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 7 percent fair, 66 percent good and 25 percent excellent. The percent of peanuts pegged reached 30 percent versus 58 percent last year and the five-year average of 46 percent pegged by this date. Warmer temperatures are aiding the growth of cotton. Producers cut, mowed and baled hay during the clearer weather over the Panhandle and most of the northern Peninsula. Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies are short to adequate across the Panhandle and most of the northern Peninsula and mostly adequate to surplus elsewhere. Okeechobee County reported over 25 inches of rain falling in some localities during the past three weeks. Parts of Dade County received over 7 inches in the past ten days. Percentage of Peanuts Pegged to Date This year 30 Last year 58 Five year average 46 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture Rating This Last Last This Last Last week week year week week Year Percent Very short 0 1 5 0 0 5 Short 10 3 29 7 1 17 Adequate 65 53 56 70 58 69 Surplus 25 43 10 23 41 9 Vegetable Report Plentiful rains interrupted most fieldwork in addition to curtailing the harvest of some crops. Producers around the Quincyregion increased tomato picking as harvesting from central areas declined seasonally. Okra harvesting was active in Dade County. Watermelon and cantaloupe cutting continued with growers helping to supply the Independence Day market. Some growers in the northern Peninsula reported some problems with watermelon disease. The volume of cucumbers, eggplant and peppers declined seasonally. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, most pasture is in good to excellent condition but some pasture is showing signs of drought stress. In the northern areas, most pasture is in good condition but there is standing water still in some pastures. In the Big Bend area, the pasture is fair due to limited soil moisture. Pasture in the southwest is mostly fair to good but the condition of cattle varies from poor to good. Statewide, the condition of cattle is mostly good. 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 5 Fair 20 10 20 15 Good 70 80 65 75 Excellent 10 10 10 5 Fruit Report Citrus: Moderate but wet weather conditions prevailed over the citrus areas of the State during the week. High temperatures reached only the high 80s and low 90s because of the almost daily rains. Early in the week, rainfall was spotty and light. But mid-week, a weak low pressure system moved over the State that brought slow moving storms with heavy downpours. Groves in the southwest areas recorded over three inches of rainfall over several days. East coast areas also received variable amounts as the system rotated through the State with interior areas receiving spotty but lesser amounts. Growers reported trees in very good condition as new crop fruit grows very fast because of the abundant rainfall. Most areas are 10 to 20 percent ahead of normal rainfall amounts for this time of year. Lakes and canals are at their highest levels since last summer after the hurricanes. Harvest of Valencia oranges is declining as plants close for the season. Storms interrupted picking on a limited basis as harvesters try to finish this season's crop. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Jun 26 Jun 19 Jun 12 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Valencia oranges 1,861 2,573 2,968 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.