fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending July 03, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. July 05, 2005 Report Code FL-CW2705 Weather Summary Report Widespread showers crossing from the northern Peninsula down to the southern Peninsula brought substantial rains to many localities during the week of June 27 through July 3. Rainfall ranged from about a quarter of an inch at Tallahassee to a little over ten inches at Jacksonville. Panhandle localities escaped the heavier showers with most areas recording over an inch of rain. Several stations in the northern Peninsula received over five inches of precipitation with MacClenny receiving over eight and half inches. Recorded rainfall in central Peninsula localities ranged from over two and half inches at Pierson to over six inches in Tampa, Tavares and Umatilla. Daily showers in most locations in the southern Peninsula brought from one to over two inches for the week. Temperatures in the major cities hovered around normal to one degree below normal. Daytime highs were in the upper 80s with a few areas creeping up into the lower 90s. Pleasant evening temperatures were mainly in the 70s with some areas recording at least one nighttime low in the 60s. Field Crops Report Field work in many areas was suspended due to continuous rains this past week. Tobacco harvesting is underway in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula localities. Cucumber mosaic virus and tomato spot wilt virus have been reported in some tobacco fields due to excessive rains which have lowered the quality of leaves in some northern Peninsula fields. Cucumber mosaic virus has also affected some row crops in the northern Peninsula where aphids have been reported. Peanuts and cotton in Jackson County have benefited from the rains which have boosted growth as well as development. However, rains in some areas of Madison County have flooded peanut fields while other areas with sandy soils are in good condition. Overall peanut condition is 1 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 2 percent fair, 85 percent good and 11 percent excellent. The peanut crop is 40 percent pegged compared to 69 percent last year and the five year-average of 57 percent. Corn silage harvest began in Suwannee County. Hay baling was not active in many areas due to rains hindering field work. Second applications of weed control are being made along with first fungicide sprays. Topsoil and subsoil moisture in the Panhandle is mostly adequate with a few short and surplus pockets. Areas in the northern Peninsula report mostly adequate to surplus supplies with areas receiving lighter showers reporting some short supplies. Most central and southern Peninsula locations recorded adequate to surplus supplies with Hernando County reporting short to adequate. Percentage of Peanuts Pegged to date: This year Last year 5-year average 40 69 57 Soil Moisture Chart Moisture Topsoil Subsoil This Last Last This Last Last Rating week week year week week Year Percent Very short 0 0 5 0 0 5 Short 13 10 17 5 7 19 Adequate 34 65 64 42 70 70 Surplus 53 25 14 53 23 6 Vegetable Report Continuous showers in some vegetable areas this week slowed field work. There are reports of disease problems in some produce in Madison County. Watermelon supplies are dwindling as more producers finish harvesting. Dade County growers continue to harvest okra. Growers in Leon County report severe problems with insects in tomato fields. Tomato picking is nearing the end in the Quincy area with fewer supplies available. Supplies are declining seasonally with a light supply of cucumbers, eggplant, peppers and potatoes available. Vegetable Report Most pasture in the Panhandle is in good to excellent condition. However, pasture in some locations is in poor condition due to too much rain. Excessive rains made haymaking virtually impossible in some central and northern Peninsula localities. Growers in Osceola County are concerned that if moisture persists cattle condition will begin to deteriorate due to poor forage conditions and possible parasite pressures. The rain caused some delays in fertilizer applications in some central Peninsula areas. In the northern counties, rainfall this past week helped grass growth. Cattle in the southwest 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 16 0 4 5 Fair 23 20 15 20 Good 54 70 66 65 Excellent 7 10 15 10 Fruit Report Citrus: Wet weather conditions are widespread in citrus producing areas across the State. This past week brought more rain to already saturated citrus groves. The most rainfall was recorded in the northern citrus areas at over six inches, while the least recorded was over an inch in the southern citrus areas. Temperatures were in the low 90s during the day, with high humidity. Lakes and canals continue to be at their highest levels since last year’s hurricanes. Growers in most areas report trees in good condition with new growth progressing well. Oranges are golf ball size, while grapefruit are about two to three times as large. Cultural practices have been hampered, but as weather permits growers are continuing maintenance to include fertilizations, mowing, mechanical and chemical weed control, and the resetting of young trees. Many growers are pumping out excess water in heavily drenched groves. Valencia orange weekly harvest is declining as we near the end of the season. Estimated boxes harvested - week ended Crop Jun 19 Jun 26 Jul 03 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Valencia oranges 2,496 1,861 896 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.