fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending July 17, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. July 18, 2005 Report Code FL-CW2905 Weather Summary Report WET CONDITIONS CONTINUE ACROSS THE PENINSULA Daily, scattered thunderstorms persisted throughout the week of July 11 through 17. Rainfall varied from traces at Palmdale to over six inches at Tallahassee. Areas receiving over two inches of precipitation across the Peninsula were Balm, Hastings, Jacksonville, Ona and Pierson while MacClenny and Okahumpka recorded over four inches. Other localities received nearly an inch with most localities receiving over an inch of rainfall for the week. Some areas may have received more than the “official” recorded amount. Cloud cover kept temperatures around normal at the major stations. Daytime highs were mostly in the 90s with a few areas receiving temperatures in the 80s at least one day. Nighttime lows in most localities were in the 70s with a couple of stations recording at least one low in the 60s. Field Crops Report Producers in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula reported minimal damage from Hurricane Dennis, mainly saturated fields in low lying areas and some wind damage. Continuous rains this past week delayed fieldwork. Hay quality is declining in some northern Peninsula localities due to excessive wet fields with producers waiting for drier conditions to resume hay making. Tobacco fields in Suwannee County are suffering immensely from the wet conditions with many producers still reporting disease problems. Some wind damage plus heavy rains from Dennis in Jefferson County impacted tobacco fields. Pecan trees in Jefferson County sustained minimal loss of nuts with most of the crop in good condition. Corn silage is 50 percent harvested in Suwannee County with growers noticing that yields are below normal on earlier plantings due to the cool temperatures in April and May. Corn experienced about a 10 percent loss in Washington County from Hurricane Dennis whereas the overall crop appears to be in adequate condition. Peanut producers have delayed field work until fields dry out; however, they have been able to complete some aerial spraying. Overall, peanuts are in good to excellent condition with 77 percent of the crop pegged. Last year, 89 percent of peanuts were pegged by this date, while the five-year average is 79 percent. The daily rains over the Peninsula caused flooding in lowland areas. Topsoil and subsoil moisture is adequate to mostly surplus across the State with a few areas reporting some short supplies. Percentage of Peanuts Pegged to date: This year Last year 5-year average 77 89 79 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture This Last Last This Last Last Rating week week year week week Year Percent Very short 0 0 5 0 0 5 Short 3 11 11 2 4 21 Adequate 45 56 81 43 62 72 Surplus 52 33 3 55 34 2 Vegetable Report Rains and wet fields from Hurricane Dennis have halted or ended tomato harvesting around the Quincy area. Dade County growers continue to harvest okra. Growers continue to market light supplies of watermelons with most growers finished with harvesting. Livestock Report Hurricane Dennis caused some flooding in low spots in the Panhandle and some pasture flooding and fence damage in northern areas. The pasture in the Panhandle and northern areas is in good condition. Pasture in the central areas ranges from poor to excellent, with most in good condition. Range in the southwest is reported in fair to good condition, with most in fair condition. Most of the cattle in the Panhandle, north and central areas are in good to excellent condition. Cattle in the southwest are mostly in fair condition. Statewide, most of the 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 5 0 5 Fair 30 20 20 20 Good 55 65 65 70 Excellent 10 10 15 5 Fruit Report Citrus: During the week of July 11-17, afternoon and evening showers brought over two inches of rain in northern and western citrus producing counties. Some areas experienced severe thunderstorms several evenings during the week. High temperatures reached into the 90s in all areas, with the highest recorded in Sebring at over 95 degrees. Hurricane Emily stayed far enough into the Gulf not to influence this past week’s weather. Water levels still remain high in all areas with close to record rainfall recorded for the past couple months in some areas. Trees are still looking healthy with fruit sizing well. Caretakers and growers continue cultural practices including fertilizing, dead tree removal, and young tree care. Growers are doing what they can to minimize the spread of canker during the wet weather conditions. Harvest of Valencia oranges is relatively complete for the season. 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.