fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending July 24, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. July 25, 2005 Report Code FL-CW3005 Weather Summary Report GROWERS WELCOME DRIER WEATHER Mostly dry, humid conditions persisted during the week of July 18 through 24 with only a few scattered showers allowing almost a full week for field work. Daily high temperatures were in the 90s with Jacksonville recording at least one daily high at 100. Most low temperatures were in the 70s with a couple of cities recording at least one low in the 60s. Temperatures at the major stations averaged one to four degrees above normal. No rainfall was recorded at Jacksonville, Hastings, MacClenny and Quincy. The most recorded rainfall for the week was in Bronson and Balm with both stations recording over two inches. Areas receiving over an inch of precipitation included Brooksville, Kenansville, Lake Alfred, Palmdale and Tavares. Other localities rainfall for the week totaled under an inch. Field Crops Report Crops on well drained soils in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula are in mostly good to excellent condition. Recent abundant rains affected the growth and development of crops on heavier soils in low lying areas with most in poor condition. Peanut condition is rated 1 percent very poor, 1 percent poor, 1 percent fair, 50 percent good and 47 percent excellent. The percent of peanuts pegged reached 85 percent versus 93 percent last year and the five-year average of 85 percent pegged by this date. In Suwannee County, peanuts are in very good condition and showing no signs of disease while producers finished harvesting 60 to 70 percent of corn silage and began harvesting the Bahia grass seed crop. Cotton in Washington County is in good condition. Hay making remained active during the week in drier areas with some poor quality reported due to earlier rains. Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies remained mostly adequate to surplus with drier weather causing some very short to short supplies in scattered localities across the State. Counties reporting spots of surplus soil moisture supplies included Dade, Lee, Hernando, Union and Madison. Percentage of Peanuts Pegged to date: This year Last year 5-year average 85 93 85 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture This Last Last This Last Last Rating week week year week week Year Percent Very short 1 0 2 0 0 2 Short 9 3 18 5 2 19 Adequate 60 45 63 65 43 70 Surplus 30 52 17 30 55 9 Vegetable Report Field preparation for fall crop planting remains active. Okra harvesting continues in Dade County. Light supplies of tomatoes are being marketed. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, the cattle are in fair to excellent condition and the pasture is mostly in good condition. In the northern area, while some pasture is still drying out from hurricane rain, other pasture is short of moisture. The cattle are mostly in good condition. In the southwest, the range and pasture are in good condition. Statewide, the condition of the 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 5 5 0 0 Fair 10 30 10 20 Good 70 55 80 65 Excellent 15 10 10 15 Fruit Report Citrus: The week of July 18-24 was hot and humid in all areas. High temperatures were in the mid to upper 90s, with the highest being recorded in Lake Alfred at over 95 degrees. All areas received some rainfall. The west coast received almost three inches, while the east coast received slightly over a tenth of an inch. Water levels still remain high, but the lower amounts of rainfall are a desired change for most growers. Trees continue to look healthy in areas where growers are maintaining their groves. Caretakers and growers continue cultural practices including fertilizing, dead tree removal, and young tree care. Some growers are limiting grove access to minimize the spread of canker during the wet weather conditions. 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.