fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending July 31, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. August 1, 2005 Report Code FL-CW3105 Weather Summary Report CROPS REMAIN IN MOSTLY GOOD CONDITION Scattered showers brought welcomed rains to many Panhandle, central and northern Peninsula localities during the week of July 25 through 31 but drenched some areas of the Panhandle and southern Peninsula already swamped from prior rains. Rainfall ranged from none in Ft. Pierce to about six inches or more in Carrabelle. Temperatures in the major cities during the week averaged normal to four degrees above normal. Daytime highs were in the 90s. Nighttime lows were mostly in the 70s. Field Crops Report Hay baling has been difficult in some central Peninsula areas since wet conditions have prevented them from getting into the fields. Tobacco harvesting in Hamilton County is expected to be completed by next week and in Suwannee County tobacco harvesting is active but yields are below average due to prior wet conditions. Extreme dry, humid conditions are causing some corn and other crops to show severe drought stress in Jefferson County, although it is too early to determine the effect on yields. Disease pressure is increasing in peanuts in some Panhandle and northern Peninsula fields with most peanuts still in good condition and with 99 percent of the crop pegged. Last year, 95 percent of peanuts were pegged by this date and the five-year average is 90 percent. Cotton is in good condition in Jefferson County. Moisture supplies in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula areas were mostly short to adequate. Through the central and southern Peninsula localities soil moisture supplies are mostly adequate to surplus with some areas reporting some short supplies. Broward County reported very short to short moisture supplies. Percentage of Peanuts Pegged to date: This year Last year 5-year average 99 95 90 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture This Last Last This Last Last Rating week week year Week week Year Percent Very short 3 1 4 0 0 4 Short 17 9 16 17 5 11 Adequate 66 60 73 59 65 79 Surplus 14 30 7 24 30 6 Vegetable Report Some southern Peninsula growers delayed land preparations for fall crop planting due to the threat of tropical systems. Muddy fields around Immokalee slowed some field preparation for fall crop planting. Dade County growers continued to cut okra. Livestock Report In the Panhandle and northern areas, pasture is mostly in good condition, with limited pasture experiencing drought stress. Permanent pasture grass is maturing. Very few mole crickets, spittlebugs, or armyworms are reported so far this year. In the central areas, warm season forage for hay and pasture is in peak production. Soil moisture is limiting grass growth in some locations. In the southwest, pasture is in good condition. Statewide, 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 0 Fair 10 10 10 10 Good 70 70 85 80 Excellent 15 15 5 10 Fruit Report Citrus: Citrus bearing counties had predominantly hot weather from the beginning of the week, cooling down slightly over the weekend. Temperatures reached the mid to upper 90s in all areas, with Tavares recording the highest temperature at 98 degrees. The majority of the citrus belt was dryer than normal for the first part of the week with variable amounts of precipitation close to the end of the week. Although reporting stations may report minimal amounts, areas nearby may have received more. Caretakers not receiving adequate rainfall began using irrigation to keep trees from wilting from the intense heat. Overall, trees continue to look healthy. Normal practices continue including fertilizing, dead tree removal, young tree care, mechanical and chemical weed control, and resetting of young trees. Summer sprays are being applied to crops designated for fresh use. 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.