fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending August 14, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. August 15, 2005 Report Code FL-CW3305 Weather Summary Report Rainfall was sporadic during the week of August 8 through 14. Rainfall for the week ranged from less than a quarter inch in Fort Pierce, Umatilla, and Lake Alfred to over 3 inches in Hastings and Tallahassee. Many stations in the central to northern Peninsula reported from one to one and a half inches of rain. Average temperatures were mostly in the mid-80s, a degree or two above normal. High temperatures around the State were all in the low to mid-90s, with Orlando reaching a high of 96 and Tallahassee reaching a high of 95. Low temperatures were 70s across the State. Field Crops Report Peanut growers took advantage of a break in the rains to get into the fields to apply fungicide. Almost 75 percent of the peanut crop was rated good or excellent, although some white mold and tomato spotted wilt virus is showing up. All peanut plants have pegged. Hay production was reported below normal in some areas. Rainfall amounts have been varied, resulting in some areas being too wet and some areas too dry. In some localities, rains have continued to delay pest control activities. Topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies were reported mostly adequate or surplus, with a few reports of short supplies. Percentage of Peanuts Pegged to date: This year Last year 5-year average 100 100 97 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture This Last Last This Last Last Rating week week year week week Year Percent Very short 0 1 1 0 0 1 Short 8 5 13 6 6 5 Adequate 67 59 48 65 57 52 Surplus 25 35 38 29 37 42 Vegetable Report Growers in central and southern counties are beginning some field preparation activities and checking irrigation systems. Limited tomato planting has begun in southern Hillsborough County. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, the pasture condition is fair to excellent, with most pasture in good condition with excellent growing conditions. In the northern areas, armyworms are causing some damage. The pasture condition is poor to excellent, with most pasture in fair condition due to drought. In the central areas, the pasture condition is poor to excellent, with most pasture in good condition. In the southwest, the pasture condition is poor to excellent, with most pasture in poor to fair condition due to flooding. Statewide, the cattle condition is poor to excellent, with most 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 10 5 5 0 Fair 25 10 20 5 Good 60 70 70 90 Excellent 5 15 5 5 Fruit Report Citrus: A cool front, along with rainfall at the beginning of the week, cooled down the temperatures slightly in the western and central citrus producing counties. By the middle of the week, temperatures were back into the mid to upper 90s in all areas, with Lake Alfred and Sebring recording temperatures at over 96 degrees. Groves in the southern counties still have excess water in the grove middles and on secondary roads. Overall, trees look good, with field workers reporting slightly larger than golfball-size fruit on oranges and baseball-size fruit on grapefruit. Normal practices continue including fertilizing, spraying, and young tree care. Grove access is limited in some areas due to the canker eradication program in full progress. 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.