fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending October 2, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. October 3, 2005 Report Code FL-CW4005 me="TD" width=84 valign=bottom Ttyle='width:63.0pt;padding:0in 1.2pt 0in 1.2pt'>[Image] Weather Summary Report Storms from the remnants of Hurricane Rita slowed some field activities in the western Panhandle during the week of September 26 through October 2. The clash of the sea breezes brought much needed showers to some Peninsula localities while rain from tropical disturbances soaked extreme southern Peninsula areas. Monticello and Tampa reported no rainfall, while Pensacola reported almost six inches. Miami and Ft. Lauderdale reported four to almost six inches of rain for the week. Elsewhere, rain totaled from less than two tenths of an inch at Apopka and Macclenny to over three inches at Pierson and Immokalee. Temperatures for the week averaged normal to six degrees above. Daytime highs were in the 80s and 90s. Nighttime lows were in the 60s and 70s. Field Crops Report Storms and the threat of rain stalled peanut harvesting over the northern Peninsula and the Panhandle. In Washington County, severe infestations of tomato spotted wilt virus greatly reduced peanut yield. Peanut condition was rated 3 percent poor, 32 percent fair, 40 percent good and 25 percent excellent. Peanut digging was 35 percent finished by October 2, compared with 47 percent last year and the five year average of 49 percent dug by this date. In Jefferson County, rainfall delayed cotton field work. In Washington County, cotton growers expect picking to start within the next five to seven days. In some Jefferson County orchards with good scab control, pecan trees have a higher than average crop with nuts filling. Scab infestations caused lots of nuts to drop from trees having less control. In the eastern Panhandle and the northern Peninsula, most topsoil and subsoil moisture supplies were rated very short to mostly short. Elsewhere, moisture supplies were rated short to mostly adequate. Okaloosa, Holmes, Union, Hernando and Okeechobee counties reported some areas with surplus moisture, while Holmes and Madison reported spots of very short moisture. Percentage of Peanuts Harvested to date: This year Last year 5-year average 35 47 49 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture This Last Last This Last Last Rating week week year week week Year Percent Very short 3 4 1 3 3 1 Short 24 25 16 21 27 12 Adequate 67 68 47 65 60 46 Surplus 6 3 36 11 10 41 Vegetable Report Storms delayed some planting in the central and southern Peninsula with most on schedule. In the Hastings area, drier conditions allowed cabbage planting to continue on schedule with most summer cover crops chopped at least one time. Okra cutting continued between showers in Dade County. Pickle harvesting got underway in the central and southern Peninsula. Tomato picking around Quincy remained active. Sweet corn picking is expected to begin in the next three to five days in the northern and central Peninsula. Livestock Report Pasture in the Panhandle ranges from fair to good. Some locations are in poor condition due to drought. Winter forage planting was delayed by hot temperatures. In other locations, which received rain last week, pasture is in good condition and normal fall planting preparations continue. The cattle condition is mostly fair. The pasture condition in the northern counties is poor to fair, and cattle condition is mostly fair. In the central areas, pasture condition is poor to excellent with most in fair condition. While rainfall was good for pastures, weed problems lowered quality. In the southwest, pasture condition is poor to good with rainfall needed. 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 15 20 5 5 Fair 40 35 25 30 Good 40 40 65 60 Excellent 5 5 5 5 Fruit Report Citrus: Temperatures were still slightly above normal for this time of year, reaching the low 90s in all areas except on the east coast which only reached 88 degrees. Rainfall ranged from a quarter of an inch in Tavares to almost three inches on the west coast. Trees are in good condition with rain falling in most areas on two to three days a week. Light irrigation took place to compensate for any shortfall of precipitation. Fruit splitting does not appear to be a problem this year. Some of the early oranges and grapefruit are showing good color break. Grove managers applied fall miticides, cleaned middles, pulled vines and mowed in preparation to move into the picking season. Four fresh fruit packing houses were open with more planning to be open by the middle of October. Varieties packed included Fallglo tangerines, Ambersweet, colored grapefruit and a few Navels. 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.