fl-crop-weather State Florida Crop Weather Week Ending/Released Dates Week ending October 23, 2005 Released 4:00 P.M. October 25, 2005 Report Code FL-CW4305 WILMA HALTED SOME ACTIVITY END OF WEEK Weather Summary Report Dry conditions over the Panhandle and some southern Peninsula localities during the week of October 17 through 23 let peanut, cotton and vegetable harvests accelerate rapidly. Elsewhere, sporadic rains left some areas wet, others dry. Rainfall for the week ranged from none in several Panhandle and Peninsula areas, to three and one-third inches in Okahumpka. Temperatures averaged two to five degrees above normal in the major cities. Daytime highs were in the 80s with a few spots recording at least one high in the 90s. Nighttime lows were in the 50s, 60s and 70s with Marianna and Jay recording at least one low in the 40s. Field Crops Report Soils dried in many locations due to the lack of rain. Moisture supplies in some Panhandle and northern Peninsula were rated mostly short to adequate with some pockets of very short supplies. Soil moisture supplies throughout the central and southern Peninsula were rated short to adequate with some spots of surplus supplies. Dry soils hindered the digging of some peanuts, especially in Washington County. Elsewhere, low humidity along with minimal traces of precipitation allowed peanut harvesting to advance at a steady pace. Cotton harvesting proceeded at a rapid pace in Washington County. Hay baling was active. Percentage of Peanuts Harvested to date: This year Last year 5-year average 85 89 90 Soil Moisture Chart Topsoil Subsoil Moisture This Last Last This Last Last Rating week week year week week Year Percent Very short 6 5 1 7 4 0 Short 45 35 11 40 22 4 Adequate 27 48 57 28 62 65 Surplus 22 12 31 25 12 31 Vegetable Report Strawberry transplanting remained active in the Plant City area. In the Quincy area, fall tomato harvest continued as harvesting gained momentum in the central and southern Peninsula. Other vegetables available included snap beans, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, peppers, squash and watermelons. Most planting and harvesting over the Peninsula paused near the end of the week to avoid damage from Hurricane Wilma. Livestock Report In the Panhandle, the planting of small grains for winter grazing continued. Planting of winter grazing needed moisture and cooler temperatures to sprout and grow. The permanent pasture condition is declined, but plenty of forage remained available. Rainfall was needed at most locations. Statewide, the cattle condition was rated fair to good. Livestock Condition Chart Range Cattle Condition This Last This Last week week week week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 10 10 0 0 Fair 30 30 25 25 Good 50 50 60 60 Excellent 10 10 15 15 Fruit Report Citrus: Summer rather than fall weather conditions prevailed over the citrus areas this past week as all eyes watched the development and projected track of Hurricane Wilma. Temperatures continued above normal levels with most areas reporting at least some rainfall. Rain amounts varied greatly from traces in northern areas to over three inches in east coast and southern areas. Lakes and canals were at high levels and growers and caretakers lowered lateral ditches and canals levels where possible in preparation for more rain from Hurricane Wilma. At the end of the week, the hurricane was projected to cross the State on Monday in the lower southern areas of the citrus belt. Limited harvest continued mostly for fresh shipments. Varieties picked included Navel and Ambersweet oranges, Fallglo tangerines, and grapefruit. Estimated boxes harvested - week ended Crop Oct 9 Oct 16 Oct 23 In thousands of 1-3/5 bushel boxes Navel oranges 19 30 88 Early and Mid oranges 12 13 41 Grapefruit 29 20 79 Tangerines 53 68 124 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.