Florida Agricultural Statistics Service 1222 Woodward Street Orlando, Florida 32803 407 / 648-6013 WEATHER & CROP NEWS Week ending July 14, 1996 Released 4:00 P.M. July 15, 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEATHER SUMMARY: Comments on the week's weather and its effect on crop conditions are included in paragraphs below. FIELD CROPS: Hot temperatures and scattered afternoon showers continued with most Panhandle and north central localities welcoming the needed moisture. Statewide ratings of topsoil moisture are: 2 percent very short to short, 77 percent adequate, and 21 percent surplus, which improved from last week's ratings of 22 percent very short to short and 78 percent adequate to surplus. Statewide ratings of subsoil moisture are: 5 percent very short to short, 75 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus, which also improved from the prior week's ratings of 12 percent very short to short and 88 percent adequate to surplus. The rainfall boosted the growth of peanuts with condition rated 74 percent good to excellent and 26 percent fair, up from last week's ratings of 63 percent good to excellent and 37 percent fair. Condition of most corn, cotton, and soybeans improved due to the needed moisture. However, some corn in drier localities is expected to have yield reductions or be abandoned. Haymaking remained active between the showers. Tobacco harvesting continued with markets to open next Tuesday. LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: The condition of the State's ranges and pastures, rated from very poor to excellent (previous week's rating in parentheses) was: fair 10% (25%), good 75% (60%), and excellent 15% (15%). The State's cattle herds were rated: fair 10% (25%), good 80% (55%), and excellent 10% (20%). CITRUS: Most groves, trees and new crop fruit are in very good to excellent condition depending on location. Most of this week was hot with high humidity and plenty of rain followed by thunderstorms. The current tropical conditions have generated an abundance of new foliage on trees of all ages. Some of the early bloom new crop fruit on light set trees have excellent sizes for the middle of July. Generally, most of the new crop fruit are making very good progress. Valencia harvest is virtually over for this year as harvesters are scrapping the last few thousand boxes for the fresh squeeze and chill juice operations. Grapefruit harvest is over. Caretakers are cutting cover crops that are growing tall and out of control. Summer sprays, fertilizations and a few herbicides are being applied in most areas. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Jul 1 Jul 8 Jul 15 1,000 boxes Valencias 82 21 NA All grapefruit 3 1 NA VEGETABLES: Harvesting of summer crops for local markets is active. Most producers delayed field preparations and plantings for fall crops until the threat of bad weather from Hurricane Bertha passed. Quincy area tomato growers are expected to begin transplanting fall crop fields over the next 7 to 10 days.