HDR101200019001 FL WEEKLY WEATHER-CROP NEWS WEATHER & CROP NEWS Week ending August 4, 1996 Released 4:00 P.M. August 5, 1996 -------------------------------------------------------------------------- WEATHER SUMMARY: Hot, dry weather prevailed in most areas during the first part of the week. Afternoon thunderstorms returned to many Peninsula localities during the last half of the week. Stations recorded from zero to over two inches of rain for the week with almost six and one half inches falling at McCoy Airport in Orlando. However, rainfall since June 1 in most areas is about one to two inches below normal. Daily high temperatures continued in the upper 80s to mid 90s with a 100 degree high recorded in Tampa during the week. FIELD CROPS: Some general rains helped but most areas of the State are still in need of rain. Topsoil moisture is short to adequate throughout the State. Topsoil moisture condition is reported from very short to surplus (previous week's rating in parentheses): very short 15% (0%), short 48% (45%), adequate 37% (48%), and surplus 0% (7%). Subsoil moisture condition: very short 1% (2%), short 46% (12%), adequate 53% (79%), and surplus 0% (7%). Peanut condition is reported: 0% (0%) very poor, 1% (27%) poor, 32% (23%) fair, 39% (14%) good, and 28% (36%) excellent. Tobacco harvest and marketing are active. Hay cutting is active. Corn for grain harvest is starting. Cotton, soybeans, and sugarcane are in good condition. LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: The condition of the State's ranges and pastures was rated from very poor to excellent (previous week's rating in parentheses): poor 20% (5%), fair 40% (15%), good 35% (65%), and excellent 35% (15%). Pasture in the north is good to excellent, with some pockets of drought. Pasture in the south is fair to good, but ponds and pastures are drying out. The State's cattle herds were rated at fair 30% (15%), good 50% (70%), and excellent 20% (15%). CITRUS: Rain finally returned to the citrus belt following two very dry and hot weeks. There were several hard rains and thunderstorms throughout the State this week that were badly needed. Virtually all growers and caretakers with permanent irrigation systems have been applying supplemental water for the past two weeks. Many ponds, lakes, and watering holes are at very low levels due to the drier than normal month of July. There continues to be a lot of new growth on the best-cared-for groves. New crop fruit is doing well in most areas, however, there is some fruit softening in some blocks where there was wilt due to the lack of sufficient moisture. Caretakers are mowing, discing, and chopping cover crops. Growers are applying mid summer herbicides where there is rapid weed growth. Dead tree removal, burning of old trees, and resetting continues mainly in larger groves. Summer sprays and fertilizations are being applied in most areas. VEGETABLES: Southern Peninsula soils remain mostly dry with growers pumping water onto fields before laying plastic. Pepper planting is expected to increase in the East Coast region over the next 7 to 10 days with eggplant and tomato planting to begin in a few weeks. Producers in the Southwest and Zellwood areas continue land preparations for fall crop planting. Tomato planting is 80 to 90 percent finished in the Quincy area.