HDR101200019001 FL WEEKLY WEATHER-CROP NEWS Week ending August 18, 1996 Released 4:00 P.M. August 19, 1996 WEATHER SUMMARY: Spotty thunderstorms dropped from a tenth inch to over four inches in some localities during the week. However, the rains bypassed many areas, especially the farming localities of Dade County. Average temperatures for the week ranged from three degrees below normal to two degrees above. Minimum temperatures during the week ending August 18 were in the upper 60s to mid 70s, while high temperatures were mostly in the 90s. FIELD CROPS: Topsoil moisture is mostly short to adequate throughout the State with scattered areas of surplus. Topsoil moisture condition as reported from very short to surplus (previous week's rating in parentheses): very short 0% (1%), short 14% (16%), adequate 79% (79%), and surplus 7% (4%). Subsoil moisture condition: very short 0% (1%), short 14% (11%), adequate 80% (86%), and surplus 6% (2%). Peanut condition is reported: 0% (0%) very poor, 0% (0%) poor, 37% (0%) fair, 34% (57%) good, and 29% (43%) excellent. Tobacco harvest is winding down. Tobacco marketing is 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): fair 15% (25%), good 65% (70%), and excellent 20% (5%). Frequent rains have helped grass growth. The State's cattle herds were rated at: fair 15% (20%), good 70% (70%), and excellent 15% (10%). CITRUS: Most of this State's groves are in very good to excellent condition as a result of near ideal growing weather. The first of this week there were numerous showers and thunderstorms in all areas and then the rains slowed and there was more sun, heat, and humidity. Surface moisture levels are in good shape and in many areas the water holding ponds have refilled to their normal or average levels. Young trees in all areas of the State have an abundance of new foliage resulting from the tropical weather conditions. Virtually all of the new crop fruit is in good condition and making normal progress for the middle of August. A few of the fresh fruit packing houses have been testing early bloom grapefruit. Most of those testing are saying that it is still some time before the earliest grapefruit will come close to passing the maturity tests. Caretakers are mowing, chopping, and discing cover crops that have grown tall and woody. Some herbicides are being applied to slow the general weed growth. Summer sprays and fertilizations are slowing and those few are being applied between the rains. Dead tree removal and burning continues. A few reset are being planted. VEGETABLES: Planting of tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, watermelons, cherry tomatoes, and plum tomatoes is steady in the West Central region with recent plantings in fair to good condition. Southwestern growers started tomato transplanting with most producers to begin in September. Producers in the East Coast area are beginning to transplant tomatoes and are continuing to plant peppers and eggplant. Dade County producers are continuing to plant okra and to prepare land for fall crops with most planting to begin in October. The fall tomato crop in the Quincy area is in good condition. Most planting in the Oxford/Pedro area is expected to start in September.