HDR101200019001 FL WEEKLY WEATHER-CROP NEWS Week ending July 20, 1997 Released 4:00 P.M. July 21, 1997 WEATHER SUMMARY: The clash of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico sea breezes continued to produce daily showers over inland areas of the Peninsula during the week of July 13 through 19. Feeder bands from Hurricane Danny, combined with the sea breezes on July 18 through 20 brought thunderstorms to most localities. Official rain totals for most of the major metropolitan locations through July 19 ranged from an inch and a half at Orlando, Tampa, and Daytona Beach, to almost five inches at Miami with West Palm Beach reporting a half inch and Jacksonville, a trace. Unofficial reports from the western Panhandle indicate that up to five or six inches of rain fell over the weekend due to the hurricane. Overcast skies kept most temperature averages for the week at one to two degrees below normal. Daytime highs averaged in the upper 80s and low 90s while nighttime lows averaged in the low to mid 70s. FIELD CROPS: Corn, soybean, peanut, cotton, and tobacco acreage escaped significant damage from the hurricane wind and rainfall in the Panhandle and northern Peninsula areas. Topsoil and subsoil moisture is rated mostly adequate with short and surplus moisture in some localized areas. Peanut condition is 0% very poor, 10% poor, 20% fair, 42% good, and 28% excellent with 91% of the crop pegged. Significant rainfall during June caused some disease problems in a few fields of peanuts. Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 0 0 0 0 Short 15 21 12 6 Adequate 76 58 67 70 Surplus 9 21 21 24 LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: Moisture conditions varied considerably within counties, with some parts having standing water and other parts reported dry. Standing water was reported in many low lying areas in the southwest and Panhandle. Pasture in the central area was reported to be in good condition. In the west central area, some ponds and streams were still low due to inadequate rainfall. Pasture mowing and haying were active. Cattle were reported to be in fair to excellent condition. Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 0 0 0 0 Fair 25 15 15 10 Good 60 75 75 80 Excellent 15 10 10 10 CITRUS: More rain, hot weather and high humidity have provided near ideal growing conditions for most citrus. There is an abundance of new growth on trees of all ages in all areas. New crop fruit continues to make excellent progress with advanced sizes on some Navels and grapefruit. Those groves that have had very little recent production care and no mowing or cutting of the cover crops are showing stress in the form of the light green foliage color. Recent rains have generated a tremendous amount of weed growth in and around all groves. Caretakers have been very active keeping cover crops reduced. Growers are applying summer sprays and fertilizations. Herbicides are being applied in most well- cared-for groves. Pushing and burning of dead trees continues. There is limited replanting at this time. VEGETABLES: Many growers delayed field preparations and laying of plastic for fall crop planting until the threat of bad weather from Hurricane Danny passed. Plastic laid around Quincy escaped damage from the hurricane winds as the storm stayed to the west. Summer crops continue to be picked for local sales.