fl-crop-weather Week ending June 21, 1998 Released 4:00 P.M. June 22, 1998 WEATHER SUMMARY: Hot temperatures continued during the week of June 14 through 20 with many record highs equaled or exceeded. Temperatures averaged mostly four to seven degrees above normal. High temperatures were in the 90s with Jacksonville reporting the weekly average high at 100, and Orlando, at 99. Low temperatures were mostly in the 70s and 80s. The clash of the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico sea breezes helped spawn much needed showers over many Peninsula locations. However, these storms also caused some damage due to strong winds, hail, and lightning induced brush fires. The brush fires threatened some ferneries in central Peninsula localities. A storm system passing over northern states also brought rain to many Panhandle locations. Official stations reported from none to about two and a third inches of rain for the week. FIELD CROPS: Topsoil moisture in the State is mostly very short to short with a few scattered areas of adequate moisture. The State is in need of rain. Brush fires are a problem in north and central areas. All dryland crops are moisture stressed and burning up. Some dryland corn is being plowed up. The peanut crop is at a standstill, vegetative growth is nil, drought related pests and disease problems are becoming more apparent. Several peanut fields have required insecticide spray for early corn earworm infestations. Peanut bloom, pollination, and pegging cannot occur under present conditions. Haying has stopped in most areas. The dry weather has stopped dryland forage development in most areas. Ninety-five percent of the peanuts are planted, the same as last week. Twenty-eight percent of the peanuts are pegging, the same as last week. Peanut condition: very poor 4%, poor 13%, fair 80%, and good 3%. Sugarcane growth is normal. Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 34 69 26 31 Short 60 20 58 58 Adequate 6 11 16 11 Surplus 0 0 0 0 LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: The pasture condition continued to deteriorate from the prolonged drought in much of the State. The grass was not growing. The condition of pastures in the north and central areas was considered a disaster. Ranchers were feeding hay in the Panhandle, north and central areas, and some ranchers were running out of hay. Ranchers in the central area were heavily culling the cattle. In areas where the corn-for- feed was also hurt by the drought, ranchers were checking for nitrate poison in the corn. The cattle condition statewide was mostly fair to poor. Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 15 30 10 5 Poor 20 50 5 10 Fair 60 20 55 75 Good 5 0 30 10 Excellent 0 0 0 0 CITRUS: This was one of the hottest weeks in the recent history of Florida's citrus industry. In-grove temperatures in most areas were in the 100's. Some locations out in the full sun around the noon to one p.m. time frame recorded temperatures in the 110 to 115 degree range. Rainfall during the week was minimal, if at all. Growers and caretakers are and have been using all types of irrigation around the clock to try to keep trees in good to fair condition. Those groves that have not had any rain or irrigation have trees in various stages of wilt and some leaf drop. New crop fruit condition varies depending on recent cultural care. Those well fertilized and regularly irrigated groves have most trees and new crop fruit in good condition. Some of the Valencia oranges remaining for harvest are softening in non-irrigated groves. Very few grapefruit are being picked as only a few processors and a couple of packing houses are still open on a part time basis. Valencia harvest is slowing as supplies are running low in most areas. Virtually all of the oranges are going to the processors. Caretakers have been actively discing and chopping groves to remove cover crops that compete for surface moisture. Also, some growers have been removing dead cover crops that are dry and present a fire threat. A few growers are still spraying crops that are to be used for fresh shipments next year. VEGETABLES: The season is nearing the end with many southern Peninsula growers finished. Major crops shipped during the week include carrots, celery, sweet corn, cucumbers, eggplant, okra, parsley, peppers, squash, tomatoes, and watermelons. SNAP BEANS: North--Harvesting is slow as the season nears the end. Zellwood--Picking is finished. BLUEBERRIES: West Central, North--Harvesting is virtually finished. CABBAGE: Dade, West Central, Central, Hastings--Harvest is complete. CARROTS: Zellwood--Harvesting is completed with growers marketing cooler supplies. CELERY: Zellwood--Harvesting is over. SWEET CORN: North, Zellwood--Picking remains active with supplies available into July. Quality remains good. East Coast-- The season is over. CUCUMBERS: North--Harvesting of seasonally declining supplies remains active. West Central--Picking is nearing the end. Quality is fair. Sizes are variable. East Coast--The season is finished. EGGPLANT: North, East Coast--Volume is declining as growers make final cuts. Light supplies are expected to be available over the next two to three weeks. OKRA: Dade--Condition is good. Picking continues with good supplies available over the next four to six weeks. Quality and yield are good. Growers are irrigating as needed. PEPPERS: North, West Central--Condition is mostly fair. Some fruit shows blistering due to the heat. Supplies are declining seasonally with some producers finished. Some producers delayed picking due to the low market. Quality is fair. Sizes are variable. East Coast--The season is finished. POTATOES: Southwest, Dade, West Central, Hastings--Harvest is complete for the year. TOMATOES: Quincy--Picking continues with some picks delayed due to a low market. Quality is generally good. Palmetto- Ruskin--The crop is in fair condition. Harvesting is slow. Quality and color are fair. Sizes are variable. Volume is light as the season nears completion. East Coast--Plant condition is mostly good. Hot temperatures continue to accelerate fruit maturation. Crown picks are providing good sizes and mostly good quality. Second picks are yielding good quality and variable sizes. Volume is declining as the season nears the end. Southwest, Dade--Harvesting is finished. CHERRY TOMATOES: Palmetto-Ruskin--The crop is in fair condition. Picking is nearing the end with most growers finished. Quality is fair. PLUM TOMATOES: Palmetto-Ruskin--Crop condition is fair. Volume is declining seasonally. Quality and color are fair. Southwest--The season is finished. WATERMELONS: Northern Peninsula, Panhandle--Harvesting is active. Some dryland acreage is in poor condition due to a lack of rain. Central--The crop is in fair condition. Cutting is slowing as the season nears the end. Quality is fair with small and medium sizes available. Southwest--The season is virtually finished.