fl-crop weather Week ending August 2, 1998 Released 4:00 P.M. August 3, 1998 WEATHER SUMMARY: Afternoon thunderstorms dropped from one half inch of rain at Daytona Beach to over seven inches at Tallahassee during the week of July 26 through August 1. Temperatures averaged one to three degrees above normal during the week. Daytime highs were mostly in the low 90s. Nighttime lows were mostly in the 70s and 80s. Strong winds and tornadoes during the storms caused varying amounts of property damage with no significant losses for agriculture. The threat of bad weather from Tropical Storm Alex disappeared as the storm weakened and veered away at the end of the period. FIELD CROPS: Topsoil moisture in the State is mostly short to adequate with a few scattered areas of very short moisture. The State is in need of more consistent rains with less time between showers. Hay is being cut in most areas. Tobacco harvest and marketing are active. Peanuts and cotton are recovering from the earlier drought. Armyworm infestation is still heavy in some areas. Eighty-four percent of the peanuts are pegging. Peanut condition: poor 3%, fair 11%, good 72% and excellent 14%. Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 0 5 6 7 Short 21 45 33 41 Adequate 66 49 48 51 Surplus 13 1 13 1 LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: Most areas reported improved pasture conditions. However, areas that received little rain were in only fair condition. In the west central area, an armyworm infestation was still heavy. Statewide, the condition of the cattle was fair to good. Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 5 0 0 0 Fair 55 55 60 65 Good 30 40 30 35 Excellent 10 5 10 0 CITRUS: Most areas of Florida's citrus belt received scattered rains and a few thunderstorms this week. Most growers and caretakers would have liked to have had rains of longer duration that would have helped replenish the very low lakes, ponds, and streams. In spite of the near normal rainfall for July, some growers are still irrigating to maintain good tree condition and to produce average fruit growth. Most well-cared-for trees of all ages are showing an abundance of new growth. There are some groves that have discontinued maintenance that have yellow foliage and generally very little fruit. Caretakers are mowing, chopping, and discing cover crops that are advancing in growth with the current tropical weather patterns. Growers are applying summer sprays and fertilizations in groves of all ages. Pushing, stacking, and burning of dead and unthrifty trees has been reported in all areas. Some grapefruit growers are pushing out good, healthy grapefruit groves that are not currently economically feasible to maintain. VEGETABLES: Land preparation for fall crop planting is gaining momentum. Tomato planting is virtually finished around Quincy. Okra harvesting continues in the Homestead area. The picking of summer crops for local markets remains active. SOURCE: Market News Section, Florida Department of Agriculture Telephone: (407) 897-5950 To receive this report via e-mail, send an e-mail message to nass-state-releases@news.usda.gov with the following message: subscribe fl-crop-weather. The report will be e-mailed automatically to your e-mail address each week.