fl-crop-weather Week ending June 27, 1999 Released 4:00 P.M. June 28, 1999 WEATHER SUMMARY: Ample rain fell in many localities during the week of June 20 through 26. Precipitation totals at the major stations ranged from about a half inch to almost four inches. Cloud cover helped keep most temperatures one to three degrees below normal. Daily highs were mostly in the 80s while nighttime lows were mostly in the 70s. FIELD CROPS: Topsoil moisture throughout the State is mostly adequate with scattered areas of short or surplus moisture. Cotton is in good condition. Soybean planting is virtually complete. Tobacco harvest is active. Hay fields are responding well to rainfall. Farmers are cutting hay. Sugarcane growth is normal. Peanut condition is fair 8% and good 92%. Peanuts pegged is reported at 58 percent. Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 0 0 4 0 Short 18 12 26 20 Adequate 74 67 62 66 Surplus 8 21 8 14 LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: Pasture conditions improved following the rain of the past couple weeks. Cattle and calves in the State were mostly in good condition. In the central area, the first cutting of hay was made in some locations. Bermuda and bahia pastures were growing well. Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 0 0 5 0 Fair 50 20 45 30 Good 50 75 50 70 Excellent 0 5 0 0 CITRUS: Frequent rains and thunderstorms have provided adequate moisture to all citrus counties. Some of the lakes, ponds, and streams are showing signs of refilling with the help of the summer rains during June. There is an abundance of new growth on trees of all ages. New crop fruit of all sizes continues to make good progress. Harvest of Valencia oranges is very slow as supplies are running out and most of the large processors have closed for the season. Grapefruit harvest is also virtually complete for this season. There are several small fresh juice plants that plan to operate throughout the summer or as long as supplies last. Caretakers are mowing, chopping and discing cover crops that are making good growth with the help of the summer rains. Growers are herbiciding, spraying and fertilizing in all areas. Dead trees are being removed and burned. Estimated boxes harvested week ended Crop Jun 13 Jun 20 Jun 27 Valencia oranges 748,000 775,000 53,000 All grapefruit 21,000 16,000 11,000 VEGETABLES: Rains delayed picking of tomatoes around Quincy. A truck shortage is slowing the movement of watermelons. Major crops shipped during the week include sweet corn, okra, potatoes, tomatoes, and watermelons. CABBAGE: West Central, Hastings, Dade, Zellwood--Harvest is complete. SWEET CORN: North, Zellwood--Picking continues. Quality is good with harvesting to continue through early July. CUCUMBERS, Fresh Market: Southwest--Harvesting is virtually finished. West Central--U-Pic harvesting remains active. EGGPLANT: Southwest--Harvesting is virtually done. West Central--U-pic harvesting remains active. East Coast-- Harvesting is completed. OKRA: Dade--Crop condition is good. Rains are aiding crop development. Quality is fair. Volume continues to increase seasonally. PEPPERS: West Central--U-Pic harvesting continues. Southwest, East Coast--Harvesting is done. POTATOES: Dade, Southwest, West Central--Harvest is complete. Hastings--Harvest is virtually complete. SQUASH: Palmetto-Ruskin--U-Pic harvesting is active. TOMATOES: Quincy--Rains delayed some harvesting. Quality is good with decreasing supplies available. Picking is expected to continue through the end of June. East Coast--Harvesting is nearing the end. Quality is good. Palmetto-Ruskin--Harvesting is nearly finished. Fruit quality is fair. Sizes are variable. Southwest, Dade--Harvesting is done. PLUM TOMATOES: Quincy--Rainfall slowed some harvesting. Quality is good. Palmetto-Ruskin--Harvesting is nearly done. Quality is fair to good. WATERMELONS: North, Western Panhandle--Harvesting is slowing seasonally with some movement affected by a truck shortage. Quality is variable but mostly good. Palmetto-Ruskin-- U-Pic harvesting continues. 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.