fl-crop-weather Week ending July 26, 1998 Released 4:00 P.M. July 27, 1998 WEATHER SUMMARY: Scattered showers and warm temperatures continued during the week of July 19 through 25. The major stations reported rain amounts ranging from about two tenths of an inch at Jacksonville to about an inch and two thirds at Orlando. Most temperatures averaged one degree above normal. Daytime highs continued in the 90s while nighttime lows were mostly in the 70s. FIELD CROPS: Topsoil moisture supplies improved again during the week as more showers covered most areas of the State. Moisture ratings ranged from short to surplus with most adequate. Temperatures moderated during the week due to the rains and cloud cover. Cotton and peanuts continued to improve due to the recent rains. Some pastures dramatically improved and some haying slowed due to the rains. Eighty percent of the peanuts are pegging. Peanut condition was fair 14% and good 86%. Moisture Topsoil Subsoil Rating Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very short 3 0 4 6 Short 18 21 38 33 Adequate 75 66 58 48 Surplus 4 13 0 13 LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: Pastures continued to improve in most areas as the normal daily rains have resumed. In the northern and central counties, armyworms and loopers were infesting pastures. Some ranchers were spraying to control them. Statewide, the condition of the cattle improved slightly. Range Cattle Condition Last week This week Last week This week Percent Very poor 0 0 0 0 Poor 15 5 5 0 Fair 70 55 60 60 Good 15 30 35 30 Excellent 0 10 0 10 CITRUS: Normal summer weather conditions prevailed during most of this week. There were heavy rains and thunderstorms preceded by temperatures in the mid to upper nineties and a few days without showers. Most caretakers have discontinued regular irrigation due to the return of summer rains. There is an abundance of new growth on trees of all ages in virtually all well- cared-for groves. Those trees with YTD, blight, and various other problems are now showing a grey color with very little new foliage. New crop fruit is now making good progress with the help of abundant natural moisture. Most oranges, Temples, and tangelos are now golf ball size. Tangerines are generally smaller than golf balls. Some grapefruit are baseball size, however those sizes vary at this time. Caretakers are cutting cover that has grown tall and out of control. Vines are a problem as they are covering the tops of trees and shading out foliage. Vines are also wrapping around tree trunks and micro sprinklers in some groves lacking recent herbicide. Pushing and burning of dead trees is very active in all areas. Growers are spraying and fertilizing both young and old trees. VEGETABLES: Land preparation for fall crop planting is getting underway in some southern Peninsula areas. Tomato transplanting around Quincy is active. Harvesting of summer crops for the local market 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.