fl-crop-weather

Week ending July 25, 1999
                             Released 4:00 P.M.
                                                              July 26, 1999

WEATHER SUMMARY: Afternoon and evening storms brought varying amounts of
moisture to many localities during the week of July 18 through 24. Weekly
rainfall for the major stations totaled from none at West Palm Beach and
Jacksonville to about three and a half inches at Orlando. Temperatures
averaged mostly two degrees above normal. Daytime highs were mostly in the
90s while nighttime lows were mostly in the 70s.

FIELD CROPS: Topsoil moisture in the Panhandle is rated mostly adequate
with pockets of short and surplus supplies. Peninsula topsoil moisture is
short to adequate with a few localities reporting very short supplies. Hay
making is increasing. Cotton, soybean, sugarcane, and tobacco growth is
mostly normal. Peanut condition is rated 15 percent fair, 66 percent good,
and 19 percent excellent. Reporters put peanuts pegging at 93%.

     Moisture              Topsoil                      Subsoil
     Rating        Last week     This week     Last week      This week

                                         Percent
 Very short                 0              9             0              4
 Short                     12             33            10             19
 Adequate                  75             57            80             73
 Surplus                   13              1            10              4

LIVESTOCK AND PASTURES: The condition of the States' pastures and cattle
decreased the past week due to dry conditions. Haying continued in the
Panhandle between rain showers and increased in the east central area.
Pastures last week were dry in the northeast counties while the range in
the west central counties improved due to recent showers.

                           Range                        Cattle
   Condition
                  Last week      This week     Last week      This week
                                         Percent
 Very poor                  0              0             0              0
 Poor                       0              0             0              0
 Fair                      20             30            15             15
 Good                      60             65            60             80
 Excellent                 20              5            25              5

CITRUS: There were numerous afternoon rains and thunderstorms this week in
all areas of Florida's citrus belt. Some groves had more than a few inches
of rain on two or more days causing washouts on roads near drainage canals.
The abundant moisture has produced a lot of new growth on trees of all ages
in all areas. The new crop fruit with many varying sizes continues to make
good progress with the help of near ideal growing conditions.

    Caretakers are very busy mowing, chopping and discing cover crops that
are growing wild with the help of the recent rains. Some fresh fruit
growers are applying their 3rd and 4th sprays to help keep the fruit clean.
Herbicides and fertilizers are being applied in all areas. Abandoned groves
and dead trees are being pushed out and burned. Resets are being planted in
most larger groves.

VEGETABLES: Planting of tomatoes in the Quincy area is active. Bell pepper
planting continues along the southeastern coast. Preparation of land for
fall crop planting continues in the central and southern Peninsula.

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