Here is the PDF file for the Hawaii Crop Weather (crop progress and condition) Report for the week ending October 21, 2007.
previous_hi102107.pdf
Please visit the website for more information: http://www.nass.usda.gov/hi/
USDA NASS Hawaii Field Office
1421 South King Street
Honolulu, HI 96814-2512
1-800- 804-9514
Agricultural Highlights
Fruits
Bananas
On the Big Island, warm temperatures kept harvesting fairly steady, but slightly cooler temperatures and shorter days should soon slow production. Banana Bunchy Top virus incidence remained isolated in the Puna and Kona areas. Oahu orchards were in good to fair condition. Leeward and central fields were in good condition with moderate to heavy supplies for the market. Heavy irrigation continued as most areas received little or no rain during the week. Windward Oahu fields were in fair to good condition with light supplies. Overall harvesting on Oahu is expected to be at moderate to heavy levels as the shorter day length and slightly cooler temperatures have slowed ripening. Kauai?s orchards were in fair to good condition. Passing showers provided favorable soil moisture for most orchards. Spraying for insect infestation was on a regular schedule.
Papayas
Big Island orchards were in fair to good condition. Soil moisture was maintained by light passing showers and some cloud cover during the week. Steady flowering was noticed. Recent spray activity has reduced weed growth in some orchards. Young orchards were progressing rapidly. Overall harvesting was at a moderate level on Oahu. Some orchards were being re-worked for future harvest after being damaged by a wildfire. In other areas, fruit development and ripening were fair to good with relief from the high temperatures favoring crop progress. Orchards on Kauai continued to make fair to good progress during the week. Pickings continued at moderate to light levels from several fields in active harvest.
Vegetables
Head Cabbage
Some Big Island fields showed rapid weed growth competing with the crop, but overall crop conditions were fair to good. Planting has been steady during the week Heavy irrigation was needed to maintain progress. Maui?s crop continued to make steady progress and was in good condition. Quality was reportedly good. Insect pressure remained relatively low and damage by insects was under control with timely spraying. Growth and development slowed, but production was being adjusted to stabilize a consistent supply into the marketplace. On Oahu, harvesting will be light. Insect infestation was light with regular spraying keeping populations under control.
Sweet corn
Harvesting from Oahu fields is expected to be at moderate to heavy levels as several fields were in active harvest. Pressure from insect infestation was at light to moderate levels.
Other Crops
Coffee
The coffee crop in the Ka`u District of the Big Island was progressing well, and harvesting was active in most orchards. Regular moisture over the slopes benefited bean development. Outlook for the crop was generally good. There have been reports of a later than normal season. Kauai?s orchards were in good condition due to favorable weather during the week. Mostly sunny days prevailed with beneficial rains which kept the reservoirs supplied for irrigation. Overall soil moisture was good and helped to ensure normal crop development. Coffee harvesting has also started on Molokai where fields have been rejuvenated.
Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkins
Active harvesting of pumpkins and gourds continued on Oahu as Halloween nears. Sunny and dry conditions allowed the crop to make good progress with good fruit set and sizing.
Sugarcane
On Kauai, harvesting has ended for the season. Planting activities are expected to continue for several more weeks. Favorable weather conditions, including rain at the upper elevations, kept reservoir levels and ditches supplied which allowed for adequate irrigation for good crop progress. Steady harvesting continued on Maui. Generally dry weather in the Central areas aided harvesting activities.
