Topsoil moisture throughout the Panhandle is mostly adequate while the rest of the State is mostly short to adequate. Rain during the week improved moisture condition. Winter wheat for grain seeding is complete. Sugarcane grinding and planting are active. Pasture in the west-central counties still shows some green, but cattle condition fell off due to poor grass condition.
Ponds are low in the area.
In the southwest, pastures are reported just fair to good due to dry soil condition. Statewide, most pasture and cattle are in fair condi tion. There were some light rains in most areas on Thurs day, December 23. These rains preceded a cold front that lowered temperatures into the upper thirties in several of the State's central and northern citrus groves. There was no damage to the fruit, however, where there was light frost, weeds and cover crops were killed.