Pr 1 (03-00)a Agricultural Prices National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 30, 2000, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Agricultural Prices" or other assistance, see page B-11. Prices Received Index Increases 4 Points The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received in March was 96 based on 1990-92=100, up 4 points (4.3 percent) from the February index. Higher prices for lettuce, cattle, broilers, and broccoli more than offset price decreases for eggs, strawberries, celery, and apples. The seasonal change in the mix of commodities farmers sell affects the overall index. Higher seasonal marketings of strawberries, milk, broilers, and tomatoes more than offset the relatively lower marketings of cattle, cotton, corn, and oranges. These marketing changes accounted for one point of the March index increase. Compared with March 1999, the All Farm Products Index was unchanged. Price decreases from March 1999 for milk, oranges, eggs, and rice offset price increases for hogs, cattle, lettuce, and calves. Prices Paid Index Up 1 Point The March Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) was 120 percent of the 1990-92 average. The index was up 1 point (0.8 percent) from February and 5 points (4.3 percent) above March 1999. Higher prices in March for feed concentrates, complete feeds, nitrogen materials, and gasoline more than offset lower prices for feeder cattle and mixed fertilizers. Index Summary Table -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1999 : 2000 Index :-------------------------------------------------------------- 1990-92=100 : Feb : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Prices Received : 96 96 92 96 : Prices Paid : 115 115 119 120 : Ratio 1/ : 83 83 77 80 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Ratio of index of prices received by farmers to index of prices paid. Pr 1 (3-00) Prices Received by Farmers The March All Farm Products Index was 96 percent of its 1990-92 base, up 4.3 percent from the February index but unchanged from the March 1999 index. All Crops: The March index was 96, up 6.7 percent from February but 2.0 percent below March 1999. Price increases from February for vegetables, feed grains and hay, cotton, and oilseeds more than offset price decreases for fruit and nuts and tobacco. Food Grains: The March Food Grains Index, at 86, was up 1.2 percent from the previous month but 13 percent below March 1999. The March all wheat price, at $2.57 per bushel, was up 3 cents from the February price but 8 cents below March 1999. The rice price, at $5.99 per cwt, was up 1 cent from last month but $2.94 below a year earlier. Feed Grains & Hay: The March index was 90, up 2.3 percent from last month but 2.2 percent below March 1999. The corn price, at $2.03 per bushel, was up 5 cents from February but 3 cents below the March 1999 price. The all hay price, at $74.80 per ton, was up $2.20 from last month but $4.20 below March 1999. Oil-Bearing Crops: The March Oil-Bearing Crops Index, at 87, was up 1.2 percent from the February index and 4.8 percent above March 1999. The soybean price, at $4.87 per bushel, increased 8 cents from February and was 26 cents above March 1999. Cotton: The March index, at 79, was up 3.9 percent from February but was 13 percent below March 1999. The cotton price, at 47.8 cents per pound, was up 1.9 cents from February but down 7.3 cents from last March. Strong foreign demand is pushing prices upward. Livestock and Products: The March index, at 95, was up 1.1 percent from last month but unchanged from March 1999. Compared with a year ago, prices were higher for hogs, cattle, calves, and turkeys but lower for all milk, eggs, and broilers. Meat Animals: The March index, at 94, was up 2.2 percent from last month and 19 percent from a year ago. The March hog price was $41.30 per cwt, up $1.40 from February and $13.30 from a year ago. The March beef cattle price of $69.30 was up $1.70 from last month and up $6.90 from March 1999. Strong retail demand and a reduction in cow slaughter continue to hold prices up. Dairy Products: The March index, at 90, was unchanged from February but down 22 percent from March 1999. The March all milk price, at $11.80 per cwt, was unchanged from February but down $3.20 from last year. March fluid and manufacturing grade milk prices were unchanged from last month. Cheese prices decreased the first two weeks of March but increased the third week. Poultry and Eggs: The March index, at 104, was unchanged from February but 4.6 percent below a year ago. The March broiler price, at 34.9 cents per pound, was up 1.4 cents from February. Demand was moderate and supplies balanced. Broiler placements are running 1 percent above a year ago. Market egg prices decreased 14.1 cents to 38.2 cents per dozen. Large supplies of market eggs and weak export demand have caused prices to decline. Turkey prices increased 2.5 cents to 38.2 cents per pound, following a seasonal increase. Index Numbers of Prices Received, United States, March 2000, with Comparisons ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1910-14=100 : 1990-92=100 :------------------------------------------------------ Index : : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 :Average:---------------------------------------------- :1990-92: Mar : Feb : Mar : Mar : Feb : Mar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : All Farm Products : 639 612 *586 608 96 92 96 : All Crops : 500 486 *445 474 98 *90 96 Food Grains : 325 313 *272 274 99 *85 86 Feed Grains & Hay : 363 328 *314 323 92 *88 90 Cotton : 517 466 *388 404 91 *76 79 Tobacco : 1263 1574 *1657 1635 104 *109 108 Oil-Bearing Crops : 554 454 *470 476 83 *86 87 Fruit & Nuts : 716 697 *571 599 100 *82 86 Commercial Vegetables : 698 777 *581 803 116 *87 120 Potatoes & Dry Beans : 540 497 *502 524 98 *99 104 Other Crops : 493 532 532 532 108 108 108 : Livestock & Products : 768 725 *722 731 95 94 95 Meat Animals : 1021 801 *930 955 79 *92 94 Dairy Products : 799 922 725 725 115 90 90 Poultry & Eggs : 282 307 293 293 109 104 104 : Food Commodities : 96 *92 95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Revised. Selected Index Numbers for Prices Received and Paid, 1990-92=100, by Months, United States, 1999 and 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Index of Prices Received : Index of Prices Paid :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Livestock : : Month : All Farm : All : and : All : Production : Products : Crops : Products : Items : Items :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Jan : 97 90 97 87 96 94 115 118 111 115 Feb : 96 92 98 90 94 94 115 119 111 116 Mar : 96 96 98 96 95 95 115 120 111 117 Apr : 96 103 90 115 111 May : 98 104 93 115 111 Jun : 97 100 95 115 111 Jul : 95 95 94 115 111 Aug : 98 99 97 115 112 Sep : 96 95 98 116 112 Oct : 91 88 96 117 113 Nov : 93 89 98 117 114 Dec : 92 90 95 118 115 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Prices Received, United States, March 2000, with Comparisons ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Entire Month : Preliminary : : Average :---------------------------------- Commodity : Unit : 1990-92 : Mar : Feb : Mar : : : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Dollars : : Field Crops : : : : Barley, All : Bu : 2.12 2.00 2.13 2.14 Feed : Bu : 1.90 1.49 1.68 1.72 Malting : Bu : 2.43 2.40 2.42 2.45 Beans, Dry Edible : Cwt : 19.10 17.00 16.00 14.70 Corn : Bu : 2.30 2.06 1.98 2.03 Cotton, Upland : Lb : .606 .551 .459 .478 Cottonseed : Ton : 96.00 108.00 : : Flaxseed : Bu : 4.27 4.94 3.39 3.50 Hay, All, Baled 1/ : Ton : 76.30 79.00 72.60 74.80 Alfalfa 1/ : Ton : 77.20 83.20 77.40 78.00 Other 1/ : Ton : 60.00 67.40 66.70 66.70 Oats : Bu : 1.22 1.20 1.27 1.28 Peanuts, In-Shell : Lb : .304 Potatoes : Cwt : 5.82 6.12 5.96 6.32 : : Rice, Rough : Cwt : 7.07 8.93 5.98 5.99 Sorghum Grain : Cwt : 3.75 3.16 3.08 3.28 Soybeans : Bu : 5.61 4.61 4.79 4.87 Sunflower 2/ : Cwt : 9.50 10.80 8.77 8.68 Tobacco : Lb : 1.740 1.810 1.905 1.880 : : Wheat, All : Bu : 2.96 2.65 2.54 2.57 Winter : Bu : 2.93 2.53 2.37 2.37 Durum : Bu : 2.86 2.82 2.89 2.84 Other Spring : Bu : 3.11 3.00 2.82 2.85 Hard Red Winter : Bu : 2.53 2.37 Soft Red Winter : Bu : 2.28 2.34 Hard Red Spring : Bu : 3.06 2.86 White : Bu : 3.24 2.65 2.42 : : Fruit : : : : Citrus-Equiv on-tree : : Grapefruit : Box : 5.77 2.04 3.64 3.63 Lemons : Box : 10.10 5.05 8.42 9.23 Limes 3/ : Box : 10.15 61.50 Oranges : Box : 5.79 6.03 3.51 3.54 Tangelos : Box : 5.82 1.12 Tangerines : Box : 15.11 13.58 8.17 7.87 Temples : Box : 6.23 3.57 2.08 1.95 : : Non-citrus : : Apples, Fresh 4/ : Lb : .212 .153 .211 .205 Grapes, Fresh 4/ : Ton : 506.00 Peaches, Fresh 4/ : Lb : .216 Pears, Fresh 4/ : Ton : 370.00 330.00 386.00 313.00 Strawberries, Fresh: Lb : .560 .954 .929 .766 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Mid-month price. 2/ KS, MN, ND and SD average. 3/ Current prices not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 4/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns for CA, NY (apples only), OR (pears only) and WA (apples, peaches, and pears). Prices as sold for other states. -- continued Prices Received, United States, March 2000, with Comparisons (continued) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Entire Month : Preliminary : : Average :---------------------------------- Commodity : Unit : 1990-92 : Mar : Feb : Mar : : : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Dollars : : Vegetables, Fresh 1/ : : : : Asparagus : Cwt : 79.80 178.00 99.70 100.00 Broccoli : Cwt : 22.50 22.10 20.20 33.10 Cantaloupes : Cwt : Carrots : Cwt : 13.20 21.20 11.60 11.80 Cauliflower : Cwt : 26.80 39.70 30.20 32.70 Celery : Cwt : 11.60 8.35 16.00 12.70 Corn, Sweet : Cwt : 15.70 26.30 21.40 18.90 Cucumbers 2/ : Cwt : 30.50 40.00 34.00 Lettuce : Cwt : 11.90 14.50 9.28 18.90 Onions : Cwt : 12.80 11.20 5.63 5.55 Snap Beans 2/ : Cwt : 46.00 49.60 52.40 Tomatoes : Cwt : 32.30 24.80 23.50 32.00 : : Livestock : : : : Calves : Cwt : 94.30 87.30 105.00 107.00 Cattle, All Beef : Cwt : 72.90 62.40 67.60 69.30 Cows : Cwt : 49.60 35.20 37.10 38.60 Steers & Heifers : Cwt : 77.10 65.50 71.20 72.80 Milk Cows 3/ : Head : 1130.00 : : Hogs, All : Cwt : 47.70 28.00 39.90 41.30 Barrows & Gilts : Cwt : 48.40 28.30 40.10 41.70 Sows : Cwt : 39.50 21.00 36.50 34.50 : : Lambs : Cwt : 56.20 67.40 72.00 Sheep : Cwt : 23.40 32.70 39.50 : : Dairy and Poultry : : : : Milk, All 4/ : Cwt : 13.06 15.00 11.80 5/11.80 Fluid Grade : Cwt : 13.10 15.10 11.90 5/11.90 Mfg Grade : Cwt : 11.80 12.30 10.20 5/10.20 : : Broilers, Live 6/ : Lb : .317 .358 .335 .349 Eggs, All 7/ : Doz : .643 .679 .686 .574 Market 7/ : Doz : .546 .531 .523 .382 Turkeys, Live 6/7/ : Lb : .380 .370 .357 .382 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Adjusted for Seasonal : : Variation : : Eggs, All : Doz : .545 .653 .641 .552 Milk, All 4/ : Cwt : 9.71 15.15 11.80 11.92 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ F.O.B. shipping point. 2/ Monthly estimates began January 1995. 3/ Animals sold for dairy herd replacement only. Prices available for Jan, Apr, Jul, and Oct. 4/ Before deductions for hauling. Includes quality, quantity, and other premiums. Excludes hauling subsidies. 5/ Fat test percent: all milk 3.73, fluid milk 3.73, mfg grade 3.82. 6/ Liveweight equivalent price. 7/ Mid-month price. Wheat: Prices Received, by States, February and March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : All Wheat : Winter Wheat : Durum Wheat : Oth Spring Wheat State :------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Bushel : AR : 2.59 2.43 2.59 2.43 CA : 2.55 2.60 2.55 2.60 4/ 4/ CO : 2.22 2.23 2.23 2.23 1.72 2.09 ID : 2.51 2.43 2.26 2.25 2.66 2.70 IL : 2.36 2.30 2.36 2.30 IN : 2.39 2.25 2.39 2.25 KS : 2.39 2.39 2.39 2.39 MI : 2.24 2.15 2.24 2.15 MN : 2.78 2.81 2.30 2.25 4/ 4/ 2.80 2.82 MO : 2.37 2.36 2.37 2.36 MT : 2.89 2.87 2.67 2.60 3.84 3.70 2.89 2.90 NE : 2.28 2.25 2.28 2.25 ND : 2.79 2.85 2.55 2.30 2.62 2.70 2.85 2.90 OH : 2.18 2.10 2.18 2.10 OK : 2.30 2.31 2.30 2.31 OR : 2.59 2.63 2.51 2.60 2.91 2.85 SD : 2.68 2.77 2.30 2.44 3/ 4/ 2.78 2.85 TX : 2.29 2.28 2.29 2.28 WA : 2.56 2.59 2.56 2.61 2.59 2.50 : US : 2.54 2.57 2.37 2.37 2.89 2.84 2.82 2.85 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 4/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Prices Received for Selected Agricultural Commodities, by Months, United States, 1999 and 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : All Wheat : Corn : Soybeans :Beef Cattle 1/: All Hogs Month:------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1999 :2000 2/:1999 :2000 2/: 1999 :2000 2/: 1999 :2000 2/: 1999 :2000 2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Dollars per Bushel --------- ---- Dollars per Cwt ----- : Jan : 2.84 2.50 2.06 1.90 5.32 4.62 59.00 67.80 26.50 36.80 Feb : 2.73 2.54 2.05 1.98 4.80 4.79 60.60 67.60 27.70 39.90 Mar : 2.65 2.57 2.06 2.03 4.61 4.87 62.40 69.30 28.00 41.30 Apr : 2.62 2.04 4.63 62.70 30.10 May : 2.49 1.99 4.50 62.10 36.60 Jun : 2.50 1.97 4.44 63.70 34.10 Jul : 2.23 1.74 4.19 62.60 31.60 Aug : 2.52 1.75 4.39 63.50 36.20 Sep : 2.57 1.75 4.57 63.80 33.90 Oct : 2.58 1.69 4.47 66.20 34.20 Nov : 2.66 1.70 4.45 66.20 33.40 Dec : 2.52 1.82 4.44 66.60 35.60 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Cows, steers and heifers. 2/ Current month prices are mid-month; prices for previous months are for the entire month. Grains: Prices Received, by States, February and March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Barley 1/ : Corn : Oats : Soybeans : Sorghum Grain State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :Feb 2/:Mar 3/:Feb 2/:Mar 3/:Feb 2/:Mar 3/:Feb 2/:Mar 3/: Feb 2/: Mar 3/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : ----------------- Dollars per Bushel ---------------- Dollars per Cwt : AL : AR : 5.13 5.04 3.54 3.86 CA : 2.45 2.25 CO : 1.80 1.90 1.93 1.97 GA : 2.54 2.60 5.08 4.97 ID : 2.57 2.48 IL : 2.03 2.10 1.10 1.15 4.87 4.95 3.69 3.75 IN : 2.06 2.14 4.90 5.04 IA : 1.91 1.95 1.42 1.40 4.67 4.78 KS : 1.95 2.01 4.59 4.73 2.96 3.17 KY : 2.23 2.25 5.06 5.05 LA : 4.92 5.24 MI : 1.95 2.00 1.42 1.40 4.78 4.95 MN : 1.68 1.66 1.76 1.85 1.06 1.10 4.55 4.70 MS : 4.95 5.07 MO : 2.11 2.15 4.91 4.90 3.49 3.50 MT : 2.33 2.32 .97 1.00 NE : 1.90 2.00 1.45 1.45 4.61 4.78 3.10 3.30 NC : 2.48 2.50 4.93 5.00 ND : 1.84 1.86 .95 .97 OH : 2.08 2.10 1.68 1.55 4.92 4.95 OK : 3.08 3.15 OR : 2.01 2.00 1.52 1.40 PA : 2.57 2.56 1.80 1.72 SD : 2.26 2.26 1.73 1.79 1.31 1.28 4.43 4.62 TN : 1.92 2.20 5.06 5.05 TX : 2.12 2.23 3.20 3.42 UT : 1.97 1.88 WA : 1.81 1.92 WI : 1.87 2.00 1.11 1.15 5.03 5.15 WY : 1.66 2.60 : US : 2.13 2.14 1.98 2.03 1.27 1.28 4.79 4.87 3.08 3.28 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ The Three-State (MN, ND and SD) Feed Barley price for March 2000 is $1.40. 2/ Entire month. 3/ Mid-month. 4/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. Malting and Feed Barley: Prices Received Selected States, February and March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Malting Barley : Feed Barley State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Feb : Mar : Feb : Mar ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Dollars per Bushel : ID : 2.75 1/ 1.89 1.85 MN : 1.73 1.70 1.37 1.40 MT : 2.71 2.70 1.58 1.60 ND : 2.06 2.10 1.43 1.40 SD : 1/ 1/ 1.63 1.65 WY : 1/ 1/ 1.66 1.70 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. Field Crops: Prices Received, by States, February and March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Dry Edible : : : : : Beans : Sunflower : Flaxseed : Tobacco : Peanuts 4/5/ State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/:Mar 2/:Feb 1/:Mar 3/:Feb 1/:Mar 4/5/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : ---- Dollars per Cwt ---- Dollars per Bu --- Dollars per Pound --- : AL : CA : 26.80 26.70 CO : 13.70 13.40 FL : GA : ID : 14.70 14.30 IN : 1.850 1.740 KS : 5/ 5/ KY : 1.885 1.835 MD : MI : 14.60 13.50 MN : 14.00 14.00 9.26 9.32 MO : 1.825 NE : 15.30 15.00 NC : ND : 11.60 11.50 8.99 8.48 3.39 3.50 OH : 1.885 OK : SC : SD : 6.72 6.70 5/ TN : 2.045 1.945 TX : VA : WV : : US : 16.00 14.70 8.77 8.68 3.39 3.50 1.905 1.880 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ Based on sales through first half of month. 4/ Marketing year Aug - Jan. 5/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. Tobacco: Prices Received, by Area and Type, March 2000, with Comparisons ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : Mar : Feb : Mar Class by Type : Type : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : Dollars per Pound Fire-cured : : VA Belt : 21 : 2/ 2/ Eastern District : 22 : 2.140 2.220 1.970 Western District : 23 : 2.030 2.100 1.985 Total Fire-cured : 21-23: 2.130 2.125 1.975 : : Light Air-Cured : : Burley : 31 : 1.625 1.885 1.640 Total Light Air-Cured : 31-32: 1.695 1.885 1.640 3/ : : Dark Air-cured : : One Sucker Belt : 35 : 1.715 4/ Green River Belt : 36 : 1.745 4/ Sun-cured Belt : 37 : 2/ 2/ Total Dark Air-cured : 35-37: 1.735 : : US : 11-37: 1.810 1.905 1.880 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Based on sales during the first half of the month. 2/ Sales closed in January. 3/ Market opens for Maryland Type 32 on 3/21/00. 4/ Sales closed in February. Field Crops and Apples: Prices Received, by States, February and March 2000 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : March : Cotton, Upland :------------------------------------------------- State : : Cotton- : Hay, Baled 3/ : Apples :-------------------: seed :----------------------------: Fresh : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : 5/ : All : Alfalfa : Other : Use 1/4/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Pound -------- Dollars per Ton ------- Dol/Lb : AL : .440 6/ AZ : .489 6/ 90.00 90.00 80.00 AR : .458 .414 CA : .608 .665 91.00 92.00 78.00 .255 CO : 65.00 65.00 63.00 GA : .439 .483 ID : 86.00 87.00 62.00 IL : 79.00 84.00 60.00 IA : 78.00 80.00 59.00 KS : 62.00 66.00 51.00 KY : 95.00 121.00 79.00 LA : .432 .454 MI : 67.00 70.00 55.00 .140 MN : 56.00 62.00 33.00 MS : .428 .421 MO : 78.00 113.00 71.00 MT : 64.00 65.00 53.00 NE : 40.00 41.00 36.00 NV : 84.00 84.00 86.00 NM : 113.00 115.00 98.00 NY : 118.00 135.00 100.00 .165 NC : .518 6/ ND : 36.00 42.00 29.00 OH : 109.00 125.00 80.00 .295 OK : 73.00 85.00 55.00 OR : 95.00 97.00 85.00 PA : 133.00 151.00 125.00 .180 SD : 43.00 46.00 29.00 TN : .414 .413 TX : .455 .461 66.00 127.00 62.00 UT : 68.00 70.00 42.00 VA : .220 WA : 101.00 90.00 141.00 .214 WI : 43.00 50.00 25.00 WY : 63.00 64.00 58.00 : US : .459 .478 74.80 78.00 66.70 .205 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Based on sales during the first half of the month. 3/ Mid-month. 4/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns for CA,MI,NY and WA. Price at point of first sale for other states. 5/ Marketing year August-February. 6/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. Upland Cotton and Rice: Prices Received and Marketings, United States, March 2000, with Comparisons ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item : Unit : Jan 2000 1/ : Feb 2000 1/ :Mar 2000 2/ ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Cotton, Upland : : Average Price : Dollars/Pound : .431 .459 .478 Marketings 3/ : 1,000 Bales : 2319 1319 NA : : Rice : : Average Price : Dollars/Cwt : 6.03 5.98 5.99 Marketings 4/ : 1,000 Cwt : 18260 13340 NA ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Based on purchases for the first half of the month. 3/ Expanded data from sample of about 60 percent of buyers. 4/ Purchases by private firms and rice (rough equivalent) shipped by cooperatives. Citrus Fruit: Prices and Equivalent Returns, by Utilization, by State and United States, March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : Equivalent Returns Commodity : F.O.B. :----------------------------------------------- And : Packed : Packinghouse-door : On-tree State : Fresh :----------------------------------------------- : : All : Fresh : Process : All : Fresh :Process ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Dollars per Box 1/ Grapefruit : AZ : 11.80 4.23 6.36 -0.04 2.29 4.42 -1.98 : CA : 14.80 9.14 9.36 -0.04 7.20 7.42 -1.98 : FL : 14.80 5.93 6.83 5.58 3.59 4.83 3.10 White Seedless : 15.70 5.81 7.10 5.50 3.49 5.10 3.10 Colored Seedless: 14.40 6.07 6.70 5.70 3.69 4.70 3.10 Other : 5.00 5.00 3.10 3.10 : TX : 16.20 5.12 7.50 1.12 3.99 6.35 0.02 : US : 15.00 5.87 6.96 5.38 3.63 5.09 2.96 : Lemons : AZ : 35.30 17.57 26.86 0.74 13.93 23.22 -2.90 : CA : 25.20 12.59 16.76 0.74 8.95 13.12 -2.90 : US : 25.70 12.87 17.26 0.74 9.23 13.62 -2.90 : Oranges : AZ : Navel and Misc : 12.80 4.75 6.78 0.06 2.77 4.80 -1.92 : CA : 13.80 6.00 7.74 0.23 4.01 5.75 -1.76 Navel and Misc : 13.60 5.81 7.58 0.06 3.83 5.60 -1.92 Valencia : 15.70 8.58 9.80 3.16 6.50 7.72 1.08 : FL : 12.90 5.38 5.79 5.36 3.48 3.79 3.47 Early and Mids : 11.60 5.14 4.50 5.15 3.29 2.50 3.30 Valencia : 13.50 5.74 6.40 5.70 3.78 4.40 3.75 : TX : Valencia : 15.50 5.67 6.70 1.65 4.38 5.40 0.40 : US : 13.60 5.44 7.24 5.22 3.54 5.26 3.33 : Tangerines : AZ : 19.90 9.70 14.00 0.72 7.62 11.92 -1.36 : CA : 22.60 11.42 16.70 1.40 9.34 14.62 -0.68 : FL : 21.00 11.03 12.40 8.00 7.46 8.95 4.15 : US : 21.20 11.00 13.40 5.90 7.87 10.34 2.60 : Temples : FL : 12.00 4.13 4.90 4.00 1.95 2.90 1.80 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Net lbs. per box: Grapefruit-AZ & CA-67, FL-85, TX-80; Lemons-76; Oranges-AZ & CA-75, FL-90, TX-85; Tangerines-AZ & CA-75, FL-95; Temples-90. Potatoes: Prices Received, by States, February and March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : : :: : : State : Feb : Mar :: State : Feb : Mar : : :: : : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Dollars per Cwt :: : Dollars per Cwt : :: : AL : :: NC : AZ : :: ND - All 1/ : 5.90 6.00 CA - All : 14.00 13.60 :: - Fresh 2/ : 6.70 NA - Winter : 19.30 20.60 :: - Processing : 5.00 NA - Spring : :: OH : 6.20 6.35 - Summer : :: OR : 5.00 5.40 - Fall : 6.65 6.50 :: PA : 8.30 8.25 CO - All 1/ : 4.35 4.30 :: TX : - Fresh 2/ : 4.22 NA :: VA : FL : 22.20 19.70 :: WA - All : 5.45 5.40 ID - All 1/ : 4.80 5.10 :: - Processing : 5.00 NA - Fresh 2/ : 4.60 NA :: WI - All 1/ : 6.10 6.40 - Processing : 5.00 NA :: - Fresh 2/ : 4.75 NA ME : 6.35 6.50 :: - Processing : 6.15 NA MI : 7.20 7.35 :: : MN : 7.15 7.55 :: US - All 1/ : 5.96 6.32 NY : 8.10 7.80 :: - Fresh 2/ : 6.92 NA : :: - Processing : 5.32 NA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Average price of potatoes sold for all uses, including table stock, processing, seed and livestock feed. 2/ Fresh market prices only, includes table stock prices. Cattle: Prices Received, by States, February and March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Cows 1/ : Steers & Heifers: Beef Cattle 4/ : Calves State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Feb 2/ : Mar 3/ : Feb 2/ : Mar 3/ : Feb 2/ : Mar 3/ : Feb 2/ : Mar 3/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Dollars per Cwt : AZ : 35.80 36.60 68.90 70.90 68.60 70.60 101.00 106.00 AR : 33.70 36.20 78.50 78.50 62.40 65.40 98.50 104.00 CA : 36.50 36.50 67.50 68.50 48.90 49.30 96.00 96.00 CO : 39.00 41.10 70.60 74.00 68.40 72.00 106.00 110.00 FL : 37.20 40.20 82.00 86.90 43.90 47.20 103.00 111.00 GA : 37.20 39.00 79.30 83.50 51.50 56.80 97.00 103.00 ID : 37.00 37.90 72.30 74.80 64.50 65.90 92.00 94.00 IL : 35.00 35.50 67.70 68.70 67.00 68.00 117.00 120.00 IA : 39.60 39.80 69.30 71.70 68.60 69.80 98.30 99.90 KS : 36.80 38.80 71.70 71.70 70.70 70.70 107.00 106.00 KY : 36.00 38.00 81.00 84.00 70.20 73.00 94.00 100.00 LA : 36.50 40.00 85.00 88.00 50.10 53.40 100.00 106.00 MI : 38.00 41.00 63.00 66.00 55.50 58.50 89.00 95.00 MN : 38.20 40.00 66.00 67.50 61.70 63.40 89.10 90.00 MO : 36.70 38.00 86.30 87.20 75.40 76.40 101.00 105.00 MT : 36.80 40.50 85.40 85.60 77.10 79.70 105.00 104.00 NE : 36.80 37.60 68.90 72.40 68.10 71.40 102.00 105.00 NM : 40.00 41.30 87.50 88.40 68.50 71.40 103.00 105.00 ND : 40.00 41.00 82.70 82.70 78.90 78.50 99.10 99.00 OH : 36.30 38.00 67.00 68.00 63.90 65.00 87.90 89.00 OK : 37.10 40.40 83.50 83.50 80.50 80.90 104.00 107.00 OR : 38.50 39.10 84.10 84.60 70.40 71.00 91.20 95.60 PA : 36.90 38.40 66.20 66.60 58.60 59.30 110.00 108.00 SD : 37.20 38.40 83.00 83.80 78.00 79.30 107.00 108.00 TN : 36.00 36.00 84.00 86.00 64.80 66.00 98.00 102.00 TX : 34.80 38.20 73.80 75.60 70.70 72.60 106.00 110.00 VA : 34.20 34.40 78.00 78.60 61.80 66.70 95.40 103.00 WI : 38.20 40.20 66.50 66.60 50.10 51.30 125.00 125.00 WY : 41.30 41.30 89.70 89.90 83.40 85.00 108.00 111.00 : US : 37.10 38.60 71.20 72.80 67.60 69.30 105.00 107.00 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Beef cows and cull dairy cows sold for slaughter. 2/ Entire month. 3/ Mid-month. 4/ "Cows" and "steers and heifers" combined. Hogs: Prices Received, by States, February and March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Sows : Barrows and Gilts : All Hogs State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Dollars per Cwt : AR : 37.70 36.10 37.20 38.10 37.20 38.00 IL : 35.70 33.60 39.30 41.20 39.00 40.60 IN : 36.50 35.60 38.50 39.30 38.30 38.90 IA : 41.50 39.30 41.90 43.20 41.90 43.10 KS : 36.00 34.00 38.90 41.50 38.50 40.70 MI : 32.00 30.00 40.00 41.00 39.40 40.20 MN : 38.00 36.50 40.60 41.50 40.50 41.40 MO : 36.10 34.30 36.80 37.40 36.70 37.20 NE : 34.00 34.00 41.90 43.50 41.90 43.30 NC : 36.40 34.60 39.80 42.60 39.80 42.50 OH : 36.80 34.00 40.60 42.00 40.00 41.60 OK : 35.50 33.40 36.30 37.40 36.20 36.90 PA : 32.90 32.00 38.50 38.20 37.70 37.30 SD : 31.10 28.20 42.00 41.60 40.90 40.30 TX : 29.80 30.60 34.70 36.30 34.10 35.60 WI : 32.20 30.80 37.00 39.00 36.40 37.90 : US : 36.50 34.50 40.10 41.70 39.90 41.30 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. Sheep and Poultry: Prices Received, by States, February and March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : February : March :----------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Sheep : Lambs : Turkeys : Eggs : 1/ : 1/ : 2/3/ : 2/4/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : ---- Dollars per Cwt ---- Dollars per Pound Dol/Doz : AL : .430 AR : .40 .280 CA : 31.50 72.00 .45 .318 CO : 40.00 68.80 CT : .450 DE : FL : .410 GA : .340 ID : 35.00 68.00 IN : .36 .440 IA : 37.40 68.00 .291 KS : 34.00 69.00 ME : .520 MD : MI : .310 MN : 32.10 72.10 .34 .370 MS : .440 MO : .40 .280 MT : 39.60 80.00 NE : 44.50 72.60 NY : .473 NC : .38 .293 ND : 36.00 75.10 OH : 34.90 76.10 .446 OR : 27.80 75.00 PA : .440 SC : .451 SD : 43.80 88.10 TX : 49.10 75.20 .330 UT : 36.00 86.00 VA : .38 WA : .500 WY : 42.00 67.40 : US : 39.50 72.00 .382 .382 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ IN, IA, MN and PA are actual liveweight prices. All other State prices are equivalent liveweight returns to producers derived from ready-to-cook (RTC) prices using the following formula: (RTC price minus processing cost) * (dressing percentage) = liveweight equivalent price. 4/ Market (table) eggs. Milk and Milk Cows: Prices Received, by States, February and March 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : February : March :----------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Fluid Grade : Manufacturing : All Milk : All Milk : : Milk 1/ : Grade Milk : 2/ : 2/3/ : Milk :---------------------------------------------------------------:Cows 4/ : Price:Fat Test: Price:Fat Test: Price:Fat Test: Price:Fat Test: ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ :Dol/Cwt Pct Dol/Cwt Pct Dol/Cwt Pct Dol/Cwt Pct Dol/Head : AZ : 11.30 3.65 11.30 3.65 11.30 3.61 CA : 11.00 3.74 10.60 4.07 11.00 3.74 10.90 3.66 FL : 14.70 3.60 14.70 3.60 14.80 3.58 ID : 10.40 3.68 10.60 3.80 10.40 3.68 10.40 3.64 IL : 11.00 3.76 10.80 3.72 11.00 3.76 11.10 3.77 IN : 12.60 3.80 10.80 4.04 12.50 3.81 12.60 3.85 IA : 10.90 3.76 10.00 3.80 10.90 3.76 11.00 3.75 KY : 13.00 3.74 9.50 3.57 13.00 3.74 13.00 3.71 MI : 12.40 3.75 10.80 3.76 12.40 3.75 12.50 3.75 MN : 11.30 3.76 9.90 3.80 11.22 3.76 11.20 3.75 MO : 12.10 3.78 10.90 3.80 12.10 3.78 12.10 3.80 NM : 12.20 3.62 12.20 3.62 12.00 3.60 NY : 12.70 3.80 12.70 3.80 12.80 3.80 OH : 12.50 3.84 10.40 3.80 12.30 3.84 12.20 3.81 PA : 12.90 3.85 9.80 3.95 12.90 3.85 12.90 3.80 TX : 13.20 3.68 13.20 3.68 12.90 3.65 VT : 13.40 3.80 13.40 3.80 13.30 3.78 VA : 13.80 3.66 13.80 3.66 13.90 3.65 WA : 11.70 3.70 11.70 3.70 12.00 3.68 WI : 11.25 3.82 10.40 3.90 11.20 3.82 11.20 3.82 : US : 11.90 3.76 10.20 3.84 11.80 3.76 11.80 3.73 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Including milk diverted to manufacturing. 2/ Before deductions for hauling. Includes quality, quantity, and other premiums. Excludes hauling subsidies. 3/ Preliminary. 4/ Animals sold for dairy herd replacement only. Prices published Jan, Apr, Jul and Oct. Parity Price Equivalent for Manufacturing Milk 1/: United States, February and March 2000, with Comparisons ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Item : Mar 1999 : Feb 2000 : Mar 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Parity Equivalent.........Dol per Cwt : 27.51 28.39 28.75 Average Price F.O.B.......Dol per Cwt : 12.30 10.20 2/10.20 Average Fat Test of Milk..Percent : 3.84 3.84 2/3.82 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ The parity price equivalent during 2000 is 90.4 percent of the parity price of all milk sold to plants, compared with 91.1 percent in 1999. For additional details, see January 2000 issue of "Agricultural Prices". 2/ Preliminary. United States Parity Prices for Farm Products and Average Prices Received as Percent of Parity Prices Based on Data for March 2000, with Comparisons 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Parity Prices :Prices as Percent :Adjusted: Based on Data for : of Parity Commodity and Unit : Base :------------------------------------------ : Prices : Mar : Feb : Mar : Mar : Feb : Mar : : 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999: 2000: 2000 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ----------- Dollars ---------- ---- Percents ---- Basic Commodities : All Wheat, Bu : .609 9.58 9.62 9.73 28 26 26 Rice, Cwt : 1.80 27.30 28.40 28.70 33 21 21 Corn, Bu : .420 6.55 6.64 6.71 31 30 30 Cotton, Lb : American Upland : .112 1.73 1.77 1.79 32 26 27 Extra Long Staple : .143 2.22 2.26 2.28 Peanuts, Lb : .0426 .651 .673 .680 Tobacco, By Type, Lb : Flue-Cured 11-14 : .253 3.86 4.00 4.04 VA Fire-Cured, 21 : .254 3.81 4.01 4.06 KY-TN Fire-Cured, 22-23 : .318 4.79 5.02 5.08 44 42 39 Burley, 31 : .270 4.07 4.27 4.31 40 44 38 Maryland, 32 : .229 3.54 3.62 3.66 48 Dark Air-Cured, 35-36 : .272 4.07 4.30 4.34 40 Sun-Cured, 37 : .231 3.46 3.65 3.69 PA Seedleaf, 41 : .192 2.95 3.03 3.07 Cigar Filler & Binder, : 42-44, 54-55 : .212 3.32 3.35 3.39 Puerto Rican Filler, 46 : .173 2.65 2.73 2.76 Cigar Binder, 51-52 : .612 8.45 9.67 9.77 : Designated Nonbasic : All Milk, Sold to : Plants, Per Cwt : 1.99 30.20 31.40 31.80 2/50 2/38 2/37 Honey, Extracted, Lb : 3/.0901 1.34 1.42 1.44 : Wool and Mohair : Wool, Lb : .114 1.91 1.80 1.82 Mohair, Lb : .240 3.54 3.79 3.83 : Other Nonbasic : Barley, Bu : .375 5.86 5.93 5.99 34 36 36 Cottonseed, Ton : 15.60 243.00 246.00 249.00 44 Dry Edible Beans, Cwt : 3.11 49.90 49.10 49.70 34 33 30 Flaxseed, Bu : .739 11.90 11.70 11.80 42 29 30 Oats, Bu : .213 3.43 3.37 3.40 35 38 38 Potatoes, Cwt : .852 13.20 13.50 13.60 46 44 46 Rye, Bu : .328 4.99 5.18 5.24 Sorghum Grain, Cwt : .661 10.30 10.40 10.60 31 30 31 Soybeans, Bu : .877 13.90 13.90 14.00 33 34 35 Sweetpotatoes, Cwt : 2.07 31.20 32.70 33.10 Apples, Fresh, Lb 5/ : .0930 .444 1.47 1.49 34 14 14 Citrus (equiv on-tree),box: Grapefruit : .517 8.02 8.17 8.26 25 45 44 Lemons : 1.22 18.40 19.30 19.50 27 44 47 Limes (FL) : 1.30 17.90 20.50 20.80 344 Oranges : .731 11.40 11.50 11.70 53 31 30 Tangerines : 1.80 27.40 28.40 28.70 50 29 27 Temples (FL) : .635 9.72 10.00 10.10 37 21 19 Beef Cattle, Cwt : 9.74 150.00 154.00 156.00 42 44 44 Calves, Cwt : 12.50 191.00 198.00 200.00 46 53 54 Hogs, Cwt : 6.44 101.00 102.00 103.00 28 39 40 Lambs, Cwt : 10.30 155.00 163.00 164.00 43 44 Sheep, Cwt : 4.26 64.50 67.30 68.00 51 59 Eggs, Doz : .0952 1.48 1.50 1.52 2/44 2/43 2/36 Turkeys, Live, Lb : .0580 .882 .916 .926 42 39 41 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --continued Parity Prices Based on Data for March 2000, United States 1/ (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Nonbasic : Adj Base : Parity : Other Nonbasic : Adj Base : Parity Commodities : Prices : Prices : Commodities : Prices : Prices ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars : : Dollars : : : Field Crops and : :Noncitrus Fruit : Misc Commodities : : Peaches, cont. : Hops, Lb : .245 3.91 : Processing 6/ : Spearmint Oil, Lb: 1.80 28.70 : Excl Dried : Tobacco, Lb : : Clingstone, : Type 61 : 2.74 43.80 : CA, Ton : 31.80 508.00 : : Pears, Ton : Noncitrus Fruit : : Fresh 5/ : 52.70 842.00 Apples, Ton 7/ : : Dried, CA 7/ : 152.00 2430.00 Processing : 19.40 310.00 : Plums, CA, Ton : Apricots, Ton : : Fresh, Equiv : Fresh 8/ : 117.00 1870.00 : on-Tree : 53.60 856.00 Dried, CA : 291.00 4650.00 : Prunes, Dried, : Avocados, Ton 8/ : 207.00 3310.00 : CA, Ton 7/ : 136.00 2170.00 Cherries : : Prunes and Plums,: Sweet, Ton : 163.00 2600.00 : Excl CA, Ton : Tart, Lb : .0258 .412 : Fresh 10/ : 53.30 851.00 Cranberry, Bbl 6/: 7.45 119.00 : Processing 7/ : Dates, CA, Ton 8/: 143.00 2280.00 : Excl Dried : 23.60 377.00 Grapes, Ton : : : Raisin Variety : 151.00 2410.00 :Tree Nuts 11/ : Other Dried : 60.90 973.00 : Almonds, Lb : .220 3.51 Kiwifruit, Ton : 72.50 1160.00 : Hazelnuts, Ton : 118.00 1880.00 Nectarines : : Pistachio, Lb : .161 2.57 Fresh, Calif, : : Walnuts, Ton : 182.00 2910.00 Ton 8/ : 63.60 1020.00 : : Olives, CA : :Vegetables, Cwt 12/: Canning, Ton 6/: 92.10 1470.00 : Fresh : Papayas (HI) Lb : .0507 .810 : Carrots 9/ : 1.87 29.90 Peaches : : Cauliflower 9/ : 4.32 69.00 Fresh, Lb 5/ : .0388 .620 : Celery 9/ : 1.84 29.40 Dried, CA, : : Honeydew Melons : 2.67 42.60 Ton : 115.00 1840.00 : Lettuce : 2.19 35.00 : : Onions 9/ : 1.72 27.50 : : Tomatoes : 4.38 69.90 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Parity prices are computed under the provisions of Title III, Subtitle a, Section 301 (a) of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938 as amended by the Agricultural Acts of 1948, 1949, and 1956. See January "Agricultural Prices" for details on adjusted base price and parity price computations. 2/ Seasonally adjusted price as percentage of parity price. 3/ Wholesale extracted. Adjusted base price derived from state annual average prices weighted by production. For 1982 through 1985 the national averages are the support prices. 4/ Average local market price, excluding incentive payments. 5/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns for CA, NY (apples only), OR (except peaches), and WA. Price at point of first sale for other states. 6/ Equivalent returns for bulk fruit at first delivery point. 7/ Equivalent returns at processing plant door. 8/ Equivalent returns at packinghouse door. 9/ Includes some processing. 10/ Based on "as sold" prices for fresh fruit in all states. 11/ Prices in-shell basis except almonds which are shelled basis. 12/ F.O.B. shipping point prices. Reliability of Prices Received Estimates Definition: Prices received represent sales from producers to first buyers. They include all grades and qualities. The average commodity price from the survey multiplied by the total quantity marketed theoretically should give the total cash receipts for the commodity. Survey Procedures: Primary sales data used to determine grain prices were obtained from probability samples of 2600 mills and elevators. These procedures ensure that virtually all grain moving into commercial channels has a chance of being included in the survey. Generally, States surveyed account for 90 percent or more of total U.S. production. Livestock prices are obtained from packers, stockyards, auctions, dealers, and market check data from AMS-USDA, private marketing organizations, and state commodity groups and agencies. Inter-farm sales of grain and livestock are not included since they represent very small percentages of the total marketings. Grain marketed for seed is also excluded. Fruit and vegetable prices are obtained from sample surveys and market check data from AMS-USDA, private marketing organizations, state agencies, and universities. Summary and Estimation Procedures: Survey quantities sold are expanded by strata to state levels and used to weight average strata prices to a state average. State prices are then weighted to a U.S. price based on expanded marketings. Recommendations are prepared by the State Statistical Offices and reviewed by the Agricultural Statistics Board in Washington, D.C. State recommendations are reviewed for reasonableness with survey data, other States, and recent historic estimates. Revisions: For most items, the current month's price represents a 3-5 day period around the mid-month. Previous month's prices represent actual dollars received for quantities sold during the entire month. Revisions are published in monthly issues of "Agricultural Prices". Reliability: U.S. price estimates based on probability surveys generally have a sampling error of less than one percent for the major commodities such as corn, wheat, soybeans, cotton, and rice. Current methods of summarization for non-probability commodities are not designed directly to calculate sampling errors. However, analytical measures approximate the U.S. relative sampling errors at around five percent. Any nonsampling errors are attributed to such things as the inability to obtain correct information, differences in interpreting questions or definitions, mistakes in coding or processing the data, etc. Efforts are made at each step in the survey process to minimize these nonsampling errors. Prices Paid by Farmers The March Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) was 120 (1990-92=100), 0.8 percent higher than February 2000 and 4.3 percent above March 1999. Production Index: The March Farm Production, Goods, and Services Index, at 117, was up 0.9 percent from last month and 5.4 percent above last year. Higher prices in March for feed concentrates, complete feeds, nitrogen materials, and gasoline, more than offset lower prices for feeder cattle and mixed fertilizers. Feed: The Feed Index, at 109, was 3.8 percent higher than the February Index and 7.9 percent above last March. Since February, prices were higher for all feed components. Livestock and Poultry: The index for livestock and poultry purchases, at 108, was 0.9 percent lower than last month but 17 percent above last year. During March, lower prices for feeder cattle more than offset higher prices for feeder pigs. The March feeder cattle price at, $86.70 per cwt, was down $2.30 per cwt from the February price. Fertilizer: The Fertilizer Index, at 110, was up 1.9 percent from February and 2.8 percent above a year ago. Higher March prices for nitrogen fertilizers more than offset lower prices for mixed fertilizers and potash and phosphate materials. Agricultural Chemicals: The Chemical Index, at 122, was unchanged from last month but 0.8 percent above last March. Prices were slightly higher in March for herbicides and insecticides. Fuels: The Fuels Index, at 145, was 5.1 percent above a month earlier and 101 percent above March 1999. The Fuels Index has risen 27 percent during the last five months. Compared to last month, prices were higher for gasoline, diesel fuel, and LP gas. The Diesel Fuel Index has doubled since last year. The Gasoline Index was 93 percent above March 1999. Farm Machinery: The March Farm Machinery Index was 133, unchanged from February but 0.7 percent below last March. Since February, prices were slightly lower for other machinery. Consumer Price Index: The February 2000 Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) rose 0.6 percent, before seasonal adjustment to a level of 169.7 (1982-84=100). This compares to the January index of 168.7. For the 12- month period ending in February, the overall index has increased 3.2 percent. Index Numbers of Prices Paid by Farmers and Related Parity Ratios United States, March 2000 With Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1910-14 = 100 : 1990-92 = 100 Indexes :---------------------------------------------- and : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 Ratios :---------------------------------------------- : Mar : Feb : Mar : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prices Paid by Farmers for : Commodities & Services, : Interest, Taxes, & Wage : Rates (PPITW) : 1525 *1589 1597 115 119 120 Production : 1072 *1127 1135 111 *116 117 Feed : 491 *514 530 101 *105 109 Livestock and Poultry : 1178 1393 1375 92 109 108 Seeds : 1216 1196 1196 123 121 121 Fertilizer : 393 *396 402 107 *108 110 Agricultural Chemicals : 751 *753 755 121 *122 122 Fuels : 559 *1067 1119 72 *138 145 Supplies & Repairs : 858 *867 867 121 122 122 Autos & Trucks : 3168 *3165 3155 119 119 119 Farm Machinery : 3366 *3336 3335 134 133 133 Building Material : 1616 *1648 1653 119 *121 122 Farm Services & Rent : 1377 *1383 1383 Farm Services : 114 115 115 Rent : 117 117 117 Interest 1/ : 2640 2701 2701 105 108 108 Taxes 2/ : 3214 3281 3281 120 123 123 Wage Rates : 5130 5247 5247 137 140 140 Production, Interest, Taxes, : & Wage Rates (PITW) : 1516 *1584 1593 113 *118 119 Family Living-CPI 3/ : 1567 *1612 1612 122 *126 126 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Ratio (Received\Paid) : 83 77 80 Parity Ratio 4/ : 40 37 38 Parity Ratio Adjusted 5/ : 45 40 42 PPITW Adjusted for : Productivity 6/ : 1049 *1080 1081 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop Sector (PPITW) : 118 *122 122 Livestock Sector (PPITW) : 111 *117 118 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Farm Sector (Production) : 101 *109 110 Non-Farm Sector (Production) : 115 *120 120 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ Interest per acre on farm real estate debt and interest rate on farm non-real estate debt. 2/ Farm real estate taxes payable per acre. 3/ Bureau of Labor Statistics, Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U), for the previous month converted by the USDA. 4/ Ratio of index of prices received to PPITW (1910-14=100). 5/ Based on estimated cash receipts, from marketings and government payments, the preliminary adjustment factor is 1.091 for 2000 and the revised factor is 1.118 for 1999. 6/ PPITW is adjusted based on productivity trend for the prior 15 years. Prices Paid Indexes and Annual Weights for Input Components and Sub-Components United States, March 2000 With Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Input Indexes : Relative Weights :--------------------------- Index :5-Year Moving Average 1/ : 1999 : 2000 :----------------------------------------------------- : 1999 : 2000 : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- Percent ---- ---- (1990-92=100) --- : Production Items : 67.4 67.3 111 *116 117 : Feed : 11.6 11.7 101 *105 109 Feed Grains : 1.7 1.7 87 84 87 Complete Feeds : 5.7 5.7 105 *108 110 Hay/Forages : 1.5 1.5 103 98 99 Concentrates : 1.8 1.8 91 *111 121 Supplements : 1.0 1.0 114 *125 130 Livestock & Poultry : 7.2 6.8 92 109 108 Feeder Cattle : 5.6 5.3 88 105 102 Feeder Pigs : 0.6 0.5 103 137 146 Milk Cow Replacements : 0.6 0.6 111 118 118 Poultry : 0.4 0.4 110 110 110 Seeds : 2.8 2.9 123 121 121 Field Crops : 2.6 2.7 123 121 121 Grasses/Legumes : 0.3 0.3 123 121 121 Fertilizer : 4.9 4.9 107 *108 110 Mixed Fertilizer : 2.1 2.2 115 *112 112 Nitrogen : 2.0 2.1 96 104 109 Potash & Phosphate : 0.7 0.7 116 106 106 Agricultural Chemicals : 3.8 3.9 121 *122 122 Herbicides : 2.4 2.5 115 *115 116 Insecticides : 0.9 0.9 142 140 141 Fungicides/Other : 0.5 0.6 119 *121 121 Fuels : 2.7 2.6 72 *138 145 Diesel : 1.5 1.5 68 *134 136 Gasoline : 0.8 0.8 72 *126 139 LP Gas : 0.4 0.4 86 *184 196 Farm Supplies & Repairs : 5.6 5.6 121 122 122 Supplies : 1.9 1.9 117 *118 118 Repairs : 3.7 3.7 123 125 125 Autos & Trucks : 1.4 1.6 119 119 119 Autos : 0.2 0.2 112 112 112 Trucks : 1.3 1.4 120 120 120 Farm Machinery : 4.0 4.0 134 133 133 Tractors : 0.9 0.9 132 *133 133 Self-Propelled : 1.6 1.6 133 130 130 Other Machinery : 1.5 1.5 137 137 137 Building Materials : 2.8 2.8 119 *121 122 Farm Services : 12.4 12.4 114 115 115 Custom Rates : 1.3 1.3 115 115 115 Other Services : 11.1 11.2 114 115 115 Rent : 8.2 8.1 117 117 117 Cash : 3.7 4.0 135 135 135 Share : 4.5 4.2 103 103 103 Interest : 4.9 4.2 105 108 108 Taxes : 3.1 3.1 120 123 123 Wage Rates : 6.9 7.0 137 140 140 Family Living-CPI : 17.7 17.7 122 *126 126 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Weights may not add due to rounding. * Revised. Feed Price Ratios: United States, March 2000 with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1999 : 2000 Feed Price Ratio 1/ :----------------------------- : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Broiler-Feed: Pounds of Broiler Grower Feed : equal in value to 1 pound of broiler, live weight : 6.7 *6.2 6.3 : Market Egg Feed: Pounds of Laying Feed equal in : Value to 1 dozen eggs : 11.3 *11.3 8.0 : Hog-Corn: Bushels of Corn equal in value to : 100 pounds of hog, live weight : *13.6 20.2 20.3 : Milk-Feed: Pounds of 16% Mixed Dairy Feed equal : in value to 1 pound of Whole Milk : *3.57 *2.93 2.88 : Steer & Heifer-Corn: Bushels of Corn equal : in value to 100 pounds of Steer & Heifers, : 31.8 *36.0 35.9 live weight : : Turkey-Feed: Pounds of Turkey Grower equal in : value to 1 pound of Turkey, live weight : 7.5 *7.2 7.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Effective June 1996, prices of commercial prepared feeds are based on current U.S. prices received for corn, soybeans, alfalfa hay, and all wheat. * Revised. Prices Used to Calculate Feed Price Ratios: United States, March 2000 with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 1999 : 2000 Commodity : Unit :------------------------------------------- : : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broilers, Live : Lb : 0.358 0.335 0.349 Eggs, Market : Doz : 0.531 0.523 0.382 : : Hogs, All : Cwt : 28.00 *39.90 41.30 Milk, All : Cwt : 15.00 11.80 11.80 : : Steers and Heifers : Cwt : 65.50 *71.20 72.80 Turkeys, Live : Lb : 0.370 0.357 0.382 : : Corn : Bu : 2.06 *1.98 2.03 Hay, Alfalfa, Baled : Ton : 83.20 *77.40 78.00 : : Soybeans : Bu : 4.61 *4.79 4.87 Wheat, All : Bu : 2.65 *2.54 2.57 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Revised. Feeder Livestock: Prices Paid, United States March 2000 with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 1999 : 2000 Commodity : Unit :------------------------------------------- : : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Dollars : : Feeders and Stockers : : Cattle and Calves : Cwt : 74.30 89.00 86.70 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prices Paid by Farmers Definition: Prices paid by farmers represent the average costs of inputs purchased by farmers and ranchers to produce agricultural commodities. Conceptually, the average price when multiplied by quantity purchased should equal total producer expenditures for the item. Survey Procedures: The prices paid data are obtained from establishments that sell goods and services to farmers and ranchers. Annually, about 8,500 firms are randomly selected from lists by type of item sold with an average response rate in the range of 75-80 percent. Firms are asked to report the price for the specified item "most commonly bought by farmers" or that was the "volume seller". Approximately 135 items are surveyed each April to represent all production input items purchased. The survey reference period for most items is the 5 business days centered around the 15th of the month. Separate prices paid surveys are conducted for, agricultural chemicals, fuels, feed, fertilizer, machinery, and seed. Summary and Estimation Procedures: The annual April Prices Paid Survey is summarized as a nonprobability survey. Average prices reported are aggregated to the region and U.S. level using weights available from expenditure data and other administrative sources. Price recommendations are prepared by the State Statistical Offices and Headquarters for review by the Agricultural Statistics Board in Washington, D.C. Also, the change in price level for individual items surveyed are combined to the regional and U.S. levels, and are published as prices paid indexes referenced to a specific base period. Prices paid indexes for new autos and trucks, building materials, farm supplies, motor supplies, and marketing containers are updated based on price changes measured in selected Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indexes. Revisions: Any revisions are published in the monthly and in annual issues of "Agricultural Prices". The basis for revision must be supported by additional data that directly affect the level of the estimate. More revisions are likely in April when separate prices paid surveys are conducted, in lieu of BLS indexes, by the USDA to measure price change. Reliability: Current methods of summarization in April are not designed directly to calculate sampling errors. However, analytical measures approximate the U.S. relative sampling errors for major items around 10 percent. Any nonsampling errors are attributed to such things as the inability to obtain correct information, differences in interpreting questions or definitions, mistakes in coding or processing the data, etc. Efforts are made at each step in the survey process to minimize these nonsampling errors. Program Change: Effective January 1, 1995, the National Agricultural Statistics Service updated the weights and changed the construction of its prices paid and received by farmers indexes. A Federal Register Notice dated October 28, 1994 discussed these program modifications. A 1990-92 reference and base period replaced the 1977 reference and 1971-73 base weight period. Five-year moving average weights replaced the current fixed 1971-73 base period weights. The 1910-14=100 price indexes, required by statute for computing parity prices, were linked forward based on the changes in the new 1990-92=100 indexes. The new indexes were constructed by multiplying the ratios of the current prices to the base period prices by the moving average weights (adjusted for seasonal marketing patterns for the prices received indexes). Index Prices Received U.S. Prices and Indexes Page Page Narrative................ A-2 Cows, Beef............. A-18 Price Indexes............ A-3 Cows, Milk............. A-21 Prices Received Eggs................... A-20 U.S. Summary........... A-6-7 Flaxseed............... A-14 Selected Commodities... A-12 Fruit, Citrus.......... A-16 Upland Cotton and Rice: Hay.................... A-15 Prices and Marketings.. A-15 All Hogs............... A-19 Parity Prices............ A-22-23 Lambs.................. A-20 Reliability Statement.... A-24 Milk................... A-21 Oats................... A-13 Monthly State Prices Peanuts................ A-14 Potatoes............... A-17 Apples................... A-15 Sheep.................. A-20 Barley................... A-13 Sorghum, Grain......... A-13 Barrows and Gilts........ A-19 Soybeans............... A-13 Beans, Dry Edible........ A-14 Sows................... A-19 Beef Cattle.............. A-18 Steers and Heifers..... A-18 Calves................... A-18 Sunflower.............. A-14 Corn..................... A-13 Tobacco................ A-14 Cotton................... A-15 Turkeys................ A-20 Cottonseed............... A-15 Wheat.................. A-12 Index Prices Paid Page Narrative ..................................................... B-1 Indexes and Parity Ratios ..................................... B-2-3 Charts ........................................................ B-4-6 Feed Ratios ................................................... B-7 Reliability Statement ......................................... B-8 U.S. Average Prices Commodity Prices Used in Feed Price Ratios ................. B-7 Feeder Livestock ........................................... B-7 Report Features Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Statistics Division of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. Crops Branch C. Ray Halley, Chief (202) 720-2127 Field Crops Section Brad Parks, Head (202) 720-3843 Rhonda Brandt - Corn (202) 720-9526 Herman Ellison - Peanuts, Rice (202) 720-7688 Lance Honig - Wheat (202) 720-8068 Jay Johnson - Cotton (202) 720-5944 Roy Karkosh - Barley, Hay, Sorghum (202) 690-3234 Mark E. Miller - Oats (202) 720-7621 Jerry Ramirez - Oilseeds (202) 690-7369 Fruit and Vegetable Section Jim Smith, Head (202) 720-4215 Arvin Budge - Potatoes (202) 720-4285 Dave DeWalt - Citrus (202) 720-5412 Steve Gunn - Apples, Non-Citrus Fruits (202) 720-4288 Jeffery Kissel - Dry Beans, Peaches, Pears (202) 690-0270 Keith Lacy - Grapes, Tobacco (202) 720-7235 Biz Wallingsford - Vegetables, Strawberries (202) 720-2157 Livestock Branch Robert W. Milton, Chief (202) 720-3570 Livestock Section Dan Kerestes, Head (202) 720-4447 Steve Anderson - Milk, Sheep, Lambs (202) 720-4751 Rodger Ott - Hogs (202) 720-3106 Greg Thessen - Cattle (202) 720-3040 Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section Debra Kenerson, Head (202) 720-6351 Tom Kruchten - Broilers, Eggs (202) 690-4870 John Lange - Turkeys (202) 720-8784 Environmental, Economics and Demographics Branch Linda Hutton, Chief (202) 720-6146 Economics Section Mark Harris, Head (202) 720-4214 Kim Nielsen - Prices Paid Indexes, Feed, Fertilizer, Agricultural Chemicals, Seeds (202) 690-3347 Jim Williams - Farm Supplies and Repairs, Farm Machinery, Fuels, Feeder Livestock, Poultry Chicks, Feed Price Ratios, Grazing Fees, Autos & Trucks (202) 690-3225 Commodity Prices Coordinator Charles VanLahr (202) 720-5446 Kirby Cavett - Prices Received Indexes (202) 690-3237 The next "Agricultural Prices" report will be released at 3:00 p.m. ET on April 28, 2000. 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