Pr 1 (3-06) Agricultural Prices National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 30, 2006, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Agricultural Prices" see page 35, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. March Farm Prices Received Index Decreased 1 Point From Last Month The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in March, at 113, based on 1990-92=100, decreased 1 point (0.9 percent) from February. The Crop Index is up 3 points (2.6 percent) but the Livestock Index decreased 3 points (2.6 percent). Producers received higher commodity prices for eggs, lettuce, potatoes, and cauliflower. Lower prices were received for cattle, milk, tomatoes, and strawberries. The overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities a producer sells. Increased average marketings of asparagus, strawberries, milk, and tomatoes offset decreased marketings of cattle, oranges, upland cotton, and corn. Preliminary All Farm Products Index is down 6 points (5.0 percent) from March 2005. The Food Commodities Index, at 116, decreased 1 point (0.9 percent) from last month and 7 points (5.7 percent) from March 2005. Prices Paid Index Down 1 Point The March Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 144 percent of the 1990-92 average. The index is down 1 point (0.7 percent) from February but 5 points (3.6 percent) above March 2005. Lower prices in March for feeder cattle, LP gas, nitrogen fertilizers, and feed concentrates offset higher prices for diesel fuel, gasoline, herbicides, and hay & forages. Index Summary Table -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 Index :-------------------------------------------------------------- 1990-92=100 : Feb : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Prices Received : 114 119 114 113 : Prices Paid : 137 139 145 144 : Ratio 1/ : 83 86 79 78 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Ratio of index of prices received by farmers to index of prices paid by farmers. Prices Received by Farmers The March All Farm Products Index is 113 percent of its 1990-92 base, down 0.9 percent from the February index and 5.0 percent below the March 2005 index. ALL CROPS: The March index is 117, up 2.6 percent from February and 0.9 percent above March 2005. From February, index increases for commercial vegetables, potatoes & dry beans, and cotton more than offset the index decreases for fruits & nuts and oil-bearing crops. Food Grains: The March index, at 122, is 0.8 percent above the previous month and 9.9 percent above a year ago. The March all wheat price, at $3.71 per bushel, is up 5 cents from February and up 29 cents from March 2005. Feed Grains & Hay: The March index is 96, unchanged from last month but 1.1 percent above a year ago. The corn price, at $2.01 per bushel, is down 1 cent from last month and 1 cent below March 2005. The all hay price, at $97.10 per ton, is up $2.10 from February and $4.50 higher than last March. Grain sorghum, at $3.29 per cwt, is 11 cents below February but 25 cents above March last year. Oil-Bearing Crops: The March index, at 99, is down 2.9 percent from February and 7.5 percent lower than March 2005. The soybean price, at $5.55 per bushel, decreased 12 cents from February and is 40 cents below March 2005. Cotton: The March index, at 82, is up 1.2 percent from February and 22 percent above last year. The March price, at 49.6 cents per pound, is up 0.6 cent from the previous month and 9.3 cents above last March. Potatoes & Dry Beans: The March index, at 138, is up 12 percent from last month and 21 percent above March 2005. The all potato price, at $8.31 per cwt, is up 87 cents from February and up $1.87 from last March. The all dry bean price, at $19.50 per cwt, is up $2.10 from the previous month but $7.10 below March 2005. Fruits & Nuts: The March index, at 144, is down 5.3 percent from February but 21 percent higher than a year ago. Price decreases for strawberries and grapefruit more than offset a price increase for lemons. Commercial Vegetables: The March index, at 141, is up 13 percent from last month but 14 percent below March 2005. Price increases during March for lettuce, cauliflower, and celery more than offset price declines for tomatoes, onions, and snap beans. LIVESTOCK & PRODUCTS: The March index, at 111, is 2.6 percent below last month and down 8.3 percent from March 2005. Compared with a year ago, prices are lower for milk, broilers, hogs, and cattle but higher for eggs, calves, and turkeys. Meat Animals: The March index, at 116, is down 3.3 percent from last month and 4.9 percent lower than last year. The March hog price, at $42.40 per cwt, is down 20 cents from February and $8.80 lower than a year ago. The March beef cattle price of $89.20 per cwt is down $3.20 from last month and $1.80 lower than March 2005. Dairy Products: The March index, at 98, is down 4.9 percent from a month ago and 18 percent lower than March last year. The March all milk price of $12.80 per cwt is down 70 cents from last month and $2.80 below March 2005. The fluid grade milk price is down 70 cents and the manufactured grade milk price is down 80 cents from the previous month. Poultry & Eggs: The March index, at 113, is up 4.6 percent from February but 7.4 percent below a year ago. The March market egg price, at 49.9 cents per dozen, increased 19.8 cents from February and 17.2 cents above March 2005. The March broiler price, at 37.0 cents per pound, is down 1.0 cent from February and 7.0 cents below a year ago. The March turkey price, averaging 40.3 cents per pound, is up 0.7 cent from the previous month and up 2.2 cents from a year earlier. Table of Contents U.S. Prices Received and IndexesPage Narrative . . . . . . . . . . 2 Price Indexes . . . . . . . . 5 Price Index Charts . . . . . . 6 U.S. Prices Received Summary . 8 Charts . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Selected Commodities . . . . 14 Upland Cotton & Rice Marketings 17 Parity Prices . . . . . . . . 24 Reliability Statement . . . . 26 Monthly State Prices Received Apples . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Barley . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Beans, Dry Edible . . . . . . 16 Beef Cattle, All . . . . . . . 20 Calves . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Cows, Beef . . . . . . . . . 20 Steers and Heifers . . . . . 20 Citrus Fruit . . . . . . . . . 18 Corn . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Monthly State Prices, continuedPage Cotton . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Cottonseed . . . . . . . . . . 17 Eggs . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Flaxseed . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Grain Sorghum . . . . . . . . 15 Hay . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Hogs, All . . . . . . . . . . 21 Barrows and Gilts . . . . . 21 Sows . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 Milk . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23 Milk Cows . . . . . . . . . 23 Oats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Peanuts . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Potatoes . . . . . . . . . . . 19 Sheep . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Lambs . . . . . . . . . . . 22 Soybeans . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Sunflower, All . . . . . . . . 16 Wheat, All Classes . . . . . . 14 Table of Contents (continued) U.S. Prices Paid, Prices Paid Indexes and RatiosPage Narrative . . . . . . . 27 Indexes and Parity Ratios 28 Charts . . . . . . . . 30 Feed Price Ratios . . . 33 Reliability Statement . 34 U.S. Average Prices Prices Used to Calculate Feed Price Ratios 33 Feeder Livestock . . . 33 Information Contacts . 35 Index Numbers of Prices Received, United States, March 2006, with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1910-14=100 : 1990-92=100 :------------------------------------------------------ Index : : 2005 : 2006 : 2005 : 2006 :Average :--------------------------------------------- :1990-92 : Mar : Feb : Mar : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : All Farm Products : 639 754 *724 706 119 *114 113 : All Crops : 500 570 *564 564 116 *114 117 Food Grains : 325 352 *384 388 111 *121 122 Feed Grains & Hay : 363 339 *342 342 95 *96 96 Cotton : 517 341 *414 419 67 *81 82 Tobacco 1/ : 1,263 1,265 84 Oil-Bearing Crops : 554 587 556 543 107 102 99 Fruits & Nuts : 716 834 *1,063 1,003 119 *152 144 Commercial Vegetables : 698 1,095 *835 942 164 *125 141 Potatoes & Dry Beans : 540 578 *622 698 114 *123 138 Other Crops : 493 578 586 586 117 119 119 : Livestock & Products : 768 931 *871 826 121 114 111 Meat Animals : 1,021 1,241 *1,220 1,244 122 120 116 Dairy Products : 799 959 *830 861 119 *103 98 Poultry & Eggs : 282 342 290 280 122 108 113 : Food Commodities : 123 *117 116 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ Monthly prices discontinued July 2005. Selected Index Numbers for Prices Received and Paid, 1990-92=100, by Month, United States, 2005 and 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Index of Prices Received : Index of Prices Paid :---------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Livestock : : Month : All Farm : All : and : All : Production : Products : Crops : Products : Items : Items :---------------------------------------------------------------- :2005 :2006 :2005 : 2006 : 2005 :2006 : 2005 :2006 : 2005 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Jan : 111 113 102 108 121 118 137 146 134 144 Feb : 114 114 107 114 119 114 137 145 134 143 Mar : 119 113 116 117 121 111 139 144 136 142 Apr : 121 120 122 140 138 May : 119 116 122 140 138 Jun : 119 120 118 140 140 Jul : 117 116 118 141 140 Aug : 116 115 117 141 140 Sep : 116 111 122 142 141 Oct : 111 103 121 144 144 Nov : 113 105 121 143 142 Dec : 115 110 120 143 143 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Prices Received, United States, March 2006, with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Entire Month :Preliminary : : Average :-------------------------------------- Commodity :Unit: 1990-92 : Mar : Feb : Mar : : : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Dollars : : : : Field Crops : : : : Barley, All : Bu : 2.12 2.49 2.57 2.55 Feed : Bu : 1.90 1.67 1.83 1.85 Malting : Bu : 2.43 2.74 2.77 2.79 Beans, Dry Edible : Cwt: 19.10 26.60 17.40 19.50 Chickpeas, All : Cwt: 29.00 26.40 29.70 Large : Cwt: 29.30 31.20 31.50 Small : Cwt: 4/ 18.50 4/ Corn : Bu : 2.30 2.02 2.02 2.01 Cotton, Upland : Lb : 0.606 0.403 0.490 0.496 Cottonseed 3/ : Ton: 96.00 98.20 : : Flaxseed : Bu : 4.27 11.40 5.50 5.35 Hay, All, Baled 1/ : Ton: 76.30 92.60 95.00 97.10 Alfalfa 1/ : Ton: 77.20 98.60 99.20 100.00 Other 1/ : Ton: 60.00 77.80 83.20 86.60 Lentils : Cwt: 13.50 11.00 10.50 Oats : Bu : 1.22 1.73 1.82 1.77 Peanuts, In-Shell : Lb : 0.304 0.185 0.198 0.175 Peas, Dry Edible : Cwt: 5.64 4.97 5.03 Austrian Winter : Cwt: 7.63 4/ 4/ Potatoes : Cwt: 5.82 6.44 7.44 8.31 : : Rice, Rough : Cwt: 7.07 6.97 7.97 8.05 Sorghum Grain : Cwt: 3.75 3.04 3.40 3.29 Soybeans : Bu : 5.61 5.95 5.67 5.55 Sunflower, All : Cwt: 9.50 15.00 11.40 11.10 Tobacco, Types 11-37 6/: Lb : 1.740 1.455 : : Wheat, All : Bu : 2.96 3.42 3.66 3.71 Winter : Bu : 2.93 3.32 3.59 3.67 Durum : Bu : 2.86 3.70 3.35 3.32 Other Spring : Bu : 3.11 3.51 3.83 3.83 Hard Red Winter : Bu : 3.29 3.77 Soft Red Winter : Bu : 3.32 3.32 Hard Red Spring : Bu : 3.52 3.89 White : Bu : 3.24 3.50 3.12 : : Fruit : : : : Citrus, Equiv on-tree : : Grapefruit : Box: 5.77 10.58 10.65 8.65 Lemons : Box: 10.10 9.19 5.06 8.66 Oranges : Box: 5.79 4.84 5.69 5.70 Tangelos : Box: 5.82 1.22 Tangerines : Box: 15.11 13.57 11.82 10.01 Temples : Box: 6.23 1.97 2.34 2.19 : : Noncitrus, Fresh : : Apples 2/ : Lb : 0.212 0.184 0.259 0.256 Grapes 2/ : Ton: 506.00 Peaches 2/ : Ton: 432.00 Pears 2/ : Ton: 370.00 474.00 464.00 407.00 Strawberries : Cwt: 56.00 60.90 104.00 71.40 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Mid-month price. 2/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns for CA, MI, and NY (apples only), and WA (apples, peaches, and pears). Prices as sold for other states. 3/ Marketing year August - February. 4/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 5/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. 6/ Monthly price estimates discontinued beginning in July 2005. Prices Received, United States, March 2006, with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : Entire Month :Preliminary : : Average :-------------------------------------- Commodity :Unit : 1990-92 : Mar : Feb : Mar : : : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Dollars : : : : Vegetables, Fresh 1/ : : : : Asparagus : Cwt : 79.80 95.90 194.00 205.00 Broccoli : Cwt : 22.50 42.60 23.80 25.30 Cantaloupes 2/ : Cwt : Carrots : Cwt : 13.20 21.00 21.50 21.40 Cauliflower : Cwt : 26.80 50.60 24.80 44.80 Celery : Cwt : 11.60 28.40 10.80 15.00 Corn, Sweet : Cwt : 15.70 26.10 35.00 35.60 Cucumbers 2/ : Cwt : 32.60 31.90 44.30 Lettuce : Cwt : 11.90 27.90 12.10 16.10 Onions : Cwt : 12.80 6.13 10.70 9.72 Snap Beans 2/ : Cwt : 85.30 60.50 48.70 Tomatoes : Cwt : 32.30 40.70 57.60 37.80 : : Livestock : : : : Calves : Cwt : 94.30 136.00 142.00 138.00 Cattle, All Beef : Cwt : 72.90 91.00 92.40 89.20 Cows 3/ : Cwt : 49.60 55.00 49.70 49.90 Steers & Heifers : Cwt : 77.10 95.20 97.80 94.10 Milk Cows 4/ : Head: 1,130.00 : : Hogs, All : Cwt : 47.70 51.20 42.60 42.40 Barrows & Gilts : Cwt : 48.40 51.50 43.20 42.80 Sows : Cwt : 39.50 43.40 31.10 34.40 : : Lambs : Cwt : 56.20 114.00 96.80 Sheep : Cwt : 23.40 49.00 46.00 : : Dairy and Poultry : : : : Milk, All 5/ 6/ : Cwt : 13.06 15.60 13.50 12.80 Fluid Grade 6/ : Cwt : 13.10 15.60 13.50 12.80 Mfg Grade 6/ : Cwt : 11.80 14.80 12.60 11.80 : : Broilers, Live 7/ : Lb : 0.317 0.440 0.380 0.370 Eggs, All 8/ : Doz : 0.643 0.526 0.495 0.664 Market 8/ : Doz : 0.546 0.327 0.301 0.499 Turkeys, live 7/ 8/: Lb : 0.380 0.381 0.396 0.403 : : Adjusted for Seasonal : : Variation : : Eggs, All : Doz : 0.545 0.506 0.500 0.609 Milk, All 5/ : Cwt : 9.71 16.25 14.06 13.33 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Beginning January 2006, point of first sale. F.O.B. shipping point for prior years. 2/ Monthly estimates began January 1995. 3/ Beef cows and cull dairy cows sold for slaughter. 4/ Animals sold for dairy herd replacement only. Prices available for Jan, Apr, Jul, and Oct. 5/ Before deductions for hauling. Includes quality, quantity, and other premiums. Excludes hauling subsidies. 6/ March 2006 Fat test percent: all milk 3.72, fluid milk 3.72, mfg grade 4.00. 7/ Equivalent liveweight returns to producers for most States. Includes growers and contractors. 8/ Mid-month price. 9/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 10/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Wheat: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 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 : 3/ 3/ 3/ 3/ CA : 3.75 3.69 3.42 3/ 3/ 3/ CO : 3.77 3.79 3.77 3.79 4/ 4/ ID : 3.41 3.47 3.12 3.20 3/ 3/ 3.82 3.85 IL : 3.46 3.30 3.46 3.30 IN : 3.34 3.11 3.34 3.11 KS : 3.87 3.90 3.87 3.90 MI : 3.24 3.33 3.24 3.33 MN : 3.89 3.85 3/ 3/ 3.89 3.85 MO : 3.42 3.35 3.42 3.35 MT : 3.62 3.75 3.57 3.76 3.25 3.34 3.78 3.85 NE : 3.73 3.90 3.73 3.90 ND : 3.67 3.71 3.16 3.20 3.33 3.30 3.82 3.85 OH : 3.30 3.19 3.30 3.19 OK : 3.97 3.95 3.97 3.95 OR : 3.36 3.35 3.29 3.30 3.81 3.70 SD : 3.81 3.80 3.62 3.73 3.98 3.86 TX : 3.98 4.06 3.98 4.06 WA : 3.21 3.21 3.12 3.13 3.56 3.51 : US : 3.66 3.71 3.59 3.67 3.35 3.32 3.83 3.83 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Month, United States, 2005 and 2006 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : All Wheat : Corn : Soybeans :Beef Cattle 2/ : All Hogs Month :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : 2005 : 2006 : 2005 : 2006 : 2005 : 2006 : 2005 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Dollars per Bushel --------- ------- Dollars per ------- : ----------- Cwt ----------- : Jan : 3.43 3.52 2.12 2.00 5.57 5.88 89.10 95.10 53.00 40.70 Feb : 3.36 3.66 1.95 2.02 5.42 5.67 88.80 92.40 50.70 42.60 Mar : 3.42 3.71 2.02 2.01 5.95 5.55 91.00 89.20 51.20 42.40 Apr : 3.35 2.00 6.03 93.70 51.10 May : 3.31 1.98 6.21 92.10 54.90 Jun : 3.23 2.03 6.58 88.00 49.50 Jul : 3.20 2.11 6.65 85.00 49.80 Aug : 3.24 1.95 6.15 84.40 51.00 Sep : 3.35 1.90 5.77 88.00 49.40 Oct : 3.43 1.82 5.67 90.40 47.00 Nov : 3.47 1.77 5.62 90.80 43.50 Dec : 3.54 1.92 5.77 93.30 44.30 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Current month prices are mid-month; prices for previous months are for the entire month. 2/ Cows, steers and heifers. Grains: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :All Barley 1/: Corn : Oats : Soybeans : Sorghum Grain Month :----------------------------------------------------------------------- :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 : 5.75 5.70 4/ 4/ CA : 4/ 5/ 5/ 5/ CO : 4/ 4/ 2.18 2.20 ID : 2.92 3.05 IL : 2.08 2.10 2.06 2.05 5.80 5.75 4.06 3.90 IN : 2.07 2.05 5.83 5.65 IA : 1.95 1.95 1.87 1.87 5.53 5.45 KS : 2.03 2.05 1.36 1.36 5.40 5.30 3.23 3.18 KY : 2.25 2.25 5.96 5.70 LA : 5.92 5.70 MI : 1.93 1.95 1.89 1.90 5.81 5.80 MN : 4/ 4/ 1.83 1.84 1.59 1.59 5.45 5.39 MS : 5.85 5.76 MO : 2.16 2.15 5.76 5.70 3.92 3.85 MT : 2.74 2.88 1.62 4/ NE : 1.94 1.95 1.83 1.70 5.42 5.40 3.20 3.30 NY : 4/ 4/ NC : 2.54 2.54 5.73 5.62 ND : 2.15 2.18 1.80 1.80 1.80 1.80 5.39 5.30 OH : 2.09 2.04 4/ 5/ 5.83 5.78 OK : 3.56 3.55 OR : 2.11 2.20 4/ 4/ PA : 2.36 2.42 2.39 2.26 SD : 2.29 2.60 1.81 1.82 1.80 1.71 5.36 5.25 TN : 2.28 2.25 5.81 5.70 TX : 2.39 2.43 4/ 5/ 4.06 3.84 UT : 2.11 2.26 WA : 1.97 1.98 WI : 1.95 1.95 1.72 1.70 5.41 5.30 WY : 3.46 1.60 : US : 2.57 2.55 2.02 2.01 1.82 1.77 5.67 5.55 3.40 3.29 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ The Three-State (MN, ND and SD) Feed Barley price is discontinued. 2/ Entire month. 3/ Mid-month. 4/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 5/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Malting and Feed Barley: Prices Received Selected State, February and March 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Malting Barley : Feed Barley State :-------------------------------------------------------------- : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Bushel : ID : 3.17 3/ 2.08 2.05 MN : 3/ 3/ 3/ 3/ MT : 2.89 3.05 1.72 1.77 ND : 2.31 2.30 1.65 1.70 SD : 2.30 2.60 1.20 4/ WY : 3/ 4/ 1.56 1.60 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 4/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Field Crops: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dry Edible : All : : : Beans : Sunflower : Flaxseed : Peanuts 4/ State :--------------------------------------------------------------- :Feb 1/ :Mar 2/ :Feb 1/ :Mar 2/ :Feb 1/ :Mar 2/ :Feb 1/ :Mar 3/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------- Dollars per -------- Dollars per Dollars per : ------------ Cwt ------------ --- Bushel -- ---- Pound --- : AL : 5/ 5/ CA : 42.80 5/ CO : 17.60 18.20 FL : 5/ 6/ GA : 0.172 0.173 ID : 19.30 19.30 IN : KS : 9.23 8.99 KY : MD : MI : 20.00 21.00 MN : 5/ 5/ 15.10 5/ MO : NE : 16.60 16.10 NC : 0.207 5/ ND : 14.20 14.50 11.80 11.50 5.52 5.35 OH : OK : SC : SD : 10.40 9.52 5.00 6/ TN : TX : 5/ 0.181 VA : 5/ 6/ WV : : US : 17.40 19.50 11.40 11.10 5.50 5.35 0.198 0.175 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ Based on sales through first half of month. 4/ In-Shell. 5/ Price not published to avoid disclosure of individual firms. 6/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Field Crops and Apples: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 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 : 0.489 0.480 AZ : 0.561 6/ 128.00 128.00 125.00 AR : 0.481 0.489 CA : 0.589 6/ 130.00 135.00 99.00 7/ CO : 102.00 102.00 97.00 GA : 0.491 0.481 ID : 111.00 112.00 95.00 IL : 103.00 105.00 81.00 IA : 80.00 82.00 58.00 KS : 79.00 87.00 59.00 KY : 95.00 120.00 70.00 LA : 0.479 0.480 MI : 101.00 105.00 80.00 0.200 MN : 66.00 70.00 45.00 MS : 0.482 0.480 MO : 69.00 110.00 57.00 MT : 66.00 67.00 56.00 NE : 52.00 53.00 47.00 NV : 120.00 120.00 127.00 NM : 122.00 124.00 102.00 NY : 112.00 135.00 95.00 0.259 NC : 0.480 0.486 ND : 48.00 51.00 36.00 OH : 111.00 131.00 71.00 0.365 OK : 96.00 115.00 72.00 OR : 111.00 119.00 97.00 PA : 138.00 174.00 132.00 0.240 SD : 62.00 64.00 50.00 TN : 0.480 0.479 TX : 0.478 0.471 118.00 146.00 112.00 UT : 96.00 96.00 85.00 VA : 0.260 WA : 118.00 115.00 125.00 0.257 WI : 111.00 115.00 85.00 WY : 76.00 77.00 73.00 : US : 0.490 0.496 97.10 100.00 86.60 0.256 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 7/ Insufficient sales to establish a price. Upland Cotton and Rice: Prices Received and Marketings, United States, March 2006, with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item : Unit : Jan 2006 1/ : Feb 2006 1/ : Mar 2006 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Cotton, Upland : : Average Price : Dollars per Pound : 0.486 0.490 0.496 Marketings 3/ : 1,000 Bales : 2,420 1,182 NA : : Rice : : Average Price : Dollars per Cwt : 7.67 7.97 8.05 Marketings 4/ : 1,000 Cwt : 20,370 17,633 NA -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Based on purchases for the first half of the month. 3/ Marketings based on a survey of cotton buyers in the major producing States - AL, AZ, AR, CA, GA, LA, MS, NC, TN, and TX. 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 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Equivalent Returns 1/ Commodity, :F.O.B. :----------------------------------------------------- State :Packed : Packinghouse-door : On-tree and Type : Fresh :----------------------------------------------------- : : All : Fresh :Process : All : Fresh :Process -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Box : Grapefruit : AZ : 15.10 8.33 8.33 5.91 5.91 CA : 17.70 10.24 10.93 -0.29 7.82 8.51 -2.71 FL : 22.60 11.25 14.38 9.62 8.51 11.98 6.71 White : 24.10 11.43 15.60 10.50 8.86 13.20 7.90 Colored : 22.20 11.15 14.10 8.95 8.32 11.70 5.80 TX : 27.00 10.65 16.61 4.00 9.47 15.40 2.84 : US : 23.20 11.11 14.65 8.84 8.65 12.52 6.17 : Lemons : AZ : 26.10 5.60 15.59 -0.40 1.08 11.07 -4.92 CA : 27.70 13.32 17.19 -0.40 8.80 12.67 -4.92 : US : 27.70 13.18 17.18 -0.40 8.66 12.66 -4.92 : Oranges : AZ : Navel and Misc: 16.10 3.05 8.42 0.37 0.49 5.86 -2.19 : CA : 19.80 8.97 12.11 0.37 6.41 9.55 -2.19 Navel and Misc: 19.80 8.79 12.12 0.37 6.23 9.56 -2.19 Valencia : 19.40 11.33 12.06 0.28 8.74 9.47 -2.31 : FL : 15.50 7.35 6.86 7.37 5.12 4.46 5.15 Early and Mids: 14.50 7.79 5.90 7.85 5.59 3.50 5.65 Valencia : 16.00 7.02 7.40 7.00 4.76 5.00 4.75 : TX : 18.30 7.08 7.76 3.40 5.68 6.36 2.04 Early and Mids: 17.80 6.67 7.30 3.40 5.27 5.90 2.04 Valencia : 19.20 7.95 8.70 3.40 6.56 7.30 2.04 : US : 19.50 8.08 11.74 6.03 5.70 9.21 3.74 : Tangerines : AZ : 23.60 8.27 16.26 0.28 5.68 13.67 -2.31 CA : 27.40 16.29 20.06 0.28 13.70 17.47 -2.31 FL : 24.00 11.35 13.70 7.65 7.92 10.50 3.85 : US : 25.50 13.08 16.66 5.43 10.01 13.75 1.99 : Temples : FL : 14.00 4.75 4.80 4.75 2.19 2.05 2.20 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Net lbs. per box: Grapefruit - AZ & CA-67, FL-85, TX-80; Lemons - 76; Oranges - AZ & CA-75, FL-90, TX-85; Tangelos~-~90; Tangerines - AZ & CA-75, FL-95; Temples - 90. Potatoes: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2006 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : :: : : State : Feb : Mar :: State : Feb : Mar : : :: : : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Cwt :: : Dollars per Cwt : :: : AL : :: NC : AZ : :: ND - All 2/ : 7.50 8.25 CA - All 2/ : 15.70 18.60 :: - Fresh 3/ : 12.10 NA - Winter : 18.00 20.90 :: - Processing : 6.30 NA - Spring : :: OH 4/ : - Summer : :: OR : 5.65 6.35 - Fall : 7.70 8.10 :: PA 4/ : CO - All 2/ : 8.90 9.00 :: TX : - Fresh 3/ : 9.85 NA :: VA : FL : 39.50 38.50 :: WA - All 2/ : 6.10 6.50 ID - All 2/ : 5.35 6.10 :: - Processing : 5.30 NA - Fresh 3/ : 6.10 NA :: WI - All 2/ : 8.30 8.25 - Processing : 4.90 NA :: - Fresh 3/ : 9.15 NA ME : 9.00 8.80 :: - Processing : 7.60 NA MI : 8.65 8.90 :: : MN : 6.45 6.40 :: US - All 2/ : 7.44 8.31 NY : 12.70 12.70 :: - Fresh 3/ : 10.91 NA : :: - Processing : 5.57 NA ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Missing data indicates no potatoes being marketed. 2/ Average price of potatoes sold for all uses, including table stocks, processing, seed, and livestock feed. 3/ Fresh market prices only, includes table stock prices. 4/ Estimates discontinued in 2005. Cattle: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 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 : 47.30 48.50 107.00 104.00 90.30 88.50 129.00 126.00 AR : 47.10 45.30 111.00 110.00 91.80 90.60 133.00 129.00 CA : 46.80 48.70 94.80 91.90 72.20 71.20 131.00 124.00 CO : 52.40 51.40 115.00 108.00 114.00 107.00 141.00 133.00 FL : 49.90 50.40 108.00 103.00 84.40 79.60 136.00 132.00 GA : 51.50 50.20 103.00 99.30 70.00 69.80 134.00 130.00 ID : 47.60 48.30 95.20 93.10 84.70 82.30 133.00 132.00 IL : 50.00 47.00 91.00 88.00 90.20 87.20 123.00 120.00 IA : 53.40 52.00 96.70 94.00 95.80 93.20 141.00 138.00 KS : 50.50 50.70 94.10 90.90 92.80 89.70 147.00 140.00 KY : 47.00 48.00 104.00 102.00 90.30 89.00 131.00 131.00 LA : 51.30 47.00 111.00 106.00 68.00 63.50 134.00 126.00 MI : 50.00 51.00 85.00 83.00 74.50 73.40 140.00 140.00 MN : 53.40 53.50 87.30 86.60 81.50 81.00 134.00 129.00 MO : 51.30 51.10 114.00 111.00 92.70 97.80 142.00 137.00 MT : 52.60 52.30 118.00 116.00 102.00 97.50 150.00 143.00 NE : 49.90 50.60 98.00 94.00 96.60 92.70 145.00 141.00 NM : 48.50 49.50 109.00 102.00 84.80 83.10 135.00 129.00 ND : 54.30 54.00 111.00 106.00 105.00 97.70 141.00 138.00 OH : 46.20 47.00 92.80 90.00 88.10 85.70 129.00 124.00 OK : 50.80 49.70 105.00 99.20 102.00 96.70 137.00 130.00 OR : 46.00 49.00 106.00 104.00 88.00 87.50 128.00 130.00 PA : 49.10 50.00 87.80 85.10 77.70 76.00 138.00 136.00 SD : 52.10 53.60 107.00 103.00 101.00 98.10 141.00 133.00 TN : 47.00 47.00 106.00 103.00 82.40 80.60 130.00 126.00 TX : 46.80 46.60 97.80 94.80 93.70 90.00 143.00 140.00 VA : 43.50 45.30 96.60 95.20 77.00 81.70 128.00 128.00 WI : 50.70 50.60 88.60 88.30 66.60 66.40 174.00 170.00 WY : 53.10 53.00 118.00 116.00 106.00 107.00 151.00 150.00 : US : 49.70 49.90 97.80 94.10 92.40 89.20 142.00 138.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 State, February and March 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Sows : Barrows and Gilts : All Hogs :----------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ : Feb 1/ : Mar 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Cwt : AR : 30.70 34.90 39.10 39.00 38.30 38.60 IL : 29.90 33.40 45.00 44.90 43.80 44.00 IN : 35.50 38.50 42.40 42.10 41.80 41.80 IA : 30.60 33.60 44.50 43.50 43.90 43.30 KS : 31.10 34.90 40.70 40.50 39.50 39.80 MN : 31.40 34.50 43.10 43.00 43.10 43.00 MO : 30.60 33.70 39.20 38.70 38.50 38.30 NE : 31.50 34.80 44.60 44.10 44.30 43.90 NC : 30.80 34.60 42.80 42.30 42.70 42.20 OH : 31.30 33.50 42.90 42.70 42.10 42.10 OK : 30.40 33.80 37.90 37.80 36.80 37.20 PA : 30.50 33.20 41.10 40.90 39.50 39.70 SD : 29.90 34.10 44.50 44.10 43.00 43.10 : US : 31.10 34.40 43.20 42.80 42.60 42.40 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. Sheep and Poultry: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : February : March State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Sheep 1/ : Lambs 1/ : Eggs 2/ 3/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ Dollars per Cwt ------ Dollars per Dozen : AL : 0.530 AR : 0.470 CA : 48.50 86.50 0.550 CO : 43.00 105.00 CT : 0.530 FL : 0.590 GA : 0.580 ID : 42.00 83.00 IN : 0.470 IA : 50.00 80.00 0.445 KY : 53.00 96.00 ME : 0.600 MI : 0.460 MN : 37.50 82.50 0.500 MS : 0.510 MO : 42.30 103.00 0.420 MT : 38.10 104.00 NE : 44.20 92.00 NY : 0.500 NC : 0.460 ND : 43.00 103.00 OH : 47.80 96.50 0.583 OR : 48.00 91.00 PA : 51.50 115.00 0.450 SC : 0.550 SD : 43.00 101.00 TX : 50.10 106.00 0.460 VA : 49.00 110.00 WA : 0.570 WV : 49.00 111.00 WY : 43.30 112.00 : US : 46.00 96.80 0.499 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Mid-month. 3/ Market (table) eggs. Milk and Milk Cows: Prices Received, by State, February and March 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : February 1/ : March :------------------------------------------------------------------------ State : Fluid Grade : Manufacturing : All Milk : All Milk : : Milk 2/ : Grade Milk : 3/ : 3/ 4/ : Milk :---------------------------------------------------------------:Cows 5/ : : Fat : : Fat : : Fat : : Fat : : Price : Test : Price : Test : Price : Test : Price : Test : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :Dol/Cwt Percent Dol/Cwt Percent Dol/Cwt Percent Dol/Cwt Percent Dol/Head : AZ : 13.30 3.60 13.30 3.60 13.10 3.56 CA : 11.70 3.74 12.50 4.14 11.72 3.75 11.10 3.70 CO : 14.00 3.63 14.00 3.63 12.70 3.60 FL : 17.70 3.69 17.70 3.69 16.70 3.64 ID : 12.10 3.72 11.70 4.06 12.10 3.72 11.50 3.66 IL : 14.80 3.88 14.00 3.61 14.80 3.87 14.60 3.89 IN : 13.70 3.73 12.30 3.94 13.60 3.74 12.70 3.68 IA : 14.40 3.75 13.00 3.96 14.40 3.75 14.00 3.70 KS : 13.10 3.72 13.10 3.72 12.00 3.66 KY : 14.90 3.74 14.90 3.74 14.00 3.71 MI : 14.20 3.69 12.10 3.75 14.20 3.69 13.30 3.67 MN : 13.50 3.77 11.70 3.85 13.40 3.77 12.60 3.76 MO : 14.20 3.74 12.70 3.94 14.10 3.75 13.20 3.74 NM : 12.55 3.68 12.60 3.68 12.40 3.66 NY : 14.30 3.78 14.30 3.78 13.20 3.76 OH : 14.50 3.75 13.30 3.95 14.50 3.76 14.00 3.73 OR : 14.90 3.77 14.90 3.77 14.40 3.72 PA : 15.80 3.80 12.00 3.85 15.80 3.80 14.70 3.80 TX : 13.80 3.84 13.80 3.84 13.80 3.78 VT : 14.60 3.80 14.60 3.80 13.70 3.78 VA : 16.20 3.68 16.20 3.68 15.00 3.60 WA : 13.60 3.77 13.60 3.77 13.50 3.72 WI : 13.90 3.78 12.90 3.93 13.90 3.78 12.90 3.77 : US : 13.50 3.75 12.60 4.00 13.50 3.75 12.80 3.72 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Entire month. 2/ Including milk diverted to manufacturing. 3/ Before deductions for hauling. Includes quality, quantity, and other premiums. Excludes hauling subsidies. 4/ Preliminary. 5/ Animals sold for dairy herd replacement only. Prices published January, April, July and October. Parity Price Equivalent for Manufacturing Milk 1/: United States, February and March 2006, with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Item : Unit : Mar 2005 : Feb 2006 : Mar 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Parity Equivalent : Dollars per Cwt : 32.45 34.95 34.68 Average Price F.O.B 2/ : Dollars per Cwt : 14.80 12.60 11.80 Average Fat Test of Milk 2/ : Percent : 3.91 4.00 4.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ The parity price equivalent during 2006 is 91.5 percent of the parity price of all milk sold to plants, compared with 91.4 percent in 2005. For additional details, see January 2006 issue of "Agricultural Prices". 2/ Preliminary for March 2006. United States Parity Prices for Farm Products and Average Prices Received as Percent of Parity Prices Based on Data for March 2006, with Comparisons 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Parity Price : Price as Percent :Adjusted: Based on Data for : of Parity Commodity and Unit : Base :----------------------------------------- : Price : Mar : Feb : Mar : Mar : Feb : Mar : : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------- Dollars --------- ---- Percent ---- : Basic Commodities : All Wheat, Bu : 0.535 10.00 10.40 10.30 34 35 36 Rice, Cwt : 1.45 24.90 28.10 27.90 28 28 29 Corn, Bu : 0.398 6.71 7.72 7.65 30 26 26 Cotton, Lb : American Upland : 0.117 1.71 2.27 2.25 24 22 22 Extra Long Staple : 0.138 2.56 2.68 2.65 Peanuts, Lb : 0.035 0.631 0.679 0.673 29 29 26 : Designated Nonbasic : All Milk, Sold to : Plants, Per Cwt 2/ : 1.97 35.50 38.20 37.90 46 37 35 Honey, Extracted, Lb 3/ : 0.121 2.28 2.28 2.28 : Wool and Mohair : Wool, Lb : 0.083 1.64 1.61 1.60 44 Mohair, Lb : 0.339 6.01 6.58 6.52 42 : Other Nonbasic : Barley, Bu : 0.372 6.80 7.22 7.15 37 36 36 Canola, Cwt : 1.38 28.30 26.80 26.50 Cottonseed, Ton : 15.40 280.00 299.00 296.00 40 33 33 Dry Edible Beans, Cwt : 2.81 50.90 54.50 54.00 52 32 36 Flaxseed, Bu : 0.795 13.60 15.40 15.30 84 36 35 Mustard Seed, Cwt : 1.96 38.20 37.90 37.70 Oats, Bu : 0.221 3.99 4.29 4.25 43 42 42 Potatoes, Cwt : 0.823 15.10 16.00 15.80 43 47 53 Rapeseed, Cwt : 1.61 31.40 31.20 31.00 Rye, Bu : 0.355 6.40 6.89 6.83 Safflower, Cwt : 1.86 37.30 36.10 35.80 Sorghum Grain, Cwt : 0.617 11.00 12.00 11.90 28 28 28 Soybeans, Bu : 0.880 16.20 17.10 16.90 37 33 33 All Sunflower, Cwt : 1.68 30.30 32.50 32.20 50 35 34 Sweetpotatoes, Cwt : 2.33 41.70 45.20 44.80 Apples, Fresh, Lb 4/ : 0.027 0.527 0.524 0.519 27 43 42 Citrus (equiv on-tree), Box : Grapefruit : 0.541 7.11 10.50 10.40 149 101 83 Lemons : 1.161 20.20 22.50 22.30 46 22 39 Oranges : 0.591 10.40 11.50 11.40 47 49 50 Tangerines : 1.390 24.40 27.00 26.70 56 44 37 Temples (FL) : 0.394 6.84 7.64 7.58 29 31 29 Beef Cattle, Cwt : 9.87 174.00 191.00 190.00 52 48 47 Calves, Cwt : 13.70 236.00 266.00 263.00 58 53 52 Hogs, Cwt : 5.99 108.00 116.00 115.00 47 37 37 Lambs, Cwt : 11.90 211.00 231.00 229.00 54 42 Sheep, Cwt : 4.89 85.10 94.90 94.00 58 48 Eggs, Doz 2/ : 0.091 1.70 1.77 1.75 30 28 35 Turkeys, Live, Lb : 0.056 1.020 1.090 1.080 37 36 37 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --continued Parity Prices Based on Data for March 2006, United States 1/ (continued) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Nonbasic : Adj :Parity :: Other Nonbasic : Adj :Parity Commodities : Base : Price :: Commodities : Base : Price : Base : :: : Base : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- :Dollars Dollars:: :Dollars Dollars : :: : Field Crops and : :: Noncitrus Fruit, : Misc Commodities : :: Continued : Hops, Lb : 0.247 4.75 :: Olives, CA : Spearmint Oil, Lb : 1.44 27.70 :: canning, Ton 5/ : 92.30 1,770.00 Tobacco, Lb : :: Papayas (HA) : 0.051 0.981 Flue-Cured, 11-14 : 0.247 4.75 :: Peaches : VA Fire-Cured, 21 : 0.258 4.96 :: Fresh, Ton 4/ : 83.09 1,600.00 KY-TN Fire-Cured, : :: Dried, CA, : 22-23 : 0.323 6.21 :: Ton : 77.00 1,480.00 Burley, 31 : 0.266 5.12 :: Processing 5/ : Maryland, 32 : 0.202 3.88 :: Excl Dried : Dark Air-Cured, : :: Clingstone, : 35-36 : 0.285 5.48 :: CA, Ton : 33.40 642.00 Sun-Cured, 37 : 0.237 4.56 :: Pears, Ton : PA Seedleaf, 41 : 0.201 3.87 :: Fresh 4/ : 54.50 1,050.00 Cigar Filler & : :: Dried, CA 6/ : 171.00 3,290.00 Binder, : :: Plums, CA, Ton : 42-44, 54-55 : 0.222 4.27 :: Fresh, Equiv : Puerto Rican : :: on-Tree : 60.10 1,160.00 Filler, 46 : 0.159 3.06 :: Prunes, Dried, : Cigar Binder, : :: CA, Ton 6/ : 132.00 2,540.00 51-52 : 0.760 14.60 :: Prunes and Plums, : Type 61 : 3.21 61.70 :: Excl CA, Ton : : :: Fresh 9/ : 62.40 1,200.00 Noncitrus Fruit : :: Processing 6/ : Apples, Ton 6/ : :: Excl Dried : 28.80 554.00 Processing : 17.60 338.00 :: : Apricots, Ton : :: Tree Nuts 10/ : Fresh 7/ :101.00 1,940.00 :: Almonds, Lb : 0.221 4.25 Dried, CA :270.00 5,190.00 :: Hazelnuts, Ton : 150.00 2,880.00 Avocados, Ton 7/ :233.00 4,480.00 :: Pistachio, Lb : 0.168 3.23 Cherries : :: Walnuts, Ton : 173.00 3,330.00 Sweet, Ton :195.00 3,750.00 :: : Tart, Lb : 0.034 0.654:: Vegetables, Cwt 11/ : Cranberry, Bbl 5/ : 5.35 103.00 :: Fresh : Dates, CA, Ton 7/ :214.00 4,120.00 :: Carrots 8/ : 2.30 44.20 Grapes, Ton : :: Cauliflower 8/ : 4.44 85.40 Raisin Variety :121.00 2,330.00 :: Celery 8/ : 1.91 36.70 Other Dried : 70.80 1,360.00 :: Honeydew Melons : 2.64 50.80 Kiwifruit, Ton : 89.20 1,720.00 :: Lettuce : 2.36 45.40 Nectarines : :: Onions 8/ : 1.65 31.70 Fresh, CA, Ton 7/: 61.20 1,180.00 :: Tomatoes : 4.61 88.70 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 averages prices weighted by production. For 1982 through 1985 the national averages are the support prices. 4/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns for CA, NY (apples only), OR (except peaches), and WA. Price at point of first sale for other states. 5/ Equivalent returns for bulk fruit at first delivery point. 6/ Equivalent returns at processing plant door. 7/ Equivalent returns at packinghouse door. 8/ Includes some processing. 9/ Based on "as sold" prices for fresh fruit in all states. 10/ Prices in-shell basis except almonds which are shelled basis. 11/ F.O.B. shipping point prices. * Correction from January Agricultural 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 about 2000 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 Field 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 preliminary price represents a 3-5 day period around the 15th of the 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) at 144 (1990-92=100), decreased 1 point from February 2006 but is up 3.6 percent from March 2005. PRODUCTION INDEX: The March index, at 142, decreased 0.7 percent from last month but increased 4.4 percent from last year. Lower prices in March for feeder cattle, LP gas, nitrogen fertilizers, and feed concentrates are partially offset by higher prices for diesel fuel, gasoline, herbicides, and hay & forages. Feed: The March index, at 118, decreased 1.7 percent from February but increased 2.6 percent from last March. Since February, lower prices for feed concentrates, complete feeds, feed supplements offset higher prices for hay & forages. Livestock & Poultry: The March index for livestock and poultry purchases, at 133, decreased 5.7 percent from last month and 3.6 percent from last year. Since February, prices are lower for feeder cattle. The March feeder cattle price, at $109.20 per cwt, is down $8.20 per cwt from the February price. March feeder pigs averaged $150.00 per cwt, unchanged from February. Fertilizer: The March index, at 174, is down 1.1 percent from February but 13 percent above March a year ago. Since February, prices are lower for nitrogen fertilizers, mixed fertilizers, and potash & phosphate. Agricultural Chemicals: The March index, at 123, increased 0.8 percent from February and 5.1 percent from last March. Fuels: The March index, at 230, is up 1.8 percent from a month earlier and 12 percent above March 2005. Compared with last month, prices are higher for diesel fuel and gasoline but lower for LP gas. Farm Machinery: The March index, at 173, was unchanged from February but 1.2 percent above last March. CONSUMER PRICE INDEX: The February 2006 Consumer Price Index for all urban consumers (CPI-U) increased 0.2 percent before seasonal adjustment to a level of 198.7 (1982-84=100). This compares with the January index of 198.3. For the 12-month period ending in February, the overall index has increased 3.6 percent. Indexes of Prices Paid by Farmers and Related Parity Ratios United States, March 2006 With Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1910-14 = 100 : 1990-92 = 100 Indexes :---------------------------------------------- and : 2005 : 2006 : 2005 : 2006 Ratios :---------------------------------------------- : Mar : Feb : Mar : Mar : Feb : Mar : Prices Paid by Farmers for : Commodities & Services, : Interest, Taxes, & Wage : Rates (PPITW) : 1,845 *1,931 1,923 139 *145 144 Production : 1,322 *1,390 1,381 136 *143 142 Feed : 559 *584 577 115 *120 118 Livestock & Poultry : 1,760 1,801 1,704 138 141 133 Seeds : 1,564 1,694 1,694 158 171 171 Fertilizer : 565 *646 637 154 *176 174 Agricultural Chemicals : 725 *753 763 117 *122 123 Fuels : 1,593 *1,743 1,771 206 *226 230 Farm Supplies & Repairs : 1,007 *1,039 1,039 142 *146 146 Autos & Trucks : 3,071 *3,040 3,043 115 *114 114 Farm Machinery : 4,286 *4,343 4,342 171 *173 173 Building Materials : 1,914 *2,017 2,024 141 *148 149 Farm Services & Rent : 1,499 *1,555 1,555 Farm Services : 127 130 130 Rent : 125 131 131 Interest 1/ : 2,731 2,981 2,981 109 119 119 Taxes 2/ : 3,383 3,426 3,426 126 128 128 Wage Rates : 6,319 6,533 6,533 169 175 175 Production, Interest, Taxes, : & Wage Rates (PITW) : 1,847 *1,941 1,930 138 *144 144 Family Living-CPI 3/ : 1,836 *1,887 1,887 143 147 147 : : :---------------------------------------------- Ratio (Received\Paid) : 86 *79 78 Parity Ratio 4/ : 41 37 37 Parity Ratio Adjusted 5/ : 45 40 40 PPITW Adjusted for : Productivity 6/ : 1,247 *1,287 1,286 : : :---------------------------------------------- Crop Sector (PPITW) : 142 *149 149 Livestock Sector (PPITW) : 135 *141 139 : : :---------------------------------------------- Farm Sector (Production) : 130 *135 132 Non-Farm Sector (Production) : 140 *147 147 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * 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 1.079 for 2006 and the revised factor is 1.096 for 2005. 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 2006 With Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Input Indexes : Relative Weights :--------------------------- Index :5-Year Moving Average 1/ : 2005 : 2006 :----------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- Percent ---- ---- (1990-92=100) --- : Production Items : 66.4 66.8 136 *143 142 : Feed : 10.7 10.9 115 *120 118 Feed Grains : 1.5 1.6 87 88 88 Complete Feeds : 5.2 5.3 114 *120 119 Hay/Forages : 1.3 1.4 121 125 127 Concentrates : 1.7 1.7 122 *128 123 Supplements : 0.9 0.9 142 *146 141 Livestock & Poultry : 7.7 7.6 138 141 133 Feeder Cattle : 6.0 6.0 133 139 129 Feeder Pigs : 0.6 0.6 195 163 163 Milk Cow Replacements : 0.6 0.6 144 163 163 Poultry : 0.5 0.5 110 110 110 Seeds : 3.5 3.6 158 171 171 Field Crops : 3.2 3.3 163 177 177 Grasses/Legumes : 0.3 0.3 111 118 118 Fertilizer : 4.3 4.3 154 *176 174 Mixed Fertilizer : 1.9 1.9 134 *143 142 Nitrogen : 1.8 1.8 176 *216 211 Potash & Phosphate : 0.6 0.6 152 *161 160 Agricultural Chemicals : 3.6 3.5 117 *122 123 Herbicides : 2.3 2.2 113 *115 116 Insecticides : 0.8 0.8 129 *141 142 Fungicides/Other : 0.5 0.5 119 *122 124 Fuels : 2.7 2.9 206 *226 230 Diesel : 1.6 1.7 221 *251 259 Gasoline : 0.8 0.8 182 *192 202 LP Gas : 0.4 0.4 195 *194 166 Farm Supplies & Repairs : 5.2 5.0 142 *146 146 Supplies : 1.7 1.7 131 139 139 Repairs : 3.5 3.3 147 *150 150 Autos & Trucks : 1.8 1.8 115 *114 114 Autos : 0.2 0.2 109 *110 110 Trucks : 1.5 1.6 117 115 115 Farm Machinery : 4.0 4.4 171 *173 173 Tractors : 0.9 1.0 153 *157 157 Self-Propelled : 1.6 1.7 176 *179 179 Other Machinery : 1.5 1.7 176 *177 177 Building Materials : 3.6 4.0 141 *148 149 Farm Services : 12.4 12.2 127 130 130 Custom Rates : 1.3 1.3 125 125 125 Other Services : 11.1 10.9 127 131 131 Rent : 6.9 6.7 125 131 131 Cash : 3.7 3.6 151 159 159 Share : 3.2 3.1 94 98 98 Interest : 4.5 4.2 109 119 119 Taxes : 2.9 2.9 126 128 128 Wage Rates : 7.6 7.8 169 175 175 Family Living-CPI : 18.6 18.4 143 147 147 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ Weights may not add due to rounding. Feed Price Ratios: United States, March 2006 with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2005 : 2006 Feed Price Ratio 1/ :----------------------------- : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Broiler-Feed: Pounds of Broiler Grower Feed : equal in value to 1 pound of broiler, live weight : 7.0 6.3 6.2 : Market Egg Feed: Pounds of Laying Feed equal in : Value to 1 dozen eggs : 6.3 *5.9 10.0 : Hog-Corn: Bushels of Corn equal in value to : 100 pounds of hog, live weight : 25.3 *21.1 21.1 : Milk-Feed: Pounds of 16% Mixed Dairy Feed equal : in value to 1 pound of Whole Milk : 3.35 *2.92 2.77 : Steer & Heifer-Corn: Bushels of Corn equal : in value to 100 pounds of Steer & Heifers, : 47.1 *48.4 46.8 live weight : : Turkey-Feed: Pounds of Turkey Grower equal in : value to 1 pound of Turkey, live weight : 6.6 6.9 7.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ Effective January 1995, prices of commercial prepared feeds are based on current U.S. prices received for corn, soybeans, alfalfa hay, and all wheat. Prices Used to Calculate Feed Price Ratios: United States, March 2006 with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 2005 : 2006 Commodity : Unit :------------------------------------------- : : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Broilers, Live : Lb : 0.440 0.380 0.370 Eggs, Market : Doz : 0.327 0.301 0.499 : : Hogs, All : Cwt : 51.20 *42.60 42.40 Milk, All : Cwt : 15.60 *13.50 12.80 : : Steers and Heifers : Cwt : 95.20 *97.80 94.10 Turkeys, Live : Lb : 0.381 0.396 0.403 : : Corn : Bu : 2.02 *2.02 2.01 Hay, Alfalfa, Baled : Ton : 98.60 99.20 100.00 : : Soybeans : Bu : 5.95 *5.67 5.55 Wheat, All : Bu : 3.42 3.66 3.71 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Revised. Feeder Livestock: Prices Paid, United States March 2006 with Comparisons -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 2005 : 2006 Commodity : Unit :------------------------------------------- : : Mar : Feb : Mar -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Dollars : : Feeders and Stockers : : Cattle and Calves : Cwt : 112.90 117.40 109.20 Feeder Pigs : Cwt : 179.00 150.00 150.00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Field 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). Information Contacts General questions should be directed to Linda Hutton, Chief, Environmental, Economics and Demographics Branch at (202) 720-6146. Below are the commodity specialists to contact for additional information. Crop Prices Received Joe Prusacki Chief, Crops Branch (202) 720-2127 Greg Thessen, Field Crops Section (202) 720-2127 Scott Cox - Wheat, Rye (202) 720-8068 Ty Kalaus - Corn, Proso Millet, Flaxseed (202) 720-9526 Shiela Corley - Cotton, Cottonseed (202) 720-5944 Travis Thorson - Hay, Oats, Sorghum (202) 690-3234 Jason Lamprecht - Soybeans, Sunflower, Other Oilseeds (202) 720-7369 Dennis Koong - Peanuts, Rice (202) 720-7688 Brian Young - Sugarcane, Sugarbeets, Barley (202) 720-7621 Jim Smith, Fruit and Vegetable Section (202) 720-2127 Debbie Flippin - Peaches, Pears, Hops, Pulses, Mint (202) 720-3250 Rich Holcomb - Citrus (202) 720-5412 Terry O'Connor - Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Cranberries, Plums, Prunes (202) 720-4288 Leslie Colburn - Grapes, Tobacco (202) 720-7235 Cathy Scherrer - Potatoes, Dry Edible Beans, Sweet Potatoes (202) 720-4285 Debbie Flippin - Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries (202) 720-2127 Livestock Prices Received Dan Kerestes, Chief, Livestock Branch (202) 720-3570 Bill Weaver, Livestock Section (202) 720-3570 Scott Hollis - Sheep, Lambs, Wool, Mohair (202) 720-4751 Ann Summa - Milk, Milk Cows (202) 720-3278 Bruce Boess - Hogs (202) 720-3106 Mike Miller - Cattle (202) 720-3040 Darin Jantzi, Poultry and Specialty Commodities Section (202) 720-3570 John Lange - Turkeys (202) 720-0585 Sharyn Lavender - Eggs (202) 720-3244 Jody Roberts - Broilers (202) 690-8632 Indexes, Prices Paid, and Parity Prices Linda Hutton, Chief, Environmental, Economics and Demographics Branch (202) 720-6146 Kevin Hintzman, Economics Section (202) 720-6146 Eric Barnes - Farm Supplies and Repairs, Farm Machinery, Fuels, Feeder Livestock, Poultry Chicks, Feed Price Ratios, Grazing Fees, Autos & Trucks (202) 690-4752 Daryl Brinkman - Prices Received Indexes, Parity Prices (202) 720-8844 Jim Williams - Prices Paid Indexes, Prices Paid for Feed, Fertilizer, Agricultural Chemicals, Seeds (202) 690-3225 ACCESS TO REPORTS!! 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