Fr Nt 4 (8-06) Cranberries National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released August 15, 2006, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Cranberries" call Jim Smith at (202) 720-2131, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. 2006 Cranberry Production Up 6 Percent The forecast for the 2006 cranberry crop is 6.64 million barrels, up 6 percent from 2005 and 7 percent above 2004. Production is forecast to be up in Massachusetts, Oregon and Wisconsin but down in New Jersey and Washington. Production in Wisconsin is forecast at 3.75 million barrels, 2 percent above 2005 and 14 percent above 2004. If realized, this will be a record high production for Wisconsin cranberries. Vines experienced only minor damage this winter. Conditions allowed for a good bloom and fruit set. Most producers are expecting a good crop with average to above average yields. Growers have had to irrigate on a regular basis due to the dry weather. The Massachusetts crop is forecast at 1.75 million barrels, up 23 percent from 2005 but 3 percent below 2004. The winter was fairly mild, with few producers reporting winter kill or damage to their bogs. Early spring was dry but above average rainfall was recorded during May and into June. The potential size of this year's crop was reduced as rainfall limited bee activity and knocked petals off in some bogs during the pollination stage. New Jersey expects a crop of 490,000 barrels, down 8 percent from 2005 but 22 percent above 2004. Growers reported bloom and fruit set as average to heavy, with average fruit size this season. No significant weather damage was reported. The Oregon crop is forecast at 485,000 barrels, 10 percent above last year but 2 percent below 2004. Most growers reported a very good bloom but one to three weeks later in the season compared to recent years. Most producers reported the condition of this year's crop is better than last year but fruit sizing may be an issue. The Washington crop is forecast at 160,000 barrels, 14 percent below last year and down 6 percent from 2004. Some damage was reported from a fall hailstorm with additional damage reported over the winter. The spring was cool and damp with poor conditions during bloom. These conditions limited bee activity and did not allow for a good fruit set. Cranberries: Production by State and United States, 2004-2005 and Forecasted 2006 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 2004 : 2005 : 2006 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Barrels : MA : 1,808,000 1,423,000 1,750,000 NJ : 402,000 533,000 490,000 OR : 495,000 440,000 485,000 WA : 170,000 187,000 160,000 WI : 3,300,000 3,660,000 3,750,000 : US : 6,175,000 6,243,000 6,635,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ A barrel weighs 100 lbs. ACCESS TO REPORTS!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: www.nass.usda.gov. 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