HDR1012000110010116960830CROP PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS & SUMMARY HDR2012000110010116960830CRP PROD HIGHLIGHTS Released January 16, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Crop Production" call at (202) 720-2127, office hours 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. ET. For assistance with general agricultural statistics, information about NASS, its products or services, contact the NASS Information Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail: NASS@AG.GOV. Forecasts refer to January 1, 1996. Index and report features are located at the end of this report. Cotton Production Down 9 Percent From Last Year Record Orange Production All cotton production is forecast at 18.0 million bales, down 1 percent from last month and 9 percent below 1994's record output. This year's crop remains the fourth largest on record. The Texas crop was reduced 50,000 bales from December as yields were affected by insects and cold weather, but eastern States accounted for the majority of the decrease. Unfavorable weather in the Carolina's during harvest reduced yields. All orange production, expected to be the largest crop on record, is forecast at 11.9 million tons, up 2 percent from the previous forecast and 3 percent above last season. This forecast does not reflect effects of freezing weather in Florida after January 1. Florida's forecast is 206 million boxes (9.27 million tons), 1 percent higher than the December forecast and slightly above last season. Early and mid-season varieties are expected to produce a record high 126 million boxes (5.67 million tons), an increase of 2 percent over the previous forecast and 5 percent above last year. The Valencia forecast is 80.0 million boxes (3.60 million tons), unchanged from December but down 7 percent from a year ago. California's all orange production forecast, at 68.0 million boxes (2.55 million tons), is 3 percent above the October forecast and 11 percent more than last season. The Navel orange forecast, at 40.0 million boxes (1.50 million tons), is up 5 percent from October and 14 percent from last year. The California Valencia forecast is 28.0 million boxes (1.05 million tons), equal to October but 8 percent more than last year. Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1995-96 season is forecast at 1.47 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, down from 1.50 gallons per box in December. Initial projections for the early and mid-season varieties are 1.42 gallons per box, down from last year's 1.44 gallons per box. The Valencia crop is expected to yield 1.55 gallons per box, down from 1.58 gallons per box a year ago. The final 1994-95 yield for all fruit used in FCOJ was 1.50 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix. The forecast projects the final yield as reported by the Florida Citrus Processors Association. Cr Pr 2-2 (1-96) HDR2012000110010116960830CRP PROD SUMMARY DOMSTC& METRC UNTS Crop Summary: Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production, United States, 1995-96 (Domestic Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :---------------------------------------------------- : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 -------------------------:---------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : Winter Potatoes : 13.3 13.6 11.9 13.5 :---------------------------------------------------- : Yield Per Acre : Production :---------------------------------------------------- : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 :---------------------------------------------------- : ------ Cwt ------ ---- 1,000 Cwt ---- : Winter Potatoes : 208 210 2,473 2,829 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Summary: Hay Stocks on Farms, United States, 1994-95 (Domestic Unit) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date : 1994 : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 Tons : May 1 : 22,096 20,775 December 1 : 105,296 109,547 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ This report was approved on January 16, 1996, by the Secretary of Agriculture and the National Agricultural Statistics Service's Agricultural Statistics Board. Secretary of Agricultural Statistics Board Agriculture Chairperson Dan Glickman Rich Allen Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1994 and Forecasted January 1, 1996 (Domestic Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :---------------------------------------------------- : 1994 : 1995 : 1994 : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 Acres : : All Cotton : 13,720.1 16,932.4 13,322.3 15,985.9 Upland : 13,551.6 16,717.8 13,155.9 15,774.8 Amer-Pima : 168.5 214.6 166.4 211.1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Summary: Yield per Acre and Production, United States, 1994 and Forecasted January 1, 1996 (Domestic Units) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Yield per Acre: Production Crop and Unit :--------------------------------------------------- : : : : Dec 1, : Jan 1, : 1994 : 1995 : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------- 1,000 ------------ : All Cotton 1/ Bale: 708 540 19,662.0 18,235.7 17,971.2 Upland 1/ " : 705 536 19,324.3 17,878.7 17,610.2 Amer-Pima 1/ " : 974 821 337.7 357.0 361.0 Cottonseed Ton : 7,603.9 7,020.7 6,924.5 : Citrus Fruits 2/ : 1994-95 1995-96 1995-96 : Oranges Ton : 11,616 11,741 11,918 Grapefruit " : 2,912 2,797 2,763 Lemons " : 916 1,045 1,026 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Yield in pounds. 2/ Season begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest the following year. Crop Summary: Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production, United States, 1995-96 (Metric Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :---------------------------------------------------- : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 -------------------------:---------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Winter Potatoes : 5,380 5,500 4,820 5,460 :---------------------------------------------------- : Yield Per Hectare : Production :---------------------------------------------------- : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 :---------------------------------------------------- : Metric Tons : Winter Potatoes : 23.27 23.50 112,170 128,320 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Summary: Hay Stocks on Farms, United States, 1994-95 (Metric Unit) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Date : 1994 : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Metric Tons : May 1 : 20,045,150 18,846,760 December 1 : 95,522,920 99,379,370 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1994 and Forecasted January 1, 1996 (Metric Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :------------------------------------------------------- : 1994 : 1995 : 1994 : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Hectares : : All Cotton : 5,552,390 6,852,370 5,391,400 6,469,330 Upland : 5,484,200 6,765,530 5,324,060 6,383,900 Amer-Pima : 68,190 86,850 67,340 85,430 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Summary: Yield per Hectare and Production, United States, 1994 and Forecasted January 1, 1996 (Metric Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ :Yield per Hectare: Production Crop :------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Dec 1, : Jan 1, : 1994 : 1995 : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Metric Tons : All Cotton : 0.79 0.60 4,280,900 3,970,360 3,912,770 Upland : 0.79 0.60 4,207,370 3,892,630 3,834,170 Amer-Pima : 1.09 0.92 73,530 77,730 78,600 Cottonseed : 6,898,140 6,369,070 6,281,800 : Citrus Fruits 1/ : 1994-95 1995-96 1995-96 : Oranges : 10,537,860 10,651,260 10,811,830 Grapefruit : 2,641,720 2,537,400 2,506,550 Lemons : 830,980 948,010 930,770 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Season begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest the following year. HDR1012000110110116960830CROP PRODUCTION TABLES HDR2012000110110116960830STATE TABLES Cotton: Area Planted and Harvested by Type, State, and United States, 1993-95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type : Area Planted : Area Harvested and :------------------------------------------------------------------- State : 1993 : 1994 : 1995 : 1993 : 1994 : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : Upland : AL : 443.0 463.0 590.0 430.0 455.0 578.0 AZ : 316.0 313.0 365.0 315.0 312.0 364.0 AR : 990.0 980.0 1,170.0 970.0 970.0 1,100.0 CA : 1,050.0 1,100.0 1,170.0 1,045.0 1,095.0 1,165.0 FL : 54.0 69.0 110.0 53.5 68.0 109.0 GA : 615.0 885.0 1,500.0 600.0 875.0 1,490.0 KS : 1.6 1.4 3.8 1.4 1.2 2.8 LA : 890.0 900.0 1,085.0 875.0 890.0 1,075.0 MS : 1,330.0 1,280.0 1,460.0 1,300.0 1,270.0 1,420.0 MO : 345.0 352.0 461.0 335.0 345.0 451.0 NM : 53.5 55.0 61.0 48.7 50.0 56.0 NC : 390.0 486.0 810.0 385.0 485.0 790.0 OK : 370.0 360.0 380.0 350.0 340.0 315.0 SC : 202.0 225.0 345.0 198.0 223.0 342.0 TN : 625.0 590.0 700.0 615.0 585.0 660.0 TX : 5,550.0 5,450.0 6,400.0 5,050.0 5,150.0 5,750.0 VA : 23.2 42.2 107.0 22.8 41.7 107.0 : US : 13,248.3 13,551.6 16,717.8 12,594.4 13,155.9 15,774.8 : Amer-Pima : AZ : 57.0 48.0 48.6 56.9 47.9 48.1 CA : 91.0 81.0 115.0 91.0 80.8 115.0 NM : 11.0 11.0 15.0 11.0 10.7 15.0 TX : 31.0 28.5 36.0 30.0 27.0 33.0 : US : 190.0 168.5 214.6 188.9 166.4 211.1 : All : AL : 443.0 463.0 590.0 430.0 455.0 578.0 AZ : 373.0 361.0 413.6 371.9 359.9 412.1 AR : 990.0 980.0 1,170.0 970.0 970.0 1,100.0 CA : 1,141.0 1,181.0 1,285.0 1,136.0 1,175.8 1,280.0 FL : 54.0 69.0 110.0 53.5 68.0 109.0 GA : 615.0 885.0 1,500.0 600.0 875.0 1,490.0 KS : 1.6 1.4 3.8 1.4 1.2 2.8 LA : 890.0 900.0 1,085.0 875.0 890.0 1,075.0 MS : 1,330.0 1,280.0 1,460.0 1,300.0 1,270.0 1,420.0 MO : 345.0 352.0 461.0 335.0 345.0 451.0 NM : 64.5 66.0 76.0 59.7 60.7 71.0 NC : 390.0 486.0 810.0 385.0 485.0 790.0 OK : 370.0 360.0 380.0 350.0 340.0 315.0 SC : 202.0 225.0 345.0 198.0 223.0 342.0 TN : 625.0 590.0 700.0 615.0 585.0 660.0 TX : 5,581.0 5,478.5 6,436.0 5,080.0 5,177.0 5,783.0 VA : 23.2 42.2 107.0 22.8 41.7 107.0 : US : 13,438.3 13,720.1 16,932.4 12,783.3 13,322.3 15,985.9 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton: Yield and Production by Type, State, and United States, 1993-95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type : Yield : Production 1/ And :------------------------------------------------------------------- State : 1993 : 1994 : 1995 : 1993 : 1994 : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ Pounds ------ ----- 1,000 Bales 2/ ----- : Upland : AL : 524 766 382 469.0 726.0 460.0 AZ : 1,204 1,203 1,042 790.0 782.0 790.0 AR : 541 877 637 1,094.0 1,772.0 1,460.0 CA : 1,340 1,191 948 2,918.0 2,717.0 2,300.0 FL : 696 735 440 77.6 104.1 100.0 GA : 586 843 635 733.0 1,537.0 1,970.0 KS : 206 480 206 0.6 1.2 1.2 LA : 606 815 614 1,105.0 1,512.0 1,375.0 MS : 572 806 624 1,550.0 2,132.0 1,845.0 MO : 539 856 559 376.0 615.0 525.0 NM : 769 720 677 78.0 75.0 79.0 NC : 535 820 504 429.0 829.0 830.0 OK : 370 349 190 270.0 247.0 125.0 SC : 495 846 547 204.0 393.0 390.0 TN : 425 726 531 545.0 885.0 730.0 TX : 484 458 376 5,095.0 4,915.0 4,500.0 VA : 634 944 583 30.1 82.0 130.0 : US : 601 705 536 15,764.3 19,324.3 17,610.2 : Amer-Pima : AZ : 734 806 738 87.0 80.4 74.0 CA : 1,132 1,098 897 214.6 184.8 215.0 NM : 816 875 672 18.7 19.5 21.0 TX : 784 942 742 49.0 53.0 51.0 : US : 938 974 821 369.3 337.7 361.0 : All : AL : 524 766 382 469.0 726.0 460.0 AZ : 1,132 1,150 1,006 877.0 862.4 864.0 AR : 541 877 637 1,094.0 1,772.0 1,460.0 CA : 1,324 1,185 943 3,132.6 2,901.8 2,515.0 FL : 696 735 440 77.6 104.1 100.0 GA : 586 843 635 733.0 1,537.0 1,970.0 KS : 206 480 206 0.6 1.2 1.2 LA : 606 815 614 1,105.0 1,512.0 1,375.0 MS : 572 806 624 1,550.0 2,132.0 1,845.0 MO : 539 856 559 376.0 615.0 525.0 NM : 777 747 676 96.7 94.5 100.0 NC : 535 820 504 429.0 829.0 830.0 OK : 370 349 190 270.0 247.0 125.0 SC : 495 846 547 204.0 393.0 390.0 TN : 425 726 531 545.0 885.0 730.0 TX : 486 461 378 5,144.0 4,968.0 4,551.0 VA : 634 944 583 30.1 82.0 130.0 : US : 606 708 540 16,133.6 19,662.0 17,971.2 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Production ginned and to be ginned. 2/ 480-Lb. net weight bales. Cottonseed: Production by State and United States, 1993-1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Production State :-------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1993 : 1994 : 1995 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 Tons : AL : 175.0 271.0 170.0 AZ : 338.0 324.0 330.0 AR : 455.0 712.0 586.0 CA : 1,142.0 1,063.0 922.0 FL : 27.0 33.0 35.0 GA : 258.0 516.0 678.0 KS : .2 .5 .5 LA : 408.0 549.0 506.0 MS : 631.0 842.0 734.0 MO : 152.0 238.0 209.0 NM : 41.0 36.4 39.0 NC : 153.0 295.0 298.0 OK : 114.0 101.0 51.0 SC : 75.0 134.0 138.0 TN : 216.0 348.0 289.0 TX : 2,147.0 2,111.0 1,892.0 VA : 11.0 30.0 47.0 : US : 6,343.2 7,603.9 6,924.5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Estimates based on 3-year average lint-seed ratio. Potatoes: Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production by Seasonal Group, State, and United States, 1994-96 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area : : Seasonal :---------------------------: Yield : Production Group : Planted : Harvested : : and :---------------------------------------------------------------- State : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 : 1994 : 1995 : 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : ------ 1,000 Acres ----- --- Cwt --- ----- 1,000 Cwt ----- Winter : CA : 5.0 5.7 5.0 5.7 260 250 968 1,300 1,425 FL : 8.3 7.9 6.9 7.8 170 180 1,404 1,173 1,404 : Total : 13.3 13.6 11.9 13.5 208 210 2,372 2,473 2,829 : Spring 1/ : AL : 2.6 2.5 160 438 400 AZ : 6.5 6.5 270 1,670 1,755 CA : 18.0 17.8 350 7,790 6,230 FL : 38.5 36.0 218 8,588 7,830 Hastings : 28.5 27.0 220 6,380 5,940 Other FL : 10.0 9.0 210 2,208 1,890 NC : 17.5 16.5 185 3,060 3,053 TX : 5.2 5.0 185 1,100 925 : Total : 88.3 84.3 240 22,646 20,193 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Revised. Papayas: Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii, 1994-95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area : Fresh Production :------------------------------------------------------------------ Month : Total in Crop : Harvested : : :----------------------------------------: 1994 : 1995 : 1994 : 1995 : 1994 : 1995 : : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : --------------- Acres -------------- -- 1,000 Pounds -- : Nov : 3,190 3,760 1,915 2,340 4,940 3,715 Dec : 3,590 3,785 2,250 2,415 5,000 3,675 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Citrus Fruits: Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States, 1994-95 and Forecasted January 1, 1996 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Utilized Production : Utilized Production : Boxes : Ton Equivalent Crop and State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1993-94 : 1994-95 : 1995-96 : 1993-94 : 1994-95 : 1995-96 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Boxes 2/ ----- ------- 1,000 Tons ------- Oranges : Early Mid & : Navel 3/ : AZ : 700 400 650 26 15 24 CA : 36,600 35,000 40,000 1,372 1,313 1,500 FL : 107,300 119,700 126,000 4,829 5,387 5,670 TX : 480 950 900 21 40 38 US : 145,080 156,050 167,550 6,248 6,755 7,232 Valencia : AZ : 1,200 650 800 45 24 30 CA : 27,000 26,000 28,000 1,013 976 1,050 FL : 67,100 85,700 80,000 3,020 3,857 3,600 TX : 70 105 150 3 4 6 US : 95,370 112,455 108,950 4,081 4,861 4,686 All : AZ : 1,900 1,050 1,450 71 39 54 CA : 63,600 61,000 68,000 2,385 2,289 2,550 FL : 174,400 205,400 206,000 7,849 9,244 9,270 TX : 550 1,055 1,050 24 44 44 US : 240,450 268,505 276,500 10,329 11,616 11,918 Temples : FL : 2,250 2,550 2,200 101 114 99 Grapefruit : White Seedless : FL : 24,500 25,700 24,000 1,042 1,092 1,020 Colored Seedless : FL : 25,500 28,700 29,000 1,084 1,220 1,233 Other : FL : 1,050 1,300 1,000 45 55 43 All : AZ : 1,750 1,400 1,200 59 47 40 CA : Desert : 3,400 3,300 114 111 Other Areas : 5,900 6,000 197 201 Total 4/ : 9,300 9,300 7,500 311 312 251 FL : 51,050 55,700 54,000 2,171 2,367 2,296 TX : 3,000 4,650 4,400 120 186 176 US : 65,100 71,050 67,100 2,661 2,912 2,763 Tangerines : AZ : 1,000 650 750 37 25 28 CA : 2,300 2,200 2,400 86 82 90 FL : 4,100 3,550 4,300 195 168 204 US : 7,400 6,400 7,450 318 275 322 Lemons : AZ : 5,200 3,600 5,000 197 137 190 CA : 20,700 20,500 22,000 787 779 836 US : 25,900 24,100 27,000 984 916 1,026 Tangelos : FL : 3,350 3,150 2,700 150 142 122 K-Early Citrus : FL : 210 120 150 9 5 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citrus Fruit Footnotes 1/ The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with year harvest is completed. 2/ Net lbs. per box: oranges-CA & AZ-75, FL-90, TX-85; grapefruit-CA Desert & AZ-64, in 1991-92 and 1992-93, 67-starting in January 1993-94, CA Other-67, FL-85, TX-80; lemons-76, tangelos, K-Early Citrus & Temples-90; tangerines-CA & AZ-75, FL-95. 3/ Navel and miscellaneous varieties in CA and AZ. Early and mid-season varieties in FL and TX, including small quantities of tangerines in TX. 4/ California Desert and Other Areas Grapefruit forecasts combined to All Grapefruit beginning in 1995-96. Hay: Stocks on Farms, May 1 and December 1, by State and United States, 1994-95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : May 1 : December 1 State :------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1994 : 1995 1/ : 1994 1/ : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 Tons : AL : 274 276 1,537 1,270 AZ : 25 27 133 265 AR : 430 426 2,055 1,910 CA : 152 327 1,642 2,250 CO : 294 447 2,030 2,390 CT : 10 32 105 78 DE : 8 10 12 9 FL : 79 132 490 397 GA : 114 371 1,170 1,050 ID : 678 222 2,263 2,794 IL : 616 540 1,397 1,979 IN : 205 148 1,097 1,584 IA : 720 751 4,274 4,079 KS : 1,093 796 5,080 4,590 KY : 600 648 5,292 4,806 LA : 42 97 512 513 ME : 36 61 243 272 MD : 33 20 347 265 MA : 17 28 138 115 MI : 753 1,074 3,020 3,166 MN : 716 753 4,895 4,374 MS : 173 206 1,688 1,368 MO : 1,466 1,016 5,755 6,000 MT : 1,153 772 3,950 4,931 NE : 1,391 1,112 5,413 4,813 NV : 166 42 630 750 NH : 17 26 90 82 NJ : 7 60 205 131 NM : 90 50 525 600 NY : 361 594 2,377 2,069 NC : 36 131 807 900 ND : 1,160 857 4,285 5,044 OH : 562 307 2,410 2,421 OK : 750 700 3,500 3,600 OR : 521 85 1,761 2,310 PA : 653 724 2,717 2,513 RI : 2 3 9 6 SC : 44 130 332 396 SD : 2,293 1,759 7,477 8,960 TN : 417 721 3,340 3,136 TX : 826 1,606 7,610 7,322 UT : 323 245 1,452 1,481 VT : 137 136 389 391 VA : 374 445 2,108 2,185 WA : 312 139 1,198 1,410 WV : 95 100 955 855 WI : 1,377 1,441 5,000 4,900 WY : 495 182 1,581 2,817 : US : 22,096 20,775 105,296 109,547 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Revised. HDR1012000110120116960830CROP PRODUCTION NARRATIVE HDR2012000110120116960830CRP NARRATIVES December Weather Summary The month featured two notable storms, a Pacific Northwest "superstorm" (December 12) and a South-to-Northeast snow and rainstorm (December 17-20). The polar jet stream split over the eastern Pacific after the Northwest storm's passage, guiding the latter system into the South for a rendezvous with parched wheat areas from the Texas Plains to southeastern Kansas. Late in the month, however, the Nation's weather pattern quieted under the split-flow regime, broken only by a minor freeze into Peninsular Florida on December 25 and 26. Monthly temperatures averaged 2 to 8 degrees F above normal throughout the West, highlighted by December-record warmth on the first day of the month. Farther north, frigid air amassed over Alaska and western Canada, reaching the northern Plains on December 7 and ending the East's brief warm spell thereafter. Cold, northwesterly flow intensified across the East late in the month, culminating in the Florida freeze on Christmas Day. December departures reached -2 to -6 degrees F from the Great Lakes States into the Southeast. Farther west, the Plains' winter wheat benefited from the split-jet pattern, which ended a 2.5-month run of wild temperature swings and dry weather. The month opened with all-time December warmth in locations such as Salt Lake City, UT (69 degrees F) and Worland, WY (67 degrees F). Four days later, a high of 84 degrees F tied a December record in New Orleans, LA. By December 10, however, daily-record cold blanketed the South and East, dropping temperatures to -5 degrees F as far south as Springfield, MO. The cold outbreak also initiated record Great Lake-effect snow squalls that totaled 61.7 inches (on December 8-12) in Sault Sainte Marie, MI and 37.9 inches (in 24 hours on December 9-10) in Buffalo, NY. By month's end, Sault Sainte Marie logged an all-time monthly snowfall record (98.8 inches) and a December-record precipitation total (6.24 inches). Elsewhere in the Nation's northeastern quadrant, snowfall also exceeded December-record totals in Mansfield, OH (23.4 inches) and Charleston, WV (22.0 inches). Monthly totals were boosted by the December 17-20 storm, which produced 8 inches of snow or more from central Indiana to New England, and fueled 4- to 10-inch rainfall from eastern Texas to northwestern Florida. In contrast, December precipitation was the lowest on record in Waterloo, IA (0.16 inches), and totaled less than one-tenth of an inch in locations such as Phoenix, AZ (0.01 inches), North Platte, NE (0.02 inches), and Denver, CO (0.06 inches). Only a trace of rain fell in Colorado Springs, CO for a second consecutive month. A 2-month dry spell in Peninsular Florida ended as the New Year began, but not in time to boost low December totals of 0.23 inches in Miami Beach and 0.76 inches in Orlando. In California, the December 12 storm and subsequent disturbances jump-started the record-late wet season and briefly pushed the Sierra Nevada snowpack--which ended the year at about 40 percent of normal for the date--to nearly half normal. Farther north, the December 12 "superstorm" produced numerous all-time barometric and wind-gust records. In Oregon, Newport clocked a gust to 107 mph, while Astoria measured a minimum pressure of 28.53 inches (966 millibars). December Field Work: December in the Pacific Northwest started with high winds and rain. The storm saturated fields and left standing water in low lying fields. In the southern Great Plains, small grain fields were in critical need of moisture after ten successive weeks of dry weather. Emergence of some late planted small grain was poor due to the continued dry conditions. The following week, in the Pacific Northwest heavy rain fell again on saturated fields resulting in substantial runoff. High winds associated with the storm system damaged some orchards. In the Southwest, small grain planting fell behind normal due to the lateness of the cotton crop. Greenbug problems increased in the southern Great Plains, requiring increased spraying. Florida's citrus area remained dry, with harvest very active for the Christmas market. Later in the month, rain from the southern to the central Great Plains brought relief to dry wheat fields. A winter storm from the South to the Northeast at mid-month brought fieldwork to a halt. Snowfall over the Midwest and Northeast preceded sub-zero temperatures and the snow cover protected most of the winter wheat from the low temperatures. The snow cover was patchy across the Northern Plains. The snow brought much needed moisture to small grain fields in the central States. Rain in the southern Great Plains provided some relief to parched wheat fields. In Florida, brief durations of below freezing temperatures did negligible damage to citrus trees and fruit. Freezing weather burned some of Florida's vegetable crops, but the damage was not significant. Temperatures did not stay below the danger point long enough to damage fruit. Dry weather in the Pacific Northwest reduced standing water in low lying fields. In the southern Great Plains and Delta States, some early wheat fields had minor insect problems. Toward the end of December, heavy rainfall in Florida over the New Year's weekend left fields muddy and slowed central Florida's vegetable harvest. In southwestern Florida, some vegetables were damaged from freezing weather. Harvest activity for Florida's oranges for processing was active. Storms at week's end in the Pacific Northwest brought additional moisture to already saturated fields. Rains hampered fieldwork in California, but boosted small grain growth. Dryland small grain fields in the Texas High Plains benefited from late month snowfall, but additional moisture was needed. Dry conditions and cool weather slowed small grain growth in central Texas. Cotton: Upland cotton planted acreage was estimated at 16.7 million acres, up 23 percent from 1994. Harvested acreage, at 15.8 million acres, was 20 percent greater than last year. Producers planted 214,600 acres of American-Pima cotton in 1995, up 27 percent from 1994 with harvested acreage at 211,100 acres, a 27 percent increase from last year. In Texas, harvest was 97 percent complete by late December, slightly ahead of last year's pace, as open weather prevailed. Producers planted 6.40 million acres, up 17 percent from 1994 while harvested acreage of 5.75 million was up 12 percent. Plantings were delayed because of dry conditions, but in early June, heavy rains and hail caused replanting. A cool September with the heaviest rains in 60 years lowered potential yields from earlier months. The Delta States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee) had a dry season during 1995. Plantings were behind normal early in the season due to excessive rainfall. In June, the pace equaled the average. Boll counts and weights were among the lowest of the past 10 years, resulting in a low yielding crop. Planted acreage was up 19 percent from 1994 and harvested acreage was up 16 percent. Arizona planted and harvested acres increased by 17 percent from 1994. California producers increased acreage 6 percent for both planted and harvested acreage. Early season rains and cool temperatures in both States delayed plantings and also caused lower yields. Boll numbers and weights were much less than anticipated early in the season. In the Southeastern States (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina), cotton acreage continued to increase, as plantings of the 1995 crop in this region were 58 percent above 1994, and harvested acreage was 57 percent greater. Hot, dry conditions caused poor crop development, and yields in the region averaged 273 pounds less than previous year's yields. Excessive rains during the fall in the Carolina's delayed harvest and caused high boll loss. American-Pima production is forecast at 361,000 bales, up 7 percent from 1994 and up 4,000 bales from the December forecast. Yields, at an average of 821 pounds per acre, declined 153 pounds from last year resulting from unfavorable weather early in the season, mainly in California. Many California growers picked fields two and three times. All cotton ginnings totaled 17,002,100 running bales prior to January 1, compared with 18,438,400 running bales ginned to the same date last year and 15,320,650 running bales in 1993. Winter Potatoes: Production of winter potatoes in 1996 is forecast at 2.83 million cwt. This level is up 14 percent from 1995 and 19 percent above 1994. Area for harvest is estimated at 13,500 acres, up 13 percent from a year ago and 10 percent above two years ago. The average yield is projected at 210 cwt per 2 cwt higher than last year. Planting in Florida is nearly completed in the winter areas and crop progress is satisfactory. Harvest of early fields should be under way by the end of January. Acreage for harvest is up 13 percent from a year ago and farmers expect yields to climb 10 cwt per acre. A 10 percent larger California winter potato crop is forecast as acreage gained 14 percent over a year earlier. The average yield is expected to be lower. Planting is finished and crop development is progressing normally. Spring Potatoes, 1995 Revised: Production of spring potatoes was finalized at 20.2 million cwt in 1995, down 11 percent from a year earlier but 3 percent above 1993. Harvested area was estimated at 84,300 acres, down 7 percent while the average yield of 240 cwt per acre dropped 11 cwt. The final spring crop tally is 10 percent below the forecast on May 1, with larger producing States finding fewer potatoes than earlier anticipated. Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya production is 3.68 million pounds for December, 1 percent lower than November and 27 percent lower than a year ago. Weather conditions during December were variable with sunshine interspersed with periods of showers. Temperatures were unseasonably warm for much of the month. Papaya ringspot virus continued to take a heavy toll in some orchards. Area devoted to papaya production is estimated at 3,785 acres, 1 percent more than November and 5 percent more than last December. Harvested area, totaling 2,415 acres, was 3 percent higher than last month and 7 percent higher than a year ago. Grapefruit: The January 1 forecast of the 1995-96 U.S. grapefruit crop is 2.76 million tons, down 1 percent from last month and down 5 percent from last season. Production of all three types of Florida grapefruit remained unchanged from December at 54.0 million boxes (2.30 million tons), down 3 percent from last season. Average fruit size was at near record levels and fruit quality remained good. The Florida white seedless grapefruit forecast is 24.0 million boxes (1.02 million tons), a decrease of 7 percent from the 1994-95 crop. The colored seedless forecast is 29.0 million boxes (1.23 million tons), an increase of 1 percent from a year ago. The seedy grapefruit crop is expected to be 1.00 million boxes (43,000 tons), 23 percent fewer than last year. Almost 12.1 million boxes of all seedless grapefruit were picked through the end of December. California's crop is forecast at 7.50 million boxes (251,000 tons), 12 percent below October and 19 percent below last season. Poor weather affected overall grapefruit set. Quality is very good, color is excellent, and texture is smooth. Some defects include wind scar and sheepnose. The Texas grapefruit forecast, at 4.40 million boxes (176,000 tons) , is unchanged from last month but down 5 percent from last year. Arizona's crop is expected to be 1.20 million boxes (40,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast in October but 14 percent below the 1994-95 crop. Lemons: The 1995-96 U.S. lemon crop is forecast at 1.03 million tons, down 2 percent from the October forecast but up 12 percent from the 1994- 95 crop. The California lemon forecast remains unchanged from October at 22.0 million boxes (836,000 tons) but up 7 percent from last year. Fruit quality is generally good to fair with most common defects being wind scar and Botrytis bumps. Arizona's lemon forecast decreased 9 percent from October to 5.00 million boxes (190,000 tons). The crop is expected to be up 39 percent from a year ago. Tangelos: The 1995-96 Florida tangelo crop is forecast at 2.70 million boxes (122,000 tons), unchanged from last month but down 14 percent from last year's production. There were nearly 1.6 million boxes of tangelos utilized by month's end. Tangerines: The 1995-96 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at 322,000 tons, 1 percent less than last month but 17 percent more than last year. The Florida tangerine forecast is 4.30 million boxes (204,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast. About 2.7 million boxes of tangerines were harvested. Picking of Florida's Honey tangerines started while Dancy harvest was almost over. California's tangerine forecast is 2.40 million boxes (90,000 tons), 4 percent more than October's forecast and 9 percent more than last season. The Arizona forecast was reduced 21 percent from last quarter to 750,000 boxes (28,000 tons), but was 15 percent more than last season. Temples: The 1995-96 forecast of Florida temple production is 2.20 million boxes (99,000 tons), unchanged from last month but down 14 percent from last season. Temple harvest began with fresh shipments. K-Early Citrus: The 1995-96 forecast of Florida K-Early Citrus fruit is 150,000 boxes (7,000 tons), unchanged from the last forecast but up 25 percent from last season. K-early harvest was complete by the end of November. Florida Citrus: Most of December was dry and warm in the Florida citrus belt. More rain fell the last three days of the month than the entire rest of the month. Christmas week temperatures turned cold with some below freezing temperatures recorded. Some icing of fruit occurred in the historically coldest locations, and some foliage suffered freeze burn. Those cold temperatures caused several crops that could have gone fresh to go directly to processing. Harvest of all crops during December was very active for both fresh and processing use. Caretakers cut cover crops prior to and following harvest for fire prevention in those minimum care groves. An estimated 64.6 million boxes of early and mid oranges (excluding Navels) were utilized by month's end. Navel utilization through the end of December was 4.8 million boxes. Texas Citrus: Grapefruit harvest moved ahead during December and was about 36 percent complete by the end of the month. Early and mid season orange harvest was about 59 percent complete. Interior quality of fruit remained very good, however, sheepnose fruit continued to cause lower packouts from some groves. Most areas of the Rio Grande Valley received beneficial rainfall. California Fruits and Nuts: Winter pruning of orchards and vineyards continued throughout December. Dormant sprays were applied to nut and stonefruit trees. High winds early in the month caused some damage to northern Sacramento Valley orchards. Avocado picking continued. Table grape and pecan harvests were completed. California Citrus: Grapefruit picking in the desert was active during December with excellent quality and color reported. Texture was smooth but there was some wind scar and sheepnose defects. Lemon harvest gathered momentum last month. Quality varied with wind scar and bud mite a concern to growers. Navel orange picking progressed with better color and maturity. Moderate amounts of creasing were reported. Valencia oranges were maturing with harvest expected to start in the desert area by mid-February. Tangerine picking continued with large sizes, good color and few defects. Hay Stocks on Farm: Stocks of all hay on farms totaled 110 million tons on December 1, 1995, 4 percent above the stocks of one year earlier. Large stocks increases occurred in most western States and the Dakotas. The largest decreases in stocks occurred in most southern States and in the northeast. Report Features The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on February 9, 1996. Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. C. Ray Halley, Chief (202) 720-2127 Field Crops Section Bill Dowdy, Head (202) 720-3843 Dan Kerestes - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds, Rice (202) 720-9526 Greg Preston - Sugar Crops, Tobacco, Weekly Crop Weather (202) 720-7621 Vaughn Siegenthaler - Rye, Sorghum, Wheat (202) 720-8068 Charles Van Lahr - Barley, Corn, Oats, (202) 720-7369 Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section Stephen Ropel, Head (202) 720-3843 Arvin Budge - Potatoes, Dry Beans, Onions (202) 720-4285 Roger Latham - Cotton, Hay (202) 720-5944 Linda McMillan - Nuts, Grapes (202) 720-4215 Dave Mueller - Fresh and Processing Vegetables (202) 720-2157 Blair Smith - Citrus, Tropical Fruits (202) 720-5412 Barbara Soltes - Noncitrus Fruits, Peanuts (202) 720-7688