HDR1012000110010411960830CROP PRODUCTION HDR2012000110010411960830CROP PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS & SUMMARY Released April 11, 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@NASS.USDA.GOV. Forecasts refer to April 1, 1996. Orange Production Down Slightly All orange production is forecast at 11.7 million tons, down slightly from last month but 1 percent above last season. This year's crop is the second largest on record. The Florida forecast is 201.2 million boxes (9.05 million tons), down less than 1 percent from March and down 2 percent from last season. Early and mid-season varieties were reduced to 121.2 million boxes (5.45 million tons), still a record high but 1 percent below last month. The Valencia forecast remained 80.0 million boxes (3.60 million tons), down 7 percent from a year ago. California orange production is 68.0 million boxes (2.55 million tons), unchanged from January but 11 percent above last season. Early, mid-season, and Navel varieties are expected to produce 40.0 million boxes (1.50 million tons), unchanged from last quarter but 14 percent more than last season. Valencia production is forecast at 28.0 million boxes (1.05 million tons), also unchanged from January but up 8 percent from 1994-95. Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1995-96 season is forecast at 1.48 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from March. Early and mid-season varieties yield was final in March at 1.45 gallons per box, up from last year's 1.44 gallons per box. The Valencia crop is expected to yield 1.55 gallons per box, unchanged from last month but 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. ********************** Special Notice The 3:00 p.m. Cotton/Citrus Production reports scheduled for May 9, June 11, July 11, August 9, September 10, October 10, November 8, and December 11 are discontinued. Cotton and citrus production estimates will be released at 8:30 a.m. in the Crop Production reports on May 10, June 12, July 12, August 12, September 11, October 11, November 12, and December 12. In addition, Cotton Ginnings reports will be released at 8:30 a.m. on May 10, August 12, September 11, September 27, October 11, October 25, November 12, November 26, December 12, and December 23. Cr Pr 2-2 (4-96) Crop Summary: Production, United States, 1995 and Forecasted April 1, 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Utilized Production :---------------------------------------------------- Crop : : Mar 1, : Apr 1, : 1995 : 1996 : 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Crop Year : 1994-95 1995-96 1995-96 : : 1,000 Tons Citrus Fruits 1/ : Oranges : 11,616 11,735 11,704 Grapefruit : 2,912 2,643 2,694 Lemons 2/ : 916 1,026 988 Tangerines : 275 327 344 Temples (FL) : 114 99 99 Tangelos (FL) : 142 110 110 K-Early Citrus (FL) : 5 7 7 : : Metric Tons : Oranges : 10,537,860 10,645,810 10,617,690 Grapefruit : 2,641,720 2,397,690 2,443,960 Lemons 2/ : 830,980 930,770 896,300 Tangerines : 249,480 296,650 312,070 Temples (FL) : 103,420 89,810 89,810 Tangelos (FL) : 128,820 99,790 99,790 K-Early Citrus (FL) : 4,540 6,350 6,350 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ Crop year begins with the bloom of the first year and ends with the completion of harvest the following year. 2/ March 1 estimate carried forward from the January 1 forecast. This report was approved on April 11, 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, 1995 and Forecasted April 1, 1996 (Domestic Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :---------------------------------------------------- : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : 1,000 Acres : : Peanuts 1/ : 1,537.5 1,459.0 1,517.0 Potatoes : Winter : 13.3 13.6 11.9 13.5 Spring : 88.3 90.1 84.3 87.5 Summer 1/ : 72.4 70.6 Total 1/ : 1,397.1 1,371.3 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ 1995 revised. Crop Summary: Yield per Acre and Production, United States, 1995 and Forecasted April 1, 1996 (Domestic Units) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Yield per Acre: Production Crop and Unit :--------------------------------------------------- : : : : Mar 1, : Apr 1, : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 : 1996 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------- 1,000 ------------ : Peanuts 1/ Lb : 2,282 3,461,475 Potatoes : Winter 2/ Cwt : 208 215 2,473 2,829 2,907 Spring " : 240 241 20,193 21,085 Summer 1/ " : 253 17,855 Total 1/ " : 323 442,400 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1995 revised. 2/ March 1 estimate carried forward from the January 1 forecast. Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1995 and Forecasted April 1, 1996 (Metric Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :------------------------------------------------------- : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Hectares : : Peanuts 1/ : 622,210 590,440 613,910 Potatoes : Winter : 5,380 5,500 4,820 5,460 Spring : 35,730 36,460 34,120 35,410 Summer 1/ : 29,300 28,570 Total 1/ : 565,390 554,950 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ 1995 revised. Crop Summary: Yield per Hectare and Production, United States, 1995 and Forecasted April 1, 1996 (Metric Units) ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ :Yield per Hectare: Production Crop :------------------------------------------------------- : : : : Mar 1, : Apr 1, : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 : 1996 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Metric Tons : Peanuts 1/ : 2.56 1,570,100 Potatoes : Winter 2/ : 23.27 24.15 112,170 128,320 131,860 Spring : 26.84 27.01 915,940 956,400 Summer 1/ : 28.35 809,890 Total 1/ : 36.16 20,066,930 1,088,260 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ 1995 revised. 2/ March 1 estimate carried forward from the January 1 forecast. HDR2012000110010411960830CROP PRODUCTION STATE TABLES Grapefruit: Acreage, Production, Price, and Value, California and United States, 1994-95 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State, Crop, : : Yield : Utilization of Production and : Bearing : per :------------------------------------------ Season : Acreage : Acre : Fresh : Processed : Total ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Acres Boxes --------- 1,000 Boxes 2/ -------- CA : Desert Valley : 1994-95 : 8,000 413 2,210 1,090 3,300 : Other Areas : 1994-95 : 10,400 577 3,700 2,300 6,000 : All CA : 1994-95 : 18,400 505 5,910 3,390 9,300 : US Total : 1994-95 : 166,260 427 32,680 38,370 71,050 :-------------------------------------------------------------- : Price per Box 3/ 4/ : Value of Production :-------------------------------------------------------------- : Fresh : Processed : All : Fresh :Processed: Total :-------------------------------------------------------------- : --------- Dollars -------- ------ 1,000 Dollars ----- CA : Desert Valley : 1994-95 : 6.61 -0.17 4.37 14,608 -185 14,423 : Other Areas : 1994-95 : 10.51 -0.21 6.40 38,887 -483 38,404 : All CA : 1994-95 : 9.05 -0.20 5.68 53,495 -668 52,827 : US Total : 1994-95 : 6.85 1.99 4.18 225,917 74,760 300,677 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ California revises previous year production and price by utilization at this time based on available new data. This year, data showed that a revision was not necessary. This table re-issues original data issued September 22, 1995 in the "Citrus Fruits" report. 2/ Net lbs per box: 67. 3/ Equivalent packinghouse door returns. 4/ U.S. marketing year average prices are derived by weighting the state marketing year average prices per box by the respective box weights. Citrus: Acreage, Production, Use, and Value, California and United States, 1994-95 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State, Crop, : : : Utilization of Production : Value and : Bearing :Production :---------------------------: Of Season : Acreage : : Fresh : Processed : Production ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Acres --------- 1,000 Tons -------- 1,000 Dollars Total Citrus : : CA : 1994-95 : 263,600 3,462 2,303 1,159 769,526 : US : 1994-95 :1,052,630 15,990 4,295 11,695 2,255,958 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ California revises previous year production and price by utilization for grapefruit at this time based on available new data. This year, data showed that a revision was not necessary. This table re-issues original data issued September 22, 1995 in the "Citrus Fruits" report. Citrus Fruits: Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States, 1994-95 and Forecasted April 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 : 700 400 700 26 15 26 CA : 36,600 35,000 40,000 1,372 1,313 1,500 FL : 107,300 119,700 121,200 4,829 5,387 5,454 TX : 480 950 830 21 40 35 US : 145,080 156,050 162,730 6,248 6,755 7,015 Valencia : AZ : 1,200 650 900 45 24 34 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 : 70 105 110 3 4 5 US : 95,370 112,455 109,010 4,081 4,861 4,689 All : AZ : 1,900 1,050 1,600 71 39 60 CA : 63,600 61,000 68,000 2,385 2,289 2,550 FL : 174,400 205,400 201,200 7,849 9,244 9,054 TX : 550 1,055 940 24 44 40 US : 240,450 268,505 271,740 10,329 11,616 11,704 Temples : FL : 2,250 2,550 2,200 101 114 99 Grapefruit : White Seedless : FL : 24,500 25,700 22,000 1,042 1,092 935 Colored Seedless : FL : 25,500 28,700 28,000 1,084 1,220 1,190 Other : FL : 1,050 1,300 1,000 45 55 43 All : AZ : 1,750 1,400 1,200 59 47 40 CA 4/ : Desert : 3,400 3,300 114 111 Other Areas : 5,900 6,000 197 201 Total : 9,300 9,300 9,000 311 312 302 FL : 51,050 55,700 51,000 2,171 2,367 2,168 TX : 3,000 4,650 4,600 120 186 184 US : 65,100 71,050 65,800 2,661 2,912 2,694 Tangerines : AZ : 1,000 650 950 37 25 36 CA : 2,300 2,200 2,500 86 82 94 FL : 4,100 3,550 4,500 195 168 214 US : 7,400 6,400 7,950 318 275 344 Lemons : AZ : 5,200 3,600 5,000 197 137 190 CA : 20,700 20,500 21,000 787 779 798 US : 25,900 24,100 26,000 984 916 988 Tangelos : FL : 3,350 3,150 2,450 150 142 110 K-Early Citrus : FL : 210 120 160 9 5 7 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citrus Fruit Footnotes 1/ The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest the following year. 2/ Net lbs. per box: oranges-AZ & CA-75, FL-90, TX-85; grapefruit-AZ & CA-67, FL-85, TX-80; lemons-76, tangelos, K-Early Citrus & Temples-90; tangerines-AZ & CA-75, FL-95. 3/ Navel and miscellaneous varieties in AZ and CA. 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. Potatoes: Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production by Seasonal Group, State, and United States, 1994-96 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Seasonal : Area : : Group :---------------------------: Yield : Production and : Planted : Harvested : : 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 7.8 170 190 1,404 1,173 1,482 : Total : 13.3 13.6 11.9 13.5 208 215 2,372 2,473 2,907 : Spring : AL : 2.6 2.0 2.5 1.9 160 160 438 400 304 AZ : 6.5 9.0 6.5 9.0 270 275 1,670 1,755 2,475 CA : 18.0 20.1 17.8 20.1 350 375 7,790 6,230 7,538 FL : 38.5 37.5 36.0 35.5 218 195 8,588 7,830 6,940 Hastings : 28.5 28.0 27.0 27.5 220 200 6,380 5,940 5,500 Other FL : 10.0 9.5 9.0 8.0 210 180 2,208 1,890 1,440 NC : 17.5 16.5 16.5 16.2 185 180 3,060 3,053 2,916 TX : 5.2 5.0 5.0 4.8 185 190 1,100 925 912 : Total : 88.3 90.1 84.3 87.5 240 241 22,646 20,193 21,085 : Summer 1/ 2/ : AL : 6.8 6.7 170 1,190 1,139 CA : 5.5 5.5 320 2,109 1,760 CO : 9.2 9.0 300 3,069 2,700 DE : 6.0 5.9 250 816 1,475 IL : 5.6 5.5 270 1,450 1,485 IA : 1.6 1.6 150 328 240 MD : 1.5 1.5 240 250 360 MO : 7.1 6.9 230 1,734 1,587 NE : 4.5 4.4 285 1,408 1,254 NJ : 2.7 2.6 270 588 702 NM : 4.2 4.2 320 1,088 1,344 NC : 1.4 1.3 95 126 124 TX : 7.3 7.0 235 1,800 1,645 VA : 9.0 8.5 240 1,425 2,040 : Total : 72.4 70.6 253 17,381 17,855 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ 1/ 1995 revised. 2/ Excludes 5.01 million cwt in 1994 from MI and MN formerly listed as summer potatoes. Papayas: Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii, 1995-96 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Area : Fresh Production :------------------------------------------------------------------ Month : Total in Crop : Harvested : : :----------------------------------------: 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 : : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : --------------- Acres -------------- -- 1,000 Pounds -- : Feb : 3,660 3,740 2,395 2,340 3,815 3,425 Mar : 3,715 3,650 2,480 2,280 4,255 2,965 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peanuts: Farm Marketing Percents by Month, State, and United States, 1994 and 1995 Crop Years ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ State : : : : : : : and : Aug : Sep : Oct : Nov : Dec : Jan : Feb Crop Year : : : : : : : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Percent 1994 Crop : : AL : .3 59.1 36.2 4.2 .2 FL : 1.6 63.1 32.0 2.9 .3 .1 GA : .1 51.8 39.3 8.1 .7 NC : 2.1 71.6 19.0 4.8 2.5 TX : .7 5.1 33.4 46.1 13.4 1.3 VA : 4.3 51.3 22.8 16.4 5.2 : US : .3 36.2 42.6 15.7 4.3 .9 : 1995 Crop : : AL : .3 59.4 35.8 3.8 .7 FL : 1.1 56.8 36.8 4.2 .9 .2 GA : 1.6 59.8 34.2 3.9 .4 .1 NC : 4.4 56.9 27.4 6.8 4.3 .2 TX : 1.1 3.8 47.6 40.7 6.6 .2 VA : 4.8 55.0 32.7 4.8 2.7 : US : 1.0 40.4 40.7 14.6 2.5 .7 .1 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peanuts: Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production by State and United States, 1994-95 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested State :---------------------------------------------------------------- : 1994 : 1995 : 1994 : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------------------ 1,000 Acres ------------------ : AL : 223.0 213.0 222.0 212.0 FL : 92.0 89.0 84.0 81.0 GA : 652.0 595.0 649.0 592.0 NM : 21.0 20.0 21.0 20.0 NC : 151.0 144.0 151.0 144.0 OK : 102.0 100.0 100.0 98.0 SC : 13.0 11.5 12.5 11.0 TX : 295.0 275.0 287.0 270.0 VA : 92.0 90.0 92.0 89.0 : US : 1,641.0 1,537.5 1,618.5 1,517.0 :---------------------------------------------------------------- : Yield : Production :---------------------------------------------------------------- : 1994 : 1995 : 1994 : 1995 :---------------------------------------------------------------- : ----- Pounds ----- ----- 1,000 Pounds ----- : AL : 2,010 2,280 446,220 483,360 FL : 2,470 2,390 207,480 193,590 GA : 2,870 2,390 1,862,630 1,414,880 NM : 2,460 2,150 51,660 43,000 NC : 3,215 2,410 485,465 347,040 OK : 2,610 2,060 261,000 201,880 SC : 2,900 2,800 36,250 30,800 TX : 2,110 2,000 605,570 540,000 VA : 3,165 2,325 291,180 206,925 : US : 2,624 2,282 4,247,455 3,461,475 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1995 revised. Peanuts: Price and Value by State and United States, 1994-95 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Price per Pound : Value of Production State :------------------------------------------------------------- : 1994 : 1995 : 1994 : 1995 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ : ---- Dollars ---- 1,000 Dollars : : AL : .323 .288 144,129 139,208 FL : .281 .271 58,302 52,463 GA : .286 .295 532,712 417,390 NM : .317 .336 16,376 14,448 NC : .276 .298 133,988 103,418 OK : .310 .298 80,910 60,160 SC : .274 .298 9,933 9,178 TX : .285 .287 172,587 154,980 VA : .275 .300 80,075 62,078 : US : .289 .293 1,229,012 1,013,323 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ HDR2012000110010411960830CROP PRODUCTION NARRATIVE March Weather Summary: Across the central and southern Plains, five storms during the last 18 days of March tempered drought conditions and improved prospects for winter wheat that endured almost 6 months of dry, windy weather and oscillating temperatures. The Texas plains, however, remained dry through month's end. Elsewhere across the South, freezes on March 7-10 and 21-23 damaged wheat, as well as ground crops and tree blooms, including vegetables and strawberries in Louisiana, and peaches from Texas to South Carolina. In addition to the cold, early- and late-month deluges hampered spring fieldwork in the Southeast. Cool weather in the Plains and Ohio Valley delayed wheat development, minimizing freeze damage during a cold snap on March 25-27. Enough cold air slipped into the Northwest toward month's end to cause some damage to fruit crops. Monthly temperatures averaged below normal east of the Rocky Divide, with departures reaching -4 to -8 degrees F in the Ohio Valley and -4 to -10 degrees F in the northern and central Plains. In contrast, readings averaged up to 4 degrees F above normal in the Great Basin. Monthly precipitation was below normal across the West, except in a band from the northern Great Basin to the northern Plains. Elsewhere, surplus precipitation was confined to parts of the East, particularly from the Ohio Valley and Middle Atlantic States southward to Florida. Mid- to late-month rains in Kansas, Oklahoma, and northeastern Texas failed to lift March totals to normal levels. Less than a quarter of the month's normal precipitation fell across an area from southern California eastward to western and southern Texas. Snowfall on March 2-3, 7-8, 20-21, and 28-29 padded seasonal record totals in the Great Lakes States and from the central Appalachians to southern New England. Monthly totals of 17.5 inches in Windsor Locks, CT and 20.4 inches in Charleston, WV pushed their respective seasonal totals above 100 inches for the first time on record. Lake-enhanced March totals topped 30 inches in Syracuse, NY (32.2 inches) and Erie, PA (31.8 inches). A late-season blizzard struck the North Central States on March 23-25, boosting monthly snowfall to 20.3 inches in Butte, MT and 20.0 inches in Bismarck, ND. Monthly totals of 6.9 inches in Colorado Springs, CO and 17.7 inches in Flint, MI accounted for more than 45 percent (%) of the stations' respective season-to-date snowfall. More than 2 inches of rain soaked the interior Southeast during the first 7 days of March, including a 6.75-inch total in Birmingham, AL. But the rain yielded to very cold weather, with nearly 250 daily-record lows observed from the Plains to the East Coast on March 7-10. During the outbreak, March records were broken in locations such as Rapid City, SD (-21 degrees F), Calico Rock, AR (6 degrees F), and Monroe, LA (18 degrees F). A much less severe cold spell (about a dozen daily-record lows) arrived on March 21-23, but nevertheless nipped additional sensitive-stage tree blooms across the South. Cold air again overspread much of the Nation toward month's end. In the Northwest, lows on March 25-26 dipped into the mid-10's in eastern Washington and into the mid-20's in Oregon's Willamette Valley. On the Plains, temperatures plunged below zero as far south as Denver, CO (-2 degrees F on March 25) and Hastings, NE (-5 degrees F on March 26). Heavy rain returned to the Southeast after March 24, lifting monthly totals above 10 inches in locations such as Melbourne, FL (11.58 inches, a March record) and Montgomery, AL (10.10 inches). Farther west, however, totals across Texas were as low as 0.12 inches (4% of normal) in Houston, 0.05 inches in Midland (9% of normal), and a trace in Brownsville. Farther north, pockets of much-below-normal precipitation encompassed locations such as Hastings, NE (0.29 inches; 14% of normal), Rockford, IL (0.50 inches; 20% of normal), and Burlington, VT (0.80 inches; 36% of normal). Outside the lower 48 States, highlights included above-normal temperatures in Alaska--especially in the west and north--and wetness in much of Hawaii. March temperatures were above normal by 9 degrees F in Nome and 13 degrees F in Bethel. In Hawaii, more than half of the month's rain fell by March 5. Renewed rainfall at month's end boosted totals to 16.35 inches (117% of normal) in Hilo and 4.85 inches (178% of normal) in Kahului. General Crop Comments: The month began with a continuation of drought con- ditions across most Central States. The Texas High Plains did not receive appreciable moisture during March, and soil moisture was critically short. In the Southeastern States, freezing weather and high winds early in March damaged fruit trees and vegetables. Spring tillage started in the Southeast early in March, but was halted by heavy rains toward the end of the month. Wide temperature swings during March damaged and stressed crops in the Delta and Southern States. Karnal bunt fungus was discovered in wheat fields in parts of the Southwest early in the month, resulting in a few fields being quarantined. Starting in mid-March, several storm systems brought significant precipitation to parts of the central and southern Plains. By mid-month, wheat was beginning to break dormancy in the Ohio Valley. The condition of the wheat crop in the Ohio Valley declined due to wide temperature fluctuations. Fieldwork was delayed in the Central States and upper middle Mississippi Valley where farmers waited for rain or warmer weather to thaw the soil. Plowing and spring planting began at mid-month in the Ohio Valley, but was slowed by snow and rain at month's end. Winter conditions continued throughout the month in the Northern States and delayed the snow melt and subsequently the start of spring fieldwork. Widespread storm systems brought relief to parts of the central and southern Plains toward the end of the month. Heavy rains and cool weather at month's end slowed wheat development in the Central States and interrupted spring fieldwork. Producers in Colorado took advantage of the dry weather to get an early start on spring planting. Wet, cool weather in the Southeastern States during the last 2 weeks of March slowed fieldwork. In Kansas, wheat condition declined during the month as a result of the early-March freeze and persistent dry conditions. Wheat began greening in the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys late in March, but growth was limited by the cool weather. The cool, wet weather left Tennessee producers behind schedule for soil preparation. Freezing weather in late March in the Pacific Northwest damaged fruit trees. Above-normal temperatures in California at the end of March allowed small grain development to advance rapidly, and let cotton producers begin planting. Grapefruit: The April 1 forecast of the 1995-96 U.S. grapefruit crop is 2.69 million tons, up 2 percent from last month but down 7 percent from last season. The Florida forecast remained at 51.0 million boxes, (2.17 million tons), 8 percent below last season. The Florida white seedless grapefruit forecast is 22.0 million boxes (935,000 tons), 14 percent less than 1994-95. The colored seedless forecast is 28.0 million boxes (1.19 million tons), a decrease of 2 percent from a year ago. The seedy grapefruit crop is expected to be 1.00 million boxes (43,000 tons), 23 percent below last year. Movement of Florida seedless grapefruit exceeded 43 million boxes. California is expected to produce 9.00 million boxes (302,000 tons), 20 percent above the January forecast but 3 percent below last season. Poor January weather in the desert area did not affect production. Fruit, overall, are showing good quality, size, and color. The Texas grapefruit forecast, at 4.60 million boxes (184,000 tons), is unchanged from last month and down 1 percent from a year ago. Arizona grapefruit remains at 1.20 million boxes (40,000 tons), 14 percent below last season. Lemons: The 1995-96 U.S. lemon crop is forecast at 988,000 tons, 4 percent less than the level expected on January 1 but 8 percent more than the 1994- 95 crop. The California forecast for the 1995-96 crop decreased 5 percent from January to 21.0 million boxes (798,000 tons), which is 2 percent more than in 1994-95. Central Valley grades looked excellent while quality varied from lot to lot in Southern California. Desert Valley shippers finished packing with high eliminations resulting from ridging, coarse texture, and scarring. The Arizona lemon crop is expected to total 5.00 million boxes (190,000 tons), unchanged from January but 39 percent more than a year ago. Tangerines: The 1995-96 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at a record large 344,000 tons, 5 percent larger than last month's forecast and 25 percent above last season's crop. The Florida tangerine forecast is 4.50 million boxes (214,000 tons), 2 percent more than March and 27 percent more than 1994-95. Honey tangerine utilization is just over 1.40 million boxes with very limited supplies remaining. The California forecast is 2.50 million boxes (94,000 tons), 4 percent above the previous forecast and 14 percent above the previous year. Arizona's tangerine production is expected to be 950,000 boxes (36,000 tons), 27 percent more than last quarter and 46 percent more than last year. Tangelos: The 1995-96 Florida tangelo crop is forecast at 2.45 million boxes (110,000 tons), unchanged from last month but down 22 percent from last year's production. Harvest is over for the year. Temples: The April 1 forecast for the 1995-96 Florida temple production was unchanged from March at 2.20 million boxes (99,000 tons), down 14 percent from last season. Temple harvest was almost over with almost 2.1 million boxes moved. Florida Citrus: Citrus trees, groves and the current crop are all in very good to excellent condition. Rainfall during March was above normal in all citrus growing counties. New growth and bloom were abundant during the month. The bloom cycle peaked toward the last two weeks of March which is near normal. Harvesting early and mid-season oranges was completed by mid-month and movement of Valencias increased. Movement of early and mid-season oranges totaled slightly more than 121 million boxes through the end of the month. Valencia harvest just started with about 17.8 million boxes moved to date. Harvest of all seedless grapefruit was very active all during March. Movement through March totaled 43.3 million boxes. Almost 2.1 million boxes of temples were picked with harvest almost over. Honey tangerine utilization was 1.4 million boxes, with very limited supplies remaining. Caretakers were very busy hedging and topping trees. Texas Citrus: Harvesting grapefruit and Valencia oranges continued without delays during March. A good rain is needed in all groves as trees are blooming and setting next year's crop. Citrus trees and groves were in good condition across the Valley during March. California Citrus: Grapefruit picking in the desert area was active during March. Fruit have excellent color and quality although there were some defects due to sunburn and sheepnose. Lemon harvest progressed well in the Central Valley and southern California areas. Fruit quality varied with wind scar, bud mite, and botrytis concerning growers. Navel orange picking was approximately 70 percent completed by April 1. Quality was affected by puff, crease, and soft fruit resulting in heavy gradeout. Valencia orange picking was active in the desert area with excellent quality and color reported. The tangerine harvest neared completion by April 1. California Fruit and Nut: Warm weather throughout the month advanced crop growth. Almonds, cherries and stonefruit progressed past bloom stage. Fruit or nut set and leaf formation began in some trees by late March. Apples bloomed while kiwifruit and walnut showed bud swell. Orchards activities involved mostly mowing, discing, fertilization, and spraying. Grape growers disced, irrigated, and applied herbicides to vineyards. Most vineyards had leafed out by April 1. Winter Potatoes: Production of winter potatoes is forecast at 2.91 million cwt in 1996, up 3 percent from the January forecast and 18 percent above last year. Area for harvest, at 13,500 acres, is 13 percent above last year and 10 percent above two years ago. The average yield is forecast at 215 cwt per acre, up 7 cwt from last year. Growers in Southwest Florida had some freeze damage but the Dade County crop turned out better than anticipated. Florida winter production was 6 percent larger than forecast in January and 26 percent above last year's flooded crop. California's winter potatoes came through in good condition. Spring Potatoes: Production for 1996 is forecast at 21.1 million cwt, up 4 percent from last year but 7 percent below 1994. Area for harvest is estimated at 87,500 acres, up 4 percent from a year ago but 3 percent below two years ago. The average yield is forecast at 241 cwt per acre, a gain of 1 cwt over last year but 10 cwt per acre below 1994. California acreage gained 13 percent from last year partly as a result of processed potatoes to be sent north for french fries. In Kern County, acreage of long whites and round reds is down but russets are up. Development is ahead of normal with little damage from winter frosts. Arizona's fields are also bulging with potatoes to be sent north for processing french fries. Harvest of earliest fresh market potatoes will start near the end of April. Farmers have had good growing weather. Acreage is down in Texas but yields are up from last year. The Florida and Alabama spring crops were hit by frost in mid-February and early March, resulting in some lost acreage and reduced yields. Harvest will be delayed until May in most areas. Wet fields slowed planting in North Carolina. Summer Potatoes, 1995 final: The final estimate of 1995 summer potatoes, at 17,9 million cwt, was 3 percent above comparable States the year before. Michigan and Minnesota were left out of both year's totals so the remaining States could be compared more accurately. Harvest covered 70,600 acres, down 2 percent from the previous year while the average yield of 253 cwt per acre was up 11 cwt. The revision made summer potatoes production slightly larger than the preliminary estimate made in January. Papayas: Fresh papaya production was 2.97 million pounds for March. This output was 13 percent lower than February and 30 percent lower than March 1995. March weather varied. Gusty winds and heavy rains early in the month were followed by improved weather conditions during mid-month. Showers, heavy at times, returned toward month's end. Papaya ringspot virus continued to lower yields. Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,650 acres. The area was 2 percent lower than in February and 2 percent lower than a year ago. Harvested area totaled 2,280 acres, 3 percent lower than last month and 8 percent lower than last March. Peanuts, 1995 Revised: U.S. peanut production totaled 3.46 billion pounds in 1995, down 19 percent from the 1994 crop. Area planted to peanuts totaled 1.54 million acres, down 6 percent from 1994 and the smallest planted acreage since 1985. Harvested area, at 1.52 million acres, fell 6 per- cent from a year ago. The U.S. yield per harvested acre averaged 2,282 pounds, down 342 pounds from 1994. Every peanut state, with the exception of Alabama, showed a decrease in yield and production from a year ago. Production in the Southeastern States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina) totaled 2.12 billion pounds, down 17 percent from 1994. The decrease in the 4-State area resulted from a 7 percent decline in harvested acreage combined with crop yields averaging 2,369 pounds, 269 pounds less per harvested acre than last year. Georgia remained the leading peanut producer with 41 percent of the total production. Virginia and North Carolina growers produced 554 million pounds of peanuts in 1995, 29 percent below last year's banner crop of 777 million pounds. Planted and harvested areas, at 234,000 acres and 233,000 acres, respectively , were both down 4 percent from a year ago. Yield per harvested acre averaged 2,378 pounds, 818 pounds below 1994. The Southwest crop (New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) totaled 785 million pounds during 1995, 15 percent below the 1994 total. Area harvested, at 388,000 acres, was down 5 percent from a year ago. Average yield in the 3-State area was 2,023 pounds per acre, 228 pounds below the 1994 average but 16 pounds above 1993. Report Features The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on May 10, 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, Pasture Condition (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 (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 (202) 720-7688 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. 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