Crop Production National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released June 12, 1998, 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 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Forecasts refer to June 1, 1998. Winter Wheat Production Up 2 Percent Winter wheat production is forecast is at 1.74 billion bushels, up 2 percent from May 1,but down 7 percent from last year. Based on conditions as of June 1, the U.S. yield is forecast at 42.9 bushels per acre. This is up a bushel from the last forecast, but still down from last year's record high average. Grain area totals 40.6 million acres, slightly less than last month. Hard Red Winter wheat production is up 4 percent from last month to 1.03 billion bushels. White Winter production is up 3 percent to 263 million bushels, due to improved Pacific Northwest yields. Soft Red is down 2 percent from last month to 454 million bushels. All oranges production for the 1997-98 season is forecast at a record large 14.0 million tons, down less than 1 percent from the May 1 forecast but up 11 percent from last season's previous record large production of 12.7 million tons. Florida's production forecast remains at 248 million boxes (11.2 million tons), 10 percent above last season. Florida's early-midseason forecast is 140 million boxes (6.30 million tons), the same as the previous forecast and 4 percent above last year's record large production. The Florida Valencia forecast remains unchanged from last month and is a record large crop of 108 million boxes (4.86 million tons), 17 percent above a year ago. The all orange forecast for Texas is 1.53 million boxes (65,000 tons), down 3 percent from the May 1 forecast but up 8 percent from the 1996-97 season. Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1997-98 season is projected at 1.58 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, the same as last month. The forecast projects the final yield as reported by the Florida Citrus Processors Association. The early and midseason portion of the yield for 1997- 98 is final at 1.50 gallons per box, up slightly from a month ago. Valencia yield is projected at a record high 1.72 gallons per box, up from May's 1.70 projection. Cr Pr 2-2 (6-98) This report was approved on June 12, 1998. Secretary of Agricultural Statistics Board Agriculture Chairperson Dan Glickman Rich Allen Contents Page Tables Narratives Report Highlights .......................................... -- 1 Wheat, Winter .............................................. 4 27 Wheat, by Class ............................................ 5 -- Wheat, Durum ............................................... 5 27 Cherries, Sweet ............................................ 6 27 Peaches .................................................... 6 26 Citrus Fruits .............................................. 7 28 Pears, Bartlett ............................................ 8 30 Miscellaneous Fruits ....................................... 9 28 Papayas .................................................... 9 29 Hops ....................................................... 10 30 Sugarbeets ................................................. 11 30 Sugarcane .................................................. 12 30 Sweet Potatoes ............................................. 13 30 Maple Syrup ................................................ 14 30 Crop Summary (Domestic Units) Area Planted and Harvested ............................ 16 -- Yield and Production .................................. 17 -- Fruits and Nuts Production (Domestic Units) ................ 18 -- Crop Summary (Metric Units) Area Planted and Harvested ............................ 19 -- Yield and Production .................................. 20 -- Fruits and Nuts Production (Metric Units) .................. 21 -- Crop Moisture Maps ......................................... -- 22 May Weather Summary ........................................ -- 24 General Crop Comments ...................................... -- 26 Reliability ................................................ -- 32 Report Features ............................................ -- 33 Winter Wheat: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by State and United States, 1997 and Forecasted June 1, 1998 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Harvested : Yield : Production :---------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : : 1998 : : : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 :-------------------: 1997 : 1998 : : : : May 1 : Jun 1 : : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres -- ----- Bushels ----- -- --- 1,000 Bushels -- : AL : 100 90 42.0 45.0 45.0 4,200 4,050 AZ 1/ : 9 9 85.0 80.0 80.0 765 720 AR : 820 890 48.0 52.0 51.0 39,360 45,390 CA : 400 370 75.0 70.0 65.0 30,000 24,050 CO : 2,850 2,750 32.0 36.0 36.0 91,200 99,000 DE 1/ : 73 73 73.0 65.0 65.0 5,329 4,745 FL 1/ : 15 13 39.0 41.0 41.0 585 533 GA : 360 240 44.0 45.0 45.0 15,840 10,800 ID : 870 770 80.0 80.0 82.0 69,600 63,140 IL : 1,150 1,200 61.0 54.0 53.0 70,150 63,600 IN : 660 670 58.0 60.0 60.0 38,280 40,200 IA 1/ : 27 30 42.0 42.0 42.0 1,134 1,260 KS : 11,000 10,100 46.0 37.0 39.0 506,000 393,900 KY : 530 500 54.0 53.0 50.0 28,620 25,000 LA 1/ : 115 90 37.0 34.0 34.0 4,255 3,060 MD 1/ : 215 220 68.0 63.0 63.0 14,620 13,860 MI : 540 570 62.0 56.0 55.0 33,480 31,350 MN 1/ : 60 55 32.0 32.0 32.0 1,920 1,760 MS : 175 135 43.0 42.0 42.0 7,525 5,670 MO : 1,040 1,120 55.0 45.0 46.0 57,200 51,520 MT : 1,450 1,300 39.0 34.0 31.0 56,550 40,300 NE : 1,900 1,850 37.0 37.0 39.0 70,300 72,150 NV 1/ : 11 6 100.0 100.0 100.0 1,100 600 NJ 1/ : 34 44 60.0 54.0 54.0 2,040 2,376 NM 1/ : 285 265 35.0 27.0 27.0 9,975 7,155 NY 1/ : 135 135 56.0 58.0 58.0 7,560 7,830 NC : 670 650 52.0 47.0 45.0 34,840 29,250 ND 1/ : 55 65 21.0 30.0 30.0 1,155 1,950 OH : 1,090 1,160 63.0 62.0 60.0 68,670 69,600 OK : 5,400 5,400 33.0 32.0 34.0 178,200 183,600 OR : 840 790 67.0 65.0 66.0 56,280 52,140 PA 1/ : 175 190 52.0 53.0 53.0 9,100 10,070 SC : 300 255 50.0 40.0 38.0 15,000 9,690 SD : 1,050 1,350 30.0 35.0 35.0 31,500 47,250 TN : 370 400 45.0 44.0 41.0 16,650 16,400 TX : 4,100 4,000 29.0 30.0 33.0 118,900 132,000 UT 1/ : 160 150 49.0 50.0 50.0 7,840 7,500 VA 1/ : 250 240 68.0 60.0 60.0 17,000 14,400 WA : 2,150 2,100 67.0 64.0 67.0 144,050 140,700 WV 1/ : 9 10 54.0 55.0 55.0 486 550 WI 1/ : 135 135 58.0 55.0 55.0 7,830 7,425 WY 1/ : 235 225 32.0 30.0 30.0 7,520 6,750 : US : 41,813 40,615 45.0 41.9 42.9 1,882,609 1,743,294 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Estimates for current year carried forward from earlier forecast. Durum Wheat: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by State and United States, 1997 and Forecasted June 1, 1998 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Harvested : Yield : Production :---------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : : : 1998 : : : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 :-------------------: 1997 : 1998 : : : : May 1 : Jun 1 : : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres ----- Bushels ----- 1,000 Bushels : AZ : 89 140 90.0 90.0 92.0 8,010 12,880 CA : 144 156 95.0 95.0 100.0 13,680 15,600 MN : 5 34.0 170 MT : 280 26.0 7,280 ND : 2,570 22.0 56,540 SD : 19 27.0 513 : US : 3,107 27.7 86,193 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Harvested area for U.S. and northern States available in "Acreage" released June 30, 1998. Yield and production for U.S. and northern States to be published in "Crop Production" released July 10, 1998. Wheat: Production by Class, United States, 1996-1997 and Forecasted June 1, 1998 1/ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Winter : Spring : :-------------------------------------------------------------: Year : Hard : Soft : : Hard : : : Total : Red : Red : White : Red : Durum : White : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Bushels : 1996 : 761,412 422,019 293,627 630,866 116,090 61,119 2,285,133 1997 :1,120,891 483,890 277,828 500,643 86,193 57,107 2,526,552 1998 :1,026,848 453,695 262,751 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Wheat class estimates are based on varietal acreage survey data available for all wheat producing States. Unless unusual situations dictate, the previous end-of-season class percentages are used throughout the forecast season. Sweet Cherries: Total Production by State, and Total, 1996-97 and Forecasted June 1, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Tons : CA : 24,600 49,200 15,000 OR : 32,000 50,000 50,000 WA : 69,000 92,000 91,000 : Total : 125,600 191,200 156,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ The first production forecast for sweet cherries in ID, MI, MT, NY, PA, and UT and tart cherries in CO, MI, NY, OR, PA, UT, WA, and WI will be published in "Cherry Production" on June 18, 1998. Peaches: Total Production by Crop, State, and United States, 1996-97 and Forecasted June 1, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Million Pounds : CA - Freestone : 674 739 650 GA : 10 160 70 SC : 8 160 140 : Total Above : 692 1,059 860 : CA - Clingstone 1/ : 1,093 1,148 990 : Total : 1,785 2,207 1,850 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ CA Clingstone is over-the-scale tonnage and includes culls and cannery diversions. Citrus Fruits: Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States, 1995-96, 1996-97, and Forecasted June 1, 1998 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Utilized Production : Utilized Production : Boxes : Ton Equivalent Crop and State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1995-96 : 1996-97 : 1997-98 : 1995-96 : 1996-97 : 1997-98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Boxes 2/ ----- ------- 1,000 Tons ------- Oranges : Early Mid & : Navel 3/ : AZ 4/ : 700 400 450 27 15 17 CA 4/ : 38,000 40,000 44,000 1,426 1,500 1,650 FL : 121,200 134,200 140,000 5,454 6,039 6,300 TX : 830 1,300 1,350 35 55 57 US : 160,730 175,900 185,800 6,942 7,609 8,024 Valencia : AZ 4/ : 950 600 550 36 23 21 CA 4/ : 20,000 24,000 30,000 750 900 1,125 FL : 82,100 92,000 108,000 3,695 4,140 4,860 TX : 110 120 180 4 5 8 US : 103,160 116,720 138,730 4,485 5,068 6,014 All : AZ 4/ : 1,650 1,000 1,000 63 38 38 CA 4/ : 58,000 64,000 74,000 2,176 2,400 2,775 FL : 203,300 226,200 248,000 9,149 10,179 11,160 TX : 940 1,420 1,530 39 60 65 US : 263,890 292,620 324,530 11,427 12,677 14,038 Temples : FL : 2,150 2,400 2,250 97 108 101 Grapefruit : White Seedless : FL 5/ : 23,200 23,500 18,250 986 999 776 Colored Seedless : FL 5/ : 28,100 31,400 30,600 1,194 1,334 1,301 Other : FL : 1,050 900 650 45 38 28 All : AZ 4/ : 1,200 900 800 40 30 27 CA 4/ : 8,100 8,200 9,000 271 275 302 FL 5/ : 52,350 55,800 49,500 2,225 2,371 2,105 TX : 4,550 5,300 4,800 182 212 192 US : 66,200 70,200 64,100 2,718 2,888 2,626 Tangerines : AZ 4/ : 1,000 550 500 38 21 19 CA 4/ : 2,600 2,600 2,400 98 98 90 FL : 4,500 6,300 5,200 213 299 247 US : 8,100 9,450 8,100 349 418 356 Lemons 4/ : AZ : 5,100 2,600 2,600 194 99 99 CA : 21,000 20,000 22,000 798 760 836 US : 26,100 22,600 24,600 992 859 935 Tangelos : FL : 2,450 3,950 2,850 110 178 128 K-Early Citrus : FL : 160 150 40 7 7 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- See footnotes on next page. 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 (including Navel) and midseason varieties in FL and TX. Small quantities of tangerines in TX. 4/ Estimates for current year carried forward from earlier forecast. 5/ Excludes economic abandonment in 1995-96 of 3,000,000 boxes of Colored Seedless; in 1996-97 of 3,000,000 boxes of White Seedless and 3,000,000 boxes of Colored Seedless. Bartlett Pears: Total Production by State and Total, 1996-97 and Forecasted June 1, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production State :-------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Tons : CA : 287,000 282,000 270,000 OR : 45,000 75,000 60,000 WA : 105,000 205,000 150,000 : Total : 437,000 562,000 480,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Miscellaneous Fruits: Total Production by Crop and State, 1996-97 and Forecasted June 1, 1998 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Total Production Crop and State :----------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Tons : Prunes (Dried Basis) : CA : 223,000 214,000 170,000 : Apricots : CA : 76,000 132,000 125,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1997 revised. Papayas: Area and Fresh Production by Month, Hawaii, 1997-98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : Fresh Production :------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : Total in Crop : Harvested : : :---------------------------------------------: 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------------- Acres ---------------- 1,000 Pounds : Apr : 4,310 3,200 2,120 2,140 2,720 3,015 May : 4,335 3,220 2,125 2,160 2,730 3,150 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Hops: Area Harvested by Variety, State, and United States, 1996-97 and Forecasted June 1, 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Area Harvested :Strung for Harvest and :----------------------------------------------------------- Variety : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Acres : ID : Banner : 77 73 * Chinook : 343 342 327 Cluster : 815 797 443 Galena : 649 666 728 Mt. Hood : 20 10 10 Nugget : 37 65 96 Willamette : 190 211 229 : Other Varieties : 1,866 1,706 1,803 : Total : 3,997 3,870 3,636 : OR : Fuggle : 481 423 189 Golding : * 245 235 Mt. Hood : 238 238 225 Nugget : 3,101 3,063 2,415 Perle : 181 329 385 Tettnanger : 796 649 154 Willamette : 3,259 3,070 2,290 : Other Varieties : 430 335 268 : Total : 8,486 8,352 6,161 : WA : Cascade : 1,045 1,037 992 Chinook : 2,234 1,692 1,007 Cluster : 4,853 3,625 2,617 Columbus/Tomahawk : * * 4,106 Eroica : 183 * * Galena : 7,984 6,960 5,782 Golding : 87 161 80 Horizon : * * 129 Liberty : 94 * * Mt. Hood : 955 540 356 Nugget : 5,539 5,492 4,816 Olympic : 126 126 126 Perle : 233 256 296 Tettnanger : 1,991 1,564 252 Willamette : 3,520 4,297 3,929 : Other Varieties : 2,834 5,330 2,085 : Total : 31,678 31,080 26,573 : US : 44,161 43,302 36,370 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Included in Other Varieties to avoid disclosure of individual operations. Sugarbeets: Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, Production, Price, and Value by State and United States, 1996-97 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested : Yield State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 2/ : 1996 : 1997 2/ : 1996 : 1997 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------------- 1,000 Acres --------------- ------ Tons ------ : CA : 84.0 101.0 82.0 99.0 29.5 30.0 CO : 54.8 67.9 51.1 66.4 20.2 19.7 ID : 187.0 198.0 184.0 197.0 24.8 26.4 MI : 153.0 163.0 130.0 160.0 15.1 19.0 MN : 441.0 453.0 438.0 446.0 18.2 18.5 MT : 57.7 59.9 57.5 58.3 22.6 21.0 NE : 55.8 67.3 51.2 60.3 17.8 16.8 NM : 1.1 1.6 0.9 1.6 29.8 30.6 ND : 226.6 231.4 225.3 227.5 18.7 18.5 OH : 4.9 0.9 4.6 0.9 18.8 19.0 OR : 17.4 17.6 16.3 17.4 25.5 28.4 TX : 14.1 16.4 12.6 15.0 19.2 18.0 WA : 13.0 18.3 13.0 18.0 35.5 33.1 WY : 58.0 63.0 56.8 60.9 18.9 20.4 : US : 1,368.4 1,459.3 1,323.3 1,428.3 20.2 20.9 :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : Production : Price per Ton : Value of Production :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 2/ : 1996 : 1997 3/ : 1996 : 1997 3/ :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 Tons --- ---- Dollars ---- 1,000 Dollars : CA : 2,419 2,970 43.00 104,017 CO : 1,032 1,308 41.20 42,518 ID : 4,563 5,210 46.10 210,354 MI : 1,963 3,040 41.60 81,661 MN : 7,971 8,251 47.10 375,434 MT : 1,300 1,224 48.10 62,530 NE : 913 1,013 44.40 40,537 NM : 27 49 31.70 856 ND : 4,213 4,205 46.10 194,219 OH : 86 17 42.00 3,612 OR : 416 494 42.50 17,680 TX : 242 270 32.50 7,865 WA : 461 595 42.90 19,777 WY : 1,074 1,240 46.50 49,941 : US : 26,680 29,886 45.40 1,211,001 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Relates to year of intended harvest except for overwintered spring planted beets in CA. 2/ Revised. 3/ Estimates are not available. U.S. marketing year average price, value of production, and parity price will be published in "Agricultural Prices", released July 31, 1998. State estimates will be published in "Crop Values" to be released February 1999. Sugarcane: Area Harvested, Yield, Production, Price, and Value by State and United States, 1996-97 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Harvested : Yield 1/ : Production 1/ State :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 2/ : 1996 : 1997 2/ : 1996 : 1997 2/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres ----- Tons ---- --- 1,000 Tons --- : For Sugar : FL : 417.0 421.0 33.1 36.9 13,803 15,535 HI : 42.9 32.0 82.6 91.4 3,544 2,925 LA : 335.0 380.0 27.9 28.2 9,347 10,700 TX : 34.6 27.3 28.7 30.3 992 827 : US : 829.5 860.3 33.4 34.9 27,686 29,987 : For Seed : FL : 21.0 19.0 33.1 36.9 695 701 HI : 3.1 2.2 30.6 38.2 95 84 LA : 35.0 30.0 27.9 28.2 976 846 TX : 0.3 2.5 33.3 30.0 10 75 : US : 59.4 53.7 29.9 31.8 1,776 1,706 : For Sugar : and Seed : FL : 438.0 440.0 33.1 36.9 14,498 16,236 HI : 46.0 34.2 79.1 88.0 3,639 3,009 LA : 370.0 410.0 27.9 28.2 10,323 11,546 TX : 34.9 29.8 28.7 30.3 1,002 902 : US : 888.9 914.0 33.1 34.7 29,462 31,693 :------------------------------------------------------------------- : For Sugar : For Sugar and Seed :------------------------------------------------------------------- : Price per Ton : Value of Production : Value of Production 3/ :------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 :1997 4/ : 1996 : 1997 4/ : 1996 : 1997 4/ :------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars ------------- 1,000 Dollars ------------- : FL : 29.40 405,808 426,241 HI : 30.50 108,092 110,990 LA : 26.20 244,891 270,463 TX : 25.50 25,296 25,551 : US : 28.30 784,087 833,245 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Yield and production refer to net weight. 2/ Revised. 3/ Price per ton of cane for sugar used in evaluating value of production for seed. 4/ Estimates are not available. U.S. marketing year average price, value of production, and parity price will be published in "Agricultural Prices" released July 31, 1998. State estimates will be published in "Crop Values" to be released February 1999. Sweet Potatoes: Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production by State and United States, 1996-97 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested State :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : AL : 4.4 4.1 4.3 3.8 CA : 9.6 9.7 9.6 9.7 GA : 2.1 1.7 2.0 1.6 LA : 22.0 21.0 21.0 20.0 MS : 8.3 8.6 8.1 8.4 NJ : 1.3 1.2 1.2 1.1 NC : 33.0 32.0 31.0 31.0 SC : 1.9 1.5 1.6 1.3 TX : 5.9 6.3 5.5 5.8 VA : 0.6 0.6 0.5 0.6 : US : 89.1 86.7 84.8 83.3 :--------------------------------------------------------------- : Yield : Production :--------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 :--------------------------------------------------------------- : ------- Cwt ------- ------ 1,000 Cwt ----- : AL : 170 150 731 570 CA : 225 205 2,160 1,989 GA : 200 150 400 240 LA : 160 170 3,360 3,400 MS : 160 130 1,296 1,092 NJ : 130 105 156 116 NC : 140 160 4,340 4,960 SC : 125 120 200 156 TX : 135 155 743 899 VA : 140 150 70 90 : US : 159 162 13,456 13,512 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1997 revised. Maple Syrup: Production, Price, and Value by State and United States, 1997-98 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Average Price : Value of : Production : per Gallon : Production State :----------------------------------------------------------------- : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Gallons ---- Dollars --- 1,000 Dollars : CT : 9 9 41.70 43.00 375 387 ME : 185 170 19.80 19.00 3,663 3,230 MA : 44 47 37.20 37.50 1,637 1,763 MI : 75 55 31.50 29.40 2,363 1,617 NH : 76 67 40.20 41.00 3,055 2,747 NY : 269 231 25.10 25.50 6,752 5,886 OH : 95 78 30.80 28.40 2,926 2,215 PA : 63 72 26.00 24.30 1,638 1,750 VT : 395 360 27.60 28.50 10,902 10,260 WI : 87 70 21.90 23.10 1,905 1,617 : US : 1,298 1,159 27.10 27.20 35,216 31,472 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1997 revised. Price and value for 1998 are preliminary and based on grower expectations during April and May 1998. Maple Syrup: Percent of Sales by Type and State, 1996-97 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Retail : Wholesale and Bulk State :----------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : CT : 70 75 30 25 ME : 8 10 92 90 MA : 80 70 20 30 MI : 64 48 36 52 NH : 70 65 30 35 NY : 50 48 50 52 OH : 65 71 35 29 PA : 48 49 52 51 VT : 35 40 65 60 WI : 37 27 63 73 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1996 revised. Maple Syrup: Price by Type of Sales and Size of Container by State, 1996-97 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type : Gallons : 1/2 Gallons : Quarts : Pints : 1/2 Pints and :--------------------------------------------------------------------- State : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars : Retail : CT :35.40 34.40 20.50 19.90 11.00 11.80 6.95 6.90 4.25 4.20 ME :32.30 31.80 17.50 16.70 9.35 9.25 5.55 5.35 3.70 3.85 MA :32.40 31.60 18.30 18.50 10.60 10.70 6.65 6.55 4.05 4.35 MI :27.70 29.00 17.00 16.50 9.17 9.41 5.81 5.69 3.47 4.18 NH :32.10 33.10 17.80 19.10 10.50 10.90 6.20 6.45 3.80 3.70 NY :28.20 27.20 16.50 16.45 10.00 9.65 6.05 5.95 3.65 3.70 OH :26.50 28.40 15.00 16.30 9.20 9.50 5.70 5.80 4.30 4.50 PA :28.70 27.70 16.10 16.00 9.00 9.00 5.40 5.60 3.70 3.50 VT :28.30 28.30 16.50 17.00 10.10 10.00 6.15 6.25 4.20 4.05 WI :24.80 26.40 13.10 13.90 7.09 7.10 4.45 4.40 2.67 3.00 : Wholesale : CT 2/ : 34.30 17.40 17.40 8.85 8.90 6.50 5.10 3.20 3.15 ME :25.40 27.80 13.60 14.50 7.50 8.30 4.50 5.00 2.80 3.15 MA :25.70 25.20 16.00 16.20 8.60 8.80 5.05 5.30 3.25 3.20 MI :25.75 26.60 13.75 16.10 7.60 7.68 4.17 4.36 2.24 2.99 NH :24.90 25.60 14.80 15.50 8.40 8.55 4.90 5.40 3.10 2.90 NY :25.70 22.90 14.70 14.15 8.00 8.05 4.80 5.00 3.40 3.15 OH :22.50 21.40 13.00 14.90 7.50 8.20 4.50 4.70 3.40 3.30 PA :26.80 26.10 14.60 14.30 7.90 7.80 4.80 4.80 3.00 3.10 VT :24.30 24.70 13.90 14.50 8.10 8.20 4.80 4.55 3.05 3.10 WI :23.90 26.60 13.10 12.90 6.65 8.10 3.81 4.90 2.51 2.70 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : Bulk All Grades : Bulk All Grades : All Sales :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dollars per Pound Dollars per Gallon Equivalent per Gallon : Bulk : CT 2/ : 1.31 14.40 42.70 41.70 ME : 1.55 1.40 17.10 15.40 20.10 19.80 MA : 1.38 1.48 15.20 16.30 38.90 37.20 MI : 1.77 1.76 19.45 19.40 31.10 31.50 NH : 1.36 1.40 15.00 15.50 37.20 40.20 NY : 1.35 1.45 14.90 15.80 25.50 25.10 OH : 1.60 1.60 17.50 17.20 28.50 30.80 PA : 1.30 1.40 13.50 15.10 24.60 26.00 VT : 1.48 1.58 16.30 17.40 26.50 27.60 WI : 1.42 1.50 15.60 16.30 22.70 21.90 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1996 revised. 2/ Data not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations. Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1997-98 1/ (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : Grains & Hay : Barley : 6,910.0 6,780.0 6,425.0 Corn for Grain 2/ : 80,227.0 80,781.0 73,720.0 Corn for Silage : 5,758.0 Hay, All : 60,815.0 60,735.0 Alfalfa : 23,673.0 All Other : 37,142.0 Oats : 5,169.0 5,154.0 2,911.0 3,058.0 Rice : 3,056.0 3,085.0 3,034.0 Rye : 1,433.0 1,551.0 341.0 Sorghum for Grain 2/ : 10,108.0 9,015.0 9,391.0 Sorghum for Silage : 310.0 Wheat, All : 70,989.0 67,027.0 63,577.0 Winter : 48,342.0 46,637.0 41,813.0 40,615.0 Durum : 3,250.0 4,075.0 3,107.0 Other Spring : 19,397.0 16,315.0 18,657.0 : Oilseeds : Canola : 728.0 698.0 Cottonseed : Flaxseed : 146.0 280.0 135.0 Mustard Seed : 74.4 72.8 Peanuts : 1,431.0 1,474.5 1,410.8 Rapeseed : 1.7 1.5 Safflower : 249.0 235.0 Soybeans for Beans : 70,850.0 72,000.0 69,884.0 Sunflower : 2,949.0 3,148.0 2,852.0 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All : 13,808.0 13,215.0 13,270.0 Upland : 13,558.0 12,948.0 13,021.0 Amer-Pima : 250.0 267.0 249.0 Sugarbeets : 1,459.3 1,496.7 1,428.3 Sugarcane : 914.0 Tobacco : 811.5 733.8 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 8.1 7.6 Dry Edible Beans : 1,851.8 1,940.3 1,720.2 Dry Edible Peas : 293.6 276.6 Lentils : 181.0 172.0 Wrinkled Seed Peas : : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 5.6 Ginger Root (HI) : 0.3 Hops : 43.3 36.4 Peppermint Oil : 136.3 Potatoes, All : 1,362.0 1,325.5 Winter : 15.6 15.5 15.4 15.0 Spring : 88.3 93.2 86.2 89.8 Summer : 68.6 65.9 Fall : 1,189.5 1,158.0 Spearmint Oil : 24.5 Sweet Potatoes : 86.7 85.7 83.3 Taro (HI) 3/ : 0.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1998 crop year. 2/ Area planted for all purposes. 3/ Acreage is total acres in crop, not harvested acreage. Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 1997-98 (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Yield : Production Crop :Unit :------------------------------------------- : : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : ------- 1,000 ------ : : Grains & Hay : : Barley : Bu : 58.3 374,478 Corn for Grain : " : 127.0 9,365,574 Corn for Silage : Ton : 16.0 91,903 Hay, All : " : 2.50 152,120 Alfalfa : " : 3.35 79,242 All Other : " : 1.96 72,878 Oats : Bu : 60.5 176,104 Rice 2/ : Cwt : 5,896 178,896 Rye : Bu : 26.1 8,912 Sorghum for Grain : " : 69.5 653,106 Sorghum for Silage : Ton : 12.5 3,885 Wheat, All : Bu : 39.7 2,526,552 Winter : " : 45.0 42.9 1,882,609 1,743,294 Durum : " : 27.7 86,193 Other Spring : " : 29.9 557,750 : : Oilseeds : : Canola : Lb : 1,310 914,385 Cottonseed : Ton : 6,935 Flaxseed : Bu : 16.1 2,171 Mustard Seed : Lb : 816 59,405 Peanuts : " : 2,507 3,537,050 Rapeseed : " : 1,300 1,950 Safflower : " : 1,830 430,050 Soybeans for Beans : Bu : 39.0 2,727,254 Sunflower : Lb : 1,320 3,763,428 : : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : : Cotton, All 2/ : Bale: 680 18,793.0 Upland 2/ : " : 673 18,245.0 Amer-Pima 2/ : " : 1,056 548.0 Sugarbeets : Ton : 20.9 29,886 Sugarcane : " : 34.7 31,693 Tobacco : Lb : 2,201 1,786,065 : : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : : Austrian Winter Peas 2/ : Cwt : 1,513 115 Dry Edible Beans 2/ : " : 1,695 29,156 Dry Edible Peas 2/ : " : 2,103 5,816 Lentils 2/ : " : 1,390 2,391 Wrinkled Seed Peas : " : 682 : : Potatoes & Misc. : : Coffee (HI) : Lb : 1,610 9,000 Ginger Root (HI) : " : 44,000 12,100 Hops : " : 1,729 74,872.1 Peppermint Oil : " : 75 10,256 Potatoes, All : Cwt : 347 459,912 Winter : " : 203 199 3,124 2,980 Spring : " : 252 217 21,749 19,455 Summer : " : 272 17,951 Fall : " : 360 417,088 Spearmint Oil : Lb : 98 2,403 Sweet Potatoes : Cwt : 162 13,512 Taro (HI) 3/ : Lb : 5,500 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1998 crop year. 2/ Yield in pounds. 3/ Yield is not estimated. Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1996-98 (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Production Crop : Unit :----------------------------------------------- : : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 1,000 : : Citrus 2/ : : Grapefruit : Ton : 2,718 2,888 2,626 K-Early Citrus (FL) : " : 7 7 2 Lemons : " : 992 859 935 Oranges : " : 11,427 12,677 14,038 Tangelos (FL) : " : 110 178 128 Tangerines : " : 349 418 356 Temples (FL) : " : 97 108 101 : : Non-Citrus : : Apples : Lb : 10,392.0 10,226.6 Apricots : Ton : 79.3 138.0 Bananas (HI) : Lb : 13,000.0 13,700.0 Grapes : Ton : 5,554.3 6,836.4 Olives (CA) : " : 166.0 104.0 Papayas (HI) : Lb : 41,800.0 38,800.0 Peaches : " : 2,116.3 2,651.1 Pears : Ton : 820.8 1,044.0 Prunes, Dried (CA) : " : 223.0 214.0 170.0 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA): " : 20.0 29.0 : : Nuts & Misc. : : Almonds (CA) : Lb : 510,000 757,000 550,000 Hazelnuts : Ton : 18.5 44.1 Pecans : Lb : 221,500 272,100 Pistachios (CA) : " : 105,000 180,000 Walnuts (CA) : Ton : 208.0 269.0 Maple Syrup : Gal : 1,567 1,298 1,159 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1998 crop year. 2/ Production years are 1995-96, 1996-97, and 1997-98. Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1997-98 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Grains & Hay : Barley : 2,796,410 2,743,800 2,600,130 Corn for Grain 2/ :32,467,060 32,691,260 29,833,750 Corn for Silage : 2,330,210 Hay, All : 24,611,230 24,578,850 Alfalfa : 9,580,230 All Other : 15,031,000 Oats : 2,091,840 2,085,770 1,178,050 1,237,540 Rice : 1,236,730 1,248,470 1,227,830 Rye : 579,920 627,670 138,000 Sorghum for Grain 2/ : 4,090,610 3,648,280 3,800,440 Sorghum for Silage : 125,450 Wheat, All :28,728,530 27,125,160 25,728,970 Winter :19,563,520 18,873,530 16,921,300 16,436,480 Durum : 1,315,240 1,649,110 1,257,370 Other Spring : 7,849,770 6,602,520 7,550,300 : Oilseeds : Canola : 294,610 282,470 Cottonseed : Flaxseed : 59,080 113,310 54,630 Mustard Seed : 30,110 29,460 Peanuts : 579,110 596,720 570,940 Rapeseed : 690 610 Safflower : 100,770 95,100 Soybeans for Beans :28,672,290 29,137,680 28,281,360 Sunflower : 1,193,430 1,273,960 1,154,180 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All : 5,587,960 5,347,980 5,370,240 Upland : 5,486,790 5,239,930 5,269,470 Amer-Pima : 101,170 108,050 100,770 Sugarbeets : 590,560 605,700 578,020 Sugarcane : 369,890 Tobacco : 328,410 296,950 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 3,280 3,080 Dry Edible Beans : 749,400 785,220 696,150 Dry Edible Peas : 118,820 111,940 Lentils : 73,250 69,610 Wrinkled Seed Peas : : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 2,270 Ginger Root (HI) : 110 Hops : 17,520 14,730 Peppermint Oil : 55,160 Potatoes, All : 551,190 536,420 Winter : 6,310 6,270 6,230 6,070 Spring : 35,730 37,720 34,880 36,340 Summer : 27,760 26,670 Fall : 481,380 468,630 Spearmint Oil : 9,910 Sweet Potatoes : 35,090 34,680 33,710 Taro (HI) 3/ : 180 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1998 crop year. 2/ Area planted for all purposes. 3/ Area is total hectares in crop, not harvested hectares. Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 1997-98 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Yield : Production Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Metric Tons : Grains & Hay : Barley : 3.14 8,153,300 Corn for Grain : 7.97 237,896,540 Corn for Silage : 35.78 83,373,000 Hay, All : 5.61 138,000,940 Alfalfa : 7.50 71,887,130 All Other : 4.40 66,113,810 Oats : 2.17 2,556,140 Rice : 6.61 8,114,590 Rye : 1.64 226,380 Sorghum for Grain : 4.37 16,589,660 Sorghum for Silage : 28.09 3,524,410 Wheat, All : 2.67 68,761,480 Winter : 3.03 2.89 51,236,220 47,444,690 Durum : 1.87 2,345,790 Other Spring : 2.01 15,179,470 : Oilseeds : Canola : 1.47 414,760 Cottonseed : 6,290,960 Flaxseed : 1.01 55,150 Mustard Seed : 0.91 26,950 Peanuts : 2.81 1,604,380 Rapeseed : 1.44 880 Safflower : 2.05 195,070 Soybeans for Beans : 2.62 74,223,690 Sunflower : 1.48 1,707,060 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All : 0.76 4,091,690 Upland : 0.75 3,972,380 Amer-Pima : 1.18 119,310 Sugarbeets : 46.91 27,112,120 Sugarcane : 77.73 28,751,410 Tobacco : 2.47 810,150 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 1.69 5,220 Dry Edible Beans : 1.90 1,322,490 Dry Edible Peas : 2.36 263,810 Lentils : 1.56 108,450 Wrinkled Seed Peas : 30,940 : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 1.80 4,080 Ginger Root (HI) : 49.91 5,490 Hops : 1.94 33,960 Peppermint Oil : 0.08 4,650 Potatoes, All : 38.89 20,861,260 Winter : 22.74 22.27 141,700 135,170 Spring : 28.28 24.28 986,520 882,460 Summer : 30.53 814,240 Fall : 40.37 18,918,790 Spearmint Oil : 0.11 1,090 Sweet Potatoes : 18.18 612,890 Taro (HI) 2/ : 13.83 2,490 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1998 crop year. 2/ Yield is not estimated. Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1996-98 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Production Crop :----------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Metric tons : Citrus 2/ : Grapefruit : 2,465,730 2,619,950 2,382,270 K-Early Citrus (FL) : 6,350 6,350 1,810 Lemons : 899,930 779,270 848,220 Oranges : 10,366,400 11,500,380 12,735,060 Tangelos (FL) : 99,790 161,480 116,120 Tangerines : 316,610 379,200 322,960 Temples (FL) : 88,000 97,980 91,630 : Non-Citrus : Apples : 4,710 4,640 Apricots : 71,940 125,190 Bananas (HI) : 5,900 6,210 Grapes : 5,038,780 6,201,880 Olives (CA) : 150,590 94,350 Papayas (HI) : 18,960 17,600 Peaches : 960 1,200 Pears : 744,570 947,100 Prunes, Dried (CA) : 202,300 194,140 154,220 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA) : 18,140 26,310 : Nuts & Misc. : Almonds (CA) : 231,330 343,370 249,480 Hazelnuts : 16,780 40,010 Pecans : 100,470 123,420 Pistachios (CA) : 47,630 81,650 Walnuts (CA) : 188,690 244,030 Maple Syrup : 7,830 6,490 5,790 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1998 crop year. 2/ Production years are 1995-96, 1996-97, and 1997-98. Crop Moisture Depicts short term (up to about 4 weeks) abnormal dryness or wetness affecting Agriculture, responds rapidly, can change considerably week to week, and indicates normal conditions at the beginning and end of the growing season. Uses...applicable in measuring the short term, week-to-week, status of dryness or wetness affecting warm season crops and field operations. Limitations...may not be applicable to germination and shallow rooted crops which are unable to extract the deep or subsoil moisture from a 5-foot profile, or for cool season crops growing when temperatures are averaging below about 55 degrees fahrenheit. It is not generally indicative of the long term (months, years) drought or wet spells which are depicted by the drought severity index. Drought Severity Drought severity index (Palmer): Depicts prolonged (months, years) abnormal dryness or wetness; responds slowly; changes little from week to week; and reflects long term moisture runoff, recharge, and deep percolation, as well as evaportranspiration. Uses...applicable in measuring disruptive effects of prolonged dryness or wetness on water sensitive economies; designating disaster areas of drought or wetness and reflecting the general long-term status of water supplies in aquifers, reservoirs, and streams. Limitations...is not generally indicative of short-term (few weeks) status of drought or wetness such as frequently affects crops and field operations (this is indicated by the crop moisture index). May Weather Summary: A late-spring heat wave developed across Texas early in the month, expanding to encompass areas from New Mexico to the Southern Atlantic States by month's end. In addition to the heat, which pushed monthly temperatures 2 to 6 degrees F above normal, a dry spell across the region stretched to 10 weeks by the end of May, stressing dryland crops. Smoke from Mexican and Central American wildfires also cloaked the region, particularly before mid-month in southern Texas, where visibilities were locally reduced to less than 1 mile. Similar temperature departures (generally +2 to +6 degrees F) were noted in other areas east of the Rockies, but warmth in many locations was accompanied by abundant rainfall. In contrast, exceptionally cool weather (as much as 10 degrees F below normal) gripped California, including the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys, hindering planting and crop development. Monthly rainfall was less than 25 percent of normal from the southern Rockies to northern Florida and southern Georgia. Several locations in Texas and Louisiana reported record-low May totals: Record-Low May Rainfall (Inches) Location Total Previous Record/Year Corpus Christi, TX 0.00 trace in 1961 Laredo, TX 0.00 0.00 in 1945 Brownsville, TX trace trace in 1899 and 1978 Victoria, TX trace 0.11 in 1913 Midland, TX 0.02 0.06 in 1945 Beaumont, TX 0.08 0.10 in 1978 New Orleans, LA 0.43 0.95 in 1992 Except for scattered late-month thunderstorms, several other locations would have set rainfall records. May 26-27 rainfall accounted for the month's only measurable rainfall in the Texas cities of San Angelo (1.75 inches), Austin (0.73 inches), and San Antonio (0.34 inches). San Angelo's rain ended a 59-day dry spell, their longest such spring-season streak on record. All of New Orleans' rain fell on May 29. Monthly totals in Florida were as low as 0.16 inches (5 percent of normal) in Daytona Beach and 0.54 inches (11 percent) in Tallahassee. The mercury reached or exceeded 90 degrees F on 21 days during the month in Tallahassee, tying their May record set in 1962. The region's dry spell began to develop in mid-March, allowing rainfall deficits to accumulate for 10 weeks by the end of May. April-May rainfall was also the lowest on record in several cities, including: Record-Low April-May Rainfall (Inches) Location Total Previous Record/Year Midland, TX 0.02 0.08 in 1945 San Antonio, TX 0.39 0.49 in 1961 Shreveport, LA 0.94 2.21 in 1925 In contrast, monthly rainfall topped 200 percent of normal in a broad belt from California to the northern Rockies. Totals exceeded 800 percent of normal in parts of California. At least 30 weather stations across California and the interior Northwest established May rainfall records, a few of which are listed below: Record-High May Rainfall (Inches) Location Total Previous Record/Year Colville, WA 7.05 5.48 in 1942 Sandpoint, ID 6.80 6.13 in 1941 Republic, WA 6.26 6.07 in 1990 Portland, OR 5.55 4.88 in 1996 Salem, OR 5.55 4.58 in 1942 Boise, ID 4.40 4.07 in N/A Lewiston, ID 3.78 3.74 in 1991 Stockton, CA 3.74 2.77 in 1915 Winnemucca, NV 3.57 3.38 in 1987 Oakland, CA 3.05 2.92 in 1974 Salinas, CA 2.39 2.32 in 1957 The Northwestern wetness culminated with a barrage of rain on May 27-28. On the 27th, single-day rainfall records for May were broken in Sandpoint, ID (2.95 inches) and at Boundary Dam, WA (2.02 inches). A day later, 1.88 inches pelted Red Bluff, CA. According to California's Department of Water Resources, the water equivalent of the Sierra Nevada snow pack stood at an astounding 32 inches on May 31, 321 per- cent of normal for the date. In the Sierra Nevada foothills, May precipitation totaled 9.74 inches at Blue Canyon, and in southern California, Mt. Wilson netted 10.84 inches. The month began with several daily-record highs across the Northwest, including maxima of 85 degrees F in Olympia, WA and 87 degrees F in Lewiston, ID on May 1. Consistently cool air plagued California and eventually overspread the North- west. On May 26, Lewiston's high reached only 48 degrees F. For the month, the average temperature of 61.0 degrees F in Bakersfield, CA broke their May record of 61.7 degrees F, set in 1911. Also in California, Fresno's average maximum temperature of 72.5 degrees F shattered their former record of 74.8 degrees F, set in 1953. May maxima were the lowest on record for Bakersfield (84 degrees F on the 31st) and Fresno (85 degrees F on the 31st). The only other years May maxima failed to reach 90 degrees F in those two cities were 1917 and 1961. In sharp contrast, a nearly unbroken string of hot days across the South Central States boosted average temperatures to May-record levels in several locations, including: Highest May Average Temperature (degrees F) Location Average Previous Record/Year Del Rio, TX 84.2 not available Abilene, TX 79.2 78.8 in 1896 New Orleans, LA 78.8 78.3 in 1955 Little Rock, AR 76.2 75.8 in 1987 On the last day of the month, high-temperature records for May were established in Monroe, LA (104 degrees F), Shreveport, LA (102 degrees F), and Tyler, TX (100 degrees F). Monroe's May record was shattered by 5 degrees F, and Shreveport's record had stood since May 31, 1886. Earlier in the month, Austin, TX notched 102 degrees F on May 7, only 3 days later than their earliest triple- digit heat on record (May 4, 1984). Amarillo, TX recorded 101 degrees F on May 29, their first 100-degree reading since July 7, 1996. For the first time on record, Dallas-Ft. Worth tallied 3 days of 100-degree heat during May. In southern Texas, Laredo's high temperatures averaged 102.2 degrees F, 9.7 degrees above normal, despite persistent smoke and haze from Mexican and Central American wild fires that often reduced visibilities in the region to as little as 1 to 3 miles. In contrast, Phoenix, AZ escaped the January-May period without triple-digit heat for the first time since 1971. May started on a very wet note across the Northeast. Williamsport, PA notched 13 consecutive days with measurable rain (April 30 to May 12), breaking their all-time record set in May 1960. Measurable rain also fell in Baltimore, MD on the first 12 days of the month. In Hartford, CT, rainfall totaled 6.48 inches during the first 11 days of the month, but only 1.35 inches thereafter. Similarly, only 0.17 inches fell in Washington, DC after May 12, lifting their monthly total to 4.06 inches. Late in the month, a small, slow-moving thunderstorm complex cross the Arklatex region, dumping torrential rainfall. On May 28, 10.48 inches inundated Texarkana, AR, shattering their single-day rainfall record. In Indianapolis, IN, rain fell on 18 days during the month, totaling 6.13 inches. That precipitation was part of a pattern that deposited beneficial rainfall across most of the Corn Belt, with unfavorably dry weather confined to areas to the northeast or southwest. Pockets of dryness persisted on the northern Plains, however, as monthly rainfall was well below normal in locations such as Miles City, MT (0.81 inches; 36 percent of normal) and Bismarck, ND (1.10 inches; 50 percent) In Hawaii, drought continued in some areas despite significant improvement in others. On the island of Hawaii, Hilo netted 15.65 inches (158 percent of normal), boosting their 7-month (November-May) rainfall to 47.52 inches (55 percent of normal). On Oahu, however, Honolulu's 7-month total stood at 2.99 inches (17 percent of normal). General Crop Comments: As the month began, dry weather settled into the western Corn Belt, allowing planting activity to accelerate to a near-record pace. Farmers in the central and northern Great Plains also made rapid progress planting corn and small grains. Frequent rains in the eastern Corn Belt limited planting progress until mid-month. As farmers finished planting corn, they immediately began planting soybeans, which also progressed well ahead of the normal pace in the western Corn Belt. Crop emergence and development were aided by above-normal temperatures and timely showers. Some isolated crop damage was caused by hail, high winds, and soil erosion that occurred during heavy downpours. The winter wheat crop developed ahead of normal as the month began. In the southern Great Plains, hot weather caused the crop to rapidly mature, but also caused conditions to steadily decline as the month progressed, especially in Texas. From the central Great Plains northward, above-normal temperatures, ombined with timely rains, kept development well ahead of normal and conditions remained mostly good. Warm weather also promoted rapid growth in the eastern Corn Belt, but crop conditions declined slightly due to diseases caused by excessive rainfall early in the month. In Montana, excessively dry weather for most of the month caused conditions to decline. Unlike the East, the Southwestern States recorded below-normal temperatures during most of the month, slowing many field operations. In California, farmers struggled to plant cotton and rice during brief dry periods. By month's end, most of the cotton was planted in the Southwest despite the poor planting weather. However, emergence was slow due to cool soils and crusting that occurred after frequent rains. Cotton planting in the Mississippi Delta and Southeastern States was delayed by rains early in the month. Drier weather allowed progress to accelerate near mid- month, with many areas moving ahead of the 5-year average. Nationally, the crop was rated mostly good as the month ended, but hot, dry weather in Texas and cool, wet weather in California were detrimental to conditions in those States. Peaches: The 1998 peach crop in California, Georgia, and South Carolina is forecast at 1.85 billion pounds, down 16 percent from last year but 4 percent above the 1996 crop. Peach production, excluding the California Clingstone crop, is projected at 860 million pounds, 19 percent below last year but 24 percent above 1996. The spring frosts in the Southeast which destroyed many of the early varieties were responsible for most of the decline. The California Freestone crop is forecast at 650 million pounds, down 12 percent from last year. The spring weather has been mild with above average rains. Fruit has been little affected, but fruit quality may suffer if rains continue . South Carolina's peach crop, forecast at 140 million pounds, is down 13 percent from last year's production. Early varieties were hit hard by a couple of late frosts. However, growers are optimistic that later varieties will be exceptionally good. The first forecast of the Georgia peach crop is 70.0 million pounds, down 56 percent from the 1997 crop. The crop suffered from a heavy freeze in March and hail damage in early May. Most of the 1998 production is expected to come from mid- to late-season varieties from the central production area. Winter Wheat: Area for grain harvest this year is forecast at 40.6 million acres, down fractionally from May 1 and down 3 percent from 1997. Hard Red Winter Objective Yield head counts have improved in Kansas and Texas and are well above average levels. The Oklahoma head count forecast numbers have dipped below average; Colorado's compares to 1995. Nebraska's head counts are at a record high while Montana's are the highest since 1990. The California wheat harvest is about two weeks behind average except for the desert areas; disease problems have been worse than normal. Well above average head count populations are forecast from Washington's Objective Yield survey. May rains have improved dryland expectations in both the Idaho and Oregon crops. Yields in the Delta and Southeastern Soft Red Winter States are generally equal to or lower than last month. Hot, dry weather has sped Alabama's harvest to 27 percent complete. The Georgia harvest started at mid-May and is also 27 per- cent complete. Disease problems and lodging have Kentucky growers less optimis- tic than a month ago. The March freeze has apparently hurt Tennessee wheat more than was thought. This, coupled with disease pressures, has lowered yield prospects. Rains have caused ponding in some southwest Indiana wheat fields; a very good crop is expected in the northeast. The South Carolina harvest is well underway; early yields have been disappointing. Objective Yield survey head count forecasts are near average in Illinois and Missouri but are the highest since 1985 in Ohio. Durum Wheat: Durum production in Arizona and California is forecast at 28.5 million bushels, up 4 percent from May 1 because of improved yields. As of May 31, the Arizona harvest was running about two weeks behind schedule. California's Imperial Valley harvest was active through May and was about 75 percent complete by June 1; yields were above average. The San Joaquin Valley harvest started around mid-May. Sweet cherries: U.S. sweet cherry production is forecast at 156,000 tons, down 18 percent from 1997 but up 24 percent from 1996. California and Washington expect declines, but Oregon will stay even with a year ago. The Washington crop, at 91,000 tons, is 1 percent less than last year. A large crop is expected this year along with good quality. Weather was favorable for growing conditions in Washington. Growing conditions in Oregon were also favorable during bloom and pollination this year. Production in Oregon is forecast at 50,000 tons, unchanged from last year. The sweet cherry crop in California is forecast at 15,000 tons, down 70 percent from 1997 and down 39 percent from 1996. Rains over a large portion of the State during the bloom period, and continuing through the production period, resulted in less fruit produced and very poor quality for much of that which was produced. Dried Prunes: California's 1998 production is forecast at 170,000 tons, 21 percent below last year and 24 percent below 1996. Cool temperatures and rain during the bloom period adversely affected production. Apricots: California's 1998 apricot production is forecast at 125,000 tons, down 5 percent from last year but up 64 percent from 1996. Fruit set was good as a result of a break in heavy rains. The crop is 10 to 14 days later than average, allowing the fruit to mature in size. Florida Citrus: May was one of the hottest, driest months on record for Florida's citrus belt. There were only a few days of rain in most areas with totals up to only 2.5 inches for the month. Growers and caretakers were using all types of irrigation to help maintain tree condition. New crop fruit has generally stopped dropping as trees adjust to the number of fruit to carry for next season. New foliage growth was slow during the past month due to hot temperatures. Harvesting labor was very scarce the last few weeks of May as some fruit pickers had moved to harvest vegetables and other crops. Virtually all of the fruit harvested during the past month has been processed and most of the fresh fruit packing houses have closed for the season. Caretakers were very active during May cutting cover crops and applying herbicides. Most post bloom nutritional spraying has been completed. Some growers and caretakers continue hedging, topping, and cutting up debris. Texas Citrus: All packing sheds have completed their shipments of this season's citrus crop. May was another very dry month in the Rio Grande Valley, and the shortage of irrigation water remains a big concern for next season's crop. The bloom was good, but fruit set may be erratic depending on water availability. California Citrus: Navel orange harvest was virtually over by the end of May. Valencia orange picking gathered momentum during the month. Lemon harvest was active, primarily in the South Coast area. Harvest of the tangerine crop was complete. Grapefruit picking was near the end in the desert area and beginning in other areas. California Fruits and Nuts: Maturity of fruit and nut crops was delayed by wet, cool weather in May. Cherry growers lost most of their fruit due to splitting. Fresh grape picking finally began in the Coachella Valley in the last half of the month. In other areas, grape growers applied sulfur for mildew control. Early varieties of apricots, nectarines, plums, and freestone peaches were picked but growth cracks and brown rot were reported. The cool nights were beneficial for color but not for size. Almond growers were concerned about anthracnose showing up in their orchards. Some yellow leaves appeared, suggesting waterlogged roots. Strawberries also suffered from the wet weather with fungal diseases causing crop losses. Many strawberries that were salvaged went to juice. Avocado and olive trees bloomed. Grapefruit: The June 1 forecast of the 1997-98 U.S. grapefruit crop is 2.63 million tons, up 1 percent from last month but down 9 percent from last season. Florida's all grapefruit forecast, at 49.5 million boxes (2.11 million tons), is 1 percent higher than the May 1 forecast but 11 percent less than a year ago. The white seedless forecast is expected to total 18.3 million boxes, down 1 percent from May 1. The colored seedless forecast is 30.6 million boxes, a 2 percent increase from a month ago. Weekly utilization of both white seedless and colored seedless varieties has declined rapidly for both fresh and processed usage. White seedless fresh utilization is the lowest since the 1989-90 freeze-affected season. Economic conditions in the primary markets and poor quality have contributed to the decline. Processing utilization is also very low, reflecting the lack of demand by processors due to large inventories of frozen concentrated grapefruit juice. Fresh utilization of colored seedless varieties is the lowest in several seasons but processing utilization is the highest on record, reflecting the strong demand for colored juice, especially for not-from-concentrate usage. The forecast for Florida's seedy grapefruit crop is 650,000 boxes, up 8 percent from the previous month. Estimated utilization to June 1 is 615,000 boxes with weekly amounts declining rapidly. All seedy grapefruit are processed and this year's crop will represent the lowest utilization in history. The Texas grapefruit forecast is 4.80 million boxes (192,000 tons), up 4 percent from last month but down 9 percent from the 1996-97 season. The California grapefruit forecast of 9.00 million boxes (302,000 tons), is carried forward from an earlier forecast. Arizona's grapefruit forecast, also carried forward, is 800,000 boxes (27,000 tons). Tangerines: The 1997-98 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at 356,000 tons, down 1 percent from the May 1 forecast and down 15 percent from the previous season's utilized production. Florida's utilization is 5.20 million boxes (247,000 tons), down 1 percent from last month's forecast and down 17 percent from the 1996-97 season. The early portion of the tangerine forecast (Robinson, Fallglo, Sunburst, and Dancy) was final in April, but the Honey tangerine forecast is decreased from a month ago. Small amounts of late bloom fruit are available, but harvest of most regular bloom crops is complete. California and Arizona tangerine forecasts were carried forward at 2.40 million boxes (90,000 tons) and 500,000 boxes (19,000 tons), respectively. Tangelos: Florida's 1997-98 forecast of tangelos is final at 2.85 million boxes (128,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast. The forecast is down 28 percent from last season's production of 3.95 million boxes, the largest recorded crop since 1987-88. The route survey indicated some fruit is still available and will be used mostly as pollinators in tangerine blocks. Temples: The 1997-98 forecast of Florida Temple production is final at 2.25 million boxes (101,000 tons), unchanged from last month but down 6 percent from a year ago. Utilization during the past seven seasons has averaged 2.39 million boxes, ranging from 2.15 to 2.55 million boxes. Papayas: Fresh papaya production from Hawaii is estimated at 3.15 million pounds for May, 4 percent higher than April and 15 percent higher than a year ago. Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,220 acres in May, 1 percent more than last month but 26 percent lower than May 1997. Area harvested, at 2,160 acres, was 1 percent higher than a month ago and 2 percent higher than last year. May weather conditions were a mix of sunshine and showers over major papaya producing orchards. Areas previously affected by dry conditions had smaller size fruit for harvest. Bartlett Pears: Production in California, Washington, and Oregon is forecast at 480,000 tons, down 15 percent from last year but 10 percent above 1996. California's expected production of 270,000 tons is 4 percent less than 1997. The growing areas have experienced an unusually wet and cool spring. Maturity has been delayed with picking not expected to begin in the Sacramento area until mid-July. In Oregon, growers expect to harvest 60,000 tons, down 20 percent from 1997. In Washington, problems with pollination resulting from cool, wet weather may reduce the size of the crop. Expected production is 150,000 tons, 27 percent below 1997. Hops: Acreage for harvest in Washington, Oregon, and Idaho is forecast at 36,370 acres, a sharp acreage reduction from 1997 resulting from the powdery mildew situation in Washington and unfavorable hop market conditions in general. Current acreage for harvest is 16 percent below last year and 18 per- cent less than 1996. In Washington, growers were actively pruning and flaming hop yards before trellising and spraying for powdery mildew. Plants are in good condition with some downy mildew showing up as a result of the cool, wet spring. The major hop varieties with the greatest acreage reductions were Cluster, Galena, Nugget, and Tettnanger. Oregon growers were busy training hops during the favorable weather in April. The wet weather during May was a concern to growers but hop condition appears to be average at this time. Idaho's hop crop is progressing slowly as conditions have been cool and wet. Sugar Crops, 1997 Revised: Sugarbeet production in 1997 totaled 29.9 million tons, 12 percent above 1996 due to increased harvested acres and a higher average yield. Area harvested totaled 1.43 million acres, up 8 percent from the previous year and the average yield per acre was 20.9 tons, compared with the previous year's average of 20.2 tons. Total sugarcane production in 1997 totaled 31.7 million tons, 8 percent above 1996 output. The increase in production resulted from a combination of higher average yields and an increase in harvested acres. Area harvested totaled 914,000 acres, 3 percent above 1996 and the average yield of 34.7 tons per acre was 5 percent greater than the previous year. Sweet Potatoes, 1997 Revised: The final estimate of sweet potato production for 1997 is 13.5 million cwt, less than 1 percent above 1996 and 5 percent above 1995. The revised estimate is 4 percent above the preliminary estimate published in the Crop Production 1997 Summary. This increase came from higher than expected yields in Louisiana, North Carolina, and South Carolina which more than offset lower yields in Texas. Harvest came from 83,300 acres, down 2 percent from a year earlier and less than 1 percent below two years ago. The average yield, at 162 cwt per acre, equals the previous record high set in 1994. The 1997 yield was 3 cwt above 1996 and 8 cwt above 1995. Maple Syrup: The 1998 U.S. maple syrup production totaled 1.16 million gallons, down 11 percent from last year and 26 percent below 1996. The forecasted value of production is $31.5 million, a decrease of 11 percent from 1997. The U.S. estimate consists of the ten major producing States. Vermont led the U.S. in production with 360,000 gallons of syrup but decreased 9 percent from last season and 35 percent from 1996. New York's production declined 14 percent to 231,000 gallons. Maine was the third leading state with production of 170,000 gallons, 8 percent less than 1997. Maple syrup production decreased in all States except Connecticut, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. In Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, weather conditions were not favorable for tapping due to warmer than normal temperatures. This caused the sap to begin running in early February and to end by early April. New York saw a major decline in the number of taps due to an ice storm in January. In 7 major counties in the northern part of the State, over half of the taps were lost. New York's trees which were tapped yielded well despite mild weather during March. The tapping season in Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin started earlier than normal, and the mild temperatures caused a poor flow of sap. Pennsylvania's weather during tapping went from warm to cold and back to warm, but produced a good flow of sap. All States except Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania averaged a lower yield per tap. Overall, the tapping season was the same length as last season, but it started more than a week earlier. Many producers in Wisconsin missed the start of the season and did not tap this year. Syrup color was medium to light amber. The sap's sugar content was slightly higher than last year for the nation but a little lower in New England. Wisconsin had the highest sugar content, followed by Maine. Preliminary prices for 1998's syrup are up from last year in most states, except Maine, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. These preliminary prices are based on the expectations of producers when surveyed in April and May. Reliability of June 1 Winter Wheat Production Forecast Survey Procedures: Objective yield and farm operator surveys were conducted between May 23 and June 5 to gather information on expected yield as of June 1. The objective yield survey was conducted in the 10 States that accounted for 72 percent of the 1997 production. Farm operators were interviewed to update previously reported acreage data and seek permission to randomly locate two sample plots in selected winter wheat fields. The counts made within each sample plot depended upon the crop's maturity. In early fields, counts such as number of stalks, heads in late boot, and number of emerged heads were made to predict the number of heads that would be harvested. A 5-year historical average head weight is used until the crop matures to the point that heads can be clipped, threshed, and weighed. The number of heads times the weight of the heads in a sample plot can then be combined to an estimate of yield per acre. The 5-year average harvesting loss is subtracted to obtain a net yield. The plots are revisited each month until the crop reaches maturity and are harvested on the final visit. The farm operator survey included a sample of approximately 6,500 winter wheat producers representing all major production areas. These producers were selected from an earlier acreage survey and were asked about the probable winter wheat yield on their operation. These growers will be surveyed throughout the growing season to provide indications of average yields as the season progresses. Estimating Procedures: National and State level objective yield and grower reported data were reviewed for reasonableness and consistency with historical estimates. The survey data were also reviewed considering weather patterns and crop progress compared to previous month and previous years. Each State Statistical Office submits their analysis of the current situation to the Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB). The ASB uses the survey data and the State analyses to prepare the published June 1 forecasts. Revision Policy: The June 1 production forecast will not be revised; instead, a new forecast will be made each month throughout the growing season. End-of-season estimates are made after harvest. At the end of the marketing season, a balance sheet is calculated using carryover stocks, production, exports, millings, feeding, and ending stocks. Revisions are then made if the balance sheet relationships or other administrative data warrant changes. Reliability: To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the June 1 winter wheat production forecast, the "Root Mean Square Error", a statistical measure based on past performance, is computed. This is done by expressing the deviation between the June 1 production forecast and the final estimate as a percentage of the final estimate, and averaging the squared percentage deviations for the 1977-1997 20-year period; the square root of the average becomes statistically the "Root Mean Square Error". Probability statements can be made concerning expected differences in the current forecast relative to the final end-of-season estimate, assuming that factors affecting this year's forecast are not different from those influencing recent years. The "Root Mean Square Error" for the June 1 winter wheat production forecast is 5.9 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the current production forecast of 1.74 billion bushels will not be above or below the final estimate by more than 5.9 percent or approximately 103 million bushels. Chances are 9 out of 10 (90 percent confidence level) that the difference will not exceed 10.2 percent or approximately 178 million bushels. Differences between the June 1 winter wheat production forecast and the final estimate during the past 10 years have averaged 84 million bushels, ranging from 8 million to 279 million bushels. The June 1 forecast has been below the final estimate 4 times and above 6 times. This does not imply that the June 1 winter wheat forecast this year is likely to understate or overstate final production. Report Features The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on July 10, 1998. 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 Kevin Barnes - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds (202) 720-7369 Rhonda Brandt- Corn (202) 720-7621 Doug Hartwig - Hay (202) 720-8843 Mark E. Miller - Oats, Sugar Crops, Weekly Crop Weather (202) 720-7621 Roger Latham - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings (202) 720-5944 Jerry Ramirez - Barley, Sorghum (202) 690-3234 - Peanuts, Rice (202) 720-7688 Vaughn Siegenthaler - Wheat, Rye (202) 720-8068 Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section Vince Matthews, Head (202) 720-3843 Arvin Budge - Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes (202) 720-4285 Dave DeWalt - Citrus, Tropical Fruits (202) 720-5412 Howard Hill - Cherries, Berries, Prunes, Plums, Cranberries, Grapes, Maple Syrup (202) 720-7235 Dave Mueller - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions (202) 720-2157 Dave Ranek - Nuts, Floriculture (202) 720-4215 Linda Simpson - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas, Mushrooms, Hops (202) 690-0270 Debbie Williams - Apples, Strawberries, Tobacco (202) 720-4288 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC, 20250-9410, or call (202) 720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. 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: http://www.usda.gov/nass/. Select "Today's Reports" or Publications and then Reports by Calendar or Publications and then Search, by Title or Subject. 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