Crop Production National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released January 11, 1999, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Crop Production" call (202) 720-2127, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. California Freeze Lowers U.S. Orange Production 8 Percent All oranges production forecast for 1998-99 is 10.1 million tons, down 8 percent from last month's forecast and down 27 percent from last year's record large crop of 13.9 million tons. Due to the December freeze in the San Joaquin Valley, California's all orange production forecast is 38.0 million boxes (1.43 million tons), down 39 percent from the October forecast and down 49 percent from the 1997-98 utilization. The freeze during the nights of December 20 - 23, 1998 caused considerable losses to both the Navel and Valencia crops. California's Navel forecast, at 19.0 million boxes (712,500 tons), is down 44 percent from the previous forecast. Close to 90 percent of the Navel acreage is in the San Joaquin Valley and only 15 percent of the crop had been harvested before the freeze. Approximately 60 percent of California's Valencia acreage is in the San Joaquin Valley and the State forecast of 19.0 million boxes (712,500 tons) is down 32 percent from October. Florida's all orange forecast remains at 190 million boxes (8.55 million tons), 22 percent less than the record large 244 million boxes (11.0 million boxes) utilized last season. Early and midseason varieties in Florida are forecast at 112 million boxes (5.04 million tons), 20 percent lower than last season. Florida's Valencia forecast of 78.0 million boxes (3.51 million tons) is 25 percent lower than last season's utilization. Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1998-99 season is forecast at 1.57 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from December. The forecast projects the final yield as reported by the Florida Citrus Processors Association. The final 1997-98 yield for all fruit used in FCOJ was 1.58 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix. Projected average yield for 1998-99 early and midseason varieties is 1.52 gallons per box, higher than last season's 1.49 and near the 1992-93 record high. Valencias are projected to yield 1.67 gallons per box, below last season's record high of 1.72. All cotton production is forecast at 13.8 million bales, up 3 percent from last month, but down 27 percent from 1997. Yield is expected to average 618 pounds per harvested acre, down 55 pounds from last year. Texas production was increased 200,000 bales from December's forecast and the yield, at 509 pounds, ties their record yield set in 1996. Georgia's production is up 150,000 bales from last month, as the open fall weather benefitted crop development. Cr Pr 2-2 (1-99)a This report was approved on January 11, 1999. Acting Secretary of Agriculture Michael V. Dunn Agricultural Statistics Board Chairperson Rich Allen Contents Page Cotton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Cottonseed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6 Crop Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Fruit, Citrus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8 Hay Stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9 Information Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Papayas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Potatoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7 Weather Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Cotton: Area Planted and Harvested by Type, State, and United States, 1996-98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type : Area Planted : Area Harvested and :-------------------------------------------------------------------- State : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : Upland : AL : 520.0 535.0 495.0 516.0 442.0 475.0 AZ : 315.0 325.0 250.0 314.0 324.0 248.0 AR : 1,000.0 980.0 920.0 990.0 965.0 900.0 CA : 1,000.0 880.0 650.0 995.0 875.0 620.0 FL : 99.0 100.0 89.0 98.2 99.0 80.0 GA : 1,340.0 1,440.0 1,400.0 1,336.0 1,425.0 1,320.0 KS : 4.5 12.0 17.0 4.0 10.0 16.0 LA : 890.0 655.0 535.0 885.0 650.0 525.0 MS : 1,120.0 985.0 950.0 1,100.0 970.0 940.0 MO : 390.0 395.0 370.0 385.0 390.0 357.0 NM : 59.0 70.0 60.0 55.0 66.0 58.0 NC : 740.0 690.0 710.0 730.0 685.0 705.0 OK : 290.0 200.0 160.0 210.0 190.0 120.0 SC : 284.0 290.0 290.0 282.0 286.0 286.0 TN : 540.0 490.0 450.0 530.0 480.0 445.0 TX : 5,700.0 5,500.0 5,650.0 4,100.0 5,200.0 3,300.0 VA : 103.0 101.0 92.0 102.0 100.0 91.0 : US : 14,394.5 13,648.0 13,088.0 12,632.2 13,157.0 10,486.0 : Amer-Pima : AZ : 42.0 22.0 15.9 41.9 22.0 15.5 CA : 165.0 185.0 200.0 164.0 184.0 180.0 NM : 14.0 11.0 9.0 14.0 11.0 9.0 TX : 37.0 32.0 105.0 36.0 32.0 32.0 : US : 258.0 250.0 329.9 255.9 249.0 236.5 : All : AL : 520.0 535.0 495.0 516.0 442.0 475.0 AZ : 357.0 347.0 265.9 355.9 346.0 263.5 AR : 1,000.0 980.0 920.0 990.0 965.0 900.0 CA : 1,165.0 1,065.0 850.0 1,159.0 1,059.0 800.0 FL : 99.0 100.0 89.0 98.2 99.0 80.0 GA : 1,340.0 1,440.0 1,400.0 1,336.0 1,425.0 1,320.0 KS : 4.5 12.0 17.0 4.0 10.0 16.0 LA : 890.0 655.0 535.0 885.0 650.0 525.0 MS : 1,120.0 985.0 950.0 1,100.0 970.0 940.0 MO : 390.0 395.0 370.0 385.0 390.0 357.0 NM : 73.0 81.0 69.0 69.0 77.0 67.0 NC : 740.0 690.0 710.0 730.0 685.0 705.0 OK : 290.0 200.0 160.0 210.0 190.0 120.0 SC : 284.0 290.0 290.0 282.0 286.0 286.0 TN : 540.0 490.0 450.0 530.0 480.0 445.0 TX : 5,737.0 5,532.0 5,755.0 4,136.0 5,232.0 3,332.0 VA : 103.0 101.0 92.0 102.0 100.0 91.0 : US : 14,652.5 13,898.0 13,417.9 12,888.1 13,406.0 10,722.5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton: Yield and Production by Type, State, and United States, 1996-98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Type : Yield : Production 1/ and :-------------------------------------------------------------------- State : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --------- Pounds -------- --------- 1,000 Bales 2/ --------- : Upland : AL : 734 597 576 789.0 550.0 570.0 AZ : 1,189 1,255 1,123 778.0 847.0 580.0 AR : 793 837 651 1,636.0 1,683.0 1,220.0 CA : 1,153 1,202 890 2,390.0 2,191.0 1,150.0 FL : 637 577 408 130.4 119.1 68.0 GA : 747 646 564 2,079.0 1,919.0 1,550.0 KS : 492 418 402 4.1 8.7 13.4 LA : 697 728 590 1,286.0 986.0 645.0 MS : 819 901 740 1,876.0 1,821.0 1,450.0 MO : 737 695 471 591.0 565.0 350.0 NM : 733 676 745 84.0 93.0 90.0 NC : 659 652 684 1,002.0 930.0 1,005.0 OK : 306 462 560 134.0 183.0 140.0 SC : 774 688 587 455.0 410.0 350.0 TN : 611 662 588 675.0 662.0 545.0 TX : 509 474 509 4,345.0 5,140.0 3,500.0 VA : 748 659 737 159.0 137.2 139.8 : US : 700 666 612 18,413.5 18,245.0 13,366.2 : Amer-Pima : AZ : 852 912 743 74.4 41.8 24.0 CA : 1,098 1,141 920 375.0 437.2 345.0 NM : 651 641 587 19.0 14.7 11.0 TX : 801 815 750 60.1 54.3 50.0 : US : 991 1,056 873 528.5 548.0 430.0 : All : AL : 734 597 576 789.0 550.0 570.0 AZ : 1,150 1,233 1,100 852.4 888.8 604.0 AR : 793 837 651 1,636.0 1,683.0 1,220.0 CA : 1,145 1,191 897 2,765.0 2,628.2 1,495.0 FL : 637 577 408 130.4 119.1 68.0 GA : 747 646 564 2,079.0 1,919.0 1,550.0 KS : 492 418 402 4.1 8.7 13.4 LA : 697 728 590 1,286.0 986.0 645.0 MS : 819 901 740 1,876.0 1,821.0 1,450.0 MO : 737 695 471 591.0 565.0 350.0 NM : 717 671 724 103.0 107.7 101.0 NC : 659 652 684 1,002.0 930.0 1,005.0 OK : 306 462 560 134.0 183.0 140.0 SC : 774 688 587 455.0 410.0 350.0 TN : 611 662 588 675.0 662.0 545.0 TX : 511 477 511 4,405.1 5,194.3 3,550.0 VA : 748 659 737 159.0 137.2 139.8 : US : 705 673 618 18,942.0 18,793.0 13,796.2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Production ginned and to be ginned. 2/ 480-lb. net weight bales. Cottonseed: Production by State and United States, 1996-98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Production State :----------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Tons : AL : 273.0 196.0 196.0 AZ : 324.0 312.0 225.0 AR : 635.0 632.0 471.0 CA : 1,020.0 942.0 547.0 FL : 46.0 45.0 25.0 GA : 681.0 660.0 526.0 KS : 1.4 3.1 4.6 LA : 499.0 359.0 240.0 MS : 735.0 704.0 567.0 MO : 234.0 223.0 142.0 NM : 38.1 40.5 37.0 NC : 343.0 321.0 349.0 OK : 56.0 72.0 59.0 SC : 155.0 142.0 121.0 TN : 262.0 260.0 215.0 TX : 1,784.0 1,983.0 1,410.0 VA : 57.0 40.0 47.0 : US : 7,143.5 6,934.6 5,181.6 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Estimates based on a 3-year average lint-seed ratio. Potatoes: Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production by Seasonal Group, State, and United States, 1997-99 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : : Seasonal :-------------------------------: Yield : Production Group : Planted : Harvested : : and :------------------------------------------------------------------- State : 1998 : 1999 : 1998 : 1999 :1998 :1999 : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : -------- 1,000 Acres ------- -- Cwt -- ------ 1,000 Cwt ----- : Winter : CA : 7.0 7.8 7.0 7.8 220 190 1,551 1,540 1,482 FL : 8.5 9.2 8.0 8.9 180 180 1,880 1,440 1,602 : Total : 15.5 17.0 15.0 16.7 199 185 3,431 2,980 3,084 : Spring 1/ : AL : 1.8 1.7 130 272 221 AZ : 8.1 8.1 282 1,820 2,284 CA : 18.5 18.5 335 8,073 6,198 FL : 35.8 34.5 213 7,150 7,358 Hastings: 25.5 24.5 235 5,258 5,758 Other FL: 10.3 10.0 160 1,892 1,600 NC : 18.0 17.5 190 3,287 3,325 TX : 10.8 10.3 170 1,697 1,751 : Total : 93.0 90.6 233 22,299 21,137 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ 1998 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 : Nov : 3,105 3,785 1,920 2,235 3,030 3,070 Dec : 3,515 3,735 1,715 2,185 3,145 3,235 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citrus Fruits: Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States, 1996-97, 1997-98 and Forecasted January 1, 1999 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Utilized Production : Utilized Production : Boxes : Ton Equivalent Crop and State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1996-97 : 1997-98 : 1998-99 : 1996-97 : 1997-98 : 1998-99 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Boxes 2/ ----- ------- 1,000 Tons ------- Oranges : Early Mid & : Navel 3/ : AZ : 400 350 450 15 13 17 CA : 40,000 44,000 19,000 1,500 1,650 713 FL : 134,200 140,000 112,000 6,039 6,300 5,040 TX : 1,300 1,350 1,300 55 57 55 US : 175,900 185,700 132,750 7,609 8,020 5,825 Valencia : AZ : 600 650 550 23 25 21 CA : 24,000 30,000 19,000 900 1,125 713 FL : 92,000 104,000 78,000 4,140 4,680 3,510 TX : 120 175 140 5 7 6 US : 116,720 134,825 97,690 5,068 5,837 4,250 All : AZ : 1,000 1,000 1,000 38 38 38 CA : 64,000 74,000 38,000 2,400 2,775 1,426 FL : 226,200 244,000 190,000 10,179 10,980 8,550 TX : 1,420 1,525 1,440 60 64 61 US : 292,620 320,525 230,440 12,677 13,857 10,075 Temples : FL : 2,400 2,250 2,000 108 101 90 Grapefruit : White Seedless : FL 4/ : 23,500 18,300 18,000 999 777 765 Colored Seedless : FL 5/ : 31,400 30,600 31,500 1,334 1,301 1,339 Other : FL : 900 650 500 38 28 21 All : AZ : 900 800 700 30 27 23 CA : 8,200 9,000 8,000 275 301 268 FL 4/ 5/ : 55,800 49,550 50,000 2,371 2,106 2,125 TX : 5,300 4,800 5,000 212 192 200 US : 70,200 64,150 63,700 2,888 2,626 2,616 Tangerines : AZ 6/ : 550 600 700 21 23 26 CA 6/ : 2,600 2,400 1,600 98 90 60 FL : 6,300 5,200 4,500 299 247 214 US : 9,450 8,200 6,800 418 360 300 Lemons : AZ : 2,600 2,600 3,200 99 99 122 CA : 22,600 22,000 18,000 859 836 684 US : 25,200 24,600 21,200 958 935 806 Tangelos : FL : 3,950 2,850 2,500 178 128 113 K-Early Citrus : FL : 150 40 60 7 2 3 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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/ Excludes White Seedless economic abandonment of 3,000,000 boxes in 1996-97 and 5,000,000 boxes in 1997-98. 5/ Excludes Colored Seedless economic abandonment of 3,000,000 boxes in 1996-97 and 1,000,000 boxes in 1997-98. 6/ Includes tangelos and tangors. Hay: Stocks on Farms by State and United States, December 1 and May 1, 1996-98 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Dec 1 : May 1 State :--------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Tons : AL : 1,489 1,646 1,213 193 191 AZ : 82 171 177 28 34 AR : 1,888 2,075 1,900 236 272 CA : 2,594 1,598 3,246 160 420 CO : 2,006 2,133 2,807 209 616 CT : 97 69 77 13 16 DE : 11 7 18 6 5 FL : 437 436 357 31 65 GA : 924 1,045 1,000 302 203 ID : 2,285 2,743 3,329 286 520 IL : 1,258 1,327 2,100 286 474 IN : 1,131 1,213 1,775 162 327 IA : 3,500 3,374 4,500 715 623 KS : 5,600 5,609 6,500 841 889 KY : 4,334 3,615 4,695 627 603 LA : 502 668 290 126 103 ME : 202 152 196 57 25 MD : 433 381 333 84 55 MA : 108 92 101 31 17 MI : 2,514 1,993 2,093 460 414 MN : 4,018 3,647 5,261 540 640 MS : 1,620 1,530 1,500 160 198 MO : 6,470 6,239 6,933 872 881 MT : 4,674 5,042 4,568 492 1,151 NE : 5,063 4,549 5,170 968 1,222 NV : 758 708 857 61 151 NH : 70 49 72 12 9 NJ : 92 138 121 27 20 NM : 546 479 450 74 165 NY : 2,254 1,998 1,990 555 344 NC : 1,160 1,162 1,189 137 152 ND : 4,777 4,069 4,064 675 744 OH : 2,074 2,387 2,558 173 616 OK : 4,397 4,444 3,042 790 919 OR : 2,108 1,600 2,159 97 621 PA : 2,613 2,299 2,800 600 452 RI : 6 9 12 1 1 SC : 308 410 415 101 82 SD : 8,530 7,888 9,500 1,570 2,031 TN : 3,049 3,184 3,175 419 555 TX : 6,252 8,764 5,496 1,400 2,191 UT : 1,327 1,658 1,695 302 435 VT : 330 261 328 86 73 VA : 2,666 1,591 1,693 622 250 WA : 1,162 1,295 1,663 283 308 WV : 895 848 949 117 110 WI : 4,600 4,320 5,100 1,150 1,271 WY : 1,965 2,129 2,372 287 363 : US : 105,179 103,044 111,839 17,424 21,827 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- December Weather Summary: Arctic air enveloped much of the Nation following early- to mid-month record warmth, severely damaging citrus in California's San Joaquin Valley (December 21-25) and threatening soft white winter wheat in the Northwest (December 20-24). In the Plains and Ohio Valley, however, winter wheat escaped with only some burning back of top-growth, as snow cover insulated the potentially vulnerable portion of the crop. During the coldest period (December 19-26), only a few areas, including coastal southern California, the lower Colorado Valley, extreme southern Texas, and Peninsular Florida, escaped sub-freezing temperatures. Lowest temperatures ranged from -10 to -30 degrees F across the northern and central Plains as far south as eastern Colorado and west-central Kansas. A reinforcing Arctic blast arrived at year's end (December 29-31), primarily affecting the northern Plains and Midwest. Despite the late-month chill, December temperatures averaged 4 to 10 degrees F above normal across the Midwest. Similar departures (+2 to +8 degrees F) were noted in the East. During the first 8 days of the month, nearly 500 daily-record highs were set or tied, while more than 50 locations reported December-record highs. A second warm spell, beginning on December 12, produced more than 100 additional daily-record highs before an Arctic cold front swept off the East Coast on December 22. In California, the cold wave helped to hold monthly temperatures as much as 4 degrees F below normal. Heavy precipitation continued across the Pacific Northwest for a second consecutive month, contributing to late-month flooding west of the Cascades. Some of the moisture spread across the Cascades into the northern Rockies, but most areas in a broad swath from California to the Northeast, including the Great Lakes region, received below-normal precipitation. Meanwhile, a series of low-pressure systems crossed the South, producing monthly precipitation greater than 4 inches in areas from eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma to North Carolina and southern Virginia. A pair of storms during the second week of December provided this region with heavy rainfall, but a December 22-24 ice storm caused power outages and transportation disruptions. Although the Southeast's precipitation provided significant relief from long-term dryness, many locations both north and south of the primary storm track saw moisture deficits mount. Drought stretched through a sixth month in portions of the northern Mid-Atlantic region. General Crop Comments: Winter wheat development in parts of the central and southern Plains, Corn Belt, Southeast, and lower Mississippi Delta was stimulated early in the month by warm weather. Many record high temperatures were recorded east of the Rocky Mountains. Wheat areas in the northern Rocky Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and southern High Plains received beneficial rains. Dry conditions assisted late-season harvest efforts and fall tillage operations in most of the Corn Belt, Southeast, and middle Atlantic Coastal Plains. Warm, dry weather relieved muddy field conditions and allowed harvest activities to resume in parts of the northern Plains and upper Mississippi Valley. Heavy rains temporarily halted fieldwork in parts of the southern and central Great Plains, from eastern Texas to eastern Kansas and coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to the Canadian border. As mid-month approached, temperatures fell to more seasonal levels, ending winter wheat growth in the central and northern Great Plains and Corn Belt. Seeding of small grains and winter forages continued in California, but were hampered by wet soils in many areas. Cool, cloudy weather slowed growth of emerging crops in the San Joaquin Valley, while wheat fields in the Sacramento Valley were growing well with additional moisture. Poor drying conditions hampered cotton harvesting in the Central Valley, and the lint quality declined in unharvested fields. Vegetable harvest activity was slowed by frost, but fruit and nut harvest was active. In Texas, small grain growth was slowed in the Plains by freezing temperatures and snow. Cotton growth ended following a hard freeze and final harvest, temporarily halted by snow, resumed late in the week. Grain sorghum and peanut harvests were nearly complete by the end of the week in the Plains. In South Central Texas, the final peanut harvest was hampered by wet fields. Hot, dry weather continued to delay small grain emergence in the Southeast, where soil moisture was becoming increasingly short. However, the dry weather allowed vegetable planting and harvesting activities to proceed on schedule in Florida. Picking quality and color were good and growth of recently planted vegetable crops was normal. Shortly after mid-month, an arctic airmass brought frigid temperatures to the Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains, and the coldest temperatures of the winter to the Great Plains, and the western Corn Belt. Most winter wheat fields in the northern Plains had some snow cover, providing minimal protection from the sudden cold, windy conditions. In the southern Plains, daytime temperatures remained warm enough to promote growth of small grains. Scattered fertilizing and tillage activities continued unhindered by the cold weather in the Great Plains, Corn Belt, Mississippi Delta, and Southeast. In South Dakota, soils were firm enough to allow farmers to harvest most of the remaining corn and sorghum crops. Dry weather also aided harvest efforts in the southern Plains, where a few isolated cotton and sorghum fields remained unharvested. Northern Florida experienced below-freezing readings, but vegetable and fruit crops in central and southern areas of the state were not affected. In California, growers harvested vegetables in the Imperial and Coastal Valleys, pruned orchards in the Sacramento Valley, and planted winter wheat and oats in the San Joaquin Valley. Mild temperatures aided winter wheat development in the Sacramento Valley and vegetable crops were developing well in the San Joaquin valley. As the end of the month approached, another bitter cold airmass pushed southward out of western Canada into the western and central United States. Several nights of sub-freezing temperatures damaged citrus crops in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, but southern California citrus escaped major damage. The lemon crop was especially hard hit. Freeze damage to California's vegetable crops was not as severe, but the cold weather halted winter vegetable harvest activities. A stormy pattern resumed along the Pacific Northwest coast. Snow, followed by mild and rainy weather, raised streams to their banks in some areas. In Texas, mild temperatures aided winter wheat growth and most fields provided good forage for grazing. Dry conditions continued to assist harvest efforts as cotton, sorghum, peanuts, and soybeans were virtually complete. Precipitation in the Southeast provided beneficial moisture for winter crops, but freezing rain downed power lines from the central Mississippi Delta to the middle Atlantic States. In Florida, rains eased dryness in the Panhandle, but the remainder of the State remained dry. Vegetable and citrus growers increased irrigation and harvesting continued until late week when many took a break to observe the holiday. Most citrus groves were in good condition, but some were stressed by excessive dryness. Cotton: Upland cotton planted acreage is estimated at 13.1 million acres, up 4 percent from the August estimate, but down 4 percent from 1997. Harvested acreage at 10.5 million acres, was 20 percent less than last year, mainly due to the large abandonment in Texas. Producers planted 329,900 acres of American-Pima cotton in 1998, up 32 percent from 1997. However, harvested acreage was down 5 percent, at 236,500 acres, also because of the large abandonment in Texas. Texas' harvest exceeded the 5-year average during the season, and in late November, harvest was 8 points ahead of the average pace of 87 percent. Texas' irrigated fields showed good progress this season, but drought and high temperatures resulted in 2.35 million acres being abandoned. At the end of August, approximately one-half of the acreage was rated in poor or very poor condition, 17 percent was rated good, and 3 percent was rated excellent. In late August, boll set was complete. Torrential rains in the south during October replenished topsoil moisture, but harvest was interrupted and regrowth became a problem in some fields. Objective yield survey data indicated the third lowest boll weights since 1988. Planted acres in Texas is estimated at 5.65 million, up 3 percent from 1997, and up 450,000 acres from the August estimate. Harvested acreage is down 37 percent from last year, at 3.30 million acres. The Delta States' (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee) planted and harvested 8 percent less acreage than in 1997. Plantings totaled 3.23 million acres and harvested area totaled 3.17 million acres. Planting was behind the 5-year average due to wet soils until mid-May, when a dry period allowed most States to exceed the average. During the first week of May, producers in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi planted about 30 percent of their acreage. The percent of the Arkansas crop rated in good to excellent condition on July 19, dropped 13 points from late June to 55 percent. Louisiana's rating dropped 12 points during this same time period to 38 percent, while Mississippi showed a only a 5 point drop to 70 percent in good to excellent condition. Hot and dry weather pushed the crop's development ahead of 5-year averages. Missouri's acreage received heavy rains during early August and then dry conditions began with mild temperatures, which lowered yield potential. During September, Louisiana and Mississippi were affected by two tropical storms and Hurricane Georges. The first storm, Frances, had high amounts of rainfall and also moved into southern Arkansas. Tropical storm Hermine made landfall in Louisiana, but had much less rain than the previous storm. In early November, harvest was 8 points behind the 5-year average pace in Missouri, at 70 percent, but the other States were ahead of the average pace. At this same time, Louisiana had 97 percent of the crop harvested, 5 points ahead of the 5-year average. Mississippi and Arkansas producers were 14 points above average with 98 percent and 91 percent of the acreage harvested, respectively, in early November. Tennessee's progress was 17 points ahead of the 5-year average at 92 percent, and excellent harvest conditions allowed growers to proceed with second pickings. Cotton objective yield data show Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi had the lowest boll weights compared to the past 10 years. Arizona's planted and harvested acres decreased by 23 percent from 1997, and California producers decreased planted and harvested acreage by 26 percent and 29 percent, respectively. Eighty-three percent of Arizona's crop was harvested in late November, 7 points behind the normal pace. California's seeding pace was well behind average most of the season as wet, cool weather prevailed which resulted in development remaining behind average. Only one percent of the California crop was harvested on October 4, 8 points behind average, and one month later producers were 47 points behind the average pace, with only 15 percent harvested. Boll opening was three-fourths complete compared to the 5-year average of 99 percent, on this same date, and the crop's condition was rated as 45 percent good and 45 percent in fair condition. During December, harvest made little progress in the central valley, due to the poor drying conditions, and some unharvested cotton fields were plowed under because of deteriorating lint quality and unopened bolls. A few fields were second picked, and plowdown for pink bollworm control was ongoing on sandier soils. The plowdown deadline for the southern San Joaquin Valley was extended fifteen days, due to the extremely late harvest season. California's boll weights ranked seventh since 1988. In the Southeastern States (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina), cotton planted acreage was 2 percent less than in 1997, at 2.90 million acres, and harvested acreage was also down 2 percent, at 2.79 million acres. Plantings were behind average for most of the season except in Alabama, where producers exceeded the average planting pace. The weather remained hot and dry after plantings were completed. Hurricane Bonnie entered into North Carolina on August 26, with extreme winds and torrential rainfall, and covered approximately one-half of the cotton acreage in the State. The two largest producing counties were on the western edge of the storm weren't heavily affected. Hurricane Georges crossed southern Alabama and into Georgia during the September, with the heaviest rainfall in Alabama. Additionally, Tropical Storm Earl also affected these States cotton crop in early September with heavy rain. However, open weather during the fall resulted in larger production than earlier anticipated. American-Pima production is forecast at 430,000 bales, down 22 percent from 1997's output, and down 2,500 bales from the December forecast. Yield is indicated at 873 pounds per harvested acre, down 183 pounds from last year's record high yield. California producers increased their seedings 8 percent from the previous year, to 200,000 acres, but Arizona's acreage decreased 28 percent from 1997 to 15,900 acres. Plantings in the San Joaquin Valley began with unseasonably cool, wet conditions, which kept progress to a minimum until the last of April. June temperatures in California were below normal and crop development was behind average throughout the season. Harvest progressed rapidly during the first half of November, although overall progress remained well behind normal. Light to moderate rains beginning in mid-month, delayed harvest and deteriorated lint quality. Harvest in the San Joaquin Valley was 80 percent complete in late November. In Texas a large amount of acreage seeded in non-traditional producing areas, was subject to substantial abandonment. Texas seeded acreage totaled 105,000 acres in 1998, but producers only harvested 32,000 acres. New Mexico producers reduced their planted and harvested acreage by 18 percent. All cotton ginnings totaled 13,067,150 running bales prior to January 1, compared with 17,613,350 running bales ginned to the same date last year and 17,680,900 running bales in 1996. Winter Potatoes: Production of winter potatoes in 1999 is forecast at 3.08 million cwt. This is up 3 percent from 1998 but 10 percent below 1997. Area for harvest is estimated at 16,700 acres, up 11 percent from a year ago and 4 percent above two years ago. The average yield is projected at 185 cwt per acre, 14 cwt below last year. Florida planting is virtually completed, with acreage up 8 percent. Early growth is good. California's acreage is up 11 percent, but yields are expected to be below last year. High temperatures at planting caused poor stands and low yields. Harvest of 1999 California winter potatoes began in mid December. Spring Potatoes: Production estimates of spring potatoes totaled 21.1 million cwt in 1998, down 5 percent from a year earlier and 6 percent below 1996. Harvested area totaled 90,600 acres, up 4 percent from 1997, while the average yield of 233 cwt per acre was down 22 cwt from last year. Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya output is estimated at 3.24 million pounds for December, 5 percent more than November and 3 percent more than December 1997. Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,735 acres, 1 percent lower than November but 6 percent higher than a year ago. Harvested area, totaling 2,185 acres, was 2 percent lower than the previous month but 27 percent higher than last year. Cloudy and rainy conditions were frequent throughout the month of December. Cool temperatures and shorter daylight hours slowed fruit development. Grapefruit: The January 1 forecast of the 1998-99 U.S. grapefruit crop is 2.62 million tons, down slightly from the December forecast and slightly below last season. The January 1 Florida grapefruit crop is forecast at 50.0 million boxes (2.13 million tons), the same as last month and up 1 percent from a year ago. The white seedless and colored seedless forecasts continued at 18.0 million boxes (765,000 tons) and 31.5 million boxes (1.34 million tons), respectively. White seedless fruit size was average with slightly below average droppage. The colored seedless fruit size was below average with slightly above average droppage. The forecast of seedy grapefruit is unchanged at 500,000 boxes (21,000 tons), the smallest amount of this variety ever recorded. California's January 1 forecast of grapefruit production is 8.00 million boxes (268,000 tons), down 5 percent from the October 1 forecast and down 11 percent from last year's utilization. Most of California's grapefruit was not affected by the late December freeze that hit the San Joaquin Valley. The cooler weather has produced less soft fruit. Defects include windscar and sunburn. Color and quality are fair. Grapefruit production in Texas is forecast at 5.00 million boxes (200,000 tons), unchanged from December 1 and up 4 percent from the previous season. Weather has not been a problem. Arizona's grapefruit forecast continues at 700,000 boxes (23,000 tons), down 13 percent from a year ago. No freeze damage was reported. Lemons: The 1998-99 U.S. lemon crop is forecast at 806,000 tons, down 11 percent from the initial forecast in October and down 14 percent from the 1997-98 crop. California's forecast is reduced to 18.0 million boxes (684,000 tons), 14 percent less than in October and 18 percent less than a year ago. Less than 20 percent of the lemons in California are normally grown in the freeze damaged areas. Nearly all fruit not harvested before the freeze in those areas will most likely be lost. In the south coast and desert areas lemons look good. Typical defects include windscar, flatsides, tip injuries, and botrytis bumps. The Arizona lemon forecast is raised to 3.20 million boxes (122,000 tons), up 18 percent from the October forecast and up 23 percent from a year ago. Tangelos: Florida's tangelo forecast for January 1 remains at 2.50 million boxes (113,000 tons), 12 percent less than last season's utilized production and 37 percent less than 2 seasons ago. Tangerines: The 1998-99 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at 300,000 tons, down 6 percent from last month and down 17 percent from the previous year's utilization. Florida's tangerine crop is forecast at 4.50 million boxes (214,000 tons), a 7 percent increase from the December 1 forecast. If realized, the crop will be 13 percent less than last year. California's January 1 tangerine forecast is 1.60 million boxes (60,000 tons), down 36 percent from October and down 33 percent from last season. Approximately half of California's tangerine acreage was adversely affected by the December freeze. Tangerines not already harvested are expected to be totally lost. In southern California, minimal freeze damage was reported for tangerines. Color is good and eating quality is very good. Defects include windscar, picking injury, and puff. Arizona's tangerine forecast on January 1 is 700,000 boxes (26,000 tons), up 8 percent from October and up 17 percent from a year ago. Temples: Florida's 1998-99 Temple forecast is 2.00 million boxes (90,000 tons), unchanged from December 1, but 11 percent less than what was utilized last season. If realized, it will be the smallest non-freeze season utilization since the series began in 1954-55. Average fruit size is well below average and loss from droppage is the lowest in the eight-season series. The crop is lagging in maturity and harvest is just getting underway. K-Early Citrus: The K-Early Citrus Fruit forecast for 1998-99 remains at 60,000 boxes (3,000 tons), the same as December 1 but 20,000 boxes more than the record low use last season. Estimated utilization through the end of December is 52,000 boxes. Small amounts are still available for processing. Florida citrus: December was a very mild and dry month. Most areas of the citrus belt received below average rainfall which necessitated the use of irrigation. The current crop of early and midseason fruit is showing very good on-tree color. Some packing houses have been packing fruit directly after washing which adds shelf life to the fruit. Processing plants have been running long hours attempting to move large quantities of low acid early and midseason oranges. Processors are utilizing the excellent color from the early tangerines and tangelos that were rejected by the packing houses due to exterior blemishes. Caretakers were irrigating, spot spraying, and pushing dead trees throughout the month. Texas Citrus: Harvest moved ahead without much delay during December. No severely low temperatures have been reported from the Rio Grande Valley. Quality of fruit is good, but down from last year. California Citrus: The San Joaquin Valley had temperatures in the low 20's toward the end of December causing extensive freeze damage on citrus fruit. As of January 1, growers were still evaluating how much fruit was salvageable. Many growers are optimistic that some of the fruit may be useable, but the quality may only be good enough for juice. The freeze destroyed virtually all the unharvested lemons in the San Joaquin Valley, which normally accounts for less than 20 percent of the State's lemon acreage. Approximately 90 percent of the navel oranges grown in California are in the San Joaquin Valley. The navel crop was severely damaged by the freeze because only 15 percent of the crop had been picked due to the slow maturity of this crop. Normally a fourth of the crop has been picked by the end of the year. The Valencia crop in the San Joaquin Valley, where 60 percent of California's Valencia acres are located, suffered considerably because the crop was green and immature. Picking of any available fruit will not begin until late spring or early summer. Grapefruit, a heartier fruit, did not suffer as much damage. Temperatures in southern California dipped below freezing the same week, but temperatures did not stay there long enough to cause damage. More than 80 percent of the lemons and grapefruit are in southern California and good quality fruit was reported there. California Fruits and Nuts: Growers were busy with normal winter activities during December such as weed control, fertilizing, pruning, and replanting trees. Pecan, kiwifruit, and persimmon harvests continued. Picking of fresh grapes and apples was completed. Hay Stocks on Farm: Stocks of all hay on farms December 1, 1998 totaled 112 million tons, 9 percent above the stocks on farms December 1, 1997. Stock increases occurred in 33 of the 48 contiguous States. The mild winter conditions across the United States prolonged pasturing and reduced the feeding of hay. California had a 103 percent increase in December hay stocks from a year ago. The drought conditions in the southern states, from New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma to Georgia and Florida, played a major role in their stock decreases from a year ago. Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma had the largest stocks decreases, down 57, 37, and 32 percent, respectively, from last December. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Information Contacts 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 Charles Van Lahr, Acting Head (202) 720-3843 Jerry Ramirez - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds (202) 720-7369 Rhonda Brandt - Corn (202) 720-9526 Herman Ellison - Peanuts, Rice, Barley (202) 720-7688 Doug Hartwig - Hay, Sorghum (202) 690-3234 Roger Latham - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings (202) 720-5944 Mark E. Miller - Oats, Sugar Crops, Weekly Crop Weather (202) 720-7621 Vaughn Siegenthaler - Wheat, Rye (202) 720-8068 Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section Dean Groskurth, 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 Ranek - Nuts, Floriculture (202) 720-4215 Jeffery Kissel - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas, Mushrooms (202) 690-0270 Biz Wallingsford - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions (202) 720-2157 Debbie Williams - Apples, Strawberries, Tobacco (202) 720-4288 Harry Nishimoto - Hops (360) 902-1940 The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on February 10,1999. 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