Cr Pr 2-2 (3-99) Crop Production National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 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. U.S. Orange Production Down 1 Percent All oranges production forecast for 1998-99 is 10.2 million tons, down 1 percent from last month and down 27 percent from last year's record large crop of 13.9 million tons. Florida's all orange forecast is decreased to 192 million boxes (8.64 million tons), 1 percent lower than the February forecast and 21 percent lower than the record large 244 million boxes produced last season. Early and midseason varieties in Florida are forecast at 114 million boxes (5.13 million tons), down 2 percent from February and down 19 percent from a year ago. Florida's Valencia forecast remains unchanged at 78.0 million boxes (3.51 million tons), 25 percent below last season's 104.0 million boxes. California's all orange production forecast of 38.0 million boxes (1.43 million tons) is carried forward from January and is 49 percent less than last season. The Navel orange forecast is 19.0 million boxes (712,500 tons), down 57 percent from last year and the Valencia forecast is 19.0 million boxes (712,500 tons), 37 percent less than a year ago. Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1998-99 season is forecast at 1.62 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, up from February's forecast of 1.60 gallons per box. The forecast projects the final yield as reported by the Florida Citrus Processors Association. Projected average yield for early and midseason varieties is increased to a record high 1.59 gallons per box. Valencias are projected to yield 1.68 gallons per box, up from 1.67 gallons last month but below last season's record high of 1.72. Average pound solids are at a record high level for March 1. This report was approved on March 11, 1999. Acting Secretary of Agriculture August Schumacher, Jr. Agricultural Statistics Board Chairperson Rich Allen Contents Page Crop Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Fruit, Citrus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Information Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Papayas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Sugarcane. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Weather Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Sugarcane: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Use, State, and United States, 1997-98 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Use : Area Harvested : Yield 1/ : Production 1/ and :----------------------------------------------------------- State : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres ---- Tons ---- -- 1,000 Tons -- : For Sugar : FL : 421.0 429.0 36.9 39.3 15,535 16,860 HI 2/ : 32.0 31.8 91.4 85.5 2,925 2,719 LA 2/ : 380.0 400.0 28.2 29.0 10,716 11,600 TX 2/ : 27.3 32.0 30.3 30.0 827 960 : US : 860.3 892.8 34.9 36.0 30,003 32,139 : For Seed : FL : 19.0 21.0 36.9 39.0 701 819 HI 2/ : 2.2 2.2 38.2 31.4 84 69 LA 2/ : 30.0 35.0 28.2 29.0 846 1,015 TX 2/ : 2.5 0.5 30.0 30.0 75 15 : US : 53.7 58.7 31.8 32.7 1,706 1,918 : For Sugar : and Seed : FL : 440.0 450.0 36.9 39.3 16,236 17,679 HI 2/ : 34.2 34.0 88.0 82.0 3,009 2,788 LA 2/ : 410.0 435.0 28.2 29.0 11,562 12,615 TX 2/ : 29.8 32.5 30.3 30.0 902 975 : US : 914.0 951.5 34.7 35.8 31,709 34,057 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Net tons. 2/ Current estimates carried forward from earlier forecast. Papayas: Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii, 1998-99 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : Fresh Production :------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : Total in Crop : Harvested : : :---------------------------------------------: 1998 : 1999 : 1998 : 1999 : 1998 : 1999 : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------------- Acres ---------------- 1,000 Pounds : Jan : 3,510 3,740 1,735 2,195 2,875 2,980 Feb : 3,505 3,700 1,740 2,135 2,655 2,870 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citrus Fruits: Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States, 1996-97, 1997-98 and Forecasted March 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 4/ : 400 350 450 15 13 17 CA 4/ : 40,000 44,000 19,000 1,500 1,650 713 FL : 134,200 140,000 114,000 6,039 6,300 5,130 TX : 1,300 1,350 1,300 55 57 55 US : 175,900 185,700 134,750 7,609 8,020 5,915 Valencia : AZ 4/ : 600 650 550 23 25 21 CA 4/ : 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 4/ : 1,000 1,000 1,000 38 38 38 CA 4/ : 64,000 74,000 38,000 2,400 2,775 1,426 FL : 226,200 244,000 192,000 10,179 10,980 8,640 TX : 1,420 1,525 1,440 60 64 61 US : 292,620 320,525 232,440 12,677 13,857 10,165 Temples : FL : 2,400 2,250 2,000 108 101 90 Grapefruit : White Seedless : FL 5/ : 23,500 18,300 19,000 999 777 808 Colored Seedless : FL 6/ : 31,400 30,600 29,500 1,334 1,301 1,254 Other : FL : 900 650 500 38 28 21 All : AZ 4/ : 900 800 700 30 27 23 CA 4/ : 8,200 9,000 8,000 275 301 268 FL 5/ 6/ : 55,800 49,550 49,000 2,371 2,106 2,083 TX : 5,300 4,800 5,400 212 192 216 US : 70,200 64,150 63,100 2,888 2,626 2,590 Tangerines : AZ 4/ 7/ : 550 600 700 21 23 26 CA 4/ 7/ : 2,600 2,400 1,600 98 90 60 FL : 6,300 5,200 4,650 299 247 221 US : 9,450 8,200 6,950 418 360 307 Lemons 4/ : 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 2,600 178 128 117 K-Early Citrus : FL : 150 40 80 7 2 4 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 White Seedless economic abandonment of 3,000,000 boxes in 1996-97 and 5,000,000 boxes in 1997-98. 6/ Excludes Colored Seedless economic abandonment of 3,000,000 boxes in 1996-97 and 1,000,000 boxes in 1997-98. 7/ Includes tangelos and tangors. Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1998-99 (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 1998 : 1999 : 1998 : 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : Grains & Hay : Barley : 6,340.0 5,867.0 Corn for Grain 2/ : 80,187.0 72,604.0 Corn for Silage : 5,919.0 Hay, All : 60,016.0 Alfalfa : 23,642.0 All Other : 36,374.0 Oats : 4,902.0 2,765.0 Rice : 3,345.0 3,317.0 Rye : 1,571.0 1,590.0 418.0 Sorghum for Grain 2/ : 9,626.0 7,723.0 Sorghum for Silage : 305.0 Wheat, All : 65,871.0 59,002.0 Winter : 46,449.0 43,354.0 40,126.0 Durum : 3,805.0 3,728.0 Other Spring : 15,617.0 15,148.0 : Oilseeds : Canola : 1,127.0 1,092.0 Cottonseed : Flaxseed : 336.0 329.0 Mustard Seed : 98.9 95.6 Peanuts : 1,511.0 1,465.5 Rapeseed : 4.8 4.7 Safflower : 303.0 285.0 Soybeans for Beans : 72,375.0 70,811.0 Sunflower : 3,553.0 3,476.0 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All : 13,417.9 10,722.5 Upland : 13,088.0 10,486.0 Amer-Pima : 329.9 236.5 Sugarbeets : 1,497.9 1,451.6 Sugarcane : 951.5 Tobacco : 726.9 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 9.0 7.4 Dry Edible Beans : 2,010.1 1,913.9 Dry Edible Peas : 323.4 309.1 Lentils : 162.0 158.5 Wrinkled Seed Peas : : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 6.1 Ginger Root (HI) : 0.4 Hops : 36.6 Peppermint Oil : 124.0 Potatoes, All : 1,423.4 1,394.4 Winter : 15.5 17.0 15.0 16.7 Spring : 93.0 90.6 Summer : 73.7 68.8 Fall : 1,241.2 1,220.0 Spearmint Oil : 27.4 Sweet Potatoes : 86.8 83.8 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 1999 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, 1998-99 (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Yield : Production Crop :Unit :------------------------------------------- : : 1998 : 1999 : 1998 : 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : ------ 1,000 ----- : : Grains & Hay : : Barley : Bu : 60.1 352,445 Corn for Grain : " : 134.4 9,761,085 Corn for Silage : Ton : 16.0 94,525 Hay, All : " : 2.52 151,338 Alfalfa : " : 3.47 82,010 All Other : " : 1.91 69,328 Oats : Bu : 60.4 167,122 Rice 2/ : Cwt : 5,669 188,051 Rye : Bu : 28.2 11,795 Sorghum for Grain : " : 67.3 519,933 Sorghum for Silage : Ton : 11.4 3,487 Wheat, All : Bu : 43.2 2,550,383 Winter : " : 46.9 1,880,605 Durum : " : 37.8 141,069 Other Spring : " : 34.9 528,709 : : Oilseeds : : Canola : Lb : 1,455 1,588,620 Cottonseed : Ton : 5,182 Flaxseed : Bu : 20.4 6,708 Mustard Seed : Lb : 855 81,750 Peanuts : " : 2,683 3,931,275 Rapeseed : " : 1,353 6,360 Safflower : " : 1,446 412,085 Soybeans for Beans : Bu : 38.9 2,756,794 Sunflower : Lb : 1,509 5,246,701 : : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : : Cotton, All 2/ : Bale: 618 13,796.2 Upland 2/ : " : 612 13,366.2 Amer-Pima 2/ : " : 873 430.0 Sugarbeets : Ton : 22.5 32,660 Sugarcane : " : 35.8 34,057 Tobacco : Lb : 2,104 1,529,647 : : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : : Austrian Winter Peas 2/ : Cwt : 1,405 104 Dry Edible Beans 2/ : " : 1,611 30,828 Dry Edible Peas 2/ : " : 1,920 5,934 Lentils 2/ : " : 1,223 1,938 Wrinkled Seed Peas : " : 674 : : Potatoes & Misc. : : Coffee (HI) : Lb : 1,480 9,000 Ginger Root (HI) : " : 50,000 18,000 Hops : " : 1,625 59,548 Peppermint Oil : " : 78 9,727 Potatoes, All : Cwt : 343 477,754 Winter : " : 199 185 2,980 3,084 Spring : " : 233 21,137 Summer : " : 280 19,269 Fall : " : 356 434,368 Spearmint Oil : Lb : 109 2,987 Sweet Potatoes : Cwt : 142 11,887 Taro (HI) 3/ : Lb : 6,000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1999 crop year. 2/ Yield in pounds. 3/ Yield is not estimated. Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1997-99 (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Production Crop : Unit :-------------------------------------------- : : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 1,000 : : Citrus 2/ : : Grapefruit : Ton : 2,888 2,626 2,590 K-Early Citrus (FL) : " : 7 2 4 Lemons : " : 958 935 806 Oranges : " : 12,677 13,857 10,165 Tangelos (FL) : " : 178 128 122 Tangerines : " : 418 360 307 Temples (FL) : " : 108 101 90 : : Non-Citrus : : Apples : 1,000 Lbs: 10,323.8 10,943.6 Apricots : Ton : 139.2 118.3 Bananas (HI) : Lb : 13,700.0 20,000.0 Grapes : Ton : 7,290.9 5,595.6 Olives (CA) : " : 104.0 90.0 Papayas (HI) : Lb : 38,800.0 39,000.0 Peaches : 1,000 Lbs: 2,624.6 2,425.8 Pears : Ton : 1,042.5 926.2 Prunes, Dried (CA) : " : 214.0 108.0 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA): " : 25.5 25.6 : : Nuts & Misc. : : Almonds (CA) : Lb : 759,000 520,000 Hazelnuts : Ton : 47.0 15.5 Pecans : Lb : 335,000 155,050 Pistachios (CA) : " : 180,000 188,000 Walnuts (CA) : Ton : 269.0 227.0 Maple Syrup : Gal : 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 1999 crop year. 2/ Production years are 1996-97, 1997-98, and 1998-99. Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1998-99 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 1998 : 1999 : 1998 : 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Grains & Hay : Barley : 2,565,730 2,374,320 Corn for Grain 2/ :32,450,880 29,382,110 Corn for Silage : 2,395,360 Hay, All 3/ : 24,287,880 Alfalfa : 9,567,680 All Other : 14,720,190 Oats : 1,983,790 1,118,970 Rice : 1,353,690 1,342,360 Rye : 635,770 643,460 169,160 Sorghum for Grain 2/ : 3,895,550 3,125,420 Sorghum for Silage : 123,430 Wheat, All 3/ :26,657,330 23,877,520 Winter :18,797,450 17,544,930 16,238,590 Durum : 1,539,850 1,508,680 Other Spring : 6,320,040 6,130,240 : Oilseeds : Canola : 456,090 441,920 Cottonseed : Flaxseed : 135,980 133,140 Mustard Seed : 40,020 38,690 Peanuts : Rapeseed : 1,940 1,900 Safflower : 122,620 115,340 Soybeans for Beans :29,289,440 28,656,500 Sunflower : 1,437,860 1,406,700 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All 3/ : 5,430,090 4,339,290 Upland : 5,296,580 4,243,580 Amer-Pima : 133,510 95,710 Sugarbeets : 606,190 587,450 Sugarcane : 385,060 Tobacco : 294,170 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 3,640 2,990 Dry Edible Beans : 813,470 774,540 Dry Edible Peas : 130,880 125,090 Lentils : 65,560 64,140 Wrinkled Seed Peas : : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 2,470 Ginger Root (HI) : 150 Hops : 14,830 Peppermint Oil : 50,180 Potatoes, All 3/ : 576,040 564,300 Winter : 6,270 6,880 6,070 6,760 Spring : 37,640 36,660 Summer : 29,830 27,840 Fall : 502,300 493,720 Spearmint Oil : 11,090 Sweet Potatoes : 35,130 33,910 Taro (HI) 4/ : 200 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1999 crop year. 2/ Area planted for all purposes. 3/ Total may not add due to rounding. 4/ Area is total hectares in crop, not harvested hectares. Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 1998-99 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Yield : Production Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 1998 : 1999 : 1998 : 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Metric Tons : Grains & Hay : Barley : 3.23 7,673,580 Corn for Grain : 8.44 247,942,980 Corn for Silage : 35.80 85,751,640 Hay, All 2/ : 5.65 137,291,520 Alfalfa : 7.78 74,398,220 All Other : 4.27 62,893,300 Oats : 2.17 2,425,770 Rice : 6.35 8,529,850 Rye : 1.77 299,610 Sorghum for Grain : 4.23 13,206,910 Sorghum for Silage : 25.63 3,163,350 Wheat, All 2/ : 2.91 69,410,050 Winter : 3.15 51,181,680 Durum : 2.54 3,839,270 Other Spring : 2.35 14,389,100 : Oilseeds : Canola : 1.63 720,590 Cottonseed : 4,700,670 Flaxseed : 1.28 170,390 Mustard Seed : 0.96 37,080 Peanuts : 3.01 1,783,200 Rapeseed : 1.52 2,880 Safflower : 1.62 186,920 Soybeans for Beans : 2.62 75,027,640 Sunflower : 1.69 2,379,860 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All 2/ : 0.69 3,003,770 Upland : 0.69 2,910,150 Amer-Pima : 0.98 93,620 Sugarbeets : 50.44 29,628,650 Sugarcane : 80.24 30,895,990 Tobacco : 2.36 693,840 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 1.58 4,720 Dry Edible Beans : 1.81 1,398,330 Dry Edible Peas : 2.15 269,160 Lentils : 1.37 87,910 Wrinkled Seed Peas : 30,570 : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 1.65 4,080 Ginger Root (HI) : 56.04 8,160 Hops : 1.82 27,010 Peppermint Oil : 0.09 4,410 Potatoes, All 2/ : 38.40 21,670,560 Winter : 22.27 20.70 135,170 139,890 Spring : 26.15 958,760 Summer : 31.39 874,030 Fall : 39.91 19,702,600 Spearmint Oil : 0.12 1,350 Sweet Potatoes : 15.90 539,190 Taro (HI) 3/ : 2,720 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1999 crop year. 2/ Production may not add due to rounding. 3/ Yield is not estimated. Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1997-99 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Production Crop :----------------------------------------------------- : 1997 : 1998 : 1999 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Metric tons : Citrus 2/ : Grapefruit : 2,619,950 2,382,270 2,349,610 K-Early Citrus (FL) : 6,350 1,810 3,630 Lemons : 869,080 848,220 731,190 Oranges : 11,500,380 12,570,860 9,221,530 Tangelos (FL) : 161,480 116,120 110,680 Tangerines : 379,200 326,590 278,510 Temples (FL) : 97,980 91,630 81,650 : Non-Citrus : Apples : 4,682,800 4,963,930 Apricots : 126,310 107,320 Bananas (HI) : 6,210 9,070 Grapes : 6,614,190 5,076,200 Olives (CA) : 94,350 81,650 Papayas (HI) : 17,600 17,690 Peaches : 1,190,500 1,100,320 Pears : 945,740 840,270 Prunes, Dried (CA) : 194,140 97,980 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA) : 23,130 23,220 : Nuts & Misc. : Almonds (CA) : 344,280 235,870 Hazelnuts : 42,640 14,060 Pecans : 151,950 70,330 Pistachios (CA) : 81,650 85,280 Walnuts (CA) : 244,030 205,930 Maple Syrup : 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 1999 crop year. 2/ Production years are 1996-97, 1997-98, and 1998-99. February Weather Summary: The Nation's precipitation patterns were largely governed by the ongoing La Nia, featuring exceptionally wet weather in the Pacific Northwest and dry conditions across much of the South, particularly along the Gulf Coast and across the Southwest. Monthly precipitation exceeded 200 percent of normal in much of Washington, Oregon, and Northern California, but was less than 25 percent of normal in most areas from southern California to Texas, and in western portions of Kansas and Oklahoma. Beneficially drier conditions returned to the Ohio Valley, allowing excess moisture to drain from soft red winter wheat fields and lowland flooding to subside. Near-normal precipitation fell in much of the Corn Belt, including significant late-month snowfall in western areas. Monthly temperatures ranged from 6 to 12 degrees F above normal on the Plains, and were generally 2 to 6 degrees F above normal in the East and the Southwest. Colder air overspread the Southeast after mid-month, ending a 5-week stretch of unusually warm weather, but beneficially slowing fruit tree bud development and winter grain growth. Sub-freezing temperatures were reported north of a line from central Louisiana to northern Florida on February 14-15 and 22-23. In contrast, the month ended with a seventh consecutive week of above-normal temperatures on the Plains, pushing hard red winter wheat out of dormancy as far north as the central Plains and leaving the crop vulnerable to possible March cold outbreaks. Generally below-normal temperatures prevailed along the West Coast beginning in late January and continuing through February, resulting in 5 consecutive weeks with below-normal temperatures across northern and central California. Monthly temperatures were as much as 5 degrees F below normal in northern California. General Crop Comments: Temperatures averaged above normal across most of the Nation during February. Only areas along the Pacific Coast and adjacent areas of the Rocky Mountains experienced below normal average temperatures. In the Pacific Northwest and points as far south as central California, storms repeatedly pounded coastal areas causing flooding, erosion, and mud slides. Farther inland, at higher elevations of the Cascade and Sierra Ranges, additional snow accumulations increased the risk of avalanches. Interior areas of the Rocky Mountains also received precipitation, but the area from the High Plains eastward into the northern Corn Belt and Great Lakes Region remained dry. Parts of the Corn Belt and adjacent areas of the Great Plains received beneficial precipitation. The southern Plains experienced near-record temperatures early in the month that spurred small grain development, especially in the Texas High Plains. Growers began planting corn in the Coastal Bend to take advantage of available subsoil moisture supplies. As the month progressed, corn and sorghum planting gained momentum until a cold front temporarily deterred planting near mid-month. After warmer weather returned, winter wheat conditions improved in the southern Plains, but a shortage of soil moisture hindered growth, especially in Texas. During the last half of the month, corn, cotton, and sorghum planting progressed in central, southern, and coastal parts of the State with only brief, isolated rain delays. Strong winds near the end of the month further depleted moisture supplies in already dry soils, but winter wheat fields remained green due to mild temperatures. As the end of the month approached, more winter wheat fields broke dormancy in the central and southern Great Plains, Mississippi Delta, and southern Corn Belt due to continued mild weather. Some early-planted corn and cotton fields emerged in Texas, despite dry soils and the brief mid-month cold spell. In California, the rain, wet soils, and below-normal temperatures prevailed in northern areas most of the month. Field activities were frequently delayed, but did not hinder growth of small grains, alfalfa, forage crops, and sugarbeets. Where conditions were drier, producers applied herbicides, insecticides, and fertilizers; prepared soils for spring crops; replanted freeze-damaged sugar beet fields; and finished planting wheat. In southern California, citrus growers continued harvest activities. Despite below-normal temperatures, almonds and early peach and nectarine varieties began budding. Cotton planting began in the Imperial Valley near the end of the month. In Florida, warm, dry weather aided sugarcane harvest and field preparations for spring crops. However, winter grains were stressed by moisture shortages. Near mid-month, a frost accompanied by strong winds caused some minor citrus leaf burn and bloom bud damage. Crews rapidly harvested the early- and mid-season orange crop. Vegetable growth was normal and quality was mostly good. Citrus groves need rain to sustain growth and healthy bloom bud development. Grapefruit: The forecast of the 1998-99 U.S. grapefruit crop is 2.59 million tons, 1 percent below both last month's and the previous season's utilized production. Florida lowered their March 1 forecast to 49.0 million boxes (2.08 million tons), a 2 percent change from the previous month. The white seedless forecast remained at 19.0 million boxes (808,000 tons), but the colored seedless forecast is decreased to 29.5 million boxes (1.25 million tons). The objective count surveys on the remaining Florida grapefruit crops were down only slightly from last month's observations. However, the route survey indicated a 1.00 million box reduction. The estimated movement of the white seedless is ahead of last season's pace, whereas movement of colored varieties is lagging. Florida's seedy (Duncan) grapefruit forecast is continued at 500,000 boxes (21,000 tons), a record low utilization. The objective count surveys of the remaining crop indicated significantly smaller fruit than last season. Loss from droppage accelerated. All seedy grapefruit are certified in processed form and records are dependent on load tickets. Grapefruit production in Texas is forecast at 5.40 million boxes (216,000 tons), up 8 percent from February and up 13 percent from the previous season. Growers reported more fruit was available than was previously expected and quality remains good. California and Arizona grapefruit forecasts were carried forward from January 1. Tangelos: Florida's tangelo forecast for March 1 decreased to 2.60 million boxes (117,000 tons), 4 percent less than a month ago and 9 percent less than last season's utilized production. The route survey showed 94 percent of the crop has been harvested and, when compared with estimated certifications, the reduction in the forecast was warranted. Tangerines: The 1998-99 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at 307,000 tons, up 1 percent from last month but down 15 percent from the previous year's utilization. Florida's tangerine forecast was raised to 4.65 million boxes (221,000 tons), up 1 percent from the February forecast but down 11 percent from the 1997-98 crop. Final early tangerine certifications were slightly higher than last month's forecast. The Arizona and California tangerine forecasts were carried forward from January 1. Temples: Florida's Temple forecast of 2.00 million boxes (90,000 tons) is unchanged from the previous forecast. If realized, it will be the smallest non-freeze utilization since the 1954-55 season. The estimated certifications to date show about half the crop harvested. Most of the remaining Temple crop will go into processing. Florida Citrus: Most of February was very mild and dry. During the middle of the month, near freezing temperatures were recorded over most of the citrus belt. No damage or loss was reported. Above normal temperatures during the rest of February helped generate an abundance of new growth and bloom buds of all stages. Young citrus groves had varying quantities of open bloom at the end of the month. Most older groves have very few open bloom flowers. Harvest of early and midseason oranges is slowing as supplies are running low. Picking crews are now harvesting Valencia oranges for both fresh and process utilization. Many processors are now taking packinghouse eliminations and grove run grapefruit. Fresh fruit packers are running grapefruit, Temples, Honey tangerines, and Valencia oranges. Caretakers have been very active cutting cover crops, irrigating, fertilizing, spraying, hedging, and topping. Texas Citrus: Harvest moved ahead in the Rio Grande Valley during February with little or no delays. The early and midseason orange harvest was winding down and the Valencia orange harvest was underway. Grapefruit harvest continued with good quality still reported. Harvest is nearly two-thirds complete. California Citrus: Citrus growers in the San Joaquin Valley were picking salvageable fruit from freeze damaged orchards. Some were picked for fresh market, but many went for juice. Citrus in southern California was not damaged by the freeze and picking was very active. During February, harvest of the new crop Valencia oranges began in the desert area. California Fruits and Nuts: Throughout February, orchard grower activities included pruning, brush shredding, and dormant spraying. Many varieties of almonds, nectarines, apricots, and freestone peaches were blooming. Fungicides were applied to prevent blossom rot in stone fruit orchards. Spraying to control fungi and anthracnose in almond orchards was also active. Growth accelerated on fall planted strawberries. Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 2.87 million pounds for February, 4 percent lower than January but 8 percent higher than last February. Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,700 acres, 1 percent lower than last month but 6 percent higher than a year ago. Harvested area, totaling 2,135 acres, was 3 percent lower than January but 23 percent higher than February 1998. February weather conditions were a mix of sunshine and heavy rain over major papaya producing areas. Rainfall was especially heavy during the first and third weeks, delaying some farm activities. Sugarcane: Production of sugarcane for sugar and seed in 1998 is estimated at a record high 34.1 million tons, 7 percent above the previous record established in 1997, and 1 percent above the February 1 estimate. Estimated acres for sugar production remained at 892,800, but acres for sugar and seed increased by 2,000, to 951,500 due to an increase in acres for seed. The estimated yield for sugar and seed production is a record 35.8 tons per acre, 1.1 tons above the 1997 yield of 34.7 tons per acre and 0.3 ton per acre above the previous estimate. The increase in yield and production is due to increases in Florida, where the harvest season is still in progress. Florida's harvest continued with few disruptions during February. However, the milling season will be extended by as much as a month at some mills due to the size of the crop. 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) 720-5446 Jerry Ramirez - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds (202) 720-7369 Rhonda Brandt - Corn (202) 720-9526 Herman Ellison - Peanuts, Rice, Barley (202) 720-7688 Vacant - 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 Jeffrey Kissel - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas, Mushrooms (202) 690-0270 Biz Wallingsford - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, (202) 720-2157 Strawberries Vacant - Apples, 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 April 9, 1999. 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