Cr Pr 2-2 (3-00) Crop Production National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released March 10, 2000, 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 Up 3 Percent All oranges production forecast for 1999-00 is 12.8 million tons, up 3 percent from last month's forecast and up 29 percent from last season's freeze-damaged crop. Florida's all orange forecast is 226 million boxes (10.2 million tons), 3 percent higher than the February 1 forecast and 22 percent higher than the 186 million boxes (8.36 million tons) utilized last season. Early and midseason varieties in Florida are forecast at 134 million boxes (6.03 million tons), 6 percent higher than a month ago and 20 percent higher than last season. Maturity is lagging and the rows remaining for harvest are the highest in the current 9-season series. Florida's Valencia forecast of 92.0 million boxes (4.14 million tons) remains unchanged and is 25 percent higher than last season's final utilization. Droppage remains well below average while the size is above average. However, the growth rate has leveled off as the fruit approaches maturity. Texas orange production is forecast at 1.70 million boxes (73,000 tons), up 6 percent from last month and up 19 percent from last season. If realized, it will be the largest orange crop since the 1988-89 season when 1.85 million boxes were utilized. California's all orange production forecast of 67.0 million boxes (2.51 million tons) is carried forward from January and is 76 percent higher than last season's freeze-damaged crop. The Arizona orange forecast, also carried forward from January, is 1.05 million boxes (40,000 tons), down 9 percent from last season's final utilization. Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1999-00 season is 1.54 gallons per box of 42.0 degree Brix concentrate, unchanged from February's projected yield. This projected yield is down from last season's record high 1.63 gallons per box. The early and midseason portion is projected at 1.48 gallons per box, while the late type (Valencia) orange yield is projected at 1.64 gallons per box, both unchanged from a month ago. This report was approved on March 10, 2000. Acting Secretary of Agriculture Richard E. Rominger Acting Agricultural Statistics Board Chairperson Rich Allen Contents Page Citrus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .5 Crop Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Information Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Papayas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Sugarcane . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4 Weather Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Sugarcane: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Use, State, and United States, 1998-99 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Use : Area Harvested : Yield 1/ : Production 1/ and :----------------------------------------------------------- State : 1998 : 1999 : 1998 : 1999 : 1998 : 1999 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres ---- Tons ---- -- 1,000 Tons -- : For Sugar : FL : 426.0 444.0 40.1 35.0 17,083 15,540 HI 2/ : 30.3 32.7 90.0 87.6 2,727 2,865 LA 2/ : 400.0 435.0 29.7 33.0 11,880 14,355 TX 2/ : 32.0 28.7 32.9 34.0 1,053 976 : US : 888.3 940.4 36.9 35.9 32,743 33,736 : For Seed : FL : 21.0 16.0 40.1 42.5 842 680 HI 2/ : 2.2 2.3 32.4 32.9 71 76 LA 2/ : 35.0 30.0 29.7 33.0 1,040 990 TX 2/ : 0.6 2.5 18.3 27.6 11 69 : US : 58.8 50.8 33.4 35.7 1,964 1,815 : For Sugar : and Seed : FL : 447.0 460.0 40.1 35.3 17,925 16,220 HI 2/ : 32.5 35.0 86.1 84.0 2,798 2,941 LA 2/ : 435.0 465.0 29.7 33.0 12,920 15,345 TX 2/ : 32.6 31.2 32.6 33.5 1,064 1,045 : US : 947.1 991.2 36.6 35.9 34,707 35,551 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Net tons. 2/ Current estimates carried forward from earlier forecast. Papayas: Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii, 1999-00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area : Fresh Production :------------------------------------------------------------------- Month : Total in Crop : Harvested : : :---------------------------------------------: 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---------------- Acres ---------------- 1,000 Pounds : Jan : 3,740 3,285 2,190 1,670 2,975 3,345 Feb : 3,700 3,225 2,135 1,600 2,985 3,650 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Citrus Fruits: Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States, 1997-98, 1998-99 and Forecasted March 1, 2000 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Utilized Production : Utilized Production : Boxes : Ton Equivalent Crop and State :----------------------------------------------------------- : 1997-98 : 1998-99 : 1999-00 : 1997-98 : 1998-99 : 1999-00 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ------ 1,000 Boxes 2/ ----- ------- 1,000 Tons ------- Oranges : Early Mid & : Navel 3/ : AZ 4/ : 350 550 600 13 21 23 CA 4/ : 44,000 21,000 40,000 1,650 787 1,500 FL : 140,000 112,000 134,000 6,300 5,040 6,030 TX : 1,350 1,250 1,400 57 53 60 US : 185,700 134,800 176,000 8,020 5,901 7,613 Valencia : AZ 4/ : 650 600 450 25 22 17 CA 4/ : 25,000 17,000 27,000 938 638 1,013 FL : 104,000 73,700 92,000 4,680 3,317 4,140 TX : 175 180 300 7 8 13 US : 129,825 91,480 119,750 5,650 3,985 5,183 All : AZ 4/ : 1,000 1,150 1,050 38 43 40 CA 4/ : 69,000 38,000 67,000 2,588 1,425 2,513 FL : 244,000 185,700 226,000 10,980 8,357 10,170 TX : 1,525 1,430 1,700 64 61 73 US : 315,525 226,280 295,750 13,670 9,886 12,796 Temples : FL : 2,250 1,800 2,100 101 81 95 Grapefruit : White Seedless : FL 5/ : 18,300 17,800 18,500 777 757 786 Colored Seedless : FL 6/ : 30,600 28,700 27,000 1,301 1,220 1,148 Other : FL : 650 550 500 28 23 21 All : AZ 4/ : 800 750 800 27 25 27 CA 4/ : 8,000 7,500 8,000 268 251 268 FL 5/ 6/ : 49,550 47,050 46,000 2,106 2,000 1,955 TX : 4,800 6,100 5,500 192 244 220 US : 63,150 61,400 60,300 2,593 2,520 2,470 Tangerines : AZ 4/ 7/ : 600 950 1,100 23 36 41 CA 4/ 7/ : 2,400 1,500 2,300 90 56 86 FL : 5,200 4,950 6,800 247 235 323 US : 8,200 7,400 10,200 360 327 450 Lemons 4/ : AZ : 2,600 3,450 3,100 99 131 118 CA : 21,000 16,200 21,000 798 616 798 US : 23,600 19,650 24,100 897 747 916 Tangelos : FL : 2,850 2,550 2,500 128 115 113 K-Early Citrus : FL : 40 80 110 2 4 5 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 5,000,000 boxes in 1997-98. 6/ Excludes Colored Seedless economic abandonment of 1,000,000 boxes in 1997-98. 7/ Includes tangelos and tangors. Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1999-00 (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Acres : Grains & Hay : Barley : 5,223.0 4,758.0 Corn for Grain 2/ : 77,431.0 70,537.0 Corn for Silage : 6,062.0 Hay, All : 63,160.0 Alfalfa : 23,985.0 All Other : 39,175.0 Oats : 4,670.0 2,453.0 Proso Millet : 600.0 540.0 Rice : 3,581.0 3,562.0 Rye : 1,582.0 383.0 Sorghum for Grain 2/ : 9,288.0 8,544.0 Sorghum for Silage : 320.0 Wheat, All : 62,814.0 53,909.0 Winter : 43,431.0 42,916.0 35,572.0 Durum : 4,035.0 3,569.0 Other Spring : 15,348.0 14,768.0 : Oilseeds : Canola : 1,076.0 1,044.0 Cottonseed : Flaxseed : 387.0 382.0 Mustard Seed : 60.8 58.8 Peanuts : 1,533.0 1,427.5 Rapeseed : 4.6 4.4 Safflower : 275.0 262.0 Soybeans for Beans : 73,780.0 72,476.0 Sunflower : 3,553.0 3,441.0 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All : 14,855.0 13,381.0 Upland : 14,565.0 13,093.0 Amer-Pima : 290.0 288.0 Sugarbeets : 1,562.7 1,527.1 Sugarcane : 991.2 Tobacco : 644.3 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 6.1 4.4 Dry Edible Beans : 2,023.0 1,877.0 Dry Edible Peas : 281.6 263.6 Lentils : 182.0 174.5 Wrinkled Seed Peas : : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 6.4 Ginger Root (HI) : 0.4 Hops : 34.3 Peppermint Oil : 106.3 Potatoes, All : 1,377.0 1,332.6 Winter : 18.1 18.2 17.8 18.0 Spring : 86.8 84.5 Summer : 69.1 64.2 Fall : 1,203.0 1,166.1 Spearmint Oil : 24.4 Sweet Potatoes : 93.3 82.9 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 2000 crop year. 2/ Area planted for all purposes. 3/ Area is total acres in crop, not harvested acreage. Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 1999-00 (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Yield : Production Crop :Unit :------------------------------------------- : : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : ------ 1,000 ----- : : Grains & Hay : : Barley : Bu : 59.2 281,853 Corn for Grain : " : 133.8 9,437,337 Corn for Silage : Ton : 15.9 96,169 Hay, All : " : 2.52 159,077 Alfalfa : " : 3.50 83,924 All Other : " : 1.92 75,153 Oats : Bu : 59.6 146,218 Proso Millet : " : 33.2 17,910 Rice 2/ : Cwt : 5,908 210,458 Rye : Bu : 28.7 10,993 Sorghum for Grain : " : 69.7 595,166 Sorghum for Silage : Ton : 11.6 3,716 Wheat, All : Bu : 42.7 2,302,443 Winter : " : 47.8 1,699,989 Durum : " : 27.8 99,322 Other Spring : " : 34.1 503,132 : : Oilseeds : : Canola : Lb : 1,306 1,363,680 Cottonseed 3/ : Ton : 6,422 Flaxseed : Bu : 20.6 7,880 Mustard Seed : Lb : 816 48,010 Peanuts : " : 2,711 3,870,200 Rapeseed : " : 1,155 5,080 Safflower : " : 1,545 404,715 Soybeans for Beans : Bu : 36.5 2,642,908 Sunflower : Lb : 1,262 4,341,862 : : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : : Cotton, All 2/ : Bale: 608 16,952.9 Upland 2/ : " : 596 16,257.4 Amer-Pima 2/ : " : 1,159 695.5 Sugarbeets : Ton : 21.8 33,319 Sugarcane : " : 35.9 35,551 Tobacco : Lb : 1,980 1,275,438 : : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : : Austrian Winter Peas 2/ : Cwt : 1,364 60 Dry Edible Beans 2/ : " : 1,770 33,230 Dry Edible Peas 2/ : " : 1,908 5,030 Lentils 2/ : " : 1,368 2,387 Wrinkled Seed Peas : " : 658 : : Potatoes & Misc. : : Coffee (HI) : Lb : 1,640 10,500 Ginger Root (HI) : " : 46,000 16,100 Hops : " : 1,881 64,456 Peppermint Oil : " : 71 7,537 Potatoes, All : Cwt : 359 478,398 Winter : " : 229 256 4,070 4,600 Spring : " : 300 25,327 Summer : " : 298 19,154 Fall : " : 369 429,847 Spearmint Oil : Lb : 101 2,454 Sweet Potatoes : Cwt : 145 11,980 Taro (HI) 3/ : Lb : 6,800 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2000 crop year. 2/ Yield in pounds. 3/ Yield is not estimated. Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1998-00 (Domestic Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Production Crop : Unit :-------------------------------------------- : : 1998 : 1999 : 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 1,000 : : Citrus 2/ : : Grapefruit : Ton : 2,593 2,520 2,470 K-Early Citrus (FL) : " : 2 4 5 Lemons : " : 897 747 916 Oranges : " : 13,670 9,886 12,796 Tangelos (FL) : " : 128 115 113 Tangerines : " : 360 327 450 Temples (FL) : " : 101 81 95 : : Non-Citrus : : Apples : 1,000 Lbs: 11,648.4 10,741.3 Apricots : Ton : 118.5 90.8 Bananas (HI) : Lb : 21,000.0 25,000.0 Grapes : Ton : 5,820.0 6,169.4 Olives (CA) : " : 90.0 145.0 Papayas (HI) : Lb : 39,900.0 42,000.0 Peaches : 1,000 Lbs: 2,401.3 2,521.4 Pears : Ton : 955.1 981.6 Prunes, Dried (CA) : " : 108.0 178.0 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA): " : 25.6 22.9 : : Nuts & Misc. : : Almonds (CA) : Lb : 520,000 830,000 Hazelnuts : Ton : 15.5 38.0 Pecans : Lb : 146,400 341,700 Pistachios (CA) : " : 188,000 123,000 Walnuts (CA) : Ton : 227.0 283.0 Maple Syrup : Gal : 1,159 1,180 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2000 crop year. 2/ Production years are 1997-98, 1998-99, and 1999-00. Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1999-00 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Area Planted : Area Harvested Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Hectares : Grains & Hay : Barley : 2,113,700 1,925,520 Corn for Grain 2/ :31,335,550 28,545,620 Corn for Silage : 2,453,230 Hay, All 3/ : 25,560,220 Alfalfa : 9,706,490 All Other : 15,853,730 Oats : 1,889,900 992,700 Proso Millet : 242,810 218,530 Rice : 1,449,190 1,441,510 Rye : 640,220 155,000 Sorghum for Grain 2/ : 3,758,760 3,457,670 Sorghum for Silage : 129,500 Wheat, All 3/ :25,420,200 21,816,430 Winter :17,576,090 17,367,680 14,395,630 Durum : 1,632,920 1,444,340 Other Spring : 6,211,180 5,976,460 : Oilseeds : Canola : 435,450 422,500 Cottonseed : Flaxseed : 156,620 154,590 Mustard Seed : 24,610 23,800 Peanuts : 620,390 577,690 Rapeseed : 1,860 1,780 Safflower : 111,290 106,030 Soybeans for Beans :29,858,030 29,330,310 Sunflower : 1,437,860 1,392,540 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All 3/ : 6,011,670 5,415,160 Upland : 5,894,310 5,298,610 Amer-Pima : 117,360 116,550 Sugarbeets : 632,410 618,000 Sugarcane : 401,130 Tobacco : 260,720 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 2,470 1,780 Dry Edible Beans : 818,690 759,600 Dry Edible Peas : 113,960 106,680 Lentils : 73,650 70,620 Wrinkled Seed Peas : : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 2,590 Ginger Root (HI) : 140 Hops : 13,860 Peppermint Oil : 43,020 Potatoes, All 3/ : 557,260 539,290 Winter : 7,320 7,370 7,200 7,280 Spring : 35,130 34,200 Summer : 27,960 25,980 Fall : 486,840 471,910 Spearmint Oil : 9,870 Sweet Potatoes : 37,760 33,550 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 2000 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, 1999-00 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Yield : Production Crop :----------------------------------------------- : 1999 : 2000 : 1999 : 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Metric Tons : Grains & Hay : Barley : 3.19 6,136,620 Corn for Grain : 8.40 239,719,400 Corn for Silage : 35.56 87,243,050 Hay, All 2/ : 5.65 144,312,230 Alfalfa : 7.84 76,134,570 All Other : 4.30 68,177,650 Oats : 2.14 2,122,350 Proso Millet : 1.86 406,190 Rice : 6.62 9,546,210 Rye : 1.80 279,240 Sorghum for Grain : 4.37 15,117,910 Sorghum for Silage : 26.03 3,371,100 Wheat, All 2/ : 2.87 62,662,230 Winter : 3.21 46,266,120 Durum : 1.87 2,703,100 Other Spring : 2.29 13,693,010 : Oilseeds : Canola : 1.46 618,550 Cottonseed 3/ : 5,826,300 Flaxseed : 1.29 200,160 Mustard Seed : 0.92 21,780 Peanuts : 3.04 1,755,490 Rapeseed : 1.29 2,300 Safflower : 1.73 183,580 Soybeans for Beans : 2.45 71,928,170 Sunflower : 1.41 1,969,440 : Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : Cotton, All 2/ : 0.68 3,691,060 Upland : 0.67 3,539,630 Amer-Pima : 1.30 151,430 Sugarbeets : 48.91 30,226,490 Sugarcane : 80.40 32,251,320 Tobacco : 2.22 578,530 : Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : Austrian Winter Peas : 1.53 2,720 Dry Edible Beans : 1.98 1,507,290 Dry Edible Peas : 2.14 228,160 Lentils : 1.53 108,270 Wrinkled Seed Peas : 29,850 : Potatoes & Misc. : Coffee (HI) : 1.84 4,760 Ginger Root (HI) : 51.56 7,300 Hops : 2.11 29,240 Peppermint Oil : 0.08 3,420 Potatoes, All 2/ : 40.24 21,699,770 Winter : 25.63 28.64 184,610 208,650 Spring : 33.59 1,148,810 Summer : 33.44 868,810 Fall : 41.32 19,497,530 Spearmint Oil : 0.11 1,110 Sweet Potatoes : 16.20 543,400 Taro (HI) 3/ : 3,080 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2000 crop year. 2/ Production may not add due to rounding. 3/ Yield is not estimated. Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1998-00 (Metric Units) 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Production Crop :----------------------------------------------------- : 1998 : 1999 : 2000 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Metric tons : Citrus 2/ : Grapefruit : 2,352,330 2,286,110 2,240,750 K-Early Citrus (FL) : 1,810 3,630 4,540 Lemons : 813,740 677,670 830,980 Oranges : 12,401,220 8,968,430 11,608,340 Tangelos (FL) : 116,120 104,330 102,510 Tangerines : 326,590 296,650 408,230 Temples (FL) : 91,630 73,480 86,180 : Non-Citrus : Apples : 5,283,630 4,872,170 Apricots : 107,500 82,370 Bananas (HI) : 9,530 11,340 Grapes : 5,279,770 5,596,810 Olives (CA) : 81,650 131,540 Papayas (HI) : 18,100 19,050 Peaches : 1,089,210 1,143,690 Pears : 866,490 890,450 Prunes, Dried (CA) : 97,980 161,480 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA) : 23,220 20,770 : Nuts & Misc. : Almonds (CA) : 235,870 376,480 Hazelnuts : 14,060 34,470 Pecans : 66,410 154,990 Pistachios (CA) : 85,280 55,790 Walnuts (CA) : 205,930 256,730 Maple Syrup : 5,790 5,900 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2000 crop year. 2/ Production years are 1997-98, 1998-99, and 1999-00. February Weather Summary A very active and persistent storm track provided drought relief to many areas, including the western Corn Belt and Ohio Valley, but failed to deliver significant moisture into the South. As a result, dryness--exacerbated by persistent warmth--intensified in areas from southern Arizona to the southern Atlantic Coast, including the southern High Plains. Although the South's warm, dry weather favored pre-planting fieldwork and early summer-crop planting, pastures and dryland winter grains remained drought-stressed. In addition, the continuing dryness increased irrigation requirements and heightened the risk of wildfires, especially across Florida and southern Georgia. Meanwhile, frequent late-month precipitation on the central and southeastern Plains improved soil moisture for winter wheat, which broke dormancy and began to develop due to unusually warm conditions. Continuing a trend that developed in mid-January, unsettled, showery conditions prevailed in most of the West, further improving soil moisture reserves, high-elevation snow packs, and spring runoff prospects. Some of the heaviest precipitation fell in California, where spring fieldwork was delayed by cool, wet weather. Cold weather eased across the South and East early in the month, then made a brief mid-month appearance on the northern Plains. Otherwise, unusually mild weather prevailed nearly nationwide, capped by a spell of warmth that produced about two dozen monthly record high temperatures from February 22-29. Monthly temperatures averaged at least 4 degrees F above normal in nearly all areas from the Intermountain West to the East Coast. Departures peaked around +12 degrees F in the upper Midwest and across southern Texas. Exceptions to the warm pattern included California and northern New England, where temperatures averaged within 3 degrees F of normal. General Crop Comments: Dry weather prevailed in the Great Plains early in the month, with near-drought conditions developing in many areas from Texas to North Dakota. Light, scattered precipitation eased moisture shortages in parts of the central and southern Great Plains, but most of the northern and southern Great Plains received little or no precipitation until the second half of the month. A narrow band of heavy precipitation eased drought conditions in eastern Texas late in the month. However, in the Texas High Plains, wheat conditions steadily deteriorated and fieldwork slowed due to dry weather and wind erosion. In the central and northern Great Plains, above-normal temperatures and late-month rains reduced, and in many areas eliminated, protective snow cover. However, damage to winter wheat due to cold weather was minimal and the late-month rains improved soil moisture supplies. Rain and warm weather stimulated winter wheat growth in Oklahoma and Kansas late in the month, as most wheat fields broke dormancy. In the soft red winter wheat areas of the eastern Corn Belt and Ohio River Valley, near-normal and below-normal temperatures prevailed at the beginning of the month. However, adequate snow cover, especially near the Great Lakes, protected wheat fields from the cold weather. Above-normal temperatures prevailed the remainder of the month and, shortly after mid-month, a band of rain that centered over the Ohio River Valley boosted soil moisture supplies in the eastern and southern Corn Belt. Rainfall was significantly below normal in the lower Mississippi Valley, Southeast, and along the Coastal Plains, even though winter storms delivered a mixture of rain and freezing precipitation to most areas during the month. Below-normal temperatures during the first half of the month provided beneficial chill hours for fruit trees in the Southeast. In Florida, over-night lows briefly dipped below freezing in northern areas of the State and some citrus groves experienced frost, but tree and fruit damage was minimal. However, dry weather forced citrus growers to irrigate groves most of the month to maintain good tree health. By the end of the month, most well cared for trees were putting on new growth and developing bloom buds. Field activities continued with few delays along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida. Corn planting began in southeastern Texas early in the month, and cotton planting began in the Coastal Bend near the end of the month. A stormy pattern prevailed along the Pacific Coast. In northern California, small grains, winter forages, new alfalfa, and emerging sugarbeets improved due to early-month rainfall. Also, dryland grain and oat fields germinated and emerged. Above-normal temperatures and improved moisture supplies stimulated growth of emerged crops. However, some low-lying wheat fields were temporarily flooded due to heavy rainfall. Rain periodically delayed field and orchard work in central and northern California and eased dry conditions along the southern coast, but inland areas of the Southwest remained excessively dry and fieldwork was mostly uninterrupted. In the southern San Joaquin Valley, growers planted corn for grain and silage and prepared cotton, safflower, and sunflower fields for spring planting. The grapefruit and lemon harvests remained active in southern California, and navel orange picking continued in the San Joaquin Valley. Almonds and stone fruits began blooming. Grapefruit: The forecast of the 1999-00 grapefruit crop for the United States remains unchanged at 2.47 million tons, representing a 2 percent decline from last season. The Florida grapefruit forecast continues at 46.0 million boxes(1.96 million tons). The white seedless forecast, at 18.5 million boxes (786,000 tons), is unchanged from last month but up 4 percent from last year. The colored seedless utilization is expected at 27.0 million boxes (1.15 million tons), also unchanged, but 6 percent less than the 1998-99 season. White seedless fruit size continued to increase slightly, but the colored showed a slight decrease. Both varieties are below the nine-season average. Loss from droppage is slightly below average for whites and slightly above on the colored. Lagging maturity has delayed the harvest and spot picking has been more prevalent than in recent seasons. The seedy grapefruit forecast remains at 500,000 boxes (21,000 tons), 9 percent below last season. Seedy fruit size is average, but loss from droppage continues well below average. Final utilization is dependent on load tickets at the processing plant since this variety is only recorded as processed use. The March 1 forecast of Texas grapefruit is 5.50 million boxes (220,000 tons), unchanged from last month and down 10 percent from last season. The California and Arizona forecasts are carried forward from earlier forecasts. Tangelos: The 1999-00 tangelo forecast from Florida is decreased to 2.50 million boxes (113,000 tons), 4 percent lower than last month and 2 percent lower than last season's final utilization. The reduction is based on the Row Count Survey which indicated that 13 percent of the rows remain to be harvested. It will require complete harvest to make this forecast. Tangerines: The 1999-00 U.S. tangerine crop forecast is increased to a record large 450,000 tons, up 38 percent from the freeze-damaged crop last season. Florida's tangerine forecast is a record large 6.80 million boxes (323,000 tons), 37 percent larger than last season. The early tangerine varieties harvest of Robinson, Fallglo, and Dancy is complete. The harvest of the Sunburst tangerine, also an early variety, is still underway. The late season Honey tangerine harvest is gaining momentum. Fruit size is average, but loss from droppage is the lowest in the nine-year series. The California and Arizona tangerine forecasts are carried forward from earlier forecasts. Temples: Florida's 1999-00 Temple forecast of 2.10 million boxes (94,500 tons) is continued and is 17 percent higher than the 1.80 million boxes recorded last season. The crop is lagging in maturity. Average fruit size remains below average. Loss from droppage is near the lowest of the previous nine seasons. K-Early Citrus: The K-Early Citrus Fruit forecast is increased to 110,000 boxes (5,000 tons), 10,000 more boxes than last month. This level will be more than each of the preceding two seasons, but less than in 1996-97. Florida Citrus: February was a very dry month in Florida's citrus belt. Many growers have been irrigating constantly to maintain good tree condition for the upcoming bloom period. By the end of the month, most groves in the southern part of the state had new growth and pin head bloom buds. Well-cared-for orange groves in the south are in bloom. Fruit loss from droppage on this season's crops continues below average in all areas. Fruit sizes are progressing well with the help of irrigation. Harvest of early and midseason oranges was very active during February with average weekly movement exceeding eight million boxes per week. Movement of all grapefruit was also very active with several processors receiving grove run fruit. Honey tangerines and Temples were picked for both fresh and processed utilization. Caretakers were operating their irrigation equipment and cutting cover crops for fire protection. Hedging and topping were reported in all areas. Very few burn permits were being issued due to the extreme dry conditions. Texas Citrus: The grapefruit and orange harvests continued in February with the grapefruit about three-fourths complete. The early and midseason orange harvest is nearly complete. The Valencia orange harvest is well underway. February has been dry, but enough water is available to get through the end of the season. However, rain is needed to replenish the depleted supplies. California Citrus: Navel orange picking was hampered by occasional rain showers throughout February. Close to one-half of the crop was picked by March 1. The rain improved the size and sugar acid ratio, but growers were concerned about puff and crease. Valencia orange picking began in the desert area by late February. Picking of grapefruit, lemons and tangerines was active. California Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts: Cultural activities of fruit and nut growers were slowed in February due to wet weather. When possible, growers were pruning and planting trees and vines. Almonds were in full bloom by March 1. Bee colonies were placed in almond orchards for pollination, but wet, cool weather hampered the bees' activity. Peaches, nectarines, and plums also began blooming. Fungicides were sprayed on fruit and nut trees for fungus and brown rot. Strawberry nursery plant digging was active. Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 3.65 million pounds for February, 9 percent more than January and 22 percent more than February 1999. Area in crop totaled 3,225 acres, 2 percent lower than last month and 13 percent lower than a year ago. Harvested area, totaling 1,600 acres, was 4 percent lower than January and 25 percent lower than last February. Weather conditions were mostly sunny during February. The drier condition has minimized disease damage. Seasonally cool temperatures, however, have slowed fruit maturity. Sugarcane: Production for the 1999 crop year is estimated at a record high 35.6 million tons, 2 percent above the previous record of 34.7 million tons set last year. Harvested acres is estimated at a record high 991,200 acres for sugar and seed, 5 percent more than the 1998 final harvested acres. The record high acreage is due to a 30,000 acre expansion in Louisiana and a 13,000 acre increase in Florida. Yield is estimated at 35.9 tons per acre, 0.7 tons below the 1998 yield of 36.6 tons. Louisiana's estimated yield, at 33.0 tons per acre is a record high, 3.3 tons above the previous record high set in 1998. In Florida, grinding was active and sugarcane harvest neared completion, as dry weather aided progress throughout the month. 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 Brad Parks, Head (202) 720-2127 Rhonda Brandt - Corn, Proso Millet (202) 720-9526 Herman Ellison - Peanuts, Rice (202) 720-7688 Lance Honig - Wheat, Rye (202) 720-8068 Jay V. Johnson - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings (202) 720-5944 Roy Karkosh - Hay, Sorghum, Barley (202) 690-3234 Mark E. Miller - Oats, Sugar Crops, Weekly Crop Weather (202) 720-7621 Jerry Ramirez - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds (202) 720-7369 Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section Jim Smith, Head (202) 720-2127 Arvin Budge - Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes (202) 720-4285 Dave DeWalt - Citrus, Tropical Fruits (202) 720-5412 Debbie Flippin - Fresh and Processing Vegetables (202) 720-3250 Steve Gunn - Apples, Cherries, Cranberries, Prunes, Plums (202) 720-4488 Jeffrey Kissel - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas, Mushrooms (202) 690-0270 Keith Lacy - Berries, Grapes, Maple Syrup, Tobacco (202) 720-7235 Kim Ritchie - Hops (360) 902-1940 Dave Ranek - Nuts, Floriculture (202) 720-4215 Biz Wallingsford - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries (202) 720-2157 The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on April 11, 2000. 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