Pot 1-2 (1-05) Potato Stocks National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released January 14, 2005, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on Potato Stocks call Cathy Scherrer at (202) 720-4285, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Potato Stocks Up 2 Percent from Last Year The 15 major potato States held 238 million cwt of potatoes in storage January 1, 2005, up 2 percent from last year and 3 percent above 2003. Potatoes in storage account for 59 percent of the 2004 fall storage States' production, 1 percentage point above last year. Stocks by type show a smaller percentage of reds and round whites but a larger percentage of long whites and russets than a year ago. Disappearance of 165 million cwt of potatoes is down 3 percent from last year and 6 percent below two years ago. Shrink and loss, at 20.0 million cwt so far this season, is up 15 percent from last year and 10 percent above the same date in 2003. Processors in the 9 major States used 86.0 million cwt of potatoes this season, down 2 percent from a year ago and 7 percent below two years ago. Dehydrating usage accounts for 17.0 million cwt of the total processing, down 8 percent from last year and 13 percent below the same date in 2003. December 1, 2004, stocks were revised up fractionally, with changes in Nebraska, New York, and Pennsylvania. Fall Potatoes: Production and Stocks, 15 Major States, 1995-2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop : : : : : : : : Year :Production: Dec 1 : Jan 1 : Feb 1 : Mar 1 : Apr 1 : May 1 :Jun 1 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Cwt : 1995 : 394,785 256,710 223,550 189,360 156,020 115,855 75,870 1996 : 443,704 295,100 261,320 226,080 189,210 147,635 103,210 1997 : 413,513 278,830 246,550 212,562 175,870 134,190 92,840 1998 : 423,170 280,910 246,230 209,640 173,650 131,220 87,895 50,270 1999 : 420,567 275,100 239,910 207,150 169,620 128,410 86,915 47,220 2000 : 458,827 310,300 275,270 234,260 197,670 153,520 109,160 61,270 2001 : 387,033 258,750 224,680 192,090 158,590 119,950 81,200 42,990 2002 : 407,085 264,485 231,490 199,020 165,210 125,770 83,040 45,880 2003 : 403,181 267,900 233,590 200,230 166,280 126,110 85,000 46,020 2004 2/ : 403,327 271,800 238,220 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Data not available prior to 1998. 2/ December 1, 2004, stocks revised. Potatoes: Quantity Used for Processing, 9 States, 2002-2004 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State and : : : : : : : : Crop Year : Dec 1 : Jan 1 : Feb 1 : Mar 1 : Apr 1 : May 1 : Jun 1 : Season -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Cwt : ID & OR-Mal : 2002 : 28,380 34,860 41,200 48,600 56,240 63,840 71,280 85,390 2003 : 24,310 30,730 36,260 43,640 49,570 56,380 63,770 77,530 2004 : 24,360 30,840 : ME 2/ : 2002 : 2,230 2,715 3,345 3,905 4,505 5,225 5,905 7,835 2003 : 1,590 2,085 2,720 3,420 4,095 4,740 5,400 7,270 2004 : 1,555 1,985 : WA & OR-Oth : 2002 : 33,680 39,490 44,190 51,920 58,710 64,300 71,480 79,110 2003 : 32,670 38,520 43,610 51,210 58,500 64,160 72,350 79,800 2004 3/ : 32,305 38,130 : Other Sts 4/ : 2002 : 12,675 15,530 18,735 21,780 24,810 27,405 30,655 38,700 2003 : 13,835 16,505 19,590 22,685 25,920 29,480 32,845 42,160 2004 : 12,525 15,035 : Total : 2002 : 76,965 92,595 107,470 126,205 144,265 160,770 179,320 211,035 2003 : 72,405 87,840 102,180 120,955 138,085 154,760 174,365 206,760 2004 3/ : 70,745 85,990 : Dehydrated 5/: 2002 : 15,675 19,660 23,710 27,950 31,915 36,105 40,455 48,940 2003 : 14,250 18,440 22,050 26,090 30,290 34,630 39,070 47,750 2004 : 13,365 17,015 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Total quantity received and used for processing regardless of the State in which the potatoes were produced. Amount excludes quantities used for potato chips in ME, MI, and WI. 2/ Includes Maine grown potatoes only. 3/ December revised. 4/ CO, MN, NV, ND, and WI. 5/ Dehydrated products except starch and flour. Included in above totals. Includes CO, ID, NV, ND, OR, WA, and WI. Fall Potatoes: Production and Stocks on January 1, 2004-2005 1/ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Crop of 2003 : Crop of 2004 :------------------------------------------------------------------- State : : Stocks : % : : Stocks : Stocks : Jan % : Prod : Jan 1, : of : Prod : Dec 1, : Jan 1, : of : : 2004 : Prod : : 2004 : 2005 : Prod -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : --- 1,000 Cwt --- Percent -------- 1,000 Cwt -------- Percent : CA : 3,528 2,100 60 3,876 3,200 2,800 72 CO : 23,652 15,300 65 23,148 17,200 15,000 65 ID : 123,180 76,500 62 131,970 93,500 84,500 64 ME : 17,030 12,100 71 19,220 15,000 12,800 67 MI : 15,015 7,700 51 13,650 8,600 6,900 51 MN : 22,330 12,400 56 18,920 13,000 11,600 61 MT : 3,339 3,000 90 3,551 3,400 3,300 93 NE 2/ : 9,744 5,600 57 9,288 6,300 5,300 57 NY 2/ : 6,510 1,600 25 5,184 2,500 1,800 35 ND : 27,440 17,300 63 26,765 19,600 17,500 65 OH : 1,097 190 17 1,080 200 120 11 OR : 20,991 15,800 75 19,775 17,000 14,500 73 PA 2/ : 3,375 1,500 44 2,640 1,300 1,100 42 WA : 93,150 44,000 47 93,810 50,000 43,000 46 WI : 32,800 18,500 56 30,450 21,000 18,000 59 : 15 States 2/: 403,181 233,590 58 403,327 271,800 238,220 59 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ Stocks include processor holdings and most of the seed to plant the following year's crop. Seed usage for all seasons in 2004 totaled 26.4 million cwt. 2/ December 1, 2004, stocks revised. Fall Potatoes: Stocks by Type as Percent of Total Stocks, 11 Major States, January 1, 2004-2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Potato Types :------------------------------------------------------------ : Reds : Round Whites : Long Whites : Russets State :------------------------------------------------------------ : Jan :Dec :Jan :Jan :Dec :Jan :Jan :Dec :Jan :Jan :Dec :Jan :2004 :2004:2005:2004:2004:2005:2004:2004:2005:2004:2004:2005 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 5 5 5 2 2 2 93 93 93 ID : 1 1 1 3 5 5 96 94 94 ME : 4 3 3 47 45 42 1 3 1 48 49 54 MI : 1 1 88 89 90 11 10 10 MN : 12 9 9 5 4 5 1 83 86 86 NY : 5 5 5 90 90 90 5 5 5 ND : 13 13 11 25 20 16 7 11 10 55 56 63 OR : 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 97 97 97 PA : 4 2 1 96 98 99 WA : 1 1 1 1 4 6 4 95 92 95 WI : 3 4 1 34 36 38 63 60 61 : 11 St Avg: 3 3 2 12 12 11 3 4 4 82 81 83 ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Fall Potatoes: Production, January 1 Stocks, and Farm Disposition, 15 Storage States and 23 Fall Season States, 2001-2004 Crop Years -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : Farm Disposition : : : : Total :-------------------------------- State : Crop : : Stocks : Used : Where Grown : : Year :Production: Jan 1 : For :----------------------: : : : : Fall :Seed, Feed,:Shrinkage : Sold : : : : Seed : Home Use : and Loss : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 1,000 Cwt : : CA : : : 2001 : 1,513 1,100 226 3 150 1,360 : 2002 : 4,316 2,900 208 16 399 3,901 : 2003 : 3,528 2,100 169 1 343 3,184 : 2004 : 3,876 2,800 CO : : : 2001 : 21,357 13,300 1,790 1,465 1,887 18,005 : 2002 : 27,885 18,100 1,724 1,460 2,845 23,580 : 2003 : 23,652 15,300 1,625 1,410 2,507 19,735 : 2004 : 23,148 15,000 ID : : : 2001 : 120,200 78,000 8,250 1,230 8,261 110,709 : 2002 : 133,385 82,500 7,920 1,440 8,650 123,295 : 2003 : 123,180 76,500 7,700 1,463 8,900 112,817 : 2004 : 131,970 84,500 ME : : : 2001 : 16,430 10,800 1,355 301 849 15,280 : 2002 : 16,960 11,200 1,386 310 790 15,860 : 2003 : 17,030 12,100 1,245 215 2,430 14,385 : 2004 : 19,220 12,800 MI : : : 2001 : 13,950 6,200 1,181 245 945 12,760 : 2002 : 13,878 6,500 1,099 205 1,400 12,273 : 2003 : 15,015 7,700 1,060 265 1,680 13,070 : 2004 : 13,650 6,900 MN : : : 2001 : 18,425 10,800 1,178 190 1,700 16,535 : 2002 : 18,810 10,500 1,080 130 1,400 17,280 : 2003 : 22,330 12,400 1,060 130 1,800 20,400 : 2004 : 18,920 11,600 MT : : : 2001 : 3,296 2,780 263 152 188 2,956 : 2002 : 3,224 3,000 257 145 142 2,937 : 2003 : 3,339 3,000 268 160 270 2,909 : 2004 : 3,551 3,300 NE : : : 2001 : 8,400 4,050 570 153 720 7,527 : 2002 : 8,611 4,550 611 149 612 7,850 : 2003 : 9,744 5,600 616 194 840 8,710 : 2004 : 9,288 5,300 NY : : : 2001 : 5,942 1,500 495 100 502 5,340 : 2002 : 5,500 1,800 488 100 350 5,050 : 2003 : 6,510 1,600 440 100 520 5,890 : 2004 : 5,184 1,800 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --continued Fall Potatoes: Production, January 1 Stocks, and Farm Disposition, 15 Storage States and 23 Fall Season States, 2001-2004 Crop Years (continued) -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : : : : Farm Disposition : : : : Total :------------------------------ State : Crop : : Stocks : Used : Where Grown : : Year :Production: Jan 1 : For :----------------------: : : : : Fall :Seed, Feed,:Shrinkage : Sold : : : : Seed : Home Use : and Loss : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : 1,000 Cwt : : ND : : : 2001 : 26,400 16,900 2,301 320 3,960 22,120 : 2002 : 23,460 14,000 2,223 450 2,650 20,360 : 2003 : 27,440 17,300 1,805 390 3,700 23,350 : 2004 : 26,765 17,500 OH : : : 2001 : 1,097 150 95 3 36 1,058 : 2002 : 902 40 95 2 11 889 : 2003 : 1,097 190 76 6 40 1,051 : 2004 : 1,080 120 OR : : : 2001 : 20,730 15,500 1,200 175 1,059 19,496 : 2002 : 24,936 15,000 1,021 266 1,386 23,284 : 2003 : 20,991 15,800 955 275 1,290 19,426 : 2004 : 19,775 14,500 PA : : : 2001 : 2,938 1,400 238 59 120 2,759 : 2002 : 2,128 1,000 238 36 78 2,014 : 2003 : 3,375 1,500 228 42 287 3,046 : 2004 : 2,640 1,100 WA : : : 2001 : 94,400 46,000 3,888 300 7,000 87,100 : 2002 : 92,340 43,500 3,912 300 6,500 85,540 : 2003 : 93,150 44,000 4,000 280 5,600 87,270 : 2004 : 93,810 43,000 WI : : : 2001 : 31,955 16,200 1,596 278 1,947 29,730 : 2002 : 30,750 16,900 1,782 265 1,738 28,747 : 2003 : 32,800 18,500 1,650 300 2,750 29,750 : 2004 : 30,450 18,000 15 Sts : : : 2001 : 387,033 224,680 24,626 4,974 29,324 352,735 : 2002 : 407,085 231,490 24,044 5,274 28,951 372,860 : 2003 : 403,181 233,590 22,897 5,231 32,957 364,993 : 2004 : 403,327 238,220 Fall Sts : : : 2001 : 393,631 25,043 5,039 29,780 358,812 : 2002 : 413,581 24,496 5,399 29,386 378,796 : 2003 : 410,588 23,249 5,254 33,579 371,755 : 2004 : 410,023 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NOTE: Stocks are defined as the quantity (whether sold or not) remaining in storage for all purposes and uses, including seed potatoes that are not yet moved, and shrinkage, waste, and other losses that occur after the date of each report. Sales of fall potatoes for all purposes for the past 5 years averaged 90.8 percent of the total fall production. Shrinkage, loss, and home use account for the remaining 9.2 percent. Potatoes: Production, Sold, Not Sold, and Kept for Seed, United States, 1999-2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Fall Potatoes : Amount Used :-------------------------------------------------------: for Seed Crop : : : Sold : : Not Sold : All Seasons Year : Production : Sold : as % of :Not Sold : as % of : Following : : : Prod : : Prod : year -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : ---- 1,000 Cwt ---- Percent 1,000 Cwt Percent 1,000 Cwt : 1999 : 429,847 390,210 90.8 39,637 9.2 29,580 2000 : 467,529 420,301 89.9 47,228 10.1 27,137 2001 : 393,631 358,812 91.2 34,819 8.8 28,625 2002 : 413,581 378,796 91.6 34,785 8.4 28,149 2003 : 410,588 371,755 90.5 38,833 9.5 26,360 2004 : 410,023 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Potatoes: Shrinkage and Loss, 15 Fall Storage States, 2001-2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop : To : To : To : To : To : To : Total : Year : Dec 1 : Jan 1 : Feb 1 : Mar 1 : Apr 1 : May 1 : Jun 1 : Season -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Million Cwt : 2001 : 14.8 17.4 19.8 21.8 23.6 25.1 26.7 29.3 2002 : 15.5 18.2 20.5 22.4 24.2 25.8 27.2 29.0 2003 : 15.0 17.4 20.5 22.6 25.4 27.5 29.9 33.0 2004 1/ : 16.6 20.0 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 1/ December 1, 2004, shrink and loss revised. Fall Potatoes: Farm Marketings, Selected States, 2001-2003 Marketing Years -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Crop :Jul :Aug :Sep :Oct :Nov :Dec :Jan :Feb :Mar :Apr :May :Jun :Jul : Year : : : : : : : : : : : : : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : : Percent : : CA : : : 2001 : 21 6 20 13 20 20 : 2002 : 11 11 11 10 10 10 13 8 9 7 : 2003 : 13 12 15 14 9 8 10 7 12 CO : : : 2001 : 5 10 11 12 12 9 11 10 11 7 2 : 2002 : 4 9 10 10 11 9 11 11 10 7 8 : 2003 : 6 8 9 10 11 9 12 14 8 7 6 ID : : : 2001 : 3 12 13 8 6 7 9 10 10 10 6 6 : 2002 : 4 8 11 10 7 8 8 10 11 10 7 6 : 2003 : 4 8 10 11 8 7 8 10 11 11 6 6 ME : : : 2001 : 1 9 10 9 9 12 11 11 12 8 5 3 : 2002 : 2 7 11 9 8 10 9 10 15 10 5 4 : 2003 : 1 5 11 8 9 10 10 11 15 10 6 4 MI : : : 2001 : 3 7 8 12 11 12 13 11 11 8 3 1 : 2002 : 4 7 11 12 13 8 6 8 12 13 6 : 2003 : 1 7 8 11 11 11 10 8 13 12 8 MN : : : 2001 : 10 9 7 7 6 7 9 10 10 9 8 8 : 2002 : 9 9 9 7 8 7 9 7 10 12 8 5 : 2003 : 9 10 10 9 6 5 6 9 10 9 9 8 NY : : : 2001 : 4 20 18 17 15 9 7 6 4 : 2002 : 8 17 16 14 11 14 10 7 3 : 2003 : 1 8 29 20 17 8 7 6 4 ND : : : 2001 : 18 10 12 7 8 7 7 14 11 6 : 2002 : 2 22 10 9 6 9 4 8 10 13 5 2 : 2003 : 23 10 6 7 6 9 7 11 10 9 2 OR : : : 2001 : 7 13 21 8 6 5 7 7 8 8 7 3 : 2002 : 11 9 21 9 9 6 9 8 6 7 3 2 : 2003 : 10 9 19 9 8 7 7 7 8 8 5 3 PA : : : 2001 : 17 16 15 12 12 10 8 7 2 1 : 2002 : 18 14 17 14 10 9 6 5 4 3 : 2003 : 15 18 14 11 10 10 9 6 5 2 WA : : : 2001 : 11 13 25 7 6 5 7 7 6 7 5 1 : 2002 : 17 12 19 9 5 5 7 6 6 7 6 1 : 2003 : 16 12 22 7 6 5 7 6 6 7 5 1 WI : : : 2001 : 1 6 13 14 12 10 9 8 10 11 5 1 : 2002 : 1 7 12 12 12 9 9 8 12 10 6 2 : 2003 : 1 6 12 12 12 10 9 10 10 9 7 2 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January Potato Stocks Up 2 Percent from Last Year The 15 major potato States held 238 million cwt of potatoes in storage January 1, 2005, up 2 percent from last year and 3 percent above 2003. Potatoes in storage account for 59 percent of the 2004 fall storage States' production, 1 percentage point above last year. Stocks by type were 2 percent red, 11 percent round white, 4 percent long white (Shepody), and 83 percent russets, with a smaller percentage of reds and round whites but a larger percentage of long whites and russets than a year ago. Disappearance of 165 million cwt from the start of harvest to January 1, is down 3 percent from last year and 6 percent below two years ago. Shrink and loss, at 20.0 million cwt, is up 15 percent from last year and 10 percent above the same date in 2003. Processors used 86.0 million cwt of 2004 crop potatoes so far this season, down 2 percent from a year ago and 7 percent below two years ago. Idaho and Malheur County, Oregon, processing increased less than 1 percent from a year ago, while Washington and the rest of Oregon processed 1 percent less than last season. December usage, at 15.2 million cwt, is 1 percent below last year and down 2 percent from two years ago. Dehydrating usage accounts for 17.0 million cwt of the total processing, down 8 percent from last year and 13 percent below the same date in 2003. Western States held 163 million cwt of potatoes in storage on January 1, up 4 percent from last year but 1 percent below two years ago. California's potato stocks are up 33 percent from last year, while Idaho's and Montana's storages both hold 10 percent more. Potato sheds in Oregon are down 8 percent and Washington's and Colorado's sheds both stored 2 percent less than last year. Central States accounted for 59.4 million cwt of potato stocks on January 1, down 4 percent from last year but 13 percent above two years ago. Ohio's potato stocks are down 37 percent, Michigan potato sheds stored 10 percent less than last year, and Minnesota's stocks decreased 6 percent. Nebraska's potato stocks went down 5 percent and Wisconsin's sheds stored 3 percent less. North Dakota's sheds are the only ones in the Central States storing more potatoes than last year, with an increase of 1 percent. Eastern States stored 15.7 million cwt of potatoes on January 1, up 3 percent from last year and 12 percent above two years ago. New York's stocks are up 13 percent from last year, while Maine stocks increased 6 percent. Pennsylvania's sheds decreased 27 percent from a year ago. Reliability of January 1 Stocks Estimates To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the January 1 stocks estimate, the "Root Mean Square Error," a statistical measure based on past performance, is computed. The deviation between the January 1 stocks estimate and the final estimate is expressed as a percentage of the final estimate. The average of squared percentage deviations for the latest 20-year period is computed. The square root of the average becomes statistically the "Root Mean Square Error." Probability statements can be made concerning expected differences in the current estimate relative to the final end-of-season estimate, assuming that factors affecting this year's estimate are not different from those influencing recent years. The "Root Mean Square Error" for the January 1 stocks estimate is 2.6 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the current estimate of 238 million cwt will not be above or below the final estimate by more than 2.6 percent or approximately 6.2 million cwt. Chances are 9 out of 10 (90 percent confidence level) that the difference will not exceed 4.6 percent or approximately 11.0 million cwt. The 10-year (1994-2003) record of differences between the January 1 stocks estimates and the final estimates averaged 3.8 million cwt, ranging from 8.7 million cwt above the final to 9.2 million cwt below the final. During the 10-year period, the January 1 estimate has been below the final estimate 7 years and above 3 years. Fall Potato Stocks: Preliminary and Final January 1 Stocks, United States, 1994-2004 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Crop : Preliminary : % of : Final Year : Stocks : Final : Stocks -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : 1,000 Cwt Percent 1,000 Cwt : 1994 : 229,350 96.1 238,560 1995 : 218,970 98.0 223,550 1996 : 256,520 98.2 261,320 1997 : 240,850 97.7 246,550 1998 : 246,220 100.0 246,230 1999 : 238,160 99.3 239,910 2000 : 272,960 99.2 275,270 2001 : 233,420 103.9 224,680 2002 : 232,140 100.3 231,490 2003 : 233,880 100.1 233,590 2004 : 238,220 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ACCESS TO REPORTS!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: www.usda.gov/nass/. Select "Today's Reports" or Publications and then Reports Calendar or Publications and then Search, by Title or Subject. E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your e-mail address. Starting with the NASS Home Page at www.usda.gov/nass/, click on Publications, then click on the Subscribe by E-mail button which takes you to the page describing e-mail delivery of reports. Finally, click on Go to the Subscription Page and follow the instructions. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK: 800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada) Other areas, please call 703-605-6220 FAX: 703-605-6900 (Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order acceptable for payment.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ASSISTANCE For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA's TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. Science, Markets, Policy What's Ahead? Count on USDA's Outlook Forum 2005 for the latest farm and commodity prospects and insight on news shaping the outlook for agriculture. Outlook sessions will feature USDA's first 2005 forecasts for planting, production, trade and prices and speakers on market developments. The program will feature the science-agriculture connection. Today as never before, science is crossing paths with farming, farm policy and the marketplace. Topics include managing risks from BSE and Avian Influenza; prospects for energy prices, ethanol and co-products; early debate over the next Farm Bill; new dietary guidelines; the future of the North American marketplace; WTO talks and the bio-safety protocol. Attendees will receive new USDA long-term commodity projections to 2014. USDA agencies will demonstrate new e-government tools for better service. Networking opportunities abound at this popular event. Register online today. For program updates, send your name and e-mail address to agforum@oce.usda.gov. www.usda.gov/oce/forum agforum@oce.usda.gov