HDR1012000170100520971200WEEKLY WEATHER & CROP BULLETIN Released May 20, 1997, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" call Rhonda Brandt at (202) 720-7621, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Agricultural Summary May 12 - 18, 1997 HIGHLIGHTS: Planting progressed rapidly as farmers across the United States took advantage of drier weather. Nevertheless, a late-week storm slowed fieldwork and crop development as it brought very low temperatures, showers, and some snow to the northern Plains, Corn Belt, Ohio Valley, and New England. Localities as far south as Kentucky recorded freezing temperatures well beyond their normal "last freeze date." Growers reported little or no freeze damage to barely emerged crops, but germination was hindered. Widely fluctuating temperatures and little precipitation exacerbated already dry soils in the central and northern Plains. Locally heavy thunderstorms slowed fieldwork in Texas and southern Florida. In the Southwest, crop planting and development conditions were ideal as the area recorded the fourth straight week of above-normal temperatures. Winter wheat: Nationwide, condition of the winter wheat crop rated mostly fair to good. Colorado, Montana, and Nebraska reported significant declines in their winter wheat conditions due to lack of precipitation. Declining soil moisture was a concern for continued crop development in Kansas. By week's end, 49 percent (%) of the winter wheat crop was headed, equaling 1996, but just behind the 5-year average of 52%. Winter wheat harvest progressed in central Texas as weather allowed. Harvest started in Georgia. Corn: Corn planting in the 17 major corn-producing States advanced to 88% complete, well ahead of 61% in 1996 and the average of 67%. Drier soils in South Dakota allowed corn growers to plant 41% of the State's crop by week's end. Farmers in Missouri, Nebraska, and Wisconsin also made rapid progress. This is the earliest date in the past 9 years that corn planting in Minnesota passed the 90% mark. Varying amounts of frost in the major producing States hampered development of the slowly emerging crop. In Iowa, corn planting was 18 days ahead of average, but emergence was 3 days behind average. Farmers in Illinois and Indiana used rotary hoe on corn fields to aid emergence and activate herbicides. Soybeans: As farmers finished planting corn, they immediately turned to planting soybeans. Planting progressed to 46% complete for the Nation, compared with the 14% of a year ago and the average of 26%. Illinois growers planted 32% of the State's crop, 42 percentage points ahead of average. Planting in Ohio was more than a week ahead of normal. Soybeans in Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska were also planted at a very brisk pace. Cotton: Cotton growers caught up to the normal planting pace, with 65% of the crop in the ground. Planting in Texas remained just behind the average, but slowly accelerated as soils warmed and dried. Delta and Southeast cotton growers made substantial planting progress, although growers in drier areas waited for more precipitation to plant. In North Carolina, many cotton farmers recovered from a slow start, planting 30% of the State's cotton during the week, yet the State average remained behind normal. Farmers replanted some early fields in Georgia and Alabama after weeks of dry soils and cold weather. Cotton planting was virtually complete in California and Arizona, where above-normal temperatures provided favorable growing conditions. Rice: Rice planting neared an end, with 91% of the crop in the ground, compared with 82% in 1996 and the average of 78%. California growers planted 40% of the State's crop, and were 45% ahead of the normal pace. Planting in Texas remained behind normal as rain along the Upper Coast continued to slow operations. Emergence of the rice crop was slightly ahead of average. The crop rated mostly good, with only Arkansas and Louisianna reporting percentages of their crops in the very poor or poor categories. Growers in Arkansas flushed and applied fertilizers to fields. Other Small Grains: Planting of spring cereals proceeded rapidly since drier soils in North and South Dakota allowed farmers access to fields. For the Nation, spring wheat planting advanced to 59% complete, 11% behind average. Spring wheat planting neared completion in Idaho, Oregon, and Washington. Barley planting was 59% complete, ahead of 48% last year, but still behind the average of 72%. Below-normal temperatures and late planting kept spring wheat and barley emergence well behind normal. Oat planting at the national level advanced 15 points from last week as both North and South Dakota growers planted one-third of their States' acreages. Forty-nine percent of the oat crop emerged by week's end, 4 points ahead of last year, but 9 points behind the average. Ohio oat emergence was a week ahead of normal. Other Crops: Peanut planting progress neared normal for the 8 major peanut-producing States as growers in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Virginia planted large portions of their States' acreages. Planting lagged significantly behind normal only in North Carolina. Thirty-six percent of the sorghum crop was planted, compared with 34% in 1996 and average of 36%. Planting began in earnest in Mississippi, Missouri, and Nebraska, where farmers planted over 20% of the States' sorghum. Planting remained well behind normal in Oklahoma and Texas. National Weather Summary Volume 84, No. 20 May 11 - 17, 1997 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: A gradual drying trend prevailed nearly nationwide, reducing topsoil moisture in many areas. Moisture shortages became especially apparent from Montana to the central High Plains due to very warm weather late in the week. Farther east, cool weather persisted for a sixth consecutive week east of a line from the upper Midwest to Texas. Weekly temperatures averaged more than 10 degrees F below normal from Minnesota to Michigan. On May 13, a later-than-normal freeze struck the upper Midwest; 3 days later, widespread frost and scattered sub-freezing temperatures reached the Corn Belt. In contrast, weekly temperatures averaged 3 to 14 degrees F above normal in the West. On Sunday, record warmth prevailed along the West Coast, while frost dotted the East. Daily-record highs in the Northwest included 96 degrees F in Vancouver, WA and 97 degrees F in Medford, OR. Meanwhile, Lynchburg, VA tallied a daily-record low of 31 degrees F. Two days later, another cold airmass reached the Plains and Midwest, resulting in a widespread freeze from Minnesota and Wisconsin to Nebraska. Among the nearly three dozen daily records were lows of 24 degrees F in Sioux Falls, SD, 25 degrees F in Mason City, IA, and 26 degrees F in Norfolk, NE. The latest spring freezes on record occurred in Omaha, NE (formerly on May 11, 1946) and Gilbert, AR (May 12, 1954). In Nebraska, Lincoln (27 degrees F) logged their latest sub-30-degree reading. After a short absence, record warmth returned on Wednesday to the Northwest, where Wenatchee, WA registered 93 degrees F. A day later, another late-season chill arrived across the North Central States, holding maximum temperatures in Michigan to 44 degrees F in Grand Rapids and Lansing. On Friday, another three dozen daily-record lows were established, including 27 degrees F in Madison, WI, 29 degrees F in Grand Rapids, MI, and 32 degrees F in Indianapolis, IN. A minimum of 30 degrees F in Bristol, TN was their lowest so late in the spring (formerly 30 degrees F on May 9, 1947). Temperatures briefly dipped below the freezing mark in areas as far south as Vichy/Rolla, MO (31 degrees F) and Frankfort, KY (31 degrees F). In many locations from Iowa to Kentucky, climatological records indicate less than a 10-percent (%) chance of a freeze on or after May 16. Some snow accumulated during the week across the Great Lakes States. As much as 8 inches fell on May 11-12 near Bayfield, WI and Ironwood, MI. Weekly totals of 0.1 inch in Rochester, MN and 8.9 inches in Marquette, MI padded all-time seasonal records (84.7 and 272.0 inches, respectively). Measurable snow fell on 5 consecutive days in Marquette (May 11-16), a May record. On May 14-15, 3.3 inches blanketed Houghton Lake, MI, setting their monthly snowfall record. On Friday in Sioux City, IA, temperatures rebounded incredibly from a daily-record low of 33 degrees F to a daily-record high of 91 degrees F. Meanwhile, Hill City, KS notched their first of two daily-record highs (94 and 96 degrees F). Farther west, Phoenix, AZ registered 106 degrees F. On Saturday, very warm conditions cloaked the Western and Central States, resulting in the last of the week's nearly four dozen daily-record highs. Triple-digit heat gripped Sacramento, CA (101 degrees F). Highs reached 90 degrees F as far north as Bismarck, ND. Texas, New England, southern Florida, and the Great Lakes States were among the few areas to receive substantial moisture during the week. Daily-rainfall records were set in Melbourne, FL (3.27 inches on Monday) and Caribou, ME (1.67 inches on Friday). However, year-to-date precipitation slipped further behind normal values in several locations, including Helena, MT (1.67 inches, 46% of normal), Goodland, KS (2.08 inches, 41%), Moline, IL (5.32 inches, 58%), and Harrisburg, PA (8.49 inches, 58%). Corn: Percent Planted, Soybeans: Percent Planted, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- :-----------------------: 1992- State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : CO : 95 84 93 77 AL : 22 12 33 28 GA : 98 95 98 99 AR : 25 15 29 18 IL : 95 86 55 64 GA : 20 10 21 21 IN : 86 71 13 57 IL : 67 35 5 25 IA : 94 78 86 73 IN : 54 31 4 28 KS : 90 75 95 81 IA : 53 12 19 35 KY : 74 56 48 69 KS : 35 10 12 14 MI : 62 49 22 49 KY : 16 3 3 11 MN : 92 78 61 69 LA : 52 26 58 35 MO : 94 71 83 60 MI : 13 6 4 18 NE : 94 70 82 73 MN : 57 19 13 34 NC : 98 95 98 96 MS : 62 36 74 41 OH : 90 82 9 62 MO : 32 9 9 14 PA : 60 45 33 46 NE : 42 5 13 23 SD : 59 18 46 49 NC : 21 13 18 22 TX : 93 81 96 97 OH : 55 39 0 33 WI : 78 50 36 53 SC : 19 11 17 15 : SD : 14 1 12 19 17 Sts: 88 71 61 67 TN : 11 4 11 10 -------------------------------------- : These 17 States produced 90% of the 19 Sts: 46 20 14 26 1996 corn crop. -------------------------------------- These 19 States produced 94% of the 1996 soybean crop. Winter Wheat: Percent Headed, Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- :-----------------------: 1992- State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : AR : 100 98 99 97 AL : 83 60 83 82 CA : 99 99 99 98 AZ : 97 95 96 96 CO : 9 4 6 14 AR : 86 40 81 72 GA : 100 99 99 99 CA : 99 98 97 97 ID : 1 0 0 2 GA : 71 53 77 78 IL : 37 9 14 40 LA : 90 70 97 92 IN : 30 10 21 27 MS : 89 34 96 84 KS : 56 25 56 61 MO : 85 46 52 66 MI : 0 0 0 0 NM : 83 70 84 82 MO : 50 30 40 48 NC : 65 35 82 78 MT : 0 0 0 0 OK : 22 1 20 24 NE : 1 0 1 10 SC : 81 63 88 82 NC : 100 95 95 94 TN : 90 41 76 73 OH : 1 0 8 7 TX : 38 27 35 42 OK : 95 78 99 95 : OR : 19 0 18 20 14 Sts: 65 44 64 65 SD : 0 0 0 1 -------------------------------------- TX : 80 66 89 85 These 14 States produced 99% of the WA : 5 0 2 11 1996 cotton crop. : 19 Sts: 49 34 49 52 -------------------------------------- Sorghum: Percent Planted, These 19 States produced 92% of the Selected States 1996 winter wheat crop. -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 89 79 82 75 CO : 8 1 34 15 IL : 19 4 0 10 KS : 20 12 15 13 LA : 75 66 90 76 MS : 94 70 87 76 MO : 43 17 18 27 NE : 27 5 7 16 NM : 12 1 4 14 OK : 8 6 33 23 SD : 5 0 6 9 TX : 60 56 65 72 : 12 Sts: 36 28 34 36 -------------------------------------- These 12 States produced 99% of the 1996 sorghum crop. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- :-----------------------: 1992- State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : ID : 90 80 89 90 AR : 90 77 88 82 MN : 43 24 32 68 CA : 90 50 43 45 MT : 78 62 74 84 LA : 96 85 92 90 ND : 49 17 25 61 MS : 93 90 97 87 SD : 76 48 80 82 TX : 86 69 92 89 : : 5 Sts : 59 34 45 70 5 Sts : 91 74 82 78 -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- These 5 States produced 96% of the These 5 States produced 97% of the 1996 spring wheat crop. 1996 rice crop. Spring Wheat: Percent Emerged, Rice: Percent Emerged, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- :-----------------------: 1992- State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : ID : 70 58 74 77 AR : 57 33 70 64 MN : 15 4 13 40 CA : 50 20 9 13 MT : 45 12 26 50 LA : 82 70 80 82 ND : 10 1 7 34 MS : 80 67 83 74 SD : 37 6 48 65 TX : 59 34 83 74 : : 5 Sts : 24 6 19 44 5 Sts : 63 41 63 60 -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- These 5 States produced 96% of the These 5 States produced 97% of the 1996 spring wheat crop. 1996 rice crop. Barley: Percent Planted, Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- :-----------------------: 1992- State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : ID : 82 64 83 87 IA : 100 98 100 91 MN : 38 22 27 64 MI : 89 87 65 82 MT : 84 60 74 82 MN : 83 81 83 87 ND : 39 13 21 60 NE : 100 98 100 99 SD : 56 22 75 78 ND : 47 14 20 58 WA : 94 86 88 93 OH : 99 96 64 90 : PA : 95 90 68 84 6 Sts : 59 37 48 72 SD : 69 35 81 79 -------------------------------------- WI : 96 90 59 77 These 6 States produced 82% of the : 1996 barley crop. 9 Sts : 80 65 66 79 -------------------------------------- These 9 States produced 54% of the Barley: Percent Emerged, 1996 oat crop. Selected States -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : Oats: Percent Emerged, :-----------------------: 1992- Selected States State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 -------------------------------------- : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : Week Ending : -------------------------------------- :-----------------------: 1992- : Percent State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 : : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. ID : 52 42 60 69 -------------------------------------- MN : 9 4 11 36 : Percent MT : 35 8 28 47 : ND : 6 0 4 34 IA : 92 76 89 83 SD : 21 2 32 59 MI : 57 44 22 45 WA : 77 60 61 77 MN : 53 32 47 62 : NE : 91 73 99 NA 6 Sts : 24 12 22 46 ND : 5 0 4 33 -------------------------------------- OH : 92 71 49 73 These 6 States produced 82% of the PA : 72 65 60 NA 1996 barley crop. SD : 22 9 53 65 WI : 62 36 30 NA : 9 Sts: 49 34 45 58 -------------------------------------- These 9 States produced 54% of the 1996 oats crop. Peanuts: Percent Planted, Selected States -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- State:May 18,:May 11,:May 18,: 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 85 45 78 76 FL : 75 40 80 NA GA : 83 54 84 83 NC : 31 20 45 61 OK : 32 22 28 25 SC : 84 67 90 79 TX : 18 11 29 17 VA : 75 35 66 82 : 8 Sts : 61 37 64 62 -------------------------------------- These 8 States produced 99% of the 1996 peanut crop. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 2 20 49 25 4 CA : 0 5 15 45 35 CO : 6 15 36 36 7 GA : 1 8 37 52 2 ID : 1 2 20 53 24 IL : 2 3 21 62 12 IN : 0 4 27 56 13 KS : 4 11 30 44 11 MI : 3 11 31 42 13 MO : 1 10 29 49 11 MT : 3 11 49 35 2 NE : 2 14 44 37 3 NC : 0 4 32 57 7 OH : 2 10 37 41 10 OK : 11 18 35 34 2 OR : 0 4 21 42 33 SD : 9 23 31 33 4 TX : 5 16 39 31 9 WA : 0 3 14 56 27 : 19 Sts : 5 12 33 40 10 : Prev Wk : 5 11 31 44 9 Prev Yr : 21 25 27 22 5 -------------------------------------- Rice: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 11 46 38 4 CA : 0 0 5 80 15 LA : 0 10 52 35 3 MS : 0 0 32 65 3 TX : 0 0 23 60 17 : 5 Sts : 0 7 36 50 7 : Prev Wk : 0 7 40 48 5 Prev Yr : 0 3 25 58 14 -------------------------------------- Note: US level crop conditions are weighted averages based on 1996 planted acres for the selected states. Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 3 13 26 50 8 :: NJ : 0 0 0 100 0 AZ : 8 16 33 31 12 :: NM : 1 5 36 55 3 AR : 0 7 38 48 7 :: NY : 0 0 56 44 0 CA : 0 5 55 35 5 :: NC : 0 6 21 61 12 CO : 6 9 36 44 5 :: ND : 7 13 32 40 8 CT : 0 0 17 83 0 :: OH : 3 10 33 46 8 DE : 0 0 8 88 4 :: OK : 0 1 29 64 6 FL : 0 15 40 40 5 :: OR : 0 0 11 78 11 GA : 1 5 32 59 3 :: PA : 2 26 52 20 0 ID : 0 2 19 58 21 :: RI : 0 48 22 6 24 IL : 2 3 30 60 5 :: SC : 0 2 19 67 12 IN : 1 10 31 51 7 :: SD : 1 9 35 48 7 IA : 1 11 34 46 8 :: TN : 1 7 32 53 7 KS : 0 5 28 58 9 :: TX : 1 10 28 42 19 KY : 4 15 40 36 5 :: UT : 0 2 14 68 16 LA : 0 3 32 58 7 :: VT : 0 14 65 21 0 ME : 0 32 53 10 5 :: VA : 0 15 50 34 1 MD : 1 4 22 61 12 :: WA : 0 1 24 63 12 MA : 0 49 21 26 4 :: WV : 1 13 34 49 3 MI : 2 22 38 30 8 :: WI : 1 17 40 33 9 MN : 5 27 40 26 2 :: WY : 1 4 46 48 1 MS : 3 7 28 51 11 :: : MO : 1 12 42 41 4 :: 48 Sts : 1 10 35 46 8 MT : 2 17 41 34 6 :: : NE : 3 10 37 48 2 :: Prev Wk: 1 8 34 49 8 NV : 0 0 7 78 15 :: Prev Yr: 7 14 34 39 6 NH : 6 16 65 8 5 :: : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VP - Very Poor P - Poor F - Fair G - Good Ex - Excellent The next "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" report will be released at 12 P.M. 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