HDR1012000170100909971200WEEKLY WEATHER AND CROP BULLETIN Released September 9, 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 Weather Summary Volume 84, No. 36 August 31 - September 6, 1997 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Dryness continued in the Southeast through a fifth consecutive week, despite the passage of a strong cold front that delivered more than 100 daily-record lows to the Midwestern and Southeastern States from September 4-6. Corn Belt crops were not affected by the cool snap, which produced scattered frost from the northern Red River Valley to Lower Michigan on September 3 and 4. Heavy rainfall in advance of the cool air was confined to scattered locations in the upper Midwest and northern and central Plains. Elsewhere, widespread monsoonal thunderstorms peppered the Southwest, while heavy rain soaked southern Florida. Weekly temperatures ranged from 4 to 9 degrees F above normal in the northern Rockies and northern High Plains, but as much as 5 degrees F below normal in the Southeast. Early in the week, a strong cold front swept through the Midwest, reaching the East Coast on Wednesday and the Gulf Coast a day later. As the front approached, more than 3 inches of rain fell in locations such as Jamestown, ND (on Sunday) and Omaha, NE (on Monday and Tuesday). Meanwhile in Florida, Melbourne netted a daily-record total of 2.81 inches on Monday. On Wednesday, lows in northern Minnesota dipped to 28 degrees F, a daily record, in International Falls and 20 degrees F in Tower. Hayward, WI reported 32 degrees F. A day later, lows of 33 degrees F in Lansing, MI, 40 degrees F in South Bend, IN, and 40 degrees F in Mansfield, OH were among nearly four dozen daily records. Another four dozen records were set on Friday, including 41 degrees F in Bristol, TN, 44 degrees F in Springfield, IL, and 48 degrees F in Augusta, GA. Wilmington, NC ended the week with three consecutive daily-record lows (53, 49, and 53 degrees F). During the first 6 days of the month, 1.27 inches of rain pelted Las Vegas, NV, their third-highest September total on record. Monsoonal rainfall also topped an inch in parts of interior California, southern Nevada, northern Arizona, and Utah, causing flash flooding. Farther north, highs soared into the middle to upper 90's as far north as southeastern Montana and the Snake River Valley. Lewiston, ID recorded 99 degrees on Monday, and Miles City, MT notched 95 degrees F on Wednesday. Warm weather prevailed in Alaska (up to 5 degrees F above normal) and Hawaii. On Tuesday, Honolulu (94 degrees F, 1 degree shy of their September record) and Kahului (93 degrees F) notched daily records. In addition to Alaska's above-normal temperatures, weekly rainfall topped 2 inches in several southern locations, including Anchorage. National Agricultural Summary September 1 - 7, 1997 HIGHLIGHTS Continued below-normal temperatures east of the Mississippi River slowed crop development. Scattered showers relieved dry soils in the Corn Belt and Northeast, but the Southeast remained quite dry. The continued dry weather stressed crops in an area extending from Virginia to Mississippi. Although stressing late-planted crops, the dry weather allowed harvest to progress unhindered. Producers made excellent progress on small grain harvest in the northern Plains. Corn: Corn developed behind the average pace in the eastern Corn Belt due to below-normal temperatures. Farther west, progress in the major corn-producing States was ahead of normal. Nationwide, corn in the dough and dent stages progressed ahead of this date in 1996 and the 5-year average. Ten percent of the corn crop was mature, compared with 11 percent (%) in 1996 and the average of 15%. Corn grain harvest was just getting underway in Kansas, Missouri, and Pennsylvania. Condition of the corn crop remained mostly good to fair. Soybeans: Seven percent of the Nation's soybean acreage was dropping leaves, equal to 1996 but 2 percentage points behind average. Overall, soybean condition rated mostly good to fair. Continued dry weather in the Southeast caused soybean conditions in the area to decline significantly. A few locations in the eastern Corn Belt recorded low temperatures in the 30's, but no frost damage was reported to either corn or soybeans. Lack of heat to finish out the crop concerned many farmers in the Corn Belt. Cotton: Bolls were opening on 34% of the cotton acreage, behind both 49% in 1996 and the average of 42%. Progress was generally ahead of normal in the western cotton-producing States, while behind normal in Texas and the States farther east. Harvest was active in western Arizona. California growers prepared for defoliation in southern counties. Harvest began in the Texas Blacklands, gained momentum in central areas, and was winding down in the Coastal Bend. Overall, cotton condition rated mostly good to fair. Rice: Rice harvest was 26% complete, 7 points behind 1996 and 3 points behind the average. Producers in Arkansas drained fields and were in early stages of harvest. Harvest was most active in Texas, but progress remained well behind normal. In Louisiana, harvest was well underway in northern parishes and nearing completion in southern parishes. Rice condition declined, but remained mostly good. Sorghum: Sorghum was turning color on 70% of the acreage, ahead of both the 68% last year and the average of 64%. Twenty-six percent of the acreage reached maturity, 5 points behind last year and 6 points behind the average. Sorghum harvest gained momentum as growers harvested 19% of the crop by week's end, 3 points behind last year and the average. Over half of the acreage was harvested in Louisiana and Texas. Harvest gained momentum in Arkansas and Mississippi. Kansas and Missouri growers were just starting to harvest mature fields. Sorghum condition rated mostly good. Spring Small Grains: Despite occasional thunderstorms in the northern Plains, hot weather allowed small grain harvest to progress rapidly. Spring wheat harvest reached 84% complete, 2 points ahead of harvest in 1996 and 18 points ahead of average. All major spring wheat-producing States harvested ahead of the normal pace, especially in Minnesota and North Dakota. Barley was 88% harvested, 2 points ahead of last year and 10 points ahead of normal. Oat harvest was in its final stages as harvest reached 96% complete, 1 point behind 1996 but 4 points ahead of average. Peanuts: Peanut harvest advanced to 4% complete, ahead of the 2% harvested a year ago. Harvest was still in the early stages in Georgia and Texas. Growers in Florida and South Carolina made good harvest progress, but limited progress was made in Alabama. In Florida, heavy rainfall provided relief to dry soils. However, lack of precipitation throughout the remainder of the Southeast caused condition to decline significantly. Nationally, peanut condition rated mostly fair to good. Winter Wheat: Winter wheat growers began planting in several States. Growers in Washington were delayed by showers and a later-than-normal harvest. Grasshoppers delayed planting in Montana and Nebraska as farmers took preventative measures to control the insects. Nationwide, planting was 5% complete, behind both 6% in 1996 and the average of 7%. Corn: Percent Dough, Corn: Percent Dented, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- :-----------------------: 1992- State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : CO : 79 72 95 81 CO : 40 30 60 45 GA : 100 100 100 100 GA : 100 99 100 100 IL : 92 87 87 92 IL : 73 54 53 65 IN : 92 91 87 96 IN : 45 37 40 61 IA : 94 86 81 82 IA : 65 43 47 55 KS : 100 97 100 98 KS : 90 72 86 77 KY : 99 97 99 99 KY : 85 76 89 88 MI : 47 30 60 64 MI : 16 5 15 29 MN : 97 84 92 82 MN : 59 25 41 44 MO : 100 100 99 96 MO : 90 80 92 81 NE : 97 93 95 94 NE : 61 41 52 60 NC : 100 100 100 97 NC : 87 85 99 94 OH : 92 87 77 94 OH : 33 17 20 55 PA : 72 63 74 82 PA : 43 27 40 45 SD : 88 77 83 82 SD : 56 34 42 43 TX : 99 98 100 99 TX : 95 89 99 94 WI : 77 62 69 71 WI : 20 8 26 37 : : 17 Sts: 91 84 86 88 17 Sts: 60 42 50 58 -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- These 17 States produced 90% of the These 17 States produced 90% of the 1996 corn crop. 1996 corn crop. Corn: Percent Mature, Corn: Percent Harvested, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- :-----------------------: 1992- State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : CO : 0 0 3 3 CO : 0 NA 0 0 GA : 98 95 98 99 GA : 65 NA 61 67 IL : 7 4 7 12 IL : 0 NA 0 0 IN : 8 3 8 10 IN : 0 NA 0 0 IA : 0 0 3 13 IA : 0 NA 0 0 KS : 35 17 35 37 KS : 3 NA 3 5 KY : 25 21 34 40 KY : 0 NA 0 0 MI : 1 0 0 3 MI : 0 NA 0 0 MN : 0 0 3 3 MN : 0 NA 0 0 MO : 35 22 47 35 MO : 7 NA 11 7 NE : 3 0 1 7 NE : 0 NA 0 0 NC : 68 66 93 86 NC : 16 NA 32 27 OH : 1 0 0 5 OH : 0 NA 0 0 PA : 7 4 7 7 PA : 3 NA 1 0 SD : 8 6 5 7 SD : 0 NA 0 0 TX : 65 60 74 70 TX : 47 NA 59 59 WI : 2 0 3 9 WI : 0 NA 0 0 : : 17 Sts: 10 7 11 15 17 Sts: 2 NA 3 3 -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- These 17 States produced 90% of the These 17 States produced 92% of the 1996 corn crop. 1996 corn crop. Soybeans: Percent Dropping Leaves, Winter Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- :-----------------------: 1992- State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : AL : 10 3 6 11 AR : 0 NA 0 0 AR : 3 1 14 7 CA : 0 NA 0 0 GA : 9 2 8 12 CO : 6 NA 16 11 IL : 4 1 2 8 GA : 0 NA 0 0 IN : 6 5 6 10 ID : 6 NA 3 6 IA : 4 0 0 5 IL : 0 NA 0 0 KS : 13 8 18 14 IN : 0 NA 0 0 KY : 5 1 6 9 KS : 2 NA 3 3 LA : 28 16 28 18 MI : 1 NA 2 2 MI : 5 0 3 8 MO : 0 NA 0 0 MN : 3 0 9 6 MT : 2 NA 3 2 MS : 23 16 45 23 NE : 8 NA 10 11 MO : 2 0 2 5 NC : 0 NA 0 0 NE : 4 1 1 7 OH : 0 NA 0 0 NC : 1 0 3 3 OK : 10 NA 3 9 OH : 8 2 2 12 OR : 0 NA 0 2 SC : 7 5 2 0 SD : 15 NA 7 11 SD : 27 9 32 21 TX : 9 NA 9 12 TN : 0 0 7 8 WA : 8 NA 37 31 : : 19 Sts: 7 2 7 9 19 Sts: 5 NA 6 7 -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- These 19 States produced 94% of the These 19 States produced 92% of the 1996 soybean crop. 1996 winter wheat crop. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- :-----------------------: 1992- State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : AL : 22 20 40 34 AR : 47 15 61 67 AZ : 90 67 93 90 CO : 0 0 9 5 AR : 21 10 52 36 IL : 1 0 3 6 CA : 80 60 71 59 KS : 10 7 12 7 GA : 24 10 56 46 LA : 89 83 90 84 LA : 63 43 79 73 MS : 82 64 89 82 MS : 36 17 83 66 MO : 20 9 24 29 MO : 29 15 45 29 NE : 1 0 0 4 NM : 42 27 65 38 NM : 1 0 0 3 NC : 15 13 40 38 OK : 6 4 24 14 OK : 8 2 15 15 SD : 14 3 21 10 SC : 24 14 36 38 TX : 56 54 62 70 TN : 11 1 55 39 : TX : 28 22 33 31 12 Sts: 26 23 31 32 : -------------------------------------- 14 Sts: 34 23 49 42 These 12 States produced 99% of the -------------------------------------- 1996 sorghum crop. These 14 States produced 99% of the 1996 cotton crop. Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States Sorghum: Percent Coloring, -------------------------------------- Selected States : Week Ending : -------------------------------------- :-----------------------: 1992- : Week Ending : State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 :-----------------------: 1992- : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 -------------------------------------- : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : Percent -------------------------------------- : : Percent AR : 19 NA 38 32 : CO : 0 NA 0 0 AR : 90 80 95 95 IL : 0 NA 0 0 CO : 18 14 64 41 KS : 2 NA 3 1 IL : 45 40 37 51 LA : 64 NA 64 54 KS : 65 52 62 52 MS : 24 NA 61 45 LA : 98 97 100 98 MO : 1 NA 3 3 MS : 93 90 98 96 NE : 0 NA 0 0 MO : 78 66 69 69 NM : 0 NA 0 0 NE : 61 38 43 46 OK : 0 NA 4 2 NM : 30 11 27 28 SD : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 68 56 68 63 TX : 52 NA 59 63 SD : 65 33 67 42 : TX : 81 75 83 83 12 Sts: 19 NA 22 22 : -------------------------------------- 12 Sts: 70 58 68 64 These 12 States produced 99% of the -------------------------------------- 1996 sorghum crop. These 12 States produced 99% of the 1996 sorghum crop. Spring Wheat: Percent Harvested, Barley: Percent Harvested, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- :-----------------------: 1992- State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : ID : 75 61 83 74 ID : 74 66 79 75 MN : 90 72 74 65 MN : 91 80 79 78 MT : 75 56 87 60 MT : 78 56 83 64 ND : 83 69 77 62 ND : 93 81 89 82 SD : 99 94 100 95 SD : 97 91 100 99 : WA : 99 94 89 91 5 Sts : 84 69 82 66 : -------------------------------------- 6 Sts : 88 75 86 78 These 5 States produced 96% of the -------------------------------------- 1996 spring wheat crop. These 6 States produced 83% of the 1996 barley crop. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States Oats: Percent Harvested, -------------------------------------- Selected States : Week Ending : -------------------------------------- :-----------------------: 1992- : Week Ending : State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 :-----------------------: 1992- : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 -------------------------------------- : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. : Percent -------------------------------------- : : Percent AR : 5 1 15 14 : CA : 15 10 0 0 IA : 100 100 100 100 LA : 73 65 76 69 MI : 100 99 94 91 MS : 12 4 24 24 MN : 98 90 99 93 TX : 50 35 84 69 NE : 100 100 100 100 : ND : 89 79 87 75 5 Sts : 26 19 33 29 OH : 100 100 100 100 -------------------------------------- PA : 97 91 97 96 These 5 States produced 97% of the SD : 99 96 100 99 1996 rice crop. WI : 96 90 99 93 : 9 Sts : 96 91 97 92 -------------------------------------- These 9 States produced 70% of the 1996 oats crop. Peanuts: Percent Harvested, Selected States -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1992- State:Sep 7, :Aug 31,:Sep 7, : 1996 : 1997 : 1997 : 1996 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 9 1 4 NA FL : 17 9 6 NA GA : 4 1 2 NA NC : 0 0 0 NA OK : 0 0 0 NA SC : 10 7 9 NA TX : 2 1 0 NA VA : 0 0 0 NA : 8 Sts : 4 1 2 NA -------------------------------------- These 8 States produced 99% of the 1996 peanut crop. Corn: Crop Condition Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : CO : 1 2 14 66 17 AL : 3 30 37 26 4 GA : 1 4 33 58 4 AR : 2 11 32 46 9 IL : 2 12 38 42 6 GA : 6 15 44 32 3 IN : 2 7 34 49 8 IL : 2 8 34 47 9 IA : 2 7 31 47 13 IN : 2 7 31 49 11 KS : 0 7 17 57 19 IA : 1 7 30 48 14 KY : 5 14 33 44 4 KS : 0 4 18 62 16 MI : 3 11 32 43 11 KY : 1 5 34 53 7 MN : 1 4 22 53 20 LA : 2 13 27 53 5 MO : 8 19 33 32 8 MI : 1 6 28 49 16 NE : 2 10 23 55 10 MN : 2 7 30 52 9 NC : 1 24 46 28 1 MS : 2 10 26 51 11 OH : 1 6 26 48 19 MO : 5 15 38 35 7 PA : 5 21 36 35 3 NE : 3 9 39 44 5 SD : 1 4 13 51 31 NC : 4 9 35 52 0 TX : 1 3 13 67 16 OH : 0 5 24 51 20 WI : 0 3 13 54 30 SC : 3 11 32 48 6 : SD : 1 5 18 47 29 17 Sts : 2 8 27 49 14 TN : 1 4 24 51 20 : : Prev Wk : 3 8 27 47 15 19 Sts : 2 8 30 48 12 Prev Yr : 3 9 26 47 15 : -------------------------------------- Prev Wk : 2 8 29 49 12 Prev Yr : 3 11 31 44 11 -------------------------------------- Cotton: Crop Condition Rice: Crop Condition by Percent, by Percent, Selected States Selected States -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- -------------------------------------- : Percent : Percent : : AL : 3 25 49 22 1 AR : 0 3 25 55 17 AZ : 0 2 9 53 36 CA : 0 0 60 40 0 AR : 0 17 37 41 5 LA : 0 2 28 60 10 CA : 0 0 0 60 40 MS : 0 4 18 67 11 GA : 2 11 36 42 9 TX : 0 5 42 49 4 LA : 3 13 39 40 5 : MS : 2 8 28 47 15 5 Sts : 0 3 33 53 11 MO : 2 16 34 41 7 : NM : 0 0 15 70 15 Prev Wk : 0 2 30 52 16 NC : 1 12 26 60 1 Prev Yr : 0 2 17 60 21 OK : 0 1 19 69 11 -------------------------------------- SC : 3 7 36 50 4 TN : 2 6 27 54 11 TX : 1 9 30 49 11 Peanut: Crop Condition : by Percent, Selected States 14 Sts : 1 10 29 48 12 -------------------------------------- : State : VP : P : F : G : EX Prev Wk : 1 10 29 49 11 -------------------------------------- Prev Yr : 4 10 29 44 13 : Percent -------------------------------------- : AL : 5 23 54 16 2 FL : 0 0 15 64 21 Sorghum: Crop Condition GA : 3 14 44 31 8 by Percent, Selected States NC : 5 15 50 30 0 -------------------------------------- OK : 0 2 32 61 5 State : VP : P : F : G : EX SC : 0 9 28 60 3 -------------------------------------- TX : 3 5 30 41 21 : Percent VA : 1 9 47 37 6 : : AR : 2 11 47 37 3 8 Sts : 3 12 40 35 10 CO : 0 0 10 69 21 : IL : 6 18 34 38 4 Prev Wk : 2 9 35 45 9 KS : 0 5 16 63 16 Prev Yr : 1 7 36 47 9 LA : 0 1 43 53 3 -------------------------------------- MS : 0 8 30 56 6 MO : 5 10 38 41 6 NE : 4 13 39 41 3 NM : 0 4 42 54 0 OK : 0 1 7 88 4 SD : 0 2 14 62 22 TX : 0 4 25 58 13 : 12 Sts : 1 6 23 58 12 : Prev Wk : 1 6 25 56 12 Prev Yr : 1 4 19 58 18 -------------------------------------- Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 2 23 45 27 3 :: NJ : 0 0 50 50 0 AZ : 3 21 33 35 8 :: NM : 0 6 23 65 6 AR : 3 23 40 32 2 :: NY : 0 29 35 36 0 CA : 15 15 30 35 5 :: NC : 14 25 29 32 0 CO : 0 1 15 59 25 :: ND : 13 31 37 19 0 CT : 0 0 27 73 0 :: OH : 2 6 36 45 11 DE : 7 21 56 16 0 :: OK : 1 8 29 57 5 FL : 0 5 25 45 25 :: OR : 1 3 42 35 19 GA : 6 20 43 30 1 :: PA : 5 23 47 25 0 ID : 0 3 22 51 24 :: RI : 0 0 66 18 16 IL : 2 12 44 39 3 :: SC : 11 29 35 21 4 IN : 4 13 33 47 3 :: SD : 1 4 19 46 30 IA : 11 21 37 25 6 :: TN : 3 16 35 41 5 KS : 2 6 26 57 9 :: TX : 4 17 43 32 4 KY : 4 17 42 32 5 :: UT : 3 4 16 62 15 LA : 1 9 39 48 3 :: VT : 0 21 39 32 8 ME : 3 27 4 56 10 :: VA : 34 30 28 8 0 MD : 17 27 35 19 2 :: WA : 8 5 20 66 1 MA : 3 7 20 70 0 :: WV : 2 12 36 47 3 MI : 2 28 43 25 2 :: WI : 0 5 23 57 15 MN : 4 12 31 47 6 :: WY : 2 3 20 61 14 MS : 3 9 27 48 13 :: : MO : 6 20 46 26 2 :: 48 Sts : 5 14 33 40 8 MT : 2 9 28 48 13 :: : NE : 10 22 32 35 1 :: Prev Wk: 5 13 33 41 8 NV : 0 0 23 72 5 :: Prev Yr: 5 17 35 37 6 NH : 0 3 21 76 0 :: : -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VP - Very Poor P - Poor F - Fair G - Good Ex - Excellent The next " Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" report will be released at 3:00 p.m. ET on September 16, 1997. 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