We 1 (5-00) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released May 2, 2000, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" call Mark E. Miller at (202)720-7621, office hours 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary Volume 87, No. 17 April 23 - 29, 2000 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Mostly dry weather favored fieldwork in the Corn Belt following the previous week's significant rainfall, while widespread showers aided winter wheat on the High Plains and summer crops in the Southeast. Heavy precipitation, including some wet snow, fell in northern New England. Several areas remained unfavorably dry, however, including southern and western Texas, southern Florida, much of the western Corn Belt, the middle Mississippi and lower Missouri Valleys, and areas along and near the central Gulf Coast. Heat intensified across the Southwest, boosting weekly temperatures as much as 11 degrees F above normal. Warm weather (up to 7 degrees F above normal) favored small grain development on the northern Plains. Dry weather and near-normal temperatures in California's Central Valley and the Northwest promoted fieldwork and crop development. In contrast, cool weather (as much as 9 degrees F below normal) slowed winter grain development from the Ohio Valley into the East and summer crop growth across the South. The last full week in April featured the continuation of cool weather across the South and East. In Indiana, Indianapolis' highest temperature during the month, 75 degrees F on April 20 and 30, was lower than their highest temperatures in February (76 degrees F on the 25th) and March (79 degrees F on the 8th). Meanwhile, Indianapolis' April rainfall of 3.80 inches (103 percent of normal) left their 10-month (July 1999 - April 2000) total at 20.70 inches (64 percent). Farther south, monthly rainfall totaled 1.06 inches (25 percent of normal) in Springfield, MO, completing their driest January-April period (6.83 inches) since only 4.29 inches fell in 1963. In Florida, Tampa concluded their third consecutive month with less than one-half inch of rain for the first time since December 1949 - February 1950. In Arizona, October-April precipitation was only 8 percent of normal in Douglas and Safford. Finally, preliminary data for Iowa indicated that the State's September-April precipitation was 9.53 inches, their lowest since a record-low 9.15 inches fell in 1955-56. Early in the week, a cold front's passage briefly ended a hot spell across Texas. Prior to the front's arrival, highs on Sunday reached daily-record levels in locations such as Del Rio (99 degrees F) and San Antonio (98 degrees F). Cotulla, TX recorded a high of 103 degrees F. The hottest weather shifted into the Southwest thereafter, resulting in more than 40 daily-record highs from April 26-28. In Utah, Zion National Park noted record highs on all 3 days (92, 95, and 93 degrees F). Phoenix, AZ registered their first day of the year with triple-digit heat (100 degrees F) on Wednesday, followed by a high of 101 degrees F the next day. Record warmth briefly overspread southern California, where Pasadena posted a high of 95 degrees F on April 26. Farther north, warmer weather replaced an early-week chill in the Northwest. On Tuesday, daily-record lows were reported in locations such as Redmond, OR (16 degrees F), Yakima, WA (24 degrees F), and LaGrande, OR (28 degrees F). Meanwhile, persistently cool weather affected the East. On April 26, Flint, MI (26 degrees F) tallied a daily-record low, followed a day later by a record in Jackson, TN (38 degrees F). Wet conditions accompanied the cool weather in New England. Bangor, ME received a daily-record rainfall (1.39 inches) on April 23, lifting their 2-day total to 2.90 inches. In Milton (Blue Hill Observatory), MA, snowfall totaled 0.9 inch on April 26. A day later, a daily-record total of 2.8 inches blanketed Caribou, ME. Only light showers fell across Hawaii, following recent beneficial rainfall. Meanwhile in Alaska, cold weather (as much as 9 degrees F below normal) overspread western areas, while mild conditions prevailed elsewhere. Less stormy weather returned to southeastern Alaska following last week's heavy precipitation. National Agricultural Summary April 24 - 30, 2000 Highlights: Planting rapidly progressed in the western Corn Belt, Great Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, and parts of the Southeast. Lingering wetness and cool weather hindered planting progress in parts of the eastern Corn Belt and Atlantic Coastal Plains. Cold soil temperatures delayed seed germination and emergence in the eastern Corn Belt. Winter wheat rapidly progressed to the heading stage in the lower Mississippi Valley and southern Great Plains, despite below-normal temperatures. In the upper Mississippi Valley and northern Great Plains, dry weather aided small grain seeding and above-normal temperatures promoted germination and growth where topsoil moisture supplies were adequate. Winter Wheat: Thirty-three percent of the winter wheat crop was at the heading stage or beyond, compared with last year's 26-percent progress, and nearly 1 week ahead of the 21-percent average. Development rapidly continued, despite below-normal temperatures in the lower Mississippi Valley and Southeast. In Missouri, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, wheat headed advanced 22, 28, and 30 percentage points, respectively. Nearly all of the crop was headed in Arkansas. Wheat fields in the Corn Belt and central Great Plains also quickly progressed to the heading stage, jumping 13 percentage points in Illinois and Indiana, and 12 percentage points in Kansas. Warm weather promoted maturing in California. In the northern Great Plains, above-normal temperatures promoted rapid development, but no fields were heading. Corn: Planting rapidly advanced to 49 percent of the intended acreage, more than 1 week ahead of last year's 17-percent pace and more than double the 5-year average of 23 percent. With most of the pre-planting field preparations complete, growers in the western Corn Belt spent most of the week planting corn. Acreage planted jumped 55 percentage points in Iowa and 65 percentage points in Minnesota. Progress was more modest in the central and eastern Corn Belt. Growers in Illinois and Indiana planted about a quarter of their corn acreage, but progress was very slow in Michigan and Ohio due to cool weather and lingering wetness. Nine percent of the crop was emerged, 4 percentage points ahead of the same date last year. Emergence rapidly progressed along the Missouri, Mississippi, and Ohio River Valleys in the southern Corn Belt, but cold soil temperatures delayed germination in other areas of the Corn Belt. About one-fourth of the crop was emerged in Kentucky and Kansas, 40 percent was emerged in Tennessee, and over half of the acreage was emerged in Missouri. Soybeans: Eight percent of the intended acreage was planted, 5 percentage points ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Planting was most advanced in the Mississippi Delta, with about one-fourth of the crop planted in Louisiana and Mississippi. Cotton: Planting was 23 percent complete, 4 percentage points ahead of this date last year and 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Planting rapidly progressed in the Mississippi Delta, advancing 30 percentage points or more in Louisiana and Missouri. Rain and lingering wetness delayed planting on the Atlantic Coastal Plains, as progress fell well behind the 5-year average in North Carolina and Virginia. In the Southeast, planting accelerated, but remained slightly behind normal in Alabama and Georgia. Rice: Fifty-eight percent of the rice acreage was planted, 5 percentage points ahead of a year ago and 4 percentage points ahead of the normal progress for this date. Planting accelerated in Arkansas and Mississippi, but remained well behind normal in Mississippi due to lingering wetness and below-normal temperatures. The planting pace slowed in Louisiana and Texas, as progress neared completion. Thirty-one percent of the crop was emerged, ahead of last year's 25-percent progress and 2 percentage points ahead of the average for this date. Spring Wheat: Planting was 57 percent complete, 18 percentage points ahead of last year's pace, and nearly double the 29-percent normal for this date. Planting rapidly progressed, as dry weather prevailed in the upper Mississippi Valley and most of the northern Great Plains. In Minnesota, growers planted 39 percent of their acreage during the week. Planting advanced nearly 30 percentage points in Montana and North Dakota. Rain limited progress in South Dakota, but delays were isolated and brief. Nineteen percent was emerged, compared with 11 percent last year and the 9-percent normal for this date. Warm weather promoted rapid emergence, especially in Idaho and South Dakota. Dry soils hindered emergence in Montana. Oats: Seeding advanced to 68 percent of intended acreage, 1 week ahead of last year's 51-percent pace, and nearly 2 weeks ahead of the 41-percent average for this date. Warm, dry weather aided planting in Minnesota and North Dakota. Planting accelerated in Ohio and Pennsylvania, as surplus moisture supplies gradually diminished. Planting steadily progressed in South Dakota and Wisconsin and was nearly complete in Iowa and Nebraska. Thirty-eight percent of the crop was emerged, 13 percentage points ahead of a year ago. Rapid emergence in Iowa, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin was aided by warm weather. However, increasing moisture shortages limited progress in Iowa and Minnesota. Barley: The crop was 56-percent seeded, 15 percentage points ahead of last year's pace, and more than 1 week ahead of the 5-year average of 34 percent. Progress was aided by dry weather, especially in Minnesota, where planting advanced 39 percentage points. In Montana and North Dakota, seeding progressed 25 and 21 percentage points, respectively. Twenty-one percent of the crop was emerged, compared with 15 percent last year and 13 percent normally emerged by this date. Above-normal temperatures aided emergence and growth in Idaho and Minnesota. In Washington, fields rapidly emerged despite cooler-than-normal temperatures. Emergence was hindered by dry soils in Montana. Sorghum: Twenty-three percent of the sorghum acreage has been planted, 1 week ahead of a year ago, and slightly ahead of the 21-percent average for this date. Planting accelerated in the Mississippi Delta and southern Corn Belt, advancing 24 and 23 percentage points in Arkansas and Louisiana, respectively. In Missouri, planting was about 3 weeks ahead of normal and the most advanced progress for this date on record. Planting began in Illinois and the central Great Plains. Other crops: Seventy percent of the sugarbeets and 6 percent of the peanuts were planted. Beet planting rapidly progressed in Minnesota and North Dakota. Peanut planting lagged behind normal in Alabama and Georgia due to moisture shortages and below-normal temperatures. In North Carolina and Virginia, wet soils delayed planting. Winter Wheat: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 96 85 86 77 CA : 97 95 91 95 CO : 3 3 2 1 ID : 0 0 0 0 IL : 14 1 2 2 IN : 13 0 2 3 KS : 14 2 9 4 MI : 0 0 0 0 MO : 34 12 10 12 MT : 0 0 0 0 NE : 0 0 0 0 NC : 80 52 71 60 OH : 0 0 0 0 OK : 76 46 59 49 OR : 0 0 0 0 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 64 46 55 49 WA : 0 0 0 0 : 18 Sts: 33 20 26 21 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Corn: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 20 9 10 26 IL : 58 31 8 25 IN : 35 11 9 14 IA : 65 10 11 19 KS : 73 40 24 41 KY : 57 45 59 44 MI : 5 4 5 7 MN : 72 7 31 26 MO : 91 77 30 39 NE : 40 12 12 20 NC : 72 65 74 77 ND : 20 0 17 10 OH : 7 4 20 18 PA : 8 3 10 11 SD : 24 3 5 6 TN : 70 57 76 74 TX : 80 68 71 73 WI : 18 0 8 7 : 18 Sts: 49 19 17 23 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Soybeans: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 9 NA 6 8 IL : 6 NA 0 2 IN : 10 NA 3 4 IA : 9 NA 0 1 KS : 11 NA 0 1 KY : 6 NA 2 2 LA : 26 NA 16 12 MI : 1 NA 0 1 MN : 10 NA 2 3 MS : 24 NA 26 24 MO : 19 NA 1 1 NE : 7 NA 0 0 NC : 0 NA 0 3 ND : 0 NA 0 0 OH : 3 NA 11 7 SD : 0 NA 0 0 TN : 0 NA 3 1 WI : 0 NA 0 0 : 18 Sts: 8 NA 3 3 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Corn: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 2 NA 1 0 IL : 11 NA 3 NA IN : 0 NA 1 NA IA : 2 NA 0 0 KS : 26 NA 4 NA KY : 24 NA 27 26 MI : 0 NA 0 0 MN : 0 NA 0 0 MO : 57 NA *18 NA NE : 5 NA 0 0 NC : 50 NA 53 NA ND : 0 NA 0 NA OH : 0 NA 4 1 PA : 0 NA 0 NA SD : 1 NA 5 NA TN : 40 NA 36 NA TX : 64 NA 56 NA WI : 0 NA 0 NA : 18 Sts: 9 NA 5 NA -------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 32 15 34 37 AZ : 65 56 56 74 AR : 7 2 6 7 CA : 93 90 61 62 GA : 17 10 18 23 LA : 47 14 25 18 MS : 19 5 19 16 MO : 37 7 6 5 NC : 7 6 14 17 OK : 3 0 6 4 SC : 13 10 19 21 TN : 6 1 10 8 TX : 18 14 15 18 VA : 6 5 29 27 : 14 Sts: 23 16 19 21 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 62 38 35 46 CO : 1 1 0 0 IL : 8 0 0 0 KS : 9 0 0 1 LA : 43 20 48 41 MO : 24 9 0 4 NE : 1 0 0 0 NM : 0 0 0 0 OK : 7 5 2 5 SD : 0 0 0 1 TX : 46 43 43 52 : 11 Sts: 23 17 17 21 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 98% of last year's sorghum acreage. Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 56 36 45 54 CA : 20 8 15 9 LA : 95 86 84 78 MS : 36 20 71 73 TX : 91 80 86 72 : 5 Sts : 58 43 53 54 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 95% of last year's rice acreage. Rice: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 19 5 9 19 CA : 5 0 1 1 LA : 76 71 69 64 MS : 9 0 26 36 TX : 83 65 68 52 : 5 Sts : 31 20 25 29 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 95% of last year's rice acreage. Peanuts: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 8 4 13 17 FL : 16 15 16 13 GA : 6 2 10 22 NC : 1 0 1 4 OK : 3 0 3 5 TX : 4 3 4 4 VA : 0 0 6 12 : 7 Sts : 6 3 8 13 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 7 States planted 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 88 77 73 73 MN : 61 22 30 20 MT : 54 25 46 38 ND : 44 16 20 13 SD : 83 72 68 41 WA : 91 84 87 74 : 6 Sts : 57 31 39 29 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 99 96 95 80 MN : 74 49 43 39 NE : 99 98 93 85 ND : 36 12 12 9 OH : 79 64 84 71 PA : 61 48 67 62 SD : 75 63 49 36 WI : 80 62 66 44 : 8 Sts : 68 51 51 41 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 52% of last year's oat acreage. Barley: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 84 69 52 56 MN : 58 19 19 16 MT : 55 30 53 38 ND : 30 9 11 8 WA : 87 76 84 67 : 5 Sts : 56 35 41 34 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 78% of last year's barley acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 61 34 38 41 MN : 17 3 6 4 MT : 6 3 8 7 ND : 10 0 2 2 SD : 47 25 26 13 WA : 63 48 61 52 : 6 Sts : 19 8 11 9 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Oats: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 83 57 73 35 MN : 38 12 10 9 NE : 80 70 80 46 ND : 9 0 1 1 OH : 53 39 67 44 PA : 37 26 34 NA SD : 43 19 17 12 WI : 33 13 19 NA : 8 Sts: 38 20 25 NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 52% of last year's oat acreage. Barley: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 60 31 25 27 MN : 16 4 3 2 MT : 8 3 12 8 ND : 4 0 1 2 WA : 50 28 55 40 : 5 Sts : 21 10 15 13 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 78% of last year's barley acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1995- State:Apr 30,:Apr 23,:Apr 30,: 1999 : 2000 : 2000 : 1999 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 94 91 82 90 MI : 52 48 NA NA MN : 85 *24 50 31 ND : 78 *23 42 27 : 4 Sts : 79 40 NA NA -------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ These 4 States planted 73% of last year's sugarbeet acreage. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 3 23 51 22 CA : 0 0 10 50 40 CO : 1 2 15 55 27 ID : 0 1 11 72 16 IL : 1 6 19 58 16 IN : 1 5 19 53 22 KS : 2 9 26 49 14 MI : 1 1 22 55 21 MO : 1 4 30 52 13 MT : 2 16 42 36 4 NE : 5 11 28 54 2 NC : 0 2 12 74 12 OH : 0 1 11 49 39 OK : 1 4 19 59 17 OR : 0 1 24 66 9 SD : 0 3 21 62 14 TX : 23 31 35 10 1 WA : 0 2 13 69 16 : 18 Sts : 5 10 24 47 14 : Prev Wk : 6 8 25 49 12 Prev Yr : 1 5 21 58 15 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 1999 planted acres. The next "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" report will be released after 12:00 p.m. ET on May 9, 2000. 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