We 1 (4-02) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released April 30, 2002, 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 89, No. 18 April 21 - 27, 2002 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Cool conditions persisted across the Northwest and returned to the remainder of the northern half of the United States, while very warm weather continued across the Nation's southern tier. Freezes caused varying degrees of damage, primarily to orchard crops, in the Northern States. Meanwhile, heavy precipitation, including locally severe thunderstorms, fell along the boundary between cool and warm air, especially from the eastern Plains to the Mid-Atlantic region. Cool weather slowed small grain development across the interior Northwest, where some pastures and dryland crops were in need of additional moisture. A much more serious drought situation intensified across the Southwest, although irrigated crops benefited from warm weather. Meanwhile, widespread precipitation aided winter wheat and emerging summer crops on the eastern Plains, but stubborn dryness continued to adversely affect wheat on the northern High Plains and in a broad area centered on southwestern Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle. In addition, cool weather hampered wheat development in Montana, where weekly temperatures averaged as much as 12 degrees F below normal. Cool weather (2 to 10 degrees F below normal) also prevailed in the Corn Belt, slowing corn emergence and winter wheat growth. Wet weather slowed or halted fieldwork throughout the Midwest, although the western Corn Belt gained much-needed moisture. In contrast, soil moisture remained adequate to excessive from the Ohio Valley to the lower Great Lakes region. Dry weather prevailed across the Deep South, where temperatures as much as 8 degrees F above normal promoted pasture growth, winter grain maturation, and summer crop development. However, the warm, dry conditions reduced topsoil moisture and brought renewed drought concerns to southern Texas and the southern Atlantic States. Meanwhile, scattered showers fell across the interior South. Early in the week, hot weather lingered across the South. Following Saturday's April record-breaking high of 95 degrees F, Charleston, SC, posted a daily-record high of 94 degrees F on April 21. Meanwhile, cool weather trailed a storm system into the West, where Alamosa, CO, notched consecutive daily-record lows (12 degrees F on April 21 and 14 degrees F on April 22). Chilly air also overspread the Northeast, resulting in record lows on April 22 in Maine locations such as Dover-Foxcroft (17 degrees F) and Bangor (22 degrees F). By midweek, frost and near-freezing temperatures were noted as far south as Lynchburg, VA (32 degrees F on April 24). Even cooler air followed a second storm system into the Plains and West, lowering temperatures below 20 degrees F as far south as western Nebraska and throughout Montana. On April 24, daily-record lows included 20 degrees F in Meacham, OR, and 17 degrees F in Great Falls, MT. A day later, lows dipped to record levels in locations such as Alliance, NE (11 degrees F), Glasgow, MT (13 degrees F), and Goodland, KS (22 degrees F). By week's end, cool weather returned to the Northeast, where Saturday's lows fell to 28 degrees F in Scranton, PA, and Binghamton, NY. Combined, the cool outbreaks resulted in more than six dozen daily-record lows across the Nation. In contrast, hot weather briefly advanced into the south-central United States in advance of the two storm systems. Albuquerque, NM, logged a daily-record high of 85 degrees F on April 23, followed a day later by the spring's first triple-digit heat (101 degrees F) in San Angelo, TX. Record heat spread into the Rio Grande Valley on Saturday, where Del Rio, TX (98 degrees F), posted their first of two daily-record highs. During the first 29 days of the month, Brownsville, TX, registered 15 days with high temperatures at or above 90 degrees F, breaking their April 1953 record of 12 days. Both storms produced widespread rainfall from the Midwest to the Mid-Atlantic region, but the second system featured more significant severe thunderstorm activity. Nevertheless, the early-week storm was responsible for the Nation's first tornado fatality of the year (on April 21 in Wayne City, IL), the latest such date since reliable severe weather records began in 1950. According to preliminary accounts from the Storm Prediction Center, the April 27-28 severe weather outbreak from the central Plains into the East featured nearly three dozen tornadoes, at least 175 reports of winds in excess of 55 mph, and more than 250 reports of hail three-quarters of an inch in diameter or greater. The upper Midwest started and ended the week with snow. In LaCrosse, WI, daily snowfall records were established on April 21 (4.5 inches) and 27 (2.3 inches). Month-to-date snowfall reached 19.7 inches in Minneapolis, MN, second only to a 21.8-inch total in April 1983. In contrast, the cold season of 2001-02 featured only 3.5 inches in New York's Central Park, the second-lowest winter total there ahead of only the 2.8-inch sum in 1972-73. Farther south, two rounds of widespread rainfall swept across the Midwest, with the greatest totals during the latter event on April 27. Daily-record totals included 2.15 inches in Columbia, MO, 2.14 inches in Lincoln, IL, and 1.84 inches in Ottumwa, IA. In Hawaii, warm weather (up to 3 degrees F above normal) accompanied a general increase in shower activity. Weekly rainfall totaled 3.43 inches at Oahu's Manoa Lyon Arboretum and 3.37 inches in Glenwood, on the Big Island. Nearly all (3.15 inches) of Manoa Lyon's rain fell in a 96-hour period from April 24-28. Meanwhile, significant precipitation overspread west-central and interior Alaska, but very dry conditions persisted across southern portions of the State. April 1-29 precipitation reached 2.92 inches (1460 percent of normal) in Fairbanks, exceeding their highest April total in the last 50 years (0.93 inch in 1982) by nearly 2 inches. Farther south, however, March 1 - April 29 precipitation totaled just 5.18 inches (22 percent of normal) in Yakutat and 1.80 inches (28 percent) in Juneau. National Agricultural Summary April 22 - 28, 2002 Highlights: Cool weather hindered crop emergence and growth across the northern one-half of the Nation, while above-normal temperatures stimulated crop development in the southern Great Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. Fieldwork and planting accelerated across most of the country, but heavy rain brought early-week progress to an abrupt halt in the central and eastern Corn Belt. The late-week storm also produced snow that shortened the work week in parts of the northern Great Plains, upper Mississippi Valley, and Great Lakes region. Elsewhere, fieldwork continued with few interruptions in the Southwest, southern Great Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. However, planting was limited on the southern High Plains due to soil moisture shortages. Corn: Twenty-six percent of the crop has been planted and 7 percent has emerged. Planting slightly exceeded progress on this date last year and the 5-year average. Emergence was equal to the progress at this time last year. Dry weather supported rapid planting in the western Corn Belt and central Great Plains during most of the week. Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska growers planted more than one-fifth of their acreage. Minnesota growers planted just slightly less. Meanwhile, wet soils and additional precipitation continued to delay planting in the eastern Corn Belt, especially in Indiana and Ohio, where planting barely advanced. Rain also limited progress in Illinois and Missouri. About one-third of the acreage was emerged along the Missouri and Ohio River Valleys in the southern Corn Belt, but very few fields were emerged across the central and northern Corn Belt. Warm, dry weather aided planting, promoted germination, and stimulated growth in the southern Great Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. Soybeans: Three percent of the crop has been planted, compared with 5 percent last year and 4 percent normally planted by this date. Planting was most advanced in the lower Mississippi Valley, where more than one-third of the Mississippi acreage was seeded. A few fields were planted in the Corn Belt, but progress was isolated. Winter Wheat: Twenty-two percent of the winter wheat acreage has headed, compared with 19 percent a year ago and 21 percent normally headed by this date. Fields quickly entered the heading stage in the southern Great Plains, lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast, as warmer-than-normal temperatures stimulated development. Forty-three percent of the Arkansas acreage headed during the week. Thirty-nine percent of the Oklahoma crop and 30 percent of North Carolina's acreage also entered the heading stage. Farther north, growth and development were hindered by below-normal temperatures on the central and northern Great Plains, Pacific Northwest, and Corn Belt. In addition, heavy rain and saturated soils stressed some fields in the Corn Belt, while many fields on the Great Plains suffered due to moisture shortages. Cotton: Twenty-six percent of the acreage has been planted, compared with 23 percent last year at this time, and ahead of the 5-year average of 19 percent. Above-normal temperatures and dry weather provided ideal planting conditions in the Southwest, lower Mississippi Valley, and Southeast. Planting was most active in Louisiana, California, and Alabama. Dry soils limited planting on the Texas High Plains, while cool, wet soils restricted planting in Oklahoma and the adjacent Texas Low Plains. Warmer-than-normal temperatures promoted germination and growth where moisture supplies were adequate, but fields in the dryland areas of South Texas and the Coastal Bend suffered due to moisture shortages and excessive heat. Small grains: Spring wheat was 21 percent planted and 4 percent emerged. Planting exceeded last year's slow 16-percent pace, but lagged behind the 30-percent average for this date. Emergence was only slightly behind last year's 5-percent pace but lagged well behind the 5-year average of 9 percent. Planting was most active in Idaho and South Dakota, advancing 22 percentage points in both States, despite interference by wintery weather. Planting also accelerated in Montana and remained active in Washington. Emergence and growth were hampered by cold weather. Barley advanced to 23 percent planted and 7 percent emerged. Planting lagged behind last year's 26 percent and the average of 33 percent. Emergence also trailed last year's pace and the average for this date. Favorably dry weather aided planting progress in the Pacific Northwest most of the week. Planting slowly gained momentum on the northern Great Plains, despite cold weather and scattered snowfall. Below-normal temperatures hindered emergence of recently planted fields and limited growth of emerged fields in the Pacific Northwest and on the Great Plains. The oat crop was 44 percent seeded and 19 percent emerged. Planting and emergence were well ahead of last year's slow pace of 27 percent seeded and 7 percent emerged. Normally, 45 percent would be planted and 18 percent would be emerged by this date. Planting accelerated in the eastern Corn Belt, upper Mississippi Valley, and northern Great Plains, but remained far behind normal in Ohio and Wisconsin. Planting also lagged in Minnesota and North Dakota. Meanwhile, planting was very active in South Dakota, where growers seeded 28 percent of their acreage during the week. Planting neared completion well ahead of normal in Iowa and Nebraska. Fields quickly emerged in Iowa, Nebraska, and Pennsylvania, but cold weather hampered growth. Rice: Sixty-one percent of the crop has been planted, and 37 percent has emerged. Planting lagged behind last year's rapid 65-percent pace, but exceeded the 53-percent average for this date. Emergence was 2 percentage points behind last year but well ahead of the 25-percent average for this date. Warm, dry weather aided planting, especially in Arkansas and Mississippi, in which 29 and 23 percent was seeded during the week. Meanwhile, planting neared completion well ahead of normal in Texas. The warm weather, combined with abundant water supplies, promoted rapid emergence and growth in the interior Mississippi Delta. Sorghum: Planting, at 20 percent complete, slightly exceeded last year and the average of 18 and 19 percent, respectively. Planting accelerated in the lower Mississippi Valley, where warm, dry weather provided favorable conditions. A few fields were planted in the Corn Belt and Great Plains, but progress was isolated. Other crops: Six percent of the peanut crop has been planted. Progress matched the 5-year average and was slightly ahead of progress on this date last year. Warm weather and adequate soil moisture provided favorable planting conditions in the Southeast. A few fields were planted in the southern Great Plains, but soil temperatures and moisture supplies were not favorable. The sugarbeet crop progressed to 41 percent planted, well ahead of last year's slow pace of just 25 percent but behind the 48-percent average for this date. Planting accelerated in Minnesota and North Dakota, and remained active in Idaho and Michigan. Corn: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 15 3 12 16 IL : 25 18 46 32 IN : 4 2 36 22 IA : 33 12 14 19 KS : 49 26 50 44 KY : 43 30 71 49 MI : 6 1 7 6 MN : 22 3 0 26 MO : 62 52 51 45 NE : 32 8 19 18 NC : 80 60 81 72 ND : 8 0 1 10 OH : 5 2 12 16 PA : 13 7 7 8 SD : 11 1 3 7 TN : 79 63 83 70 TX : 75 66 66 70 WI : 8 1 9 9 : 18 Sts: 26 13 25 25 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 80 37 70 79 CA : 99 75 95 93 CO : 0 0 0 1 ID : 0 0 0 0 IL : 1 1 1 3 IN : 1 0 3 4 KS : 8 0 3 4 MI : 0 0 0 0 MO : 17 6 18 15 MT : 0 0 0 0 NE : 0 0 0 0 NC : 65 35 60 57 OH : 0 0 9 8 OK : 57 18 36 46 OR : 0 0 0 0 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 36 *20 47 48 WA : 0 0 0 0 : 18 Sts: 22 9 19 21 -------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Corn: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 0 NA 0 0 IL : 5 NA 12 NA IN : 0 NA 13 NA IA : 1 NA 1 2 KS : 15 NA 13 NA KY : 32 NA 38 22 MI : 0 NA 0 0 MN : 0 NA 0 4 MO : 37 NA 20 NA NE : 3 NA 0 1 NC : 50 NA 38 NA ND : 0 NA 0 0 OH : 1 NA 0 1 PA : 3 NA 0 NA SD : 0 NA 0 NA TN : 50 NA 52 NA TX : 65 NA 55 56 WI : 1 NA 0 0 : 18 Sts: 7 NA 7 NA -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Soybeans: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 12 NA 18 10 IL : 1 NA 5 3 IN : 0 NA 8 5 IA : 2 NA 0 2 KS : 2 NA 9 4 KY : 2 NA 6 3 LA : 19 NA 31 18 MI : 1 NA 3 1 MN : 1 NA 0 3 MS : 35 NA 56 29 MO : 4 NA 5 4 NE : 3 NA 0 1 NC : 4 NA 0 2 ND : 0 NA 0 0 OH : 2 NA 5 7 SD : 0 NA 0 0 TN : 4 NA 4 2 WI : 0 NA 0 0 : 18 Sts: 3 NA 5 4 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 70 41 78 55 CA : 15 2 4 10 LA : 86 78 86 84 MS : 42 19 58 61 MO : 21 5 36 22 TX : 95 90 87 74 : 6 Sts : 61 41 65 53 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 100% of last year's rice acreage. Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 47 22 44 32 AZ : 65 53 62 62 AR : 24 6 17 7 CA : 85 60 75 68 GA : 21 12 14 15 LA : 40 9 38 25 MS : 19 5 25 14 MO : 26 10 28 14 NC : 14 7 6 10 OK : 4 *1 8 4 SC : 19 14 8 13 TN : 16 1 14 7 TX : 18 16 16 17 VA : 30 6 25 14 : 14 Sts: 26 15 23 19 -------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 82 55 81 86 MI : 76 40 63 60 MN : 24 5 1 37 ND : 18 5 1 32 : 4 Sts : 41 20 25 48 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States planted 81% of last year's sugarbeet acreage. Rice: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 37 12 38 17 CA : 0 0 0 1 LA : 71 66 74 69 MS : 13 3 36 21 MO : 6 0 4 3 TX : 84 75 74 57 : 6 Sts : 37 22 39 25 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 100% of last year's rice acreage. Sorghum: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 66 51 77 53 CO : 1 0 2 1 IL : 2 0 6 2 KS : 2 0 0 2 LA : 52 24 40 42 MO : 12 4 15 8 NE : 0 0 1 0 NM : 0 0 0 0 OK : 7 *5 13 6 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 46 45 41 46 : 11 Sts: 20 18 18 19 -------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Peanuts: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 8 NA 6 10 FL : 10 NA 10 10 GA : 8 NA 4 8 NC : 3 NA 0 2 OK : 4 NA 9 5 TX : 2 NA 5 3 VA : 14 NA 7 5 : 7 Sts : 6 NA 5 6 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 7 States planted 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 62 40 61 70 MN : 9 3 1 24 MT : 15 4 27 34 ND : 10 5 3 17 SD : 61 39 25 49 WA : 80 70 78 81 : 6 Sts : 21 12 16 30 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 51 37 53 56 MN : 12 4 1 21 MT : 17 10 27 36 ND : 4 2 3 11 WA : 65 50 66 72 : 5 Sts : 23 16 26 33 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 78% of last year's barley acreage. Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 97 93 74 81 MN : 34 20 3 40 NE : 92 82 68 83 ND : 5 2 6 13 OH : 45 26 69 76 PA : 64 45 36 57 SD : 56 28 19 43 WI : 34 29 26 51 : 8 Sts : 44 32 27 45 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 49% of last year's oat acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 21 NA 31 38 MN : 0 NA 0 5 MT : 1 NA 5 6 ND : 0 NA 0 3 SD : 13 NA 4 19 WA : 50 NA 47 55 : 6 Sts : 4 NA 5 9 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 13 NA 25 29 MN : 1 NA 0 4 MT : 4 NA 4 6 ND : 0 NA 0 2 WA : 35 NA 28 39 : 5 Sts : 7 NA 9 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 78% of last year's barley acreage. Oats: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Apr 28,:Apr 21,:Apr 28,: 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 63 35 11 37 MN : 5 1 0 11 NE : 62 44 31 48 ND : 0 0 0 2 OH : 17 11 53 50 PA : 40 18 9 29 SD : 13 1 1 16 WI : 10 3 4 12 : 8 Sts: 19 9 7 18 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 49% of last year's oat acreage. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 3 18 37 37 5 CA : 0 0 10 90 0 CO : 19 21 47 12 1 ID : 0 8 23 62 7 IL : 0 4 26 54 16 IN : 0 7 31 52 10 KS : 17 23 35 23 2 MI : 1 4 27 50 18 MO : 1 6 26 58 9 MT : 36 30 25 9 0 NE : 9 21 41 28 1 NC : 0 7 35 55 3 OH : 3 6 26 51 14 OK : 21 16 29 30 4 OR : 21 19 22 29 9 SD : 2 7 31 52 8 TX : 24 23 29 20 4 WA : 1 2 34 51 12 : 18 Sts : 15 17 32 31 5 : Prev Wk : 15 18 32 31 4 Prev Yr : 8 16 35 35 6 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2001 planted acres. Crop Progress and Condition Survey and Estimating Procedures Survey Procedures: Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data that are collected each week from early April to the end of November. The Crop progress and condition surveys are non-probability surveys that include a sample of more than 5,000 reporters whose occupations provide them opportunities to make visual observations and frequently bring them in contact with farmers in their counties. Based on standard definitions, these reporters subjectively estimate progress of farmers' activities and progress of crops through their stages of development. They also provide subjective evaluations of crop conditions. Most reporters complete their questionnaire on Friday or early Monday morning and submit it to the Agricultural Statistics Service's office in their State by mail, telephone, fax, e-mail, or through a secured internet website. A small number of reports are completed on Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday. Regardless of the time that the questionnaire is completed, reporters are asked to report for the week ending on Sunday. For reports submitted prior to the Sunday reference date, a degree of uncertainty is introduced into the projections for weekend progress and crop condition changes. By the end of the 2001 season, nearly two-thirds of the data were being submitted through the internet website. As a result, about one-half of all data are submitted on Monday morning, which has significantly reduced this projection uncertainty. Reporters are sent written reporting instructions at the beginning of each season and are contacted periodically to ensure proper reporting. Terms and definitions of crop stages and condition categories that are used as reporting guidelines are available on the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) website at: www.usda.gov/nass/pubs/cwterms.htm. Estimating Procedures: Reported data are reviewed for reasonableness and consistency by comparing with data reported the previous week and data reported in surrounding counties for the current week. Each State Statistical Office summarizes the reported data to district and State levels, weighting each county's reported data by NASS county acreage estimates. Summarized indications are compared with previous week estimates, and progress items are compared with earlier stages of development and historical averages to ensure reasonableness. Weather events and reporter comments are also taken into consideration. State estimates are submitted to the Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB) along with supporting comments, where they are compared with surrounding States and compiled into a National level summary by weighting each State by its acreage estimates. Revision Policy: Progress and condition estimates in the "Crop Progress" report are released at 4:00 pm ET on the first business day of the week. 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