We 1 (9-02) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released September 10, 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. 37 September 1 - 7, 2002 For additional information, call (202) 720-7917. Highlights: Large parts of the United States experienced warm, dry weather, favoring summer crop maturation and harvesting. Wetness was largely confined to the Atlantic and Gulf Coast regions, upper Midwest, and Intermountain West. Showers provided drought relief in areas from the coastal Mid-Atlantic region into southern New England early in the week, followed by a return to warm, dry weather thereafter. Farther south, the remnants of Tropical Storm Edouard contributed to a wet weather pattern across Florida's peninsula, while Tropical Storm Fay produced heavy rain in the central and western Gulf Coast regions. However, hot, dry weather prevailed farther inland, including the Delta. In the Corn Belt, extremely dry conditions in the Ohio Valley contrasted with locally heavy rainfall and adequate to excessive soil moisture levels in the upper Mississippi Valley. In the eastern Corn Belt, drought concerns shifted from maturing summer crops to the upcoming winter wheat planting season. Soil moisture shortages also persisted in the Plains' winter wheat areas, excluding well-watered northern Montana. Although hot, dry conditions promoted summer crop harvesting and initial winter wheat planting, rain will soon be needed on the Plains to ensure proper autumn wheat establishment. In the West, the entrainment of tropical moisture into a winter-like storm system sparked widespread showers across the Intermountain region. The Western rain aided drought-stressed rangelands and curbed the threat of wildfires. Meanwhile, mostly dry weather favored fieldwork in the West Coast States. Early in the week, heavy rainfall continued along the Atlantic Seaboard. On September 1, daily totals included 8.01 inches in Salisbury, MD, and 5.39 inches in Georgetown, DE. Meanwhile, record heat gripped much of California. Daily-record highs were set or tied on consecutive days (August 31 and September 1) in the southern California locations of El Cajon (106 and 108 degrees F) and Escondido (103 and 106 degrees F). Other daily records in California on September 1 included 112 degrees F in Riverside and 111 degrees F in Chatsworth. Downtown Los Angeles recorded 101 degrees F, their first triple-digit reading since September 30, 1999. There was a significant warming trend across the Northeast, although most of the record-high temperatures came after the end of the first week of September. For example, Bangor, ME, notched a daily-record low (37 degrees F) on September 1, then posted a daily-record high (92 degrees F) exactly 1 week later. Meanwhile, a cooling trend took place along the West Coast, where downtown Oakland, CA, went from a daily-record high (90 degrees F) on September 2 to a daily-record low (54 degrees F) on September 8. In Oregon, record lows on September 6 included 29 degrees F in Meacham and 38 degrees F in Eugene. The storm system responsible for nudging the late-season heat eastward and cooling the West also helped to draw moisture northward from the tropical Pacific Ocean. In the West, daily-record totals included 0.61 inch (on September 6) in Elko, NV, and 0.55 inch (on September 8) in Duchesne, UT. Also on September 8, Arizona's Tuzigoot National Monument near Cottonwood was inundated by 1.04 inches of rain in a 30-minute period. Rain fell as far south and west as San Diego, CA, where the September 6-7 total of 0.31 inch was their highest 2-day total since 0.37 inch fell on March 17-18. Farther north, tropical moisture interacting with a cold front brought consecutive daily-record rainfall totals on September 5 (2.72 inches) and 6 (1.67 inches) to St. Cloud, MN. Minimal Tropical Storm Edouard moved west-southwestward across the northern portion of Florida's peninsula on September 4-5, weakening to a tropical depression while over land. Although only scattered thunderstorms accompanied Edouard's passage, nearby tropical showers resulted in a daily-record rainfall (4.73 inches on September 6) in Key West, FL. Meanwhile, Tropical Storm Fay formed over the western Gulf of Mexico on September 5 and moved generally westward, making landfall less than 48 hours later (on the morning of September 7) near Matagorda, TX, with maximum sustained winds near 60 mph. September 3-9 rainfall in Galveston, TX, totaled 6.89 inches, while 4.44 inches soaked San Antonio, TX. Localized totals in excess of 10 inches were noted in several areas, including Freeport, TX, and San Antonio (Kelly Air Force Base). Away from the tropical activity, hot, dry weather prevailed, boosting temperatures to daily-record levels in locations such as Meridian, MS (100 degrees F on September 5), and San Juan, PR (94 degrees F on September 6). The first week of September featured mild, showery weather in much of Alaska, including relief from recent dryness in west-central portions of the State. Weekly temperatures averaged as much as 8 degrees F in northern Alaska, but Yakutat (in the south) posted a daily-record high of 72 degrees F on September 3. Month-to-date precipitation through September 7 included 0.84 inch (400 percent of normal) in Barrow and 1.07 inches (155 percent) in Nome. Barrow also noted a daily-record rainfall total of 0.41 inch on September 3. Meanwhile, light to locally moderate showers dampened Hawaii. In Lanai City, 1.04 inches of rain fell in less than 12 hours on September 3. Some of the week's heaviest showers dampened the Big Island on September 4-5, resulting in 24-hour totals of 1.37 inches in Waiakea Uka and 1.01 inches in Glenwood. National Agricultural Summary September 2 - 8, 2002 Highlights: Above-normal temperatures accelerated crop development across most of the Nation during the week. In most areas, crops rapidly progressed from reproductive and grain-filling stages to grain- and plant-drying stages. The fall harvest pace gained momentum, as dry weather prevailed across all but a few isolated areas of the country. In the Corn Belt, harvest was mostly confined to areas along the Missouri and Ohio River Valleys, but many corn and soybean fields in the western Corn Belt and adjacent areas of the Great Plains were dry enough to harvest. Small grain harvest continued on the northern Great Plains, and winter wheat seeding progressed without delay in the central and southern Great Plains and Pacific Northwest. Corn: Ninety-seven percent of the crop was at or beyond the dough stage, 78 percent was at or beyond the dent stage, and 29 percent was mature. Acreage at or beyond the dough stage slightly exceeded last year and the 5-year average, while dented and mature acreage slightly trailed last year and the average. Hot weather stimulated rapid biological development throughout the Corn Belt. In Michigan, 19 percent entered the dough stage and 30 percent progressed to the dent stage. In Indiana and Ohio, 21 and 18 percent, respectively, entered the dent stage, but progress remained well behind normal. Fields also entered the dent stage later than normal in Colorado and North Dakota. In Iowa and Nebraska, about one-fifth of the acreage reached maturity during the week, raising the accumulated total to 35 and 32 percent, respectively. Soybeans: Nineteen percent of the acreage was dropping leaves, slightly less than last year and the 5-year average of 20 percent. Above-normal temperatures promoted crop development throughout the Corn Belt, Great Plains, and Mississippi Delta, but fields were shedding leaves somewhat faster in the western Corn Belt and northern Great Plains. More than one-fifth of the acreage began shedding leaves in North Dakota, and almost one-fifth began shedding leaves in Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Elsewhere, fields were shedding leaves much later than normal in Indiana, Louisiana, and Ohio. Cotton: Fifty-two percent of the acreage had open bolls, matching last year's pace and exceeding the 51 percent average for this date. Fields continued to ripen well ahead of normal on the Atlantic Coastal Plain, despite cool overnight temperatures. Bolls were opening much earlier than normal in North Carolina. Fields also ripened ahead of normal in the Southwest, and harvest began in California's Imperial Valley. In contrast, development remained well behind normal in the lower Mississippi Valley, even though temperatures were warmer than normal in most areas. In Texas, 42 percent had open bolls and 17 percent was harvested. Small grains: The barley harvest advanced to 82 percent complete, more than 1 week behind last year's 95-percent pace and a few days behind the 5-year average of 89 percent. Harvest neared completion slightly ahead of normal in Idaho, Minnesota, and Washington, but progress remained about 2 weeks behind normal in Montana and 1 week behind in North Dakota. The spring wheat harvest, at 75 percent complete, was far behind last year's speedy 95-percent pace and well behind the average of 88 percent. Harvest was most active in Montana, advancing 15 percentage points during the week, but progress remained far behind normal. The harvest pace was slightly slower in Minnesota, but harvest neared completion only slightly later than normal. In North Dakota, harvest progress was limited by slow crop maturation. Winter wheat seeding was 9 percent complete, 2 percentage points ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Washington led all States with well over one-third of the acreage planted. On the Great Plains, all States from Texas to South Dakota, except Kansas, had more than 10 percent of their hard red winter crop seeded by the end of the week. Only 4 percent was planted in Kansas, but progress slightly exceeded the 5-year average. In the Corn Belt, very little soft red winter acreage was planted. Rice: Harvest progressed to 33 percent complete, compared with 34 percent at this time last year and the 5-year average of 32 percent. Harvest progressed without delay in the lower Mississippi Valley, advancing 14 and 13 percentage points in Arkansas and Mississippi, respectively. Harvest remained well ahead of normal in Texas even though rain limited progress. In California, the harvest pace remained very slow. Sorghum: Seventy-four percent was turning color or beyond, 44 percent was mature and 25 percent was harvested. Despite hot, dry weather, all three stages remained behind last year's pace and 2 of the 3 stages trailed the 5-year average. In South Dakota, 15 percent of the acreage began turning color during the week. Progress was slightly slower in Illinois, Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. Meanwhile, almost one-fourth of the Illinois acreage and nearly one-fifth of the Missouri crop reached maturity. Many fields also matured in Arkansas, Kansas, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. Harvest was more than one-half complete in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Texas. A few fields were harvested in Kansas, Nebraska, and South Dakota, but progress was isolated. Corn: Percent Dough, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 96 87 90 90 IL : 98 95 99 97 IN : 94 86 100 98 IA : 99 96 90 96 KS : 100 100 99 100 KY : 100 100 100 100 MI : 79 60 77 77 MN : 98 96 98 98 MO : 100 100 98 100 NE : 100 97 99 98 NC : 100 99 100 100 ND : 100 100 100 100 OH : 92 84 95 96 PA : 90 80 86 83 SD : 97 93 96 94 TN : 100 100 100 100 TX : 100 100 100 100 WI : 86 80 71 85 : 18 Sts: 97 93 95 96 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Dented, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 44 34 62 56 IL : 80 66 92 84 IN : 64 43 96 83 IA : 88 74 74 82 KS : 93 78 92 93 KY : 95 91 97 94 MI : 49 19 48 51 MN : 80 57 66 78 MO : 93 87 91 95 NE : 89 77 89 85 NC : 97 93 97 92 ND : 68 42 83 78 OH : 52 34 71 66 PA : 70 55 64 53 SD : 76 57 79 71 TN : 100 98 100 98 TX : 97 94 97 96 WI : 56 39 19 51 : 18 Sts: 78 63 79 79 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 10 4 10 12 IL : 24 14 48 34 IN : 20 6 42 33 IA : 35 14 21 33 KS : 58 41 56 57 KY : 70 61 76 63 MI : 9 3 6 11 MN : 9 1 6 12 MO : 65 49 62 62 NE : 32 13 24 21 NC : 84 74 84 78 ND : 7 2 24 17 OH : 7 2 10 12 PA : 30 18 23 13 SD : 24 17 19 17 TN : 92 73 82 80 TX : 82 73 84 81 WI : 8 0 0 9 : 18 Sts: 29 16 31 30 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 NA 1 0 CA : 0 NA 0 0 CO : 13 NA 11 11 ID : 5 NA 6 5 IL : 0 NA 0 0 IN : 0 NA 1 1 KS : 4 NA 4 3 MI : 1 NA 0 1 MO : 0 NA 0 0 MT : 8 NA 4 3 NE : 11 NA 10 11 NC : 0 NA 0 0 OH : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 12 NA 12 7 OR : 0 NA 0 0 SD : 14 NA 9 13 TX : 11 NA 10 11 WA : 39 NA 26 27 : 18 Sts: 9 NA 7 7 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Soybeans: Percent Dropping Leaves, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 19 13 31 15 IL : 9 3 25 17 IN : 18 11 35 34 IA : 20 3 4 12 KS : 31 13 33 37 KY : 18 4 17 16 LA : 28 20 42 44 MI : 11 1 13 15 MN : 22 4 14 16 MS : 50 37 57 50 MO : 10 5 8 13 NE : 19 7 11 14 NC : 7 5 7 7 ND : 26 4 21 23 OH : 18 6 29 28 SD : 44 26 40 33 TN : 19 11 22 16 WI : 12 0 0 7 : 18 Sts: 19 7 20 20 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 64 50 37 49 AZ : 89 68 87 80 AR : 45 23 73 56 CA : 45 36 49 38 GA : 63 48 47 49 LA : 73 60 80 83 MS : 71 62 71 75 MO : 42 35 59 57 NC : 52 40 24 31 OK : 33 25 25 30 SC : 40 30 35 35 TN : 49 32 63 59 TX : 42 33 46 45 VA : 48 34 24 37 : 14 Sts: 52 40 52 51 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 23 9 26 21 CA : 2 1 4 5 LA : 80 77 81 83 MS : 23 10 22 25 MO : 6 2 9 4 TX : 95 90 84 82 : 6 Sts : 33 24 34 32 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 100% of last year's rice acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 93 82 92 85 MN : 91 78 98 94 MT : 58 43 87 85 ND : 69 60 96 85 SD : 100 100 100 100 WA : 99 94 96 96 : 6 Sts : 75 66 95 88 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 92 80 93 84 MN : 96 88 99 95 MT : 62 49 88 88 ND : 80 70 98 90 WA : 99 90 96 96 : 5 Sts : 82 71 95 89 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States harvested 79% of last year's barley acreage. Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 97 96 100 96 CO : 34 25 38 42 IL : 78 65 86 72 KS : 72 61 87 80 LA : 98 95 100 100 MO : 80 70 87 86 NE : 68 58 81 73 NM : 31 23 44 40 OK : 69 60 68 67 SD : 79 64 81 71 TX : 80 76 90 87 : 11 Sts: 74 66 85 80 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 88 75 87 77 CO : 5 0 5 4 IL : 29 5 43 22 KS : 28 11 34 29 LA : 90 86 100 98 MO : 43 24 48 43 NE : 12 3 6 13 NM : 2 0 0 0 OK : 50 35 36 22 SD : 18 6 19 16 TX : 70 65 78 71 : 11 Sts: 44 33 49 44 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1997- State:Sep 8, :Sep 1, :Sep 8, : 2001 : 2002 : 2002 : 2001 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 52 NA 58 47 CO : 0 NA 0 0 IL : 0 NA 0 1 KS : 5 NA 18 12 LA : 69 NA 70 78 MO : 0 NA 15 7 NE : 2 NA 0 1 NM : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 28 NA 23 8 SD : 4 NA 1 2 TX : 60 NA 62 61 : 11 Sts: 25 NA 32 28 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States harvested 98% of last year's sorghum acreage. Corn: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 22 23 35 15 5 IL : 13 18 33 32 4 IN : 18 24 30 26 2 IA : 3 8 23 46 20 KS : 26 29 32 12 1 KY : 10 23 34 27 6 MI : 6 15 38 34 7 MN : 2 6 25 49 18 MO : 25 28 27 17 3 NE : 25 15 27 28 5 NC : 19 21 41 18 1 ND : 6 8 25 51 10 OH : 27 32 29 11 1 PA : 34 33 21 12 0 SD : 20 16 27 30 7 TN : 8 12 33 41 6 TX : 9 24 26 34 7 WI : 5 12 23 42 18 : 18 Sts : 14 17 28 32 9 : Prev Wk : 13 17 29 33 8 Prev Yr : 4 11 31 42 12 -------------------------------------- Cotton: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 5 15 44 31 5 AZ : 0 3 21 50 26 AR : 2 4 19 59 16 CA : 0 0 5 55 40 GA : 7 16 37 32 8 LA : 0 4 30 50 16 MS : 0 2 11 54 33 MO : 9 21 23 45 2 NC : 4 24 42 29 1 OK : 4 12 39 45 0 SC : 13 37 43 7 0 TN : 4 8 28 51 9 TX : 8 17 32 32 11 VA : 7 33 30 27 3 : 14 Sts : 5 13 29 39 14 : Prev Wk : 5 12 29 40 14 Prev Yr : 9 17 29 36 9 -------------------------------------- Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 2 9 26 44 19 IL : 12 16 33 35 4 IN : 13 20 35 29 3 IA : 3 7 25 48 17 KS : 14 29 35 20 2 KY : 10 23 34 25 8 LA : 2 10 29 50 9 MI : 5 14 35 38 8 MN : 2 6 24 51 17 MS : 0 4 17 47 32 MO : 20 29 31 18 2 NE : 26 26 28 18 2 NC : 4 13 39 42 2 ND : 5 9 23 54 9 OH : 21 30 36 12 1 SD : 9 15 28 41 7 TN : 8 12 29 45 6 WI : 4 8 23 46 19 : 18 Sts : 10 16 29 36 9 : Prev Wk : 9 15 30 37 9 Prev Yr : 4 12 31 43 10 -------------------------------------- Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 5 27 53 14 CO : 20 30 32 17 1 IL : 21 30 32 17 0 KS : 27 33 27 12 1 LA : 5 13 40 36 6 MO : 7 20 46 24 3 NE : 40 32 23 5 0 NM : 30 18 31 21 0 OK : 15 10 36 35 4 SD : 31 31 27 11 0 TX : 12 18 40 26 4 : 11 Sts : 20 25 33 20 2 : Prev Wk : 21 25 33 19 2 Prev Yr : 12 21 32 31 4 -------------------------------------- Rice: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 5 26 46 22 CA : 0 0 40 10 50 LA : 0 2 40 53 5 MS : 0 2 11 53 34 MO : 2 3 23 52 20 TX : 0 0 12 54 34 : 6 Sts : 1 3 28 43 25 : Prev Wk : 1 3 29 44 23 Prev Yr : 0 3 20 59 18 -------------------------------------- Peanut: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 7 10 49 31 3 FL : 0 10 30 60 0 GA : 4 14 38 36 8 NC : 2 10 54 34 0 OK : 1 10 36 42 11 TX : 1 5 28 43 23 VA : 12 21 37 26 4 : 8 Sts : 3 11 37 39 10 : Prev Wk : 3 11 36 38 12 Prev Yr : 2 8 25 50 15 -------------------------------------- Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 6 26 35 32 1 :: NJ : 0 47 53 0 0 AZ : 39 42 16 3 0 :: NM : 48 26 20 5 1 AR : 2 13 48 34 3 :: NY : 25 23 38 11 3 CA : 60 30 10 0 0 :: NC : 22 31 32 15 0 CO : 68 21 9 2 0 :: ND : 29 27 29 14 1 CT : 5 23 37 35 0 :: OH : 39 34 23 4 0 DE : 35 31 24 10 0 :: OK : 6 12 32 42 8 FL : 0 0 10 80 10 :: OR : 28 32 30 9 1 GA : 19 31 33 16 1 :: PA : 43 31 19 7 0 ID : 6 29 48 17 0 :: RI : 2 39 59 0 0 IL : 27 17 33 21 2 :: SC : 13 33 40 14 0 IN : 40 30 24 6 0 :: SD : 36 27 23 13 1 IA : 14 23 30 30 3 :: TN : 22 33 29 15 1 KS : 40 27 22 10 1 :: TX : 14 23 38 21 4 KY : 23 32 30 14 1 :: UT : 44 31 23 2 0 LA : 4 12 38 39 7 :: VT : 24 30 32 14 0 ME : 15 51 20 14 0 :: VA : 39 27 24 10 0 MD : 30 33 30 7 0 :: WA : 10 28 38 24 0 MA : 6 36 49 9 0 :: WV : 14 36 35 15 0 MI : 9 25 40 25 1 :: WI : 3 10 25 52 10 MN : 2 11 32 48 7 :: WY : 57 23 16 4 0 MS : 3 7 26 53 11 :: : MO : 28 30 30 11 1 :: 48 Sts : 26 24 27 20 3 MT : 25 31 28 14 2 :: : NE : 58 28 10 4 0 :: Prev Wk: 24 25 27 21 3 NV : 8 32 40 20 0 :: Prev Yr: 12 23 33 28 4 NH : 4 29 51 16 0 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. These estimates are preliminary and subject to corrections or updates in the "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" National Summary that is released at 12:00 pm ET on the second business day of the week. These estimates are then subject to revision the following week. The next "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" report will be released after 12 p.m. ET on September 17, 2002. 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