We 1 (8-03) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released August 19, 2003, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" call Brian T. Young at (202) 720-7621, office hours 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary Volume 90, No. 33 August 10 - 16, 2003 For additional information, call (202) 720-2397. Highlights: Tropical Storm Erika moved inland across northeastern Mexico (about 45 miles south of Brownsville, TX) on the morning of August 16, bearing maximum sustained winds near 70 m.p.h. In Deep South Texas, where 1- to 4-inch rains provided highly beneficial moisture in preparation for fall planting, only local wind and storm-surge damage was observed. Elsewhere in the western Gulf Coast region, near- to below-normal temperatures and scattered showers aided pastures and immature summer crops but caused local fieldwork disruptions. Farther north and east, summer crops across the eastern one-third of the Nation--including the eastern Corn Belt and the Atlantic Coast States--continued to benefit from mild weather, widespread showers, and abundant soil moisture reserves. Across the western Corn Belt, however, mostly dry, increasingly hot weather caused additional stress on pastures and immature corn and soybeans. Although a broad area centered on northwestern Missouri remained the focus of drought concerns at week's end, rain was badly needed for most summer crops along and west of a line from Wisconsin to central Missouri. Meanwhile on the Plains, dry weather promoted fieldwork, including spring wheat harvesting, but further stressed pastures and immature summer crops. Heat eased on the southern Plains but intensified on the northern Plains, where weekly temperatures averaged as much as 15 degrees F above normal. During the next several weeks, widespread rains will be needed across the Plains and Northwest in preparation for winter wheat planting, germination, and establishment. In the West, widespread rain was confined to the Four Corners region, where thunderstorms provided limited drought relief. Elsewhere, slightly cooler air overspread the Pacific Northwest, while hot, dry weather continued to strain drought-reduced irrigation reserves across the Intermountain West. Hot weather persisted throughout the week across the northern Plains and the West, setting many more heat-related records. In Arizona, Phoenix achieved a monthly record high of 116 degrees F on August 10, tying the mark set on August 1, 1972, and August 4, 1975. The following morning, Phoenix set a record for its highest minimum temperature in August (94 degrees F), previously established with a low of 92 degrees F on August 10, 1995. The record lasted only 1 days, as Phoenix noted a low of 95 degrees F on August 12. Records for the highest minimum temperature in August were also set or tied in locations such as Las Vegas, NV (90 degrees F on August 12; previously, 89 degrees F on August 10, 1995), Salt Lake City, UT (76 degrees F on August 12 and 77 degrees F on August 13; previously, 76 degrees F on August 7, 1995), and Billings, MT (73 degrees F on August 14; previously 73 degrees F on August 23, 1937). Furthermore, Billings observed minimum temperatures of 60 degrees F or higher on 38 consecutive days from July 11 - August 17, obliterating its former record of 19 days, set from August 4-22, 1982. Billings also experienced 18 consecutive days with high temperatures of 90 degrees F or greater from July 30 - August 16, edging its July 1960 standard of 17 days. Finally, Billings set a record for its longest period without measurable precipitation. The streak reached 52 days (June 26 - August 16) through week's end, surpassing the previous record of 51 days established from October 30 - December 19, 1939. Elsewhere in Montana, Great Falls posted a high of 100 degrees F on August 10. It was Great Falls' eighth triple-digit reading of the year, tying its annual record established in 1919. Meanwhile, Glasgow, MT, posted highs of 100 degrees F or greater on 6 consecutive days from August 11-16, breaking its July 1936 record of 5 days in a row. Farther east, Bismarck, ND, notched four consecutive triple-digit readings from August 14-17--including a high of 106 degrees F on the final day--eclipsing its August record of 3 such days, set from August 17-19, 1959. Meanwhile, at week's end in northern Texas, Lake Meredith reached its lowest level since records began in 1967, falling 0.1 foot below the low-water mark established in May 1981. In contrast, heavy showers in the Southwest provided local drought relief but caused flash flooding. On the evening of August 14 in Arizona, 6-hour totals approached 2 inches in the Phoenix metropolitan area. Two days later, daily-record totals in Nevada included 0.51 inch in Las Vegas and 0.48 inch in Ely. Meanwhile, locally heavy showers continued in the East for much of the week. In Florida, Ft. Lauderdale (3.35 inches) collected a daily-record total for August 10, followed the next day by a daily record of 3.69 inches in Scranton, PA. Elsewhere in the Northeast, a record was tied in New York's Central Park for the greatest number of consecutive days with measurable precipitation (12 days, from July 31 - August 11, totaling 5.57 inches). The previous record had been set from December 24, 1875 - January 4, 1876. Meanwhile, Philadelphia, PA, logged at least a trace of rain on 16 consecutive days from July 27 - August 11, tying its record set from March 16-31, 1898. Heavy showers shifted into the western Gulf Coast region by midweek, resulting in daily-record totals of 2.60 inches (on August 12) in Shreveport, LA, and 2.00 inches (on August 13) in Austin-Mabry, TX. A tropical wave that later became Tropical Storm Erika crossed southern Florida on August 14, generating widespread showers. Erika achieved tropical-storm status on the afternoon of August 14 while centered about 350 miles southeast of the mouth of the Mississippi River. The storm raced westward across the Gulf of Mexico, traveling at greater than 20 mph until shortly before landfall. After moving inland, Erika quickly dissipated over the mountains of northern Mexico. By week's end, about five dozen large wildfires were burning across the West, with the greatest concentration of activity in the northern Rockies. According to the National Interagency Fire Center, more than 460,000 acres of vegetation burned through August 17 in the Northern Rockies area, which includes Montana and northern Idaho. The national burned acreage topped 2.3 million acres, about 74 percent of the 10-year average. Temperatures returned to near-normal levels across western Alaska, while warm weather (as much as 6 degrees F above normal) overspread east-central portions of the State. As the warmth shifted eastward, daily-record highs were established on August 10 in locations such as McGrath (85 degrees F) and Anchorage (77 degrees F). Later in the week, heavy precipitation overspread much of southern and western Alaska, boosting August 1-17 totals to 10.79 inches (171 percent of normal) in Yakutat and 2.47 inches (166 percent) in King Salmon. Meanwhile in Hawaii, warm weather accompanied scattered showers. Rain was generally heavier during the mid- to late-week period, when 96-hour (August 13-17) totals reached 5.25 inches in Glenwood, on the Big Island, and 5.42 inches in West Wailuaiki, Maui. National Agricultural Summary August 11 - 17, 2003 Highlights: Hot, dry weather continued in the Pacific Northwest, California, and the Rocky Mountains , aiding small grain harvest activities but stressing immature summer crops and irrigation reserves. Locally heavy rainfall in parts of the Southwest was not enough to alleviate widespread drought effects. The Great Plains also remained hot and dry, stressing crops and taxing irrigation systems. Most of the Corn Belt was dry and had above-normal temperatures, aiding the harvest of small grains, but stressing other crops. Moderate to heavy rainfall continued throughout the Southeast, with cooler-than-normal temperatures prevailing throughout the region. In the Ohio Valley, light rain and above-normal temperatures improved crop conditions without hindering small grain harvest activities. Heavy rainfall throughout the Atlantic Coast States slowed crop progress, but improved conditions slightly. Corn: Fifty-seven percent of the acreage was at or beyond the dough stage, 7 percentage points behind last year's 64 percent and 10 points behind the 5-year average of 67 percent. Eighteen percent of the crop had reached the dent stage, 8 points behind last year and 10 points behind the 5-year average. Development lagged behind normal throughout the Corn Belt, despite above-normal temperatures. Acreage at or beyond the dough and dent stages was over 1 week behind normal in Indiana and nearly 1 week behind normal in Ohio. In Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska, development was 4 to 6 days behind the normal pace. In the central and southern Great Plains, continued hot weather stressed the crop but allowed development to advance slightly ahead of the 5-year average. Soybeans: Ninety-five percent of the crop was at or beyond the blooming stage, 2 percentage points behind last year and the 5-year average of 97 percent. Seventy-nine percent of the acreage was setting pods, 4 points behind last year and 5 points behind the 5-year average. Above-normal temperatures promoted biological development throughout the Corn Belt, but progress remained behind normal, especially in Indiana and Ohio. Blooming of soybean fields neared completion in most States. Pod-setting was most active in the Great Lakes States, where 27 percent of Wisconsin's crop and 23 percent of Michigan's crop set pods. Cotton: Eighty-seven percent of the acreage was setting bolls, 7 percentage points behind last year and 8 points behind the 5-year average. Twelve percent of fields had open bolls, compared with 19 percent last year and 18 percent for the 5-year average. Below-normal temperatures limited development in the southern Great Plains, where Oklahoma and Texas were nearly 1 week and 2 weeks behind average, respectively. Boll-setting was also well behind normal along the Atlantic Coastal Plain. In California, boll-setting neared completion well ahead of the normal pace. In the Southeast and Delta regions, most States were 1 week or more behind the normal pace for bolls opening, while in the Southwest, progress was close to the normal pace. In Texas, 8 percent of the crop had been harvested. Sorghum: Sixty-nine percent of the crop was headed, and 33 percent was turning color. Acreage at or beyond the heading stage was 5 percentage points behind last year and 14 points behind the 5-year average. Acreage turning color was 4 points behind last year and 9 points behind the average for this date. Heading progressed well in most States in the Corn Belt and Great Plains, but Colorado led the way, with over one-fourth of its sorghum crop entering the heading stage. However, heading of the crop was 1 week or more behind normal in Illinois, Kansas, and Nebraska, and 2 weeks behind normal in Texas. Acreage turning color advanced slowly during the week and remained 1 week behind normal in Kansas and Texas, and 2 weeks behind normal in Illinois. Rice: Eighty-eight percent of the crop was headed, 1 percentage point behind last year but 4 points ahead of the 5-year average. Twelve percent of the rice had been harvested, 4 points behind last year and 2 points behind the 5-year average. Over one-third of California's crop entered the heading stage, and all areas are at or ahead of the average, with the Gulf Coast States nearing completion. Harvest began in Arkansas and Mississippi, but slowed in Louisiana. Texas farmers harvested 21 percent of their rice crop during the week but were still 12 points behind the normal pace. Small grains: The spring wheat crop was 53 percent harvested, 17 percentage points ahead of last year and 7 points ahead of the 5-year average. Aided by the hot, dry weather, farmers in Minnesota, North Dakota, and Washington harvested one-fourth or more of their crop during the week. Idaho and Montana producers also made good progress, while South Dakota farmers have nearly completed their harvest. Barley was 60 percent harvested, 30 percentage points ahead of last year and 18 points ahead of the 5-year average. Farmers in all States except Idaho harvested 29 percent or more of their crop. Harvest progress in all States was ahead of the 5-year average, with farmers in North Dakota and Washington 1 week ahead of their normal pace. The oat crop advanced to 78 percent harvested, 2 percentage points ahead of last year but 2 points behind the 5-year average. Farmers made good progress in most States, with Wisconsin farmers harvesting over one-third of their crop. Harvest was complete in Iowa and nearing completion in Nebraska and South Dakota. Despite good progress in Ohio and Pennsylvania, both States remained 1 week or more behind their normal pace. Corn: Percent Dough, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 37 25 39 34 IL : 74 53 75 80 IN : 45 30 53 76 IA : 45 20 63 58 KS : 87 67 78 83 KY : 70 59 80 81 MI : 13 2 10 29 MN : 35 17 52 50 MO : 88 74 87 86 NE : 74 39 79 78 NC : 86 74 95 89 ND : 62 25 72 70 OH : 52 24 46 66 PA : 30 21 53 54 SD : 42 18 59 62 TN : 97 93 97 95 TX : 95 90 96 95 WI : 35 13 42 43 : 18 Sts: 57 35 64 67 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Dented, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 6 1 3 3 IL : 24 13 28 38 IN : 6 2 15 31 IA : 7 0 23 19 KS : 48 28 47 46 KY : 42 30 58 55 MI : 0 0 0 7 MN : 7 1 9 12 MO : 63 39 58 60 NE : 16 4 38 30 NC : 53 27 78 71 ND : 10 1 7 21 OH : 4 0 7 17 PA : 6 4 20 15 SD : 6 0 20 18 TN : 79 68 87 77 TX : 80 73 83 78 WI : 2 0 6 7 : 18 Sts: 18 9 26 28 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Soybeans: Percent Blooming, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 94 85 94 92 IL : 96 92 96 97 IN : 91 81 94 98 IA : 98 96 100 100 KS : 93 84 96 96 KY : 78 66 79 83 LA : 95 90 100 99 MI : 93 86 99 97 MN : 99 99 99 99 MS : 100 100 100 100 MO : 89 77 92 91 NE : 98 94 100 99 NC : 68 61 78 75 ND : 100 99 100 100 OH : 97 92 94 98 SD : 100 96 100 98 TN : 81 70 97 90 WI : 100 86 99 95 : 18 Sts: 95 90 97 97 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 96% of last year's soybean acreage. Soybeans: Percent Setting Pods, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 74 63 78 70 IL : 77 57 80 87 IN : 63 44 67 83 IA : 92 75 96 94 KS : 70 57 76 80 KY : 50 37 57 61 LA : 82 74 93 95 MI : 73 50 90 82 MN : 95 86 94 91 MS : 97 95 96 96 MO : 60 41 64 67 NE : 83 69 91 89 NC : 28 24 46 42 ND : 95 83 99 98 OH : 71 52 72 86 SD : 90 70 89 84 TN : 60 39 82 69 WI : 83 56 83 72 : 18 Sts: 79 62 83 84 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 96% of last year's soybean acreage. Cotton: Percent Setting Bolls, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 98 95 98 96 AZ : 97 90 100 100 AR : 98 97 100 100 CA : 95 90 94 84 GA : 97 92 98 97 LA : 100 100 100 100 MS : 97 93 100 100 MO : 99 99 93 99 NC : 92 91 98 95 OK : 80 70 80 89 SC : 77 65 89 86 TN : 97 87 99 100 TX : 76 63 88 93 VA : 85 78 100 98 : 14 Sts: 87 80 94 95 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 6 4 14 11 AZ : 29 16 43 31 AR : 3 1 5 9 CA : 10 3 18 8 GA : 5 2 25 18 LA : 24 5 18 33 MS : 11 2 25 31 MO : 2 0 2 9 NC : 0 0 13 10 OK : 7 2 3 2 SC : 2 1 14 8 TN : 3 0 4 7 TX : 19 17 23 21 VA : 0 0 22 6 : 14 Sts: 12 8 19 18 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 99 98 99 98 CO : 69 42 43 65 IL : 67 45 87 86 KS : 65 50 71 84 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 87 76 85 89 NE : 72 63 80 85 NM : 44 31 53 48 OK : 70 60 62 72 SD : 95 84 71 74 TX : 68 64 80 86 : 11 Sts: 69 59 74 83 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 91 78 82 76 CO : 7 2 5 4 IL : 15 8 41 35 KS : 16 8 18 28 LA : 92 85 90 94 MO : 28 16 30 40 NE : 9 2 22 14 NM : 4 3 5 7 OK : 30 25 40 28 SD : 25 16 30 27 TX : 54 51 61 65 : 11 Sts: 33 27 37 42 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Rice: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 92 82 92 88 CA : 65 30 66 54 LA : 97 93 99 97 MS : 96 92 98 90 MO : 79 70 75 77 TX : 100 99 100 99 : 6 Sts : 88 76 89 84 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 100% of last year's rice acreage. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 2 0 0 1 CA : 0 0 0 0 LA : 51 45 64 60 MS : 2 0 0 1 MO : 0 0 0 0 TX : 45 24 77 57 : 6 Sts : 12 9 16 14 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 100% of last year's rice acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 37 18 26 30 MN : 62 37 46 54 MT : 39 21 16 36 ND : 51 21 33 42 SD : 96 82 98 91 WA : 73 44 51 49 : 6 Sts : 53 29 36 46 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 99% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 40 23 31 33 MN : 81 52 47 64 MT : 54 23 24 38 ND : 70 38 30 47 WA : 69 40 37 45 : 5 Sts : 60 32 30 42 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States harvested 82% of last year's barley acreage. Oats: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 17,:Aug 10,:Aug 17,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 100 98 100 100 MN : 88 65 75 81 NE : 97 94 100 99 ND : 55 28 41 53 OH : 84 60 93 97 PA : 52 32 75 75 SD : 99 90 98 94 WI : 78 42 84 82 : 8 Sts : 78 57 76 80 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States harvested 63% of last year's oat acreage. Corn: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 3 9 20 50 18 IL : 2 5 18 51 24 IN : 4 8 24 51 13 IA : 2 8 27 49 14 KS : 19 27 31 19 4 KY : 1 5 22 43 29 MI : 1 4 18 55 22 MN : 3 9 31 48 9 MO : 24 27 25 20 4 NE : 12 13 24 36 15 NC : 0 4 18 56 22 ND : 3 9 24 54 10 OH : 2 8 25 43 22 PA : 2 6 23 39 30 SD : 5 12 21 45 17 TN : 2 3 13 56 26 TX : 14 19 29 32 6 WI : 6 12 27 42 13 : 18 Sts : 6 10 24 44 16 : Prev Wk : 4 9 22 45 20 Prev Yr : 13 17 30 32 8 -------------------------------------- Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 3 8 30 42 17 IL : 2 6 22 50 20 IN : 4 7 28 50 11 IA : 2 9 30 47 12 KS : 15 31 37 16 1 KY : 0 2 18 52 28 LA : 6 14 34 40 6 MI : 1 5 22 55 17 MN : 3 11 36 43 7 MS : 0 2 19 41 38 MO : 21 29 29 18 3 NE : 13 19 34 28 6 NC : 0 3 24 67 6 ND : 2 7 25 57 9 OH : 3 9 28 43 17 SD : 3 7 25 51 14 TN : 0 2 14 61 23 WI : 3 9 31 42 15 : 18 Sts : 5 11 28 43 13 : Prev Wk : 4 9 25 46 16 Prev Yr : 9 16 31 35 9 -------------------------------------- Cotton: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 3 5 22 48 22 AZ : 0 2 15 42 41 AR : 0 4 27 55 14 CA : 0 0 15 75 10 GA : 0 3 21 55 21 LA : 1 3 26 53 17 MS : 2 6 16 49 27 MO : 3 21 30 41 5 NC : 1 5 27 61 6 OK : 7 13 49 28 3 SC : 0 4 25 64 7 TN : 0 3 21 64 12 TX : 11 20 39 24 6 VA : 0 7 30 40 23 : 14 Sts : 5 11 29 43 12 : Prev Wk : 5 11 30 42 12 Prev Yr : 6 12 29 39 14 -------------------------------------- Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 4 20 54 22 CO : 16 23 42 17 2 IL : 1 8 48 35 8 KS : 19 33 35 12 1 LA : 0 1 23 66 10 MO : 12 22 42 20 4 NE : 15 29 41 15 0 NM : 19 34 43 4 0 OK : 5 29 41 25 0 SD : 11 15 30 40 4 TX : 8 20 32 32 8 : 11 Sts : 13 26 34 23 4 : Prev Wk : 11 24 35 26 4 Prev Yr : 20 23 32 22 3 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2002 planted acres. Rice: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 3 25 49 22 CA : 0 5 40 45 10 LA : 0 2 23 60 15 MS : 0 1 11 55 33 MO : 2 4 20 33 41 TX : 2 4 19 59 16 : 6 Sts : 1 3 25 51 20 : Prev Wk : 1 3 27 49 20 Prev Yr : 1 3 31 47 18 -------------------------------------- Peanuts: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 0 3 14 61 22 FL : 0 1 4 55 40 GA : 0 2 16 59 23 NC : 0 2 21 69 8 OK : 0 7 41 46 6 TX : 0 3 18 53 26 VA : 0 6 20 54 20 : 8 Sts : 0 3 17 57 23 : Prev Wk : 0 3 19 57 21 Prev Yr : 3 8 34 42 13 -------------------------------------- Spring Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 0 16 25 47 12 MN : 0 4 18 49 29 MT : 14 33 39 12 2 ND : 1 7 22 48 22 SD : 5 8 34 37 16 WA : 7 24 39 29 1 : 6 Sts : 5 14 28 37 16 : Prev Wk : 5 13 27 41 14 Prev Yr : 11 18 37 31 3 -------------------------------------- Barley: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 2 13 26 47 12 MN : 0 3 15 51 31 MT : 18 22 27 28 5 ND : 1 5 19 51 24 WA : 7 24 50 18 1 : 5 Sts : 7 13 25 40 15 : Prev Wk : 6 12 25 44 13 Prev Yr : 6 15 38 37 4 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2002 planted acres. Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 1 1 13 57 28 :: NJ : 0 30 10 60 0 AZ : 22 29 27 18 4 :: NM : 48 35 14 3 0 AR : 2 12 31 46 9 :: NY : 0 4 22 58 16 CA : 30 30 30 10 0 :: NC : 0 1 13 64 22 CO : 16 28 37 17 2 :: ND : 11 28 39 21 1 CT : 0 0 25 57 18 :: OH : 1 4 23 54 18 DE : 0 4 19 64 13 :: OK : 7 26 46 19 2 FL : 1 8 15 61 15 :: OR : 12 27 43 18 0 GA : 0 1 16 60 23 :: PA : 2 8 17 51 22 ID : 4 27 47 16 6 :: RI : 0 0 0 60 40 IL : 5 12 37 39 7 :: SC : 0 0 15 58 27 IN : 1 3 17 64 15 :: SD : 12 25 37 23 3 IA : 21 31 33 14 1 :: TN : 0 1 14 63 22 KS : 31 36 28 5 0 :: TX : 14 24 34 23 5 KY : 0 3 20 57 20 :: UT : 10 22 35 32 1 LA : 1 10 47 38 4 :: VT : 0 0 32 65 3 ME : 0 8 13 42 37 :: VA : 0 3 13 58 26 MD : 2 6 22 46 24 :: WA : 6 18 57 19 0 MA : 0 0 25 71 4 :: WV : 0 1 18 59 22 MI : 5 18 38 31 8 :: WI : 24 34 29 12 1 MN : 15 26 43 16 0 :: WY : 9 20 52 18 1 MS : 0 4 18 57 21 :: : MO : 35 36 20 8 1 :: 48 Sts : 14 21 30 28 7 MT : 30 32 26 10 2 :: : NE : 25 29 32 14 0 :: Prev Wk: 11 20 31 31 7 NV : 9 18 43 28 2 :: Prev Yr: 25 24 28 20 3 NH : 0 1 19 64 16 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2002 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 after 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 after 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 August 26, 2003. 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