We 1 (9-03) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released September 3, 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. 35 August 24 - 30, 2003 For additional information, call (202) 720-2397. Highlights: The passage of a strong cold front ended a 2-week hot spell in the western Corn Belt and a summer-long heat wave on the northern High Plains, but failed to provide significant drought relief. The front slowed and stalled across the central and southern Plains and the middle Mississippi Valley, where substantial rains came too late for most summer crops but brought highly beneficial moisture for pastures and in preparation for winter wheat planting. Farther west, showers gradually diminished west of the Rockies. Early- to midweek Western showers were heaviest across the Four Corners region, where moisture improvements aided rangelands and eased irrigation demands, but caused local flash flooding. In addition, several dozen large wildfires remained active in the northern Rockies, while long-term drought and water-supply concerns persisted throughout the Southwest and Intermountain West. Meanwhile in the South, warm weather promoted summer crop maturation, although abundant showers caused minor fieldwork delays and increased concerns for the cotton crop as bolls began to open. Showers intensified toward week's end as a tropical wave strengthened into Tropical Storm Grace and made landfall along the middle Texas coast. At week's end, Grace's remnants moved inland and interacted with the aforementioned front, helping to enhance already heavy rains. Tropical activity also increased elsewhere as the end of August neared. Over the eastern Pacific Ocean, Hurricane Jimena passed about 150 miles south of the Big Island of Hawaii, the State's closest brush with a hurricane since Iniki swept across Kauai in September 1992. Meanwhile in the Atlantic basin, east of the Lesser Antilles, Fabian became the third hurricane of the season on August 29. Early in the week, excessively hot weather continued across the Plains and western Corn Belt. In Missouri, Joplin's streak of triple-digit heat stretched to 10 days (August 17-26) before ending with a high of 97 degrees F on August 27. During the heat wave, Joplin's highs ranged from 101 to 103 degrees F, setting or tying daily-record highs on 8 consecutive days from August 19-26. Meanwhile in the western Corn Belt, consecutive daily-record highs were established on August 25-26 in locations such as Moline, IL (97 degrees F both days), and Dubuque, IA (92 and 95 degrees F). Elsewhere in Iowa, Des Moines posted highs of 100 degrees F on August 25 and 101 degrees F on August 25, the first triple-digit heat there since the maximum temperature reached 100 degrees F on July 29, 1999. Near-record to record August dryness aggravated the effects of the hot spell in many locations, including Waterloo, IA, where August rainfall totaled just 0.08 inch (2 percent of normal). Waterloo's former August record was 0.37 inch in 1955. August totals were among the lowest on record in many other locations, including Rochester, MN (0.34 inch, or 8 percent of normal), Des Moines, IA (0.31 inch, or 7 percent), and Pierre, SD (0.18 inch, or 10 percent). Other years featuring minimal August rainfall in the upper Midwest included 1909, 1941, 1969, 1984, and 2001. Meanwhile, a record-setting dry spell barely ended in Billings, MT, where 0.03 inch fell on August 27. Billings' 62-day streak (June 26 - August 26) without measurable precipitation easily surpassed its former record of 51 days, set from October 30 - December 19, 1939. It was the second-driest August on record in Billings, behind 0.01 inch in 2001. Farther west, it was the driest summer (June-August period) on record at several sites in the Northwest, including Pendleton, OR (0.10 inch, or 6 percent of normal), and Walla Walla, WA (0.37 inch, or 14 percent). At both locations, summer records for dryness (0.20 and 0.48 inch, respectively) were previously established in 1949. In addition, temperatures continued to peak at 70 degrees F or higher through month's end in Seattle, WA, stretching its streak to 55 days (July 8 - August 31). Seattle's previous record of 49 days was set in July-August 1958. Meanwhile in Montana, Missoula's maximum of 96 degrees F on August 26 marked the 20th day this year with a high temperature of 95 degrees F or higher, tying its annual record set in 1960. Elsewhere in Montana, Havre's record-setting spell with temperatures of 80 degrees F or higher ended at 49 days (July 9 - August 26), eclipsing its former standard of 41 days from July 9 - August 18, 1929. Meanwhile in the Northeast, cool weather and a few daily records were reported, including a low of 34 degrees F on August 25 in Caribou, ME. Farther south, however, some of the hottest air of the year spread into the East, resulting in the first 90-degree heat of the year on August 27 in locations such as Charleston, WV, and Jackson, KY. The previous record for the latest date of the year's first 90-degree heat was set on July 14, 1972, in Charleston and on August 23, 2001, in Jackson. Elsewhere, a cold front provided a focus for late-week rains, while minimal Tropical Storm Grace approached the Texas coast. The disorganized center of Grace crossed the coast on the morning of August 31. More information on Grace's interaction with the cold front will appear in next week's summary. Farther north, the front generated torrential rainfall from the central and southern Plains to the Ohio Valley. Dodge City, KS, received 4.68 inches from August 28-31, including a daily-record total of 3.86 inches on August 30, compared with only 1.05 inches during the preceding 70 days (June 19 - August 27). Similarly, 5.36 inches pelted Topeka, KS, from August 28-31, compared with 0.70 inch in July and 0.89 inch from August 1-27. On August 31, daily-record totals included 0.77 inch in Denver, CO, 2.04 inches in Oklahoma City, OK, and 3.27 inches in Topeka. Monthly rainfall reached 8.78 inches (308 percent of normal) in Tulsa, OK, 6.30 inches of which fell from August 29-31, representing its wettest August since 11.80 inches fell in 1927. Farther east, August 27-31 rainfall totaled 4.87 inches in Columbus, OH, vaulting the city to its wettest August (11.42 inches, or 307 percent of normal) and second-wettest month on record behind 12.36 inches in July 1992. Hurricane Jimena made its closest approach to Hawaii on the night of August 31 - September 1, passing about 150 miles south of the Big Island shortly before being downgraded to a tropical storm. During the approach, 24-hour rainfall on the Big Island reached 6.53 inches in Glenwood, 5.03 inches in Waiakea Uka, and 4.88 inches in Mountain View. Aside from Jimena's effects, near-normal temperatures and drier-than-normal conditions prevailed across the Hawaiian Islands. Meanwhile, mild weather prevailed in Alaska, where weekly temperatures averaged as much as 4 degrees F above normal. Locally heavy precipitation fell across the southern half of the State, boosting August totals to 11.28 inches (184 percent of normal) on Annette Island, 7.83 inches (175 percent) in Kodiak, and 4.76 inches (158 percent) in Bethel. National Agricultural Summary August 25 - 31, 2003 Highlights: Warmer-than-normal temperatures continued across most of the Nation, though some areas were markedly cooler than the high temperatures of the previous weeks. Tropical Storm Grace brought some much-needed rain to the southern and central Great Plains and southern Corn Belt, but caused localized flooding in some areas. Though the northern Great Plains and western Corn Belt missed the heavy rain, cooler temperatures late in the week brought some relief from the heat. Scattered showers across the Delta and the Southeast brought moderate to heavy rainfall to parts of the regions. The Pacific Coast and northern Rocky Mountain States remained dry, with above-normal temperatures, though not as high as in recent weeks. Scattered showers in the southern Rocky Mountains caused isolated flash flooding. Moderate to heavy rainfall covered most of the Ohio Valley. In New England, the only area of the Nation with below-normal temperatures, there was little precipitation to report. Corn: Ninety percent of the acreage was at or beyond the dough stage, 1 percentage point behind last year's 91 percent and 2 points behind the 5-year average of 92 percent. Fifty-seven percent of the crop had reached the dent stage, 3 points behind last year at this time and 8 points behind the 5-year average. Thirteen percent of the crop was mature, compared with 15 percent last year and 17 percent for the 5-year average. Warm, dry weather promoted development in the western Corn Belt and northern Great Plains, but the persistent lack of precipitation further deteriorated crop condition. Doughing was over 1 week ahead of the normal pace in Colorado, but over 1 week behind normal in Indiana and North Carolina. Most States remained well behind average in denting, with Indiana and Pennsylvania over 1 week behind normal. Most areas were well behind normal in maturation, though Colorado, Missouri, and Texas were slightly ahead of normal. Soybeans: Ninety-six percent of the acreage was setting pods, 1 percentage point behind last year but even with the 5-year average. Seven percent of the crop was dropping leaves, the same as last year but 1 point behind the 5-year average. Though most States neared completion in setting pods, Kansas was over 1 week behind the normal pace. The Ohio Valley region was 1 week or more behind average in dropping leaves. In the western Corn Belt and northern Great Plains, persistent warm, dry weather pushed development ahead of the normal pace, but caused crop condition to decline. Cotton: Ninety-seven percent of the acreage was setting bolls, 2 percentage points behind last year and the 5-year average. Twenty-four percent of fields had open bolls, 14 points behind last year and 15 points behind the 5-year average. Though most States had completed setting bolls, Texas and Virginia were still 2 weeks behind the normal pace. Fields at or beyond the open bolls stage continued to lag behind normal everywhere but in Oklahoma, which was 4 points ahead of its 5-year average. Bolls opening progress was farthest behind in the Delta, where all States were 18 points or more behind average. Crop condition remained fairly constant across the Nation. Sorghum: Eighty-three percent of the crop was headed, 9 percentage points behind last year and 12 points behind the 5-year average. Fifty percent of the acreage was turning color, 14 points behind last year and 17 points behind the average. Twenty-seven percent of the crop had reached maturity, 5 points behind last year and 7 points behind the 5-year average. Acreage heading was 2 weeks behind the normal pace across the Nation, with Kansas 2 weeks behind average and Texas over 3 weeks behind average. Acreage turning color steadily advanced in most areas, but still remained over 1 week behind normal Nationwide. Illinois, Kansas, and Missouri were 1 week or more behind normal and Texas was over 2 weeks behind its normal pace. Fields matured slowly and remained 1 week behind average across the Nation, though in Arkansas, Colorado, and Oklahoma, the crop was 1 week or more ahead of the normal pace. Rice: Twenty-two percent of the crop had been harvested, 1 percentage point behind last year and 2 points behind the 5-year average. Texas producers harvested 20 percent of their crop to bring their total acreage harvested to 81 percent, pulling ahead of Louisiana farmers, at 76 percent. There was no harvesting activity reported in California and Missouri. Crop condition improved slightly in most States, but declined in Louisiana. Small grains: The spring wheat crop advanced to 93 percent harvested, 31 percentage points ahead of last year and 17 points ahead of the 5-year average. Dry weather and above-normal temperatures allowed harvest to continue progressing well ahead of normal. Farmers in Idaho harvested 22 percent of their crop, while South Dakota farmers completed their spring wheat harvest and farmers in other States were nearing completion. Barley was 92 percent harvested, 25 percentage points ahead of last year and 15 points ahead of the 5-year average. Dry and warmer-than-normal weather continued to aid harvest activities, and all States except Idaho were over 1 week ahead of the normal pace. The oat crop advanced to 97 percent harvested, 6 percentage points ahead of last year and 3 points ahead of the 5-year average. Producers in Nebraska and Ohio completed their harvest to join Iowa and South Dakota farmers, who had already completed their harvest. Most States are at or slightly ahead of normal pace, though North Dakota producers are 12 points ahead of their 5-year average. Corn: Percent Dough, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 93 70 84 80 IL : 94 88 94 95 IN : 85 70 84 95 IA : 88 71 94 91 KS : 97 96 99 99 KY : 95 94 100 98 MI : 72 44 56 70 MN : 96 61 93 92 MO : 98 93 99 98 NE : 95 87 96 95 NC : 93 88 99 97 ND : 95 79 95 96 OH : 85 73 82 89 PA : 68 49 79 76 SD : 89 70 91 90 TN : 100 100 100 100 TX : 97 96 100 100 WI : 74 57 78 75 : 18 Sts: 90 76 91 92 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Dented, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 50 29 32 36 IL : 62 42 63 73 IN : 41 21 41 69 IA : 61 27 70 69 KS : 77 69 76 82 KY : 86 71 90 90 MI : 18 3 17 35 MN : 56 23 53 57 MO : 87 75 85 86 NE : 62 42 74 71 NC : 82 67 93 88 ND : 63 24 39 58 OH : 32 13 32 48 PA : 22 7 52 41 SD : 44 18 54 53 TN : 98 94 98 94 TX : 90 84 94 92 WI : 27 7 37 34 : 18 Sts: 57 34 60 65 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 9 3 3 4 IL : 8 4 13 18 IN : 3 1 5 15 IA : 10 2 12 14 KS : 38 26 38 38 KY : 49 19 57 53 MI : 0 0 3 3 MN : 3 0 1 3 MO : 52 31 46 47 NE : 7 2 12 10 NC : 47 28 72 66 ND : 5 2 2 7 OH : 0 0 2 6 PA : 3 0 17 8 SD : 6 3 16 10 TN : 65 35 70 66 TX : 75 69 72 73 WI : 0 0 0 2 : 18 Sts: 13 7 15 17 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Soybeans: Percent Setting Pods, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 94 91 95 90 IL : 96 90 97 96 IN : 93 82 94 98 IA : 99 98 100 99 KS : 86 81 93 94 KY : 83 66 86 87 LA : 98 88 100 100 MI : 97 94 100 96 MN : 99 99 99 99 MS : 100 99 100 100 MO : 90 83 91 90 NE : 98 95 100 99 NC : 68 55 69 71 ND : 100 99 100 100 OH : 98 88 95 99 SD : 100 98 100 98 TN : 95 81 96 90 WI : 94 89 97 95 : 18 Sts: 96 91 97 96 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 96% of last year's soybean acreage. Soybeans: Percent Dropping Leaves, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 10 7 12 10 IL : 2 0 3 4 IN : 6 1 10 15 IA : 4 2 3 2 KS : 20 13 12 21 KY : 1 1 4 8 LA : 19 12 19 32 MI : 0 0 1 5 MN : 5 1 3 4 MS : 45 32 36 41 MO : 4 3 5 4 NE : 4 2 6 7 NC : 2 1 4 3 ND : 10 3 4 7 OH : 2 0 5 11 SD : 28 16 25 21 TN : 7 4 10 10 WI : 0 0 0 0 : 18 Sts: 7 4 7 8 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 96% of last year's soybean acreage. Cotton: Percent Setting Bolls, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 100 100 100 100 AZ : 100 99 100 100 AR : 100 100 100 100 CA : 97 96 100 91 GA : 100 99 100 100 LA : 100 100 100 100 MS : 100 98 100 100 MO : 100 100 100 100 NC : 100 95 100 99 OK : 95 91 96 99 SC : 96 88 97 96 TN : 100 100 100 100 TX : 93 87 98 99 VA : 98 93 100 100 : 14 Sts: 97 93 99 99 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 23 10 48 40 AZ : 52 44 67 59 AR : 22 10 21 40 CA : 20 13 35 21 GA : 19 11 46 39 LA : 46 33 57 72 MS : 45 22 59 69 MO : 11 8 33 41 NC : 6 0 38 25 OK : 23 17 23 19 SC : 15 8 29 25 TN : 25 13 30 41 TX : 22 20 32 34 VA : 14 0 33 20 : 14 Sts: 24 16 38 39 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 100 100 100 CO : 91 82 70 86 IL : 94 86 98 96 KS : 83 75 94 97 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 97 91 97 98 NE : 90 82 93 97 NM : 66 48 76 73 OK : 85 79 84 86 SD : 100 98 96 95 TX : 77 74 92 95 : 11 Sts: 83 77 92 95 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 99 99 95 93 CO : 35 15 23 23 IL : 40 23 63 66 KS : 40 28 58 61 LA : 99 95 95 99 MO : 58 44 67 73 NE : 34 25 56 54 NM : 15 5 22 22 OK : 51 41 59 49 SD : 54 39 61 55 TX : 60 57 75 81 : 11 Sts: 50 41 64 67 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 79 63 72 67 CO : 8 0 0 1 IL : 0 0 4 6 KS : 7 3 10 16 LA : 93 85 84 94 MO : 11 3 22 30 NE : 1 0 3 5 NM : 0 0 0 0 OK : 23 13 32 20 SD : 5 1 6 6 TX : 54 52 64 65 : 11 Sts: 27 23 32 34 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 6 4 8 9 CA : 0 0 1 0 LA : 76 64 77 78 MS : 15 5 9 13 MO : 0 0 2 1 TX : 81 61 89 84 : 6 Sts : 22 17 23 24 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 100% of last year's rice acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 84 62 79 75 MN : 96 88 77 85 MT : 92 78 41 69 ND : 91 80 58 73 SD : 100 99 100 99 WA : 99 90 91 85 : 6 Sts : 93 82 62 76 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 99% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 78 63 77 73 MN : 99 96 86 89 MT : 91 79 48 72 ND : 97 92 68 81 WA : 99 90 86 83 : 5 Sts : 92 82 67 77 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States harvested 82% of last year's barley acreage. Oats: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Aug 31,:Aug 24,:Aug 31,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 100 100 100 100 MN : 97 95 94 96 NE : 100 99 100 100 ND : 94 81 71 82 OH : 100 96 100 100 PA : 95 76 95 94 SD : 100 100 100 99 WI : 97 90 96 97 : 8 Sts : 97 91 91 94 -------------------------------------- 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 : 4 12 21 50 13 IL : 3 9 28 49 11 IN : 5 11 28 43 13 IA : 8 20 36 33 3 KS : 19 28 33 17 3 KY : 2 5 20 42 31 MI : 2 9 21 49 19 MN : 9 20 38 30 3 MO : 27 29 26 14 4 NE : 16 15 22 32 15 NC : 1 4 25 54 16 ND : 6 14 34 40 6 OH : 2 7 25 43 23 PA : 3 6 21 40 30 SD : 7 19 26 40 8 TN : 2 3 15 56 24 TX : 17 19 32 28 4 WI : 18 22 35 22 3 : 18 Sts : 9 16 29 36 10 : Prev Wk : 8 13 29 39 11 Prev Yr : 13 17 29 33 8 -------------------------------------- Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 4 10 29 40 17 IL : 4 9 32 45 10 IN : 4 10 30 45 11 IA : 9 23 38 27 3 KS : 18 35 35 12 0 KY : 0 2 17 49 32 LA : 10 19 29 36 6 MI : 3 9 27 48 13 MN : 9 21 40 27 3 MS : 0 5 16 36 43 MO : 27 29 27 14 3 NE : 16 21 32 25 6 NC : 1 4 27 63 5 ND : 4 13 32 44 7 OH : 3 9 26 47 15 SD : 5 17 25 45 8 TN : 0 2 15 59 24 WI : 18 21 34 23 4 : 18 Sts : 8 16 31 36 9 : Prev Wk : 8 13 31 38 10 Prev Yr : 9 15 30 37 9 -------------------------------------- Cotton: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 2 5 24 50 19 AZ : 0 3 17 40 40 AR : 1 5 27 52 15 CA : 0 0 15 65 20 GA : 0 3 25 51 21 LA : 2 4 33 52 9 MS : 2 6 14 48 30 MO : 1 16 39 38 6 NC : 3 6 24 65 2 OK : 6 12 52 25 5 SC : 0 3 23 70 4 TN : 0 3 20 62 15 TX : 14 25 37 18 6 VA : 0 6 25 50 19 : 14 Sts : 6 13 29 40 12 : Prev Wk : 6 13 30 40 11 Prev Yr : 5 12 29 40 14 -------------------------------------- Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 5 24 50 21 CO : 21 20 39 14 6 IL : 4 16 30 44 6 KS : 22 37 30 10 1 LA : 0 3 28 60 9 MO : 14 23 39 21 3 NE : 22 31 34 13 0 NM : 32 29 36 1 2 OK : 5 35 34 26 0 SD : 37 19 20 21 3 TX : 10 24 34 27 5 : 11 Sts : 16 29 33 19 3 : Prev Wk : 16 29 33 19 3 Prev Yr : 21 25 33 19 2 -------------------------------------- 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 45 40 10 LA : 0 1 25 57 17 MS : 0 2 8 38 52 MO : 1 4 16 52 27 TX : 0 2 13 72 13 : 6 Sts : 1 3 26 49 21 : Prev Wk : 1 4 28 46 21 Prev Yr : 1 3 29 44 23 -------------------------------------- Peanuts: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 0 3 24 53 20 FL : 1 1 38 50 10 GA : 0 4 18 57 21 NC : 0 0 14 81 5 OK : 0 7 48 40 5 TX : 0 3 21 47 29 VA : 0 4 14 62 20 : 8 Sts : 0 3 22 55 20 : Prev Wk : 0 4 17 60 19 Prev Yr : 3 11 36 38 12 -------------------------------------- Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 0 2 15 54 29 :: NJ : 0 0 24 76 0 AZ : 14 32 28 21 5 :: NM : 50 25 19 6 0 AR : 3 19 36 37 5 :: NY : 0 4 15 62 19 CA : 30 30 35 5 0 :: NC : 0 1 14 75 10 CO : 19 32 34 13 2 :: ND : 19 30 34 17 0 CT : 0 4 22 64 10 :: OH : 1 5 24 51 19 DE : 0 2 11 60 27 :: OK : 10 33 36 19 2 FL : 0 10 15 55 20 :: OR : 15 29 45 11 0 GA : 0 2 17 63 18 :: PA : 3 6 35 42 14 ID : 6 34 51 8 1 :: RI : 0 0 0 50 50 IL : 13 24 45 17 1 :: SC : 0 0 14 59 27 IN : 5 11 31 47 6 :: SD : 21 26 33 18 2 IA : 47 34 16 3 0 :: TN : 1 3 16 61 19 KS : 37 37 23 3 0 :: TX : 18 30 33 16 3 KY : 2 6 28 47 17 :: UT : 8 21 39 32 0 LA : 2 11 42 40 5 :: VT : 3 19 23 54 1 ME : 0 10 14 60 16 :: VA : 0 3 13 55 29 MD : 2 6 20 50 22 :: WA : 3 25 56 16 0 MA : 0 0 17 83 0 :: WV : 0 3 26 48 23 MI : 10 23 39 25 3 :: WI : 55 28 13 4 0 MN : 29 34 28 9 0 :: WY : 15 25 47 13 0 MS : 0 3 20 63 14 :: : MO : 46 29 18 6 1 :: 48 Sts : 19 23 29 23 6 MT : 39 33 23 5 0 :: : NE : 32 33 29 6 0 :: Prev Wk: 17 23 29 25 6 NV : 5 25 42 28 0 :: Prev Yr: 24 25 27 21 3 NH : 0 0 20 61 19 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 September 9, 2003. 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