We 1 (9-03) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released September 16, 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. 37 September 7 - 13, 2003 For additional information, call (202) 720-2397. Highlights: A slow-moving cold front sparked widespread rainfall across key winter wheat areas of the Plains and Northwest, slowing fieldwork but providing much-needed moisture for newly planted wheat. Locally heavy precipitation also fell elsewhere in the West, particularly in the Four Corners region, providing some relief from long-term drought. Sharply cooler air overspread areas west of the Rockies in the front's wake, holding weekly temperatures as much as 8 degrees F below normal. Farther east, rain also overspread the western Corn Belt, recharging soil moisture but coming too late to help drought-stressed corn and soybeans. Very warm weather in advance of the rain's arrival boosted temperatures as much as 12 degrees F above normal in the upper Mississippi Valley. Meanwhile, warm, mostly dry weather prevailed through week's end in the eastern Corn Belt, promoting summer crop maturation and initial harvesting. Meanwhile in the South, mostly dry weather for much of the week favored cotton and peanut maturation and harvesting of corn, soybeans, sorghum, and rice. However, mid- to late-week downpours slowed fieldwork west of the Delta. Locally heavy showers also developed toward week's end in the Mid-Atlantic region, where the remnants of former Tropical Storm Henri spread inland. The highlight of the week was the slow-moving storm system and its attendant cold front across the western two-thirds of the Nation. Warmth preceding the front resulted in several daily-record highs, including a maximum of 83 degrees F in Marquette, MI, on September 10. More impressive, however, was the cool air that trailed the system. On September 13 in Idaho, daily-record lows were tied in locations such as Stanley (17 degrees F) and Challis (28 degrees F). At week's end, very cool air spread as far east as the High Plains, where Denver, CO, noted a low of 29 degrees F on September 14. Denver's low represented its earliest autumn reading below 30 degrees F, previously established with a minimum of 23 degrees F on September 18, 1971. Meanwhile, heat returned to California, producing a daily-record high (98 degrees F on September 13) in Oakland. Very heavy precipitation developed on September 9 in parts of the Four Corners region. In fact, it was the wettest day on record in several Colorado locations, including Durango (3.68 inches; previously, 3.65 inches on October 19, 1972) and Cortez (2.63 inches; previously, 1.95 inches on September 22, 1941). In Utah, it was the wettest 24-hour period on record at two national monuments, Hovenweep (2.76 inches on September 9-10) and Natural Bridges (3.10 inches). Natural Bridges' total more than doubled its previous all-time daily record of 1.52 inches, set on October 19, 1972. Meanwhile in Flagstaff, AZ, where 1.61 inches fell on Tuesday, September 9 was the last of 18 consecutive days with measurable rainfall. Flagstaff's former record of 17 days was established from July 20 - August 5, 1968. On September 10, daily-record totals in the Dakotas included 2.63 inches in Sioux Falls, SD, and 2.41 inches in Dickinson, ND. Heavy rain spread farther south and east by September 11, when record totals reached 1.67 inches in San Antonio, TX, and 1.48 inches in Dodge City, KS. A day later in Texas, Corpus Christi's 4.69-inch rainfall was a record for September 12. Meanwhile, the remnants of Tropical Storm Henri ended a period of dry weather in the Mid-Atlantic region. In Baltimore, MD, where dry weather prevailed for 7 consecutive days from September 5-11, it represented the first 5-day dry spell since October 17-21, 2002, and longest spell without a drop of rain since October 2-13, 2002. In Hawaii, midweek downpours across the western islands interrupted an otherwise typical period of warm weather and scattered showers. On Oahu, 24-hour totals on September 10-11 included 6.79 inches in Luluku, 5.60 inches at the Manoa Lyon Arboretum, and 5.02 inches in Maunawili. Elsewhere on Oahu, the Wilson Tunnel received 13.95 inches during the same period, helping to boost its 48-hour (September 10-12) rainfall to 15.73 inches. Meanwhile, rain and snow preceded the arrival of an early-season cold snap across interior Alaska, where weekly temperatures averaged as much as 7 degrees F below normal. On September 13, Alaskan daily-record lows included 15 degrees F in Bettles and 19 degrees F in Eagle. Elsewhere, September 1-14 precipitation totals contrasted sharply from southwestern to southeastern Alaska, ranging from 0.05 inch (4 percent of normal) on St. Paul Island and 0.29 inch (21 percent) in King Salmon, to 6.17 inches (189 percent) in Juneau and 8.08 inches (209 percent) on Annette Island. Some snow accompanied wet conditions across interior and northern Alaska, where Bettles (0.3 inch on September 10) reported a daily-record snowfall. Month-to-date precipitation reached 1.61 inches (435 percent of normal) in Barrow and 1.24 inches (210 percent) in Fairbanks. National Agricultural Summary September 8 - 14, 2003 Highlights: Above-normal temperatures prevailed throughout the Corn Belt, with moderate to heavy rainfall in the western half and little or no rain in the eastern half. Most of the Great Plains had moderate rainfall, with above-normal temperatures in the north and mostly below-normal temperatures in the remainder of the region. In the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains, cooler, wetter weather brought drought relief. The Southwest experienced warm, dry weather, but scattered thunderstorms caused local flash flooding. Temperatures were near normal in the Mississippi Delta, with the western half receiving moderate rainfall. The Southeast was mostly dry, with below-average temperatures. Moderate rainfall combined with below-normal temperatures in the middle Atlantic Coast States. The Northeast was mostly dry, with near-normal temperatures. Corn: Eighty-eight percent of the acreage was at or beyond the dent stage, 1 percentage point behind last year's 89 percent and 3 points behind the 5-year average of 91 percent. Forty percent of the crop was mature, 3 points behind last year at this time and 9 points behind the 5-year average. Seven percent of the crop had been harvested, compared with 9 percent for last year and the 5-year average. The crop has been slow to dent and mature in the Ohio Valley, where most States were 1 week or more behind the average in both progress stages. Maturing was also well behind the average in most of the Corn Belt, with Michigan over 2 weeks behind normal. Most of the Great Plains States were ahead of normal in denting and maturity. Harvest had begun in almost all States, but trailed behind the average pace in the Corn Belt, while the Great Plains was ahead of normal. Soybeans: Thirty-five percent of the crop was dropping leaves, 4 percentage points behind last year and 6 points behind the 5-year average. The northern Great Plains remained ahead of the normal pace, while the central Great Plains lagged behind. Progress in the Corn Belt varied, with Minnesota and Wisconsin well ahead of normal, but Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio well behind. Crop condition decreased slightly, with Illinois, Michigan, and Ohio showing the biggest declines. Winter Wheat: Sixteen percent of next year's crop had been planted, on pace with last year, but 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Moderate rainfall throughout most of the major-producing areas slowed fieldwork. Washington producers led the Nation with 45 percent of their acreage planted but were 5 points behind their normal pace. Growers in Colorado and Nebraska had planted over 30 percent of their acreage while South Dakota and Texas farmers had planted over 20 percent. Cotton: Forty-five percent of fields had open bolls, 16 percentage points behind last year and 19 points behind the 5-year average. Eight percent of the acreage had been harvested, compared with last year's 10 percent and the 5-year average of 11 percent. The percentage of fields with open bolls was behind the average in all States except Oklahoma. Most States were 1 week or more behind the average, with Missouri, South Carolina, and Texas 2 weeks or more behind the normal pace. Harvest started slowly in the Delta and had not yet begun in most of the Southeast. Texas growers had progressed the most, with 17 percent of their acreage harvested. Sorghum: Ninety-five percent of the crop was headed, 3 percentage points behind last year and 4 points behind the 5-year average. Sixty-nine percent of the crop had turned color, 11 points behind last year and 19 points behind the 5-year average. Forty percent of the crop was mature, compared with 51 percent last year and 55 percent for the 5-year average. Twenty-nine percent of the acreage was harvested, 4 points behind last year and 9 points behind the 5-year average. Though most States were nearing completion in heading, Texas still trailed its 5-year average by 3 weeks. Coloring was almost 2 weeks behind normal nationwide, with several States 1 week or more behind normal and Texas over 3 weeks behind. Maturing was also over 1 week behind normal nationwide, with Illinois 2 weeks behind. Harvest was slow to start in most States and trailed 1 week or more behind normal in Kansas, South Dakota, and Texas. Rice: Forty-one percent of the acreage had been harvested, 2 percentage points behind last year and 4 points behind the 5-year average. Louisiana and Texas growers still led the Nation, with 89 percent of their acreage harvested. However, Arkansas and Mississippi producers made the most harvest progress during the week, at 16 and 17 percent, respectively. Harvest began in Missouri and was 9 percent complete. Progress in California slowed to a near halt, with only 1 percent of the acreage harvested during the week. Peanuts: Three percent of the acreage was harvested, 4 percentage points behind last year and 5 points behind the 5-year average. Florida producers had progressed the most, with 15 percent of their acreage harvested, 2 points ahead of their normal pace. All other States were at or behind normal progress. Harvest had not yet begun in Alabama, North Carolina, and Texas. Corn: Percent Dented, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 91 75 60 73 IL : 91 75 90 93 IN : 78 53 80 92 IA : 93 80 96 93 KS : 98 94 95 97 KY : 92 88 98 98 MI : 51 32 71 74 MN : 97 84 92 93 MO : 96 92 96 98 NE : 89 78 93 95 NC : 95 92 99 97 ND : 94 84 81 89 OH : 71 49 71 84 PA : 51 39 78 67 SD : 93 71 91 87 TN : 100 100 100 100 TX : 98 95 98 98 WI : 69 51 71 74 : 18 Sts: 88 74 89 91 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 38 14 15 24 IL : 40 20 41 57 IN : 23 7 31 50 IA : 50 27 56 58 KS : 80 65 69 75 KY : 68 60 87 83 MI : 2 0 19 28 MN : 40 16 20 30 MO : 83 67 81 81 NE : 25 14 47 47 NC : 86 77 91 89 ND : 35 18 22 30 OH : 6 2 22 27 PA : 12 5 39 25 SD : 33 14 35 32 TN : 91 79 96 93 TX : 87 82 85 89 WI : 17 0 13 22 : 18 Sts: 40 23 43 49 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 0 NA 0 0 IL : 3 NA 4 6 IN : 2 NA 3 6 IA : 3 NA 4 3 KS : 33 NA 25 29 KY : 22 NA 45 38 MI : 0 NA 2 2 MN : 1 NA 0 0 MO : 30 NA 40 33 NE : 2 NA 7 6 NC : 50 NA 29 37 ND : 1 NA 0 0 OH : 0 NA 1 2 PA : 1 NA 16 7 SD : 1 NA 2 1 TN : 36 NA 64 59 TX : 67 NA 65 65 WI : 0 NA 0 1 : 18 Sts: 7 NA 9 9 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 94% of last year's corn acreage. Soybeans: Percent Dropping Leaves, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 20 15 24 26 IL : 25 5 25 37 IN : 33 12 36 57 IA : 39 13 46 36 KS : 46 35 40 55 KY : 8 3 34 34 LA : 46 28 41 59 MI : 10 1 28 34 MN : 62 28 49 44 MS : 70 52 62 66 MO : 18 8 25 28 NE : 19 10 40 35 NC : 8 6 11 13 ND : 55 27 57 48 OH : 24 12 42 53 SD : 66 47 66 57 TN : 22 13 29 30 WI : 39 *15 27 29 : 18 Sts: 35 16 39 41 -------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ These 18 States planted 96% of last year's soybean acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 0 0 0 CA : 1 0 1 0 CO : 32 11 20 26 ID : 10 3 14 10 IL : 0 0 0 0 IN : 2 0 2 1 KS : 8 2 8 7 MI : 6 0 8 5 MO : 0 0 0 0 MT : 9 2 16 10 NE : 31 12 27 30 NC : 0 0 1 1 OH : 0 0 1 0 OK : 17 7 21 13 OR : 5 0 3 1 SD : 21 10 23 22 TX : 22 13 19 20 WA : 45 36 61 50 : 18 Sts: 16 7 16 14 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 66 45 75 68 AZ : 83 71 94 88 AR : 63 44 60 72 CA : 40 30 49 42 GA : 55 40 73 67 LA : 75 62 82 90 MS : 74 56 86 92 MO : 36 21 52 71 NC : 27 17 63 52 OK : 61 43 39 51 SC : 22 17 49 50 TN : 36 29 70 80 TX : 34 29 51 57 VA : 33 25 63 50 : 14 Sts: 45 35 61 64 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States planted 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Cotton: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 0 NA 4 5 AZ : 2 NA 9 6 AR : 1 NA 0 3 CA : 0 NA 1 0 GA : 2 NA 7 7 LA : 6 NA 9 15 MS : 9 NA 8 11 MO : 0 NA 3 4 NC : 0 NA 1 1 OK : 0 NA 1 1 SC : 0 NA 4 4 TN : 0 NA 4 5 TX : 17 NA 19 20 VA : 0 NA 3 1 : 14 Sts: 8 NA 10 11 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 14 States harvested 98% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 100 100 100 CO : 95 93 94 97 IL : 97 96 100 99 KS : 96 90 100 100 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 100 100 100 100 NE : 98 94 99 100 NM : 95 75 96 90 OK : 95 90 95 96 SD : 100 100 100 100 TX : 91 85 96 98 : 11 Sts: 95 89 98 99 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 99 98 98 CO : 74 57 44 59 IL : 73 71 85 86 KS : 69 59 79 90 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 85 69 86 92 NE : 63 52 78 85 NM : 48 21 55 58 OK : 75 67 77 76 SD : 91 81 89 86 TX : 64 62 83 90 : 11 Sts: 69 62 80 88 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 97 91 91 90 CO : 36 27 9 13 IL : 6 1 45 43 KS : 26 16 37 44 LA : 98 96 98 100 MO : 38 20 54 58 NE : 12 2 33 32 NM : 2 1 3 3 OK : 39 32 55 37 SD : 17 9 25 27 TX : 57 56 72 78 : 11 Sts: 40 33 51 55 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 63 53 65 69 CO : 0 0 0 0 IL : 0 0 3 3 KS : 10 7 9 18 LA : 87 78 82 86 MO : 12 0 23 22 NE : 0 0 7 6 NM : 0 0 0 0 OK : 17 14 34 20 SD : 2 1 6 4 TX : 54 53 62 67 : 11 Sts: 29 26 33 38 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States harvested 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 32 16 37 40 CA : 3 2 5 7 LA : 89 82 86 88 MS : 52 *35 36 42 MO : 9 0 19 15 TX : 89 86 97 94 : 6 Sts : 41 30 43 45 -------------------------------------- * Revised. 1/ These 6 States harvested 100% of last year's rice acreage. Peanuts: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 1998- State:Sep 14,:Sep 7, :Sep 14,: 2002 : 2003 : 2003 : 2002 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 0 NA 13 11 FL : 15 NA 4 13 GA : 5 NA 9 8 NC : 0 NA 3 2 OK : 1 NA 1 1 TX : 0 NA 4 8 VA : 1 NA 0 1 : 7 Sts : 3 NA 7 8 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 7 States harvested 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Corn: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 6 11 23 46 14 IL : 3 9 28 49 11 IN : 6 11 26 44 13 IA : 9 21 37 30 3 KS : 24 28 31 14 3 KY : 1 4 17 43 35 MI : 3 9 31 43 14 MN : 11 23 42 23 1 MO : 25 25 28 17 5 NE : 16 14 22 33 15 NC : 1 5 29 45 20 ND : 9 17 35 37 2 OH : 2 7 24 45 22 PA : 2 7 19 47 25 SD : 7 14 30 41 8 TN : 2 3 15 56 24 TX : 17 19 32 28 4 WI : 20 28 30 19 3 : 18 Sts : 10 16 30 35 9 : Prev Wk : 11 16 29 35 9 Prev Yr : 14 17 27 33 9 -------------------------------------- Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 2 7 27 43 21 IL : 4 9 39 41 7 IN : 5 9 27 47 12 IA : 12 24 39 23 2 KS : 19 33 35 12 1 KY : 0 1 14 51 34 LA : 6 11 33 43 7 MI : 2 10 38 42 8 MN : 12 24 40 23 1 MS : 0 4 19 46 31 MO : 22 28 30 17 3 NE : 19 24 30 22 5 NC : 1 5 28 58 8 ND : 7 16 37 38 2 OH : 3 8 27 46 16 SD : 6 16 33 41 4 TN : 0 2 14 57 27 WI : 24 27 28 17 4 : 18 Sts : 9 17 33 33 8 : Prev Wk : 9 17 31 35 8 Prev Yr : 11 17 28 35 9 -------------------------------------- Cotton: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 4 6 25 47 18 AZ : 0 3 23 32 42 AR : 1 6 25 52 16 CA : 0 0 15 50 35 GA : 1 5 29 50 15 LA : 2 3 29 52 14 MS : 2 6 15 52 25 MO : 2 14 36 41 7 NC : 3 6 23 61 7 OK : 6 14 44 30 6 SC : 0 3 25 70 2 TN : 0 4 19 60 17 TX : 16 23 38 18 5 VA : 0 6 17 54 23 : 14 Sts : 8 13 30 37 12 : Prev Wk : 7 12 31 37 13 Prev Yr : 6 13 28 39 14 -------------------------------------- Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 4 22 54 20 CO : 11 41 38 8 2 IL : 2 8 39 44 7 KS : 20 38 31 10 1 LA : 0 0 24 66 10 MO : 9 25 39 23 4 NE : 22 33 33 12 0 NM : 24 24 47 3 2 OK : 4 33 35 27 1 SD : 36 20 20 21 3 TX : 10 24 34 27 5 : 11 Sts : 15 30 32 20 3 : Prev Wk : 17 29 31 20 3 Prev Yr : 20 25 34 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 20 49 27 CA : 0 5 45 40 10 LA : 0 1 20 61 18 MS : 0 2 9 53 36 MO : 2 5 21 37 35 TX : 0 2 13 72 13 : 6 Sts : 1 3 23 50 23 : Prev Wk : 1 3 23 50 23 Prev Yr : 1 3 26 46 24 -------------------------------------- Peanuts: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 0 6 19 51 24 FL : 1 1 18 70 10 GA : 0 2 19 58 21 NC : 0 3 13 79 5 OK : 0 10 46 39 5 TX : 1 5 23 47 24 VA : 0 5 17 52 26 : 8 Sts : 0 4 21 55 20 : Prev Wk : 1 4 22 53 20 Prev Yr : 4 11 38 37 10 -------------------------------------- Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 2 4 27 52 15 :: NJ : 0 0 23 77 0 AZ : 13 28 29 21 9 :: NM : 47 29 22 2 0 AR : 1 9 33 50 7 :: NY : 0 4 19 64 13 CA : 30 40 25 5 0 :: NC : 0 2 14 72 12 CO : 19 31 33 17 0 :: ND : 22 36 30 12 0 CT : 0 9 34 44 13 :: OH : 2 4 21 54 19 DE : 0 3 9 68 20 :: OK : 7 21 44 26 2 FL : 0 5 20 60 15 :: OR : 15 26 41 16 2 GA : 0 5 23 63 9 :: PA : 2 7 25 49 17 ID : 8 41 46 5 0 :: RI : 0 0 5 65 30 IL : 4 20 43 29 4 :: SC : 0 1 18 55 26 IN : 3 8 27 54 8 :: SD : 21 34 27 16 2 IA : 55 28 11 6 0 :: TN : 0 4 19 59 18 KS : 27 35 30 7 1 :: TX : 14 22 37 22 5 KY : 1 2 21 58 18 :: UT : 7 21 38 33 1 LA : 0 10 49 38 3 :: VT : 0 9 65 26 0 ME : 0 13 39 34 14 :: VA : 0 1 15 60 24 MD : 2 6 22 46 24 :: WA : 4 23 54 19 0 MA : 0 0 15 76 9 :: WV : 0 2 20 55 23 MI : 15 25 40 18 2 :: WI : 58 27 12 3 0 MN : 32 38 24 6 0 :: WY : 14 26 44 16 0 MS : 0 4 30 55 11 :: : MO : 17 31 36 14 2 :: 48 Sts : 17 22 31 25 5 MT : 36 37 23 4 0 :: : NE : 35 32 29 4 0 :: Prev Wk: 18 22 29 25 6 NV : 4 25 46 22 3 :: Prev Yr: 26 26 26 19 3 NH : 0 1 23 40 36 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 23, 2003. 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