We 1 (9-06) Weekly Weather And Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released September 6, 2006, 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 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary Volume 93, No. 36 August 27 - September 2, 2006 For additional information, call (202) 720-2397. Highlights: Tropical Storm Ernesto made landfall with maximum sustained winds were near 45 m.p.h. in the upper Florida Keys on the night of August 29-30, shortly before arriving in the Everglades of Florida near the Miami-Dade/Monroe County line. After passing over Lake Okeechobee, Ernesto departed Florida's east coast and re-strengthened before making landfall again late in the evening of August 31 just west of Cape Fear, NC, with sustained winds near 70 m.p.h. Ernesto produced a few wind gusts in excess of 40 m.p.h. in southern Florida and much higher gusts (locally in excess of 70 m.p.h.) in the middle and southern Atlantic coastal region, where Ernesto interacted with a strong high-pressure system to the north. However, the storm's primary impact was heavy rainfall. Rainfall topped 4 inches in parts of peninsular Florida and exceeded 8 inches from the Carolinas northward across the Mid-Atlantic coastal plain, easing or eradicating summer dryness but causing flash flooding. Open-boll cotton in Ernesto's path was among the crops most susceptible to wind and rain damage. On September 3, according to USDA/NASS, bolls were open on 50 percent of the cotton acreage in Virginia and 19 percent in North Carolina. From 2000-04, the Carolinas and Virginia accounted for less than 10 percent of the nation's cotton production. Meanwhile, widespread showers and thunderstorms dotted the Plains and the Midwest. Although the Plains' rain fell too late for many summer crops, the moisture aided drought-stressed pastures and conditioned soils in preparation for winter wheat planting. However, heat and dryness persisted on the northern High Plains, where drought remained deeply entrenched. In contrast, a Pacific tropical cyclone, Hurricane John, funneled copious amounts of tropical moisture into the southwestern U.S. and southern Plains. The combination of abundant tropical moisture and a stalled frontal boundary triggered locally heavy rain from southern New Mexico eastward into central Texas. Rainfall totals exceeded 4 inches across cotton growing areas of north-central Texas, where the 31 percent of the cotton acreage had reached the open-boll stage of development. Farther east, conditions remained mostly favorable for Midwestern summer crop development and maturation. Elsewhere, monsoon showers subsided in the Four Corners Region, while dry weather persisted elsewhere west of the Rockies. Although Northwestern dryness favored fieldwork and crop maturation, fluctuating temperatures and breezy conditions hampered wildfire containment efforts. Early in the week, locally heavy showers stretched from the Plains (excluding northern areas) into the Northeast. Daily-record totals for August 27 included 4.01 inches in Bridgeport, CT, 3.33 inches in Kansas City, MO, and 2.26 inches in San Angelo, TX. Additional heavy rain spread into the Northeast on Tuesday, when records for August 29 in Pennsylvania reached 1.95 inches in Scranton and 1.88 inches in Philadelphia. Until recently, parts of the northern Mid-Atlantic region were on track for a record-dry August. For example, Philadelphia netted rainfall totaling 0.06 inch from August 1-26 (the city's August record low of 0.46 inch was set in 1896), but received 3.80 inches from August 27-29. Similarly, no measurable rain fell in Atlantic City, NJ, from July 29 - August 26, followed by a 3.68-inch deluge from August 27-29. Much of San Angelo's August rain also fell in a short period; 4.72 inches of the city's 4.87-inch monthly sum accumulated on August 27-28. After mid-week, the focus for heavy rainfall shifted to Tropical Storm Ernesto and its interaction with a cold front draped across the Southeast. While inland over Florida's peninsula, Ernesto was downgraded to a tropical depression. Selected August 29-30 peak wind gusts in southern Florida included 43 m.p.h. in West Palm Beach, 45 m.p.h. in Fort Lauderdale, and 58 m.p.h. at Fowey Rocks, just offshore from Miami and Key Biscayne. On August 30, daily-record rainfall values included 3.06 inches in Melbourne, FL, and 7.30 inches in Elizabeth City, NC, although the latter total was related to the cold front's passage and not the tropical system. Shortly after emerging into the western Atlantic Ocean near Cape Canaveral, FL, Ernesto regained tropical storm strength before dawn on August 31. Ernesto's second U.S. landfall occurred near Long Beach, NC, late in the evening on August 31 with sustained winds near 70 m.p.h., just shy of hurricane status. Wrightsville Beach, NC reported a wind gust to hurricane force (74 m.p.h.), but most of the tropical storm force winds remained offshore. As Ernesto moved slowly northward on September 1 across eastern portions of North Carolina and Virginia, a strong area of high pressure built southeastward into New England and southeastern Canada. Although Ernesto weakened rapidly over land, the increasing pressure gradient due to the strengthening high pressure system caused most of the strongest winds to occur well after Ernesto had degraded into a Tropical Depression. Winds gusted to 81 m.p.h. in Strathmore, NJ, while winds peaked at 75 m.p.h. at several locations, including York River (USCG), VA; Bishops Head, MD; and North Wildwood, NJ. The same high pressure system which enhanced wind speeds also slowed Ernesto's northward progression, causing very heavy rain along and east of the storm's path. Selected rainfall totals included: 6.20 inches in Myrtle Beach, SC; 9.58 inches in Wilmington, NC; 10.62 inches in Wakefield, VA; 10.08 in Leonardtown, MD; 4.50 inches in Georgetown, DE; and 4.70 inches in Margate, NJ. Elsewhere, mostly dry weather prevailed in the West, although rapidly fluctuating temperatures and breezy conditions hampered Northwestern wildfire containment efforts. Through August, the nation's year-to-date wildfire acreage reached 7.60 million. Since 1960, only 2005 (8.69 million acres) and 2000 (8.42 million acres) featured higher annual U.S. totals of wildfire-charred vegetation. Western daily records included several highs and a few lows. Record highs for August 28 included 103oF in Lewiston, ID, and 98oF in Omak, WA. In contrast, daily-record lows were reported in Window Rock, AZ (38oF on August 28), and Eugene, OR (42oF on August 30). Farther east, hot weather lingered prior to the passage of a cold front and the arrival of Ernesto. Norfolk, VA, tallied consecutive daily-record highs of 98 degrees F on August 28 and 29. Generally quiet weather prevailed in Hawaii, although a few heavy showers fell in typically wetter windward locations. On the Big Island, Laupahoehoe netted 2.13 inches in a 24-hour period on August 26-27. At the state's major airport sites, monthly rainfall ranged from 0.05 inch (9 percent of normal) at Kahului, Maui, to 5.69 inches (58 percent) at Hilo, on the Big Island. Lihue, Kauai (4.24 inches, or 222 percent of normal), noted above-normal monthly precipitation, although most (2.99 inches) of the rain fell on August 1, 7, and 25. Hawaiian daily-record highs in late August included 88 degrees F (on August 27) in Hilo and 92 degrees F (on August 28) in Kahului. Meanwhile, another cool, damp week in much of southern Alaska pushed monthly rainfall totals to near-record levels. King Salmon (0.66 inch) netted a daily-record rainfall on August 30, helping to boost its monthly sum to 5.64 inches (195 percent of normal). King Salmon's August standard of 5.69 inches was established in 1966. Elsewhere across southern Alaska, August rainfall totaled 14.95 inches (226 percent of normal) in Valdez, 11.02 inches (205 percent) in Juneau, and 6.60 inches (225 percent) in Anchorage. For Juneau, it was the second-wettest August on record behind a 12.31-inch sum in 1961. In addition, Juneau's 29 days with measurable rainfall eclipsed its August 1955 and 1956 standard of 25 days. In contrast, August precipitation totals were below normal in northwestern Alaska, where Kotzebue netted just 0.75 inch (38 percent of normal). National Agricultural Summary August 28 - September 3, 2006 Highlights: Tropical storm Ernesto brought some much-needed rainfall to the Atlantic Coast States but seriously hindered fieldwork and caused flooding in many areas. Meanwhile, light to moderate rainfall across much of the Corn Belt and Great Plains helped to improve soil moisture levels and crop conditions. Temperatures were above normal in the Southeast and along the Pacific Coast, while below-normal temperatures prevailed across most of the Great Plains, Corn Belt, and Mississippi Delta. Corn: Ninety-seven percent of the acreage was at or beyond the dough stage, compared with 96 percent last year and 92 percent for the 5-year average. Doughing progress was at or ahead of the normal pace in all States. Acreage in the dent stage advanced to 81 percent, 4 percentage points ahead of last year and 14 points ahead of normal. Though at or ahead of normal nationwide, denting was farthest ahead in the northern Corn Belt and northern Great Plains, with Michigan leading the normal pace by 33 points, Minnesota by 31 points, and North Dakota by 27 points. Twenty percent of the acreage had reached maturity, 1 point ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Ahead of normal in most State, maturation was most advanced in North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, at 84, 77, and 72 percent, respectively. Soybeans: Leaves had begun dropping on 13 percent of the acreage, the same as last year but 1 point ahead of normal. The crop was dropping leaves well ahead of the normal pace in North Dakota and the Delta, while progress trailed behind normal across the Great Plains and most of the Corn Belt. Cotton: Acreage with open bolls advanced to 42 percent, compared with 29 percent last year and 35 percent for the 5-year average. Development was ahead of normal in most States, advancing well ahead of normal in the Delta. In Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, acreage with open bolls was 16, 25, and 33 points ahead of normal, respectively Sorghum: Acreage at or beyond the heading stage, at 94 percent, was 1 point behind last year but 2 points ahead of normal. Heading was at or ahead of the normal pace in all States, except New Mexico, where the crop trailed nearly 2 weeks behind normal. Acreage turning color or beyond advanced to 62 percent, 2 points ahead of last year but the same as the 5-year average. Coloring trailed 5 points behind normal in Kansas, the largest producing State, but was at or ahead of normal elsewhere. Thirty-one percent of the acreage was mature, 7 points ahead of last year and 1 point ahead of normal. Maturation was most advanced in the Delta, at 90 percent in Arkansas and 92 percent in Louisiana. Growers had harvested 24 percent of their acreage, compared with 19 percent last year and 22 percent for the 5-year average. Harvest was well underway in the Delta and Texas, but was limited to 5 percent complete or less elsewhere. Rice: Harvest advanced to 26 percent complete, 4 points ahead of last year and 1 point ahead of normal. Texas growers had progressed the most, with 92 percent of their acreage harvested, followed by Louisiana producers, with 79 percent of their crop harvested. Progress was at or slightly ahead of normal in most States, but had not yet begun in California. Small Grains: The Nation's spring wheat crop was 97 percent harvested, compared with 88 percent last year and 80 percent for the 5-year average. The barley harvest, at 93 percent complete, was 6 points ahead of last year and 10 points ahead of normal. Harvest of small grains was complete or nearly complete, well ahead of normal, in Minnesota and the Dakotas, while Washington growers continued to trail behind their normal harvest pace. Corn: Percent Dough, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 79 67 60 77 IL : 98 95 99 97 IN : 96 91 97 94 IA : 97 93 96 92 KS : 99 96 99 98 KY : 100 100 100 99 MI : 93 89 94 73 MN : 98 95 97 89 MO : 100 99 100 99 NE : 99 94 97 96 NC : 100 100 100 99 ND : 97 91 92 86 OH : 94 91 95 91 PA : 90 89 87 81 SD : 97 89 95 91 TN : 100 100 100 100 TX : 100 99 99 99 WI : 87 79 86 72 : 18 Sts: 97 93 96 92 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Dented, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 39 25 32 39 IL : 87 74 86 79 IN : 72 57 76 68 IA : 84 63 79 69 KS : 91 82 83 84 KY : 92 90 88 90 MI : 69 45 72 36 MN : 85 67 75 54 MO : 96 90 93 89 NE : 87 68 82 74 NC : 97 92 92 93 ND : 77 59 49 50 OH : 64 47 65 52 PA : 65 64 59 52 SD : 77 55 69 56 TN : 100 97 99 99 TX : 98 91 92 93 WI : 51 33 53 31 : 18 Sts: 81 65 77 67 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 10 1 5 6 IL : 20 10 25 22 IN : 10 3 17 16 IA : 14 6 14 14 KS : 53 38 40 43 KY : 60 48 56 61 MI : 10 2 17 5 MN : 7 3 4 4 MO : 68 52 66 56 NE : 17 4 6 10 NC : 84 70 79 76 ND : 12 7 3 6 OH : 6 1 4 4 PA : 17 16 21 16 SD : 7 4 5 9 TN : 77 53 64 70 TX : 72 70 71 75 WI : 3 0 6 1 : 18 Sts: 20 12 19 19 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Soybeans: Percent Dropping Leaves, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 29 20 31 21 IL : 3 1 13 9 IN : 6 2 13 16 IA : 8 2 11 7 KS : 13 10 8 17 KY : 5 3 10 8 LA : 62 53 49 37 MI : 3 0 7 4 MN : 13 3 7 7 MS : 80 72 63 54 MO : 5 2 6 6 NE : 3 0 4 7 NC : 6 2 5 4 ND : 36 16 7 9 OH : 11 4 11 12 SD : 22 16 27 30 TN : 25 18 34 17 WI : 3 0 11 3 : 18 Sts: 13 7 13 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 49 35 26 33 AZ : 60 38 49 65 AR : 47 30 58 41 CA : 32 25 22 35 GA : 54 34 18 36 KS : 12 10 3 9 LA : 83 79 56 58 MS : 88 60 51 55 MO : 26 21 23 31 NC : 19 9 23 29 OK : 22 14 9 25 SC : 32 10 25 26 TN : 34 12 27 33 TX : 31 22 21 28 VA : 50 25 70 42 : 15 Sts: 42 29 29 35 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 14 4 7 12 CA : 0 0 2 2 LA : 79 73 79 79 MS : 16 8 5 16 MO : 4 1 2 3 TX : 92 87 88 85 : 6 Sts : 26 19 22 25 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 100% of last year's rice acreage. Sorghum: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 100 100 100 CO : 90 83 95 89 IL : 99 98 99 98 KS : 93 88 96 93 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 100 99 100 99 NE : 96 96 100 96 NM : 60 50 93 81 OK : 89 81 87 86 SD : 100 99 100 99 TX : 95 88 93 91 : 11 Sts: 94 88 95 92 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 99 98 99 98 CO : 38 32 31 32 IL : 81 64 86 74 KS : 53 45 58 58 LA : 100 99 99 99 MO : 83 73 81 76 NE : 71 45 70 55 NM : 23 7 27 23 OK : 55 40 55 55 SD : 80 67 57 65 TX : 72 70 60 70 : 11 Sts: 62 55 60 62 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 90 82 74 80 CO : 8 6 4 6 IL : 29 2 36 20 KS : 9 7 5 13 LA : 92 83 90 94 MO : 31 19 32 28 NE : 3 0 1 2 NM : 5 3 4 1 OK : 21 14 19 29 SD : 7 2 4 6 TX : 67 66 54 60 : 11 Sts: 31 28 24 30 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 59 NA 32 40 CO : 0 NA 0 0 IL : 0 NA 2 0 KS : 3 NA 0 4 LA : 82 NA 70 69 MO : 5 NA 4 6 NE : 0 NA 0 0 NM : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 2 NA 7 14 SD : 0 NA 0 0 TX : 63 NA 53 55 : 11 Sts: 24 NA 19 22 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States harvested 98% of last year's sorghum acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 90 76 81 83 MN : 100 97 91 81 MT : 93 90 82 73 ND : 98 90 87 77 SD : 100 100 100 100 WA : 94 88 94 96 : 6 Sts : 97 92 88 80 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 99% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 3, :Aug 27,:Sep 3, : 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 86 71 72 79 MN : 100 99 99 89 MT : 89 82 82 77 ND : 100 96 96 86 WA : 93 81 96 95 : 5 Sts : 93 86 87 83 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States harvested 81% of last year's barley acreage. Corn: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 3, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 4 14 22 44 16 IL : 3 5 19 52 21 IN : 2 6 21 49 22 IA : 3 8 24 45 20 KS : 11 20 40 25 4 KY : 1 2 11 44 42 MI : 1 4 29 45 21 MN : 6 12 27 45 10 MO : 5 13 31 45 6 NE : 7 11 26 40 16 NC : 0 2 20 48 30 ND : 7 20 36 34 3 OH : 2 7 23 45 23 PA : 2 5 29 50 14 SD : 22 24 25 23 6 TN : 5 10 23 45 17 TX : 34 18 28 17 3 WI : 6 8 27 39 20 : 18 Sts : 6 10 25 43 16 : Prev Wk : 7 11 25 41 16 Prev Yr : 9 14 26 39 12 -------------------------------------- Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 3, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 9 15 33 34 9 IL : 1 4 21 53 21 IN : 1 6 20 55 18 IA : 1 6 22 49 22 KS : 7 18 41 29 5 KY : 0 2 18 44 36 LA : 4 14 34 43 5 MI : 1 6 24 52 17 MN : 5 9 27 46 13 MS : 10 22 37 28 3 MO : 6 19 34 36 5 NE : 3 11 28 44 14 NC : 1 4 30 56 9 ND : 5 14 40 36 5 OH : 2 8 26 45 19 SD : 10 16 28 34 12 TN : 4 9 22 50 15 WI : 2 8 30 40 20 : 18 Sts : 4 10 27 44 15 : Prev Wk : 4 10 27 45 14 Prev Yr : 5 12 29 42 12 -------------------------------------- Cotton: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 3, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 33 36 22 9 0 AZ : 0 1 47 43 9 AR : 1 7 27 47 18 CA : 0 0 8 71 21 GA : 16 28 32 22 2 KS : 5 10 30 50 5 LA : 4 13 35 42 6 MS : 10 17 30 35 8 MO : 0 5 20 68 7 NC : 5 10 34 46 5 OK : 23 32 30 15 0 SC : 1 10 42 39 8 TN : 1 4 19 59 17 TX : 23 26 28 18 5 VA : 0 12 34 42 12 : 15 Sts : 14 19 28 32 7 : Prev Wk : 18 19 26 30 7 Prev Yr : 4 9 23 50 14 -------------------------------------- Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 3, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 3 11 39 38 9 CO : 1 11 28 59 1 IL : 1 9 37 50 3 KS : 9 25 40 23 3 LA : 1 5 26 58 10 MO : 1 10 40 44 5 NE : 3 9 32 43 13 NM : 17 17 28 30 8 OK : 10 17 31 29 13 SD : 22 26 38 12 2 TX : 34 21 24 20 1 : 11 Sts : 17 21 32 26 4 : Prev Wk : 17 21 32 26 4 Prev Yr : 4 12 37 39 8 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2005 planted acres. Rice: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 3, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 4 27 53 15 CA : 0 1 80 14 5 LA : 0 5 47 44 4 MS : 0 4 18 64 14 MO : 0 2 10 57 31 TX : 0 11 44 40 5 : 6 Sts : 0 4 38 46 12 : Prev Wk : 1 5 39 43 12 Prev Yr : 1 5 37 43 14 -------------------------------------- Peanuts: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 3, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 4 31 43 21 1 FL : 25 30 26 15 4 GA : 8 22 39 29 2 NC : 3 5 21 68 3 OK : 1 13 44 42 0 SC : 0 3 37 55 5 TX : 2 5 49 34 10 VA : 0 3 44 21 32 : 8 Sts : 7 19 39 31 4 : Prev Wk : 7 20 37 31 5 Prev Yr : 1 4 21 55 19 -------------------------------------- Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 3, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 34 33 24 7 2 :: NJ : 0 10 30 40 20 AZ : 41 26 19 11 3 :: NM : 5 13 16 50 16 AR : 15 34 32 18 1 :: NY : 0 4 30 47 19 CA : 30 35 24 11 0 :: NC : 1 9 36 50 4 CO : 17 25 35 20 3 :: ND : 31 30 25 14 0 CT : 0 4 21 63 12 :: OH : 2 12 33 44 9 DE : 11 20 35 32 2 :: OK : 39 35 20 5 1 FL : 0 5 55 35 5 :: OR : 28 21 32 15 4 GA : 12 32 34 21 1 :: PA : 9 17 41 28 5 ID : 1 4 54 40 1 :: RI : 0 0 0 50 50 IL : 6 10 26 48 10 :: SC : 2 12 35 49 2 IN : 3 10 28 52 7 :: SD : 26 30 27 15 2 IA : 3 12 35 39 11 :: TN : 13 19 37 28 3 KS : 17 33 37 13 0 :: TX : 49 29 16 6 0 KY : 1 8 31 49 11 :: UT : 1 13 39 43 4 LA : 24 21 32 22 1 :: VT : 0 13 47 40 0 ME : 0 1 10 36 53 :: VA : 13 27 33 24 3 MD : 10 29 36 22 3 :: WA : 6 8 40 46 0 MA : 0 0 0 70 30 :: WV : 3 16 33 44 4 MI : 2 15 31 45 7 :: WI : 5 11 40 38 6 MN : 14 24 33 27 2 :: WY : 46 27 22 5 0 MS : 21 28 37 14 0 :: : MO : 35 29 22 13 1 :: 48 Sts : 23 24 29 21 3 MT : 20 28 38 13 1 :: : NE : 30 35 28 7 0 :: Prev Wk: 25 25 27 20 3 NV : 22 36 35 7 0 :: Prev Yr: 12 22 32 30 4 NH : 0 3 20 69 8 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2005 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 National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Field 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 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 Field 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. 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