We 1 (9-06) Weekly Weather And Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released September 12, 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. 37 September 3 - 9, 2006 For additional information, call (202) 720-2397. Highlights: Hot, dry weather in the Northwest pushed the nation's wildfire acreage into record territory. Through September 10, the national charred acreage of approximately 8.694 million acres (13,585 square miles, or an area larger than Maryland) edged last year's modern-era record of 8.687 million acres. Although dry conditions favored winter wheat planting across the northern Plains and the Northwest, rain was needed to promote germination. Northwestern weekly temperatures averaged as much as 10 degrees F above normal. Farther south, monsoon showers--enhanced by moisture associated with the remnants of eastern Pacific Hurricane John--continued in the Four Corners region. Cool weather (generally 4 to 8 degrees F below normal) accompanied heavy showers on the central and southern Plains, where rain caused local flooding but aided drought-stressed pastures and provided much-needed moisture for the upcoming winter wheat establishment season. Meanwhile, Midwestern summer crops matured under generally favorable conditions, although scattered showers briefly slowed early-season corn harvesting. Elsewhere, locally heavy rain lingered across the East in the wake of Tropical Storm Ernesto, maintaining soggy conditions in portions of the middle and southern Atlantic States. In contrast, drought remained deeply entrenched in parts of the South, particularly in the Mississippi Delta. By September 10, the two largest Northwestern blazes were the Derby fire (207,000 acres about 15 miles south of Big Timber, MT), 60 percent contained, and the Tripod complex (172,000 acres just northeast of Winthrop, WA), 65 percent contained. The Derby fire, sparked by lightning on August 22, was responsible for the loss of nearly 50 structures, including cabins, sheds, and outbuildings. Hot, dry weather, with temperatures near 100 degrees F, hampered wildfire containment efforts. In Washington, Omak posted consecutive daily-record highs (98 and 95 degrees F) on September 5 and 6. In contrast, chilly weather settled across the central and southern Plains. In Nebraska, Alliance (31 and 32 degrees F) notched consecutive daily-record lows on September 2 and 3. Similarly, Casper, WY, reported daily-record lows from September 2-4 (33, 33, and 34 degrees F, respectively). Farther south, heavy rain pelted the southern Plains and the Southwest. In New Mexico, more than 3 inches of rain fell in Roswell during the first 5 days of September, while exactly 5 inches of rain drenched Carlsbad. Roswell also netted a daily-record total of 2.45 inches on September 3. Meanwhile, El Paso, TX, followed its wettest August on record (6.85 inches, or 391 percent of normal) with consecutive daily-record totals on September 3 and 4 (1.33 and 1.28 inches, respectively). Farther east, Southeastern daily-record totals were set in locations such as Raleigh-Durham, NC (3.83 inches on September 4), and Miami, FL (4.63 inches on September 6). Through September 9, Miami's month-to-date rainfall reached 12.71 inches. On September 5, Mid-Atlantic daily records were set in Philadelphia, PA (2.45 inches) and Wallops Island, VA (2.98 inches). Wallops Island's rain fell on the heels of an Ernesto-induced 4.14-inch total on September 1. Elsewhere, scattered daily rainfall records across the central Plains and the Midwest included 1.61 inches (on September 3) in St. Cloud, MN; 1.76 inches (on September 9) in Kearney, NE; and 1.89 inches (on September 9) in Hill City, KS. Meanwhile, chilly weather settled across the north-central U.S., where daily-record lows for September 9 included 25 degrees F in International Falls, MN, and 33 degrees F in Grand Forks, ND. Mild weather returned to Alaska, where weekly temperatures averaged 3 to 6 degrees F except across the State's southern tier. Both Galena (70 and 69 degrees F on September 4 and 6, respectively) and Bettles (66 and 68 degrees F on September 8 and 9, respectively) posted a pair of daily-record highs during the week. Elsewhere, the remnants of long-lived former Hurricane/Typhoon Ioke brought heavy precipitation to western Alaska. Daily-record rainfall totals for September 7 included 1.15 inches in Bethel and 0.66 inch in Kotzebue. Heavy precipitation also continued in parts of southeastern Alaska, where Juneau netted 5.16 inches of rain (227 percent of normal) during the first 10 days of September. Meanwhile in Hawaii, showers were mostly confined to windward locations. Some of the heaviest rain fell on September 6-7, when 24-hour Big Island totals reached 2.80 inches in Glenwood and 2.10 inches in Piihonua. National Agricultural Summary September 4 - 10, 2006 Highlights: Temperatures were below normal across most of the Nation, including the Ohio Valley, southern Corn Belt, Mississippi Delta, and most of the Great Plains, while above-normal temperatures prevailed in the Pacific Coast States, northern Rocky Mountains, northern Corn Belt, and New England. Dry conditions in the Delta caused crop conditions to decline in some areas. Soil moisture levels were mostly unchanged in the southern and middle Atlantic Coast States, despite moderate to heavy showers. Conditions were mostly dry across the Corn Belt, but crop conditions and soil moisture levels held steady. Moderate rainfall in the central and southern Great Plains contrasted with dry conditions in the northern Great Plains. Dry conditions also prevailed in the northern Rockies and Pacific Coast States, while light to moderate precipitation in the Southwest maintained adequate soil moisture levels. Corn: Acreage at or beyond the dent stage advanced to 91 percent, 3 percentage points ahead of last year and 10 points ahead of normal. Progress was ahead of normal in all States but furthest ahead in the northern Corn Belt. Maturation, at 34 percent, was the same as last year but 2 points ahead of normal. The most rapid progress was in North Dakota, where 21 percent of the crop matured during the week. Growers had harvested 6 percent of their acreage, the same as last year and the 5-year average. Harvest was underway in all areas except the northern Corn Belt, Colorado, Ohio, and South Dakota. Soybeans: Acreage dropping leaves or beyond advanced to 27 percent, 7 points behind last year but the same as normal. The crop developed rapidly in the northern Great Plains and adjacent areas of the Corn Belt, advancing 30 points in North Dakota and 21 points in Iowa, Minnesota, and South Dakota. Development was well ahead of normal in the Delta, leading the normal pace by 30 points in Louisiana and 23 points in Mississippi. However, progress trailed behind normal in the central and eastern Corn Belt and the central Great Plains. Winter Wheat: Growers had sown 9 percent of their 2007 acreage, compared with 11 percent last year and 12 percent for the 5-year average. Planting was well underway in the Great Plains and Pacific Northwest but had not yet begun in the Corn Belt and Ohio River Valley. Planting proceeded at the normal pace in Kansas, while Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington were all 5 points behind normal and Colorado was 12 points behind normal. Cotton: Fifty-four percent of the acreage had open bolls, 12 points ahead of last year and 7 points ahead of normal. Bolls opened rapidly in Missouri and Virginia, where the stage advanced 29 points. Progress was well ahead of normal in the Delta and some areas of the Southeast, with Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, and Virginia leading the normal pace by 15 points or more. Meanwhile, harvest was 10 percent complete, compared with 9 percent last year and 8 percent for the 5-year average. Harvest was underway only in the Mississippi Delta, Alabama, Arizona, Georgia, and Texas, with Mississippi and Texas the most advanced, at 18 percent complete. Sorghum: Acreage at or beyond the heading stage advanced to 96 percent, the same as last year and the 5-year average. Heading was complete or nearly complete in all States, except New Mexico and Oklahoma. Acreage turning color or beyond, at 72 percent, was the same as last year but 1 point behind normal. Progress trailed behind normal in Colorado, Kansas, New Mexico, and Oklahoma but was ahead of normal elsewhere. Thirty-six percent of the crop was mature, compared with 33 percent last year and 38 percent for the 5-year average. Kansas's crop was 7 points behind the normal maturation pace, while Texas's crop was 4 points ahead of normal. Producers had reaped 27 percent of their acreage, 5 points ahead of last year and 1 point ahead of normal. Harvest was most advanced in Louisiana, at 92 percent complete, and was also well underway in Arkansas and Texas. However, harvest had not yet begun in Colorado, Illinois, Nebraska, New Mexico, and South Dakota. Rice: Thirty-eight percent of the acreage had been harvested, compared with 31 percent last year and 35 percent for the 5-year average. Harvest was most advanced in Texas, at 93 percent complete, and was ahead of normal in all States, except California. Small Grains: The barley harvest advanced to 97 percent complete, 3 points ahead of last year and 6 points ahead of normal. After their crop lagged behind normal through most of the season, Washington growers caught up to their 5-year average harvest pace of 99 percent. Harvest progress was ahead of normal in all other States and was complete in Minnesota and North Dakota. Other Crops: Peanut growers had combined 1 percent of their acreage, the same as last year but 2 points behind their normal harvest pace. Five percent of Florida's crop had been combined, while harvest was just getting underway in North Carolina and Texas, at 1 percent. No harvesting was reported in the remaining States. Corn: Percent Dented, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 60 39 48 59 IL : 95 87 94 89 IN : 86 72 86 81 IA : 93 84 87 83 KS : 98 91 91 93 KY : 96 92 94 94 MI : 84 69 84 53 MN : 96 85 89 74 MO : 99 96 97 94 NE : 92 87 93 86 NC : 100 97 96 97 ND : 89 77 75 70 OH : 86 64 81 71 PA : 74 65 75 68 SD : 91 77 89 77 TN : 100 100 100 100 TX : 99 98 95 96 WI : 66 51 72 48 : 18 Sts: 91 81 88 81 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 17 10 14 14 IL : 39 20 50 41 IN : 24 10 35 32 IA : 29 14 31 30 KS : 67 53 51 59 KY : 75 60 73 73 MI : 15 10 27 10 MN : 22 7 11 12 MO : 81 68 75 71 NE : 27 17 22 23 NC : 93 84 87 87 ND : 33 12 8 15 OH : 14 6 13 11 PA : 32 17 32 26 SD : 17 7 19 20 TN : 91 77 82 85 TX : 85 72 76 81 WI : 11 3 19 6 : 18 Sts: 34 20 34 32 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 0 NA 0 0 IL : 2 NA 5 3 IN : 1 NA 2 2 IA : 1 NA 1 1 KS : 21 NA 13 18 KY : 18 NA 14 23 MI : 0 NA 0 0 MN : 0 NA 0 0 MO : 31 NA 27 23 NE : 2 NA 2 2 NC : 32 NA 37 36 ND : 1 NA 0 0 OH : 0 NA 0 0 PA : 5 NA 6 7 SD : 0 NA 0 0 TN : 37 NA 20 30 TX : 69 NA 64 63 WI : 0 NA 0 0 : 18 Sts: 6 NA 6 6 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 95% of last year's corn acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 NA 0 0 CA : 0 NA 0 0 CO : 8 NA 18 20 ID : 8 NA 10 8 IL : 0 NA 0 0 IN : 0 NA 2 1 KS : 5 NA 3 5 MI : 0 NA 4 2 MO : 1 NA 1 0 MT : 12 NA 15 10 NE : 18 NA 19 18 NC : 1 NA 0 0 OH : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 9 NA 11 14 OR : 10 NA 4 2 SD : 22 NA 27 17 TX : 12 NA 18 17 WA : 29 NA 23 34 : 18 Sts: 9 NA 11 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Soybeans: Percent Dropping Leaves, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 41 29 40 29 IL : 12 3 36 25 IN : 16 6 41 36 IA : 29 8 33 23 KS : 27 13 23 33 KY : 11 5 16 17 LA : 77 62 61 47 MI : 15 3 37 16 MN : 34 13 28 26 MS : 89 80 77 66 MO : 11 5 16 15 NE : 9 3 22 19 NC : 14 6 11 8 ND : 66 36 31 28 OH : 25 11 33 29 SD : 43 22 57 49 TN : 38 25 47 27 WI : 17 3 35 14 : 18 Sts: 27 13 34 27 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 68 49 49 49 AZ : 75 60 63 80 AR : 66 47 81 61 CA : 44 32 29 45 GA : 66 54 33 51 KS : 14 12 10 16 LA : 92 83 86 74 MS : 93 88 72 72 MO : 55 26 40 44 NC : 42 19 58 46 OK : 29 22 22 38 SC : 43 32 36 36 TN : 56 34 51 49 TX : 40 31 24 35 VA : 79 50 75 51 : 15 Sts: 54 42 42 47 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Cotton: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 8 NA 0 0 AZ : 7 NA 1 3 AR : 3 NA 1 0 CA : 0 NA 0 0 GA : 2 NA 0 3 KS : 0 NA 0 0 LA : 13 NA 13 5 MS : 18 NA 2 3 MO : 0 NA 0 0 NC : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 0 NA 0 0 SC : 0 NA 0 1 TN : 0 NA 1 1 TX : 18 NA 20 17 VA : 0 NA 0 0 : 15 Sts: 10 NA 9 8 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States harvested 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 100 100 100 CO : 95 90 98 94 IL : 100 99 100 99 KS : 96 93 98 97 LA : 100 100 0 80 MO : 100 100 100 100 NE : 100 96 100 98 NM : 61 60 99 89 OK : 92 89 91 91 SD : 100 100 100 100 TX : 97 95 97 94 : 11 Sts: 96 94 96 96 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 99 100 99 CO : 44 38 46 46 IL : 89 81 90 85 KS : 69 53 75 72 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 88 83 89 85 NE : 84 71 88 72 NM : 24 23 39 39 OK : 63 55 66 66 SD : 86 80 80 81 TX : 75 72 65 74 : 11 Sts: 72 62 72 73 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 95 90 85 89 CO : 10 8 13 13 IL : 39 29 55 40 KS : 17 9 18 24 LA : 96 92 99 98 MO : 44 31 52 43 NE : 12 3 5 9 NM : 6 5 5 3 OK : 26 21 25 37 SD : 17 7 13 16 TX : 68 67 56 64 : 11 Sts: 36 31 33 38 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 76 59 50 57 CO : 0 0 0 0 IL : 0 0 5 2 KS : 6 3 3 8 LA : 92 82 83 81 MO : 13 5 12 12 NE : 0 0 0 1 NM : 0 0 0 0 OK : 7 2 11 19 SD : 0 0 0 1 TX : 64 63 55 57 : 11 Sts: 27 24 22 26 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States harvested 98% of last year's sorghum acreage. Peanuts: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 0 NA 0 3 FL : 5 NA 2 8 GA : 0 NA 0 3 NC : 1 NA 1 0 OK : 0 NA 0 0 SC : 0 NA 4 7 TX : 1 NA 1 2 VA : 0 NA 0 1 : 8 Sts : 1 NA 1 3 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States harvested 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 30 14 21 26 CA : 2 0 3 6 LA : 87 79 84 85 MS : 41 16 14 32 MO : 15 4 7 8 TX : 93 92 94 91 : 6 Sts : 38 26 31 35 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 100% of last year's rice acreage. Barley: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 10,:Sep 3, :Sep 10,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 95 86 84 90 MN : 100 100 99 93 MT : 95 89 93 87 ND : 100 100 99 93 WA : 99 93 99 99 : 5 Sts : 97 93 94 91 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States harvested 81% of last year's barley acreage. Corn: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 10, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 3 10 20 47 20 IL : 3 5 20 52 20 IN : 2 5 20 52 21 IA : 3 8 24 45 20 KS : 9 19 36 30 6 KY : 0 3 11 41 45 MI : 1 4 17 56 22 MN : 5 10 27 46 12 MO : 6 12 32 43 7 NE : 7 12 26 39 16 NC : 0 4 15 44 37 ND : 8 19 38 32 3 OH : 1 7 24 46 22 PA : 3 5 23 50 19 SD : 23 21 29 23 4 TN : 5 10 23 45 17 TX : 34 18 28 17 3 WI : 5 8 34 35 18 : 18 Sts : 6 10 25 42 17 : Prev Wk : 6 10 25 43 16 Prev Yr : 8 14 27 37 14 -------------------------------------- Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 10, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 9 16 33 33 9 IL : 2 4 19 55 20 IN : 1 5 20 57 17 IA : 2 5 19 54 20 KS : 6 16 39 32 7 KY : 0 2 15 48 35 LA : 5 18 31 40 6 MI : 1 5 21 54 19 MN : 4 9 29 45 13 MS : 10 22 37 28 3 MO : 7 17 32 36 8 NE : 3 9 31 43 14 NC : 0 4 29 58 9 ND : 4 14 41 36 5 OH : 3 8 25 46 18 SD : 8 14 32 35 11 TN : 4 8 20 52 16 WI : 3 7 36 36 18 : 18 Sts : 4 9 27 45 15 : Prev Wk : 4 10 27 44 15 Prev Yr : 5 12 29 41 13 -------------------------------------- Cotton: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 10, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 38 35 19 8 0 AZ : 0 4 45 42 9 AR : 1 7 27 47 18 CA : 0 0 7 75 18 GA : 15 28 33 22 2 KS : 5 10 30 50 5 LA : 2 9 31 52 6 MS : 14 20 28 31 7 MO : 0 5 22 67 6 NC : 3 10 35 49 3 OK : 23 31 30 16 0 SC : 1 8 49 34 8 TN : 2 4 19 58 17 TX : 25 24 28 18 5 VA : 0 12 37 33 18 : 15 Sts : 15 18 28 32 7 : Prev Wk : 14 19 28 32 7 Prev Yr : 3 9 23 50 15 -------------------------------------- Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 10, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 3 11 39 38 9 CO : 1 4 31 62 2 IL : 5 14 33 44 4 KS : 7 21 36 28 8 LA : 1 5 26 58 10 MO : 1 11 41 42 5 NE : 5 10 33 40 12 NM : 26 16 24 30 4 OK : 13 18 29 29 11 SD : 25 30 35 9 1 TX : 34 21 24 20 1 : 11 Sts : 16 19 32 27 6 : Prev Wk : 17 21 32 26 4 Prev Yr : 5 11 37 40 7 -------------------------------------- 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 10, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 5 27 51 16 CA : 0 2 73 23 2 LA : 0 5 47 44 4 MS : 1 5 20 56 18 MO : 0 2 9 56 33 TX : 0 11 44 40 5 : 6 Sts : 1 5 37 44 13 : Prev Wk : 0 4 38 46 12 Prev Yr : 1 4 34 46 15 -------------------------------------- Peanuts: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 10, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 4 31 43 21 1 FL : 10 15 40 30 5 GA : 7 23 36 31 3 NC : 1 2 20 73 4 OK : 2 14 42 40 2 SC : 0 2 36 57 5 TX : 4 9 46 30 11 VA : 0 3 46 18 33 : 8 Sts : 6 18 38 33 5 : Prev Wk : 7 19 39 31 4 Prev Yr : 1 5 24 55 15 -------------------------------------- Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 10, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 34 31 25 8 2 :: NJ : 0 5 15 75 5 AZ : 33 25 25 15 2 :: NM : 5 12 23 40 20 AR : 19 34 34 12 1 :: NY : 0 5 30 50 15 CA : 32 35 23 10 0 :: NC : 0 9 38 49 4 CO : 16 28 36 18 2 :: ND : 33 31 25 11 0 CT : 0 0 12 67 21 :: OH : 2 10 33 43 12 DE : 7 16 38 37 2 :: OK : 35 35 20 9 1 FL : 0 5 35 55 5 :: OR : 23 25 31 17 4 GA : 9 30 37 22 2 :: PA : 6 17 42 32 3 ID : 0 8 58 33 1 :: RI : 0 0 0 60 40 IL : 7 12 26 48 7 :: SC : 5 11 36 46 2 IN : 3 8 29 53 7 :: SD : 29 29 27 13 2 IA : 2 9 31 44 14 :: TN : 13 17 37 30 3 KS : 16 27 40 16 1 :: TX : 48 29 16 6 1 KY : 1 7 31 51 10 :: UT : 2 12 34 47 5 LA : 16 19 43 21 1 :: VT : 0 5 35 60 0 ME : 0 1 10 56 33 :: VA : 9 24 35 28 4 MD : 8 26 36 27 3 :: WA : 17 10 33 40 0 MA : 0 0 1 59 40 :: WV : 1 11 44 40 4 MI : 2 14 31 45 8 :: WI : 5 13 32 43 7 MN : 9 24 37 28 2 :: WY : 45 29 21 5 0 MS : 39 29 31 1 0 :: : MO : 36 26 22 14 2 :: 48 Sts : 23 24 28 22 3 MT : 25 36 28 8 3 :: : NE : 29 31 30 10 0 :: Prev Wk: 23 24 29 21 3 NV : 30 35 30 5 0 :: Prev Yr: 13 23 32 28 4 NH : 0 3 25 56 16 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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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