We 1 (9-06) Weekly Weather And Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released September 26, 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. 39 September 17 - 23, 2006 For additional information, call (202) 720-2397. Highlights: At least 4 to 8 inches of rain soaked areas from eastern Oklahoma to the Tennessee and lower Ohio Valleys, halting fieldwork and triggering flash flooding. Widespread, locally heavy rain also fell across much of the remainder of the Plains and South, hampering fieldwork (summer crop harvesting and winter wheat planting) but reviving pastures and further easing drought. Rain also slowed or halted fieldwork in the Midwest, where wet conditions were becoming a problem in many areas but were most severe from southern Missouri to southern Ohio. Farther west, rain and snow showers across the northern and central Rockies and northern Intermountain West further reduced the threat of new wildfires. However, more rain was still needed in Northwestern winter grain areas to promote proper autumn crop establishment. Elsewhere in the West, dry weather favored fieldwork but increased the wildfire threat, particularly in California and the Great Basin. Meanwhile, cool weather expanded across most of the Nation. Near-normal temperatures were confined to the Atlantic and Gulf Coast States, while weekly readings averaged at least 10 degrees F below normal in many locations from the Intermountain West to the northern Plains and upper Midwest. Freezes ended the summer growing season in parts of the northern Plains and upper Midwest, although in most cases summer crops were either already harvested or mature enough to withstand temperatures below 32 degrees F. Early in the week, heavy showers spread from the Plains into the East. From September 15-17 in Montana, Glasgow's 1.22-inch total represented its highest 3-day sum since June 6-8, 2005, when 1.39 inches fell. Farther east, daily-record rainfall totals for September 17 included 3.02 inches in Paducah, KY, 2.49 inches in Oklahoma City, OK, and 2.13 inches in Springfield, MO. A day later in Texas, McAllen (2.92 inches on September 18) collected a daily-record amount. Chilly weather trailed the early-week system, resulting in more than two dozen Western daily-record lows. On September 17, Grand Junction, CO (32 degrees F), noted its second-earliest freeze on record behind a 32-degree reading on September 15, 1903. Other daily records included 19 degrees F (on September 17) in Ely, NV; 19 degrees F (on September 18) in Alamosa, CO; and 27 degrees F (on September 18) in Flagstaff, AZ. Although few records were set across the northern Plains and upper Midwest, lows included 25 degrees F (on September 19) in Williston, ND; 26 degrees F (on September 20) in Aberdeen, SD; and 32 degrees F (on September 20) in Ottumwa, IA. Later, Eastern record lows for September 21 dipped to 37 degrees F in Beckley, WV, and 47 degrees F in Macon, GA. Toward week's end, severe thunderstorms erupted across the nation's mid-section and spread across parts of the South and Midwest, spawning more than 50 tornadoes. According to preliminary reports from the Storm Prediction Center, there were at least a half dozen tornadoes on September 22 in Missouri, Illinois, and Alabama. The September 21-22 severe weather outbreak followed an earlier outbreak (September 15-16) across the upper Midwest by less than a week. Unlike the previous outbreak, which featured a tornado-related fatality on September 16 in Hennepin County, MN, there were no deaths (but numerous injuries) directly attributed to the tornadoes of September 21-22. However, six fatalities in Kentucky resulted from flash flooding, triggered by local rainfall totals in excess of 10 inches. In southern Missouri, Myrtle (Oregon County) netted 10.16 inches of rain in a 24-hour period on September 22-23. Elsewhere, storm-total rainfall reached 13.82 inches in Mayfield (Graves County), KY, and 13.35 inches in Qulin (Butler County), MO. Paducah, KY, measured 6.57 inches on September 21-22, boosting its month-to-date total to 11.24 inches. Paducah's previous September rainfall record was 9.23 inches in 1985. Elsewhere across the interior South, daily-record rainfall totals for September 23 included 4.76 inches in Lexington, KY, and 3.04 inches in Knoxville, TN. Cool, showery weather prevailed farther north and west, along with some high-elevation snow. At least 10 inches of late-week snow accumulated in several locations, including Gothic, CO (10.5 inches), Alta, UT (11.0 inches), and near Deadwood, SD (12.0 inches). Elsewhere in the West, daily-record precipitation totals were established at sites such as Idaho Falls, ID (1.03 inches on September 21); Glasgow, MT (0.96 inch on September 22); and Rapid City, SD (0.87 inch on September 22). Idaho Falls' total also tied its daily record for September, previously attained on September 11, 1978. Meanwhile, windy conditions developed in California, where a gust to 56 m.p.h. was clocked on September 22 at Travis A.F.B. in Fairfield. Chilly weather in the storm's wake resulted in several daily-record lows on September 23, including 20 degrees F in Ely, NV, and 40 degrees F in Lancaster, CA. In Utah, both Cedar City (25 and 27 degrees F) and the Bryce Canyon Airport (19 and 22 degrees F) posted consecutive daily-record lows on September 23-24. Hawaiian showers were mostly light and generally confined to windward locations. Through September 23, month-to-date rainfall totaled just 0.54 inch (28 percent of normal) in Lihue, Kauai, and 3.40 inches (48 percent) in Hilo, on the Big Island. Hilo also noted a daily-record low with a reading of 63 degrees F on September 23. Farther north, Alaskan temperatures ranged from near normal in southern locations to as much as 10 degrees F above normal across the interior. Record highs for September 19 were set in locations such as Galena (68 degrees F) and McGrath (66 degrees F). Meanwhile, heavy precipitation arrived in parts of southeastern Alaska, but only light precipitation fell elsewhere across the State. September 1-23 totals ranged from less than one-third of normal at interior locations such as Fairbanks (0.17 inch, or 19 percent of normal) and McGrath (0.62 inch, or 33 percent), to more than 150 percent of normal at western sites such as Nome (3.21 inches, or 158 percent) and Bethel (2.87 inches, or 153 percent). In southeastern Alaska, Juneau collected a month-to-date total of 7.43 inches (132 percent of normal) through week's end, but netted a daily-record sum of 2.73 inches on September 24. National Agricultural Summary September 18 - 24, 2006 Highlights: Temperatures averaged below normal across most of the Nation, with the exception of the Gulf Coast, southern Atlantic Coast, and Northeast. However, summer crops matured rapidly in the Corn Belt and Great Plains despite the cool weather. Freezing temperatures were widespread across the western half of the Nation, extending as far south as New Mexico and Arizona. Heavy rainfall limited fieldwork in the Ohio River Valley, while moderate precipitation fell across much of the Corn Belt, Southeast, and northern and central Great Plains. Meanwhile, mostly dry conditions prevailed along the east and west coasts. Corn: Maturation advanced to 75 percent, 1 percentage point ahead of last year and 8 points ahead of normal. The crop progressed rapidly in parts of the Corn Belt and Great Plains despite below-normal temperatures. Maturation advanced 35 points in Minnesota, 33 points in Nebraska, and 30 points in North Dakota. Progress was ahead of normal in all States, except Indiana and Kentucky. Growers had harvested 13 percent of their acreage, compared with 17 percent last year and 15 percent for the 5-year average. Despite crop development and maturation progressing ahead of normal, harvest trailed behind normal in most States. Soybeans: Acreage dropping leaves or beyond, at 70 percent, was 10 points behind last year but 1 point ahead of normal. As with corn maturation, the most rapid development was in the Corn Belt and Great Plains, where 35 percent of Nebraska's crop and 30 percent of Illinois's and Wisconsin's crop entered the stage. Progress was behind normal in the eastern Corn Belt and central Great Plains but ahead of normal elsewhere, most notably in the Dakotas and the Mississippi Delta. Meanwhile, harvest advanced to 9 percent complete, 8 points behind last year and 3 points behind the average. Growers were well ahead of their normal harvest pace in the Delta and North Dakota, but trailed behind normal in the rest of the Great Plains and in the Corn Belt . Winter Wheat: Producers had seeded 36 percent of their acreage, 2 points behind last year and 3 points behind normal. Planting was most advanced in Colorado, at 70 percent complete after advancing 40 points during the week. Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota growers planted one-fourth or more of their expected acreage during the week. Seeding was sell ahead of normal in the Pacific Northwest and South Dakota but was near or below normal in all other States. Ten percent of the crop had emerged, compared with 11 percent last year and 14 percent for the 5-year average. Emergence was most advanced in Colorado and Washington, at 23 and 20 percent, respectively, but behind the normal pace in both States. Cotton: Acreage with open bolls advanced to 75 percent, 8 points ahead of last year and 5 points ahead of normal. The crop developed slowly in most States, advancing over 10 points only in Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. The acreage with open bolls exceeded the 5-year average in most States, including Virginia, at 21 points ahead of normal. However, Arizona, California, Kansas, and Oklahoma trailed over 10 points behind normal. Growers had harvested 17 percent of their acreage, 2 points ahead of last year and 3 points ahead of normal. Harvest progress was ahead of normal across the Southeast and well ahead of normal in the Delta, but trailed slightly behind the 5-year average pace in the Great Plains and Atlantic Coast States. Sorghum: Acreage at or beyond the turning color stage, at 85 percent, was 3 points behind last year and the 5-year average. Development was behind normal in both Kansas and Texas, the leading producing States. Maturation advanced to 53 percent, 1 point ahead of last year but 4 points behind normal. The most rapid progress was in Nebraska, where a third of the acreage reached maturity during the week. Thirty-four percent of the crop had been harvested, 4 points ahead of last year but the same as the 5-year average. Harvest progress was ahead of normal in Texas and the Delta but was behind normal elsewhere and had not yet begun in New Mexico. Rice: Growers had harvested 69 percent of their acreage, compared with 58 percent last year and 63 percent for the 5-year average. Harvest was nearly complete in Louisiana and Texas and over 50 percent complete in all States, except California. Progress was at or ahead of the normal pace in all States. Other Crops: The peanut harvest slowly advanced to 4 percent complete, 9 points behind last year and 12 points behind normal. Progress was slightly ahead of normal in Virginia but lagged behind normal elsewhere, by as much as 22 points in Alabama. Sugarbeets growers had harvested10 percent of their acreage, 4 points ahead of last year and the 5-year average. Progress was ahead of normal in the 4 major producing States. Corn: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 54 34 43 47 IL : 83 61 89 81 IN : 59 39 72 67 IA : 82 58 78 71 KS : 93 82 87 89 KY : 87 84 94 93 MI : 64 41 73 44 MN : 78 43 53 49 MO : 95 90 95 92 NE : 73 40 68 64 NC : 100 97 100 98 ND : 87 57 51 51 OH : 53 24 61 43 PA : 68 44 70 49 SD : 60 36 70 56 TN : 99 98 96 97 TX : 96 86 89 93 WI : 47 21 55 33 : 18 Sts: 75 52 74 67 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 93% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 4 3 3 4 IL : 14 6 28 19 IN : 5 3 12 11 IA : 4 3 6 6 KS : 42 30 41 43 KY : 39 29 46 51 MI : 3 1 8 4 MN : 2 1 2 2 MO : 57 44 54 48 NE : 6 3 9 8 NC : 64 46 74 68 ND : 2 2 1 1 OH : 3 0 4 4 PA : 18 10 23 17 SD : 6 3 7 5 TN : 73 57 58 69 TX : 71 70 72 74 WI : 2 0 5 2 : 18 Sts: 13 9 17 15 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 95% of last year's corn acreage. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 84 80 75 79 AZ : 84 80 87 95 AR : 90 84 94 88 CA : 56 49 45 71 GA : 86 82 69 76 KS : 22 20 36 35 LA : 99 98 98 93 MS : 97 95 93 92 MO : 74 71 82 74 NC : 73 67 85 76 OK : 51 39 63 63 SC : 76 58 64 61 TN : 90 75 88 79 TX : 64 50 49 57 VA : 91 82 92 70 : 15 Sts: 75 66 67 70 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Cotton: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 20 16 3 5 AZ : 15 10 10 10 AR : 17 9 14 9 CA : 0 0 1 1 GA : 9 6 3 8 KS : 0 0 0 0 LA : 40 35 36 23 MS : 43 30 17 18 MO : 4 2 8 8 NC : 0 0 1 3 OK : 0 0 0 2 SC : 3 0 2 5 TN : 7 2 8 8 TX : 20 19 23 21 VA : 2 1 4 4 : 15 Sts: 17 14 15 14 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States harvested 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Soybeans: Percent Dropping Leaves, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 61 51 58 48 IL : 62 32 84 70 IN : 57 34 84 77 IA : 80 56 87 72 KS : 64 44 65 69 KY : 45 30 55 57 LA : 87 83 82 69 MI : 55 35 89 61 MN : 89 67 82 77 MS : 97 93 93 86 MO : 51 32 60 48 NE : 70 35 88 72 NC : 26 17 43 26 ND : 98 90 80 76 OH : 71 44 89 76 SD : 90 65 94 86 TN : 69 52 78 53 WI : 63 33 84 58 : 18 Sts: 70 48 80 69 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Soybeans: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 32 27 31 22 IL : 4 1 17 14 IN : 2 0 12 12 IA : 4 1 24 11 KS : 2 1 7 10 KY : 4 0 5 6 LA : 73 69 71 46 MI : 5 0 17 7 MN : 7 3 14 10 MS : 87 82 76 62 MO : 3 1 4 5 NE : 4 0 17 10 NC : 1 0 0 0 ND : 26 16 15 11 OH : 2 0 11 10 SD : 2 1 13 8 TN : 18 13 19 10 WI : 2 1 10 4 : 18 Sts: 9 6 17 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 96% of last year's soybean acreage. Peanuts: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 1 0 21 23 FL : 10 6 23 29 GA : 4 2 13 17 NC : 5 4 5 7 OK : 0 0 2 2 SC : 10 6 14 18 TX : 3 2 4 7 VA : 5 0 3 4 : 8 Sts : 4 2 13 16 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States harvested 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 69 50 61 64 CA : 31 10 18 27 LA : 96 94 91 93 MS : 84 64 55 68 MO : 52 29 25 37 TX : 98 97 98 98 : 6 Sts : 69 53 58 63 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 100% of last year's rice acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 0 5 3 CA : 3 2 2 2 CO : 70 30 69 68 ID : 29 19 33 31 IL : 2 1 5 4 IN : 2 0 6 5 KS : 24 13 28 29 MI : 13 1 18 19 MO : 7 3 7 5 MT : 49 20 68 54 NE : 57 32 66 65 NC : 1 1 2 4 OH : 1 0 6 4 OK : 33 19 38 42 OR : 39 21 11 10 SD : 64 36 62 51 TX : 41 22 40 45 WA : 68 45 50 60 : 18 Sts: 36 19 38 39 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 0 NA 0 0 CA : 0 NA 0 0 CO : 23 NA 28 25 ID : 5 NA 4 6 IL : 0 NA 1 0 IN : 0 NA 0 0 KS : 6 NA 8 10 MI : 0 NA 1 2 MO : 2 NA 2 0 MT : 4 NA 9 9 NE : 18 NA 31 32 NC : 0 NA 0 1 OH : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 8 NA 12 17 OR : 13 NA 2 1 SD : 19 NA 12 14 TX : 12 NA 10 17 WA : 20 NA 24 34 : 18 Sts: 10 NA 11 14 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 10 NA 5 6 MI : 3 NA 3 1 MN : 12 NA 7 7 ND : 11 NA 6 6 : 4 Sts : 10 NA 6 6 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States harvested 82% of last year's sugarbeets acreage. Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 100 100 100 CO : 72 58 70 73 IL : 99 98 94 94 KS : 84 78 91 90 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 96 93 96 95 NE : 100 94 98 93 NM : 58 49 51 67 OK : 78 71 86 82 SD : 97 93 96 96 TX : 85 84 85 86 : 11 Sts: 85 81 88 88 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 97 97 98 CO : 38 29 34 32 IL : 80 62 84 71 KS : 38 27 40 48 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 75 65 79 70 NE : 55 22 60 51 NM : 10 9 11 10 OK : 34 31 46 52 SD : 45 31 58 49 TX : 73 72 65 72 : 11 Sts: 53 45 52 57 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 97% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2001- State:Sep 24,:Sep 17,:Sep 24,: 2005 : 2006 : 2006 : 2005 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 90 85 81 84 CO : 2 1 4 3 IL : 7 2 24 16 KS : 14 10 12 17 LA : 100 99 99 96 MO : 34 23 39 35 NE : 3 0 4 6 NM : 0 0 0 0 OK : 17 12 21 31 SD : 4 2 11 9 TX : 69 68 59 63 : 11 Sts: 34 31 30 34 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States harvested 98% of last year's sorghum acreage. Corn: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 24, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 5 14 23 42 16 IL : 2 5 16 55 22 IN : 1 5 21 53 20 IA : 3 8 23 46 20 KS : 14 21 36 24 5 KY : 0 3 12 35 50 MI : 0 4 20 56 20 MN : 7 9 24 44 16 MO : 6 12 32 43 7 NE : 7 10 22 45 16 NC : 0 1 20 43 36 ND : 8 20 39 30 3 OH : 1 7 23 47 22 PA : 2 5 23 53 17 SD : 22 25 25 24 4 TN : 5 10 23 45 17 TX : 34 18 28 17 3 WI : 6 8 27 40 19 : 18 Sts : 6 10 23 44 17 : Prev Wk : 6 9 24 44 17 Prev Yr : 8 13 27 38 14 -------------------------------------- Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 24, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 9 16 33 32 10 IL : 3 4 15 54 24 IN : 1 4 18 59 18 IA : 1 6 21 50 22 KS : 7 19 41 27 6 KY : 1 3 15 48 33 LA : 5 18 31 40 6 MI : 1 4 23 53 19 MN : 5 8 25 42 20 MS : 13 23 32 28 4 MO : 6 14 33 40 7 NE : 3 10 27 44 16 NC : 1 4 31 55 9 ND : 4 14 43 34 5 OH : 3 8 23 48 18 SD : 8 15 32 37 8 TN : 3 9 21 51 16 WI : 2 7 28 38 25 : 18 Sts : 4 9 25 46 16 : Prev Wk : 4 9 26 46 15 Prev Yr : 5 11 29 42 13 -------------------------------------- Cotton: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 24, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 38 35 19 7 1 AZ : 0 8 39 43 10 AR : 1 6 26 48 19 CA : 0 0 23 63 14 GA : 14 23 34 24 5 KS : 5 10 35 45 5 LA : 5 15 34 44 2 MS : 12 20 29 30 9 MO : 0 4 25 68 3 NC : 3 8 35 51 3 OK : 25 33 28 14 0 SC : 0 8 49 37 6 TN : 2 3 19 58 18 TX : 21 25 28 20 6 VA : 0 13 30 35 22 : 15 Sts : 14 18 29 32 7 : Prev Wk : 15 18 28 32 7 Prev Yr : 5 10 27 46 12 -------------------------------------- Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 24, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 3 11 39 38 9 CO : 1 10 27 60 2 IL : 6 17 34 41 2 KS : 9 21 35 28 7 LA : 1 5 26 58 10 MO : 1 12 38 44 5 NE : 3 10 32 41 14 NM : 14 17 29 34 6 OK : 12 20 28 29 11 SD : 20 32 36 8 4 TX : 34 21 24 20 1 : 11 Sts : 17 20 30 28 5 : Prev Wk : 16 19 32 28 5 Prev Yr : 5 11 36 40 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. Peanuts: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 24, 2006 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 6 31 41 21 1 FL : 10 20 45 20 5 GA : 7 19 37 33 4 NC : 1 2 18 72 7 OK : 1 10 38 48 3 SC : 1 3 33 56 7 TX : 4 9 48 27 12 VA : 0 7 28 35 30 : 8 Sts : 6 17 38 33 6 : Prev Wk : 5 19 39 32 5 Prev Yr : 2 7 34 46 11 -------------------------------------- Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 24, 2006 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 31 29 31 7 2 :: NJ : 0 0 10 90 0 AZ : 32 20 30 15 3 :: NM : 6 10 18 48 18 AR : 16 25 39 17 3 :: NY : 3 9 29 42 17 CA : 39 38 15 8 0 :: NC : 0 5 35 50 10 CO : 9 30 37 22 2 :: ND : 27 31 28 14 0 CT : 0 0 11 86 3 :: OH : 1 8 25 49 17 DE : 7 12 23 55 3 :: OK : 31 32 27 9 1 FL : 0 5 20 75 0 :: OR : 23 31 32 13 1 GA : 8 24 38 28 2 :: PA : 6 14 25 40 15 ID : 1 10 53 27 9 :: RI : 0 0 0 60 40 IL : 2 10 31 49 8 :: SC : 1 15 34 49 1 IN : 2 4 23 62 9 :: SD : 19 27 32 20 2 IA : 2 8 24 48 18 :: TN : 13 19 31 33 4 KS : 14 29 37 17 3 :: TX : 38 31 23 6 2 KY : 0 4 27 55 14 :: UT : 7 16 34 40 3 LA : 18 18 39 23 2 :: VT : 0 20 56 24 0 ME : 0 1 14 58 27 :: VA : 3 14 36 37 10 MD : 3 18 33 38 8 :: WA : 7 10 37 46 0 MA : 0 0 1 59 40 :: WV : 0 6 35 54 5 MI : 1 9 41 42 7 :: WI : 5 10 28 44 13 MN : 11 19 34 32 4 :: WY : 40 26 28 6 0 MS : 20 29 28 22 1 :: : MO : 29 25 28 17 1 :: 48 Sts : 19 22 29 25 5 MT : 17 27 38 17 1 :: : NE : 21 25 35 17 2 :: Prev Wk: 22 23 28 23 4 NV : 46 17 27 10 0 :: Prev Yr: 14 24 33 26 3 NH : 0 2 22 70 6 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. 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. ACCESS TO REPORTS!! For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services: INTERNET ACCESS All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet and go to the NASS Home Page at: www.nass.usda.gov. E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your e-mail address. Starting with the NASS Home Page at www.nass.usda.gov, under the right navigation, Receive reports by Email, click on National or State. Follow the instructions on the screen. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK: 800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada) Other areas, please call 703-605-6220 FAX: 703-605-6900 (Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order acceptable for payment.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ASSISTANCE For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.