We 1 (9-08) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released September 23, 2008, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" call Dawn Keen at (202) 720-7621, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary September 14 - 20, 2008 Highlights: The remnants of Hurricane Ike raced northeastward early in the week, with the storm's center passing through the middle Mississippi Valley and the lower Great Lakes States. On September 14, damaging wind gusts as high as 60 to 80 m.p.h. tore through the Ohio Valley and the lower Great Lakes region, downing trees and causing widespread electrical outages. Meanwhile, heavy rain subsided in the storm's wake, although lowland flooding persisted from Missouri into southern Michigan. In contrast, unfavorable dryness continued in much of the Ohio Valley and the upper Midwest. Farther south, hurricane damage assessments continued in the western and central Gulf Coast regions following strikes from Gustav (September 1 in Louisiana) and Ike (September 13 in Texas). Showers lingered during the early- to mid-week period from the Carolinas southward into Florida, and returned toward week's end to the central Gulf Coast States. Meanwhile on the Plains, dry weather favored an acceleration of winter wheat planting and other fieldwork, especially across the northern half of the region. Weekly temperatures ranged from 5 to 10 degrees F below normal on the southeastern Plains, where some fields remained soggy, but averaged as much as 10 degrees F above normal on the northern High Plains. Elsewhere, very warm, mostly dry weather prevailed in the West. A late-season heat wave boosted temperatures as much as 10 degrees F above normal in the Northwest, where winter wheat planting advanced. Late in the week, however, cooler, showery weather in the Northwest slowed fieldwork but boosted topsoil moisture for small grain emergence. Early in the week, Ike-related downpours continued in parts of the Midwest. Daily-record totals for September 14 included 4.58 inches in St. Louis, MO, and 4.07 inches in South Bend, IN. By September 20, the year-to-date precipitation in St. Louis climbed to 50.03 inches (176 percent of normal), leaving the city just 4.94 inches shy of its 1982 annual record. South Bend's 2-day (September 13-14) rainfall reached 10.65 inches, boosting its monthly total (13.68 inches through September 20) to a record-breaking level for September (previously, 9.01 inches in 1977) and any month (previously, 10.86 inches in June 1993). In the rain's wake, record crests were noted in several locations, including the Little Calumet River at Munster, IN (5.31 feet above flood stage on September 14; previously, 5.03 feet on November 28, 1990); the Kankakee River at Shelby, IN (4.18 feet above flood stage on September 18; previously, 3.98 feet on March 24, 1982); and the Illinois River at Morris, IL (8.84 feet above flood stage on September 16; previously, 7.91 feet on July 14, 1957). Farther east, high winds raked the Ohio Valley, where peak gusts on September 14 were clocked to 75 m.p.h. in Columbus, OH, and 63 m.p.h. in Indianapolis, IN. A gust to 81 m.p.h. was noted as far north and east as the Beaver County Airport in western Pennsylvania. Ike's remnants were also responsible for at least two dozen tornadoes in an area stretching from eastern Texas and northern Louisiana into Arkansas. Meanwhile in La Crosse, WI, rainfall totaled just 1.15 inches (14 percent of normal) from July 23 - September 20, representing its driest 60-day period during the growing season since 1976, when only 1.08 inches fell from August 2 - September 30. The week opened in the midst of a warm spell in the East, where daily-record highs for September 14 included 93 degrees F in both Norfolk, VA, and Georgetown, DE. In contrast, cool air settled across the south-central U.S., resulting in a daily-record low for September 16 in San Angelo, TX (47 degrees F). Farther west, hot conditions developed across the interior Northwest. Monument, OR (102 degrees F) posted a daily-record high for September 17, followed 2 days later by records in locations such as La Crosse, WA, and Boise, ID (both 94 degrees F). Warmth also reached the northern Plains, where Dickinson, ND (89 degrees F on September 19), notched a daily-record high. By week's end, however, precipitation arrived in the Northwest, where Boise (0.90 inch) netted a daily-record total for September 20. Elsewhere, the week ended on a frosty note across the interior Northeast. September 19 featured the season's first freeze in many locations, including Massena, NY, and Millinocket, ME (both 30 degrees F). Near- to above-normal temperatures prevailed in Alaska, with readings averaging as much as 5 degrees F above normal across northern areas. Heavy precipitation was confined to southeastern Alaska, where frequent storms dumped at least 5 inches of rain in some locations. For example, Yakutat's September 1-20 rainfall reached 18.46 inches, aided by a weekly total of 8.56 inches. Farther north, Fairbanks (36 degrees F on September 19) noted its latest date on record of the season's first reading of 36 degrees F or lower (previously, 33 degrees F on September 18, 2007). Meanwhile, mostly dry conditions persisted in Hawaii. According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, more three-quarters of Hawaii was experiencing drought by mid-September. Through September 20, year-to-date rainfall totals were as low as 3.46 inches (33 percent of normal) in Honolulu, Oahu, and 3.54 inches (29 percent) in Kahului, Maui. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. National Agricultural Summary September 15 - 21, 2008 Corn: A band of heavy rain fell across central Illinois, northern Indiana, and southern Michigan during the week. Temperatures across much of the Corn Belt varied between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ninety percent of the corn acreage had reached the dent stage, 8 points behind last year and 5 points behind the 5-year average. Denting was complete in Kansas, North Carolina, Ohio, and Tennessee, and was nearly complete in Kentucky, Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Texas. Thirty-three percent of the corn crop was mature, 43 points behind last year and 30 points behind the 5-year average. Corn acreage was reaching maturity at or ahead of normal in Colorado, North Carolina, and Ohio, but was behind the average by up to 46 points, elsewhere. Producers had harvested 5 percent of the Nation's corn, 15 points behind last year and 9 points behind the average. Condition of the corn crop declined 2 points from the previous week to 59 percent good to excellent. Soybeans: Varied temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees held throughout the week in major soybean areas. Significant rainfall was received in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan, while only limited precipitation fell elsewhere. Nationwide, 44 percent of the acreage was dropping leaves, 26 points behind last year and 20 points less than the 5-year average. Leaf dropping slowed in Missouri and North Carolina, but was active elsewhere. Nearly all States' acreage was dropping leaves behind the average pace. Soybean condition remained unchanged from last week at 57 percent good to excellent. Winter Wheat: Minimal rainfall was received across the winter wheat growing area, while temperatures varied from slightly below normal in the south to slightly above normal in the north. Producers had planted 22 percent of the winter wheat acreage, 2 points behind last year and 8 points behind the 5-year average. In the west, producers were seeding their acreage on time or slightly ahead of usual, while elsewhere, planting was behind. Cotton: Most cotton producing areas received little or no precipitation during the week while average temperatures ranged from 70 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Bolls were open on 52 percent of the acreage, 10 points behind last year and the 5-year average. Producers had harvested 9 percent of the cotton acreage, 3 points behind last year and the 5-year average pace. Harvest was most active in Arizona and Texas during the week. Cotton condition improved 1 point from last week to 48 percent good to excellent. Sorghum: Coloring reached 80 percent of the sorghum acreage, 16 points behind last year and 6 points behind the 5-year average. Coloring was complete in the Delta and Colorado, at or ahead of the average pace. In New Mexico, though not complete, coloring was ahead of the average pace. Elsewhere, acreage was coloring behind normal. Forty-three percent of the acreage was mature, 17 points behind last year and 9 points behind the 5-year average. In Illinois, sorghum acreage was developing to maturity 57 points behind the average pace. Thirty-two percent of the crop was harvested, 9 points behind last year and 4 points behind the 5-year average. Sorghum harvest was underway in the Delta and the southern Great Plains. Sorghum condition was rated 53 percent good to excellent, a 1 point decline from last week. Rice: Thirty-eight percent of the rice crop was harvested, 20 points behind last year and 18 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest was behind last year and normal in all States. Sixty-two percent of the rice crop was rated good to excellent, unchanged from the previous week. Small Grains: Barley acreage was 94 percent harvested, 6 points behind last year and 4 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest was delayed in all States except Minnesota and North Dakota. Spring Wheat harvest was 97 percent complete, 3 points behind last year and the same as the 5-year average. Harvest was slightly delayed in the Pacific Northwest but was at or ahead of normal elsewhere. Other Crops: Seven percent of the peanut crop had been harvested, 3 points ahead of last year but 1 point behind the 5-year average. Harvest was at or behind normal in all States. Condition of the crop was rated 66 percent good to excellent, a 1 point decrease from the previous week. Sugarbeet producers had harvested 5 percent of the acreage, 2 points behind last year and 1 point behind the 5-year average. Harvest was within 4 points of the 5-year average in all States. Corn: Percent Dented, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 94 80 87 86 IL : 90 77 100 98 IN : 89 77 98 95 IA : 85 71 97 97 KS : 100 94 100 99 KY : 99 93 100 99 MI : 89 78 93 84 MN : 95 81 100 93 MO : 90 81 99 99 NE : 95 85 99 97 NC : 100 99 100 100 ND : 84 55 97 89 OH : 100 83 94 94 PA : 78 70 91 84 SD : 95 81 99 94 TN : 100 100 100 100 TX : 98 95 100 99 WI : 65 48 93 82 : 18 Sts: 90 78 98 95 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 91% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 52 34 54 41 IL : 31 16 94 77 IN : 40 19 73 59 IA : 23 11 81 68 KS : 60 41 90 85 KY : 84 74 97 90 MI : 34 16 64 43 MN : 18 6 83 54 MO : 44 30 90 90 NE : 21 9 64 53 NC : 98 95 100 98 ND : 15 2 60 48 OH : 48 18 41 36 PA : 33 32 64 52 SD : 24 7 60 48 TN : 88 76 100 97 TX : 75 67 92 90 WI : 14 8 49 35 : 18 Sts: 33 19 76 63 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 91% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 7 NA 5 3 IL : 1 NA 40 19 IN : 3 NA 18 10 IA : 0 NA 6 4 KS : 11 NA 37 35 KY : 22 NA 64 44 MI : 0 NA 5 3 MN : 0 NA 7 3 MO : 9 NA 54 47 NE : 2 NA 8 6 NC : 55 NA 79 69 ND : 0 NA 1 1 OH : 3 NA 4 2 PA : 13 NA 17 15 SD : 0 NA 6 4 TN : 47 NA 92 66 TX : 65 NA 77 72 WI : 0 NA 5 2 : 18 Sts: 5 NA 20 14 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 93% of last year's corn acreage. Soybeans: Percent Dropping Leaves, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 24 12 51 48 IL : 24 7 79 64 IN : 60 32 76 68 IA : 43 16 75 73 KS : 41 21 54 58 KY : 43 16 65 45 LA : 72 57 84 75 MI : 58 28 46 50 MN : 53 18 92 73 MS : 62 51 89 89 MO : 13 5 45 43 NE : 37 13 50 60 NC : 16 11 25 24 ND : 65 30 84 72 OH : 61 37 71 66 SD : 73 43 75 79 TN : 52 36 78 57 WI : 47 27 65 57 : 18 Sts: 44 21 70 64 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 0 2 2 CA : 6 5 9 4 CO : 58 34 41 57 ID : 32 14 34 27 IL : 2 1 3 3 IN : 1 0 3 3 KS : 12 5 14 20 MI : 3 2 20 13 MO : 1 0 5 4 MT : 33 7 47 43 NE : 44 18 52 55 NC : 1 0 0 2 OH : 0 0 3 2 OK : 20 11 21 31 OR : 17 15 18 15 SD : 40 18 53 49 TX : 22 8 16 33 WA : 44 35 57 53 : 18 Sts: 22 11 24 30 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 30 16 53 56 CA : 18 4 26 22 LA : 81 73 95 94 MS : 40 20 83 68 MO : 14 6 59 36 TX : 92 91 96 97 : 6 Sts : 38 25 58 56 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 100% of last year's rice acreage. Peanuts: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 10 2 6 11 FL : 14 8 13 19 GA : 6 2 2 7 NC : 3 1 2 4 OK : 0 0 5 2 SC : 11 6 7 12 TX : 3 2 1 3 VA : 0 0 0 2 : 8 Sts : 7 3 4 8 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States harvested 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 72 61 79 77 AZ : 90 80 87 88 AR : 74 60 93 85 CA : 53 41 68 61 GA : 68 53 51 69 KS : 25 16 16 28 LA : 92 84 90 92 MS : 79 58 94 90 MO : 69 46 97 74 NC : 69 57 91 76 OK : 55 41 48 58 SC : 57 39 67 59 TN : 76 45 98 76 TX : 30 22 41 46 VA : 77 54 91 78 : 15 Sts: 52 40 62 62 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Cotton: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 2 1 9 7 AZ : 17 15 11 8 AR : 1 0 15 9 CA : 0 0 0 1 GA : 2 1 1 4 KS : 0 0 0 0 LA : 10 5 6 19 MS : 2 0 26 21 MO : 2 0 34 9 NC : 0 0 2 1 OK : 0 0 0 0 SC : 0 0 4 2 TN : 1 0 13 6 TX : 17 14 13 18 VA : 0 0 0 2 : 15 Sts: 9 7 12 12 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States harvested 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Barley: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 92 85 100 97 MN : 100 99 100 98 MT : 83 81 100 98 ND : 100 100 100 98 WA : 99 95 100 100 : 5 Sts : 94 92 100 98 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States harvested 85% of last year's barley acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 96 91 100 99 MN : 99 97 100 95 MT : 92 86 100 97 ND : 97 91 100 96 SD : 100 100 100 100 WA : 99 96 100 100 : 6 Sts : 97 92 100 97 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 99% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 100 100 100 CO : 100 96 93 74 IL : 74 52 98 95 KS : 77 63 97 86 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 73 61 87 93 NE : 86 68 96 93 NM : 69 49 71 60 OK : 64 59 78 77 SD : 90 85 99 94 TX : 78 75 97 83 : 11 Sts: 80 71 96 86 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 95% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 96 89 100 98 CO : 55 41 52 36 IL : 11 5 92 68 KS : 18 10 34 34 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 32 23 53 62 NE : 6 1 34 34 NM : 6 2 7 8 OK : 30 25 30 38 SD : 10 5 64 44 TX : 68 67 87 69 : 11 Sts: 43 38 60 52 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 95% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 50 28 93 84 CO : 7 3 7 3 IL : 0 0 35 14 KS : 3 0 4 9 LA : 90 86 93 97 MO : 8 4 19 26 NE : 0 0 1 2 NM : 0 0 1 0 OK : 14 11 10 18 SD : 0 0 7 5 TX : 67 66 84 65 : 11 Sts: 32 29 41 36 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States harvested 96% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 21,:Sep 14,:Sep 21,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 0 NA 4 4 MI : 3 NA 2 1 MN : 6 NA 9 8 ND : 6 NA 10 7 : 4 Sts : 5 NA 7 6 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States harvested 84% of last year's sugarbeets acreage. Corn: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 21, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 5 11 30 32 22 IL : 3 6 25 52 14 IN : 5 13 29 42 11 IA : 3 9 27 48 13 KS : 3 10 35 44 8 KY : 2 12 29 36 21 MI : 8 15 33 32 12 MN : 5 8 23 55 9 MO : 4 16 35 36 9 NE : 2 5 20 54 19 NC : 21 26 33 18 2 ND : 3 7 25 52 13 OH : 11 22 34 27 6 PA : 0 12 24 47 17 SD : 2 3 17 53 25 TN : 3 15 34 42 6 TX : 16 16 26 38 4 WI : 6 13 35 36 10 : 18 Sts : 4 10 27 46 13 : Prev Wk : 4 9 26 47 14 Prev Yr : 5 9 23 45 18 -------------------------------------- Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 21, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 4 12 34 37 13 IL : 3 6 28 53 10 IN : 7 13 34 37 9 IA : 3 9 30 47 11 KS : 1 4 29 49 17 KY : 4 19 31 28 18 LA : 16 28 39 17 0 MI : 8 17 36 31 8 MN : 3 6 24 56 11 MS : 7 13 31 36 13 MO : 6 17 36 32 9 NE : 2 6 23 56 13 NC : 2 9 34 45 10 ND : 1 5 14 58 22 OH : 10 20 38 27 5 SD : 1 3 24 52 20 TN : 9 16 33 36 6 WI : 8 15 30 37 10 : 18 Sts : 4 10 29 46 11 : Prev Wk : 4 10 29 45 12 Prev Yr : 5 11 26 44 14 -------------------------------------- Peanuts: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 21, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 1 1 25 55 18 FL : 0 0 29 55 16 GA : 1 5 32 49 13 NC : 0 2 28 64 6 OK : 0 3 25 68 4 SC : 0 4 33 55 8 TX : 1 2 30 60 7 VA : 0 15 48 30 7 : 8 Sts : 1 3 30 54 12 : Prev Wk : 1 3 29 56 11 Prev Yr : 6 14 35 35 10 -------------------------------------- Rice: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 21, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 2 12 30 44 12 CA : 0 5 15 55 25 LA : 6 22 39 27 6 MS : 0 4 12 50 34 MO : 2 3 10 46 39 TX : 3 3 28 50 16 : 6 Sts : 2 10 26 45 17 : Prev Wk : 2 9 27 46 16 Prev Yr : NA NA NA NA NA -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2007 planted acres. Cotton: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 21, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 3 12 36 43 6 AZ : 0 2 15 66 17 AR : 2 10 33 44 11 CA : 0 0 10 55 35 GA : 4 13 42 33 8 KS : 5 10 30 45 10 LA : 30 30 29 11 0 MS : 7 11 24 42 16 MO : 3 8 25 56 8 NC : 1 10 32 51 6 OK : 5 14 36 34 11 SC : 5 13 52 28 2 TN : 0 8 34 50 8 TX : 8 16 34 31 11 VA : 0 9 43 30 18 : 15 Sts : 6 13 33 37 11 : Prev Wk : 6 14 33 36 11 Prev Yr : 6 14 29 38 13 -------------------------------------- Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 21, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 9 43 35 12 CO : 4 14 43 37 2 IL : 3 2 17 61 17 KS : 3 9 31 47 10 LA : 0 11 44 42 3 MO : 2 9 41 41 7 NE : 1 3 20 52 24 NM : 0 17 47 35 1 OK : 2 13 28 53 4 SD : 2 4 20 58 16 TX : 5 14 36 40 5 : 11 Sts : 3 11 33 45 8 : Prev Wk : 3 11 32 46 8 Prev Yr : 2 8 27 48 15 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2007 planted acres. Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 21, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 3 14 33 42 8 :: NJ : 0 0 60 40 0 AZ : 2 23 33 28 14 :: NM : 2 7 43 34 14 AR : 0 2 27 55 16 :: NY : 0 5 23 56 16 CA : 75 15 10 0 0 :: NC : 10 17 28 40 5 CO : 6 16 54 18 6 :: ND : 21 30 27 19 3 CT : 3 3 21 61 12 :: OH : 11 27 38 22 2 DE : 34 32 31 3 0 :: OK : 2 6 30 53 9 FL : 5 10 25 55 5 :: OR : 23 29 38 10 0 GA : 5 15 44 34 2 :: PA : 19 31 30 16 4 ID : 3 22 41 31 3 :: RI : 0 20 30 40 10 IL : 1 4 27 60 8 :: SC : 5 20 43 31 1 IN : 10 24 36 27 3 :: SD : 2 11 28 49 10 IA : 3 11 34 41 11 :: TN : 13 24 36 26 1 KS : 5 9 28 49 9 :: TX : 8 14 37 34 7 KY : 29 34 28 9 0 :: UT : 4 12 33 42 9 LA : 6 9 39 43 3 :: VT : 0 9 31 60 0 ME : 1 1 10 61 27 :: VA : 7 23 40 28 2 MD : 5 24 38 31 2 :: WA : 26 35 31 7 1 MA : 0 0 10 90 0 :: WV : 5 23 46 25 1 MI : 13 15 37 30 5 :: WI : 9 29 38 21 3 MN : 10 23 35 31 1 :: WY : 2 11 45 34 8 MS : 2 5 32 48 13 :: : MO : 1 5 28 54 12 :: 48 Sts : 11 16 32 35 6 MT : 8 21 38 28 5 :: : NE : 4 12 27 46 11 :: Prev Wk: 11 16 31 35 7 NV : 11 23 41 24 1 :: Prev Yr: 17 18 27 30 8 NH : 4 4 33 43 16 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2007 planted acres. Crop Progress and Condition Survey and Estimating Procedures Survey Procedures: Crop progress and condition estimates are based on survey data collected each week from early April through the end of November. The non-probability crop progress and condition surveys include input from 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 various stages of development. They also provide subjective evaluations of crop conditions. Most reporters complete their questionnaires on Friday or early Monday morning and submit them to the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) Field Offices in their States 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 when questionnaires are 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 by projections for weekend changes in progress and condition. 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, significantly reducing 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 used as reporting guidelines are available on the NASS website at: www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/National_Crop_Progress/terms_definitions.asp. 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 that is released after 12:00 pm ET on the second business day of the week. These estimates are subject to revision the following week. Crop Progress and Condition tables expected next week: Barley- Harvested Corn- Dented, Mature, Harvested, Condition Cotton- Bolls Opening, Harvested, Condition Pasture and Range- Condition Peanuts- Harvested, Condition Rice- Harvested, Condition Sorghum- Coloring, Mature, Harvested, Condition Soybeans- Dropping Leaves, Condition Sugarbeets- Harvested Winter Wheat- Planted, Emerged 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. 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