We 1 (9-08) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released September 30, 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 21 - 27, 2008 Highlights: Warmth expanded across the Midwest, promoting the maturation of late-developing corn and soybeans. Midwestern weekly temperatures generally averaged 5 to 10 degrees F above normal. In addition, showers in the upper Midwest boosted topsoil moisture, following more than 2 months of unfavorably dry weather. Meanwhile on the Plains, warm, mostly dry weather favored winter wheat planting, albeit at a slower-than-normal pace in most areas. On the central and southern Plains, conditions also aided the maturation and harvesting of various summer crops, including corn, cotton, and sorghum. Mostly dry weather also prevailed west of the Rockies, allowing early-autumn fieldwork--such as Arizona's cotton harvest and California's rice harvest--to proceed. Despite near- to below-normal temperatures, Northwestern winter wheat planting also advanced. Elsewhere, heavy rain fell in the middle and northern Atlantic States and southern portions of Texas and Florida. Producers in the southern Mid-Atlantic region monitored the effects of wind and rain on open-boll cotton and other unharvested crops. The harsh weather conditions resulted from the combined effects of a high-pressure system over the Northeast and a low-pressure system east of the Carolinas. The storm system drifted toward the coast and made landfall on the night of September 25-26 near Myrtle Beach, SC, but continued to produce locally heavy showers through week's end in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern States. Early in the week, showers dotted the Northwest, while a low-pressure system that would eventually become Hurricane Kyle soaked Puerto Rico. Daily-record rainfall totals for September 21 included 0.87 inch in Kalispell, MT, and 0.63 inch at Mullan Pass, ID. Meanwhile, San Juan, PR, netted consecutive daily-record totals on September 21-22 (2.91 and 1.26 inches, respectively). During a 72-hour period from September 20-23, several Puerto Rican stations received 20 to 30 inches of rain, with a maximum total of 29.83 inches reported near Patillas. The station near Patillas, in southeastern Puerto Rico, netted 22.03 inches of rain in 24 hours on September 21-22. Other 72- hour totals in southern Puerto Rico included 23.98 inches near Guayama, 21.86 inches near Yabucoa, and 20.52 inches near Ponce. However, the system had a disorganized surface circulation while affecting Puerto Rico, and did not become a tropical storm until September 25. Later, Kyle accelerated northward and made landfall as a minimal hurricane (maximum sustained winds near 75 m.p.h.) during the evening hours of September 28 on the western tip of Nova Scotia near Yarmouth. Earlier in the day, a buoy on Georges Bank, about 170 nautical miles east of Hyannis, MA, had clocked a wind gust to 83 m.p.h. By September 23, chilly air settled across both the Northeast--where Caribou, ME (27 degrees F) posted a daily-record low--and the Northwest. In the latter region, records for September 23 included 23 degrees F in Redmond, OR, and 32 degrees F in Ephrata, WA (25 days earlier than its average first freeze date of October 18). Elsewhere in Washington, Omak's first freeze (26 degrees F on September 23) occurred nearly 3 weeks prior to the period-of- record average date of October 12. Interestingly, it was the second consecutive year with an earlier-than-normal first freeze in parts of the interior Northwest; in 2007, both Ephrata and Omak experienced a freeze on September 29. Meanwhile, locally heavy showers overspread the western Corn Belt, where Mason City, IA (1.63 inches), collected a daily-record total for September 23. During the second half of the week, wind and rain increased along the Atlantic Seaboard, while heat built across the western half of the nation. Beaumont, CA (101 degrees F), notched a daily-record high for September 25, followed the next day by records in locations such as Hill City, KS (94 degrees F), and McCook, NE (93 degrees F). La Crosse, WI, noted 8 consecutive days with highs of 80 degrees F or greater from September 16-23, representing its longest such streak during the second half of September since 1908 (10 consecutive days from September 17-26). In contrast, daily- record lows in Florida included 55 degrees F (on September 25) in Gainesville and 62 degrees F (on September 26) in Lakeland. Meanwhile, heavy rain arrived in the southern Mid-Atlantic region on September 25, when daily- record amounts included 4.16 inches in Wilmington, NC, and 2.57 inches in Norfolk, VA. The following day, record totals for September 26 reached 2.53 inches in Providence, RI, and 2.34 inches in New York's Central Park. By week's end, Williamsport, PA (2.44 inches), netted a record sum for September 27, while Caribou, ME (1.32 inches), collected its first of two daily-record totals. Caribou received 1.91 inches on September 28. Some of the heaviest rain fell in coastal New England, where unofficial storm totals topped 6 inches in locations such as Sagamore (Barnstable County), MA, and Little Compton (Newport County), RI. Farther south, peak wind gusts on September 25 included 60 m.p.h. on Pea Island (Dare County), NC; 53 m.p.h. in Wrightsville Beach (New Hanover County), NC; and 49 m.p.h. in Norfolk, VA. Water levels peaked 7.09 feet above mean lower low water (MLLW) in Myrtle Beach, SC, and 7.38 feet above MLLW in Wrightsville Beach. MLLW is the average of the lower low water height of each tidal day. In Fairbanks, AK, the first freeze of the autumn (30 degrees F) occurred on September 21, followed by the season's first snowfall (1.4 inches) on September 27. In the past 30 years, Fairbanks' first autumn freeze was observed only twice after September 21, and its latest first freeze on record occurred on September 27, 1974. On average, the first autumn snowflakes are observed in Fairbanks on October 2. Elsewhere in Alaska, near- to above- normal temperatures across the mainland contrasted with slightly below-normal temperatures in southeastern areas. Through September 27, month-to-date rainfall climbed to 8.33 inches (124 percent of normal) in Juneau and 20.42 inches (110 percent) in Yakutat. Heavy precipitation also fell in southwestern Alaska, where McGrath (0.55 inch) netted a daily-record rainfall for September 23 and Bethel received a weekly sum of 2.11 inches. Farther south, scattered showers provided little drought relief in Hawaii. Through September 27, year-to-date rainfall totals stood at 3.61 inches (29 percent of normal) in Kahului, Maui, and 3.68 inches (34 percent) in Honolulu, Oahu. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. National Agricultural Summary September 22 - 28, 2008 Corn: Rain fell in the northeast Corn Belt, accumulating up to 3 inches for the week in some areas. Elsewhere, conditions remained dry and favorable for harvest activities. Temperatures across the region ranged from up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit in the southwestern areas down to 60 degrees elsewhere. Ninety-six percent of the acreage reached or exceeded the dent stage by week's end, 3 points behind last year and 2 points behind the 5-year average. Meanwhile, 52 percent of the corn acreage developed to maturity by week's end, 36 points behind last year and 27 points behind the 5-year average. Acreage in the central Corn Belt was lagging between 30 and 40 points behind in most States. Nine percent of the crop was harvested, 20 points behind last year and 12 points behind the 5-year average. Major delays were evident in Illinois and Kansas, where harvest was 28 points behind, and in Missouri, where harvest was 43 points behind the 5-year average harvest pace. Condition of the crop was rated 61 percent good to excellent, a 2-point improvement from the previous week's rating. Soybeans: Light precipitation dotted the northern Great Plains soybean-growing region eastward through Minnesota and Iowa while temperatures ranged between 55 and 75 degrees, with warmer weather through the central Great Plains and the Delta. Temperatures through Nebraska and Kansas, northeastward were much warmer than usual for this time of year. Leaf-dropping was occurring across 68 percent of the acreage, lagging 16 points behind last year and 13 points behind the 5-year average. Development to the leaf-dropping stage advanced 24 points during the week with the most progress shown in Illinois, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Producers harvested 9 percent of soybean acres, 15 points behind last year's harvest pace and 12 points behind the average harvest pace. Harvest was delayed in all States, except Ohio, where harvest was 1 point ahead of the average. Soybean condition was rated 57 percent good to excellent, unchanged from last week. Winter Wheat: Most winter wheat areas remained dry throughout the week, and temperatures were mostly within 4 degrees of normal, other than in Kansas and Nebraska, where they were up to 10 degrees warmer than normal. Producers had seeded 42 percent of the acreage by week's end, 4 points ahead of last year's planting pace but 3 points behind the 5-year average. A quarter of the acreage or more was planted in Kansas and Nebraska during the week. Fourteen percent of the crop was emerged, 1 point ahead of last year but 4 points behind the 5-year average. Emergence was most delayed in Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Oregon, but was within 14 points of the 5-year average across the Nation. Cotton: Major cotton growing areas remained dry throughout the week and temperatures were cooler than normal throughout the southeast and the southern Great Plains, and were slightly warmer than average in California and Arizona. Sixty-three percent of the acreage had open bolls, 10 points behind last year and 9 points behind the 5-year average. Development ranged from 18 points behind average in Texas, to 13 points ahead in Kansas. Twelve percent of the cotton acreage had been harvested, 6 points behind last year and 5 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest progress in Arkansas and Mississippi was 15 and 27 points behind normal, respectively, while all remaining States were harvesting within 9 points of their usual harvest pace. Cotton condition was rated 51 percent good to excellent, 3 points better than last week's rating. Sorghum: Coloring was complete across 85 percent of acreage, 14 points behind last year and 5 points behind the 5-year average. Coloring was complete in Arkansas, Colorado, and Louisiana, and was nearly complete in South Dakota. Most advancement occurred in Missouri, where 11 percent of the crop reached the coloring stage during the week. Half of the sorghum crop had reached maturity, 23 points behind last year and 13 points behind the 5-year average. Major delays occurred in Illinois, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota, where the crop was 34 or more points behind. Thirty-five percent of the acreage was harvested, 11 points behind last year and 5 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest had not begun in Illinois and New Mexico and was behind normal in all States, except Colorado and Texas. Condition of the sorghum crop was rated 53 percent good to excellent, unchanged from last week. Rice: Producers had harvested 52 percent of the rice crop, 19 points behind last year and 18 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest progress was behind both last year and average in all States, except California and Texas. Condition of the rice crop was rated 61 percent good to excellent, a 1-point decline from last week. Barley: Ninety-seven percent of the barley crop was harvested, 3 points behind last year and 2 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest was complete in all producing States, except Idaho and Montana. Peanut: Fourteen percent of the peanut crop was harvested, 6 points ahead of last year's harvest pace but 1 point behind the 5-year average. Harvest in Florida and Texas was ahead of the average pace, while harvest was up to 7 points behind the average elsewhere. Sixty-six percent of the peanut crop was rated good to excellent, unchanged from the previous week's condition rating. Sugarbeets: Sugarbeet harvest reached 7 percent complete, 6 points behind last year and 3 points behind the 5-year average. Other than in Michigan, where harvest was 1 point ahead of the average, producers were reaping the crop behind average. Harvest had not yet begun in Idaho, where progress was behind the average by 8 points. Corn: Percent Dented, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 99 94 96 95 IL : 96 90 100 99 IN : 94 89 100 99 IA : 93 85 99 99 KS : 100 100 100 100 KY : 100 99 100 100 MI : 96 89 99 92 MN : 97 95 100 97 MO : 95 90 100 100 NE : 97 95 100 99 NC : 100 100 100 100 ND : 94 84 99 94 OH : 100 100 97 97 PA : 94 78 97 90 SD : 99 95 100 98 TN : 100 100 100 100 TX : 98 98 100 100 WI : 84 65 99 90 : 18 Sts: 96 90 99 98 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 91% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 64 52 74 62 IL : 52 31 98 92 IN : 57 40 85 76 IA : 45 23 92 85 KS : 75 60 97 95 KY : 93 84 99 95 MI : 59 34 83 61 MN : 41 18 93 72 MO : 58 44 96 96 NE : 43 21 83 74 NC : 100 98 100 100 ND : 39 15 81 68 OH : 58 48 68 60 PA : 64 33 74 64 SD : 44 24 78 69 TN : 95 88 100 99 TX : 76 75 99 96 WI : 36 14 70 54 : 18 Sts: 52 33 88 79 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 91% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 16 7 12 8 IL : 4 1 56 32 IN : 8 3 28 16 IA : 2 0 11 9 KS : 21 11 51 49 KY : 38 22 78 58 MI : 3 0 10 6 MN : 1 0 13 6 MO : 17 9 66 60 NE : 4 2 15 11 NC : 69 55 88 80 ND : 0 0 4 3 OH : 8 3 8 5 PA : 26 13 22 21 SD : 2 0 11 8 TN : 66 47 96 80 TX : 66 65 87 78 WI : 2 0 10 6 : 18 Sts: 9 5 29 21 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 93% of last year's corn acreage. Soybeans: Percent Dropping Leaves, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 35 24 62 59 IL : 57 24 94 84 IN : 80 60 87 82 IA : 70 43 90 90 KS : 58 41 70 73 KY : 64 43 76 70 LA : 83 72 90 82 MI : 80 58 70 70 MN : 86 53 98 89 MS : 73 62 92 94 MO : 28 13 63 64 NE : 71 37 77 84 NC : 31 16 38 35 ND : 94 65 95 88 OH : 81 61 88 83 SD : 92 73 90 93 TN : 63 52 86 70 WI : 79 47 87 77 : 18 Sts: 68 44 84 81 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Soybeans: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 10 6 34 32 IL : 6 1 37 25 IN : 15 2 22 18 IA : 8 1 28 25 KS : 2 0 8 12 KY : 7 1 17 11 LA : 56 42 61 63 MI : 9 2 8 11 MN : 8 1 32 22 MS : 40 30 63 77 MO : 2 1 12 10 NE : 6 1 10 17 NC : 1 0 2 2 ND : 9 1 29 26 OH : 15 4 15 14 SD : 10 1 10 13 TN : 8 0 25 19 WI : 5 0 9 9 : 18 Sts: 9 3 24 21 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 2 1 3 4 CA : 11 6 14 6 CO : 76 58 62 78 ID : 50 32 49 43 IL : 4 2 12 7 IN : 5 1 10 8 KS : 37 12 30 38 MI : 13 3 39 28 MO : 3 1 8 8 MT : 52 33 65 65 NE : 70 44 73 75 NC : 2 1 1 3 OH : 9 0 11 7 OK : 44 20 36 48 OR : 29 17 45 30 SD : 61 40 73 68 TX : 42 22 27 48 WA : 60 44 66 66 : 18 Sts: 42 22 38 45 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 NA 0 0 CA : 0 NA 0 1 CO : 39 NA 28 36 ID : 5 NA 13 10 IL : 2 NA 1 1 IN : 0 NA 1 1 KS : 11 NA 8 14 MI : 1 NA 5 3 MO : 1 NA 2 2 MT : 7 NA 14 12 NE : 26 NA 37 40 NC : 0 NA 0 1 OH : 0 NA 0 0 OK : 14 NA 11 20 OR : 1 NA 19 10 SD : 23 NA 33 25 TX : 15 NA 6 18 WA : 34 NA 37 35 : 18 Sts: 14 NA 13 18 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 81 72 87 86 AZ : 95 90 94 94 AR : 87 74 96 92 CA : 63 53 79 70 GA : 79 68 62 77 KS : 50 25 30 37 LA : 98 92 95 95 MS : 87 79 97 95 MO : 84 69 99 84 NC : 82 69 97 84 OK : 72 55 66 71 SC : 71 57 80 70 TN : 87 76 100 87 TX : 40 30 56 58 VA : 87 77 98 85 : 15 Sts: 63 52 73 72 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Cotton: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 6 2 15 12 AZ : 20 17 14 13 AR : 4 1 25 19 CA : 0 0 4 2 GA : 5 2 2 8 KS : 0 0 0 0 LA : 28 10 13 31 MS : 8 2 43 35 MO : 6 2 44 15 NC : 2 0 9 4 OK : 0 0 0 2 SC : 1 0 9 5 TN : 7 1 23 13 TX : 18 17 19 21 VA : 3 0 7 6 : 15 Sts: 12 9 18 17 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States harvested 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Barley: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 96 92 100 99 MN : 100 100 100 99 MT : 91 83 100 99 ND : 100 100 100 99 WA : 100 99 100 100 : 5 Sts : 97 94 100 99 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States harvested 85% of last year's barley acreage. Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 100 100 100 CO : 100 100 99 84 IL : 82 74 100 97 KS : 84 77 100 92 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 84 73 92 96 NE : 93 86 99 97 NM : 70 69 92 70 OK : 70 64 83 85 SD : 96 90 100 98 TX : 82 78 99 87 : 11 Sts: 85 80 99 90 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 95% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 99 96 100 100 CO : 71 55 65 45 IL : 40 11 95 81 KS : 29 18 57 50 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 41 32 64 75 NE : 15 6 66 60 NM : 10 6 27 13 OK : 32 30 51 50 SD : 25 10 83 66 TX : 70 68 89 73 : 11 Sts: 50 43 73 63 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 95% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 74 50 97 90 CO : 11 7 11 6 IL : 0 0 57 25 KS : 4 3 11 15 LA : 95 90 97 99 MO : 16 8 30 39 NE : 1 0 5 6 NM : 0 0 2 1 OK : 20 14 18 25 SD : 3 0 19 13 TX : 69 67 86 66 : 11 Sts: 35 32 46 40 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States harvested 96% of last year's sorghum acreage. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 46 30 70 73 CA : 40 18 37 36 LA : 86 81 98 97 MS : 50 40 93 82 MO : 29 14 75 58 TX : 99 92 98 98 : 6 Sts : 52 38 71 70 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 100% of last year's rice acreage. Peanuts: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 17 10 11 22 FL : 30 14 22 29 GA : 13 6 4 15 NC : 7 3 9 10 OK : 1 0 8 5 SC : 18 11 18 21 TX : 9 3 2 5 VA : 2 0 14 9 : 8 Sts : 14 7 8 15 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States harvested 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Sep 28,:Sep 21,:Sep 28,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 0 0 9 8 MI : 6 3 12 5 MN : 9 6 14 12 ND : 9 6 15 12 : 4 Sts : 7 5 13 10 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States harvested 84% of last year's sugarbeets acreage. Corn: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 28, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 4 11 31 29 25 IL : 1 5 23 56 15 IN : 5 13 30 40 12 IA : 2 9 27 47 15 KS : 2 10 30 50 8 KY : 3 14 31 34 18 MI : 9 13 29 33 16 MN : 4 8 23 54 11 MO : 5 16 36 36 7 NE : 2 4 19 56 19 NC : 21 26 33 18 2 ND : 3 6 24 51 16 OH : 10 23 36 26 5 PA : 1 10 22 49 18 SD : 2 3 17 49 29 TN : 3 15 34 42 6 TX : 16 16 26 38 4 WI : 7 12 34 38 9 : 18 Sts : 4 9 26 47 14 : Prev Wk : 4 10 27 46 13 Prev Yr : 5 9 23 44 19 -------------------------------------- Soybeans: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 28, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 4 12 33 37 14 IL : 1 5 24 59 11 IN : 7 12 33 37 11 IA : 3 8 29 47 13 KS : 0 4 25 52 19 KY : 8 23 30 24 15 LA : 16 25 38 20 1 MI : 10 16 34 31 9 MN : 3 8 29 51 9 MS : 6 11 30 38 15 MO : 6 18 35 33 8 NE : 2 6 25 55 12 NC : 1 9 33 48 9 ND : 1 6 16 57 20 OH : 10 22 40 25 3 SD : 0 5 26 52 17 TN : 9 18 33 35 5 WI : 9 14 28 42 7 : 18 Sts : 4 10 29 46 11 : Prev Wk : 4 10 29 46 11 Prev Yr : 6 11 26 43 14 -------------------------------------- Peanuts: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 28, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 1 1 25 55 18 FL : 0 0 34 53 13 GA : 2 5 31 50 12 NC : 0 1 22 63 14 OK : 0 2 22 69 7 SC : 0 3 30 56 11 TX : 1 2 29 60 8 VA : 0 13 41 40 6 : 8 Sts : 1 3 30 54 12 : Prev Wk : 1 3 30 54 12 Prev Yr : 6 13 33 35 13 -------------------------------------- Rice: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 28, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 14 31 42 12 CA : 0 4 13 55 28 LA : 6 22 39 27 6 MS : 0 3 12 50 35 MO : 2 3 10 46 39 TX : 3 3 28 50 16 : 6 Sts : 2 11 26 43 18 : Prev Wk : 2 10 26 45 17 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 28, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 3 12 35 44 6 AZ : 0 2 23 56 19 AR : 2 9 31 45 13 CA : 0 0 10 65 25 GA : 4 14 43 32 7 KS : 5 10 30 45 10 LA : 34 35 22 9 0 MS : 6 11 28 43 12 MO : 3 8 25 55 9 NC : 1 7 27 56 9 OK : 4 10 37 38 11 SC : 3 9 50 36 2 TN : 1 7 30 52 10 TX : 6 16 32 35 11 VA : 0 13 38 40 9 : 15 Sts : 5 13 31 40 11 : Prev Wk : 6 13 33 37 11 Prev Yr : 5 14 29 38 14 -------------------------------------- Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Sep 28, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 9 43 35 12 CO : 5 13 40 37 5 IL : 0 2 16 78 4 KS : 1 9 31 49 10 LA : 0 11 44 42 3 MO : 2 9 38 44 7 NE : 1 4 23 51 21 NM : 0 18 47 34 1 OK : 2 14 26 54 4 SD : 1 4 23 56 16 TX : 5 14 36 40 5 : 11 Sts : 3 11 33 45 8 : Prev Wk : 3 11 33 45 8 Prev Yr : 2 8 26 49 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 28, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 3 18 32 40 7 :: NJ : 0 0 60 40 0 AZ : 3 22 33 28 14 :: NM : 3 8 35 37 17 AR : 0 2 27 55 16 :: NY : 0 3 23 60 14 CA : 80 15 5 0 0 :: NC : 9 18 29 38 6 CO : 6 17 49 23 5 :: ND : 20 28 26 22 4 CT : 5 3 40 47 5 :: OH : 13 28 37 20 2 DE : 23 39 34 3 1 :: OK : 2 7 32 49 10 FL : 5 5 40 45 5 :: OR : 23 30 37 10 0 GA : 7 18 45 29 1 :: PA : 27 19 29 20 5 ID : 5 25 37 30 3 :: RI : 0 20 30 40 10 IL : 2 4 30 57 7 :: SC : 3 15 44 36 2 IN : 12 25 35 25 3 :: SD : 1 7 30 49 13 IA : 3 11 34 44 8 :: TN : 16 31 36 16 1 KS : 6 7 27 51 9 :: TX : 8 17 36 32 7 KY : 42 35 17 6 0 :: UT : 6 14 32 41 7 LA : 4 11 35 46 4 :: VT : 0 20 32 48 0 ME : 1 1 19 68 11 :: VA : 6 18 37 37 2 MD : 4 19 37 37 3 :: WA : 12 28 39 18 3 MA : 0 0 0 97 3 :: WV : 7 18 46 28 1 MI : 14 18 33 30 5 :: WI : 8 21 45 24 2 MN : 7 16 40 36 1 :: WY : 2 12 47 33 6 MS : 2 6 34 48 10 :: : MO : 1 6 28 56 9 :: 48 Sts : 12 15 32 35 6 MT : 10 17 36 35 2 :: : NE : 3 12 27 51 7 :: Prev Wk: 11 16 32 35 6 NV : 15 27 40 18 0 :: Prev Yr: 17 18 28 31 6 NH : 4 3 40 37 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: Corn- Mature, Harvested, Condition Cotton- Bolls Opening, Harvested, Condition Pasture and Range- Condition Peanuts- Harvested, Condition Rice- Harvested Sorghum- Coloring, Mature, Harvested, Condition Soybeans- Dropping Leaves, Harvested, Condition Sugarbeets- Harvested Sunflowers- 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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