We 1 (10-08) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released October 21, 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 October 12 - 18, 2008 Highlights: Snow ended early in the week after accumulating as much as a foot on the northern High Plains and at least 2 to 4 feet across parts of the northern Intermountain West. Most of the remainder of the West experienced cool (more than 10 degrees F below normal in a few locations), dry weather, although Santa Ana winds briefly fanned two major wildfires in southern California and brought warmer weather to coastal regions. Meanwhile, a period of heavy rain developed across the central and southern Plains, slowing harvest activities but boosting moisture reserves for emerging winter wheat. Farther north, cold weather ended the growing season across the northern Plains and the upper Midwest. At the time of the season-ending freezes, at least three-quarters of the upper Midwestern corn was fully mature, while virtually all of the crop had dented. Nearly all of the soybeans in the freeze-affected areas were dropping leaves and thus safe from frost. Across the remainder of the Midwest, scattered showers caused only minor corn and soybean harvest delays. Elsewhere, little or no rain accompanied late-season warmth (as much as 10 degrees F above normal) across the eastern one-third of the nation. Southeastern fieldwork resumed, following the previous week's rainfall, while pastures benefited from topsoil moisture improvements. Early in the week, a winter-like storm continued across the Northwest. Lander, WY, netted 29.7 inches of snow from October 10-12, representing its greatest October storm and seventh-highest single-storm total on record. In Carbon, Madison, and Sweet Grass Counties of southern Montana, unofficial snowfall totals at a few high-elevation observation sites topped 4 feet. Elsewhere in Montana, Billings measured an October 9-13 storm total of 12.9 inches, while Glasgow (13.6 inches from October 11-13) set an October snowfall record. Previously, Glasgow's monthly record for October was 11.5 inches, all of which fell on October 12, 1924. Heavy snow fell as far east as western North Dakota, where Williston received 8.4 inches from October 11- 13. Farther south, Bishop, CA, noted its earliest trace of snow on record on October 11 (previously, October 19, 1949). Meanwhile on the Plains, North Platte, NE (2.95 inches of rain from October 11-13), experienced its wettest 3-day period in October since 1946, when 3.79 inches fell from October 4-6. October 11-14 storm totals on the High Plains included 3.58 inches in Dodge City, KS, 4.66 inches in Guymon, OK, and 4.87 inches in Dalhart, TX. Storm- total rainfall reached 2.37 inches in Wichita, KS, propelling its year-to- date precipitation to a record-high annual value of 50.72 inches (previously, 50.48 inches in 1951). Very cold air trailed the storm into the western and north-central U.S. In Colorado, Grand Junction opened the week with three consecutive daily-record lows (28, 24, and 26 degrees F) from October 12-14. Bryce Canyon Airport, UT (11, 8, and 14 degrees F), also noted three record lows in a row from October 12-14. Butte, MT, dipped to 10 degrees F on October 12 and 13, setting records on both dates. On October 13, daily-record lows of 7 degrees F were reported in locations such as Ely, NV, and Gunnison, CO. Bismarck, ND, finally recorded its first autumn freeze with a low of 27 degrees F on October 14, breaking the record established on October 11, 1980. Farther south, Tucson, AZ (38 degrees F on October 13), recorded its lowest reading during the first half of October since October 10, 1949, when it was also 38 degrees F. In contrast, October 12 featured daily-record highs of 87 degrees F in Louisville, KY, and 87 degrees F in Fort Wayne, IN, while readings topped 80 degrees F as far north as Green Bay, WI (82 degrees F). Warmth continued for much of the week in the East, especially on October 16 in advance of a cold front's passage. Record highs for October 16 soared to 87 degrees F in both Norfolk, VA, and Georgetown, DE. Showers associated with the front diminished in coverage and intensity while crossing the Midwest and East, although Fort Wayne (0.88 inch), collected a daily-record rainfall on October 15. Elsewhere, the Sesnon and Marek wildfires briefly flared early in the week across southern California, northeast of Los Angeles. By October 17, the Sesnon fire had charred nearly 15,000 acres and claimed more than a dozen homes, while the Marek fire had burned fewer than 5,000 acres but destroyed more than 40 residences. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. National Agricultural Summary October 13 - 19, 2008 Corn: While a good portion of the Nation's mid-section received light rainfall, isolated areas of the central and southwestern Corn Belt received up to 3.5 inches during the week. Temperatures across the region averaged between 45 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. Ninety-three percent of the corn acreage was mature and beyond, 6 points behind last year and 5 points behind the 5-year average. Acreage developed 10 points or more in Illinois, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Wisconsin. Acreage was maturing at or behind the 5-year average pace in all States except Pennsylvania. Twenty-nine percent of the crop was harvested, 29 points behind last year and 24 points behind the 5-year average. Most harvest activity occurred in Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, and Ohio. Other than in Colorado and Ohio, producers were harvesting behind the 5-year average harvest pace. Harvest in Illinois was furthest behind with a 44 point delay when compared with normal. Condition of the corn crop was rated 62 percent good to excellent, unchanged from the previous week. Soybeans: Minimal to light rain fell over much of the soybean growing area as temperatures ranged from 40 degrees in the north, to as warm as 75 degrees along the Mississippi. Ninety-five percent of soybean acreage was dropping leaves, 3 points behind last year and the 5-year average. Missouri soybean development was 16 points behind the 5-year average, while elsewhere, leaf-dropping was occurring within 7 points of the 5-year average. Producers harvested 67 percent of soybeans, 5 points behind last year and 7 points behind the 5-year average. Winter Wheat: Through the panhandles of Texas and Oklahoma, northward through much of Kansas, rainfall between 400 and 800 percent of normal fell over winter wheat growing areas, while average temperatures in the area, ranged from 50 to 65 degrees. Producers had planted 79 percent of the winter wheat crop, the same as last year but 2 points behind the 5-year average. Planting progress at the State level ranged from 21 points behind normal in Missouri to as much as 17 points ahead in Ohio. Planting was nearly complete in Colorado, Montana, and Nebraska. Sixty percent of the winter wheat acreage had emerged, 7 points ahead of last year and 2 points ahead of the 5-year average. Emergence had just begun in Arkansas, California, and North Carolina while two-thirds or more had emerged in Colorado, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Cotton: Eighty-eight percent of the acreage had open bolls by the end of the week, 4 points behind last year and 1 point behind the 5-year average. Development was complete in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Missouri and was 16 points ahead of normal in Kansas. Elsewhere, development was within 7 points of the 5-year average. Producers reaped 32 percent of their acreage nationwide, 9 points behind last year and 6 points behind the 5-year average. Producers faced the most significant harvest delays in Arkansas, California, and Mississippi, behind 10, 20, and 23 points, respectively, when compared with the normal pace. Elsewhere, producers were harvesting their crop within 9 points of the 5-year average. Cotton was rated 48 percent good to excellent, unchanged from the previous week's rating. Sorghum: Ninety-seven percent of the sorghum crop reached coloring, 3 points behind last year and 1 point behind the 5-year average. Coloring was complete or neared completion in all States except New Mexico and Oklahoma, where acreage was delayed 10 and 11 points, respectively, when compared with the average. Seventy-six percent of the crop was mature, 18 points behind last year and 9 points behind the 5-year average. Development remained ahead in Colorado, when compared with the normal development pace, but was at or behind the 5-year average in all remaining States. Producers had harvested 46 percent of the acreage, 21 and 11 points behind last year and the 5-year average, respectively. Harvest was complete in Louisiana and nearly complete in Arkansas, while harvest activity had just begun in Nebraska and New Mexico. Significant harvest delays were evident in the northern and central Great Plains and middle Mississippi Valley. Condition of the sorghum crop, at 56 percent good to excellent, improved 1 point from last week's rating. Rice: Rice harvest was 90 percent complete, 2 points behind last year and 3 points behind the 5-year average. Major harvest activity was evident in California, where 29 percent of the crop was harvested during the week. Peanuts: Peanut producers had harvested 52 percent of their acreage, 6 points ahead of last year but 3 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest was most active in North Carolina, where 30 percent of the acreage was harvested during the week. Peanut condition declined 4 points from last week to 66 percent good to excellent. Other Crops: Sugarbeet producers harvested 61 percent of the acreage, 6 points behind last year and 10 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest was behind the 5-year average in all States. Sunflowers were 13 percent harvested, 19 points behind last year and 23 points behind the 5-year average. Harvest was 24 or more points behind in all States, except Colorado. Corn: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 97 88 100 98 IL : 98 88 100 100 IN : 93 88 99 97 IA : 92 84 100 100 KS : 96 92 100 100 KY : 100 99 100 100 MI : 96 87 99 96 MN : 95 83 100 99 MO : 94 91 100 100 NE : 83 79 99 98 NC : 100 100 100 100 ND : 89 75 99 91 OH : 89 87 94 94 PA : 94 91 93 92 SD : 92 83 99 98 TN : 100 100 100 100 TX : 96 93 100 100 WI : 91 80 99 94 : 18 Sts: 93 86 99 98 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 91% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 45 34 46 37 IL : 32 20 89 76 IN : 41 26 66 50 IA : 13 7 40 43 KS : 52 45 84 82 KY : 85 77 97 88 MI : 24 15 33 28 MN : 19 5 51 43 MO : 48 41 84 84 NE : 18 14 42 40 NC : 92 84 97 96 ND : 3 1 37 34 OH : 37 24 35 29 PA : 44 35 46 48 SD : 14 11 38 34 TN : 95 91 100 97 TX : 77 76 93 93 WI : 17 8 35 30 : 18 Sts: 29 21 58 53 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 93% of last year's corn acreage. Sunflower: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 51 40 66 47 KS : 12 10 50 38 ND : 10 4 27 34 SD : 10 5 28 38 : 4 Sts : 13 7 32 36 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States harvested 86% of last year's sunflower acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 19 12 44 40 MI : 19 15 24 22 MN : 80 59 78 87 ND : 77 60 86 90 : 4 Sts : 61 45 67 71 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States harvested 84% of last year's sugarbeets acreage. Soybeans: Percent Dropping Leaves, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 82 67 88 89 IL : 96 91 100 100 IN : 97 95 99 99 IA : 97 94 100 100 KS : 90 88 95 96 KY : 97 91 99 98 LA : 99 96 100 97 MI : 100 97 100 99 MN : 100 100 100 100 MS : 98 92 100 100 MO : 80 69 94 96 NE : 99 97 100 100 NC : 66 56 75 73 ND : 100 100 100 100 OH : 100 100 100 100 SD : 100 100 100 100 TN : 96 90 99 95 WI : 100 97 100 99 : 18 Sts: 95 91 98 98 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Soybeans: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 44 29 62 61 IL : 63 45 91 83 IN : 74 55 78 72 IA : 80 68 75 89 KS : 53 46 51 54 KY : 48 31 63 47 LA : 89 80 92 85 MI : 74 42 59 62 MN : 83 67 85 88 MS : 85 77 92 94 MO : 27 20 54 52 NE : 74 62 57 79 NC : 8 5 15 11 ND : 70 60 78 88 OH : 81 54 80 67 SD : 76 56 67 83 TN : 46 34 61 52 WI : 63 38 50 64 : 18 Sts: 67 51 72 74 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States harvested 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 18 8 31 33 CA : 16 15 19 12 CO : 99 97 99 99 ID : 88 82 90 90 IL : 52 25 85 71 IN : 70 47 80 69 KS : 81 79 80 85 MI : 85 54 83 80 MO : 28 18 50 49 MT : 96 93 95 96 NE : 96 92 99 98 NC : 18 6 8 16 OH : 90 65 89 73 OK : 82 75 75 82 OR : 67 54 80 73 SD : 93 90 99 97 TX : 77 70 72 75 WA : 87 82 92 94 : 18 Sts: 79 73 79 81 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 8 3 11 13 CA : 2 0 2 4 CO : 87 74 78 86 ID : 41 31 48 46 IL : 22 6 40 32 IN : 31 8 47 29 KS : 67 51 52 60 MI : 41 15 50 42 MO : 12 6 27 25 MT : 71 56 70 65 NE : 86 77 87 88 NC : 6 1 0 5 OH : 47 18 55 35 OK : 64 49 46 63 OR : 10 5 49 38 SD : 71 62 81 74 TX : 59 46 42 51 WA : 62 60 70 73 : 18 Sts: 60 46 53 58 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 90% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Cotton: Percent Bolls Opening, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 96 93 97 96 AZ : 100 100 100 100 AR : 100 99 100 98 CA : 87 80 96 94 GA : 95 92 90 94 KS : 85 75 76 69 LA : 100 100 100 100 MS : 98 96 100 100 MO : 100 97 100 97 NC : 98 94 100 98 OK : 96 94 93 94 SC : 95 89 98 91 TN : 99 97 100 99 TX : 78 70 85 81 VA : 98 93 100 96 : 15 Sts: 88 83 92 89 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Cotton: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 39 27 48 43 AZ : 32 28 32 28 AR : 54 38 75 64 CA : 4 3 31 24 GA : 26 19 19 31 KS : 0 0 1 5 LA : 85 70 72 80 MS : 57 35 83 80 MO : 53 37 87 58 NC : 27 14 50 31 OK : 13 10 14 19 SC : 24 13 44 31 TN : 59 42 75 50 TX : 21 20 25 26 VA : 24 19 49 32 : 15 Sts: 32 25 41 38 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States harvested 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Rice: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 86 79 95 96 CA : 89 60 71 78 LA : 99 98 100 100 MS : 92 86 99 98 MO : 86 76 97 93 TX : 100 100 100 100 : 6 Sts : 90 79 92 93 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States harvested 100% of last year's rice acreage. Peanuts: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 45 37 42 57 FL : 73 65 66 74 GA : 56 44 40 58 NC : 61 31 72 64 OK : 29 18 46 32 SC : 63 44 64 59 TX : 31 25 33 28 VA : 38 35 76 55 : 8 Sts : 52 41 46 55 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States harvested 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Sorghum: Percent Coloring, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 100 100 100 CO : 100 100 100 99 IL : 100 100 100 100 KS : 99 95 100 99 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 99 97 100 100 NE : 100 99 100 100 NM : 77 76 100 87 OK : 86 81 98 97 SD : 100 100 100 100 TX : 94 90 100 96 : 11 Sts: 97 93 100 98 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 95% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Mature, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 100 100 100 CO : 95 88 95 81 IL : 83 75 99 98 KS : 70 56 91 82 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 80 73 91 95 NE : 63 60 99 97 NM : 30 25 52 38 OK : 42 39 68 74 SD : 79 74 100 98 TX : 81 77 98 84 : 11 Sts: 76 68 94 85 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 95% of last year's sorghum acreage. Sorghum: Percent Harvested, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2003- State:Oct 19,:Oct 12,:Oct 19,: 2007 : 2008 : 2008 : 2007 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 99 96 100 99 CO : 39 28 42 29 IL : 29 10 93 67 KS : 21 17 44 41 LA : 100 100 100 100 MO : 40 37 67 69 NE : 8 5 30 40 NM : 2 0 25 10 OK : 27 25 49 45 SD : 16 8 71 65 TX : 72 71 92 71 : 11 Sts: 46 43 67 57 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States harvested 96% of last year's sorghum acreage. Corn: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Oct 19, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 4 9 31 30 26 IL : 1 4 23 52 20 IN : 5 12 27 41 15 IA : 2 9 27 47 15 KS : 1 8 31 47 13 KY : 1 11 31 35 22 MI : 7 14 30 39 10 MN : 4 7 19 58 12 MO : 4 13 32 41 10 NE : 2 4 18 53 23 NC : 21 26 33 18 2 ND : 3 6 23 54 14 OH : 10 21 37 26 6 PA : 0 9 26 53 12 SD : 1 4 17 55 23 TN : 3 15 34 42 6 TX : 16 16 26 38 4 WI : 6 11 31 41 11 : 18 Sts : 4 9 25 47 15 : Prev Wk : 4 9 25 47 15 Prev Yr : NA NA NA NA NA -------------------------------------- Cotton: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Oct 19, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 2 10 37 44 7 AZ : 0 1 20 63 16 AR : 2 10 31 42 15 CA : 0 0 5 65 30 GA : 4 15 42 33 6 KS : 10 10 25 45 10 LA : 30 37 26 7 0 MS : 8 11 25 46 10 MO : 3 6 26 55 10 NC : 1 9 27 54 9 OK : 5 13 37 34 11 SC : 4 12 56 26 2 TN : 1 7 30 53 9 TX : 9 16 34 31 10 VA : 0 11 43 43 3 : 15 Sts : 7 13 32 38 10 : Prev Wk : 7 13 32 38 10 Prev Yr : 6 12 28 39 15 -------------------------------------- Peanuts: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Oct 19, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 1 1 23 56 19 FL : 0 0 27 62 11 GA : 2 8 30 45 15 NC : 0 3 27 57 13 OK : 0 2 17 76 5 SC : 0 3 33 56 8 TX : 1 2 27 63 7 VA : 0 9 38 46 7 : 8 Sts : 1 5 28 53 13 : Prev Wk : 1 3 26 55 15 Prev Yr : 6 14 30 42 8 -------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2007 planted acres. Sorghum: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Oct 19, 2008 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 9 43 35 12 CO : 12 27 33 23 5 IL : 0 2 10 62 26 KS : 1 7 27 53 12 LA : 0 11 44 42 3 MO : 2 8 36 46 8 NE : 1 3 19 52 25 NM : 0 17 39 37 7 OK : 2 13 29 52 4 SD : 1 5 24 53 17 TX : 5 14 36 40 5 : 11 Sts : 3 10 31 47 9 : Prev Wk : 3 11 31 45 10 Prev Yr : NA NA NA NA NA -------------------------------------- Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending Oct 19, 2008 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 2 18 34 41 5 :: NJ : 0 0 65 35 0 AZ : 6 23 33 26 12 :: NM : 3 11 34 42 10 AR : 0 2 27 60 11 :: NY : 0 8 33 48 11 CA : 80 15 5 0 0 :: NC : 5 23 23 42 7 CO : 8 20 40 27 5 :: ND : 21 30 25 19 5 CT : 5 3 47 40 5 :: OH : 17 26 29 25 3 DE : 7 29 52 11 1 :: OK : 2 7 34 48 9 FL : 1 5 40 50 4 :: OR : 14 27 40 18 1 GA : 10 23 44 22 1 :: PA : 14 16 42 23 5 ID : 1 26 44 29 0 :: RI : 0 30 30 40 0 IL : 1 8 25 58 8 :: SC : 2 16 44 38 0 IN : 13 24 38 21 4 :: SD : 1 10 30 46 13 IA : 3 13 34 41 9 :: TN : 15 31 37 16 1 KS : 3 9 28 53 7 :: TX : 11 23 35 27 4 KY : 42 35 19 4 0 :: UT : 8 17 27 39 9 LA : 5 12 48 33 2 :: VT : 0 20 54 26 0 ME : 1 5 26 67 1 :: VA : 6 16 39 36 3 MD : 2 15 31 47 5 :: WA : 16 29 35 19 1 MA : 0 0 3 97 0 :: WV : 11 36 39 14 0 MI : 10 19 37 30 4 :: WI : 9 16 49 25 1 MN : 3 16 36 41 4 :: WY : 3 11 42 38 6 MS : 8 9 39 40 4 :: : MO : 1 5 30 53 11 :: 48 Sts : 12 17 33 33 5 MT : 8 17 39 32 4 :: : NE : 3 12 28 49 8 :: Prev Wk: 13 17 32 33 5 NV : 29 43 25 3 0 :: Prev Yr: 17 18 28 31 6 NH : 0 6 53 31 10 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 Rice- Harvested Sorghum- Mature, Harvested, Condition Soybeans- Harvested Sugarbeets- Harvested Sunflowers- Harvested Winter Wheat- Planted, Emerged, Condition ACCESS TO REPORTS!! 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