We 1 (5-09) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released May 12, 2009, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For information on "Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin" call Julie Schmidt at (202) 720-7621, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. National Weather Summary May 3 - 9, 2009 Highlights: For the second week in a row, heavy rain fell along and near a slow-moving frontal boundary draped across the South and East. The first full week of May featured at least 4 inches of rain and widespread flooding in many locations from the southeastern Plains to the central and southern Appalachians. Wetness continued to disrupt summer crop planting as far north as the central and eastern Corn Belt, although there were some windows of planting opportunity across the northern and western Corn Belt. More than 2 inches of rain soaked southern Illinois and the southern half of Missouri, but less than an inch of rain fell in parts of the Great Lakes States and the upper Midwest. On the Plains, torrential rainfall was confined to southeastern portions of the region, while mostly dry weather prevailed across the majority of Texas and in the Red River (of the North) Valley. Wet conditions increased concerns about disease pressure in winter wheat on the southeastern Plains, while cool, damp conditions hampered fieldwork and the emergence of spring-sown small grains on the northern High Plains. Elsewhere, hot, dry weather promoted fieldwork and crop growth in southern California and the Southwest, while chilly, showery conditions affected the Northwest. Weekly temperatures ranged averaged more than 10 degrees Fahrenheit above normal in many locations from southern California to the Rio Grande Valley, but were at least 5 degrees Fahrenheit below normal in parts of the interior Northwest. Heavy showers and locally severe thunderstorms pounded the eastern Plains and the South for much of the week. Daily-record totals in excess of 3 inches were reported in several locations, including Crossville, Tennessee (3.16 inches on May 3), and Chanute, Kansas (3.69 inches on May 8). London, Kentucky (2.67 inches on May 3); Hattiesburg, Mississippi (2.98 inches on May 4); New Bern, North Carolina (2.63 inches on May 5); Vichy-Rolla, Missouri (2.69 inches on May 8); and Texarkana, Arkansas (2.47 inches on May 9), were among a multitude of observation sites noting daily-record amounts greater than 2 inches. Through May 9, month-to-date rainfall totals were as high as 8.57 inches in Decatur, Alabama; 8.32 inches in Pine Bluff, Arkansas; 6.97 inches in Jackson, Kentucky; 6.57 inches in Nashville, Tennessee; and 6.27 inches in Tupelo, Mississippi. In Alabama, Huntsville's May 1-6 total of 7.95 inches represented its wettest 6-day period since December 1991. Meanwhile, thunderstorms spawned more than 100 tornadoes nationwide during the week, with more than half occurring on May 3 and May 8. On the latter date, deadly tornadoes struck Dallas County, Missouri (one fatality), and Madison County, Kentucky (two fatalities). On May 9, severe weather affected the Northeast, where a tornado was observed in Washington, Orange County, Vermont. Since 1950, Vermont has had only one earlier confirmed tornado, which occurred on March 22, 1955. Elsewhere, unusually heavy May showers were observed in the West as far south as northern California, where daily-record amounts for May 4 included 1.74 inches in Eureka and 1.09 inches in Mt. Shasta City. Later, Seattle, Washington, netted consecutive daily-record totals (0.59 and 0.89 inch) on May 5-6. Other record-setting Northwestern amounts for May 6 totaled 1.01 inches in Olympia, Washington, and 0.98 inch in Astoria, Oregon. In contrast, the streak without measurable rainfall reached 55 days (March 16 - May 9) in Brownsville, Texas. In Florida, November 1 - April 30 rainfall totals were the lowest on record in locations such as Daytona Beach (6.37 inches, or 35 percent of normal) and Winter Haven (7.24 inches, or 48 percent). Scattered daily-record lows were mostly confined to the Northwest. In Idaho, both Challis and Stanley posted daily-record lows of 16 degrees Fahrenheit on May 9. Elsewhere in the West, high winds fanned the destructive Jesusita fire near Montecito, Santa Barbara County, California. Although that fire charred less than 9,000 acres of vegetation, 78 homes and more than five dozen other buildings were reportedly destroyed by flames. In neighboring Ventura County, California, a northwesterly wind gust to 103 miles per hour was clocked at Lake Casitas on May 7. Also on May 7, the Santa Barbara Airport registered a monthly record-tying high of 101 degrees Fahrenheit (previously noted on May 26, 1968). Farther east, heat developed across the Nation's southern tier. On May 6, Del Rio, Texas (107 degrees Fahrenheit), recorded its earliest reading of 107 degrees Fahrenheit (previously, 107 degrees Fahrenheit on May 10, 2008). Elsewhere in Texas, highs reached 103 degrees Fahrenheit on May 8 in both Abilene and San Angelo. Other daily-record, triple-digit highs included 101 degrees Fahrenheit (on May 8) in Roswell, New Mexico, and 102 degrees Fahrenheit (on May 9) in Tucson, Arizona. Heat also expanded into Florida, where Orlando (96 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit) closed the week with consecutive daily-record highs on May 8-9. Hawaii experienced mostly dry weather and a return to near- to above-normal temperatures, following a protracted cool spell. In Lihue, Kauai, where warmer-than-normal weather arrived on May 8 and 9, an above-normal daily average temperature had last been observed on February 13. Mostly dry weather also prevailed in Alaska, accompanied by near- to above-normal temperatures. In fact, record-setting warmth lingered across Alaska early in the week, when daily-record highs for May 3 included 73 degrees Fahrenheit in King Salmon and 67 degrees Fahrenheit in Anchorage. Dryness continued to expand across southeastern Alaska, where Yakutat's April 1 - May 9 precipitation totaled just 4.17 inches (30 percent of normal). National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary May 4 - 10, 2009 Highlights: A stalled low pressure disturbance brought strong thunderstorms to the southern Great Plains, Delta, and most of the Southeast and Atlantic Coast States during the week, leaving total precipitation accumulations between 400 and 800 percent of normal in numerous areas. Strong winds, hail, flooding, and several tornados stemming from these storms damaged crops and eroded soils throughout the area. Conversely, the Great Basin, Southwest, and most of Texas and Florida were dry, compounding existing abnormally dry conditions. Temperatures across most of the United States were above average. Elsewhere, from the Pacific Northwest eastward through the Upper Mississippi Valley and in the southern Great Plains, temperatures were cooler than normal, falling to as many as 6 degrees below average in Washington and Idaho. Corn: Nationally, 48 percent of this year's corn acreage was planted by week's end, on par with last year's pace but 23 points, or more than a week, behind the 5-year average. Producers in Iowa continued to plant at a rapid pace, despite much of the State receiving rainfall again this week. With fieldwork in full swing under favorable conditions, the most progress was made in Nebraska and Wisconsin, where 26 percent of the crop was planted during the week. Progress in Illinois, at just 10 percent complete, remained over a week behind the previous year and more than 3 weeks behind the average. Emergence was evident in 14 percent of the Nation's crop, compared with 10 percent last year and 28 percent for the average. Development was behind the 5-year average pace in all States except Iowa and Nebraska. Soybeans: By May 10, producers had planted 14 percent of their soybean acreage, up 3 points from last year but 11 points slower than the average pace. As producers continued to battle soggy fields and wet weather, planting in Illinois and North Dakota had yet to begin, and was over a week behind normal. Winter Wheat: Forty percent of the winter wheat crop was at or beyond the heading stage by week's end, 6 points ahead of 2008 but 8 points behind the 5-year average. While maturation neared completion in Arkansas and California, the most development occurred in Kansas, where 29 percent of the crop put on heads during the week. Overall, 46 percent of the crop was rated in good to excellent condition, compared with 47 percent last week and a year ago. Cotton: Nationwide, producers had planted 32 percent of their cotton crop, 2 points behind last year and 7 points below the 5-year average. The most significant increase in progress was seen in Louisiana, where producers planted 22 percent of their acreage during the week. In Texas, the largest cotton-producing State, improved soil moisture conditions in the Plains had planting well under way, leaving progress on par with last year's pace but lagging normal by 2 points. Sorghum: Producers planted just 1 percent of the Nation's sorghum during the week, leaving progress at 31 percent complete, 3 points behind last year and 2 points behind the 5-year average. Producers in Arkansas and Louisiana made a strong push in planting during the week, getting 27 and 25 percent of the crop in the ground, respectively. However, progress in both States remained behind normal. Rice: Sixty-nine percent of this year's rice acreage was seeded by May 10, lagging last year's progress by 4 points and 11 points slower than normal. Producers in California made the most progress during the week, seeding 12 percent of their acreage as weather conditions permitted. Nationally, 51 percent of the crop had emerged, 4 points ahead of last year but 9 points behind the average. Small Grains: Nationally, 35 percent of the spring wheat crop was seeded by week's end, 42 points, or more than a week, behind last year and 43 points, or more than 2 weeks, behind the 5-year average. The most progress was made in South Dakota, where 24 percent of their acreage was seeded during the week. Overall, emergence, at 13 percent, was 11 points behind last year and 25 points behind the average. The most maturation was evident in Idaho's crop, where warmer temperatures during the week aided crop development. Thirty-three percent of the Nation's barley acreage was sown by May 10, compared to 73 percent in 2008 and 74 percent for the 5-year average. Progress remained behind last year and average in all States. Emergence was reported at 12 percent complete, 12 points below last year and 22 points, or more than a week, behind normal. Producers had sown 80 percent of the 2009 oat acreage, on par with the previous year but down 9 points from the 5-year average. The most progress was made in South Dakota and Minnesota, where 28 and 19 percent of the crop was sown during the week, respectively. Emergence was evident in 60 percent of the crop, compared with 50 percent in 2008 and 65 percent for the average. The most crop development during the week was apparent in Ohio, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Overall, 45 percent of the crop was rated in good to excellent condition. Other Crops: Peanut producers had planted 22 percent of this year's crop, 3 points behind last year but equaling the 5-year average. In Georgia, the largest peanut-producing State, producers battled unfavorable soil moisture conditions, leaving progress 5 points behind the pace in 2008 and 4 points behind the average. Nationally, 57 percent of the sugarbeet crop was planted by week's end, compared with 78 percent last year and 88 percent for the average. Producers in North Dakota planted 27 percent of their crop during the week. However, progress lagged the previous year and 5-year average by more than a week. In Idaho, planting neared completion on par with last year's pace, but just slightly behind normal. Corn: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 44 22 53 49 IL : 10 5 55 84 IN : 11 5 57 70 IA : 81 60 42 76 KS : 48 32 62 76 KY : 39 35 67 83 MI : 18 5 66 62 MN : 81 59 29 69 MO : 39 31 32 75 NE : 78 52 52 70 NC : 95 89 94 96 ND : 7 0 49 57 OH : 22 13 47 68 PA : 29 22 48 55 SD : 29 11 25 50 TN : 75 74 84 92 TX : 80 75 83 89 WI : 43 17 25 54 : 18 Sts: 48 33 48 71 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 8 6 11 10 IL : 3 0 10 49 IN : 2 0 17 29 IA : 24 2 2 23 KS : 19 5 20 37 KY : 27 12 37 61 MI : 0 0 10 11 MN : 11 1 0 13 MO : 21 6 14 57 NE : 19 3 4 19 NC : 75 53 63 79 ND : 0 0 1 6 OH : 9 1 12 21 PA : 13 4 11 14 SD : 2 1 1 6 TN : 55 27 47 75 TX : 69 68 67 70 WI : 3 0 0 6 : 18 Sts: 14 5 10 28 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 66 63 66 85 CA : 50 38 63 44 LA : 92 87 95 93 MS : 73 71 80 90 MO : 53 50 65 82 TX : 96 95 99 95 : 6 Sts : 69 64 73 80 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 100% of last year's rice acreage. Rice: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 49 30 39 65 CA : 15 5 18 12 LA : 83 71 89 85 MS : 60 33 65 77 MO : 39 17 22 53 TX : 93 89 92 89 : 6 Sts : 51 35 47 60 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 100% of last year's rice acreage. Soybeans: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 25 23 22 36 IL : 0 0 6 28 IN : 2 0 17 31 IA : 21 6 3 26 KS : 4 0 4 12 KY : 2 1 8 15 LA : 58 42 63 59 MI : 5 1 29 28 MN : 28 7 3 23 MS : 67 62 64 82 MO : 5 2 5 19 NE : 29 7 6 17 NC : 12 6 9 13 ND : 0 0 10 16 OH : 13 4 19 37 SD : 7 0 2 8 TN : 5 4 8 15 WI : 8 2 5 18 : 18 Sts: 14 6 11 25 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 98 82 94 97 CA : 98 96 99 98 CO : 10 6 13 18 ID : 0 0 0 0 IL : 21 6 15 53 IN : 15 0 11 25 KS : 32 3 17 49 MI : 0 0 0 0 MO : 33 13 31 61 MT : 0 0 0 0 NE : 0 0 0 5 NC : 92 79 96 91 OH : 2 1 1 3 OK : 94 75 86 94 OR : 4 3 1 7 SD : 0 0 0 0 TX : 74 66 69 78 WA : 1 0 3 9 : 18 Sts: 40 27 34 48 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 87% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 30 13 57 60 AZ : 70 60 68 78 AR : 32 25 50 57 CA : 90 85 99 94 GA : 22 10 30 31 KS : 0 0 0 2 LA : 80 58 77 73 MS : 45 41 20 60 MO : 26 17 48 62 NC : 45 32 31 48 OK : 4 0 10 17 SC : 33 13 26 35 TN : 6 5 14 29 TX : 27 22 27 29 VA : 40 24 36 59 : 15 Sts: 32 24 34 39 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 74 47 57 77 CO : 5 4 6 11 IL : 0 0 0 16 KS : 0 0 4 6 LA : 77 52 90 86 MO : 3 2 10 26 NE : 7 2 1 6 NM : 8 7 4 2 OK : 8 7 18 24 SD : 4 0 2 6 TX : 64 63 68 61 : 11 Sts: 31 30 34 33 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 96% of last year's sorghum acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 85 67 83 87 MN : 24 16 60 76 MT : 48 35 81 77 ND : 13 3 78 74 SD : 85 61 84 93 WA : 85 78 89 96 : 6 Sts : 35 23 77 78 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 54 31 44 56 MN : 11 4 8 30 MT : 8 2 22 29 ND : 1 0 21 32 SD : 41 24 38 68 WA : 62 46 60 74 : 6 Sts : 13 7 24 38 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 69 54 70 78 MN : 30 19 57 71 MT : 40 30 78 80 ND : 11 2 71 68 WA : 78 57 82 92 : 5 Sts : 33 22 73 74 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 81% of last year's barley acreage. Barley: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 37 26 35 44 MN : 14 4 5 23 MT : 9 2 28 37 ND : 0 0 15 25 WA : 42 20 54 67 : 5 Sts : 12 6 24 34 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 81% of last year's barley acreage. Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 98 96 78 95 MN : 81 62 60 81 NE : 99 95 93 97 ND : 19 3 78 73 OH : 91 79 87 91 PA : 89 80 95 90 SD : 74 46 82 90 TX : 100 100 100 100 WI : 89 74 45 82 : 9 Sts : 80 69 80 89 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 9 States planted 65% of last year's oat acreage. Oats: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 73 55 30 75 MN : 47 21 14 47 NE : 95 68 62 80 ND : 2 0 21 29 OH : 61 26 58 64 PA : 56 38 59 50 SD : 31 16 37 59 TX : 100 100 100 100 WI : 58 31 19 49 : 9 Sts : 60 47 50 65 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 9 States planted 65% of last year's oat acreage. Peanuts: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 22 9 21 22 FL : 36 26 39 23 GA : 13 5 18 17 NC : 32 11 22 22 OK : 29 10 33 29 SC : 10 5 22 32 TX : 37 21 43 33 VA : 22 0 15 25 : 8 Sts : 22 11 25 22 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 10,:May 3, :May 10,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 98 96 98 99 MI : 91 88 98 98 MN : 46 20 66 83 ND : 31 4 79 85 : 4 Sts : 57 37 78 88 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States planted 84% of last year's sugarbeet acreage. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States Week Ending May 10, 2009 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 10 33 49 7 CA : 0 0 10 30 60 CO : 1 7 20 52 20 ID : 0 0 7 79 14 IL : 1 5 28 57 9 IN : 1 2 18 57 22 KS : 3 9 37 43 8 MI : 1 6 25 51 17 MO : 1 8 40 44 7 MT : 1 4 27 53 15 NE : 0 3 22 63 12 NC : 0 3 24 60 13 OH : 1 5 24 50 20 OK : 32 32 27 9 0 OR : 1 11 39 41 8 SD : 3 9 35 46 7 TX : 53 24 13 10 0 WA : 7 10 33 42 8 : 18 Sts : 14 13 27 37 9 : Prev Wk : 14 13 26 38 9 Prev Yr : 8 13 32 38 9 -------------------------------------- Oats: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending May 10, 2009 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 1 4 26 55 14 MN : 1 2 32 54 11 NE : 0 6 9 80 5 ND : 0 0 100 0 0 OH : 1 1 31 50 17 PA : 0 0 29 58 13 SD : 0 2 22 69 7 TX : 42 21 28 9 0 WI : 0 1 15 66 18 : 9 Sts : 12 7 36 38 7 : Prev Wk : NA NA NA NA NA 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 2008 planted acres. Pasture and Range: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending May 10, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 0 0 19 70 11 :: NJ : 0 0 5 75 20 AZ : 25 24 29 17 5 :: NM : 15 46 34 5 0 AR : 1 2 28 55 14 :: NY : 0 4 24 64 8 CA : 5 55 30 10 0 :: NC : 1 2 27 61 9 CO : 5 20 48 25 2 :: ND : 3 13 40 42 2 CT : 0 2 7 84 7 :: OH : 1 3 32 53 11 DE : 2 4 17 73 4 :: OK : 3 9 35 48 5 FL : 20 39 30 10 1 :: OR : 2 8 25 54 11 GA : 1 6 33 54 6 :: PA : 1 5 19 56 19 ID : 0 0 10 40 50 :: RI : 0 1 13 82 4 IL : 0 3 14 63 20 :: SC : 0 4 32 62 2 IN : 2 3 21 57 17 :: SD : 0 8 29 56 7 IA : 1 6 30 50 13 :: TN : 1 5 18 56 20 KS : 2 6 29 52 11 :: TX : 21 20 27 23 9 KY : 2 6 25 56 11 :: UT : 3 6 37 49 5 LA : 1 5 30 58 6 :: VT : 0 0 8 77 15 ME : 0 1 25 65 9 :: VA : 0 3 21 60 16 MD : 0 2 11 62 25 :: WA : 4 8 48 36 4 MA : 0 0 19 81 0 :: WV : 1 7 54 32 6 MI : 3 5 32 41 19 :: WI : 2 9 26 54 9 MN : 4 6 35 48 7 :: WY : 0 8 23 59 10 MS : 1 5 20 62 12 :: : MO : 0 4 33 56 7 :: 48 Sts : 5 13 29 43 10 MT : 1 9 43 37 10 :: : NE : 0 4 25 63 8 :: Prev Wk: 5 15 32 40 8 NV : 2 12 38 38 10 :: Prev Yr: 8 13 31 40 8 NH : 11 6 32 35 16 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- VP-Very Poor, P-Poor, F-Fair, G-Good, EX-Excellent. National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2008 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, Friday, 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 - Planted, Emerged Corn - Planted, Emerged Cotton - Planted Oats - Planted, Emerged, Headed, Condition Pasture & Range - Condition Peanuts - Planted Rice - Planted, Emerged, Condition Sorghum - Planted Soybeans - Planted, Emerged Spring Wheat - Planted, Emerged Sugarbeets - Planted Sunflowers - Planted Winter Wheat - Headed, Condition 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. For free 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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