We 1 (5-09) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin National Agricultural Statistics Service USDA Washington, D.C. Released May 19, 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 10 - 16, 2009 Highlights: A pair of cold fronts produced heavy rain in a similar area along and east of a line from Texas into the Great Lakes region. Weekly rainfall totaled at least 4 inches in the Corn Belt from northern Missouri into Indiana, triggering lowland flooding and maintaining a sluggish pace of corn and soybean planting in the heart of the Midwest. Meanwhile, only light rain fell across the upper Midwest, although cool weather continued to hamper summer crop emergence and development. Locally heavy showers also disrupted fieldwork across the South, although warmth promoted crop emergence and growth. Rainfall was especially heavy in the Delta, totaling 2 to 4 inches in most locations. As the week progressed, showers increased in coverage and intensity across Florida's drought-stricken peninsula, reducing irrigation demands. Farther west, late-season cold snaps held weekly temperatures as much as 10 degrees F below normal on the northern Plains and resulted in freezes (on May 14 and 16) as far south as central Nebraska. The northern Plains' cool weather limited the emergence of recently planted summer crops. In contrast, heavy rain continued to pelt the southeastern Plains, where weekly totals topped 4 inches in much of south-central and southeastern Oklahoma. Elsewhere, cool, showery conditions in the Northwest were followed by a late-week warming trend, while hot, dry weather promoted fieldwork and crop development in California and the Southwest. Weekly temperatures averaged at least 10 degrees F above normal in portions of southern California and the Desert Southwest. Early in the week, hot weather across the South contrasted with chilly conditions farther north. In Florida, Orlando posted four consecutive daily- record highs (96, 95, 97, and 95 degrees F) from May 8-11. Farther west, record highs for May 10 included 98 degrees F in El Paso, TX, and 97 degrees F in Douglas, AZ. Meanwhile, daily-record lows for May 10 dipped to 25 degrees F in Gaylord, MI, and 26 degrees F in Sheridan, WY. Across the south-central U.S., heat peaked on May 13, when Childress posted a daily- record high of 100 degrees F. In contrast, two significant surges of cold air arrived in the Northwest before covering most areas east of the Rockies. Some snow accompanied the chill across the nation's northern tier, where daily-record amounts included 1.3 inches (on May 13) in Great Falls, MT, and 0.3 inch (on May 16) in International Falls, MN. Daily-record lows were established on May 13 and 15 in locations such as McCall, ID (18 and 25 degrees F, respectively), and Meacham, OR (25 and 27 degrees F). Other Northwestern records for May 13 included 28 degrees F in Omak, WA, and 33 degrees F in Pendleton, OR. Pendleton's latest freeze on record occurred on May 21, 1934, with of low of 31 degrees F. At week's end, unusually cold conditions shifted into the northern Plains, while warmth expanded across the West. In California, record highs for May 16 soared to 109 degrees F in Needles and 105 degrees F in Paso Robles. Farther east, however, lows for May 16 plunged to daily-record levels in Williston, ND (21 degrees F); Rapid City, SD (24 degrees F); Casper, WY (25 degrees F); and Chadron, NE (26 degrees F). Rain finally developed in southern portions of Texas and Florida, following protracted dry spells. On May 16, a 60-day spell (March 17 - May 15) without measurable precipitation ended in Brownsville, TX. Brownsville's May 16-17 sum of 1.34 inches easily exceeded its January 1 - May 15 total of 0.69 inch (11 percent of normal). Prior to May 17, the last time daily rainfall exceeded an inch in Brownsville was November 13, 2008, when 2.76 inches fell. Farther east, Naples, FL, received rainfall totaling just 2.31 inches (18 percent of normal) from November 1 - May 12, but netted 2.54 inches from May 13-18. The NWS declared that southern Florida's rainy season began on May 11, nine days earlier than the median date. Meanwhile, wet conditions persisted through May 16 in Tulsa, OK, where at least of rain fell on 22 consecutive days (April 25 - May 16). Tulsa's wet spell, which resulted in 8.42 inches of rain, easily surpassed its April-May 1957 standard of 19 days. In addition, a large severe-weather outbreak struck areas from the southeastern Plains into the Midwest on May 13. Among the day's nearly three dozen tornadoes, according to preliminary reports, were deadly storms that struck Missouri's Sullivan and Adair Counties, resulting in three fatalities. Meanwhile in Arkansas, May rainfall records were already broken by the 13th in locations such as Murfreesboro (15.78 inches), Leola (13.78 inches), Fordyce (13.64 inches), and Clarendon (11.73 inches). In Murfreesboro, the former May record of 11.99 inches had stood since 1920. Elsewhere in Arkansas, El Dorado netted consecutive daily-record totals (1.21 and 2.42 inches, respectively) on May 10 and 11, boosting its month-to-date rainfall to 9.61 inches (347 percent of normal). Farther north, Midwestern daily records included 2.21 inches (on May 13) in Springfield, IL, and 2.26 inches (on May 15) in Ottumwa, IA. Toward week's end, however, favorably drier weather arrived across the Midwest, while showers shifted into the South and East. Daily-record totals for May 16 reached 2.01 inches in Abilene, TX, and 1.03 inches in Burlington, VT. Drier weather also overspread the Northwest, but not before May 1-14 rainfall records were broken in Washington locations such as Seattle (3.04 inches; previously, 2.36 inches in 1896) and Olympia (4.28 inches; previously, 3.91 inches in 1948). Mostly dry weather prevailed in Alaska, although warm weather across southwestern areas contrasted with below-normal temperatures in eastern parts of the state. King Salmon posted consecutive daily-record highs (70 and 69 degrees F, respectively) on May 13-14, followed by a daily-record low (34 degrees F) in Valdez on May 16. Meanwhile in Fairbanks, April 1 - May 16 precipitation totaled just 0.14 inch (33 percent of normal). Farther south, dry weather also continued in Hawaii. During the first 16 days of May, no measurable rain fell in Kahului, Maui (0.46 inch below normal); Honolulu, Oahu (0.48 inch below normal); and Lihue, Kauai (1.60 inches below normal). During the same 16-day period, only 0.29 inch (6 percent of normal) fell in Hilo, on the Big Island. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary May 11 - 17, 2009 Highlights: With the exception of areas in the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountains, where some locales received nearly 3 inches of precipitation, much of the western half of the United States was dry during the past week, affording producers more days suitable for completing fieldwork. In contrast, rain continued to fall in most areas eastward from the Great Plains to the Atlantic Coast as severe thunderstorms erupted mid-week, bringing damaging winds, hail, flooding, and isolated tornadic activity to some locations. Temperatures across the northern tier of the country and dipping into Oklahoma and Arkansas were cooler than normal and fell to as many as 10 degrees below average in Montana. Elsewhere, above average temperatures aided crop development and helped to dry previously soggy fields. Corn: Sixty-two percent of the Nation's corn crop was planted by May 17, eight points slower than the previous year and 23 points, or more than a week, behind the 5-year average pace. Planting progress was behind the average in all States expect Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and North Carolina. In Illinois and Indiana, the second and fifth largest corn-producing States, progress was further delayed by wet weather late in the week, falling to over 4 weeks and 3 weeks behind normal, respectively. The most rapid progress was made in South Dakota, where producers planted 34 percent of their acreage during the week. Emergence advanced to 30 percent complete, 6 points ahead of last year, but 19 points behind normal. The most development was seen in the western Corn Belt, progressing 30 points in Iowa, 29 points in Minnesota, and 27 points in Nebraska in the past week. Soybeans: Nationally, 25 percent of this year's soybean acreage was planted by week's end, on par with the pace in 2008, but 19 points, or 1 week, slower than the 5-year average. Planting advanced 33 points in Nebraska, where warm conditions favored fieldwork and producers shifted their attention from corn to soybeans during the week. Winter Wheat: The winter wheat crop was at or beyond the heading stage on 56 percent of this year's acreage, compared with 47 percent last year and 60 percent for the 5-year average. Heading was complete in Arkansas, slightly ahead of last year's and the normal pace. While heading neared completion in California, North Carolina, and Oklahoma, the crop had yet to begin to mature in Idaho, Michigan, Montana, or South Dakota. Crop development in Kansas, the largest winter wheat-producing State, was supported by favorable growing conditions. Nationwide, 48 percent of the winter wheat crop was rated in good to excellent condition, compared to 46 percent a week ago, and 45 percent a year ago. Cotton: By week's end, cotton producers had planted 42 percent of this year's crop, 4 points slower than last year and 11 points behind the 5-year average. The most progress was made in Virginia, where producers utilized an increased number of days suitable for fieldwork to plant 22 percent of their acreage during the week. Significant progress was also made in Georgia, Alabama, and North Carolina; however, planting remained behind last year and the average in all 3 States. Sorghum: Thirty-eight percent of the 2009 sorghum crop was planted by May 17, on par with last year's pace, but slightly behind the average. Producers in Illinois had yet to begin planting their crop, leaving progress over 4 weeks behind normal. In Kansas, the largest sorghum-producing State, planting was underway, but with just 5 percent of the crop in the ground compared with 9 percent in 2008 and 13 percent for the 5-year average. Rice: Producers had sown 76 percent of their rice acreage, 7 points below last year and 11 points behind normal. In Texas and Louisiana, seeding progress neared completion, but was slightly slower than the previous year's and average pace. Field preparation and seeding were in full swing in California, where 29 percent of this year's acreage was sown during the week. Emergence, at 58 percent complete, was 4 points behind last year and 14 points, or more than a week, behind the 5-year average. Development was most rapid in Mississippi, where 12 percent of the crop emerged during the week. Overall, 54 percent of the 2009 rice crop was rated in good to excellent condition, compared to 65 percent a year ago. Small Grains: Spring wheat seeding advanced to 50 percent complete, 42 points behind last year and 40 points, or over 2 weeks behind normal. Seeding was nearing completion in Washington, South Dakota, and Idaho. Many producers in North Dakota, the largest spring wheat-producing State, took advantage of drier conditions and seeded 18 percent of their acreage during the week; however, progress remained over 2 weeks behind normal. Overall, emergence was evident in 21 percent of the crop, compared to 50 percent a year ago and 59 percent for the 5-year average. The most development was seen in South Dakota, where 22 percent of the crop matured during the week. By May 17, barley producers had sown 50 percent of the Nation's acreage, 39 points slower than last year's pace and 37 points, or more than 2 weeks, behind the 5-year average. Seeding was most advanced in the northwestern States of Washington and Idaho, where producers took advantage of nearly a week of days suitable for fieldwork. Much seeding was done in the past week in North Dakota and Montana, the 2 largest barley-producing States, but progress remained over 2 weeks behind in both States. Emergence reached 20 percent complete in the United States crop by week's end, 26 points behind last year and 34 points behind normal. Nationally, producers had sown 88 percent of the 2009 oat acreage, compared with 92 percent last year and 95 percent for the 5-year average. With seeding complete in Nebraska and Texas and nearing completion in Corn Belt and Ohio Valley, producers in North Dakota took advantage of favorable conditions and seeded 30 percent of their acreage during the week. Emergence advanced to 71 percent complete, 4 points ahead of the previous year, but 8 points behind normal. Overall, 46 percent of the crop was rated in good to excellent condition, compared to 45 percent a week ago and 57 percent a year ago. In Texas, the largest oat-producing State, the majority of the oat crop is in very poor or poor condition, with some freeze damaged acreage being baled for hay. Other Crops: By week's end, peanut producers had planted 42 percent of their 2009 crop, 5 points behind last year and 1 point behind the 5-year average. Significant progress was made in all States except Oklahoma and Florida where unfavorably wet weather in the peanut-producing areas halted or slowed fieldwork. Sixty-four percent of this year's sugarbeet crop was planted, compared to 94 percent last year and 96 percent for the 5-year average. Progress neared completion in Idaho and Michigan, while producers in Minnesota and North Dakota continued to battle soggy fields causing planting to fall over 2 weeks behind normal. Producers across the Nation had planted 2 percent of their sunflower crop by May 17, ten points slower than last year and 9 points slower than the average. In North Dakota, the largest sunflower-producing State, just 1 percent of the crop was planted, well behind the pace in 2008 and normal. Corn: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 63 44 78 74 IL : 20 10 73 92 IN : 24 11 67 83 IA : 90 81 73 90 KS : 73 48 84 90 KY : 45 39 72 89 MI : 41 18 82 77 MN : 90 81 62 85 MO : 54 39 52 84 NE : 93 78 79 88 NC : 100 95 97 98 ND : 23 7 76 75 OH : 39 22 52 82 PA : 48 29 56 69 SD : 63 29 51 71 TN : 79 75 89 95 TX : 94 80 93 95 WI : 62 43 52 72 : 18 Sts: 62 48 70 85 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Corn: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 23 8 26 27 IL : 7 3 31 71 IN : 8 2 33 52 IA : 54 24 16 50 KS : 37 19 38 57 KY : 37 27 52 73 MI : 6 0 31 32 MN : 40 11 3 36 MO : 35 21 25 68 NE : 46 19 22 46 NC : 90 75 89 92 ND : 0 0 8 21 OH : 18 9 26 46 PA : 23 13 26 31 SD : 10 2 4 21 TN : 68 55 66 86 TX : 75 69 78 79 WI : 14 3 6 21 : 18 Sts: 30 14 24 49 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 92% of last year's corn acreage. Rice: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 68 66 74 90 CA : 79 50 86 64 LA : 95 92 98 96 MS : 79 73 83 94 MO : 57 53 83 92 TX : 97 96 99 98 : 6 Sts : 76 69 83 87 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 100% of last year's rice acreage. Rice: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 56 49 53 77 CA : 25 15 45 27 LA : 87 83 93 91 MS : 72 60 74 88 MO : 48 39 53 74 TX : 94 93 95 93 : 6 Sts : 58 51 62 72 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 100% of last year's rice acreage. Soybeans: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 26 25 29 48 IL : 1 0 14 50 IN : 6 2 22 49 IA : 41 21 30 52 KS : 15 4 19 27 KY : 3 2 12 27 LA : 72 58 70 68 MI : 15 5 48 46 MN : 52 28 22 46 MS : 73 67 73 89 MO : 9 5 11 33 NE : 62 29 23 41 NC : 23 12 19 23 ND : 3 0 48 38 OH : 17 13 21 57 SD : 19 7 16 23 TN : 7 5 16 28 WI : 22 8 20 34 : 18 Sts: 25 14 25 44 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 95% of last year's soybean acreage. Winter Wheat: Percent Headed, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 100 98 99 99 CA : 99 98 99 99 CO : 24 10 24 36 ID : 0 0 0 2 IL : 61 21 41 77 IN : 39 15 33 51 KS : 67 32 42 74 MI : 0 0 0 1 MO : 70 33 54 80 MT : 0 0 0 0 NE : 2 0 1 20 NC : 98 92 98 96 OH : 10 2 4 15 OK : 98 94 96 98 OR : 9 4 4 17 SD : 0 0 0 2 TX : 90 74 83 90 WA : 11 1 6 16 : 18 Sts: 56 40 47 60 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 18 States planted 87% of last year's winter wheat acreage. Cotton: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 47 30 74 76 AZ : 85 70 79 86 AR : 39 32 65 76 CA : 92 90 99 98 GA : 40 22 47 49 KS : 2 0 4 10 LA : 86 80 87 87 MS : 52 45 35 75 MO : 29 26 74 79 NC : 62 45 65 75 OK : 7 4 33 35 SC : 38 33 52 60 TN : 10 6 23 55 TX : 37 27 35 39 VA : 62 40 49 77 : 15 Sts: 42 32 46 53 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 15 States planted 99% of last year's cotton acreage. Sorghum: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 76 74 70 85 CO : 8 5 10 18 IL : 0 0 1 28 KS : 5 0 9 13 LA : 93 77 94 90 MO : 9 3 19 39 NE : 24 7 16 21 NM : 13 8 9 8 OK : 10 8 23 30 SD : 14 4 14 16 TX : 73 64 69 64 : 11 Sts: 38 31 38 39 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 11 States planted 96% of last year's sorghum acreage. Spring Wheat: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 93 85 92 93 MN : 34 24 88 90 MT : 69 48 92 90 ND : 31 13 92 87 SD : 94 85 95 97 WA : 96 85 97 99 : 6 Sts : 50 35 92 90 -------------------------------------- 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 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 67 54 64 71 MN : 18 11 35 54 MT : 21 8 48 50 ND : 5 1 46 54 SD : 63 41 73 87 WA : 77 62 78 85 : 6 Sts : 21 13 50 59 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 6 States planted 98% of last year's spring wheat acreage. Barley: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 84 69 82 86 MN : 31 30 81 86 MT : 61 40 92 91 ND : 28 11 90 85 WA : 88 78 95 97 : 5 Sts : 50 33 89 87 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 81% of last year's barley acreage. Barley: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 52 37 55 61 MN : 19 14 21 46 MT : 19 9 48 58 ND : 4 0 41 48 WA : 57 42 72 78 : 5 Sts : 20 12 46 54 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 5 States planted 81% of last year's barley acreage. Oats: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 99 98 91 98 MN : 83 81 81 92 NE : 100 99 97 99 ND : 49 19 91 87 OH : 94 91 98 98 PA : 96 89 97 95 SD : 87 74 92 96 TX : 100 100 100 100 WI : 95 89 78 93 : 9 Sts : 88 80 92 95 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 9 States planted 65% of last year's oat acreage. Oats: Percent Emerged, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 88 73 54 87 MN : 66 47 37 67 NE : 100 95 87 94 ND : 9 2 44 53 OH : 70 61 83 83 PA : 76 56 85 70 SD : 56 31 64 80 TX : 100 100 100 100 WI : 77 58 39 68 : 9 Sts : 71 60 67 79 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 9 States planted 65% of last year's oat acreage. Peanuts: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : AL : 42 22 34 45 FL : 40 36 59 40 GA : 34 13 41 37 NC : 61 32 52 49 OK : 29 29 50 49 SC : 21 10 45 53 TX : 65 37 67 56 VA : 54 22 23 49 : 8 Sts : 42 22 47 43 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 8 States planted 98% of last year's peanut acreage. Sugarbeets: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : ID : 99 98 100 100 MI : 96 91 100 100 MN : 55 46 90 93 ND : 39 31 95 95 : 4 Sts : 64 57 94 96 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States planted 84% of last year's sugarbeet acreage. Sunflower: Percent Planted, Selected States 1/ -------------------------------------- : Week Ending : :-----------------------: 2004- State:May 17,:May 10,:May 17,: 2008 : 2009 : 2009 : 2008 : Avg. -------------------------------------- : Percent : CO : 9 NA 13 8 KS : 2 NA 2 6 ND : 1 NA 19 16 SD : 2 NA 3 5 : 4 Sts : 2 NA 12 11 -------------------------------------- 1/ These 4 States planted 85% of last year's sunflower acreage. Winter Wheat: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States Week Ending May 17, 2009 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 3 14 34 43 6 CA : 0 0 10 30 60 CO : 1 7 20 47 25 ID : 0 0 6 79 15 IL : 0 6 36 49 9 IN : 1 3 19 58 19 KS : 4 10 32 44 10 MI : 2 5 25 49 19 MO : 1 7 35 48 9 MT : 3 5 29 47 16 NE : 0 2 21 64 13 NC : 1 4 25 58 12 OH : 1 4 24 51 20 OK : 31 32 28 8 1 OR : 1 20 35 40 4 SD : 4 9 27 51 9 TX : 50 23 16 11 0 WA : 6 10 36 40 8 : 18 Sts : 13 13 26 38 10 : Prev Wk : 14 13 27 37 9 Prev Yr : 9 15 31 36 9 -------------------------------------- Oats: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending May 17, 2009 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : IA : 0 3 22 57 18 MN : 1 1 32 56 10 NE : 0 1 8 82 9 ND : 0 0 100 0 0 OH : 1 1 30 46 22 PA : 0 1 19 65 15 SD : 0 1 21 70 8 TX : 44 21 25 10 0 WI : 0 1 12 67 20 : 9 Sts : 13 7 34 38 8 : Prev Wk : 12 7 36 38 7 Prev Yr : 3 6 34 49 8 -------------------------------------- Rice: Crop Condition by Percent, Selected States, Week Ending May 17, 2009 -------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX -------------------------------------- : Percent : AR : 1 15 41 37 6 CA : 0 5 10 60 25 LA : 0 4 37 53 6 MS : 0 1 42 57 0 MO : 1 5 46 44 4 TX : 1 5 53 25 16 : 6 Sts : 1 9 36 45 9 : Prev Wk : NA NA NA NA NA Prev Yr : 2 5 28 50 15 -------------------------------------- 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 17, 2009 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : VP : P : F : G : EX :: State : VP : P : F : G : EX ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- : Percent :: : Percent : :: : AL : 0 1 17 71 11 :: NJ : 0 0 10 85 5 AZ : 32 24 29 12 3 :: NM : 21 44 30 5 0 AR : 1 3 26 52 18 :: NY : 0 3 18 57 22 CA : 10 40 30 20 0 :: NC : 1 2 21 65 11 CO : 1 16 47 33 3 :: ND : 3 10 36 49 2 CT : 0 0 9 84 7 :: OH : 1 4 30 52 13 DE : 2 4 17 73 4 :: OK : 2 7 33 52 6 FL : 15 40 30 10 5 :: OR : 1 3 28 54 14 GA : 0 5 33 55 7 :: PA : 2 3 14 53 28 ID : 0 0 10 30 60 :: RI : 0 0 17 80 3 IL : 0 3 17 54 26 :: SC : 0 1 27 71 1 IN : 1 4 19 52 24 :: SD : 1 5 30 54 10 IA : 1 6 25 52 16 :: TN : 1 5 17 56 21 KS : 2 6 24 54 14 :: TX : 21 19 25 26 9 KY : 1 4 25 53 17 :: UT : 1 6 39 49 5 LA : 2 6 29 56 7 :: VT : 0 0 9 69 22 ME : 0 1 7 83 9 :: VA : 0 2 18 59 21 MD : 0 1 13 60 26 :: WA : 0 10 43 43 4 MA : 0 0 24 76 0 :: WV : 0 7 32 52 9 MI : 1 2 25 48 24 :: WI : 2 4 20 60 14 MN : 4 6 33 49 8 :: WY : 0 8 24 58 10 MS : 1 3 18 60 18 :: : MO : 0 3 30 56 11 :: 48 Sts : 5 11 26 46 12 MT : 0 7 30 45 18 :: : NE : 0 3 23 64 10 :: Prev Wk: 5 13 29 43 10 NV : 1 7 34 50 8 :: Prev Yr: 9 14 29 40 8 NH : 20 5 17 45 13 :: : ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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. Follow the instructions on the screen. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK: 800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada) Other areas, please call 703-605-6220 FAX: 703-605-6900 (Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order acceptable for payment.) - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ASSISTANCE For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20250-9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.