We 1 (2-10) Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin Washington, D.C. Released February 2, 2010, 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 January 24 - 30, 2010 The National Weather Summary was not available at press time. Please see the following website on Wednesday (no later than 4:00 PM EST) for the complete publication released by the World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB): http://usda.mannlib.cornell.edu/MannUsda/viewDocumentInfo.do?documentID=1393 Agricultural Summary January 25 - 31, 2010 Highlights: While much of the country received little to no precipitation during the week, areas in the Pacific Northwest, Four Corners States, Texas, and along the Atlantic Coast were inundated with rain and snow totaling 200 percent or more above normal. Portions of northern California, Texas, and the Southeast received accumulations of 4 inches or more. Temperatures were below normal throughout much of the Nation, with locations in the northern Plains falling to as many as 10 degrees below average. In contrast, temperatures in the Pacific Northwest and New England were warmer than normal. Maine experienced temperatures reaching 14 degrees above normal. Seasonal temperatures returned to Florida during the week. In Dade County, producers disked some annual crops under as freeze damage from early January became more evident. Damage to the sugarcane crop in the Everglades area ranged from minimal to extensive depending on location. The most heavily damaged portions of the crop were rapidly harvested to help minimize sucrose loss; 35 to 40 percent of the crop remained unharvested. Vegetable growers in the Panhandle began land preparations for spring planting, while strawberries were being harvested in Hernando, Citrus, and Sumter Counties. Due to the lingering effects of the recent freeze, vegetable movement to market was below normal. Winter storms moving across Texas provided additional moisture and snow cover to the winter wheat crop in the Northern High Plains; however, oat crops were hit with significant freeze damage in low-lying areas of the Edwards Plateau. Following the recent end of the cotton harvest, gins were ginning the last of this year's crop. Vegetable growers continued to plant potatoes in South Texas and started irrigating carrots, onions, and spinach. Rainfall and snow in the Trans-Pecos slowed pecan harvest, leaving overall progress over 1 week behind normal. In Arizona, temperatures were mostly below normal during the week. Most of the alfalfa hay was reported as fair, but conditions varied greatly depending on location. Vegetable growers continued to ship a variety of crops. Rainfall associated with 2 storms that moved across California during the week benefitted soil moisture levels, but continued to stall many fieldwork operations. Where conditions allowed, alfalfa producers made herbicide applications to control broadleaf and grass in their fields. Limited maintenance work was completed in fruit and nut orchards, with producers focused on pruning and applying dormant and herbicide sprays. Winter vegetables continued to develop normally. In Kern County, farmland has been stale bedded for carrots, lettuce, peppers, potatoes, and tomatoes. 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. 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