Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin ISSN: Released August 24, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). National Weather Summary August 15 - 21, 2010 Highlights: The remnants of Tropical Depression Five contributed to heavy rainfall from the central Gulf Coast into the interior Southeast. Although the rain arrived too late for many summer crops, pastures and late-planted soybeans were among the commodities to benefit from the boost in soil moisture. Farther west, early-week showers on the central and southern Plains were replaced by very hot weather. On the northern Plains, small grain harvesting proceeded under favorable conditions. Meanwhile, saturated fields in the northern and western Corn Belt benefited from drier weather. Nevertheless, weekly rainfall totaled 2 inches or more in parts of the middle Mississippi Valley. Elsewhere, warm, dry weather favored fieldwork and crop development in much of the West. Western showers were mostly confined to the Four Corners States, while cool conditions were limited to the immediate Pacific Coast. In fact, near- to above-normal temperatures covered much of the Nation. Late-week readings briefly soared to 100 degrees Fahrenheit or higher as far north as eastern Montana. Triple-digit heat persisted for much of the week in the south-central United States, although key crop areas on the southern High Plains continued to largely avoid 100-degree temperatures. Hot weather persisted across the South and made another push across the Plains. In Texas, San Angelo set a record with at least 23 days (July 30 - August 21) of 100-degree heat, easily surpassing the former standard of 18 days set from June 18 - July 5, 1969. Farther east, records for consecutive numbers of days with 90-degree heat were broken in locations such as Jacksonville, Florida (45 days from July 8 - August 21; previously 44 days in 1992), and Alma, Georgia (48 days from July 5 - August 21; previously, 42 days in 1962). Farther north, however, a record-setting stretch of 80-degree warmth ended at 46 days (July 2 - August 16) in Chicago, Illinois. Chicago's former mark of 42 days had been set in 1955. Despite the consistent warmth, Chicago remained on the verge of a record-setting fourth consecutive year without 95-degree heat. Chicago last reached 95 degrees Fahrenheit on August 2, 2006, and (prior to 2007-09) last had 3 consecutive years without 95-degree heat in 1902-04. Meanwhile in Tennessee, where heavy rain fell, Nashville's stretch of 90-degree weather ended at 31 days (July 18 - August 17). The only longer such streak in Nashville's history occurred in 2007 (34 days from July 26 - August 28). Elsewhere, selected daily-record highs during the week included 111 degrees Fahrenheit (on August 19) at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona; 106 degrees Fahrenheit (on August 16) in Waco, Texas; and 100 degrees Fahrenheit (on August 17) in Winnemucca, Nevada. On the Plains, daily-record highs for August 21 soared to 103 degrees Fahrenheit in Valentine, Nebraska, and 102 degrees Fahrenheit in Miles City, Montana. Lowland flooding lingered early in the week across the western Corn Belt. For example, the South Skunk River near Oskaloosa, Iowa, achieved a record crest (6.4 feet above flood stage) on August 16, topping the May 1944 high-water mark by 0.6 foot. Although locally heavy showers returned to Iowa by week's end, when Ottumwa (4.54 inches on August 20) netted a daily-record sum, Iowa as a whole experienced its first drier-than-normal week since the end of May. Farther west, North Platte, Nebraska, surpassed its normal annual precipitation total of 19.66 inches on August 16. During the last quarter-century, the only earlier occurrences of surpassing the normal annual precipitation in North Platte were August 7, 1993, and August 13, 2008. Meanwhile in Wisconsin, Green Bay's daily-record total of 2.98 inches on August 20 capped its wettest summer on record. Green Bay's June 1 - August 21 total of 20.61 inches eclipsed its summer 1914 standard of 18.89 inches. Elsewhere, rainfall during the week was heaviest in conjunction with the remnants of Tropical Depression Five. Weekly rainfall reached 10.05 inches in Bunkie, Louisiana, while 48-hour totals on August 17-19 ranged from 10 to 12 inches at several locations in the vicinity of Nashville, Tennessee. Elsewhere, daily-record totals included 3.38 inches (on August 20) in Columbia, Missouri, and 3.29 inches (on August 18) in London, Kentucky. Baton Rouge, Louisiana, netted consecutive daily-record amounts on August 17-18, totaling 6.64 inches. Showery weather persisted in much of Alaska, while warm conditions were mostly confined to northern and interior parts of the state. Fairbanks (91 degrees Fahrenheit on August 15) set a record for its latest reading above 90 degrees, previously established with a high of 93 degrees Fahrenheit on August 5, 1994. Farther south, Annette Island (82 degrees Fahrenheit) posted a daily-record high for August 15, but later set a daily-record low (43 degrees Fahrenheit on August 21). Fairbanks dipped to 40 degrees Fahrenheit on August 21, while nearby Eielson A.F.B. recorded 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Precipitation was especially heavy in parts of western Alaska, where Kotzebue (1.30 inches on August 18) noted its second-wettest August day in the last 60 years, behind only 1.48 inches on August 23, 1954. In Anchorage, however, a record-setting streak with at least a trace of rain ended at 31 days (July 18 - August 17). Meanwhile, most of Hawaii continued to experience drier-than-normal weather. On the Big Island, for example, month-to-date precipitation at Hilo totaled just 3.29 inches (49 percent of normal), despite measurable rainfall on 20 of 21 days. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary August 16 - 22, 2010 Highlights: Warm, mostly dry weather returned to many areas west of the Rocky Mountains during the week, aiding summer crop development and promoting the rapid harvest of small grains. Elsewhere, above average rainfall throughout much of the Southeast did little to improve rapidly declining crop conditions as abnormally hot temperatures continued to dominate the region. Near- to above-average temperatures across much of the Great Plains and Corn Belt continued to aid the rapid phenological development of corn and soybeans, while additional wet weather in portions of the Midwest and Tennessee Valley triggered isolated flash flooding during the week. Corn: Nationally, 88 percent of this year's corn crop was at or beyond the dough stage by week's end, 33 percentage points ahead of last year and 14 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. The most rapid progress was evident in Colorado, Minnesota, and the Dakotas, where 23 percent or more of the crop reached the dough stage during the week. By August 22, fifty-four percent of the Nation's corn crop was at or beyond the dented stage, 37 percentage points ahead of last year and 17 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average, while 8 percent of the crop was at or beyond the mature stage, 5 percentage points ahead of last year and 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In Illinois, high temperatures during the week pushed crop maturity to 29 days ahead of last year. Overall, 70 percent of the corn crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from ratings last week but unchanged from the same time last year. Soybeans: By August 22, ninety-one percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, 8 percentage points ahead of last year and slightly ahead of the 5-year average. Timely, above average rainfall in Illinois promoted steady pod setting and aided pod filling during the week. In Iowa, the largest soybean-producing State, additional reports of sudden death syndrome caused concern about the number of acres affected. Overall, 64 percent of the soybean crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down 2 percentage points from ratings last week and 5 percentage points below the same time last year. Winter Wheat: With producers in the Pacific Northwest and Montana harvesting 10 percent or more of their crop during the week, overall progress advanced to 95 percent complete by August 22, slightly behind last year and 3 percentage points behind the 5-year average. The most significant delay remained in Montana where harvest was two weeks behind the average pace. Cotton: Bolls were setting on 94 percent of the Nation's cotton acreage by week's end, 5 percentage points ahead of last year and 4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. An adequate number of heat units allowed for crop maturity ahead of the normal pace in the Northern High Plains of Texas. Nationwide, bolls opened on 7 percent of the cotton acreage during the week, leaving progress, at 21 percent complete, 9 percentage points ahead of last year and 5 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Extremely hot temperatures in South Central Texas promoted rapid boll opening in the area, leading to increased defoliation of the crop. Overall, 62 percent of the cotton crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from ratings last week but 10 percentage points better than the same time last year. Sorghum: By week's end, 91 percent of the sorghum crop was at or beyond the heading stage, 9 percentage points ahead of last year and 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Heading was ahead of last year and the average pace in all estimating States except New Mexico. Coloring advanced to 46 percent complete by August 22, nine percentage points ahead of last year and slightly ahead of the 5-year average. Near- to above-average temperatures allowed for double-digit coloring throughout much of the Great Plains, as well as in Illinois and Missouri. Nationally, 25 percent of the sorghum crop was at or beyond the mature stage, 2 percentage points behind both last year and the 5-year average. In contrast, abnormally hot temperatures throughout much of the growing season in Arkansas allowed for rapid crop development, and by August 22, maturity had advanced to 90 percent complete, 63 percentage points ahead of last year and 41 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Overall, 64 percent of the sorghum crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from ratings last week but 14 percentage points better than the same time last year. Rice: Nationwide, heading advanced to 87 percent complete by August 22, eight percentage points ahead of last year but on par with the 5-year average. Heading was complete or nearly complete in the Delta and Texas, while progress in California remained 15 days behind both last year and the 5-year average. Producers harvested 8 percent of this year's rice crop during the week, leaving progress, at 18 percent complete, 8 percentage points ahead of last year and 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Overall, 68 percent of the rice crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down 3 percentage points from ratings last week but 3 percentage points better than the same time last year. Small Grains: Oat producers had harvested 90 percent of the Nation's crop by week's end, 22 percentage points ahead of last year and 3 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. While overall progress in Wisconsin, the largest oat-producing State, remained behind normal, producers in North Dakota took advantage of warm, dry weather and nearly a week of days suitable for fieldwork as they harvested 30 percent of their crop during the week, pushing progress ahead of the average pace for the first time this season. With barley producers in the five major estimating States harvesting 12 percent or more of their crop during the week, progress advanced to 52 percent complete by August 22, twenty-eight percentage points ahead of last year but 10 percentage points behind the 5-year average. As harvest surpassed the halfway point, 84 percent of the barley crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down slightly from ratings last week but 4 percentage points better than the same time last year. By week's end, spring wheat producers had harvested 53 percent of this year's crop, 32 percentage points ahead of last year but 7 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Despite steady harvest progress during the week, delays of 10 days or more remained in Idaho, Montana, and Washington. Overall, 82 percent of the spring wheat crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from ratings last week but 10 percentage points better than the same time last year. Other Crops: Overall, 56 percent of the peanut crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down 4 percentage points from ratings last week and 17 percentage points below the same time last year. In Florida, reports of mold and surplus soil moisture in portions of the State led to an 11 point decline in crop condition ratings during the week. Corn Dough - Selected States [These 18 States planted 92% of the 2009 corn acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Colorado ........: 41 48 72 51 Illinois ........: 61 89 95 83 Indiana .........: 63 80 91 78 Iowa ............: 46 70 87 66 Kansas ..........: 84 87 93 89 Kentucky ........: 71 80 90 85 Michigan ........: 38 76 87 70 Minnesota .......: 21 54 81 59 Missouri ........: 78 77 83 88 Nebraska ........: 75 80 95 85 North Carolina ..: 96 95 100 96 North Dakota ....: 10 60 83 54 Ohio ............: 71 82 91 75 Pennsylvania ....: 45 52 59 64 South Dakota ....: 37 53 84 64 Tennessee .......: 92 97 99 98 Texas ...........: 96 86 87 95 Wisconsin .......: 36 58 76 54 : 18 States .......: 55 74 88 74 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Corn Dented - Selected States [These 18 States planted 92% of the 2009 corn acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Colorado ........: 16 2 10 18 Illinois ........: 11 51 73 45 Indiana .........: 8 39 61 33 Iowa ............: 9 27 54 30 Kansas ..........: 41 48 68 58 Kentucky ........: 48 66 78 61 Michigan ........: 3 27 54 21 Minnesota .......: 1 7 35 25 Missouri ........: 49 42 57 65 Nebraska ........: 28 32 50 45 North Carolina ..: 85 83 94 84 North Dakota ....: - 3 25 16 Ohio ............: 15 34 58 24 Pennsylvania ....: 12 17 31 30 South Dakota ....: 3 10 32 22 Tennessee .......: 72 86 96 88 Texas ...........: 80 68 69 82 Wisconsin .......: 2 11 34 13 : 18 States .......: 17 32 54 37 ----------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Corn Mature - Selected States [These 18 States planted 92% of the 2009 corn acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Colorado ........: - (NA) - - Illinois ........: - (NA) 13 5 Indiana .........: - (NA) 6 2 Iowa ............: - (NA) 1 2 Kansas ..........: 5 (NA) 21 15 Kentucky ........: 4 (NA) 33 22 Michigan ........: - (NA) 6 - Minnesota .......: - (NA) - 1 Missouri ........: 6 (NA) 16 21 Nebraska ........: - (NA) 1 1 North Carolina ..: 48 (NA) 71 47 North Dakota ....: - (NA) - 2 Ohio ............: 1 (NA) 4 1 Pennsylvania ....: 1 (NA) 2 6 South Dakota ....: - (NA) - 1 Tennessee .......: 6 (NA) 54 30 Texas ...........: 68 (NA) 56 65 Wisconsin .......: - (NA) 1 - : 18 States .......: 3 (NA) 8 6 ----------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. (NA) Not available. Corn Condition - Selected States: Week Ending August 22, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Colorado ........: - 2 10 65 23 Illinois ........: 4 8 24 47 17 Indiana .........: 5 10 26 43 16 Iowa ............: 4 8 21 43 24 Kansas ..........: 2 9 28 49 12 Kentucky ........: 6 17 34 34 9 Michigan ........: 2 5 21 41 31 Minnesota .......: - 2 8 52 38 Missouri ........: 7 16 27 41 9 Nebraska ........: 2 4 12 55 27 North Carolina ..: 16 20 36 26 2 North Dakota ....: 1 3 11 63 22 Ohio ............: 2 9 27 48 14 Pennsylvania ....: 4 11 38 41 6 South Dakota ....: 2 8 19 46 25 Tennessee .......: 8 14 30 39 9 Texas ...........: 7 7 14 52 20 Wisconsin .......: 2 4 14 37 43 : 18 States .......: 3 7 20 47 23 : Previous week ...: 3 8 20 46 23 Previous year ...: 3 6 21 50 20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Soybeans Setting Pods - Selected States [These 18 States planted 95% of the 2009 soybean acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas ........: 83 91 95 91 Illinois ........: 70 85 92 89 Indiana .........: 74 83 95 85 Iowa ............: 93 91 95 94 Kansas ..........: 82 58 74 80 Kentucky ........: 77 81 90 77 Louisiana .......: 97 92 96 97 Michigan ........: 77 87 97 93 Minnesota .......: 88 92 96 96 Mississippi .....: 99 97 98 99 Missouri ........: 63 58 69 74 Nebraska ........: 94 92 95 95 North Carolina ..: 60 53 70 63 North Dakota ....: 90 98 100 98 Ohio ............: 91 82 95 96 South Dakota ....: 90 82 97 91 Tennessee .......: 84 82 94 90 Wisconsin .......: 75 79 91 87 : 18 States .......: 83 84 91 90 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Soybean Condition - Selected States: Week Ending August 22, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas ........: 4 20 33 33 10 Illinois ........: 3 8 27 48 14 Indiana .........: 6 11 27 39 17 Iowa ............: 4 7 21 46 22 Kansas ..........: 5 12 31 43 9 Kentucky ........: 10 25 37 22 6 Louisiana .......: 3 8 30 49 10 Michigan ........: 3 5 21 45 26 Minnesota .......: 1 1 10 55 33 Mississippi .....: 7 13 29 38 13 Missouri ........: 8 16 31 37 8 Nebraska ........: 2 5 16 53 24 North Carolina ..: 2 13 35 45 5 North Dakota ....: 1 1 8 66 24 Ohio ............: 1 9 27 49 14 South Dakota ....: 2 9 21 48 20 Tennessee .......: 6 12 32 41 9 Wisconsin .......: 1 3 12 37 47 : 18 States .......: 4 9 23 46 18 : Previous week ...: 3 8 23 47 19 Previous year ...: 2 6 23 53 16 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton Setting Bolls - Selected States [These 15 States planted 99% of the 2009 cotton acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama .........: 81 79 85 89 Arizona .........: 98 85 95 98 Arkansas ........: 100 100 100 100 California ......: 97 88 90 95 Georgia .........: 96 97 98 97 Kansas ..........: 83 80 91 88 Louisiana .......: 100 99 100 100 Mississippi .....: 100 100 100 100 Missouri ........: 96 100 100 98 North Carolina ..: 97 97 98 97 Oklahoma ........: 81 90 96 84 South Carolina ..: 87 70 86 88 Tennessee .......: 97 97 99 99 Texas ...........: 84 87 91 84 Virginia ........: 98 74 91 99 : 15 States .......: 89 90 94 90 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton Bolls Opening - Selected States [These 15 States planted 99% of the 2009 cotton acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama .........: 3 23 36 16 Arizona .........: 41 27 30 38 Arkansas ........: 8 17 31 18 California ......: 17 9 10 16 Georgia .........: 4 20 29 10 Kansas ..........: 5 2 10 3 Louisiana .......: 43 42 69 40 Mississippi .....: 7 28 50 24 Missouri ........: - 6 14 10 North Carolina ..: 6 6 25 6 Oklahoma ........: - - 10 4 South Carolina ..: 4 2 8 6 Tennessee .......: 2 7 28 10 Texas ...........: 15 13 14 17 Virginia ........: 18 1 4 26 : 15 States .......: 12 14 21 16 ----------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Cotton Condition - Selected States: Week Ending August 22, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama .........: 8 18 38 31 5 Arizona .........: - - 1 65 34 Arkansas ........: 1 5 33 41 20 California ......: - - 10 55 35 Georgia .........: 10 20 31 29 10 Kansas ..........: 1 6 34 54 5 Louisiana .......: 2 5 30 57 6 Mississippi .....: 4 10 28 46 12 Missouri ........: 12 25 21 37 5 North Carolina ..: 4 16 36 40 4 Oklahoma ........: - 1 22 75 2 South Carolina ..: 1 11 29 50 9 Tennessee .......: 1 3 25 57 14 Texas ...........: 2 5 26 48 19 Virginia ........: 8 27 45 20 - : 15 States .......: 3 8 27 46 16 : Previous week ...: 3 8 27 46 16 Previous year ...: 8 11 29 40 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Sorghum Headed - Selected States [These 11 States planted 98% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas ........: 100 100 100 100 Colorado ........: 73 88 94 82 Illinois ........: 56 91 93 85 Kansas ..........: 78 79 89 83 Louisiana .......: 100 100 100 100 Missouri ........: 78 80 91 88 Nebraska ........: 87 91 98 91 New Mexico ......: 69 48 58 60 Oklahoma ........: 56 84 85 67 South Dakota ....: 81 89 96 92 Texas ...........: 89 89 93 87 : 11 States .......: 82 84 91 85 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Sorghum Coloring - Selected States [These 11 States planted 98% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas ........: 81 97 99 91 Colorado ........: 49 34 40 39 Illinois ........: 4 31 50 40 Kansas ..........: 10 12 24 26 Louisiana .......: 99 100 100 97 Missouri ........: 25 33 50 43 Nebraska ........: 6 11 20 20 New Mexico ......: 4 7 10 10 Oklahoma ........: 22 32 46 29 South Dakota ....: 22 19 40 36 Texas ...........: 68 60 70 68 : 11 States .......: 37 35 46 45 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Sorghum Mature - Selected States [These 11 States planted 98% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas ........: 27 78 90 49 Colorado ........: 10 - 1 4 Illinois ........: - 1 1 3 Kansas ..........: - - 1 2 Louisiana .......: 92 86 96 86 Missouri ........: 1 2 5 5 Nebraska ........: - - - - New Mexico ......: - - - 1 Oklahoma ........: - - 8 7 South Dakota ....: - - - 1 Texas ...........: 63 52 54 59 : 11 States .......: 27 23 25 27 ----------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Sorghum Condition - Selected States: Week Ending August 22, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas ........: 3 22 54 19 2 Colorado ........: - 1 21 61 17 Illinois ........: 6 8 36 40 10 Kansas ..........: 2 9 29 54 6 Louisiana .......: 1 1 30 68 - Missouri ........: 2 8 28 57 5 Nebraska ........: - 2 20 64 14 New Mexico ......: - - 51 48 1 Oklahoma ........: 1 3 30 53 13 South Dakota ....: - - 10 68 22 Texas ...........: 3 6 25 56 10 : 11 States .......: 2 7 27 55 9 : Previous week ...: 3 6 27 54 10 Previous year ...: 11 10 29 42 8 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Peanut Condition - Selected States: Week Ending August 22, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama .........: 3 10 51 28 8 Florida .........: - 1 25 70 4 Georgia .........: 3 12 40 34 11 North Carolina ..: 3 12 42 42 1 Oklahoma ........: - 1 17 75 7 South Carolina ..: - 1 23 67 9 Texas ...........: - - 7 67 26 Virginia ........: 5 10 50 35 - : 8 States ........: 2 8 34 45 11 : Previous week ...: 1 7 32 46 14 Previous year ...: - 2 25 61 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Rice Headed - Selected States [These 6 States planted 100% of the 2009 rice acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas ........: 74 94 99 87 California ......: 76 25 35 73 Louisiana .......: 99 98 99 99 Mississippi .....: 93 99 100 95 Missouri ........: 49 90 96 85 Texas ...........: 96 90 91 98 : 6 States ........: 79 82 87 87 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Rice Harvested - Selected States [These 6 States harvested 100% of the 2009 rice acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas ........: - 3 14 1 California ......: - - - - Louisiana .......: 42 40 48 53 Mississippi .....: - 5 15 2 Missouri ........: - - 3 - Texas ...........: 60 34 58 64 : 6 States ........: 10 10 18 12 ----------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Rice Condition - Selected States: Week Ending August 22, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas ........: 1 6 30 41 22 California ......: - 5 25 65 5 Louisiana .......: - 1 20 55 24 Mississippi .....: - 4 22 49 25 Missouri ........: - 3 8 57 32 Texas ...........: 1 3 36 48 12 : 6 States ........: 1 5 26 48 20 : Previous week ...: 1 4 24 51 20 Previous year ...: 1 5 29 45 20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Winter Wheat Harvested - Selected States [These 18 States harvested 89% of the 2009 winter wheat acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas ........: 100 100 100 100 California ......: 100 100 100 100 Colorado ........: 100 100 100 100 Idaho ...........: 75 34 60 81 Illinois ........: 100 100 100 100 Indiana .........: 100 100 100 100 Kansas ..........: 100 100 100 100 Michigan ........: 99 100 100 100 Missouri ........: 100 100 100 100 Montana .........: 75 38 66 91 Nebraska ........: 100 100 100 100 North Carolina ..: 100 100 100 100 Ohio ............: 100 100 100 100 Oklahoma ........: 100 100 100 100 Oregon ..........: 99 81 91 95 South Dakota ....: 96 100 100 99 Texas ...........: 100 100 100 100 Washington ......: 86 52 75 85 : 18 States .......: 96 91 95 98 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Spring Wheat Harvested - Selected States [These 6 States harvested 99% of the 2009 spring wheat acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Idaho ...........: 33 4 14 46 Minnesota .......: 14 75 89 57 Montana .........: 19 7 14 58 North Dakota ....: 6 27 53 55 South Dakota ....: 73 81 94 90 Washington ......: 60 27 45 69 : 6 States ........: 21 34 53 60 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Spring Wheat Condition - Selected States: Week Ending August 22, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Idaho ...........: - - 5 90 5 Minnesota .......: 1 1 8 60 30 Montana .........: - 2 24 57 17 North Dakota ....: - 2 15 67 16 South Dakota ....: 1 5 17 53 24 Washington ......: - 6 28 52 14 : 6 States ........: - 2 16 64 18 : Previous week ...: 1 2 15 64 18 Previous year ...: 1 5 22 57 15 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Oats Harvested - Selected States [These 9 States harvested 67% of the 2009 oat acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Iowa ............: 98 98 99 98 Minnesota .......: 55 82 95 83 Nebraska ........: 99 100 100 99 North Dakota ....: 14 39 69 66 Ohio ............: 100 100 100 100 Pennsylvania ....: 85 95 97 93 South Dakota ....: 77 88 97 93 Texas ...........: 100 100 100 100 Wisconsin .......: 75 76 86 89 : 9 States ........: 68 79 90 87 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Barley Harvested - Selected States [These 5 States harvested 81% of the 2009 barley acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------- : Week ending : :-----------------------------------: State :August 22, :August 15, :August 22, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ----------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Idaho ...........: 28 18 30 44 Minnesota .......: 22 71 95 75 Montana .........: 23 12 25 57 North Dakota ....: 20 43 77 71 Washington ......: 61 16 43 67 : 5 States ........: 24 29 52 62 ----------------------------------------------------------------- Barley Condition - Selected States: Week Ending August 22, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Idaho ...........: - 1 2 90 7 Minnesota .......: 1 3 12 43 41 Montana .........: - 1 16 56 27 North Dakota ....: 1 6 14 68 11 Washington ......: - 3 20 61 16 : 5 States ........: - 3 13 68 16 : Previous week ...: - 3 12 68 17 Previous year ...: - 3 17 60 20 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Pasture and Range Condition - Selected States: Week Ending August 22, 2010 [National pasture and range conditions for selected States are weighted based on pasture acreage and/or livestock inventories] ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama .........: 9 30 37 20 4 Arizona .........: 30 8 17 27 18 Arkansas ........: 13 43 34 10 - California ......: 5 25 20 50 - Colorado ........: - 6 29 58 7 Connecticut .....: 7 51 24 18 - Delaware ........: 11 19 57 13 - Florida .........: - 5 10 75 10 Georgia .........: 3 15 49 29 4 Idaho ...........: 1 8 24 52 15 Illinois ........: 3 7 33 47 10 Indiana .........: 7 21 35 33 4 Iowa ............: 2 6 24 50 18 Kansas ..........: 3 9 38 45 5 Kentucky ........: 15 23 23 34 5 Louisiana .......: 3 13 41 39 4 Maine ...........: 8 42 15 4 31 Maryland ........: 10 32 33 24 1 Massachusetts ...: - 9 22 69 - Michigan ........: 5 9 34 38 14 Minnesota .......: - 2 11 64 23 Mississippi .....: 2 9 28 46 15 Missouri ........: 15 13 29 37 6 Montana .........: 2 7 33 50 8 Nebraska ........: 1 3 10 71 15 Nevada ..........: 3 10 54 31 2 New Hampshire ...: 9 14 42 35 - New Jersey ......: - 35 40 25 - New Mexico ......: 1 6 28 55 10 New York ........: 1 9 34 49 7 North Carolina ..: 6 19 39 34 2 North Dakota ....: - 4 30 56 10 Ohio ............: 3 11 30 46 10 Oklahoma ........: 4 19 46 29 2 Oregon ..........: 6 18 34 37 5 Pennsylvania ....: 13 25 33 24 5 Rhode Island ....: - 13 70 17 - South Carolina ..: 3 12 32 52 1 South Dakota ....: 2 7 19 52 20 Tennessee .......: 7 23 42 26 2 Texas ...........: 6 18 37 32 7 Utah ............: 1 4 27 52 16 Vermont .........: - 21 15 59 5 Virginia ........: 24 29 28 18 1 Washington ......: 13 11 25 48 3 West Virginia ...: 17 27 31 24 1 Wisconsin .......: - 2 12 58 28 Wyoming .........: - 2 23 63 12 : 48 States .......: 5 14 29 43 9 : Previous week ...: 5 13 29 44 9 Previous year ...: 10 11 27 43 9 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Crop Progress and Condition Tables Expected Next Week Barley: Harvested Corn: Dough, Dented, Mature, Condition Cotton: Setting Bolls, Bolls Opening, Condition Oats: Harvested Pasture and Range: Condition Peanuts: Condition Rice: Headed, Harvested, Condition Sorghum: Headed, Coloring, Mature, Harvested, Condition Soybeans: Setting Pods, Dropping Leaves, Condition Spring Wheat: Harvested Statistical Methodology 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 approximately 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 the progress of crops through various stages of development, as well as the progress of producer activities. 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 entire 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 2009 season, over 80 percent of the data were being submitted through the internet website. As a result, the majority 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. 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 at 12:00 pm ET on the second business day of the week. These estimates are subject to revision the following week. Information Contacts Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov Lance Honig, Chief, Crops Branch........................... (202) 720-2127 Jacqueline Moore, Head, Field Crops Section................ (202) 720-2127 Suzanne Avilla - Peanuts, Rice........................ (202) 720-7688 Shiela Corley - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings, Sorghum...... (202) 720-5944 Bryan Durham - Hay, Oats.............................. (202) 690-3234 Anthony Prillaman - Corn, Proso Millet, Flaxseed...... (202) 720-9526 Nick Schauer - Wheat, Rye............................. (202) 720-8068 Julie Schmidt - Crop Weather, Barley, Sugar Crops..... (202) 720-7621 Travis Thorson - Soybeans, Sunflower, Other Oilseeds.. (202) 720-7369 Access to NASS Reports For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways: All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e- mail subscription. To set-up this free subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the "Receive NASS Updates" box under "Receive reports by Email," click on "National" or "State" to select the reports you would like to receive. Printed reports may be purchased from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by calling toll-free (800) 999-6779, or (703) 605-6220 if calling from outside the United States or Canada. Accepted methods of payment are Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order. For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS 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 United States 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.