Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin ISSN: Released September 8, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). National Weather Summary August 29 - September 4, 2010 Highlights: Hurricane Earl dealt a glancing blow to the East Coast, grazing North Carolina's Outer Banks and coastal New England on September 2-3 before racing ashore in Nova Scotia, Canada, as a strong tropical storm on September 4. In advance of Earl's approach, a record-setting heat wave boosted weekly temperatures as much as 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit above normal in New England. Farther west, the cold front responsible for deflecting Earl away from the United States mainland produced widespread rainfall from the upper Midwest into Texas. Some of the heaviest rain (4 inches or more) fell in southwestern Missouri. Rain maintained soggy conditions in parts of the upper Midwest but replenished soil moisture from Texas to Michigan. However, parts of the eastern Corn Belt -- including the Ohio Valley -- remained unfavorably dry. Meanwhile on the Plains, mild weather promoted summer crop maturation, while early-season winter wheat planting advanced with few delays. However, showers in a few areas slowed fieldwork, including spring wheat harvesting on the northern Plains. Elsewhere, cool weather (locally more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit below normal) prevailed in much of the West, although fieldwork progressed under dry conditions from California into the Desert Southwest. Western showers were mostly confined to the northern Rockies and the Pacific Northwest. Before dawn on September 3, Hurricane Earl passed about 85 miles east of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina, with maximum sustained winds near 105 miles per hour. On North Carolina's Outer Banks, wind gusts between 5 and 6 a.m. EDT from a variety of sources included 83 miles per hour at Rodanthe, 82 miles per hour at the Oregon Inlet Marina, and 78 miles per hour at Hatteras Village. September 2-3 rainfall totaled 4.52 inches at Cape Hatteras. Later, Tropical Storm Earl passed about 90 miles south-southeast of Nantucket, Massachusetts, shortly before midnight on September 3, with sustained winds near 70 miles per hour. Before dawn on September 4, Nantucket recorded a peak wind gust to 54 miles per hour. September 3-4 rainfall totaled 4.47 inches in Hyannis, Massachusetts. Bangor, Maine, received 3.46 inches of rain during the first 4 days of the month, including a daily-record total of 3.31 inches on September 4. Elsewhere, precipitation highlights were mostly confined to the Nation's midsection. For example, Springfield, Missouri, netted a daily-record sum (4.62 inches) on September 1, followed the next day by record-setting amounts in locations such as Springfield, Illinois (3.55 inches); Austin, Camp Mabry, Texas (3.55 inches); and Muskegon, Michigan (3.34 inches). Earlier, some locally heavy showers had affected the central Gulf Coast States and the Northwest. Alexandria, Louisiana (5.30 inches), received a daily-record rainfall for August 29. Two days later in Washington, record-setting amounts for August 31 included 2.25 inches in Quillayute and 1.17 inches in Hoquiam. In Montana, Billings (1.67 inches on August 29-30) experienced its fourth-wettest 2-day period in August on record. Toward week's end, tropical showers spread into southern Texas, long before the development of Tropical Storm Hermine. (Hermine formed over the southwestern Gulf of Mexico on the night of September 5-6). McAllen, Texas, netted a daily-record rainfall total of 2.12 inches on September 3. Portland, Maine (91, 90, 94, 91, and 93 degrees Fahrenheit), tied a record with 5 consecutive days of 90-degree heat from August 29 - September 2. Portland's other 5-day stretches of 90-degree heat occurred from July 7-11, 1993; August 25-29, 1948; and August 11-15, 1944. Elsewhere in Maine, Caribou (92, 91, 93, and 92 degrees Fahrenheit) tied an all-time record with a 4-day heat wave from August 29 - September 1. Previously, Caribou's only other 4-day spell of 90-degree heat was observed from June 15-18, 1949. Caribou also established a September record high, previously set with a reading of 91 degrees Fahrenheit on September 7, 1945. Eastern daily-record highs reached 99 degrees Fahrenheit in Atlantic City, New Jersey (on August 31), and Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina (on September 3). Through week's end, Atlantic City also tied a 1983 annual record with 43 days of 90-degree heat. Similarly, Baltimore, Maryland, tied a 1988 record on September 2 with its 54th day of 90-degree heat. Trenton, New Jersey, recorded its 49th day of 90-degree heat on September 2, edging its 1983 annual standard of 47 days. Farther west, cool air shifted into the Nation's midsection toward week's end, when daily-record lows for September 3 included 31 degrees Fahrenheit in both Casper, Wyoming, and Alliance, Nebraska. The following day, McAlester, Oklahoma (48 degrees Fahrenheit), posted a daily-record low for September 4. In contrast, late-week heat temporarily built across the Southwest, where daily-record highs for September 3 included 117 degrees Fahrenheit in Palm Springs, California, and 115 degrees Fahrenheit in Yuma, Arizona. Earlier, the week had opened on a chilly note in the West, where daily-record lows in California had dipped to 32 degrees Fahrenheit (on August 29) in Campo and 48 degrees Fahrenheit (on August 30) in Santa Barbara. Heavy precipitation soaked parts of southeastern Alaska, while scattered showers fell across the remainder of the state. Annette Island (4.36 inches on September 2) noted its wettest September day on record, previously established with a 3.47-inch total on September 8, 1976. Farther south, drought continued to plague much of Hawaii. January-August rainfall totaled 34.30 inches (42 percent of normal) in Hilo, on the Big Island; 10.84 inches (47 percent) in Lihue, Kauai; 4.40 inches (43 percent) in Honolulu, Oahu; and 4.06 inches (34 percent) in Kahului, Maui. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary August 30 - September 5, 2010 Highlights: While temperatures in areas of the northern Rocky Mountains and Pacific Northwest fell to as many as 9 degrees below normal, much of New England recorded average temperatures as many as 15 degrees above normal. Elsewhere, much of the country experienced near-normal temperatures during the week. Unusually dry conditions dominated much of the Atlantic Coast States, Delta, Southwest, and Great Basin. Rain was prevalent across the Northern Tier, as well as in the Great Lakes region, Corn Belt, New England, and much of Texas. Most notably, rainfall in excess of 5 inches fell in southwestern Missouri, helping to replenish soil moisture levels. Corn: By September 5, corn at or beyond the dough stage had advanced to 98 percent, 13 percentage points ahead of last year and 5 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average, with progress complete or nearly complete in all estimating States except Pennsylvania. Near-normal temperatures throughout much of the major corn-producing areas provided excellent conditions for continued rapid phenological development of this year's crop. By week's end, 86 percent of the corn crop was at or beyond the dented stage, 38 percentage points ahead of last year and 15 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average, while 33 percent of the crop was reported as mature, 25 percentage points ahead of last year and 14 percentage points ahead of the average. The most rapid progress was evident in Illinois, Indiana, and Iowa, where 23 percent or more of the crop matured during the week. Corn producers harvested 6 percent of the Nation's crop by September 5, four percentage points ahead of last year and 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest was most advanced in Tennessee, where progress was 50 percentage points ahead of last year and 32 percentage points ahead of normal. Overall, 69 percent of the corn crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down slightly from ratings last week but unchanged from the same time last year. Soybeans: Nationwide, leaves were dropping on 19 percent of the soybean acreage by September 5, twelve percentage points ahead of last year and 4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In Indiana, leaf drop was 34 percentage points, or over two weeks, ahead of last year's pace, with 2 percent of the crop harvested. Overall, 64 percent of the soybean crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from ratings last week but 4 percentage points below the same time last year. Cotton: Nationally, bolls were opening on 41 percent of this year's cotton acreage, 17 percentage points ahead of last year and 10 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In Texas, cotton in the High Plains continued to grow well as warm temperatures provided ample heat unit accumulation. By week's end, producers had harvested 6 percent of this year's acreage, on par with last year but slightly behind the 5-year average. Harvest was most advanced in Louisiana, where progress was nearly one month ahead of last year. Overall, 60 percent of the cotton crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from ratings last week but 9 percentage points better than the same time last year. Sorghum: By week's end, sorghum coloring had advanced to 74 percent complete, seventeen percentage points ahead of last year and 10 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. As warmer daytime temperatures prevailed in Kansas, the largest sorghum-producing State, one-quarter of the crop began coloring during the week. Sorghum at or beyond the mature stage reached 30 percent by September 5, on par with last year but 3 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Harvest began in Kansas during the week, ahead of both last year and the average. Nationally, 19 percent of the sorghum crop was harvested by week's end, 6 percentage points behind both last year and the 5-year average. Overall, 62 percent of the sorghum crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from ratings last week but 13 percentage points better than the same time last year. Rice: Heading of the Nation's rice crop advanced to 97 percent complete by week's end, 3 percentage points ahead of last year but on par with the 5-year average. Heading was complete in all estimating States except California. Harvest advanced 13 percentage points during the week, leaving progress, at 45 percent complete, 22 percentage points ahead of last year and 21 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In Arkansas, the largest rice-producing State, harvest was 37 percentage points, or 27 days, ahead of last year and the earliest date on record that harvest had advanced to 47 percent complete. Overall, 68 percent of the rice crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from ratings last week but 5 percentage points better than the same time last year. Small Grains: By September 5, barley producers had harvested 78 percent of this year's crop, 12 percentage points ahead of last year but 8 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Double-digit delays remained evident in Idaho and Montana, two of the three largest barley-producing States. Seventy-six percent of the spring wheat crop was harvested by week's end, 20 percentage points ahead of last year but 9 percentage points behind the 5-year average. In Montana, producers harvested just 7 percent of their crop during the week, as increased rainfall limited fieldwork throughout much of the State. Other Crops: Overall, 60 percent of the peanut crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from ratings last week but 12 percentage points below the same time last year. Corn Dough - Selected States [These 18 States planted 92% of the 2009 corn acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 72 86 98 81 Illinois .......: 85 99 99 95 Indiana ........: 88 96 100 95 Iowa ...........: 84 94 98 91 Kansas .........: 96 95 98 98 Kentucky .......: 93 99 100 98 Michigan .......: 74 94 97 89 Minnesota ......: 73 95 99 92 Missouri .......: 94 92 97 97 Nebraska .......: 95 98 99 97 North Carolina .: 100 100 100 100 North Dakota ...: 55 95 100 84 Ohio ...........: 87 96 100 92 Pennsylvania ...: 76 77 83 87 South Dakota ...: 83 90 97 93 Tennessee ......: 99 100 100 100 Texas ..........: 99 88 94 99 Wisconsin ......: 69 85 93 82 : 18 States ......: 85 94 98 93 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Corn Dented - Selected States [These 18 States planted 92% of the 2009 corn acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 39 30 55 44 Illinois .......: 41 87 93 74 Indiana ........: 38 77 91 66 Iowa ...........: 49 77 90 69 Kansas .........: 78 82 92 87 Kentucky .......: 80 87 94 88 Michigan .......: 20 74 85 59 Minnesota ......: 27 68 85 67 Missouri .......: 75 75 88 85 Nebraska .......: 67 70 83 79 North Carolina .: 99 97 100 96 North Dakota ...: 12 48 77 50 Ohio ...........: 49 72 80 64 Pennsylvania ...: 43 46 65 59 South Dakota ...: 38 53 79 65 Tennessee ......: 91 98 99 98 Texas ..........: 90 71 83 94 Wisconsin ......: 17 60 76 45 : 18 States ......: 48 73 86 71 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Corn Mature - Selected States [These 18 States planted 92% of the 2009 corn acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 11 - 3 9 Illinois .......: 3 34 57 24 Indiana ........: 3 21 46 15 Iowa ...........: 2 8 34 13 Kansas .........: 21 35 49 39 Kentucky .......: 28 65 75 57 Michigan .......: - 16 37 11 Minnesota ......: - 2 12 8 Missouri .......: 21 34 51 48 Nebraska .......: 5 2 8 11 North Carolina .: 88 83 93 85 North Dakota ...: - 1 14 7 Ohio ...........: 3 7 24 7 Pennsylvania ...: 6 5 13 21 South Dakota ...: 2 2 9 7 Tennessee ......: 31 75 88 66 Texas ..........: 71 57 58 72 Wisconsin ......: - 7 15 6 : 18 States ......: 8 17 33 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Corn Harvested - Selected States [These 18 States harvested 94% of the 2009 corn acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: - (NA) - - Illinois .......: - (NA) 7 2 Indiana ........: - (NA) 5 1 Iowa ...........: - (NA) 1 - Kansas .........: 2 (NA) 15 8 Kentucky .......: - (NA) 33 11 Michigan .......: - (NA) 1 - Minnesota ......: - (NA) - - Missouri .......: 2 (NA) 16 13 Nebraska .......: - (NA) - - North Carolina .: 21 (NA) 48 23 North Dakota ...: - (NA) - - Ohio ...........: - (NA) - - Pennsylvania ...: - (NA) 2 5 South Dakota ...: - (NA) - - Tennessee ......: 1 (NA) 51 19 Texas ..........: 67 (NA) 44 63 Wisconsin ......: - (NA) - - : 18 States ......: 2 (NA) 6 4 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. (NA) Not available. Corn Condition - Selected States: Week Ending September 5, 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 68 20 Illinois .......: 4 10 26 45 15 Indiana ........: 6 12 28 40 14 Iowa ...........: 3 8 20 46 23 Kansas .........: 3 9 27 50 11 Kentucky .......: 5 15 34 38 8 Michigan .......: 3 7 19 45 26 Minnesota ......: - 2 7 53 38 Missouri .......: 6 16 30 38 10 Nebraska .......: 2 4 13 54 27 North Carolina .: 15 22 34 24 5 North Dakota ...: 1 3 13 57 26 Ohio ...........: 2 10 28 46 14 Pennsylvania ...: 7 12 23 46 12 South Dakota ...: 1 8 19 51 21 Tennessee ......: 8 14 31 38 9 Texas ..........: 7 7 15 54 17 Wisconsin ......: 1 3 12 42 42 : 18 States ......: 3 8 20 47 22 : Previous week ..: 3 7 20 48 22 Previous year ..: 3 6 22 50 19 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Soybeans Dropping Leaves - Selected States [These 18 States planted 95% of the 2009 soybean acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 11 18 27 23 Illinois .......: 1 5 17 10 Indiana ........: 5 14 39 15 Iowa ...........: 3 3 9 10 Kansas .........: 7 3 9 13 Kentucky .......: 7 15 30 9 Louisiana ......: 55 48 62 57 Michigan .......: - 2 15 6 Minnesota ......: 1 2 12 12 Mississippi ....: 36 49 72 58 Missouri .......: 3 2 5 6 Nebraska .......: 2 1 4 4 North Carolina .: 4 1 3 8 North Dakota ...: - 6 18 19 Ohio ...........: 8 8 29 14 South Dakota ...: 31 17 30 28 Tennessee ......: 13 25 37 31 Wisconsin ......: - 1 8 7 : 18 States ......: 7 8 19 15 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Soybean Condition - Selected States: Week Ending September 5, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas .......: 6 18 34 33 9 Illinois .......: 3 7 27 48 15 Indiana ........: 7 12 30 39 12 Iowa ...........: 3 7 21 47 22 Kansas .........: 4 13 32 44 7 Kentucky .......: 10 22 35 26 7 Louisiana ......: 2 8 29 52 9 Michigan .......: 2 6 24 45 23 Minnesota ......: 1 1 9 57 32 Mississippi ....: 6 13 30 38 13 Missouri .......: 6 15 32 38 9 Nebraska .......: 2 4 16 54 24 North Carolina .: 4 16 34 43 3 North Dakota ...: 1 2 12 59 26 Ohio ...........: 2 11 30 44 13 South Dakota ...: 2 8 21 50 19 Tennessee ......: 8 15 30 38 9 Wisconsin ......: 1 2 14 45 38 : 18 States ......: 3 9 24 46 18 : Previous week ..: 3 9 24 46 18 Previous year ..: 2 6 24 52 16 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton Bolls Opening - Selected States [These 15 States planted 99% of the 2009 cotton acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: 15 50 62 40 Arizona ........: 53 45 50 60 Arkansas .......: 22 65 82 46 California .....: 23 20 22 30 Georgia ........: 18 44 64 31 Kansas .........: 9 12 25 8 Louisiana ......: 69 75 90 70 Mississippi ....: 38 71 86 60 Missouri .......: 9 33 71 35 North Carolina .: 28 43 65 35 Oklahoma .......: 23 21 34 19 South Carolina .: 27 12 31 28 Tennessee ......: 20 44 68 39 Texas ..........: 22 15 23 24 Virginia .......: 32 9 12 50 : 15 States ......: 24 29 41 31 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cotton Harvested - Selected States [These 15 States harvested 99% of the 2009 cotton acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: - (NA) - 1 Arizona ........: 7 (NA) 5 5 Arkansas .......: - (NA) 4 1 California .....: - (NA) - - Georgia ........: - (NA) 1 - Kansas .........: - (NA) - - Louisiana ......: - (NA) 16 2 Mississippi ....: - (NA) 9 2 Missouri .......: - (NA) - 1 North Carolina .: - (NA) - - Oklahoma .......: - (NA) - - South Carolina .: - (NA) - - Tennessee ......: - (NA) - - Texas ..........: 12 (NA) 9 13 Virginia .......: - (NA) - - : 15 States ......: 6 (NA) 6 7 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. (NA) Not available. Cotton Condition - Selected States: Week Ending September 5, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ........: 8 22 37 29 4 Arizona ........: - - 7 62 31 Arkansas .......: 1 5 32 43 19 California .....: - - 15 45 40 Georgia ........: 9 19 33 32 7 Kansas .........: 1 4 29 59 7 Louisiana ......: 1 13 30 50 6 Mississippi ....: 4 9 26 47 14 Missouri .......: 11 23 22 38 6 North Carolina .: 4 16 33 41 6 Oklahoma .......: - 7 29 58 6 South Carolina .: - 3 26 62 9 Tennessee ......: 1 3 26 57 13 Texas ..........: 2 6 27 47 18 Virginia .......: 9 28 47 16 - : 15 States ......: 3 9 28 45 15 : Previous week ..: 3 9 28 45 15 Previous year ..: 8 12 29 40 11 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Peanut Condition - Selected States: Week Ending September 5, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ........: 4 9 49 30 8 Florida ........: - 2 14 71 13 Georgia ........: 1 9 37 42 11 North Carolina .: 4 11 46 38 1 Oklahoma .......: - 1 20 63 16 South Carolina .: - 1 23 67 9 Texas ..........: - 1 9 65 25 Virginia .......: 13 22 48 17 - : 8 States .......: 1 7 32 48 12 : Previous week ..: 2 7 32 47 12 Previous year ..: - 2 26 59 13 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Sorghum Coloring - Selected States [These 11 States planted 98% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 97 100 100 98 Colorado .......: 59 48 55 54 Illinois .......: 45 62 78 69 Kansas .........: 46 44 69 57 Louisiana ......: 100 100 100 100 Missouri .......: 50 65 80 66 Nebraska .......: 33 39 69 60 New Mexico .....: 18 21 29 30 Oklahoma .......: 48 54 62 50 South Dakota ...: 48 63 89 69 Texas ..........: 72 74 80 73 : 11 States ......: 57 58 74 64 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sorghum Mature - Selected States [These 11 States planted 98% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 69 95 100 82 Colorado .......: 22 6 12 14 Illinois .......: 6 3 17 26 Kansas .........: 1 3 9 6 Louisiana ......: 99 100 100 97 Missouri .......: 13 18 35 24 Nebraska .......: - - 1 2 New Mexico .....: - - - 3 Oklahoma .......: 9 13 21 17 South Dakota ...: 7 1 11 8 Texas ..........: 65 55 56 65 : 11 States ......: 30 26 30 33 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Sorghum Harvested - Selected States [These 11 States harvested 99% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 25 62 77 41 Colorado .......: 3 - - 1 Illinois .......: - - 2 2 Kansas .........: - - 2 1 Louisiana ......: 76 85 93 79 Missouri .......: - 3 6 4 Nebraska .......: - - - - New Mexico .....: - - - - Oklahoma .......: - - - 4 South Dakota ...: - - - - Texas ..........: 63 42 44 62 : 11 States ......: 25 17 19 25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Sorghum Condition - Selected States: Week Ending September 5, 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 55 19 2 Colorado .......: - 1 19 55 25 Illinois .......: 3 6 24 50 17 Kansas .........: 3 9 28 53 7 Louisiana ......: 1 1 30 68 - Missouri .......: 2 8 28 58 4 Nebraska .......: - 2 17 60 21 New Mexico .....: - - 38 52 10 Oklahoma .......: - 2 29 54 15 South Dakota ...: - 3 20 67 10 Texas ..........: 4 8 28 52 8 : 11 States ......: 3 8 27 53 9 : Previous week ..: 3 7 28 53 9 Previous year ..: 11 10 30 39 10 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Rice Headed - Selected States [These 6 States planted 100% of the 2009 rice acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 92 100 100 97 California .....: 94 60 85 91 Louisiana ......: 100 100 100 100 Mississippi ....: 100 100 100 99 Missouri .......: 81 100 100 96 Texas ..........: 100 95 100 100 : 6 States .......: 94 93 97 97 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rice Harvested - Selected States [These 6 States harvested 100% of the 2009 rice acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 10 29 47 13 California .....: 5 - - 2 Louisiana ......: 75 67 80 73 Mississippi ....: 16 40 50 16 Missouri .......: 9 12 23 6 Texas ..........: 84 78 97 87 : 6 States .......: 23 32 45 24 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Rice Condition - Selected States: Week Ending September 5, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas .......: 1 5 32 43 19 California .....: - 5 25 65 5 Louisiana ......: - 2 25 56 17 Mississippi ....: 1 4 19 47 29 Missouri .......: - 2 9 57 32 Texas ..........: 1 3 36 48 12 : 6 States .......: 1 4 27 51 17 : Previous week ..: - 4 28 49 19 Previous year ..: 2 6 29 43 20 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Spring Wheat Harvested - Selected States [These 6 States harvested 99% of the 2009 spring wheat acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Idaho ..........: 73 34 58 83 Minnesota ......: 56 97 100 87 Montana ........: 56 31 38 82 North Dakota ...: 41 74 80 82 South Dakota ...: 96 95 99 99 Washington .....: 94 68 87 92 : 6 States .......: 56 69 76 85 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Barley Harvested - Selected States [These 5 States harvested 81% of the 2009 barley acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State :September 5, : August 29, :September 5, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Idaho ..........: 68 48 64 77 Minnesota ......: 66 99 100 92 Montana ........: 56 52 58 81 North Dakota ...: 70 91 94 92 Washington .....: 95 68 93 91 : 5 States .......: 66 71 78 86 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pasture and Range Condition - Selected States: Week Ending September 5, 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 ........: 8 28 41 21 2 Arizona ........: 17 12 23 32 16 Arkansas .......: 27 40 26 7 - California .....: 5 30 25 40 - Colorado .......: - 6 39 50 5 Connecticut ....: 5 45 44 6 - Delaware .......: 8 15 40 34 3 Florida ........: - 2 10 65 23 Georgia ........: 3 18 49 28 2 Idaho ..........: 1 9 32 48 10 Illinois .......: 5 9 39 40 7 Indiana ........: 17 29 36 17 1 Iowa ...........: 2 6 25 49 18 Kansas .........: 4 11 37 45 3 Kentucky .......: 16 26 25 30 3 Louisiana ......: 5 15 41 33 6 Maine ..........: 3 43 26 13 15 Maryland .......: 15 27 30 24 4 Massachusetts ..: - 2 29 69 - Michigan .......: 3 11 37 34 15 Minnesota ......: - 2 12 66 20 Mississippi ....: 5 26 33 30 6 Missouri .......: 16 13 32 33 6 Montana ........: 5 9 38 39 9 Nebraska .......: 1 3 14 68 14 Nevada .........: 3 8 64 23 2 New Hampshire ..: 7 8 20 65 - New Jersey .....: 5 35 30 30 - New Mexico .....: 3 14 35 41 7 New York .......: 1 6 37 48 8 North Carolina .: 5 23 41 29 2 North Dakota ...: - 7 33 56 4 Ohio ...........: 6 19 37 32 6 Oklahoma .......: 7 19 44 28 2 Oregon .........: 15 24 34 26 1 Pennsylvania ...: 16 18 30 29 7 Rhode Island ...: - - 16 84 - South Carolina .: 4 15 34 46 1 South Dakota ...: 3 11 23 48 15 Tennessee ......: 8 19 40 31 2 Texas ..........: 9 21 39 28 3 Utah ...........: 1 7 30 52 10 Vermont ........: - 27 40 33 - Virginia .......: 23 33 30 14 - Washington .....: 13 13 24 48 2 West Virginia ..: 21 34 31 13 1 Wisconsin ......: - 2 14 58 26 Wyoming ........: - 6 27 56 11 : 48 States ......: 7 16 32 38 7 : Previous week ..: 6 15 31 41 7 Previous year ..: 11 12 28 41 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Crop Progress and Condition Tables Expected Next Week Barley: Harvested Corn: Dented, Mature, Harvested, Condition Cotton: Bolls Opening, Harvested, Condition Pasture and Range: Condition Peanuts: Harvested, Condition Rice: Harvested, Condition Sorghum: Coloring, Mature, Harvested, Condition Soybeans: 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.