Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin ISSN: Released October 5, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). National Weather Summary September 26 - October 2, 2010 Highlights: Tropical moisture, fed between a "cut-off" low-pressure system over the Southeast and a high-pressure system over the western Atlantic Ocean, led to record-setting rainfall in the East. The rich feed of moisture, which included the remnants of Tropical Storm Nicole, eased or eradicated Eastern drought but threatened the quality of open-boll cotton and other unharvested summer crops. Weekly rainfall topped 10 inches in parts of the Mid-Atlantic coastal plain, particularly across eastern North Carolina and southeastern Virginia. Farther west, cool, dry air settled across the Corn Belt and much of the South. In fact, late-week freezes ended the growing season on October 2-3, roughly on schedule, across much of the upper Midwest. Corn and soybeans were largely mature in the freeze-affected area, minimizing the impact of the cold snap. Previously flooded sections of the upper Midwest experienced an extended period of favorably dry weather, allowing fieldwork to gradually resume. Meanwhile on the Plains, dry weather promoted summer crop maturation and harvesting, and winter wheat planting and emergence. However, pockets of dryness on the central and southern Plains raised concerns with respect to winter wheat establishment. Elsewhere, mostly dry weather and record-setting warmth prevailed in the West. On September 27, all-time-record highs were established at a few locations in southern California, including downtown Los Angeles. The warmth favored fieldwork, including winter wheat planting in the Northwest, rice harvesting in California, and cotton harvesting in Arizona. Record-setting warmth prevailed for the entire week in the West. In Nevada, Ely posted eight consecutive daily-record highs from September 25 - October 2, including a maximum of 91 degrees F on September 28. Prior to this year, Ely had never reached or exceeded 90 degrees F after September 17. Elsewhere in Nevada, Elko collected six daily-record highs in a row from September 27 - October 2. On October 1, Nevada locations such as Winnemucca (94 degrees F), Elko (92 degrees F), and Ely (86 degrees F) tallied monthly record highs. Elko reached the 90-degree mark for the first time on record in October, surpassing the monthly standard of 89 degrees F set on October 8, 1917. In Utah, Salt Lake City (89 degrees F on October 1) tied a monthly standard first achieved on October 3, 1963. Farther south, Tucson, AZ (102 degrees F on October 1), tied a monthly record first established on October 3, 1993. The previous day, Tucson (104 degrees F on September 30) had notched its 16th day of triple-digit heat during the month, tying a September record first set in 1953. Meanwhile in southern California, a stunning, late-season heat wave peaked on September 27 with all-time-record highs of 111 degrees F in Long Beach and 113 degrees F in downtown Los Angeles. Long Beach tied the record originally set on October 15, 1961, while Los Angeles eclipsed the former mark of 112 degrees F established on June 26, 1990. Western daily-record highs in excess of 110 degrees F included 115 degrees F (on September 27) in Death Valley, CA; 111 degrees F (on September 26) in Yuma, AZ; and 111 degrees F (on September 26) in Palm Springs, CA. Farther east, stations completing their driest September on record included Rawlins, WY (a trace; previously, 0.10 inch in 1953 and 1957); Alexandria, LA (0.07 inch; previously, 0.20 inch in 1914), and Louisville, KY (0.12 inch; previously, 0.18 inch in 2004). Shreveport, LA, completed its warmest, driest August-September period on record, with an average temperature of 84.8 degrees F (previously, 84.7 degrees F in 2005) and rainfall totaling 0.97 inch (previously, 1.11 inches in 1899). Meanwhile, Nicole existed as a tropical storm for only a few hours on September 29 over Cuba and the Florida Straits before becoming entangled in a cold front draped along the United States East Coast. Copious tropical moisture and a significant frontal wave of low pressure preceded Nicole; the storm's remnant circulation finally reached the middle and northern Atlantic Coast States from late September 30 into October 1. Earlier, heavy rain had developed across the Southeast on September 26, when Macon, GA (4.20 inches), netted a daily-record total. The following day, September 27, featured 10.33 inches of rain in Wilmington, NC. It was Wilmington's second-wettest day on record behind the Hurricane Floyd-induced total of 13.38 inches on September 15, 1999. Floyd's final total in Wilmington was 19.06 inches from September 14-16, 1999. During the last 5 days of September, 22.54 inches of rain deluged Wilmington. Numerous Mid-Atlantic locations posted consecutive daily-record rainfall amounts on September 30 and October 1, when 2-day totals reached 8.08 inches in Allentown, PA, and 7.58 inches in Wilmington, DE. Binghamton, NY (4.24 inches on September 30), experienced its wettest day on record, toppling the 4.05-inch standard established on June 27, 2006. Schoharie Creek at Prattsville, NY, surged 5.38 feet above flood stage on October 1 -- the highest level since April 3, 2005. In southeastern Pennsylvania, Chester Creek near Chester climbed 9.54 feet above flood stage on October 1 -- the highest level since September 16, 1999. Baltimore, MD (6.02 inches on September 30), reported its second-wettest day on record, behind only 7.62 inches on August 23, 1933. Similarly, Norfolk, VA (7.85 inches on September 30), noted its second-wettest day behind only 8.93 inches on September 1, 2006. In addition, Cape Hatteras, NC, clocked a peak wind gust to 60 mph on September 30. Elsewhere, rivers began to recede in the upper Midwest. The Minnesota River at Henderson, MN, crested on September 28 at a record-high 8.08 feet above flood stage (previously, 7.65 feet on April 11, 1965). Very cool weather prevailed in Alaska, while showery conditions were mostly confined to southern and western parts of the state. Near Fairbanks, Eielson Air Force Base (3 degrees F on September 28) posted a monthly record low, previously established with a reading of 5 degrees F on September 27, 1992. Bettles (0 degrees F on September 27 and 28) tied a monthly record first set on September 23, 1992. On September 28, lows dipped to -5 degrees F in Chicken and Circle Hot Springs. Meanwhile, southeastern Alaska completed an odd month that featured nearly 2 weeks of dry weather between early- and late-September wetness. All of Juneau's 6.24-inch monthly rainfall occurred from September 1-9 and 23-30. Farther south, Hawaii's drought situation remained virtually unchanged. On the Big Island at Hilo, the September rainfall of 2.75 inches (30 percent of normal) left its year-to-date total at 37.05 inches (41 percent). On Oahu, Honolulu netted a daily-record rainfall (0.21 inch) for September 30, but had a January-September sum of just 5.03 inches (46 percent of normal). National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary September 27 - October 3, 2010 Highlights: Cooler weather reigned over much of the country east of the Great Plains during the week, with average temperatures falling to as many as 9 degrees below normal in areas of Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas. Elsewhere, warm, dry conditions throughout much of the West provided ideal conditions for summer crop maturation and fall fieldwork. Additionally, dry weather across the Corn Belt promoted the continued rapid corn and soybean harvest. Conversely, heavy precipitation was received along much of the Atlantic Coast, helping to replenish unusually low soil moisture levels but triggering localized flooding. Most notably, coastal locations in North Carolina and Virginia totaled more than 12 inches of rainfall during the week. Corn: Nationally, 93 percent of this year's corn crop was at or beyond the mature stage by week's end, 39 percentage points ahead of last year and 14 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Maturity was nearly complete across much of the Corn Belt, where progress was well ahead of both last year and the average pace. By October 3, producers had harvested 37 percent of the Nation's crop, 28 percentage points, or 36 days, ahead of last year and 16 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest was most advanced and nearly complete in Tennessee, 62 percentage points ahead of last year and 21 percentage points ahead of the average. In the Corn Belt, warm, dry conditions continued to promote a rapid harvest pace, with progress in Illinois and Indiana 59 points or more ahead of last year and 43 points or more ahead of normal. Overall, 66 percent of the corn crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from ratings last week but 4 percentage points below the same time last year. Soybeans: By week's end, leaves were dropping on 88 percent of the soybean crop, 11 percentage points ahead of last year and 3 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Double-digit progress was evident throughout much of the major soybean-producing areas of the country as leaf drop neared completion across much of the Corn Belt, lower Delta, and Ohio Valley. With mostly dry weather providing nearly ideal conditions for fall fieldwork, harvest advanced 20 points during the week to 37 percent complete by October 3, twenty-three percentage points ahead of last year and 9 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Producers in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska, the five largest soybean-producing States, harvested 22 percent or more of their crop during the week. Overall, 64 percent of the soybean crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from ratings last week but 3 percentage points below the same time last year. Winter Wheat: Dry conditions and sunny skies provided ample time for producers in the major winter wheat-producing areas to seed 20 percent of the 2011 crop. By October 3, fifty-three percent of the crop was in the ground, on par with last year but slightly behind the 5-year average. Emergence advanced to 22 percent complete by week's end, 4 percentage points behind last year and 3 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Emergence was most advanced in Washington, where warm temperatures and adequate soil moisture levels have provided ideal germination conditions during the past several weeks. Cotton: Nationwide, bolls were opening on 87 percent of this year's cotton acreage, 21 percentage points, or 16 days, ahead of last year and 13 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest was most advanced and well ahead of both last year and the average pace throughout the Delta. Nationally, 25 percent of the crop was harvested by week's end, 15 percentage points ahead of last year and 7 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In Texas, harvest had just begun in the Southern High Plains, while producers in the Northern High Plains were busy applying defoliants with expectations of starting harvest within the next few weeks. Overall, 56 percent of the cotton crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from ratings last week and 9 percentage points better than the same time last year. Sorghum: By week's end, 77 percent of the Nation's sorghum crop was at or beyond the mature stage, 25 percentage points ahead of last year and 13 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Warm temperatures continued to promote a rapid maturity pace throughout much of the major sorghum-producing areas of the country. Harvest advanced 7 points during the week, leaving progress, at 39 percent complete, 9 percentage points ahead of last year and slightly ahead of the 5-year average. In Texas, harvest was just beginning in the Northern High Plains while producers in the Coastal Bend were waiting for their fields to dry out before continuing to harvest their crop. Overall, 60 percent of the sorghum crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down slightly from ratings last week but 11 percentage points better than the same time last year. Rice: Producers had harvested 78 percent of this year's rice crop by October 3, eighteen percentage points ahead of last year and 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest continued at a slow pace in California, with overall progress falling to 51 percentage points behind last year and 39 percentage points behind the average. Small Grains: By October 3, ninety-four percent of this year's barley crop was harvested, 5 percentage points behind both last year and the 5-year average. Improved weather conditions and 6 days suitable for fieldwork allowed producers in Montana time to harvest 8 percent of their crop, but overall progress remained 15 percentage points behind last year and 17 percentage points behind the average. Nationally, 95 percent of the spring wheat crop was harvested by week's end, 2 percentage points behind last year and 4 percentage points behind the 5-year average. In Montana, producers harvested 16 percent of their crop during the week. Other Crops: Peanut harvest advanced to 24 percent complete by October 3, nine percentage points ahead of last year and 5 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Excessive rainfall in North Carolina and Virginia limited harvest to 4 percent or less, pushing overall progress behind the average pace. Overall, 48 percent of the peanut crop was reported in good to excellent condition, up slightly from ratings last week but 22 percentage points below the same time last year. Sunflower producers had harvested 3 percent of this year's crop by week's end, slightly behind last year and 2 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Overall progress was 3 percentage points behind the average in all estimating States except Colorado. Sugarbeet harvest advanced 15 points during the week to 30 percent complete by October 3, twelve percentage points ahead of last year and 10 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Producers in Minnesota and North Dakota, the two largest sugarbeet-producing States, utilized 4 and 6 days suitable to harvest 18 and 22 percent of their crop, respectively. Corn Mature - Selected States [These 18 States planted 92% of the 2009 corn acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 60 55 79 75 Illinois .......: 39 97 98 80 Indiana ........: 48 94 98 75 Iowa ...........: 68 91 97 83 Kansas .........: 87 93 98 92 Kentucky .......: 85 96 99 95 Michigan .......: 35 90 96 73 Minnesota ......: 34 79 92 74 Missouri .......: 77 90 96 89 Nebraska .......: 59 78 90 76 North Carolina .: 100 100 100 100 North Dakota ...: 21 71 89 70 Ohio ...........: 43 85 90 71 Pennsylvania ...: 51 69 81 74 South Dakota ...: 54 67 84 76 Tennessee ......: 92 99 100 98 Texas ..........: 90 91 92 94 Wisconsin ......: 31 63 83 63 : 18 States ......: 54 85 93 79 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Corn Harvested - Selected States [These 18 States harvested 94% of the 2009 corn acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 19 9 19 16 Illinois .......: 5 57 74 31 Indiana ........: 5 46 64 18 Iowa ...........: 3 8 19 9 Kansas .........: 29 54 69 48 Kentucky .......: 35 80 90 60 Michigan .......: 2 19 30 10 Minnesota ......: 1 2 4 6 Missouri .......: 27 42 60 54 Nebraska .......: 6 10 18 13 North Carolina .: 76 87 91 81 North Dakota ...: - - 2 4 Ohio ...........: 4 24 36 8 Pennsylvania ...: 16 30 35 28 South Dakota ...: 2 2 7 10 Tennessee ......: 34 93 96 75 Texas ..........: 72 64 68 78 Wisconsin ......: - 8 19 8 : 18 States ......: 9 27 37 21 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Corn Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 3, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Colorado .......: - 6 24 55 15 Illinois .......: 5 13 29 43 10 Indiana ........: 4 12 27 44 13 Iowa ...........: 4 8 21 46 21 Kansas .........: 3 9 29 48 11 Kentucky .......: 5 15 34 40 6 Michigan .......: 2 6 16 45 31 Minnesota ......: 1 4 9 53 33 Missouri .......: 8 17 29 37 9 Nebraska .......: 2 3 13 57 25 North Carolina .: 17 17 31 28 7 North Dakota ...: 2 3 12 55 28 Ohio ...........: 2 8 24 47 19 Pennsylvania ...: 6 21 25 37 11 South Dakota ...: 1 8 18 52 21 Tennessee ......: 8 14 31 38 9 Texas ..........: 10 9 19 45 17 Wisconsin ......: 1 3 12 45 39 : 18 States ......: 4 9 21 46 20 : Previous week ..: 4 9 21 47 19 Previous year ..: 3 6 21 51 19 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Soybeans Dropping Leaves - Selected States [These 18 States planted 95% of the 2009 soybean acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 56 62 71 65 Illinois .......: 59 80 91 83 Indiana ........: 76 89 95 86 Iowa ...........: 88 75 90 91 Kansas .........: 73 54 73 78 Kentucky .......: 72 84 93 78 Louisiana ......: 85 89 95 90 Michigan .......: 74 86 96 85 Minnesota ......: 93 90 97 96 Mississippi ....: 72 87 95 89 Missouri .......: 57 44 64 67 Nebraska .......: 89 81 92 90 North Carolina .: 36 38 49 45 North Dakota ...: 90 81 96 97 Ohio ...........: 86 88 95 93 South Dakota ...: 95 84 99 97 Tennessee ......: 71 84 91 82 Wisconsin ......: 70 72 88 86 : 18 States ......: 77 77 88 85 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Soybeans Harvested - Selected States [These 18 States harvested 95% of the 2009 soybean acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 17 33 42 32 Illinois .......: 5 22 50 28 Indiana ........: 8 41 63 22 Iowa ...........: 18 7 38 37 Kansas .........: 16 7 19 18 Kentucky .......: 9 18 38 16 Louisiana ......: 56 67 76 71 Michigan .......: 3 17 35 17 Minnesota ......: 17 6 29 36 Mississippi ....: 39 65 77 67 Missouri .......: 10 4 13 14 Nebraska .......: 24 9 32 29 North Carolina .: - 4 4 3 North Dakota ...: 12 3 28 40 Ohio ...........: 9 29 43 20 South Dakota ...: 14 3 25 26 Tennessee ......: 8 29 46 24 Wisconsin ......: 3 4 23 15 : 18 States ......: 14 17 37 28 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Soybean Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 3, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Arkansas .......: 5 20 33 34 8 Illinois .......: 3 7 25 48 17 Indiana ........: 5 12 29 41 13 Iowa ...........: 3 6 20 49 22 Kansas .........: 4 12 34 43 7 Kentucky .......: 16 26 31 24 3 Louisiana ......: 1 8 27 46 18 Michigan .......: 3 7 20 45 25 Minnesota ......: 1 4 11 55 29 Mississippi ....: 7 14 29 38 12 Missouri .......: 5 14 31 39 11 Nebraska .......: 2 4 16 53 25 North Carolina .: 10 23 43 22 2 North Dakota ...: 2 2 10 59 27 Ohio ...........: 1 9 31 42 17 South Dakota ...: 1 10 20 50 19 Tennessee ......: 8 19 32 36 5 Wisconsin ......: 1 3 13 48 35 : 18 States ......: 3 9 24 46 18 : Previous week ..: 4 9 24 46 17 Previous year ..: 3 6 24 51 16 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- Cotton Bolls Opening - Selected States [These 15 States planted 99% of the 2009 cotton acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: 61 84 88 84 Arizona ........: 89 85 94 94 Arkansas .......: 75 98 99 91 California .....: 78 50 70 71 Georgia ........: 71 92 95 80 Kansas .........: 40 70 85 48 Louisiana ......: 92 99 100 98 Mississippi ....: 83 97 99 94 Missouri .......: 56 95 100 85 North Carolina .: 88 91 97 91 Oklahoma .......: 80 88 95 79 South Carolina .: 84 81 88 81 Tennessee ......: 71 95 97 91 Texas ..........: 59 68 80 64 Virginia .......: 77 71 84 92 : 15 States ......: 66 78 87 74 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cotton Harvested - Selected States [These 15 States harvested 99% of the 2009 cotton acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: - 22 32 13 Arizona ........: 24 15 18 20 Arkansas .......: 3 39 55 23 California .....: 3 - - 3 Georgia ........: 2 12 17 9 Kansas .........: - - 1 1 Louisiana ......: 15 69 75 40 Mississippi ....: 1 51 71 32 Missouri .......: - 31 50 21 North Carolina .: 3 11 15 7 Oklahoma .......: 3 - 11 3 South Carolina .: 10 10 18 9 Tennessee ......: 1 26 47 18 Texas ..........: 17 14 16 21 Virginia .......: 6 12 20 11 : 15 States ......: 10 19 25 18 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Cotton Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 3, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ........: 10 27 38 24 1 Arizona ........: - - 17 64 19 Arkansas .......: 1 5 28 45 21 California .....: - - 15 55 30 Georgia ........: 13 22 35 26 4 Kansas .........: 1 4 23 63 9 Louisiana ......: 1 14 30 51 4 Mississippi ....: 3 9 28 45 15 Missouri .......: 11 20 27 35 7 North Carolina .: 3 22 41 31 3 Oklahoma .......: 2 9 35 41 13 South Carolina .: 3 13 31 47 6 Tennessee ......: 1 4 27 58 10 Texas ..........: 2 7 30 45 16 Virginia .......: 20 30 34 16 - : 15 States ......: 4 10 30 43 13 : Previous week ..: 4 10 31 41 14 Previous year ..: 10 13 30 38 9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Sugarbeets Harvested - Selected States [These 4 States harvested 84% of the 2009 sugarbeet acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Idaho ..........: 12 7 11 11 Michigan .......: 11 21 28 10 Minnesota ......: 21 16 34 24 North Dakota ...: 22 15 37 25 : 4 States .......: 18 15 30 20 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peanuts Harvested - Selected States [These 8 States harvested 98% of the 2009 peanut acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: 4 10 23 16 Florida ........: 29 37 49 33 Georgia ........: 10 13 19 18 North Carolina .: 12 9 13 15 Oklahoma .......: 5 - 11 7 South Carolina .: 28 28 42 28 Texas ..........: 32 21 27 13 Virginia .......: 8 4 6 15 : 8 States .......: 15 16 24 19 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Peanut Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 3, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ........: 15 16 44 23 2 Florida ........: 1 22 20 45 12 Georgia ........: 6 14 37 36 7 North Carolina .: 3 16 59 21 1 Oklahoma .......: 1 2 21 61 15 South Carolina .: - 3 33 56 8 Texas ..........: - 1 10 69 20 Virginia .......: 38 37 19 6 - : 8 States .......: 6 13 33 40 8 : Previous week ..: 5 13 35 39 8 Previous year ..: - 2 28 57 13 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Sorghum Mature - Selected States [These 11 States planted 98% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 100 100 100 100 Colorado .......: 68 40 65 62 Illinois .......: 43 76 88 76 Kansas .........: 36 52 72 52 Louisiana ......: 100 100 100 100 Missouri .......: 53 72 81 71 Nebraska .......: 28 45 76 61 New Mexico .....: 14 10 24 19 Oklahoma .......: 38 55 65 48 South Dakota ...: 63 66 86 74 Texas ..........: 69 79 85 76 : 11 States ......: 52 64 77 64 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sorghum Harvested - Selected States [These 11 States harvested 99% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 64 99 100 86 Colorado .......: 15 1 4 13 Illinois .......: 6 32 54 28 Kansas .........: 4 13 24 15 Louisiana ......: 98 100 100 99 Missouri .......: 12 25 43 37 Nebraska .......: 2 2 6 7 New Mexico .....: - - 3 1 Oklahoma .......: 13 24 34 22 South Dakota ...: 11 2 11 18 Texas ..........: 67 60 61 71 : 11 States ......: 30 32 39 38 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Sorghum Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 3, 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 5 27 60 7 Illinois .......: 2 5 27 54 12 Kansas .........: 3 9 29 50 9 Louisiana ......: 1 1 30 68 - Missouri .......: 2 7 28 57 6 Nebraska .......: - 2 25 54 19 New Mexico .....: - - 51 41 8 Oklahoma .......: 1 3 32 49 15 South Dakota ...: 1 4 20 61 14 Texas ..........: 2 10 29 52 7 : 11 States ......: 2 9 29 51 9 : Previous week ..: 2 8 29 53 8 Previous year ..: 11 10 30 40 9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Sunflowers Harvested - Selected States [These 4 States harvested 85% of the 2009 sunflower acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 19 (NA) 24 23 Kansas .........: 4 (NA) 6 9 North Dakota ...: 5 (NA) 1 4 South Dakota ...: 1 (NA) 1 4 : 4 States .......: 4 (NA) 3 5 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ (NA) Not available. Rice Harvested - Selected States [These 6 States harvested 100% of the 2009 rice acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 50 82 89 70 California .....: 61 5 10 49 Louisiana ......: 93 96 98 96 Mississippi ....: 40 85 95 75 Missouri .......: 39 83 93 61 Texas ..........: 98 100 100 99 : 6 States .......: 60 72 78 72 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Wheat Planted - Selected States [These 18 States planted 89% of the 2010 winter wheat acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 9 3 5 7 California .....: 7 3 5 9 Colorado .......: 80 65 90 83 Idaho ..........: 61 35 60 59 Illinois .......: 6 8 20 14 Indiana ........: 5 10 27 14 Kansas .........: 49 21 45 53 Michigan .......: 26 19 39 31 Missouri .......: 7 4 11 11 Montana ........: 84 32 65 76 Nebraska .......: 83 69 81 83 North Carolina .: 2 1 1 3 Ohio ...........: 11 8 30 18 Oklahoma .......: 53 30 50 54 Oregon .........: 47 26 56 43 South Dakota ...: 76 61 76 79 Texas ..........: 51 36 54 50 Washington .....: 82 72 86 75 : 18 States : 53 33 53 54 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Wheat Emerged - Selected States [These 18 States planted 89% of the 2010 winter wheat acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 4 - 1 2 California .....: 2 - - 1 Colorado .......: 46 26 45 50 Idaho ..........: 16 6 19 17 Illinois .......: 2 - 1 2 Indiana ........: - - 4 1 Kansas .........: 20 4 12 23 Michigan .......: 9 - - 8 Missouri .......: 2 1 2 3 Montana ........: 35 6 18 25 Nebraska .......: 49 25 44 50 North Carolina .: - - - - Ohio ...........: - - 2 2 Oklahoma .......: 25 8 23 25 Oregon .........: 21 6 20 17 South Dakota ...: 40 27 44 41 Texas ..........: 26 9 23 23 Washington .....: 56 47 65 47 : 18 States ......: 26 10 22 25 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Spring Wheat Harvested - Selected States [These 6 States harvested 99% of the 2009 spring wheat acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Idaho ..........: 100 94 97 100 Minnesota ......: 99 100 100 100 Montana ........: 98 65 81 99 North Dakota ...: 94 92 97 99 South Dakota ...: 100 100 100 100 Washington .....: 100 100 100 100 : 6 States .......: 97 89 95 99 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Barley Harvested - Selected States [These 5 States harvested 81% of the 2009 barley acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 3, :September 26,: October 3, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Idaho ..........: 99 91 97 100 Minnesota ......: 100 100 100 100 Montana ........: 96 73 81 98 North Dakota ...: 100 100 100 100 Washington .....: 100 100 100 100 : 5 States .......: 99 91 94 99 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Pasture and Range Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 3, 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 ........: 19 40 31 10 - Arizona ........: 17 10 32 29 12 Arkansas .......: 15 34 34 16 1 California .....: 5 30 25 40 - Colorado .......: 1 19 46 33 1 Connecticut ....: 7 35 31 22 5 Delaware .......: 7 19 42 29 3 Florida ........: 1 4 25 55 15 Georgia ........: 10 28 41 19 2 Idaho ..........: 2 17 38 43 - Illinois .......: 5 9 40 41 5 Indiana ........: 36 29 25 9 1 Iowa ...........: 2 6 27 50 15 Kansas .........: 5 14 36 42 3 Kentucky .......: 37 29 20 13 1 Louisiana ......: 17 34 34 14 1 Maine ..........: 2 7 22 68 1 Maryland .......: 17 24 33 25 1 Massachusetts ..: - 2 69 29 - Michigan .......: 1 14 29 44 12 Minnesota ......: - 4 21 56 19 Mississippi ....: 28 39 27 5 1 Missouri .......: 8 11 31 42 8 Montana ........: 2 9 39 41 9 Nebraska .......: 1 3 22 64 10 Nevada .........: 5 12 61 21 1 New Hampshire ..: 12 7 19 62 - New Jersey .....: - 5 50 40 5 New Mexico .....: 6 11 24 52 7 New York .......: 3 19 26 44 8 North Carolina .: 8 28 40 23 1 North Dakota ...: - 5 27 56 12 Ohio ...........: 8 26 39 23 4 Oklahoma .......: 5 16 42 34 3 Oregon .........: 4 19 55 21 1 Pennsylvania ...: 18 25 38 18 1 Rhode Island ...: - - 16 84 - South Carolina .: 11 18 49 22 - South Dakota ...: 2 11 22 53 12 Tennessee ......: 24 25 33 18 - Texas ..........: 6 13 34 38 9 Utah ...........: 1 20 33 42 4 Vermont ........: - 38 51 11 - Virginia .......: 21 32 33 14 - Washington .....: 10 11 31 45 3 West Virginia ..: 23 34 37 5 1 Wisconsin ......: - 3 21 51 25 Wyoming ........: 1 13 37 41 8 : 48 States ......: 8 16 32 37 7 : Previous week ..: 8 17 31 37 7 Previous year ..: 9 13 30 40 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Crop Progress and Condition Tables Expected Next Week Barley: Harvested Corn: Mature, Harvested, Condition Cotton: Bolls Opening, Harvested, Condition Pasture and Range: Condition Peanuts: Harvested, Condition Rice: Harvested Sorghum: Mature, Harvested, Condition Soybeans: Dropping Leaves, Harvested, Condition Sugarbeets: Harvested Sunflowers: Harvested Winter Wheat: Planted, Emerged 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.