Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin ISSN: Released October 19, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). National Weather Summary October 10 - 16, 2010 Highlights: Mild, mostly dry weather continued to promote a rapid pace of fieldwork across much of the Nation. Conditions were especially ideal in the western Corn Belt, where corn and soybean harvest activities accelerated under a warm, dry weather regime. Showers briefly affected portions of the central and southern Plains and areas from the central Gulf Coast States into the eastern Corn Belt. Although the rain encouraged pasture growth and winter wheat emergence, more precipitation will soon be needed to promote wheat establishment and prevent further drought expansion and intensification. Farther east, late-week downpours in the northern Atlantic region contrasted with mostly dry weather in the southern Atlantic States. Weekly rainfall topped 2 inches in much of New England. Elsewhere, mostly dry weather and near- to above-normal temperatures prevailed in the West, except for early-week showers from the Pacific Northwest to the northern Rockies. Winter wheat planting neared completion in the Northwest, while harvest activities for cotton and other summer crops advanced in California and the Desert Southwest. Early in the week, record-setting warmth persisted across the eastern half of the Nation. Little Rock, Arkansas (92 degrees Fahrenheit on October 10), recorded its 117th day of 90-degree heat, surpassing the annual standard of 115 days set in 1954 and 1998. From October 8-10, three consecutive daily-record highs were set or tied in locations such as Jackson, Tennessee (89, 89, and 91 degrees Fahrenheit), and Louisville, Kentucky (89, 91, and 90 degrees Fahrenheit). On October 10, daily-record highs exceeded 90 degrees Fahrenheit in locations such as Monroe, Louisiana (95 degrees Fahrenheit); Greenwood, Mississippi (93 degrees Fahrenheit); and Montgomery, Alabama (91 degrees Fahrenheit). Farther north, Rochester, Minnesota, reached 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher on 4 consecutive days (October 8-11) for only the second time on record in October. Rochester, which recorded 87, 90, 83, and 81 degrees Fahrenheit during the warm spell, also achieved the feat from October 14-17, 1947. Cooler air arrived in the central and eastern United States by mid-week, while warmth returned to California and the Southwest. From October 11-13, San Francisco International Airport collected a trio of daily-record highs (88, 94, and 92 degrees Fahrenheit). On October 14, Phoenix, Arizona, posted a daily record-tying high of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Toward week's end, cool air settled across the South. Daily-record lows were set on October 15 in several places, including Waco, Texas (40 degrees Fahrenheit), and Mobile, Alabama (41 degrees Fahrenheit). Showers ended across the Northwest early in the period, but not before daily-record totals had been established on October 10 in Troutdale, Oregon (0.91 inch), and Glenwood, Washington (0.30 inch). Elsewhere in Oregon, Astoria received 3.45 inches of rain from October 8-11. As the Northwestern moisture shifted eastward, Laramie, Wyoming (0.62 inch), netted a daily-record total for October 12. Toward week's end, precipitation intensified across the Northeast, where Portland, Maine (3.51 inches), tallied a daily-record total for October 15. Other Northeastern records for October 15 included 2.14 inches in Burlington, Vermont, and 1.06 inches in Watertown, New York. Heavy snow blanketed the highest peaks of New England and the Adirondacks, with 25 inches reported at the summit of Vermont's Mt. Mansfield on October 15-16. Similarly, 8.9 inches fell from October 14-17 atop Mt. Washington, New Hampshire, New England's highest peak. Farther south, Hurricane Paula passed between the Yucatan Peninsula and the western tip of Cuba on October 13-14 before dissipating near Cuba's northern coast. Heavy showers associated with Paula grazed southern Florida, where Marathon received 9.75 inches of rain from October 12-15. Most (8.28 inches) of Marathon's rain fell on October 12. Heavy precipitation continued in southeastern Alaska, while generally light precipitation and near-normal temperatures covered the mainland. From October 1-16, Annette Island received 14.56 inches of rain, 208 percent of normal. Annette Island's weekly total reached 7.87 inches, aided by a 2.78-inch sum on October 16. Farther north, Fairbanks received 2.8 inches of snow from October 10-12. Meanwhile, drought remained entrenched across the majority of Hawaii. On the Big Island, for example, Hilo remained on a pace to experience its driest year on record. Hilo's January 1 - October 16 rainfall totaled 39.70 inches (42 percent of normal), compared to the annual record low of 68.09 inches in 1983. Hilo will need more than 28 inches of rain from October 17 - December 31 to avert its driest year on record; normal rainfall during that period is 31.40 inches. National Weather Summary provided by USDA's World Agricultural Outlook Board. For more information, call (202) 720-2397. Agricultural Summary October 11 - 17, 2010 Highlights: Much of the country experienced warm, dry weather during the week, allowing summer crop harvesting and small grain seeding to continue at a rapid pace. Most notably, temperatures in southern California and throughout portions of the Corn Belt reached as many as 8 degrees above normal. Elsewhere, continued dry conditions from the lower Mississippi Valley into the much of the Southeast worsened already low soil moisture levels, hampering some cotton, peanut, and soybean harvest. Corn: With warm, dry weather continuing to dominate much of the major corn-producing areas, harvest progress remained rapid during the week, advancing at the quickest pace since 2000. By October 17, producers had harvested 68 percent of the Nation's crop, 52 percentage points, or 36 days, ahead of last year and 29 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Ten of the 18 major estimating States were 20 points or more ahead of both last year and the 5-year average. Soybeans: Nationally, soybean producers continued to harvest this year's crop at a record pace. With harvest advancing 16 percentage points during the week, progress reached 83 percent complete by week's end, 54 percentage points, or 26 days, ahead of last year and 21 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Dry weather and excellent harvest conditions had pushed progress in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska, the five largest soybean-producing States, to 35 points or more ahead of last year and 20 points or more ahead of normal. Winter Wheat: While warm, sunny weather provided nearly ideal conditions for winter wheat seeding, unfavorably dry conditions left portions of the central and southern Plains in need of rain for adequate crop establishment. By October 17, eighty percent of the 2011 winter wheat crop was seeded, 9 percentage points ahead of last year and 3 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Seeding was most ahead of last year and normal in the Middle Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Emergence advanced to 51 percent complete by week's end, 2 percentage points ahead of last year but slightly behind the 5-year average. Cotton: By week's end, bolls were opening on 95 percent of the Nation's cotton crop, 10 percentage points ahead of last year and 7 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In Texas, improved weather conditions in the Southern High Plains allowed for more crop defoliation, while more producers in the Northern High Plains were able to move into their fields. Nationwide, harvest was complete on 41 percent of this year's cotton acreage, 26 percentage points ahead of last year and 11 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Overall, 55 percent of the cotton crop was reported in good to excellent condition, unchanged from ratings last week but 11 percentage points better than the same time last year. Sorghum: Ninety-four percent of this year's sorghum acreage was at or beyond the mature stage by October 17, twenty-three percentage points ahead of last year and 15 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Most notably, crop maturity in Kansas and Texas, the two largest sorghum-producing States, was 23 points or more ahead of last year and 11 points or more ahead of normal. Nationally, harvest advanced to 62 percent complete, 27 percentage points ahead of last year and 14 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Rice: With progress complete or nearly complete throughout the Delta and Texas, producers had harvested 87 percent of this year's rice crop, 12 percentage points ahead of last year but slightly behind the 5-year average. In California, harvest continued at a steady pace as north winds helped to dry fields in the rice-producing areas of the State; however, progress remained 48 percentage points behind the 5-year average due to delays earlier in the season. Other Crops: By October 17, peanut producers had harvested over half of this year's crop. With 52 percent of the crop dug, progress was 20 percentage points ahead of last year and 9 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Despite double-digit progress throughout much of the major peanut-producing areas of the country, some fields in the Southeast were in need of rainfall before digging could continue. Overall, 44 percent of the peanut crop was reported in good to excellent condition, down slightly from ratings last week and 24 percentage points below the same time last year. By week's end, 29 percent of the Nation's sunflower crop was harvested, 21 percentage points ahead of last year and 7 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. In North Dakota, ideal weather conditions continued to promote a rapid harvest pace, pushing progress to over 18 days ahead of last year. Sugarbeet producers in the four major estimating States had harvested 75 percent of this year's crop by October 17, twenty-three percentage points ahead of last year and 16 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. As harvest neared completion in Minnesota and North Dakota, producers in Michigan had dug just enough of their crop to keep the factories running and were expecting harvest to gain speed in the coming weeks. Corn Harvested - Selected States [These 18 States harvested 94% of the 2009 corn acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 33 32 53 33 Illinois .......: 10 87 93 54 Indiana ........: 14 80 90 39 Iowa ...........: 9 40 66 27 Kansas .........: 43 81 89 67 Kentucky .......: 52 96 98 80 Michigan .......: 3 45 60 22 Minnesota ......: 3 17 47 26 Missouri .......: 40 74 84 68 Nebraska .......: 13 29 50 29 North Carolina .: 89 95 100 92 North Dakota ...: 1 6 22 18 Ohio ...........: 8 47 64 23 Pennsylvania ...: 24 41 53 43 South Dakota ...: 5 18 34 23 Tennessee ......: 63 98 99 89 Texas ..........: 84 80 89 88 Wisconsin ......: 5 30 50 22 : 18 States ......: 16 51 68 39 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Soybeans Harvested - Selected States [These 18 States harvested 95% of the 2009 soybean acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 25 53 71 51 Illinois .......: 13 79 90 64 Indiana ........: 26 79 90 59 Iowa ...........: 36 80 94 73 Kansas .........: 41 43 61 51 Kentucky .......: 24 61 75 42 Louisiana ......: 64 87 92 85 Michigan .......: 25 66 84 53 Minnesota ......: 33 82 96 76 Mississippi ....: 48 90 95 83 Missouri .......: 21 36 58 42 Nebraska .......: 54 71 89 69 North Carolina .: 8 9 15 9 North Dakota ...: 20 68 90 69 Ohio ...........: 33 60 80 59 South Dakota ...: 29 66 85 66 Tennessee ......: 21 62 79 48 Wisconsin ......: 13 63 86 49 : 18 States ......: 29 67 83 62 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cotton Bolls Opening - Selected States [These 15 States planted 99% of the 2009 cotton acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: 73 93 95 91 Arizona ........: 97 97 98 99 Arkansas .......: 93 100 100 98 California .....: 94 80 85 89 Georgia ........: 96 96 98 93 Kansas .........: 55 95 100 72 Louisiana ......: 100 100 100 100 Mississippi ....: 94 100 100 98 Missouri .......: 80 100 100 95 North Carolina .: 94 99 100 98 Oklahoma .......: 92 100 100 93 South Carolina .: 94 92 96 93 Tennessee ......: 92 100 100 98 Texas ..........: 80 88 92 82 Virginia .......: 89 93 97 97 : 15 States ......: 85 92 95 88 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Cotton Harvested - Selected States [These 15 States harvested 99% of the 2009 cotton acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: 7 45 58 34 Arizona ........: 34 20 22 30 Arkansas .......: 8 72 87 54 California .....: 22 5 10 14 Georgia ........: 8 26 34 22 Kansas .........: - 2 8 4 Louisiana ......: 23 83 88 71 Mississippi ....: 3 86 92 60 Missouri .......: 4 73 82 50 North Carolina .: 13 26 39 25 Oklahoma .......: 7 16 30 12 South Carolina .: 21 26 41 27 Tennessee ......: 3 65 82 45 Texas ..........: 19 21 26 24 Virginia .......: 24 30 44 31 : 15 States ......: 15 33 41 30 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Cotton Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 17, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ........: 10 25 39 25 1 Arizona ........: - 1 18 43 38 Arkansas .......: 1 5 28 45 21 California .....: - - 20 55 25 Georgia ........: 12 22 33 28 5 Kansas .........: 2 6 26 57 9 Louisiana ......: 1 14 30 51 4 Mississippi ....: 3 9 28 45 15 Missouri .......: 11 20 27 35 7 North Carolina .: 5 22 40 29 4 Oklahoma .......: 2 9 33 40 16 South Carolina .: 2 15 28 50 5 Tennessee ......: 1 4 27 58 10 Texas ..........: 3 8 29 45 15 Virginia .......: 19 29 35 17 - : 15 States ......: 4 11 30 42 13 : Previous week ..: 4 11 30 42 13 Previous year ..: 10 15 31 35 9 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Sugarbeets Harvested - Selected States [These 4 States harvested 84% of the 2009 sugarbeet acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Idaho ..........: 40 23 38 32 Michigan .......: 21 33 35 19 Minnesota ......: 58 59 91 73 North Dakota ...: 66 61 95 77 : 4 States .......: 52 50 75 59 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peanuts Harvested - Selected States [These 8 States harvested 98% of the 2009 peanut acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Alabama ........: 13 33 45 35 Florida ........: 49 62 77 60 Georgia ........: 30 34 51 44 North Carolina .: 38 20 31 52 Oklahoma .......: 18 25 40 27 South Carolina .: 57 62 80 55 Texas ..........: 34 34 52 29 Virginia .......: 45 12 20 50 : 8 States .......: 32 37 52 43 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Peanut Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 17, 2010 [National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2009 planted acreage] ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- : percent : Alabama ........: 14 28 47 10 1 Florida ........: 4 30 27 29 10 Georgia ........: 6 14 34 36 10 North Carolina .: 4 21 52 23 - Oklahoma .......: - 1 18 71 10 South Carolina .: - 3 32 57 8 Texas ..........: - 1 22 61 16 Virginia .......: 36 40 22 2 - : 8 States .......: 6 16 34 35 9 : Previous week ..: 6 17 32 36 9 Previous year ..: - 2 30 56 12 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Sorghum Mature - Selected States [These 11 States planted 98% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 100 100 100 100 Colorado .......: 79 89 98 81 Illinois .......: 82 91 92 91 Kansas .........: 70 88 94 76 Louisiana ......: 100 100 100 100 Missouri .......: 75 92 96 88 Nebraska .......: 74 89 94 85 New Mexico .....: 38 43 63 33 Oklahoma .......: 48 80 91 61 South Dakota ...: 88 97 99 92 Texas ..........: 71 92 94 83 : 11 States ......: 71 89 94 79 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sorghum Harvested - Selected States [These 11 States harvested 99% of the 2009 sorghum acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 85 100 100 96 Colorado .......: 24 15 26 27 Illinois .......: 18 61 76 53 Kansas .........: 10 40 55 30 Louisiana ......: 98 100 100 100 Missouri .......: 23 57 74 54 Nebraska .......: 7 15 28 24 New Mexico .....: 10 15 25 8 Oklahoma .......: 19 38 49 33 South Dakota ...: 23 53 85 45 Texas ..........: 69 73 74 74 : 11 States ......: 35 52 62 48 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Sunflowers Harvested - Selected States [These 4 States harvested 85% of the 2009 sunflower acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Colorado .......: 36 43 65 47 Kansas .........: 11 14 28 25 North Dakota ...: 7 6 24 19 South Dakota ...: 3 14 31 21 : 4 States .......: 8 11 29 22 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Rice Harvested - Selected States [These 6 States harvested 100% of the 2009 rice acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 65 95 98 87 California .....: 89 20 30 78 Louisiana ......: 97 99 100 99 Mississippi ....: 58 98 100 89 Missouri .......: 59 100 100 84 Texas ..........: 100 100 100 100 : 6 States .......: 75 83 87 88 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Wheat Planted - Selected States [These 18 States planted 89% of the 2010 winter wheat acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 15 11 20 27 California .....: 22 10 10 15 Colorado .......: 94 96 98 97 Idaho ..........: 84 82 87 86 Illinois .......: 13 56 75 57 Indiana ........: 21 51 67 58 Kansas .........: 73 71 86 80 Michigan .......: 50 73 89 71 Missouri .......: 15 29 54 38 Montana ........: 91 81 90 93 Nebraska .......: 95 95 98 96 North Carolina .: 6 5 10 11 Ohio ...........: 43 56 83 66 Oklahoma .......: 73 66 78 77 Oregon .........: 73 69 80 70 South Dakota ...: 89 86 95 94 Texas ..........: 72 66 73 72 Washington .....: 94 87 94 90 : 18 States : 71 70 80 77 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Winter Wheat Emerged - Selected States [These 18 States planted 89% of the 2010 winter wheat acreage] ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : Week ending : :-----------------------------------------: State : October 17, : October 10, : October 17, : 2005-2009 : 2009 : 2010 : 2010 : Average ------------------------------------------------------------------------ : percent : Arkansas .......: 9 2 5 10 California .....: 4 - 2 3 Colorado .......: 73 67 73 80 Idaho ..........: 46 41 58 42 Illinois .......: 6 13 27 21 Indiana ........: 4 8 21 20 Kansas .........: 47 31 50 54 Michigan .......: 22 25 55 34 Missouri .......: 9 6 18 17 Montana ........: 53 45 61 59 Nebraska .......: 76 68 81 82 North Carolina .: - - 1 2 Ohio ...........: 13 12 38 28 Oklahoma .......: 58 37 51 55 Oregon .........: 40 34 44 33 South Dakota ...: 69 61 77 73 Texas ..........: 48 35 41 47 Washington .....: 72 71 78 65 : 18 States ......: 49 38 51 52 ------------------------------------------------------------------------ - Represents zero. Pasture and Range Condition - Selected States: Week Ending October 17, 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 ........: 31 45 22 2 - Arizona ........: 19 14 31 22 14 Arkansas .......: 28 35 30 5 2 California .....: 5 30 20 45 - Colorado .......: 1 16 45 35 3 Connecticut ....: 14 17 50 19 - Delaware .......: 9 29 46 15 1 Florida ........: 1 4 40 45 10 Georgia ........: 17 31 38 13 1 Idaho ..........: 1 14 39 45 1 Illinois .......: 12 20 32 33 3 Indiana ........: 52 27 15 6 - Iowa ...........: 3 8 37 41 11 Kansas .........: 4 16 37 40 3 Kentucky .......: 50 33 14 3 - Louisiana ......: 26 37 29 8 - Maine ..........: 1 16 23 60 - Maryland .......: 4 18 27 44 7 Massachusetts ..: - 2 70 26 2 Michigan .......: 4 21 36 31 8 Minnesota ......: 1 5 21 57 16 Mississippi ....: 57 32 9 2 - Missouri .......: 5 15 34 41 5 Montana ........: 2 8 41 41 8 Nebraska .......: 2 3 25 64 6 Nevada .........: 4 11 74 10 1 New Hampshire ..: 10 8 48 34 - New Jersey .....: - 5 40 50 5 New Mexico .....: 6 13 32 44 5 New York .......: 2 23 27 40 8 North Carolina .: 9 26 39 25 1 North Dakota ...: - 5 28 56 11 Ohio ...........: 8 23 38 26 5 Oklahoma .......: 6 17 43 31 3 Oregon .........: 6 19 49 24 2 Pennsylvania ...: 13 16 37 31 3 Rhode Island ...: - - 16 84 - South Carolina .: 17 15 40 28 - South Dakota ...: 2 11 25 55 7 Tennessee ......: 35 28 26 11 - Texas ..........: 8 16 36 34 6 Utah ...........: 1 11 35 49 4 Vermont ........: - 54 41 5 - Virginia .......: 14 32 38 16 - Washington .....: 14 9 33 41 3 West Virginia ..: 18 38 37 7 - Wisconsin ......: 2 9 24 50 15 Wyoming ........: 1 10 38 43 8 : 48 States ......: 10 18 32 35 5 : Previous week ..: 9 17 32 36 6 Previous year ..: 8 12 30 42 8 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - Represents zero. Crop Progress and Condition Tables Expected Next Week Corn: Harvested Cotton: Harvested, Condition Pasture and Range: Condition Peanuts: Harvested Rice: Harvested Sorghum: Mature, Harvested Soybeans: Harvested Sugarbeets: Harvested Sunflowers: Harvested Winter Wheat: Planted, Emerged, Condition 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 Bryan Durham - Hay, Oats.............................. (202) 690-3234 Steve Maliszewski - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings, Sorghum.. (202) 720-5944 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. 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