Crop 

Production

National

Agricultural

Statistics

Service

USDA

Washington, D.C.

Released February 11, 1998, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For

information on “Crop Production” call (202) 720-2127, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET. Forecasts refer to February 1, 1998. Report features are

located at the end of this report.

Record Large Orange Production

All oranges production for the 1997-98 season remains unchanged from the January

forecast at a record large 14.3 million tons, up 12 percent from last season’s

record production. Florida's production is forecast at 254 million boxes 

(11.4 million tons), unchanged from January but 12 percent above last season. 

Florida’s early-midseason and Valencia forecasts also remained unchanged from

last month and are each record large crops. Early and midseason varieties are

expected to produce 146 million boxes (6.57 million tons), 9 percent above last

year. The Valencia forecast is 108 million boxes (4.86 million tons), 

17 percent above a year ago.

Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1997-98 season is

increased to 1.56 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, up from 1.55 gallons per

box in January. The forecast projects the final yield as reported by the

Florida Citrus Processors Association. Projected average yield for 1997-98

early and midseason varieties is 1.50 gallons per box compared to 1.48 a month

ago and 1.52 the previous season. Valencia yield is projected at 1.65 gallons

per box, unchanged from January, but down from 1.68 last season.

Cr Pr 2-2 (2-98)
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 2 NASS, USDA

This report was approved on February 11, 1998.

 Acting Secretary of Agricultural Statistics Board

 Agriculture Chairperson

 Richard E. Rominger Rich Allen
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 3 NASS, USDA

Contents

 Page

 Tables Narratives

Report Highlights ........................................... - 1

Sugarcane ................................................... 4 16

Citrus Fruits ............................................... 5 16

Papayas ..................................................... 6 18

California Nut Crops ........................................ 7 18

Crop Summary (Domestic Units)

 Area Planted and Harvested ............................. 8 -

 Yield and Production ................................... 9 -

Fruits and Nuts Production (Domestic Units) ................. 10 -

Crop Summary (Metric Units)

 Area Planted and Harvested ............................. 11 -

 Yield and Production ................................... 12 -

Fruits and Nuts Production (Metric Units) ................... 13 -

January Weather Summary ..................................... - 14

General Crop Comments ....................................... - 15

Report Features ............................................. - 19
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 4 NASS, USDA

 

 Sugarcane: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production 

 by Use, State, and United States, 1996-97 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 Use : Area Harvested : Yield 1/ : Production 1/ 

 and :-----------------------------------------------------------

 State : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

 : 1,000 Acres ---- Tons ---- -- 1,000 Tons -- 

 : 

For Sugar : 

 FL : 417.0 421.0 33.1 35.5 13,803 14,946 

 HI 2/ : 42.9 32.0 82.6 87.0 3,544 2,784 

 LA 2/ : 335.0 380.0 27.9 28.7 9,347 10,906 

 TX 2/ : 34.6 29.5 28.7 29.0 992 856 

 : 

 US : 829.5 862.5 33.4 34.2 27,686 29,492 

 : 

For Seed : 

 FL : 21.0 18.0 33.1 35.5 695 639 

 HI 2/ : 3.1 3.0 30.6 28.7 95 86 

 LA 2/ : 35.0 30.0 27.9 28.7 976 861 

 TX 2/ : 0.3 2.0 33.3 23.0 10 46 

 : 

 US : 59.4 53.0 29.9 30.8 1,776 1,632 

 : 

For Sugar : 

 and Seed : 

 FL : 438.0 439.0 33.1 35.5 14,498 15,585 

 HI 2/ : 46.0 35.0 79.1 82.0 3,639 2,870 

 LA 2/ : 370.0 410.0 27.9 28.7 10,323 11,767 

 TX 2/ : 34.9 31.5 28.7 28.6 1,002 902 

 : 

 US : 888.9 915.5 33.1 34.0 29,462 31,124 

----------------------------------------------------------------------

1/ Net tons. 

2/ Current estimates carried forward from earlier forecast. 
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 5 NASS, USDA

 

 Citrus Fruits: Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States, 

 1995-96, 1996-97, and Forecasted February 1, 1998 1/ 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Utilized Production : Utilized Production 

 : Boxes : Ton Equivalent 

 Crop and State :-----------------------------------------------------------

 : 1995-96 : 1996-97 : 1997-98 : 1995-96 : 1996-97 : 1997-98 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : ------ 1,000 Boxes 2/ ----- ------- 1,000 Tons ------- 

Oranges : 

 Early Mid & : 

 Navel 3/ : 

 AZ 4/ : 700 400 450 27 15 17 

 CA 4/ : 38,000 40,000 44,000 1,426 1,500 1,650 

 FL : 121,200 134,200 146,000 5,454 6,039 6,570 

 TX : 830 1,300 1,400 35 55 60 

 US : 160,730 175,900 191,850 6,942 7,609 8,297 

 Valencia : 

 AZ 4/ : 950 600 550 36 23 21 

 CA 4/ : 20,000 28,000 30,000 750 1,050 1,125 

 FL : 82,100 92,000 108,000 3,695 4,140 4,860 

 TX : 110 120 150 4 5 6 

 US : 103,160 120,720 138,700 4,485 5,218 6,012 

 All : 

 AZ 4/ : 1,650 1,000 1,000 63 38 38 

 CA 4/ : 58,000 68,000 74,000 2,176 2,550 2,775 

 FL : 203,300 226,200 254,000 9,149 10,179 11,430 

 TX : 940 1,420 1,550 39 60 66 

 US : 263,890 296,620 330,550 11,427 12,827 14,309 

Temples : 

 FL : 2,150 2,400 2,300 97 108 104 

Grapefruit : 

 White Seedless : 

 FL 5/ : 23,200 23,500 23,000 986 999 978 

 Colored Seedless : 

 FL 5/ : 28,100 31,400 28,500 1,194 1,334 1,211 

 Other : 

 FL : 1,050 900 500 45 38 21 

 All : 

 AZ 4/ : 1,200 900 800 40 30 27 

 CA 4/ : 8,100 8,200 9,000 271 275 302 

 FL 5/ : 52,350 55,800 52,000 2,225 2,371 2,210 

 TX : 4,550 5,300 4,600 182 212 184 

 US : 66,200 70,200 66,400 2,718 2,888 2,723 

Tangerines : 

 AZ 4/ : 1,000 550 500 38 21 19 

 CA 4/ : 2,600 2,600 2,400 98 98 90 

 FL : 4,500 6,300 5,050 213 299 240 

 US : 8,100 9,450 7,950 349 418 349 

Lemons 4/ : 

 AZ : 5,100 2,600 2,600 194 99 99 

 CA : 21,000 20,000 22,000 798 760 836 

 US : 26,100 22,600 24,600 992 859 935 

Tangelos : 

 FL : 2,450 3,950 3,000 110 178 135 

K-Early Citrus : 

 FL : 160 150 40 7 7 2 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 6 NASS, USDA

 

 Citrus Fruit Footnotes 

1/ The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with 

 the completion of harvest the following year. 

2/ Net lbs. per box: oranges-AZ & CA-75, FL-90, TX-85; grapefruit-AZ & CA-67, 

 FL-85, TX-80; lemons-76; tangelos, K-Early Citrus & Temples-90; 

 tangerines-AZ & CA-75, FL-95. 

3/ Navel and miscellaneous varieties in AZ and CA. Early (including Navel) and

 midseason varieties in FL and TX. Small quantities of tangerines in TX. 

4/ Estimates for current year carried forward from earlier forecast. 

5/ Excludes economic abandonment in 1995-96 of 3,000,000 boxes of Colored 

 Seedless; in 1996-97 of 3,000,000 boxes of White Seedless and 3,000,000 

 boxes of Colored Seedless. 

 

 Papayas: Area and Fresh Production by Month, Hawaii, 1997-98 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Area : Fresh Production 

 :-------------------------------------------------------------------

 Month : Total in Crop : Harvested : : 

 :---------------------------------------------: 1997 : 1998 

 : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 : : 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : ---------------- Acres ---------------- 1,000 Pounds 

 : 

Dec : 3,515 1,715 3,040 

Jan : 3,435 3,510 1,500 1,730 3,425 2,820 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 7 NASS, USDA

 

 California Nut Crops: Bearing Acreage, Yield, Production, 

 Price, and Value by Crop, 1995-96 and Revised 1997 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Bearing Acreage : Yield per Acre 1/ 

 Crop :-----------------------------------------------------------------

 : 1995 : 1996 : 1997 : 1995 : 1996 : 1997 

 :-----------------------------------------------------------------

 : ----------- Acres ----------- -- Tons (In-Shell Basis) -- 

 : 

Walnuts : 

 (English) : 169,000 169,000 170,000 1.38 1.23 1.58 

 : 

 : Pounds (In-Shell Basis) 

 : 

Pistachios : 60,300 64,300 65,400 2,450 1,630 2,750 

 : 

 : Pounds (Shelled Basis) 

 : 

Almonds : 400,000 405,000 420,000 925 1,260 1,790 

 :-----------------------------------------------------------------

 : Production : Price per Unit 

 :-----------------------------------------------------------------

 : 1995 : 1996 : 1997 : 1995 : 1996 : 1997 

 :-----------------------------------------------------------------

 : --- Tons (In-Shell Basis) --- ----- Dollars per Ton ----- 

 : 

Walnuts : 

 (English) 2/ : 234,000 208,000 269,000 1,400 1,570 

 : 

 : 1,000 Pounds (In-Shell Basis) ---- Dollars per Pound --- 

 : 

Pistachios : 148,000 105,000 180,000 1.09 1.16 1.13 

 : 

 : 1,000 Pounds (Shelled Basis) 

 : 

Almonds 3/ : 370,000 510,000 750,000 2.48 2.08 1.50 

 :-----------------------------------------------------------------

 : Value of Utilized Production 

 :-----------------------------------------------------------------

 : 1995 : 1996 : 1997 

 :-----------------------------------------------------------------

 : 1,000 Dollars 

 : 

Walnuts : 

 (English) 2/ : 327,600 326,560 

 : 

Pistachios : 161,320 121,800 203,400 

 : 

Almonds 3/ : 880,896 1,018,368 1,080,000 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1/ Yield based on utilized production. 

2/ Price and value estimates for 1997 will be published on July 7, 1998. 

3/ Price and value estimates are based on the edible portion of the crop only. 

 Included in production are inedible quantities of no value as follows: 1995

 - 14.8 million pounds, 1996 - 20.4 million pounds, 1997 - 30.0 million 

 pounds. 
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 8 NASS, USDA

 

 Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1997-98 

 (Domestic Units) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Area Planted : Area Harvested 

 Crop :-----------------------------------------------

 : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : 1,000 Acres 

 : 

Grains & Hay : 

 Barley : 6,910.0 6,425.0 

 Corn for Grain : 80,227.0 73,720.0 

 Corn for Silage : 5,758.0 

 Hay, All : 60,815.0 

 Alfalfa : 23,673.0 

 All Other : 37,142.0 

 Oats : 5,169.0 2,911.0 

 Rice : 3,056.0 3,034.0 

 Rye : 1,433.0 1,551.0 341.0 

 Sorghum for Grain : 10,108.0 9,391.0 

 Sorghum for Silage : 310.0 

 Wheat, All : 70,989.0 63,577.0 

 Winter : 48,342.0 46,597.0 41,813.0 

 Durum : 3,250.0 3,107.0 

 Other Spring : 19,397.0 18,657.0 

 : 

Oilseeds : 

 Canola : 728.0 698.0 

 Flaxseed : 146.0 135.0 

 Mustard Seed : 74.4 72.8 

 Peanuts : 1,429.0 1,405.8 

 Rapeseed : 1.7 1.5 

 Safflower : 249.0 235.0 

 Soybeans for Beans : 70,850.0 69,884.0 

 Sunflower : 2,949.0 2,852.0 

 : 

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : 

 Cotton, All : 13,818.0 13,283.5 

 Upland : 13,566.0 13,032.5 

 Amer-Pima : 252.0 251.0 

 Sugarbeets : 1,459.2 1,427.8 

 Sugarcane : 915.5 

 Tobacco : 797.3 

 : 

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : 

 Austrian Winter Peas : 8.1 7.6 

 Dry Edible Beans : 1,851.8 1,720.2 

 Dry Edible Peas : 293.6 276.6 

 Lentils : 181.0 172.0 

 Wrinkled Seed Peas : 

 : 

Potatoes & Misc. : 

 Coffee (HI) : 5.6 

 Ginger Root (HI) : 0.3 

 Hops : 43.3 

 Peppermint Oil : 136.3 

 Potatoes, All : 1,362.0 1,325.5 

 Winter : 15.6 16.0 15.4 15.5 

 Spring : 88.3 86.2 

 Summer : 68.6 65.9 

 Fall : 1,189.5 1,158.0 

 Spearmint Oil : 24.5 

 Sweet Potatoes : 86.9 83.5 

 Taro (HI) : 0.5 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 9 NASS, USDA

 

 Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 1997-98 

 (Domestic Units) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : : Yield : Production 

 Crop :Unit :-------------------------------------------

 : : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : : ------ 1,000 ----- 

 : : 

Grains & Hay : : 

 Barley : Bu : 58.3 374,478 

 Corn for Grain : " : 127.0 9,365,574 

 Corn for Silage : Ton : 16.0 91,903 

 Hay, All : " : 2.50 152,120 

 Alfalfa : " : 3.35 79,242 

 All Other : " : 1.96 72,878 

 Oats : Bu : 60.5 176,104 

 Rice 1/ : Cwt : 5,896 178,896 

 Rye : Bu : 26.1 8,912 

 Sorghum for Grain : " : 69.5 653,106 

 Sorghum for Silage : Ton : 12.5 3,885 

 Wheat, All : Bu : 39.7 2,526,552 

 Winter : " : 45.0 1,882,609 

 Durum : " : 27.7 86,193 

 Other Spring : " : 29.9 557,750 

 : : 

Oilseeds : : 

 Canola : Lb : 1,310 914,385 

 Flaxseed : Bu : 16.1 2,171 

 Mustard Seed : Lb : 816 59,405 

 Peanuts : " : 2,523 3,546,360 

 Rapeseed : " : 1,300 1,950 

 Safflower : " : 1,830 430,050 

 Soybeans for Beans : Bu : 39.0 2,727,254 

 Sunflower : Lb : 1,320 3,763,428 

 : : 

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : : 

 Cotton, All 1/ : Bale: 686 18,976.9 

 Upland 1/ : " : 679 18,439.9 

 Amer-Pima 1/ : " : 1,027 537.0 

 Sugarbeets : Ton : 20.9 29,874 

 Sugarcane : " : 34.0 31,124 

 Tobacco : Lb : 2,106 1,678,821 

 : : 

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : : 

 Austrian Winter Peas 1/ : Cwt : 1,513 115 

 Dry Edible Beans 1/ : " : 1,695 29,156 

 Dry Edible Peas 1/ : " : 2,103 5,816 

 Lentils 1/ : " : 1,390 2,391 

 Wrinkled Seed Peas : " : 682 

 : : 

Potatoes & Misc. : : 

 Coffee (HI) : Lb : 1,610 9,000 

 Ginger Root (HI) : " : 44,000 12,100 

 Hops : " : 1,729 74,872.1 

 Peppermint Oil : " : 75 10,256 

 Potatoes, All : Cwt : 347 459,912 

 Winter : " : 203 190 3,124 2,940 

 Spring : " : 252 21,749 

 Summer : " : 272 17,951 

 Fall : " : 360 417,088 

 Spearmint Oil : Lb : 98 2,403 

 Sweet Potatoes : Cwt : 156 13,025 

 Taro (HI) : Lb : 11,600 5,200 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1/ Yield in pounds. 
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 10 NASS, USDA

 

 Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1996-98 

 (Domestic Units) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : : Production 

 Crop : Unit :-----------------------------------------------

 : : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : : 1,000 

 : : 

Citrus 1/ : : 

 Grapefruit : Ton : 2,718 2,888 2,723 

 K-Early Citrus (FL) : " : 7 7 2 

 Lemons : " : 992 859 935 

 Oranges : " : 11,427 12,827 14,309 

 Tangelos (FL) : " : 110 178 135 

 Tangerines : " : 349 418 349 

 Temples (FL) : " : 97 108 104 

Non-Citrus : : 

 Apples : Lb : 10,392.0 10,226.6 

 Apricots : Ton : 79.3 138.0 

 Bananas (HI) : Lb : 13,000.0 13,500.0 

 Grapes : " : 5,554.3 6,836.4 

 Olives (CA) : Ton : 166.0 104.0 

 Papayas (HI) : Lb : 41,800.0 41,000.0 

 Peaches : " : 2,116.3 2,651.1 

 Pears : Ton : 820.8 1,044.0 

 Prunes, Dried (CA) : " : 223.0 212.0 

 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA): " : 20.0 29.0 

Nuts & Misc. : : 

 Almonds (CA) : Lb : 510,000 750,000 

 Hazelnuts : Ton : 18.5 44.1 

 Pecans : Lb : 221,500 272,100 

 Pistachios (CA) : " : 105,000 180,000 

 Walnuts (CA) : Ton : 208.0 269.0 

 Maple Syrup : Gal : 1,567 1,293 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1/ Production years for citrus crops are 1995-96, 1996-97, and 1997-98.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 11 NASS, USDA

 

 Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1997-98 

 (Metric Units) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Area Planted : Area Harvested 

 Crop :-----------------------------------------------

 : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Hectares 

 : 

Grains & Hay : 

 Barley : 2,796,410 2,600,130 

 Corn for Grain :32,467,060 29,833,750 

 Corn for Silage : 2,330,210 

 Hay, All : 24,611,220 

 Alfalfa : 9,580,230 

 All Other : 15,031,000 

 Oats : 2,091,840 1,178,050 

 Rice : 1,236,730 1,227,830 

 Rye : 579,920 627,670 138,000 

 Sorghum for Grain : 4,090,610 3,800,440 

 Sorghum for Silage : 125,450 

 Wheat, All :28,728,540 25,728,980 

 Winter :19,563,520 18,857,340 16,921,300 

 Durum : 1,315,240 1,257,370 

 Other Spring : 7,849,770 7,550,300 

 : 

Oilseeds : 

 Canola : 294,610 282,470 

 Flaxseed : 59,080 54,630 

 Mustard Seed : 30,110 29,460 

 Peanuts : 578,300 568,910 

 Rapeseed : 690 610 

 Safflower : 100,770 95,100 

 Soybeans for Beans :28,672,290 28,281,360 

 Sunflower : 1,193,430 1,154,180 

 : 

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : 

 Cotton, All : 5,592,010 5,375,700 

 Upland : 5,490,020 5,274,120 

 Amer-Pima : 101,980 101,580 

 Sugarbeets : 590,520 577,820 

 Sugarcane : 370,490 

 Tobacco : 322,650 

 : 

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : 

 Austrian Winter Peas : 3,280 3,080 

 Dry Edible Beans : 749,400 696,150 

 Dry Edible Peas : 118,820 111,940 

 Lentils : 73,250 69,610 

 Wrinkled Seed Peas : 

 : 

Potatoes & Misc. : 

 Coffee (HI) : 2,270 

 Ginger Root (HI) : 110 

 Hops : 17,520 

 Peppermint Oil : 55,160 

 Potatoes, All : 551,190 536,420 

 Winter : 6,310 6,480 6,230 6,270 

 Spring : 35,730 34,880 

 Summer : 27,760 26,670 

 Fall : 481,380 468,630 

 Spearmint Oil : 9,910 

 Sweet Potatoes : 35,170 33,790 

 Taro (HI) : 180 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 12 NASS, USDA

 

 Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 1997-98 

 (Metric Units) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Yield : Production 

 Crop :-----------------------------------------------

 : 1997 : 1998 : 1997 : 1998 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Metric Tons 

 : 

Grains & Hay : 

 Barley : 3.14 8,153,300 

 Corn for Grain : 7.97 237,896,540 

 Corn for Silage : 83,373,000 

 Hay, All : 5.61 138,000,940 

 Alfalfa : 7.50 71,887,130 

 All Other : 4.40 66,113,810 

 Oats : 2.17 2,556,140 

 Rice : 6.61 8,114,590 

 Rye : 1.64 226,380 

 Sorghum for Grain : 4.37 16,589,660 

 Sorghum for Silage : 3,524,410 

 Wheat, All : 2.67 68,761,480 

 Winter : 3.03 51,236,220 

 Durum : 1.87 2,345,790 

 Other Spring : 2.01 15,179,470 

 : 

Oilseeds : 

 Canola : 1.47 414,760 

 Flaxseed : 1.01 55,150 

 Mustard Seed : 0.91 26,950 

 Peanuts : 2.83 1,608,600 

 Rapeseed : 880 

 Safflower : 2.05 195,070 

 Soybeans for Beans : 2.62 74,223,690 

 Sunflower : 1.48 1,707,060 

 : 

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops : 

 Cotton, All : 0.77 4,131,740 

 Upland : 0.76 4,014,820 

 Amer-Pima : 1.15 116,920 

 Sugarbeets : 46.90 27,101,240 

 Sugarcane : 76.21 28,235,220 

 Tobacco : 2.36 761,500 

 : 

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils : 

 Austrian Winter Peas : 1.69 5,220 

 Dry Edible Beans : 1.90 1,322,490 

 Dry Edible Peas : 2.36 263,810 

 Lentils : 1.56 108,450 

 Wrinkled Seed Peas : 30,940 

 : 

Potatoes & Misc. : 

 Coffee (HI) : 1.80 4,080 

 Ginger Root (HI) : 49.91 5,490 

 Hops : 1.94 33,960 

 Peppermint Oil : 0.08 4,650 

 Potatoes, All : 38.89 20,861,260 

 Winter : 22.74 21.27 141,700 133,360 

 Spring : 28.28 986,520 

 Summer : 30.53 814,240 

 Fall : 40.37 18,918,790 

 Spearmint Oil : 0.11 1,090 

 Sweet Potatoes : 17.48 590,800 

 Taro (HI) : 13.11 2,360 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 13 NASS, USDA

 

 Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1996-98 

 (Metric Units) 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Production 

 Crop :-----------------------------------------------------

 : 1996 : 1997 : 1998 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 : Metric tons 

 : 

Citrus 1/ : 

 Grapefruit : 2,465,730 2,619,950 2,470,260 

 K-Early Citrus (FL) : 6,350 6,350 1,810 

 Lemons : 899,930 779,270 848,220 

 Oranges : 10,366,400 11,636,460 12,980,910 

 Tangelos (FL) : 99,790 161,480 122,470 

 Tangerines : 316,610 379,200 316,610 

 Temples (FL) : 88,000 97,980 94,350 

Non-Citrus : 

 Apples : 4,710 4,640 

 Apricots : 71,940 125,190 

 Bananas (HI) : 5,900 6,120 

 Grapes : 5,038,780 6,201,880 

 Olives (CA) : 150,590 94,350 

 Papayas (HI) : 18,960 18,600 

 Peaches : 960 1,200 

 Pears : 744,570 947,100 

 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA) : 18,140 26,310 

Nuts & Misc. : 

 Almonds (CA) : 231,330 340,190 

 Hazelnuts : 16,780 40,010 

 Pecans : 100,470 123,420 

 Pistachios (CA) : 47,630 81,650 

 Walnuts (CA) : 188,690 244,030 

 Maple Syrup : 7,830 6,460 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

1/ Production years for citrus crops are 1995-96, 1996-97, and 1997-98.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 14 NASS, USDA

January Weather Summary: Weather patterns temporarily deviated from a classic

 El Niño structure, as Arctic air edged into the

northern Plains and Pacific storms attacked the Northwest rather than southern

California and the Southwest. Significant snow accumulated in the upper

Midwest, but most winter wheat areas of the Northwest, Plains, and Ohio Valley

saw only limited snow cover. Frequent storminess continued across the South and

East, including an early-month powerhouse system that produced one of the worst

ice storms on record in northern New England.

Precipitation averaged above normal in the eastern half of the Nation. 

Conditions were especially wet along the central Gulf Coast, in the Mid-Atlantic

region, and in the Northeast. January precipitation records included:

January-Record Precipitation (Inches)

Location Total Former Record/Year

New Orleans, LA 19.28 19.25 in 1991

Mobile, AL 16.92 16.07 in 1991

Baton Rouge, LA 14.94 11.41 in 1990

Asheville, NC 9.96 7.47 in 1978

Roanoke, VA 7.97 7.73 in 1936

Blacksburg, VA 7.39 6.51 in 1996

Burlington, VT 5.15 4.69 in 1978

Although no records were set, wet weather also dominated the Northwest. Monthly

totals of 13.63 inches in Redding, CA and 2.31 inches in Burns, OR were more

than twice their respective normal values. In Medford, OR, measurable rain fell

on 22 days during the month, breaking a record that had stood since 1919. 

In addition to the above-normal precipitation, exceptionally cloudy weather

prevailed, especially in the South, Midwest, and East. In Little Rock, AR, no

sun shone on 9 consecutive days from January 6-14. In Oklahoma, Tulsa had 

10 sunless days in a row (January 5-14), their longest such streak this halfcentury. Oklahoma City had only 28 minutes of sunshine during the same period. 

For the month, Chicago, IL saw only 60.1 hours of sunshine (20 percent of

normal), breaking their January record. In Michigan, Grand Rapids had their

second-cloudiest month on record (18.1 hours of sun, or 6 percent of possible),

behind November 1992.

Despite the cloudiness, many parts of the Nation recorded their warmest January

in many years:

Warmest January (degrees F) Since...

Location Average/Departure Previous/Year

Philadelphia, PA 41.0, +10.6 N/A in 1950

Boise, ID 38.9, + 9.9 41.0 in 1953

Paducah, KY 40.5, + 7.9 43.8 in 1990

Wilmington, DE 39.8, + 9.2 N/A in 1990

Indianapolis, IN 36.6, +11.1 37.3 in 1990

Allentown, PA 36.5, + 9.9 N/A in 1990

Binghamton, NY 30.8, + 9.7 31.5 in 1990

Sacramento, CA 51.9, + 5.2 53.2 in 1995

In Austin, TX, the month's lowest temperature was 34 degrees F, only the fourth

time this century that their January temperatures remained above freezing. In

Missouri, St. Louis' lowest temperature of the season-to-date--13 degrees F--

would become their highest low temperature on record during a winter season if

it stands. Nationally, monthly temperatures averaged 3 to 12 degrees F above

normal except on the northern Plains and across parts of the West Coast States.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 15 NASS, USDA

Despite the above-normal temperatures, heavy snow fell in the upper Midwest and

Great Lakes region, and a severe ice storm struck northern New York and 

New England. Monthly snowfall reached 20.4 inches in Minneapolis, MN, 

23.7 inches in Milwaukee, WI, and 40.8 inches in Alpena, MI, accounting for more

than 60 percent of their respective season-to-date totals. Snow fell on 18 of

the month's 31 days in both Rochester, MN and LaCrosse, WI. Late in the month,

an East-Coast storm caused beach erosion and dumped record snowfall in the

central and southern Appalachians. On January 28, the tide reached 6.44 feet

above mean lower low tide at Sewells Point, VA, their highest since March 1962. 

Farther west, Flat Top, WV netted a State-record 35 inches in 24 hours on

January 27-28. Elsewhere in West Virginia, 24-hour snowfall records were

established in Bluefield (21.9 inches) and Beckley (31.0 inches). Storm-total

snowfall reached 42 inches in Ghent, WV and 40 inches in the mountains of

western North Carolina.

Closer to the coast, however, season-to-date snowfall through January 31 stood

at 0.5 inches in New York's Central Park and 0.1 inches at Washington's National

Airport. Areas from northern New York to central and southern Maine would have

welcomed snow from January 5-9. Instead, 2 to 4 inches of ice accumulated,

causing extensive damage. Some of the worst destruction occurred on January 8,

when Burlington, VT posted a single-day, January-record rainfall of 2.11 inches. 

Outside the ice zone, Rochester, NY (2.23 inches on January 7-8) collected a

January-record 24-hour rainfall. On January 9 in New York, record flooding

struck the Black River at Watertown (1.8 feet above the April 1993 record) and

the Hudson River at Newcomb (breaking a January 1949 record). Excessive

rainfall also soaked the Southeast, including January 8 rainfall in excess of 

13 inches across parts of western North Carolina. Incredibly warm air overspread

much of the Nation before and during the storm. As a result, Chicago marked its

longest January streak with highs at or above 50 degrees F (4 days from January

2-5) since 1967. Highs reached or exceeded 60 degrees F on 8 consecutive days

(January 2-9) in Washington, DC. Nationally, more than 120 daily-record highs

were set during the first 9 days of the month.

Arctic air failed to spread much beyond the northern Plains, and even that cold

air lost its effect after mid-month. The mercury dipped below 0 degrees F for

the first time this winter on January 2 in Glasgow, MT and on January 10 in

Marquette, MI. Both dates were represented record-late occurrences of sub-zero

cold. By January 12, lows in Montana dipped to -35 degrees F in Miles City and

-40 degrees F in Jordan. Average snow depths of 2 to 4 inches on the northern

Plains offered some insulation for winter wheat during the coldest period. Due

to milder weather later in the month, January temperature departures ranged from

-3 to +7 degrees F on the northern Plains.

The cold air briefly invaded the Northwest, setting the stage for a significant

winter storm. Snow blanketed the Northwest from January 9-11, accumulating 

17 inches in The Dalles, OR and 13 inches near Centralia, WA. Freezing rain

also affected some locations. Cold air continued to build into eastern

Washington's wheat areas through January 12, when Spokane, WA registered 

-2 degrees F. Just 6 days later, very warm air returned to the region, however,

as Hanford, WA (57 degrees F) notched a daily-record high.

Monthly precipitation was less than 25 percent of normal across a broad area

from the Southwest into the central and southern High Plains. Only a trace of

rain fell in Lubbock, TX, their lowest January total since 1986. In Colorado,

Denver's monthly precipitation of 0.05 inches was their fifth-lowest January

total on record.

General Crop Comments: January was characterized by unseasonably mild

 temperatures nationwide with very wet weather along the

Pacific, Gulf, and Atlantic Coasts. Field activities in Coastal States were

often halted by heavy rainfall or soils that were too saturated to support
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 16 NASS, USDA

equipment. In California, rains slowed vegetable harvests and slowed field

preparations for the coming year. Several locations in the Southeast and Middle

Atlantic States received record amounts of precipitation for the month of

January. Some soybean and cotton fields remain unharvested in the Southeast and

may have to be abandoned if the wet weather continues. The Florida citrus

harvest was active despite cool, wet weather.

Farther north, weather patterns caused massive ice storms in New England and New

York. Severe conditions hampered agricultural activities and stressed

livestock, especially dairy herds. Maple and fruit trees were adversely

affected by the storms. Growers were still cleaning up and assessing the extent

of the damage at the end of the month.

The Corn Belt experienced generally snowy weather in northern areas and rain in

the south during January. However, mild temperatures melted most of the snow,

causing muddy fields and leaving winter-planted crops uncovered. Winter wheat

fields showed signs of greening and breaking dormancy later in the month. 

Farmers were concerned about the effects the mild weather would have on insects

and disease during the upcoming growing season.

Unseasonably mild temperatures prevailed over the major winter wheat-producing

States. Rains provided adequate soil moisture in the southern Plains, but

January was generally dry in the central and northern High Plains. Some snow

accumulated on winter wheat fields in Montana, Wyoming, and South Dakota, but

the majority of the fields had poor to very poor cover. In the Northwest, the

crop was in generally good condition due to mild, wet weather. In the

Southeast, saturated soils have caused ponding in fields, delayed chemical

applications, and drained nutrients from the soil. Farmers nationwide were

concerned the lack of snow cover and mild temperatures had left the winter wheat

crop vulnerable to freezing temperatures. Little damage has occurred to the

wheat crop thus far.

Sugarcane: U.S. sugarcane production for sugar and seed in 1997 is expected to

 total 31.1 million tons, up 6 percent from 1996 but unchanged from

the Annual Summary. If realized, this would be a record production for sugarcane

growers. The expected area for harvest, at 915,500 acres, is 3 percent above

last year. The forecasted yield, at 34.0 tons per acre, is 0.9 ton above 1996.

In Florida, there have been no major problems thus far in the harvesting season.

Harvest started in the middle of October 1997 and should conclude in the last

half of March 1998. The 1997 Louisiana sugarcane crop was one of the best in

several years. No major problems were experienced during the summer. Fall

growth, tonnage, and sucrose content were excellent. Harvest finished by the end

of December 1997. Hawaii’s sugarcane production declined in 1997, reflecting the

further downsizing of the sugar industry in the State. Sugar is now only

produced on the islands of Maui and Kauai. Although the weather’s effects were

mixed during the year, they were generally favorable for sugarcane production.

In Texas, 1997 production was down from last year due to decreased acreage.

Harvest conditions were nearly ideal with trash at a minimum. 

Temples: The 1997-98 forecast of Florida Temples is held at 2.30 million boxes

(104,000 tons), down 4 percent from a year ago. January average fruit size is

slightly below the seasonal mean. Fruit loss from droppage is slightly above

the average. Estimated utilization to date is the same as last season at this

time.

Grapefruit: The February 1 forecast of the 1997-98 U.S. grapefruit crop is 2.72

million tons, down 1 percent from last month and down 6 percent from last year’s

production. 
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 17 NASS, USDA

The Florida all grapefruit forecast is 52.0 million boxes (2.21 million tons),

unchanged from the previous forecast but down 7 percent from the production a

year ago. The all seedless grapefruit forecast continued at 51.5 million boxes. 

The forecasts of 23.0 million boxes of white seedless and 28.5 million boxes of

colored seedless are maintained. These forecasts are 2 percent and 9 percent

lower, respectively, than the final recorded utilizations last season. The seedy

(Duncan) grapefruit forecast remained at 500,000 boxes, the smallest crop on

record.

The January fruit size survey on the remaining white seedless indicated an

average fruit size identical to what was projected in October. Fruit loss from

droppage is one-half percent more than originally projected. For colored

seedless, the average fruit size is slightly larger than projected on December 1

when the forecast was decreased. However, loss from droppage accelerated in the

past month. Utilization to date of seedless grapefruit is 16.8 million boxes,

slightly behind last year’s pace. The colored seedless varieties account for

12.8 million of these boxes.

These forecasts are based on objective fruit count and measurement surveys in

relation to the harvest patterns and utilization of the past six seasons. All

citrus forecasts project certified utilization and include a preseason

allocation of less than two percent for unrecorded usage. Certifications

include only fruit actually shipped in fresh pack or recorded at a processing

plant.

The Texas grapefruit forecast is reduced to 4.60 million boxes (184,000 tons),

down 8 percent from the January 1 forecast and down 13 percent from last season. 

California’s forecast is carried forward from January at 9.00 million boxes

(302,000 tons), 10 percent higher than last year’s utilized production. 

Arizona’s forecast is also carried forward at 800,000 boxes (27,000 tons), 11

percent below the 1996-97 season. 

Tangerines: The 1997-98 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at 349,000 tons, down 

 6 percent from the January 1 forecast and down 17 percent from the

previous season’s utilized production. Florida’s tangerine forecast is down 

8 percent from last month to 5.05 million boxes (240,000 tons), 20 percent less

than the production of a year ago. Weather conditions during January were

detrimental to fresh shipments, resulting in more eliminations than anticipated.

The early tangerine harvest is complete, and the later Honey tangerine harvest

is well underway. Even though average fruit size is very close to record large,

the fruit loss from droppage increased to near normal levels for this time of

the season. The Arizona and California tangerine forecasts were carried forward

from January 1.

Tangelos: Florida’s 1997-98 forecast of tangelos is reduced to 3.00 million

 boxes (135,000 tons), down 9 percent from the January 1 forecast. 

The forecast is down 24 percent from last season’s production which was the

largest crop in the past nine seasons.

Florida Citrus: The weather conditions in Florida's citrus groves during

 January were generally wetter than normal with mild to cool

days and several cold nights. There were no freezing conditions and only a

little frost in the northern citrus counties. Moisture is adequate to surplus,

with many growers and caretakers ditching and plowing to help move standing

water that might cause problems away from tree roots. There were several hard

rains and thunderstorms during the month that slowed harvesting crews picking

for fresh fruit packing houses. However, harvesters moving oranges to the

processors were able to pick 8 to 9 million boxes per week on average during

January. Some of the processing plants started limiting the number of trailer
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 18 NASS, USDA

loads that harvesting crews could deliver each day. Movement of all seedless

grapefruit was steady during the month ranging from 1.20 to 1.40 million boxes

per week. Picking of tangerines, Temples, and tangelos was slowed considerably

by the inclement weather. Caretakers were active cutting cover crops prior to

harvesting and running hedging and topping equipment.

Texas Citrus: January was virtually dry in the Rio Grande Valley, and growers

 increased irrigation activity. Late in the month, many areas

did receive beneficial rain; however, more is needed. Harvest continued without

delay throughout the month. Fruit quality and size remained good.

California Citrus: Citrus harvest continued between rainstorms. Approximately

 40 percent of the Navel orange crop had been picked by

February 1. Quality was good, but some ice marking, rind breakdown, puff, and

crease were reported. New crop Valencia orange harvest is expected to begin in

the Coachella Valley by mid-February. Lemon picking continued with good quality

and no internal problems reported. The grapefruit harvest remained active in the

desert area. Tangerine picking continued with good color and eating quality.

Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 2.82 million pounds

 for January, 7 percent lower than December and 18 percent lower than

January 1997. January weather conditions were mostly dry after moderate to

heavy showers in the beginning of the month. Cool temperatures slowed fruit

maturation. 

Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,510 acres, virtually unchanged from

December but 2 percent more than January 1997. Area harvested, totaling 1,730

acres, was 1 percent more than the previous month and 15 percent more than a

year ago.

California Fruits & Nuts: Rainy weather hampered normal January cultural

 activities. Pruning of trees and vineyards, dormant

spraying, and weed control were active when possible. Rains slowed bareroot and

strawberry nursery stock digging. By the end of January, almond buds were

swelling and blooms were beginning to open up in early varieties of plum and

nectarine trees.

Walnuts, 1997 Revised: The 1997 California walnut production estimate has been

 revised to 269,000 tons (in-shell basis). This is up

29 percent (61,000 tons) from the 1996 crop and 8 percent (21,000 tons) above

the January estimate. This is a record large crop, eclipsing the former record

of 260,000 tons set in 1993. Estimates for the 1997 price and value will be

published on July 7, 1998.

Almonds, 1997 Revised: California almond production is unchanged from the

 January estimate of 750 million meat pounds. This

crop surpassed the previous record of 735 million pounds set in 1994. The 1997

crop is 47 percent higher than the 1996 crop. The average price dropped 

58 cents from 1996, leveling out at $1.50 per pound (shelled basis). Value of

utilized production amounted to a record $1.08 billion, six percent above the

1996 figure.

Pistachios, 1997 Revised: The 1997 California record pistachio crop has been

 revised upward to 180 million pounds (in-shell

basis). This is up 71 percent from the 1996 production estimate and 1 percent

above the January estimate. Acreage increased 2 percent over last year. The

average price remained at $1.13, down 3 cents from 1996. The value of utilized

production was 203 million dollars, 67 percent above 1996.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 19 NASS, USDA

Report Features

The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on March 12,

1998.

Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Crops Branch of the National

Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information.

C. Ray Halley, Chief (202) 720-2127

 Field Crops Section

 Bill Dowdy, Head (202) 720-3843

 Kevin Barnes - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds (202) 720-7369

 Rhonda Brandt- Corn (202) 720-7621

 Rhonda Brandt - Oats, Sugar Crops, Weekly Crop Weather (202) 720-7621

 Doug Hartwig - Hay (202) 720-8843 

 Roger Latham - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings (202) 720-5944

 Jerry Ramirez - Barley, Sorghum (202) 690-3234

 Barbara Rater - Peanuts, Rice (202) 720-7688

 Vaughn Siegenthaler - Wheat, Rye (202) 720-8068

 

 Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section

 Vince Matthews, Head (202) 720-3843

 Arvin Budge - Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes (202) 720-4285

 Dave DeWalt - Citrus, Tropical Fruits (202) 720-5412

 Howard Hill - Cherries, Berries, Prunes, Plums, 

 Cranberries, Grapes, Maple Syrup (202) 720-7235

 Dave Mueller - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions (202) 720-2157

 Dave Ranek - Nuts, Floriculture (202) 720-4215

 Linda Simpson - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas,

 Mushrooms, Hops (202) 690-0270

 Debbie Williams - Apples, Strawberries, Tobacco (202) 720-4288
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

February 1998 20 NASS, USDA

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in its programs on the basis of race,

color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status. Persons with

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape,

etc.) should contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, D.C., 20250, or call 1-800-245-6340

 (voice) or 202-720-1127 (TDD). USDA is an equal employment opportunity employer.

ACCESS TO REPORTS!!

For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services:

INTERNET ACCESS

All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet and

go to the NASS Home Page at: http://www.usda.gov/nass/. Select “Today’s Reports” or Publications and

then Reports by Calendar or Publications and then Search, by Title or Subject. 

E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION

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contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail:

nass@nass.usda.gov.
USDA Announces Agricultural Outlook Forum ‘98

February 23 and 24, 1998

Washington, D.C.

Presented by the U.S. Department of Agriculture

Survey the New Frontiers.

Survey the frontiers of agriculture at USDA’s seventy-fourth

outlook forum. Catch the latest commodity prospects for 1998

and beyond and receive new long-term projections to the year

2007. Hear noted experts and farm leaders tackle front line

issues: managing risk, selling bio-engineered products,

ensuring food safety, marketing organic foods, honing export

strategies, and more.

Act Now To Attend. For program and registration details check the Forum home page, call

(202) 720-3050, or dial (202) 694-5700 from your fax machine handset and retrieve document

66666. Call (202) 401-9421 to register.

Ag Forum home page: http://www.usda.gov/oce/waob/agforum.htm

e-mail: agforum@oce.usda.gov

Agricultural

Outlook

Forum 98