UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON D. C., 20250

OFFICIAL BUSINESS


CROP PRODUCTION, February 1964 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA

The mild temperatures were favorable for early calves, lambs, and
pigs and losses of new born animals were reported less than during the
severe weather of January last year.

Milk Production Same as last Year - More Regs

January milk production was 10,066 million pounds, the same as the
revised estimate for January 1963 and 2 percent above the 1958-62 average
for the month. January was the first month since November 1962 that milk
production held up to a year earlier, Milk production estimates for 1963
have been revised to an annual total of 124,783 million pounds, 1 percent
less than the record high of 126,021 million pounds in 1962.

Egg production during January totaled 5,345 million eggs - 3 percent
more than a year earlier. The number of layers was practically the same
as @ year earlier, but the rate of lay was 3 percent higher than January
1963 and 2 percent above the previous record of January 1960. Production
in the South Atlantic, South Central and Western regions continued to set
new records, Output was more than a year earlier in the North Atlantic
States, but not at record levels. The North Central States continued to
show less production than for the same month a year earlier.

CITRUS: Production of oranges is forecast at 100 million boxes,

4 percent less than last year and 19 percent below average.
Both California and Arizona have prospects for a larger crop than last
year, but this is more than offset by a 13 percent smaller crop in
Florida. By February 1, approximately 30 percent of the total orange crop
had been picked. The Early, Midseason, and Navel orange crop is expected
to total 44,1 million boxes, only three-fourths as large as last year.
Growers had picked two-thirds of these varieties by February 1, with
nearly 8 percent of Florida's Early, Midseason, and Temple oranges picked
by that date. Production of Valencia oranges is expected to be up 22 per~
cent from last year to an estimated 56.1 million boxes, although 5 percent
below average. All States have a larger crop than last year, particularly
Florida, where last year's crop was severely cut back by freeze. Only a
small portion of the Valencia crop had been picked by February 1.

The U.S. grapefruit crop is forecast at 32.4 million boxes, 7 percent
smaller than last year and 23 percent below average. In California and
Arizona, the crop is above average, but it is below average in Florida anda
Texas because of freezes during 1962. Slightly over half of the grape-
fruit had been picked by February 1, about the same proportion as harvest-
ed a year ago at the same date. Nearly 60 percent of the Florida crop
had been picked, but in California only 12 percent had been picked. In
Arizona it was about 36 percent picked.

Estimated production of lemons is 16.2 million boxes, 26 percent
above last year, but 3 percent below average. Nearly all of the Arizona
erop had been picked by February 1 but only 14 percent of the California
crop had been picked.

The tangerine crop in Florida is expected to total 3.7 million boxes,
85 percent greater than last year but about average.

In Florida, where January rainfall was above average,
and there was no appreciable damage from the cold, citrus
groves are in excellent condition. Buds are swelling


CROP PRODUCTION, February 1964 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA

w+ ------+---------- ES ES --
ip ~--5,-EFODUCTIONT I UIT TT IIIIIIS
& boxea. 20 oe i. — — —Bauivalent fons.
State i 81 Indicated Ayerage 3 1962 % Indicated
ee wm te BS i a ee ~-
ORANGES: A
EARLY, MIDSEASON & =?
NAVEL VARIETIES 3/ .
Califs # 11,229 12,600 16,900 420,800 472,000 600,000
Fla., Alt + §1)349 455500 275000 2,310,500 2,048,000 1,215,000
Temple : 3400 23000 33000 153}100 90,000 135,009
Other > 47,940 43,500 243,000 2,157,400 1,958,000 1,080,000
Texas + 1,650 Py 140 74} 220 13120 6,300
Arize : ‘480 640 950 187060 24,000 353600
law te 2 B10 10944 675 450
otal Above - Se ne nn a em = am
Narieties ae 64,933 _ _ 58,780 _ _ 44,100 2,834,464 _2,545,795_ _ 1,857,350
Uris 100 _ _ 2,834,464 2,545,795 _ 350
16,760 16,200 17,000 628,600 608,000 638,000
40,680 29,000 38,000 1,830,200 1,305,000 1,710,000
910 15 90 40,940 675 4,050
= = FLL 920 2 265700, 34,500 _ _ 99,400 _
a2 594062 _ _ 46,235_ _ _ _56,140_ _ _ 2,526,440 _ 1,948,175. _ 2,392,450 _
Calif. + 27,980 28,800 33,000 1,049,400 1,080,000 1,238,000
Fla. + 923020 74,500 65,000 43140;700 35353,000 2,925,000
2 2,560 40 230 1153160 13795 10,350
+ 2,192 1,560 2,000 445700 58,500 75,000
~- 2822 BLL OL LL IA LL OL
5 423,295 _ _104,935_ _ _ 100,240 _ _ 5,360,904 4,493,970 _ 4,248,800 _
32,680 30,000 26 ,000 1,307,200 1,200,000 1,040,000
20,060 203,000 20,000 8025400 800,000 8005000
6,720 74,500 6,500 268,600 300,000 260,000
13,340 125500 13,500 533,600 500,000 540,000
12,620 —10,0C0 6,000 504/800 ¥ 240,000
4,480 70 460 1795200 25800 19,200
2,480 2,170 2,500 79,340 693400 80,000
Calif., all 25642 25500 3).400 86,760 82,000 111,000
Desert Valleys 1,182 13200 1900 3736840 365400 60,800
weg easy AmeRS M = nig - 29869 - 900. 500 8D. 494600. 7.21200 _
rape ~ 42,262 _ _ 34,740... 32,380 _ _ 1,652,500 1,354,200 _ 3,250,200 _
15,980 12,400 14,500 607,200 471,000 551,000
BB _ L490, 2,759 4/394700_ 18,600 _ _, 66,500 _
— 262690, _ 12,890 _ _ 16, 250_ _ _ 634,160. _ 489,600 _ _ 617,300 _
Fla, . 304 400 450 12,160, _ | 16,000 _ _ 18,000 _
TANGELOS? WT TTT me me mm ee
_ 540 750. 850 24,320, _ 33,800 __ _ 36,200 _
TANGERINESy TT TT OTT TT ree creer ee eee ee eee
~ Pla 2 2 a 36869 _ 2,000 _ _ 3,700 _164,500_ __ 90,000 _ _ 2684000 _

1/ The crop year begins with the bloom of the year shown and ends with completion ! harvest
the following year. For some States in certain years production includes quantities not har~
vested, or harvested but not utilized, on account of economic conditions, and quantities donated
to charity. Estimates of such quantities for the 1962 crops were: Oranges—California, Navel
and Miscellaneous, 230,000 boxes (8,125 tons); California, Valencia, 150,000 baxes (5,825 tons);
Grapefruit, California, Desert Valleys, 2,000 boxes (64 tons)»

2/ Net content of box varies, Approximate averages are as follows: Oranges — California and
Grizona, 75 lbs.; Florida and other States, 90 1bs.; Grapefruit - California, Desert Valleys and
Arizona, 64 Ibs.; other California areas, 67 lbs; Florida and Texas, 80 lbs.; Lemons ~ 76 lbs.;
Limes — 80 lbse; Tangelos and Tangerines ~ 90 lbs.

2/ Navel and Miscellaneous varieties in California and Arizona. Early and Midseason varieties
In Florida and Texas. All varieties in Louisiana. Por all States except Florida, includes small
quantities of tangerines.

4/ Short~time average.

-1lo-


CROP PRODUCTION, February 1964 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA

Growers of early summer potatoes report intentions to plant 82,400
acres this year, 6 percent less than the 87,500 acres planted in 1963. ‘he
indicated reduction is general among the States with only Maryland, North
Carolina and Georgie showing intentions to plant as much acreage as was
grown in 1963. Intentions on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, the leading
early summer area, are to plant 4 percent less acreage than last year.

Cold weather has limited land preparation for early summer potatoes.
Some acreage was planted during January in California but the bulk of the
early summer acreage will be planted in late February and March.

Estimates of acreage planted and intended plantings for the four
early seasonal groups--winter, early spring, late spring, and early summer--
total $ percent less than the 1963 planted acreage. The reduction is
general in all seasonal groups and also in all States.

POULTRY AND EGG PRODUCTION: January egg production in the Nation totaled
5,345 million eggs, 3 percent above January
1963. his production resulted fromarecord rate of lay for January. Mild
weather prevailed throughout most of the Nation during the last two weeks
of January. During this period weekly temperatures averaged 10 to 15
degrees above normal in some States. One cold spell did hit during mid-
Januery, primarily reaching into the East North Central and North Atlantic
States. The rate of lay was 2 percent above the previous record set in
1960, and 3 percent above a year earlier.

Regions with record egg production for Janusry were: South Central up
15 percent from the previous year, South Atlantic up 9 percent, and the West
up 5 percent from January 1963. Pro@uction was also up slightly from a year
earlier in the North Atlantic States, but not a record for January. De-
creases were | percent in the West North Central and 3 percent in the East
North Central.

Production per layer during January averaged 17.54 eggs -- the highest
of recoré for the month. Rate of production was above January a year ago
in all regions, and above December 1963 in all regions except the West. In-
creases from January 1963 were 8 percent in the South Central, 5 percent in
the Vest North Central, 4 percent in the South Atlantic, 2 percent in the
North Atlantic and East North Centrel, and 1 percent in the West.

Number of layers in the Nation's poultry flocks averaged 304,670,000
during January -~ 0.2 percent below a year earlier. This was a seasonal
decrease of 2.6 million birds from the December average. On February 1
the Nation's laying flocks numbered 302,088,000 birds, 2 percent below a
month earlier and slightly below a year earlier. Regionally, layers were
2 percent below a month earlier in all except the West North Central region,
which showed a 1 percent decrease. ‘he February 1, 196): rate of ley was
58.0 eggs per 100 layers compared with 54.7 a year earlier.

On February 1, 1964, egg producersblans indicated that 1 percent more
replacement chicks and started pullets would be purchased in 1964 then in
1963. By regions indicated increases were 5 percent in the South Central
and |) percent in the East North Central and South Atlantic States. Indicated
decreases were 4 percent in the North Atlantic, 2 percent in the West
North Central, and 1 percent in the West. Some differences between
farmers' intentions on February 1 and their actual purchases can be

-~T-



CROP PRODUCTION, February 1964 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA

and new growth is appearing on the trees. Harvest of early and midseason
varieties will soon be over because only about 15 percent of the crop re-
mained to be picked after February 1. About 60 percent of the Temple
oranges had been picked by that date, but harvest of Valencias has not
much more than started. Maturity of the Valencias is well advanced for
this time of the year. Oranges have sized better than usual this season,
and Valencias have had less droppage of fruit than expected. The drop-
page for Early, Midseason, and Temple oranges was above average. Nearly
75 percent of the seedy ("other") grapefruit had been picked by Feb-
ruary 1 and a little over 50 percent of the seedless grapefruit. Sizing
and fruit droppage of seedless grapefruit has heen about average. Seedy
grapefruit have been above average in both size and droppage.

Rains during January helped the California citrus crops, although
orange sizes are somewhat small because of earlier warm, dry weather.
Strong winds during the past month caused scarring of fruit and some
droppage. The loss is not considered significant. In Central California
close to 58 percent of the Navels had been picked by February 1, but in
Southern California, only about 18 percent had been picked. Picking of
Valencias usually begins early in April but may be somewhat later this
year while growers complete most of the Navel crop harvest, now expected
to continue through May. The set of fruit on Valencia trees is generally
heavy, with sizes somewhat better in Central California than in the
southern counties. In the desert area, rains were very light but grape-
fruit show near normal sizes because of good growth earlier in the season.
Temons are expected to show improved sizing as the result of rains dur-
ing the past month.

In Arizona, growers had about finished harvest of Navel and sweet
oranges by February 1 and the lemon season was considered finished.
Picking of Valencias is underway in the Salt River Valley and will begin
in the Yuma area about the last of February. Low temperatures during
January caused some leaf burn, mostly on young trees. Harvest of
Midseason oranges in Texas is practically finished and picking of late
varieties is past its peak. About 90 percent of the grapefruit had
‘been picked by February 1, Citrus trees are in excellent condition.
Freeze damage this season has been limited to leaf burn on new growth,
Trees are beginning to bud out although growers have held back on irriga-
ting and fertilizing groves in an attempt to slow new growth until the
danger from cold is past.

POTATOES: Winter potato production is estimated at 3,706,000 hundred-

weight, 4 percent less than the 1963 crop. Yield prospects
improved in California during January while the Florida estimate is un-
changed. In California, digging has been general in the Perris-Hemet
district and in the San Joaquin Valley since late December. The rate
of harvest has been moderate with some shippers digging only to fill
orders. There is considerable acreage yet to be dug and harvest will
continue active in February. In Florida moderate supplies from the
Everglades area were steady throughout January with harvest in that sec~
tion expected to be completed in early February. Harvest of red potatoes
in the Ft. Myers-Immokalee area started in late January. Digging in
Dade County, where most of the Florida winter acreage is grown, was ex-
pected to start about February 10. Freezing temperatures in mid-January
Singed potato vines in many Dade County fields but recovery has been °
generally good.


CROP PRODUCTION, February 1964 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA

MILK PRODUCTION: January milk production was 10,066 million pounds, the

same as the revised estimate for January 1963 and 2 per-
cent above the 1958-62 average for the month, January vas the first month
since November 1962 that milk production held up to a year earlier, Above-
normal temperatures in important dairy areas during January 1964 favored
milk production, in contrast to unusually cold weather throughout the
country a year earlier, Milk production estimates for 1963 have been re-
vised to an annual total of 124,783 million pounds, 1 percent less than the
record high of 126,021 million pounds in 1962, Beginning with this report,
separate monthly milk production estimates are being made for all States.
In previous reports a composite estimate vas made for"other States" not
shown separately,

MONTHLY MILK PRODUCTION JANUARY 1964, With Comparisons

(In millions of pounds)

RI, 9.2 8.9 9. Listenn. : 1k 143 14h6 1ho
Conn, 62 59 6l s:Ale. + 74 70 Th 68
N.Y, 925 848 898 ::Miss. : 92 87 86 86
NJ. 98 91 95 s:Ark, 3: 65 59 ST 5h
Fa, 592 Suk 580 sila. : I (3) 80 76
Ohio hho oh 435 ::0kle. : 109 300 100 99
Ind. eke 2h3 2h6 ::Texas : 243 2h6 239 239
Til. 335 310 333 ::Mont. : 33 32 30 31
Mich. key Ash 466 ::Idaho : 122 125 119 121
Wis. 1,495 1,471 1,564 z:¥yo, : 14.0 BS 29 RB.
Minn. : 946 867 975 ::Colo. : 68 68 6T 67
Towa 460 he K6L p:N.Mex.:  1/ a1 23 22
Mo. 250 231 Quy s:Ariz, : ¥ he 42 43
N.Dak, 127 112) «(128 «::Uteh : 62 60 61
S.Dak. 99 99 107 «:Nev, + 8.6 9.7 9.7 9.8
Nebr. 137 143 143° ¢:Wash, + 143 146 153 Dah
Kans. : 135 150 146 ::0reg, : Th ve 66 68
Del, 14,5 14.0 14.3::Calif.: 632 668 650 649
Ma, 12h 125 128 ::Alaska: 1/ 1.9 1.9 2.0
Va. nig 146 148 ::Havaii: 1/ 1.7 11,0 10.7

7 ~ 10,0857 “95706 ~ 10,056 ~ ~~

1/ Averages not available,

CROP REPORTING BOARD


. Release:
February 10, 1964
3:00 F.M. (E.S.T.)

UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1964

CITRUS FRUITS 1/

_-~------- PRODUCTION ____ 7 ______
Crop Average : : Indicated
ween TOL NIN AIR 963
1,000 4,000 1,000 1,000
boxes boxes boxes boxes.
Oranges .-. 123,995 138, 095 104, 915 100, 240

Grapefruit .... 34, 740.

32, 380

of harvest the following year.

POTATOES, IRISH, 1964 CROP

Seasonal : Harvested _ a : wIndi-—
group sAverages 3 1963 : cated: erage; 1963 : cated
21958-62: 1963 ; 21964 21 958-62, 2 1964

1, 000
acres

Cwt, Cwt.

Early Spring : 27.4 28.6 27,3 142.2 179.5 -== 3,881 5,134 Agr.10
Late Spring 131.7 114.8 101.5 187.4 2082 --~ 24,442 23,898 May a
Early Summer: 98.7 _ 87.5 __ 82.4 142,

MILK AND EGG PRODUCTION

aaa "MILK Gs
Month : Average : : : Average : A
1958-62: 1963; «1964s gpgnez af 1963, 1964
TTTTT Oo" "Million Million Million” ———SSSSsSs=CSSS
pounds pounds pounds Millions Millions Millions

5,345

UNITED STATES OEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Statistical Reporting Service Crop Reporting Board
Crpr 2-2 (2-64) Washington, 0. C.


CROP PRODUCTION, February 1964 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA
JANUARY EGG PRODUCTION —

duri Jan
16631) 2 LebuC

Millions “Millions

78 82
29 Bre
13.2 13.3
50 5k
1.2 Th
65 66
148 160
147 133

pan

Mitch. 7 "6 0 r 1382

Wis. + _ 83887 ; 25 ee vs iy
E.n-Cent.*_ !

Minn. .

Ky.
Tenn.
Ala.
Miss.
Ark,
la,
Okla.
Texas _
S. Cent. =
Mont. :
Idaho
Wyo.
Colo.

N.Mex.
Ariz.

Utah

Nev.

Wash.
Oreg.
Calif. i 3
West Ae 0

° 0!

hee BLE <> Sg TTT beg 2s a
Hawaii 1 _ 77a B00 9 ) _ 13. __ 14.9.
Us. _ 36.493. ypgero ~~ — BS ~~ atta — pbb - pals

1/ Revised. Revisions of 1962-63 monthly estimates will be published March 1, 1964.



CROP PRODUCTION, February 1964 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA
POTATOES, Irish 1964 Crop

10 Per harve: sted ae

T Froiactton” 77

Seasonal .~ “Harvested ~: For 33.00.02 Tndi-” 7, Vopage?. +Tndiz
group and ‘average? 1963 : cated verage’ 11963: catea
State : : : *1958- @' : 1964 11958-62; 2196)
~- eee ee 219 Es ae a ISL It BO Fe T,000 1,000
crt. Gt, Crt, «9c, eut,

1,380 1,286 1,254
_ 2,Bo’ _ 2,580 2,452_ _

3,866 3,706 _
ited: Inten-:_ Yield per planted acre: _ _! Production _ _
~ tions
Hastings : . 148 3,296 4,674 Apr.10
Other
Texas
~ Zotal
L. SPRING:
N, Car,
8N.E, counties; 14,1 11.6 133 150 1,736 May 11
OtherCounties: 4k 3.2 96 120 38h"
S.Car, : 5.6 3.5 1S 95 332~C«*S
Ga, 2.6 5 65 65 32=«"
Ala.-Baldwin ; 15,0 15.9 123 125 11,875"
-Cther : 7.2 6.3 80 100 630"
Miss, > 43 3.0 52 55 165 ="
5.7 Aa 59 55 226"
4,3 4.6 50 4 169"
2.1 1.3 61 60 me "
6.8 5.8 3 85 493"
9.3 70.2 230 2,448"
2.3 567 0 — 52310
ayn TURE ors ier Bebe 7 HS Blo 23,898
Mo. 1 5.3 45 89 85 382 June 10
Kans, 2 2.6 ak 85 9 189"
Del, : 9.8 9.5 213 200 1,9c0 ("
Na. 2 32 3.0 133 120 360"
ae :
Eastern Shore, 22,1 22.5 1b7 135 3,038"
Norfolk : 1.6 5 105 90 ug oo”
Other 2 43 3.6 & 52 187 =O"
N. Car, 2 7.0 has 101 125 562 "
Ga, 2 12 8 48 60 4B"
ky. 110.7 9.0 68 61 sig"
Tenn, ar) TS 16 ey 630 *
Texas : 12.0 11.7 164 172 1,968 2,012 "
Calif, 79.8 ee _ 305. 340 _2 ore 2,720 _"

Wes” aes”

Alabama, Baldwin area - “S30.



CROP PRODUCTION, February 1964 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA

expected. These differences will depend on egg-feed price relationship, other
developments during the remainder of the hatching season, and their reaction to
this intentions report.

HENS AND PULLETS OF LAYING AGE AND EGGS LAID
PER 100 LAYERS ON FARMS

Year 3 North «North :W.North: South : United
tAtlanti: ntral:Central :Atlanti States
----- a a a Se ©

z HENS AND PULLETS OF LAYING AGE ON FARMS, FEBRUARY 1

? Thou. Thou, Thou. ‘Thou. Thou. Thou. Thou. Thou.
1958-62 (Av.):50,877 54,443 79,748 39,055 49,006 39,353 312,086 ~ --~
1963 2/ 345,927 47,815 64,540 45,421 54,100 44,701 302,504 303,302
1964 345,497 45,374 59,391 47,122 57,414 46,450 301,248 302,088

EGGS LAID PER 100 LAYERS ON FARMS, FEBRUARY 1

Number Number Number Number Number Number Number

1958-62 (Av.):" 55.9 ~ 57.4 ~ 58.1 53.6 ~b6.6 59.1 55.4 —
1963 2/ 56.1 56.4 55.5 56.2 W704 57.5 54.7 54.7
1964 57.8 59.2 60.9 58.5 53.4 58.2 57.9 58.0

7

HENS AND PULLETS OF LAYING AGE ON FARMS

Thou. Thou. Thou. ‘Thou. Thou. Thou. Thou. Thou.
Dee.1,1963 2/:46,562 46,183 59,974 4E,0BE 57,750 48,138 306,695 307,527
Jan.1,1964 2/:46,480 46,227 60,182 47,937 58,415 47,197 306,433 307,256
Feb.1,1964 ~ 245,497 45,374 59,391 47,122 57,414 46,450 301,248 302,088
T/“Includes Alaska and Hawaii.

2/ Revised.

Prices received by producers for eggs averaged 37.8 cents per dozen in mid-
Jamary, 2.7 cents above a month earlier and 1.3 cents above a year earlier.
Producers of commercial broilers received 14.3 cents per pound live weight in
mid-January, up 1.1 cents per pound from a month earlier but the lowest mid-
January price of record. Farm chicken prices in mid-January 1964 averaged 9.8
cents per pound live weight and also the lowest mid-January price for these birds
of record. Farm prices of turkeys averaged 22.1 cents per pound live weight,
the seme as in mid-January 1963.

The average cost of farm poultry ration in mid-January 1964 was $3.57 per
100 pounds compared with $3.51 in mid-January 1963. Broiler grower feed average
cost was $4.86 per 100 pounds -- up 6 cents from mid-January 1963. Turkey
grower feed in mid-January 1964 averaged $4.85 per 100 pounds -- up 1 cent from
January 1963. At mid-January 1964, the egg-feed price ratio was more favorable
than a year earlier. The farm chicken-feed and turkey-feed ratios were less
favorable to producers than a year earlier. The broiler-feed price ratio was
the same as in mid-January 1963.


CROP PRODUCTION, February 1964 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA

growth for livestock pasture. In the Pacific Northwest heavy rains west
of the Cascades have saturated soils. East of the mountains snow cover
has been beneficial and moisture shortages are reported only in scattered
areas. Late seeded fields have little growth and considerable reseeding
is anticipated.

Winter Vegetables Output Above Average

Production of winter vegetables is expected to be 7 percent more
than average, but slightly less than last year. Production of winter
tomatoes in Florida is 4 percent larger than last year and a record high.
Other crops showing production increases from a year ago, are cabbage
and lettuce. Lettuce is making good growth in the southwest but the
Florida crop was damaged by the January freezing temperatures. Production
of carrots, celery, onions, and strawberries during the 1964 winter season
is expected to be smaller than a year earlier. Winter strawberry harvest in
Florida is expected to increase during February and reach a peak in early
March. Strawberry acreage for early spring is expected to be 58 percent
larger than last year when drought reduced the acreage for harvest.

Winter Potato Prospects Increase

Yield prospects for winter potatoes improved in California during
January, but the estimate of production in Florida is unchanged. The
indicated winter potato production is 4 percent less than the 1963 crop.
Harvest progress has been moderate in California and will continue active
in February. Digging was on a limited basis in Florida during January,
but the harvest of the important Dade county area was expected to get
underway about February 10. Growers of early summer potatoes report in-
tentions to plant 6 percent less acreage than in 1963. Estimates of
acreage planted or to be planted for the four early seasonal groups
(winter, early spring, late spring, and early summer) total 9 percent
less than last year with reduction in all seasonal groups.

Livestock Wintering Well

Mild temperatures melted the snow cover and permitted farmers to
utilize ranges and crop residues in the North Central areas of the Nation.
Supplemental feeding was about normal in this area and livestock are in
generally good condition. Farmers were forced to dip further into short
feed reserves in the South Atlantic and South Central States. Winter
pasture crops were covered by snow part of the month and low temperatures
limited growth until late in January. Saturated fields reduced the use
of available forage and hay shortages were accentuated. Many farmers have
had to purchase more grain and hay than usual, but livestock are in generally
fair to good condition.

In the northern mountain States, heavy January snows in some areas
made livestock care more difficult, but feed supplies were adequate. In
central and southern mountain States, livestock ranges have been open
but supplemental feeding has been necessary. Range condition and prospects
for spring growth are declining in the Southwest as dryness persists during
the winter.


CROP PRODUCTION, February 1964 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA

by February 1. There will not be as many grapefruit during the remainder
of the season as there vere a year ago, Citrus trees are generally in
good condition and in some groves new growth is starting and buds are
svelling.

January Weather Less Severe than Last Year

Temperatures over most of the northern half of the Nation averaged above
normal for the month of January while readings vere belov seasonal in the
southern areas. A cold vave about mid-month pushed freezing temperatures
to all areas except southern Florida, but temperatures were not as severe
as the record breaking cold waves during the last half of January a year
ago, Some damage vas reported to tender vegetable crops, but citrus escaped
with little ill effect, Winter grains vere dormant in most areas although
some grovth occurred in southern areas. The continuing lack of moisture
was more of a problem in many major grain producing areas.

January precipitation was above normal in some Pacific Northwest
areas and the Atlantit and Gulf Coastal States. However, most of the im-
portant agricultural areas in the mid-continent received less than normal
amounts of moisture. Topsoil moisture supplies were maintainéd at gen-
erally adequate levels except in some Central and Sotithern Plains areas,
but subsoil reserves continue low. Snovfall in Northern and Central
Mountain areas has been adequate to relieve fears of irrigation water
shortages next season. In irrigated areas of the southvest, late winter
and spring rains are needed to build up adequate reserves,

Fall Som Grains Show Light Losses to Date

Snow cover was generally adequate to protect fall seeded grains dur-
ing the period of low temperatures in mid-January. Mild weather melted
most of the snow by the end of January providing some surface moisture,
but not enough to make up for accumilated moisture deficiencies over much
of the Plains and Corn Belt areas, Topsoils were very dry at the end of
January from western Nebraska to the Texas High Plains and some damage
from wind erosion vas reported on light soils, Above average precipi-
tation benefited vhest in north central Texas. Central Oklahoma and Kan-
sas maintained generally favorable prospects, Topgrowth vas frozen back
early in January but wheat has been greening up in late January where
moisture vas available, Open weather has permitted farmers to start top-
dressing with fertilizer. Some loss of winter oats and barley have been
reported in spotted areas in the Southern Plains.

Throughout the Eastern Corn Belt, winter wheat has shown little change
from early December, Late planted fields have limited growth and will
need good protection during the remainder of the vinter. In the East
South Central and South Atlantic areas, above normal precipitation during
January replenished the soil moisture shortages that were prevalent last
fall. Lov temperatures retarded growth of winter grain and pasture crops
until late in the month and soggy soils limited the use of the available


CROP PRODUCTION, February 196% Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA

GENERAL CROF REFORT AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1964

January Weather Generally Favorable

January temperatures were generally mild in contrast to the severe
cold of a year earlier. In the important central crop areas below
normal precipitation increased the need for spring rains to replenish
short sub-60il moisture supplies, according to the Crop Reporting Board.
Heavy rains in the Gulf and South Atlantic areas removed the last traces
of the 1963 drought and made soils too soggy to work or to permit live-
stock to graze the limited winter pasture growth. Citrus prospects
improved slightly during January and the indicated production of winter
vegetables held steady although some freeze damage was reported especially
to lettuce in Florida. Livestock were in generally good condition at
the end of January. Milk production during the month was about the same

as a year earlier, but egg output was 3 percent more.

Citrus Crop 2 Percent Smaller - More Valencias

Citrus production for the 1963-64 season is expected to be down
2 percent from last year with fewer oranges and grapefruit, but more
tangerines and lemons. Although the total orange crop is smaller than
last year, there will be more oranges between now and the end of the
season than during the same period last year because of the larger crop

of Valencias. A little over half of the grapefruit crop was picked