In eastern Colorado, wheat is in good to very good condition with most fields greening.
However ,-growth is generally quite short and many fields are subject to blowing soil damage.
Soil mositure supplies are adequate but additional preciptitation will be needed soon. Nebraska
winter wheat is reported in good to excellent condition with adequate soil moisture and no
blowing problems. Howerver, lack of snow cover in South Dakota has permitted blowing and lower~
ed wheat condition somewhat from its very good rating early in February.

Snow protection on Montana wheat also remained poor during February with moderate wind
damage observed in central areas, but the crop is in fair to good condition. Fall seeded grains
look good in Oregon and Washington. Monthly precipitation totaled above normal for most of the
wheat growing areas in these two States. Heaving damage to some wheat has occurred in eastern
Washington from freezing-thawing temperatures.

In Missouri, fall seeded crops are in fair to good condition with adequate soil mositure.
Most wheat fields from Illinois to Ohio are in good to very good shape with no unusual winter
damage reported. Snow cover was lacking most of the month except for periods following snow
storms but precipitation was about normal and soil moisture is generally adequate. In the South
Atlantic States, fall sown grains are thriving from good moisture and spring-like temperatures
which have prompted very early growth.

Fieldwork Limited During February

In the North Atlantic States, periods of rain and snow generally restricted outdoor farm
activities. Tapping of maple trees was very active in New England, but very little sirup was
made. Snow, rain and muddy fields limited farmwork to winter chores in the North Central States.

Frequent precipitation and wet soils curtailed field activity in the South Atlantic and
most South Central States. However, tobacco plant bed preparation and seeding and orchard prun=
ing progressed about on schedule. Plowing and fertilizing for spring planting is lagging in
Mississippi, Alabama and Tennessee. Spring grain seeding made good progress in the central and
southern Great Plains, By March 1, most of this activity was complete? in Oklahoma and spring
oat seeding in Kansas was 15 percent completed compared with a 10-year average of 10 percent.
In Texas, cotton seeding gained momentum in the Lower Rio Grande Valley and a few fields have
been planted in the Coastal Bend area. Sorghum planting is underway in the Lower Valley, Upper
Gulf Coast, Coastal Bend and southcentral Texas. Most south Texas farmers are waiting for better
moisture and warmer temperatures before starting planting.

Seedbed preparation for spring nlanting was just getting underway on a limited scale by
March 1 in the central Rocky Mountain States. Wet weather limited fieldwork in much of Idaho,
Washington, and Oregon. Some liming, fertilizing and late seeding of winter wheat was accom-
plished in Washington, as fields dried. Orchard pruning and clean-up work was active in the
Northwest. Fieldwork progressed well in California and Arizona with preparations for planting
the 1974 cotton crop well advanced.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1974 5 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA




LEMONS: Prospects in California and Arizona declined from February 1 The crop is now forecast at

17.4 million boxes, 4 percent below February 1 and 22 percent below last season's record.
California production at 14.5 million boxes is down 3 percent from February 1 and 18 percent below
last season. The Arizona harvest is virtually complete, and is now estimated at 2.9 million boxes,
down 9 percent from last month and 37 percent below last season.

TANGELOS: Florida's tangelo production at a record 4,2 million boxes in unchanged from last month but
20 percent above last season, Heavy volume movement is now completed with over 90
percent of the crop harvested.

TANGERINES: The portion of the tangerine crop expected to reach marketable size is forecast at

4.4 million boxes, down 8 percent from last month and 14 percent below last season,
Harvest of the U. S, crop-is about 70 percent complete with Florida about 95 percent complete.
Harvest in California got underway in February.

TEMPLES: Florida's prospective temple crop at 5.0 million boxes is unchanged from last month
but 2 percent less than last season, Harvest is over one-half complete.

Potatoes: Winter production in California and Florida is forecast at 2,768,000 ewt. and compares

with 2,628,000 cwt. forecast a month ago. Current production is 3 percent below the
2,853,000 cwt. harvested last year but 19 percent more than the 2,327,000 cwt. harvested in 1972.
The California crop at 1,140,000 cwt. remained unchanged from a month ago but 6 percent larger
than the 1973 production. Florida winter production is estimated at 1,628,000 cwt., 140,000 cwt.
more than estimated on February 1, compared with 1973 production of 1,775,000 ewt,

In California yields continue to be excellent in the major producing counties. Digging progressed
rapidly during February under relatively dry weather conditions. Approximately 75 percent of the
crop is harvested. Florida harvest is complete in the Everglades and Martin County, but is just
getting underway in Dade County and the Ft. Myers area. Yield and quality on early diggings are
excellent in Dade County which should be in full volume by mid-March. Fort Myers ~ Naples area
harvest is expected shortly after mid-March.

Spring States are expected to harvest 100,800 acres in 1974 compared with 98,900 acres in 1973
and 95,800 acres in 1972. Estimated acreage for harvest in Alabama is forecast at 12,500 and
compares with 11,000 acres harvested in 1973, California's acreage, at 36,400, increased 1,700
acres from a year ago. Increases in acreage from last year also occurred in Louisiana and Texas.
Acreage in the Hastings area of Florida remained unchanyed from 1973 at 19,000, Heavy late
February frosts may result in some potential yield reduction to early plantings in the Hastings
area. In North Carolina acreage for harvest declined to 9,300 from the 1973 total of 11,200.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1974 7 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


ORANGES: U,. S. orange production is expected to total 211.9 million boxes, up

3 percent from February 1 but 6 percent below the.1972-73 record.
Florida's total production is forecast at 162.0 million boxes up 3 percent from
February 1 but 5 percent below last season's record crop, Prospects in
California now point to a crop of 40,0 million boxes, an increase of 5 percent
from February 1 but 5 percent below last season. Texas production at 6.5 million
boxes is down 7 percent from February 1 and 12 percent below last season,
Arizona prospects at 3,4 million boxes are 3 percent less than last month and
33 percent below last season.

Harvest of oranges in the U, S. is ahead of last season with approximately
45 percent harvested as of March 1 compared with 39 percent last season, The
Florida harvest continues active with about 47 percent of the crop harvested by
March 1 compared with 40 percent at the same time last season, In Texas picking
of early and mid-season oranges is virtually complete while the Valencia harvest
is about 60 percent complete. Harvest of Navel and Sweet Oranges in Arizona was
completed during February while Valencia harvest got underway, California
harvest is about one-fourth complete,

U, S. March 1 orange forecasts have differed from actual production an
average of 4.8 million boxes during the past 9 seasons, ranging from ,9
million boxes in 1972-73 to 10.5 million boxes in 1968-69,

FLORIDA FROZEN CONCENTRATED JUICE YIELD: The all orange juice yield for
1973-74 is projected at 1.30

gallons of 45 degree brix concentrate per box, Final yield from the 1972-73
crop was 1,33 gallons per box.

GRAPEFRUIT: The Nation's 1973-74 grapefruit crop is forecast at 64,1 million

boxes, down 1 percent from the February 1 estimate and 2 percent
below last season, Prospects in Florida at 46 million boxes remain unchanged
from February 1 but 1 percent above last season, California and Arizona
forecasts are unchanged from last month but down 13 percent and 9 percent
respectively from a year ago. The Texas crop at 11 million boxes is 4 percent
less than February 1 and 7 percent below last season.

Harvest of grapefruit throughout the Nation was about one-half completed
on March 1 and is progressing at about the same rate as last season. The
Florida harvest is slightly behind last year with harvest on March 1 about
one-half completed. Texas is ahead of last year with about 70 percent completed
by March 1 compared with less than one-half on the same day of last season.
Arizona is slightly behind last season while the California harvest is about the
same,

Changes in U.S. production between the March 1 forecast and final production
have averaged 2,3 million boxes over the past 9 seasons ranging from 0.9 million
boxes in 1964~65 to 4,2 million boxes in 1966-67.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1974 6 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


Irish Potatoes

Seasonal Acreage Yield per acre Production
oh Harvested For: 7 Indi~ 7 Indi-
harvest: 1972 1973 cated 1972 1973: cated
State tora 197597 1974: 11974
‘TT, 000 acres Git. T,000 wt.
Winter:
California 5.7 4.9 4,3 170 220 265 969 1,078 1,140
Florida 9.7 9.1 9.3 140 195 175 1,358 1,775 1,628
Total 15.4 14.0 13.6 152 204 204 2,327 2,853 2,768
Spring:
Alabama > 9.0 11.0 «12.5 155 118 April 10 1,395 1,298 April 10
Arizona t 8.0 9.9 9.4 300 210 ” 2,400 2,079”
Arkansas Ld y 65 yy . 91 4
California 31.2 34.7 36.4 355 325 April 10 2/11,076 11,278 April 10
Fla.-Hastings 21t 19.0 19.0 142 180 " 2,996 3,420
Other 1.8 2.1 2.0 140 150 " 252 3IBon
Louisiana 27 2.3 2.8 7S 83 " 203 191008
Mississippi 2.0 2.0 2.0 85 8&5 ” 170 170
North Carolina 11.0 11.2 9.3 146 145 ” 1,606 1,624»
Texas 7.6 6.7 7.4 108 125 " 822 838 "
Total 95.8 98.9 100.8 219 214 " 21,011 21,213"

1/ Estimates discontinued after 1972.
2/ Does not include 1,369,000 hundredweight not harvested because of economic conditions.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1974

Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


crop production

(— Release:

March 8, 1974
3:00 P. M. ET

CROP REPORT HIGHLIGHTS - AS OF MARCH 1, 1974

CITRUS production is up 2 percent from February 1 but is expected
to be 5 percent less than last season. Production prospects
declined during February for grapefruit, lemons, and tangerines
but increased for oranges.

ORANGE production is forecast at 211.9 million boxes, an increase
of 3 percent (6.4 million boxes) from February 1, but 6 per-
cent (12.4 million boxes) below last season's record. Pros-
pects improved in Florida and California from last month but
declined in Arizona and Texas. By March 1 about 45 percent of
the oranges had been harvested.

GRAPEFRUIT production is forecast at 64.1 million boxes, 1 percent
below the February 1 forecast and 2 percent below the 1972-73
crop. About one-half of this season's crop was harvested by
March 1.

LEMON production at 17.4 million boxes is down 4 percent from
February 1 and 22 percent below last season’s record. Harvest
is about one-half completed.

WINTER POTATO production is forecast at 2.8 million cwt., 5 percent
more than a month ago, but 3 percent below the 1973 production
of 2.9 million cwt.

SPRING POTATO acreage for harvest is estimated at 100,800 acres, 2
percent more than the 98,900 acres harvested in 1973.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE CROP REPORTING BOARD
LL CrPr 2-2 (3-74) WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250 DS







Citrus Fruits, Production 1/

Crop and State rg7i-72_—}ag7ae73: WSesand? } agmi-72 | 1972-73} tndicaret
1,000 boxes 27 Equivalent tons
Oranges:
Early, Midseason &
Navel Varieties 3/:
Arizona 900 1,060 400 33,800 39,800 15,000
California 22,300 18,700 21,000 836 ,000 701,000 788,000
Florida 68,800 90,000 90,000 3,096,000 4,050,000 4,050,000
Texas 3,800 5,000 4,300 171,000 225,000 194,000
Total Above Varieties 95,800 114,760 115,700 4,136,800 5,015,800 5,047,000
Valencias:
Arizona 4,000 4,000 3,000 150,000 150,000 113,000
California 21,100 23,400 19,000 791,000 878,000 713,000
Florida 68,200 79,700 72,000 3,069,000 3,587,000 3,240,000
Texas 2,000 2,400 2,200 90,000 108 ,000 99,000
Total Valencias 95,300 109,500 96,200 4,100,000 4,723,000 4,165,000
ALL Oranges:
‘Arizona 4,900 5,060 3,400 183,800 189,800 128,000
California 43,400 42,100 40,000 1,627,000 1,579,000 1,501,000
Florida 137,000 169,700 162,000 6,165,000 7,637,000 7,290,000
Texas 5,800 7,400 6,500 261,000 333,000 293,000
U. S., All Oranges 191,100 224,260 211,900 8,236,800 9,738,800 9,212,000
Grapefruit:
‘Arizona 2,540 2,640 2,400 81,300 84,500 76,800
California, ALL 5,400 5,400 4,700 175,700 176,400 153,300
Desert Valleys 3,200 3,000 2,800 102,000 96,000 89,600
Other Areas 2,200 2,400 1,900 73,700 80,400 63,700
Florida, ALL 47,000 45,400 46,000 1,998,000 1,930,000 1,955,000
Pink Seedless 12,300 113700 12,000 523,000 497,000 510,000
White Seedless 23,800 23,500 24,000 1,012,000 999,000 1,020,000
Other 10,900 10,200 10,000 463,000 434,000 425,000
Texas 9,200 11,800 11,000 368,000 472,000 440,000
U. S., ALl Grapefruit 64,140 65,240 64,100 2,623,000 2,662,900 2,625,100
3,080 4,600 2,900 117,000 175,000 110,000
California 13,600 17,600 14,500 517,000 669,000 551,000
U. S. Lemons 16,680 22,200 17,400 634,000 844,000 661,000
Tangelos:
Florida 3,900 3,500 4,200 176 ,000 158,000 189,000
Tangerines: :
‘Arizona : 570 530 400 21,400 19,900 15,000
California : 1,260 1,600 1,100 47,300 60,000 41,300
Florida : 3,200 3,000 2,900 152,000 143,000 138,000
Total Tangerines : 5,030 5,130 4, 400 220,700 222,900 194,300
Temple! :
Florida : 5,300 5,100 5,000 239,000 230,000 225,000

1/ The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with completion of harvest the
following year, 2/ Net content of box varies. Approximate averages are as follows: Oranges ~
California and Arizona, 75 lbs.; Florida and Other States, 90 lbs.; Grapefruit-California, Desert Valleys,
and Arizona, 64 lbs.; other California areas, 67 Ibs.; Florida, 85 1bs.; and Texas, 80 1bs.; Lemons -

76 lbs.; Tangelos - 90 lbs.; Tangerines - California and Arizona, 75 lbs.; Florida, 95 lbs.; and

Temples - 90 lbs. 3/ Navel and Miscellaneous varieties in California and Arizona. Early and midseason
varieties in Florida and Texas, including small quantities of Tangerines in Texas.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1974 8 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


ble, Tenperature General]

February precipitation varied from below normal in the West to about normal in the East.
Most of the Great Plains and West got less than half what was normally expected. A serious
moisture shortage continued to intensify in western Texas. Normal or slightly above normal
precipitation fell on large portions of the Corn Belt, Southeast (except Florida), Oklahoma,
North Dakota and Washington. Soil moisture in these areas generally ranges from adequate to
excessive. Frequent rains, some heavy, pelted the southeast and upper Pacific Coast in
February. Considerable precipitation fell in the central and eastern U. S. during the third
week with heaviest amounts exceeding 2 inches concentrated in Oklahoma, Missouri and Illinois.

February snowfall was generally light and by March 1 mich snow cover had melted, leaving
snow on the ground only in the Rocky and Cascade-Sierra Nevada Mountains, from North Dakota to

Michigan, and in the extreme Northeast.

As of February 1 the irrigation water supply outlook is satisfactory to excellent for
nearly all Western areas and is one of the best outlocks in recent years. Reservoir storage is
above average for this time of year in al] 11 Western States except Montana and Washington and
winter snow accumulation has been exceptionally good in most areas.

Unusually cold temperatures gripped most of the Nation the first 10 days of February,
but this was replaced by unseasonally warm temperatures for the remainder of the month.
Temperatures for the entire month averaged over 3° above normal over the Great Plains and across
the Northwest while to the east temperatures averaged slightly above normal except over the
Great Lakes, Northeast and extreme Southeast where temperatures averaged below normal. Sub-
normal cold persisted over the southern Rockies with temperatures averaging as much as 14°
below normal in western Colorado. Most of the Pacific Coast had slightly below normal tempera-
tures. Freezing temperatures dipped deep into’Florida and Texas twice during the month
causing some light damage to vegetable crops, By March 1 soils were thawing across the North
Central Region from Ohio to Nebraska, winter wheat was greening and farmers were looking for-
ward to an early spring.

‘inter Wheat In Plains Ueeds Moisture

The Great Plains winter wheat area received scant precipitation during February and this
coupled with short top growth of wheat in western areas of Kansas and Oklahoma increased the
risk of damage from blowing soil. Precipitation in the extremely dry Texas Panhandle area has
been below normal for 5 consecutive months. Outside of the Plains most major wheat growing
areas had normal precipitation and adequate soil moisture,

The Kansas winter wheat crop greened and made moderate growth in most areas. The crop
was reported in good condition except in some localities of central and western Kansas where
light to severe soil blowing occurred. By March 1, wheat was providing fair to good ground
cover in the eastern third of Kansas, but only poor to fair ground cover in western areas. A
general rain followed by 10 days to 2 weeks of mild weather is needed for wheat to grow beyond
the stage where it is vulnerable to blowing damage. Nitrogen supplies for topdressing have
been generally tight.

Oklahoma wheat is rated fair to good with nearly all of the crop growing, but western
areas will need rain to sustain new growth, Top growth for grazing is short in western
Oklahoma and several days of extremely high winds and blowing soil blasted wheat acreage in
isolated areas. There has been some cutworm and greenbug damage, confined mainly to southwest
and extreme westcentral areas. Wheat on the Texas High and Low Plains is in poor condition due
to prolonged dryness, and grazing has been restricted to irrigated fields. Most livestock have
been moved from wheat fields into feedlots.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1974 4 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

3 3 Indicated 1973-74
Crop ‘ 1972-73 : February 1 : March 21
: 1,000 boxes
Oranges : 224,260 205,500 211,900
Grapefruit 2 65,240 64,600 64,100
Lemons : 22,200 18,200 17,400

V/ Season begins with bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion
of harvest the following year.

IRISH POTATOES

. 3 Acreage : Yield per acre 5 Production
Seasonal Har- : For : 2 Indie : zindicated 1974
group : vested sharvest : 1973 : cated ; 1973 Feb, : Mar.
: 1973: 1974 1974: Fee ne ee 8
t 1,000 acres Cwt. 1,000 cwt.
Winter : 14,0 13.6 204 204 2,853 2,628 2,768
Spring : 98.9 100.8 214 April 10 21,213 April 10

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1974 3 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


CROP REPORT SUMMARY AS OF MARCH 1, 1974

Orange harvest progress is ahead of last season while grapefruit
harvest is about the same as last year. In Florida, temperatures were
generally cooler than the record highs of January. There was very
minor frost damage to some new growth in low areas. The California
erop is in good condition.

Harvesting of winter potatoes in California progressed satisfactorily
and yield prospects in Florida improved. Spring crop acreage for harvest
is slightly above last year.

The CROP PRODUCTION report contains State and National estimates with
related information on selected agricultural commodities. These data
were prepared and adopted by the Crop Reporting Board which consists
of commodity statisticians from the Statistical Reporting Service's
field offices and Washington headquarters.

APPROVED: CROP REPORTING BOARD:
B, M. Graham, Chairman,

(4 a M. L. Koehn, Secretary,
A J. W. Kirkbride, R. P. Small, ~
7 R. A. McGregor, J. L. Aschwege,

L. A. Dell, D. J, Fedewa,
R. H. Hettinger, M. D. Humphrey,
ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE A. L. Sandberg.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1974 2 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA