Crop

Production

National

Agricultural

Statistics

Service

USDA

Washington, D.C.

Released March 12, 1998, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture. For

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

Orange Production Down 1 Percent

All oranges production for the 1997-98 season is forecast at a record large 

14.2 million tons, down 1 percent from the February forecast but up 11 percent

from last season’s record production. Florida's production is forecast at 

251 million boxes (11.3 million tons), down 1 percent from February but 

11 percent above last season. Florida’s early-midseason forecast is 143 million

boxes (6.44 million boxes), 2 percent less than a month ago but 7 percent above

last year’s record large production. The Florida Valencia forecast remained

unchanged from last month and is a record large crop of 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

maintained at 1.56 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix. 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 1.52 the previous season. Valencia yield is

projected at 1.65 gallons per box, unchanged from February but down from 1.68

last season.

Cr Pr 2-2 (3-98)
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 1998 2 NASS, USDA

This report was approved on March 12, 1998.

 Acting Secretary of Agricultural Statistics Board

 Agriculture Chairperson

 Richard E. Rominger Rich Allen
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 1998 3 NASS, USDA

Contents

 Page

 Tables Narratives

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

Sugarcane ................................................... 4 17

Citrus Fruits ............................................... 5 15

Papayas ..................................................... 6 16

Crop Summary (Domestic Units)

 Area Planted and Harvested ............................. 7 -

 Yield and Production ................................... 8 -

Fruits and Nuts Production (Domestic Units) ................. 9 -

Crop Summary (Metric Units)

 Area Planted and Harvested ............................. 10 -

 Yield and Production ................................... 11 -

Fruits and Nuts Production (Metric Units) ................... 12 -

February Weather Summary .................................... - 13

General Crop Comments ....................................... - 14

Report Features ............................................. - 18 
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 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 36.5 13,803 15,367 

 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 34.7 27,686 29,913 

 : 

For Seed : 

 FL : 21.0 18.0 33.1 36.5 695 657 

 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 31.1 1,776 1,650 

 : 

For Sugar : 

 and Seed : 

 FL : 438.0 439.0 33.1 36.5 14,498 16,024 

 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 34.5 29,462 31,563 

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

1/ Net tons. 

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

March 1998 5 NASS, USDA

 

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

 1995-96, 1996-97 and Forecasted March 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 : 121,200 134,200 143,000 5,454 6,039 6,435 

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

 US : 160,730 175,900 188,850 6,942 7,609 8,162 

 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 : 203,300 226,200 251,000 9,149 10,179 11,295 

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

 US : 263,890 296,620 327,550 11,427 12,827 14,174 

Temples : 

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

Grapefruit : 

 White Seedless : 

 FL 5/ : 23,200 23,500 21,000 986 999 893 

 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 50,000 2,225 2,371 2,125 

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

 US : 66,200 70,200 64,400 2,718 2,888 2,638 

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 5,000 213 299 238 

 US : 8,100 9,450 7,900 349 418 347 

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 2,850 110 178 128 

K-Early Citrus : 

 FL : 160 150 40 7 7 2 

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

March 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 

 : 

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

Feb : 3,530 3,505 1,485 1,735 3,020 2,645 

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

March 1998 7 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

March 1998 8 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 : " : 34.5 31,563 

 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 : " : 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

March 1998 9 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 2,638 

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

 Lemons : " : 992 859 935 

 Oranges : " : 11,427 12,827 14,174 

 Tangelos (FL) : " : 110 178 128 

 Tangerines : " : 349 418 347 

 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 : Ton : 5,554.3 6,836.4 

 Olives (CA) : " : 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

March 1998 10 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 : 24,611,230 

 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 :28,728,530 25,728,970 

 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 : 5,592,000 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

March 1998 11 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 : 35.78 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 : 28.09 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 : 1.44 880 

 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 : 77.29 28,633,470 

 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

March 1998 12 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 2,393,150 

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

 Lemons : 899,930 779,270 848,220 

 Oranges : 10,366,400 11,636,460 12,858,440 

 Tangelos (FL) : 99,790 161,480 116,120 

 Tangerines : 316,610 379,200 314,790 

 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, Dried (CA) : 202,300 192,320 

 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

March 1998 13 NASS, USDA

February Weather Summary: A wet-weather spell stretched to 20 weeks in the

 Southeast, highlighted by an early-month storm that

also dumped record snowfall in the Ohio Valley. In California and the

Southwest, 4 weeks of nearly continuous storminess resulted in widespread

flooding, mudslides, and agricultural disruptions. A late-month pattern shift

delivered blizzard conditions to parts of the northern Plains. February

precipitation records were set at more than a half-dozen locations in the

Southeast and at least 19 stations in California. Monthly rainfall topped 

400 percent of normal in central and southern California, southern Nevada, and

southern Arizona. Totals less than 50 percent of normal were restricted to a

few locations in the Rockies and Plains.

The first week of February featured a major storm traversing the Southeast and a

series of storms pounding the West Coast. Both coastlines sustained beach

erosion due to heavy surf. The Southeastern storm struck just a week after

late-January's damaging "nor'easter." At Hampton Roads, VA, the February 4 tide

peaked at 6.97 feet above mean lower low water (mllw), the highest since the

March 1962 storm. That tide came only 7 days after the water reached 6.44 feet

above mllw on January 28, which was comparable to the 6.42 feet observed during

the storm of April 26-27, 1978. Farther inland, February 4-6 snowfall totaled

22.4 in Louisville, KY, and 18.5 inches in Cincinnati, OH, single-storm records

in both locations. In the central Appalachians, Beckley, WV netted 13.0 inches

just a week after a 32.0-inch snowfall. A few days earlier, during the night of

February 2-3, the then-developing low-pressure system sparked severe

thunderstorms in Peninsular Florida, producing gusts to 104 mph in Miami, 90 mph

in Hollywood, and 66 mph in Homestead. 

Meanwhile in California, a nearly continuous procession of storms arrived across

northern and central areas in late-January, persisting until February 24. In

northern coastal California, where heavy rain arrived earlier in January, Eureka

noted rainfall of a trace or more on 57 of the year's first 59 days. Some of

the worst river flooding affected the San Francisco Bay area on February 3, when

the Pajaro River at Chittenden crested about 8 inches above the April 1958

record. On the same day, the Napa River at St. Helena peaked 1.9 feet below the

record set in February 1986 and tied in March 1995. The Russian River at

Guerneville crested more than 10 feet below the 1986 record, but about 6.6 feet

above flood stage. Significant precipitation spread into southern California on

several occasions, especially on February 2-3, 6-8, 14-17, and 22-24. The most

impressive rainfall rates occurring during the last wave of storminess on

February 22-23, when Mount Wilson received 10.12 inches during a 24-hour period. 

For the month, Bakersfield tallied 5.36 inches, 94 percent of their normal

annual total. Bakersfield and another half-dozen California locations--

including Santa Barbara with 21.74 inches--received record rainfall for any

month.

Although the monthly precipitation of 3.20 inches in Tucson, AZ was their

second-highest February total (4.15 inches fell in 1905), a trace or more of

rain fell on 17 days, breaking the 1905 record by a day. February-record totals

were observed, however, in parts the Southwest, including Salt Lake City, UT

(4.89 inches) and Las Vegas, NV (2.89 inches). Farther east, February records

were set in locations such as Wilmington, NC (11.22 inches), Tampa, FL 

(10.82 inches), and Roanoke, VA (8.00 inches).

Monthly temperatures ranged from 6 to 16 degrees F above normal across the

Nation's northern tier east of the Rockies, resulting in February-record average

temperatures at about 20 locations from the Great Lakes region into the

Northeast. The warmth resulted in much of the month's precipitation falling as

rain in the Great Lakes and Midwestern States. February snowfall was the lowest

on record in more than a dozen cities, including Buffalo, NY (1.8 inches),

Houghton Lake, MI (1.4 inches), Dubuque, IA (0.2 inches), and Peoria, IL (none). 

Above-normal monthly temperatures also prevailed across the Northwest
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 1998 14 NASS, USDA

(departures of +2 to +5 degrees F) and across the southern half of the Nation 

east of the Rockies (0 to +7 degrees F). Near- to below-normal readings were

restricted to California and the Southwest, where departures ranged from 0 to

-4 degrees F.

February 28 marked the 45th consecutive day of above-normal temperatures in

Milwaukee. In Illinois, streaks reached 40 days at both Peoria and Springfield. 

Especially impressive in many areas was the lack of night-time cold. 

Temperatures remained above 20 degrees F for the entire month in Topeka, KS, the

first such occurrence since records began 102 years ago. Medford, OR had but

one freeze during the month, breaking their February record of 3 days, set in

1958. February records for consecutive days above freezing were established in

Omaha, NE (February 14-23) and Des Moines, IA (February 15-26). Unusually

cloudy weather continued in many areas, including those that received little

precipitation. For example, 0.31 inches (32 percent of normal) fell in Wichita,

KS, but sunshine totaled only 118.25 hours (39 percent of possible), their

lowest February amount since 1957.

Similar to the early-month scenario, major weather systems battered the

Southwest and Southeast again toward month's end. In the West, the storm that

produced southern California's downpours on February 22-23 turned northeastward,

blanketing Salt Lake City, UT with their fourth-greatest storm-total snowfall

(19.4 inches on February 24-25). Later on February 25, blizzard conditions

engulfed eastern Montana, eastern Wyoming, western Nebraska, and the western

Dakotas. The storm lingered into early March, dropping 103 inches of snow on

Lead, SD. Wind gusts, which were clocked as high as 74 mph near Rapid City, SD,

drove snow into drifts that reached 10 to 12 feet in some areas. Farther east,

a tornado outbreak in central Florida killed 38 people on the night of February

22-23.

Dry weather continued in Hawaii through a fourth consecutive month. Conditions

improved slightly toward month's end in Hilo, where more than 2 inches of rain

fell during the last 13 days of February. Nevertheless, monthly rainfall was

less than 25 percent of normal statewide.

General Crop Comments: A wet weather pattern that began last October continued

 in the Gulf and Atlantic Coast States. Field activities

in the Southeast were often halted by rainfall and soils too saturated to

support equipment. Some cotton and soybean fields remained unharvested in the

Southeast and may be abandoned if wet weather continues. In Florida, frequent

rains delayed the sugarcane harvest and other fieldwork. Harvesting of

vegetable crops, strawberries, and citrus was active throughout the month when

weather conditions permitted.

Unseasonably mild temperatures and adequate soil moisture conditions were

reported over the major winter wheat-producing States. Snow cover protection

was mostly adequate in the northern High Plains, but light or nonexistent

elsewhere, leaving much of the crop susceptible to harsh weather. However,

little wind and freeze damage have occurred to the wheat crop so far. By the

end of the month, the winter wheat crop had begun to break dormancy in Kansas

and the eastern Corn Belt States. Farther south, the crop was jointing in

Oklahoma and heading in southern Texas.

Mild weather in the Corn Belt permitted some tillage and other field preparations in isolated areas, but in most areas the ground has thawed and is too

muddy to support heavy equipment. Lack of frost left feedlots and pastures

muddy as well. Farmers were concerned about the effects of the mild weather on

insect populations, weed pressures, and disease problems for the upcoming

growing season. 
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 1998 15 NASS, USDA

In the Northeastern United States, maple producers began tapping trees. 

Although the warm weather did not adversely affect fruit trees during February,

growers were concerned that tender buds could sustain damage later if the

weather suddenly turned colder. Cleanup from the January ice storm continued

throughout the month. Farmers were still assessing damage from the storm, but

some damage to alfalfa fields and sugar bushes was noted.

In California, record rainfall in many areas hampered vegetable harvests,

curtailed field preparations, and postponed tomato planting. Standing water in

low-lying areas stressed crops. In the Pacific Northwest, warm weather was

bringing fruit trees out of dormancy earlier than normal.

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

 2.64 million tons, down 3 percent from last month and down 

9 percent from last year’s production. 

The Florida all grapefruit forecast of 50.0 million boxes (2.13 million tons) is

down 4 percent from the previous forecast and down 10 percent from the production a year ago. The forecast of white seedless varieties is 21.0 million

boxes, down 9 percent from the February 1 forecast and down 11 percent from the

previous season. If realized, it will be the smallest crop recorded since the

1991-92 season. Both fresh and processed utilization of the white variety is

lagging behind last season’s pace. Weather conditions have contributed to some

grade problems in the fresh area. High winds have accelerated droppage. Final

recorded utilization of this variety will be dependent on the amount processors

are willing to accept into inventory. The forecast for colored seedless grapefruit is maintained at 28.5 million boxes, 9 percent less than last year’s final

utilization. By the end of February, utilization is nearly 300,000 boxes ahead

of last season. The seedy (Duncan) grapefruit forecast is continued at 

500,000 boxes. Average fruit size is still well above the average of the last

seven seasons. However, loss from droppage accelerated last month, possibly the

result of wind and rain. 

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 remained at 4.60 million boxes (184,000 tons),

down 13 percent from last season. California’s forecast is carried forward 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.

Tangelos: Florida’s 1997-98 forecast of tangelos is reduced to 2.85 million

 boxes (128,000 tons), down 5 percent from the February 1 forecast. 

The forecast is down 28 percent from last season’s production of 3.95 million

boxes, the largest recorded crop since 1987-88. Weekly utilizations have

declined steadily. The route survey indicated some rows still remaining to be

harvested.

Tangerines: The 1997-98 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at 347,000 tons, down 

 1 percent from the February 1 forecast and down 17 percent from the

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

1 percent from last month to 5.00 million boxes (238,000 tons), 21 percent less

than the production of a year ago. Adjusted utilizations of the early
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 1998 16 NASS, USDA

varieties, including Robinson, Fallglo, Sunburst, and Dancy, required the slight

revision. February’s average fruit size of the remaining late variety Honey

tangerines exceeded all others in the past seven seasons. Fruit drop averaged

slightly below 50 percent. The Arizona and California tangerine forecasts were

carried forward from the previous month.

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. Estimated certifications as of the end of February are at the level of last season. Harvest of the

crop started earlier than last season.

Florida Citrus: Most of Florida's citrus groves endured a very wet February. 

 Lakes, ponds, and streams are at very high levels as a result

of weekly downpours since November. Virtually all counties in the citrus belt

have reported new monthly rainfall records for the first two months of 1998. 

Caretakers have been busy trying to keep grove roads open and free of deep

puddles left by the heavy rains. Above normal temperatures during February

produced new growth and the beginning stages of bloom. By the end of the month,

there were many young trees with open bloom. The remaining fruit to be

harvested is in very good condition despite the wet conditions. Harvest of

early and midseason oranges was very active during February. Movement of all

seedless grapefruit was strongest on the lower east coast for both fresh and

processed utilization. Temple and Honey tangerine harvests increased in all

areas. Tangelo harvest is almost complete. Slightly more than 138 million boxes

of early-midseason oranges, including Navels, were utilized through February.

Valencia orange utilization had reached nearly four million boxes by March 1.

Texas Citrus: Intermittent rain slowed harvest in the Rio Grande Valley at

 times during February. Quality on all varieties remained good. 

Harvest of early oranges was nearly complete by month's end, and the Valencia

harvest was getting underway. Grapefruit harvest was nearing 75 percent

complete. Across the Rio Grande Valley, growers were reporting a good bloom for

the 1998-99 crop.

California Citrus: Citrus harvesting was delayed due to the rainy weather

 during the first three weeks of February, but picked up

during the last week of the month. Approximately one-half of the Navel orange

crop had been picked by the end of the month. Good quality was reported but

growers were concerned about rind breakdown and brown rot. New crop Valencia

orange picking began in the desert area. Lemon harvest was active in all

districts with good quality reported, but brown rot and wind scar were problems. 

Grapefruit and tangerine picking was active when the weather allowed with good

quality reported.

California Fruits & Nuts: Very windy and wet weather during the first three

 weeks of February wreaked havoc for growers. Almond

and early variety stone fruit trees were in bloom, but the bees had difficulty

pollinating. Many growers could not enter their groves due to the extremely wet

soil. Pruning, spraying, and tying vines were among the cultural activities

that were delayed. The last week of February brought sunshine, with growers

able to resume their orchard work.

Papayas: Fresh papaya production from Hawaii is estimated at 2.65 million

 pounds for February, 6 percent lower than January and 12 percent lower

than February 1997. Weather conditions were dry for the first half of February. 
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 1998 17 NASS, USDA

Rainfall toward the end of February helped replenish soil moisture. Cool

temperatures and lack of rainfall in non-irrigated orchards during January 

slowed fruit development and depressed yields.

Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,505 acres in February, virtually the

same as a month ago and 1 percent lower than last February. Harvested area,

totaling 1,735 acres, was virtually unchanged from January and 17 percent higher

than February 1997.

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

 to total 31.6 million tons, up 7 percent from 1996 and 1 percent

above the February 1 estimate. If realized, this would be a record production

for sugarcane growers. The expected area for harvest, at 915,500 acres, is

unchanged from the previous estimate and 3 percent above last year. The

forecasted yield, at 34.5 tons per acre, is 0.5 tons above the February estimate

and 1.4 tons above 1996.

In Florida, harvest was 2 weeks behind normal due to wet fields and mills have

closed for short periods since no raw cane was available for processing. Some

mills expected to stay open until early April to get the last of the crop

processed. 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. 
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 1998 18 NASS, USDA

Report Features

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

April 9, 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

 Doug Hartwig - Hay (202) 720-8843

 Mark E. Miller - Oats, Sugar Crops, Weekly Crop Weather (202) 720-7621

 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

March 1998 19 NASS, USDA

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