Prospects in Arizona at 3.00 million boxes are 12 percent below last month and 19 percent
Tess than was harvested in 1977-78. Navel harvest is complete while Valencia harvest has not
become general.

Changes between the March 1 U.S. orange production forecast and final production have aver-
aged 4.06 million boxes over the past 10 seasons, ranging from 510 thousand boxes in 1974-75 to
11.0 million boxes in the 1975-76 season.

FLORIDA FROZEN CONCENTRATED JUICE YIELD: The all orange juice yield for the 1978-79 crop is pro-
jected at 1.33 gallons of 45 degree brix concentrate
per box compared with the February projection of 1.32 gallons. The yield from the 1977-78 crop
was 1.23 gallons per box.

GRAPEFRUIT: The 1978-79 U.S. grapefruit crop is expected to total 67.3 million boxes (2.50

million metric tons), slightly below last month's forecast and 9 percent below last
season. Prospects for the Florida crop were unchanged from February 1 at 50.0 million boxes, 3
percent below the 1977-78 crop. The Texas crop prospects remained at 9.00 million boxes, 24 per-
cent less than was harvested in 1977-78. Harvest of processing fruit is expected to continue
through late March. Some bloom occurred in early February but several days of coo? weather near
the middle of the month delayed additional blooming until the end of February. Full bloom is
expected about mid-March. California growers expect to harvest 6.00 million boxes, unchanged
from last month but 20 percent below last season. Prospects for the Arizona crop, now expected
to total 2.30 million boxes, are down 4 percent from last month and 21 percent below 1977-78.

Harvest of the U.S. grapefruit crop was 56 percent complete by March 1 compared with 43
percent on March 1 last year. Harvest is ahead of last season in al] States.

Changes in the U.S. grapefruit production estimate between the March 1 forecast and final
production have averaged 2.27 million boxes over the past 10 seasons, ranging from 100 thousand
boxes in 1977-78 to 4.70 million boxes in 1976-77

LEMONS: The California and Arizona lemon crop is expected to total 21.5 million boxes (741

thousand metric tons), 1 percent more than was expected last month but 18 percent less
than was harvested in 1977-78. California prospects improved during the month and growers are
now expected to harvest 15.5 million boxes, 24 percent less than last season. The desert lemon
crop should be finished by the end of March. Quality has been good. Central Valley lemons are
sizing better than expected. Frost-damaged fruit remains at about 25 percent of the fruit left
on the trees. Coastal lemons are very mature for this time of year. The Arizona crop is now
forecast at 6.00 million boxes, 5 percent more than last season. Harvest is slowing and is near-
ing completion. Harvest in the two States was 56 percent complete on March 1 compared with 48
percent harvested by March 1 last year.

TANGELOS: Florida's tangelo crop is set at 4.20 million boxes (171 thousand metric tons), 5 per-
cent above last month's forecast but 14 percent below 1977-78. Harvest is virtually
complete.

TANGERINES: Production is expected to total 5.40 million boxes (217 thousand metric tons), un-

changed from both last month and last year. The Florida crop at 3.60 million boxes
is 13 percent above last year's crop. The California crop at 1.25 million boxes is 17 percent
below last season. The Arizona crop at 550 thousand boxes is 21 percent below 1977-78.

TEMPLES: Production in Florida is estimated at 4.80 million boxes (196 thousand metric tons), un-

changed from last month but 2 percent below last season. Harvest was about 70 percent
complete on March 1, the same as on March 1, 1978.

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1979 5 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


CITRUS FRUIT Vv

a PRODUCTION ' PRODUCTION
cROP ‘ BOXES i TON EQUIVALENT
AND. EO SINDICATEDE UTILIZED S INDICATED
STATE t Tre € 1977-76 t 197879 § 1976-77 1 197%~78 1 1978-79
19000 UNITS 2/ 19000 UNIT.
ORANGES PEARLY MID & NAVEL an
RZ ' 800 820 30 31 26
CALIF t 25s600 204000 960 750 675
FLA $ 1154000 — 88s300 59175 39976 49185
TEX t 44350 39650 185 164 79
vs 4 1659750 1129970 69350 49919 59065:
ORANGES+ VALENCIA ’
ARIZ : 34150 25900 128 109 86
CALIF 4 195700 220000 739 625 $63
FLA 1 71,800 795500 30231 39878 39150
TEX a 24550 20250 108 96 es
us 4 974200 1069650 = 899300 49196 496068 39684
ALL ORANGES ‘
ARIZ ‘ 34950 39720 39000 148 140 112
CALIF t 4Sy300 = 429000 = 339000 19699 19575 19238
FLA t 186,800 1679600 1639000 85406 79552 79335
TEX t 6900 69100 69200 293 260 264.
us 1 2621950 2199620 2059200 «109546 99527 8.949
TEMPLES 4
Fla: 2 39800 4e900 49800 471 221 216
GRAPEFRUIT, WHITE SEEDLESS 3
FLA 2 295900 = 289700 280000 1271 1220 49190
GRAPEFRUIT, PINK SEEDLESS 1
FLA t 12,500 = 149300139000 Sat 608 553
OTHER GRAPEFRUIT ' :
LA 99100 ar400 99000 387 357 383.
ALL GRAPEFRUIT ’
ARIZ 4 34000 29900 29300 96 93 1%
CALIF :
DESERT . 4.500 49300 39500 144 138 12.
OTHER. AREAS 4 3,200 39200 29500 107 107 86
TOTAL 1 74700 79500 69000 251 245 196:
FLA $ 5k,500 $1400 © 504000 25189 29185 29126
TEX 3 129400 = 119900 99900 496 476 360
us $74,600 =—-739700 = 67300 39032 29999 20756
TANGERINES '
ARIZ : 650 700 550 ro 26 a
CALIF t 1,820 14500 19250 68 56 47
FLA t 34300 39200 39600 157 152 172
vs t 54770 59400 59400 249 234 239
LEMONS :
ARIZ s 50700 65000 190 aly 228.
CALIF ‘ 200400 15500 7968 775 589
us % 269100 215500 988 992 817
TANGELOS 1
FLA 34,800 4900 4200 216 222 189

1/ THE CROP YEAR BEGINS WITH THE BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR
SHOWN AND ENDS WITH YEAR HARVEST IS COMPLETED.

2/ NET LBS PER BOX! ORANGES@CALIF & ARIZ“75eFLa=90¢
TEX"653 GRAPEFRUIT@CALIF OESERT & ARIZ=64» CALIF
OTHER=67, FLA©85s TEX=805 LEMONS-765 TANGELOS &
TEMPLES=908 TANGERINES= CALIF & ARIZ=75+ FLAS9S.

3/ NAVEL 4NO MISCELLANEOUS VARIETIES IN CALIFORNIA AND
ARIZONA, EARLY AND MIDSEASON VARIETIES IN FLORIDA AND
TEXAS» INCLUDING SMALL. QUANTITIES OF TANGERINES IN
TEXAS,

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1979 8 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


Kansas wheat had snowcover through the first half of February protecting it from record low
temperatures. 8y March 1 southwestern Kansas wheat began greening but most of the crop_remained
dormant. Oklahoma wheat rated fair to good with some greening but no growth evident. Texas win-
ter wheat responded to higher temperatures in late February, making rapid gorwth in areas with
adequate soil moisture. Parts of the northern High and Low Plains needed additional precipita-
tion. Nebraska wheat rated fair to good and received new snowcover in the south and south central
areas at the end of February. Early Arizona seedings advanced into the jointing stage by March 1.
Early California plantings showed good growth. There was less winter damage in Washington and
Oregon than anticipated. However, some fields in Washington sustained as much as 50 percent loss
and will probably be replanted to spring wheat. The Oregon crop rated fair to good. Snow pro-
tected winter wheat in the Corn Belt through the period of lowest temperatures during February.
Near the end of the month above normal readings melted the snow very quickly and by the :beginning
of March the crop lay exposed.

FEBRUARY FIELOWORK

Snow accumulations and subnormal temperatures held most outside activity to a minimum during
February. Snow in the North and above normal precipitation in the Southeast and Pacific Coast
area prevented an early start for spring land preparations. Deep snow blanketed the Nation from
the northern Great Plains, across the Corn Belt and into the Northeast. Adverse weather and wet
soils stalled the end of the 1978 cotton harvest in several southwestern States. The same con-
ditions along with low soil temperatures delayed cotton planting in southern Texas. Cotton pre-
plant activities were on schedule on the High and Low Plains. Growers planted corn by March
in several States including Texas, Mississippi, Florida, and Georgia. Planting in these States
was limited to lighter, better drained soils. Grain sorghum planting began in southern Texas
near the end of February. Progress stood at 1 percent, the same as last year but trailing the
6 percent average. Plowing in the South ranged from 16 to 29 percent complete as March began,
almost equal to last year but well behind the average. Tobacco growers tended plant beds in the
Atlantic Coast States from Florida to the Carolinas; Virginia producers began seeding plant beds.
Irish potato planting began across the South and the Pacific Northwest. Deciduous fruit growers
pruned and sprayed trees as weather conditions permitted. Vegetable planting and harvesting
activities were confined to warmer climates in the Southwest, Texas, and Florida.

ORANGES: The U.S. grange production is expected to total 205 million boxes (8.12 million metric

tons), slightly above last month's forecast but 7 percent below the 1977-78 crop.
Florida prospects remain unchanged at 163 million boxes, 3 percent below last season. Early and
mid-season varieties are expected to total 93.0 million boxes, 5 percent above last year's har-
vest. The Valencia crop is forecast at 70.0 million boxes, 12 percent less than last season's
crop. Harvest of early and mid-season oranges is 88 percent complete while harvest of the
Valencia crop is just beginning. Mild February temperatures and more than adequate rainfall were
beneficial to citrus trees as they neared the bloom period.

In California, crop prospects continued the same at 33.0 million boxes, 21 percent below
last season. The Navel crop is expected to total 18.0 million boxes, 10 percent below last
season. The Valencia crop is forecast at 15.0 million boxes, 32 percent less than was harvested
last season. Navel harvest is about 60 percent complete. The harvest season is now expected to
extend into April. Quality is fair with good flavor and texture; however, a considerable amount
of the remaining fruit is expected to be utilized as products. Harvest of the Valencia crop
began during late February. A larger proportion of the crop is expected to be utilized for pro-
cessing than in 1977-78 when 41 percent went for processing.

The Texas orange crop is expected to total 6.20 millfon boxes, 9 percent more than was fore-
cast last month, and 2 percent above last year's production. Harvest of early and mid-season
varieties was complete by the end of February. Valencia harvest should continue until mid to

ate March.

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1979 4 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


PAPAYAS: Hawaii papaya production during March is forecast at 3.30 million pounds (1500 metric
tons), 39 percent more than during February, but 24 percent below last March. February's
preliminary production estimate of 2.38 million pounds (1080 metric tons) is the lowest since
March 1974. Heavy rains periodically halted all field and harvesting operations in major growing
areas. . Conditions were particularly severe on Hawaii Island, the major producing area, as the
cool, wet weather delayed fruit ripening and also increased the incidence of disease to a very
serious level. Normal weather conditions now prevail and are expected to continue. However
lingering effects from the rains have caused a downward revision of the forecasts for the
coming months. Production in April is expected to total 3.60 million pounds (1630 metric tons).
As farmers continue to restore their fields, production should increase to levels of 4.00 and 4.10
million pounds (1810 and 1860 metric tons) in May and June, respectively.

The estimated total area for harvest during February at 2400 acres (970 hectares) was slightly
higher than January's 2380 harvested acres (960 hectares).

POTATOES: The final forecast for the 1979 winter potato crop in California and Florida is set

at 2.72 million cwt. (124 thousand metric tons), unchanged from the February forecast
but 4 percent above the 1978 production. Harvest continues at a slow pace in California with
digging delayed at times because of wet fields. About 75 percent of the acreage has been har-
vested. Digging is underway in the Winter Garden area of Florida. Harvest of Reds in the Fort
Myers area is active with good yields reported. White varieties are making good growth and dig-
ging is expected to begin by the end of the month. In Dade County, harvest is underway and should
be active through March. Harvest is about complete in the Everglades and is winding down in the
Southeast coasta? area.

Producers of spring potatoes in the 7 producing States expect to harvest 92.4 thousand acres
(37.4 thousand hectares), 2 percent above the 90.9 thousand acres (36.8 thousand hectares) har-
vested in 1978. Estimates in Mississippi have been discontinued commencing with the 1979 crop.

In California, planting is nearly finished. Many fields in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of
Texas are up to a good stand and making favorable progress. Harvest is expected to begin around
mid-Aprit. Planting in the Winter Garden area will be completed by mid-month. In the Knox-
Haskell area, planting was delayed early in the season by cold, wet weather but has resumed and
is expected to continue through March.

In the Hastings area of Florida, planting was practically complete by early March. There have
been some problems with seed rotting because of excessive moisture. However, this is not as ex-
tensive as last year. Harvest is expected to begin in late April. Early planted fields in the
other areas of Florida are up to a good stand and making favorable progress. Planting has been
delayed in North Carolina because of recent wet field conditions.

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1979 6 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


CROP PRODUCTION [Gi

Released: Economics, Statistics, &
March 9, 1979 ~ 7
3:00 P.M. ET Cooperatives Service

US. Department
of Agriculture

Washington, D.C.
ra 20250

HIGHLIGHTS

CITRUS production is expected to total 13.2 million tons (11.9 million
metric tons), fractionally above last month but 7 percent below
the 1977-78 crop.

ORANGE production is forecast at 205 million boxes (8.12 million metric
tons), virtually the same as February 1, but 7 percent below last
season. By March 1, harvest of the U.S. crop was 48 percent
complete.

GRAPEFRUIT production is forecast at 67.3 million boxes (2.50 million
metric tons), nearly the same as February 1, but 9 percent below
the 1977-78 crop. About 56 percent of the crop was harvested by
March 1.

LEMON prospects at 21.5 million boxes (741 thousand metric tons) are 1
percent above last month's forecast but 18 percent below the pre-
vious season.

WINTER POTATO production is estimated at 2.72 million cwt. (124 thousand
metric tons), unchanged from the February 1 forecast but 4 percent
more than a year earlier.

SPRING POTATO acreage for harvest is estimated at 92.4 thousand acres
4 thousand hectares), 2 percent above the 90.9 thousand acres
(36.8 thousand hectares) harvested in 1978,

CrPr 2-2 (3-79) For Information Call: (202) 447-2127


POTATOES

7 AREA
SEASONAL, GROUP, SURNTED : TERVESTED
state 977: tgg =: TMIERTED Fg77- Ss t978 peared
: T,000 ACRES
WINTER t
“CALIF : 4.5 3. 3.3 45 3.0 3.3
FLA : 9.1 10:0 9.9 a.9 9:9 919
TOT: (13,6 13.0 13.2 13.4 12.9 13.2
SPRING :
ALA : 9.5 10.5 9.5 9.2
ARIZ : 6.0 6.5 6.0 6.0
CALIF : 32.0 30.8 29:0 32.0
FLA-HASTINGS : 20.6 19.5 20.6 20.4
“OTHER 1:0 V7 1:8 10
LA : 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.1
MISS 1/ : 1:3 12
nc 7 : 13.8 13.4 130 13.7
TEX : 8.2 5.4 7°5 8.0
TOTAL : 93.4 91.4 90.9 92.4
: m
; YIELD ; PRODUCT ION
Py? a978 ts 1977} 197g TNICRTED
: or 1,000 Ont
WINTER :
“TALTF > 235 230 240 1,058 690 792
FLA : 180 195 195 13602 1,931 1,931
TOTAL : 199 203 206 2,660 2,621 2,723
SPRING 2/ :
“A > 120 100 1,260 950
ARIZ : 270 265 12755 1,590
CALIF : 385 285 113858 8,265
FLA-HASTINGS : 220 170 43290 31502
“OTHER =: 185 125 315 225
LA : 75 173 173
MISS 1/ > 90 90 WwW 108
nc > 165 150 2,211 1,950
TEX 2 165 160 891 13200
TOTAL : 250 198 22,870 17,963
2/ YIELD AND PRODUCTION FOR 1979 TO BE RELEASED APRIL 1
PAPAYAS - HAWAII
7 ARER ? TUTICT EO PRODUCT ION
WONTH “TOTAL_INCROP— : FARVESTED [376979 “FORECAST —
Cee : ; To : 1979
RCRES 7,000 POUNDS
JAN 1 3,095 3,195 2,280 2,380 4,256 3,670
FEB : 3,100 3180 23270 2,400 3,804 22380
MAR 3,150 23210 4317 3, 300
APR 2 3,215 23220 37971 3600
may : 3,120 22175 57546 43000
JUN 13,165 23155 6,896 43100
TOMULATIVE PRODUCTION JAN-FEB — 8,060 6,050 __

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1979 7 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(DOMESTIC UNITS)
CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

INDICATED 1978-79

crop : 1977-78

FEB 1 MART
T,OOU-BOKES
ORANGES 219, 620 205, 100 205,200
GRAPEFRUIT 73,700 67,400 67,300
LEMONS 267100 21,300 21,500
SEASON BEGINS FT Pr
Houowine tee. CARS TENDS E COMPLETION OF WARVEST THE
POTATOES
SEASONAL AREA PLANTED 7 ARERFARVESTED
fe > INDICATED > INDICATED
: 1978 : 1979 : 1978 : 1979
000 ACRES
WINTER 13.0 13.2 12.9 13.2
SPRING 93.4 93.4 90:9 9214
: ECO PER ACE PRODUCTION
: TNOICATED 7 INDICATED 1975
: 1978 1979 1978 : FEB T z WAR_T
: HT T;000-CHT
WINTERS 203 206 2,621 2,723 2,723
SPRING : 198 APR-10 173963 a
UNITED STATES CROP_SUNNARY
(METRIC UNITS)
CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/
7 : “TROTCATED 1978-75
crop: 1977-78 : 781 : wR T
METRIC TONS
ORANGES : 8 642 750 8 112 050 8 118 400
GRAPEFRUIT 2 720 680 2 502 920 2 500 200
LEMONS 899 930 733 910 7a1 170
Y rr  COWLETION OF
FOLLOWING YEAR,
POTATOES -
AREA PLANTED: i TRE HARVES
SEASONAL
Z A INDICATED ? 2 INDICATED
croup 1978 : Te : 1978 : DICK
HECTARES
WINTER : 5 260 5 340 5 220 5 340
SPRING : 37 800 37 800 36 790 3? 390
: YIELO-PER HECTARE : PROTON
1 INDICATED : i
78: 1979: 1978 : FET ART
RETRTC TON’
WINTER P2078 23.13 nig 890 123 510 123 510
APR 10

‘SPRING. t 22.18 APR 10 814 780

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 Washington headquarters and the State
Statistical Offices.

CROP REPORTING BOARD:

APPROVED: B. M. Graham, Chairman,
M. L. Koehn, Secretary,
F, £. Rolf, P. Small,
> D. J. Buckner, H. J. DeLong,
C. Drain, |. R. Garrett,
ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE J. L. Stover,

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1979 2 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


FEBRUARY WEATHER

Much of California and the Pacific Northwest recorded above-normal precipitation during the
month of February. Amounts ranged up to 150 percent above totals expected this time of year.
The northern Plains also exceeded normal precipitation; amounts well above an inch in parts of
this area were more than 3 times normal for February. Precipitation was generally heavier than
average from New Mexico eastward to the Atlantic and from East Texas northeastward to Pennsyl-
vania. Flooding occurred in the South and in the mid-Atlantic area. Temperatures averaged lower
than normal over most of the Nation. The northern and central Plains dropped 12 to 15 degrees
below normal. Only the West Coast and Plateau averaged near expected temperatures for February.

As the month of February began, a blast of cold air moved from western Canada to envelop the
Rockies and Plains. Sub-zero temperatures were felt in the Plains as far south as Oklahoma.
Spotty snowcover over most of the winter wheat area afforded some protection. A storn system
moved into southern California and spread heavy rain along the coast with lesser amounts, in the
form of snow, hitting the Plateau and central Rockies. A low pressure system formed in the Gulf
of Mexico and spread precipitation northward and eastward to cover most of the area east of the
Mississippi River.

Early in the week of February 5-11, another surge of cold air pushed southward into the
Plains. The average temperature for the week was 21 degrees colder than normal in parts of the
central Plains. The temperature plummeted to -20° in northern Missouri and southern Iowa.
Freezing temperatures reached into northern Florida. Another stord?system formed in the Gulf of
Mexico, but this time stayed to the south and caused heavy rain from southern Louisiana to central
Georgia and moderate rain or freezing rain into the mid-Atlantic States. Some heavy rain---snow
in the mountains---fell in the Pacific Northwest.

The mid-month week of February 12-18 brought precipitation to nearly all of the Nation,
Heavy rain or snow fell in the West with moderate amounts in the South and mid-Atlantic areas.
Temperatures were warmer than normal in the West but colder east of the Rockies. Departures
from normal plunged to as much as 27 degrees in New York State. At week's end, heavy snow began
to fall in Georgia and moved northward.

Early in the week of February 19-25, a low pressure system moved northward along the East
Coast and left a heavy snowcover from Georgia to southern New England. Amounts ranged from 3 to
5 inches in Georgia to 20 to 25 inches in parts of the mid-Atlantic area. Subsequent warm rain
depleted most of the snowcover. Again, precipitation fell in most of the Nation during the week.
Heaviest amounts dampened Washington State, northern California, and the Southeast. Temperatures
averaged near or slightly above normal in much of the Nation, but the northern Plains showed 12
to 15 degrees colder than normal.

During the’ last days of the month, February 26-28, a strong low pressure system caused rain
from the Carolinas to New England stretching as far west as the Ohio Valley. Local flooding
occurred in some mid-Atlantic areas. In the West, some heavy rain fell from central California
northward. Snow fell in the Plateau and northern Rockies. Thunderstorms broke out in the South,
and hail was recorded at:several places along the lower Mississippi River. Cold air moved all
the way to northern Florida but was rapidly replaced by another warming trend. Moderately cold
air dominated the northern tier of States.

MINTER WHEAT

Winter wheat rated fair to good with the exception of some poor ratings in the southern
States where subnormal temperatures and excessive precipitation checked growth normally expected
by March 1. Dryland stands on the southern Great Plains lacked adequate soil moisture for
optimum spring growth but periodic February precipitation kept the moisture shortage from becom-
ing serious. Winter wheat in the Nation's major production areas lay under a mantle of snow most
of February which protected the crop from severe storms and temperatures as much as 27 degrees
below normal on the Great Plains. Early in February, snowcover reached south into Oklahoma and
all of the Corn Belt. By the end of the month snowcover receded northward from most of Kansas
and the eastern North Central States.

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1979 3 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA