ORANGES: U. S. orange production is expected to total a record 237.3 million boxes, up 2 percent

from the February 1 forecast and 10 percent above last season. In Florida, prospects
for the Valencia crop increased and the total crop is now forecast at a record 176.0 million
boxes, up 1 percent from last month and 6 percent above last season, Farly and mid-season
oranges are expected to total 97.0 million boxes--unchanged from February 1 but 5 percent above
the previous record set last season. The Valencia crop is now forecast at 79.0 million boxes,
up 3 percent from last month and 7 percent above last year. This crop is expected to be 1 per-
cent below the record crop of 1972-73. Harvest of early and mid-season oranges was about 85
percent complete as of March 1.

In California, orange crop prospects increased from February 1 for both Navels and Valen-
cias a total crop of 52.0 million boxes is now expected, the largest since 1946-47. Despite
the sub-freezing temperatures in December and January the Navel crop is now forecast at 26.0
million boxes, up 4 percent from a month ago and 19 percent above last season. The Valencia
crop is expected to total 26.0 million boxes, up 4 percent from last month and 38 percent above
last year, Harvest of Navel oranges was about one-half complete as of March 1. Fruit has good
color and flavor; however, packers report heavy elimination at the grading tables because of
freeze damage.’ With the large crop, fresh market supplies are expected to be adequate.

The Texas crop is now expected to total 4.8 million boxes, 6 percent less than last month's
forecast and 27 percent less than the 1973-74 season. Production of early and mid-season
varieties is estimated at 2.9 million boxes, 9 percent below the February 1 forecast. The
Valencia orange estimate at 1.9 million boxes is unchanged from last month. Harvest of early
and mid-season varieties was virtually complete on March 1, while the Valencia harvest was
approaching the half-way point.

Prospects in Arizona at 4.5 million boxes remained unchanged from a month ago. Harvest
was almost complete for Navels and just getting underway for Valencias.

Changes in U. S. production between the March 1 forecast and final production have averaged
4,8 million boxes over the past 10 season, ranging from 0.5 million boxes in 1972-73 to 10.5
million boxes in 1968-69.

FLORIDA FROZEN CONCENTRATED JUICE YIELD: The all orange yield for 1974-75 is projected at 1.29
gallons of 45 degree brix concentrate per box.

Final yield from the 1973-74 crop was 1.30 gallons per hox.

GRAPEFRUIT: The Nation's 1974-75 grapefruit crop is expected to total 59.0 million boxes, up

slightly from last month's forecast of 58.8 million boxes but 9 percent below last
season. Prospects in Florida at 43.0 million boxes and Texas at 7.8 million boxes remain un-
changed from February 1 but 11 percent and 27 percent smaller respectively, than a year ago.
Arizona prospects at 2.5 million boxes are unchanged from last month but up 22 percent from last
season. The California crop is now forecast at 5.7 million boxes, up 4 percent from last month
and 34 percent above last year.

_ Harvest of grapefruit throughout the Nation was about 53 percent complete on March 1. This
is slightly ahead of last season. Weekly harvest rates in Florida are expected to increase
during the next few weeks as the mid-season orange harvest slows.

Changes in U. S. grapefruit production between the March 1 forecast and final production
have averaged 2.2 million boxes over the past 10 seasons, ranging from 0.9 million boxes in
1964-65 to 4.2 million boxes in 1966-67.

LEMONS: The California and Arizona expected record crop continues to get larger. Prospects are

for a crop of 27 million boxes, up 6 percent from last month and 54 percent above last
season, California's production is expected to total 20.0 million boxes, up 3 percent from last
month. Arizona prospects are now for a crop of 7 million boxes, up 1 million boxes from last
month, The large crop this year is the result of a good set of fruit, large size and more
bearing acreage than in recent years. These factors account for a U. S. crop expected to be 22
percent above the previous record set in 1972-73.

Almost 60 percent of the U. S. crop was harvested by March 1. Picking in the California
Desert Valleys is nearly complete and the Central Valley harvest is about 75 percent done. These
two areas account for about 14 percent of the California crop. Harvest of the Arizona crop is
about 90 percent complete

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1975 5 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA




The Oklahoma wheat crop was in mostly good condition, but remained dormant most all month.
Some growth did take place in late February in southern areas. Stands were thin in the Panhandle,
and rain is needed. Some irrigation was being done in Texas County. Considerable top dressing has
been done; however, it was reportedly below the usual amount because of price, scarcity of material,
and muddy field conditions. Cattle were being moved from small grain fields during the last
two weeks of February because of muddy fieids and the lack of top growth.

Texas wheat was making good top growth on the High and Low Plains in response to recent
excellent moisture conditions and prospects were favorable, Livestock were being moved off fields
Farmers were busy top dressing with nitrogen where moisture conditions permit.

In eastern Colorado, winter wheat remained in fair condition, but in critical need of
moisture. Some light to moderate wind damage has occurred, Condition of winter wheat in Nebraska
ranged from poor to good. The western two-thirds was mostly poor due to low moisture supplies
and some wind erosin. The eastern third was fair to good with a good snow cover. Some wheat in
the southeast had an ice cover. Winter wheat prospects look favorable in South Dakota if adequate
moisture is received this spring. Most damage to date has been caused by wind erosin, but in
some areas germination was poor due to the lack of moisture.

Snow protection on Nontana wheat was generally fair to good on March 1st, but poor in a few
eastern areas. Wind damage has been light. Fall seeded wheat looks very good in Oregon and in
most of eastern Washington where some stands were showing growth. February's snow cover benefit-
ed dryland acreage in Washington, providing both protection from low temperatures and additional
soil moisture supplies.

In Illinois, winter wheat was in mostly good condition. Excessive moisture was causing some
discoloration in southern areas. Freeze damage has been minimal although snow cover was light in
many areas, Surplus moisture supplies exist in the major Illinois wheat areas. In Ohio, numerous
warming trends resulted in very little snow cover on wheat fields, but the crop continues good in
most areas. Cold periods in Indiana, in the absence of snow cover, resulted in browning of small
grains. Some freezing and thawing has caused concern with heaving.

FEBRUARY FIELUWORK VERY LIMITED

Above normal precipitation and wet soils sharply curtailed field activity in most South
Atlantic and South Central States during the month, Tobacco plant bed preparation and seeding
along with orchard pruning were about the only farm activities. Plowing, land preparation and
fertilizing were lagging in most Southern States until late in the month when drier weather per-
mitted good progress in Florida, Southern Louisiana, and Texas and limited work in Alabama,

North and South Carolina, Georgia, and Mississippi. On March 1, spring grain seeding had been
held sharply below normal in most southern States, Oklahoma farmers were able to finish about
one~fourth of their spring oats and one-third of their spring barley by mid-February; however,
cold and wet weather kept fieldwork at a minimum during the last 2 weeks. Seeding of spring oats
‘and barley was also delayed in Kansas by wet fields. In Texas, corn, cotton, sorghum and rice
plantings were gaining momentum in the southern areas. Planting progress for corn, sorghum, and
rice was slightly ahead of the 1974 level, while cotton planting was moving at the same pace.
Rapid progress is expected as the weather moderates, Seedbed preparation for spring planting

has been very Limited in the Rocky Mountain States because of wet conditions. By the month's end,
limited fertilizing, plowing and spring grain seeding began in the lower Columbia Basin of
Washington, Orchard pruning was hampered by inclement weather conditions until late February in
Washington while cleaning of hop yards and grape trellis repairs took place intermittently during
the month, Land preparations made good progress in Arizona and California for planting the 1975
cotton and other row crops.

In the Worth Atlantic States, rain and snow generally restricted most outdoor farm activi-
ties, New England farmers were preparing for the spring maple sap run; early areas started the
last week of February, Rain, snow and muddy fields limited faruwork mostly to winter chores in
the North Central States. Limited harvesting was done on the remaining 1974 corn crop in
Illinois and Indiana,

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1975 4 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


TANGELOS: Florida's tangelo production, at a record 4,7 million boxes, is up 7 percent from last

month and 27 percent above last season, Harvest is now almost complete with about 4
percent of the crop remaining for harvest.

TANGERINES: The U. S. tangerine crop is expected to total a record 5.3 million boxes, up 2 per-
cent from last month and 11 percent more than last season. Florida's production at

3.1 million boxes is virtually all harvested, California prospects, at 1.5 million boxes, are

up 7 percent from last month. Harvest of Dancy and Satsuma varieties is virtually complete while

the Minneola variety, accounting for the bulk of the California volume, is currently being picked,

TEMPLES: Florida's temple crop is forecast at 5.3 million boxes, unchanged from last month and
the same as the 1973-74 season. Harvest as of the first of March is about 54 percent
complete.

POTATOES: The final forecast of winter potatoes in California and Florida at 3.0 million ewt. is

1 percent above last year's production of 2.9 million cwt. Harvest is well along in
California, but moderate supplies should be available during March and {nto early April.
Harvesting is just getting underway in Dade County and the Ft. Myers area of Florida. Yields and
quality have been good on early diggings. In Dade County, harvest should be in full swing by the
second week of March, White varieties are in good condition in the Ft. Myers area,

Spring States are expected to harvest 83,400 acres in 1975, a decline of 16 percent from the
99,800 acres harvested in 1974, Acreage declines occured or are expected in all States except
Louisiana and Mississippi. Planting is almost complete in Alabama. Planting in California
has progressed normally and will extend into March in later districts. Some early acreage in
the Edison district sustained frost damage, causing stands to be uneven. Acreage is down 14
percent in the Hastings area of Florida. Planting was mostly completed by the first of March with
early plantings making good progress. Harvest is expected to get underway in early April in the
Hillsborough - Manatee and Martin County area, Wet conditions in North Carolina have delayed
planting and only a small portion of this intended acreage has been planted,

TRIS: PGTATOLS

3 ACREAGE : YIELD POR ACRU 3 PRODUCTION
SEASONAL GROUP +, - —
AND #__MARVESTEO = FOR? A A ? FINI
STATE Yj973 $1974 HARVEST : 1973 1974 ¢ 1973 ¢ 1974 ¢ CATED
: 1975: : : : 21975
A 1,000 ACRES Cut 1,000 cir
: 4.8 4.6 4.9 220 265 220 1,975 1,166 ~— 1,078
: OL 9.3 9.7 195 199 195 1,775 1,767 1,892
> 14.0 13.7 14.6 204 214 203 2,853 2,933 23.970
SPRLIC: 2
ALA : 110 125 10.6 118 145 APR 9 1,292 1,813 APR 9
ARIZ A 9,9 3.6 6.5 210 260 " 2,079 ©: 2,236 "
CALIF 34.7 35.5 30.2 325 3e5 " 11,278 = 13,663 ”
FLA - LASTINGS 19.0 18.3 © 16,2 180 175, " 3,420 3,290 "
21 28 Lg 150 170 " 315 476 ”
2.3 2.8 2.9 3 99 " 191 252 *
: 2.9 2.0 2.2 £5 95 " 170 190 "
112 9.4 7.5 145 150 " 1,624 1,410 "
3 6.7 7.4 5u6 125 130 " 828 962 "
98.9 99.5 83.4 214 243 " 21,213 24,297

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1975 6 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


crop production

la

Release:
March 11, 1975
3:00 P.M. ET

HIGHLIGHTS

CITRUS production at a record 14.4 million tons is up 2 percent from
last month and 8 percent above last season.

ORANGE production is forecast at a record 237.3 million boxes, an
increase of 2 percent (3.7 million boxes) from February 1, and
10 percent (20.8 million boxes) above last season. Prospects,
improved in Florida and California, but declined slightly in
Texas.: By March 1, harvest of the U. S. crop was 43 percent
complete.

GRAPEFRUIT production is forecast at 59.0 million boxes, up slightly
(0.2 million boxes) from February 1, but 9 percent (6.1 million
boxes) below the 1973-74 crop. About 53 percent of the crop had
been harvested by March 1.

LEMON production at a record 27 million boxes is up 6 percent (1.5
million boxes). from last month's forecast and 54 percent (9.5
million boxes) above last season.

WINTER POTATO production is forecast at 2.97 million cwt., a gain
of 2 percent from last'month and 1 percent more than the 1974
production of 2.93 million cwt.

SPRING POTATO acreage for harvest is estimated at 83,400 acres, 16
percent less than the 99,800 acres harvested in 1974.

Ne

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE CROP REPORTING BOARD
CrPr 2-2 (3-75) WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

SS



CHTRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

INDICATED = = —— : oe : INDICATED
1974-75 1972-78 1075-74 1974-75

CROP AND STATE? 972-73 1973-74 :
EQUIVALENT TONS

1000 BOXES

ORANGES:
EARLY, MIDSEASON &
NAVEL VARIETIES: 3/

ARIZ : 1,060 450 900 39,800 16,900 33,800
CALIF : 18,700 21,900 26,000 701,000 $21,506 975,000
FLA : 90,000 92,100 97,000 4,050,000 4,144, 5¢0 4,365,000
TEX : 5,300 4,200 2,900 225,300 178,500 123, 300
TOTAL ABOVE VART:TIES : 115,060 118,650 126,800 5,016,100 5,161,200 5,497,100
VALENCIAS: :
ARTZ : 4,000 2,960 3,600 150,000 iLL, CGO 135,000
CALIF : 23,460 18,800 26,000 878,000 705,000 975,000
FLA : 79,7uv 73,700 79,000 3,587,000 5,316,500 3,555,000
TEX : 2,500 2,400 1,900 106,300 102,000 80,800
TOTAL VALENCIAS : 109,600 97,860 110,500 4,721,300 4,234,500 4,745,800
ALL ORANGES: :
ARTZ : 5, vou 3,410 4,506 189,800 127,900 168,800
CALIF : 42,100 40,700 52,000 1,579,000 1,526,300 1,950,000
FLA + 169,700 165,800 176 ,00¢ 7,637,000 7,461,000 7,920,000
TEX : 7,800 ©,600 4,860 331,600 280,500 204,100
US ALL ORANGES. 1 224,660 216,510 237,300 9,737,400 9,395,700 10,242,900
GRAPEFRUIT: :
ARIZ : 2,640 2,050 2,500 84,500 65,600 80,000
CALIF, ALL 2 5,800 4,250 5,700 189,800 138,900 186,500
DESERT VALLEYS : 3,000 2,350 3,006 96,000 75,200 96,000
OTHER AREAS : 2,800 1,900 2,700 93,800 63,700 90,500
FLA, ALL : 45,400 48,100 43,000 1,930,000 2,044,300 1,£27,600
PINK SEEDLESS : 14,700 12,200 11,500 497,000 518,500 488,800
WEITE SEEDLESS ; 23,500 25,900 22,500 999 ,000 1,100,800 956,300
OTHER : 10,200 10,000 §,000 434,000 425,000 382,500
"TEX : 11,800 10,700 7,800 472,000 428,000 312,000
US ALL GRAPEFRUIT : £5,640 65,100 59,000 2,676,300 2,676,800 2,406,100
LEMONS :
ARIZ : 4,600 2,900 7,006 175,000 110,200 266,000
CALIF : 17,600 14,600 20,000 669,000 554,800 760,000
US _LENONS : 22,200 17,500 27,000 844, 000 665,000 1,026,000
TANGELOS: 4/ z
FLA : 3,100 3,700 4,700 139,500 166,500 211,500
‘TANGERINES : :
ARTZ : 35u 680 700 19,900 25,500 26,300
CALIF : 1,600 1,310 1,500 60,000 49,100 56,300
FLA : 3,000 2,800 3,100 143,000 133,000 347,300
TOTAL TANGERINES : 5,150 4,790 $,500 222,900 207,600 229,900
5,100 5,300 5,300 230,000 238,500 238,500

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 -
NIA AND ARIZONA, 75 LBS.; FLORIDA, $U LBS.; AND TEXAS, 85 LBS,; GRAPEFRUIT - CALIFORNIA DESERT
» AND ARIZONA, 64 LBS.; OTHER CALIFORNIA AREAS, 67 LBS,; FLORIDA, 85 LBS.; ANH TEXAS, 80 LBS.;
LEMONS - 76 LBS.; TANGELOS - 90 LES.; TANGERINES - CALIFORNIA AND ARTZONA, 75 LBS.; FLORIDA, 99 LBS. 3
AND TEMPLES - 90 LBS. 3/ NAVEL AND MISCELLANEOUS VARIETIES 1N CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA, EARLY AND.
MIDSEASON VARIETIES IN FLORIDA AND TEXAS, INCLUDING SMALL QUANTITIES OF TANGERINES IN TEXAS.

4/  EXCLUDLS K - BARLY CITRUS FRUITS,

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1975 7 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


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

CROP 1973-74 A INDICATED 1974-75
EB I Hi
1,000 BOXES
ORANGES 216 ,510 233 , 600 237,300
GRAPEFRUIT 65,100 58,800 59,000
LEMONS 17,500 25,500 27,000

1/ SEASON BEGINS WITH BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH THE COMPLETION OF HARVEST
THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

IRISH POTATOES

: ‘ACREAGE; YIELD PER ACRE =: PRODUCTION
SEASONAL : THAR =: FOR: : INDI-~: 7_INDICATED 1975
GROUP VESTED : HARVEST : 1974 : CATED : 1974 : FEB: MAR
1974: 1975: 21975 ot os rl
1,000 ACRES Gur 1,000 ovr
WINTER 13.7 14.6 214 203 2,933 2,922 2,970
SPRING 9318 83.4 243 Apr 9243207 ‘Apr 9
UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(METRIC UNITS)
CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/
Hi : INDICATED 1974-75
CROP : 1973-74 : eT E ara
: 1,000 METRIC TONS
ORANGES : 8,524 9,154 9,292
GRAPEFRUIT : 2,428 23177 23183
LEMONS : 603 879 931

17 SEASON BEGINS WITH BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH THE COMPLETION OF HARVEST
THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

IRISH POTATOES

i AREA YIELD PER HECTARE _: PRODUCTION
praia :__ HARVESTED : 5 7 INDICATED 1975
1974 : 1975 : 1974 3 1975 : 1974 : ree : mar
1,000 HECTARES QUINTALS 1,000 METRIC TONS
WINTER 1 5.5 5.9 242 229 133 132 135
SPRING 1 40.4 33.8 273 Apr 91,102 Apr 9

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,

CROP REPORTING BOARD:
APPROVED: B, M, Grahan, Chairman,
sane . M. L, Koehn, Secretary,
US Wan Cruse, J. W. Kirkbride, J, L. Aschwege,
R, S, Crickenberger, D. J. Fedewa,
Vv. M. Gun, R, H. Hettinger,
ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE A, L, Sandberg,

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1975 2 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


FEBRUAI

Y WEATHER

February temperatures averaged above normal east of the Mississippi River and below normal
in most areas West. Much of Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Montana averaged at least 6 degrees
below normal due primarily to extremely cold temperatures early in the month. In contrast,

a large part of Florida averaged at least 6 degrees above normal.

In the coldest spell of the winter, bitter cold temperatures moved into the northern Rockies
during late January and continued until mid-February. Temperatures averaged as much as 24 degrees
below normal during the week ending the 9th over most of Montana and well below normal all the way
into south Texas. Helena, Montana averaged 6 degrees below zero, which was 29 degrees below normal
Most of the remainder of the Nation was also below normal except for parts of Arizona, California,
Florida, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah. The cold weather in Montana and the central
and northern Great Plains continued for a third week. However, most southern States warmed to
above normal readings. Much of the eastern United States experienced near or above normal temper-
atures during the week ending the 23rd. The greatest above normal readings occurred in the east-
ern Corn Belt and New England where temperatures averaged at least 12 degrees above normal. The
coldest departures occurred in the southern Great Plains; parts of Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico
averaged 12 degrees below normal. Except for an area from Minnesota to the Gulf coast, the Nation
ended the month with well above normal temperatures in many areas. Most of the western Great
Plains averaged 3 to 6 degrees above normal, The Northeast experienced another warm week.

Precipitation was well above normal east of a line from Duluth, Minnesota, to El Paso, Texas,
except for Florida and along the Gulf Coast around to Brownsville, Texas. Brownsville received
only 7 percent of normal February rainfall. The Pacific Northwest was also well above normal
Eastern Montana, western North Dakota, much of South Dakota and Nebraska, western Kansas, eastern
Colorado, and Wyoming were well below normal. Three storm systems moved across the Nation the
first week of February, producing some precipitation in most areas, deaviest amounts fell in the
Southeast and along the Pacific coast. The same distribution of rainfall occurred during the week
ending the 16th with very heavy rains in Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Amounts of
3 to 4 inches were common in this area. Violent weather was associated with the heavy rains;
tornadoes touched down at Innis, Louisiana, Rolling Fork, Mississippi, and Bay Minette, Alabama.
Precipitation was moderate to heavy along the Pacific Coast all the way to the southern California
border.

A storm packing heavy precipitation, tornadoes and high winds cut a path from eastern Oklahoma
through the Ohio Valley February 22 to 24, dumping precipitation in excess of 3 inches. Heavy snow
fell from eastern Oklahoma to northern Illinois with 10 inches or more inmany areas. As this storm
system moved northeastward, it was accompained by high winds. Gusts of over 60 mph were recorded
at Chicago and fourteen foot waves pounded the shores of Lake Ontario. In the Southeast, other
storms dropped 2 to 5 inches of rain on the already water soaked soils.

WINTER WHEAT.

Winter wheat prospects varied considerably within States on March Ist. Overall condition
of winter wheat declined reflecting a combination of cold temperatures, wetness or extremely dry
weather. Snow cover helped to ease the threat of freeze damage in several northern States; how-
ever, strong winds left many areas unprotected. Precipitation was above normal in most major
wheat areas east of the Mississippi River, much of Texas and the Pacific Northwest.

Great Plains wheat condition is somewhat below a year earlier, with an area composed of east-
ern Colorado, Kyoming, much of Nebraska, the western third of Kansas and the Oklahoma Panhandle
well below March 1, 1974, Dry conditions still prevail from the Oklahoma Panhandle north into

Montana. Below normal temperatures throughout the Great Plains kept the crop dormant much of
February except in southern Texas.

The kansas winter wheat crop outlook was quite variable across the State on March 1st. In
the eastern two-thirds, moisture supplies were adequate, there was good ground cover and prospects
were quite favorable. The western third was in need of moisture, top growth was short in many
areas and fields were subject to soil blowing.

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1975 3 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA