ORANGES: The Nation's 1972-73 orange crop is forecast at 221.9 million boxes as of January 1,

down 10,0 million boxes from December 1 but 16 percent above the 1971-72 crop and 17
percent more than the 1970-71 pick-out. All States except California are expecting larger crops
than last season. The decrease from December 1 is due to the December freeze in California. Over
the past eight seasons January | forecasts have differed from actual production an average of 6.8
million boxes--ranging from 1.5 million to 16.2 million boxes.

Prospective production of oranges in Florida is 168.0 million boxes, unchanged from the
December 1 forecast, 23 percent above last season, and 18 percent more than 1970-71. Early and
midseason varieties account for $1.0 million boxes while Valencias are estimated at 77.0 million
boxes. In the past elght seasons the Florida January 1 forecasts have differed from actual pro-
duction an average 5.7 million boxes--ranging from 1.0 million to 17.7 million boxes for the
1970-71 season when a January freeze seriously affected the crop after the January | forecast.
Orange trees in Florida continue tn excellent condition. Moisture was adequate throughout December
and little irrigation water was applfed. Those who applied supplemental water were endeavoring to
raise Julce levels and lower higher than normal acids. Temperatures during the past month have
been above norma) with only | day in the upper thirties. These nearly ideal conditions permitted
growers to fertilize and spray on schedule. Also, cover crops made good growth, requiring disking,
mowing, and chopping.

Indicated production in california is 42.0 million boxes, down 10.0 mil}1on boxes from the
December 1 forecast, 3 percent below last season, but 12 percent more than the 1970-71 crop.
Navel and miscellaneous and Valencia varieties ate each expected to total 21.0 million boxes. The
decrease from December | is due to the hard freeze that occurred during the nights from December
8 to 11. Serious damage occurred in the central valley and spotted damage was evident in southern
areas. Many Navels from the central valley will be salvaged for processing. Growers are walting
for damage to become more apparent and heavily damaged frult to drop before picking. Navels now
being harvested are coming from areas that were protected and groves that were not damaged. Fruit
drop on Valencias appears to be moderate to heavy and is occurring rapidly due to the immature
stage of the crop. Harvest of Valencias should begin in April. .

Expected production of Texas oranges continues at 6.8 million boxes, 1.0 million boxes more
than last season and 0,6 million boxes above the 1970-71 season output. Early and midseason
varlettes are estimated at 4.5 million boxes and Valencias are set at 2.3 million boxes. Showers
were received during December and subsoil supplies are adequate. Trees are in good condition but
sizing Is a problem in some areas. Cool temperatures during December aided In fruit coloring.
Harvest was active during the month, particularly during early December when fresh market shipments
were heavy prior to the holidays. Picking should be actlve during January with heavy movement
to both fresh and processing channels.

Production in Arizona is expected to total 5.1 million boxes, unchanged from December 1 and
0.2 million boxes above last season. Navels and miscellaneous varieties account for 1.1 million
boxes white Valencias are expected to total 4.0 million boxes. There was no reported freeze
damage in Arizona, although rain limited harvest operations periodically during December. Harvest
of Navels and miscellaneous varieties is making good progress and should be completed by March 1.
Valenclas are beginning to show good color and picking Is expected to get underway in late February.

FLORIDA FROZEN CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE YIELD: Florida's January 1 maturity and juice yield tests
suggest a yield of 1.33 gallons of 45° Brix

frozen concentrated orange juice per box in the 1972-73 season. This compares with 1.26 gallons

last month and last season's final of 1.2857 gatlons per box. Indicated yield can differ some-

what from the Final yleld realized due to weather and decisions within the citrus industry.

CROP PRODUCTION, January 1973 5 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

: 3 : INDICATED = : 3
CROP AND STATE 1970-71} ea 197207), 1970-72 P 971n72,— mypicaTD
T,000 BOXES 2;
ORANGES: . a HQUIVALENT TONS
EARLY, MIDSEASON &
NAVEL VARIETIES: 3/
CALIFORNIA + 17,900 22,300 21,000 671,000 836,000 788,000
FLORIDA : 82,200 68,800 91,000 3,695,000 3,096,000 4,095,000
TEXAS : 4,000 3,800 4,500 180,000 171,000 203,000
ARIZONA : 760 900 1,100 28,500 33,800 41,300
TOTAL ABOVE VARIETIES + 104,760 95,800 117,600 4,574,500 4,136,800 5,127,300
VALENCIAS: :
CALIFORNIA : 19,600 21,000 21,000 735,000 788,000 788,000
FLORIDA > 60,200 68,200 77,000 2,709,000 3,069,000 3,465,000
TEXAS z 2,200 2,000 2,300 99,000 90,000 104 ,000
ARIZONA : 2,800 4,000 1000 105,000 150,000 150,000
TOTAL VALENCIAS : 84,800 95,200 104,300 3,648,000 4,097,000 4,507,000
ALL _QRANGES: +
CALIFORNIA : 37,500 43,300 42,000 1,406,000 1,624,000 1,576,000
FLORIDA + 142,300 137,000 168,000 6,404,000 6,165,000 7,560,000
‘TEXAS : 6,200 5,800 6,800 279,000 261,000 307 ,000
ARIZONA : 3,560 4,900 5,100 133,500 183,800 191,300
U. S., ALL ORANGES + 189,560 191,000 221,900 8,222,500 8,233,800 9,634,300
GRAPEFRUIT: :
FLORIDA, ALL : 42,900 47,000 45,000. 1,824,000 1,998,000 1,914,000
SEEDLESS 3 31,100 36,100 34,000 1,322,000 1,535,000 1,446,000
PINK : 10,900 12,300 11,000 463,000 523,000 468,000
WHITE : 20,200 23,800 23,000 859,000 1,012,000 978,000
OTHER : 11,800 10,900 11,000 502,000 463,000 468 000
‘TEXAS : 10,10¢ 9,200 10,400 404 ,000 368,000 416,000
ARIZONA : 2,520 2,540 2,600 80,600 81,300 83,200
CALIFORNIA, ALL : 5,040 55100 5,200 163,600 165,700 169,706
DESERT VALLEYS : 3,260 3,200 3/000 104,000 102,000 96,000
OTHER AREAS : 1,786 1,900 2,200 59,600 63,700 73,700
U. S., ALL GRAPEFRUIT 60,560 63,840 63,200 2,472,200 2,613,000 = 2,582,900
LEMONS:
‘CALIFORNIA 13,300 13,600 15,500 505,000 517,000 589,000
ARIZONA 3,150 3,080 5,000 120,000 117,000 190,000
U. S, LEMONS : 16,450 16,680 20,500 625,000 634,000 779,000
FLORIDA 2,700 3,900 3,800 122,000 176,000 171,000
‘TANGERINES:
FLORIDA 3,700 3,200 2,600 176,000 152,000 124 ,000
ARIZONA 390 570 706 14,600 21,400 26,300
CALIFORNIA z 1,140 600 700 42,800 22,500 26,300
TOTAL TANGERINES 5,230 4,370 4,000 233,400 195,900 176,600
TEMPLES:
FLORIDA : 5,000 5,300 5,000 225,000 239,000 225,000

1/ ‘THE CROP YEAR BEGINS WITH THE BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SROW! 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, 96 LBS.; GRAPEFRUIT ~ CALIFORNIA DESERT
VALLEYS, AND ARIZONA, 64 LBS.; OTHER CALIFORNIA AREAS, 67 LBS.; FLORIDA, 85 LBS.; AND TEXAS, 80 LBS,;
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, JANUARY 1973 10 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA



TANGELOS: Florida's tangelo prospects remain at 3.8 million boxes, 0.1 mil-

Vion boxes less than last season. Trees are in excellent condition
and harvest was active during December. More than half the crop had been har-
vested by January 1, slightly behind a year ago at this time.

TANGERINES: The indicated U. S. tangerine crop is 4.0 million boxes, the same

as last month but nearly 0.4 million boxes less than last season.
Harvest is nearing completion in Florida but is running slightly later than
last season. In Arizona harvest was active on January | and about cleaned up
for early varieties and tangelos. The crop in California continues to show
good development, although the December freeze caused damage in the San
Joaquin Valley. Only outside fruit was damaged in the southern area. Harvest
of Algerians was nearly complete by January 1 in the desert area. Picking of
orlandos and dancys continues with good quality reported.

TEMPLES: The temple crop in Florida remains at 5.0 million boxes, 0.3 million
boxes less than last season. Trees are in excellent condition and
moisture was adequate during December. Harvest was just underway by January |

POTATOES: Potato production for the winter crop is estimated at 2,555,000

ewt., unchanged from the December 1 forecast but 10 percent more
than the 2,327,000 cwt. produced in 1972. The California crop is estimated
at 1,103,000 cwt., compared with 969,000 cwt. last year. Digging is underway
in Kern and Riverside Counties with about 15 percent of the acreage harvested
by early January. Cold weather at mid-December frosted some tubers but
cullage has not been excessive. Harvest should get started in January in the
central San Joaquin area.

The winter crop in Florida is estimated at 1,452,000 cwt., 7 percent more
than 1972 production of 1,358,000 cwt. Harvesting was underway in early
January in the Everglades and Martin County and is expected to start in the
Ft. Myers area by mid-January. Tubers were sizing favorably although weather
had been cold.

Intended plantings of spring potatoes for 1973 production are estimated
at 98,800 acres, 2 percent more than the 97,100 acres planted last year. Under
the modified estimating program effective this year, the separate seasonal
groups for potatoes formerly classified as early spring and late spring have
been discontinued and are now combined into a single ''spring'' seasonal group.
Starting with 1973, estimates for Arkansas have been discontinued. Intended
1973 plantings for California are estimated at 36,500 acres, compared with
31,200 acres planted in 1972.

For Alabama, intended plantings are estimated at 9,700 acres, up 8 percent
from the 9,000 acres planted last year. North Carolina, with 11,200 acres
estimated for 1973, is unchanged from last year and Arizona, with 8,200 acres
intended for 1973, compares with 8,000 acres for 1972 plantings. Intended
plantings for Texas of 7,100 acres compare. with 8,000 acres last year, down
lt percent. For Louisiana the 3,000 acres intended equals last year.

CROP REPORTING BOARD

CROP PRODUCTION, January 1973 7 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


GRAPEFRUIT: The 1972-73 U, S, grapefruit crop is forecast at 63.2 million

boxes, unchanged from the December 1 estimate, 1 percent less c
than last season, but 4 percent above the 1970-71 crop. Changes in U. S, pro-
duction between the January 1 forecast and the final estimate have averaged
2,3 million boxes over the past eight seasons--ranging from 0.6 million to
4.2 million boxes,

Florida's crop is placed at 45,0 million boxes, unchanged from a month
ago but 2.0 million boxes less than last season, Changes in Florida's pro-
duction between the January 1 forecast and final production have averaged 1.8
million boxes over the past eight seasons~-ranging from 9,1 to 4.1 million
boxes. Florida's grapefruit trees continue in excellent condition. Adequate
moisture during December resulted in little need for irrigation. Nearly ideal
conditions have allowed growers to fertilize and spray on schedule, Harvest
was active during December but movement to January 1 was slightly less than
last season.

The Texas crop, forecast at 10,4 million boxes, remains the same as a
month ago but 1,2 million boxes more than last season, Picking was active
in early December as fresh shipments were heavy in the preholiday period.
Subsoil moisture remains adequate because of showers in the citrus area during
the month, Trees are in good condition. Cool weather throughout December
aided in coloring the fruit.

Crop prospects in Arizona, at 2.6 million boxes, are unchanged from
December 1 but total slightly more than last season, Harvest continued during
December on a light scale. Sizes are generally small with some reports of
misshapen fruit. Freeze damage during December was light and limited to un-
protected groves,

The grapefruit crop in California is placed at 5,2 million boxes, the
same as on December 1 but 0,1 million hoxes more than last season's pick-out,
Movement from the Desert Valleys is running slightly behind a year ago. Very
little of this fruit was damaged by the December freeze. Fruit condition is
favorable with good color, Sizes are larger than normal; however, some fruit
is misshapen, In the'tother areas" the crop was not damaged by the freeze ex~
cept for some outside fruit. Growth has been favorable and quality should be
good when harvest gets underway in March,

LEMONS: Lemon production prospects for the 1972-73 California and Arizona
crop is forecast at 20,5 million boxes, down 1,5 million boxes from
December 1 but still 23 percent above last season. The 1.5~million-hox de-
crease is due to the December freeze in California. From December 8 to 11
many areas in the Central Valley experienced temperatures below 269 for 12 to
14 hours and some areas had highs of 320, Most of the lemons in this area
will go for products in an effort to utilize as much fruit as possible. In
the southern California district freeze damage was generally light, but some
individual orchards may have suffered heavy damage. Current fresh supplies are
from this district and fruit is reported to be large with excellent color. The
California desert district was harvested at the time of the freeze. Arizona's
lemon forecast is unchanged from Decemher 1. There was some limited freeze and
frost damage in the South Mesa area of Yuma County. Harvest was complete at
the time of the freeze in the colder areas near Wellton. Harvest should be
complete in all areas by mid-February,

CROP PRODUCTION, January 1973 6 Crop Reporting Board, SPS, LSPA


HAY STOCKS ON FARMS - JANUARY 1

State 1971 : 1972 : 1973
1,000 tons
Maine 198 265 235
New Hampshire 123 112 103
Vermont 658 676 485
Massachusetts 153 164 113
Rhode Island 12 9 9
Connecticut 108 137 93
New York 3,423 3,561 2,837
New Jersey 182 157 114
Pennsylvania 3,067 2,872 2,401
Ohio 1,836 1,992 2,006
Indiana 1,433 1,526 1,362
Illinois 2,477 2,328 2,462
Michigan 2,001 1,392 1,840
Wisconsin 7,768 8,091 7,346
Minnesota 5,159 5,438 5,600
Iowa 5,526 5,872 5,939
Missours 4,598 4,435 4,482
North Dakota 3,885 4,080 4,326
South Dakota 4,932 4,926 6,870
Nebraska 4,453 5,269 5,618
Kansas 2,912 3,468 3,574
Delaware 34 32 33
Maryland t 385 393 358
Virginia + 1,298 1,293 1,345
West Virginia 3 707 776 755
North Carolina : 410 400 382
South Carolina 313 280 299
Georgia : 635 724 593
Florida 200 24 208
Kentucky 2,435 2,632 2,273
Tennessee 1,306 1,436 1,407
Alabama 670 638 521
Mississippi 795 793 707
Arkansas 992 907 777
Louisiana 532 466 360
Oklahoma 1,965 2,262 1,884
Texas 2,640 2,592 2,753
Montana 3,877 3,601 4,013
Idaho 2,571 2,333 2,340
Wyoming 1,788 1,832 1,643
Colorado 2,336 2,133 1,757
New Mexico 385 306 326
Arizona 474 280 206
Utah 1,016 1,014 968
Nevada 629 668 609
Washington 1,318 1,292 1,159
Oregon 1,557 1,491 1,481
California 1,472 1,808 1,632
United States 87,644 89,425 88,604

CROP PRODUCTION, January 1973

Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


f— Release: >

January, 10, 1973
3:00 P. M. EST

HIGHLIGHTS OF U.S. CROP REPORT AS OF JANUARY 1, 1973

All cotton is forecast at 13.6 million bales, less than 1 percent (0.1 million
bales) above last month and 29 percent (3.1 million bales) above 1971.

Citrus production is expected to be 12 percent above last season and 14 percent
more that the 1970-71 crop.

Orange production is forecast at 221.9 million boxes, down 4 percent (10.0 million.
boxes) from the December 1 forecast but 16 percent (30.9 million boxes)
above last season. The December freeze in California lowered U. S.
production from last month,

Grapefruit production is forecast at 63.2 million boxes, unchanged from a month
earlier but 1 percent (0.6 million boxes) below last season. Florida
is the only State expecting a smaller crop than last season.

Lemon prospects, at 20.5 million boxes, are down 7 percent (1.5 million boxes)
from December 1 but 23 percent (3.8 million boxes) more than last season.
The reduction from last month is due to the December freeze in California.

Winter potato production for 1973 is forecast at 2.6 million cwt., unchanged
from a month ago but 10 percent (0.2 million cwt.) more than the 1972
erop of 2,3 million cwt. Intended plantings for the 1973 spring potato
crop (combined early and late spring seasonal groups) are estimated at
98,800 acres, 2 percent more than the 97,100 acres planted in 1972,

Hay Stocks on farms totaled 88.6 million tons, 1 percent below the 89.4 million
tons a year earlier,

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
\ STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE CROP REPORTING BOARD

CrPr 2-2 (1-73) WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250 ]





IRISH POTATOES 1973 CROP

YIELD PER PRODUCTION
SEASONAL ACREAGE 7 HARV. ACRE o
7 FO : 3 : r :
GROU Ne HARVESTED HARVEST : 1971 : 1972 : 1973 : 1971 : 1972: 1973
ya7i_: 1972: 1973: : A : : :
1,000 ACRES CHT. 1,000 CWT.
WINTER:
FLORIDA 10.9 9.7 8.8 140 THO 165 1,526 1,358 1,452
CALIFORNIA 7 5.7 49 220 170-225 1,562 969 1,103
TOTAL 18.0 15.4 13.7. 172 15)__186 3,088 2,327 2,555
YIELD PER PRODUCTION
SEASONAL PLANTED ACREAGE PLANTED Ache RODUCT 101
GROUP AND : z 7 INDI = : A ? B
STATE : 1971 2 1972 CATED : 197) : 1972 : 1973 yo7}: 0 - 1972: 1973
A z 21973: A : A 2 :
: 1,000 ACRES cur. 1,000 CWT,
SPRING: :
N.C. 14 + 12.2 11.2 W200 at 143 1,726 1,606 APRIL 9
FLA.-HASTINGS = 23.1 21.3 19.0 131 Vat 3,036 2,996 "
OTHER : 24 2.0 20 125 126 300 252 ”
ALABAMA + 8.7 9.0 9.7 NS 155 1,001 1,395 "
MISSISSIPPI + = 2.0 2.0 2.0 30 85 180 170 "
ARKANSAS. e 1.4 14 2s 65 65 3 31 "
LOUTSIANA 3.1 3.0 3.0 65 73 203 218 ”
TEXAS 1/ : 9.2 8.0 7A 98 103 899 822 "
ARIZONA > 10.1 8.0 8.2 280 300 2,828 2,400 "
CALIFORNIA 2 39.9 31.2 36.5 336 355 _3/13,394 11,076 «
TOTAL : W121 97.1 98.6 211 217 23,658 21,026 "
17” SEE THE TABLE BELOW FOR PREVIOUSLY USED SEASONAL GROUPING AND AREA CLASSIFICATION.
2/ ESTIMATES DISCONTINUED.
3/ DOES NOT INCLUDE 1,369,000 CWT. NOT HARVESTED BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.
POTATOES ~ ACREAGE, YiELO AND PRODUCTION BY SEASONAL GROUPS, 1971 and 1972 1/
SEASONAL : CROP_OF_T97T : cROP_OF 1972
GROUP AND : TYTELD PER: F TYTELD PER?
STATE + PLANTED :HARVESTED:HARVESTED:PROOUCTION:PLANTED : HARVESTED:HARVESTED: PRODUCTION
: : 2 ACRE: : : 1_ACRE
p 7,000 ACRES CHT. 7,000 Cur. 7,000 ACRES cw. ¥,000 CWT.
SPRING: :
W. CAROLINA 3
8N. €. CO.(LSP) =: 10.0 9.6 150 1,440 9.0 8.8 150 1,320
OTHER (LSP) 3 2.2 2.2 130 286 2.2 2.2 130 286
N.C. TOTAL : 12.2 11.8 146 1,726 WW. 1.0 146 1,606
TEXAS :
(Esp) : 4 3.8 105 399 3.0 2.8 105 294
(tse) 2 52 5.0 100 500 5.0 48 10 528
TEXAS TOTAL : 9.2 8.8 102 899 8.0 7.6 108 822

Y7 THE TABLE ABOVE SHOWS THE SEPARATE SEASONAL AND AREA ESTIMATES PREVIOUSLY USED FOR ESTIMATING THE NORTH
CAROLINA AND TEXAS LATE SPRING (LSP) AND EARLY SPRING (ESP) POTATO CROPS FOR 1971 and 1972. UNDER THE
MODIFIED PROGRAM OF ESTIMATES ADOPTED IN 1972, THE SEPARATE AREA ESTIMATES FOR NORTH CAROLINA AND ‘THE
EARLY AND LATE SPRING CLASSIFICATIONS FOR TEXAS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED.

CROP PRODUCTION, JANUARY 1973 MW CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


COTTON

: ACREAGE : LINT YVELD PER: PRODUCTION 27
STATE : HARVESTED : HARVESTED ACRE: 480-LB. NET WEIGHT BALES
1970 1971 1972 $1970 ‘1971 ? 1972‘ 1970 i971} 1972
T, 000 ACRES POUNDS 1,000 BALES

UPLAND :

“NORTH CAROLINA =: 160 175 172464371362 155 135 130
SOUTH CAROLINA =: 290 320 3ho 349222 275 320
GEORGIA : 2/375 385 430 2/373 466 402 292 374 360
TENNESSEE 1 ~ 390 425 485 483° «597-529 392 528 535
ALABAMA 1 538 558 580 453 55t 472 © 507 bho 570
MISSOURI 250 313 Wo 43) 61H 9B 401 425
MISSISSIPPI 2 1,190 1,325 1,622 658 613 604 1,637 1,693 2,040
ARKANSAS : 1,070 1,140 1,410 470 27522499 1,048 271,240 1, 465
LOUISIANA : 450 500 670 555 576 512 521 "600 715
OKLAHOMA : 450 396 510 206 215 301 193 v7 320
TEXAS + 4,870 4,700 -§, 150 315 263 377 3,190.5 2,579 4,050
NEW MEXICO : 126 130 130504 493,591 132.3 133 160
AR ZONA 2 2kt 241 270-920 928:1,084 462.1 466 610
CALIFORNIA 1 662 TAS 860 841 723, 977 1,160.0 1,117 1,750
VIRGINIA are 4.2 3.4 384-247 226 3.4 2.2 1.6
FLORIDA : 8.2 9.3 11.0 436 602 «585 74 W.7 13.4
ILLINOIS 2 38 tt 245 242 305 2 4 7
KENTUCKY : 3.4 4.3 5.0 344 573 384 2.4 5.1 4.0
NEVADA : 2.2 2.3 2.1 545319 Gho 2.5 1.5 2.8
U. $. UPLAND M980.5 1,369.9 13,061.6 439-438 -49510,134.8 10,378.9 13,472.5

AMER-PIMA :

“TEXAS : 26.0 35.4 34.5 342478431 18.6 35.3 31.0
NEW MEXICO : 15.3 20.6 18.8 334 473° 421 10.6 20.3 16.5
ARS ZONA : 32.8 Ay 412 4o7 456 «548 27.8 42.1 47.0
CALIFORNIA 5 oh 6 A 335 325480 3 A 7
U.S. AMER-PIMA 0: 74.5 101.0 94.9 369 466 «480 57.3 98.1 94.9
U.S. ALL COTTON :14)55.0 1,470.9 13,156.5 438-438-495 1,192.1 10,4770 13,567.4

1/ PRODUCTION GINNED AND TO BE GINNED
2/ REVISED,

CROP PRODUCTION, JANUARY 1973 8 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


Oklahoma small grains were mostly dormant but entered the winter in fair to good con-
condition. Moisture supplies were adequate. In Texas seeding of wheat was essential-
ly completed during December. Warmer weather late in the month was beneficial. Soil
moisture was short in parts of southern Texas. Colorado fall seeded grains were in
excellent condition although there was concern about possible smothering from ice on
fields. Nebraska wheat was In generally good condition.

Montana and the Pacific Northwest experienced severe cold weather the first half
of December. Growers in some of these areas feared possible damage, especially where
snow cover was inadequate. A limited acreage of wheat was seeded in Washington late
in the month.

Fall seeded grains were in generally good condition fn Illinois but got off‘to a
poor start in Ohio where acreage planted was limited by a wet fall season.

December was warm and wet in the Southeastern and North Atlantic States. Winter
grains generally responded favorably to these conditions. However, many growers
commented that acreage seeded had been held down by an unusually wet fall.

COTTON: All cotton production is forecast at 13.6 million bales (480 pounds, net
weight), up less than | percent from the December 1 forecast and 29 percent
above the 197] total. Expected production consists of 13,472,500 bales of Upland and
94,900 bales of American-Pima cotton. Cottonseed production, based on a 3-year
average lint-seed ratio, is estimated at 5.6 million tons, 31 percent above last year.

Production in the Southeast--North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Alabama-~
is forecast at 1.4 million bales. Wet fields continued to slow harvest in many areas
of these States. About 95 percent of the crop was ginned by January |.

In the Delta States--Mississippi, Louisiana, Tennessee, Arkansas, and Missouri--
cotton growers expect to harvest 5.2 million bales. Rains continued to hamper harvest
during December in the Delta States. By January | about 94 percent of the crop was
ginned.

In Texas and Oklahoma all cotton production is forecast at 4.4 million bales.
Harvest advanced rapidly during periods of open weather in this two-State area. About
77 percent of the crop had been ginned by January 1}

Production of all cotton In New Mexico, Arizona, and California is forecast at
2.6 million bales. Harvest progressed well in this area where about 94 percent of the
crop had been ginned by January 1

Ginnings of al} cotton for the 1972 season are now indicated at 13,101,100
running bales--13,007,700 running bales of Upland and 93,400 bates of American-Pima.
The Bureau of the Census reported 11,610,287 bales ginned by January 1--11,531,673
bales of upland and 78,614 bales of American-Pima.

HAY STOCKS ON FARMS: January | stocks of hay on farms are estimated at 88.6 million

tons, down | percent from the 89.4 million on hand a year ear-
lier. Supplemental feeding was heavier than last year as livestock could not graze
on pastures, fall planted crops, and crop residues because of muddy conditions over
much of the Nation during the late fall. Colder temperatures Jate in the period also
contributed to the greater usage

Disappearance from May 1, 1972 through December 31, 1972 totaled 65.3 million
tons, compared with 61.9 million tons a year earller.

CROP PRODUCTION, January 1973 4 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


CROP SUMMARY AS OF JANUARY 1, 1973

December was stormy and disagreeable with above average precipitation
over most of the Nation and severe cold temperatures in most areas until past
mid-month. The northern Great Plains and northern Rocky Mountains experienced
temperatures 30 to 40 degrees colder than normal for several days in early
December. [Freezing temperatures reached as far south as Florida and Texas.
California also experienced unusually cold temperatures. Necember average
temperatures were below normal in the western two-thirds of the Nation with the
Northern Plains and Rocky Mountains 10 to 11 degrees below normal. The last 2
weeks of the month were warmer than average over most of the country.

Precipitation during December was above normal over most of the Nation,
Chief exceptions were the Southern Plains and Southwestern States. Snow,
freezing rain, and sleet combined with wind in the forepart of the month to
further delay the already late harvest and damage unharvested crops. The cold
also made artificial drying of grains more difficult, Fuel shortages for dryers
in the Midwest presented problems, Livestock were under stress the first half
of December and feeding requirements were heavy.

Poor harvest conditions during December continued to plague farmers try-
ing to bring the harvest of 1972 late season crops to completion. Rain, snow,
and the resulting muddy fields hampered harvest operations of the Nation's corn,
soybean, cotton, and sorghum crops. Over 10 percent of corn and cotton as well
as 15 percent of the soyhean acreage remained for harvest on January 1, Corn
and soybean harvesting progress is the least advanced in the eastern Corn Belt
States of Ohio, Indiana, and Michigan and most advanced in the western Corn
Belt and Southern States. Harvest of the Texas cotton crop, about three-fourths
complete by January 1, is well ahead of last year, but still behind normal
progress for this date, Sorghum grain harvest in Texas was nearing completion
and elsewhere ranged from 80 to 90 percent complete at the close of 1972,

Indicated production of all cotton, at 13.6 million bales, increased a-
bout 1 percent during December, and is estimated at 29 percent above last year.
Acreage for harvest, at 13,2 million, is up 15 percent, and yield per acre, at
495 pounds, is 13 percent above 1971,

Citrus prospects on January 1 are down from a month earlier because of
the freeze in early December in California. Prospects were unchanged in Florida,
Texas, and Arizona. Florida's citrus trees remain in excellent condition as
ample moisture fell during December. Suhsoil moisture is adequate in Texas as
a result of frequent showers last month. Light freezes during December caused
no damage to Arizona's citrus. A hard freeze in California in early December
caused considerable damage to the orange and lemon crops in the San Joaquin
Valley and some damage to outside fruits in the southern area, The desert
growing areas mostly escaped major damage,

Major winter wheat growing areas, with the exception of portions of the
Southern Plains, received above normal precipitation during December, Tem-
peratures for the month averaged below normal in the western three-fourths of
the United States and growth was limited. Snow cover around January 1 was con-
fined mostly to the Northern Plains and Mountain States.

Kansas wheat and other fall sown grains had sufficient top growth in
nearly all localities to prevent blowing. !owever, much below normal temperatures
during the first half of December resulted in little or no growth and grazing was
quite limited.

CROP PRODUCTION, January 1973 3 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY AS OF JANUARY 1, 1973

CITRUS FRUITS PRODUCTION 1/

Crop 1970-71

Indicated 1972-73

1971-72

Dec. 1, 1972 ? Jan, 1, 1973

1,000 boxes
Oranges 189,560 191,000 231,900 221,900
Grapefruit 60,560 63,840 63,200 63,200
Lemons : 16,450 16,680 22,000 20,500

2/ Season begins with bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest

the following year.

COTTON
‘Acreage Lint yield per Production
Harvested harvested acre 480-1b. (net weight’ bales
1970: 1971: 1972 1970 1971: 4972: 1970? 1971 + 1972
T,000 acres Pounds 1,000 bales
11,155.0 _11,470.9 _13,156.5 438 438 495 10,192,1_10,477.0 __13,567.4
IRISH POTATOES
‘Acreage ? Yield per harv. acre ¢ Production
Seasonal Harvested For : : Indi- + : 1973
group 3972 iharvest (: 1971: 1972: cated : 1971_: 1972 :De jan.
: 21973: : : 1973 + : :1972_:1973
1,000 acres Gut. 1,000 ewe.
Winter 18.0 15.4 13.7 172 151 186 3,088 +2327 «2,555 2,555
Planted acreage z¥ield per planted acr Production
: 2 Indi~ = : 3 ?
1971 1972: «cated : «197: 1972 1971: 1972 : 1973
: 21973: : : :
1,000 acres Cut. 1,000 ewt.
Spring : 122 97.1 98.8 211 217 23,658 21,040 April 9
HAY: STOCKS ON FARMS
Crop 1972 1972 5 1973
1,000 tons
January 1 87,644 89,425 88,604
May 1 22,194 25,471
APPROVED: CROP REPORTING BOARD:
J. W. Kirkbride, Acting Chairman,
M. L. Koehn, Secretary,
J. L. Olson, J. E. Mullin,
— B. J. Harrington, D. M. Bay,
. ‘ H. M. McWilliams, D. T. Halverson,
ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE L. H. Pope, A. L. Sandberg,

CROP PRODUCTION, January 1973

J. R. Standley.

Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA