v

-YARCH FIELDWORK SLOW

Rain, snow and poor drying conditions restricted field activity except in some Southern
States during most of the month. Field preparations for planting and seeding the 1975 crops were
behind schedule in most States although plowing for corn and soybeans (including fall plowing)
is ahead of normal across the heart of the cornbelt from Iowa to Ohio. Heavy rains caused con-
siderable flooding in the South Central States, and left fields too wet and soft for heavy mach-
inery. Spraying and top dressing of fall seeded grains were also lagging. Spring plowing was
about one-fourth done in Kentucky, and during the last 3 weeks of the month only 3 days were
favorable for fieldwork in Tennessee. In contrast, row crop planting progressed ahead of normal
in much of Texas and southern Louisiana. In Texas, corn was 45 percent planted versus the
average 37 percent. Planting was essentially complete in the south half of the State; cotton
was 9 percent done, ahead of the normal 8 percent. Planting was nearing completion in the
Coastal Bend, south Texas and the Lower Rio Grande Valley. Sorghum progressed to 31 percent
complete against the average 25 percent. Rice seeding was 40 percent finished in Texas, behind
last year's 52 percent, but ahead of the average 38 percent. In Louisiana, 20 percent of the
rice seeding was finished, twice the amount sown last year at this time. Seeding tobacco beds
was trailing last year's progress in both Tennessee and Kentucky. In Tennessee, only 57 percent
of the beds had been seeded by April 1, while normally 80 percent is done. One-third of the
beds had been seeded in Kentucky.

In the North Central States, fieldwork started on a limited scale in drier areas, but snow,
rain and wet soils stalled field activity during much of the month. Tilling, spreading
fertilizer, and seeding of legumes has been slow and confined to localized areas on well drained
soils. Warm weather aided field preparations during the third week of March, giving Illinois
farmers a start in their spring plowing and enabling northern Indiana growers to make good plow-
ing and oat seeding progress. Spring oat and barley seeding was much behind normal in Kansas,
with only 15 percent of the oats and 20 percent of the 1975 barley seeded; usually SS and 35
percent, respectively, has been seeded. Oat seeding was only 10 percent along in Missouri on
April 1, compared with 41 percent in the ground in 1974.

Fieldwork continued fairly active in the southern areas of the South Atlantic States.
Coastal areas and Florida received below normal rainfall during the month, and fieldwork made
good progress. However, further inland and the northern States in this Region had above normal
rainfall, causing floods and excess moisture and delaying fieldwork 2 to 3 weeks. Spring plow-
ing, top dressing and fertilizing made good progress in the drier localities. Tobacco trans-
planting was underway in South Carolina and 21 percent complete in Georgia.

. In the Western States, fieldwork was generally slow due to the above normal rainfall in
most States and the extreme dry conditions which prevailed in eastern Colorado and southeastern
Wyoming. Spraying, top dressing, plowing, tilling, and seeding wheat got off to a good start
early in March in Washington and continued as the weather permitted. Alfalfa hay baling started
early in the month in Arizona and continued active in the western areas. Cotton planting start-
ed slowly in the San Joaquin Valley while good progress was made in the Desert areas of
California. Planting of corn, safflower and sugarbeets was active in California as the weather
allowed. Spring barley and oat seeding was considerably behind schedule in Colorado as dry and
cold conditions slowed fieldwork. In Idaho, field activity was restricted in most areas because
of above normal precipitation and cold windy weather.

QRANGES: U.S. orange production is expected to total a record 238.0 million boxes, up elightly
; from last month and 10 percent above last season. Prospects in Florida are for a
record total crop of 176.0 million boxes, 6 percent above last year. Harvest of early and mid-
season oranges at a record 97,0 million boxes is virtually complete. Picking of a record

79.0 million box Valencia crop is getting underway.

In California, prospects for the record Navel orange crop increased from last month. The
forecast at 27,0 million boxes is up 4 percent from March 1 and 23 percent above last season.
California Valencia orange forecast at 26.0 million boxes is. unchanged from last month's fore-
€aat and, the largest since 1952-53. Total orange production at 53.0 million boxes is the
largest since 1946-47, Harvest of Navel oranges is about 70 percent complete, and for Valencias

ie just béginning. Fruit quality is good for both Navele and Valencias on the fruit which did
not eustain frost damage,

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


IRISH POTATOES

SEASONAL GROUP : ACREAGE : YIELD PER ACRE :
AND HARVESTED : FOR: ? INDI- ¢
STATE HARVEST : : CATED : 1973
; is7a i 974 Tos: i to7s
: 1,000 ACRES Cwr
1 14.0 13.7 14.6 204 214 203 2,853 2,933 2,970
SPRING: 1/ z
ALA : 11.0 12.5 10.6 1s 145 120 1,298 1,813 1,272
ARIZ : 99 8.6 6.5 210 260 255 2,079 2,236 1,658
CALIF : 34,7 35.5 27.6 325 385 355 11,278 13,668 9,798
FLA-HASTINGS : 19.0 18.8 16.2 180 175 190 3,620 3,290 3,078
-OTHER : 2.1 2.8 1.9 150 170 175 315 476 333
LA » 23 2.8 2.9 83 90 90 191 252 261
MISS 2,0 2.0 2.2 85 95 90 170 190 198
Nc r 112 9.4 7.5 145 150 145 1,626 1,410 1,088
TEX : 6.7 7.4 5.4 125 130 120 838 962 648
TOTAL > 98,9 99.8 80.8 214 243 227 21,213 24,297 18,334
SUMMER: = 2/ 2
ALA : 8.0 10.5 125 145 JULY 10 12,000 1,523 JULY 10
CALIF 2 9S 9.9 320 350 " 3,040 3,465 "
COLO + 6.5 6.6 220 275, " 1,430 1,815 "
DEL 6.8 6.8 195 225 " 1,326 1,530 "
ILL + 18 1.6 " 155 155 " 279 248 "
IND : 1.0 1 " 130 190 " 130 209 "
TOWA + 2.6 3.3 “ 175 200 " 455 660 "
MD : 2.0 2.0 ” 160 147 " 320 296 "
MICH a) 8.4 " 140 190 ” 1,120 1,596 "
MINN 2 O74 8.5 " 250 250 " 1,850 = 2,125 "
NEBR to 24 2.6 170 150 " 408 390 "
NJ : 943 9.0 " 185 270 . 1,721 2,430 "
N MEX > 32 4.2 " 260 200 " 832 840 "
Nec > 3.0 3.3 . 120 1s . 360 380 “
OHIO : 2.8 2.9 " 150 190 " 420 551 ”
TENN + 42 6.0 " 80 90 « 336 540 "
TEX : 12.0 10,2 " 245 220 " 2,940 2,244 "
vA : 31.0 31.0 " 105 130 * 3,255 4,030 "
WA : 3.6 4.2 “ 7 7 . 256 323 “
TOTAL : 125.1 132.1 " 172 191 . 21,478 25,193 "

Tf 1975 SPRING

PLANTED ACREAGE REVISED APR 1 AS FOLLOWS: CALIF 27,600; TOTAL
2/ 1974 REVISED,

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1975

10

SPRING 81,400.

CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


GRAPEFRUIT: U.S. grapefruit production ie expected to total 60.7 million boxes, up 3 percent

from last month's forecast of 59.0 million boxes, but 7 percent below last season,
In Florida, indications are now for a crop of 45.0 million boxes, up 5 percent from last month
but 6 percent below last year's record. With harvest three-quarters complete and a plentiful
labor supply, more fruit is expected to be picked than anticipated earlier. Prospects in
Arizona at 2.7 million boxes are up 32 percent from last season. Harvest is almost one-half
complete. The Texas harvest is virtually complete with production now placed at 7.3 million
boxes, 32 percent less than last year. Prospects in California are for a crop of 5.7 million
boxes, 34 percent above last seasun. tlirvest is about one quarter complete.

Changes in U.S. grapefruit production between the April 1 forecast and final production

have averaged 1.6 million boxes over the past 10 seasons, ranging from 40,000 boxes in 1972-73
to 4,1 million boxes in 1968-69,

LEMONS

Prospects continue for a record crop in California and Arizona. The April 1 forecast
of 27.2 million boxes is up 1 percent from last month and SS percent above last season.
Production in California is expected to total 20.0 million boxes, unchanged from last month, but
37 percent above last season. The Arizona crop is forecast at 7.2 million boxes, up 0.2 million
boxes from last month and substantially above last year's small crop of 2.9 million boxes

Lemon harvest is about two-thirds complete. Virtually all of the crop has been picked in
Arizona while harvest in the California Desert Valleys is complete and the Central Valley harvest
is nearing completion. Picking in southern California is at peak levels

TANGELOS: Florida's tangelo production which ie estimated at a record 4,7 million boxes is
unchanged from last month but 27 percent above last season. Harvest is virtually
complete.

TANGERINES: Prospects are for a record crop of 5.3 million boxes, unchanged from last month, but
11 percent more than last season. Harvest is virtually complete in Florida still
active in California.

TEMPLE: Florida's temple crop estimate at 5.3 million boxes, is unchanged from last month and
equal to the record 1973-74 output. Harvest as of the first of April is about 90 per-

cent complete.

POTATORS: The first forecast of production for 1975 spring potatoes at 18,3 million cwt., is 25
percent below the 1974 production of 24,3 million cwt. and down 14 percent from the
“1973 crop.

Planting in California was nearly cauplete by the end of March, Estimated acreage for
harvest is now 9 percent below the March 1 forecast. The crop is about 10 days later than
normal due to the cold growing season, Kern County harvest is not expected to begin until May 1.

In Alabama, plantings are up and in generally good condition. The Florida crop has made
good progress, and harvest is expected to begin during the second week of April in the Hastings
area, Harvest is underway in central Florida and the Martin County and Everglades areas.

Volume supplies from these areas'are not expected until late April, Planting in North Carolina
was delayed due to prolonged wet conditions, The Lower Rio Grande Valley and Winter Garden
areas of Texas will begin harvest in late April.

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


The Texas crop is now expected to total 4,5 million boxes, down 6 percent from last month's
forucast and 32 percent lese than last year. Production of early and mid-season varieties is
est:imated at 2,9 million boxes, unchanged from last month but 31 percent below last year, The
Valincia orange harvest is now forecast at 1,6 million boxes, down 0,3 million boxes from last
moni:h with harvest rapidly nearing completion.

Prospects in Arizona at 4.5 million boxes remain unchanged from a month ago. Harvest of
Valuncias ie increasing in volume but ig not expected to reach full volume until about the firat
of May.

Changes in U.S, production between the April 1 forecast and final production have averaged
3.0 million boxes over the past 10 seasons, ranging from 0,2 million boxes in 1972-73 to 8.5
million boxes tn 1970-71.

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 gallon per box.

CITRUS CROP ~ HARVEST AND UTILIZATION TO APRIL 1

7 1975-77 7 TS7A-75
CROP: N TREMAT
‘ pREsH ‘PRocessep ; Tora, : FOR ? pansy ° pRocesseD’ TOTAL : hCR,
: z H :__ HARVEST: : : :_HARVEST
z “TROUSKND BOXES
ORANGES : 24,102 «98,536 «119,638 96,872 26,534 98,441 124,975 113,025
GRAPEFRUIT : 18,090 28,022 43,112 21,988 20,025 23,216 «= 43,241 17,459
LEMONS =: 6,124 3,931 10,055 7,445 8,906 9,510 18, 416 8,784

As of the first of April 125.0 million boxes of oranges or about 53 percent of the U.S.
croy had been harvested. This compares with SS percent of the crop harvested by this time a year
ago. Processors had used 79 percent of the oranges harvested by April 1 compared with 80 percent
@ year earlier.

Grapefruit harvest was 71 percent complete by April 1. Last year at this time harvest was
66 percent complete. Of the crop harvested to date, processors have used 54 percent compared
with 58 percent last season.

Lemon harvest as of April 1 was 68 percent complete. Processors have utilized 52 percent
.of {this season’s record crop. in comparison to 39 percent of last season's small crop.

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


CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

: INDICATED = t TNDTCATED
GROP AND STATE =| 1972-73 | 1973-74) qo7q-75; «1972-73, | 1973-74} 1974-75
1,000 BOXES 2/7 EQUIVALENT TONS:
ORANGES:
EARLY, MIDSEASON &
NAVEL VARIETIES: 3/

ARIZ : 1,060 450 900 39,800 16,900 33,800
CALIF : 18,700 21,900 27,000 701,000 821,300 1,012,500
FLA : 90,000 92,100 97,000 4,050,000 4,144,500 4,365,000
TEX : 5.300 4,200 2,900 225,300 178,500 123,300
TOTAL ABOVE VARIETIES : 115,060 118,650 127,800 5,016,100 5,161,200 5,534,600
4,000 2,960 3,600 150,000 111,000 135,000
23,400 18,800 26,000 878,000 705,000 975,000
79,700 73,700 79,000 3,587,000 3,316,500 3,555,000
: 2,500 2,400 1,600 106, 300 102,000 68,000

TOTAL VALENCIAS : 109,600 97,860 110,200 4,721,300 4,234,500 4,733,000

ALL ORANGES: :

Riz : 5,000 3,410 4,500 189,800 127,900 168,800
CALIF > 42,100 40,700 53,000 1,579,000 1,526,300 1,987,500
FLA > 169,700 165,800 176,000 vssise00"280'300 7,920,000
TEX : 7,800 6,600 4,500 331,600 280,500 191,300

US ALL ORANGES 224,660 216,510 238,000 9,737,400 9,395,700 10,267,600

2,640 2,050 2,700 84,500 65,600 86,400
CALIF, ALL 5,800 4,250 5,700 189,800 138,900 186,500
DESERT VALLEYS 3,000 2,350 3,000 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 45,000 1,930,000 2,044,300 1,912,600
PINK SEEDLESS 11,700 12,200 12,000 497,000 518,500 510,000
WHITE SEEDLESS 23,500 25,900 25,500 999,000 1,100,800 1,083,800
OTHER 10,200 10,000 7,500 434,000 425,000 318,800
TEX 11,800 10,700 7,300 472,000 428,000 292; 000

US ALL GRAPEFRUIT 65,640 65,100 60,700 2,676,300 2,676,800 2,477,500

LEMONS:

ARIZ : 4,600 2,900 7,200 175,000 110,200 273,600
CALIF : 17,600 14,600 20,000 669,000 $54,800 760,000

U S LEMONS t 22,200 17,500 27,200 844,000 665,000 1,033,600

TANGELOS: 4/ :

FLA : 3,100 3,700 4,700 139,500 166,500 211,500

TANGERINES : z

ARTZ : 530 680 700 19,900 25,500 26,300
CALIF : 1,600 1,310 1,500 60,000 49,100 56,300
FLA : 3,000 2,800 3,100 143,000 133,000 147° 300

TOTAL TANGERINES : 5,130 4,790 5,300 222,900 207,600 229,900

TEMPLES: :

FLA 5,100 §,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: QRANGES -
CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA, 7S LBS.; FLORIDA, 90 LBS.; AND TEXAS, 8S 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.

4/ EXCLUDES K - EARLY CITRUS FRUITS.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1975, 9 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


*

a

crop production

{

Released:
April 9, 1975
3:00 P.M. ET

HIGHLIGHTS

Citrus production at a record 14,5 million tons is up 1 percent from
last month and 8 percent aboye last season. Prospects increased
from last month for oranges, grapefruit and lemons but remained un-
changed for tangelos, tangerines, and temples.

Orange production is forecast at a record 238.0 million boxes, a
Slight increase (0.7 million boxes) from last month and 10 percent
(21.5 million boxes) above last season. Prospects improved for
California Navels but declined for Texas Valencias. By April 1,
harvest of the U.S. crop was 53 percent complete,

Grapefruit production is forecast at 60.7 million boxes, up 3 percent
i.7 million boxes) from last month but 7 percent (4.4 million boxes)
below last season. Harvest was approximately 71 percent complete
on April 1.

Lemon production at a record 27,2 million boxes is up 1 percent (0.2
million boxes) from last month and 55 percent @. 7 million boxes)
above last season.

Spring Potato production forecast of 18.3 million cwt. is 25 percent
below the 24.3 million cwt. produced last year and 14 percent less
than 1973,

Ne

UNITED STATES OSPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE CROP REPORTING BOARD
CrPr 2-2 (4-75) WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250

S





PEANUTS, U.S. RECORD HIGH PRODUCTION: Production of peanuts during 1974 is now estimated at
3,668 million pounds (net weight), 6 percent above the
previous record set last year. The revised production is down 12 million pounds (less than 1/2
of 1 percent) from the estimate released in the January 1975 Annual Crop Summary, The record
high yield per harvested acre of 2,491 pounds exceeds the previous record set in 1973 by 168
pounds.

Peanuts planted for all purposes in 1974 totaled 1,519,600 acres, down 10,600 acres from a
year earlier, Acreage harvested for nuts was 1,472,100 acres, 23,600 acres less than 1973. Al-
though growing conditions were considered less than perfect in the Southeast, record high yields
were achieved in all major Southeastern producing States. Drought in Texas during the planting
and growing season and unfavorable weather at harvest hurt production and resulted in the highest
ubundonment since 1958, Production in the Virginia-North Carolina area fell from the 1973 record
as a result of untimely rains during the growing season and an carly frost.

PEANUTS, 1974 AREA REVIEW: Virginia-North Carolina - The 1974 production of 680 million pounds
war Td porcent Bi percent below 1973. Yield per harvested acre of 2,519 pounds

was 414 pounds below the record set in 1973. Acreage harvested for nuts totaled 270,000, up
1,000 acres from last year.

Southeast - Peanut production in the Southeast area for 1974 was a record high 2,343 million
pounds, 21 percent above the previous record of 1,941 million pounds established a year earlier.
A record high yield of 2,957 pounds exceeded the previous record set in 1973 by 506 pounds.
Georgia, Alabama and Florida had record yields. Acreage harvested totaled 792,500 acres, 500
more than the previous year.

Southwest. - The 1974 peanut crop of 644 million pounds was down 13 percent from 1973, The
1974 yield per acre at 1,572 pounds was down 139 pounds from a year earlier. Acreage harvested
for nuts totaled 409,600 acres, 25,100 acres less than the acreage harvested in 1973.

PEANUTS
3 ACREAGE PLANTED : ACREAGE HARVESTED.
STATE AND i : : : : :
AREA: 1972 : 1973 : 1974 Af: 1972 1973 : 1974
: T,000 ACRES
ALA : 201 204 204 197 200 201
FLA : 1 68 66 54 3S SS
GA : 520 $20 $19 $12 $12 516
MISS : 10 9.5 s 10.0 9:5 5
N MEX : 8 7.8 7.7 7.9 7 7.6
NC : 169 168 168 166 166 166
OKLA : 122 123 121 115 118 114
sc : 15.8 15.9 18.9 15.5 15.5 15.5
TEX 3 313 31L 309 307 309 288
VA : 103 103 104 102 103 104
us : 1,532.8 1,530.2 1,519.6 1,486.4 1,495.7 1,472.1
z YIELD PER ACRE z PRODUCTION
z 1972 t 1973 : 1974 ly : 1972 1973 : 1974 yV
: —POURDS 1,000 POUNDS —
ALA : 1,870 2,000 2,360 368,390 400,000 474,360
FLA > 2,550 2,735 3,100 137,700 150,425 170,500
GA : 2,620 2,625 3,220 1,341,440 1,344,000 1,661,520
MISS > 1,600 1,750 1,200 16,000 16,625 6,000
N MEX : 2,590 2,460 1,715 20,461 18,942 13,034
NC : 2,230 2,810 2,315 370,180 466,460 384,290
OKLA : 2,110 2,150 1,910 242,650 253,700 217,740
Ss c : 2,050 1,940 2,000 31,775 30,070 31,000
TEX : 1,565 1,525 1,435 480,455 471,225 415,280
VA > 2,605 3,130 2,845 265,710 322,390 295,880
us : 2,203 2,323 2,491 3,274,761 "3,473,837 3,667,604
17 REVISED -

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1975 11 CROP REPORTING BQARD SES USDA



PASTURE AND RANGE FEI

The pasture and range feed condition for 37 States reporting on April 1

is rated as poor to fair. The reported condition, at 75 percent,’

compares with 79 percent for April 1, 1974.

Good to excellent conditions found. largely along the Pacific Coast, Ohio Valley, and
Mid-Atlantic States are more than offset by lower conditions in the Sautheast coast, Southwest,
and Plains States. Very poor conditions are reported from northern New Mexico to the Canadian

line.

APRIL 1, PASTURE AND RANGE FEED CONDITION, BY STATES
35-49, SEVERE DROUGHT; 50-64, VERY POOR; 65-79, POOR TO FAIR; 80 AND OVER, GOOD TO EXCELLENT

STATE eanas 1976 1975 : 1960-73 1974 1975
ALA 7k 78 : 82 91 80
ARIZ 79 67 : 79 86 a9
ARK 76 84 : 1% 62 70
CALIF 78 as : 83 89 8s
COLO 7 84 : y 68 60
DEL 82 89 : 33 82 84
PLA 1% 6a : 75 82 76
GA 78 82 2 82 86 84
TDAHO 1 90 : 78 75 7%
TLL 86 85 : y 72 56
IND 86 89 : 77 83 78
OWA y 86 : 70 64 68
KANS 79 84 : 82 86 75
wy 80 90 : 82 92 89
LA 72 80 3 83 87 86
ry 80 77 : 16 79 79
MISS 70 80 : v 87 75
Mo 79 82
MONT i 7 :

NEBR ‘v) 86 30 STATES 2/1 ” 79 7
37 STATES = 79 25
A/ DATA NOT AVAILABLE.
2/ STATES FOR WHICH COMPARABLE DATA ARE AVAILABLE.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1975 8

REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA

“4


MARGH WEATHER

March temperatures averaged well below normal over most of the Nation, Much of Minnesota,
western Wisconsin and eastern lowa was at least 6 degrees below normal, Temperatures during the
first 10 days averaged well below normal from the Rockies to the Atlantic, Eastern Iowa averaged
ut least 9 degrees below normal and most of the Southeast averaged at least 6 degrees below
rontal, The subfreezing morning temperatures did light damage to the peach crop and tender
vegetables in some Southeastern States, Temperatures were well below normal over most of the
Country during the week ending the 16th, with many areas 6 degrees or more below normal, Records
lows occurred the mornings of the 13th, 14th and 15th in several States: Sioux Falls, South
Lakota reached ~14 degrees on the 13th, Spencer, Iowa -16, Des Moines, Iowa -2 and Madison,
Wisconsin -4 degrees. Temperatures changed drastically during the following week to well above
nommal over the entire Nation, except for the western tier of States, However, tamperatures
began to cool sharply at the end of the week and bitter cold prevailed through the end of the
month in most areas. Most States from the Dakotas to Utah averaged 13 to 18 degrees below normal
during the closing week,

Precipitation amounts ranged from only 0.01 in, at Brownsville, Texas to over 12 inches
throughout much of Tennessee and parts of Alabema, Kentucky and Mississippi. Nearly all of the
Nation received well above normal precipitation. The most notable exception was the Southern
and Central Great Plains. A large stationary low off the West Coast triggered heavy rains during
the first week of March, Rain and snow fell across the Great Lakes and New England as two low
pressure systems swept through the area, Extremely heavy precipitation fell over most south-
eastern States during the week ending the 16th as a combination of rain, snow, sleet and freezing
rain, At least 2 inches fell over most or all of 10 States, Over 5 inches fell in northern
MLssissippi and Alabama, all of Tennessee and southern Kentucky. Two of the wettest cities were
Mamphis, Tennessee with 7.74 in. and Greensboro, North Carolina with 5,15 in, Heavy rains con-
timted into the following week with 2 inches or more in southern Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
and Georgia, Good moisture also fell in the Northern Great Plains, This moisture continued to
azeumilate through the end of the month, Although it fell as snow and created a mmber of
problems, the moisture was badly needed. Heavy rains again covered a large area of the Southeast
diring the closing week with at least 2 inches over parts or all of 12 States, Northern
Timessee and southern Kentucky received over § inches with serious flooding in some areas.

WINTER WHEAT GROWTH SLOW

The Nation's winter wheat crop made less than normal growth during March as a result of
Nelow normal temperatures. Excessive moisture prevails in most areas other than the usually
dry Great Plains. In the Great Plains, winter wheat prospects appear favorable with the ex-
ception of a dry area extending northward from the Oklahoma Panhandle to Wyoming.

In Kansas, the Nation's leading wheat State, the crop has greened up, but below normal
lemperatures have limited growth, particularly in the northern half of the State. Continued
«ry weather in the western three districts, especially counties in the extreme Southwest, has
limited ground cover. Some blowing has occurred, but damage has been light. Growth has been
slow in Oklahoma, although wheat in southern counties is jointing. Condition of the crop con-
tinues good except in the Panhandle counties, where continued dry weather is starting to take
its toll. Texas wheat continues to make good growth with much of the crop headed out in the
southern half of the State, Upright growth has started on the High and Low Plains, and some
early fields are in the early boot stage. Irrigation where available is underway on the High
Plains as topsoil moisture is generally short.

Colorado winter wheat is in poor condition and some acreage has been lost to wind erosion.
Moisture shortages have limited growth, and windy conditions have further depleted soil moisture
supplies. A blizzard during the last week of March brought limited moisture to Eastern Slope
wheat. Most Nebraska wheat is in poor to fair condition. High winds damaged western Nebraska
wheat late in March. Prospects for Wyoming winter wheat improved during March as much needed
precipitation came to the southeastern areas.

Elsewhere, the Nation's winter wheat crop is in generally good condition, although growth
has been below normal and moisture excessive, Topdressing during March was slow due to wet
fleid conditions, Discoloration is common from excessive moisture but winterkill appears light.
In Washington, spotty stands from late seedings last fall have begun to fill in. Winter wheat
remains generally dormant from Montana to Michigan.

CRUP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1975 4 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


PASTURE AND RANGE FEED CONDITIONS®
April 1, 1975

GW Wa ‘

Gy
UG
SO)

1) Good to excellent

Poor to fair

GD Very poor

(ERR Severe drought

BBB Not estimated

CINDICATES CURRENT SUPPLY OF FEED FOR GRAZING ON NON- IRRIGATED PASTURES AND RANGES RELA-
TIVE TO THAT EXPECTED FROM EXISTING STANDS UNOER VERY FAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS,

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE NEG. SRS 332-75 (4) _ STATISTICAL, REPORTING SERVICE

‘AS REPORTED bY
(CROP CORRESPONDENTS

PASTURE AND RANGE FEED CONDITIONS *
c April 1, 1974

. “4, &
INDICATES CURRENT SUPPLY OF FEED FOR GRAZING ON NON- IRRIGATED PASTURES AND RANGES RELA-
TIVE YO THAT EXPECTED FROM EXISTING STANDS UNDER VERY FAVORABLE WEATHER CONDITIONS.

U_ 9, ORPARTMENT OF AemcULTURE Neg, SRS 316-7414) STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE

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


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

~ ? s INDICATED 1974-75 -

CROP : 1973-74 : ARICT = : WT
_ ~ ae 1, 000° BOXES
RANGES i 216,510 237,300 238,000
GRAPEFRUIT : 65,100 59,000 60, 700
LEWONS : 17,500 27,000 27,200

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

SEASONAL : ACREAGE YIELD PER ACRE : PRODUCTION
GROUP i HARVESTED > FOR HARVEST : > TNDICATED {INDICATED
21974 : 1975 1974 11975 : 1974 21975
7 1,000 ACRES CHT. T;000 CHT.
SPRING : 99.8 80.8 243 227 24,297 18,334
, PASTURE AND RANGE
y AVERAGE yr H
ITEM : 1964-75 : 1974 : 1975
PERCENT
CONDITION APRIL 1/ 7 79 77
17 AVERAGE POR 30 STATES.
UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(METRIC UNITS)
CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/
5 Tae
chop ; 1973-78 —_ INDICATED HL EI —
3 1,000 METRIC TONS
ORANGES : 8,524 9,292 9,315
GRAPEFRUIT 3 2,428 2,183 2,248
LEMONS : 603 931 938
7 SI BEGINS WI 'T YEAR SHOWN AND ENOS WI E
FOLLOWING YEAR.
IRISH POTATOES
SEASONAL : ‘AREA HARVESTED ; YUELD PER HECTARE PRODUCTION
: 7 ; 7 INDICATED —: 7 TRDTCATED
GROUP sme 1975 tog? reaTeD = ye7%4 tT ee
‘ ? 1,000 HECTARES QUINTALS T, 006 TC TONS
SPRING : 40.4 32.7 273 254 1,102 832

The CROP PRODUCTION report contains State and National estimates with related
nformation on selected agricultural camodities, These data were Prepared and

ted by the Crop Reporting Board which consists of camodity statisticiens from
the Statistical Reporting Service's field offices and Washington headquarters.

CROP REPORTING BOARD:
B, M, Graham, Chaizman,

APPROVED: M. L, Koei, Secretary,
J. L, Aschwege, R.A. McGregor,
y D, J. Fedewa, D. A. Brown,
R, H, Hettinger, R. L, Freie,
L. D. Jewell, F. EB, Hokena,
A. L. Si G. W. Pense,

ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE D. HK, * Von Steen.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1975 2 o CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA