Crop Production 

ISSN: 1936-3737

Released January 12, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department 

of Agriculture (USDA).

Orange Production Down 2 Percent from December

The United States all orange forecast for the 2011-2012 season is 8.98 million tons, down 2 percent from the previous 

forecast but up 1 percent from the 2010-2011 final utilization. The Florida all orange forecast, at 147 million boxes 

(6.62 million tons), is down 2 percent from the December forecast but up 5 percent from last season’s final utilization. 

Early, midseason, and Navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 73.0 million boxes (3.29 million tons), down 3 percent 

from the December forecast but up 4 percent from last season. The Florida Valencia orange forecast, at 74.0 million boxes 

(3.33 million tons), is down 1 percent from the December forecast but up 6 percent from the 2010-2011 crop. Sizes for 

both Valencia and early, midseason, and Navel varieties in Florida are expected to be larger than average, however size 

measurements for both were down from the December forecast. Little rainfall was received in Florida’s citrus growing 

region during December.

Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2011-2012 season is 1.56 gallons per box at 

42.0 degrees Brix, down 3 percent from the December forecast, and down 2 percent from last season’s final yield of 

1.59 gallons per box. The early-midseason portion is projected at 1.44 gallons per box, down 5 percent from last season’s 

yield of 1.52 gallons per box. The Valencia portion is projected at 1.70 gallons per box, 2 percent higher than last year’s 

final yield of 1.66 gallons per box. All projections of yield assume the processing relationships this season will be similar 

to those of the past several seasons.
2 Crop Production (January 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

This report was approved on January 12, 2012.

Acting Secretary of

Agriculture

Karis T. Gutter

Agricultural Statistics Board

Chairperson

Hubert Hamer
Crop Production (January 2012) 3

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Contents

Utilized Production of Citrus Fruits by Crop – States and United States: 2010-2011 and Forecasted 

January 1, 2012 ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Hay Stocks on Farms – States and United States: May 1 and December 1, 2010 and 2011 .................................................. 5

Crop Area Planted and Harvested – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Domestic Units) ........................................................... 6

Crop Yield and Production – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Domestic Units)...................................................................... 7

Crop Area Planted and Harvested – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Metric Units)................................................................ 8

Crop Yield and Production – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Metric Units) .......................................................................... 9

Fruits and Nuts Production – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Domestic Units).................................................................... 10

Fruits and Nuts Production – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Metric Units) ........................................................................ 11

Percent of Normal Precipitation............................................................................................................................................ 12

Departure from Normal Temperature ................................................................................................................................... 12

December Weather Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 13

December Agricultural Summary ......................................................................................................................................... 13

Crop Comments.................................................................................................................................................................... 13

Statistical Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 15

Information Contacts ............................................................................................................................................................ 16
4 Crop Production (January 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Utilized Production of Citrus Fruits by Crop – States and United States: 2010-2011 and

Forecasted January 1, 2012

[The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest the following year]

Crop and State

Utilized production boxes 1 Utilized production ton equivalent

2010-2011 2011-2012 2010-2011 2011-2012

(1,000 boxes) (1,000 boxes) (1,000 tons) (1,000 tons)

Oranges

Early, mid, and Navel 2

 California ...........................................

 Florida ...............................................

 Texas ................................................

 United States ....................................

Valencia

 California ...........................................

 Florida ...............................................

 Texas ................................................

 United States ....................................

All

 California ...........................................

 Florida ...............................................

 Texas ................................................

 United States ....................................

Grapefruit

White

 Florida ...............................................

Colored

 Florida ...............................................

All

 California ...........................................

 Florida ...............................................

 Texas ................................................

 United States ....................................

Tangerines and mandarins

Arizona 3...............................................

California 3............................................

Florida ...................................................

United States ........................................

Lemons

Arizona .................................................

California ..............................................

United States ........................................

Tangelos

Florida ...................................................

48,000

70,300

1,700

120,000

13,500

70,000

249

83,749

61,500

140,300

1,949

203,749

5,850

13,900

4,100

19,750

6,300

30,150

300

9,900

4,650

14,850

2,500

21,000

23,500

1,150

44,000

73,000

1,292

118,292

13,500

74,000

334

87,834

57,500

147,000

1,626

206,126

5,200

14,000

3,300

19,200

4,977

27,477

200

10,300

4,400

14,900

700

19,500

20,200

1,100

1,920

3,164

72

5,156

540

3,150

11

3,701

2,460

6,314

83

8,857

249

591

164

840

252

1,256

12

396

221

629

100

840

940

52

1,760

3,285

55

5,100

540

3,330

14

3,884

2,300

6,615

69

8,984

221

595

132

816

199

1,147

8

412

209

629

28

780

808

50

1 Net pounds per box: oranges in California-80, Florida-90, Texas-85; grapefruit in California-80, Florida-85, Texas-80; tangerines and mandarins in 

Arizona and California-80, Florida-95; lemons-80; tangelos-90.

2 Navel and miscellaneous varieties in California. Early (including Navel) and midseason varieties in Florida and Texas. Small quantities of tangerines 

in Texas and Temples in Florida.

3

Includes tangelos and tangors.
Crop Production (January 2012) 5

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Hay Stocks on Farms – States and United States: May 1 and December 1, 2010 and 2011

State

May 1 December 1

2010 2011 2010 2011

(1,000 tons) (1,000 tons) (1,000 tons) (1,000 tons)

Alabama ....................

Arizona ......................

Arkansas ...................

California ...................

Colorado ....................

Connecticut ...............

Delaware ...................

Florida .......................

Georgia .....................

Idaho .........................

Illinois ........................

Indiana ......................

Iowa ...........................

Kansas ......................

Kentucky ....................

Louisiana ...................

Maine ........................

Maryland ....................

Massachusetts ...........

Michigan ....................

Minnesota ..................

Mississippi .................

Missouri .....................

Montana ....................

Nebraska ...................

Nevada ......................

New Hampshire .........

New Jersey ................

New Mexico ...............

New York ...................

North Carolina ...........

North Dakota .............

Ohio ...........................

Oklahoma ..................

Oregon ......................

Pennsylvania .............

Rhode Island .............

South Carolina ...........

South Dakota .............

Tennessee .................

Texas ........................

Utah ...........................

Vermont .....................

Virginia ......................

Washington ...............

West Virginia .............

Wisconsin ..................

Wyoming ...................

United States .............

192

60

340

432

650

14

4

40

210

775

310

198

420

1,200

1,006

60

34

60

9

330

630

90

1,250

720

1,000

310

7

46

125

400

296

1,310

350

650

420

680

2

130

2,190

678

1,100

245

50

350

280

125

753

400

20,931

187

40

380

160

450

12

3

45

188

280

320

225

610

1,000

799

110

23

65

10

420

810

137

1,325

1,300

1,335

46

6

17

100

273

253

1,250

390

1,200

280

340

1

110

1,850

746

2,500

144

48

402

350

190

1,122

365

22,217

1,200

365

2,050

1,850

2,000

45

19

477

1,360

2,300

1,310

1,200

3,050

4,500

4,392

700

120

310

63

2,000

3,700

1,175

6,500

5,500

4,700

819

40

110

520

1,744

1,157

5,370

1,790

4,550

2,100

1,950

8

490

7,850

2,985

9,500

1,050

180

1,660

1,607

790

3,278

1,700

102,134

1,385

250

1,550

1,640

1,800

55

13

400

800

2,000

980

1,300

2,750

3,900

3,840

540

133

360

71

1,500

3,800

1,486

5,450

4,900

4,275

830

49

81

575

1,800

1,175

6,100

1,778

2,800

2,200

1,950

8

400

8,400

3,101

3,800

1,420

215

2,500

1,460

953

2,653

1,300

90,726
6 Crop Production (January 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Area Planted and Harvested – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Domestic Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Area planted Area harvested

2011 2012 2011 2012

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres)

Grains and hay

Barley .................................................................................

Corn for grain 1....................................................................

Corn for silage ....................................................................

Hay, all ................................................................................

 Alfalfa ..............................................................................

 All other ...........................................................................

Oats ....................................................................................

Proso millet .........................................................................

Rice ....................................................................................

Rye .....................................................................................

Sorghum for grain 1.............................................................

Sorghum for silage ..............................................................

Wheat, all ............................................................................

 Winter .............................................................................

 Durum .............................................................................

 Other spring ....................................................................

Oilseeds

Canola ................................................................................

Cottonseed .........................................................................

Flaxseed .............................................................................

Mustard seed ......................................................................

Peanuts ..............................................................................

Rapeseed ...........................................................................

Safflower .............................................................................

Soybeans for beans ............................................................

Sunflower ............................................................................

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all ...........................................................................

 Upland ............................................................................

 American Pima ................................................................

Sugarbeets .........................................................................

Sugarcane ..........................................................................

Tobacco ..............................................................................

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas ...........................................................

Dry edible beans .................................................................

Dry edible peas ...................................................................

Lentils .................................................................................

Wrinkled seed peas ............................................................

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ...................................................................

Hops ...................................................................................

Peppermint oil .....................................................................

Potatoes, all ........................................................................

 Spring .............................................................................

 Summer ..........................................................................

 Fall ..................................................................................

Spearmint oil .......................................................................

Sweet potatoes ...................................................................

Taro (Hawaii) 2....................................................................

2,559

91,921

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

2,496

370

2,689

1,266

5,481

(NA)

54,409

40,646

1,369

12,394

1,071.5

(X)

178

23.2

1,140.6

1.5

130.7

74,976

1,543.0

14,732.4

14,426.0

306.4

1,232.8

(NA)

(NA)

18.0

1,205.9

362.0

428.0

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,098.9

93.3

48.2

957.4

(NA)

134.2

(NA)

41,947

2,239

83,981

5,928

55,633

19,213

36,420

939

338

2,618

242

3,929

224

45,705

32,314

1,312

12,079

1,043.0

(X)

173

21.8

1,097.6

1.3

127.3

73,636

1,457.8

9,747.9

9,444.0

303.9

1,213.1

873.0

324.8

12.3

1,155.9

342.8

411.0

(NA)

6.3

29.8

74.0

1,076.7

91.5

46.0

939.2

17.3

130.3

0.5

(NA) Not available.

(X) Not applicable.

1 Area planted for all purposes.

2 Area is total acres in crop, not harvested acres.
Crop Production (January 2012) 7

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Yield and Production – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Domestic Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011 2012

(1,000) (1,000)

Grains and hay

Barley ................................................................................... bushels

Corn for grain ........................................................................ bushels

Corn for silage ............................................................................tons

Hay, all .......................................................................................tons

 Alfalfa .....................................................................................tons

 All other ..................................................................................tons

Oats ...................................................................................... bushels

Proso millet ........................................................................... bushels

Rice 1........................................................................................... cwt

Rye ....................................................................................... bushels

Sorghum for grain ................................................................. bushels

Sorghum for silage ......................................................................tons

Wheat, all ............................................................................. bushels

 Winter ............................................................................... bushels

 Durum ............................................................................... bushels

 Other spring ...................................................................... bushels

Oilseeds

Canola ...................................................................................pounds

Cottonseed .................................................................................tons

Flaxseed ............................................................................... bushels

Mustard seed .........................................................................pounds

Peanuts .................................................................................pounds

Rapeseed ..............................................................................pounds

Safflower ...............................................................................pounds

Soybeans for beans .............................................................. bushels

Sunflower ..............................................................................pounds

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all 1............................................................................... bales

 Upland 1................................................................................ bales

 American Pima 1................................................................... bales

Sugarbeets .................................................................................tons

Sugarcane ..................................................................................tons

Tobacco .................................................................................pounds

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas 1.................................................................. cwt

Dry edible beans 1....................................................................... cwt

Dry edible peas 1......................................................................... cwt

Lentils 1........................................................................................ cwt

Wrinkled seed peas ..................................................................... cwt

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ......................................................................pounds

Hops ......................................................................................pounds

Peppermint oil ........................................................................pounds

Potatoes, all ................................................................................. cwt

 Spring ...................................................................................... cwt

 Summer ................................................................................... cwt

 Fall .......................................................................................... cwt

Spearmint oil .........................................................................pounds

Sweet potatoes ............................................................................ cwt

Taro (Hawaii) .........................................................................pounds

69.6

147.2

18.4

2.36

3.40

1.81

57.1

27.1

7,067

26.1

54.6

10.3

43.7

46.2

38.5

37.7

1,475

(X)

16.1

718

3,313

2,177

1,333

41.5

1,398

772

754

1,336

23.7

32.4

1,850

1,463

1,716

1,641

1,151

(NA)

1,320

2,175

89

397

279

282

414

132

208

(NA)

155,780

12,358,412

108,926

131,144

65,332

65,812

53,649

9,149

185,009

6,326

214,443

2,298

1,999,347

1,493,677

50,482

455,188

1,538,010

5,267.0

2,791

15,644

3,636,320

2,830

169,671

3,056,032

2,038,275

15,673.7

14,828.0

845.7

28,789

28,279

601,029

180

19,833

5,625

4,732

509

8,300

64,781.6

6,570

427,406

25,573

12,960

388,873

2,286

27,041

4,100

(NA) Not available.

(X) Not applicable.

1 Yield in pounds.
8 Crop Production (January 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Area Planted and Harvested – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Metric Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Area planted Area harvested

2011 2012 2011 2012

(hectares) (hectares) (hectares) (hectares)

Grains and hay

Barley .................................................................................

Corn for grain 1....................................................................

Corn for silage ....................................................................

Hay, all 2.............................................................................

 Alfalfa ..............................................................................

 All other ...........................................................................

Oats ....................................................................................

Proso millet .........................................................................

Rice ....................................................................................

Rye .....................................................................................

Sorghum for grain 1.............................................................

Sorghum for silage ..............................................................

Wheat, all 2.........................................................................

 Winter .............................................................................

 Durum .............................................................................

 Other spring ....................................................................

Oilseeds

Canola ................................................................................

Cottonseed .........................................................................

Flaxseed .............................................................................

Mustard seed ......................................................................

Peanuts ..............................................................................

Rapeseed ...........................................................................

Safflower .............................................................................

Soybeans for beans ............................................................

Sunflower ............................................................................

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all 2.........................................................................

 Upland ............................................................................

 American Pima ................................................................

Sugarbeets .........................................................................

Sugarcane ..........................................................................

Tobacco ..............................................................................

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas ...........................................................

Dry edible beans .................................................................

Dry edible peas ...................................................................

Lentils .................................................................................

Wrinkled seed peas ............................................................

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ...................................................................

Hops ...................................................................................

Peppermint oil .....................................................................

Potatoes, all 2......................................................................

 Spring .............................................................................

 Summer ..........................................................................

 Fall ..................................................................................

Spearmint oil .......................................................................

Sweet potatoes ...................................................................

Taro (Hawaii) 3....................................................................

1,035,600

37,199,510

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,010,110

149,740

1,088,210

512,340

2,218,110

(NA)

22,018,780

16,449,030

554,020

5,015,730

433,630

(X)

72,030

9,390

461,590

610

52,890

30,342,040

624,440

5,962,050

5,838,060

124,000

498,900

(NA)

(NA)

7,280

488,020

146,500

173,210

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

444,710

37,760

19,510

387,450

(NA)

54,310

(NA)

16,975,530

906,100

33,986,270

2,399,000

22,514,120

7,775,310

14,738,810

380,000

136,790

1,059,480

97,930

1,590,030

90,650

18,496,360

13,077,150

530,950

4,888,250

422,090

(X)

70,010

8,820

444,190

530

51,520

29,799,750

589,960

3,944,880

3,821,890

122,990

490,930

353,290

131,460

4,980

467,780

138,730

166,330

(NA)

2,550

12,050

29,950

435,730

37,030

18,620

380,080

7,000

52,730

200

(NA) Not available.

(X) Not applicable.

1 Area planted for all purposes.

2

Total may not add due to rounding.

3 Area is total hectares in crop, not harvested hectares.
Crop Production (January 2012) 9

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Yield and Production – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Metric Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Yield per hectare Production

2011 2012 2011 2012

(metric tons) (metric tons) (metric tons) (metric tons)

Grains and hay

Barley .................................................................................

Corn for grain ......................................................................

Corn for silage ....................................................................

Hay, all 1.............................................................................

 Alfalfa .............................................................................

 All other ..........................................................................

Oats ....................................................................................

Proso millet .........................................................................

Rice ....................................................................................

Rye .....................................................................................

Sorghum for grain ...............................................................

Sorghum for silage ..............................................................

Wheat, all 1.........................................................................

 Winter .............................................................................

 Durum .............................................................................

 Other spring ....................................................................

Oilseeds

Canola ................................................................................

Cottonseed .........................................................................

Flaxseed .............................................................................

Mustard seed ......................................................................

Peanuts ..............................................................................

Rapeseed ...........................................................................

Safflower ............................................................................

Soybeans for beans ............................................................

Sunflower ...........................................................................

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all 1.........................................................................

 Upland ............................................................................

 American Pima ...............................................................

Sugarbeets .........................................................................

Sugarcane ..........................................................................

Tobacco ..............................................................................

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas ...........................................................

Dry edible beans .................................................................

Dry edible peas ...................................................................

Lentils .................................................................................

Wrinkled seed peas ............................................................

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ...................................................................

Hops ...................................................................................

Peppermint oil .....................................................................

Potatoes, all 1.....................................................................

 Spring .............................................................................

 Summer ..........................................................................

 Fall .................................................................................

Spearmint oil ......................................................................

Sweet potatoes ...................................................................

Taro (Hawaii) ......................................................................

3.74

9.24

41.19

5.28

7.62

4.05

2.05

1.52

7.92

1.64

3.43

23.00

2.94

3.11

2.59

2.53

1.65

(X)

1.01

0.80

3.71

2.44

1.49

2.79

1.57

0.87

0.84

1.50

53.20

72.61

2.07

1.64

1.92

1.84

1.29

(NA)

1.48

2.44

0.10

44.49

31.33

31.58

46.41

0.15

23.26

(NA)

3,391,710

313,918,120

98,816,000

118,971,840

59,268,190

59,703,640

778,710

207,500

8,391,870

160,690

5,447,100

2,084,710

54,413,310

40,651,230

1,373,890

12,388,190

697,630

4,778,140

70,890

7,100

1,649,410

1,280

76,960

83,171,560

924,550

3,412,550

3,228,420

184,130

26,116,940

25,654,280

272,620

8,160

899,610

255,150

214,640

23,090

3,760

29,380

2,980

19,386,810

1,159,970

587,860

17,638,980

1,040

1,226,560

1,860

(NA) Not available.

(X) Not applicable.

1 Production may not add due to rounding.
10 Crop Production (January 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Fruits and Nuts Production – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Domestic Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year, 

except citrus which is for the 2011-2012 season. Blank cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Production

2011 2012

(1,000) (1,000)

Citrus 1

Grapefruit ............................................................................................. tons

Lemons ................................................................................................ tons

Oranges ............................................................................................... tons

Tangelos (Florida) ................................................................................ tons

Tangerines and mandarins ................................................................... tons

Noncitrus

Apples ................................................................................... 1,000 pounds

Apricots ................................................................................................ tons

Bananas (Hawaii) ............................................................................ pounds

Grapes ................................................................................................. tons

Olives (California) ................................................................................ tons

Papayas (Hawaii) ............................................................................ pounds

Peaches ............................................................................................... tons

Pears ................................................................................................... tons

Prunes, dried (California) ..................................................................... tons

Prunes and plums (excludes California) ............................................... tons

Nuts and miscellaneous

Almonds, shelled (California) .......................................................... pounds

Hazelnuts, in-shell (Oregon) ................................................................. tons

Pecans, in-shell ............................................................................... pounds

Walnuts, in-shell (California) ................................................................ tons

Maple syrup .....................................................................................gallons

1,256

940

8,857

52

629

9,429.9

59.2

7,088.4

65.0

1,129.1

888.3

122.0

13.1

1,950,000

41

251,700

485

2,794

1,147

808

8,984

50

629

1 Production years are 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.
Crop Production (January 2012) 11

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Fruits and Nuts Production – United States: 2011 and 2012 (Metric Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year, 

except citrus which is for the 2011-2012 season. Blank cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Production

2011 2012

(metric tons) (metric tons)

Citrus 1

Grapefruit ...................................................................................................

Lemons ......................................................................................................

Oranges ......................................................................................................

Tangelos (Florida) ......................................................................................

Tangerines and mandarins .........................................................................

Noncitrus

Apples ........................................................................................................

Apricots ......................................................................................................

Bananas (Hawaii) .......................................................................................

Grapes .......................................................................................................

Olives (California) .......................................................................................

Papayas (Hawaii) .......................................................................................

Peaches .....................................................................................................

Pears ..........................................................................................................

Prunes, dried (California) ............................................................................

Prunes and plums (excludes California) ......................................................

Nuts and miscellaneous

Almonds, shelled (California) ......................................................................

Hazelnuts, in-shell (Oregon) .......................................................................

Pecans, in-shell ..........................................................................................

Walnuts, in-shell (California) .......................................................................

Maple syrup ................................................................................................

1,139,420

852,750

8,034,940

47,170

570,620

4,277,330

53,680

6,430,520

58,970

1,024,340

805,850

110,680

11,840

793,790

37,190

114,170

439,980

13,970

1,040,540

733,010

8,150,150

45,360

570,620

1 Production years are 2010-2011 and 2011-2012.
12 Crop Production (January 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Crop Production (January 2012) 13

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

December Weather Summary

During December, mostly dry weather prevailed from the Pacific Coast into the north central United States. In California 

and neighboring areas, extremely dry conditions stunted pasture growth and raised concerns about sub-par spring and 

summer runoff from meager mountain snow packs. On the northern Plains, mild, dry weather left winter wheat exposed to 

potential weather extremes.

In contrast, widespread precipitation boosted high-elevation snow packs and benefited winter wheat and drought-damaged 

pastures and rangeland from Arizona to the southern half of the Plains. Wetness also extended into parts of the Midwest, 

where producers in the eastern Corn Belt continued to wait for fields to freeze before being able to proceed with final corn 

harvest efforts.

Elsewhere, highly variable conditions existed across the Southeast, ranging from wet weather in the Mid-South to dryness 

in the southern Atlantic region and along the central Gulf Coast.

December Agricultural Summary

Temperatures from the northern Rocky Mountains to the Southeast and along the Atlantic Coast were well above average 

during December, giving producers in many areas additional time to complete late-season fieldwork. Most notably, 

portions of Montana, North Dakota, and Minnesota recorded temperatures more than 10 degrees above normal. 

Elsewhere, fruit and vegetable producers across much of California ran freeze protection late in the month as temperatures 

dropped into the upper 20s in major producing areas.

Precipitation was well above normal for much of the Corn Belt, Four Corners region, southern Great Plains, and Ohio 

Valley during the month. In Ohio, topsoil moisture levels were reported as 86 percent surplus on December 11, leaving 

producers with corn or soybeans still in the fields waiting until the ground froze to continue harvesting their crops.

Late-season row crop harvesting continued in many southern States throughout December, but was mostly complete as the 

month ended. In Arizona, small grain producers were busy seeding barley and Durum wheat, with nearly half and over 

one-quarter of the crops in the ground, respectively. Fruit and vegetable producers in the major producing States harvested 

and shipped a variety of crops throughout the month, with replanting ongoing as conditions allowed.

Crop Comments

Grapefruit: The 2011-2012 United States grapefruit crop is forecast at 1.15 million tons, down 2 percent from the 

previous forecast and down 9 percent from last season’s final utilization. White grapefruit size in Florida is projected to be 

below average with above average droppage. Colored grapefruit size is projected to be below average with above average 

droppage.

Lemons: The forecast for the 2011-2012 United States lemon crop is 808,000 tons, down 3 percent from the October 1 

forecast and down 14 percent from the previous season’s final utilization. Arizona’s lemon crop is down 72 percent from 

last season due to damage from a major freeze in southern Arizona last winter. Harvest continued in California’s desert 

region as well as the San Joaquin Valley.

Tangelos: Florida’s tangelo forecast is 1.10 million boxes (50,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast but down 

4 percent from last season’s final utilization. Fruit size and droppage are higher than average for the tangelo crop.

Tangerines and mandarins: The United States tangerine and mandarin crop is forecast at 629,000 tons, down 1 percent 

from the previous forecast but unchanged from the 2010-2011 crop. In Florida, the reduced production forecast is 

primarily due to Honey tangerine sizes, which are expected to be below average with higher than average droppage. 

California growers saw favorable weather during harvest. In Arizona, the freeze that significantly affected the State’s 

lemon crop did not have as severe of an impact on the tangerines.
14 Crop Production (January 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Florida citrus: In the citrus growing areas, weather stations reported temperatures ranging from highs in the 80s to lows 

in the 40s. Sparse rainfall brought dry conditions back to the citrus region this month. Harvesting of early oranges (Navels 

and Hamlins), white and colored grapefruit, Fallglo and Sunburst tangerines, and Nova Tangelos continued. Production 

practices included lime application and irrigation as needed.

California citrus: Growers ran freeze protection several nights as temperatures dropped into the upper 20s. Harvest of 

Satsuma mandarins as well as Owari and Clementine tangerines continued with growers about 50 percent complete in 

Tulare County. Navel orange harvest continued with reports of improved internal maturity. Cara Cara orange and lemon 

harvests continued. Oro Blanco and Melogold grapefruit harvests neared completion. Pummelo harvest was underway.

California noncitrus fruits and nuts: Asian pear and Fuyu and Hachiya persimmon harvests were completed in 

December. Pineapple quince, fig, and apple harvests continued. Kiwi and Early Wonderful and Wonderful pomegranate 

harvests finished. Table and wine grape harvests were also completed. Grapevines are dormant and pruning has begun. 

Heavy frost finished defoliating trees and vines, making pruning easier. Olive harvest finished in the Southern 

San Joaquin Valley.

The harvest of walnuts was complete. Finished walnut groves were being irrigated, pruned, and sprayed. Almond 

stockpiles were hulled. The pistachio harvest was over.

Hay stocks on farms: All hay stored on farms December 1, 2011 totaled 90.7 million tons, down 11 percent from a year 

ago. This is the lowest December 1 stocks on hand for the United States since 1988. Disappearance from 

May 1, 2011-Decmeber 1, 2011 totaled 62.6 million tons, compared with 64.4 million tons for the same period a year ago.

Compared with last year, hay stocks decreased across much of the Nation’s midsection. In most cases, these decreases 

were attributed to an unusually dry year that negatively impacted hay production, as well as pasture and rangeland. Many 

producers began feeding livestock early to help offset the lack of available feedstuffs.

Stocks on hand were the lowest since 1985 in Oklahoma and Texas, two States that were hit hardest by this year’s 

prolonged drought.
Crop Production (January 2012) 15

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Statistical Methodology

Survey procedures: The orange objective yield survey for the January 1 forecast was conducted in Florida, which 

produces about 75 percent of the United States production. Bearing tree numbers are determined at the start of the season 

based on a fruit tree census conducted every other year, combined with ongoing review based on administrative data or 

special surveys. From mid-July to mid-September, the number of fruit per tree is determined. In September and 

subsequent months, fruit size measurement and fruit droppage surveys are conducted, which combined with the previous 

components are used to develop the current forecast of production. California and Texas conduct grower and packer 

surveys on a quarterly basis in October, January, April, and July. California conducts an objective measurement survey in 

September for navel oranges and in March for Valencia oranges.

Estimating procedures: State level objective yield estimates for Florida oranges were reviewed for errors, 

reasonableness, and consistency with historical estimates. Reports from growers and packers in California and Texas were 

also used for setting estimates. These three States submit their analyses of the current situation to the Agricultural 

Statistics Board (ASB). The ASB uses the survey data and the State analyses to prepare the published January 1 forecast.

Revision policy: The January 1 production forecasts will not be revised. A new forecast will be made each month 

throughout the growing season. End-of-season estimates will be published in the Citrus Fruits Summary released in 

September. The production estimates are based on all data available at the end of the marketing season, including 

information from marketing orders, shipments, and processor records. Allowances are made for recorded local utilization 

and home use.

Reliability: To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the January 1 production forecasts, the "Root Mean Square 

Error," a statistical measure based on past performance, is computed. The deviation between the January 1 production 

forecast and the final estimate is expressed as a percentage of the final estimate. The average of squared percentage 

deviations for the latest 20-year period is computed. The square root of the average becomes statistically the "Root Mean 

Square Error." Probability statements can be made concerning expected differences in the current forecast relative to the 

final end-of-season estimate, assuming that factors affecting this year's forecast are not different from those influencing 

recent years.

The "Root Mean Square Error" for the January 1 orange production forecast is 3.3 percent regardless if you exclude the 

3 abnormal production years (1 freeze season and 2 hurricane seasons). This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the 

current orange production forecast will not be above or below the final estimates by more than 3.3 percent. Chances are 9 

out of 10 (90 percent confidence level) that the difference will not exceed 5.7 percent regardless of whether abnormal 

seasons are excluded.

Changes between the January 1 orange forecast and the final estimates during the past 20 years have averaged 

298,000 tons (301,000 tons excluding abnormal seasons), ranging from 13,000 tons to 638,000 tons regardless of 

exclusions. The January 1 forecast for oranges has been below the final estimate 8 times and above 12 times (below 

8 times and above 9 times, excluding abnormal seasons). The difference does not imply that the January 1 forecast this 

year is likely to understate or overstate final production.
16 Crop Production (January 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Information Contacts

Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact 

for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov

Lance Honig, Chief, Crops Branch .......................................................................................................(202) 720-2127

Jacqueline Moore, Head, Field Crops Section ...................................................................................... (202) 720-2127

 Suzanne Avilla – Peanuts, Rice........................................................................................................ (202) 720-7688

 Bryan Durham – Oats, Rye, Wheat.................................................................................................. (202) 720-8068

 Steve Maliszewski – Cotton, Cotton Ginnings, Sorghum................................................................ (202) 720-5944

 Anthony Prillaman – Corn, Flaxseed, Proso Millet ......................................................................... (202) 720-9526

 Julie Schmidt – Crop Weather, Barley, Hay .................................................................................... (202) 720-7621

 Travis Thorson – Soybeans, Sunflower, Other Oilseeds..................................................................(202) 720-7369

Jorge Garcia-Pratts, Head, Fruits, Vegetables and Special Crops Section............................................(202) 720-2127

 Debbie Flippin – Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries......................................(202) 720-2157

 Fred Granja – Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Prunes, Tobacco ...............................................(202) 720-4288

 Chris Hawthorn – Citrus, Coffee, Grapes, Sugar Crops, Tropical Fruits.........................................(202) 720-5412

 Dave Losh – Hops............................................................................................................................(360) 709-2400 

 Dan Norris – Austrian Winter Peas, Dry Edible Peas, Lentils, Mint,

 Mushrooms, Peaches, Pears, Wrinkled Seed Peas, Dry Beans ..................................................(202) 720-3250

 Daphne Schauber – Berries, Cranberries, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes ...............................................(202) 720-4285

 Erika White – Floriculture, Maple Syrup, Nursery, Tree Nuts .......................................................(202) 720-4215
Access to NASS Reports

For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways:

 All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov

 Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. To set-up this free 

subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the “Receive NASS Updates” box under “Receive reports by 

Email,” click on “National” or “State” to select the reports you would like to receive. 

 Printed reports may be purchased from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by calling toll-free 

(800) 999-6779, or (703) 605-6220 if calling from outside the United States or Canada. Accepted methods of 

payment are Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order. 

For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 

7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. 

 

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Moving Agriculture Forward

USDA – Growing, Innovating, and Celebrating 150 Years

February 23-24, 2012

Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel • Arlington, Virginia

Early Registration $375 until January 23, 2012

$425 after January 23

To register, go to:

www.usda.gov/oce/forum

— more than 80 speakers —

Program at a Glance is available online