In the North Central States snow covered most of the upper part of the region until late
March, Melting snow and rains kept soils too wet to plow or prepare for planting except in high,
well-drained areas. Kansas and Nebraska farmers seeded small grains; progress surpassed last
year's pace but lagged the average. By the end of March, Missouri farmers had plowed 60 percent
of the acreage compared with 1978's rain delayed 16 percent and the 45 percent average. Missouri
oats planting lagged far behind average. The eastern Corn Belt States of Illinois, Indiana, and
Ohio had adequate to surplus soil moisture with muddy conditions prevailing in some areas. The
excessive moisture limited fieldwork but Qhio farmers had plowed 65 percent of their acreage,
well ahead of last year and average.

In the South Central States plowing ranged from 33 to 54 percent complete, slightly behind
average but close to 1978's progress. Corn planting was well underway, ranging from 23 to 30 per-
cent complete. Among the States in this region only Texas reported planting cotton during March.
Low soil temperatures held Texas cotton seeding to 11 percent, a point off last year and 8 points
less than average. Texas sorghum planting reached 33 percent, also well behind recent years.

Rice seeding lagged at 16 and 17 percent in Texas and Louisiana, respectively, and just started in
Arkansas. Rains and wet soils throughout the region held planting progress of most crops to low
levels compared with recent years,

In the Southeast, land preparation advanced on a near-normal schedule. Corn planting ranged
from 3 percent in Virginia to a record-high 61 percent in Georgia. Farmers seeded the first
fields of sorghum and soybeans near the end of March. South Carolina and Georgia growers seeded
\ percent of their cotton acreage.

Farmers in the western States planted corn, cotton, and rice but rains delayed progress in
many areas, particularly the Pacific Coast States.

WINTER WHEAT FAIR TO GOOD

Winter wheat rated fair to mostly good with stands showing improvement during the period of
above normal temperatures late in March. Topsoil moisture was adequate in all major production
areas. Subsoil moisture supplies in some parts of the Great Plains rated only short to adequate.
Some southern Great Plains stands were too wet to fertilize, but producers in other areas top-
dressed small grains. Winter damage appeared minor with very little blowing, erosion, or heaving
evident. Only Pacific Northwest growers reseeded seriously damaged winter wheat fields.

On the Great Plains, winter wheat rated fair to mostly good with some excellent ratings in
southern areas. Texas wheat showed good to excellent prospects, except scattered dry spots on
the High Plains. Oklahoma wheat grew vigorously with 30 percent of the crop reaching the joint
stage compared with 20 percent last year and the 45 percent average. Kansas wheat improved with
earlier planted fields better than later seeded stands. Nebraska wheat rated fair to good.

Corn Belt winter wheat greened under the influence of moderating temperatures and spring
fertilization. Ohio reported some isolated suffocation and heaving Josses. Across the South,
winter wheat improved and rated fair to mostly good; winterkill was minor but spring rains
brought some drownouts. In the West, fields greened as far north as Montana by the end of March.
Early fields formed heads in Arizona and reached the boot stage in California. Colorado reported
very little wind damage.

ORANGES: ‘The Nation's orange crop is expected to total 206 million boxes {8.15 million metric
tons). This is virtually unchanged from last month's forecast, but 6 percent less than
last season's crop.

The Florida crop is forecast at 163 million boxes, unchanged from March 1 but 3 percent less
than last season. The production estimate for early and mid-season varieties is 2 percent below
last month's forecast but is 3 percent above the 1977-78 season. Harvest was virtually complete
by April 1. Valencia production is now expected to total 72.0 million boxes, 3 percent above the
March 1 forecast but 9 percent below last season's output. All varieties had an excellent bloom
cycle with no adverse weather; however, there is an increasing need for rain in all areas. Many
growers were irrigating by April 1.

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


PAPAYAS - HAWAIT

7 REA z UTILIZED PRODUCTION
MONTH z : 3 :
978 to 978 1979 1979
7 ACRE T,000 POUNDS
FEB : 3,100 3,175 2,270 2,310 3,804 2,380
MAR : 3,150 33215 23210 23330 4,316 23690
APR H 3,215 2,220 3,971 3,200
MAY : 3,120 2,175 5,546 3,700
JUN > 3,165 23155 6,896 33800
JUL : 3, 160 2,180 6,664 3,400

EI
E

PASTURE AND RANGE FEED CONDITION 1/

AVERAGE:

: : AVERAGE: :
STATE} Yggg.77 : (19781979 1968-77: «1978; 1979,

Hi PERCENT PERCENT
ALA : 74 65 61 80 95 92
ARIZ : 76 98 91 81 75 86
ARK : 80 66 75 7 7 72
CALIF 74 98 91 a4 72 80
COLO : 2B 69 76 2/ 67 81
DEL + 84 65 76 B2 58 78
FLA 22 73 79 76 69 66
GA 79 73 75 82 97 91
IDAHO : 2s 93 90 78 72 5
TLL 86 ra 78 2/ 78 82
IND : 86 62 77 78 67 14
TOWA 2/ 80 85 69 46 66
KANS, > 79 81 79 7B 84 82
ky : 83 67 a 85 68 84
LA : 5 65 67 82 90 85

: 80 61 76 77 62 78
MISS 72 72 65 2/ 80 87

: 79 n 4
MONT : 2/ 78 87 76 68 5
NEBR 2 86 81

oF n 7

00
DROUGHT, UNDER 35.
2/ DATA NOT AVAILABLE.
‘3/ STATES FOR WHICH COMPARABLE DATA ARE AVAILABLE.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1979 10 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


LEMONS: The U.S. lemon crop is expected to total 21.5 million boxes (741 thousand metric tons),
unchanged from last month's forecast but 18 percent below last season's output. Produc-
tion in California at 15.5 million boxes is 24 percent below the 1977-78 season. Central Valley
lemon trees have recovered from the December-January freeze. Good weather has allowed lemons to
attain good size. Coastal lemons are being picked. Desert lemon harvest is virtually complete,
and harvest is over 55 percent complete for the entire State, about the same as the previous
April 1. The crop in Arizona at 6.00 million boxes is 5 percent above last season. The crop is
about 90 percent harvested.

TANGELOS: The Florida tangelo crop is placed at 4.20 million boxes (171 thousand metric tons),
14 percent below last season. Harvest is complete.

TANGERINES: U.S. production of tangerines, at 5.30 million boxes (212 thousand metric tons), is
2 percent below both last month's forecast and last year's production. Harvest is
complete.

TEMPLES: Florida's temple crop is estimated at 4.70 million boxes (192 thousand metric tons),
100 thousand boxes Tess than was expected on March 1 and 200 thousand boxes less than
was harvested last season. Harvest is about 95 percent complete.

PAPAYA: Hawaii papaya production during April is forecast at 3.20 million pounds (1450 metric
tons), up 19 percent from last month. March's preliminary estimate of 2.69 million

pounds (1220 metric tons) is 38 percent below last March. The reduction is a result of the heavy
rains that besieged the islands eartier this year. Recovery has been particularly slow on Hawaii
Island where farmers are contending with weather-induced diseases. Production from the Island of
Hawaii typically accounts for 80-85 percent of the State-wide total. Output in May is forecast
at 3.70 million pounds (1680 metric tons), climbing in June to 3.80 million pounds (1720 metric
tons), then dropping in July to 3.40 million pounds (1540 metric tons). In addition to the afore-
mentioned weather related problems, a substantial reduction in acreage for harvest is anticipated
jn dune. Both factors will keep monthly production levels substantially below those of comparable
months last year,

An estimated 2330 acres (940 hectares) were harvested last month, or approximately 72 percent
of the total planted area.

The January-March cumulative total of 8.74 million pounds (3960 metric tons) is 29 percent
less than last year's first quarter total.

POTATOES: This season's production of spring potatoes is initially forecast at 22.0 million cwt.

{1,00 million metric tons), 23 percent above the 1978 crop, but 4 percent below the
1977 output. An estimated 90.4 thousand acres (36.6 thousand hectares) wil] be harvested in
1979, a | percent decrease from the previous two seasons. Yields are expected to average 244
ewt. per acre this year, compared with 198 cwt. per acre in 1978 and 250 cwt. two years ago.

In California, planting was delayed by cool, wet weather but early fields are in good con-
dition and digging should begin in late April.

Planting in the Hastings area of Florida was completed in Tate March. Many early plantings
have skips because of seed rot but later fields are making good, uniform growth. Harvest is ex-
pected to begin in late April. In other areas of Florida, fields are in excellent condition with
record yields in prospect. Initial digging is expected to be underway by mid-April.

North Carolina planting was delayed by wet fields but favorable late March weather helped
accelerate seeding operations. High winds in the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas caused some
top growth burn damage; harvest there is scheduled to begin in mid-April. Digging in the Winter
Garden area is expected by early May and in the Knox-Haskell area in June. Some Alabama fields
have had to be replanted because of rotting caused by heavy rains. As a result, crop progress
is about one month behind normal. Adverse weather in Arizona has also delayed potato growth and
harvest will probably be set back to at least Tate May.

PASTURE AND RANGE FEED: Pasture and range feed condition in the 37 States reporting on Aprit 1
~ averaged 77 percent, 6 points higher than a year earlier. Eastern
States led the increase as warm temperatures and precipitation promoted development. Last year
persistent subnormal temperatures late into the spring delayed grass development. Conditions in
many Western areas are below a year ago due to this year's cooler weather. Soil moisture sup-
plies are adequate and growth should improve when temperatures warm. In Texas, range and pasture

gondition, at 66 percent, is 20 points above last year when dry conditions affected most of the

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


California Navel orange prospects improved during the month and growers expect to harvest
19.0 million boxes, 5 percent tess than last season. Fruit quality is fair. Harvest is over 80
percent complete. Valencia production at 15.0 million boxes is unchanged from the March 1 fore-
cast, but is 32 percent below last season. Harvest is getting underway in all districts. Qual~-
ity is below average. :

The Texas crop is expected to total 6.20 mitlion boxes, unchanged from the March 1 forecast
but 2 percent above last season. Harvest is virtually complete. Trees that escaped major leaf
loss from the two earlier freezes experienced a relatively good btoom.

Prospects in Arizona are unchanged from March 1 at 3.00 million boxes, but are 19 percent
below last season. Harvest of Navels is complete while Valencia harvest is one-fourth complete.

Changes in the U.S. production between the April 1 forecast and final production have aver-
aged 4.15 million boxes over the past 10 seasons, ranging from 160 thousand boxes in 1972-73 to
12.6 million boxes in 1976-77.

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

CITRUS HARVEST AND UTILIZATION: By April 1, there were 119 million boxes of oranges harvested,

or 58 percent of the crop compared with 52 percent on the same
date last year. Processors had used 82 percent of the oranges harvested by April 1 this year com-
pared with 80 percent for this date last year.

Grapefruit harvest was 79 percent complete by April 1 compared with 63 percent on the same
date last year. Of the crop harvested to April 1, processors had used 61 percent compared with 58
percent to April 1 a year ago.

Lemon harvest as of April 1 was 66 percent complete compared with 64 percent for the same

period last season. Processors have utilized 43 percent of the harvested crop compared with 60
percent through April 1 last year.

CITRUS CROP - HARVEST AND UTILIZATION TO APRIL 1

5 1977-78 2 1978-79
: UTILIZATION TREMAINING = UTICTZATION > REMAINING
cRoP : 7 3 > FOR f 2 2 : FOR
; FRESH PROCESSED; TOTAL : yapyest ; FRESH PROCESSED: TOTAL: paRVEST
5 THOUSAND BOXES
ORANGES : 23,334 91,383 114,717 104,903 21,258 97,493 «118,751 87,449
GRAPEFRUIT : 19,413 26,740 46,153 27,547 «20,088 «31,314 «= 51,402 13,898

LEMONS : 6,660 10,074 16,734 9,366 7,968 6,117 14,085 7,415

GRAPEFRUIT: U.S. grapefruit production is expected to total 65.3 million boxes (2.42 million
metric tons), 3 percent less than forecast last month and 11] percent less than har-
vested last season.

In Florida, expectations declined 4 percent during the month to 48.0 million boxes, 7 percent
less than last season. Harvest is 83 percent complete. Full bloom for the 1979-80 season was
reached the last week of March. No adverse weather occurred during the bloom cycle; however,
there is an increasing need for rain in all areas.

The Texas crop at 9.00 million boxes is unchanged from last month but is 24 percent less
than the 1977-78 crop. Harvest is virtually complete, Trees that escaped major leaf loss from
the earlier freezes have had a relatively good bloom. The California crop at 6.00 million boxes
is unchanged from the March 1 forecast but is 20 percent below last year's crop. Almost one-
fourth of the crop has been harvested. Quality of the desert valley crop is good. Some freeze
damage is appearing in other areas, The Arizona crop of 2.30 million boxes is unchanged from last
month's forecast but is 21 percent below last year's production. Over half the crop has been har-
vested.

Changes in the U.S. grapefruit production estimate between the April 1 forecast and final
production have averaged 1.84 million boxes over the past 10 seasons, ranging from 40.0 thousand
boxes in 1972-73 to 4.60 million boxes in 1976-77.

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


POTATOES

B FREE
SEASORAL, GhOLP PLANTED. H TARVESTED.
Wy) 7
state} 197 1978 W977 age bs
1,000 ACRES
MINTER 13.6 13.0 13.2 13.4 12.9 13.2
SPRING
no 1.0 9.5 10.5 9.5 9.2
ARIZ 6.5 6.0 6.0 6.5 6.0 6.0
CALIF 30.8 29.0 30.0 30.8 29:0 30.0
FLA-HASTINGS 19.7 20.8 20:6 19.5 20.6 20.4
OTHER V0 20 1.0 VW? 1:8 1.0
LA 2.6 2.6 2.3 2.3 2.3 2.1
Miss 1/ V4 1.3 1.3 1.2
Nec 13:5 13.1 13.8 13.4 13:0 13.7
TEXAS 5.6 16 8.2 5a v5 8.0
TOTAL 92.8 93.4 91.4 94 90.9 90.4
SUMMER 2
y 8.0 8.0 7.5 8.0
CALIF A Ba ng Ba 19
coLo 2 2.0 220 6.8 6.8
oeL 5.5 5.4 5.3 5.3
TL 2.6 1.9 23 18
IND 2.3 aut 20 2.0
OWA 2.3 17 2 15
yo 16 15 Ts us
MICH 8.0 8.5 718 8.3
MINN 7.6 71 75 7.0
NEBR 2:3 2.0 20 18
No 8.3 8.5 8.1 8.2
N MEX 3.2 3.8 2.9 3.8
NC 4.2 4.2 4.0 4.0
okTO : 2.0 7 1.8 1.6
TENN 4.5 4.4 4.8 4.4
TEXAS 10.5 1.2 10:3, 1.0
vA 28.0 28.0 277 27.0
WA 3/ 2.4 24
TOTAL 118.7 114.9 115.2 ms
YIELD i PRODUCTION
197 1978 TORO q977 ttre OEE
CHT 7,000 CHT
WINTER 199 203 206 2,660 2,621 2,723
SPRING
120 100 no 1,260 950 1,012
ARIZ z 270 265 260 1,755 1,590 1,560
CALIF : 385 285 380 11,858 8,265 i
FLA-HASTINGS — : 220 170 210. 4290 3,502 43284
~OTHER : 1285 125 190 3S 225 a
tA 75 75 70 173 173 147
MISS 1/ 90 - un? 108
NC 165 150 158 2,211 1,950 2,124
TEXAS 165 160 165 891 1,200 1320
TOTAL 250 198 244 22,870 17,963 22,037
SUMMER 2/0:
a : yoo 150 750 1,200
CALIF 360 360 3,024 2,844
COLO 265 255 1,802 1,734
DEL 210 210 nN3 Wns
TLt 200 200
IND 175 170 368 340
1OWA 225 200 473 300
150 150 240 225
Mica 185 We 1,443 1,453
MINA 275 280 2,063 :
NEBR 150 160 31 288
No 265 255 2,147 2,097
N MEX 190 205 551 779
NC 128 125 500 500
onto 190 190 342 304
TENN 90 90 405 396
TEXAS 230 210 2,369 2,310
vA 125 10 3,463 2,970
WA 3/ 64 154
TOTAL 191 189 21,982 21,167
INTENTIONS FOR (0 BE

LEASED APRIL 16, 1979. 3/ ESTIMATES DISCONTINUED AFTER 1977 CROP.
CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1979 9 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


CROP PRODUCTION

Released: April 10, 1979 Economics, Statistics, &
3:00 P.M. ET Cooperatives Service

US. Department
of Agriculture

Washington, D.C.
20250

HIGHLIGHTS

CITRUS -- Production is expected to total 13.1 million tons (11.9
million metric tons), virtually unchanged from last month,
but 8 percent below the 1977-78 crop.

ORANGES -- Production is forecast at 206 million boxes (81.5 mil-
Tion metric tons), about the same as March 1 but 6 percent
less than last season. By April 1, harvest of the Nation's
crop was 58 percent complete.

GRAPEFRUIT -- Prospects declined 3 percent from March 1 to 65.3
million boxes (2.42 million metric tons), off 11 percent from
the 1977-78 crop. Harvest of the U.S. crop was 79 percent
complete by April 1.

LEMONS -- Production is expected to total 21.5 million boxes (741
thousand metric tons), unchanged from last month's forecast,
but 18 percent below last season.

SPRING POTATOES -~ Production is forecast at 22.0 million cwt.
1.00 million metric tons), 23 percent more than last season
but 4 percent below the 1977 crop.

CrPr 2-2 )4-79) For Information Call: (202) 447-2127




RECORD PEANUT PRODUCTION: Production of peanuts during 1978 is estimated at a record high 3.99 billion
~~ pounds (1.81 million metric tons) net weight, 7 percent above one year earli-
er. Peanut farmers planted 1.54 million acres (625 thousand hectares) for all purposes. Harvested acre-
age totaled 1.51 million acres (612 thousand hectares). The record high yield of 2639 pounds per acre
is 182 pounds more than a year earlier and 74 pounds above the previous record yield harvested in 1975.

1978 AREA REVIEW: Southeast - The 1978 peanut crop totaled 2.53 billion pounds, 10 percent above last
~~~ Year, Average yield per acre increased to 3099 pounds, 285 pounds above the previous
year. Acreage harvested for nuts totaled 817 thousand acres, down 800 acres from 1977.

Virginia-North Carolina - The 1978 production of 788 million pounds is up 7 percent from 1977, The aver-
age yield of 2930 pounds is 190 pounds above a year earlier. Harvested acre-
age totaled 269 thousand acres, the same as the previous year.

Southwest - The 1978 peanut crop of 668 million pounds was down 3 percent from the previous year. Aver-
age yield for the area was 1569 pounds, 32 pounds below the 1977 average. Acreage harvested
for nuts totaled 425 thousand acres, down 4000 acres from the previous year.

PEANUTS
; AREA PLANTED : AREA HARVESTED
STATE ; 7 : t ;
1976; (1977 7; 19768; 977s 978
: 1,000 ACRES
ALA : 216.0 216.0 214.0 215.0 214.0
FLA : 63.0 62.0 55.0 55.0 54.0
oA 530.0 530.0 526.0 526.0 526.0
MISS : 7.5 8.3 8.5 7.0 8.0
N MEX 9.6 9.5 9.5 9.4 9.4
NC : 169.0 169.0 166.0 166.0 166.0
OKLA : 123.0 123.0 120.0 120.0 115.0
sc : 15.5 15.5 15.5 15.0 15.2
Tex : 306.0 307.0 304/0 300.0 301-0
vA : 105.0 304.0 303.0 103.0 103.0
us : 1,564.6 1,548.3 1,521.5 1,516.4 1,511.6
; YIELD ; PRODUCTION
state 3 > ; : 5
1976 g77 tage ge St? 31978
POUNDS T;000 POUNDS
ALA 2 2,400 2,740 2,630 513,600 589, 100 562,820
FLA > 3,000 3,100 3,380 165,000 170,500 182,520
GA 2 2,955 23850 3,300 1,554,330 1,499, 100 1,735,800
MISS > 1,450 1,650 2000 12,325 11,550 16,000
N MEX : 2,280 2700 2,560 21,660 25,380 243064
NC : 2,655 23675 2,825 440,730 444050 468,950
OKLA : 2,050 23230 7,800 246,000 267,600 207,000
sc > 1,590 2,080 2,350 24,645 31,200 35,720
TEX : 1,525 318 1,450 463,600 394,500 436,450
VA > 3,000 23845 3,100 309,000 293,035 319,300
us : 2,065 2,457 2,639 3,750,890 3,726,015 3,988,624
FARM MARKETINGS OF PEANUTS FOR NUTS, BY STATES, 1978 CROP YEAR, PERCENT BY MONTHS
STATE : AUG ; SEP : oct ; Nov : DEC : JAN
ALA 40 59 1
FLA 1 68 30 1
GA 1 52 45 1 1
N MEX 7 23
NC 2 88 10
OKLA 24 69 4 3
TEX : 3 9 31 32 22 3
VA 58 30 7 5
us : 1 33 50 n 4 1

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1979 am CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


CITRUS FRUIT Vv

t PRODUCTION ' PRODUCTION
cROP t BOXES t TON EQUIVALENT
AND t UTILIZED 2 INDICATED? UTILIZED SINDICATED
STATE 2 1976-77 2 1977278 § 1978-79 ¢ 1976-77 ¢ 1977-78 1 1978979
+ 1000 UNITS 2/7 19000 UNITS
ORANGES+EARLY MID & NAVEL 3/3
ARIZ ast 800 820 700 30 31 26
CALIF ' 25600 20.000 19-000 960 750 n3
FLA t 115-000 88+300 919000 50175 39974 4,095
TEX 1 46350 39850 49200 185 164 179
us t 1454750 1125970 1149900 69350 49919 59013
ORANGES+ VALENCIA 1
ARIZ 1 34150 25900 29300 118 109 86
CALIF iy 199700 221000 159000 739 825 563
FLA : 71,800 794500 729000 39231 30578 39240
TEX ? 2550 29250 29000 198 96 85
us $ 974200 106+650 915300 49196 41608 39974
ALL ORANGES '
ARIZ ‘ 35950 36720 39000 148 140 112
CALIF ’ 454300 424000 349000 11699 19575 1,276
FLA 1 1865800 1675800 1639000 8406 79552 79335
TEX t 69900 69100 69200 293 260 264
us + 242,950 2194620 2069200 104546 9527 8.987
TEMPLES '
Fla : 34800 45900 49700 171 22) 212
GRAPEFRUIT,WHITE SEEOLESS +
FLA 1 29-900 285700 284000 19271 16220 16190
GRAPEFRUIT, PINK SEEDLESS '
Fla 2 126500 149300 135000 531 608 553
OTHER GRAPFFRUIT cy
FLA ' 90100 84400 79000 387 357 298
ALL GRAPEFRUIT t
ARIZ : 3,000 24900 29300 96 93 4
CALIF '
DESERT ' 45500 49300 3500 144 138 lle
OTHER AREAS : 3.200 34200 25500 107 107 84
TOTAL ' 79700 7.500 69000 251 245 196
FLA 1 510500 511400 484000 2189 26185 24040
TEX y 124400 115900 99000 496 476 360
us ’ 74.600 735700 659300 39032 29999 29670
TANGERINES '
ARIZ t 650 700 550 24 26 2)
CALIF ast 10820 12500 19250 68 56 47
FLA 3 34300 3,200 34500 157 152 166
us t 55770 5400 59300 249 234 234
LEMONS !
ARIZ ' 5.000 5700 69000 190 217 228
CALIF ’ 215000 209400 159500 798 775 589
us t 265000 269100 215500 988 992 817
TANGELOS t
FLA t 4800 4900 49200 216 221 189

1/4 THE CROP YEAR BEGINS WITH THE BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR
SHOWN AND ENOS WITH YEAR HARVEST IS COMPLETED.

2/ NET LBS PER BOX! ORANGES@CALIF & ARIZ=759FLA~909
TEX=853 GRAPEFRUIT=CALIF OESERT & ARIZ~64) CALIF
OTHER~67+ FLA©85» TEX=804 LEMONS=763 TANGELOS &
TEMPLES=905 TANGERINES= CALIF & ARIZ=75» FLA=9S,

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/ ESTIMATES FOR CURRENT YEAR CARRIED FORWARD FROM EARLIER FORECAST.

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


MARCH WEATHER

Severe weather during the first four days of March dominated the lower Mississippi Valley
and the area from southern Alabama into the Appalachians to western North Carolina. Heavy rain,
thunderstorms with hail, and tornadoes moved from west to east in the area. Temperatures ranged
cooler than normal in the northern Plains, near normal in the West, and warmer in the East.

The heavy rain area moved off the East Coast early in the week of March 5-11, More than two
inches of rain fell along most of the East Coast and into central Florida. An arctic front
brought cool air into the Rockies and Plains and then spread eastward later in the week. Freez~
ing temperatures dipped as far south as the Florida Panhandle. Light rain accompanied the system
east of the Mississippi River. Average temperatures for the week were much warmer than normal in
the West and Northeast. Northern California averaged 12 degrees above normal, and northern Maine
reached 15 degrees over the normal mark. The Mississippi River Valley averaged cooler than normal.

Most of the Nation received some measurable precipitation in the week of March 12-18. The
heaviest amounts fell in the southern and central Plains where thunderstorms rumbled frequently.
The major winter wheat areas of the central Plains, where wheat had begun to break dormancy, wel-
comed the moisture, Some areas in Texas, Oklahoma, and Kansas totaled more than two inches.
Elsewhere, moderate rain fell along the West Coast with snow in the higher elevations of the
Cascades, the Sierras, and the Plateau. The additional snowpack helped build water supplies, It
was warmer than normal everywhere but the Appalachians and eastward, where temperatures cooled
slightly.

A series of storms moved into the Southwest during the third week of March (March 19-25).
The storm systems brought unwanted rain to southern Catifornia and rain or snow to the southern
Plateau and central and southern Rockies. The storms moved slowly eastward and into warm, moist
air moving northward from the Gulf of Mexico. This situation produced some heavy precipitation
from Texas to the western Great Lakes, eastward to the Appalachians and into New England.
Thunderstorms were again frequent in the southern States. Warm weather continued over most of
the Nation. Only the Southwest was cooler than normal.

The last week of March was similar to the previous week. A series of weather disturbances
moved down the West Coast, headed into the Southwest, and edged eastward. Moderate to heavy rain
fell along the entire Pacific Coast and snow--some heavy--fell in the mountains and Plateau.
Heavy rain hit the strawberry area of southern California. Snow covered the ground in the north-
ern Plains, and rain fell in the central Plains. Thunderstorms with heavy rain occurred from
central Texas into the Ohio Valley, The Southeast remained dry. Cooler air moved into the north-
ern Plains, the Rockies, and the Plateau.

MARCH FIELOWORK SLOW

Frequent rainfall and melting snows kept soils saturated in many parts of the Nation, Near-
normal to above-normal temperatures melted the snowcover rather quickly causing some flooding and
standing water in low-lying fields. Soggy fields slowed land preparation throughout most of
March. However, land preparations surpassed a year earlier because the 1978 spring was particu-
larly wet. Crop planting in the extreme southern portions of the Nation began slowly but kept
pace with the gradually increasing soil temperatures. Soil readings generally were 2 degrees
above normal in the South but 2 to 10 degrees below normal in the Corn Belt and California. Corn
planting began in Texas near the beginning of March and spread across the South into Virginia by
the end of the month. Cotton planting began in the Lower Rio Grande Valley but wet, cold weather
hampered northward pyogress and by the beginning of April planting was restricted mostly to the
Southwest. Grain sorghum planting centered mostly in Texas although minor acreages were planted
in a few other southern States. Rice planting lagged well behind recent years because of rainy
weather. Only a few soybeans were planted in the Southeast by the end of March.

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


PASTURE AND RANGE FEED CONDITIONS*
fs APRIL 1, 1979

2 Good to excellent
EE Poor to fair

© very poor

FD Severe drought
GD Extreme drought
WE Not estimated

‘AS REPORTED BY
CROP CORRESPONDENTS

# INDICATES CURRENT SUPPLY OF PASTURE FEED FOR GRAZING ON NON-IRRIGATED PASTURES AND

RANGES RELATIVE TO THAT EXPECTED FROM EXISTING STANDS UNDER VERY FAVORABLE WEATHER
CONDITIONS.

USDA NEG. ESCS 58.79(4)

PASTURE AND RANGE FEED CONDITIONS*
: April 1, 1978

Rats,

a<¢),
Oh OSS oN py

12 Good to excellent
{GED Poor to fair

(ZZ Very poor

BBD severe drought
DED Extreme drought
GHB [Not estimated

AS REPORTED BY
(CROP CORRESPONDENTS

# INDICATES CURRENT SUPPLY OF PASTURE FEED FOR GRAZING ON NON-IRRIGATED PASTURES AND
RANGES RELATIVE TO THAT EXPECTED FROM EXISTING STANDS UNDER VERY FAVORABLE WEATHER
CONDITIONS,

U.S, DEPARTMENT. OF AGRICULTURE, _NEG. CRB 40 -78.(4) ECONOMICS, STATISTICS, AND COOPERATIVES SEAVICE

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1979 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(DOMESTIC UNITS)

CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/
: INDICATED 1978-79

crop: 1977-78
: FART H APR
7,000 BOXES
ORANGES : 219,620 205,200 206, 200
GRAPEFRUIT: 73,700 67,300 65,300

LEMONS, :

26,100 21,500 21,500
‘7 SEASON BEGINS WITH BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH THE COMPLETION OF HARVEST THE
FOLLOWING YEAR.

POTATOES
7 AREA PLANTED AREA HARVESTED
SERSONAL T3768 : INDICATED 1978 > INDICATED
: : 1979 1979
T,000 ACRES
: 93.4 91.4 90.9
SPRING z YIELD PER ACRE PRODUCTION
: TNOTCATED ? TNOICATED
1978 : 1979 : 1978 : 1979
THT T,000 THT
198 244 17,963 22,037
PASTURE_ANO RANGE
; AVERAGE ; ;
ren AVERAGE : 1978 : 1979
PERCENT
CONDITION
PRI YW: 16 68 15
V7 30 STATES.
UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(METRIC UNITS)
CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/
7 : INDICATED “1978-75,
cROP : 1977-78 : MART : pra
METRIC TONS
ORANGES 8 642 750 8 118 400 8 182 870
GRAPEFRUIT 2 720 650 2 500 200 2 422 180
LEMONS 899 930 741 170 741 170
FOLLOWING YEAR.
POTATOES
SEASONAL AREA PLANTED : AREA HARVESTED
5 7 TNOTCATED 7 TROTCATED
GROUP : 1978 : ye : 1978 : brce
HECTARE
5 37.800 36 990 36_790 36 580
SPRING z YIELD PER HECTARE z PRODUCTION
INDICATED = : TROTCATED
1978 : 1979 i 1978 : 1979
WETRIC TONS
22.18 27.33 at4 780 999 580

The CROP PRODUCTION report contains State and National estimates with related information on
selected agricultural commodities. These data were prepared and adopted by the Crop Reporting
Board which consists of commodity statisticians from Washington headquarters and the State
Statistical Offices.

APPROVED: CROP REPORTING BOARD:

B. M. Graham, Chairman,
- M. L. Koehn, Secretary,
: : J. W. Kirkbride, F.E. Rolf,
AL bem W. R. Blackson, D. J. Buckner,
R. S. Crickenberger, H. J. DeLong,
J. R. Garrett, J.T. Gilchrist,
ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE W. MW. Wilken.

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