Cr Pr 2-2 (3-10)

Crop Production

Washington, D.C.

Released March 10, 2010, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of 

Agriculture. For information on Crop Production call (202) 720-2127, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.

Special Note

NASS is in the process of modifying report layouts in order to improve readability. This report issue is 

published using both layouts but all future issues will only be produced with the new layout, which is 

available on the NASS website: www.nass.usda.gov. This is the last issue using this layout.

All Orange Production Up 2 Percent from February

The U.S. all orange forecast for the 2009-10 season is 8.10 million tons, up 2 percent from the February 1 

forecast but down 12 percent from the 2008-09 final utilization. The Florida all orange forecast, at 

131 million boxes (5.90 million tons), is up 2 percent from the previous forecast but down 19 percent from 

last season’s final utilization. Early, midseason, and navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 68.0 million 

boxes (3.06 million tons), up 3 percent from February 1 but 20 percent lower than last season. The Florida 

Valencia orange forecast, at 63.0 million boxes (2.84 million tons), is unchanged from the previous forecast 

but down 19 percent from the 2008-09 crop. The forecast of early, midseason, and navel oranges is raised 

due to increased utilization. In response to freezing temperatures in January, growers began harvesting their 

remaining fruit at an accelerated rate, moving fruit from the grove to the processing plants. Plants reported 

processing more fruit than normal during January and February.

The California Valencia orange forecast is 17.0 million boxes (638,000 tons), up 13 percent from the 

previous forecast and up 21 percent from last season’s final utilization. This brings California’s all orange 

forecast to 57.0 million boxes, up 4 percent from the February 1 forecast and up 18 percent from the 2008-09 

crop. Objective survey measurements taken during January and February indicated that fruit set per tree 

increased significantly compared with last year, while measured average fruit size increased slightly from 

the previous year.

Corn and Soybean Updates

Survey respondents who reported corn acreage as not yet harvested in Illinois, Michigan, 

Minnesota, and Wisconsin and survey respondents who reported soybean acreage as not yet 

harvested in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia during the surveys 

conducted in preparation for the Crop Production 2009 Summary were re-contacted between 

late January and early February to determine how many of the acres were harvested or still 

intended for harvest and to record the production from those acres. Based on this updated 

information, several changes were made to the estimates published in the Crop Production 

2009 Summary. Because unharvested production is a component of on-farm stocks, changes 

were made to the December 1 on-farm stocks levels comparable with the production 

adjustments as well. Respondents with unharvested corn in North Dakota and South Dakota 

will be interviewed at a later date.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 2 NASS, USDA

Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2009-10 season is 1.53 gallons per 

box at 42.0 degrees Brix, down 2 percent from the February 1 forecast and down 8 percent from last 

season’s final yield of 1.66 gallons per box. The early-midseason portion is projected at 1.51 gallons per 

box, down 6 percent from last season’s record yield of 1.60 gallons per box. The Valencia portion is 

expected to total 1.58 gallons per box, 10 percent lower than last year’s final yield of 1.75 gallons per box. 

All projections of yield assume the processing relationship this season will be similar to those of the past 

several seasons.

This report was approved on March 10, 2010.

Acting Secretary of

Agriculture

Kathleen A. Merrigan

Agricultural Statistics Board

Acting Chairperson

Lance Honig
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 3 NASS, USDA

Contents

Page

Grains & Hay

 Corn Acres, Yield, and Production ........................................................................................................5

 Corn, Stocks...........................................................................................................................................5

Oilseeds

 Soybeans, Acres, Yield, and Production ................................................................................................5

 Soybeans, Stocks....................................................................................................................................5

Citrus Fruits

 Grapefruit ...............................................................................................................................................6

 Lemons...................................................................................................................................................6

 Oranges...................................................................................................................................................6

 Tangelos.................................................................................................................................................6

 Tangerines and Mandarins.....................................................................................................................6

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Sugarcane ...............................................................................................................................................4

Crop Comments.........................................................................................................................................15

Crop Summary ............................................................................................................................................7

Information Contacts................................................................................................................................18

Reliability of Production Data in this Report.........................................................................................17

Weather Maps ...........................................................................................................................................13

Weather Summary ....................................................................................................................................14
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 4 NASS, USDA

Sugarcane: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production

by Use, State, and United States, 2008-2009

Use

and

State

Area Harvested Yield 1Production 1

2008 2009 2008 2009 2008 2009

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres Tons Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons

For Sugar

 FL

 HI 2

 LA 2

 TX 2

 US

For Seed

 FL

 HI 2

 LA 2

 TX 2

 US

For Sugar

 and Seed

 FL

 HI 2

 LA 2

 TX 2

 US

384.0

20.4

380.0

37.2

821.6

17.0

2.4

25.0

2.0

46.4

401.0

22.8

405.0

39.2

868.0

372.0

19.7

390.0

39.0

820.7

18.0

2.0

35.0

2.0

57.0

390.0

21.7

425.0

41.0

877.7

32.9

69.7

28.3

35.5

31.8

36.5

30.0

28.3

35.5

31.7

33.1

65.5

28.3

35.5

31.8

36.1

71.0

31.0

35.0

34.5

36.3

30.0

31.0

35.0

32.8

36.1

67.2

31.0

35.0

34.4

12,634

1,422

10,754

1,321

26,131

621

72

708

71

1,472

13,255

1,494

11,462

1,392

27,603

13,429

1,399

12,090

1,365

28,283

653

60

1,085

70

1,868

14,082

1,459

13,175

1,435

30,151

1 Net tons.

2 Estimates are carried forward from the "Crop Production 2009 Summary" released January 12, 2010.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 5 NASS, USDA

Corn: Area Planted For All Purposes, Area Harvested, Yield, and Production

for Grain, Selected States and United States, 2009 1

State Planted Harvested Yield Production

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres Bushels 1,000 Bushels

IL

MI

MN

WI

US

12,000

2,350

7,600

3,850

86,482

11,800

2,090

7,150

2,930

79,620

174.0

148.0

174.0

153.0

164.9

2,053,200

309,320

1,244,100

448,290

13,130,632

1 Updated from "Crop Production 2009 Summary" released January 12, 2010.

Soybean for Beans: Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production, Selected

States and United States, 2009 1

State Planted Harvested Yield Production

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres Bushels 1,000 Bushels

GA

NC

SC

VA

US

470

1,800

590

580

77,451

440

1,750

565

570

76,372

36.0

34.0

24.5

37.0

44.0

15,840

59,500

13,843

21,090

3,359,011

1 Updated from "Crop Production 2009 Summary" released January 12, 2010.

Corn and Soybeans: Stocks by Position, Selected States

and United States, December 1, 2009 1

State

On

Farms

Off

Farms 2

Total All

Positions

Corn

1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels

IL

MI

MN

WI

US

1,190,000

195,000

930,000

285,000

7,425,000

679,455

50,900

275,746

101,280

3,488,676

1,869,455

245,900

1,205,746

386,280

10,913,676

Soybeans

Unall*

US

173,000

1,229,500

31,706

1,105,180

327,856

2,334,680

* "Off farms unallocated" includes State data not published to avoid disclosure of individual operations. "On farms unallocated" 

includes minor producing States' data not published separately.

1 Updated from "Grains Stocks" released January 12, 2010.

2

Included stocks at mills, elevators, warehouses, terminals, and processors.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 6 NASS, USDA

Citrus Fruits: Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States,

2007-08, 2008-09 and Forecasted March 1, 2010 1

Crop and State

Utilized Production

Boxes

Utilized Production

Ton Equivalent

2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10

1,000 Boxes 21,000 Boxes 21,000 Boxes 21,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons

Oranges

 Early, Mid &

 Navel 3

 AZ 4

 CA 5

 FL

 TX 5

 US

 Valencia

 AZ 4

 CA

 FL

 TX 5

 US

 All

 AZ 4

 CA

 FL

 TX 5

 US

Grapefruit

 White

 FL

 Colored

 FL

 All

 AZ 4

 CA 5

 FL

 TX 5

 US

Tangerines and Mandarins

 AZ 5 6

 CA 5 6

 FL

 US

Lemons 5

 AZ

 CA

 US

Tangelos

 FL

230

45,000

83,500

1,600

130,330

150

17,000

86,700

196

104,046

380

62,000

170,200

1,796

234,376

9,000

17,600

100

5,200

26,600

6,000

37,900

400

6,700

5,500

12,600

1,500

14,800

16,300

1,500

150

34,500

84,600

1,300

120,550

100

14,000

77,800

159

92,059

250

48,500

162,400

1,459

212,609

6,600

15,100

25

5,600

21,700

5,500

32,825

250

6,700

3,850

10,800

3,000

22,000

25,000

1,150

40,000

68,000

1,310

109,310

17,000

63,000

277

80,277

57,000

131,000

1,587

189,587

5,300

13,500

4,200

18,800

5,490

28,490

350

8,200

4,000

12,550

2,500

20,000

22,500

900

9

1,688

3,758

68

5,523

6

637

3,901

9

4,553

15

2,325

7,659

77

10,076

383

748

3

174

1,131

240

1,548

15

251

261

527

57

562

619

68

5

1,294

3,807

55

5,161

4

525

3,501

7

4,037

9

1,819

7,308

62

9,198

280

642

1

188

922

220

1,331

9

251

183

443

114

836

950

52

1,500

3,060

56

4,616

638

2,835

12

3,485

2,138

5,895

68

8,101

225

574

141

799

220

1,160

13

308

190

511

95

760

855

41

1 The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest the following year.

2 Net lbs. per box: oranges-AZ & CA-75, FL-90, TX-85; grapefruit-AZ & CA-67, FL-85, TX-80; lemons-76; tangelos-90; 

tangerines and mandarins-AZ & CA-75, FL-95.

3 Navel and miscellaneous varieties in AZ and CA. Early (including navel) and midseason varieties in FL and TX. Small 

quantities of tangerines in TX and Temples in FL.

4 Estimates discontinued beginning with the 2009-10 crop year.

5 Estimates for current year carried forward from previous forecast.

6

Includes tangelos and tangors.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 7 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 2009-2010

(Domestic Units) 1

Crop

Area Planted Area Harvested

2009 2010 2009 2010

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain 2

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Proso Millet

 Rice

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain 2

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed 3

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All

 Upland

 Amer-Pima

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas

 Dry Edible Beans

 Dry Edible Peas

 Lentils

 Wrinkled Seed Peas 3

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 4

3,567.0

86,482.0

3,404.0

350.0

3,135.0

1,241.0

6,633.0

59,133.0

43,311.0

2,554.0

13,268.0

827.0

317.0

51.5

1,116.0

1.0

175.0

77,451.0

2,030.0

9,149.2

9,007.5

141.7

1,183.2

20.5

1,537.5

863.3

415.0

1,069.8

9.0

79.2

44.5

937.1

109.6

37,097.0

3,113.0

79,620.0

5,605.0

59,755.0

21,227.0

38,528.0

1,379.0

293.0

3,103.0

252.0

5,520.0

254.0

49,868.0

34,485.0

2,428.0

12,955.0

814.0

314.0

49.8

1,081.0

0.9

165.5

76,372.0

1,953.5

7,690.5

7,552.0

138.5

1,145.3

877.7

354.1

13.7

1,463.0

837.9

407.0

6.3

39.7

69.8

1,045.0

8.7

73.7

43.0

919.6

20.5

97.7

0.4

1 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2010 

crop year.

2 Area planted for all purposes.

3 Acreage is not estimated.

4 Area is total acres in crop, not harvested acreage.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 8 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 2009-2010

(Domestic Units) 1

Crop Units

Yield Production

2009 2010 2009 2010

1,000 1,000

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Proso Millet

 Rice 2

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed 3

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All 2

 Upland 2

 Amer-Pima 2

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas 2

 Dry Edible Beans 2

 Dry Edible Peas 2

 Lentils 2

 Wrinkled Seed Peas 3

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 3

Bu

"

Tons

"

"

"

Bu

"

Cwt

Bu

"

Tons

Bu

"

"

"

Lbs

Tons

Bu

Lbs

"

"

"

Bu

Lbs

Bales

"

"

Tons

"

Lbs

Cwt

"

"

"

"

Lbs

"

"

Cwt

"

"

"

"

Lbs

Cwt

Lbs

73.0

164.9

19.3

2.47

3.35

1.98

67.5

33.7

7,085

27.8

69.4

14.5

44.4

44.2

44.9

45.1

1,811

23.6

991

3,412

1,700

1,462

44.0

1,554

774

763

1,353

25.8

34.4

2,325

1,328

1,733

2,045

1,440

1,270

2,383

91

413

245

289

336

428

132

201

227,323

13,130,632

108,209

147,442

71,030

76,412

93,081

9,865

219,850

6,993

382,983

3,680

2,216,171

1,522,718

109,042

584,411

1,474,130

4,178.0

7,423

49,364

3,688,350

1,530

241,970

3,359,011

3,036,460

12,401.3

12,011.0

390.3

29,519

30,151

823,290

182

25,360

17,137

5,859

874

8,000

94,677.9

6,379

431,425

2,132

21,321

14,469

393,503

2,698

19,647

4,000

1 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2010 

crop year.

2 Yield in pounds.

3 Yield is not estimated.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 9 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 2009-2010

(Metric Units) 1

Crop

Area Planted Area Harvested

2009 2010 2009 2010

Hectares Hectares Hectares Hectares

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain 2

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All 3

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Proso Millet

 Rice

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain 2

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All 3

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed 4

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All 3

 Upland

 Amer-Pima

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas

 Dry Edible Beans

 Dry Edible Peas

 Lentils

 Wrinkled Seed Peas 4

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All 3

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 5

1,443,530

34,998,400

1,377,560

141,640

1,268,700

502,220

2,684,310

23,930,530

17,527,530

1,033,580

5,369,430

334,680

128,290

20,840

451,630

400

70,820

31,343,650

821,520

3,702,590

3,645,250

57,340

478,830

8,300

622,210

349,370

167,950

432,940

3,640

32,050

18,010

379,230

44,350

15,012,780

1,259,800

32,221,420

2,268,290

24,182,250

8,590,350

15,591,900

558,070

118,570

1,255,750

101,980

2,233,890

102,790

20,181,080

13,955,730

982,590

5,242,760

329,420

127,070

20,150

437,470

360

66,980

30,906,980

790,560

3,112,270

3,056,220

56,050

463,490

355,200

143,320

5,540

592,060

339,090

164,710

2,550

16,080

28,250

422,900

3,520

29,830

17,400

372,150

8,300

39,540

180

1 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2010 

crop year.

2 Area planted for all purposes.

3

Total may not add due to rounding.

4 Acreage is not estimated.

5 Area is total hectares in crop, not harvested hectares.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 10 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 2009-2010

(Metric Units) 1

Crop

Yield Production

2009 2010 2009 2010

Metric Tons Metric Tons Metric Tons Metric Tons

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All 2

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Proso Millet

 Rice

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All 2

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed 3

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All 2

 Upland

 Amer-Pima

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas

 Dry Edible Beans

 Dry Edible Peas

 Lentils

 Wrinkled Seed Peas 3

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All 2

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 3

3.93

10.35

43.28

5.53

7.50

4.45

2.42

1.89

7.94

1.74

4.35

32.48

2.99

2.97

3.02

3.03

2.03

1.48

1.11

3.82

1.91

1.64

2.96

1.74

0.87

0.86

1.52

57.78

77.01

2.61

1.49

1.94

2.29

1.61

1.42

2.67

0.10

46.27

27.47

32.43

37.71

47.96

0.15

22.54

4,949,370

333,533,420

98,165,550

133,757,130

64,437,330

69,319,800

1,351,070

223,730

9,972,230

177,630

9,728,220

3,338,440

60,314,290

41,441,590

2,967,640

15,905,060

668,650

3,790,220

188,550

22,390

1,673,010

690

109,760

91,417,300

1,377,320

2,700,070

2,615,090

84,980

26,779,190

27,352,530

373,440

8,260

1,150,310

777,320

265,760

39,640

3,630

42,950

2,890

19,569,110

96,710

967,100

656,300

17,849,000

1,220

891,170

1,810

1 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2010 

crop year.

2

Production may not add due to rounding.

3 Yield is not estimated.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 11 NASS, USDA

Fruits and Nuts Summary: Production, United States, 2008-2010

(Domestic Units) 1

Crop Units

Production

2008 2009 2010

1,000 1,000 1,000

Citrus 2

 Grapefruit

 Lemons

 Oranges

 Tangelos (FL)

 Tangerines and Mandarins

Noncitrus

 Apples

 Apricots

 Bananas (HI)

 Grapes

 Olives (CA)

 Papayas (HI)

 Peaches

 Pears

 Prunes, Dried (CA)

 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA)

Nuts & Misc.

 Almonds (CA) (shelled)

 Hazelnuts (OR) (in-shell)

 Pecans (in-shell)

 Walnuts (CA) (in-shell)

 Maple Syrup

Tons

"

"

"

"

Lbs

Tons

Lbs

Tons

"

Lbs

Tons

"

"

"

Lbs

Tons

Lbs

Tons

Gals

1,548

619

10,076

68

527

9,609.3

81.6

17,400.0

7,319.3

66.8

33,500.0

1,135.3

869.9

129.0

15.5

1,630,000

32.0

194,080

436.0

1,912

1,331

950

9,198

52

443

9,953.6

68.3

15,400.0

7,067.6

42.8

31,300.0

1,105.7

936.2

157.0

18.8

1,390,000

47.0

290,500

415.0

2,327

1,160

855

8,101

41

511

1 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the 

full 2010 crop year, except citrus which is for the 2009-10 season.

2

Production years are 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 12 NASS, USDA

Fruits and Nuts Summary: Production, United States, 2008-2010

(Metric Units) 1

Crop

Production

2008 2009 2010

Metric tons Metric tons Metric tons

Citrus 2

 Grapefruit

 Lemons

 Oranges

 Tangelos (FL)

 Tangerines and Mandarins

Noncitrus

 Apples

 Apricots

 Bananas (HI)

 Grapes

 Olives (CA)

 Papayas (HI)

 Peaches

 Pears

 Prunes, Dried (CA)

 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA)

Nuts & Misc.

 Almonds (CA) (shelled)

 Hazelnuts (OR) (in-shell)

 Pecans (in-shell)

 Walnuts (CA) (in-shell)

 Maple Syrup

1,404,320

561,550

9,140,790

61,690

478,090

4,358,710

74,040

7,890

6,639,920

60,600

15,200

1,029,940

789,110

117,030

14,060

739,360

29,030

88,030

395,530

9,560

1,207,460

861,830

8,344,290

47,170

401,880

4,514,880

61,980

6,990

6,411,660

38,830

14,200

1,003,090

849,320

142,430

17,060

630,490

42,640

131,770

376,480

11,630

1,052,330

775,640

7,349,100

37,190

463,570

1 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the 

full 2010 crop year, except citrus which is for the 2009-10 season.

2

Production years are 2007-08, 2008-09, and 2009-10.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 13 NASS, USDA
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 14 NASS, USDA

February Weather Summary

An odd weather regime, driven by El Niño and a high-pressure block over eastern Canada and the northern 

Atlantic Ocean, persisted through the end of February. El Niño contributed to an active sub-tropical jet 

stream, resulting in generally wet conditions from California into the Southeast. However, storm systems 

carried by the jet stream were prevented from quickly exiting the eastern United States by the high-pressure 

block, resulting in numerous slow-moving storms near the Atlantic Seaboard. The block also helped to drive 

cold air southward across the Plains, Midwest, and Southeast. Monthly temperatures generally ranged from 

5 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit below normal from the Plains into the Southeast, while above average values 

were noted in the Northwest and from the Great Lakes region into New England.

Historic snowfall totals were noted during February in the Mid-Atlantic States and neighboring areas, while 

typically rare Deep South snow was observed on several occasions. On February 12, snow briefly covered 

at least a portion of all 48 contiguous states. In the Southeast, excessive moisture remained a concern with 

respect to the soft red winter wheat crop, which in some cases was already suffering due to late planting and 

poor establishment.

Farther north, much of the Midwest experienced another cold, snowy month. At times during February, 

snow covered the entire Midwest, although coverage was deepest and most persistent in the western Corn 

Belt. Upper Midwestern livestock continued to endure a very difficult winter, which began in earnest with a 

pair of December blizzards.

Meanwhile on the Plains, snow helped to insulate much of the hard red winter wheat crop, which continued 

to overwinter with no major concerns. On the southern Plains, February precipitation aided wheat which had 

been previously stressed by drier than normal conditions.

Elsewhere, California received another burst of beneficial precipitation toward month’s end, following a 

brief lull in storminess in early to mid-February. The Southwest also continued to receive drought-easing 

rain and snow. In contrast, unfavorably dry conditions and sub-par snow packs in much of the Northwest 

increased the likelihood of drought development and below average spring and summer runoff.

February Agricultural Summary

Abnormally cool temperatures blanketed much of the Nation during February. Due to a series of winter 

storm systems, average temperatures in several locations from eastern Texas through the Delta and Southeast 

fell to as many as 12 degrees below normal. Conversely, the Pacific Northwest, Great Basin, Great Lakes, 

and northern Atlantic Coast continued to experience warmer than normal temperatures throughout the 

month, with recordings in Maine reaching as many as 12 degrees above average. While much of the country 

was unusually dry during February, portions of the Southwest, Texas, and several Atlantic Coast States 

received an abundance of precipitation. Elsewhere, below average moisture accumulation in areas of the 

Pacific Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains pushed the year-to-date deficit to 50 percent or more 

below normal.

Wet weather and soggy field conditions across much of the South hampered fieldwork throughout the 

month, delaying the start of spring planting activities for some row crop producers. In Texas, corn and 

sorghum planting was underway in some regions but had yet to begin in others, leaving overall progress for 

both crops behind last year and the 5-year average. In areas of the Corn Belt, some remaining 2009 corn 

acreage was harvested as temperatures warmed slightly from January. Elsewhere in the Corn Belt, 

producers performed routine maintenance on farm equipment and finalized their planting intentions for 

2010.

Arizona producers began seeding their small grain crops early in the month. Steady rainfall in Texas led to 

improved conditions in the winter wheat crop, while excessively wet fields in Florida and Georgia caused 
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 15 NASS, USDA

fertilizer leaching and slowed emergence and crop growth. By month’s end, emergence in Arizona’s barley 

and Durum wheat crops had reached 75 and 95 percent, respectively. Winter wheat neared or entered the 

jointing stage in Georgia and Texas, while heading was evident in early planted oat, rye, and wheat fields in 

California.

Flooding and standing water stemming from rainfall in late January and early February caused rotting in 

some potato fields in Florida. As a result, producers in the Hastings area remained busy replanting their 

fields throughout the month. Dry weather mid-month promoted the start of cabbage and spinach harvest in 

South Texas. As February ended, early variety almond, cherry, peach, plum, and prune trees were in full 

bloom in California.

Crop Comments

Sugarcane: Production of sugarcane for sugar and seed in 2009 is estimated at 30.2 million tons, of which 

28.3 million tons was utilized for sugar and 1.87 million tons for seed. Total production for sugar and seed 

is unchanged from the previous forecast but up 9 percent from 2008. Sugarcane producers harvested 

877,700 acres for sugar and seed in 2009, unchanged from February but up 1 percent from last year. Yield 

for sugar and seed is estimated at 34.4 tons per acre, unchanged from the previous forecast but up 2.6 tons 

from 2008.

Production in Florida is estimated at 14.1 million tons, unchanged from February but up 6 percent from 

2008. Yield in Florida is estimated at 36.1 tons per acre, unchanged from the previous forecast. Estimates 

for Hawaii, Louisiana, and Texas were carried forward from January.

Corn and Soybeans: Survey respondents who reported corn acreage as not yet harvested in Illinois, 

Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin and survey respondents who reported soybean acreage as not yet 

harvested in Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Virginia during the surveys conducted in 

preparation for the Crop Production 2009 Summary were re-contacted in early February to determine how 

many of the acres were actually harvested or still intended for harvest and to record the actual production 

from those acres. Based on this updated information, several changes were made to the estimates published 

in the Crop Production 2009 Summary. Because unharvested production is a component of on-farm stocks, 

changes were made to the December 1 on-farm stocks levels comparable with the production adjustments as 

well. Respondents with unharvested corn in North Dakota and South Dakota will be interviewed at a later 

date.

Corn harvested area declined 10,000 acres in Michigan, but was unchanged in Illinois, Minnesota, and 

Wisconsin from the Crop Production 2009 Summary. Yields in both Illinois and Minnesota decreased 

1.0 bushel per acre, while yields in Michigan and Wisconsin were unchanged. As a result of these changes, 

corn production in the U.S. is estimated at 13.1 billion bushels, down fractionally from the previous 

estimate.

Soybean harvested area was reduced 10,000 acres in Georgia, 20,000 acres in North Carolina, and 

5,000 acres in South Carolina, but was unchanged in Virginia from the Crop Production 2009 Summary. 

Yields decreased 0.5 bushel per acre in South Carolina and 1.0 bushel per acre in Virginia, but were 

unchanged in Georgia and North Carolina. As a result of these changes, total U.S. production is estimated at 

3.36 billion bushels, down slightly from the Crop Production 2009 Summary.

Grapefruit: The forecast of the 2009-10 U.S. grapefruit crop is 1.16 million tons, unchanged from the 

February 1 forecast but down 13 percent from the 2008-09 final utilization. Florida’s grapefruit production 

is forecast at 18.8 million boxes (799,000 tons), unchanged from the February 1 forecast but 13 percent 

below last season.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 16 NASS, USDA

The Florida all white grapefruit forecast is 5.30 million boxes (225,000 tons), unchanged from February 1 

but down 20 percent from the previous year. The colored grapefruit forecast, at 13.5 million boxes 

(574,000 tons), is unchanged from the February 1 forecast but 11 percent lower than last season. As of 

March 1, approximately 51 percent of the white grapefruit crop and 64 percent of the colored grapefruit crop 

had been harvested. California and Texas grapefruit production forecasts are carried forward from the 

February 1 forecast.

Tangelos: Florida’s tangelo forecast is 900,000 boxes (41,000 tons), unchanged from the February 1 

forecast but down 22 percent from last season’s final production. If realized, this will be the smallest tangelo 

crop since 1962, when Florida experienced a damaging December freeze.

Tangerines and Mandarins: The U.S. tangerine and mandarin crop is forecast at 511,000 tons, unchanged 

from the February 1 forecast but 15 percent above the 2008-09 crop. Florida's tangerine crop is forecast at 

4.00 million boxes (190,000 tons), unchanged from the February 1 forecast but up 4 percent from the 

previous season. Arizona and California tangerine and mandarin production forecasts are carried forward 

from the February 1 forecast.

Florida Citrus: High temperatures were in the 70 to 80 degree range all month. Low temperatures were 

mostly in the 30s, with some in the upper 20’s. Harvesting of navel oranges was nearly finished. Harvesting 

of Murcott tangerines and Valencia oranges continued. Citrus bloom was observed on Valencia trees 

scattered throughout southern Hendry County at the end of the month.

Early, midseason, late oranges and grapefruit made up the majority of fruit going to processing plants. 

Grove activities included harvesting, mowing, applying fertilizer, and removing brush.

California Citrus: Satsuma and Clementine mandarins, navel oranges, tangerines, and grapefruit were 

picked in the Central Valley. The lemon harvest continued in the Desert Region. The Valencia orange crop 

continued to develop and regular orchard maintenance took place.

California Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts: During the first part of February, trees and vines experienced 

increased dormancy due to cool temperatures. Maintenance work continued in vineyards and orchards. 

Vineyard maintenance included pruning, shredding, tying, cultivating, and applying dormant sprays, while 

orchard maintenance focused on pruning and herbicide applications. Blooming occurred in plum, prune, 

peach, and cherry trees. Stone fruit grafting took place in the San Joaquin Valley. By the end of the month, 

early almonds were in full bloom and late varieties were approaching half bloom. Brown rot remains a 

concern due to recent increased moisture levels. Most growers have applied protective sprays to limit the 

impact of bloom disease. Walnut trees received herbicide applications, while the harvest of nursery fruit and 

tree nuts continued.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 17 NASS, USDA

Reliability of March 1 Orange Forecast

Survey Procedures: The orange objective yield survey for the March 1 forecast was conducted in Florida, 

which accounts for nearly 75 percent of the U.S. 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 are combined with the previous components 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 also conducts objective measurement surveys 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 March 1 forecast.

Revision Policy: The March 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 March 1 production forecasts, the "Root Mean 

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

March 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 March 1 orange production forecast is 2.6 percent. However, if you 

exclude the 5 abnormal production seasons (3 freeze seasons and 2 hurricane seasons), the "Root Mean 

Square Error" is 2.0 percent. 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 2.6 percent, or 2.0 percent excluding 

abnormal seasons. Chances are 9 out of 10 (90 percent confidence level) that the difference will not exceed 

4.4 percent, or 3.5 percent when excluding abnormal seasons.

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

215,000 tons (203,000 tons, excluding abnormal seasons), ranging from 18,000 tons to 520,000 tons 

(18,000 tons to 503,000 tons, excluding abnormal seasons). The March 1 forecast for oranges has been 

below the final estimate 9 times and above 11 times (below 7 times and above 8 times, excluding abnormal 

seasons). The difference does not imply that the March 1 forecasts this year are likely to understate or 

overstate final production.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2010 18 NASS, USDA

Information Contacts

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

Service to contact for additional information.

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

Field Crops Section

Jacqueline Moore, Head.........................................................................(202) 720-2127

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

Shiela Corley - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings...............................................(202) 720-5944

Bryan Durham - Hay, Oats, Sorghum....................................................(202) 690-3234

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

Nick Schauer - Wheat, Rye....................................................................(202) 720-8068

Julie Schmidt - Crop Weather, Barley, Sugar Crops .............................(202) 720-7621

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

Fruits, Vegetables & Special Crops Section

Jorge Garcia-Pratts, Head ......................................................................(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

Dawn Keen - Floriculture, Maple Syrup, Nursery, 

Tree Nuts..................................................................(202) 720-4215

Steve Maliszewski - Citrus, Coffee, Grapes, Tropical Fruits.................(202) 720-5412

Tierra Mobley - Berries, Cranberries, 

Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes .........................................(202) 720-4285

Dan Norris - Austrian Winter Peas, Dry Edible Peas, 

 Lentils, Mint, Mushrooms, Peaches, Pears,

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

Kim Ritchie - Hops................................................................................(360) 902-1940
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