Prospective production of oranges in Florida, at 168.9 million boxes, remains unchanged from
the February 1 forecast, 23 percent more than last season, and 18 percent above the 1970-71
Season. In the past cight seasons, Florida's March 1 forecasts have differed from actual pro-
duction an average of 4.4 million boxes, ranging from 1.0 to 6.7 million boxes. Trees and fruit
were in excellent condition March1, Above average rain fel] in most areas during February bring-
ing soil moisture up to good levels. February temperatures were generally lower than during the
other winter months, but no freeze damage was experienced. Trees were showing new growth and
bloom buds by March 1, Ilarvest of early and midseason oranges was active in February and is
expected to remain so through March, A few Valencias had been harvested by March 1,

Orange production in California is placed at 45.0 million boxes, 3.0 million boxes above the
February 1 forecast, 4 percent above last season and 20 percent more than the 1970-71 crop. A
slow harvest of Navel oranges in the San Joaquin Valley continued, Diversion to products was
high due to the December and January freezes. During February there was a heavy drop of Navels,
Some packing houses in areas experiencing cold temperatures closed down while waiting for fruit
to dry out. In the southern area picking was active, although heavy rains made harvesting
difficult. Valencia harvest continues in desert areas. Drop has been heavy in the San Joaquin
Valley. Sizes of Valencias are improving due to the rains.

Production of Texas oranges is forecast at 7.1 million boxes, up 300,000 boxes fron a month
ago, 22 percent above last season's output and 15 percent more than the 1970-71 crop. Harvest of
oranges was delayed during February in the Lower Rio Grande Valley by unscasonably cold weather
and excessive rainfall. Picking of early and midseason oranges was active when weather permitted.
Harvest is now concentrated on cleaning up the early and midseason crop, Picking of Valencias
will gain momentum as the harvest of earlier varicties is completed. Orange trees are in ex-
cellent condition and fruit has sized well with the rains, Irrigation will be unnecessary in
the March bloom period,

Arizona's 1972-73 crop is forecast at 5.1 million boxes, unchanged from February 1, but 200,000
boxes more than last season, Ilarvest of Navels was completed during February and Valencia
harvest was nearing volume proportions March 1, Inclement weather interrupted picking operations
several times in February, Trees made a good response to the warmer temperatures and rainfall,
Trees are flushed with new growth and bloom buds are beginning to form,

FLORIDA FROZEN CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE YIELD: Floridats March 1 maturity and juice yield tests
suggest a yield of 1,32 gallons of 45° Brix frozen

concentrated orange juice per box in the 1972-73 season, This is the same as last month and more

than last season's final, 1.2857 gallons per box, This indicated yield can differ somewhat

from the final realized due to weather and decisions within the citrus industry.

GRAPEFRUIT: The Nation's 1972-75 grapefruit crop is expected to total 63.6 million boxes, up

409,000 from the February 1 forecast, This level of production falls slightly below last
Season's harvest, but 5 percent above 1970-71, Changes in the U. §. production between the March 1
forecast and final production have averaged 2.4 million boxes over the past eight seasons, rang-
ing from 0.9 to 4,2 million boxes.

Florida's crop, forecast at 45.0 million boxes, remains unchanged from February 1. This is
4 percent less than was harvested last season, but 5 percent above the 1970-71 output. Changes
in Florida's production between March 1 forecast and final production have averaged 2.0 million
boxes over the past eight seasons-~ranging from 0,4 million to 4.1 million boxes. Grapefruit
trees, as well as the unharvested fruit, were in excellent condition March 1. Rainfall was above
average during February in most areas providing excellent soil moisture levels. New growth on
treeswas evident by March 1, and bloom buds were pinhead to pencil eraser size, February harvest
was active and on March 1, more than half the crop was picked.

The Texas crop is forecast at 11.0 million boxes, up 600,000 from February 1, This is 20 per-
cent larger than last season and 9 percent above the 1970-71 output. An unseasonably cold
February brought above normal rainfall, delaying grapefruit harvest. Active harvesting is expected
during March. Slightly more than one-half the crop had been harvested by March]. Trees are in
excellent condition and the January and February rains increased fruit sizes.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1973 s Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


IRISH POTATOES

SEASONAL : ACREAGE : YIELD PER ACRE : PRODUCTION
2 ? FOR ? ? INDI- =
one : HARVESTED ruaRVEST : 1971 : 1972 CATED = 1971
‘ATE i197: i977: 1973: t i973:
. T, 000 ACRES CHT.
WINTER: :
FLORIDA + 10.9 9.7 8.7 1490 140 160 1,526 1,358 1,392
CALIFORNIA 7.2 5.7 4.9 220 170 225 1,562 969 1,103
TOTAL : 18.0 15.4 13.6 172 151 185 3,088 2,327 2,495
SPRING: :

N.C, a/ : 18 11,2 146 146 APRIL 9 1,726 1,606 Apri 9
FLA,-HASTINGS : 23.0 18.3 1352 142 " 3,036 2,996 "

OTHER 2.4 2.0 125 140” " 300 252 "
ALABAMA 2 8.7 12.0 Ms 155 " 1,001 1,395 "
MISSISSIPPI : 2.0 21 90 85 " 180 170 "
ARKANSAS 2 14 2 65 65 2) 91 91 2/
LOUISIANA 2.9 276 70 78 APRIL 9 203 218 APRIL 9
TEXAS 1/ 1 8.8 6.7 102 108 " 899 822 w
ARIZONA 2 10.1 8.4 280 300 " 2,828 2,400
8 STATES TOTAL: 71.1 62.8 144 154 APRIL 9 10,264 9,950 APRIL 9
CALIFORNIA =: 36.2 3 APRIL 9 370 355 APRIL 9 13,394 3/12,076 Apri, 9
TOTAL + 107.3 96.0 APRIL 9 220 219 APRIL 9 23,658 ~ 21,026 APRIL 9

17 SEE THE TABLE BELOW FOR PREVIOUSLY USED SEASORAL GROUPING AND AREA CLASSIFICATION,
2/ ESTIMATES DISCONTINUED,
3/ WOES NOT INCLUDE 1,369,000 HUNDREDWEIGHY NOT HARVESTED BECAUSE OF ECONOMIC CONDITIONS.

POTATOES - ACREAGE, YIELD AND PRODUCTION BY SEASONAL GROUPS, 1971 AND 1972 1/

SEASONAL = CROP OF 1977 z TROP OF IS
Group? 7 YIEDD——— 7 7 YIELD:
‘AND : HARVESTED : PER : PRODUCTIOX : HARVESTED = PER : PRODUCTION
__STATE. z i ACRE a : : ACRE t
: 1,000 ACRES CHT. 1,000 CWT. 1,000 ACRES CHT. T, 000 CWT.
SPRING: 2
N. CAROLINA :
8N. E. CO.(LSP) 9.6 150 1,440 8.8 150 1,320
OTHER (LSP) : 2.2 130 286 2.2 130 286
N.C. TOTAL : 11,8 146 1,726 11.0 146 1,606
TEXAS
(ESP) 3.8 105 399 2.8 105 294
(LSP) 5.0 100 500 4,8 110 528
TEXAS TOTAL 8.8 102 899 7.6 108 822

fl TOUSTY USED FOR ESTIMATING THE
NORTH CAROLINA AND TEXAS LATE SPRING (LSP) AND EARLY SPRING (ESP) POTATO CROPS FOR 1971 AND 1972. UNDER
THE MODIFIED PROGRAM OF ESTIMATES ADOPTED IN 1972, TIE SEPARATE AREA ESTIMATES FOR NORTH CAROLINA AND
THE EARLY AND LATE SPRING CLASSIFICATIONS FOR TEXAS HAVE BEEN DISCONTINUED,

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


Winter wheat in the Great Plains made little growth during February, especially in Oklahoma
and Texas where below normal temperatures most of the month retarded growth, Some greening and
growth took place in Kansas and other Plains States to the north late in the month when tempera-
tures were above normal. Soil moisture supplies were adequate to surplus throughout the Plains
Soil blowing has been light thus far. Nebraska farmers were concerned about water standing on
wheat fields for extended periods. South Dakota growers were also concerned regarding possible
winter losses.

Montana's winter wheat greened in late February. Winter precipitation has been well below
normal and snow cover was light. Snow was also light in Washington and temperatures were above
normal the last 3 weeks of the month. Some fields showed poor color while many others were
greening up in patches. Some reseeding was accomplished during the month. Fall seedings in
Oregon were in satisfactory condition and Idaho wheat was starting to green. Fall seeded grains
in Missouri were in fair to good condition except in low areas where standing water was a problem.
Little winter damage was evident in Illinois. In Ohio, earlier seedings were in fair to good
condition but late seedings were in poor condition. Lack of snow cover is blamed for the low
tating in most areas.

Other areas east of the Mississippi River received below normal temperatures and growth was
limited except in some southern areas where warmer temperatures late in the month spurred growth.
Concern was expressed of possible damage from alternate freezing and thawing.

Fieldwork Limited During February

Care and feeding of livestock were the main farm activities in the North Atlantic States
with some limited tapping of sugar maple trees in southern areas of New England late in the month.

Farmwork in the North Central States consisted mainly of routine chores and harvesting of
remaining corn and soybeans whenever fields were frozen enough to support equipment.

Wet soils, flooding rains and a record breaking snow slowed the usual pace of field activity
in the South Atlantic States. Farmers were behind schedule in spreading lime, topdressing small
grain fields and seeding tobacco beds. The heaviest snowfall in 100 years from Alabama to
North Carolina did considerable damage to roofs of tobacco barns, poultry houses and livestock
barns causing extra repair work. The cold weather damaged some Florida vegetable crops and
slowed harvesting progress.

The start of spring grain seeding was delayed in the central and southern Great Plains by
wet fields and wintry weather, By March 1, seeding of oats in Oklahoma was almost 50 percent
complete, but only 4 percent complete in Kansas. Cold, wet weather delayed completion of the
exceptionally late cotton harvest in Texas and Mississippi and delayed spring planting progress
in South Texas about 2 weeks. Vegetable and citrus harvesting were also interrupted by the
adverse weather. Considerable progress was made late in the month on the final harvest of soy-
beans and cotton throughout the South,

In the Pacific Northwest, growers worked in orchards and fields with some reseeding of
winter wheat and seeding of spring grains. Seedbed preparation in Colorado was delayed by muddy
fieids and frozen ground. Recurring rain storms in California caused flooding and generally
halted farm activities for a large part of the month. In Arizona, spring plantings progressed
normally, but rain caused periodic delays in citrus and vegetable harvests.

ORANGES: On March 1, the 1972-73 orange crop was expected to fill 225.2 million boxes, 3.3 mile

"lion more than a month earlier, 18 percent more than last season and 19 percent above
the 1970-71 crop. Over the past eight seasons, the March 1 orange forecasts have differed from
actual production an average of 5.5 million hoxes, ranging from 1.1 to 10.5 million boxes

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


Arizona's grapefruit prospects are 2.4 million boxes, down 200,000 from Jast month. This is
6 percent below last season and S percent less than the 1970-71 crop. Trees are in good condition;
buds are prevalent in all areas and a heavy bloom is expected. Harvest operations are still limit-
ed Statewide and are not expected to reach full volume until late March, Fruit sizes are running
smaller than normal in most areas.

Grapefruit production in California is expected to total 5.2 million boxes, unchanged from
last month, but 100,000 boxes above last season. The Desert Valleys’ crop is placed at 3.0 mil~
lion boxes while the "other areas" crop is expected to total 2.2 million boxes. Movement of the
Desert Valleys' crop continues active. The fruit is in excellent condition with large sizes.
Fruit development in the "other areas" is progressing satisfactorily although recent rains may
Slow maturity. Some early fruit has been picked, but the main harvest should start in late March.

LEMONS: California and Arizona lemons are now expected to total a record 21.2 million boxes, up

700,000 boxes from February 1. At this level, the current crop is 27 percent above last
season and 29 percent larger than the 1970-71 crop. March 1 prospects are up 800,000 boxes from
a month earlier in California, but down 100,000 boxes in Arizona. Harvest of Arizona's record
size crop is complete. Trees there have an abundant new growth in response to warm weather and
rainfall, In California, above average rainfall and temperatures during February have increased
sizes and improved condition of the trees. Current supplies are from the southern district and
will continue through August. Rains slowed picking, but fruit continues to be extra large with
excellent color and quality.

TANGELOS: Florida's tangelo crop is now placed at 3.6 million boxes, down 200,000 boxes from last
~~ month and 300,000 below last season. Harvest was nearing completion by March 1.

TANGERINES: The tangerine crop is placed at 4.4 million boxes, up 100,000 boxes from February 1

and slightly larger than last season's output. All of February's increase occurred
in Florida where harvest is nearly complete. In Arizona, harvest is also nearing completion.
Picking continues in California, mainly in the southern and desert areas. In the southern area,
Minneola was the main variety packed during February and quality was good. In the desert areas,
Kennow was the predominant variety.

TEMPLES: The Florida crop remains 5.0 million boxes, 300,000 less than last season, but the same
as the 1970-7] output. February harvest was active, and by March 1 about three-fifths
of the crop had been picked.

POTATOES: Production for the winter crop is forecast at 2,495,000 cwt., slightly less than a

month ago, compared with 1972 production of 2,327,000 ewt. and 1971 production of
3,088,000 cwt. The Florida crop is estimated at 1,392,000 cwt., 44,000 cwt. less than estimated
on February 1, compared with 1972 production of 1,358,000 cwt. California winter production at
1,103,000 cwt. remained unchanged from a month ago, but 14 percent above the small 1972 crop,
969,000 ewt.

Florida supplies of red potatoes should increase as South Dade County approaches peak harvest
at mid-March. Harvest of whites is expected to get underway in the Ft. Myers-Naples area after
mid-March, California digging made good progress with about 70 percent of the crop harvested by
March 1. A good volume of supplies should be available into early April.

Spring crop States, excluding California, expect to harvest 62,800 acres in 1973 compared
with 64,800 acres in 1972 and 71,100 acres in 1971. Estimated acres for harvest in California for
the 1973 spring crop will be published in the April 9 release of Crop Production with the first
forecast of production for all spring crop States.

Acreage for harvest in the Hastings area of Florida is estimated at 18,800 acres compared with
21,100 acres harvested in 1972 and 23,000 acres in 1971. Acreage declines are also indicated for

Louisiana and Texas.

For Alabama, the estimated 11,000 acres for harvest at Baldwin compares with 9,000 last year
and 8,700 in 1971. North Carolina, Mississippi and Arizona are also expected to harvest larger
acreages this year than last.

Planting was generally complete in Alabama, Florida and the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas
by March 1, but it ran later than normal in North Carolina and California.

CROP REPORTING BOARD

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1973 6 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



Cc

rop production

la

Release:
March 9, 1973
3:00 P.M. EST

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

Citrus production, up 1.2 percent from a month earlier, is expected
to be 14 percent more than last season. Prospects increased
during February for oranges, grapefruit, lemons and tangerines.

Orange production is forecast at a record 225.2 million boxes, up
3.3 million boxes (1.5 percent) from February 1 and 34.2 mil-
lion boxes (18 percent) above last season. Prospects improved
in both California and Texas and remained unchanged in Florida
and Arizona.

Grapefruit production is placed at 63.6 million boxes, up 400,000
boxes (0.6 percent) from last month, but 240,000 boxes (0.4
percent) less than the 1971-72 crop. Prospects increased in
Texas, were unchanged in Florida and California’ but decreased
in Arizona.

Lemon production, at a record 21.2 million boxes, is 700,000 boxes
(3 percent) above a month earlier, and 4.5 million boxes (27
percent) more than last season. Better prospects in California
more than offset a decline in Arizona.

Winter potato production is forecast at 2.5 million cwt., slightly
less than a month ago, but 7 percent more than 1972 production
of 2.3 million cwt.

Spring potato acreage, excluding California, is estimated at 62,800
acres for harvest, 3 percent less than the 64,800 acres har-
vested in 1972.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE CROP REPORTING BOARD
Cr Pr 2-2 (3-73) WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250



CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

; 7 T 7 7 > INDICATED
CROP AND STATE yo7o-71 0 ug7i-72 Bee Fyre agier2 eS
1,000 BOXES 2/ EQUIVALENT TONS
ORANGES
EARLY, MIDSEASON &
NAVEL VARIETIES: 3/
CALIFORNIA 17,900 22,300 21,000 671,000 836,000 788,000
FLORIDA 82,100 68,800 91,000 3,695,000 3,096,000 4,095,000
TEXAS 4,000 3,800 4,800 180,000 371,000 216 000
ARIZONA 760 900 1,100 28,500 33,800 41,300
TOTAL ABOVE VARIETIES =: 104,760 95,800 117,900 4,574,500 4,136,800 5,140,300
VALENCIAS: 3
CALIFORNIA 19,600 21,000 24,000 735,000 788 ,000 900,000
FLORIDA 60,200 68,200 77,000 2,709,000 3,069,000 3,465,000
TEXAS 2,200 2,000 2,300 99,000 90,000 104,000
ARIZONA 2,800 + 4,000 4,000 105,000 150,000 150,000
TOTAL VALENCIAS. > 84,800 95,200 107,300 3,648,000 4,097,000 4,619,000
ALL ORANGES: :
CALIFORNIA + 37,500 43,300 45,000 1,406 ,000 1,624,000 1,688 ,000
FLORIDA + 142,300 137,000 168,000 6,404,000 6,165,000 7,560,000
TEXAS > 6,200 5,800 7,100 279,000 261,000 320,000
ARIZONA > 3,560 4,900 5,100 133,500 183,800 191,300
U. S., ALL ORANGES 2 189,560 191,000 225,200 8,222,500 8,233,800 9,759,300
GRAPEFRUIT: :
FLORIDA, ALL + 42,900 47,000 45,000 1,824,000 1,998,000 1,914,000
SEEDLESS : 31,100 36,100 34,000 1,322,000 1,535,000 1,446,000
PINK + 10,900 12,300 11,000 463,000 523,000 468 ,000
WHITE 20,200 23,800 23,000 859,000 1,012,000 978,000
OTHER : 11,800 10,900 11,000 502,000 463,000 468 ,000
TEXAS > 10,100 9,200 11,000 404 ,000 368,000 440,000
ARIZONA : 2,520 2,540 2,400 80,600 81,300 76,800
CALIFORNIA, ALL + 5,040 $100 5,200 163,600 165,700 169,700
DESERT VALLEYS : 3,260 3,200 3,000 104 000 102,000 96,000
OTHER AREAS : 1,780 1,900 2,200 59,600 63,700 73,700
U. S., ALL GRAPEFRUIT : 60,560 63,840 63,600 2,472,200 2,613,000 2,600,500
LEMONS: : :
CALIFORNIA : 13,300 13,600 16 ,300 505 ,000 $17,000 619,000
ARIZONA : 3,150 3,080 4,900 120,000 117,000 186,000
U. S, LEMONS : 16,450 16,680 21,200 625,000 634,000 805,000
TANGELOS: :
FLORIDA : 2,700 3,900 3,600 122,000 176 ,000 162,000
‘TANGERINES: :
FLORIDA : 3,700 3,200 3,000 176,000 152,000 143,000
ARIZONA : 390 570 700 14,600 21,400 26,300
CALIFORNIA 2 1,140 600 700 42,800 22,500 26,300
TOTAL TANGERINES > 5,230 4,370 4,400 233,400 195,900 195,600
TEMPLES: :
FLORIDA > 5,000 5,300 5,000 225,000 239,000 225,000

1/ THE CROP YEAR BEGINS WITH THE BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH COMPLETION OF HARVEST
THE FOLLOWING YEAR. 2/ NET CONTENT OF BOX VARIES. APPROXIMATE AVERAGES ARE AS FOLLOWS: ORANGES -
CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA, 75 LBS.; FLORIDA AND OTHER STATES, 90 LBS,; GRAPEFRUIT-CALIFORNIA, DESERT
VALLEYS, AND ARIZONA, 64 LBS.; OTHER CALIFORNIA AREAS, 67 LBS,; FLORIDA 85 LBS. AND TEXAS 80 LBS.;
LEMONS - 76 LBS.; TANGELOS - 90 LBS.; TANGERINES - CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA, 75 LBS., FLORIDA, 95 LBS.;
AND TEMPLES - 90 LBS. 3/ NAVEL AND MISCELLANEOUS VARIETIES IN CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA. EARLY AND
MIDSEASON VARIETIES IN FLORIDA AND TEXAS, INCLUDING SMALL QUANTITIES OF TANGERINES IN TEXAS,

CROP PRODUCTION, MARCH 1973 7 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


CITRUS FRUITS PRODUCTION 1/

Crop : 1970-71

Indicated 1972-73

1971-72 :
: February 1 : March 1
: 1,000 boxes
Oranges : 189,560 191,000 221,900 225,200
Grapefruit 3 60,560 63,840 63,200 63,600
Lemons : 16,450 16,680 20,500 21,200

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

of harvest the following year.

IRISH POTATOES

Production

+ Indi-

1973:

1971 : 1972 ‘Feb.

:_Indicated 1973

* Mar. 1

z Acreage : Yield per acre
Seasonal : Harvested : For :
group : harv. : 1971 : 1972 : cated :
: 1971! 1972! 1973: :
T,000 acres Cwt.
Winter : 18.0 15.4 13.6 172 151
Spring : 107.3 96.0: April 9 220

Tt 060 cit.

183 3,088 2,327 2,539 2,495

219 April 9 23,658 21,026 April 9

APPROVED:

ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1973 2

CROP REPORTING BOARD:
B. M. Graham, Chairman,
M. L. Koehn, Secretary,

J. W. Kirkbride, J. L. Olson,
J. E. Mullin, D. J. Fedewa,
HM. Nishimoto, H. F. Prindle,

Crop Rep

J. R. Standley.

jorting Board, SRS, USDA


CROP REPORT SUMMARY AS OF MARCH 1, 1973

February was highlighted by mild temperatures over the northern Great Plains, below
normal temperatures in the South, and less than normal. precipitation for most of the Nation.
The Southeast also received a record breaking snowfall. Soil moisture remained adequate to
excessive in most areas because of abundant precipitation in December and January. Muddy condi-
tions continued to make final harvesting difficult for remaining fields of corn, sorghum grain,
cotton and soybeans. Wet soils also limited fieldwork and delayed the start of spring planting
in the South and Atlantic Coast States,

Wintry weather in the southern Great Plains and Southern States retarded growth of small
grain and winter grazing crops. Supplemental feeding of livestock continued at a heavy rate to
offset the shortage of grazing. Warming weather across the Nation at month's end eased the
winter stress on livestock, but thawing and rain caused mddy feedlots and soft pastures.

Precipitation Less Than Normal

Precipitation was less than normal for most areas of the Nation during February, but this was
not considered critical because of high soil moisture levels remaining from plentiful precipita~
tion in December and January, Light precipitation, mostly falling as snow, sleet or freezing
rain combined with existing mddy conditions in the North Central and South hindered completion
of the final harvest for corn, sorghum grain, cotton and soybeans, Snow fell in record
breaking quantities from Alabama to North Carolina,

The Great Plains received about half normal February precipitation, which together with
frequent thawing temperatures made snow cover scarce. Precipitation was also less than normal
over the East North Central, North Atlantic, South Central and northern Western States. Areas
receiving more than normal precipitation included the South Atlantic States and the Southwest.
A continuous area from southern California to West Texas received more than twice the normal
monthly precipitation.

As of February 1, the irrigation water outlook was above average for most of the 11 Western
States; however, a dry spring could create some shortages in Washington, Oregon and Montana.

February Mild In The North Central and West, Cold In
South Central and East

Temperatures during February were 3° - 9° warmer than average from the northern and central
Great Plains to the Great Lakes in spite of several wintry arctic storms that pushed frigid air
across the country, Snow cover was almost non-existent most of the month on winter wheat and
small grain fields in the Dakotas and northeastern Montana where temperatures ranged from 6° - 10°
above average and precipitation was about 50 percent of normal. Temperatures in most Western
States were about 3° warmer than average with the exception of abnormally cold weather in parts
of Wyoming, Colorado, Utah and New Mexico. Cooler than average temperatures occurred south of

a line from the Texas and Oklahoma Panhandles to northern Maine. The Gulf Coast and lower
Atlantic Coast States averaged about 3° below normal reflecting the persistent onslaught of cold,
wet, wintry weather until late February. Freezing temperatures dipped into central Florida each
of the first 3 weeks of February causing some damage to vegetable crops,

Winter Wheat Growth Limited - Prospects Vary

Winter wheat prospects remained favorable March 1 although growth during February was
limited. Soil moisture supplies were mostly adequate with the exception of Montana where winter
precipitation has been well below normal, Snow cover in the United States was limited in early
March, as it has been much of the winter. Concern was expressed in several areas regarding
possible damage from freezing and thawing. Washington growers reseeded some fields during the
month. Little wind damage has occurred as yet. Topdressing was active during February.

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