Florida Oranges: Cold Damage of Fruit on Trees, 1970-71
Crop, with Comparisons

> No : Damage : Damage :Damage at Center Cut
: Damage at > at > Minor ¢ Major
tApparent: 4" Cut : 3!" Cut : H

: Percent

Fruit Type and Date
of Cold Damage

Early and Midseason

December 12-13, 1957 27 10 16 --- 47 ---
December 13, 1962 ... 1/8 8 13 24 47
January 30-31, 1966 . 2/ 2/ 24 2/ 2/
December 16-17, 1968 43 25 16 10 6
January 8-11, 1970 .. 48 17 19 1l 5
January 20-21, 1971 . 44 16 17 11 12
Valencias

December 12-13, 1957 47 11 . 14 w-- 28 ---
December 13, 1962 ... 32 16 16 19 17
January 30-31, 1966 . 63 20 10 6 1
December 16-17, 1968 . 70 13 ll 4 2
January 8-11, 1970 .. 70 14 10 5 1
January 20-21, 1971 .... 67 9 8 8 8

I/ Includes 1 percent rind damage.
2/ Most of crop harvest at time of survey.

California's orange production is placed at 39.0 million boxes, 3.5
million boxes more than on January 1. This is the same as last season but 12
percent below the 1968-69 output. The freezing temperatures in early January
caused some damage to both Navel and Valencias crops. It appears that the
overall crop will not be affected since most of the damaged fruit will pro-
bably go to processing outlets. Harvest of Navels continued at a moderate pace
during January with quality of packed fruit good. Maturity is advancing and
degreening has been discontinued.

Production of Texas oranges remains at 5.1 million boxes, 21 percent more
than produced last year. Harvest of Early and Midseason varieties continued
active during January and light harvest of Valencia oranges began in late Jan-
uary. Irrigation is active in the Lower Valley, as very little rainfall has
been received since early October. In groves not adequately irrigated, fruit
did not size well during January.

Arizona's 1970-71 orange crop is forecast at 3.8 million boxes, 1.4
million less than the January 1 forecast, 20 percent below last season's out-
put. Most of the decline from last month is in forecast of the Valencia crop.
A severe freeze in Arizona began on the night of January 3 and continued for
several nights, causing some defoliation and new stem growth to be frozen back
in colder areas. Fruit damage varied and it is still too early to fully assess
the extent of fruit damage and losses.

FLORIDA FROZEN CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE YIELD: The projection of yield of
frozen concentrated orange juice per box in Florida will not be made this
month. The next projection will be published March 10. The relatively low
yield of frozen concentrated orange juice per box reported by the Florida
Canners Association through January indicates the season average will fall be-
low the 1.32 gallons per box projected a month ago.

CROP PRODUCTION, February 1971 5 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA




TANGELOS: Florida's tangelo production is now forecast at 2.8 million boxes,

down 0.5 million from January 1, but still 0.3 million above a
year ago. The freeze on January 21 caused some damage to the fruit and
trees. By February 1, most of the crop had been harvested.

TANGERINES: The estimated U. S. tangerine crop is now 4.7 million boxes,
down 1.22 million boxes from January 1, but still 18 percent
above last season's output. Prospects are down 1.2 million boxes from a
month ago in Florida, reduced slightly in Arizona but unchanged in
California. In both Arizona and Florida, harvest is nearly complete,
although fruit on the trees at the time of the freeze was damaged.

TEMPLES: In Florida, a crop of 5.5 million boxes is expected, 1.0 million

less than on January 1, but still 0.3 million above last season.
This fruit was the hardest hit by the freezing temperatures and the
remaining fruit was severely damaged. Some defoliation and wood damage
has occurred to the trees,

POTATOES: Production of winter crop potatoes is forecast at 3,329,000 cwt.,

7 percent less than 1970 production of 3,582,000 cwt. Florida's
prospects are lower than a month earlier because of cold weather in late
January. Harvesting of “red” types is underway in the Fort Myers area and
continues in the Everglades. Digging is expected to get underway in Dade
County by late February. Supplies in heavy volume are expected during
March and April.

California's winter crop is estimated at 1,633,000 cwt., unchanged from
a month ago but 16 percent less than the 1970 production of 1,955,000 cwt.
Harvesting has been at a good pace, but only light to moderate digging is
expected in the important Kern County area during February.

Prospective plantings of early summer potatoes in 1971 are estimated at
83,000 acres, slightly less than the 83,400 acres planted last year.
Declines in acreage from a year earlier for Virginia, Alabama, and Texas
more than offset the increased plantings forecast for Tennessee. In other
States of the group, the 1971 acreage is equal to 1970 level. Virginia's
Eastern Shore area is expected to plant 29,600 acres, the same as last year.
Texas plantings of 18,000 acres are down from 18,500 acres for 1970.

CROP REPORTING BOARD

CROP PRODUCTION, February 1971 7 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



GRAPEFRUIT: The Nation's 1970-71 grapefruit crop is expected to total 59.8

million boxes, down 4.3 million boxes from the January 1 estimate.
Production at this level is 11 percent above last season's output and 10 per-
cent above the 1968-69 production. Changes in the U. S. production between
the February 1 forecast and the final production have averaged 2.27 million
boxes over the past 6 seasons, ranging from 0.5 million to 4.38 million.

Production in Florida is forecast at 43,0 million boxes, 4.0 million less
than forecast on January 1. This is still 15 percent more than produced last
season and 8 percent above the 1968-69 production. Changes in Florida's
grapefruit production between the February 1 forecast and the final production
over the past 6 seasons, using comparable methods of forecasting, have averaged
1,58 million boxes, ranging from 0.1 million to 4.1 million boxes. Harvest in
Florida has been running far ahead of last year and previous seasons. Due to
the freeze and drought, condition of trees and fruit varies from good to poor
depending on location. The freeze on January 21, 1971, was the coldest weather
since December 1962. On February 1 all citrus areas were in need of rain and
irrigation was in full swing, where equipment was available. Warm days and
dry winds accelerated foliage dehydration--started by the January freeze. How-
ever, general rains fell the first weekend in February and may have alleviated
the drought conditions.

The Texas crop, forecast at 8.5 million boxes, is unchanged from last
month, 0.4 million boxes above last season. Grapefruit harvest is expected to
continue active in February. Dry weather continued through January, and fruit
in groves not adequately irrigated did not size well during the month.

Arizona's grapefruit prospects, at 2.9 million boxes, are 0.3 million
boxes less than the January 1 forecast and 8 percent below last season. Arizona
had a severe freeze from the evening of January 3 and continuing for several
nights. A quick warming trend followed the freeze causing dehydration and some
losses of fruit. Defoliation was severe to moderate and, in the colder areas,
some new stem growth was frozen back.

California's grapefruit crop is placed at 5.4 million boxes, unchanged
from January 1 and 3 percent above last season. In the Desert Valleys some
frost damage is showing up, but shippers are selecting their fruit carefully!
The overall fruit quality is good, and damaged fruit is being converted to
processing. There was no fruit damage to the Other Areas crop, where the crop
is developing well although sizes are somewhat smaller than is normal.

LEMONS: Lemon production prospects in California and Arizona remain at 18.0
million boxes, 16 percent more than last season. In California,
picking of the new crop increased sharply in late January. The cold weather
in early January caused some damage to the crop in the Central Valley, but
there was virtually no damage to the Southern California crop. Rains and wet
conditions this season, have hindered the harvest which is somewhat behind
schedule. In Arizona, most of the crop was harvested prior to the freeze, but
there has been some defoliation of trees and some stem growth frozen back.

CROP PRODUCTION, February 1971 6 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


IRISH POTATOES 1971 CROP

Yield per

Seasonal Acreage charv. acre : Production
group and : Harvested? For: : : Indi- : : : -
State 3969? ago BBFVeESt! 969 t 1970 ? cated : 1969 ? 1970? cated
A : 2 1Lo71 + : 21971: i : 1971
1,000 acres Cwt. 1,000 cwt.
WINTER: t
Fla. 11.0 10.3 10.6 18 158 160 1,980 1,627 1,69
Calir. 8.8 8.5 7.1 210 230 2301, 848 1,955 2,633
Rotal 119.8 18.8 17.7193 191288 3,828 3,582 3,329
TRISH POTATOES 1971 CROP Continued
Seasonal ; Planted acreage : Eien Decre Production
group and : : ? indi>: : : : : A
State #1969 ; 1gTO: cated : 1969! 1970 I9TL? 1969! 2970} I9T
1,000 acres Cwte 1,000 ewt.
E. SPRING:
Fla. 3
Hastings 126.5 24.7 23,5 164 164 4,866 4,043 Apr. 9
Other 1 3.2 2.0 2.4 131 133 418 266 "
Texas © 13-3 3-3 38 122 136 403 48 "
Total i 33-0 30.0 29.7 172 159 5,687 4,757 "
L. SPRING: :
N, Carolina :
8N. EB. Counties : 10.0 10.0 10.0 135 150 1,350 1,500 May 10
Other Counties 1 2h 24 2.4 120 100 288 2ho "
Ala. : 10.5 7-9 8.7 107 130 2,120 1,027"
Miss. 1 2.5 25 2.5 80 85 200 a3. =~"
Ark. 1 1.8 U4 1.64 JO 65 126 ga"
La. 1 3.5 2.7 2.6 64 2 225 195 "
Texas : 5.2 541 5.4 9 113 500 57%"
Ariz. : 12.8 11.3 10.3 230 eho 2,9k4 2,712"
calif. 143.6 38-2 39-7 334 360 14,555. 24,516"
Total * 92.3 81.5 83.0 231 259 21,308 21,070 "
EB. SUMMER: :
Mo. : 12 8 +8 100 6 no TT dune 10
Kans. > 14 1.3 1.3 TF 92 108 120 "
Del. : 80 7.2 7-2 210 210 1,680 1,512 "
Ma. : 1.8 1.7 1-7 160 170 288 289 "
Va. : "
Eastern Shore 229.0 29.6 29.6 12h 126 3,607 3,718 .
Other 1 263 2.0 1.9 100 100 230 200 "
N.C. : 2.0 2.0 20 15 lo 230 220 "
ky : 2.7 2.5 2.5 73 66 197 165 "
Tenn. + 3.8 3.8 AL 93 95 353 361 "
Ala. : 90 9.0 8.9 130 125 1,170 «1,125 "
Texes : 19.6 18.5 18.0 18 193 3,534 3,569 "
Calif. 2565 5.0 5-0 360 330 1,980 __ 1,650 "
Total + 86.2 83.4 83.0 156 156 13,487 13,006 "
CROP PRODUCTION, February 1971 9 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


crop production

Release:
February 10, 1971
3:00 P.M. EST

(— HIGHLIGHTS OF U. S. CROP REPORT AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1971 >

Citrus production is expected to be 12 percent more than last season. Declines
from January 1 for grapefruit, tangelos, tangerines, and temples more than
offset an increase for oranges,

Qrange production is forecast at 207,9 million boxes, 2.1 million boxes (1 per-~
cent) more than January 1 and 22, 2 million boxes (12 percent) above last
season, Prospects in Florida and Texas are unchanged from a month ago;
however, a larger forecast for California more than offset ‘a smaller forecast
in Arizona,

Grapefruit production is placed at 59,8 million boxes, down 4, 3 million boxes
{7 percent) from January 1 but 5,9 million boxes (11 percent) above the 1969-
70 crop, Production forecasts are down from a month earlier in Florida and
Arizona but unchanged in California and Texas,

Lemon production at 18, 0 million boxes is the same as a month earlier and 16
percent (2,5 million boxes) more than last season,

Winter potato production is estimated at 3. 3 million cwt.,6 percent (212, 000 éwt)
below last month and 7 percent less than last year. Intended plantings of

83,000 acres for early summer potatoes are down slightly from 83, 400 plant-
ed last year.

Winter Wheat growth was limited by cold, dry weather over much of the Nation,
Sail moisture remained short in the Southern Plains.

SEE PAGE 5 FOR
INTERNAL DAMAGE

REPORT ON FLORIDA ORANGES

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE CROP REPORTING BOARD
LO Cr Pr, 2-2 (2-71) WASHINGTON, 0.C. 20250 i,



UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20250
OFFICIAL BUSINESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

POSTAGE & FEES PAIO
United States Deportment of Agriculture




CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

Crop and State * 1968-69 * 1969-70 + Indicated: 1968.69 + 1969-79 ‘Indicated

1970-71 1970-71
1,000 boxes 2/ Equivalent tons
ORANGES : :
EARLY, MIDSEASON & :
NAVEL VARIETIES: 3/:
Calif. ? 18,600 21,200 18,000 698,000 795,000 675,000
Fla. ? 69,700 72,900 89,000 3,136,000 3,281,000 4,005,000
Texas > 2,800 2,800 3,500 126,000 126,000 158,000
Ariz. : 1,270 1,120 200 47,600 42,000 33,800
Total Above :
Varieties 92,370 98,020 111,400 4,007,600 4,244,000 4,871,800
VALENCIAS : :
Calif. : 25,700 17,800 21,000 964,000 668,000 788,000
Fla, : 60,000 64,800 72,000 2,700,000 2,916,000 3,195,000
Texas : 1,700 1,400 1,600 76,500 63,000 72,000
Ariz. t 4,110 3,640 2,900 154,000 __ 137,000 109,000
Total Valencias z_91,510 87,640 96,500 3,894,500 3,784,000 4,164,000
ALL ORANGES: :
Calif. : 44,300 39,000 39,000 1,662,000 1,463,000 1,463,000
Fla. : 129,700 137,700 160,000 5,836,000 6,197,000 7,200,000
Texas : 4,500 4,200 5,100 202,500 189,000 230,000
Ariz. 2 5,380 4,760 3,800 201,600 __ 179,000 142,800

U.S. All Oranges: 183,880 185,660 207,900 __7,902,100 8,028,000 __9 ,035 ,800
GRAPEFRUIT: :

Fla., All + 39,900 37,400 43,000 1,695,000 1,590,000 1,828,000
Seedless : 27,700 27,900 31,000 1,177,000 1,186,000 1,318,000
Pink : 10,700 10,200 11,000 455,000 434 ,000 468 ,000
White : 17,000 17,700 20,000 722,000 752,000 850,000
Other : 12,200 9,500 12,000 518,000 404 ,000 510,000
Texas : 6,700 8,100 8,500 268,000 324,000 340 ,000
Ariz. 2 2,510 3,160 2,900 80 , 300 101,000 92,800
Calif., All : 5,060 5,250 5,400 165,300 171,500 176,400
Desert Valleys : 3,260 2,950 3,300 105,000 94,400 106 ,000
Other Areas : 1,800 2,300 2,100 60,300 77,100 70,400
U. S., All :
Grapefruit 354,170 53,910 59,800 2,208,600 2,186,500 2,437,200
LEMONS : 3
Calif. : 12,300 12,700 14,500 468 ,000 483,000 551,000
Ariz. r 3,510 2,820 3,500 134,000 107,000 133,000
U.S. Lemons 315.810 15,520 18 ,000 602,000 590 ,000 684 ,000
TANGELOS: Fla. : 1,800 2,500 2,800 81,000 113,000 126,000
TANGERINES: 2
Fla. : 3,400 3,000 3,700 162,000 143,000 176,000
Ariz. t 170 220 200 6,380 8,250 7,500
Calif. i 640 760 800 24 ,000 28,500 30,000
Total Tangerines 3: 4,210 3,980 4,700 192,380 179,750 213,500
TEMPLES: Fla. H 4,500 5,200 5.500 202,000 234 ,000 248,000

1/ The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with com~
pletion 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.; ¢ ther
California areas, 67 lbs.; Florida 85 lbs. and Texas 80 lbs,; Lemons - 76 lbs.;
Tangelos - 90 Ibs.; Tangerines - California and Arizona, 75 Ibs.; Florida, 95 1b..3
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, February 1971 8 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



Southern Plains Wneat Needs Moisture

Grovth of winter grains during January was limited by cold, dry weather over
most of the Nation, However, a lot of the acreage remained dormant and moisture
requirements were low. January temperatuccs averaged below normal over all areas
except Texas, Oklahoma, and most of the Western States. Precipitation was well
below normal in the Southern Plains and the Southwest. Much of the winter wheat
erop in the Plains is vulnerable to wind erosion but only limited damage has occurred
to date.

Despite little growth in January, Kansas wheat showed some greening during a warm
period late in the month. January precipitation was heavy in east central and south-
eastern Nansas counties but moderately below normal in most other districts. Top-
soil moisture is short in many western areas and in parts of south central Kansas.
Subsoil moisture was short in about half of the extreme western and a number of
central counties. Early January precipitation benefited wheat in Oklahoma, but in
the western third the crop is in poor condition and additional moisture is badly
needed. The crop is in generally fair to good condition in the remainder of the
State. Gracing of small grains was limited. The extreme drouth that has prevailed
in Texas since October continued unabated, and January was one of the warmest and
driest on record. Wheat prospects are poor on dryland fields. Irrigated wheat,
aided by above normal temperatures, recovered somewhat from the effects of early
January freezing weather. Western Nebraske fields started to green in late January.
Wind erosion damaged some fields with limited cover. Colorado's winter wheat re-
mains in good condition except those fields damaged by blowing soil. ‘Yopsoil in
the Fastern part of the State was dry and subsoil moisture was rated from short to
adequate in all areas.

Montana received heavy snow that protected wheat from below normal temperatures
during the first half of January. A warming trend then reduced the snow cover and
an ice crust formed in some fields causing concern. Precipitation was normal or
above normal over most of the Pacific Northwest. Runoff of rain and rapidly melting
snow in the Northwest during the latter half of the month caused some erosion.

Cold, dry weather prevailed in Missouri and the Eastern Corn Belt during January.
Snowcover was lacking except in the northernmost counties of Illinois, Indiana and

Ohio.

ORANGES: The Nation's 1970-71 orange crop, as of February 1, is forecast at a record
high 207.9 million boxes, 2.1 million more than the forecast a month
earlier -- 12 percent above last season and 13 percent more than the 1968-69 crop.
Over the past 6 seasons, the February 1 orange forecasts have differed from actual
production, an average of 6.8 million boxes, ranging from 2.1 to 11.7 million boxes.

Prospective production of oranges in Floride is record high, at 160.0 million
boxes, unchanged from a month earlier, 16 percent above last season and well above
the previous record of 139.5 million boxes. It is too early to fully assess the
fruit damage and losses caused by the January 21 freeze, but the following table
indicates the damage to be minimal, In the past 6 seasons, during which forecasting
methods were comparable, Florida's February 1 forecasts have differed from actual
production, an average of 5.0 million boxes, ranging from 1,5 to 7-7 million boxes.
As a result of the January 21 freeze, tree condition varies from good to poor
depending on location. The morning of January 21 was the coldest since December
1962. Most of the new foliage was killed in the colder areas. Damage is spotted in
the major producing areas. Younger trees suffered severest defoliation. Warm days
and dry winds accelerated foliage dehydration which was started by the January
freeze. However, general rains February 7 and 8 may have alleviated dry conditions.

CROP PRODUCTION, February 1971 4 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


GENERAL CROP SUMMARY AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 1971

Cold, wintry weather dominated much of the Nation during January. Freez-
ing temperatures damaged citrus and vegetable crops in Florida, California
and Arizona, according to the Crop Reporting Board. Topsoil moisture re-
mains short in the Southern Great Plains and Southwest. Agricultural activ-
ity was at a low level during the month. Livestock herds needed extra feed
and additional care to remain healthy during the various cold periods of the
month.

January - Cold And Stormy

Temperatures during January were colder than normal in the area east and
north of a line from central Alabama to northwestern Montana. Readings were
mostly 3 to 9 degrees below normal. Above average temperatures occurred
from the Southern Great Plains to the West Coast. However, record low tem-
peratures were set early in the month at some stations in this area with
Albuquerque, New Mexico registering 17° below zero. Some areas in the Colo-
vado Rockies were 40° to 50° below zero.

The New Year started off with heavy snow from the Southern Appalachians
to New England and from the Rocky Mountains to the Great Iakes -- record one-
day snowfalls were recorded at Moline, Illinois and la Crosse, Wisconsin.
Snow, wind and bitter cold throughout the month slowed marketings of farm
products and made caring for livestock difficult from the Northern Great
Plains to New England.

Florida temperatures dipped well below freezing on January 20 and 21,
causing damage to both citrus and vegetable crops. Harlier in the month
freezing temperatures also hit citrus and vegetable crops in California and
Arizona.

Precipitation for January was very light across the south from California
to Louisiana -- also in Florida. The brunt of the dry conditions center in
Texas, with New Mexico and western areas of both Oklahoma and Kansas also
affected.

Pacific storms through most of the month brought generous rains to
coastal areas of Washington and Oregon. An intensive storm pounded the area
the weekend of January 15, when winds gusted to 109 M.P.H. at Cape Blanco,
Oregon.

Little field work was accomplished during January as wintry weather
limited field activity. Some late cotton picking occurred in California and
Arizona. A small acreage of both cotton and soybeans remains to be harvested
in Arkansas. Heavy supplemental feeding of livestock was necessary during
the month. Feed supplies are generally plentiful, but shortages of feed
grains are noted in local areas.

Snow cover on February 1 was not as widespread as a year earlier --
especially in the West where many areas are bare.

CROP PRODUCTION, February 1971 3 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


CITRUS

FRUITS PRODUCTION 1/

Indicated 1970-71

Crop : 1968-69 1969-70 Jan, 1 Feb. 1

: 1,000 boxes
Oranges 183,880 185 ,660 205,800 207,900
Grapefruit 54,170 53,910 64,100 59,800
Lemons 15,810 15,520 18,000 18,900

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

harvest the following year.

IRISH POTATOES

Acreage : Yield per harv. acre Production
aoa Maw? For 7 ind=¢ tindicated 1971
*: harv. : 1969 : 1970 : cated : 1969 1970: 3
1970 1971 11971: Wan. 1 | Feb. 1
1,000 acres Cwt. 1,000 cwt.
Winter : 18.8 17.7 193 191 188 3,828 3,582 3,541 3,329
: Yield per .
Planted acreage planted acre Production
1969 1970 : cated : 1969 1970 1969 1970 1971
: 21971 : :
1,000 acres Gut. 1,000 cwt.
Early
spring 33.0 30.0 29.7 172 159 5,687 4,757 Apr. 9
Late
spring 92.3 81.5 83.0 231 259 21,308 21,070 May 10
Early
summer 86.2 83.4 83.0 156 156 13,487 13,006 __June 10

APPROVED:

CROP REPORTING BOARD:
G, D, Simpson, Chairman,
M. L. Koehn, Secretary,

Ze

B. W, Kelly,
J. E. Mullin,

Cc, E, Burkhead,
J. W. Todd,

J. R. Standley,

ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

CROP PRODUCTION, February 1971

H. F.- Prindle,
R, S. McCauley.

Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA