CITRUS: The 1968-69 orange crop is forecast at 39 percent above last

season but 6 percent below the 1966-67 crop. Prospects for
Early, Midseason and Navel varieties were running below last month's in
California and Texas but ebove last month in Florida. In California
effects of bad weather since late December are reducing usable fruit from
the Navel crop.

Valencias developed well in February, improving prospects in Florida
and Arizona. Production potential remained unchanged in California and
Texas. Grapefruit production is about 32 percent above last season.

Lemon prospects are below last month in Arizona but above February 1
in California. The results of a special freeze damage survey of Cali-
fornia lemon groves in February revealed a greater share of the crop will be
usable than expected a month earlier.

In Florida, Early and Midseason orange harvest is nearing completion,
and weekly volume is expected to drop sharply through mid-March. Recorded
movement indicates production will be slightly above the estimate of Febru~
ary 1. Harvest of Valencias is confined to groves damaged by the December
cold and picking large sizes for processing into sections. Production is
now expected to total 57.0 million boxes,up slightly from February 1.
Grapefruit harvested to March 1 was running about 19 percent: below last
year-" mostly because of slow maturity and small sizes.

Condition of citrus trees continued excellent. Lush new growth and
bloom buds for the next crop appeared throughout citrus areas the last
half of February. Very few groves are in open bloom. Peak bloom is ex-
pected in mid-March.

Muddy fields slowed harvest of California's ave) oranges in Febru~
ary. Stems weakened by the December freeze and excessive moisture led to
a@ heavy fruit drop. About half the crop was harvested by the end of Feb-
ruary. Valencia oranges are growing and developing normally. Heavy rains
caused erosion and flooding of groves except in desert areas. Central
California districts are expected to produce a crop larger than last sea-
son mostly from increased bearing acreage. Harvest of Valencias is under~
way in Desert Areas.

California's "Other Areas” grapefruit has suffered much this season
from freeze damage and from excess rain. Important counties for this crop
are San Bernardino, Ventura and Riverside, where harvest is at a near
standstill and will be very light until most of the Desert Valleys crop
is picked.

California's 1968-69 lemon crop is now emected to be 20 percent
short of earlier prospects. This results from December's freeze
and subsequent rains. Effects of spraying to control brown rot have
been limited because of frequent rain.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1969 -5- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


Seasonal Group 1967 L 1968
Tons
California, AlL 5/
Fell and Winter 3/ 34,000
Spring and Sumer 4/ sf
Florida #5800 TOO 12,000,
United States 5/

1/ Crop year begine with bloom of the year shown and ends with completion of
harvest the following year.

2/ Includes quantities unharvested on account of economic conditions, and excess
cullage of harvested fruit.

3/ Includes "Fuerte" and other fall and winter varieties.
uf Includes "Hass" and other spring and summer varieties.

5/ First forecast for California "Spring and Sumer” varieties, California "All"
and U. S. to be released as of April 1, 199.

POTATOES, IRISH

Winter:

ila. 115 165 2,142 1,995 1,930

Calif. _ — 180 _ _ 235 _ 2,752 6p 2.068_
Total Beir” B10" 70g ~ S68 ~~ Int ~~ ion ~ bhee ao Go

Early Spring:

Vle.-astings * 21.6 27.4 26.7 10 160 Apr. 10 2,376 4,364 Apr. 10

Other = 2.6 3.1 3.3 100 125 * 260 «368 «6
Texas +38 226 2 BR. 80 9 30K TL
. Hotel __ _ _f_ 2820. 33-1 _ 3362 205. 152 _ 2,940 5,019

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1969 -b- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



POULTRY AND EGGS: February egg production was 8 percent less than a month

earlier, production totaled 5,277 million eggs, down 6

percent from a year earlier. February had one less day this year which
accounted for about 3 percent of the decrease from a year earlier. Layer
numbers for February totaled 314.7 million, down 1 percent from a month
earlier and 3 percent below a year earlier. February rate of lay averaged
16.77 eggs per layer, 7 percent below January and 4 percent less than a year

earlier.

Production was below a year earlier in all regions; decreasing in West
North Central, 15 percent; East North Central, 9 percent; South Central, 6
percent; West, 5 percent; North Atlantic, 3 percent; and Sotith Atlantic, 1

percent.

Layers on farms March 1 totaled 313.0 million, 1 percent less than a
month earlier and 3 percent below a year earlier. Layer numbers decreased
from a year earlier except the South Atlantic Region where they advanced
Regional decreases were: West North Central, 8 percent; East
North Central and South Central, 4 percent; North Atlantic and West, 1

2 percent,

percent.

The rate of lay on March 1 averaged less than 1 percent above a year
earlier and 5 percent above January 1969. Rate of lay increased from a
year earlier in 4 of the 6 regions. Increases of 3 percent occurred in the
West and South Atlantic Regions. Rate of lay was less than 1 percent above
@ year earlier in the North Atlantic and South Central but decreased 4
percent in the West North Central and 1 percent in the East North Central.

Year

1967
1968
1969

1967

we
‘xo
ony
ve)

HENS AND PULLETS OF LAYING AGE AND EGGS LAID

PER 100 TATERS, MARCH 1

United

HENS AND PULLETS OF LAYING AGE, MARCH 1
Thou. Thou. Thou. Thou. Thou. Thou. Thou.

Wy,652 52,600 58,818 65,869 8,762 316,014 316,961
44,228 48,559 62,202 69,522 51,575 320,743 321,725
423249 44,653 63,138 66,965 50,828 312,070 313,031

EGGS LAID PER 100 LAYERS

Number Number Number Number Number Number Number

61.1 63.9 “61.2 59.9 41.5 61.3 “61.2
62.2 63.3 60.2 60.3 60.0 61.0 61.0
61.6 61.0 62.0 60.4 _ 61,6 61.3 61.3

2/ Includes Alaska and Hawaii.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1969 -7- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


Erosion and silt has caused some losses of trees and groves in Santa
Barbara and Ventura. Mud, rock and other debris washed into groves
along flooding streams and rivers. Harvest is virtually complete in
the California desert areas, at about the three-quarter mark in Central
California, but is at less than one~fourth in the Venture-Santa Barbara
district.

Texas citrus harvest was active the first half of February, but
showers and wet fields limited this leter in the month. About a fourth
of the grapefruit and slightly less than half the oranges harvested be-~
fore March 1 went to processors. Grapefruit harvest is expected to
continue active in March. Harvest of Early and Midseason oranges neared
completion by March 1. Movement of Valencias is expected moderate to
heavy in March. Fruit sizes are smaller than last season. Citrus trees
began blooming in late February and were in full bloom by early March --
several weeks ahead of last season.

In Arizona, picking of Valencia oranges is underway in the Yuma and
Salt River Valley arcas, and is expected to reach volume proportions in
March. Grapefruit harvest has not yet reached peak volume. Lemon harvest
was completed the last week in February. Orange and grapefruit sizes are
running smaller than normal. Citrus groves have recovered from earlier
loss of young tender leaves and are rapidly putting on new growth.

AVOCADOS: California's fall and winter avocado crop will be about double
last season's small crop but well below 1966-67 season. ‘The

current crop is expected to total 34,000 tons, compared with 16,800 tons

last seagon and 53,700 tons in 1966-67. Harvest was virtually halted

in February due to the wet weather. Some tree damage resulted from excess

moisture, but production capability does not appear to be severely de-

ereased, Fruit quality was generally good, but supplies limited.

POTATOES: The winter potato crop is estimated at 3,998,000 hundredweicht,
up 3 percent from 1963 but 18 percent below the 1967 crop.

Harvest was underway in early March in Dade County, Plorida, where
most of the crop is "red" varieties. Growers in the Ft. Myers-Immokalee
area started harvesting “whites” the first week of March.

In California, wet fields continued to slow harvest in the San Joaquin
Valley. About one-half of the acreage remains to be harvested. Digging
is expected to be active during March.

The early spring crop is estimated at 33,100 acres for harvest in 1969,
equal to last year, but 18 percent mre than 1967. A reduction this
year in the Hastings, Florida area was offset by larger acreages in "other"
Florida early spring areas and in Texas. ‘The Florida crop has generally
developed well despite reccurring cold weather in February. Planting
was practically completed by mid-February in the Hastings area. The Texas
crop has developed well in fairly mild February weather. Harvest is ex-
pected to get underway about April 10, a week earlier than last year.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1969 -6- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



1966-67 * 1967-68 | Tae ES a 1966-67 * 1967-68 * 7368-69.
Terese - ome 7000 boxes 3) -_— “i777 TT Byuivalent tar aied ~

9,300 39,000: 652,000 349,000» 712, 000
521,400 67,000: 3,294,000 2,313,000 3,015,000
970 = 2,900: += 76,500 43,600 130, 000
~ — BO _ 200! — PrPOO_ _ 33,000 _ _ 45,000
93,160 62,550 90,100 ° 205}, 700 2,738,600 3,902,000

20,000 10,100 21,000 : : 150,000 379,000 788,000
66,300 49,100 57,000: 2,984,000 2,210,000 2,565,000

: 1,100 > ee 1,900: 49+ 300 37,400 85,
+ 20 3)3003_ 900_ _ 84,000 _ _ 124,000,
7 790,450 > =i: T 33,200: eons 2,710, hoo ~ 5, 562, 500

37,400 19,400 40,000: 1,402,000 728,000 1,500,000
139,500 21005300 12, 000 ¢ 6,278,000 4,523,000 5,580,000

q
BYE

a ~ oe 126,000 Toe 2151500

“ATi “oranges +_ ~ 3B bv T3001 0d 7 500,

Rae i 2 2 oh Dee 5 BES -F BOuzes

Fla., All : 43,600 32,900 43,500: 1,853,000 1,399,000 1,849,000

Seedless : 30,100 23,700 30,000: 1,279,000 1,008,000 1,275,000

Pinks 3 11,500 9,400 12,000: 489,000 400,000 510,000

White t 18,600 14,300 18,000: 790,000 + 608,000 765,000

Other : 13,500 9,200 13,500: 574,000 391,000 574,000

Texas : 5,600 2,800 6,500: 224,000 112,000 260,000

Ariz. : 1,680 3, THO 3,000; 53,800 120,000 96,000

Calif., ALL : 5,000 4,620. 5,000: 163,400 150,400 162,300

Desert Valleys : 2,700 2,920 3,200 86,400 93,400 102, 000

Siar tte - 1 - Ba _ LP _ - 1800__77,000_ _ 51,000 _ _ 60,300,
eo Bey :

Grapefradt ts 55,880 _ 4,060 _ 58,000: 2,294,200_ 1,782,N00 _ 2,367,300

LEMONS; H gO TT eee

15,100 13,300 12,500: 574,000 505,000 475,000
2,810 _ _ 3,25 600: 17000. 12h, 000 51,200

ee — 3 Bos ~~ “26;Boo

= 7 Bitogo = “76/500 ~~ Fy’doo
Fla. : 5,600 ” 2,800 43008 266,000 133,090 20h, 000
Ariz. : 200 eee 7,500 7,500
alts . ~~ 5 8 Go _ _ Da 2 500 _ _ 20 bem
z yp beer ise ~:- — 5008 - - bee = = BRO Se Q00" = 16T, 20 ~~ 237,700

The orop year begins with the Sloan of the sirat year see ‘aa one Be Oo 3.58 0g

rvest the following year. Includes quantities net Larvested, or harvested but not utilized, sn
aocount of eooncmic conditions, anil quantities donated to charity. Pi Net content of box
warlese Approximate averages are as follows: Oranges « California and Arizona, 75 lbse; Florida
and other States, 90 lbses Grapefruit ~ California, Desert Valleys, and Arizona, 64 loses other
California areas, 67 lbses Florida 85 lbse and Texas 60 lbses Lemons — 76 lbses Limes — 80 lbses
Tangeloe ~ 90 lbsa.s Tangerines ~ California and Arizona, 75 loses Florida, 95 lbse; and Temples ~
90 Ibde 3/ Navel and Miscellaneous verietics in California and Arizona. Farly and Midseason
varieties in Florida and Texas, including smal) quantities of tangerinss in Texase

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1969 -9- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


1969

March 10,
3:00 P, M. EST

UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY AS OF MARCH 1, 1969

CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

: : * Indicated
Crop : 1966-67 : 1967-68 : 1968-69

3 TM Tass. + 1,000 boxes -- ~~~
OTanges sesnenereovessecee® 183,610 124, 820 173,300
Grapefruit .... 55,880 44,060 58,000
Lemons .eo.e 17,910 16,550 16, 100

1/7 Season begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the com-
pletion of harvest the following year.

POTATOES, IRISH

: Acreage harvested : Yield per harv. acre Production
Seasonal > tind: t 3 ind. = 7 7 ind.
group 1967) 1968 ° 1969: 1967 > 1968; 1969 "1967" 1968 ° 1969
3 + + 1,000 acres - + -- Cwt -- = - 1,000 cwt, - =

Winter ..0e.: 24,7 21.9 20.5 198 177 195 4,894 3,885 3,998
Early Spring : 28,0_ 33,1 33.3 205 152 Apr, 10 2,940 _ 5,019 Apr, 10_

MILK AND EGG PRODUCTION

w“-- "Millions oof

9,802 9,546 9,407 5,908 5,983 5,716
9,150 9,207 ___ 8,795 _ 52404 5,636 5,277

518,952 18,753 18,202 11,313 11,620 10,995

1/ Monthly totals may not add to cumulative totals due to differences in rounding.

January soesrece
February +

os

Jan-Feb. Incl.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

Statistical Reporting Service Crop Reporting Board
CrPr 2-2 (3-69) Washington, D.C. 20250


UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE POSTAGE AND FEES PAID
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE U. S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20250

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

# U, 8, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1969 301-757 (585-177)



State +: Number of leyers on: Eggs per
and sheng aging Feu Ty. LOD Levers.

Sivision i — 1968_ + 2s ae PEI BEA we 2 198 _:_ 9 fet stn
: Thou, Mi. WL Mi.
Maine : 51536 Sc ae 101 103 219
N. H. : 1,655
vt. 3 5
Mass. : 2,2!
R. I, : 35)
Conn. : 3,914
N.Y 13,285
N. od. ab 894.
. eee

N, Atle tL
Ohio 27 Be 1 ae
Mich : s 898 6,366 1,775 1,730
Wis. 4 5960 __ 5,312 1,786. 1,733. 106. r- i -
E.N.Cante, . 4,257 _ _ 42,400) 1, 778_ 1,693 787 _ _ _7UB_ _ Lek _ _ 1,408 _
Te inlay = a3fgho UBB NE oem Shk
owe. : 1, 1 a 7
Pte tig ies | 8 8
Dek, § = 1,47 1,217 1,5 1,470 23
S. Dak, ¢ 4,812 1, 1,6 102 212
Rabe: 32486 5,012 1, 18 see 103 B 213 ien
Kans. th “bes ~~ b152_ 1.784 1, 736_ “eh 7 - ~B- _— ut --- DL -
+N.Cent.i
guecens< Mega - — BASE as RS A= = TD - Dg -
Ma. : 1579 1,508 1,769 Fa 28 58 sh
Va, : 5, ig 5,121 } B 1, ee 91 87 186 180
Le? 3 yh, 13 26 Ur th vee ole 28 es uae
2 Ce :
Bc 533) 3 poe ie Ue 8 B ‘a 2h Bo
. 23,90 2
ae ee pep. ie iB = ec - = 38 a ae
wg. - aE ee See be -
Tenn, 16 2065 di 197 182
Ala, 300 ey 2 201 452 hid
Miss, 1621. 187 436 394.
Ark, t 2 5 26r 337 552
. Li
Okla. t $63 he ie eh ee
Texas A641 1641 239. _ _ 213. _ _ Wa _ ho
S. Cent. 625 1.658) wg - ALAS _ 22 Bane -
Mont. : 1,011 1,013. 1,717 "1,585 16.1 35
Idaho : gho 8hk = 1,82h 1, 680 uW wy 36 3
Wyo. : 202 200 1,711 1,554 3.5 3.1 7 6
Colo. 2 1,459 1,468 1,566 1,62h 23 ak 47 50
N. Mex, Tek 788 «41,711 1,770 12.4 13.9 25 28
Ariz, . 1,168 1,2 1,749 1,663 20 18 aL 38
Utah 7 ou 329 1,270 1,656 1,663 22 aL 45 a
i} yee oye tee bm eo om
Wash, :
ores. : 2, ing ; 2738 4 By y BB gy 90
calir, L2G -- abe. 1s702_ 1,646 _646_ _ _ 623. _ 26 _ 120 -
West, 2. 52,047 _ _ 51,378 ea 1.652_ - ~ — -849_ _ 1,834 - _ 1,765 _
48 states:_ 322,108 ~ 7313. 7L7_ 1. 745_ _1.677_5,620_ _ 5,261, "21, 586 _ 10,261 ~-
Alaska : ig 30. 1,754 “1,462 0. 0.4 1
Hawaii te MB LL 986 1 676_ 1,683. _ 15,5 ~ Bi. B-~5 3)-
UD. S._ _ 2 _323,090_ _ 314,673 _ 1, Tk _ 1,677 5,636 _ _ 5,277 _ 11,620_ | 10,995

Cumiative State total based on unrounded data.
CROP PRODUCTION, March 1969 -1u- Crop Reporting Boerd, SRS, USDA


State

MILK PRODUCTION: Milk production in February is estimated at 8,795
million pounds, & percent less than a year earlier
and the smallest February production since 1953. Most of the decrease
from a year earlier was due to heap year day in 1968. Daily average
February production was 1 percent less than a year earlier.

MONTHLY MIIX PRODUCTION. FEBRUARY 1969, WITH COMPARISONS
(In millions of pounds)

2 Feb.

oo as ae oe

> 1967
wen eben
Meine : 43
Neue: 28
Ve. : 132
Mass. : 58
RI. : 6.7
Conn. 3 55
N.Y. : 64
Nt :)
Pa. : 553
Ohio 2 362
Ind, 3: ©6202
Th. 6: (259
Mich. : 362
Wis. : 1,428
Mim. : 6899
Towa : 4OT
Mo. > 212
Ne. Dak. : = 98
S. Dak. : 183
Nebr. : 128
Kans. 135
Del. 11.0
Md. 2: UT
Vas > lel
We. Vae 3: 32
N.C Hy 113

Feb, 3

1968

Lh
28
139
56
6.4

5h
810
67
52T
346
193
2h5
349
1,467
935
45
216

Jan.
1969 :
46
30
151
52
6.4 138
57 523: Ala. 63 63 65
847 Th t Miss. : Wi) 80 87 78
66 61 os: Ark. : 4s 7 50 hé
563 523 :: Ie. 81 82 91 80
353 327 3: Okla. : oT 98 102 95
192186 Texas : 227 238 «232s 222
eho = 83 ts Mont. : = 26 2T 26 25
374 336 :: Idaho : 107 106 uk 107
LAT. 1,376 i: Wyo. : 12.0 211.8 12.44 L.21
913 879s: Colon : = 63 65 69 65
hO5.38L ts Ne Mexe: = Oh 25 26 2h
21300 «242 tt Ardz. : he 46 48 45
oy 83 zs Utah 5T 5T 62 59
: 10.0 10.4 12.0 10.5
: ub Uh 15 kh

CROP PRODUCTION;. March 1969

63 65 eT 63

651 667 TLL ONT
1Mk Le LW 1.33
~22.6_ _ 1.2 10.8 _ 20.2

CROP REPORTING BOARD

-8- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


Tn Ohio and Michigen a lack of snow cover adversely affected the crop.
In the Southeast, the crop showed fair to good prospects. Below normal
temperatures limited growth. In the more northern States of this area,
cold temperatures without snow cover caused some stress.

Lend Preparation Slowed

Cool temperatures and wet soil conditions delayed field activity.
Although somewhat hampered by wet fields, land breaking, fertilizing, and
liming were active in the Southeast and South Central States by March 1.
Spring planting was making good progress by March 1, in the most southern
areas but wet weather hed put lend preparation behind schedule in many
States. Preparation and planting of tobacco plant beds were underway in
the Appalachian and Eastern States as weather permitted. Field work has
been minimal in Arkansas and Termessee due to wet soil conditions.

Cotton, corn, and sorghum were being planted in the southern part
of Texas. Planting activity is expected to edvance rapidly northwerd as
fields dry. Frequent rain, and wet snow have hampered spring field pre-
paration and seeding in Oklehome and Kansas. Seeding is barely underway
in Kansas. Land preparation was active in New Mexico, but more moisture
is needed in most areas. Small grain and safflower planting had been
completed by the end of the month in Arizona. Cotton fields were being

prepared and irrigated.

Field work is at a standstill in California, except the desert areas.
Planting of spring crops is much delayed and some intended acreage may
not be planted. Much loss of small grain and other early seeded crops
hae resulted from flooding and erosion. Snow and below average tempera-
tures in Oregon limited farm activity in February. Weather moderated the
last week of the month increasing farm activity, There has been very
little field work in Washington, Idaho, Utah, and Nevade.

Livestock and Feed Supplies

Snow and cold weather continued to plague livestock across the north-
ern half of the country. Pastures, small grain and stalk fields were
snow covered during much of the month severely limiting grazing. Heavy
supplemental feeding continued to be necessary. Numerous local short-
ages of hay and roughages developed. Care and feeding of livestock were
difficult because of the snow and muddy feedlots. The adverse conditions
limited weight gains of livestock and caused more than the usual death
losses of newborn stock in the Pacific Northwest.

Winter grains furnished only limited grazing in the Southern Plains.
Fields in mich of Oklahoma and the eastern half of Texas were too wet to
support livestock. However, because of the mofsture, prospects for early
spring and summer pasture, and range feed are good.

Below normal temperatures slowed growth of pastures and winter
grazing crops throughout much of the Southeast and eastern South Central
States. Wet fields also limited grazing. Supplemental feeding contimed
moderate to heavy.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1969 -he Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



February rainfall was mostly above average in Texas, but was wel-
come as the 3 month accumlated precipitation continues below normal.
However, excessive rainfall in eastern Texas restricted grazing and
slowed field operations. Month-earlier moisture shortages in western
Kansas, eastern Colorado, and the Oklahoma Panhandle were partly eased
by February's rain and snow. Moisture is now generally adequate in
the Central Plains and wheat prospects are favorable. Feedlots are
extremely muddy from melting snow and rain. Care and feeding livestock
have been difficult, and muddy conditions minimized weight gains.

Precipitation was below normal over much of Wisconsin and Illinois
and eastward through Pennsylvania. ‘The eastern Corn Belt area had
relatively mild, clear weather. Surface soils have begun to dry, but
moisture is generally adequate. The irrigation water supply outlook is
very favorable in the Northwest and in Utah and Nevada. Winter precipi-
tation has been abundant and snowpack is well above average in the Sierras
and most other western moumtain areas.

eat Prospects

February precipitation improved winter wheat prospects in the Great
Plains. Some top dressing of nitrogen was accomplished but wet fields
limited this work, The central and eastern Kansas crop remained in good
to excellent condition. The earlier dismal outlook in extreme western
counties was greatly improved because late February snow and rain pro~
vided much needed soil moisture. Warming temperatures greened the crop.

Prospects for the Oklahoma crop were quite favorable and soil
moisture was mostly adequate. The High and Low Plains of Texas bene~
fited greatly from recent moisture but the High Plains will need

more soon. Prospects were good in the Blacklands and South Central
areas.

Winter wheat was still dormant on Mirch 1 in Nebraska, where snow
cover varied over the State. Runoff from melting snow caused ponding.
Colorado's crop was in fair condition. A heavy fall of wet snow on
March 1 benefited southeastern Colorado, where there had been little
new moisture since planting. Wheat in the northern part of the Colo~
rado Plains was in generally good condition but soil moisture was be~
coming short.

Montana's winter wheat was under a good snow cover although wind
caused damage in some wind bared fields. Ice under the snow posed
@ threat of smothering in some areas. Most of Washington's crop was
snow covered on March 1 but it is thought to have wintered well. In
Oregon, prospects were good to excellent in the East, but in the West
wheat plants were yellow from excessive moisture. By March 1 there was
some new growth. Snow mold was observed in fields of Pacific North-
west States.

Winter wheat in the eastern Corn Belt and Missouri ranged from
good to fair. Ice covering and heaving had damaged some acreage.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1969 ~3- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


GENERAL CROP REPORT AS OF MARCH 1, 1969

Tate February snow ard rain greatly improved outlook for winter
grains in the previously dry areas of western Kansas, southwestern
Colorado, end the yestern half of Texas. Elsewhere, precipitation
during February was highly variable but on March 1 soil moisture
supplies were generally efequate with some areas having surpluses.
Cool temperatures ami wet soils delayed land preparation in much of
the South. Snow and cold continued to plague livestock across much
of the northern half of the country.

Production of winter fresh vegetables is expected to be 8 per-
cent above last year and 3 percent above 1967. Prospective planted
acreage of green peas and tomatoes plus planted acreage of spinach for
processing is 16 percent lese than last year.and 12 percent below 1967.
Winter potato output is forecast 3 percent above a year earlier, but
18 percent below the 1967 crop. February milk production was the
lowest for the month since 1953, and 4 percent less than a year earlier.
Feg production was 6 percent below last February and 2 percent less
than February 1967. Year earlier comparisons for both milk and eggs
are affected by the extra day in February lest year.

Citrus Above a Year Earlier

The citrus crop is forecast 32 percent above last year, up
Slightly from a month earlier, Production of oranges is expected to
be 39 percent above last year. Increases from a month earlier in
Florida prospects were partly offset by a reduction in the California
estimate.

Weather -- Unsettled During February

Average temperatures during February varied from 9° below normal
in parts of Montana to 5° above normal at etations in Wyoming, Wis-
consin, and New York. In most of the area from Minnesota and Iowa
eastward to Pennsylvania temperatures were above average during
February, but about normal in most other Central and South Central
States. Cool weather prevailed in the Southeast -- temperatures
averaged 3° to 6° below normal in most of Florida, Georgia, and the
Carolinas, limiting growth of small grains and early pastures. The
western fourth of the Nation had generally below normal temperatures.

Rough winter conditions continued in most areas northward from
Nebraska and Iowa and westward into Montans. Except in Montana,
temperatures were not unseasonably cold, but intermittent enow, blow-
ing snow, and freezing rain in some areas made care and feeding of
Livestock difficult. Snowfalls this winter were a record in parts of
the Upper Midwest. Northern areas have a deep blanket of snow.
Potential flood conlitions exist as the accumlated snow is high in
water content end soils are already well saturated.

Soil Moisture Adequate

February precipitation varied regionally, but as of March 1, soil
moisture was generally adequate with some surpluses. Rainfall during
February was unusually heavy in California, where soils were saturated
from heavy January rains, end mich of the new moisture couldn't be
absorbed. Drying weather and sunshine are urgently needed.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1969 -2- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA