ORANGES: The Nation's 1970-71 orange crop, as of March 1, is forecast at a record high 197.1 million
boxes, 10.8 million less than the forecast a month earlier, but 6 percent above last season and

7 percent more than the 1968-69 crop. Over the past six seasons, the March 1 orange forecasts have dif-

fered from actual production an average of 6.11 million boxes, ranging from 0.94 to 10.58 million boxes.

Prospective production of oranges in Florida is record high at 149.0 million boxes, 11.0 million
boxes less than the February 1 forecast, 8 percent above last season and 7 percent above the previous
record of 139.5 million boxes. In the past 6 seasons, during which forecasting methods were comparable,
Florida's March 1 forecasts have differed from actual production, an average 4.5 million boxes, ranging
from 1.5 to 6.5 million boxes. Rains during February relieved the dry conditions of a month earlier, and
tree condition is greatly improved: Trees partially defoliated by the January freeze are growing new
feathery leaflets, and on most of the completely defoliated trees, some new growth is evident. Open
bloom is pronounced on Navels and Valencias. Harvest of early and midseason oranges was at high levels
during early February but was slowing in the normal seasonal decline by March 1. Abundant labor has
greatly facilitated the salvage of damaged crops.

California's orange production is placed at 39-0 million boxes, unchanged from a month ago. This is
the same as last season but 12 percent less than the 1968-69 output. Cold weather hit the citrus dis-
tricts during the first week of March, but little damage is expected. Adequate frost protection taken in
the central valley districts and winds in the southern California district, helped keep temperatures above
freezing. Desert area Valencias suffered some damage, and groves escaping the January freeze were hit by
the March freeze. Harvest of Navel oranges continued through February, and quality of the packed fruit
is very good. The Valencia crop continued to develop well and fruit color to become more pronounced.

Production of Texas oranges is forecast at 5.7 million boxes, 0.6 million more than on February 1
and 36 percent above last season. Trees, generally in good condition, are beginning to bloom. Irriga-
tion is active in the Lower Rio Grande Valley due to the prolonged dry spell. Picking of early and mid-
season oranges continued active and was in the final steges by March 1. Harvest of Valencias remained
relatively light, because most shippers were cleaning up early and midseason varieties before moving
into Valencias.

Arizona's 1970-71 orange crop is forecast at 3.4 million boxes, 0.4 million boxes below the
February 1 forecast, and 1.4 million less than last season. Harvest of Navels and sweets was completed
in February. Picking of Valencias was just getting underway on March 1 and a greater loss of fruit is
being realized than was estimated on February 1. A larger than normal amount of the remaining fruit will
go for juice. Trees are recovering nicely from the freeze damage; however, freezing temperatures on
March 1 and 2 resulted in new growth being damaged.

FLORIDA FROZEN CONCENTRATED ORANGE JUICE YIEID: The projected season average frozen concentrated orange
Juice yield, adjusted to reflect current juice factors and plant recovery rates, is 1.21 gallons per box.
ast season's yield was 1.24 gallons per box. The projected yield is based on past relationships between
pounds solids yield for oranges reported in "the Maturity Test Results" and the season average yield per
box of 45 degree Brix frozen concentrated orange juice reported by the Florida Canners Association. This
yield can differ from the final yield because of sampling error, weather, harvest schedule, and changes
in factors or recovery rates.

The Nation's 1970-71 grapefruit crop is expected to total 57.4 million boxes, down 2.4
million boxes from the February 1 forecast. Production at this level is 6 percent above
both last season's harvest and the 1968-69 crop. Changes in U. S. production between the March 1 fore-
east and final production have averaged 2.35 million boxes over the past six seasons, ranging from 0.93
to 4.38 million.

Florida's crop is forecast at 41.0 million boxes, 2.0 million less than forecast on February 1.
Production at this level is still 10 percent above last season's output and 3 percent above the 1968-69
production. Changes in Florida's grapefruit production between the March 1 forecast and the final pro-
duction over the past six seasons, using comparable methods of forecasting, have averaged 1.8 million
boxes, ranging from 0.4 to 4.1 miliion boxes. Harvest is running well ehead of previous years. ‘Tree
condition greatly improved during February. Irrigation was considerable the first week of the month, but
soaking rains fell during the second week. On trees partially defoliated by the January freeze, new
feathery leaflets are forming and on most trees completely defoliated, some new growth is in evidence.
Grapefruit bloom is progressing rapidly.

The Texas crop is forecast at 8.8 million boxes, up 0-3 million from the February 1 forecast. ‘his
is 9 percent above last season and nearly one-third larger than the 1968-69 crop. Harvest was at peak
volume in the Lower Rio Grande Valley during February and is expected to remain active during March.
Irrigation continued because of the prolonged ary conditions during February. Trees are generally in good
condition and are beginning to bloom.

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



UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE

WASHINGTON, D. C, 20250

POSTAGE & FEES PAID
OFFICJAL BUSINESS United States Department of Agriculture
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300
IRISH POTATOES
Seasonal Acreage ; Yield per harv. acre Production
rou} =
oe Harvested : For : Indi- ; : : Indi-
2 : : harvest : 1969 1970 : cated : 1969 : 1970: cated
Stat *
ee 1 1969 1970 | 1971 2 1971 : : 1971
1,000 acres Cwt, 1,000 ewt.
Winter:
Fla. 111.0 10.3 10.6 180 158 = 145 1,980 1,627 1,537
Calif. 8.8 8.5 71 210 230-230 1,848 1,955 1,633
Total 7 19.8 18.8 17.7 193 191 179 3,828 3,582 3,170
Early Spring:
Fla.-Hastings ; 26.3 24.5 23.2 185 165 Apr. 9 4,866 4,043 Apr. 9
Other 3.1 1.9 2.4 135 140 " 418 266 "
Texas 3.1 3.2 3.8 130 140 " 403 448 "
Total * 32.5 29.6 29.4 175 «16k 5,687 4,757"
CROP PRODUCTION, March 1971 8

Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


By March 1, mach of the snow had melted and snow cover was Limited to the northern States.
Southwestern States received little moisture in February.

Kansas wheat continued in good condition, despite relatively short top growth and a lack
of ground cover in most areas. Above normal precipitation in February benefited the crop.
Nevertheless, more moisture will be needed in western counties to prevent wind erosion in
coming weeks. Growth of vheat in Oklahoma was limited during February but the crop responded
to warmer temperatures and additional moisture late in the month. More moisture is needed in
the western half of Oklahoma. Most of the crop in the northvestern part of the State is in
poor to fair condition, and in fair to good condition in other areas. Dryland vheat in the
High and Low Plains of Texas received heavy snowfall. However, cumulative precipitation,
Decenber through February, is only two-thirds normal in the Northern High Plains and even less
than that in other areas of the State.

Winter wheat in Colorado remains in good condition. February precipitation offset earlier
topsoil moisture shortages. The crop remains dormant in all of the Eastern Plains and is
vulnerable to wind damage as top growth is short.

Nebraska fall-seeded grains were in good condition but still dormant on March 1, Snow
cover varied over the State on March 1, but most topsoils were moist. In South Dakota, some
vind denage was reported at the beginning of February, but was alleviated when snow arrived
late in the month.

The Pacif'ic Northwest and Montana had generally above normal February temperatures but
below average precipitation, except in southvestern Montana, where precipitation wes above
average. Montana's good snow cover of early February melted with warmer veather. Fall-planted
wheat in Washington was in good condition, although stands in some areas were spotty. Some
reseeding to spring wheat was underay in areas of severe crosion, Fall-seeded grains in
Oregon are generally in good condition.

Winter grains in Missouri and eactern Corn Belt States remain in satisfactory condition
although subjected to a variety of unfavorable weather conditions during the month. Wheat in
other areas cast of the Mississippi River has generally vintered vell.

1d elayed During February

Farm vor’ in the North Atlantic States was limited largely to routine activities during
February. Near the end of the month maple sirup producers in southern New nglané and parts
of Pennsylvania started tapping trees. Some pruning of fruit trees and vineyards was accom~
plished as weather permitted.

In most North Central States cold weather and snow rectricted farm work to the necessary
care and feeding of livestock. Fieldwork was held to a minimum as soils were frozen.

The unusually cold weather of January continued through the first half of February in the
South Atlantic and eastern South Central States, This area also had above normal precipitation
during the month, which delayed field activity. Warmer weather in late February saw farmers
busy top dressing small grain acreage, plowing for spring planting and seeding tobacco beds.

Spring grain seeding started slowly in the Central and Southern Great Plains. Conditions
in Oilahoma and Kensas were too dry for seeding early in the month, and a late February snow
caused wet fields. Seeding of oats in Kansas is only 2 percent completed compared with 17
percent a year ago. Dry planting conditions also plagued Texas growers. Cotton and sorghum
planting has just started in the Coastal Bend and Lover Volley, but many farmers are walting
for rain before planting.

Very Little fieldwork was possible in the central and northern Rocky Mountain States during
February. In the Southwest planting of small grains and safflover was completed. Many Arizona
cotton fields are ready for planting and cotton planting started in the Imperial valley of
California. Limited cutting of alfelfa hay got underway in California and Arizona. California
field preparetion and planting of early crops is on schedule. Plowing and seeding of spring
grains began in the Pacific Northwest, and fruit orchards were being pruned for the new crop
year.

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


Arizona's grapefruit prospects, at 2.5 million boxes, are down 0.4 million from last month
and 21 percent below last season's output. By March 1, about 45 vercent of the crop had been
harvested. ‘Two more nights of freezing temperatures occurred on March 1 and 2. This froze back
nearly all the new growth that had begun and is expected to curtail bloom and fruit set for the
1971-72 season.

California's grapefruit crop is placed at 5.1 million boxes, 0.3 million below the Feb-
ruary 1 forecast and 3 percent less than last season. In the Desert Valleys, packinghouses are
very selective as injury is evident in many lots. Color and texture as well as quality and
flavor are mostly all good for packed fruit. Harvest of the “other areas” grapefruit should
get underway during April. Growth and development of this crop appears normal at this time;
however, some frost damage has occurred in the lower San Joaquin Valley.

LEMONS: Lemon production in California and Arizona is expected to total 17.8 million boxes,
0.2 million less than last month but still 15 percent above last season. Prospects
are unchanged in California but are down slightly in Arizona. In California, picking in the
San Joaquin Valley was approximately 70 percent complete by March 1, The southern coastal
district, the most important area, had moved about 25 percent of the crop. Most of the March
supplies should originate from the south coast. In Arizona, harvest was completed during
February and the major portion of the crop harvested since January 1 was used for juice. Lemon
trees appear to have sustained severe damage from the winter freezes and many mature trees
may not survive.

TANGELOS: Florida's tangelo production is now forecast at 2.7 million boxes, down 0.1 million
“from February 1, but still 0.2 million above a year ago. Picking was nearly com-
plete by March 1.

The U. S. tangerine crop is estimated at 4.7 million boxes, unchanged from February
1, and 18 percent above last season's output. Harvest was nearly complete in all
three States by March 1.

TANGERINES:

TEMPLES: In Florida, a crop of 5.5 million boxes is expected, unchanged from February 1, and
0.3 million above last season. About 2.0 million boxes remained for harvest on
March 1. This crop was the hardest hit of all by the January freezes.

POTATORS: Production of winter crop potatoes is estimated at 3,170,000 cwt., 12 percent less

than the 1970 crop of 3,582,000 cwt. Cold, dry weather in Florida during the
growing season reduced crop prospects to 1,537,000 cwt. compared with 1,627,000 ewt. for 1970.
Digging is active in Dade County and the crop is generally of good quality. Volume supplies
are expected into April. Harvest is nearing completion on "red" types in the Fort Myers-
Immokalee area but getting underway on "whitea,"

The California crop is estimated at 1,633,000 cwt.,unchanged from a month ago but 16 percent
less than 1970 production of 1,955,000 cwt. February weather was generally good and harvest
proceeded without interruption. Digging was around the halfway point by March 1. Good
supplies are expected into early April.

The early spring potato crop is estimated at 29,400 acres for harvest in 1971. This is
slightly less than the 29,600 acres harvested in 1970. The Florida crop, with 23,200 acres
for harvest in the Hastings area and 2,400 acres for "other" Florida, compares with 24,500
acres at Hastings and 1,900 "other" Florida areas last year. Strong winds and freezing
temperatures the firstweek of March damaged the crop in the Hastings area. Defoliation was
heavy where plant's lacked protection.

The Texas crop is estimated at 3,800 acres for harvest in 1971 compared with 3,200 acres
harvested last year, Growth progressed well during the prevailing mild weather of the early
season, although a few fields were nipped by light frosts on March 4. Digging of early fields
is expected to start about April 10.

CROP REPORTING BOARD

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


pp production

Release: \

March 10, 1971
3:00 P.M, EST

HIGHLIGHTS OF U. S. CROP REPORT AS OF MARCH 1, 1971

Citrus production, down 5 percent from a month earlier, is expected to be
7 percent more than last season. Prospects declined during February for
oranges, grapefruit, lemons and tangelos.

Qrange production is forecast at 197.1 million boxes, down 10.8 million boxes
(5.2 percent) from February 1, but is 6 percent (11.4 million boxes) above
last season. Prospects declined in Florida and Arizona, were unchanged
in California, but increased in Texas.

Grapefruit production is placed at 57.4 million boxes, down 2.4 million boxes
(4.0 percent) from last month but 6 percent (3.5 million) above the 1969-70
crop. Reductions from a month ago occurred in all States except Texas.

Lemon production, at 17.8 million boxes, is 0.2 million boxes (1.1 percent)
below a month earlier, but 15 percent (2.3 million) more than last season.
Prospects declined in Arizona, but remained unchanged in California.

Winter potato production is forecast at 3.2 million cwt., down 5 percent from
a month earlier, and 12 percent less than last year.

Early spring potato acreage for harvest is 29,400, slightly less than the
29,600 acres harvested in 1970.

Winter wheat in the Great Plains received much needed moisture during Feb-
ruary, but more is needed in Texas and western Oklahoma.

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE CROP REPORTING BOARD
Cr Pr 2-2 (3-71) WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250 wy,



CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION /
1968-69 : 1969-70 yIndicated: 1968-69 : 1969-70 3 indicated

Crop and State

: 2 1970-71 : 1970-71.
ORANGES: : 1,000 boxes 2/ Equivalent tons
EARLY, MIDSEASON & :
NAVEL VARIETIES: 3/:
Calif. : 18,600 21,200 18,000 698,000 795,000 675,000
Fla. : 69,700 72,900 84,000 3,136,000 3,281,000 3,780,000
Texas : 2,800 2,800 4,000 126,000 126,000 180,000
Ariz. t 1,270 1,120 900 47,600 42,000 33,800
Total Above :
vonsetten 192,370 98,020 106,900 4,007,600 4,244,000 4,668,800
VALENCIAS: :
Calif. + 25,700 17,800 21,000 964,000 668,000 788,000
Fla. : 60,000 64,800 65,000 2,700,000 2,916,000 2,925,000
Texas : 1,700 1,400 1,700 76,500 63,000 76,500
Ariz. : 4,10 3,640,500 154,000 137,000 93,800
otal Valencias 2 91,510 87,640 90,200 3,894,500 3,784,000 3,883,300
ALL ORANGES: :
Calif. : 44,300 39,000 = 39,000 1,662,000 1,463,000 1,463,000
Fla. : 129,700 137,700 149,000 5,836,000 6,197,000 6,705,000
Texas 3 4,500 4,200 5,700 202,500 189,000 256,500
Ariz. : 5,360 4, 760 3,400 201,600 179,000 127,600
U.S., All Oranges: 183,880 185,660 197,100 7,902,100 8,028,000 8, 552,100
GRAPEFRUIT: $
Fla., All : 39,900 37,400 41,000 1,695,000 1,590,000 1,743,000
Seedless 3 27,700 27,900 30,000 1,177,000 1,186,000 1,275,000
Pink : 10,700 10,200 10,000 455,000 434,000 425,000
White : 17,000 17,700 20,000 722,000 752,000 850,000
Other : 12,200 9,500 11,000 518,000 404,000 468,000
Texas : 6,700 8,100 8,800 268 ,000 324,000 352 ,000
Ariz. : 2,510 3,160 2,500 80,300 101, 000 80,000
Calif., All : 5,060 5,250 5,100 165,300 LT1L,500 166,400
Desert Valleys : 3,260 2,950 3,000 105,000 94,400 96,000
Other Areas : 1,800 2,300 2,100 60,300 T1100 70,400
tee, cn i 54,170 93,910 57,400 2,208,600 2,286,500 2,341,400
LEMONS: :
Calif. : 12,300 12,700 14,500 468, 000 483,000 551,000
Ariz. : 3,510 2,820 3,300 134,000 107,000 125,000
U. S. Lemons : 15,810 15,520 17,800 602, 000 590, 000 676,000
TANGELOS: Fla. : 1,800 2,500 2,700 Bi, 000 113,000 122,000
TANGERINES: :
Fla. : 3,400 3,000 3,700 162,000 143,000 176,000
Ariz. : 170 220 200 6,380 8,250 7,500
Calif. t 640 760 800 24, 000 28,500 30,000
Total Tangerines 3 210 3,980 _],700 192,380 179,750 213,500
TEMPLES: Fla. : 4,500 5,200 5,500 202,000 234,000 248,000

‘vi 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
los.; 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 Ibs.; 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 1971 7 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


CITRUS

FRUITS PRODUCTION 1/

Indicated 1970-71

Crop 1968-69 1969-70 + February 1 March 1

T, 000 boxes
oranges 183,880 185,660 207 ,900 197,100
Grapefruit 54,170 53,910 59,800 57,400
Lemons 15,810 15,520 18,000 17,800

1/

of harvest

the following year.

IRISH POTATOES

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

Acreage : Yield per harv. acre : Production
Seasonal : : For : : Indi- : 2 :_Indicated 1971
group : harv.: 1969 : 1970 : cated : 1969: 1970 : :
: 1971: : + 1971 : ;Feb. 1, Mar. 1
: 1,000 acres Cwt. 1,000 cwt.
Winter 118.8 17.7 193 191 179 3,828 3,582 3,329 3,170
Early spring : 29.6 29.4 175 161 Apr. 9 5,687 4,757 April 9

CROP REPORTING BOARD:
B. W. Kelly, Acting Chairman,

APPROVED: M. L. Koehn, Secretary,
J. R. Kendall, Cc. E, Burkhead,
4 J. E, Mullin, P. M, Williamson,
J. R. Standley, H. F. Prindle,
B. M. Graham, R, R. Hancock.

ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1971 2 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


GENERAL CROP SUMMARY AS OF MARCH 1], 1971

A stormy February brought above normal precipitation to the Eastern half of the Nation, but
in the West, precipitation was well below normal. Many Texas areas completed their fifth straight
month receiving less than half normal moisture. Late February rain and snow benefited the winter
wheat crop in the previously dry Central Plains. However, wet fields in the Central Plains and
South stopped fieldwork late in the month.

Livestock are in generally good condition, but were on heavy feed rations during the severe
cold and stormy periods. In the Central Plains, late February blizzard stranded many live-
stock herds without feed for up to 3 days. Conditions have been favorable for calving and lamb-
ing in the West with only normal death losses.

February Temperatures Near Normal

‘Temperatures averaged near normal during February. However, colder spots did exist:
Temperatures were © to 6° below normal in Kansas, western Kentucky, Tennessee and northern
Alabama. Areas averaging the highest temperatures above normal were western Montana, northern
Idaho and eastern Washington. The month started out cold in the eastern section of the Nation.
Freezing temperatures occurred in all the 48 states on February 2. Frost dipped into southern
Florida and Texas during the month, The western half of the country generally had above normal
temperatures until late in February when a cold wave hit.

Warmer weather late in the month reduced the Midwest snow cover caused by a blizzard, and
melting snow brought some flooding to Nebraska.

February Precipitation Above Normal

A stormy February in the East produced above normal precipitation east and south of a Line
from central Montana through western Kansas and into Mississippi. Over twice the normal
moisture was received from Kansas to the Great Lakes, and large amounts were recorded along the
Appalachian Mountain Range.

In the West, little precipitation fell except in the Pacific Northwest, and extremely dry
weather continued over most of Texas and the Southwest. For Texas, this was the 5th consecutive
month that moisture was less than 50 percent of normal. Moisture is needed immediately to aid
germination and plant growth, and to allow planting of spring crops.

Tornadoes were commonplace during February, and the Deep South suffered the most life and
property loss. A severe blizzard in late February from the Texas Panhandle Northward to Nebraska
and Wyoming isolated livestock herds for up to 3 days without feed. Care and feeding of live-
stock was difficult as drifting snow, md and high water (flooding) prevented fermers and
ranchers from reaching their herds. Wet soils delayed fieldwork in most of the South Atlantic
States, but tobacco growers were able to seed their plant beds. Potato planting also started
in Alabama.

As of February 1 the irrigation water outlook was good to excellent in most of the 11

Western States. However, Arizona and New Mexico could face late summer shortages because of
the below average water supply.

Winter Wheat Prospects Variable

Winter wheat benefited from February precipitation. The Great Plains received rain and
heavy snow late in the month. However, strong winds caused drifting and left only a light
covering on fields. Growing areas in western Oklahoma and all of Texas need more precipitation.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1971. 3 Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA