Cr Pr 2-2 (3-00)

Washington, D.C.

Crop

Production

Released March 10, 2000, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of

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

U.S. Orange Production Up 3 Percent

All oranges production forecast for 1999-00 is 12.8 million tons, up 3 percent from last month’s forecast and

up 29 percent from last season’s freeze-damaged crop. Florida's all orange forecast is 226 million boxes

(10.2 million tons), 3 percent higher than the February 1 forecast and 22 percent higher than the 186 million

boxes (8.36 million tons) utilized last season. Early and midseason varieties in Florida are forecast at

134 million boxes (6.03 million tons), 6 percent higher than a month ago and 20 percent higher than last

season. Maturity is lagging and the rows remaining for harvest are the highest in the current 9-season series. 

Florida’s Valencia forecast of 92.0 million boxes (4.14 million tons) remains unchanged and is 25 percent

higher than last season’s final utilization. Droppage remains well below average while the size is above

average. However, the growth rate has leveled off as the fruit approaches maturity. 

Texas orange production is forecast at 1.70 million boxes (73,000 tons), up 6 percent from last month and up

19 percent from last season. If realized, it will be the largest orange crop since the 1988-89 season when

1.85 million boxes were utilized. California’s all orange production forecast of 67.0 million boxes

(2.51 million tons) is carried forward from January and is 76 percent higher than last season’s freeze-damaged

crop. The Arizona orange forecast, also carried forward from January, is 1.05 million boxes (40,000 tons),

down 9 percent from last season’s final utilization.

Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1999-00 season is 1.54 gallons per box of

42.0 degree Brix concentrate, unchanged from February’s projected yield. This projected yield is down from

last season’s record high 1.63 gallons per box. The early and midseason portion is projected at 1.48 gallons

per box, while the late type (Valencia) orange yield is projected at 1.64 gallons per box, both unchanged from

a month ago. 
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 2 NASS, USDA

This report was approved on March 10, 2000.

Acting Secretary of

Agriculture

Richard E. Rominger

Agricultural Statistics Board

Acting Chairperson

Rich Allen
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 3 NASS, USDA

Contents

Page

Citrus ................................................................................5

Crop Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

Information Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Papayas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

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

Weather Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 4 NASS, USDA

Sugarcane: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production

by Use, State, and United States, 1998-99

Use

and

State

Area Harvested Yield 1 Production 1

1998 1999 1998 1999 1998 1999

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

For Sugar

 FL

 HI 2

 LA 2

 TX 2

 US

For Seed

 FL

 HI 2

 LA 2

 TX 2

 US

For Sugar

 and Seed

 FL

 HI 2

 LA 2

 TX 2

 US

426.0

30.3

400.0

32.0

888.3

21.0

2.2

35.0

0.6

58.8

447.0

32.5

435.0

32.6

947.1

444.0

32.7

435.0

28.7

940.4

16.0

2.3

30.0

2.5

50.8

460.0

35.0

465.0

31.2

991.2

40.1

90.0

29.7

32.9

36.9

40.1

32.4

29.7

18.3

33.4

40.1

86.1

29.7

32.6

36.6

35.0

87.6

33.0

34.0

35.9

42.5

32.9

33.0

27.6

35.7

35.3

84.0

33.0

33.5

35.9

17,083

2,727

11,880

1,053

32,743

842

71

1,040

11

1,964

17,925

2,798

12,920

1,064

34,707

15,540

2,865

14,355

976

33,736

680

76

990

69

1,815

16,220

2,941

15,345

1,045

35,551 1 Net tons. 2 Current estimates carried forward from earlier forecast.

Papayas: Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii, 1999-00

Month

Area Fresh Production

Total in Crop Harvested 1999 2000

1999 2000 1999 2000

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

Jan

Feb

3,740

3,700

3,285

3,225

2,190

2,135

1,670

1,600

2,975

2,985

3,345

3,650
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 5 NASS, USDA

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

1997-98, 1998-99 and Forecasted March 1, 2000 1

Crop and State

Utilized Production

Boxes

Utilized Production

Ton Equivalent

1997-98 1998-99 1999-00 1997-98 1998-99 1999-00

1,000 Boxes 2 1,000 Boxes 2 1,000 Boxes 2 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons

Oranges

 Early Mid &

 Navel 3

 AZ 4

 CA 4

 FL

 TX

 US

 Valencia

 AZ 4

 CA 4

 FL

 TX

 US

 All

 AZ 4

 CA 4

 FL

 TX

 US

Temples

 FL

Grapefruit

 White Seedless

 FL 5

 Colored Seedless

 FL 6

 Other

 FL

 All

 AZ 4

 CA 4

 FL 5 6

 TX

 US

Tangerines

 AZ 4 7

 CA 4 7

 FL

 US

Lemons 4

 AZ

 CA

 US

Tangelos

 FL

K-Early Citrus

 FL

350

44,000

140,000

1,350

185,700

650

25,000

104,000

175

129,825

1,000

69,000

244,000

1,525

315,525

2,250

18,300

30,600

650

800

8,000

49,550

4,800

63,150

600

2,400

5,200

8,200

2,600

21,000

23,600

2,850

40

550

21,000

112,000

1,250

134,800

600

17,000

73,700

180

91,480

1,150

38,000

185,700

1,430

226,280

1,800

17,800

28,700

550

750

7,500

47,050

6,100

61,400

950

1,500

4,950

7,400

3,450

16,200

19,650

2,550

80

600

40,000

134,000

1,400

176,000

450

27,000

92,000

300

119,750

1,050

67,000

226,000

1,700

295,750

2,100

18,500

27,000

500

800

8,000

46,000

5,500

60,300

1,100

2,300

6,800

10,200

3,100

21,000

24,100

2,500

110

13

1,650

6,300

57

8,020

25

938

4,680

7

5,650

38

2,588

10,980

64

13,670

101

777

1,301

28

27

268

2,106

192

2,593

23

90

247

360

99

798

897

128

2

21

787

5,040

53

5,901

22

638

3,317

8

3,985

43

1,425

8,357

61

9,886

81

757

1,220

23

25

251

2,000

244

2,520

36

56

235

327

131

616

747

115

4

23

1,500

6,030

60

7,613

17

1,013

4,140

13

5,183

40

2,513

10,170

73

12,796

95

786

1,148

21

27

268

1,955

220

2,470

41

86

323

450

118

798

916

113

5 1

 The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest the following year. 2 Net

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

& Temples-90; tangerines-AZ & CA-75, FL-95. 3

 Navel and miscellaneous varieties in AZ and CA. Early (including Navel) and

midseason varieties in FL and TX. Small quantities of tangerines in TX. 4

 Estimates for current year carried forward from earlier

forecast. 5

 Excludes White Seedless economic abandonment of 5,000,000 boxes in 1997-98. 6 Excludes Colored Seedless

economic abandonment of 1,000,000 boxes in 1997-98. 7

 Includes tangelos and tangors.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 6 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1999-00

(Domestic Units) 1

Crop

Area Planted Area Harvested

1999 2000 1999 2000

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

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain 2

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Proso Millet

 Rice

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain 2

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All

 Upland

 Amer-Pima

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas

 Dry Edible Beans

 Dry Edible Peas

 Lentils

 Wrinkled Seed Peas

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Ginger Root (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 3

5,223.0

77,431.0

4,670.0

600.0

3,581.0

1,582.0

9,288.0

62,814.0

43,431.0

4,035.0

15,348.0

1,076.0

387.0

60.8

1,533.0

4.6

275.0

73,780.0

3,553.0

14,855.0

14,565.0

290.0

1,562.7

6.1

2,023.0

281.6

182.0

1,377.0

18.1

86.8

69.1

1,203.0

93.3

42,916.0

18.2

4,758.0

70,537.0

6,062.0

63,160.0

23,985.0

39,175.0

2,453.0

540.0

3,562.0

383.0

8,544.0

320.0

53,909.0

35,572.0

3,569.0

14,768.0

1,044.0

382.0

58.8

1,427.5

4.4

262.0

72,476.0

3,441.0

13,381.0

13,093.0

288.0

1,527.1

991.2

644.3

4.4

1,877.0

263.6

174.5

6.4

0.4

34.3

106.3

1,332.6

17.8

84.5

64.2

1,166.1

24.4

82.9

0.5

18.0

1

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

full 2000 crop year. 2

 Area planted for all purposes. 3 Area is total acres in crop, not harvested acreage.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 7 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 1999-00

(Domestic Units) 1

Crop Unit

Yield Production

1999 2000 1999 2000

1,000 1,000

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Proso Millet

 Rice 2

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed 3

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All 2

 Upland 2

 Amer-Pima 2

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas 2

 Dry Edible Beans 2

 Dry Edible Peas 2

 Lentils 2

 Wrinkled Seed Peas

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Ginger Root (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 3

Bu

"

Ton

"

"

"

Bu

"

Cwt

Bu

"

Ton

Bu

"

"

"

Lb

Ton

Bu

Lb

"

"

"

Bu

Lb

Bale

"

"

Ton

"

Lb

Cwt

"

"

"

"

Lb

"

"

"

Cwt

"

"

"

"

Lb

Cwt

Lb

59.2

133.8

15.9

2.52

3.50

1.92

59.6

33.2

5,908

28.7

69.7

11.6

42.7

47.8

27.8

34.1

1,306

20.6

816

2,711

1,155

1,545

36.5

1,262

608

596

1,159

21.8

35.9

1,980

1,364

1,770

1,908

1,368

1,640

46,000

1,881

71

359

229

300

298

369

101

145

256

281,853

9,437,337

96,169

159,077

83,924

75,153

146,218

17,910

210,458

10,993

595,166

3,716

2,302,443

1,699,989

99,322

503,132

1,363,680

6,422

7,880

48,010

3,870,200

5,080

404,715

2,642,908

4,341,862

16,952.9

16,257.4

695.5

33,319

35,551

1,275,438

60

33,230

5,030

2,387

658

10,500

16,100

64,456

7,537

478,398

4,070

25,327

19,154

429,847

2,454

11,980

6,800

4,600

1

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

full 2000 crop year. 2

 Yield in pounds. 3 Yield is not estimated.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 8 NASS, USDA

Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1998-00

(Domestic Units) 1

Crop Unit

Production

1998 1999 2000

1,000 1,000 1,000

Citrus 2

 Grapefruit

 K-Early Citrus (FL)

 Lemons

 Oranges

 Tangelos (FL)

 Tangerines

 Temples (FL)

Non-Citrus

 Apples

 Apricots

 Bananas (HI)

 Grapes

 Olives (CA)

 Papayas (HI)

 Peaches

 Pears

 Prunes, Dried (CA)

 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA)

Nuts & Misc.

 Almonds (CA)

 Hazelnuts

 Pecans

 Pistachios (CA)

 Walnuts (CA)

 Maple Syrup

Ton

"

"

"

"

"

"

1,000 Lbs

Ton

Lb

Ton

"

Lb

1,000 Lbs

Ton

"

"

Lb

Ton

Lb

"

Ton

Gal

2,593

2

897

13,670

128

360

101

11,648.4

118.5

21,000.0

5,820.0

90.0

39,900.0

2,401.3

955.1

108.0

25.6

520,000

15.5

146,400

188,000

227.0

1,159

2,520

4

747

9,886

115

327

81

10,741.3

90.8

25,000.0

6,169.4

145.0

42,000.0

2,521.4

981.6

178.0

22.9

830,000

38.0

341,700

123,000

283.0

1,180

2,470

5

916

12,796

113

450

95

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

full 2000 crop year. 2 Production years are 1997-98, 1998-99, and 1999-00.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 9 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1999-00

(Metric Units) 1

Crop

Area Planted Area Harvested

1999 2000 1999 2000

Hectares Hectares Hectares Hectares

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain 2

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All 3

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Proso Millet

 Rice

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain 2

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All 3

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All 3

 Upland

 Amer-Pima

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas

 Dry Edible Beans

 Dry Edible Peas

 Lentils

 Wrinkled Seed Peas

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Ginger Root (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All 3

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 4

2,113,700

31,335,550

1,889,900

242,810

1,449,190

640,220

3,758,760

25,420,200

17,576,090

1,632,920

6,211,180

435,450

156,620

24,610

620,390

1,860

111,290

29,858,030

1,437,860

6,011,670

5,894,310

117,360

632,410

2,470

818,690

113,960

73,650

557,260

7,320

35,130

27,960

486,840

37,760

17,367,680

7,370

1,925,520

28,545,620

2,453,230

25,560,220

9,706,490

15,853,730

992,700

218,530

1,441,510

155,000

3,457,670

129,500

21,816,430

14,395,630

1,444,340

5,976,460

422,500

154,590

23,800

577,690

1,780

106,030

29,330,310

1,392,540

5,415,160

5,298,610

116,550

618,000

401,130

260,720

1,780

759,600

106,680

70,620

2,590

140

13,860

43,020

539,290

7,200

34,200

25,980

471,910

9,870

33,550

200

7,280

1

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

full 2000 crop year. 2

 Area planted for all purposes. 3 Total may not add due to rounding. 4 Area is total hectares in crop, not

harvested hectares.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 10 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 1999-00

(Metric Units) 1

Crop

Yield Production

1999 2000 1999 2000

Metric Tons Metric Tons Metric Tons Metric Tons

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All 2

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Proso Millet

 Rice

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All 2

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed 3

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All 2

 Upland

 Amer-Pima

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas

 Dry Edible Beans

 Dry Edible Peas

 Lentils

 Wrinkled Seed Peas

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Ginger Root (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All 2

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 3

3.19

8.40

35.56

5.65

7.84

4.30

2.14

1.86

6.62

1.80

4.37

26.03

2.87

3.21

1.87

2.29

1.46

1.29

0.92

3.04

1.29

1.73

2.45

1.41

0.68

0.67

1.30

48.91

80.40

2.22

1.53

1.98

2.14

1.53

1.84

51.56

2.11

0.08

40.24

25.63

33.59

33.44

41.32

0.11

16.20

28.64

6,136,620

239,719,400

87,243,050

144,312,230

76,134,570

68,177,650

2,122,350

406,190

9,546,210

279,240

15,117,910

3,371,100

62,662,230

46,266,120

2,703,100

13,693,010

618,550

5,826,300

200,160

21,780

1,755,490

2,300

183,580

71,928,170

1,969,440

3,691,060

3,539,630

151,430

30,226,490

32,251,320

578,530

2,720

1,507,290

228,160

108,270

29,850

4,760

7,300

29,240

3,420

21,699,770

184,610

1,148,810

868,810

19,497,530

1,110

543,400

3,080

208,650

1

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

full 2000 crop year. 2

 Production may not add due to rounding. 3 Yield is not estimated.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 11 NASS, USDA

Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1998-00

(Metric Units) 1

Crop

Production

1998 1999 2000

Metric tons Metric tons Metric tons

Citrus 2

 Grapefruit

 K-Early Citrus (FL)

 Lemons

 Oranges

 Tangelos (FL)

 Tangerines

 Temples (FL)

Non-Citrus

 Apples

 Apricots

 Bananas (HI)

 Grapes

 Olives (CA)

 Papayas (HI)

 Peaches

 Pears

 Prunes, Dried (CA)

 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA)

Nuts & Misc.

 Almonds (CA)

 Hazelnuts

 Pecans

 Pistachios (CA)

 Walnuts (CA)

 Maple Syrup

2,352,330

1,810

813,740

12,401,220

116,120

326,590

91,630

5,283,630

107,500

9,530

5,279,770

81,650

18,100

1,089,210

866,490

97,980

23,220

235,870

14,060

66,410

85,280

205,930

5,790

2,286,110

3,630

677,670

8,968,430

104,330

296,650

73,480

4,872,170

82,370

11,340

5,596,810

131,540

19,050

1,143,690

890,450

161,480

20,770

376,480

34,470

154,990

55,790

256,730

5,900

2,240,750

4,540

830,980

11,608,340

102,510

408,230

86,180

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

full 2000 crop year. 2 Production years are 1997-98, 1998-99, and 1999-00.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 12 NASS, USDA

February Weather Summary

A very active and persistent storm track provided drought relief to many areas, including the western Corn

Belt and Ohio Valley, but failed to deliver significant moisture into the South. As a result, dryness--

exacerbated by persistent warmth--intensified in areas from southern Arizona to the southern Atlantic Coast,

including the southern High Plains. Although the South’s warm, dry weather favored pre-planting fieldwork

and early summer-crop planting, pastures and dryland winter grains remained drought-stressed. In addition,

the continuing dryness increased irrigation requirements and heightened the risk of wildfires, especially across

Florida and southern Georgia. Meanwhile, frequent late-month precipitation on the central and southeastern

Plains improved soil moisture for winter wheat, which broke dormancy and began to develop due to unusually

warm conditions. Continuing a trend that developed in mid-January, unsettled, showery conditions prevailed

in most of the West, further improving soil moisture reserves, high-elevation snow packs, and spring runoff

prospects. Some of the heaviest precipitation fell in California, where spring fieldwork was delayed by cool,

wet weather.

Cold weather eased across the South and East early in the month, then made a brief mid-month appearance on

the northern Plains. Otherwise, unusually mild weather prevailed nearly nationwide, capped by a spell of

warmth that produced about two dozen monthly record high temperatures from February 22-29. Monthly

temperatures averaged at least 4 degrees F above normal in nearly all areas from the Intermountain West to

the East Coast. Departures peaked around +12 degrees F in the upper Midwest and across southern Texas. 

Exceptions to the warm pattern included California and northern New England, where temperatures averaged

within 3 degrees F of normal.

General Crop Comments: Dry weather prevailed in the Great Plains early in the month, with near-drought

conditions developing in many areas from Texas to North Dakota. Light, scattered precipitation eased

moisture shortages in parts of the central and southern Great Plains, but most of the northern and southern

Great Plains received little or no precipitation until the second half of the month. A narrow band of heavy

precipitation eased drought conditions in eastern Texas late in the month. However, in the Texas High Plains,

wheat conditions steadily deteriorated and fieldwork slowed due to dry weather and wind erosion. In the

central and northern Great Plains, above-normal temperatures and late-month rains reduced, and in many

areas eliminated, protective snow cover. However, damage to winter wheat due to cold weather was minimal

and the late-month rains improved soil moisture supplies. Rain and warm weather stimulated winter wheat

growth in Oklahoma and Kansas late in the month, as most wheat fields broke dormancy. In the soft red

winter wheat areas of the eastern Corn Belt and Ohio River Valley, near-normal and below-normal

temperatures prevailed at the beginning of the month. However, adequate snow cover, especially near the

Great Lakes, protected wheat fields from the cold weather. Above-normal temperatures prevailed the

remainder of the month and, shortly after mid-month, a band of rain that centered over the Ohio River Valley

boosted soil moisture supplies in the eastern and southern Corn Belt.

Rainfall was significantly below normal in the lower Mississippi Valley, Southeast, and along the Coastal

Plains, even though winter storms delivered a mixture of rain and freezing precipitation to most areas during

the month. Below-normal temperatures during the first half of the month provided beneficial chill hours for

fruit trees in the Southeast. In Florida, over-night lows briefly dipped below freezing in northern areas of the

State and some citrus groves experienced frost, but tree and fruit damage was minimal. However, dry weather

forced citrus growers to irrigate groves most of the month to maintain good tree health. By the end of the

month, most well cared for trees were putting on new growth and developing bloom buds. Field activities

continued with few delays along the Gulf Coast from Texas to Florida. Corn planting began in southeastern

Texas early in the month, and cotton planting began in the Coastal Bend near the end of the month. 

A stormy pattern prevailed along the Pacific Coast. In northern California, small grains, winter forages, new

alfalfa, and emerging sugarbeets improved due to early-month rainfall. Also, dryland grain and oat fields

germinated and emerged. Above-normal temperatures and improved moisture supplies stimulated growth of

emerged crops. However, some low-lying wheat fields were temporarily flooded due to heavy rainfall. Rain

periodically delayed field and orchard work in central and northern California and eased dry conditions along

the southern coast, but inland areas of the Southwest remained excessively dry and fieldwork was mostly

uninterrupted. In the southern San Joaquin Valley, growers planted corn for grain and silage and prepared
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 13 NASS, USDA

cotton, safflower, and sunflower fields for spring planting. The grapefruit and lemon harvests remained

active in southern California, and navel orange picking continued in the San Joaquin Valley. Almonds and

stone fruits began blooming.

Grapefruit: The forecast of the 1999-00 grapefruit crop for the United States remains unchanged at

2.47 million tons, representing a 2 percent decline from last season. The Florida grapefruit forecast continues

at 46.0 million boxes(1.96 million tons). The white seedless forecast, at 18.5 million boxes (786,000 tons), is

unchanged from last month but up 4 percent from last year. The colored seedless utilization is expected at

27.0 million boxes (1.15 million tons), also unchanged, but 6 percent less than the 1998-99 season. White

seedless fruit size continued to increase slightly, but the colored showed a slight decrease. Both varieties are

below the nine-season average. Loss from droppage is slightly below average for whites and slightly above

on the colored. Lagging maturity has delayed the harvest and spot picking has been more prevalent than in

recent seasons. The seedy grapefruit forecast remains at 500,000 boxes (21,000 tons), 9 percent below last

season. Seedy fruit size is average, but loss from droppage continues well below average. Final utilization is

dependent on load tickets at the processing plant since this variety is only recorded as processed use. 

The March 1 forecast of Texas grapefruit is 5.50 million boxes (220,000 tons), unchanged from last month

and down 10 percent from last season. The California and Arizona forecasts are carried forward from earlier

forecasts.

Tangelos: The 1999-00 tangelo forecast from Florida is decreased to 2.50 million boxes (113,000 tons),

4 percent lower than last month and 2 percent lower than last season’s final utilization. The reduction is

based on the Row Count Survey which indicated that 13 percent of the rows remain to be harvested. It will

require complete harvest to make this forecast.

Tangerines: The 1999-00 U.S. tangerine crop forecast is increased to a record large 450,000 tons, up

38 percent from the freeze-damaged crop last season. Florida’s tangerine forecast is a record large

6.80 million boxes (323,000 tons), 37 percent larger than last season. The early tangerine varieties harvest of

Robinson, Fallglo, and Dancy is complete. The harvest of the Sunburst tangerine, also an early variety, is still

underway. The late season Honey tangerine harvest is gaining momentum. Fruit size is average, but loss

from droppage is the lowest in the nine-year series. The California and Arizona tangerine forecasts are

carried forward from earlier forecasts.

Temples: Florida’s 1999-00 Temple forecast of 2.10 million boxes (94,500 tons) is continued and is

17 percent higher than the 1.80 million boxes recorded last season. The crop is lagging in maturity. Average

fruit size remains below average. Loss from droppage is near the lowest of the previous nine seasons.

K-Early Citrus: The K-Early Citrus Fruit forecast is increased to 110,000 boxes (5,000 tons), 10,000 more

boxes than last month. This level will be more than each of the preceding two seasons, but less than in

1996-97.

Florida Citrus: February was a very dry month in Florida's citrus belt. Many growers have been irrigating

constantly to maintain good tree condition for the upcoming bloom period. By the end of the month, most 

groves in the southern part of the state had new growth and pin head bloom buds. Well-cared-for orange

groves in the south are in bloom. Fruit loss from droppage on this season’s crops continues below average in

all areas. Fruit sizes are progressing well with the help of irrigation. Harvest of early and midseason oranges
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 14 NASS, USDA

was very active during February with average weekly movement exceeding eight million boxes per week. 

Movement of all grapefruit was also very active with several processors receiving grove run fruit. Honey

tangerines and Temples were picked for both fresh and processed utilization. Caretakers were operating their

irrigation equipment and cutting cover crops for fire protection. Hedging and topping were reported in all

areas. Very few burn permits were being issued due to the extreme dry conditions.

Texas Citrus: The grapefruit and orange harvests continued in February with the grapefruit about

three-fourths complete. The early and midseason orange harvest is nearly complete. The Valencia orange

harvest is well underway. February has been dry, but enough water is available to get through the end of the

season. However, rain is needed to replenish the depleted supplies.

California Citrus: Navel orange picking was hampered by occasional rain showers throughout February. 

Close to one-half of the crop was picked by March 1. The rain improved the size and sugar acid ratio, but

growers were concerned about puff and crease. Valencia orange picking began in the desert area by late

February. Picking of grapefruit, lemons and tangerines was active.

California Noncitrus Fruits and Nuts: Cultural activities of fruit and nut growers were slowed in February

due to wet weather. When possible, growers were pruning and planting trees and vines. Almonds were in

full bloom by March 1. Bee colonies were placed in almond orchards for pollination, but wet, cool weather

hampered the bees’ activity. Peaches, nectarines, and plums also began blooming. Fungicides were sprayed

on fruit and nut trees for fungus and brown rot. Strawberry nursery plant digging was active.

Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 3.65 million pounds for February, 9 percent more

than January and 22 percent more than February 1999. Area in crop totaled 3,225 acres, 2 percent lower than

last month and 13 percent lower than a year ago. Harvested area, totaling 1,600 acres, was 4 percent lower

than January and 25 percent lower than last February. Weather conditions were mostly sunny during

February. The drier condition has minimized disease damage. Seasonally cool temperatures, however, have

slowed fruit maturity.

Sugarcane: Production for the 1999 crop year is estimated at a record high 35.6 million tons, 2 percent

above the previous record of 34.7 million tons set last year. Harvested acres is estimated at a record high

991,200 acres for sugar and seed, 5 percent more than the 1998 final harvested acres. The record high

acreage is due to a 30,000 acre expansion in Louisiana and a 13,000 acre increase in Florida. Yield is

estimated at 35.9 tons per acre, 0.7 tons below the 1998 yield of 36.6 tons. Louisiana’s estimated yield, at

33.0 tons per acre is a record high, 3.3 tons above the previous record high set in 1998. In Florida, grinding

was active and sugarcane harvest neared completion, as dry weather aided progress throughout the month.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

March 2000 15 NASS, USDA

Information Contacts

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

to contact for additional information.

C. Ray Halley, Chief (202) 720-2127

Field Crops Section

Brad Parks, Head (202) 720-2127

Rhonda Brandt - Corn, Proso Millet (202) 720-9526

Herman Ellison - Peanuts, Rice (202) 720-7688

Lance Honig - Wheat, Rye (202) 720-8068

Jay V. Johnson - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings (202) 720-5944

Roy Karkosh - Hay, Sorghum, Barley (202) 690-3234

Mark E. Miller - Oats, Sugar Crops, Weekly Crop Weather (202) 720-7621

Jerry Ramirez - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds (202) 720-7369

Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section

Jim Smith, Head (202) 720-2127

Arvin Budge - Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes (202) 720-4285

Dave DeWalt - Citrus, Tropical Fruits (202) 720-5412

Debbie Flippin - Fresh and Processing Vegetables (202) 720-3250

Steve Gunn - Apples, Cherries, Cranberries, Prunes, Plums (202) 720-4488

Jeffrey Kissel - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas,

Mushrooms (202) 690-0270

Keith Lacy - Berries, Grapes, Maple Syrup, Tobacco (202) 720-7235

Kim Ritchie - Hops (360) 902-1940

Dave Ranek - Nuts, Floriculture (202) 720-4215

Biz Wallingsford - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions,

 Strawberries (202) 720-2157
The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on April 11, 2000.

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