Crop Production 

ISSN: 1936-3737

Released November 9, 2012, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department 

of Agriculture (USDA).

Corn Production Up Slightly from October Forecast

Soybean Production Up 4 Percent

Cotton Production Up 1 Percent

Corn production is forecast at 10.7 billion bushels, up slightly from the October forecast but down 13 percent from 2011. 

This represents the lowest production in the United States since 2006. Based on conditions as of November 1, yields are 

expected to average 122.3 bushels per acre, up 0.3 bushel from the October forecast but 24.9 bushels below the 2011 

average. If realized, this will be the lowest average yield since 1995. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 87.7 million 

acres, unchanged from the October forecast and up 4 percent from 2011.

Soybean production is forecast at 2.97 billion bushels, up 4 percent from October but down 4 percent from last year. 

Based on November 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 39.3 bushels per acre, up 1.5 bushels from last month but 

down 2.6 bushels from last year. Compared with last month, yield forecasts are higher or unchanged across all States 

except for Oklahoma and Texas. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at 75.7 million acres, unchanged from 

October and up 3 percent from last year.

All cotton production is forecast at 17.4 million 480-pound bales, up 1 percent from last month and up 12 percent from 

last year. Yield is expected to average 802 pounds per acre, up 12 pounds from last year. Upland cotton production is 

forecast at 16.8 million 480-pound bales, up 14 percent from 2011. Pima cotton production, forecast at 657,000 bales, was 

carried forward from last month.
2 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

This report was approved on November 9, 2012.

Acting Secretary of

Agriculture

Kathleen A. Merrigan

Agricultural Statistics Board

Chairperson

Hubert Hamer
Crop Production (November 2012) 3

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Contents

Corn for Grain Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012................................................................................................................................................................... 6

Corn Production – United States Chart................................................................................................................................... 7

Sorghum for Grain Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012................................................................................................................................................................... 7

Rice Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted November 1, 2012.............. 8

Rice Production by Class – United States: 2011 and Forecasted November 1, 2012............................................................. 8

Soybean Production – United States Chart............................................................................................................................. 8

Soybeans for Beans Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012................................................................................................................................................................... 9

Peanut Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012................................................................................................................................................................. 10

Cottonseed Production – United States: 2011 and Forecasted November 1, 2012............................................................... 10

Cotton Production – United States Chart.............................................................................................................................. 10

Cotton Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Type – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012................................................................................................................................................................. 11

Sugarbeet Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012................................................................................................................................................................. 12

Sugarcane for Sugar and Seed Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and 

Forecasted November 1, 2012 .............................................................................................................................................. 12

Lentil Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012................................................................................................................................................................. 12

Dry Edible Pea Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and 

Forecasted November 1, 2012 .............................................................................................................................................. 13

Austrian Winter Pea Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and 

Forecasted November 1, 2012 .............................................................................................................................................. 13

Potato Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production by Seasonal Group – States and United States: 2011 

and Forecasted November 1, 2012........................................................................................................................................ 14

Percent of Fall Potatoes Planted to Major Varieties – Selected States: 2012 Crop .............................................................. 15

Percent of Fall Potatoes Planted to Major Varieties – Seven-State Total: 2012 Crop.......................................................... 16

Crop Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production in Domestic Units – United States: 2011 and 2012................... 18

Crop Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production in Metric Units – United States: 2011 and 2012 ....................... 20
4 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Fruits and Nuts Production in Domestic Units – United States: 2012 and 2013...................................................................22

Fruits and Nuts Production in Metric Units – United States: 2012 and 2013 .......................................................................23

Corn for Grain Plant Population per Acre – Selected States: 2008-2012 .............................................................................24

Corn for Grain Number of Ears per Acre – Selected States: 2008-2012 ..............................................................................25

Corn Objective Yield Percent of Samples Processed in the Lab – United States: 2008-2012..............................................25

Corn for Grain Percentage Distribution by Plant Population Per Acre – Selected States: 2008-2012 .................................26

Corn for Grain Frequency of Farmer Reported Row Widths – Selected States: 2008-2012 ................................................27

Corn for Grain Percentage Distribution by Measured Row Width and Average Row Width – Selected 

States: 2008-2012..................................................................................................................................................................28

Cotton Cumulative Boll Counts – Selected States: 2008-2012.............................................................................................29

Soybean Pods with Beans per 18 Square Feet – Selected States: 2008-2012 .......................................................................30

Soybean Frequency of Farmer Reported Row Widths – Selected States: 2008-2012 ..........................................................31

Soybean Objective Yield Percent of Samples Processed in the Lab – United States: 2008-2012 ........................................32

Soybean Percentage Distribution by Measured Row Width and Average Row Width – Selected 

States: 2008-2012..................................................................................................................................................................33

Fall Potato Number of Hills by Type – Selected States: 2008-2012.....................................................................................35

Fall Potato Harvest Loss by Type – Selected States: 2008-2012..........................................................................................36

Fall Potato Grading Categories by Type – Selected States: 2011 and 2012 .........................................................................37

Round Potato Size Categories by Type – Selected States: 2011 and 2012...........................................................................37

Long Potato (Russet and Shepody) Size Categories – Maine: 2011 and 2012 .....................................................................38

All Long Potato Size Categories – Selected States: 2011 and 2012 .....................................................................................38

Percent of Normal Precipitation Map....................................................................................................................................39

Departure from Normal Temperature Map ...........................................................................................................................39

October Weather Summary...................................................................................................................................................40

October Agricultural Summary.............................................................................................................................................40

Crop Comments ....................................................................................................................................................................42

Statistical Methodology.........................................................................................................................................................46
Crop Production (November 2012) 5

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Reliability of November 1 Crop Production Forecasts......................................................................................................... 47

Information Contacts ............................................................................................................................................................ 48
6 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Corn for Grain Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012

State

Area harvested Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011

2012

2011 2012

October 1 November 1

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (bushels) (bushels) (bushels) (1,000 bushels) (1,000 bushels)

Alabama .........................

Arkansas .........................

California ........................

Colorado .........................

Delaware ........................

Georgia ...........................

Illinois ..............................

Indiana ............................

Iowa ................................

Kansas ............................

Kentucky .........................

Louisiana ........................

Maryland .........................

Michigan .........................

Minnesota .......................

Mississippi ......................

Missouri ..........................

Nebraska ........................

New Jersey .....................

New York ........................

North Carolina .................

North Dakota ...................

Ohio ................................

Oklahoma .......................

Pennsylvania ..................

South Carolina ................

South Dakota ..................

Tennessee ......................

Texas ..............................

Virginia ............................

Washington .....................

Wisconsin .......................

Other States 1.................

United States ..................

250

520

150

1,300

182

270

12,400

5,750

13,700

4,200

1,300

570

430

2,190

7,700

740

3,070

9,600

81

620

815

2,060

3,220

190

960

330

4,950

735

1,470

340

125

3,320

443

83,981

270

690

180

970

177

295

12,400

6,050

13,700

4,200

1,540

530

425

2,340

8,250

780

3,350

9,150

82

650

780

3,390

3,620

320

1,000

310

5,350

970

1,540

350

115

3,450

497

87,721

114.0

142.0

185.0

133.0

130.0

158.0

157.0

146.0

172.0

107.0

139.0

135.0

109.0

153.0

156.0

128.0

114.0

160.0

123.0

133.0

84.0

105.0

158.0

90.0

111.0

65.0

132.0

131.0

93.0

118.0

225.0

156.0

162.3

147.2

100.0

177.0

190.0

138.0

115.0

190.0

98.0

100.0

140.0

91.0

68.0

170.0

115.0

118.0

168.0

156.0

75.0

142.0

132.0

130.0

120.0

115.0

123.0

115.0

127.0

122.0

94.0

89.0

145.0

95.0

210.0

127.0

160.9

122.0

105.0

177.0

190.0

138.0

120.0

190.0

101.0

100.0

139.0

91.0

68.0

170.0

115.0

120.0

168.0

156.0

75.0

139.0

133.0

135.0

120.0

120.0

125.0

115.0

130.0

122.0

94.0

89.0

140.0

95.0

215.0

125.0

160.9

122.3

28,500

73,840

27,750

172,900

23,660

42,660

1,946,800

839,500

2,356,400

449,400

180,700

76,950

46,870

335,070

1,201,200

94,720

349,980

1,536,000

9,963

82,460

68,460

216,300

508,760

17,100

106,560

21,450

653,400

96,285

136,710

40,120

28,125

517,920

71,899

12,358,412

28,350

122,130

34,200

133,860

21,240

56,050

1,252,400

605,000

1,904,300

382,200

104,720

90,100

48,875

280,800

1,386,000

121,680

251,250

1,271,850

10,906

87,750

93,600

406,800

452,500

36,800

130,000

37,820

502,900

86,330

215,600

33,250

24,725

431,250

79,955

10,725,191

1 Other States include Arizona, Florida, Idaho, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming. Individual State level estimates will 

be published in the Crop Production 2012 Summary.
Crop Production (November 2012) 7

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Sorghum for Grain Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and 

Forecasted November 1, 2012

State

Area harvested Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011

2012

2011 2012

October 1 November 1

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (bushels) (bushels) (bushels) (1,000 bushels) (1,000 bushels)

Arkansas .......................

Colorado ........................

Illinois ............................

Kansas ..........................

Louisiana .......................

Mississippi .....................

Missouri .........................

Nebraska .......................

New Mexico ...................

Oklahoma ......................

South Dakota .................

Texas ............................

Other States 1................

United States .................

90

140

20

2,000

124

50

33

70

21

80

110

1,150

41

3,929

130

160

25

2,100

125

46

55

60

30

200

130

1,900

55

5,016

72.0

35.0

91.0

55.0

87.0

74.0

72.0

94.0

64.0

21.0

60.0

49.0

44.5

54.6

84.0

22.0

60.0

40.0

100.0

77.0

55.0

58.0

55.0

28.0

38.0

60.0

60.0

50.2

84.0

20.0

55.0

40.0

100.0

79.0

55.0

67.0

55.0

28.0

38.0

62.0

63.6

51.1

6,480

4,900

1,820

110,000

10,788

3,700

2,376

6,580

1,344

1,680

6,600

56,350

1,825

214,443

10,920

3,200

1,375

84,000

12,500

3,634

3,025

4,020

1,650

5,600

4,940

117,800

3,500

256,164

1 Other States include Arizona and Georgia. Individual State level estimates will be published in the Crop Production 2012 Summary.

8.0

9.0

10.0

11.0

12.0

13.0

14.0

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Billion bushels

Corn Production – United States
8 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Rice Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012

State

Area harvested Yield per acre Production 1

2011 2012 2011

2012

2011 2012

October 1 November 1

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (1,000 cwt) (1,000 cwt)

Arkansas ................

California ...............

Louisiana ...............

Mississippi .............

Missouri .................

Texas .....................

United States .........

1,154

580

418

158

128

180

2,618

1,280

563

400

123

177

134

2,677

6,770

8,350

6,320

6,850

6,490

7,190

7,067

7,300

8,450

6,600

7,100

6,700

8,100

7,428

7,340

8,300

6,500

7,100

6,900

8,150

7,417

78,100

48,402

26,430

10,823

8,308

12,946

185,009

93,952

46,729

26,000

8,733

12,213

10,921

198,548

1

Includes sweet rice production.

Rice Production by Class – United States: 2011 and Forecasted November 1, 2012

Year Long grain Medium grain Short grain 1 All

(1,000 cwt) (1,000 cwt) (1,000 cwt) (1,000 cwt)

2011 ........................

2012 2......................

116,420

139,838

65,562

54,634

3,027

4,076

185,009

198,548

1 Sweet rice production included with short grain.

2

The 2012 rice production by class forecasts are based on class harvested acreage estimates and the 5-year average class yield compared to the all 

rice yield.

2.4

2.6

2.8

3.0

3.2

3.4

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Billion bushels

Soybean Production – United States
Crop Production (November 2012) 9

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Soybeans for Beans Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and 

Forecasted November 1, 2012

State

Area harvested Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011

2012

2011 2012

October 1 November 1

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (bushels) (bushels) (bushels) (1,000 bushels) (1,000 bushels)

Alabama ...........................

Arkansas ..........................

Delaware ..........................

Georgia ............................

Illinois ...............................

Indiana .............................

Iowa ..................................

Kansas .............................

Kentucky ...........................

Louisiana ..........................

Maryland ...........................

Michigan ...........................

Minnesota .........................

Mississippi ........................

Missouri ............................

Nebraska ..........................

New Jersey .......................

New York ..........................

North Carolina ..................

North Dakota ....................

Ohio ..................................

Oklahoma .........................

Pennsylvania ....................

South Carolina ..................

South Dakota ....................

Tennessee ........................

Texas ...............................

Virginia .............................

Wisconsin .........................

Other States 1...................

United States ....................

295

3,280

168

135

8,910

5,290

9,230

3,760

1,480

980

465

1,940

7,040

1,800

5,210

4,840

86

277

1,360

3,960

4,540

265

490

360

4,070

1,260

90

550

1,610

35

73,776

330

3,150

168

205

8,800

5,140

9,290

3,750

1,450

1,110

475

1,990

6,970

1,960

5,250

4,950

93

307

1,540

4,700

4,580

300

520

370

4,650

1,220

105

580

1,700

40

75,693

33.0

38.5

39.5

22.0

47.5

45.5

51.5

27.0

39.0

36.0

39.0

44.0

39.0

39.0

36.5

54.0

38.0

43.0

30.5

29.0

48.0

13.0

44.0

25.5

37.0

32.0

19.0

40.0

46.5

35.7

41.9

39.0

39.0

38.0

33.0

39.0

41.0

43.0

22.0

37.0

44.0

42.0

39.0

43.0

41.0

30.0

41.0

38.0

45.0

35.0

34.0

43.0

20.0

45.0

30.0

28.0

35.0

29.0

39.0

39.0

39.7

37.8

44.0

41.0

41.0

35.0

43.0

44.0

44.0

23.0

38.0

44.0

45.0

42.0

43.0

42.0

31.0

41.0

40.0

45.0

36.0

34.0

47.0

16.0

47.0

32.0

28.0

36.0

27.0

40.0

39.0

38.1

39.3

9,735

126,280

6,636

2,970

423,225

240,695

475,345

101,520

57,720

35,280

18,135

85,360

274,560

70,200

190,165

261,360

3,268

11,911

41,480

114,840

217,920

3,445

21,560

9,180

150,590

40,320

1,710

22,000

74,865

1,249

3,093,524

14,520

129,150

6,888

7,175

378,400

226,160

408,760

86,250

55,100

48,840

21,375

83,580

299,710

82,320

162,750

202,950

3,720

13,815

55,440

159,800

215,260

4,800

24,440

11,840

130,200

43,920

2,835

23,200

66,300

1,524

2,971,022

1 Other States include Florida and West Virginia. Individual State level estimates will be published in the Crop Production 2012 Summary.
10 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Peanut Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012

State

Area harvested Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011

2012

2011 2012

October 1 November 1

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (1,000 pounds) (1,000 pounds)

Alabama ....................

Florida ........................

Georgia ......................

Mississippi .................

New Mexico ...............

North Carolina ............

Oklahoma ..................

South Carolina ...........

Texas .........................

Virginia .......................

United States .............

166.0

157.0

454.0

14.0

6.6

81.0

21.0

73.0

93.0

15.0

1,080.6

215.0

200.0

725.0

48.0

8.0

106.0

22.0

105.0

145.0

20.0

1,594.0

2,950

3,500

3,625

4,000

3,000

3,600

2,600

3,300

2,680

4,100

3,386

3,300

3,700

4,150

3,900

3,000

3,700

3,500

3,500

3,600

4,000

3,832

3,600

3,800

4,450

3,900

3,000

3,800

3,700

3,600

3,800

4,200

4,058

489,700

549,500

1,645,750

56,000

19,800

291,600

54,600

240,900

249,240

61,500

3,658,590

774,000

760,000

3,226,250

187,200

24,000

402,800

81,400

378,000

551,000

84,000

6,468,650

Cottonseed Production – United States: 2011 and Forecasted November 1, 2012

State

Production

2011 2012 1

(1,000 tons) (1,000 tons)

United States ........................... 5,370.0 5,913.0

1 Based on a 3-year average lint-seed ratio.

12.0

14.0

16.0

18.0

20.0

22.0

24.0

2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

Million bales

Cotton Production – United States
Crop Production (November 2012) 11

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cotton Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Type – States and United States: 2011 and 

Forecasted November 1, 2012

Type and State

Area harvested Yield per acre Production 1

2011 2012 2011

2012

2011 2012

October 1 November 1

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (pounds) (pounds) (pounds) (1,000 bales) 2(1,000 bales) 2

Upland

Alabama ..........................

Arizona ............................

Arkansas .........................

California .........................

Florida .............................

Georgia ...........................

Kansas ............................

Louisiana .........................

Mississippi .......................

Missouri ...........................

New Mexico .....................

North Carolina .................

Oklahoma ........................

South Carolina .................

Tennessee .......................

Texas ..............................

Virginia ............................

United States ...................

American Pima 3

Arizona ............................

California .........................

New Mexico .....................

Texas ..............................

United States ...................

All 

Alabama ..........................

Arizona ............................

Arkansas .........................

California .........................

Florida .............................

Georgia ...........................

Kansas ............................

Louisiana .........................

Mississippi .......................

Missouri ...........................

New Mexico .....................

North Carolina .................

Oklahoma ........................

South Carolina .................

Tennessee .......................

Texas ..............................

Virginia ............................

United States ...................

443.0

248.0

660.0

181.0

118.0

1,495.0

65.0

290.0

605.0

367.0

58.0

800.0

70.0

301.0

490.0

2,850.0

115.0

9,156.0

10.0

273.0

3.4

18.5

304.9

443.0

258.0

660.0

454.0

118.0

1,495.0

65.0

290.0

605.0

367.0

61.4

800.0

70.0

301.0

490.0

2,868.5

115.0

9,460.9

377.0

198.0

580.0

141.0

105.0

1,285.0

52.0

220.0

460.0

330.0

47.0

580.0

175.0

296.0

375.0

4,900.0

85.0

10,206.0

3.0

224.0

2.9

7.5

237.4

377.0

201.0

580.0

365.0

105.0

1,285.0

52.0

220.0

460.0

330.0

49.9

580.0

175.0

296.0

375.0

4,907.5

85.0

10,443.4

742

1,548

929

1,474

744

791

510

846

952

969

1,059

616

597

828

796

589

676

772

960

1,380

875

1,038

1,340

742

1,526

929

1,418

744

791

510

846

952

969

1,049

616

597

828

796

592

676

790

764

1,624

1,034

1,617

960

934

415

960

1,012

945

970

910

466

868

832

598

960

782

1,120

1,350

828

960

1,328

764

1,617

1,034

1,453

960

934

415

960

1,012

945

962

910

466

868

832

598

960

795

840

1,624

1,051

1,617

960

1,009

415

1,004

1,012

975

970

910

411

876

896

578

988

790

1,120

1,350

828

960

1,328

840

1,617

1,051

1,453

960

1,009

415

1,004

1,012

975

962

910

411

876

896

579

988

802

685.0

800.0

1,277.0

556.0

183.0

2,465.0

69.0

511.0

1,200.0

741.0

128.0

1,026.0

87.0

519.0

813.0

3,500.0

162.0

14,722.0

20.0

785.0

6.2

40.0

851.2

685.0

820.0

1,277.0

1,341.0

183.0

2,465.0

69.0

511.0

1,200.0

741.0

134.2

1,026.0

87.0

519.0

813.0

3,540.0

162.0

15,573.2

660.0

670.0

1,270.0

475.0

210.0

2,700.0

45.0

460.0

970.0

670.0

95.0

1,100.0

150.0

540.0

700.0

5,900.0

175.0

16,790.0

7.0

630.0

5.0

15.0

657.0

660.0

677.0

1,270.0

1,105.0

210.0

2,700.0

45.0

460.0

970.0

670.0

100.0

1,100.0

150.0

540.0

700.0

5,915.0

175.0

17,447.0

1 Production ginned and to be ginned.

2

480-pound net weight bale.

3 Estimates for current year carried forward from an earlier forecast.
12 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Sugarbeet Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and Forecasted 

November 1, 2012

[Relates to year of intended harvest in all States except California]

State

Area harvested Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011

2012

2011 2012

October 1 November 1

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (tons) (tons) (tons) (1,000 tons) (1,000 tons)

California 1................

Colorado ...................

Idaho .........................

Michigan ...................

Minnesota .................

Montana ....................

Nebraska ..................

North Dakota .............

Oregon ......................

Wyoming ...................

United States ............

25.1

28.7

176.0

153.0

469.0

43.0

51.6

225.0

10.8

30.9

1,213.1

24.5

29.7

182.0

153.0

473.0

46.0

49.0

216.0

11.0

31.3

1,215.5

44.0

28.9

34.4

24.0

19.0

25.9

24.9

20.5

35.8

27.8

23.8

43.0

34.0

35.4

28.0

27.0

28.9

31.0

27.0

37.5

30.1

29.3

43.0

33.2

35.5

28.2

26.0

28.1

28.2

27.0

37.1

29.3

28.8

1,104

829

6,054

3,672

8,911

1,112

1,287

4,613

387

859

28,828

1,054

986

6,461

4,315

12,298

1,293

1,382

5,832

408

917

34,946

1 Relates to year of intended harvest for fall planted beets in central California and to year of planting for overwintered beets in central and southern 

California.

Sugarcane for Sugar and Seed Area Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 

2011 and Forecasted November 1, 2012

State

Area harvested Yield per acre 1 Production 1

2011 2012 2011

2012

2011 2012

October 1 November 1

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (tons) (tons) (tons) (1,000 tons) (1,000 tons)

Florida .......................

Hawaii .......................

Louisiana ..................

Texas ........................

United States ............

397.0

16.6

410.0

49.0

872.6

410.0

17.0

425.0

44.0

896.0

38.0

80.2

27.6

33.6

33.7

38.0

80.0

30.0

34.5

34.8

38.0

80.0

32.0

35.9

35.8

15,085

1,332

11,320

1,646

29,383

15,580

1,360

13,600

1,580

32,120

1 Net tons.

Lentil Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 and 

Forecasted November 1, 2012

State

Area planted Area harvested

2011 2012 2011 2012

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres)

Idaho .............................

Montana ........................

North Dakota .................

Washington ...................

United States ................

28.0

260.0

80.0

60.0

428.0

33.0

205.0

160.0

65.0

463.0

27.0

247.0

77.0

60.0

411.0

32.0

195.0

158.0

65.0

450.0

State

Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011 2012

(pounds) (pounds) (1,000 cwt) (1,000 cwt)

Idaho .............................

Montana ........................

North Dakota .................

Washington ...................

United States ................

1,300

1,100

1,070

1,400

1,151

1,200

1,100

1,190

1,300

1,168

351

2,717

824

840

4,732

384

2,145

1,880

845

5,254
Crop Production (November 2012) 13

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Dry Edible Pea Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 2011 

and Forecasted November 1, 2012

State

Area planted Area harvested

2011 2012 2011 2012

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres)

Idaho ............................

Montana .......................

North Dakota ................

Oregon .........................

Washington ..................

United States ................

16.0

190.0

85.0

5.0

66.0

362.0

27.0

315.0

235.0

7.0

70.0

654.0

15.0

177.0

80.0

4.8

66.0

342.8

26.0

296.0

230.0

7.0

70.0

629.0

State

Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011 2012

(pounds) (pounds) (1,000 cwt) (1,000 cwt)

Idaho ............................

Montana .......................

North Dakota ................

Oregon .........................

Washington ..................

United States ................

1,800

1,500

1,450

3,210

2,100

1,641

1,900

1,600

1,950

2,830

2,200

1,821

270

2,655

1,160

154

1,386

5,625

494

4,736

4,485

198

1,540

11,453

Austrian Winter Pea Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production – States and United States: 

2011 and Forecasted November 1, 2012

State

Area planted Area harvested

2011 2012 2011 2012

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres)

Idaho ............................

Montana .......................

Oregon .........................

United States ................

6.0

10.0

2.0

18.0

6.0

11.0

3.0

20.0

5.0

6.0

1.3

12.3

5.0

5.0

2.8

12.8

State

Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011 2012

(pounds) (pounds) (1,000 cwt) (1,000 cwt)

Idaho ............................

Montana .......................

Oregon .........................

United States ................

1,700

1,200

1,750

1,463

1,200

800

1,690

1,148

85

72

23

180

60

40

47

147
14 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Potato Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production by Seasonal Group – States and 

United States: 2011 and Forecasted November 1, 2012

Seasonal group

and State

Area planted Area harvested Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (cwt) (cwt) (1,000 cwt) (1,000 cwt)

Spring 1

United States ..................................

Summer 1

United States ..................................

Fall

California ........................................

Colorado .........................................

Idaho ...............................................

 10 Southwest counties ..................

 Other Idaho counties .....................

Maine ..............................................

Massachusetts ................................

Michigan .........................................

Minnesota .......................................

Montana ..........................................

Nebraska ........................................

Nevada ...........................................

New Mexico ....................................

New York ........................................

North Dakota ...................................

Ohio ................................................

Oregon ............................................

Pennsylvania ..................................

Rhode Island ...................................

Washington .....................................

Wisconsin .......................................

Other States 2.................................

United States ..................................

All

United States ..................................

93.3

48.2

8.8

54.0

320.0

19.0

301.0

57.0

3.6

45.0

49.0

11.7

20.0

(D)

(D)

16.5

84.0

2.0

40.0

9.2

0.6

160.0

63.0

13.3

957.7

1,099.2

97.7

50.3

8.8

55.1

345.0

20.0

325.0

58.0

3.8

47.5

51.0

12.0

23.0

7.1

6.3

17.0

88.0

(D)

42.0

8.9

(D)

165.0

63.5

2.4

1,004.4

1,152.4

91.5

46.0

8.8

53.9

319.0

19.0

300.0

54.0

2.8

44.0

47.0

11.5

19.5

(D)

(D)

16.2

77.0

1.7

39.9

7.8

0.6

160.0

62.5

13.3

939.5

1,077.0

96.1

49.0

8.8

54.6

344.0

20.0

324.0

57.3

3.8

46.0

48.0

11.7

22.7

7.1

6.2

16.5

84.0

(D)

41.9

8.6

(D)

165.0

63.0

2.3

991.5

1,136.6

279

280

490

395

404

540

395

265

275

345

355

330

400

(D)

(D)

250

245

270

585

260

250

610

415

439

416

399

289

356

490

385

416

520

410

270

350

355

385

320

430

390

460

285

300

(D)

555

250

(D)

595

455

243

426

411

25,573

12,894

4,312

21,291

128,760

10,260

118,500

14,310

770

15,180

16,685

3,795

7,800

(D)

(D)

4,050

18,865

459

23,342

2,028

150

97,600

25,938

5,845

391,180

429,647

27,740

17,447

4,312

21,021

143,240

10,400

132,840

15,471

1,330

16,330

18,480

3,744

9,761

2,769

2,852

4,703

25,200

(D)

23,255

2,150

(D)

98,175

28,665

558

422,016

467,203

(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.

1 Estimates for current year carried forward from an earlier forecast.

2

Includes data withheld above.
Crop Production (November 2012) 15

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Fall Potato Varieties Planted

The National Agricultural Statistics Service collects variety data in seven States, accounting for 81 percent of the 

2012 United States fall potato planted acres. The seven States conduct objective yield surveys where all producing areas 

are sampled in proportion to planted acreage. Variety data shown below are actual percentages from these surveys.

Percent of Fall Potatoes Planted to Major Varieties – Selected States: 2012 Crop

State and variety Percent of

planted acres State and variety Percent ofplanted acres

Idaho

Russet Burbank .........................................

R Norkotah ................................................

Ranger R ...................................................

Alturas .......................................................

Umatilla R ..................................................

Western R .................................................

Norland ......................................................

Other .........................................................

Maine

Russet Burbank .........................................

Frito-Lay ....................................................

R Norkotah ................................................

Superior .....................................................

Snowden ...................................................

Goldrush ....................................................

Norland ......................................................

Blazer R .....................................................

Innovator ...................................................

Ontario ......................................................

Norwis .......................................................

Atlantic ......................................................

Shepody ....................................................

Yukon Gold ................................................

Keuka Gold ................................................

Katahdin ....................................................

Other .........................................................

Minnesota

Russet Burbank .........................................

Norland ......................................................

Umatilla R ..................................................

Alpine ........................................................

Dakota Rose ..............................................

Modoc .......................................................

Snowden ...................................................

Cascade ....................................................

Goldrush ....................................................

Shepody ....................................................

Dakota Crisp ..............................................

Other .........................................................

North Dakota

Russet Burbank .........................................

Ranger R ...................................................

Prospect ....................................................

Norland ......................................................

Ivory Crisp .................................................

Bannock ....................................................

Umatilla R ..................................................

52.5

20.9

12.2

2.1

1.8

1.2

1.1

8.2

42.7

11.5

5.9

5.1

4.7

3.4

3.4

3.0

2.9

1.7

1.5

1.4

1.4

1.3

1.0

1.0

8.1

52.3

20.4

6.1

2.9

2.6

2.0

1.8

1.7

1.4

1.1

1.0

6.7

50.5

7.0

6.6

5.1

4.9

4.7

3.9

North Dakota - continued

Dakota Pearl ............................................

R Norkotah ..............................................

Shepody ..................................................

Modoc .....................................................

Red La Soda ...........................................

Frito-Lay ..................................................

Red Pontiac .............................................

Dakota Crisp ............................................

Other .......................................................

Oregon

R Norkotah ..............................................

Ranger R .................................................

Russet Burbank .......................................

Umatilla R ................................................

Shepody ..................................................

Alturas .....................................................

Frito-Lay ..................................................

Premier R ................................................

Yukon Gold ..............................................

Atlantic ....................................................

Modoc .....................................................

Bannock ..................................................

Other .......................................................

Washington

Russet Burbank .......................................

Umatilla R ................................................

Ranger R .................................................

Alturas .....................................................

Chieftain ..................................................

R Norkotah ..............................................

Shepody ..................................................

Premier R ................................................

Yukon Gold ..............................................

Frito-Lay ..................................................

Other .......................................................

Wisconsin

Frito-Lay ..................................................

R Norkotah ..............................................

Russet Burbank .......................................

Goldrush ..................................................

Silverton R ...............................................

Snowden .................................................

Norland ....................................................

Umatilla R ................................................

Superior ...................................................

Atlantic ....................................................

Bannock ..................................................

Innovator .................................................

Pike .........................................................

Mega Chip ...............................................

Ranger R .................................................

Other .......................................................

3.2

2.6

2.2

1.9

1.8

1.2

1.0

1.0

2.4

22.1

17.5

15.8

9.2

7.6

6.9

3.3

3.1

2.3

2.3

1.7

1.5

6.7

40.0

15.4

12.5

7.2

4.9

4.8

3.6

1.6

1.5

1.2

7.3

18.0

13.2

12.6

11.3

8.0

7.5

6.2

4.3

2.9

2.6

2.0

1.6

1.5

1.3

1.0

6.0
16 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Percent of Fall Potatoes Planted to Major Varieties – Seven-State Total: 2012 Crop

Variety Percent of

planted acres Variety Percent ofplanted acres

Russet Burbank .....................................

R Norkotah .............................................

Ranger R ...............................................

Umatilla R ..............................................

Frito-Lay ................................................

Norland ..................................................

Alturas ...................................................

Shepody ................................................

Goldrush ................................................

Snowden ................................................

Chieftain ................................................

Yukon Gold ............................................

Premier ..................................................

Bannock .................................................

Prospect ................................................

Ivory Crisp ..............................................

Innovator ................................................

Silverton .................................................

Superior .................................................

Dakota Pearl ..........................................

Western R ..............................................

Alpine .....................................................

Atlantic ...................................................

Modoc ....................................................

Cal White ...............................................

44.5

13.1

9.4

5.1

3.2

3.1

2.6

1.8

1.2

1.1

1.0

0.8

0.8

0.8

0.7

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.6

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.5

0.3

Cascade ...............................................

Red LaSoda ..........................................

Pike ......................................................

Blazer R ................................................

Dakota Crisp .........................................

Dakota Rose .........................................

Laratte ..................................................

Bintje .....................................................

Ontario ..................................................

Red Pontiac ..........................................

Rio Grande R ........................................

Classic ..................................................

Norwis ...................................................

Mega Chip ............................................

Defender ...............................................

Kennebec .............................................

Satina ...................................................

Keuka Gold ...........................................

Katahdin ...............................................

Nor Donna ............................................

Reba .....................................................

Agata ....................................................

All Blue .................................................

Canela ..................................................

Other .....................................................

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.3

0.2

0.2

0.2

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

0.1

2.0
Crop Production (November 2012) 17

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

This page intentionally left blank.
18 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production in Domestic Units – United States: 

2011 and 2012

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Area planted Area harvested

2011 2012 2011 2012

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres)

Grains and hay

Barley .................................................................................

Corn for grain 1....................................................................

Corn for silage ....................................................................

Hay, all ................................................................................

 Alfalfa ..............................................................................

 All other ...........................................................................

Oats ....................................................................................

Proso millet .........................................................................

Rice ....................................................................................

Rye .....................................................................................

Sorghum for grain 1.............................................................

Sorghum for silage ..............................................................

Wheat, all ............................................................................

 Winter .............................................................................

 Durum .............................................................................

 Other spring ....................................................................

Oilseeds

Canola ................................................................................

Cottonseed .........................................................................

Flaxseed .............................................................................

Mustard seed ......................................................................

Peanuts ..............................................................................

Rapeseed ...........................................................................

Safflower .............................................................................

Soybeans for beans ............................................................

Sunflower ............................................................................

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all ...........................................................................

 Upland ............................................................................

 American Pima ................................................................

Sugarbeets .........................................................................

Sugarcane ..........................................................................

Tobacco ..............................................................................

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas ...........................................................

Dry edible beans .................................................................

Dry edible peas ...................................................................

Lentils .................................................................................

Wrinkled seed peas ............................................................

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ...................................................................

Hops ...................................................................................

Peppermint oil .....................................................................

Potatoes, all ........................................................................

 Spring .............................................................................

 Summer ..........................................................................

 Fall ..................................................................................

Spearmint oil .......................................................................

Sweet potatoes ...................................................................

Taro (Hawaii) 2....................................................................

2,559

91,921

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

2,496

370

2,689

1,266

5,481

(NA)

54,409

40,646

1,369

12,394

1,071.5

(X)

178

23.2

1,140.6

1.5

130.7

75,046

1,543.0

14,735.4

14,428.0

307.4

1,232.7

(NA)

(NA)

18.0

1,205.9

362.0

428.0

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,099.2

93.3

48.2

957.7

(NA)

133.6

(NA)

3,637

96,946

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

2,760

315

2,699

1,300

6,238

55,736

41,324

2,123

12,289

1,773.0

(X)

285

55.5

1,636.0

1.6

147.5

77,203

1,918.2

12,360.0

12,121.0

239.0

1,243.5

(NA)

(NA)

20.0

1,733.7

654.0

463.0

(NA)

1,152.4

97.7

50.3

1,004.4

131.4

2,239

83,981

5,928

55,633

19,213

36,420

939

338

2,618

242

3,929

224

45,705

32,314

1,312

12,079

1,043.0

(X)

173

21.8

1,080.6

1.3

127.3

73,776

1,457.8

9,460.9

9,156.0

304.9

1,213.1

872.6

325.0

12.3

1,155.9

342.8

411.0

(NA)

6.3

29.8

74.0

1,077.0

91.5

46.0

939.5

17.3

129.7

0.5

3,244

87,721

57,574

18,812

38,762

1,045

2,677

248

5,016

48,991

34,834

2,102

12,055

1,737.6

(X)

281

53.1

1,594.0

1.5

141.5

75,693

1,815.1

10,443.4

10,206.0

237.4

1,215.5

896.0

338.1

12.8

1,690.0

629.0

450.0

30.8

1,136.6

96.1

49.0

991.5

128.5

See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued
Crop Production (November 2012) 19

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production in Domestic Units – United States: 

2011 and 2012 (continued)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Yield per acre Production

2011 2012 2011 2012

(1,000) (1,000)

Grains and hay

Barley ................................................................................... bushels

Corn for grain ........................................................................ bushels

Corn for silage ............................................................................tons

Hay, all .......................................................................................tons

 Alfalfa .....................................................................................tons

 All other ..................................................................................tons

Oats ...................................................................................... bushels

Proso millet ........................................................................... bushels

Rice 3........................................................................................... cwt

Rye ....................................................................................... bushels

Sorghum for grain ................................................................. bushels

Sorghum for silage ......................................................................tons

Wheat, all ............................................................................. bushels

 Winter ............................................................................... bushels

 Durum ............................................................................... bushels

 Other spring ...................................................................... bushels

Oilseeds

Canola ...................................................................................pounds

Cottonseed .................................................................................tons

Flaxseed ............................................................................... bushels

Mustard seed .........................................................................pounds

Peanuts .................................................................................pounds

Rapeseed ..............................................................................pounds

Safflower ...............................................................................pounds

Soybeans for beans .............................................................. bushels

Sunflower ..............................................................................pounds

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all 3............................................................................... bales

 Upland 3................................................................................ bales

 American Pima 3................................................................... bales

Sugarbeets .................................................................................tons

Sugarcane ..................................................................................tons

Tobacco .................................................................................pounds

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas 3.................................................................. cwt

Dry edible beans 3....................................................................... cwt

Dry edible peas 3......................................................................... cwt

Lentils 3........................................................................................ cwt

Wrinkled seed peas ..................................................................... cwt

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ......................................................................pounds

Hops ......................................................................................pounds

Peppermint oil ........................................................................pounds

Potatoes, all ................................................................................. cwt

 Spring ...................................................................................... cwt

 Summer ................................................................................... cwt

 Fall .......................................................................................... cwt

Spearmint oil .........................................................................pounds

Sweet potatoes ............................................................................ cwt

Taro (Hawaii) .........................................................................pounds

69.6

147.2

18.4

2.36

3.40

1.81

57.1

27.1

7,067

26.1

54.6

10.3

43.7

46.2

38.5

37.7

1,475

(X)

16.1

718

3,386

2,177

1,333

41.9

1,398

790

772

1,340

23.8

33.7

1,841

1,463

1,716

1,641

1,151

(NA)

1,210

2,175

89

399

279

280

416

132

208

(NA)

67.9

122.3

2.12

2.95

1.71

61.3

7,417

28.0

51.1

46.3

47.2

39.0

45.0

1,430

(X)

4,058

39.3

1,354

802

790

1,328

28.8

35.8

2,308

1,148

1,836

1,821

1,168

1,995

411

289

356

426

155,780

12,358,412

108,926

131,144

65,332

65,812

53,649

9,149

185,009

6,326

214,443

2,298

1,999,347

1,493,677

50,482

455,188

1,538,010

5,370.0

2,791

15,644

3,658,590

2,830

169,671

3,093,524

2,038,275

15,573.2

14,722.0

851.2

28,828

29,383

598,320

180

19,833

5,625

4,732

509

7,600

64,781.6

6,570

429,647

25,573

12,894

391,180

2,286

26,964

4,100

220,284

10,725,191

121,974

55,566

66,408

64,024

198,548

6,944

256,164

2,269,117

1,645,202

81,956

541,959

2,484,050

5,913.0

6,468,650

2,971,022

2,458,140

17,447.0

16,790.0

657.0

34,946

32,120

780,428

147

31,033

11,453

5,254

61,456.6

467,203

27,740

17,447

422,016

(NA) Not available.

(X) Not applicable.

1 Area planted for all purposes.

2 Area is total acres in crop, not harvested acres.

3 Yield in pounds.
20 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production in Metric Units – United States: 

2011 and 2012

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Area planted Area harvested

2011 2012 2011 2012

(hectares) (hectares) (hectares) (hectares)

Grains and hay

Barley .................................................................................

Corn for grain 1....................................................................

Corn for silage ....................................................................

Hay, all 2.............................................................................

 Alfalfa ..............................................................................

 All other ...........................................................................

Oats ....................................................................................

Proso millet .........................................................................

Rice ....................................................................................

Rye .....................................................................................

Sorghum for grain 1.............................................................

Sorghum for silage ..............................................................

Wheat, all 2.........................................................................

 Winter .............................................................................

 Durum .............................................................................

 Other spring ....................................................................

Oilseeds

Canola ................................................................................

Cottonseed .........................................................................

Flaxseed .............................................................................

Mustard seed ......................................................................

Peanuts ..............................................................................

Rapeseed ...........................................................................

Safflower .............................................................................

Soybeans for beans ............................................................

Sunflower ............................................................................

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all 2.........................................................................

 Upland ............................................................................

 American Pima ................................................................

Sugarbeets .........................................................................

Sugarcane ..........................................................................

Tobacco ..............................................................................

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas ...........................................................

Dry edible beans .................................................................

Dry edible peas ...................................................................

Lentils .................................................................................

Wrinkled seed peas ............................................................

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ...................................................................

Hops ...................................................................................

Peppermint oil .....................................................................

Potatoes, all 2......................................................................

 Spring .............................................................................

 Summer ..........................................................................

 Fall ..................................................................................

Spearmint oil .......................................................................

Sweet potatoes ...................................................................

Taro (Hawaii) 3....................................................................

1,035,600

37,199,510

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,010,110

149,740

1,088,210

512,340

2,218,110

(NA)

22,018,780

16,449,030

554,020

5,015,730

433,630

(X)

72,030

9,390

461,590

610

52,890

30,370,370

624,440

5,963,270

5,838,870

124,400

498,860

(NA)

(NA)

7,280

488,020

146,500

173,210

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

444,840

37,760

19,510

387,570

(NA)

54,070

(NA)

1,471,860

39,233,080

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,116,940

127,480

1,092,260

526,100

2,524,460

22,555,800

16,723,410

859,160

4,973,240

717,520

(X)

115,340

22,460

662,070

650

59,690

31,243,280

776,280

5,001,970

4,905,250

96,720

503,230

(NA)

(NA)

8,090

701,610

264,670

187,370

(NA)

466,360

39,540

20,360

406,470

53,180

906,100

33,986,270

2,399,000

22,514,120

7,775,310

14,738,810

380,000

136,790

1,059,480

97,930

1,590,030

90,650

18,496,360

13,077,150

530,950

4,888,250

422,090

(X)

70,010

8,820

437,310

530

51,520

29,856,410

589,960

3,828,730

3,705,340

123,390

490,930

353,130

131,540

4,980

467,780

138,730

166,330

(NA)

2,550

12,050

29,950

435,850

37,030

18,620

380,210

7,000

52,490

200

1,312,810

35,499,810

23,299,620

7,613,030

15,686,590

422,900

1,083,360

100,360

2,029,930

19,826,170

14,096,970

850,660

4,878,540

703,190

(X)

113,720

21,490

645,080

610

57,260

30,632,200

734,550

4,226,340

4,130,270

96,070

491,900

362,600

136,820

5,180

683,930

254,550

182,110

12,470

459,970

38,890

19,830

401,250

52,000

See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued
Crop Production (November 2012) 21

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production in Metric Units – United States: 

2011 and 2012 (continued)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Yield per hectare Production

2011 2012 2011 2012

(metric tons) (metric tons) (metric tons) (metric tons)

Grains and 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 .........................................................................

Flaxseed .............................................................................

Mustard seed ......................................................................

Peanuts ..............................................................................

Rapeseed ...........................................................................

Safflower ............................................................................

Soybeans for beans ............................................................

Sunflower ...........................................................................

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all 2.........................................................................

 Upland ............................................................................

 American Pima ...............................................................

Sugarbeets .........................................................................

Sugarcane ..........................................................................

Tobacco ..............................................................................

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas ...........................................................

Dry edible beans .................................................................

Dry edible peas ...................................................................

Lentils .................................................................................

Wrinkled seed peas ............................................................

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ...................................................................

Hops ...................................................................................

Peppermint oil .....................................................................

Potatoes, all 2.....................................................................

 Spring .............................................................................

 Summer ..........................................................................

 Fall .................................................................................

Spearmint oil ......................................................................

Sweet potatoes ...................................................................

Taro (Hawaii) ......................................................................

3.74

9.24

41.19

5.28

7.62

4.05

2.05

1.52

7.92

1.64

3.43

23.00

2.94

3.11

2.59

2.53

1.65

(X)

1.01

0.80

3.79

2.44

1.49

2.82

1.57

0.89

0.87

1.50

53.27

75.48

2.06

1.64

1.92

1.84

1.29

(NA)

1.35

2.44

0.10

44.71

31.33

31.42

46.67

0.15

23.30

(NA)

3.65

7.67

4.75

6.62

3.84

2.20

8.31

1.76

3.21

3.11

3.18

2.62

3.02

1.60

(X)

4.55

2.64

1.52

0.90

0.89

1.49

64.45

80.36

2.59

1.29

2.06

2.04

1.31

2.24

46.07

32.35

39.91

47.71

3,391,710

313,918,120

98,816,000

118,971,840

59,268,190

59,703,640

778,710

207,500

8,391,870

160,690

5,447,100

2,084,710

54,413,310

40,651,230

1,373,890

12,388,190

697,630

4,871,580

70,890

7,100

1,659,510

1,280

76,960

84,191,930

924,550

3,390,660

3,205,340

185,330

26,152,320

26,655,810

271,390

8,160

899,610

255,150

214,640

23,090

3,450

29,380

2,980

19,488,460

1,159,970

584,860

17,743,630

1,040

1,223,070

1,860

4,796,120

272,432,400

110,652,950

50,408,630

60,244,320

929,310

9,005,990

176,390

6,506,870

61,755,240

44,775,060

2,230,480

14,749,710

1,126,750

5,364,180

2,934,130

80,857,970

1,114,990

3,798,640

3,655,590

143,040

31,702,480

29,138,770

354,000

6,670

1,407,630

519,500

238,320

27,880

21,191,970

1,258,270

791,380

19,142,330

(NA) Not available.

(X) Not applicable.

1 Area planted for all purposes.

2

Total may not add due to rounding.

3 Area is total hectares in crop, not harvested hectares.
22 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Fruits and Nuts Production in Domestic Units – United States: 2012 and 2013

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year, 

except citrus which is for the 2011-2012 season. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Production

2012 2013

(1,000) (1,000)

Citrus 1

Grapefruit ....................................................................................................... tons

Lemons .......................................................................................................... tons

Oranges ......................................................................................................... tons

Tangelos (Florida) .......................................................................................... tons

Tangerines and mandarins ............................................................................. tons

Noncitrus

Apples ............................................................................................. 1,000 pounds

Apricots .......................................................................................................... tons

Bananas (Hawaii) .......................................................................................pounds

Grapes ........................................................................................................... tons

Olives (California) .......................................................................................... tons

Papayas (Hawaii) .......................................................................................pounds

Peaches ......................................................................................................... tons

Pears ............................................................................................................. tons

Prunes, dried (California) ............................................................................... tons

Prunes and plums (excludes California) ......................................................... tons

Nuts and miscellaneous

Almonds, shelled (California) .....................................................................pounds

Hazelnuts, in-shell (Oregon) ........................................................................... tons

Pecans, in-shell ..........................................................................................pounds

Walnuts, in-shell (California) .......................................................................... tons

Maple syrup ...............................................................................................gallons

1,170

850

9,017

52

648

8,065.7

67.8

7,296.8

1,023.3

878.5

2,100,000

40.0

308,600

470

1,908

1,234

888

9,370

54

689

1 Production years are 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
Crop Production (November 2012) 23

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Fruits and Nuts Production in Metric Units – United States: 2012 and 2013

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2012 crop year, 

except citrus which is for the 2011-2012 season. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Production

2012 2013

(metric tons) (metric tons)

Citrus 1

Grapefruit .............................................................................................................

Lemons ................................................................................................................

Oranges ................................................................................................................

Tangelos (Florida) ................................................................................................

Tangerines and mandarins ...................................................................................

Noncitrus

Apples ..................................................................................................................

Apricots ................................................................................................................

Bananas (Hawaii) .................................................................................................

Grapes .................................................................................................................

Olives (California) .................................................................................................

Papayas (Hawaii) .................................................................................................

Peaches ...............................................................................................................

Pears ....................................................................................................................

Prunes, dried (California) ......................................................................................

Prunes and plums (excludes California) ................................................................

Nuts and miscellaneous

Almonds, shelled (California) ................................................................................

Hazelnuts, in-shell (Oregon) .................................................................................

Pecans, in-shell ....................................................................................................

Walnuts, in-shell (California) .................................................................................

Maple syrup ..........................................................................................................

1,061,410

771,110

8,180,080

47,170

587,860

3,658,540

61,490

6,619,550

928,320

796,960

952,540

36,290

139,980

426,380

9,540

1,119,470

805,580

8,500,320

48,990

625,050

1 Production years are 2011-2012 and 2012-2013.
24 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Corn for Grain Objective Yield Data

The National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting objective yield surveys in 10 corn-producing States during 

2012. Randomly selected plots in corn for grain fields are visited monthly from August through harvest to obtain specific 

counts and measurements. Data in these tables are rounded actual field counts from this survey.

Corn for Grain Plant Population per Acre – Selected States: 2008-2012

[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

State

and month 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Stateand month 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

Illinois

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

Indiana

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

Iowa

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

Kansas 

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

Minnesota 

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

Missouri

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

29,150

29,000

28,950

28,900

28,500

28,350

28,350

28,350

29,300

29,250

29,250

29,250

20,250

20,950

20,950

20,950

30,150

30,100

30,150

30,050

25,700

25,700

25,700

25,700

29,650

29,550

29,600

29,550

28,350

28,400

28,350

28,350

29,500

29,450

29,400

29,400

22,650

22,600

22,600

22,600

30,800

30,600

30,600

30,600

25,700

25,500

25,500

25,500

29,750

29,600

29,650

29,650

28,300

28,350

28,350

28,350

30,050

30,000

29,950

29,950

21,850

21,950

21,950

21,950

29,850

29,750

29,900

29,900

25,700

25,500

25,500

25,500

30,450

30,450

30,400

30,450

29,200

29,200

29,150

29,150

30,850

30,750

30,750

30,750

21,500

21,550

21,500

21,500

30,250

30,200

30,250

30,250

25,850

25,800

25,800

25,800

29,700

29,750

29,750

29,250

29,200

29,200

30,150

30,100

30,100

23,050

23,200

23,200

30,000

30,000

30,000

26,650

26,550

26,550

Nebraska

All corn

 September ...

 October ........

 November ....

 Final .............

Irrigated

 September ...

 October ........

 November ....

 Final .............

Non-irrigated

 September ...

 October ........

 November ....

 Final .............

Ohio

September .....

October ..........

November ......

Final ...............

South Dakota

September .....

October ..........

November ......

Final ...............

Wisconsin

September .....

October ..........

November ......

Final ...............

24,500

24,300

24,250

24,250

27,250

27,350

27,250

27,250

20,000

19,900

19,900

19,900

27,750

27,800

27,800

27,800

22,950

23,100

23,100

23,100

28,800

28,500

28,250

28,250

25,700

25,700

25,700

25,750

28,250

28,250

28,250

28,300

21,750

21,700

21,700

21,700

28,300

28,450

28,200

28,200

24,300

24,250

24,300

24,300

28,150

28,150

27,700

27,650

25,700

25,600

25,550

25,550

27,750

27,600

27,600

27,600

22,350

22,350

22,300

22,300

28,400

28,200

28,200

28,200

24,550

24,450

24,350

24,350

28,600

28,300

28,300

28,300

25,400

25,400

25,450

25,450

28,150

28,200

28,250

28,250

21,250

21,200

21,200

21,200

29,550

29,350

29,350

29,350

25,300

25,250

25,500

25,500

29,000

28,900

28,950

28,950

26,150

26,150

26,150

29,100

29,000

29,000

21,600

21,850

21,850

29,200

29,100

29,100

24,200

23,900

24,000

29,000

28,550

28,600
Crop Production (November 2012) 25

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Corn for Grain Number of Ears per Acre – Selected States: 2008-2012

[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

State

and month 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Stateand month 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

Illinois

September .......

October ...........

November ........

Final ................

Indiana

September .......

October ...........

November ........

Final ................

Iowa

September .......

October ...........

November ........

Final ................

Kansas 

September .......

October ...........

November ........

Final ................

Minnesota 

September .......

October ...........

November ........

Final ................

Missouri

September .......

October ...........

November ........

Final ................

28,600

28,500

28,400

28,350

27,950

27,700

27,700

27,700

28,600

28,600

28,600

28,600

19,850

20,600

20,650

20,650

29,900

29,350

29,450

29,400

25,050

25,000

24,900

24,900

29,150

28,900

28,900

28,900

27,950

28,100

28,000

27,950

29,250

29,200

29,200

29,200

22,750

22,650

22,750

22,700

30,250

30,750

30,800

30,800

24,800

24,800

24,800

24,800

28,650

28,500

28,550

28,550

27,900

27,750

27,750

27,750

29,450

29,450

29,300

29,300

21,250

21,250

21,250

21,250

29,750

29,600

29,700

29,700

25,100

24,750

24,700

24,700

29,650

29,550

29,550

29,600

27,950

27,800

27,750

27,750

30,100

30,050

30,050

30,050

20,900

20,650

20,650

20,650

29,750

29,300

29,350

29,350

24,600

24,650

24,550

24,550

24,000

24,250

24,250

26,500

26,150

26,150

28,250

28,150

28,150

20,350

20,550

20,550

29,450

29,400

29,400

23,050

22,900

22,900

Nebraska

All corn

 September ....

 October .........

 November .....

 Final .............

Irrigated

 September ....

 October .........

 November .....

 Final .............

Non-irrigated

 September ....

 October .........

 November .....

 Final .............

Ohio

September ......

October ..........

November .......

Final ...............

South Dakota

September ......

October ..........

November .......

Final ...............

Wisconsin

September ......

October ..........

November .......

Final ...............

24,050

23,950

23,900

23,900

26,800

27,000

26,900

26,900

19,550

19,500

19,550

19,550

26,950

27,400

27,250

27,250

24,150

23,900

23,800

23,800

27,750

28,300

27,950

27,900

25,650

25,650

25,600

25,650

27,900

27,950

27,900

27,950

22,100

22,050

22,000

22,000

27,700

27,950

27,650

27,650

26,150

26,050

26,050

26,050

27,500

28,850

28,150

28,100

25,250

25,250

25,100

25,100

27,100

27,100

26,950

26,950

22,350

22,250

22,200

22,200

27,700

27,650

27,650

27,650

24,850

24,800

24,450

24,450

28,700

28,500

28,550

28,550

24,500

24,350

24,350

24,350

26,950

26,800

26,800

26,800

20,800

20,650

20,650

20,650

28,700

28,950

29,150

29,150

25,800

25,150

25,250

25,250

28,650

28,650

28,650

28,650

24,500

24,050

24,050

28,600

28,300

28,300

18,250

17,600

17,550

27,700

27,150

27,100

22,150

21,550

21,550

27,650

27,300

27,100

Corn Objective Yield Percent of Samples Processed in the Lab – United States: 2008-2012

Year

October November

Dent stage 1 Mature 2 Dent stage 1 Mature 2

(percent) (percent) (percent) (percent)

2008 ....................................

2009 ....................................

2010 ....................................

2011 ....................................

2012 ....................................

34

40

7

24

3

42

31

82

57

90

(Z)

3

(Z)

(Z)

(Z)

94

91

96

94

95

(Z) Less than half of the unit shown.

1

Includes corn in the dent stage of development. Ears are firm and solid. Kernels fully dented with no milk present in most kernels.

2

Includes that portion of the crop that is mature and ready for harvest. No green foliage is present.
26 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Corn for Grain Percentage Distribution by Plant Population Per Acre – Selected States: 2008-2012

State and year

Plant populations

Less than

20,000

20,000-

22,500

22,501-

25,000

25,001-

27,500

27,501-

30,000

More than

30,000

(Percent) (Percent) (Percent) (Percent) (Percent) (Percent)

Illinois .......................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Indiana .....................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Iowa .........................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Kansas .....................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Minnesota ................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Missouri ...................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Nebraska .................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Ohio .........................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

South Dakota ...........................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Wisconsin ................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2.6

1.2

2.9

1.2

1.8

5.9

4.6

8.1

7.4

4.6

0.3

3.1

1.2

2.0

1.2

42.1

31.4

32.0

33.3

22.9

1.0

0.6

2.0

2.7

1.3

9.6

10.8

14.2

12.5

6.7

23.1

15.4

17.0

17.5

12.9

7.4

3.8

4.8

1.9

2.8

27.4

18.9

15.9

15.5

17.3

4.4

8.9

4.4

2.9

4.4

3.2

3.6

3.3

1.6

1.4

5.0

3.3

6.6

2.9

2.3

4.2

3.8

3.8

0.8

2.0

13.7

19.6

18.0

12.5

14.1

1.4

2.4

2.0

4.1

6.6

9.6

14.2

8.0

8.9

7.7

8.7

12.3

8.5

7.0

7.3

2.5

3.8

3.8

1.0

2.8

17.9

6.6

15.0

10.7

21.4

5.1

5.0

2.2

5.8

6.6

6.1

7.9

5.0

4.1

7.2

6.9

7.9

4.4

4.4

6.9

4.8

6.5

6.5

2.8

3.2

11.6

9.8

11.0

18.8

17.4

3.8

1.8

4.6

6.2

4.6

17.8

17.5

19.5

24.1

15.4

16.5

15.4

15.5

12.5

13.5

11.6

9.6

11.4

8.6

6.4

18.9

25.4

23.3

17.5

17.3

11.0

11.9

12.2

6.8

7.7

16.2

11.5

12.5

12.8

18.9

18.3

19.7

16.9

14.0

20.6

18.1

9.2

8.8

9.8

10.9

14.7

9.8

13.0

9.4

13.0

15.7

6.6

12.6

8.2

8.6

27.5

27.5

22.1

17.9

26.0

15.3

14.5

21.5

15.5

15.2

22.3

19.2

11.4

23.8

21.1

16.8

20.8

21.5

20.4

20.0

17.6

22.8

21.1

12.6

15.4

29.9

25.0

19.6

21.0

16.7

24.8

31.6

23.5

24.3

16.0

29.2

28.5

21.9

19.3

25.4

12.6

18.6

14.0

13.5

17.4

22.4

23.4

21.2

15.1

19.1

24.4

14.2

23.8

19.6

28.8

24.0

19.7

19.5

34.0

23.6

22.3

32.8

32.4

21.0

22.0

9.5

17.9

15.0

17.5

16.0

22.1

12.9

20.0

24.3

25.3

42.0

50.8

56.7

59.3

54.0

39.1

32.9

40.5

47.0

49.6

43.4

48.9

57.8

65.3

57.3

5.3

10.8

12.0

12.5

15.2

55.7

65.2

57.6

63.7

59.8

11.1

15.8

12.4

17.0

15.4

12.4

22.7

18.0

13.5

27.5

33.9

30.8

36.2

43.7

44.9

9.5

10.4

9.3

18.4

8.0

39.8

38.5

40.1

47.6

40.6
Crop Production (November 2012) 27

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Corn for Grain Frequency of Farmer Reported Row Widths – Selected States: 2008-2012

State and year

Row width (inches)

Less than

30 30 36 38 More than38

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

Illinois ...................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Indiana .................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Iowa ......................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Kansas .................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Minnesota .............................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Missouri ................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Nebraska ..............................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Ohio ......................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

South Dakota ........................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Wisconsin .............................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

3

6

5

8

5

13

9

8

5

8

9

5

10

7

8

3

1

4

3

4

44

33

23

31

33

1

2

3

6

1

4

5

5

7

9

1

1

4

1

2

10

12

12

7

9

4

3

1

5

5

298

239

239

231

227

193

145

129

128

128

310

246

232

233

238

98

108

101

97

94

179

139

125

112

111

119

107

105

102

97

191

186

156

157

158

118

109

103

104

106

83

93

97

101

84

122

94

88

103

93

6

7

6

8

2

7

1

3

2

4

9

12

8

6

7

-

-

2

-

-

1

3

5

6

9

4

4

2

5

4

54

41

42

42

37

2

1

1

-

1

8

9

5

3

-

5

7

4

2

5

7

3

1

-

1

2

1

-

2

2

16

8

11

12

7

-

-

1

-

-

2

3

-

-

3

13

9

6

4

7

2

4

2

2

-

2

-

1

1

1

8

5

3

4

2

10

9

9

4

5

4

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

1

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

3

1

-

-

-

- Represents zero.
28 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Corn for Grain Percentage Distribution by Measured Row Width and Average Row Width – Selected 

States: 2008-2012

State and year Samples

Row width (inches) Average

row

width

20.5

or less

20.6-

30.5

30.6-

34.5

34.6-

36.5

36.6-

38.5

38.6 or

greater

(number) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (inches)

Illinois .................................................. 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Indiana ................................................ 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Iowa .................................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Kansas ................................................ 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Minnesota ........................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Missouri .............................................. 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Nebraska ............................................ 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Ohio .................................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

South Dakota ...................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Wisconsin ........................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

345

252

240

243

222

202

152

136

136

131

332

265

260

254

248

95

102

100

96

92

210

167

151

146

152

135

120

113

112

104

242

228

200

200

178

121

104

105

105

109

95

106

107

103

75

136

101

90

103

91

0.3

1.2

1.3

3.3

3.2

4.5

3.9

2.9

2.2

0.8

1.8

1.5

2.3

2.8

2.8

1.1

-

1.0

-

4.3

3.8

3.6

2.0

4.1

3.3

0.7

-

0.9

-

1.0

1.2

1.3

1.0

2.0

1.7

-

1.0

1.0

-

1.8

4.2

3.8

4.7

3.9

1.3

2.2

2.0

3.3

5.8

4.4

86.7

84.5

84.0

84.8

86.8

73.2

75.7

75.1

78.7

77.0

78.0

75.1

76.5

71.1

75.1

72.5

78.4

72.0

80.2

87.0

76.2

79.6

82.7

81.5

74.9

69.0

65.8

70.7

60.6

65.3

60.0

61.5

60.5

62.5

56.7

72.8

67.2

80.9

77.1

77.1

58.9

61.3

65.4

65.1

72.1

72.1

60.3

69.0

70.9

64.8

8.1

9.5

11.7

7.8

8.6

17.8

19.7

19.1

17.6

18.3

13.0

16.5

13.5

20.1

16.1

25.3

20.6

26.0

18.8

7.6

18.1

13.2

11.3

9.6

13.8

16.3

23.3

19.5

26.8

21.2

16.1

17.5

17.0

14.0

20.8

19.8

27.9

17.1

20.0

20.2

22.1

23.6

22.4

24.3

20.0

16.2

22.8

14.4

18.4

19.8

2.9

2.0

1.7

3.3

-

1.5

-

2.9

-

0.8

2.4

3.8

3.5

2.8

2.8

-

1.0

1.0

-

-

0.5

1.8

2.0

2.1

5.3

3.7

4.2

2.7

4.5

4.8

13.6

14.5

17.0

13.5

14.6

2.5

1.0

1.0

1.0

-

5.3

4.7

2.8

2.9

-

2.9

4.0

3.3

-

3.3

1.4

2.8

1.3

0.8

0.5

2.5

0.7

-

-

3.1

3.6

2.3

3.8

2.0

2.0

1.1

-

-

-

1.1

1.4

1.2

2.0

2.7

2.0

9.6

2.5

5.3

2.7

4.8

7.9

4.8

4.0

8.0

5.1

4.1

2.9

-

1.9

-

7.4

5.7

4.7

1.9

5.3

2.9

5.9

6.7

3.9

5.5

0.6

-

-

-

0.9

0.5

-

-

1.5

-

1.2

0.8

0.4

1.2

1.2

-

-

-

1.0

-

-

0.6

-

-

0.7

0.7

4.2

0.9

5.4

2.9

1.2

0.4

0.5

-

1.1

0.8

-

-

-

0.9

2.1

0.9

-

1.9

1.3

3.7

5.0

3.3

1.0

2.2

30.3

30.2

30.2

30.0

29.8

30.0

29.7

29.9

30.0

30.4

30.5

30.5

30.4

30.2

30.3

30.1

30.3

30.2

30.4

29.7

28.7

28.8

29.1

28.8

28.9

31.0

30.9

30.8

31.3

31.0

31.6

31.3

31.5

31.3

31.3

30.7

30.4

30.0

30.2

30.2

30.4

30.1

29.8

30.1

30.3

30.5

31.1

30.6

29.6

30.4

- Represents zero.
Crop Production (November 2012) 29

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Cotton Objective Yield Data

The National Agricultural Statistics Service conducted objective yield surveys in six cotton-producing States during 2012. 

Randomly selected plots in cotton fields are visited monthly from August through harvest to obtain specific counts and 

measurements. Data in this table are actual field counts from this survey.

Cotton Cumulative Boll Counts – Selected States: 2008-2012

[Includes small bolls (less than one inch in diameter), large unopened bolls (at least one inch in diameter), open bolls, partially opened bolls, and burrs 

per 40 feet of row. November, December, and Final exclude small bolls. Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

State and month 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

Arkansas

September .......................................

October ...........................................

November ........................................

December ........................................

Final ................................................

Georgia

September .......................................

October ...........................................

November ........................................

December ........................................

Final ................................................

Louisiana

September .......................................

October ...........................................

November ........................................

December ........................................

Final ................................................

Mississippi

September .......................................

October ...........................................

November ........................................

December ........................................

Final ................................................

North Carolina

September .......................................

October ...........................................

November ........................................

December ........................................

Final ................................................

Texas

September .......................................

October ...........................................

November ........................................

December ........................................

Final ................................................

943

810

852

846

846

587

613

733

742

742

655

578

579

579

579

909

679

728

722

722

667

652

702

704

704

633

513

579

573

570

1,051

814

803

794

794

571

731

712

737

740

714

792

756

788

788

925

833

717

722

722

701

730

779

777

777

613

522

502

502

502

911

893

897

894

894

609

606

686

683

683

699

755

789

781

781

864

773

776

776

776

681

675

689

689

689

658

534

589

589

589

901

845

867

868

868

531

577

659

665

666

938

948

949

949

949

898

848

874

875

875

553

610

646

646

646

540

478

515

520

520

841

852

856

656

646

756

855

880

900

883

855

896

727

739

865

535

443

522
30 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Soybean Objective Yield Data

The National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting objective yield surveys in 11 soybean-producing States during 

2012. Randomly selected plots in soybean fields are visited monthly from August through harvest to obtain specific 

counts and measurements. Data in these tables are actual field counts from this survey.

Soybean Pods with Beans per 18 Square Feet – Selected States: 2008-2012

[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

State

and month 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Stateand month 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

Arkansas 1

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

Illinois

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

Indiana

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

Iowa

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

Kansas

September .......

October ............

November ........

Final .................

(NA)

1,569

1,723

1,715

1,621

1,893

1,801

1,829

1,608

1,577

1,648

1,659

1,758

1,732

1,770

1,775

1,346

1,487

1,581

1,629

(NA)

1,785

1,794

1,865

1,610

1,672

1,676

1,687

1,516

1,525

1,583

1,594

1,858

1,878

1,868

1,879

1,627

1,759

1,784

1,768

(NA)

1,591

1,805

1,833

1,970

2,090

2,096

2,096

1,878

1,852

1,879

1,879

2,009

2,046

2,054

2,054

1,402

1,392

1,427

1,429

(NA)

1,434

1,607

1,597

1,983

1,933

1,931

1,931

1,607

1,606

1,635

1,635

1,944

1,941

1,996

2,002

1,488

1,466

1,375

1,375

(NA)

1,574

1,570

1,466

1,359

1,382

1,388

1,390

1,396

1,512

1,636

1,630

1,038

1,039

1,092

Minnesota

September .....

October ..........

November ......

Final ...............

Missouri

September .....

October ..........

November ......

Final ...............

Nebraska

September .....

October ..........

November ......

Final ...............

North Dakota

September .....

October ..........

November ......

Final ...............

Ohio

September .....

October ..........

November ......

Final ...............

South Dakota

September .....

October ..........

November ......

Final ...............

1,466

1,493

1,470

1,472

1,538

1,473

1,673

1,690

1,692

1,766

1,857

1,857

1,261

1,261

1,405

1,405

1,942

1,755

1,618

1,616

1,425

1,465

1,492

1,492

1,456

1,542

1,611

1,581

1,856

1,983

2,083

2,122

1,793

1,878

1,868

1,868

1,208

1,236

1,317

1,318

1,846

1,769

1,757

1,712

1,513

1,642

1,683

1,682

1,679

1,741

1,783

1,783

1,924

1,899

1,986

1,993

1,906

2,109

2,121

2,121

1,375

1,416

1,510

1,510

1,991

2,012

2,022

2,022

1,527

1,622

1,605

1,605

1,670

1,705

1,678

1,678

1,957

1,781

1,836

1,797

2,032

2,075

2,141

2,141

1,337

1,382

1,381

1,381

1,882

1,850

1,893

1,892

1,652

1,492

1,530

1,530

1,587

1,606

1,605

1,347

1,205

1,274

1,406

1,509

1,516

1,308

1,326

1,326

1,674

1,708

1,747

1,171

1,142

1,127

(NA) Not available.

1 September data not available due to plant immaturity.
Crop Production (November 2012) 31

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Soybean Frequency of Farmer Reported Row Widths – Selected States: 2008-2012

State and year

Row width (inches)

Less than

7.5 1 7.5 15 30 More than30

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

Arkansas ..............................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Illinois ...................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Indiana .................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Iowa ......................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Kansas .................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Minnesota .............................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Missouri ................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Nebraska ..............................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

12

12

11

9

5

15

7

3

3

6

6

2

6

2

4

7

2

4

2

1

3

2

4

3

1

8

9

7

5

3

5

3

6

2

2

2

-

-

-

-

84

75

85

94

62

53

30

30

20

20

59

47

42

32

25

21

15

18

13

9

16

19

20

11

28

7

10

13

10

4

24

14

14

14

14

8

11

8

6

7

68

81

65

55

51

128

110

109

110

112

112

95

90

90

100

102

92

72

78

89

37

40

29

47

28

45

40

44

40

46

70

68

79

68

78

40

32

28

50

38

36

37

33

30

31

43

65

64

62

58

13

14

15

13

15

138

95

93

95

86

53

45

58

43

56

68

44

39

43

48

30

19

11

20

21

46

45

51

32

53

42

50

52

54

59

1

-

1

3

3

-

-

-

1

-

4

5

4

2

3

-

2

1

3

-

2

2

1

2

2

9

6

5

9

10

11

12

10

6

8

See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued
32 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Soybean Frequency of Farmer Reported Row Widths – Selected States: 2008-2012 (continued)

State and year

Row width (inches)

Less than

7.5 1 7.5 15 30 More than30

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

North Dakota .........................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Ohio ......................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

South Dakota ........................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

23

14

12

9

4

2

4

3

5

6

2

3

2

-

1

17

17

16

18

17

77

79

55

55

58

11

14

7

8

10

57

57

72

66

74

56

49

76

54

66

52

47

39

41

39

16

19

14

11

16

2

6

6

4

6

42

42

50

45

51

-

1

1

1

-

-

-

-

-

1

6

7

2

2

1

- Represents zero.

1

Includes broadcast soybeans.

Soybean Objective Yield Percent of Samples Processed in the Lab – United States: 2008-2012

Year

October November

Mature 1 Mature 1

(percent) (percent)

2008 ....................................

2009 ....................................

2010 ....................................

2011 ....................................

2012 ....................................

40

38

59

32

64

91

87

94

95

94

1

Includes soybeans with brown pods and are considered mature or almost mature.
Crop Production (November 2012) 33

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Soybean Percentage Distribution by Measured Row Width and Average Row Width – Selected 

States: 2008-2012

State and year Samples

Row width (inches) Average

row

width 1

10.0 or

less 1

10.1-

18.5

18.6-

28.5

28.6-

34.5

34.6 or

greater

(number) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (inches)

Arkansas ...............................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Illinois ....................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Indiana ..................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Iowa .......................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Kansas ..................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Minnesota ..............................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Missouri .................................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Nebraska ...............................................2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

241

239

239

242

207

246

211

204

198

197

187

159

153

138

140

276

209

189

192

190

106

109

113

102

112

128

107

95

101

100

142

114

118

108

122

106

100

97

94

104

23.7

23.9

27.9

26.6

24.0

20.9

15.9

14.2

10.6

11.8

30.8

25.6

28.2

24.0

16.8

6.9

6.9

7.6

6.2

5.3

10.9

11.6

16.9

6.9

13.9

10.2

9.8

15.5

11.9

4.0

13.4

12.7

14.5

13.0

7.8

6.1

6.0

4.7

3.2

4.3

30.4

28.2

27.3

27.7

23.5

57.3

52.1

52.7

52.0

50.9

60.6

61.8

60.3

63.6

68.2

37.3

39.2

36.0

37.2

39.5

37.0

45.4

29.8

50.5

36.3

23.4

27.6

25.1

20.8

27.5

54.6

61.4

66.4

57.7

62.5

35.4

35.7

31.8

48.7

33.2

24.9

30.5

25.2

28.3

28.1

2.9

4.3

3.4

3.6

5.9

2.4

3.5

2.6

4.0

3.6

6.7

7.2

6.9

6.8

9.2

8.0

7.4

3.1

6.8

3.6

16.0

22.4

21.9

23.7

24.0

5.6

6.6

6.8

4.2

5.8

6.6

7.5

4.7

8.1

7.7

11.2

9.2

10.3

9.3

13.8

18.5

27.7

28.9

32.3

30.9

6.2

8.8

8.9

7.7

11.4

47.6

43.6

47.9

49.0

44.2

43.6

35.6

49.8

35.8

46.2

48.8

40.2

35.3

40.1

43.0

19.7

14.9

7.2

17.7

16.5

40.6

37.7

47.4

33.0

48.1

9.8

8.2

9.3

8.1

10.6

0.4

-

0.8

1.5

0.5

-

0.3

-

0.7

-

1.5

3.1

1.6

0.8

1.8

0.5

-

0.4

-

-

1.6

0.0

2.2

3.5

1.5

6.7

4.4

5.1

7.4

7.4

11.3

13.1

11.4

7.0

6.7

18.8

18.6

18.2

18.0

19.3

16.7

18.6

19.0

19.8

19.3

14.0

14.9

14.6

14.8

15.9

22.6

22.3

22.6

22.8

22.5

21.4

20.1

22.0

20.5

21.3

23.0

21.5

21.5

22.5

23.1

19.1

18.0

17.0

18.9

19.2

23.8

23.4

24.8

22.0

24.1

See footnote(s) at end of table. --continued
34 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Soybean Percentage Distribution by Measured Row Width and Average Row Width – Selected States: 

2008-2012 (continued)

State and year Samples

Row width (inches) Average

row

width 1

10.0 or

less 1

10.1-

18.5

18.6-

28.5

28.6-

34.5

34.6 or

greater

(number) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (inches)

North Dakota ......................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Ohio ...................................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

South Dakota ........................................ 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

111

108

115

105

110

138

138

140

119

136

112

112

95

92

99

22.5

18.7

15.2

9.8

11.4

52.5

51.8

34.6

39.1

40.8

8.0

12.6

5.3

4.9

7.6

56.3

52.8

59.6

62.6

55.9

43.9

42.8

57.2

52.9

51.1

38.8

30.0

31.2

35.3

32.5

8.6

10.3

12.6

15.8

22.3

1.8

2.5

3.9

4.6

4.1

7.2

13.0

15.3

11.9

14.2

12.6

17.3

12.6

11.8

10.4

1.8

2.9

4.3

3.4

3.3

39.3

38.1

46.6

44.6

44.7

-

0.9

-

-

-

-

-

-

-

0.7

6.7

6.3

1.6

3.3

1.0

15.3

17.0

16.2

16.7

17.3

11.4

11.9

13.4

12.8

12.9

22.5

22.4

23.1

23.0

22.5

- Represents zero.

1 Broadcast soybeans included as "10.0 inches or less" but excluded in computation of average width.
Crop Production (November 2012) 35

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

2012 Potato Objective Yield Data

The National Agricultural Statistics Service is conducting objective yield surveys in seven fall potato-producing States 

during 2012. Sample plots were located in potato fields randomly selected using a scientifically designed sampling 

procedure. Field workers recorded counts and measurements within the field and then harvested six hills per sample. 

Potatoes were sent to laboratories for sizing and grading according to accepted United States fresh grading standards. Data 

in these tables are rounded actual field counts from this survey.

Fall Potato Number of Hills by Type – Selected States: 2008-2012

State and year

Reds Whites Yellows Russets

Samples

Average

number

of hills

per acre

Samples

Average

number

of hills

per acre

Samples

Average

number

of hills

per acre

Samples

Average

number

of hills

per acre

(number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number) (number)

Idaho ........................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Maine .......................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Minnesota .................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

North Dakota ............................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Oregon ........................................ 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Washington ................................. 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Wisconsin .................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

(D)

5

5

5

6

8

6

5

9

4

43

43

37

40

37

16

21

13

22

12

(D)

(D)

4

4

6

5

12

7

7

6

17

8

10

7

8

(D)

17,938

17,499

17,571

18,368

13,785

14,873

16,275

13,687

12,589

13,278

12,314

12,112

12,356

13,295

11,499

10,403

11,523

11,581

11,920

(D)

(D)

11,436

11,998

12,430

15,012

16,779

17,257

16,378

18,711

14,957

14,288

13,115

16,312

15,843

10

9

5

6

5

50

40

51

46

38

8

8

10

7

10

25

18

36

23

29

24

22

26

25

20

24

11

13

7

10

35

47

46

48

43

12,682

12,142

14,200

11,790

12,828

12,655

13,807

13,597

13,015

11,746

11,854

13,507

12,048

11,755

12,821

11,743

9,660

11,490

11,181

11,818

14,555

13,575

13,744

12,986

11,944

14,600

15,779

15,710

15,172

14,424

15,077

14,514

14,884

14,184

15,000

(D)

(D)

4

(D)

3

9

9

7

3

6

(D)

(D)

3

(D)

(D)

(D)

-

-

(D)

(D)

7

(D)

(D)

5

3

(D)

(D)

3

3

5

-

(D)

-

(D)

(D)

(D)

(D)

17,110

(D)

13,110

13,228

15,617

13,327

14,268

11,471

(D)

(D)

9,405

(D)

(D)

(D)

-

-

(D)

(D)

13,136

(D)

(D)

12,275

10,692

(D)

(D)

15,369

15,148

19,354

-

(D)

-

(D)

(D)

270

253

227

209

197

69

61

52

73

82

83

89

85

95

88

88

87

82

90

91

91

103

102

98

83

129

142

125

108

111

77

66

61

50

66

12,536

12,940

12,948

12,906

12,615

9,603

9,638

9,964

9,809

9,669

12,309

13,446

12,123

12,548

11,659

12,311

12,166

12,815

12,931

13,064

13,591

13,549

13,229

12,570

12,626

14,852

14,612

14,968

15,258

14,638

12,693

12,678

12,595

12,597

12,884

- Represents zero.

(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
36 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Fall Potato Harvest Loss by Type – Selected States: 2008-2012

State and year Reds Whites Yellows Russets All types

(cwt per acre) (cwt per acre) (cwt per acre) (cwt per acre) (cwt per acre)

Idaho ................................................ 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Maine ............................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Minnesota ........................................ 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

North Dakota .................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Oregon ............................................. 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Washington ...................................... 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

Wisconsin ........................................ 2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

(D)

(D)

-

-

(D)

10

25

14

(D)

(D)

15

12

14

20

11

14

23

(D)

18

17

(D)

(D)

-

(D)

(D)

12

(D)

(D)

(D)

(D)

7

9

(D)

-

7

22

17

(D)

(D)

(D)

23

25

27

30

26

21

17

(D)

(D)

13

18

16

28

17

39

20

15

9

12

22

14

15

(D)

(D)

(D)

10

16

8

9

9

11

(D)

(D)

-

(D)

10

13

-

(D)

(D)

(D)

15

-

-

-

(D)

(D)

-

-

-

8

(D)

-

-

-

(D)

(D)

(D)

-

-

(D)

(D)

-

-

-

31

27

31

29

25

20

23

38

30

24

25

23

28

29

31

32

31

38

38

50

35

27

15

21

20

24

26

22

20

23

10

16

11

14

7

30

26

31

30

26

20

23

31

29

24

21

20

23

26

25

27

28

34

31

43

31

25

14

20

20

22

25

20

20

20

10

15

9

12

8

- Represents zero.

(D) Withheld to avoid disclosing data for individual operations.
Crop Production (November 2012) 37

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Fall Potato Grading Categories by Type – Selected States: 2011 and 2012

[Gross yield basis. Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding]

Type and State

No. 1

2 inch minimum 1

No. 2 or

processing usable

1 1/2 inch minimum 1

Cull 2

2011 2012 2011 2012 2011 2012

(percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent)

Round red potatoes

Minnesota ........................................

North Dakota ...................................

Wisconsin ........................................

Round white potatoes

Maine 3............................................

North Dakota ...................................

Oregon ............................................

Wisconsin ........................................

All long potatoes 4

Idaho 5.............................................

Maine 3............................................

Minnesota ........................................

North Dakota ...................................

Oregon ............................................

Washington .....................................

Wisconsin ........................................

63.4

77.3

65.6

80.7

67.6

90.4

82.0

80.2

66.9

56.9

60.6

84.9

87.8

77.0

63.0

47.8

82.5

83.5

78.5

86.6

89.3

80.9

83.1

59.6

66.1

84.3

95.7

82.5

26.0

16.1

33.0

5.4

15.8

8.9

16.7

18.2

15.2

35.1

32.5

14.1

10.9

22.5

27.1

43.7

17.1

7.6

17.2

12.6

10.6

18.0

7.1

28.2

23.6

14.6

4.1

17.1

10.6

6.6

1.4

13.9

16.6

0.7

1.3

1.6

17.9

8.0

6.9

1.0

1.3

0.5

9.9

8.5

0.4

8.9

4.3

0.8

0.1

1.1

9.8

12.2

10.3

1.1

0.2

0.4

1 Potatoes which meet the requirements for United States #1 or #2, as stated in United States Standards for Grades of Potatoes, United States 

Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service.

2 Potatoes not meeting the requirements for United States #1 or #2, as stated in United States Standards for Grades of Potatoes, United States 

Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Marketing Service.

3 Percent of net yield adjusted for field loss.

4

Includes Russet, Shepody, Prospect, and Defender varieties unless otherwise indicated.

5 Russets only.

Round Potato Size Categories by Type – Selected States: 2011 and 2012

[Gross yield basis. Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding]

Year, type, and State

Inches

1 1/2

-

1 7/8

1 7/8

-

2

2

-

2 1/4

2 1/4

-

2 1/2

2 1/2

-

3 1/2

3 1/2

-

4

4 inches

and over

(percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent)

2011

Red potatoes

 Minnesota ......................................

 North Dakota .................................

 Wisconsin ......................................

White potatoes

 Maine 1..........................................

 North Dakota .................................

 Oregon ..........................................

 Wisconsin ......................................

8.9

4.0

12.7

1.2

5.2

4.9

5.7

6.5

3.4

8.6

2.2

5.7

3.2

4.8

18.5

12.5

21.6

10.2

10.4

7.5

13.6

25.3

20.7

21.7

16.6

16.1

15.7

19.6

40.8

56.0

33.7

63.0

57.5

53.6

53.8

-

3.0

1.7

6.5

4.2

13.0

2.2

-

0.4

-

0.3

0.9

2.1

0.3

2012

Red potatoes

 Minnesota ......................................

 North Dakota .................................

 Wisconsin ......................................

White potatoes

 Maine 1..........................................

 North Dakota .................................

 Oregon ..........................................

 Wisconsin ......................................

7.3

5.8

7.3

4.4

8.1

7.7

4.2

5.9

3.3

6.1

3.4

6.1

5.0

3.8

15.4

11.9

13.5

12.2

17.0

14.1

11.6

23.4

25.5

23.7

20.8

21.7

20.9

17.4

47.0

53.0

48.6

51.5

45.0

51.7

61.3

1.0

0.5

0.8

6.7

2.1

0.6

1.4

-

-

-

1.0

-

-

0.3

- Represents zero.

1 Percent of net yield adjusted for field loss.
38 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Long Potato (Russet and Shepody) Size Categories – Maine: 2011 and 2012

[Percent of net yield - adjusted for field loss]

Year

Inches Ounces

1 1/2

-

1 7/8

1 7/8

-

2

2 inches

or

4-6

6-8 8-10 10-12 12-14

14

and

over

(percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent) (percent)

2011 ............

2012 ............

3.4

-

5.7

4.8

34.2

38.1

21.7

20.9

16.3

13.8

7.8

9.2

4.0

6.0

6.9

7.2

- Represents zero.

All Long Potato Size Categories – Selected States: 2011 and 2012

[Gross yield basis. Totals may not add to 100 due to rounding. Includes Russet, Shepody, Prospect, and Defender varieties]

Year

and State

Inches Ounces

1 1/2

-

1 5/8

1 5/8

-

1 7/8

1 7/8

-

2

2 in.

or

4-6

6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

14

and

over

(%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%) (%)

2011

Idaho 1....................

Minnesota ...............

North Dakota ...........

Oregon ....................

Washington .............

Wisconsin ...............

1.4

4.0

3.2

0.9

0.3

1.0

6.8

15.3

11.6

4.3

2.9

10.3

5.1

7.9

5.1

3.6

3.1

8.4

27.4

31.2

30.7

24.7

27.6

29.5

10.0

10.5

11.4

10.6

10.5

10.9

9.2

8.4

9.8

9.4

10.3

9.1

8.1

6.5

7.2

7.7

8.7

8.0

6.4

4.7

6.3

7.3

7.1

5.7

5.4

3.7

4.9

6.1

6.0

5.0

4.1

2.9

3.7

5.4

5.4

3.2

3.7

1.5

1.7

4.3

4.4

3.1

2.6

1.2

1.3

3.2

2.7

1.5

9.8

2.2

3.1

12.5

11.0

4.3

2012

Idaho 1....................

Minnesota ...............

North Dakota ...........

Oregon ....................

Washington .............

Wisconsin ...............

1.3

2.3

1.6

1.2

0.1

0.7

5.4

9.4

6.7

3.9

0.9

5.9

4.2

6.2

4.6

3.6

0.9

6.2

23.1

31.4

26.2

23.3

6.4

24.1

9.5

10.0

10.1

10.1

2.6

10.4

8.9

10.0

10.0

9.8

77.6

9.6

7.9

7.7

7.3

8.3

2.0

9.1

6.9

6.1

7.0

7.9

1.9

7.4

6.2

4.0

5.7

5.7

1.6

5.2

5.2

3.9

4.6

5.1

1.3

4.6

4.2

2.2

3.9

5.0

1.0

3.2

3.3

1.6

2.7

3.4

0.7

3.0

13.9

5.2

9.6

12.7

3.0

10.6

1 Russets only.
Crop Production (November 2012) 39

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
40 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

October Weather Summary

Unfavorably dry weather returned to the southern half of the Plains’ winter wheat belt during October, as exceptionally 

dry conditions persisted in much of South Dakota and Nebraska. Consequently, nearly one-fifth (19 percent) of the United 

States winter wheat was rated in very poor to poor condition by November 4 - a list topped by South Dakota (52 percent), 

Nebraska (49 percent), Oklahoma (30 percent), Colorado (28 percent), and Texas (24 percent). In addition, much of South 

Dakota’s wheat failed to germinate by early November – 33 percent emerged on November 4, compared to the 5-year 

average of 93 percent. Finally, October ended with at least 40 percent of the rangeland and pastures rated very poor to 

poor in 20 States across the western and central United States, led by Nebraska (97 percent).

In contrast, beneficial rain and snow fell across the Nation’s Northern Tier from the Pacific Northwest to the Red River 

Valley of the North. In particular, the precipitation aided winter grains, which previously had struggled to emerge. Farther 

south, warm, mostly dry weather covered California and the Southwest, promoting autumn fieldwork.

Meanwhile, corn and soybean harvest activities were complete by early November in parts of the upper Midwest, 

including Minnesota and South Dakota. In the eastern Corn Belt, frequent rainfall eased or eradicated any remaining 

drought but slowed summer crop harvesting and winter wheat planting.

Elsewhere, drier-than-normal weather in much of the Southeast - excluding Florida’s peninsula - allowed harvesting to 

proceed, while Hurricane Sandy made headlines toward month’s end in the Mid-Atlantic States. Sandy merged with a 

non-tropical storm and was forced inland on October 29 by a blocking high-pressure system over the northern Atlantic 

Ocean. Sandy officially made landfall as a post-tropical cyclone near Atlantic City, New Jersey, with sustained winds near 

80 miles per hour. Sandy’s greatest impacts occurred in coastal and tidal areas of the northern Mid-Atlantic States, where 

a record-setting storm surge inundated beachfront and low-lying communities. In addition, wind gusts of 60 to 90 miles 

per hour in the Mid-Atlantic coastal plain downed trees and power lines. Farther inland, across the central and southern 

Appalachians, Sandy dumped as much as 1 to 3 feet of snow.

October Agricultural Summary

October temperatures were near-normal while precipitation was below average across much of the United States, allowing 

producers ample time to harvest their remaining summer crops and seed overwintered small grains; however, less than 

adequate soil moisture levels hampered seed germination and establishment of winter wheat in portions of the Great 

Plains. Elsewhere, above average moisture across the Northern Tier benefitted soil moisture levels as winter approached. 

Hurricane Sandy made landfall in late October, pummeling the Mid-Atlantic Coast States with hurricane-force winds, 

excessive rain and snowfall, as well as severe flooding.

Aided by above average temperatures and mostly dry conditions throughout September, dry down was rapid in the 

Nation’s corn crop. By October 7, maturity had advanced to 97 percent complete, 13 percentage points ahead of the 

5-year average. Early-month rainfall slowed fieldwork in the eastern and southern Corn Belt; however, harvest remained 

steady. With mostly favorable weather conditions providing for one of the quickest harvest paces on record, corn 

producers had combined 79 percent of this year’s crop by October 14, thirty-seven percentage points ahead of last year 

and 41 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. High winds and rainfall in Indiana caused lodging in some fields 

and slowed the harvest pace mid-month; however, progress remained over two weeks ahead of normal. Toward month’s 

end, rainfall limited or halted fieldwork in portions of the Corn Belt, leaving producers waiting for drier soils to finish 

harvest. Nationally, 95 percent of the corn crop was harvested by November 4, ten percentage points ahead of last year 

and 24 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average.

When October began, phenological development of the Nation’s sorghum crop was similar to last year, while harvest was 

advancing at the normal pace. By October 7, coloring was 93 percent complete, slightly behind the 5-year average, and 

65 percent of the crop was at or beyond the mature stage, 4 percentage points behind the average pace. As the month 

progressed, favorable weather conditions provided ample time for fieldwork where harvest was incomplete. In Kansas, 

harvest gained speed as more producers finished seeding their 2013 winter wheat crop and switched their focus to 

sorghum. Mild, mostly dry weather in the central Great Plains allowed for rapid harvest during the week ending 

October 21, evidenced by progress of 11 percentage points or more in Kansas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma. Crop maturity 
Crop Production (November 2012) 41

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

was complete or nearing completion in all major estimating States except New Mexico by October 21. Fieldwork 

continued at a quick pace as dry weather dominated the major growing regions late-month. By November 4, producers 

had harvested 78 percent of the Nation’s crop, 2 percentage points ahead of last year and 8 percentage points ahead of the 

5-year average. Overall, 24 percent of the sorghum crop was reported in good to excellent condition when harvest 

surpassed the halfway mark during the week ending October 21, unchanged from ratings on October 7 and from the same 

time last year.

Winter wheat seeding gained speed Nationally in early October following increased soil moisture levels in recent weeks. 

Widespread precipitation in Kansas provided much-needed moisture as producers continued to seed their crop; however, 

additional rainfall was needed to aid crop emergence as the month progressed. By October 14, seventy-one percent of the 

Nation’s crop had been sown, on par with the 5-year average. Mild, generally dry weather lingered throughout the month, 

aiding fieldwork but hindering seed germination. By November 4, emergence was 73 percent complete, slightly behind 

the 5-year average, with the most significant delay evident in South Dakota, where topsoil and subsoil moisture levels 

were rated 84 and 90 percent short to very short, respectively. Overall, 39 percent of the winter wheat crop was reported 

in good to excellent condition on November 4, compared with 49 percent from the same time last year. In Kansas, 

Oklahoma, and Texas, the portion of the crop rated good to excellent was 37 percent, 21 percent, and 34 percent, 

respectively, compared with 45 percent, 42 percent, and 21 percent from the same time last year.

Although 79 percent of the Nation’s rice crop was harvested by October 7, ten percentage points ahead of last year and 

5 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average, harvest in California was well behind the normal pace. Additionally, 

rainfall coupled with lodging in a portion of Arkansas’s remaining rice crop limited fieldwork. By mid-month, harvest in 

California was in full swing, while producers in the Delta and Texas were combining their last fields and readying fields 

for next year. Toward month’s end, preparation for next season continued where harvest was complete, while less than 

ideal weather conditions limited progress in California. By November 4, ninety-five percent of this year’s rice crop was 

harvested, on par with both last year and the 5-year average.

When October began, phenological development of the Nation’s soybean crop was nearing completion, as harvest 

continued to advance rapidly. Above average temperatures and mostly sunny skies in Iowa pushed leaf drop and harvest 

well ahead of the normal pace. Nationwide, 58 percent of the soybean crop was harvested by October 7, eighteen 

percentage points, or one week, ahead of the 5-year average. Lodging caused by high winds was evident in Nebraska 

mid-month, leaving producers struggling to harvest their remaining crop. Toward month’s end, rainfall in portions of the 

eastern Corn Belt saturated soils and limited fieldwork, while harvest in central and western portions of the region neared 

completion. Nationally, producers had harvested 93 percent of this year’s crop by November 4, seven percentage points 

ahead of the 5-year average. Overall, 37 percent of the soybean crop was reported in good to excellent condition when 

harvest surpassed the halfway mark during the week ending October 7, compared with 56 percent from the same time last 

year.

Boosted by a rapid harvest pace in the Dakotas, producers had harvested 27 percent of the Nation’s sunflower crop by 

October 7, compared with 7 percent last year and a 5-year average of 8 percent. Despite persistently wet conditions in 

portions of North Dakota toward month’s end, sunny, mostly dry weather aided fieldwork throughout much of October. 

By November 4, eighty-eight percent of the sunflower crop had been harvested, 28 percentage points ahead of the 5-year 

average.

Despite increased rainfall in portions of the Southeast, peanut producers were busy harvesting their crop as October 

began. One-third of the Nation’s crop was dug and combined by October 7, five percentage points ahead of the 5-year 

average. Favorable weather conditions promoted rapid fieldwork during the week ending October 14, evidenced by 

double-digit harvest progress in 7 of the 8 major estimating States. The first fall frost in Texas ended pod development in 

some fields, leading to an earlier than normal harvest. In Georgia, burrower bug infestations in some fields resulted in 

lower quality ratings of harvested peanuts during the latter half of the month. By November 4, producers had harvested 

87 percent of the Nation’s peanut crop, 8 percentage points ahead of last year and 10 percentage points ahead of the 5-year 

average. Overall, 79 percent of the peanut crop was reported in good to excellent condition when harvest surpassed the 

halfway mark during the week ending October 21, compared with 79 percent on October 7 and 43 percent from the same 

time last year.
42 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

With favorable weather promoting rapid phenological development and increased defoliation in Texas, 85 percent of the 

Nation’s cotton crop was at or beyond the boll opening stage by October 7, three percentage points ahead of the 5-year 

average. Drier weather in Mississippi mid-month allowed producers to harvest previously wet fields, while producers in 

northern Texas applied chemicals to help promote crop maturity following the first frost of the season. Nationwide, 

harvest was 28 percent complete by October 14, two percentage points behind the 5-year average. By October 21, bolls 

were opening in 94 percent of this year’s cotton fields, 2 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Harvest was rapid 

toward month’s end when favorable weather aided fieldwork. By November 4, sixty-four percent of this year’s cotton 

crop was harvested, 4 percentage points behind last year but 6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Overall, 

43 percent of the cotton crop was reported in good to excellent condition when harvest reached the halfway mark during 

the week ending October 28, compared with 42 percent on October 7 and 29 percent from the same time last year.

By October 7, thirty-five percent of the sugarbeet crop was harvested, 20 percentage points ahead of last year and 

4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. As the month progressed, harvest in Michigan advanced slowly as 

producers waited for cooler temperatures that would allow open piling to begin, while digging in Idaho, Minnesota, and 

North Dakota was rapid. Toward month’s end, digging in Minnesota slowed as a mixture of rain and snow limited 

fieldwork. Nationally, 91 percent of the sugarbeet crop was harvested by November 4, two percentage points behind last 

year and slightly behind the 5-year average.

Crop Comments

Corn: Area harvested and to be harvested for grain is forecast at 87.7 million acres, unchanged from October but up 

4 percent from 2011.

The November 1 corn objective yield data indicate the lowest number of ears per acre since 2005 for the combined 

10 objective yield States (Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota, and 

Wisconsin).

Aided by mostly favorable conditions during the first part of October, corn producers were harvesting the Nation’s crop at 

one of the quickest paces on record. As of October 14, seventy-nine percent of this year’s crop was harvested, 

37 percentage points ahead of last year and 41 points ahead of the 5-year average pace. Despite precipitation during the 

latter part of October that slowed late-season harvesting in many of the major corn producing areas, 95 percent of the 

Nation’s corn crop was harvested as of November 4. This is 10 percentage points ahead of last year and 24 percentage 

points ahead of the 5-year average pace.

Sorghum: Production is forecast at 256 million bushels, up 2 percent from last month and up 19 percent from last year. 

Area harvested for grain is forecast at 5.02 million acres, unchanged from October 1 but up 28 percent from 2011. Based 

on November 1 conditions, yield is forecast at 51.1 bushels per acre, up 0.9 bushel from last month but down 3.5 bushels 

from last year. A record high yield is forecast in Louisiana, where farmers reported mostly favorable growing conditions.

As of November 4, sorghum harvest was 78 percent complete, 2 percentage points ahead of last year and 8 percentage 

points ahead of the 5-year average.

Rice: Production is forecast at 199 million cwt, down slightly from October but up 7 percent from last year. Area for 

harvest is expected to total 2.68 million acres, unchanged from October but 2 percent higher than 2011. Based on 

conditions as of November 1, the average United States yield is forecast at a record high 7,417 pounds per acre, down 

11 pounds from October but up 350 pounds from last year. Record high yields are also forecast in Arkansas, Louisiana, 

Missouri, and Texas.

By month’s end, rice harvest was complete in all States except California where harvest was 76 percent complete, 

13 percentage points behind the 5-year average. Harvest in California has progressed slower than normal this year due to 

high crop moisture levels.
Crop Production (November 2012) 43

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Soybeans: Area for harvest is forecast at 75.7 million acres, unchanged from October but up 3 percent from 2011. If 

realized, harvested area will be the third largest on record.

The November objective yield data for the combined 11 major soybean-producing States (Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, 

Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Ohio, and South Dakota) indicate a lower pod count 

compared with last year, as hot, dry weather during bloom hampered development of the crop in many areas. Compared 

with final counts for 2011, pod counts are down in all States. The largest declines from 2011’s final pod counts are 

expected in Illinois, Missouri, and Nebraska, all down more than 500 pods per 18 square feet.

Soybean harvest in the 18 major States was 41 percent complete at the beginning of October, 26 percentage points ahead 

of last year’s pace and 22 percentage points ahead of normal. Progress was ahead of normal in all 18 States except for 

Indiana, Ohio, and Tennessee, and was more than 50 percentage points ahead of normal in Minnesota, North Dakota, and 

South Dakota. Cool, wet weather during the first part of the month slowed harvest activities at times from the central 

Great Plains into the central Corn Belt, as well as in the Southeast. As of October 14, harvest was 71 percent complete, 

but had fallen behind normal progress in Kansas, Missouri, and North Carolina. Despite continued scattered rain over the 

remainder of the month in parts of the Midwest, harvest progress reached 93 percent complete by November 4, two 

percentage points ahead of last year and 7 percentage points ahead of normal. At that time, only North Carolina and Ohio 

remained slightly behind normal pace.

If realized, the forecasted yield in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, 

South Carolina, and Virginia will be a record high.

Peanuts: Production is forecast at 6.47 billion pounds, up 6 percent from the October forecast and up 77 percent from last 

year. Area for harvest is expected to total 1.59 million acres, unchanged from October but 48 percent higher than 2011. 

Based on conditions as of November 1, the average yield for the United States is forecast at a record high 4,058 pounds 

per acre, up 226 pounds from October and up 672 pounds from last year. Record high yields are also expected in 

Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Texas, and Virginia.

As of November 4, eighty-seven percent of the United States acreage was harvested, 8 percentage points ahead of last 

year and 10 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Weather conditions were ideal for peanut harvesting during 

October in most peanut-producing regions.

Cotton: Upland cotton harvested area is expected to total 10.2 million acres, unchanged from last month but up 

11 percent from 2011. Pima harvested area, at 237,400 acres, was carried forward from last month.

As of November 4, sixty-four percent of the crop had been harvested, 4 percentage points behind last year but 

6 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average.

Defoliation and harvesting activities progressed in the Southeast throughout the month. Record high yields are forecast in 

Alabama, Arizona, Florida, and Georgia. In Georgia, objective yield data forecasted boll weights to be the highest on 

record.

Ginnings totaled 6,339,000 running bales prior to November 1, compared with 6,440,400 running bales ginned prior to the 

same date last year.

Sugarbeets: Production of sugarbeets for the 2012 crop year is forecast at 34.9 million tons, down 2 percent from the 

previous forecast. Producers expect to harvest 1.22 million acres, unchanged from the previous forecast. Expected yield is 

forecast at 28.8 tons per acre, 0.5 tons lower than the previous month but 5.0 tons higher than last year. If realized, this 

will be a record yield for the United States.

Most of the growing region continued to experience dry conditions during October. Several growing areas reported 

freezing temperatures during harvest.
44 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Sugarcane: Production of sugarcane for sugar and seed in 2012 is forecast at 32.1 million tons, up 3 percent from the 

October 1 forecast and up 9 percent from 2011. Producers intend to harvest 896,000 acres for sugar and seed during the 

2012 crop year, down 2,000 acres from the previous forecast. Expected yield for sugar and seed is forecast at 35.8 tons per 

acre, up 1.0 ton from the October 1 forecast.

The sugarcane crop in Louisiana benefitted from cool and dry weather during October. In Florida, wet weather at the 

beginning of the month delayed harvest. However, dry conditions for the remainder of the month allowed harvest to get 

back on schedule.

Lentils: Production of lentils is forecast at 5.25 million cwt, up 11 percent from last year. Area for harvest is forecast at 

450,000 acres, up 9 percent from the previous year. Average yield is expected to be 1,168 pounds per acre, up 17 pounds 

from 2011.

In Montana, the crop was 98 percent planted by mid-May, compared with last year's 44 percent. By July 22, 

ninety-nine percent of the crop was blooming. Crop condition in mid-August was rated mostly fair to good. 

Ninety-five percent of the crop was harvested by September 2.

In North Dakota, planting began the beginning of April, two weeks ahead of the 5-year average. As of May 20, planting 

was 98 percent complete, ahead of last year’s pace. Harvest began in mid-July and was essentially finished by 

September 2, about four weeks ahead of last year. Crop condition was rated mostly fair to good throughout the growing 

season.

Dry edible peas: Production of dry edible peas is forecast at 11.5 million cwt, up 104 percent from last year. Planted area, 

at 654,000 acres, and harvested area, at 629,000 acres, increased by 81 percent and 83 percent, respectively. Average yield 

is expected to be 1,821 pounds per acre, up 180 pounds from 2011.

In North Dakota, planting began in early April, two weeks ahead of the 5-year average. As of May 20, planting was 

98 percent complete, well ahead of last year’s pace. Harvest started in mid-July and was finished by late-August, about 

four weeks ahead of last year. Crop condition was rated mostly fair to good throughout the entire growing season.

Montana’s crop was 96 percent planted by mid-May, compared with 41 percent last year. By mid-July, 97 percent of the 

crop was blooming. Crop condition by early August was rated mostly good to excellent. Harvest began in mid-July and 

was 97 percent complete by September 2.

Austrian winter peas: Planted area is estimated at 20,000 acres, up 11 percent from last year. Area harvested is forecast 

at 12,800 acres, up 4 percent from 2011. Yield, at 1,148 pounds per acre, is down 315 pounds from last season. 

Production, at 147,000 cwt, is down 18 percent from last year.

Fall potatoes: Production of fall potatoes for 2012 is forecast at 422 million cwt, up 8 percent from last year. Area 

harvested, at 991,500 acres, is slightly above the September 1 forecast and 6 percent above the 2011 estimate. The average 

yield forecast, at 426 cwt per acre, is up 10 cwt from last year’s yield.

In Idaho, growing conditions were favorable, leading to a yield that if realized will be the highest on record. Total potato 

production is forecast to be the second highest on record. Record high yields are also forecast in North Dakota and 

Massachusetts. Favorable spring weather and adequate water supplies benefitted both the North Dakota and 

Massachusetts potato crops. In Michigan, growers reported good yields despite the high temperatures and dry conditions 

experienced during the summer.

All potatoes: Total United States potato production in 2012 from all seasons is forecast at 467 million cwt, 9 percent 

above 2011. Harvested area, at 1.14 million acres, is up slightly from the September forecast and up 6 percent from last 

year. Average yield is forecast at 411 cwt per acre, up 12 cwt from the previous year.

Florida citrus: In the citrus growing areas, weather stations reported high temperatures ranging from the mid 80s to the 

low 90s. Rainfall was moderate across the citrus producing region for most of the month, ranging from one to two inches 
Crop Production (November 2012) 45

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

in some areas to none at all in others. Harvest of grapefruit, early tangerines, and Navel and early oranges began. 

Application of fall miticide and herbicide, young tree care, and general grove maintenance, were the primary grove 

activities.

California citrus: Harvest of Valencia oranges finished this month. Navel orange harvest began at the end of October. 

Cooler nights helped improve external fruit color. Tangerine harvest began mid-month, with good internal maturity 

reported.

California noncitrus fruits and nuts: Harvest neared completion for several fruit crops. Orchards and vineyards were 

irrigated early in the month due to dry weather. Raisin grape harvest ended with no weather complications reported. Late 

variety table grape harvest and export continued. Varieties harvested included Autumn King, Autumn Royal, and Red 

Globe. Red and white wine grape harvest finished across the State. The last variety to be harvested was Cabernet 

Sauvignon, as growers waited for higher Brix levels. Grapes remaining to be harvested in Napa County received some 

rain during harvest, but the crop was unaffected as harvest resumed quickly. Pomegranate harvest was ongoing as cooler 

temperatures improved external color. Persimmon and kiwi harvest began. Late October rain halted kiwi harvest in 

Butte County, but it resumed quickly. Peach, nectarine, prune, and fresh plum harvests were complete. Stone fruit 

orchards that had completed harvest were undergoing pruning, topping, and general orchard cleanup. Gala, Fuji, and 

Granny Smith apple and Bartlett, Bosc, and Asian pear harvests continued. Quince continued to be harvested and 

exported. Fig harvest was ongoing. Olives continued to be harvested in the San Joaquin Valley with harvest expected to 

begin soon in the Sacramento Valley. Almond harvest was nearing completion. The crop came off fast this year, so 

growers were stockpiling almonds until they could be hulled. Post-harvest activities continued. Late variety walnuts and 

pistachios continued to be harvested in the Sacramento Valley.
46 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Statistical Methodology

Survey procedures: Objective yield and farm operator surveys were conducted between October 25 and November 6 to 

gather information on expected yield as of November 1. The objective yield surveys for corn, cotton, and soybeans were 

conducted in the major producing States that usually account for about 80 percent of the United States production. 

Randomly selected plots were revisited to make current counts. The counts made within each sample plot depend on the 

crop and the maturity of that crop. In all cases, plant counts are recorded along with other measurements that provide 

information to forecast the number of ears, bolls, or pods and their weight. The counts are used with similar data from 

previous years to develop a projected biological yield. The average harvesting loss is subtracted to obtain a net yield. The 

plots are revisited each month until crop maturity when the fruit is harvested and weighed. After the farm operator has 

harvested the sample field, another plot is sampled to obtain current year harvesting loss.

The farm operator survey was conducted primarily by telephone with some use of mail, internet, and personal 

interviewers. Approximately 10,500 producers were interviewed during the survey period and asked questions about 

probable yield. 

Estimating procedures: National and State level objective yield and grower reported data were reviewed for 

reasonableness and consistency with historical estimates. The survey data were also reviewed considering weather 

patterns and crop progress compared to previous months and previous years. Each State Field Office submits their 

analysis of the current situation to the Agricultural Statistics Board (ASB). The ASB uses the survey data and the State 

analyses to prepare the published November 1 forecasts.

Revision policy: The November 1 production forecast will not be revised; instead, a new forecast will be made each 

month throughout the growing season. End-of-season estimates are made after harvest. At the end of the marketing 

season, a balance sheet is calculated using carryover stocks, production, exports, millings, feeding, and ending stocks. 

Revisions are then made if the balance sheet relationships or other administrative data warrant changes. Estimates of 

planted acres for spring planted crops are subject to revision in the August Crop Production report if conditions altered 

the planting intentions since the mid-year survey. Current year, planted acres may also be revised for cotton, peanuts, and 

rice in the September Crop Production report each year; spring wheat, Durum wheat, barley, and oats only in the Small 

Grains Summary report at the end of September; and all other spring planted crops in the October Crop Production report. 

Revisions to planted acres will only be made when either special survey data, administrative data, such as Farm Service 

Agency program "sign up" data, or remote sensing data are available. Harvested acres may be revised any time a 

production forecast is made if there is strong evidence that the intended harvested area has changed since the last forecast.

Reliability: To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the November 1 production forecast, the "Root Mean Square 

Error," a statistical measure based on past performance, is computed. The deviation between the November 1 production 

forecast and the final estimate is expressed as a percentage of the final estimate. The average of the squared percentage 

deviations for the latest 20-year period is computed. The square root of the average becomes statistically the "Root Mean 

Square Error." Probability statements can be made concerning expected differences in the current forecast relative to the 

final end-of-season estimate, assuming that factors affecting this year's forecast are not different from those influencing 

recent years. For example, the "Root Mean Square Error" for the November 1 corn for grain production forecast is 

1.2 percent. This means that chances are 2 out of 3 that the current production forecast will not be above or below the final 

estimate by more than 1.2 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 (90 percent confidence level) that the difference will not 

exceed 2.1 percent.

Also, shown in the following table is a 20-year record for selected crops of the differences between the November 1 

forecast and the final estimate. Using corn again as an example, changes between the November 1 forecast and the final 

estimate during the last 20 years have averaged 102 million bushels, ranging from 26.0 million bushels to 214 million 

bushels. The November 1 forecast has been below the final estimate 8 times and above 12 times. This does not imply that 

the November 1 corn forecast this year is likely to understate or overstate final production.
Crop Production (November 2012) 47

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Reliability of November 1 Crop Production Forecasts

[Based on data for the past twenty years]

Crop Root mean

square error

90 percent

confidence

interval

Difference between forecast

and final estimate

Production Years

Average Smallest Largest Below

final

Above

final

(percent) (percent) (millions) (millions) (millions) (number) (number)

Corn for grain ..................................... bushels

Fall potatoes ............................................. cwt

Rice .......................................................... cwt

Sorghum for grain .............................. bushels

Soybeans for beans ........................... bushels

Upland cotton 1...................................... bales

1.2

1.8

2.1

5.7

1.4

3.1

2.1

3.0

3.7

9.9

2.3

5.3

102

6

3

18

31

408

26

1

(Z)

1

2

1

214

16

12

86

83

949

8

15

13

7

9

11

12

5

7

13

11

9

(Z) Less than half of the unit shown.

1 Quantity is in thousands of units.
48 Crop Production (November 2012)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Information Contacts

Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact 

for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov

Lance Honig, Chief, Crops Branch .......................................................................................................(202) 720-2127

Jacqueline Moore, Head, Field Crops Section ...................................................................................... (202) 720-2127

 Brent Chittenden – Oats, Rye, Wheat .............................................................................................. (202) 720-8068

 Steve Maliszewski – Cotton, Cotton Ginnings, Sorghum................................................................ (202) 720-5944

 Jacqueline Moore – Peanuts, Rice.................................................................................................... (202) 720-2127

 Anthony Prillaman – Corn, Flaxseed, Proso Millet ......................................................................... (202) 720-9526

 Julie Schmidt – Crop Weather, Barley, Hay .................................................................................... (202) 720-7621

 Travis Thorson – Soybeans, Sunflower, Other Oilseeds..................................................................(202) 720-7369

Jorge Garcia-Pratts, Head, Fruits, Vegetables and Special Crops Section............................................(202) 720-2127

 Debbie Flippin – Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries......................................(202) 720-2157

 Fred Granja – Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Prunes, Tobacco ...............................................(202) 720-4288

 Chris Hawthorn – Citrus, Coffee, Grapes, Sugar Crops, Tropical Fruits.........................................(202) 720-5412

 Dave Losh – Hops............................................................................................................................(360) 709-2400 

 Dan Norris – Austrian Winter Peas, Dry Edible Peas, Lentils, Mint,

 Mushrooms, Peaches, Pears, Wrinkled Seed Peas, Dry Beans ..................................................(202) 720-3250

 Daphne Schauber – Berries, Cranberries, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes ...............................................(202) 720-4285

 Erika White – Floriculture, Maple Syrup, Nursery, Tree Nuts .......................................................(202) 720-4215
Access to NASS Reports

For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways:

 All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov

 Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. To set-up this free 

subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the “Follow NASS” box under “Receive reports by Email,” 

click on “National” or “State” to select the reports you would like to receive. 

For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 

7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. 

 

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and activities on the 

basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, sex, marital status, familial status, parental 

status, religion, sexual orientation, political beliefs, genetic information, reprisal, or because all or a part of an individual's 

income is derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with 

disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) 

should contact USDA's TARGET Center at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of the Assistant 

Secretary for Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, S.W., Stop 9410, Washington, DC 20250-9410, or call toll-free at 

(866) 632-9992 (English) or (800) 877-8339 (TDD) or (866) 377-8642 (English Federal-relay) or (800) 845-6136 

(Spanish Federal-relay). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.