ORANGES: The Nation's 1974-75 orange crop is forecast at 233.6 million boxes, virtually un-

changed from last month's forecast but 8 percent above last season and 4 percent above
the previous record set in 1972-73. In Florida, prospects continue to indicate a record crop of
174 million boxes, unchanged from January 1 but 5 percent above last season. Early and mid-
Season oranges are expected to total 97 million boxes, up 5 percent from the previous record set
last season, Harvest of early and mid-season oranges is about 56 percent complete, Florida
Valencia oranges at 77 million boxes are up 4 percent from last year but 3 percent below the
previous record set in 1972-73.

In California, orange prospects remain unchanged from January 1 at 50 million boxes, the
largest crop since 1946-47, The sub-freezing temperatures are not expected to reduce the
quantity of fruit. Navel orange production at 25 million boxes is unchanged from last month but
14 percent above last season, Harvest is about 40 percent complete. Despite a large Navel ~
orange crop and the diversion of damaged fruit to processing about 23 percent of the crop has
been processed as of February 1 compared with a 5-year average of 24 percent of the crop
utilized by processors.

California Valencia oranges at 25 million boxes are 33 percent above last season.

The Texas crop is now expected to total 5.1 million boxes, 7 percent less than last month
and 23 percent below last season, Harvest of early and mid-season varieties is about 80 percent
complete. In Arizona, production at 4.5 million boxes is up 2 percent from Jamary 1 and 32
percent more than last season.

Changes in U. S, production between the February 1 forecast and final production have
averaged 7.0 million boxes over the past 10 seasons, ranging from 1.5 million boxes in 1971-72
to 18,3 million boxes in 1970-71.

FLORIDA FROZEN CONCENTRATED JUICE YIELD: The all orange yield for 1974-75 is projected at
1,29 gallons of 45 degree brix concentrate per box.
Final yield from the 1973-74 crop was 1.30 gallons per box.

GRAPEFRUIT: U.S. production of grapefruit is forecast at 58.8 million boxes, 2 percent below
the January 1 forecast and 10 percent below last season, With nearly three-

quarters of the U, S, total, Florida now expects a crop of 43.0 million boxes, off 1 million
from last month and 5,1 million boxes below last. season. The Texas and California forecasts

are unchanged from January 1, The Texas crop is expected to be down 27 percent from last season
while California is up 29 percent. Arizona prospects at 2.5 million boxes improved from the 2.4
million boxes forecast last month and expectations now are for 22 percent more than the 1973-74
season.

Harvest of grapefruit in the U. $, was 37 percent complete on February 1 compared with 34
percent last season, Picking is ahead of last season with 39 percent completed in Florida and
55 percent harvested in Texas. In California, about 13 percent of the Desert Valley grapefruit
crop has been harvested. The crop in “Other areas" is developing normally, Although recent
January cold temperatures caused some damage to fruit in California, the extent of damage cannot
yet be determined.

Changes in the U. S, production between the February 1 forecast and final production have
averaged 1.9 million boxes aver the past 10 years, ranging from 0.5 million boxes in 1965-66
to 4,3 million boxes in 1968-69,

LEMONS: Prospects in California and Arizona are for a record crop of 25.5 million boxes, up

2 percent from last month and 46 percent above last year. California's production of
19.5 million boxes is unchanged from last month and is one~third more than last season.
Arizona's prospects improved during January and a record crop of 6.0 million boxes is now fore
cast, up 0.5 million boxes from January 1 and more than double last season.

Picking of the California lemon crop is nearly complete in the Desert Valleys and more than
half complete in the San Joaquin Valley. Cold weather and lack of rainfall has caused some
damage and small sizes, About 11 percent of the Arizona crop remains for harvest, Sizes are
running larger due to late picking this year with about 70 percent of the current harvest going

to processing,

CROP PRODUCTION, FEBRUARY 1975 5 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA




January Weather

January temperatures averaged above normal across the Nation except for the western
Mountain States, much of California and the northern tip of Maine. The northern Great Plains
and areas east of the Mississippi River averaged 4 to 6 degrees above normal, except over the
Appalachians. Northeastern Montana temperatures averaged up to 10 degrees above normal. Tem-
peratures averaged well above normal during the opening week of January over the eastern half of
the Nation. Only the Southwestern quadrant averaged below normal. The week ending the 12th was
quite similar in temperature distributions. Most of the Northeast averaged 6 to 15 degrees above
normal. Record highs were set in many Eastern Corn Belt areas on the 10th and 11th while a
severe blizzard was striking Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota and South Dakota. ‘The dis-
tribution of temperature departures reversed during the week of the 19th. The Western States
were well above normal, while the Eastern States cooled markedly, Parts of Montana were as much
as 18 degrees above normal. In the South, only the Galveston-Corpus Christi, Texas corridor and
the southern half of Florida escaped freezing temperatures. The entire Nation averaged above
normal during the week ending the 26th. The month ended with the Eastern States again well above
normal and extremely cold temperatures in the Western States.

Precipitation amounts varied from only a trace at Yuma, Arizona to nearly 14 inches at
Quillayute, Washington. Amounts were well above normal over most of the Country. Exceptions
were the west central Great Plains, southern Florida, the Desert Southwest, all of California
and northern Montana. Unusually wet areas included Alabama, Georgia and Louisiana, most of the
Corn Belt except for eastern Iowa, and the northern Great Plains. The New Year began with
moderate rainfall over the Eastern States and Deep South and snow blanketing the Great Lakes area.
During the week ending the 12th, heavy rains again fell over the Deep South and a major blizzard
moved across the Northern Plains, Rainfall totaling 5 inches or more fell over parts of Alabama.
Georgia, Louisiana, and Mississippi. Tornadoes ripped through the Southeast on the 10th, and
over forty were reported through the central Gulf Coast. The blizzard in the upper Midwest
dropped heavy amounts of snow driven by 30 to 70 mph winds. Snow depths ranged from 6 to 20
inches, although the winds generated high drifts. Precipitation was generally lighter during
the following week, but over the weekend a winter storm moved off the Rockies and spread pre-
cipitation over most of the eastern United States, A powerful winter storm packed heavy snows
around the Great Lakes during the week ending the 26th, as the Upper Peninsula was covered with
over 40 inches of snow. As much as 2 feet of new snow fell in Minnesota. Heavy thunderstorm
activity on the 24th and 25th dropped up to 2 inches of rain over the Southeast. The month ended
with heavy rains across the Nation's midsection, totaling from 1 to 3 inches over sections of
Arkansas, Kansas, MisSouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

Winter Wheat

Winter wheat prospects varied considerably on February 1 and the overall condition was fair
to good in most major wheat States. Above normal temperatures in the Northern States helped
ease the threat of damage from freezing temperatures.

In the southern Great Plains, wheat growth was halted until late in the month by bitter cold
weather in northern Texas and Oklahoma. Warmer temperatures late in the month prompted new
growth, but in many areas the growth quickly disappeared from grazing. Above normal precipita-
tion fell in eastern Kansas, Oklahoma and Texas while the remaining areas were much below normal.
In western Kansas the dry topsoil and sparse ground cover left many wheat fields subject to
wind erosion. Elsewhere in the State, wheat prospects look very good.

Wheat in the northern Great Plains varied considerably. Little or no snow cover during the
month left wheat fields dry and vulnerable to wind blowing in eastern Colorado and Wyoming and
western Nebraska. Blizzard conditions accompanied by strong winds left much of eastern Nebraska
and South Dakota under a heavy snow cover, Above normal precipitation for the month will help
alleviate their dry soil conditions, Snow cover in Montana was good except over the eastern
third of the State.

In the Pacific Northwest, snow cover in eastern Washington continued good in most areas.
Warmer temperatures and rain late in the month caused some erosion.

Wheat in the eastern Corn Belt and southern Missouri was without snow cover on February 1,
but above normal precipitation and temperatures prevailed throughout most of the area during
January. Winter wheat was in mostly good condition as the warmer temperatures caused consider-
able greening but left the crop vulnerable to freeze damage. With surplus moisture and repeated
freezing and thawing, there was concern over damage from heaving in some States.

CROP PRODUCTION, FEBRUARY 1975 4 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


TANGELOS: Production in Florida is forecast at a record 4,4 million boxes, unchanged from last
month but 19 percent above the prior season, Harvest of the crop is nearing com-
pletion with 92 percent picked on February 1.

TANGERINES: The U. S. tangerine crop is expected to total 5.2 million boxes, up 13 percent from
last month and 9 percent more than last season, As a result of favorable weather,
Florida now expects a crop of 3,1 million boxes, an increase of 24 percent over the Jamary 1
forecast, The harvest of tangerines continues active in central California with harvest more
than half completed, Although January freezing temperatures in California may have caused some
damage to the remaining crop of tangerines, it is too early to appraise the extent of damage,

TEMPLES: Florida's temple crop is forecast at 5,3 million boxes, unchanged from last month and
the same as the 1973-74 season, Harvest as of February 1 is 28 percent complete
compared with 25 percent last year,

POTATOES: Winter production in California and Florida is estimated at 2,9 million cwt,--3
percent above the January 1 forecast but virtually unchanged from the 1974 crop,

The California crop is forecast at 1,08 million cwt., 8 percent below last year's production,

Yields are substantially below last year's record, Harvesting is underway in Kern and Riverside

Counties, Cullage is higher than normal, due to earlier frost damage.

The Florida crop is estimated at 1.84 million ewt,, up 4 percent from last year, Crop
conditions improved during January. Harvest is increasing with most activity centered in the
Everglades, Digging is getting underway in Martin County and the Ft, Myers area, The Dade
County harvest will begin in late February.

IRISH POTATOES

ACREAGE 3 YIELD PER :
SEASONAL HARVESTED ¢. ACRE H PRODUCTION
GROUP AND : 3 7 FOR; F F : F A
STATE : 1973 : 1974 : ae : 1973 1974 : 1975 : 1973 : 1974 : 1975
: 1,000 ACRES CWT. 1,000 Ccwr.
WINTER: t
CALIF 2 49 4.4 4.9 220 265 220 1,078 1,166 1,078
FLA 2 91 9.3 9.7 195 190 190 1,775 1,767 1,843
TOTAL 14.0 13,7 14.6 204 214 200 23853 2,933 2,921

FERTILIZER USED ON SELECTED CROPS IN SELECTED STATES
is no longer being published in this report, This
information is now published each December in the
Fertilizer Situation Report prepared by the Economic
Research Service. A copy of the report may be ob-
tained by writing to:

U, S, Department of Agriculture
Economic Research Service
Division of Information
Publications Unit, Room 0054-So.
Washington, D, C, 20250

CROP PRODUCTION, FEBRUARY 1975 6 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


crop production

(

Release:
February 11, 1975
3:00 P.M. ET

HIGHLIGHTS

CITRUS production at a record 14,1 million tons is virtually
unchanged from the January 1 forecast but 6 percent above
last season.

ORANGE production is forecast at a record 233.6 million boxes,
virtually unchanged (down 0.3 million boxes) from January 1,
but 8 percent (17.1 million Boxes) above last season. As of
February 1 about 30 percent of the oranges had been harvested.

GRAPEFRUIT production is forecast at 58.8 million boxes, 2
percent (0,9 million boxes) below the January 1 forecast

and 10 percent (6.3 million boxes) below the 1973-74 crop.
About 37 percent of the crop had been harvested by February 1.

LEMON production at a record.25.5 million boxes is up 2
percent (0.5 million boxes) from January 1 and 46 percent
(8 million boxes) above last season.

POTATOES - Winter production for 1975 is forecast at 2.9
million cwt., 3 percent above January 1, but virtually un-
changed from a year earlier.

Ne

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE CROP REPORTING BOARD
CrPr 2-2 (2-75) WASHINGTON, D.C. 20250



CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

CROP AND STATE 1972-73 1973-74 ons {1922-73} 1973-74 TNO CATED
eB T,000 BOXES 27 EQUIVALENT TONS
ORANGES: :
EARLY, MIDSEASON &

NAVEL VARIETIES: 3/  :

ARIZ : 1,060 450 900 39,800 16,900 33,800
CALIF 3 18,700 21,900 25,000 701,000 821,300 937,500
FLA : 90,000 92,100 97,000 4,050,000 4,144,500 4,365,000
TEX : 5,300 4,200 3,200 225,300 178,500 136,000

TOTAL ABOVE VARIETIES : 115,060 118,650 126,100 5,016,100 $161,200 5,472,300
VALENCIAS: :

ARIZ. : 4,000 2,960 3,600 150,000 111,000 135,000
CALIF : 23,400 18,800 25,000 878,000 705,000 937,500
FLA : 79,700 73,700 77,000 3,587,000 3,316,500 3,465,000
TEX : 2,500 2,400 1,900 106,300 102,000 80,800

TOTAL VALENCIAS : 109,600 97,860 107,500 4,721,300 4,234,500 4,618,300
ALL ORANGES: :
ARIZ 3 5,000 3,410 4,500 189,800 127,900 168,800
CALIF : 42,100 40,700 50,000 1,579,000 1,526,300 1,875,000
FLA : 169,700 165,800 174,000 7,637,000 7,461,000 7,830,000
TEX : 7,800 6,600 5,100 331,600 280,500 216 , 800
US ALL ORANGES : 224,660 216,510 233,600 9,737,400 9,395,700 10,090,600
GRAPEFRUIT: :
ARIZ : 2,640 2,050 2,500 84,500 65,600 80,000
CALIF, ALL : 5,800 4,250 5,500 189,800 138,900 180,100
DESERT VALLEYS : 3,000 2,350 2,800 96,000 75,200 89,600
OTHER AREAS : 2,800 1,900 2,700 93,800 63,700 90,500
FLA, ALL : 45,400 48,100 43,000 1,930,000 2,044,300 1,827,600
PINK SEEDLESS : 11,700 12,200 11,500 497,000 518,500 488,800
WHITE SEEDLESS 3 23,500 25,900 22,500 999,000 1,100,800 956 ,300
OTHER : 10,200 10,000 9,000 434,000 425,000 382,500
TEX : 11,800 10,700 7,800 472,000 428,000 312,000
US ALL GRAPEFRUIT : 65,640 65,100 58,800 2,676,300 2,676, 800 2,399,700
LEMONS: t .

ARIZ : 4,600 2,900 6,000 175 ,000 110,200 228,000

CALIF + 17,600 14,600 19,500 669,000 $54,800 741,000
U S LEMONS : 22,200 17,500 25,500 844,000 668,000 969,000
TANGELOS: 4/ +

FLA : 3,100 3,700 4,400 139,500 166,500 198,000
‘TANGERINES : :

ARIZ : $30 680 700 19,900 25,500 26,300

CALIF : 1,600 1,310 1,400 60,000 49,100 52,500

FLA : 3,000 2,800 3,100 143,000 133,000" 147,300

TOTAL TANGERINES $ 5,130 4,790 5,200 222,900 207,600 226 100
TEMPLES: :
FLA 3 5,100 5,300 5,300 230,000 238,500 238,500

1/ THE CROP YEAR BEGINS WITH THE BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH COMPLETION OF HARVEST
THE FOLLOWING YEAR. 2/ NET CONTENT OF BOX VARIES. APPROXIMATE AVERAGES ARE AS FOLLOWS: ORANGES -
CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA, 75 LBS.; FLORIDA, 90 LBS.; AND TEXAS, 85 LBS.; GRAPEFRUIT - CALIFORNIA DESERT
VALLEYS, AND ARIZONA, 64 LBS.; OTHER CALIFORNIA AREAS, 67 LBS.; FLORIDA, 85 LBS.; AND TEXAS, 80 LBS.;
LEMONS - 76 LBS.; TANGELOS - 90 LBS.; TANGERINES - CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA, 75 LBS,; FLORIDA, 95 LBS.;
AND TEMPLES - 90 LBS, 3/ NAVEL AND MISCELLANEOUS VARIETIES IN CALIFORNIA AND ARIZONA. EARLY AND
MIDSEASON VARIETIES IN FLORIDA AND TEXAS, INCLUDING SMALL QUANTITIES OF TANGERINES IN TEXAS.

4/ EXCLUDES K - EARLY CITRUS FRUITS. .

CROP PRODUCTION, FEBRUARY 1975 7 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(DOMESTIC UNITS) .
CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/

INDICATED 1974-75.

CROP : 1973-74 ; ANT ; Sip
: 1,060 BOXES
ORANGES : 216,510 233,900 233,600
GRAPEFRUIT : 65,100 59,700 58,800
LEMONS : 17,500 25,000 25,500

1/ SEASON BEGINS WITH BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH THE COMPLETION OF HARVEST

THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

IRISH POTATOES

5 ACREAGE; YIELD PER ACRE: PRODUCTION
SEASONAL : HAR- : FOR: : INDI- + +___ INDICATED 1975,
GROUP : VESTED : HARVEST : 1974 CATED : 1974 : JAN : FEB
21974: 1975 + 2 1975s Pen : 1
1,000 ACRES Cwr 1,000 wr
WINTER : 13.7 14.6 214 200 2,933 2,849 2,921
UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(METRIC UNITS)
CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/
: 3 INDICATED 1974-75
CROP : 1973-74 : TAL Fi FEB
: 1,000 METRIC TONS
ORANGES : 8,524 9,166 9,154
GRAPEFRUIT : 2,428 2,213 2,177
LEMONS : 603 862 879

7 SEASON BEGINS WITH BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH THE COMPLETION OF HARVEST

THE FOLLOWING YEAR.

IRISH POTATOES
1_____AREA __: YIELD PER HECTARE: PRODUCTION __
Seasonal : HARVESTED : A INDICATED 1975
Pto7m ? 1975 : 1974 : 1975 1974 Jan : FEB
: 1,000 HECTARES QUINTALS 1,000 METRIC TONS
WINTER : 5.5 5.9 242 224 133 129 132

The CROP PRODUCTION report contains State and National estimates with
related information on selected agricultural commodities,
prepared and adopted by the Crop Reporting Board which consists of commodity
statisticians from the Statistical Reporting Service's field offices and

These data were

Washington headquarters.
APPROVED:
WW Bans

ACTING SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE

CROP REPORTING BOARD:
B, M, Graham, Chairman,
M. L. Koehn, Secretary,
J. L, Aschwege, = R, A. McGregor,
J. Fedewa, R. H. Hettinger,
L, Sandberg, C, W. Wallis.

CROP PRODUCTION, FEBRUARY 1975

2 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA


California Freeze Damage

Citrus in the San Joaquin Valley received sub-freezing temperatures
for the third time this season, On the nights of January 27 through 30
temperatures dropped as low as 20 degrees for up to an hour at one recording
station in Tulare County, the major Navel orange production area. Tempera-
tures were at or below 27 degrees for as long as 11 hours, It is too early
to determine the extent of damage from the latest freeze but it appears to
be confined to the sane locality which experienced sub-freezing temperatures
during December 23-26 and December 30 - Jammary 2.

Sub-freezing temperatures were also received in the southern citrus
areas, Minimm temperatures in this area were 22 degrees for up to an hour
and were at or below 27 degrees up to 9 hours, Temperatures varied greatly
as did the duration of the cold. Wet conditions and frost protection de~
vices appear to have held damage in the southern citrus areas to relatively
slight amounts.

Texas Freeze Damage

Temperatures as low as 22-23 degrees were received in the Lower Rio
Grande citrus area on January 13 and 14, with temperatures at or below 27
degrees lasting 6-7 hours. Some mid-season oranges sustained damage, but

these will be diverted to processors, Little damage occurred to grapefruit
and Valencia oranges,

CROP PRODUCTION, FEBRUARY 1975 3 CROP REPORTING BOARD, SRS, USDA