In the western north central States, most soils remained too wet for much fieldwork to be
accomplished through the month of March. Near the end of the month temperatures rose above nor-
mal and winds also helped dry soil surfaces rapidly. South Dakota farmers just began soil prep-
aration; last year they reached 5% at the erid of March. Nebraska producers shredded crop resi-
due but could not begin tillage operations. Iowa growers started late but end-of-month winds
and high temperatures dried fields and fieldwork increased. Only a little oats and barley was
sown in extreme southern areas of the region. Kansas oats seeding reached 20 percent, far behind
1977's 90 percent and the 60 percent average. Kansas barley seeding advanced to 25 percent, also
short of last year's 95 percent and the 50 percent average. In the eastern north central States
wet soils kept tillage to a minimum. Fall plowing helped Ohio farmers reach 50 percent, the
same as last year but less than the 58 percent average. Indiana growers plowed 40 percent of
their corn and soybean land, the same as average but less than 1977's 50 percent,

In the south central States, high temperatures and drying winds helped farmers get into
fields to plow and begin planting but progress was far behind normal in northern parts of the
region. Plowing reached 48 percent in Mississippi, 33 percent in Tennessee and 30 in Kentucky.
Planting was most active in Texas where growers seeded 35 percent of the rice crop. by April 1,
53 percent of the sorghum, 12 percent of the cotton, 24 percent of the corn and 3 percent of the
peanuts; progress exceeded 1977 except for peanuts. Rice seeding reached 38 percent in
Louisiana. Arkansas growers fertilized and prepared fields. Corn planting reached 35 percent
in Louisiana and 25 percent in Mississippi, generally equal to last year. Tobacco bed seeding
in Kentucky and Tennessee lagged recent years.

Farmers in the South Atlantic States plowed land, planted corn, Irish potatoes, and tobacco
plant beds. Tobacco growers began transplanting in Georgia and Florida. Soils became too dry
for planting in some southeast States. Corn planting reached 27 percent in Georgia and 32 per-
cent in South Carolina; farther north, growers were just starting to plant.

Farmers in the western States were generally unaffected by excess soil moisture and pre-
pared fields and planted crops on schedule.

WINTER WHEAT FAIR TO GOOD

The winter wheat crop began greening late as temperatures stayed far below normal during the
first part of March. However, late in the month readings soared well above normal. Soil mois-
ture was adequate to surplus in the important wheat production areas with the exception of
western Kansas, eastern Colorado, and the Oklahoma and Texas Panhandles. Wheat began heading in
Arizona and jointing advanced into Kansas. Growth and development lagged last year because of
the lingering low temperatures.

Kansas wheat rated good to excellent and top growth generally provided a solid ground cover
except in late planted fields. Two percent of the acreage reached the joint state by April 1.
Kansas soil moisture ranged from short in the west to surplus in the east. Oklahoma wheat rated
fair to good as high temperatures late in March promoted vigorous growth and soil moisture was
adequate, Weeds infested many fields but insect activity was minimal. Texas dryland fields
greened in the Plains but low soil moisture limited growth. Some fall-planted dryland fields
were just emerging in late March. Texas irrigated stands rated good to excellent. Producers
sprayed greenbugs and cattle were still grazing fields. New Mexico wheat rated poor to excellent
depending on the soil moisture supply. Colorado wheat experienced no wind damage but soils be-
came dry late in March and some stands began deteriorating. Arizona fields rated excellent.
Heading was well] advanced and some stands began changing color. California small grain growth
was good. Oregon wheat fields rated good; farmers fertilized. Washington wheat rated good al-
though plants were small and weeds gave some competition.

Winter wheat in the south central States rated fair to good. In Mississippi, 26 percent of
the wheat reached the joint stage, lagging 1977's 39 percent.

Standing water damaged some Virginia wheat. Indiana wheat rated fair with 2 inches of
growth compared with last year's 3 inches.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1978 5 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA



PASTURE AND RANGE FEED CONDITION 1/

= AVERAGE : * AVERAGE?
STATE: yggy-76 0} «1977 : 1978 STATE: Nog7096 0 «1977 1978
PERCENT : PERCENT
ALA 4 72 65 EV : 83 47 95
ARIZ 76 66 98 J : 81 80 75
ARK 80 7 66 MEX: 723 55 n
CALIF 79 7 98 c : 84 73 72
coLo 6 54 69 DAK: 2 43 67
DEL 85 75 65 HIO : 83 75 58
FLA 72 75 73 KLA : 77 63 69
GA 79 77 73 REG : 84 1 97
IDAHO 2/ 56 93 c : 78 80 72
ILL 8? 78 7 DAK: Of 44 78
IND 87 75 62 ENN : 79 76 67
IOWA ry] 70 80 EX : 63 69 46
KANS 78 62 81 TAH : 82 49 84
KY 384 74 67 : 85 82 68
LA 75 74 65 ASH : 84 68 90
MO 80 75 61 VA : 78 69 62
MISS 23 70 72 0 : 2/ 67 80
mo 80 67 7 :
MONT 2s 23 78 0 STS 3/: 77 68 68
NEBR y 62 86 :
7 STS 66 n

T/ GOOD TO EXCELLENT, 80 AND OVER; POOR TO FAIR, 65 3 VERY POOR, 50-64; SEVERE DROUGHT, 35-49; EXTREME
DROUGHT, UNDER 35. 2/ DATA NOT AVAILABLE. 3/ STATES FOR WHICH COMPARABLE DATA ARE AVAILABLE.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1978 10 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USE


GRAPEFRUIT: U.S. grapefruit production is expected to total 71.7 million boxes (2.6 million

metric tons), 3 percent less than was forecast last month and 4 percent less than
was produced last season. In Florida, crop prospects are down 4 percent from last month and 3
percent less than the 1976-77 season. Harvest is about 70 percent complete, about normal for
this date. The Texas crop, at 11.0 million boxes, is unchanged from last month but is 11 percent
less than was harvested in the 1976-77 season. Nearly three-fourths of the crop has been
harvested. The California crop of 7.7 million boxes is unchanged from the March 1 forecast, but
is 1 percent above last year's crop. About one-sixth of the crop has been harvested. The
Arizona crop, at 3.0 million boxes, is 3 percent less than the March 1 forecast, but is the same
as last season. Harvest is about one-third complete.

Changes in U.S. grapefruit production between the April 1 forecast and final production
have averaged 1.8 million boxes over the past 10 seasons, ranging from 40,000 boxes in 1972-73
to 4.5 million boxes in 1976-77.

LEMONS: The U.S. lemon crop is expected to total 24.7 million boxes (851,850 metric tons),

percent more than last month, but 4 percent less than last season. Production in
California, at 19.0 million boxes, is unchanged from March 1 but is 8 percent less than the
1976-77 season. Production in Arizona is now placed at 5.7 million boxes, 4 percent above the
March 1 forecast and 14 percent above last season. Harvest is virtually complete in Arizona
and 55 percent complete in California, somewhat ahead of last April 1.

TANGELOS: The Florida tangelo crop is placed at 4.9 million boxes, 2 percent above last season
Harvest is complete.

TANGERINES: U.S. production of tangerines, at 5.8 million boxes (226,000 metric tons), is
unchanged from last month but 30,000 boxes more than last season. Harvest is
virtually complete.

TEMPLES: Florida's temple crop is estimated at 4.8 million boxes, 100,000 boxes more than last
month and 26 percent above the 1976-77 crop. Harvest is nearing completion.

POTATOES: The first production forecast for the 1978 spring potato crop is placed at 19.7 mil-
lion cwt. (895,300 metric tons), 14 percent less than last year and 20 percent below

the 1976 crop. The crop is expected to be harvested from 90,700 acres (36,710 hectares), less

than 1 percent below last year, Yields are anticipated to average 218 hundredweight per acre

(24,39 metric tons per hectare), noticeably below last year's average of 250 hundredweight per
acre (28.04 metric tons per hectare).

Harvest should start in California around mid-April. Yields are expected to be lower this
year because of wind and rain damage experienced earlier in the season.

In the Hastings area of Florida, the crop is making good progress after a late start.
Excessive moisture combined with below normal temperatures shortly after planting caused a high
percentage of the seed pieces to rot before sprouting, resulting in lower yields this year.
Harvest is expected to begin by late April or early May.

Planting did not get underway in North Carolina until the middle of March because of sat-
urated fields. Favorable weather accelerated plantings during the last half of March and about
80 percent of the crop was planted by April 1. The Alabama crop is making good progress. In
the Winter Garden area of Texas, many fields are up to a full stand and dyeing should begin by
the end of April. In the Knox-Haskell area, planting remained active until mid-March. Some
fields should be ready for harvest during the first week of June,

PASTURE AND RANGE FEED: Pasture and range feed condition in the 37 States reporting on April 1

. averaged 7] percent, 5 points higher than a year earlier. Western
States led the increase as dry conditions plagued grasslands from the Great Plains westward in
1977. This year temperatures have been above normal and precipitation has replenished soil
moisture throughout most of the West. In Texas, dry conditions have affected most of the State
and condition, at 46 percent, is 23 points less than 1977. Eastern areas of the Nation generally
have slightly lower condition than last year because of persistent subnormal temperatures late
into the spring which delayed grass development.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1978 7 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


QRANGES: The Nation's orange crop is expected to total 221.3 million boxes (8.7 million metric
tons), virtually unchanged from last month's forecast and 9 percent under last season.

The Florida crop is forecast at 168.0 million boxes, up 1 percent from a month.earlier, but
10 percent short of the record 1976-77 crop. .The production estimate for early and mid-season
varieties remained unchanged from March 1, at 88.0 million boxes, 23 percent less than last sea-
son. Harvest was virtually complete by the end of March. Valencia production is now expected to
total 80.0 million boxes, a 3 percent improvement from the March 1 level and 11 percent greater
than the 1976-77 crop. Harvest of Valencias was 6 percent complete by the end of March, about on
schedule. Florida citrus groves are in full bloom.

California's orange prospects declined from March 1 to 43.0 million boxes, off 8 percent
from last season. The Navel crop, at 19.0 million boxes, is down one million boxes from March
and 26 percent below the 1976-77 total. Harve@st is well past the three-quarter mark and ahead of
last season. Oranges have been plagued by over-maturity and short storage quality. Valencia
Production is now forecast at 24.0 million boxes, off 4 percent from a month earlier but 14 per-
cent above last season's short crop. Harvest had barely begun by the end of March; fruit quality
is good, but sizes are smaller than normal.

The Texas crop is expected to total 6.2 million boxes, down 3 percent from last month's fore-
cast and 10 percent below the 1976-77 production. Early and mid-season varieties declined from
March 1 to 3.8 million boxes, 14 percent below last season. The Valencia crop, at 2.4 million
boxes, is 4 percent below the 1976-77 season. Harvest of early oranges is virtually complete,
while the Valencia crop is near 60 percent complete

Prospects in Arizona are unchanged from last month at 4.12 million boxes, but are 4 percent
above last season. Harvest of Navels is about complete while Valencia harvest is one-fifth com-
plete.

Changes in the U S production between the April 1 forecast and final production have aver-
aged 4.3 million boxes over the past 10 seasons ranging from 160,000 boxes in 1972-73 to 11.3
million boxes in 1976-77,

JUICE YIELD: The al? orange juice yield for the 1977-78 crop is pro-
jected at 1.24 gallons of 45 degree brix concentrate
per box. The final freeze-reduced yield from the 1976-77 crop was 1.07 gallons per box

CITRUS CROP-HARVEST AND UTILIZATION TO APRIL 1

FLORIDA FROZEN CONCENTRA’

1976-77 1977-78
cROP UTILIZATION EA Or OW REMAINING
Hi : > FOR: A 3 : FOR
FRESH PROCESSED? TOTAL : FUR. | FRESH PROCESSED! TOTAL  atirer
THOUSAND BOXES
ORANGES : 25,311 129,812 155,123 89,127 23,502 91,170 114,672 106,648
GRAPEFRUIT : 18,794 26,728 45,522 28,978 18,859 26,779 45,638 26,062

LEMONS > 7,142 8,041 15,183 10,417 7,186 8,865 16,051 8,649

By April 1, there were 114.7 million boxes of oranges harvested, or 52 percent of the crop
compared with 64 percent on the.same date last year when picking moved ahead rapidly on the
freeze damaged Florida crop. Processors had used 80 percent of the Nation's oranges harvested by
April 1 this year and 20 percent were utilized fresh, compared with 84 and 16 percent, respec-
tively, as of April 1, 1977.

Grapefruit harvest was 64 percent complete by April 1, compared with 61 percent on the same
date last season. Of the crop harvested to April 1, processors had used 59 percent, the same as
was used to April 1 a year ago.

Lemon harvest as of April 1 was 65 percent complete, compared with 59 percent for the same
period last season. Processors have utilized 55 percent of the harvested crop, compared with 53
percent in the same period last season.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1978 6 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


POTATOES

TREK
SEASONAL GROUP PLANTED. H TARVESTED,
STATE 1976 1977 Ot i977 Tuo TcareD
T,000 ACRES
WINTER 14.6 13.6 12.6 14.4 13.4 12.6
SPRING
Lay 1.5 11.0 No Ws 10.5 10.5
ARIZ 6.8 6.5 6.0 6.8 6.5 6.0
CALIF 34.8 30.8 29.0 34.2 30.8 29.0
FLA - HASTINGS 19.5 19.7 20.5 19.3 19.5 20.5
= OTHER 3.0 V7 1.9 2.5 1.7 1.9
LA 2.9 2.6 2.6 2.6 2.3 2.3
MISS 1.5 1.4 13 14 1:3 1.2
NC 13. 13.5 13.1 13.0 134 13.0
TeX 13 5.6 6.5 cAI 5.4 63
TOTAL 100.4 92.8 91.9 98.4 91.4 90.7
SUMMER 1
in 8.5 8.0 8.2 25
CALIF 8.5 8.4 8) 8.4
coLo 1.6 7.0 18 6.8
DEL 6.0 5.5 5.8 5.3
TUL 2.9 2.6 2.8 2.3
IND 2.3 2.3 2.1 21
TOWA 2.6 2.3 2.5 21
HD 1.8 6 1.8 1.6
wc ey B.D 18 VR
MINN 8.1 16 8.0 7.5
NEBR 2.4 23 2.2 24
Na 8.0 8.3 76 81
N MEX 3.2 3.2 3.2 2.9
nC 44 40 4.0
OHIO 21 1.9 1:8
TENN 47 45 ar 45
TEX 98 10.5 9.6 10.3
vA 29.0 28.0 28.5 2.7
WA 2.6 24 2.6 2.4
TOTAL 122.4 118.7 118.7 115.2
YIELD PRODUCTION
TROTCATED r THOTCATED
1976 1977 1978 1976} 1977 1978
THT 000 CHT
WINTER 207 199 220 2,984 2,660 2,766
SPRING
140 120 130 1,610 1,260 1,365
ARIZ 270 270 250 1,836 1,755 1,500
CALIF 395 385 335 13,509 11,858 9.715
FLA ~ HASTINGS 210 220 170 45053 4,290 3,485
~ OTHER 160 185 150 400 nS 285
tA 75 5 85 195 173 196
MISS 95 90 85 133 M7 yo2
nec 145 165 165 1,885 2,211 2,185
TEX 155 165 150 14101 891 945
TOTAL 251 250 28 24,722 22,870 19,738
SUMNER
ALA 145 100 1,189 750
CALIF 360 360 2,916 3,028
coLo 265 265 1,988 1,802
DEL 200 210 1,160 14113
pie 190 200 332 460
IND 185 175 389 368
TOWA 185 225 463 473
MO 170 150 306 240
MICH 170 185 1,292 1,443
MINN 250 275 2,000 2,063,
NEBR 160 150 352
Ng 260 368 1,976 2,147
N MEX 180 $76
NC 125 Us 500 500
OHIO 210 190 399 342
TENN 95, 90 447 405
TEX 245 230 2,352 2,369
vA 123 V5 3,506 3.863
HVA 76 64 198 194
TOTAL 190 it 22,541 21,982
Y7TS77 REVISED; PLANTED ACREAGE INTENTIONS FOR 1978 10 BE RELEASED APRIL 13, 1876.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1978 a CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA



CROP PRODUCTION (Qi

Released:

April 7, 1978 Economics Statics, &
3:00 P.M. ET Cooperatives Service

US. Department
of Agriculture

Washington, D.C.
20250

HIGHLIGHTS

CITRUS -- Production is expected to total 12.8 million metric tons,

virtually unchanged from last month, but 7 percent below the
1976-77 crop.

ORANGES -- Production is forecast at 221.3 million boxes (8.7 million

metric tons), about the same as March 1 and 9 percent less than
last season. By April 1, harvest of the Nation's crop was 52
percent complete.

GRAPEFRUIT -- Prospects declined 3 percent from March 1 to 71.7 million

Boxes (2.6 million metric tons), off 4 percent from the 1976-77
crop. Harvest of the U S crop was 64 percent complete by April 1.

LEMONS -- Production is expected to total 24.7 million boxes (851,850
metric tons), up 1 percent from last month's forecast, but 4 per-
cent below last season.

SPRING POTATOES ~- The production forecast of 19.7 million cwt. (895,300
metric tons) is 14 percent below last year and 20 percent less than
the 1976 crop.

CrPr 2-2 (4-78) For information call: (202) 447-2127




PEANUT PRODUCTION LOWER: Production of peanuts during 1977 is estimated at 3,726 million pounds
{net weight), 1 percent below one year earlier. The final 1977 production is
45 million pounds above the estimate published in the Annual Crop Production released January 16, 1978.

Peanut farmers planted 1,544,600 acres of peanuts for all purposes in 1977, down 4,000 acres from
a year earlier. Harvested acres for nuts decreased by 5,100 acres to 1,516,400 in 1977. Late summer
and fall showers combined with an unusually late harvest in the Virginia-North Carolina and Southeast
growing areas boosted yields above earlier expectations. The Southwest season was varied with the hot,
dry weather in Texas lowering yields from one year ago while Oklahoma and New Mexico yields were up.

1977 AREA REVIEW: Virginia-North Carolina - The 1977 production of 737 million pounds is down 2 percent
From 1976. The average yield of 2,740 pounds is 47 pounds below the previous year’s
2,787 pounds. Acreage harvested for nuts totaled 269,000 acres, the same as a yea carlier.

Southeast - Peanut production increased to 2,301 million pounds, 1 percent above the 1976 crop. Average
yield per acre increased to 2,814 pounds, 42 pounds above the previous year. Harvested
acreage totaled 818,000 acres, down 1,000 acres from 1976.

Southwest - The 1977 peanut crop of 687 million pounds was down 6 percent from the previous year.
Average yield for the area was 1,601 pounds, 86 pounds below the 1976 average. Acreage
harvested for nuts totaled 429,400 acres, down 4,100 acres from the previous year.

PEANUTS
A AREA PLANTED Z AREA HARVESTED
STATE P1975 1976: 1977 1975 1976} 1977
T,000 ACRES
ALA : 208.0 216.0 216.0 206.0 214.0 215.0
FLA : 63.0 63.0 63.0 55.0 55.0 55.0
GA t 527.0 529.0 530.0 524.0 526.0 526,
MISS : 9.0 9.0 7.5 8.7 8.5 7.0
N MEX : 8.9 9.6 9.6 8.8 9.5 9.4
NC : 167.0 168.0 169.0 165.0 166.0 166.0
OKLA : 122.0 124.0 123.0 115.0 120.0 120.0
$C : 16.0 16.0 15.5 15.5 15.5 15.0
TEX : 307.0 310.0 306.0 304.0 304.0 300.0
VA : 104.0 104.0 105.0 102.0 103.0 103.0
us > 1,831.9 1,548.6 1,544.6 1,504.0 1,521.5 1,516.4
cm YIELD z PRODUCTION
; 1975 1976? 1977} 1975? 1976} 1977
: POUNDS T,000 POUTDS
ALA : 2,600 2,400 2,740 535,600 513,600 589,100
FLA : 3,230 3,000 3,100 177,650 165,000 170,500
GA : 3,295 2,955 2,850 1,726,580 1,554,330 1,499,100
MISS : 1,550 1,450 1,650 13,485 12,325 11,550
N MEX : 2,290 2,280 2,700 20,152 21,660 25,380
NC : 2,265 2,655 2,675 373,725 440,730 4447050
OKLA : 2,020 2,050 2,230 232,300 246,000 267,600
sc : 1,900 1,590 2,080 29,450 24,645 31,200
TEX : 1,525 1,525 1,315 463,600 463,600 3947500
vA : 2,790 3,000 2,845 284,580 309,000 293,035
us : 2,565 2,465 2,457 3,857,122 3,750,890 3,726,015

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1978 VV CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


CITRUS FRUIT uv

t PRODUCTION ' PRODUCTION
crop L TON EQUIVALENT
AND £ UTILIZED UTILIZED: INDICATED
STATE : 1975-76 1 1976-77 t 1977-78 1 1975-76 t 1976-77 _$ 1977-78
14000 UNITS 2/ 19000 UNITS
ORANGES + EARLY MID & NAVEL vi
a 730 800 820 27 30 32
oA 3 282300 25,600 199000 39061 960 113
FLA ’ 982800 1159000 885000 Orbe 59175 35960
TEX ' 39700 49400 39800 157 187 162
$ 1315530 145800 1119620 5691 69352 41866
ORANGES e VALENCIA id
ARIZ ’ 159950 39150 35300 73 118 124
CALIF 1 245500 21000 249000 919 788 900
FLA ’ 825400 719800 80+000 39708 30231 39600
TEX 1 21400 25500 0 102 106 102
us t 1120250 = 98450 4802 49243 49726
ALL ORANGES :
ARIZ ' 29680 39950 100 148 155
CALIF t 529800 4600 19980 19748 19613
FLA & 1815200 1660800 89154 89406 79560
TEX ’ 6100 69900 259 293 264
us t 2425780 2444250 109493109595 99592
TEMPLES t
FLA ' 52500 39800 248 wv 216
GRAPEFRUIT WHITE SEEOLESS '
FLA ' 285300 295900 19203 1027) 19233
GRAPEFRUIT PINK SEEOLESS '
' 132000 129500 139000 583 531 553
GRAPEFRUIT OTHER '
. 7-800 99100 8,000 332 387 340
aut GRAPEFRUIT t
ARIZ 1 39080 39000 34000 99 96 %
CALIF t
DESERT ‘ 4100 4500 49200 131 144 134
OTHER AREAS t 39100 39100 39500 106 104 ly
TOTAL 2 7200 79600 7700 235 268 251
FLA ' 499100 51500 509000 29088. 29189 20126
TEX $ 100700 = 129400 = 119000 428 496 440
us ' 709080 743500 710700 20650 39029 20913
TANGERINES t
ARIZ ' 660 650 700 25 26 26
CALIF aft 19300 19820 19900 bad 68 nn
FLA , 35400 39300 39200 162 157 152
us : 5»360 5+770 5600 236 269 269
LEMONS :
ARIZ t 20420 5.000 92 190 217
CALIF t 159200 20+600 578 783 722
us t 17620-25600 670 973 939
TANGELOS t
FLA 1 5500 9800 41900 248 216 22)

1/ THE CROP YEAR BEGINS WITH THE BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR
SHOWN AND ENOS WITH YEAR HARVEST IS COMPLETED.

2/ NET LOS PER BOXt ORANGES=CALIF: & ARIZ<75+FLA-9
TEX-B5) GRAPEFRUIT*CALIFi DESERT & ARIZ=649 CALIF!
OTHER@67s FLA=85» TEX=803 LEMONS=768 TANGELOS &
TEMPLES=901 TANGERINES= CALIF & ARIZ=755 FLA<95.

3/ NAVEL AND MISCELLANEOUS VARIETIES IN CALIFORNIA AND
ARIZONA. EARLY AND MIDSEASON VARIETIES IN FLORIDA ANO
TEXAS» INCLUDING SMALL QUANTITIES OF TANGERINES IN
TEXAS.

4/ ESTIMATES FOR CURRENT YEAR CARRIED FORWARD FROM EARLIER FORECAST.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1978 8 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


MARCH WEATHER SUMMARY

March finally brought some typical spring weather after a generally colder and snowier-than-
normal winter. Gradual warming started early in the month but temperatures did not reach normal
until late in the month. Precipitation was above normal in the West except in Washington and
parts of Oregon. Some very heavy rain in California caused considerable damage. Flooding re-
sulted from rapid snow melt and rain in the central Plains and the Midwest.

During the first week of March, snow inundated the Rockies and then moved eastward adding to
the already heavy snow cover. Heavy rain soaked a large portion of California and Arizona while
lesser amounts covered the entire Plateau region. The Southeast also had moderate to heavy rain.
Winter revived as an avalanche of cold air ptunged southward and eastward. Record cold tempera-
tures were experienced at many stations--Elkins, W. Va. recorded 15 degrees below zero. Tempera-
tures averaged well below nornial in the extreme Northwest and east of the Rockies during the week
ending March 5.

Winter weather continued into the second week of March. Heavy snow hit the central Plains--
up to 8 inches of new snow was measured in Nebraska on the 6th. Heavy precipitation was recorded
from central Texas into Indiana. Later, heavy precipitation fell from southern Alabama through
Maryland--in the form of snow north of Tennessee ang North Carolina. Moderate to heavy rain con-
tinued in the West with the greatest amounts falling along the northern California coast. Spring
was not to be forestalled; by the end of the week a general warming started and the snow began to
melt, The snowcover line receded to the midwestern States and the depths were reduced in most
areas. Temperatures for the week ending March 12th were wel] above normal from the western Great
Plains to the West Coast and moderated considerably from the previous week in the East.

The week of mid-March was, typically, one of sharp contrast. Winter lingered as cold air
moved southward from Canada. Snow fell in the northern tier of States, but, as the cold air en-
countered warm moist air from the south, a mixture of rain and snow fell in the Nation's mid-
section. Melting snow, coupled with rain, caused some flooding problems in the lower Ohio Valley
and threatened other areas. Although freezing temperatures plunged almost to the Gulf Coast, day-
time temperatures reached 80 degrees in many areas. In the West and Southwest, little or no rain
fell and temperatures remained above normal.

During the week ending March 26th, the rapidly increasing spring temperatures melted snow in
most of the Nation. By the end of the week, snow cover persisted only in the northern Lakes area,
New England and in some higher elevations. The melting snow along with rain and showers severely
flooded many areas. The lower Missouri, Ohio, and central Mississippi Rivers and their tributaries
boiled out of their banks. Rain was heavy from eastern Oklahoma into Indiana and from the southern
Appalachians into Perinsylvania. Temperatures were near or above normal in most of the Nation.

During the last few days of the month, the rapid warming pattern continued and pervaded the
entire Nation, melting much of the remaining snow. Temperatures climbed to 90 degrees in Nebraska
suggesting mid-summer instead of spring. Moderate rain fell in the West but the deep South was
rainless. Flooding continued in many areas but began to recede in others.

WET FIELDS SLOW MARCH FIELDWORK

Wet fields and low soil temperatures held land preparation and planting to a minimum during
March. Plowing was limited to the south central and South Atlantic States. Farmers in the north
central States found most soils too wet to plow although some activity began in well-drained
areas, In the southeast, winds, clear weather and high temperatures dried soils rapidly by the
beginning of April. Planting began slowly in the southern States, however, by the end of March
planting generally exceeded last year's progress but not the average. Little or no planting of
small grains or row crops occurred in the Corn Belt.

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1978 4 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA



PASTURE AND RANGE FEED CONDITIONS*
s April 1, 1978

“CD Good to excellent
EQ Poor to fair

ZI Very poor

BD Severe drought
GHD Extreme drought
MBB Not estimated

* INDICATES CURRENT SUPPLY OF PASTURE FEED FOR GRAZING ON NON- IRRIGATED PASTURES AND
RANGES RELATIVE TO THAT EXPECTED FROM EXISTING STANDS UNDER VERY FAVORABLE WEATHER
CONDITIONS.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE _NEG. CRB 40-78 (4) ECONOMICS, STATISTICS, ANO COOPERATIVES SERVICE

AS REPORTED BY
‘CROP CORRESPONDENTS:

PASTURE AND RANGE FEED CONDITIONS *
3 April 1, 1977

%

TD Good 10 excelent

2 Poor to fair

2 very poor

GD severe drought

GBD Extreme drought ‘as neponren br
MEE Nor estimated CROP CORRESPONDENTS

‘* INDICATES CURRENT SUPPLY OF PASTURE FEED FOR GRAZING ON NON- IRRIGATED PASTURES AND
RANGES RELATIVE TO THAT EXPECTED FROM EXISTING STANDS UNDER VERY FAVORABLE WEATHER
CONDITIONS.

U.S. OEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

NEG. SAS -44-77(4) STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1978 3 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA


UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(DOMESTIC UNITS)

CITRUS FRUITS, PRODUCTION 1/
: INDICATED 1977-78

CROP 3 1976-77
i : MAR T : APR T
3 T,000 BOXE:
ORANGES : 244,250 221,520 221,320
GRAPEFRUIT 3 74,500 73,800 71,700

LEMONS 4 500 24,700

i 25,600 24;
T7” SEASON BEGINS WITH BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH THE COMPLETION OF HARVEST THE FOLLOW-
ING YEAR.

A POTATOES.
7 AREA PLANTED i TAREA HARVESTED,
ot To77 TNOICATED \o77 ? TNDICATED

: 1978 : i 1978

? 1,000 ACRES

: 92.8 91.9 91.4 90.7
SPRING : YIELD PER ACRE PRODUCTION

: 7 INDICATED: 7 INDICATED 1976

1977 : 1978 i 1977 MART 7 APR T
CHT T,000 cut
250 218 22,870 19,738
PASTURE_AND RANGE
7 AVERAGE : 5
ITEM : AOE GE : 1977 : 1978

: PERCENT
CONDITION APR 11/: 72 68 : 68
1/30 STATES.

UNITED STATES CROP SUMMARY
(METRIC UNITS)
coms FRUITS, PRODUCTION IZ
j TNOICATED 1977-76
CROP : 1976-77 : wo f —

: FETRIC TONS
ORANGES : 9 611 620 8 695 370 8 701 720
GRAPEFRUIT : 2 747 860 2 721 550 2 642 630

LEMONS 2 882 690 844 590 851_850
7 SEASON BEGINS WITH BLOOM OF THE FIRST YEAR SHOWN AND ENDS WITH THE COMPLETION OF HARVEST THE FOLLOW-

ING YEAR.

POTATOES
t AREA PLANTED i AREA HARVESTED
SEASONAL L E
GROUP : 1977 : TNOTCRTED : 1977 INDICATED
? HECTARE:
: 37 60 37190 36 990 36 To
SPRING : YIELD PER_HECTARE z PRODUCTION
: ry : $ ND
1977 ; TuorcareD : 1977 : THOTCA’ : 1978
METRIC TONS
28.04 24.39 1.037 360 7 895 300

The CROP PRODUCTION report contains State and National estimates with related information on
selected agricultural commodities. These data were prepared and adopted by the Crop Reporting
Board which consists, of commodity statisticians from Washington headquarters and the State
Statistical Offices.

APPROVED: CROP REPORTING BOARD:

« M. Graham, Chairman,
. L. Koehn, Secretary,
|. W. Kirkbride, F,. E. Rolf,
. A. McGregor, R. S. Crickenberger,
rs . W. Wilken, H. J. DeLong,
. R, Garrett, C. J. Koines,
W. J. Walker.

SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE ~

onre
PEPEZO

CROP PRODUCTION, APRIL 1978 2 CROP REPORTING BOARD, ESCS, USDA