Some Delays in Land Preparation in the South

Below normal temperatures and wet soils delayed early field work in
the South Atlantic anf eastern South Central States during much of
February. In Mississippi land preparation was 28 percent complete, but
was well ahead of last year's slow pace. Seeding of tobacco plant beds
hed advanced northward to Maryland by March 1.

Spring grain seeding was off to a good start in Central and Southern
Great Plains. Nearly half of the acreage for spring oats had been seeded
in Oklahoma--slightly ahead of a year earlier. In Kansas 17 percent of the
spring oats and 9 percent of the spring barley had been planted, well
ahead of last year. Cotton, corn and grain sorghum planting was underway
in south Texas. Flax in Texas was blooming and making good growth.

Farm work in the North Atlantic gnd North Central States was largely
limited to care of livestock and other winter chores. During periods of
favorable veather, however, farmers were busy top-dressing small grains,
spreading lime and fertilizers, and pruning fruit trees. Little plowing
was done as soils were either frozen or too wet.

Very little field work was possible in the central and northern Rocky
Mountain States during February. Limited planting started in the Southwest.
In California field preparation and planting of spring crops continued at
a@ normal pace in February. First cutting of alfalfa started in desert areas
and some central valley districts. Field work for cotton was underway.

Wet soils tended to delay land preparation in Oregon although planting of
spring crops got underway the last week of the month. Mint, potato and
sugarbeet growers started spring field work in Washington. Planting of
spring wheat also started near the end of the month.

Livestock and Feed Supplies

Livestock are wintering well with ample feed supplies in most of the
Nation. February temperatures averaged well above normal from the western
Corn Belt to the Pacific Coast. The warm temperatures and absence of
severe winter storms have allowed maximum utilization of winter ranges and
crop residues. By March 1, ranges and pastures in Texas were growing well
with a good moisture supply except in the northern plains. Cattle were
being moved off wheat acreage. Early ranges and pastures offer consider-
able feed in California and Oregon. Precipitation is needed in the Great
Plains to promote growth of early season grasses. February weather was
favorable for early calving and lambing.

Pasture growth was limited by cold temperatures in the Southeast.

However, soil moisture is ample and prospects favorable. Below normal
temperatures in much of the East have kept supplemental feeding heavy.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1970 ~5- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA




Texes citrus harvest continued active in February and grapefruit
movement was heavy. Harvest of Valencia oranges started in February and
harvest of early and mid-season varieties declined.

Grapefruit harvest is expected to continue active in March with nearly
half the crop going to processors. The remaining light supplies of early
and mid-season oranges also are expected to go to processors. Harvest of
Valencias is expected to be active in March with the majority of the fruit
going for fresh market. Citrus trees, in generally good condition, were
beginning to bloom by March 1.

In Arizona Valencia orange harvest is underway in the Yum and Salt
River Valley areas; volume harvest is expected in March. Considerable fruit
will be lost in groves that suffered severe freeze damage in December and
January. Grapefruit harvest is still limited. Freeze damage appears to be
negligible. Siges pre generally smaller than normal. Citrus groves are
recovering from the cold temperatures and new growth is prevalent.

POTATOES: The winter potato crop is forecast at 3,598,000 cwt., 6 percent
less than last year. Harvest got underway in Dade County, Floride
in early March, Hervest of "whites" for chipping is expected to start in
the Ft. Myers~Immokalee area the second week of March. Harvest in Kern Coun-
ty, California has progressed well despite rainy weather, but reins delayed
harvest in northern San Joaquin Valley and Riverside County. Digging is
expected to be active into early April.

The early spring potato crop is estimated at 29,600 acres for harvest
in 1970, 9 percent less than the 32,500 acres harvested last year. All of
this reduction is in Florida where both the Hastings and "other" areas are
estimated below 1969 levels. Planting neared completion by March 1 in the
Hastings area. Heavy rains and freezing weather damaged some acreages.
Harvest will be later than usual. The Texas crop has developed well, and
harvest is expected to begin about mid-April and to peak by early May.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1970 -T: Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


CITRUS: The March 1 forecast production of the Nation's orange crop is

slightly below the February 1 forecast because prospects declined
in Texas and California, Florida and Arizona prospects remain unchanged
from February 1, The 1969-70 orange crop is expected to exceed last year
by about one and one half percent,

Grapefruit prospects in Florida declined 1 million boxes from February
1 reducing the U. S. forecast nearly 2 percent, Lemon production in Cali-
fornia and Arizona is expected to be almost 7 percent above last year, but
4 percent below the February 1 forecast,

In Florida, prospects are unchanged from last month, but latest tests
indicate a lower season average yield of frozen concentrated orange juice,
The March 1 forecast is 1,25 gallons of 45° Brix frozen concentrated
orange juice per box for all Florida oranges for the 1969-70 season, com~
pared with 1.28 forecast February 1.

Harvest of Florida's early and midseason oranges is declining but will
be fairly heavy until mid-March, Harvest of Valencia oranges is light,
mostly for fresh fruit. A few freeze~damaged Valencia groves, which were
dropping heavily, are being harvested for processing where maturity permits.
Grapefruit harvest is at high volume. Picking labor is avatlable from the
reduced rate of harvest in early end midgeason orange groves.

Florida's citrus trees and fruit remain in excellent condition, There
is no significant open bloom. But next year's crop is appearing in the
form of pin head to pencil eraser size bioom buds on many trees. Rains,
colder temperatures with scattered frost February 27 caused no damage but
slowed bloom bud development.

In Central and Northern California harvest of Navel oranges continued
heavy, and most of the crop is quite mature. In Southern California strong
winds leter in the month caused more scarring, splits and heavy drop.
Navel harvest neared half way at the end of February. Harvest of Valencia
oxanges has begun in the Desert areas with as mich as 50 percent going to
processors because of serious frost injury. High winds have caused heavy
drop of fruit in some districts of the south.

Harvest of California's Desert Valleva sranefruit continues to lag
behind last year with @ greater portion moving to processing because of
freeze demage and other factors, Shipments to date are about 30 percent
of the crop forecast compared with about 50 percent at this time last year,
In other areas, continued dry weather in February and high winds retarded
growth and development of summer grapefruit. Sizes are smaller than normal
and color is high,

Lemons received rains the second week of February in California's
south coastal counties where most current supplies are originating, The
San Joaquin Valley also received rain in February, and picking is about
two-thirds finished. In the important south coastal counties harvest is
about 20 percent complete. Most March supplies will originate from the
south coast.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1970 -6- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


Seasonal , Acreage Yield per harv. scre ; _ Production

; 7 7 LQ00.aores - - st 00Q ct, = -
Fla. ee Se LK) 160 1,995 1,980 12,728
Calif. 710.5 8,8 220 1,890 1,848 1,870

3,828 3, 598

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1970 a: Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


Production

. Release:
March 10, 1970
3:00 P,M, EST

HIGHLIGHTS OF U,S, CROP REPORT AS OF MARCH 1}, 1970

Citrus production is down 1 percent from last month, but is expected
to be 1 percent more than last season, Prospects declined during
February for lemons, California and Texas oranges and Florida
grapefruit.

Orange production is forecast at 186,6 million boxes, down 1,2 million
boxes (0,6 percent) from February 1, but 1,5 percent above last
season's production, Prospects remain unchanged from February 1
in Florida and Arizona but are down in California and Texas,

Grapefruit production is placed at 51,8 million boxes, down | million
boxes (1,9 percent) from last month and 4 percent below the
1968-69 crop, All of the reduction occurred in Florida white seed-
less grapefruit.

Lemon production, at 16,8 million boxes, is down 0,7 million boxes
(4 percent) from February 1, but almost 7 percent above last
season, Prospects declined in both California and Arizona.

Winter potato production is forecast at 3.6 million cwt., unchanged
from a month ago, but 6 percent less than last year.

Early spring potato acreage for harvest at 29,600, is down 9 percent
from 1969,

Winter wheat condition is mostly fair to good, but moisture is urgently
needed in the Great Plains,

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Statistical Reporting Service Crop Reporting Board
CrPr 2-2 (3-70) Washington, D. C. 20250


UNITED STATES DEPARDIEU? OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20250

SEFICIAL BOSTHESS
PENALTY FOR PRIVATE USE, $300

POSTAGE & FEES PAD
United Seates Dapertment of Agricattene

U.S, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1970 39-232 (SRS~156)




: 2 Indicated: 3 Indicated
2968-69 +" 196-70 + 2968-69 : _1969-70_
~ = 1,000 boxes 2/ - - ~ > Baulvalent tons - -

18,600 22,000 343,000 698,000 — 825, 000
6,700 —- 75,000 2,313,000 3,136,000 3,375,000

2,800 3,000 43,600 126,000 135,000
fe mne TTT rca 14270. 14100_ _ _ 33,000 _ 47,600 _ _ 41,200
al Above

Yatietes —.__ 2, 2)N00__ _ 92370 _101,200 _24732,600_ 4,007,600 _4, 376,200
VALENCTAS : 3 7

Calif. = 10,000 25,700 21,000 375,000 964,000 788,000

Fla. = 49,100 60,000 59,000 2,210,000 2,700,000 2,655,000

Texas 3 830 1, 700 1,500 37,400 76,500 67,500
Ate ~~~ 5 2s2HO_ _ _ 4,120. _ 4,000. _ _ Bl. 000. _ 154,000 _ 150,000.
cotel Velencdeg, _ _*_ GPsATO_ _ . 1,520_ _ 89.500. 2.706,400_ 3,894,500 _ 33660, 500,

Calif. = 19,150 4h, 300 43, 000 718,000 1,662,000 1,613,000

Fla. 100, 500 129,700 134,000 4,523,000 5,836,000 6,030,000

Texas + 1,800 4,500 4, 500 81,000 202,500 202,500
Arlee 3 _ _3.120_ . _ 52380 _ 5,100 — 127,000_ _ 201,600 _ _ 192,200.
bares ALL Granges, _} 124,570_ _ 183, 880_ 186,600. 5,139.000_ 1,902,100 TERERO.
Fle., All = 32,900 39,900 36,000 1,399,000 1,695,000 1,530,000
Seedless = 23,700 27, 700 26,000 1,008,000 1,177,000 1,105,000

Pink 3 9,400 10,700 10,000 400,000 455,000 425,000

White 2 2h, 300 17,000 16,000 608,000 += 722,000 + 680,000

Other t 9,200 12,200 10000 = 391,000 518,000 425,000

Texas 2,800 6, 700 1,500 112,000 268,000 300, 000
Ariz. 3, THO 2,510 3,100 120,000 80, 300 99,200
Calif., All 4, 618 5,060 5,200 150,400 165, 300 169,600
Desert Valleys 2,918 3,260 3,100 93,400 105,000 99,200

5 pote Areas — f— 24700_ 1.800_ — 21100. _ _ 57,000_ _ “O30 ~~ Too
Grapefrat_ _ _ _ _3_ 44,058 _ _ 5,170 _ 51,800. _1,781,400_ 2,208,600 _ 2,098,800.

LEMONS:

Calif. 13,600 12,300 14,000 517,000 468,000 532,000
Ariz 2. 3a250_ . — 3.510. — 2,850 — 124,000_ _ 134,000 _ _ 108,000,

U.S. Lemons. _ _
TANCELOS: Bla. _

26,850_ _ _ 15.810_ — 16,850. — —6!1.000_ _ 602,000 _ _ 640,000.
2 7Q0_ _ — 14.800_ — 2,500.  — 16,500_ _ 81,000 _ _ 132,000,

‘TANGERINES : :
Fla, * 2,800 3,400 3,100 133,000 162,000 147,000
Ariz. i 150 170 2a 5,620 6,380 8,250
~alif?. 2 LLL SHO TO... 21,000_ _ 24,000 _ _ 28,100
Total Tengerines_ _'_ _3,5]0_ yiplo_ — _ 4,070. 7 7159,620_ — 192,380 _ ~ BLES
TEMPLES:_ Ela._ _ *_ 4,500_ — = ha5Q07 _ _ 5,000 — _p0P.000_ _ 202,000 _ _ 225, 000°

The crop year begins with the bloom of the firet year shown and ends with completion of har=
Fest the following year. 2/ Net content of bot varies. Approximate averages are as follows!
Oranges ~ California and Arizona, 75 1bse; Florida and other States, 90 1bs.; Grapefruit - Calin
fornia, Desert Valleys, and Arizona, 64 Ibs; other California areas, 67 lbs.; Florida 85 lbs.
epi Texas 80 lbs.; Lemons ~ 76 lbsej Tangelos — 90 lbs.; Tangerines ~ California ani Arizona, 75
Ibs.3 Florida, 95 lbs.3 and Temples — 90 1bse x, Navel and Miscelianeous varieties in California
and Arizona. Early end Midseason varieties in Florida and Texas, including small quantities of
tangerines in Texas.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1970 -8- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


Generally, soil moisture is adequate to surplus east of the Mississippi
River. Precipitation near the Great Lakes was well below normal, but melt-
ing snow coupled with little run-off helped maintain moisture supplies.
Cool temperatures and wet soils delayed field work in most of the South
Atlantic and South Central States. Rainfall was near to above normal in
much of this area ducing February, but precipitation was below normal over
much of the West,

Moisture supplies in the Pacific Northwest were generally adequate.
As of February 1 irrigation water outlook was satisfactory for most major
areas, although some shortages were in prospect for parts of Arizona, New
Mexico and Utah.

Winter Wheat Prospects

Winter wheat is in mostly fair to good condition, but precipitation
is urgently needed in the Great Plains. February was extremely dry with
little or no precipitation in western Kansas, western Oklahoma, eastern
Colorado and the northern plains of Texas. Precipitation was also minimal
during January and surface moisture is becoming critically short. Moisture
requirements have been light during the winter months, and wheat is hold-
ing up well despite the limited precipitation. By March 1, Kahsas wheat
was greening and showing some growth in response to above normal tempera-
tures. Development was satisfactory on acres which had a good start last
fall; but, late planted and replanted fields were showing effects of dry
surface soil. Oklahoma wheat declined slightly in February and is sharply
below & year earlier. Favorable growing conditions prevailed in Texas,
except in the Northern Plains where dryland wheat suffered from lack of
moisture.

Wheat and rye remained largely dormant in the Northern Plains. Dry
soil prevails in southwest and south central South Dakota and parts of
western Nebraska. Strong winds caused soil blowing on light soils and
fields with little growth. Precipitation late in the month benefited
Montane small grains, and mild temperatures dominated February. Fall
seeded grains have wintered well in the Pacific Northwest and by March 1
were showing signs of spring growth. In this region soil moisture is
ample and prospects favorable.

In the Corn Belt, early seeded wheat is in good to excellent condition,
but some later plantings have suffered winter damage. However, winter
loss is not believed to be extensive. On March 1 most of the area was
free of snow cover. Precipitation and average temperature during February
were both below normal in the eastern portion of the Corn Belt. Small
greins are in good condition in most of Tennessee, Kentucky, Virginia,
and Maryland. Low temperatures in the Southeast have limited growth,
but soil moisture is ample and rapid development can be expected as tem~
peratures rise.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1979 “he Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


CROP REPORT SUMMARY AS OF MARCH 1, 1970

Topsoil moisture was becoming critically short in parts of the
Central and Southern Great Plains following four months of generally be-
low normal precipitation. Subsoil moisture was adequate throughout
much of this area but additional moisture is badly needed for winter
wheat. Elsewhere moisture supplies were mostly adequate to surplus.
Field work was delayed in the East as temperatures averaged below normal
and precipitation was near to above normal.

In general, livestock are in good condition, and were favored by
above normal temperatures in the West and the absence of widespread severe
storms during February.

Production of winter fresh vegetables is expected to be 6 percent
below last year but slightly above 1968. Prospective planted acreage for
green peas and tomatoes for processing, plus planted acreage of winter
spinach for processing, is 6 percent less than last year and 23 percent
below 1968.

February Cold in the East

February temperatures averaged below normal in the East; and above
normal in the West. This was the fourth consecutive month averaging be-
low normal for much of the East, but the fourth consecutive month for
above normal temperatures in much of the West.

Freezing temperatures pushed as far South as northern Florida and
the Gulf Coast each week during the past month, delaying growth of small
grains and winter pastures. Alternate freezing and thawing in the South
helped keep top soils wet.

Warmer weather in late February reduced snow cover across the North
but melting was not rapid enough to cause flooding.

February Precipitation Below Normal

February precipitation was below normal over much of the country.
It was less than half normal in the western Corn Belt, the central and
northern Great Plains, and much of the West except parts of Montana,
California, and the Pacific Northwest. But, precipitation was above nor-
mal during the month in parts of Montana and California, much of Texas,

the Florida Peninsula, and a strip along the Atlantic Coast from North
Carolina to Maine.

The dry February in the Central Great Plains followed three months
of generally below normal precipitation. Thus, topsoils are very dry over
a large area: Most of Kansas, western Oklahoma, the Northern Plains of
Texas, eastern Colorado, most of Nebraska and parts of South Dakota.

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1970 -3- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


CITRUS FRUITS PRODUCTION 1/

124,570 183,880 187, 800 186,600
44, 058 54,170 52, 800 51,800
16, 850 15,810 17,500 16, 850

1/ Season begins with bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion
of harvest the following year.

POTATOES, IRISH

i__Acreage _
Seasonal 3: “y For
group rene tharv.
: : 1970

T, 600 cwt,

; 1,000 acres
19.8 19.3 177 193 186 3,885 3,828 3,598 3,598

Winter .enceoe

Early spring ..: 32.5 29.6 152 175 Apnl0 5,019 5,687 o-- Am 10

CROP PRODUCTION, March 1970 s2e Crop Reporting Board, SR§ USDA