complete. California's Valencia forecast is 30.0 million boxes, up 3 percent
from last month. This year's crop is more than triple last year's freeze
damaged crop. Harvest has begun in the desert with good quality reported.

The Arizona all orange crop is expected to be 2.34 million boxes, up 10 percent
from the January 1 forecast and 34 percent more than last season. Navel
harvest is complete and Valencia harvest has just begun. The Texas all orange
crop is expected to be 30,000 boxes, unchanged from last month. Harvest is
complete.

The changes in U.S. all orange production between the April 1 forecast and
final production averaged 5.29 million boxes over the past ten seasons ranging
from a low of 200,000 boxes in 1984-85 to a high of 12.3 million boxes in the
1981-82 season.

Florida Frozen Concentrated Juice Yield: The 1991-92 forecast of all Frozen
Concentrated Orange Juice Yield

(FCOJ) for Florida is 1.52 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix. The forecast

projects the final yield as reported by the Florida Citrus Processors

Association. The final 1990-91 yield for all fruit used in FCOJ was

1.45 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix.

Grapefruit: The 1991-92 U.S. crop is forecast at 2.22 million tons, down

1 percent from last season but up 12 percent from the 1989-90
production. Florida's forecast is 43.3 million boxes, up 3 percent from last
month's forecast but down 4 percent from last season's crop. Harvest of all
grapefruit in Florida is about 92 percent complete. Quality remains excellent.
California's "Desert Valley" grapefruit forecast is 3.50 million boxes,
unchanged from January 1. This is also the same production level as last year.
Harvest is nearly completed with good quality reported. The first forecast for
California "Other Areas" grapefruit is 6.00 million boxes, up 33 percent from
the 1990-91 crop. Spring rains and warm temperatures have produced large fruit
sizes. Arizona's forecast, at 2.20 million boxes, is down 4 percent from
January 1 and down 8 percent from last season. Approximately 31 percent of the
crop has been harvested. The Texas forecast remains unchanged at 65,000 boxes.
Harvest is complete.

The change in U.S. grapefruit production between the April 1 forecast and final
production averaged 1.48 million boxes over the past ten seasons, ranging from
a low of 650,000 boxes in 1985-86 to a high of 2.35 million boxes in the
1984-85 season.

Lemons: The forecast for the U.S. lemon crop is 745,000 tons, up 8 percent
from the January 1 forecast and up 3 percent from last season.

California's forecast is 14.5 million boxes, up 7 percent from the January 1
forecast but 3 percent below the 1990-91 utilized crop. Recent precipitation
has Ted to excellent fruit growth. The forecast for Arizona's crop is

5.10 million boxes, up 11 percent from the January 1 forecast and 24 percent
higher than last season's utilized production. Harvest is virtually complete
in Arizona.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 14 NASS, USDA


Citrus: Production, Use, and Value,
California and United States

Crop, State,
and
Season Fresh

eorescee~ 1,000 Tons --------- 1,000 Dollars
Total Citrus

CA :
1990-91* : 250,600 1,838 1,178 660 702,274
us :
1990-91* : 850,300 ~=—-:11, 280 3,156 8,124 2,502,928
* Revised.

US GRAPEFRUIT PRODUCTION

0 MILLION TONS
28 28

2.5

2.54: sees
2.3
2.2
2.0

2.0 + oe
1.6 T T T T * T T 7 T T

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992

DOWN 1% FROM 1990-91 SEASON
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

April 1992 5 NASS, USDA


Special] Features

The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 3:00 p.m. ET on

May 11, 1992.

Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Crops Branch of the National
Agricultural Statistics Service to contact for additional information.

John D. Witzig, Chief (202) 720-2127
Field Crops Section
Bill Dowdy, Head (202) 720-3843
Martin Owens, Rice, Weekly Crop Weather (202) 720-2157
Vaughn Siegenthaler, Rye, Sorghum, Wheat (202) 720-8068
Charles Van Lahr, Barley, Corn, Oats, Pasture Condition (202) 720-7369
Herb Vanderberry, Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds (202) 720-9526
Herb Eldridge, Sugar, Tobacco, Hay (202) 720-3843
Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section
Steve Ropel, Head (202) 720-3843
Jim Brewster, Fruits, Fresh Vegetables (202) 720-7688
Arvin Budge, Potatoes, Dry Beans, Processing Vegetables (202) 720-4285
Kirby Cavett, Peanuts (202) 720-8843
Kevin Hintzman, Fruits, Citrus, Nuts (202) 720-5412
Roger Latham, Cotton (202) 720-5944
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 18 NASS, USDA


Peanuts for Nuts: Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production,
by State and United States, 1990-1991

Area Planted Area Harvested

1,000 Acres
AL 258.0 278.0 256.0 277.0
FL 102.0 126.0 94.0 118.0
GA 782.0 900.0 770.0 895.0
NM 20.0 22.7 20.0 22.7
NC 165.0 162.0 164.0 162.0
OK 107.0 110.0 106.0 106.0
sc 14.0 14.5 13.5 14.0
TX 295.0 330.0 289.0 325.0
VA 97.0 96.0 97.0 96.0
US : 1,840.0 2,039.2 1,809.5 2,015.7
Production
1990 1991 : 1990 1991

AL : 1,510 2,305 386,560 638, 485

FL : 2,480 2,370 233,120 279,660
GA : 1,750 2,490 1,347,500 2,228,550
NM : 2,500 2,250 50,000 51,075
NC 3 2,900 2,850 475,600 461,700
OK : 2,220 2,300 235,320 243,800
Sc : 2,230 2,400 30,105 33,600
1X : 1,850 2,100 534,650 682,500
VA : 3,195 3,200 309,915 307,200
us : 1,991 2,444 3,602,770 4,926,570
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

April 1992 10 NASS, USDA


Citrus Fruit Footnotes

1/ The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with
year harvest is completed.

2/ Net lbs. per box: oranges-CA & AZ-75, FL-90, TX-85; grapefruit-CA Desert &
AZ~64, CA Other-67, FL-85, TX-80; lemons-76; tangelos and Temples-90;
tangerines-CA and AZ-75, FL-95.

3/ Navel and miscellaneous varieties in CA and AZ. Early and mid-season
varieties in FL and TX, including small quantities of tangerines in TX.

4/ Due to the severe freeze of December 1989, TX had no commercial production
for the 1990-91 season.

5/ 1X forecast at 425 tons for 1991-92.

6/ 1990-91 crop revised.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 7 NASS, USDA


Citrus Fruit:

Production, by State and United States,
1990-91 and Forecasted April 1, 1992 1/

Crop
and
State

Oranges, Early Mid
& Navel 3/

Oranges, Valencia
AZ
CA
1K 4/ 5/
4/ 5
us
Al1_Oranges

Grapefruit, White
Seedless

Grapefruit, Colored
Seedless

Other Grapefruit
All Grapefruit
AZ
CA
Desert

Other Areas 6/
pot 6/

Production

Boxes

Utilized

390
1,050
113,840
1,220
27,100
42,100
155
70,575
1,610
71,400
110,200
1,205
184,415

1,400
18,000

16,300
1,400
2,200

3,500
5,900

550
15,800
87,500

103,850
1,200
9,800

64,000
75,000
1,750
25,600
151,500
178,850

2,500
21,700

21,800
1,600
2,400

3,500
4,500
8,000
45,100

55,500

600
1,300
13950
37850

4,100
14,900
19,000

2,650

740
35,000
83,400

20
119,160

1,600
30,000
56,000
10
87,610
2,340
65,000
139,400
30
206,770

2,400
20,000

22,000
1,250
2,200

3,500
6,000
97500
43250
65

55,015

900
1,700
23600
5,200

5,100
14,500
19,600

Utilized

765

693

20
593
3,937

4,550
45
368
2,880
3,293
65
961
6,817
7,843

113
922

926

Production
Ton Equivalent

850

935

Crop Production
April 1992

Agricultural Statistics Board

NASS, USDA


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Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 19 NASS, USDA


Papayas: Area and Fresh Production, Hawaii, by Month, 1991-92

Area 3 Fresh Production
: Total in Crop Harvested :
pone ener enn e cen en nce n nec ccna nee en ences! 1991 =: =: 1992
1991 : 1992 : 1991 1992 :

~- 1,000 Pounds --

Feb : 3,195 3,855 2,035 2,070 3,365 4,910
Mar : 3,330 3,945 2,020 2,160 3,155 3,970
Apr > «3,435 1,905 3,890
May > 3,310 1,925 3,350
Jun >: 3,415 1,880 2,895
Jul : 3,405 1,950 3,290
Cumulative Fresh Production: Jan-Mar 11,185 14,015

Peanuts for Nuts: Farm Marketings Percent, by month,
State, and United States, 1990 and 1991] Crop Years

Stat 2

and : Aug: Sep Oct Nov Dec dan 1/
Crop Year :

Percent

1990 Crop
AL : 0.2 75.9 22.6 1.2 0.1
FL : 1.9 81.4 16.0 0.7
GA a o-) $5.2 36.5 6.0 0.6 0.2
NC : 3.3 75.6 16.6 3.1 1.4
TX : 0.7 7.7 70.0 14.3 7.1 0.2
VA : 6.7 58.7 17.1 15.6 1.9
us : 0.9 39.7 46.6 9.0 3.3 0.5
1991 Crop :
AL 2.2 60.0 35.6 2.0 0.2
FL 3.7 65.1 29.1 2.1
GA 3.3 56.6 36.8 3.1 0.2
NC 10.6 71.5 14.1 1.8 2.0
TX > 2.3 4.6 59.9 24.8 7.9 0.5
VA : 25.3 59.4 11.7 2.3 1.3
us 125 43.1 44.6 7.8 1.6 0.4
1/ January of the following year.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

April 1992 9 NASS, USDA


Crop <i
Production | Service

United States
Department of
Agriculture

Washington, D.C.

Released April 10, 1992, by the Agricultural Statistics Board. Forecasts refer
to April 1, 1992.

Citrus Production Up 9 Percent From Last Season

Citrus production as of April 1 is forecast at 12.2 million tons, up 9 percent
from the 1990-91 season. The increase is primarily the result of larger citrus
crops in California following last season's low production due to the December
1990 freeze.

Orange production is forecast at 8.80 million tons, up 1 percent from March 1
and 12 percent higher than last season. The increase from last month is
largely due to higher California Navel and Valencia production forecasts.

All grapefruit production, including the initial forecast for California's
"Other Areas" crop, is 2.22 million tons, down 1 percent from last season but
up 12 percent from the 1989-90 season, The California "Other Areas” crop is
expected to be 33 percent larger than last year, while the Florida crop is
expected to be down 4 percent from last season.

Spring potato production is forecast at 21.6 million cwt, a gain of 4 percent
from last year but 11 percent below 1990. Rains delayed early development in
Texas and Alabama, but California and North Carolina are ahead of schedule.

For information call (202) 720-2127. Office hours are 8:00 a.m. to
4:30 p.m. ET

Cr Pr 2-2 (4-92)


March Weather Summary: The March boundary between spring warmth and residual

winter chill--the polar jet stream--tilted sharply
after the 8th, punching cold air into the Plains and the East. Although
temperatures quickly rebounded in the Plains after cold snaps on the 10th and
the 23rd, cool weather persisted in the East into the first week of April.
Monthly temperatures were below normal throughout the East Coast States despite
an early-month “heatwave" that produced temperatures in the 80's as far north
as the Virginias. The northern Plains were home to the Nation's most anomalous
warmth for the fourth month in a row, with temperatures up to 12 degrees F
above normal.

The subtropical jet stream tended to buckle near Baja California during March.
As a result, a moist, southerly air flow prevailed across the Southwest, and
occasionally reached into the central Rockies, central Plains, and western
Great Lakes. Precipitation was unusually heavy (more than four times normal)
in western Arizona, southern Nevada, and southern California. Las Vegas, NV,
set a precipitation record for any month with 4.80 inches of rain, toppling the
mark of 3.39 inches recorded in September 1939 (normal annual rainfall is

4.19 inches}. In Texas, although rainfall was not as widespread and excessive
as it was during the winter, south-central sections continued to be drenched.
San Antonio, TX, set a March record with 6.12 inches of rain, besting the old
highwater mark of 5.91 inches notched in 1921. Organized areas of abnormal
dryness were confined to the Northwest, parts of the Southeast, and a narrow
strip from north-central Texas to the Corn Belt.

March Fieldwork: The month began rather pleasantly in most parts of the

Nation, as the warm weather which brought record-high
temperatures to many Western and Central States during the last week of
February continued to dominate. Overwintering crops were breaking dormancy and
beginning to green in the Central States and some early planting was underway
in the Southeast. Precipitation was received nationwide, with California
benefiting from additional snow pack and reservoir filling. East Texas,
however, experienced more flooding, and activities were halted throughout the
Gulf region due to heavy rains. Spring wheat seeding was underway in Oregon
and Washington. Seeding of oats, and in some areas barley, was becoming more
common in the middle Mississippi Valley and Pacific Northwest. Corn planting
was getting underway earlier than usual in Tennessee and South Carolina, and
seeding continued, as weather permitted, in southeast Georgia, Florida,
Louisiana, and the Rio Grande Valley of Texas. Grain sorghum and cotton
planting was in full swing in most parts of the Rio Grande Valley, and some
limited planting was underway in south Texas.

Sharply colder weather visited the eastern half of the Nation during the second
week of March, Causing some freeze damage to actively growing field crops in
the middle and lower regions of the Mississippi Valley. Spring barley, spring
wheat, and oats seeding was active from the central United States westward.
Corn planting was interrupted by rains in the Southeast, while corn and grain
sorghum planting progressed rapidly with drying weather conditions in southern
and central Texas. Corn and sorghum seeding was also underway in Kansas, and
cotton planting increased in south Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.

Midway through the month, low temperatures turned precipitation to snow in the
Northeast and rainfall across the Southeast slowed early season fieldwork.
Milder, drier weather continued in the northern Great Plains and Rocky

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 12 NASS, USDA


Peanuts for Nuts: Price and Value, by State
and United States, 1990-1991

Price per Pound Value of Production

State peer rn nn nnn nnn nnn nt nnn nner nn nn nn nnn nn enn nnn nnn nena
1990 1991 1990 1991
----- Dollars ------ ----~ 1,000 Dollars -----
AL 0.271 104,758 187,715
FL 0.300 69,936 73,551
GA 0.338 455,455 630,680
NM 0.468 23,400 16,344
NC 0.349 165,984 126,506
OK 0.421 99,070 69,483
sc 0.398 11,982 9,979
Tx 0.419 224,018 191,100
VA 0.331 102,582 86,938
US 0 1,257,185 1,392,296

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 i NASS, USDA


Potatoes: Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production,
by Season, State, and United States, 1990-92

Seasonal
Group

.0 3.6 2.5 3.5 120 150 855 300 525

AZ 6.0 6.4 6.0 6.4 295 290 «#1,794 1,770 1,856
CA 21.8 20.3 21.8 20.3 380 390 8,438 8,284 7,917
FL +

Hastings : 27.5 27.5 27.0 27.0 190 210 6,888 5,130 5,670
Other > 8.6 7.1 8.4 7.0 175 220 «1,826 1,470 1,540
NC 217.30 17.6 17.0 17.3 170 190 3,240 2,890 3,287
TX > 5.0 5.3 4.8 4.8 165 160 1,122 792 768
Total : 90.2 87.8 87.5 986.3 236 250 24,163 20,636 21,563
Summer

AL 7.0 6.8 140 1,088 952

CA 4.8 4.8 325 1,749 1,560

co 7.0 6.9 295 2,124 2,036

DE 7.7 7.7 175 2,009 1,348

IL 4.5 4.2 240 837. 1,008

IA 1.5 1.3 160 160 208

MD 1.7 1.7 175 324 298

MI 12.0 11.5 250 2,875 2,875

MN 7.4 7.3 295 1,830 2,154

MO 6.7 6.3 210 957 1,323

NE 2.5 2.4 265 662 636

Nd 4.1 4.0 190 1,012 760

NM 10.5 10.0 345 3,400 3,450

NC 1.5 1.4 110 140 154

1X 11.0 10.0 240 1,950 2,400

VA 11.0 11.0 135 1,980 1,485

Total 7100.9 97.3 233 23,097 22,647
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

April 1992 8 NASS, USDA


Grapefruit: Revised California "Other Areas" and Total Production,
Price and Value, California and United States, 1990-91

State, Crop, : > Yield : Utilization of Production
and : Bearing > per t-w-------- 2 n-ne none n nn nnn nn ne nnn conn nnn
Season : Acreage : Acre : Fresh

CA :

Desert Valley :
1990-91 : 7,200 486 2,500 1,000 3,500

Other Areas :
1990-91* : 11,100 405 2,700 1,800 4,500

AIT CA :
1990-91* : 18,300 437 5,200 2,800 8,000

US Total :
1990-91* : 133,400 416 30,810 24,690 55,500

Fresh : Processed : All : Fresh :Processed: Total

laine 1,000 Dollars -~---~

CA ‘

Desert Valley :
1990-91 : 8.48 -0.27 5.98 21,200 ~270 20,930

Other Areas :
1990-91* >: 10.58 -0.26 6.24 28,566 -468 28,098

All CA :
1990-91* > 9.59 -0.26 6.13 49,766 -738 49,028

US Total :
1990-91* : 10.23 2.89 6.93 313,925 68,675 382,600

1/ Net Ibs per box: Desert - 64 and Other - 67.

2/ Equivalent packinghouse-door returns.

3/ U.S. marketing year average prices are derived by weighting the State
mancet ing year average prices per box by the respective box weights.

* Revised.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 4 NASS, USDA


Tangerines: The U.S. production forecast is 222,000 tons, up 9 percent from

the previous forecast and 35 percent higher than last season's
utilized crop. This forecast includes the Dancy, Robinson, Honey, and Sunburst
varieties of tangerines in Florida, as well as production of California and
Arizona tangerines.

The Florida forecast is 2.60 million boxes, up 7 percent from last month and up
33 percent from last season. There are only a few honey tangerines left to
harvest. The California crop forecast is 1.70 million boxes, up 31 percent
from last season. Fruit quality is good. The Arizona crop forecast is
900,000 boxes, up 6 percent from the January 1 forecast and up 50 percent from
last season. Fruit sizes have been excellent.

Tangelos: The Florida crop, excluding K-early citrus fruit, is forecast at
2.60 million boxes, down 2 percent from both last month and last
season's utilized production. Tangelo harvest is complete.

Temples: The Florida temple forecast, at 2.40 million boxes, is down 8 percent
from March 1 and 4 percent below last season's utilized production.
Harvest slowed considerably during the month and is virtually complete.

Florida Citrus: Groves and trees in all areas of the citrus belt are in

good to excellent condition. Soil moisture is less than
adequate but constant low volume irrigation has maintained the current good
tree condition. Most trees bloomed for two to three weeks during March. This
bloom season has been one of the most prolific in recent years. Valencia
harvest increased during the month as most of the fruit reached a desirable
solids to acid ratio. Quality for fresh and processing usage is excellent.
Movement of seedless grapefruit was active the first of March but slowed
considerably at month's end as supplies ran low. Quality remains good to
excellent. Temple harvest neared completion by the end of the month with few
groves remaining to be harvested. Honey tangerine harvest is virtually
complete for the year with only a few thousand boxes remaining to be picked.
Caretakers kept cover crops mowed and chopped. Hedging and topping of
harvested groves continued. Most young trees with dirt banks for cold
protection have had the banks removed.

Texas Citrus: Groves across the Valley are in good condition. Producers

agree that the bloom for next season was one of the best they
have seen. Some irrigation resumed in parts of the Valley. The 1991-92
harvest is complete.

California Fruits and Nuts: Rain fell intermittently throughout the month of

March bringing much needed precipitation. In
almond orchards, the bloom ended with trees fully leafed out. Cherries,
peaches, prunes, apricots, Asian pears, apples, pomegranates, and nectarines
passed through full flower. Early peach, plum, and nectarine fruit showed good
development, with apricots reaching approximately one-half inch in diameter.
Cultural practices in orchards and vineyards included weed control,

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 15 NASS, USDA



area, at 2.04 million acres and harvested area at 2.02 million acres were both
11 percent above the 1990 levels. Planted acreage is the largest since 1951
and harvested is the largest since 1950. The yield averaged 2,444 pounds per
harvested acre, 453 pounds higher than 1990 and 18 pounds above the 1989 yield.

Production in the Southeastern States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South
Carolina) totaled 3.18 billion pounds in 1991, up 59 percent from 1990.

Planted area at 1.32 million acres was up 14 percent from 1990, while harvested
area at 1.30 million acres was up 15 percent. Yields averaged 2,439 pounds per
acre in this region, up 677 pounds from 1990. Florida and Georgia set
production record highs.

Virginia and North Carolina production totaled 769 million pounds, a 2 percent
decrease from the 1990 crop. Area planted and harvested, at 258,000 acres
each, were down 2 percent and 1 percent, respectively. The average yield in
the region was 2,980 pounds per acre, 30 pounds below the 1990 yield.

Growers in the Southwest (New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) produced 977 million
pounds in 1991, up 19 percent from the 1990 crop. Planted acreage was up

10 percent at 462,700 acres, while the harvested acreage of 453,700 was

9 percent above the 1990 level for the region. Yields averaged 2,154 pounds
per acre, 178 pounds above the 1990 yield. Texas set a record high yield and
production, while New Mexico posted a record high production.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 7 NASS, USDA



Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States,
1991 and Forecasted April 1, 1992
(Metric Units)
Area Planted Area Harvested
Crop Sommer rn tetera nnn nnn nnn renner nnn nnn nnn nnn nnn

Hectares
Potatoes :
Spring : 36,500 35,530 35,410 34,920

Crop Summary: Yield per Hectare and Production, United States,
1991 and Forecasted April 1, 1992
(Metric Units)

Production

Crop Mar 1, : Apr 1,
1991 1992 1991 1992 1992
Metric Tons

Potatoes 3
Spring : 26.43 936,030 978,080
: 1990-91 1991-92 1991-92
Oranges 1/ : 7,115,050 7,907,930 7,983,230
Grapefruit 2/ : 2,045,700 2,017,580
Lemons : 654,990 675,850

1/ Season begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the
completion of harvest the following year.
2/ 1991 revised.

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 3 NASS, USDA


Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States,
1991 and Forecasted April 1, 1992
(Domestic Units)

Area Planted Area Harvested

Potatoes :
Spring : 90.2 87.8 87.5 86.3

Crop Summary: Yield per Acre and. Production, United States,
1991 and Forecasted April 1, 1992
(Domestic Units)

Yield per Acre Production

Potatoes 3
Spring Cwt > 236 250 20,636 21,563
: 1990-91 1991-92 1991-92
Oranges 1/ Ton : 7,843 8,717 8,800
Grapefruit 2/ " : 2,255 2,224
Lemons no: 722 745

1/ Season begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the
completion of harvest the following year.
2/ 1991 revised.

This report was approved on April 10, 1992, by the Acting Secretary of
Agriculture and the National Agricultural Statistics Service's Agricultural
Statistics Board.

Acting Secretary of Agricultural Statistics Board
Agriculture Acting Chairperson
Daniel A. Sumner Frederic A. Vogel
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

April 1992 2 NASS, USDA


Mountains, allowing spring planting activities to progress. Seeding of barley,
oats, and spring wheat progressed wel] in the western half of the Nation, and
smal] grains made excellent growth in California, where many fields were
heading. Corn planting was delayed by the rains in much of the Southeast,
while progress was better in the South Central States. Sorghum planting
increased in Texas. Cotton planting was underway in Arizona, California, and
Texas, and rice planting was underway in Louisiana and Texas.

Persistent mild, dry weather in the Northwest, northern Rocky Mountains, and
northern Great Plains was heightening concerns over soil moisture supplies
toward the end of March. Rainfall and below-norma) temperatures across much of
the Southeast, meanwhile, continued to slow fieldwork and caused some limited
freeze damage to field crops. Some barley and oats were lodged by heavy rains
in California. Spring wheat, barley, and oats seeding was continuing in the
West and becoming more common in the Central States. Corn planting was
progressing between rains in the Southeast, and grain sorghum planting remained
in full swing in southern Texas and the Rio Grande Valley. Cotton planting was
delayed by rains in California and Arizona but was progressing well in southern
Texas. Rice planting was gaining momentum in Texas' Upper Coast region and
continued in southern Louisiana. Potato planting was underway in Oregon and
Washington, and was nearing completion along the central Atlantic coast.
Sugarbeets were being planted in Idaho and Wyoming.

Winter Wheat: Winter wheat fields were beginning to green from the Pacific

Northwest through the Ohio Valley entering March, ahead of
normal for most regions. Some wheat was beginning to head in the southernmost
States, and nitrogen topdressing was nearing completion in the Southeast. Some
freeze damage occurred to winter wheat in Kansas during the second week of the
month, with damage more significant in the southern region, where the crop was
jointing. At mid-month, thin stands were a concern to some producers in
Tilinois, Indiana, Ohio, and Missouri, as freeze damage from early in the
winter and the effects of periodic freezing and thawing became more apparent.
Condition remained mostly good elsewhere. Above-normal temperatures continued
in the West during late March, promoting further greening of fall-seeded wheat.
Heading continued to advance in parts of the Southeast despite below-normal
temperatures, and crop condition benefited from rains across the eastern half
of the Nation. Some low-lying wheat in California, however, was yellowing due
to excessive moisture. Most areas still reported winter wheat in good
condition at the end of the month.

Oranges: The U.S. all orange crop is forecast at 8.80 million tons for the

1991-92 season, up 1 percent from the March 1 forecast and 12 percent
higher than last season. The Florida all orange forecast is 139 million boxes,
unchanged from last month but 8 percent less than last season. Production for
early and mid-season oranges in Florida, at 83.4 million boxes, is unchanged
from Jast month. Harvest is nearly complete. The Florida Valencia forecast,
at 56.0 million boxes, is unchanged from last month but 12 percent lower than
last year. The Valencia harvest in Florida is over 30 percent complete.
Quality is excellent. The forecast for California Navels, at 35.0 million
boxes, is up 3 percent from March 1 and 122 percent higher than last season's
freeze reduced crop. Fruit quality remains good but with small sized fruit.
As of April 1, California's Navel crop harvest is approximately 66 percent

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 13 NASS, USDA


fertilization, and pesticide applications to control blossom rot, thrips, and
fire blight. Deciduous fruit trees were grafted and planted. Tree and vine
pruning was active. Date pollination progressed in Riverside County. Some
avocado trees have blossomed. Over 60 percent of the Navel oranges were picked
with Valencia orange harvest beginning in the desert.

Spring Potatoes: Production of spring potatoes is forecast at 21.6 million
cwt, up 4 percent from last year but 11 percent below the

1990 crop. Harvest is expected from 86,300 acres, down 1 percent from a year

ago and 9 percent below two years ago. The average yield is forecast at

250 cwt per acre, up 14 cwt from last year but 4 cwt below 1990.

California spring potatoes are a week or two ahead of normal due to the mild
winter. The crop is in good to excellent condition with harvest to begin in
late April. Lower acreage this year is the main factor in a projected

4 percent smaller crop. Arizona growers expect a 5 percent larger spring
potato crop than last year. In Texas, early rains delayed crop development and
washed out some acreage. However, surviving fields have now caught up to a
normal growth schedule and look good. The first Hastings potatoes in Florida's

spring crop were scheduled for harvest in early April. Contract deliveries to
chippers will begin about April 20th. Harvest in the Central Peninsula is also
underway. Alabama growers struggled with wet weather during planting time and
had to replant some acreage. Harvest will be delayed as well. North Carolina
planting is ahead of last year by a few percentage points. The spring potato
crop is rated mostly good.

Summer Potatoes, 1991 Revised: Final estimates of summer potatoes places the
199] crop at 22.6 million cwt, down 1 percent
from the preliminary report in January and 2 percent below a year earlier.
Harvested area totalling 97,300 acres, was up 1 percent from the previous year,
while the average yield came in at 233 cwt per acre, a drop of 7 cwt per acre.

Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 3.97 million pounds in

March, 19 percent lower than February but 26 percent higher than
March 1991. Year-to-date fresh sales were 25 percent higher than the same
quarter of 1991.

Little rain fell during the first half of March. Major producing orchards
depend on rainfall] for future irrigation needs and the dry conditions will
likely lower output in about four months. Light showers in the second half of
the month helped restore soil moisture.

Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,945 acres in March, 2 percent
higher than February and 18 percent higher than a year ago. Harvested area,
totaling 2,160 acres, was 4 percent more than last month and 7 percent more
than last March.

Peanuts, 1991 Revised: Peanut production in crop year 1991 totaled a record
high 4.93 billion pounds, a 37 percent increase from
the drought stricken 1990 crop and 23 percent above the 1989 crop. Planted

Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board
April 1992 16 NASS, USDA