Prospective production of oranges in Florida as of December 1 is
6 percent below the November 1 forecast. Heavy droppage was anticipated
in earlier forecasts but droppage to date has exceeded original pro-
jections. Fruit droppage since October was unusually heavy. High soil
moisture conditions prevalent in late summer and early fall are con-
sidered to be a primary cause. Bacterial rot is taking its toll of
oranges, Based on recent field observations, rate of droppage appeared
to be moderating.

The 1969-70 grapefruit crop is expected to be 53.3 million boxes =~
2 percent below last year but 21 percent above 1967-68. Florida growers
expect smaller crops than last year, but Arizona, California, and Texas
growers expect to exceed last year's production.

Lemon production is expected to be slightly less than forecast
last month, but 13 percent above last year and 6 percent above the
previous year. Reduced prospects in Arizona caused the decline from
last month. .

erines are expected to be 9 percent below the 1968-69 crop
but exceed 1967-68 production by 9 percent.

Florida tangelo prospects remain at a record 2-9 million boxes --
up from 1.8 last season and 1.7 million boxes in the two previous years.

Florida Temple production is expected to be one~third larger than
last year and to set a new record at 6 million boxes forecast.

Florida citrus trees continued in excellent condition. Rein was
much less frequent the last half of November and standing water dried
out. Cold nights and cool days helped induce dormancy. Groves have
been cultivated and heaters set up and checked in preparation for cold
temperatures that may occur in coming months.

In California, weather generally favored fruit development. Har-~
vest of Navel oranges continues in the Desert Valleys, is increasing
in central districts but has not started in southern California,
Valencia trees recovered well from last year's freeze damage and set
e good fruit crop. Picking will begin in desert areas at the end of
February. Light grapefruit harvest is underway in the desert valleys.

In Texas, citrus sized well in November where groves received
adequate irrigation, fruit sizes are small where water is short.
Freezing temperatures November 20 and 21 caused only minor leaf damage.
Harvest of grapefruit and early and mid-season oranges was moderately
active in the Lower Rio Grande Valley in November.

In Arizona, harvest of Navel oranges and early tangerines is in
full swing in the Salt River Valley. Limited harvest of sweet oranges
and early tangelos is just getting started. Grapefruit picking is
near peak volume in the Yuma area, but is very limited in the Salt
River Valley where fruit sizes are considerably smaller than normal.
Recent rains have benefited new growth, and citrus groves are in good
condition.

CROP PRODUCTION, December 1969 - 5 = Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



2 Peodctioa => 57
1968 : 196:

cated

3 i cated!

Total 2 219 299.8 19.3 LIT 293 19% 3,885 3,828 3, 748

: Yield per
t. — — Dlanted acre.

2 968, 2969, 1970s

155 184 w-- 4,384 4, 866 Apr. 10
118 131 -- 388
88 122 - Quy 403 "

\
(
CROP PRODUCTION, December 1969 -10- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA

{
i
!
i
i



million, up 1 percent from the 367.7 million a year earlier. The increase
from a year earlier was 7 percent in the South Atlantic region and 1 per-
cent each in the West North Central and South Central regions. Decreases
were 2 percent in the West and 1 percent in the North Atlantic region.
The East North Central had about the same number as a year earlier. Pul-
lets 3 months and older but not of laying age on December 1 totaled 51.8
million, compared with 49.5 million a yeer earlier.

HENS AND PULLETS OF LAYING AGE, PLUS PULLETS 3 MONTHS OLD
AND OLDER NOT OF LAYING AGE, POTENTIAL LAYERS AND
EGGS LAID PER 100 LAYERS ON FARMS, DECEMBER 1

yo? North” 8. North: : ~~ 7 WB ~ y Tunsted ~
: States 1

HENS AND PULLETS OF LAYING AGE ON FARMS, DECEMBER 1

~ eee ee eee  ~ Thousands - ~~ - - - ee ee
1967 45,451 45,277 50,431 62,907 69,471 52,875 326,42 327,372
1968 44,876 43,831 45,362 63,816 67,334 52,020 317,239 318,226
1969: 4h,236 043,784 44,763 67,791 67,809 51,212 319,628 320,618
: PULLETS 3 MONTHS OLD AND OLDER NOT OF LAYING AGE
1967: 5,210 7,020 §,190 11,320 11,480 7,810 48,030 48,215
1968 : 5,130 6,540 4,4l0 13,030 12,40 7,720 9,270 4k, 40
1969 : 5,180 6,540 5,290 24,200 22,810 7,560 51,580 51,778
: POTENTIAL LAYERS ON FARMS, DECEMBER 1 2/
1967 : 50,662 52,297 55,621 74,227 80,951 60,685 374,442 375,587
1968: 50,006 50,371 49,72 76,846 79,774 59,70 366,509 367,696
1969 : 49,416 50,324 50,073 81,991 80,619 58,771 371,194 372,396
: EGGS LAID FER 100 LAYERS ON FARMS
: meter eee Number - + - -- - se ee ee ee
1967 : 59.0 596 S64 59.2 56.2 59.0 58.1 58.1
1968 =: 59.2 59.5 55.5 58.1 56.2 60.0 57.9 57.9
1969: 59.0 59.2 57.4 59.5 56.7 58.5 58.3 58.3

1/ Includes Alaska and Hawaii.
B/ Hens and pullets of laying age plus pullets 3 months old and older not of
laying age.

CROP PRODUCTION, December 1969 -7- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



POTATOES: The 1970 erop of winter potatoes is forecast at 3,748,000 cwt.,
2 percent less than the 1969 crop of 3,828,000 ewt. Produc-
tion in Florida is estimated at 1,836,000 cwt., 7 percent below the 1969
gusturn of 1,980,000 ewt. California's production is forecast at
1,912,000 ewt., 3 percent above the 1969 crop of 1,848,000.

t
Harvest is underwey in California in the early areas of Riverside,
Madera and Kern Counties. Movement in good volume is expected by late
December and continuing through January. ‘The Everglades area of Florida
should start digging in late December.

j

Intended /1970 plantings of early spring potatoes are estimated at
30,800 acres, '7 percent less than last year's planted acreage. The
Hastings, Florida growers expect to plant 25,000 acres this year, com-
pared with 1969 plantings of 26,500 acres. Other Florida area growers
intend to plant 2,500 acres for 1970, compared with 3,200 acres in 1969.
But southern Texas growers expect to plant 3,300 acres in 1970, same as
in 1969. About three~fourths of Texas plantings are expected to be red
potatoes for fresh market and one-fourth whites for processing.

The 1969 U. S. production of fall potatotes is estimated at
233,637,000 ewt., 6 percent more than in 1968 and 1 percent above 1967.
Production is defined as the quantities hauled from the field. Freezing
temperatures joceurred in many areas during October prior to the comple-
tion of harvest.

gstinatea production and couments for all seasonal groups of the
1969 potato crop will be carried in the Crop Production Annual Summary
on December 19, 1969. The report of December 1, 1969 stocks of fall
potatoes will be released at 3:00 p.m., EST, December 12, 1969.

|
POULTRY AND EGGS: The Nations's laying flock produced 5,592 million eggs
in November, down 2 percent from a month earlier but 1
percent above a year earlier. Layers on hand in November averaged 318.9
million, 1 percent above October and slightly more than a year earlier.

Egg production was up 8 percent from a yeer earlier in the South
Atlantic Region and up 1 percent in the West North Central. It was
down 2 percent in the West and down 1 percent each in the North Atlantic
and East North Central. Production in the South Central Regian was about
the same as a year earlier.

layerd on farms December 1 totaled 320.6 million, compared to 317.2
on November 2 and 318.2 on December 1, 1968. Increases from a year
earlier of 16 percent in the South Atlantic Region and 1 percent in the
South Central more than offset moderate declines in all other regions.

Rate of lay on December 1 averaged 58.3 eggs per 100 layers, dow
from the 5B. 6 a month earlier but up from the 57.9 a year earlier. Rate
of lay was higher than a year earlier in the West North Central, South
Atlantic, jand South Central regions but lower in the North Atlantic,
Eaat North Central and West.

Potential layers (hens and pullets of laying age plus pullets 3
months old and older not of laying age) on December 1 totaled 372.4

{
CROP PRODUCTION, December 1969 - 6- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



~ 4 Lk 69270 3 B
ORANGES: : oo oo boxae 2 ane T 7 T Hyuivalent tons - - -
EARLY, MIDSEASON &:
NAVEL VARIETIES:3/:

Calif. : 9,150 18,600 22,000 343,000 698,000 825, 000
Fla. : 51,400 69,700 75,000 2,313,000 3,136,000 3,375,000
Texas z 970 2,800 3,400 43,600 126,000 153,000
Ariz» 2 — 880. _ L270 _ _ 4,300 _ _ 33,000 _ 47,600, .. 48,800
Total Above 2
Varieties ____ 3 _ 62/400_ 92370 _ 101,700 _ 2)732,600 '007,600_ &, 402,800
VALENCIAS: :
Calif. 10,000 25,700 23,000 375,000 964,000 862,000
Fla. : 49,100 60,000 59,000 2,210,000 2,700,000 2, 655,000

830 u 700 2,100 apiece & 500 gh, 500
Zee D0 _ Pid - ares a 000, _ 161,000
7 BiNfor ToL 519 7 BE hoo 7 BT 2500 5,772, 500

19,150 44,300 45,000 718,000 1 — 1,687,000
100,500 129,700 134,000 4,523,000 5,836, 000 6,030,000
1,600 4,500 5,500 81,000 202,500 aly, 500
- 120_ 2 ae - — 3,600 _ Bo Qa0 _ _201,600 800
TABNZSTOW 1B, BBO — Tp0, 100 — 5,439,000 “r2902z1007 B, Z74 300

32,900 39,900 37,000 1,399,000 1,695,000 1,572,000
23,700 27,700 27,000 1,008,000 1,177,000 1,147,000
9,400 10,700 10,000 400,000 455,000 425,000
14,300 17,000 17,000 608, 000 722,000 Te2, 000
9,200 12,200 10,900 391,000 518,000 425,000
2,800 6,700 8,000 142,000 268,000 320,000

Ariz. 3,740 2,510 3,000 120,000 80,300 96,000
Calif., All 4,618 5,060 5,300 150,400 165,300 172,400
Desert Valleys : 2,918 3,260 3,200 93,400 105,000 102,000

o Other Aress_ ~ -L7Q_ _ 1,800 _ _ 2,100 _ _ 57,000 _ 60,300. 19, 3 400

53, 300 _ 81,400 2,208,600 2,160, 400

14, 500 517,000 468,000 551,000
8 - PRS - - 1%, 000 __13},000_ _ 125,900
“17, 800 ar “Bee Soo" > 876,
B00 ~~ "18300 ~ 7 Batoas- 7 138, G00
2,700 133,000 162,000 128,000
220 5,620 6,380 8,250

~ 3 hee -- oe 1,000 _ _ 24,000_ _ 33,800
= P89 ~ 2 by So - TaeL BOL 7 370,050
0 — = 8,000 ~ = 202,000 ~ “202, 0007 — 270, 000
The orep year begins with the bloom of the first year shown ani emis with completion of
harvest the following year. 2/ Net content of box varies. Approximate averages are as
follows: Oranges ~ California ani Arizona, 75 1bse3 Florida and other States, 90 1bse3
Grapefruit ~ California, Desert Valleys, ani Arizona, 64 lba.$ other California areas, 67
Lbee; Florida, @5 1bs., and Texas, 80 lbse; Lemons — 76 lbaes TangeloB — 90 lbse; Tangerines -
California and arizona, 75 lbs.; Mlorida, 95 1bs.5 ani Temples — 90 lbs. 3/ Navel and
Miscellaneous varieties tn California ami Arizona, Early and Midseason varieties in Florida
and Texas, inoluding small quantities of tangerines in Texas.

CROP PRODUCTION, December 1969 -9- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA


.

Release:

December 10, 1969

3:00 P.M. EST

DECEMBER 1, 1969
The Crop Reporting Board of the Statistical Reporting Service wakes the

following report for the United States from data furnished by crop correspondents,
field statisticians, and cooperating State agencies.

CITRUS FRUITS 1/

3 PRODUCTION
CROP H A Indicated
: 1967-68 : 1968-69 1969-70
weet 1,000 boxes ~ - ~
124,570 183,880 190,100
Grapefruit 44,058 54,170 53,300
Lemons .... 16,850 15,810 17,800

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

POTATOES, IRISH

: ACREAGE 3 YIELD HARVESTED
Seasonal : HARVESTED 3 PER ACRE

Sroup | 1967: 1968 | 1969

PRODUCTION

1967 ; 1963} 1969 ; 1967 } 1968 : 1969

- 1,000 acres ~ ~~ Cwt. - -
Fall ......:1,088.6 1,030.3 1,059.0: 212 214 221
11968: 1969: 1970: 1968 : 1969 : 1970

- 1,000 cwt.
31,224 220,024 233,637
1968 _ : 1969 =: 1970

Winter ....:_ 21.9 19.8 19.3: 177 193 194

3,885 3,828 3,748
Acreage + Inten-: Yield per
planted 2 tions : planted acre Production
E. Spring .: 34.4 33.0 30.8: 146 172, ~~ + 5,019 5,687 April 10
MONTHLY MILK AND EGG PRODUCTION
7 MEX : ECGS
MONTH > 4967? 1968 *a969 1967 1968 * 1969
3 ~ + - Million pounds - ~ - - - - Millions - - -
October .....6...: 9,169 9,120 9,150 5,832 5,682 5,732
November 12... 8,781 8,721 8,688 5,696 5,531 5,592
Jan.-Nov. Incl. .: 109,510 108,090 106,999 64,089 63,623 62,927

UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Statistical Reporting Service Crop Reporting Board
CrPr 2-2 (12-69) Washington, D. C. 20250


1) 700
120 121 1,396 1, 38s

Oh 95 ae 4
-— LL . 199... Bp S
L {es 2 oho” “ahs
22 23 2,854 2,60
2 Gk b 1 102 1h 238 L198
8 Dak. “a wet 632077 8 1,03 903

479 10

OL ee at nm
7 ar Le Fg = 7 BCE 13,067

1, 16.6 2027

13860 ly 3 5 > 4 168

1 ee8 2b . 252

2 2
Veg 5 12.9 6 W6 177

1,704 19 18 22h 20'

Tho 23 22 256 25

bee ey? at? oes 1f
827 §3 8 eb

2 33 1,869 3 Est
~ H3R- ~ 37.524_ _ 2,936 _ 388__ G8. 6B e TOT
a 7 Suge" 7 T8ik 7 71. UT Phe Feta
32!

Vest
TB Stat SEE TBEPSOLLL TPE 7 TSTSNT SBAR 7 575757 G3 ,hOB” BerraB—
Rlaska 39 Vos ~ 2% 5007 0.8 Oe 7 a

$2. Led _ 8 16 5 16k 188 18h
arth “BDO 7 oLPL eke 25BL _ Si592_ ~ §31623_ 8,987"
ia Sumulative (State total based on unrounded data’

CROP PRODUCTION, December 1969 -l2- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA
i

‘
1



POTATOES, IRISH

Seasonal 3. ~ — Acreage _ _ . _*Xield per barvs acre.
group *_Haryested_ _: : 3 2
: 3 : 9 : i967; 1968: 19
wate ger pe OP 199 98 IP
= - ~ 1,000 acres - - - 7 Gt, -
FALL: :
Maine * 158.0 155.0 156.0 238 235 225 «37, 60% 36,425 35,100
N. B P12 1.0 9 210 230 195 ase 230-176
vt. 1.6 1.5 2.3 180 190195 288 285 = 25h
Mass. 6,4 5.6 5.0 190 185 190 1,216 1,036 950
RI. 6,0 5.6 5.2 190 225 255 1,140 1,260 1,326
Conn. * 6.3 5.7 5.4 215 220 225 1,354 1,254 1,215
N. Y.-L. I, * 31.6 27.7 26.2 235 265 260 7,426 = 7,340 6,812
“Upstate = 36.0 35.5 3545 2h5 235 235 8,820 8, 3K2 8, 3h2
Pa, 2~ 38.0. _ 37.0_ _ 35.5_ 240 _ _ 205 _ 220. _ 9,120__ 7,585 7,810
8 Rastern-Fall ?_285,1_ P7h,6_ 271,.0_ 236 _ _ 232 _ 1229_ 67,220 _ 63, 757 61,985,
Ohio 12.3. 12,3.«31.0° 205 210° 175+ «=——«2,522 2,583 1,925
Ind. = 6.5 5.8 5.7 300 235 aks 1,950 1,363 1,396
Mich, * 33.0 29.0 28.7 215 225 235 7,095 6,525 6, Thh
Wis. * 39.5 38.5 37.0 238 230 = 2ho 9,401 8,855 8,880
Minn, 98.0 87.0 90.0 220 140-150 12,760 12,180 13,500
N. Dak. 220.0 108.0 110.0 119 145-140 14,280 © 15,660 15,400
S$. Dak. 5.9 544 5-1 100 us = ho 590 @1 561
Nebr. _ 748. — 7.0 5
8 Central-Fall *_323,0_ _293,0_ :
Mont, 8.4 8.1 :
Idaho-S.W. Co. 7 31.0 29.0 .
“Other Co. + 273.0 265.0 .
Wyo. P34 3.8 3.4 170 BY 170 5 68 5
Colo. 33.6 34.5 37.0 275 2ho 235, «9, 2hO 8, 280 8, 695
Uteh 7.7 6.7 7.4 190 160 180 1,463 1,072 1,332
Nev. 7 5 2 2am 275 1g2 138
Wash, 7 43.0 44.5 951.0 355 390 420 15,265 16,185 21,420
Oreg, “Malheur Co.? 20,5 16.5 15.0 285 255 285 5,842 4,208 4,275
“Other Co, ? 28.5 30,0 34.0 260 260 260 7,410 7,800 8,840
Calif. 3 20.7. _ 27.1 _28.3_ 300 _ _ 305 _ 280_ _ 9,210 _ 8,266 1,924
9 Western-Fell 80,5" —u62,7_ 193.67 239 "7 32 7 BMBT Dk, 612 “207, seo, He
1,088.6 1,059.0 21k 231,224, 253,637
TotelcPall FL .030,3. 22 PL 220,024

i/ Estimates revised. Same data will be published in Crop Production Annual Summary
to be released December 19, 1969.

2/ Estimates discontinued,

CROP PRODUCTION, December 1960 ~h- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



:
MELK PRODUCTION: November milk production is estimated at 8,688 million

pounds, 0.4 percent less than a.year earlier, November
daily production was down 2 percent from a month eariier, compared with a
I-percent decrease a year earlier. Daily average production January
through November 1969 was 0.7 percent less than a year earlier.

Monthly milk production, November 1969 with comparisons
(In millions of pounds)

a
¢
ct
®

Maine ! he a we
N.H. 3 85 95 93
vt. : 19 12h 120
Mass : 173 201 172
RI, 3 153 176 359
Conn. : 66 6T 67
N.Y. : 85 86 83
Ng. + 53 56 5h
mt 83 89 87
Ohio : 102 107 105
Ind. : 232 2h9 2he
Ta. : 36 27 26
Mich, : 108 n2 105
Wis. 2, 21 6 We
Minn. : oT Te

Iowa : 26 27 25
Mo. : 45 4B 46
N. Pak. : 60 65 &
8, Dak. : 10.9 U7 10.9
Nebr, WB 164 19
Kans, : an 16 70
Del, 1s Th TAT
Ma. ; 1.34 1431.35
Va. 3 10.8 11,0 211.0
W. Va. : pr eae
N.C. B81 8,721 9,150 8,688

CROP REPORTING BOARD

CROP PRODUCTION, December 1969 -8- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



Seeding fall! small grains is n complete in the South Central
and Southeastern States with a few nearly. bevauge of dry soils, Early

seeded grains are in fair to good condition. Small grains are supplying
limited pasture feed in the South and considerable grazing in the Cen-
tral and Southern Great Plains.

\

' Pastures Fair to Good

'

Fall seeded'smsll grains were furnishing fair to good grazing for
livestock in the!Central and Southern Great Plains, Grazing of wheat
was limited in central and Eastern Kansas because of short top growth.
However, volunteer wheat and crop residues were providing excellent
grazing. In Oklahoma, grazing of small grains was increasing although
limited, some, by! loose soils, where a good rain was needed to settle
the soil, Texas! wheat in the High Plains was furnishing excellent
grazing, Pasture feed was short in eastern Texas but was expected to
improve following heavy rains November 16-20.

Pastures were holding up very well in most of the Corn Belt be-
cause of ample moisture in October and relatively mild weather in
November, Lack iof severe storms or snow cover also permitted full
use of stalk fields and other crop residues,

\

The condition of pastures and winter grazing crops varied
highly in the South Atlantic and eastern South Central States. Pas-
tures were generally in good condition for this time of year across
the northern parts of this area, However, dry soils limited growth
of emall grains, and winter grazing crops across much of the South,

|

November weather conditions in the West favored cattle and sheep
because temperatures averaged above normal and precipitetion below
normal in most areas, Ranges and pastures remained open most of
the month.

Less Winter Potatoes--More Fresh Vegetables
|

Production of 1970 winter potatoes is expected to be 2 percent
less than Test year.

Winter production of lettuce, artichokes and broccoli is ex-
pected to be above last year, more than offsetting declines in
production of cauliflower, celery and spinach.

CITRUS: The whtton’ 's 1969-70 o: orange crop is forecast at 190.1 mil-
lion boxes, 3 percent above last season and 53 percent above
the short 1967-68 crop. All citrus States expect larger orange crops
than last year. California's forecast is almost 2 percent above last
season, Florida's 3 percent, Texas 22 percent, and Arizona 4 percent.

{
CROP PRODUCTION, December 1969 “he Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA





this area. Combining soybeans ranged from about three-fourths com-
plete to wind-up,

Conditions generally favored fall harvesting in most of the
West.

November Generally Dr:

November precipitation was below normal over much of the country,
except from western Ohio northeastward through New England, and in the
southwestern half of Texas. Precipitation was also above normal in
scattered local areas in Rocky Mountain States, in a strip across
northern Florida, and along the Georgia-Carolina coast. Most of the
western Corn Belt had less than half normal precipitation. November
continued a 2 to 3 month below noxmal rainfall in parts of the South
Atlantic and South Central States. Much of this area needed more
moisture on November 1 for growth of pastures and small grains. And
small grains in the Pacific Northwest needed more moisture.

November temperatures generally averaged above normal in the
area roughly west of northern Michigan to southwestern Texas. To the
Fast, temperatures generally averaged below normal, except in New
England and in New York. Farts of the northern Great Plains averaged
from 3° to 6° above normal. In parts of the East, the last week of
November marked the Jth consecutive cold week. A hard freeze about
mid-month caused some damage to sugarcane in Louisiana and some
winter vegetables in Louisiana and Texas.

Winter Wheat cs) Well

Fall~seeded small grains are entering the winter in fair to
excellent condition. Precipitation was well below normal in the
Great Plains during Novenber, but favorable growing weather combined
with October rains produced excellent growth in such major States as
Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Topsoil moisture is becoming
short in parts of the Great Plains, where general rain would be
welcome. Winter wheat condition is good to excellent in Colorado
and soil moisture ample. South Dakota acreage is in fair condition,
but some stands are spotty and poor because of dry soils at seeding
time. Winter wheat is good to excellent in the Corn Belt, and has
adequate soil moisture.

Winter wheat is fair in the Northwest. Montana wheat is short
and stends spotty in some areas, Planting was late and soil moisture
limited. Washington wheat is growing slowly and needs more precip-
itation. Much of the Pacific Northwest wheat is entering winter with
short and uneven stands.

CROP PRODUCEION, December 1969 -3- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA



CROP REPORT SUMMARY AS OF DECEMBER 1, 1969
1

Fall harvest was well along across most of the country on December 1,
according to thé Crop Reporting Board. Although corn harvest lagged in
parts of the Corn Belt, delays were not considered serious. Fall~seeded
small grains were entering winter in fair to excellent condition.

1

The U. S. 1969~70 citrus crop is expected to be record high, 1
percent more than the previous record crop in 1966-67. Output of winter
potatoes is expected to be less than last year, but production of vege-
tables for winter consumption is expected to be up. Egg production during
November was 1 percent above a year earlier, but milk production was down
slightly from last November.

|
‘ Record Citrus Production

The Nation's 1969-70 citrus crop is expected to be the largest of
record, 1 percent more than the previous record set in 1966-67. Of the
11.6 million tons expected this season, 70 percent are oranges, 19 per-
cent grapefruit, and 6 percent lemons. The remaining 5 percent are
temples, tangerines and tangelos. Only grapefruit and tangerines are
expected to fall below last season. Florida continues as the Nation's
major supplier of citrus fruit, accounting for 70 percent of 1969-70
tonnage. California accounts for 21 percent; Arizona and Texas, the re-
maining 9 percent.

!

| Harvest Progressing Well ilost Areas

Fall harvest operations progressed well in most States in November,
and neared completion in many areas.

In the thportant North Central States, November weather generally
favored harvest, compared to intermittent rains and poor drying con-
ditions in October. Progress in many areas was near normal by Thanksgiving.
Combining soybeans was virtually complete except in parts of Missouri
and Kansas. Harvest of corn neared 90 percent in most North Central States,
despite some iproblems. Heavy rains in Indiana on the 18th and 19th
virtually halted field work until the last few days of the month. Above
normal precipitation slowed corn picking in Ohio and Michigan. Despite
well below normal rainfall in the remaining North Central States, moisture
content of corn was often high, requiring artificial drying before storage.
High moisture and lack of drying facilities delayed harvest to some extent,
especially in Iowa and Nebraska.

Weather, continued to favor fall harvesting in most South
Atlantic and South Central States, but heavy rains November 16-20
interrupted |fteta work in Arkansas, Louisiana an! the southern half
of Texas. Picking cotton was virtually complete except in
Okiahoma and Texas, and corn harvest was nearly complete in most of

{
‘
{
CROP PRODUCTION, December 1969 -2- Crop Reporting Board, SRS, USDA
|

1





UNXTED STATES DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
STATISTICAL REPORTING SERVICE
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20250

OFFICIAL BUSINESS

{
i

POSTAGE & FEES PAID
United States Department of Agriculture

4U, 8, GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE : 1969 394-229 (ShS-96)