Cr Pr 2-2 (5-99)

Crop

Production

National

Agricultural

Statistics

Service

USDA

Washington, D.C.

Released May 12, 1999, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of

Agriculture. For information on "Crop Production" call (202) 720-2127, office hours 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET.

Winter Wheat Production Down 14 Percent

Winter wheat production is forecast at 1.61 billion bushels, down 14 percent from 1998. All classes of

winter are down from the previous estimate with SRW showing the smallest percentage drop. Based on

conditions around May 1, the U.S. yield is forecast at 44.4 bushels per acre, 2.5 bushels less than last year’s

record high. Grain area totals 36.3 million acres, down 9 percent from last season. 

All oranges production forecast for 1998-99 is 9.84 million tons, down 1 percent from last month’s forecast

and down 28 percent from last year’s record large crop of 13.7 million tons. Florida's all orange forecast is

188 million boxes (8.46 million tons), 1 percent below the April forecast and 23 percent less than the record

large 244 million boxes (11.0 million tons) utilized last season. Early and midseason varieties in Florida are

forecast at 112 million boxes (5.04 million tons), unchanged from April and 20 percent below last season. 

Florida’s Valencia forecast of 76.0 million boxes (3.42 million tons) is 3 percent less than the previous

forecast and 27 percent lower than last season’s utilization.

All orange production in Texas is forecast at 1.47 million boxes (62,000 tons), up 2 percent from last

month’s forecast. The Texas early and midseason orange forecast remained unchanged at 1.30 million

boxes (55,000 tons), but the Valencia forecast was increased 21 percent from April to 170,000 boxes

(7,000 tons). California’s all orange production forecast of 34.0 million boxes (1.28 million tons) is carried

forward from April and is down 51 percent from the 1997-98 utilization of 69.0 million boxes (2.59 million

tons). Arizona’s all orange production forecast of 1.20 million boxes (45,000 tons) is also carried forward

from April.

Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1998-99 season is forecast at a record high

1.64 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, up from the April forecast of 1.63 gallons per box. The forecast

projects the final yield as reported by the Florida Citrus Processors Association. Projected average yield for

early and midseason varieties is final at a record high 1.58 gallons per box. Valencias are projected to yield

a record high 1.75 gallons per box, up from 1.72 gallons last month.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 2 NASS, USDA

This is the first May 1 peach forecast since 1986 and includes only California. The 1999 peach crop in

California is forecast at 1.79 billion pounds, up 2 percent from last year but 5 percent below the 1997 crop.

Bearing acreage is estimated at 66,800 acres, up less than 1 percent from last year and 1 percent above 1997. 

In contrast to last season, there has been an adequate amount of chilling hours over the winter season which

should lead to increased production.

The California Freestone crop is forecast at 740 million pounds, up 5 percent from last year. Freestone

bearing acreage is estimated at 37,000 acres, up 2 percent from 1998 and up 5 percent from 1997. 

Temperatures have been on the cool side most of the spring and crop development is running behind normal

due to the cool weather. Some frost damage has been reported in several areas.

The California Clingstone crop is forecast at 1,050 million pounds, up slightly from last year. Clingstone

bearing acreage is estimated at 29,800 acres, down 2 percent from 1998 and 4 percent below 1997. Frost

damage in Yuba and Sutter counties appears to have been more prevalent than earlier reports indicated. 

Peach Rust continues to be a problem for some growers due to early spring rains.

This report was approved on May 12, 1999.

Acting Secretary of

Agriculture

Richard E. Rominger

Agricultural Statistics Board

Chairperson

Rich Allen
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 3 NASS, USDA

Contents

Page

Almonds ..............................................................................8

Avocados . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Bananas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Cotton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16

Cottonseed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18

Cotton - Boll Counts and Harvesting Loss . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

Crop Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Fruit, Citrus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Guavas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Hay Stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6

Information Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

Papayas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Peaches ...............................................................................8

Potatoes, Spring . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

Taro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Tobacco by Class and Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

Tobacco by States . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Tobacco - Farm Marketings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15

Weather Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28

Wheat, Durum . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Wheat, by Class . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Wheat, Winter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 4 NASS, USDA

Winter Wheat: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by State

and United States, 1998 and Forecasted May 1, 1999

State

Planted Harvested Yield Production

1999 1998 1999 1998 1999 1998 1999

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres Bushels Bushels 1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels

AL

AZ

AR

CA

CO

DE

FL

GA

ID

IL

IN

IA

KS

KY

LA

MD

MI

MN

MS

MO

MT

NE

NV

NJ

NM

NY

NC

ND

OH

OK

OR

PA

SC

SD

TN

TX

UT

VA

WA

WV

WI

WY

US

115

10

910

500

2,600

75

10

300

760

1,050

550

30

10,000

650

120

215

620

65

170

1,020

1,050

2,000

11

42

445

120

650

50

1,050

6,400

710

210

225

1,300

520

6,200

150

280

1,900

11

125

180

43,399

85

8

900

380

2,550

73

13

240

770

1,200

650

32

10,100

550

90

215

570

57

150

1,250

1,250

1,800

6

44

265

130

680

60

1,160

5,100

790

190

240

1,420

370

3,900

150

245

2,100

8

135

200

40,126

70

10

830

390

2,400

73

9

230

710

1,020

510

25

9,500

470

110

205

600

63

155

950

1,000

1,900

10

32

265

115

600

48

1,030

4,500

640

205

215

1,260

300

3,400

145

250

1,800

8

120

170

36,343

42.0

90.0

51.0

60.0

39.0

51.0

43.0

43.0

82.0

48.0

55.0

40.0

49.0

45.0

44.0

50.0

54.0

27.0

45.0

46.0

39.0

46.0

100.0

52.0

30.0

54.0

41.0

35.0

64.0

39.0

67.0

51.0

32.0

43.0

41.0

35.0

50.0

45.0

65.0

57.0

55.0

32.0

46.9

47.0

85.0

53.0

70.0

38.0

58.0

40.0

48.0

77.0

52.0

57.0

43.0

43.0

54.0

43.0

55.0

54.0

28.0

46.0

48.0

40.0

40.0

90.0

54.0

30.0

56.0

46.0

32.0

61.0

34.0

59.0

52.0

43.0

42.0

47.0

31.0

50.0

58.0

64.0

54.0

57.0

33.0

44.4

3,570

720

45,900

22,800

99,450

3,723

559

10,320

63,140

57,600

35,750

1,280

494,900

24,750

3,960

10,750

30,780

1,539

6,750

57,500

48,750

82,800

600

2,288

7,950

7,020

27,880

2,100

74,240

198,900

52,930

9,690

7,680

61,060

15,170

136,500

7,500

11,025

136,500

456

7,425

6,400

1,880,605

3,290

850

43,990

27,300

91,200

4,234

360

11,040

54,670

53,040

29,070

1,075

408,500

25,380

4,730

11,275

32,400

1,764

7,130

45,600

40,000

76,000

900

1,728

7,950

6,440

27,600

1,536

62,830

153,000

37,760

10,660

9,245

52,920

14,100

105,400

7,250

14,500

115,200

432

6,840

5,610

1,614,799
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 5 NASS, USDA

Durum Wheat: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by State

and United States, 1997-98 and Forecasted May 1, 1999 1

State

Area Harvested Yield Production

1998 1999 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres Bushels Bushels 1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels

AZ

CA

MN

MT

ND

SD

US

144

175

5

430

2,950

24

3,728

75

105

105.0

90.0

37.0

28.0

33.0

26.0

37.8

95.0

95.0

8,010

13,680

180

7,540

57,860

513

87,783

15,120

15,750

185

12,040

97,350

624

141,069

7,125

9,975

1 Area harvested for U.S. and northern States will be published in "Acreage" released June 30, 1999. Yield and production will be published

in "Crop Production" released July 12, 1999.

Wheat: Production by Class, United States, 1997-98

and Forecasted May 1, 1999 1

Year

Winter Spring

Hard Total

Red

Soft

Red White HardRed White Durum

1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels 1,000 Bushels

1997

1998

1999

1,098,303

1,182,092

989,274

471,987

442,639

410,675

275,238

255,874

214,850

491,324

486,781

56,831

41,928

87,783

141,069

2,481,466

2,550,383

1 Wheat class estimates are based on varietal acreage survey data available for all wheat producing States. Unless unusual situations dictate,

the previous end-of-season class percentages are used throughout the forecast season.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 6 NASS, USDA

Hay: Stocks on Farms by State and United States,

December 1 and May 1, 1996-99

State Dec 1 May 1

1996 1997 1998 1997 1998 1999

1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons

AL

AZ

AR

CA

CO

CT

DE

FL

GA

ID

IL

IN

IA

KS

KY

LA

ME

MD

MA

MI

MN

MS

MO

MT

NE

NV

NH

NJ

NM

NY

NC

ND

OH

OK

OR

PA

RI

SC

SD

TN

TX

UT

VT

VA

WA

WV

WI

WY

US

1,489

82

1,888

2,594

2,006

97

11

437

924

2,285

1,258

1,131

3,500

5,600

4,334

502

202

433

108

2,514

4,018

1,620

6,470

4,674

5,063

758

70

92

546

2,254

1,160

4,777

2,074

4,397

2,108

2,613

6

308

8,530

3,049

6,252

1,327

330

2,666

1,162

895

4,600

1,965

105,179

1,646

171

2,075

1,598

2,133

69

7

436

1,045

2,743

1,327

1,213

3,374

5,609

3,615

668

152

381

92

1,993

3,647

1,530

6,239

5,042

4,549

708

49

138

479

1,998

1,162

4,069

2,387

4,444

1,600

2,299

9

410

7,888

3,184

8,764

1,658

261

1,591

1,295

848

4,320

2,129

103,044

1,213

177

1,900

3,246

2,807

77

18

357

1,000

3,329

2,100

1,775

4,500

6,500

4,695

290

196

333

101

2,093

5,261

1,500

6,933

4,568

5,170

857

72

121

450

1,990

1,189

4,064

2,558

3,042

2,159

2,800

12

415

9,500

3,175

5,496

1,695

328

1,693

1,663

949

5,100

2,372

111,839

193

28

236

160

209

13

6

31

302

286

286

162

715

841

627

126

57

84

31

460

540

160

872

492

968

61

12

27

74

555

137

675

173

790

97

600

1

101

1,570

419

1,400

302

86

622

283

117

1,150

287

17,424

191

34

272

420

616

16

5

65

203

520

474

327

623

889

603

103

25

55

17

414

640

198

881

1,151

1,222

151

9

20

165

344

152

744

616

919

621

452

1

82

2,031

555

2,191

435

73

250

308

110

1,271

363

21,827

141

28

260

406

966

13

8

27

209

777

543

350

1,050

1,525

913

58

56

76

40

556

1,493

200

1,387

1,104

1,306

233

17

15

170

435

163

545

581

507

135

730

2

96

2,000

635

1,450

485

116

417

410

150

1,400

611

24,795
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 7 NASS, USDA

Citrus Fruits: Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States,

1996-97, 1997-98 and Forecasted May 1, 1999 1

Crop and State

Utilized Production

Boxes

Utilized Production

Ton Equivalent

1996-97 1997-98 1998-99 1996-97 1997-98 1998-99

1,000 Boxes 2 1,000 Boxes 2 1,000 Boxes 2 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons

Oranges

 Early Mid &

 Navel 3

 AZ 4

 CA 4

 FL

 TX

 US

 Valencia

 AZ 4

 CA 4

 FL

 TX

 US

 All

 AZ 4

 CA 4

 FL

 TX

 US

Temples

 FL

Grapefruit

 White Seedless

 FL 5

 Colored Seedless

 FL 6

 Other

 FL

 All

 AZ 4

 CA 4

 FL 5 6

 TX

 US

Tangerines

 AZ 4 7

 CA 4 7

 FL

 US

Lemons 4

 AZ

 CA

 US

Tangelos

 FL

K-Early Citrus

 FL

400

40,000

134,200

1,300

175,900

600

24,000

92,000

120

116,720

1,000

64,000

226,200

1,420

292,620

2,400

23,500

31,400

900

900

8,200

55,800

5,300

70,200

550

2,600

6,300

9,450

2,600

22,600

25,200

3,950

150

350

44,000

140,000

1,350

185,700

650

25,000

104,000

175

129,825

1,000

69,000

244,000

1,525

315,525

2,250

18,300

30,600

650

800

9,000

49,550

4,800

64,150

600

2,400

5,200

8,200

2,600

22,000

24,600

2,850

40

550

17,000

112,000

1,300

130,850

650

17,000

76,000

170

93,820

1,200

34,000

188,000

1,470

224,670

1,800

18,000

29,500

600

700

8,500

48,100

5,600

62,900

900

1,700

4,950

7,550

3,500

18,000

21,500

2,550

80

15

1,500

6,039

55

7,609

23

900

4,140

5

5,068

38

2,400

10,179

60

12,677

108

999

1,334

38

30

275

2,371

212

2,888

21

98

299

418

99

859

958

178

7

13

1,650

6,300

57

8,020

25

938

4,680

7

5,650

38

2,588

10,980

64

13,670

101

777

1,301

28

27

301

2,106

192

2,626

23

90

247

360

99

836

935

128

2

21

638

5,040

55

5,754

24

638

3,420

7

4,089

45

1,276

8,460

62

9,843

81

765

1,254

26

23

285

2,045

224

2,577

34

64

235

333

133

684

817

115

4 1

 The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest the following year. 2 Net lbs. per box: 

oranges-AZ & CA-75, FL-90, TX-85; grapefruit-AZ & CA-67, FL-85, TX-80; lemons-76; tangelos, K-Early Citrus & Temples-90; tangerinesAZ & CA-75, FL-95. 3

 Navel and miscellaneous varieties in AZ and CA. Early (including Navel) and midseason varieties in FL and TX. Small

quantities of tangerines in TX. 4

 Estimates for current year carried forward from earlier forecast. 5 Excludes White Seedless economic

abandonment of 3,000,000 boxes in 1996-97 and 5,000,000 boxes in 1997-98. 6

 Excludes Colored Seedless economic abandonment of

3,000,000 boxes in 1996-97 and 1,000,000 boxes in 1997-98. 7

 Includes tangelos and tangors.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 8 NASS, USDA

Spring Potatoes: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by State

and United States, 1997-98 and Forecasted May 1, 1999 1

State

Area Harvested Yield Production

1998 1999 1998 1999 1997 1998 1999

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres Cwt Cwt 1,000 Cwt 1,000 Cwt 1,000 Cwt

AL

AZ

CA

FL

 Hastings

 Other FL

NC

TX

US

1.7

8.1

18.5

34.5

24.5

10.0

17.5

10.3

90.6

1.6

9.4

19.5

29.0

22.0

7.0

16.5

9.8

85.8

130

282

335

213

235

160

190

170

233

175

290

365

261

280

200

195

235

270

272

1,820

8,073

7,150

5,258

1,892

3,287

1,697

22,299

221

2,284

6,198

7,358

5,758

1,600

3,325

1,751

21,137

280

2,726

7,118

7,560

6,160

1,400

3,218

2,303

23,205

Peaches: Total Production by Crop, California,

1997-1998 and Forecasted May 1, 1999

State

Total Production

1997 1998 1999

Million Pounds Million Pounds Million Pounds

Freestone

Clingstone 1

Total

739.0

1,148.0

1,887.0

707.3

1,044.2

1,751.5

740.0

1,050.0

1,790.0 1 CA Clingstone is over-the-scale tonnage and includes culls and cannery diversions.

Almonds (shelled basis): Utilized Production,

California, 1997-98 and Forecasted May 1, 1999

State

Utilized Production

1997 1998 1 1999

1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds

CA 759,000 520,000 760,000

1 Revised.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 9 NASS, USDA

Avocados: Bearing Acreage, Yield, Production, Price,

and Value, by State and United States, 1997-99

Year Bearing

Acreage 1

Yield

per

Acre

Production Utilization

Total Utilized Fresh Processed

Acres Tons Tons Tons Tons Tons

CA

 1997-98

 1998-99

FL

 1997-98

 1998-99

HI

 1997-98

 1998-99

US

 1997-98

 1998-99

59,900

59,400

5,900

6,000

250

240

66,050

65,640

2.57

2.04

4.07

3.83

1.00

1.04

2.70

2.20

154,000

121,000

24,000

23,000

250

250

178,250

144,250

154,000

121,000

24,000

23,000

250

250

178,250

144,250

152,500

119,300

24,000

23,000

250

250

176,750

142,550

1,500

1,700

1,500

1,700

Price per Ton Value of Production

Fresh Processed All Fresh Processed All

Dollars Dollars Dollars 1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars

CA

 1997-98

 1998-99

FL

 1997-98

 1998-99

HI

 1997-98

 1998-99

US

 1997-98

 1998-99

1,720.00

1,640.00

584.00

716.00

1,060.00

1,040.00

1,560.00

1,490.00

782.00

597.00

782.00

597.00

1,710.00

1,630.00

584.00

716.00

1,060.00

1,040.00

1,560.00

1,480.00

262,300

195,652

14,016

16,468

265

260

276,581

212,380

1,173

1,015

1,173

1,015

263,473

196,667

14,016

16,468

265

260

277,754

213,395 1 Bearing acreage estimates are based on periodic orchard inventory surveys.

Papayas: Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii, 1998-99

Month

Area Fresh Production

Total in Crop Harvested 1998 1999

1998 1999 1998 1999

Acres Acres Acres Acres 1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds

Mar

Apr

3,205

3,205

3,735

3,750

1,750

1,775

2,110

2,150

2,845

3,375

2,830

3,085

Bananas, Guavas, Papayas, and Taro: Area Harvested, Yield,

and Production, Hawaii, 1997-98

Crop

Area Harvested Yield Production

1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998

Acres Acres 1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds

Bananas 1 2

Guavas 2

Papayas 1 2

Taro 1 3

950

730

1,985

450

1,420

710

2,120

490

14.4

21.8

19.5

14.8

20.6

18.8

13,700

15,900

38,800

5,500

21,000

14,600

39,900

6,000 1 1998 revised. 2 Only utilized production is estimated. 3 Acreage is total acres in crop, not harvested acreage. Yield is not estimated.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 10 NASS, USDA

Tobacco: Area Harvested, Yield, Production, Price, and Value

by State and United States, 1997-98 1

State

Area Harvested Yield Production

1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998

Acres Acres Pounds Pounds 1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds

CT

FL

GA

IN

KY

MD

MA

MO

NC

OH

PA

SC

TN

VA

WV

WI

US

2,545

7,300

43,000

8,900

250,500

8,000

1,175

3,000

321,400

11,400

8,100

54,000

59,480

53,080

1,800

2,550

836,230

2,815

6,800

41,000

8,500

226,260

6,500

1,265

2,700

251,100

9,800

7,800

45,000

59,415

45,000

1,600

2,100

717,655

1,622

2,610

2,075

2,100

1,988

1,500

1,628

2,345

2,275

1,950

2,100

2,340

1,922

2,215

1,700

2,231

2,137

1,519

2,515

2,200

2,000

1,961

1,400

1,413

2,130

2,197

1,830

2,015

2,050

1,870

2,131

1,350

1,687

2,061

4,128

19,053

89,225

18,690

497,928

12,000

1,913

7,035

731,199

22,230

17,020

126,360

114,292

117,576

3,060

5,690

1,787,399

4,276

17,102

90,200

17,000

443,628

9,100

1,788

5,751

551,730

17,934

15,720

92,250

111,100

95,898

2,160

3,542

1,479,179

Price

per Pound

Value of

Production

1997 1998 1997 1998

Dollars Dollars 1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars

CT 2

FL

GA

IN

KY

MD

MA 2

MO

NC

OH

PA

SC

TN

VA

WV

WI

US

6.000

1.721

1.712

1.870

1.903

1.720

9.500

1.895

1.720

1.869

1.490

1.735

1.952

1.765

1.878

1.505

1.802

5.400

1.697

1.707

1.897

1.917

1.630

5.670

1.905

1.771

1.904

1.101

1.711

1.963

1.816

1.915

1.497

1.828

13,884

32,790

152,753

34,950

947,528

20,640

12,569

13,331

1,257,705

41,548

25,360

219,235

223,092

207,479

5,747

8,565

3,217,176

12,398

29,022

153,971

32,249

850,470

14,833

7,581

10,956

977,267

34,146

17,301

157,840

218,097

174,193

4,136

5,304

2,699,764 1 1998 revised. 2 CT and MA type 61 price and value not published to avoid disclosure; not included in U.S. total.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 11 NASS, USDA

Tobacco: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Class, Type,

State, and United States, 1997 - 1998 1

Class and Type

Area Harvested Yield Production

1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998

Acres Acres Pounds Pounds 1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds

Class 1, Flue-cured

 Type 11, Old Belts

 NC

 VA

 US

 Type 12, Eastern NC

 Belt

 NC

 Type 13, NC Border &

 SC Belt

 NC

 SC

 US

 Type 14, GA-FL Belt

 FL

 GA

 US

 Total 11-14

Class 2, Fire-cured

 Type 21, VA Belt

 VA

 Type 22, Eastern

 District

 KY

 TN

 US

 Type 23, Western

 District

 KY

 TN

 US

 Total 21-23

Class 3, Air-cured

 Class 3A, Light

 Air-cured

 Type 31, Burley

 IN

 KY

 MO

 NC

 OH

 TN

 VA

 WV

 US

 Type 32, Southern MD

 Belt

 MD

 PA

 US

 Total 31-32

88,000

41,000

129,000

185,000

40,000

54,000

94,000

7,300

43,000

50,300

458,300

1,200

3,750

7,400

11,150

3,600

600

4,200

16,550

8,900

240,000

3,000

8,400

11,400

51,000

10,800

1,800

335,300

8,000

3,200

11,200

346,500

69,000

33,000

102,000

143,000

31,000

45,000

76,000

6,800

41,000

47,800

368,800

1,500

3,850

7,300

11,150

3,600

590

4,190

16,840

8,500

215,000

2,700

8,100

9,800

51,000

10,400

1,600

307,100

6,500

3,300

9,800

316,900

2,070

2,315

2,148

2,365

2,455

2,340

2,389

2,610

2,075

2,153

2,285

1,640

2,560

2,480

2,507

2,970

2,750

2,939

2,554

2,100

1,960

2,345

1,585

1,950

1,830

1,905

1,700

1,934

1,500

1,950

1,629

1,925

2,285

2,220

2,264

2,240

2,000

2,050

2,030

2,515

2,200

2,245

2,204

1,560

2,315

2,330

2,325

2,805

2,500

2,762

2,365

2,000

1,935

2,130

1,450

1,830

1,795

1,940

1,350

1,896

1,400

1,900

1,568

1,886

182,160

94,915

277,075

437,525

98,200

126,360

224,560

19,053

89,225

108,278

1,047,438

1,968

9,600

18,352

27,952

10,692

1,650

12,342

42,262

18,690

470,400

7,035

13,314

22,230

93,330

20,574

3,060

648,633

12,000

6,240

18,240

666,873

157,665

73,260

230,925

320,320

62,000

92,250

154,250

17,102

90,200

107,302

812,797

2,340

8,913

17,009

25,922

10,098

1,475

11,573

39,835

17,000

416,025

5,751

11,745

17,934

91,545

20,176

2,160

582,336

9,100

6,270

15,370

597,706

See footnotes at end of table. --continued
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 12 NASS, USDA

Tobacco: Area Harvested, Yield, and Production by Class, Type, State,

and United States, 1997 - 1998 1

 (continued)

Class and Type

Area Harvested Yield Production

1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998

Acres Acres Pounds Pounds 1,000 Pounds 1,000 Pounds

Class 3, Air-cured

Class 3B, Dark

 Air-cured

 Type 35, One Sucker

 Belt

 KY

 TN

 US

 Type 36, Green River

 Belt

 KY

 Type 37, VA Sun-cured

 Belt

 VA

 Total 35-37

Class 4, Cigar Filler

 Type 41, PA Seedleaf

 PA

Class 5, Cigar Binder

 Class 5A, CT Valley

 Binder

 Type 51, CT Valley

 Broadleaf

 CT

 MA

 US

 Class 5B, WI Binder

 Type 54, Southern WI

 WI

 Type 55, Northern WI

 WI

 Total 54-55

 Total 51-55

Class 6, Cigar Wrapper

 Type 61, CT Valley

 Shade-grown

 CT

 MA

 US

All Cigar Types

 Total 41-61

All Tobacco

2,050

480

2,530

1,100

80

3,710

4,900

1,315

725

2,040

1,800

750

2,550

4,590

1,230

450

1,680

11,170

836,230

2,450

525

2,975

1,360

100

4,435

4,500

1,435

925

2,360

1,500

600

2,100

4,460

1,380

340

1,720

10,680

717,655

2,290

2,000

2,235

2,310

1,490

2,241

2,200

1,760

1,825

1,783

2,330

1,995

2,231

2,032

1,475

1,310

1,431

2,015

2,137

2,280

2,040

2,238

2,210

1,220

2,206

2,100

1,600

1,445

1,539

1,735

1,565

1,687

1,609

1,435

1,325

1,413

1,784

2,061

4,695

960

5,655

2,541

119

8,315

10,780

2,314

1,323

3,637

4,194

1,496

5,690

9,327

1,814

590

2,404

22,511

1,787,399

5,586

1,071

6,657

3,006

122

9,785

9,450

2,296

1,337

3,633

2,603

939

3,542

7,175

1,980

451

2,431

19,056

1,479,179 1 1998 Revised.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 13 NASS, USDA

Tobacco: Price and Value by Class, Type,

State, and United States, 1997-98 1

Class and Type

Price per

Pound

Value of

Production

1997 1998 1997 1998

Dollars Dollars 1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars

Class 1, Flue-cured

 Type 11, Old Belts

 NC

 VA

 US

 Type 12, Eastern NC

 Belt

 NC

 Type 13, NC Border &

 SC Belt

 NC

 SC

 US

 Type 14, GA-FL Belt

 FL

 GA

 US

 Total 11-14

Class 2, Fire-cured

 Type 21, VA Belt

 VA

 Type 22, Eastern

 District

 KY

 TN

 US

 Type 23, Western

 District

 KY

 TN

 US

 Total 21-23

Class 3, Air-cured

 Class 3A, Light

 Air-cured

 Type 31, Burley

 IN

 KY

 MO

 NC

 OH

 TN

 VA

 WV

 US

 Type 32, Southern MD

 Belt

 MD

 PA

 US

 Total 31-32

1.710

1.727

1.716

1.720

1.720

1.735

1.728

1.721

1.712

1.714

1.720

2.125

2.268

2.260

2.263

2.242

2.226

2.240

2.250

1.870

1.886

1.895

1.860

1.869

1.886

1.903

1.878

1.885

1.720

1.300

1.576

1.877

1.780

1.792

1.784

1.773

1.716

1.711

1.713

1.697

1.707

1.705

1.756

1.936

2.259

2.251

2.254

2.159

2.159

2.159

2.208

1.897

1.903

1.905

1.899

1.904

1.907

1.892

1.915

1.903

1.630

0.800

1.291

1.887

311,494

163,918

475,412

752,543

168,904

219,235

388,139

32,790

152,753

185,543

1,801,637

4,182

21,773

41,476

63,249

23,971

3,673

27,644

95,075

34,950

887,174

13,331

24,764

41,548

176,020

39,152

5,747

1,222,686

20,640

8,112

28,752

1,251,438

280,644

131,282

411,926

567,927

106,392

157,840

264,232

29,022

153,971

182,993

1,427,078

4,530

20,134

38,287

58,421

21,802

3,185

24,987

87,938

32,249

791,696

10,956

22,304

34,146

174,576

38,173

4,136

1,108,236

14,833

5,016

19,849

1,128,085

See footnotes at end of table. --continued
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 14 NASS, USDA

Tobacco: Price and Value by Class, Type, State,

and United States, 1997-98 1

 (continued)

Class and Type

Price per

Pound

Value of

Production

1997 1998 1997 1998

Dollars Dollars 1,000 Dollars 1,000 Dollars

Class 3, Air-cured

Class 3B, Dark

 Air-cured

 Type 35, One Sucker

 Belt

 KY

 TN

 US

 Type 36, Green River

 Belt

 KY

 Type 37, VA Sun-cured

 Belt

 VA

 Total 35-37

Class 4, Cigar Filler

 Type 41, PA Seedleaf

 PA

Class 5, Cigar Binder

 Class 5A, CT Valley

 Binder

 Type 51, CT Valley

 Broadleaf

 CT

 MA

 US

 Class 5B, WI Binder

 Type 54, Southern WI

 WI

 Type 55, Northern WI

 WI

 Total 54-55

 Total 51-55

Class 6, Cigar Wrapper

 Type 61, CT Valley

 Shade-grown

 CT 2

 MA 2

 US 2

All Cigar Types

 Total 41-55

All Tobacco

2.011

2.003

2.010

2.034

1.908

2.016

1.600

6.000

9.500

7.273

1.500

1.520

1.505

3.754

2.599

1.802

1.952

1.913

1.946

1.974

1.709

1.951

1.300

5.400

5.670

5.499

1.500

1.490

1.497

3.524

2.260

1.828

9,442

1,923

11,365

5,168

227

16,760

17,248

13,884

12,569

26,453

6,291

2,274

8,565

35,018

52,266

3,217,176

10,904

2,049

12,953

5,934

208

19,095

12,285

12,398

7,581

19,979

3,905

1,399

5,304

25,283

37,568

2,699,764 1 1998 revised. 2 CT and MA type 61 price and value not published to avoid disclosure; not included in U.S. total.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 15 NASS, USDA

Tobacco: Farm Marketings, Percent of Sales by Class,

Month, and State, 1998 Marketing Year

Class

and

State

1998 1999

Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Jan Feb Mar Apr Total

Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent Percent

Flue-cured

 FL

 GA

 NC

 SC

 VA

Fire-cured

 VA

 KY

 TN

Air-cured

 IN

 KY

 MD

 MO

 NC

 OH

 PA 1

 TN

 VA

 WV 1

13

9

4

7

27

26

29

34

27

41

44

44

42

38

19

21

22

17

32

1

3

14

18

30

26

15

23

25

79

42

47

33

50

39

60

58

21

63

43

35

28

21

24

37

17

17

32

48

9

7

16

9

5

9

61 39

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

100

1 Sales by month are not available.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 16 NASS, USDA

Cotton: Area Planted and Harvested and Yield

by Type, State, and United States, 1997-98 1

Type

and

State

Area

Planted

Area

Harvested Yield

1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres Pounds Pounds

Upland

 AL

 AZ

 AR

 CA

 FL

 GA

 KS

 LA

 MS

 MO

 NM

 NC

 OK

 SC

 TN

 TX

 VA

 US

Amer-Pima

 AZ

 CA

 NM

 TX

 US

All

 AL

 AZ

 AR

 CA

 FL

 GA

 KS

 LA

 MS

 MO

 NM

 NC

 OK

 SC

 TN

 TX

 VA

 US

535.0

325.0

980.0

880.0

100.0

1,440.0

12.0

655.0

985.0

395.0

70.0

690.0

200.0

290.0

490.0

5,500.0

101.0

13,648.0

22.0

185.0

11.0

32.0

250.0

535.0

347.0

980.0

1,065.0

100.0

1,440.0

12.0

655.0

985.0

395.0

81.0

690.0

200.0

290.0

490.0

5,532.0

101.0

13,898.0

495.0

250.0

920.0

650.0

89.0

1,370.0

17.0

535.0

950.0

370.0

66.3

710.0

160.0

290.0

450.0

5,650.0

92.0

13,064.3

15.9

200.0

7.3

105.0

328.2

495.0

265.9

920.0

850.0

89.0

1,370.0

17.0

535.0

950.0

370.0

73.6

710.0

160.0

290.0

450.0

5,755.0

92.0

13,392.5

442.0

324.0

965.0

875.0

99.0

1,425.0

10.0

650.0

970.0

390.0

66.0

685.0

190.0

286.0

480.0

5,200.0

100.0

13,157.0

22.0

184.0

11.0

32.0

249.0

442.0

346.0

965.0

1,059.0

99.0

1,425.0

10.0

650.0

970.0

390.0

77.0

685.0

190.0

286.0

480.0

5,232.0

100.0

13,406.0

475.0

248.0

900.0

620.0

80.0

1,280.0

16.5

525.0

940.0

357.0

60.3

705.0

120.0

286.0

445.0

3,300.0

91.0

10,448.8

15.5

180.0

7.3

32.0

234.8

475.0

263.5

900.0

800.0

80.0

1,280.0

16.5

525.0

940.0

357.0

67.6

705.0

120.0

286.0

445.0

3,332.0

91.0

10,683.6

597

1,255

837

1,202

577

646

418

728

901

695

676

652

462

688

662

474

659

666

912

1,141

641

815

1,056

597

1,233

837

1,191

577

646

418

728

901

695

671

652

462

688

662

477

659

673

559

1,177

645

887

489

578

404

586

737

471

640

699

560

587

589

524

765

619

830

941

658

791

904

559

1,156

645

899

489

578

404

586

737

471

642

699

560

587

589

526

765

625 1 1998 revised.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 17 NASS, USDA

Cotton: Production and Bales Ginned by Type,

State, and United States, 1997-98

Type

and

State

Production in

480-lb Net Weight

Bales 1

Lintseed

Ratio 2

Bales Ginned in

480-lb Net Weight

Bales 3

1997 1998 4 1997 1998 1997 1998

1,000 Bales 1,000 Bales Bales Bales

Upland

 AL

 AZ

 AR

 CA

 FL 5

 GA

 KS 5

 LA

 MS

 MO

 NM

 NC

 OK

 SC

 TN

 TX

 VA

 US

Amer-Pima

 AZ

 CA

 NM

 TX

 US

All

 AL

 AZ

 AR

 CA

 FL 5

 GA

 KS 5

 LA

 MS

 MO

 NM

 NC

 OK

 SC

 TN

 TX

 VA

 US

550.0

847.0

1,683.0

2,191.0

119.1

1,919.0

8.7

986.0

1,821.0

565.0

93.0

930.0

183.0

410.0

662.0

5,140.0

137.2

18,245.0

41.8

437.2

14.7

54.3

548.0

550.0

888.8

1,683.0

2,628.2

119.1

1,919.0

8.7

986.0

1,821.0

565.0

107.7

930.0

183.0

410.0

662.0

5,194.3

137.2

18,793.0

553.0

608.0

1,209.0

1,146.0

81.5

1,542.0

13.9

641.0

1,444.0

350.0

80.4

1,026.0

140.0

350.0

546.0

3,600.0

145.1

13,475.9

26.8

352.8

10.0

52.7

442.3

553.0

634.8

1,209.0

1,498.8

81.5

1,542.0

13.9

641.0

1,444.0

350.0

90.4

1,026.0

140.0

350.0

546.0

3,652.7

145.1

13,918.2

0.383

0.396

0.392

0.380

0.377

0.383

0.398

0.391

0.382

0.373

545,900

824,550

1,654,750

2,212,950

1,942,100

1,022,000

1,808,400

555,350

69,250

941,150

180,550

395,750

660,600

5,164,750

133,050

18,239,650

42,350

436,600

10,500

58,500

547,950

545,900

866,900

1,654,750

2,649,550

1,942,100

1,022,000

1,808,400

555,350

79,750

941,150

180,550

395,750

660,600

5,223,250

133,050

18,787,600

555,000

591,400

1,191,650

1,162,450

1,564,150

665,650

1,435,050

343,150

63,600

1,039,000

142,300

342,200

543,400

3,616,950

135,400

13,470,100

26,750

352,750

6,900

55,750

442,150

555,000

618,150

1,191,650

1,515,200

1,564,150

665,650

1,435,050

343,150

70,500

1,039,000

142,300

342,200

543,400

3,672,700

135,400

13,912,250 1 Production ginned and to be ginned. 2 Estimates available only for the five States shown. Three-year average. 3 Equivalent 480-lb net weight bales ginned, not adjusted for cross-State movement. 4 1998 revised. 5 Bales withheld to avoid disclosure of individual gins, but are included in U.S. totals.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 18 NASS, USDA

Cottonseed: Production and Farm Disposition

by State and United States, 1997-98 1

State

Production

Farm Disposition Used for

Planting Sales to 3

Oil Mills Other 2

1997 1998 1997 1998 1997 1998 1998 1999

1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons 1,000 Tons

AL

AZ

AR

CA

FL

GA

KS

LA

MS

MO

NM

NC

OK

SC

TN

TX

VA

US

196.0

312.0

632.0

942.0

45.0

660.0

3.1

359.0

704.0

223.0

40.5

321.0

72.0

142.0

260.0

1,983.0

40.0

6,934.6

192.0

288.0

478.0

544.0

26.0

658.0

5.8

236.0

561.0

135.0

32.6

351.0

54.0

122.0

205.0

1,558.0

51.0

5,497.4

87.0

73.0

528.0

153.0

31.0

332.0

3.1

206.0

660.0

148.0

2.3

63.0

56.0

89.0

208.0

1,543.0

0.0

4,182.4

67.0

52.0

422.0

84.0

14.0

286.0

5.6

134.0

543.0

121.0

4.5

88.0

47.0

69.0

154.0

1,227.0

0.0

3,318.1

109.0

239.0

104.0

789.0

14.0

328.0

0.0

153.0

44.0

75.0

38.2

258.0

16.0

53.0

52.0

440.0

40.0

2,752.2

125.0

236.0

56.0

460.0

12.0

372.0

0.2

102.0

18.0

14.0

28.1

263.0

7.0

53.0

51.0

331.0

51.0

2,179.3

5.7

2.4

8.7

7.2

1.0

16.4

0.2

4.8

9.5

3.9

0.8

6.4

1.8

2.0

4.7

57.6

0.8

133.9

6.4

2.4

9.1

7.1

1.1

18.0

0.3

5.1

11.0

3.9

0.7

6.9

2.5

2.0

5.3

57.4

0.9

140.1 1 1997 crop revised, 1998 crop preliminary. 2 Includes planting seed, feed, exports, inter-farm sales, shrinkage, losses, and other uses. 3 Included in "other" farm disposition. Planting seed from previous years’ crop.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 19 NASS, USDA

Cotton: Cumulative Large Bolls and Harvesting Loss

The National Agricultural Statistics Service conducted cotton objective yield surveys in 5 States which accounted for 60

percent of the 1998 U.S. Upland cotton production. Plots were randomly selected from a scientific sample of cotton

fields. Two sample plots per field were visited monthly from August 1 through harvest to obtain specific counts and

measurements. The “large bolls” are total bolls counted from August through harvest. This count includes only bolls

greater than one inch in diameter and burrs. Data in this table are actual field counts from this survey.

Cotton: Cumulative Large Bolls and Harvesting Loss

by State, 1989-98

Year

Arkansas California

Large Bolls 1

Harvest

Loss

per Acre

Large Bolls 1

Harvest

Loss

per Acre

Number Pounds Number Pounds

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

578

669

782

817

753

812

689

741

811

640

57

74

89

73

105

83

66

64

101

122

802

843

814

819

839

806

680

744

697

655

125

131

110

116

122

133

105

165

103

180

Louisiana Mississippi

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

708

888

770

875

661

748

615

607

643

600

83

78

68

60

65

75

49

52

45

75

710

693

726

708

608

760

607

729

833

821

90

93

90

84

76

99

78

82

76

84

Texas Blank

1989

1990

1991

1992

1993

1994

1995

1996

1997

1998

369

489

430

489

489

486

415

498

458

482

32

39

41

53

36

41

36

39

27

37 1 Total large bolls in 40 feet of row.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 20 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1998-99

(Domestic Units) 1

Crop

Area Planted Area Harvested

1998 1999 1998 1999

1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres 1,000 Acres

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain 2

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Rice

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain 2

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All

 Upland

 Amer-Pima

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas

 Dry Edible Beans

 Dry Edible Peas

 Lentils

 Wrinkled Seed Peas

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Ginger Root (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 3

6,340.0

80,187.0

4,902.0

3,345.0

1,571.0

9,626.0

65,871.0

46,449.0

3,805.0

15,617.0

1,127.0

336.0

98.9

1,521.0

4.8

303.0

72,375.0

3,553.0

13,392.5

13,064.3

328.2

1,497.9

9.0

2,010.1

323.4

162.0

1,422.7

15.5

93.0

73.0

1,241.2

86.8

5,274.0

78,219.0

4,732.0

3,580.0

1,590.0

8,804.0

63,029.0

43,399.0

4,270.0

15,360.0

521.0

1,508.0

73,105.0

3,955.0

13,944.2

13,639.0

305.2

1,547.7

2,045.5

17.9

87.7

86.7

5,867.0

72,604.0

5,919.0

60,016.0

23,642.0

36,374.0

2,765.0

3,317.0

418.0

7,723.0

305.0

59,002.0

40,126.0

3,728.0

15,148.0

1,092.0

329.0

95.6

1,467.0

4.7

285.0

70,811.0

3,476.0

10,683.6

10,448.8

234.8

1,451.6

951.5

717.7

7.4

1,913.9

309.1

158.5

6.1

0.4

36.6

124.0

1,393.7

15.0

90.6

68.1

1,220.0

27.4

83.8

0.5

60,093.0

2,686.0

36,343.0

647.9

17.7

85.8

1

 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1999 crop

year. 2

 Area planted for all purposes. 3 Acreage is total acres in crop, not harvested acreage.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 21 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 1998-99

(Domestic Units) 1

Crop Unit

Yield Production

1998 1999 1998 1999

1,000 1,000

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Rice 2

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed 3

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All 2

 Upland 2

 Amer-Pima 2

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas 2

 Dry Edible Beans 2

 Dry Edible Peas 2

 Lentils 2

 Wrinkled Seed Peas

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Ginger Root (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 3

Bu

"

Ton

"

"

"

Bu

Cwt

Bu

"

Ton

Bu

"

"

"

Lb

Ton

Bu

Lb

"

"

"

Bu

Lb

Bale

"

"

Ton

"

Lb

Cwt

"

"

"

"

Lb

"

"

"

Cwt

"

"

"

"

Lb

Cwt

Lb

60.1

134.4

16.0

2.52

3.47

1.91

60.4

5,669

28.2

67.3

11.4

43.2

46.9

37.8

34.9

1,455

20.4

855

2,702

1,353

1,446

38.9

1,509

625

619

904

22.5

35.8

2,061

1,405

1,611

1,920

1,223

1,480

50,000

1,625

78

343

199

233

277

356

109

142

44.4

204

270

352,445

9,761,085

94,525

151,338

82,010

69,328

167,122

188,051

11,795

519,933

3,487

2,550,383

1,880,605

141,069

528,709

1,588,620

5,497

6,708

81,750

3,963,440

6,360

412,085

2,756,794

5,246,701

13,918.2

13,475.9

442.3

32,660

34,057

1,479,179

104

30,828

5,934

1,938

674

9,000

18,000

59,548

9,727

477,381

2,980

21,137

18,896

434,368

2,987

11,887

6,000

1,614,799

3,618

23,205

1

 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1999 crop

year. 2

 Yield in pounds. 3 Yield is not estimated.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 22 NASS, USDA

Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1997-99

(Domestic Units) 1

Crop Unit

Production

1997 1998 1999

1,000 1,000 1,000

Citrus 2

 Grapefruit

 K-Early Citrus (FL)

 Lemons

 Oranges

 Tangelos (FL)

 Tangerines

 Temples (FL)

Non-Citrus

 Apples

 Apricots

 Bananas (HI)

 Grapes

 Olives (CA)

 Papayas (HI)

 Peaches

 Pears

 Prunes, Dried (CA)

 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA)

Nuts & Misc.

 Almonds (CA)

 Hazelnuts

 Pecans

 Pistachios (CA)

 Walnuts (CA)

 Maple Syrup

Ton

"

"

"

"

"

"

1,000 Lbs

Ton

Lb

Ton

"

Lb

1,000 Lbs

Ton

"

"

Lb

Ton

Lb

"

Ton

Gal

2,888

7

958

12,677

178

418

108

10,323.8

139.2

13,700.0

7,290.9

104.0

38,800.0

2,624.6

1,042.5

214.0

25.5

759,000

47.0

335,000

180,000

269.0

1,298

2,626

2

935

13,670

128

360

101

10,943.6

118.3

21,000.0

5,595.6

90.0

39,900.0

2,425.8

926.2

108.0

25.6

520,000

15.5

155,050

188,000

227.0

1,159

2,577

4

817

9,843

115

333

81

760,000

1 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1999

crop year. 2 Production years are 1996-97, 1997-98, and 1998-99.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 23 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States, 1998-99

(Metric Units) 1

Crop

Area Planted Area Harvested

1998 1999 1998 1999

Hectares Hectares Hectares Hectares

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain 2

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All 3

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Rice

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain 2

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All 3

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All 3

 Upland

 Amer-Pima

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas

 Dry Edible Beans

 Dry Edible Peas

 Lentils

 Wrinkled Seed Peas

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Ginger Root (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All 3

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 4

2,565,730

32,450,880

1,983,790

1,353,690

635,770

3,895,550

26,657,330

18,797,450

1,539,850

6,320,040

456,090

135,980

40,020

615,530

1,940

122,620

29,289,440

1,437,860

5,419,810

5,286,990

132,820

606,190

3,640

813,470

130,880

65,560

575,750

6,270

37,640

29,540

502,300

35,130

2,134,340

31,654,450

1,914,990

1,448,790

643,460

3,562,890

25,507,210

17,563,140

1,728,030

6,216,040

210,840

610,270

29,584,860

1,600,550

5,643,080

5,519,570

123,510

626,340

827,790

7,240

35,490

35,090

2,374,320

29,382,110

2,395,360

24,287,880

9,567,680

14,720,190

1,118,970

1,342,360

169,160

3,125,420

123,430

23,877,520

16,238,590

1,508,680

6,130,240

441,920

133,140

38,690

593,680

1,900

115,340

28,656,500

1,406,700

4,323,550

4,228,520

95,020

587,450

385,060

290,430

2,990

774,540

125,090

64,140

2,470

150

14,830

50,180

564,020

6,070

36,660

27,560

493,720

11,090

33,910

200

24,319,040

1,087,000

14,707,650

262,180

7,160

34,720

1

 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1999 crop

year. 2

 Area planted for all purposes. 3 Total may not add due to rounding. 4 Area is total hectares in crop, not harvested hectares.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 24 NASS, USDA

Crop Summary: Yield and Production, United States, 1998-99

(Metric Units) 1

Crop

Yield Production

1998 1999 1998 1999

Metric Tons Metric Tons Metric Tons Metric Tons

Grains & Hay

 Barley

 Corn for Grain

 Corn for Silage

 Hay, All 2

 Alfalfa

 All Other

 Oats

 Rice

 Rye

 Sorghum for Grain

 Sorghum for Silage

 Wheat, All 2

 Winter

 Durum

 Other Spring

Oilseeds

 Canola

 Cottonseed 3

 Flaxseed

 Mustard Seed

 Peanuts

 Rapeseed

 Safflower

 Soybeans for Beans

 Sunflower

Cotton, Tobacco & Sugar Crops

 Cotton, All 2

 Upland

 Amer-Pima

 Sugarbeets

 Sugarcane

 Tobacco

Dry Beans, Peas & Lentils

 Austrian Winter Peas

 Dry Edible Beans

 Dry Edible Peas

 Lentils

 Wrinkled Seed Peas

Potatoes & Misc.

 Coffee (HI)

 Ginger Root (HI)

 Hops

 Peppermint Oil

 Potatoes, All 2

 Winter

 Spring

 Summer

 Fall

 Spearmint Oil

 Sweet Potatoes

 Taro (HI) 3

3.23

8.44

35.80

5.65

7.78

4.27

2.17

6.35

1.77

4.23

25.63

2.91

3.15

2.54

2.35

1.63

1.28

0.96

3.03

1.52

1.62

2.62

1.69

0.70

0.69

1.01

50.44

80.24

2.31

1.58

1.81

2.15

1.37

1.65

56.04

1.82

0.09

38.39

22.27

26.15

31.10

39.91

0.12

15.90

2.99

22.91

30.31

7,673,580

247,942,980

85,751,640

137,291,520

74,398,220

62,893,300

2,425,770

8,529,850

299,610

13,206,910

3,163,350

69,410,050

51,181,680

3,839,270

14,389,100

720,590

4,987,160

170,390

37,080

1,797,790

2,880

186,920

75,027,640

2,379,860

3,030,330

2,934,030

96,300

29,628,650

30,895,990

670,940

4,720

1,398,330

269,160

87,910

30,570

4,080

8,160

27,010

4,410

21,653,640

135,170

958,760

857,110

19,702,600

1,350

539,190

2,720

43,947,630

164,110

1,052,560

1

 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1999 crop

year. 2

 Production may not add due to rounding. 3 Yield is not estimated.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 25 NASS, USDA

Fruits and Nuts Production, United States, 1997-99

(Metric Units) 1

Crop

Production

1997 1998 1999

Metric tons Metric tons Metric tons

Citrus 2

 Grapefruit

 K-Early Citrus (FL)

 Lemons

 Oranges

 Tangelos (FL)

 Tangerines

 Temples (FL)

Non-Citrus

 Apples

 Apricots

 Bananas (HI)

 Grapes

 Olives (CA)

 Papayas (HI)

 Peaches

 Pears

 Prunes, Dried (CA)

 Prunes & Plums (Ex CA)

Nuts & Misc.

 Almonds (CA)

 Hazelnuts

 Pecans

 Pistachios (CA)

 Walnuts (CA)

 Maple Syrup

2,619,950

6,350

869,080

11,500,380

161,480

379,200

97,980

4,682,800

126,310

6,210

6,614,190

94,350

17,600

1,190,500

945,740

194,140

23,130

344,280

42,640

151,950

81,650

244,030

6,490

2,382,270

1,810

848,220

12,401,220

116,120

326,590

91,630

4,963,930

107,320

9,530

5,076,200

81,650

18,100

1,100,320

840,270

97,980

23,220

235,870

14,060

70,330

85,280

205,930

5,790

2,337,820

3,630

741,170

8,929,420

104,330

302,090

73,480

344,730

1 Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 1999

crop year. 2 Production years are 1996-97, 1997-98, and 1998-99.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 26 NASS, USDA

Crop Moisture

Depicts short term (up to about 4 weeks) abnormal dryness or wetness affecting Agriculture, responds rapidly, can

change considerably week to week, and indicates normal conditions at the beginning and end of the growing season.

Uses...applicable in measuring the short term, week-to-week, status of dryness or wetness affecting warm season crops

and field operations.

Limitations...may not be applicable to germination and shallow rooted crops which are unable to extract the deep or

subsoil moisture from a 5-foot profile, or for cool season crops growing when temperatures are averaging below about

55 degrees fahrenheit. It is not generally indicative of the long term (months, years) drought or wet spells which are

depicted by the drought severity index.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 27 NASS, USDA

Drought Severity

Drought severity index (Palmer): Depicts prolonged (months, years) abnormal dryness or wetness; responds slowly;

changes little from week to week; and reflects long term moisture runoff, recharge, and deep percolation, as well as

evaportranspiration.

Uses...applicable in measuring disruptive effects of prolonged dryness or wetness on water sensitive economies;

designating disaster areas of drought or wetness and reflecting the general long-term status of water supplies in aquifers,

reservoirs, and streams.

Limitations...is not generally indicative of short-term (few weeks) status of drought or wetness such as frequently affects

crops and field operations (this is indicated by the crop moisture index).
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 28 NASS, USDA

April Weather Summary: A persistent, high-amplitude jet stream pattern promoted cool conditions in the West and

warm weather in the East. Numerous storm systems took a similar path across the Intermountain West, central and

southern Plains and Corn Belt, contributing to heavy precipitation and fieldwork delays. Heavy snow occasionally

blanketed the northern Plains and Rocky Mountain States, and April-record rainfall soaked parts of the east-central

Plains and upper Midwest. Late in the month, beneficial rain fell across the Southeast, including Florida, locally

improving topsoil moisture and curbing the threat of wildfires. While the Southeast’s rain aided winter grains and

spring-sown crops (corn, cotton, soybeans, sorghum, peanuts, and rice), long-term moisture deficits persisted across

Florida, southern Georgia, and southeastern Alabama. Unfavorably dry weather stressed spring-sown crops in southern

Texas, where significant rain last fell in late March. Drier-than-normal weather accompanied cool conditions in

California and the Northwest, promoting spring planting but resulting in a slow start to the growing season. In the

Southwest, early-month storms provided short-term relief from La Niña-driven winter dryness, but failed to significantly

dent long-term moisture deficits.

Monthly precipitation totaled more than 200 percent of normal in a broad swath from Arizona and southern California

northeastward to the upper Midwest. Totals topped 400 percent of normal on parts of the central and southern High

Plains and the Desert Southwest. More than 8 inches of rain fell during April in a band from northern Oklahoma to

western Iowa, and in a few areas near southern Lake Michigan. In contrast, less than half the normal monthly

precipitation dampened New England, the Northwest, and parts of Florida. Despite late-month showers, monthly totals

were also less than 50 percent of normal across the southern portions of Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and

Georgia.

Monthly temperatures averaged as much as 6 degrees F below normal in several areas from southern California to the

central Rockies, and as much as 4 degrees F below normal on the High Plains. East of the Mississippi River and along

the western Gulf Coast, however, readings ranged from 0 to 5 degrees F above normal.

General Crop Comments: The month began with heavy rains that halted fieldwork and eroded hillsides in the lower

Mississippi Valley and adjacent areas of the southern Great Plains and middle Mississippi Valley. Rain in the

Southwest and several inches of snow in the northern Great Plains eased moisture shortages, but soils remained

abnormally dry in many areas of both regions. Light rainfall moistened soils and temporarily delayed spring tillage and

fertilizing in parts of the Southeast, lower Ohio Valley, Corn Belt, and Southwest. Below-normal temperatures hindered

crop development in the central and northern High Plains and California. Coastal areas of the Pacific Northwest

remained cold and rainy, adversely affecting crop conditions and promoting diseases. A combination of heat and dry

weather triggered wildfires in Florida. 

During the second week of the month, strong thunderstorms delivered soaking rains, spawned tornadoes, and halted

fieldwork in the western Corn Belt. Adjacent areas of the Great Plains, eastern Corn Belt, and Great Lakes received

lighter showers that moistened soils and temporarily delayed spring tillage. Warm weather in the southern Plains, lower

Mississippi Valley, and Southeast promoted rapid development of winter wheat and early row crops. In the lower

Mississippi Valley, wet soils and additional showers continued to limit fieldwork and planting. The Southeast, Atlantic

Coastal Plains, and most of the Great Plains were dry, promoting tillage and fertilizing operations, but disrupting

planting. Cold weather slowed crop development and delayed planting along the Pacific Coast, especially in California.

A mid-month cold front pushed southward through the Great Plains, freezing maturing wheat fields in the southern

Great Plains and halting development in the central and northern Great Plains. Hail associated with a line of severe

storms also caused crop damage in the southern Great Plains. Persistent showers limited fieldwork and prevented row

crop planting in most of the Corn Belt and central Great Plains. Dry conditions along the Ohio River Valley in the

southern Corn Belt and Atlantic Coastal Plains permitted steady fieldwork and planting accelerated. Dry weather aided

fieldwork and small grain seeding, while sunny skies improved wheat development in parts of the northern Great Plains,

northern Rocky Mountains, and Pacific Northwest. Soils remained wet in North Dakota and western Minnesota due to

poor drying conditions, while some areas of the Pacific Northwest needed rain to germinate seeds. Warmer weather

encouraged planting and aided crop development in the Southwest.

Later in the month, heavy rains halted fieldwork in the northern Corn Belt, and lighter rainfall limited progress in other

areas of the Corn Belt. In the southern Great Plains, a line of thunderstorms delivered brief downpours that increased

soil moisture levels and aided crop development. Hail and isolated flooding associated with the thunderstorms damaged

some wheat in Oklahoma. In the Southeast and Atlantic Coastal Plains, continued dry weather aided fieldwork, but

discouraged planting and hindered crop emergence. Planting and field preparations accelerated in the lower Mississippi

Valley, as warm, windy weather rapidly dried wet soils. Dry, sunny weather favored fieldwork and small grain seeding

in the northern Great Plains. Dry soils stressed winter wheat in the Pacific Northwest, while warm, dry weather in

California promoted crop development, and field activities rapidly progressed. A slow-moving upper-level low pressure

system over the Great Basin produced a mixture of precipitation that replenished topsoil moisture in parts of the central

High Plains and Rockies. 

As the end of the month approached, heavy rains halted fieldwork and planting in the High Plains, parts of eastern

Kansas and Oklahoma, and adjacent areas of southern Missouri. Heavy rains ended excessive dryness in parts of the

Atlantic Coastal Plains and eased drought conditions in southern Florida. Lighter precipitation hampered field activities

in the southern Appalachians and the Tennessee, lower Ohio, and middle Mississippi Valleys. Dry conditions aided

planting in the eastern and northern Corn Belt, northern Great Plains, and Southwest. Excessive dryness delayed
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 29 NASS, USDA

planting and hindered emergence and growth in parts of the Gulf Coast region and adjacent inland areas of the Southeast

and lower Mississippi Valley. Below-normal temperatures hindered winter wheat development and emergence of other

small grains and row crops in the central and southern Great Plains and most of the Corn Belt. Above-normal

temperatures promoted crop emergence and development in the northern Great Plains and Great Lakes States, but dry

soils hindered crop emergence. In California, cool weather, scattered showers, and strong winds caused minor planting

delays.

When the month ended, planting of most major field crops was behind normal. One-fifth of the corn acreage was

planted compared with nearly one-third for the 5-year average. Cotton, sorghum, and peanut planting was several days

behind normal, while soybean and rice planting was only slightly behind the average. Seeding of small grains was well

ahead of normal as the month ended and emergence was slightly ahead of normal. Winter wheat development was also

ahead of the normal as the month ended, with more than one-fourth of the crop headed. Harvesting began in southern

Texas and fields were rapidly maturing in central and eastern Texas.

Winter Wheat: Area for 1999 grain harvest is forecast at 36.3 million acres, down 9 percent from 1998. If realized,

this will be the smallest winter wheat area since 1971. Soft Red Winter (SRW) and White wheat took the biggest

percentage hit. Both classes are down 12 percent from last year. Hard Red Winter (HRW) area is down 8 percent from

a year ago with Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas accounting for about 1.8 million acres of the HRW drop.

Good or better condition ratings of winter wheat tracked below 1998 through April then moved just above last year the

first weekend of May. For the most part, the Nation’s winter wheat crop seems to have wintered well. Last December’s

freeze hit the Oregon counties of Umatilla and Morrow hard which led to reseeding with barley and/or other spring

wheat. Several states indicate moisture is needed.

The cool, dry spring has slowed growth in Washington and Idaho. Soil moisture is adequate to surplus in Utah. Eastern

Oregon needs rain. Expectations for a good crop are high in New York’s growing area. Soft Red Winter areas generally

enjoyed a mild winter with few problems encountered this spring. Some insect problems were noted in Virginia and

North Carolina has reported some cereal leaf blight. Otherwise, SRW growers seem to have a very good crop as of May

1. Low prices have resulted in additional and later cattle grazing in Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. Forecasted head

counts from the Objective Yield surveys in these three states are down from the last two years but are still above

average. Abundant topsoil moisture is reported in Colorado and Montana. The HRW crops in Nebraska and Oklahoma

are developing ahead of average. South Dakota’s winter crop prospects are excellent. The south Texas harvest began in

late April. Oklahoma’s harvest should start by June 1.

Durum Wheat: Production of Durum wheat in Arizona and California is forecast at a collective 17.1 million bushels.

This is down 45 percent from their 1998 total of 30.9 million bushels primarily due to large drops in acreage levels. 

Frost damage to the Arizona crop has caused concern over prospective yields this year; thus, the 10 bushel reduction. 

California’s crop is rated in good to excellent condition; cool March and April temperatures slowed development. The

Imperial Valley harvest began in late April with average yields reported; the San Joaquin Valley crop is heading and

won’t be ready for cutting until mid-June.

Hay Stocks on Farms: Stocks of all hay on farms totaled 24.8 million tons on May 1, 1999, up 14 percent from May 1

of the previous year. Disappearance of hay from December 1, 1998 - May 1, 1999, totaled 87.0 million tons,

7.2 percent higher than the 1997 crop disappearance of 81.2 million tons for the same period.

Stocks of hay on May 1, 1999, were higher compared to last year in 33 of the 48 estimating states. Mild winter

conditions, combined with good hay production, led to stocks increases across much of the nation. Florida and the

Southern Plains were adversely affected by drought conditions and showed sharp decreases in hay stocks.

Almonds: The first forecast of 1999 California almond production is 760 million pounds, shelled basis. This is up

46 percent from last year’s crop and 1 million pounds over the 1997 record of 759 million pounds. Bearing acreage

totals 475,000, up 5 percent from 1998. Growers reported good to excellent pollination and tree development. 

However, potential yields were limited by April frosts and cool temperatures. The crop is currently about one week

behind normal because of the cold weather.

Avocados: U.S. avocado production for the 1998-99 season totaled 144,250 tons, down 19 percent from last season. 

Bearing acres totaled 65,640, down 1 percent from the 1997-98 season. The value of the 1998-99 crop totaled
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 30 NASS, USDA

$213 million, down 23 percent from last season. The season average price for all avocados was $1,480 per ton, down

5 percent from the 1997-98 season. 

California avocado production, at 121,000 tons, dropped 21 percent from the previous year. Although most of the

growing areas were spared damage form the hard freeze in December 1998, heavy rains during the bloom season hurt

production. Florida produced 4 percent less avocados than in 1997-98 but the value of the crop increased by

17 percent. The value increased primarily due to the quality of fruit and strong demand. Hawaii avocado production

was unchanged from the previous year. Value of production decreased by 2 percent due to soft local demand.

Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 3.09 million pounds for April, 9 percent higher than March

but 9 percent lower than April 1998. Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,750 acres in April, virtually

unchanged from a month ago but 17 percent more than a year ago. Area harvested, totaling 2,150 acres, was 2 percent

higher than March and 21 percent higher than last April. April weather conditions were a mix of sunshine and heavy

rains over major papaya producing orchards. Rainfall and overcast skies slowed fruit development and delayed some

farm activities during the first half of April.

Total Hawaiian papaya utilization during 1998 is estimated at 39.9 million pounds, 3 percent higher than the previous

year. Fresh sales of 35.6 million pounds were virtually unchanged from a year ago. Processed utilization, at

4.3 million pounds, is 39 percent higher than last year. Bearing area is 2,120 acres, 7 percent more than 1997.

Dry conditions during the first three months of 1998 had a detrimental effect on unirrigated papaya orchards. These

orchards are on the Island of Hawaii and make up three-fourths of the State’s total papaya acreage. The severity of the

drought varied by area and soil type. Orchards experienced heavy flower drop. Failed plantings due to the lack of

consistent rainfall were reported. Although showers replenished soil moisture in April, the effects of the drought were

evident in smaller fruit and lower yields.

Bananas: Hawaii banana production for 1998 is estimated at a record high 21.0 million pounds, up 53 percent from

1997. New and maturing acreage boosted production levels. The State’s harvested area reached a record high

1,420 acres, up 470 acres from a year ago. Weather during 1998 was drier than normal but major orchards use

irrigation to offset lower rainfall. Control efforts for Banana Bunchy Top Virus continue. 

Taro: Hawaii taro production for 1998 was estimated at 6.00 million pounds, up 9 percent from last year. Area

harvested, at 490 acres, was up 40 acres from 1997. Yields of taro used for poi increased due to improved weather and

the subsiding of the Taro Pocket Rot disease. Weather conditions for fresh use taro were generally unfavorable --

initially too dry then too wet. Phytophthora (leaf blight) became widespread with the advent of rainy weather and corm

development was hampered.

Grapefruit: The May 1 forecast of the 1998-99 U.S. grapefruit crop is 2.58 million tons, down 1 percent from the

April forecast and down 2 percent from last season. The May 1 forecast of Florida grapefruit is decreased to

48.1 million boxes (2.05 million tons). If realized, the forecast will be down 3 percent from a year ago. The white

seedless forecast is 18.0 million boxes (765,000 tons), down 5 percent from April and 2 percent lower than last season. 

Lower yields are anticipated from the remaining unharvested rows due to the condition of the fruit, the dry weather, and

harvest priorities. The colored seedless forecast remains at 29.5 million boxes (1.25 million tons), down 4 percent from

1997-98. If realized, it will be the third largest crop ever recorded. The forecast of seedy grapefruit is increased to

600,000 boxes (26,000 tons). All seedy grapefruit are certified in processed form and records are dependent on load

tickets.

Grapefruit production in Texas is forecast at 5.60 million boxes (224,000 tons), up 4 percent from April and up

17 percent from the previous season. Utilized production was higher than expected as the harvesting season winds

down. California and Arizona forecasts are carried forward from April.

Tangerines: The 1998-99 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at 333,000 tons, up 2 percent from last month but down

8 percent from the previous year’s utilization. Florida’s tangerine crop is forecast at 4.95 million boxes (235,000 tons),

2 percent higher than the April forecast. The lasting quality and demand for the fruit have been excellent this season

and weekly certifications continue. California and Arizona tangerine forecasts are carried forward from the April

forecasts.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 31 NASS, USDA

Tangelos: Florida’s May tangelo forecast is final at 2.55 million boxes (115,000 tons) and is the smallest crop in more

than 20 years, with the exception of the 2.45 million boxes (110,000 tons) from the 1995-96 season. The forecast is

down 11 percent from last season.

Temples: Florida’s Temple forecast is reduced to 1.80 million boxes (81,000 tons), 10 percent less than last month’s

forecast and 20 percent less than last season. Estimated utilization through the end of April is 1.77 million boxes and

weekly utilization has declined to almost nothing. The route survey indicated only 4 percent of the rows left to be

harvested. Most of these rows have useable late or “off-bloom” fruit but harvest is questionable.

Florida Citrus: Florida's citrus belt was mostly hot and dry during April. There were a few days of light scattered

rains the last week of the month. Rainfall amounts were not sufficient and growers had to continue round the clock

irrigation. Many wells have run dry and on both coasts there are reports of salt water intrusion causing the water source

to be unusable for most citrus operations. The bloom cycle has been slowed by the dry weather. Most trees completed

bloom by the middle of April. There are, however, several groves still in full bloom the first of May. The prolonged

dry conditions have limited new growth on most older trees. Some weaker trees in non-irrigated groves have lost all of

their leaves and a few have died. 

Harvest of Valencia oranges was very active during April. Most of the oranges have gone to the processors. 

Movement of all seedless grapefruit slowed during the month as supplies were running low. Harvest of Temples and

Honey tangerines was completed by the end of the month. Caretakers were kept very busy irrigating and cutting cover

crops that were competing for surface soil moisture.

Texas Citrus: Harvest for the 1998-99 season was nearing completion by the end of April. Some areas of the Rio

Grande Valley received beneficial rainfall during April which should improve the grapefruit bloom which was lagging

behind normal.

California Citrus: Grapefruit picking was active during April and the grapefruit had good quality and color. Lemons

were harvested in the coastal area of southern California. Good quality was reported. The lemons in the San Joaquin

Valley were devastated by the December freeze. Virtually no lemons have been picked in the Valley since the freeze. 

Picking of navel oranges ended by late April in the San Joaquin Valley and southern California. A good quality crop

was harvested from southern California, where only about 10 percent of the state’s navel acreage is located. Valencia

orange picking in southern California was active during April with a good quality crop reported. Harvest was also

active in the San Joaquin Valley, but not very many Valencia oranges were salvageable for the fresh market due to the

December freeze.

California Fruits and Nuts: Low nightly temperatures in early April caused some frost damage to grapes, nuts, and

fruit in the Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys. Damage appears to be isolated and not widespread. Hailstorms also

caused some damage. Most of the month was dry, but maturity and development of the fruit were slowed by cooler

than normal April temperatures. Growers were busy with weed control, irrigation, and thinning stone fruit. Fungicides

were applied to grapes, stone fruit, and almonds.

Spring Potatoes: Spring potato production in 1999 is forecast at 23.2 million cwt, up 10 percent from last year and

4 percent above 1997. The May production forecast is 6 percent above April 1, because of ideal growing seasons in

Texas, Arizona, and Hastings, Florida. Area for harvest is estimated at 85,800 acres, down 5 percent from a year ago

and 2 percent below two years ago. The average yield is forecast at 270 cwt per acre, up 37 cwt over last year and

15 cwt above two years ago.

The Hastings, Florida area had a very good growing season and no frost damage. Active harvest is underway. 

Florida’s other spring areas are about finished digging. California potato growth during April was slowed by cold

weather and frost, making harvest about 10 days late. Arizona's growing weather has been exceptionally good for

potatoes. Harvest started in early April in Yuma and during the third week in Central Arizona. In Texas, harvest is

started and yields are turning out better than the April 1 projection. Development in North Carolina and Alabama was

slowed by drying soils and scattered frost. Harvest is difficult in dry Alabama soils.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 32 NASS, USDA

Tobacco: U.S. production for 1998 was revised down 3 percent and harvested acreage down 1 percent from

December 1998. Tobacco production, at 1.48 billion pounds in 1998, was down 17 percent from 1997, and was at the

lowest level since 1995. Tobacco producers harvested 717,655 acres, down 14 percent from the previous year. Final

yield per acre averaged 2,061 pounds, compared to 2,137 in 1997. Burley and Flue-cured tobacco types showed large

declines from a year ago. 

Flue-cured production totaled 813 million pounds in 1998, down 22 percent from 1997. Growers harvested 368,800

acres, down 20 percent from the previous year. North Carolina led all Flue-cured states with 66 percent of the U.S.

total production. North Carolina’s Flue-cured production decreased 22 percent from 1997. 

Burley production totaled 582 million pounds in 1998, 10 percent less than 1997. The average yield for burley was

1,896 pounds, down 38 pounds from the previous year. Kentucky led all Burley states with 70 percent of the U.S. total

production. Kentucky’s acreage decreased 10 percent and their yield averaged 1,935 pounds per acre, down 25 pounds

from a year ago. 

Dark Air-cured tobacco production increased 18 percent from 1997 but Cigar types declined 15 percent from a year

ago. Yields were down for Cigar types due to poor quality.

Cotton: The 1998 United States all cotton final production totaled 13.9 million bales, 26 percent less than 1997's

production. The 1998 output was the smallest crop since 1989. Upland cotton production, at 13.5 million bales, was

26 percent less than the previous year, while American-Pima production totaled 442,300 bales, down 19 percent from

1997.

The area planted to all cotton totaled 13.4 million acres, down 4 percent from 1997. Harvested area was 10.7 million

acres, down 20 percent from the previous year. This large decrease was mainly due to the large abandonment in Texas. 

Abandonment totaled 20 percent in 1998, compared to only 4 percent the previous year. Yields for the U.S. averaged

625 pounds per harvested acre.

Texas’ harvest exceeded the 5-year average during the season, and in late November, harvest was 8 points ahead of the

average pace of 87 percent. Texas’ irrigated fields showed good progress during the 1998 season, but drought and high

temperatures resulted in 2.35 million acres of Upland cotton being abandoned. At the end of August, approximately

one-half of the acreage was rated in poor or very poor condition, 17 percent was rated good, and 3 percent was rated

excellent. In late August, boll set was complete. Torrential rains in the south during October replenished topsoil

moisture, but harvest was interrupted and regrowth became a problem in some fields. Objective yield survey data

indicated the third lowest boll weights since 1988. A large amount of American-Pima cotton was seeded in nontraditional producing areas and was subject to substantial abandonment. Acreage planted to all cotton in Texas was

5.76 million, up 4 percent from 1997, but harvested acreage was down 36 percent from last year, at 3.33 million acres. 

Texas and Oklahoma both had record setting Upland cotton yields due to the large amount of non-irrigated acreage that

was abandoned. The abandonment of these acres resulted in the irrigated acreage accounting for a larger proportion of

the total, and thus increasing the States’ overall yield.

The Delta States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee) planted and harvested 8 percent less

acreage than in 1997. Plantings totaled 3.23 million acres and harvested area totaled 3.17 million acres. Planting was

behind the 5-year average due to wet soils until mid-May, when a dry period allowed most States to exceed the average. 

During the first week of May, producers in Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi planted about 30 percent of their

acreage. The percent of the Arkansas crop rated in good to excellent condition on July 19, dropped 13 points from lateJune to 55 percent. Louisiana’s rating dropped 12 points during this same time period to 38 percent, while Mississippi

showed only a 5 point drop to 70 percent in good to excellent condition. Hot and dry weather pushed the crop’s

development ahead of 5-year averages. Missouri’s acreage received heavy rains during early August and then dry

conditions began with mild temperatures, which lowered yield potential. During September, Louisiana and Mississippi

were affected by two tropical storms and Hurricane Georges. The first storm, Frances, had high amounts of rainfall and

also moved into southern Arkansas. Tropical storm Hermine made landfall in Louisiana, but had much less rain than

the previous storm. In early November, harvest was 8 points behind the 5-year average pace in Missouri, at 70 percent,

but the other States were ahead of the average pace. At this same time, Louisiana had 97 percent of the crop harvested,

5 points ahead of the 5-year average. Mississippi and Arkansas producers were 14 points above average with 98

percent and 91 percent of the acreage harvested, respectively, in early November. Tennessee’s progress, at 92 percent,

was 17 points ahead of the 5-year average and excellent harvest conditions allowed growers to proceed with second

pickings. Cotton objective yield data indicated Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi had the lowest boll weights

compared to the past 10 years.

Arizona planted 23 percent fewer acres of all cotton than during 1997. Harvested acreage decreased by 24 percent.

California producers decreased planted and harvested acreage of all cotton by 20 percent and 24 percent, respectively. 

Eighty-three percent of Arizona's crop was harvested in late November, 7 points behind the normal pace. California’s

seeding pace was well behind average most of the season as wet, cool weather prevailed which resulted in cotton

development remaining behind average. Only one percent of the California crop was harvested on October 4, 8 points

behind average. One month later, producers were 47 points behind the average pace, with only 15 percent harvested. 

Boll opening, on this same data, was three-fourths complete compared to the 5-year average of 99 percent and the

crop’s condition was rated as 45 percent good and 45 percent in fair condition. During December, harvest made little
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 33 NASS, USDA

progress in the central valley, due to the poor drying conditions, and some unharvested cotton fields were plowed under

because of deteriorating lint quality and unopened bolls. A few fields were second picked, and plowdown for pink

bollworm control was ongoing on sandier soils. The plowdown deadline for the southern San Joaquin Valley was

extended fifteen days, due to the extremely late harvest season. California’s final boll weights were the third lowest

since 1988.

In the Southeastern States (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina), cotton planted acreage was 3

percent less than in 1997, at 2.87 million acres, and harvested acreage was also down 3 percent, at 2.75 million acres.

Plantings were behind average for most of the season except in Alabama, where producers exceeded the average

planting pace. The weather remained hot and dry after plantings were completed. Hurricane Bonnie entered into North

Carolina on August 26, with extreme winds and torrential rainfall, and covered approximately one-half of the cotton

acreage in the State. The two largest producing counties were on the western edge of the storm and weren’t heavily

affected. Hurricane Georges crossed southern Alabama and into Georgia during September, with the heaviest rainfall

in Alabama. Additionally, Tropical Storm Earl also affected these States’ cotton crop in early September with heavy

rain. However, open weather during the fall resulted in larger production than earlier anticipated.

All cotton ginnings totaled 13,912,250 equivalent 480-pound net weight bales during the 1998 season. This compares

with 18,787,600 equivalent 480-pound bales ginned in 1997.

Cottonseed: Cottonseed production in 1998 totaled 5.50 million tons, down 21 percent from 1997.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 34 NASS, USDA

Reliability of May 1 Winter Wheat Production Forecast

Survey Procedures: Objective yield and farm operator surveys were conducted between April 24 and May

4 to gather information on expected yield as of May 1. The objective yield survey was conducted in three

States (Kansas, Oklahoma, and Texas) where winter wheat is normally mature enough to make meaningful

counts. Farm operators were interviewed to update previously reported acreage data and seek permission to

randomly locate two sample plots in selected winter wheat fields. The counts made within each sample plot

depended upon the crop's maturity. In early fields, counts such as number of stalks, heads in late boot, and

number of emerged heads were made to predict the number of heads that would be harvested. A 5-year

historical average head weight is used until the crop matures to the point that heads can be clipped,

threshed, and weighed. The number of heads times the weight of the heads in a sample plot can then be

combined to an estimate of yield per acre. The 5-year average harvesting loss is subtracted to obtain a net

yield. The plots are revisited each month until the crop reaches maturity and are harvested on the final

visit.

The farm operator survey included a sample of approximately 11,800 wheat producers representing all

major production areas. These producers were selected from an earlier acreage survey and were asked

about the probable winter wheat acres for harvest and yield on their operation. These growers will be

surveyed throughout the growing season to provide indications of average yields as the season progresses.

Estimating Procedures: National and State level objective yield and grower reported data were reviewed

for reasonableness and consistency with historical estimates. The survey data were also reviewed

considering weather patterns and crop progress compared to previous months and previous years. Each

State Statistical Office submits their analysis of the current situation to the Agricultural Statistics Board

(ASB). The ASB uses the survey data and the State analyses to prepare the published May 1 forecasts. 

Revision Policy: The May 1 production forecast will not be revised; instead, a new forecast will be made

each month throughout the growing season. End-of-season estimates are made after harvest. At the end of

the marketing season, a balance sheet is calculated using carryover stocks, production, exports, millings,

feeding, and ending stocks. Revisions are then made if the balance sheet relationships or other

administrative data warrant changes.

Reliability: To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the May 1 winter wheat production forecast, the

"Root Mean Square Error", a statistical measure based on past performance, is computed. This is done by

expressing the deviation between the May 1 production forecast and the final estimate as a percentage of

the final estimate, and averaging the squared percentage deviations for the 1979-1998 20-year period; the

square root of the average becomes statistically the "Root Mean Square Error". Probability statements can

be made concerning expected differences in the current forecast relative to the final end-of-season estimate,

assuming that factors affecting this year's forecast are not different from those influencing recent years.

The "Root Mean Square Error" for the May 1 winter wheat production forecast is 6.8 percent. This means

that chances are 2 out of 3 that the current production forecast of 1.61 billion bushels will not be above or

below the final estimate by more than 6.8 percent or approximately 109 million bushels. Chances are 9 out

of 10 (90 percent confidence level) that the difference will not exceed 11.8 percent or approximately 190

million bushels. Differences between the May 1 winter wheat production forecast and the final estimate

during the past 20 years have averaged 88 million bushels, ranging from 4 million to 285 million bushels. 

The May 1 forecast has been below the final estimate 12 times and above 8 times. This does not imply that

the May 1 winter wheat forecast this year is likely to understate or overstate final production.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

May 1999 35 NASS, USDA

Information Contacts

Listed below are the commodity specialists in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics

Service to contact for additional information.

C. Ray Halley, Chief (202) 720-2127

Field Crops Section

Brad Parks, Head (202) 720-3843

Jerry Ramirez - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds (202) 720-7369

Rhonda Brandt - Corn (202) 720-9526

Herman Ellison - Peanuts, Rice, Barley (202) 720-7688

Lance Honig - Hay, Sorghum (202) 690-3234

Roger Latham - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings (202) 720-5944

Mark E. Miller - Oats, Sugar Crops, Weekly Crop Weather (202) 720-7621

Vaughn Siegenthaler - Wheat, Rye (202) 720-8068

Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section

Dean Groskurth, Head (202) 720-3843

Arvin Budge - Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes (202) 720-4285

Dave DeWalt - Citrus, Tropical Fruits (202) 720-5412

Steve Gunn - Apples, Cherries, Cranberries, Prunes, Plums (202) 720-4488

Howard Hill - Berries, Grapes, Maple Syrup, Tobacco (202) 720-7235

Dave Ranek - Nuts, Floriculture (202) 720-4215

Jeffrey Kissel - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas,

Mushrooms (202) 690-0270

Biz Wallingsford - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions,

 Strawberries (202) 720-2157

Harry Nishimoto - Hops (360) 902-1940
The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on June 11, 1999.

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs on the

basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, and

marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who

require alternative means for communication of program information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.)

should contact the USDA’s TARGET Center at 202-720-2600 (voice and TDD).

To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten

Building, 14th and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C., 20250-9410, or call 202-720-5964 (voice

or TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.

ACCESS TO REPORTS!!

For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports, data products, and services:

INTERNET ACCESS

All NASS reports are available free of charge on the worldwide Internet. For access, connect to the Internet

and go to the NASS Home Page at: http://www.usda.gov/nass/. Select “Today’s Reports” or Publications and then Reports by Calendar or Publications and then Search, by Title or Subject.

E-MAIL SUBSCRIPTION

All NASS reports are available by subscription free of charge direct to your e-mail address. Send an e-mail

message to: usda-reports@usda.mannlib.cornell.edu. In the body of the message type the word: list.

AUTOFAX ACCESS

NASSFax service is available for some reports from your fax machine. Please call 202-720-2000, using the

handset attached to your fax. Respond to the voice prompts. Document 0411 is a list of available reports.

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PRINTED REPORTS OR DATA PRODUCTS

CALL OUR TOLL-FREE ORDER DESK: 800-999-6779 (U.S. and Canada) Other areas, please call 703-834-0125 FAX: 703-834-0110

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ASSISTANCE

For assistance with general agricultural statistics or further information about NASS or its products or services, contact the Agricultural Statistics Hotline at 800-727-9540, 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov.