Crop Production 

ISSN: 1936-3737

Released April 8, 2011, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), Agricultural Statistics Board, United States Department of 

Agriculture (USDA).

Orange Production Up 1 Percent from March

The United States all orange forecast for the 2010-2011 season is 8.91 million tons, up 1 percent from the March 1 

forecast and 8 percent above the revised 2009-2010 final utilization. The Florida all orange forecast, at 142 million boxes

(6.39 million tons), is unchanged from the March 1 forecast but 6 percent above last season’s revised final utilization. 

Early, midseason, and navel varieties in Florida are forecast at 70.0 million boxes (3.15 million tons), unchanged from 

March but 2 percent higher than last season. The Florida Valencia orange forecast, at 72.0 million boxes (3.24 million 

tons), is unchanged from the previous forecast but up 11 percent from the revised 2009-2010 crop. In Florida, fruit size is 

projected to be below average while droppage is projected to be above average. 

The California all orange forecast is 61.0 million boxes (2.44 million tons), up 3 percent from the previous forecast and up 

6 percent from last season’s revised final utilization. The California navel orange forecast is 48.0 million boxes 

(1.92 million tons), up 3 percent from the March 1 forecast and up 13 percent from last season. The California Valencia 

orange forecast is 13.0 million boxes (520,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast but down 13 percent from last 

season’s revised final utilization. Harvest of navel oranges continued during March, while Valencia orange harvest got 

underway. The Texas orange forecast, at 1.77 million boxes (75,000 tons), is up 8 percent from the previous forecast and 

up 8 percent from last season’s final utilization.

Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield forecast for the 2010-2011 season is 1.58 gallons per box at 

42.0 degrees Brix, up 1 percent from the March 1 forecast and up 1 percent from last season’s final yield of 1.56 gallons 

per box. The early-midseason portion is projected at 1.52 gallons per box, up 1 percent from last season’s yield of 

1.51 gallons per box. The Valencia portion is projected at 1.65 gallons per box, 1 percent higher than last year’s final yield 

of 1.63 gallons per box. All projections of yield assume the processing relationships this season will be similar to those of 

the past several seasons.
2 Crop Production (April 2011)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

This report was approved on April 8, 2011.

Acting Secretary of

Agriculture

Karis T. Gutter

Agricultural Statistics Board

Chairperson

Hubert Hamer
Crop Production (April 2011) 3

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Contents

Utilized Production of Citrus Fruits by Crop – States and United States: 2009-2010 and Forecasted 

April 1, 2011 ........................................................................................................................................................................... 4

Potato Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production by Seasonal Group – States and United States: 2010 

and Forecasted April 1, 2011 .................................................................................................................................................. 5

Crop Area Planted and Harvested – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Domestic Units) ........................................................... 6

Crop Yield and Production – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Domestic Units)...................................................................... 7

Crop Area Planted and Harvested – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Metric Units)................................................................ 8

Crop Yield and Production – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Metric Units) .......................................................................... 9

Fruits and Nuts Production – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Domestic Units).................................................................... 10

Fruits and Nuts Production – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Metric Units) ........................................................................ 11

Percent of Normal Precipitation............................................................................................................................................ 12

Departure from Normal Temperature ................................................................................................................................... 12

March Weather Summary ..................................................................................................................................................... 13

March Agricultural Summary ............................................................................................................................................... 13

Crop Comments.................................................................................................................................................................... 14

Statistical Methodology ........................................................................................................................................................ 16

Information Contacts ............................................................................................................................................................ 17
4 Crop Production (April 2011)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Utilized Production of Citrus Fruits by Crop – States and United States: 2009-2010 and Forecasted 

April 1, 2011

[The crop year begins with the bloom of the first year shown and ends with the completion of harvest the following year]

Crop and State

Utilized production boxes 1 Utilized production ton equivalent

2009-2010 2010-2011 2009-2010 2010-2011

(1,000 boxes) (1,000 boxes) (1,000 tons) (1,000 tons)

Oranges

Early, mid, and navel 2

 California ...........................................

 Florida ...............................................

 Texas ................................................

 United States ....................................

Valencia

 California ...........................................

 Florida ...............................................

 Texas ................................................

 United States ....................................

All

 California ...........................................

 Florida ...............................................

 Texas ................................................

 United States ....................................

Grapefruit

White

 Florida ...............................................

Colored

 Florida ...............................................

All

 California ...........................................

 Florida ...............................................

 Texas ................................................

 United States ....................................

Tangerines and mandarins

Arizona 3...............................................

California 3............................................

Florida ...................................................

United States ........................................

Lemons

Arizona .................................................

California ..............................................

United States ........................................

Tangelos

Florida ...................................................

42,500

68,600

1,360

112,460

15,000

65,100

275

80,375

57,500

133,700

1,635

192,835

6,000

14,300

4,500

20,300

5,600

30,400

350

9,900

4,450

14,700

2,200

21,000

23,200

900

48,000

70,000

1,480

119,480

13,000

72,000

285

85,285

61,000

142,000

1,765

204,765

5,600

14,000

3,500

19,600

5,900

29,000

300

9,600

4,500

14,400

2,500

21,000

23,500

1,150

1,594

3,087

58

4,739

563

2,930

12

3,505

2,157

6,017

70

8,244

255

608

151

863

224

1,238

13

371

211

595

84

798

882

41

1,920

3,150

63

5,133

520

3,240

12

3,772

2,440

6,390

75

8,905

238

595

140

833

236

1,209

12

384

214

610

100

840

940

52

1 Net pounds per box: oranges in California-80 (75 prior to the 2010-2011 crop year), Florida-90, Texas-85; grapefruit in California-80 (67 prior to the 

2010-2011 crop year), Florida-85, Texas-80; lemons-80 (76 prior to the 2010-2011 crop year), tangelos-90; tangerines and mandarins in Arizona and 

California-80 (75 prior to the 2010-2011 crop year), Florida-95.

2 Navel and miscellaneous varieties in California. Early (including navel) and midseason varieties in Florida and Texas. Small quantities of tangerines in 

Texas and Temples in Florida.

3

Includes tangelos and tangors.
Crop Production (April 2011) 5

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Potato Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production by Seasonal Group – States and United States: 

2010 and Forecasted April 1, 2011

[Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Seasonal group

and State

Area planted Area harvested Yield per acre Production

2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011 2010 2011

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (cwt) (cwt) (1,000 cwt) (1,000 cwt)

Spring

Arizona ...............................

California ............................

Florida ................................

 Hastings area .................

 Other areas .....................

North Carolina ....................

Texas .................................

United States ......................

Summer 

Colorado .............................

Delaware ............................

Illinois .................................

Kansas ...............................

Maryland .............................

Missouri ..............................

New Jersey .........................

Texas .................................

Virginia ...............................

United States ......................

3.7

27.1

33.2

21.5

11.7

16.0

8.8

88.8

4.0

1.6

5.8

4.5

2.1

7.3

1.9

6.0

5.8

39.0

3.8

28.5

35.4

22.4

13.0

17.0

7.9

92.6

3.7

27.0

31.8

20.3

11.5

15.0

8.4

85.9

3.8

1.6

5.6

4.4

2.1

7.2

1.7

5.5

5.6

37.5

3.8

28.5

33.7

21.2

12.5

16.0

7.5

89.5

280

405

250

250

250

195

235

289

370

275

350

335

340

300

230

390

170

310

300

380

256

265

240

220

230

289

1,036

10,935

7,950

5,075

2,875

2,925

1,974

24,820

1,406

440

1,960

1,474

714

2,160

391

2,145

952

11,642

1,140

10,830

8,618

5,618

3,000

3,520

1,725

25,833
6 Crop Production (April 2011)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Area Planted and Harvested – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Domestic Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2011 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Area planted Area harvested

2010 2011 2010 2011

(1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres) (1,000 acres)

Grains and hay

Barley .................................................................................

Corn for grain 1....................................................................

Corn for silage ....................................................................

Hay, all ................................................................................

 Alfalfa ..............................................................................

 All other ...........................................................................

Oats ....................................................................................

Proso millet .........................................................................

Rice ....................................................................................

Rye .....................................................................................

Sorghum for grain 1.............................................................

Sorghum for silage ..............................................................

Wheat, all ............................................................................

 Winter .............................................................................

 Durum .............................................................................

 Other spring ....................................................................

Oilseeds

Canola ................................................................................

Cottonseed .........................................................................

Flaxseed .............................................................................

Mustard seed ......................................................................

Peanuts ..............................................................................

Rapeseed ...........................................................................

Safflower .............................................................................

Soybeans for beans ............................................................

Sunflower ............................................................................

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all ...........................................................................

 Upland ............................................................................

 American Pima ................................................................

Sugarbeets .........................................................................

Sugarcane ..........................................................................

Tobacco ..............................................................................

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas ...........................................................

Dry edible beans .................................................................

Dry edible peas ...................................................................

Lentils .................................................................................

Wrinkled seed peas ............................................................

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ...................................................................

Hops ...................................................................................

Peppermint oil .....................................................................

Potatoes, all ........................................................................

 Spring .............................................................................

 Summer ..........................................................................

 Fall ..................................................................................

Spearmint oil .......................................................................

Sweet potatoes ...................................................................

Taro (Hawaii) 2....................................................................

2,872

88,192

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

3,138

390

3,636

1,211

5,404

(NA)

53,603

37,335

2,570

13,698

1,448.8

(X)

421

50.5

1,288.0

2.3

175.0

77,404

1,951.5

10,973.2

10,769.0

204.2

1,171.4

(NA)

(NA)

31.2

1,911.4

756.0

658.0

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,021.5

88.8

39.0

893.7

(NA)

119.8

(NA)

2,952

92,178

(NA)

2,839

3,018

5,645

58,021

41,229

2,365

14,427

1,611.8

(X)

420

1,237.0

76,609

1,805.0

12,565.5

12,313.0

252.5

1,187.1

(NA)

20.0

1,303.5

586.0

710.0

92.6

126.7

2,465

81,446

5,567

59,862

19,956

39,906

1,263

363

3,615

265

4,808

273

47,637

31,749

2,529

13,359

1,431.0

(X)

418

48.1

1,255.0

2.2

167.7

76,616

1,873.8

10,706.7

10,505.0

201.7

1,155.7

883.2

337.5

17.9

1,842.7

711.4

634.0

(NA)

6.3

31.3

71.3

1,004.7

85.9

37.5

881.3

18.6

116.9

0.5

58,973

336.5

89.5

(NA) Not available.

(X) Not applicable.

1 Area planted for all purposes.

2 Area is total acres in crop, not harvested acres.
Crop Production (April 2011) 7

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Yield and Production – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Domestic Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2011 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Yield per acre Production

2010 2011 2010 2011

(1,000) (1,000)

Grains and hay

Barley ................................................................................... bushels

Corn for grain ........................................................................ bushels

Corn for silage ............................................................................tons

Hay, all .......................................................................................tons

 Alfalfa .....................................................................................tons

 All other ..................................................................................tons

Oats ...................................................................................... bushels

Proso millet ........................................................................... bushels

Rice 1........................................................................................... cwt

Rye ....................................................................................... bushels

Sorghum for grain ................................................................. bushels

Sorghum for silage ......................................................................tons

Wheat, all ............................................................................. bushels

 Winter ............................................................................... bushels

 Durum ............................................................................... bushels

 Other spring ...................................................................... bushels

Oilseeds

Canola ...................................................................................pounds

Cottonseed .................................................................................tons

Flaxseed ............................................................................... bushels

Mustard seed .........................................................................pounds

Peanuts .................................................................................pounds

Rapeseed ..............................................................................pounds

Safflower ...............................................................................pounds

Soybeans for beans .............................................................. bushels

Sunflower ..............................................................................pounds

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all 1............................................................................... bales

 Upland 1................................................................................ bales

 American Pima 1................................................................... bales

Sugarbeets .................................................................................tons

Sugarcane ..................................................................................tons

Tobacco .................................................................................pounds

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas 1.................................................................. cwt

Dry edible beans 1....................................................................... cwt

Dry edible peas 1......................................................................... cwt

Lentils 1........................................................................................ cwt

Wrinkled seed peas ..................................................................... cwt

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ......................................................................pounds

Hops ......................................................................................pounds

Peppermint oil ........................................................................pounds

Potatoes, all ................................................................................. cwt

 Spring ...................................................................................... cwt

 Summer ................................................................................... cwt

 Fall .......................................................................................... cwt

Spearmint oil .........................................................................pounds

Sweet potatoes ............................................................................ cwt

Taro (Hawaii) .........................................................................pounds

73.1

152.8

19.3

2.43

3.40

1.95

64.3

31.8

6,725

28.0

71.8

12.5

46.4

46.8

42.4

46.1

1,713

(X)

21.7

870

3,311

1,891

1,320

43.5

1,460

821

814

1,184

27.6

31.8

2,133

1,666

1,726

1,999

1,365

(NA)

1,250

2,093

89

395

289

310

409

125

204

(NA)

289

180,268

12,446,865

107,314

145,556

67,903

77,653

81,190

11,535

243,104

7,431

345,395

3,420

2,208,391

1,485,236

107,180

615,975

2,450,947

6,191.0

9,056

41,861

4,155,600

4,160

221,335

3,329,341

2,735,570

18,314.5

17,817.0

497.5

31,945

28,111

719,786

237

31,801

14,221

8,657

580

7,900

65,492.6

6,363

397,189

24,820

11,642

360,727

2,318

23,845

3,900

25,833

(NA) Not available.

(X) Not applicable.

1 Yield in pounds.
8 Crop Production (April 2011)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Area Planted and Harvested – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Metric Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2011 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Area planted Area harvested

2010 2011 2010 2011

(hectares) (hectares) (hectares) (hectares)

Grains and hay

Barley .................................................................................

Corn for grain 1....................................................................

Corn for silage ....................................................................

Hay, all 2.............................................................................

 Alfalfa ..............................................................................

 All other ...........................................................................

Oats ....................................................................................

Proso millet .........................................................................

Rice ....................................................................................

Rye .....................................................................................

Sorghum for grain 1.............................................................

Sorghum for silage ..............................................................

Wheat, all 2.........................................................................

 Winter .............................................................................

 Durum .............................................................................

 Other spring ....................................................................

Oilseeds

Canola ................................................................................

Cottonseed .........................................................................

Flaxseed .............................................................................

Mustard seed ......................................................................

Peanuts ..............................................................................

Rapeseed ...........................................................................

Safflower .............................................................................

Soybeans for beans ............................................................

Sunflower ............................................................................

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all 2.........................................................................

 Upland ............................................................................

 American Pima ................................................................

Sugarbeets .........................................................................

Sugarcane ..........................................................................

Tobacco ..............................................................................

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas ...........................................................

Dry edible beans .................................................................

Dry edible peas ...................................................................

Lentils .................................................................................

Wrinkled seed peas ............................................................

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ...................................................................

Hops ...................................................................................

Peppermint oil .....................................................................

Potatoes, all 2......................................................................

 Spring .............................................................................

 Summer ..........................................................................

 Fall ..................................................................................

Spearmint oil .......................................................................

Sweet potatoes ...................................................................

Taro (Hawaii) 3....................................................................

1,162,270

35,690,420

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

1,269,920

157,830

1,471,450

490,080

2,186,940

(NA)

21,692,600

15,109,100

1,040,050

5,543,440

586,310

(X)

170,370

20,440

521,240

930

70,820

31,324,620

789,750

4,440,740

4,358,110

82,640

474,050

(NA)

(NA)

12,630

773,520

305,950

266,290

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

(NA)

413,390

35,940

15,780

361,670

(NA)

48,480

(NA)

1,194,640

37,303,510

(NA)

1,148,910

1,221,350

2,284,480

23,480,520

16,684,960

957,090

5,838,460

652,280

(X)

169,970

500,600

31,002,900

730,470

5,085,130

4,982,950

102,180

480,410

(NA)

8,090

527,510

237,150

287,330

37,470

51,270

997,560

32,960,380

2,252,910

24,225,550

8,075,990

16,149,560

511,120

146,900

1,462,950

107,240

1,945,750

110,480

19,278,220

12,848,500

1,023,460

5,406,250

579,110

(X)

169,160

19,470

507,890

890

67,870

31,005,730

758,310

4,332,890

4,251,270

81,630

467,700

357,420

136,560

7,240

745,720

287,900

256,570

(NA)

2,550

12,660

28,850

406,590

34,760

15,180

356,650

7,530

47,310

190

23,865,780

136,180

36,220

(NA) Not available.

(X) Not applicable.

1 Area planted for all purposes.

2

Total may not add due to rounding.

3 Area is total hectares in crop, not harvested hectares.
Crop Production (April 2011) 9

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Yield and Production – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Metric Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2011 crop year. 

Blank data cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Yield per hectare Production

2010 2011 2010 2011

(metric tons) (metric tons) (metric tons) (metric tons)

Grains and hay

Barley ..................................................................

Corn for grain .......................................................

Corn for silage .....................................................

Hay, all 1..............................................................

 Alfalfa ..............................................................

 All other ...........................................................

Oats .....................................................................

Proso millet ..........................................................

Rice .....................................................................

Rye ......................................................................

Sorghum for grain ................................................

Sorghum for silage ...............................................

Wheat, all 1..........................................................

 Winter ..............................................................

 Durum ..............................................................

 Other spring .....................................................

Oilseeds

Canola .................................................................

Cottonseed ..........................................................

Flaxseed ..............................................................

Mustard seed .......................................................

Peanuts ...............................................................

Rapeseed ............................................................

Safflower .............................................................

Soybeans for beans .............................................

Sunflower ............................................................

Cotton, tobacco, and sugar crops

Cotton, all 1..........................................................

 Upland .............................................................

 American Pima ................................................

Sugarbeets ..........................................................

Sugarcane ...........................................................

Tobacco ...............................................................

Dry beans, peas, and lentils

Austrian winter peas ............................................

Dry edible beans ..................................................

Dry edible peas ....................................................

Lentils ..................................................................

Wrinkled seed peas .............................................

Potatoes and miscellaneous

Coffee (Hawaii) ....................................................

Hops ....................................................................

Peppermint oil ......................................................

Potatoes, all 1......................................................

 Spring ..............................................................

 Summer ...........................................................

 Fall ..................................................................

Spearmint oil .......................................................

Sweet potatoes ....................................................

Taro (Hawaii) .......................................................

3.93

9.59

43.21

5.45

7.63

4.36

2.31

1.78

7.54

1.76

4.51

28.08

3.12

3.15

2.85

3.10

1.92

(X)

1.36

0.98

3.71

2.12

1.48

2.92

1.64

0.92

0.91

1.33

61.96

71.35

2.39

1.48

1.93

2.24

1.53

(NA)

1.41

2.35

0.10

44.31

32.39

34.80

45.88

0.14

22.86

(NA)

32.35

3,924,870

316,164,930

97,353,620

132,046,180

61,600,570

70,445,620

1,178,470

261,610

11,027,010

188,760

8,773,440

3,102,570

60,102,550

40,421,500

2,916,960

16,764,090

1,111,730

5,616,380

230,030

18,990

1,884,950

1,890

100,400

90,609,810

1,240,830

3,987,510

3,879,190

108,320

28,980,020

25,501,870

326,490

10,750

1,442,470

645,050

392,670

26,310

3,580

29,710

2,890

18,016,190

1,125,820

528,070

16,362,300

1,050

1,081,590

1,770

1,171,770

(NA) Not available.

(X) Not applicable.

1 Production may not add due to rounding.
10 Crop Production (April 2011)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Fruits and Nuts Production – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Domestic Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2011 crop year, 

except citrus which is for the 2010-2011 season. Blank cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Production

2010 2011

(1,000) (1,000)

Citrus 1

Grapefruit ...........................................................tons

Lemons ..............................................................tons

Oranges .............................................................tons

Tangelos (Florida) ..............................................tons

Tangerines and mandarins .................................tons

Noncitrus

Apples ...........................................................pounds

Apricots ..............................................................tons

Bananas (Hawaii) ..........................................pounds

Grapes ...............................................................tons

Olives (California) ..............................................tons

Papayas (Hawaii) ..........................................pounds

Peaches .............................................................tons

Pears .................................................................tons

Prunes, dried (California) ...................................tons

Prunes and plums (excludes California) .............tons

Nuts and miscellaneous

Almonds, shelled (California) ........................pounds

Hazelnuts, in-shell (Oregon) ...............................tons

Pecans, in-shell .............................................pounds

Walnuts, in-shell (California) ..............................tons

Maple syrup .................................................. gallons

1,238

882

8,244

41

595

9,286.6

65.5

20,900

6,856.8

190.0

27,500

1,151.3

807.6

125.0

12.3

1,650,000

27

259,660

510

1,955

1,209

940

8,905

52

610

1 Production years are 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.
Crop Production (April 2011) 11

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Fruits and Nuts Production – United States: 2010 and 2011 (Metric Units)

[Data are the latest estimates available, either from the current report or from previous reports. Current year estimates are for the full 2011 crop year, 

except citrus which is for the 2010-2011 season. Blank cells indicate estimation period has not yet begun]

Crop

Production

2010 2011

(metric tons) (metric tons)

Citrus 1

Grapefruit ..............................................................

Lemons .................................................................

Oranges .................................................................

Tangelos (Florida) .................................................

Tangerines and mandarins ....................................

Noncitrus

Apples ...................................................................

Apricots .................................................................

Bananas (Hawaii) ..................................................

Grapes ..................................................................

Olives (California) ..................................................

Papayas (Hawaii) ..................................................

Peaches ................................................................

Pears .....................................................................

Prunes, dried (California) .......................................

Prunes and plums (excludes California) .................

Nuts and miscellaneous

Almonds, shelled (California) .................................

Hazelnuts, in-shell (Oregon) ..................................

Pecans, in-shell .....................................................

Walnuts, in-shell (California) ..................................

Maple syrup ...........................................................

1,123,090

800,140

7,478,830

37,190

539,770

4,212,330

59,400

9,480

6,220,360

172,370

12,470

1,044,440

732,640

113,400

11,160

748,430

24,490

117,780

462,660

9,770

1,096,790

852,750

8,078,480

47,170

553,380

1 Production years are 2009-2010 and 2010-2011.
12 Crop Production (April 2011)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service
Crop Production (April 2011) 13

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

March Weather Summary

During March, warm, dry weather across the southern Plains and the Southwest adversely affected already 

drought-stressed pastures and winter grains. From November 28 to April 3, the portion of the winter wheat crop rated in 

very poor to poor condition climbed from 26 to 61 percent in Texas; 8 to 53 percent in Oklahoma; and 25 to 34 percent in 

Kansas.

In contrast, cold weather dominated the Nation’s Northern Tier, particularly on the northern Plains. Monthly temperatures 

ranged from more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit below normal on the northern Plains to more than 5 degrees Fahrenheit 

above normal in parts of the Southwest. By month’s end, winter wheat in the northern Plains had begun to break 

dormancy, with 70 percent of Montana’s wheat crop rated in good to excellent condition on April 3.

As the month progressed, flooding generally shifted from the Ohio Valley (and parts of the Northeast) into the upper 

Midwest. In the latter region, the mid- to late-month combination of precipitation and melting snow led to significant 

flooding, especially in eastern South Dakota and southern Minnesota.

Meanwhile, March rainfall provided drought relief in parts of the Southeast. Heavy precipitation fell from the central Gulf 

Coast into the Appalachians, as well as the Northeast. Late-month rain eased drought in parts of Florida, with downpours 

affecting central portions of the peninsula.

Elsewhere, a series of exceptional, late-season storms hammered northern and central California and the Northwest, while 

drought continued to expand and intensify across Arizona and New Mexico. The average water content of the 

high-elevation Sierra Nevada snow pack peaked at 48 inches (165 percent of normal) in late March, up from 22 inches in 

mid-February.

March Agricultural Summary

The arrival of March brought seasonable temperatures to much of the Nation. In contrast, portions of the northern Great 

Plains and Rocky Mountains experienced temperatures more than 10 degrees below average. While precipitation was 

above average along both coasts and in isolated locations across the Northern Tier, many areas in the center of the country 

accumulated less than 50 percent of their normal rainfall totals during the month.

As the month began and when weather conditions allowed, row crop producers in many regions of the United States were 

completing tillage operations, irrigating fields, and performing routine equipment maintenance in preparation for spring 

planting. In portions of the South, some corn, cotton, and sorghum acreage was already in the ground. By mid-month, a 

prolonged lack of rainfall coupled with inadequate soil moisture availability delayed planting activities across southern 

Texas and left emerged corn in the Coastal Bend in need of additional precipitation to further normal crop development. 

Elsewhere, rice producers in California were busy working on drainage ditches to help eliminate excess water from their 

fields following steady rainfall during the first half of March. By month’s end, corn, cotton, rice, and sorghum planting 

was underway in several States.

While small grain fields in California were growing well with adequate to abundant available soil moisture at the start of 

the month, persistently dry conditions on the central and southern Great Plains left many winter wheat fields in Kansas, 

Oklahoma, and Texas in very poor or poor condition at month’s end. In Kansas, the largest winter wheat-producing State, 

jointing was evident in a small number fields by March 13. Producers in the High Plains of Texas treated some fields for 

brown wheat mites, Russian wheat aphids, and winter grain mites as portions of the crop in the Low Plains were 

negatively impacted by soil erosion and strong winds. In Oklahoma, some small grain fields were appraised for insurance 

purposes while producers were considering grazing others. Elsewhere, as the month ended, dairy operations in Georgia 

were harvesting some small grain fields for silage.
14 Crop Production (April 2011)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Crop Comments

Grapefruit: The 2010-2011 United States grapefruit crop is forecast at 1.21 million tons, up 1 percent from the March 1 

forecast but down 2 percent from the 2009-2010 crop.

Florida grapefruit production is forecast at 19.6 million boxes (833,000 tons), unchanged from the previous forecast but 

down 3 percent from last season. The Florida all white grapefruit forecast is 5.60 million boxes (238,000 tons), down 

7 percent from the 2009-2010 season. The colored grapefruit forecast, at 14.0 million boxes (595,000 tons), is 2 percent 

below last season. 

Tangerines and mandarins: The United States tangerine and mandarin crop is forecast at 610,000 tons, up 1 percent 

from the March 1 forecast and up 3 percent from the previous season. Florida’s tangerine crop is forecast at 4.50 million 

boxes (214,000 tons), up 2 percent from the previous forecast and up 1 percent from the previous season.

Lemons: The forecast for the 2010-2011 United States lemon crop is 940,000 tons, unchanged from the January 1 

forecast but up 7 percent from the 2009-2010 final utilization. California production is forecast at 840,000 tons 

(21.0 million boxes), unchanged from the previous forecast but up 5 percent from last season’s revised utilized 

production. Harvest ended in the Desert Region while picking continued in the San Joaquin Valley. Lemon production in 

Arizona is forecast at 100,000 tons (2.50 million boxes), unchanged from the January 1 forecast but up 19 percent from 

last season.

Tangelos: Florida’s tangelo forecast is 1.15 million boxes (52,000 tons), up 5 percent from the March 1 forecast and up 

28 percent from last season’s final utilization.

Florida citrus: In the citrus growing areas, temperatures were predominantly in the 80s during the month. Weather 

stations reported lows from the 30s to the 50s, with highs reaching the 90 degree range. Drought conditions worsened 

during March, with light rainfall having little effect on improving soil moisture. The citrus bloom was heavy and 

widespread with reports of a good fruit set. 

Citrus growers reported harvest of early and midseason oranges neared completion. Grapefruit continued to be picked on 

schedule. Nearly all of the processing plants are open. Valencia oranges and grapefruit made up the majority of fruit going 

to the plants. Heavy irrigation and harvesting dominated the grove activities during the month.

Arizona citrus: Lemon and tangerine harvest finished in March.

Texas citrus: Dry conditions persisted throughout the growing region in March. Harvest of navel and Valencia oranges 

and grapefruit continued with excellent fruit quality being reported.

California citrus: The navel orange, mandarin, and lemon harvests continued in the San Joaquin Valley, along with early 

varieties of Valencia oranges. Lemons and grapefruit continued to be picked in the Desert Region, while lemons were 

picked in the Coastal Region as well. Harvest of navel oranges finished early to limit fruit losses due to rind breakdown. 

Nurseries in Tulare County shipped citrus plants across the State.

California noncitrus fruits and nuts: Stone fruit and cherry bloom was underway with most farmers performing bloom 

spray applications. Early grape varieties showed bud break and strawberry plants showed good growth in the San Joaquin 

Valley. Pre-emergent herbicides were applied in grape vineyards along with ongoing pruning. Fertilizers and herbicides 

application continued in orchards across the State.

Irrigation water was applied to almond orchards across the Central Valley to limit the effects of freezing temperatures on 

almond buds. Blooming continued in the San Joaquin Valley while it was finished in the Sacramento Valley. Sprays were 

applied in almond orchards along with pruning as weather allowed. Pruning and spraying in pistachio and walnut orchards 

continued as well when field conditions allowed. Planting of new nut trees was ongoing.
Crop Production (April 2011) 15

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Spring potatoes: Production for 2011 is forecast at 25.8 million cwt, up 4 percent from 2010. Area for harvest is forecast 

at 89,500 acres, up 4 percent from last year. The average yield forecast, at 289 cwt per acre, is unchanged from 2010.

Florida’s production is forecast at 8.62 million cwt, up 8 percent from last year. Unfavorable weather conditions caused 

some freeze damage in the other areas growing region. However, Hastings area growers expect a good crop. California’s 

spring potato production is forecast at 10.8 million cwt, down 1 percent from the previous year due to cool, wet growing 

conditions. North Carolina growers are expected to produce 3.52 million cwt of spring potatoes, up 20 percent from 2010. 

As of March 27, 2011, crop condition was rated as mostly good by the growers. Production in Arizona is forecast at 

1.14 million, up 10 percent from 2010, while Texas growers expect production to total 1.73 million cwt, down 13 percent 

from last year.

Summer potatoes: The final estimate of 2010 summer potato production is 11.6 million cwt, up 1 percent from the 

preliminary estimate in the January Crop Production 2010 Summary. Harvested area covered 37,500 acres, up 1 percent 

from the preliminary 2010 estimate. The revised acreage yield of 310 cwt per acre is down 1 cwt form the 2010 

preliminary estimate.
16 Crop Production (April 2011)

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Statistical Methodology

Survey procedures: The orange objective yield survey for the April 1 forecast was conducted in Florida, which accounts 

for nearly 75 percent of the United States production. Bearing tree numbers are determined at the start of the season based 

on a fruit tree census conducted every other year, combined with ongoing review based on administrative data or special 

surveys. From mid-July to mid-September, the number of fruit per tree is determined. In September and subsequent 

months, fruit size measurement and fruit droppage surveys are conducted, which, when combined with the previous 

components, are used to develop the current forecast of production. California and Texas conduct grower and packer 

surveys on a quarterly basis in October, January, April, and July. California also conducts objective measurement surveys 

in September for navel oranges and in March for Valencia oranges.

Estimating procedures: State level objective yield estimates for Florida oranges were reviewed for errors, 

reasonableness, and consistency with historical estimates. Reports from growers and packers in California and Texas were 

also used for setting estimates. These three States submit their analyses of the current situation to the Agricultural 

Statistics Board (ASB). The ASB uses the survey data and the State analyses to prepare the published April 1 forecast.

Revision policy: The April 1 production forecasts will not be revised. A new forecast will be made each month 

throughout the growing season. End-of-season estimates will be published in the Citrus Fruits Summary released in 

September. The production estimates are based on all data available at the end of the marketing season, including 

information from marketing orders, shipments, and processor records. Allowances are made for recorded local utilization 

and home use.

Reliability: To assist users in evaluating the reliability of the April 1 production forecasts, the "Root Mean Square Error," 

a statistical measure based on past performance, is computed. The deviation between the April 1 production forecast and 

the final estimate is expressed as a percentage of the final estimate. The average of squared percentage deviations for the 

latest 20-year period is computed. 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 April 1 orange production forecast is 1.7 percent regardless of including or 

excluding the 4 abnormal production seasons (2 freeze seasons and 2 hurricane seasons). This means that chances are 

2 out of 3 that the current orange production forecast will not be above or below the final estimates by more than 

1.7 percent. Chances are 9 out of 10 (90 percent confidence level) that the difference will not exceed 2.9 percent, or 

3.0 percent, excluding abnormal seasons.

Changes between the April 1 orange forecast and the final estimates during the past 20 years have averaged 146,000 tons 

(154,000 tons, excluding abnormal seasons), ranging from 7,000 tons to 368,000 tons (7,000 tons to 368,000 tons, 

excluding abnormal seasons). The April 1 forecast for oranges has been below the final estimate 7 times and above 

13 times (below 5 times and above 11 times, excluding abnormal seasons). The difference does not imply that the April 1 

forecast this year is likely to understate or overstate final production.
Crop Production (April 2011) 17

USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service

Information Contacts

Listed below are the commodity statisticians in the Crops Branch of the National Agricultural Statistics Service to contact 

for additional information. E-mail inquiries may be sent to nass@nass.usda.gov

Lance Honig, Chief, Crops Branch....................................................................................................... (202) 720-2127

Jacqueline Moore, Head, Field Crops Section...................................................................................... (202) 720-2127

 Suzanne Avilla – Peanuts, Rice ....................................................................................................... (202) 720-7688

 Bryan Durham – Hay, Oats.............................................................................................................. (202) 690-3234

 Steve Maliszewski – Cotton, Cotton Ginnings, Sorghum................................................................ (202) 720-5944

 Anthony Prillaman – Corn, Proso Millet, Flaxseed ......................................................................... (202) 720-9526

 Nick Schauer – Wheat, Rye ............................................................................................................. (202) 720-8068

 Julie Schmidt – Crop Weather, Barley, Sugar Crops....................................................................... (202) 720-7621

 Travis Thorson – Soybeans, Sunflower, Other Oilseeds ................................................................. (202) 720-7369

Jorge Garcia-Pratts, Head, Fruits, Vegetables and Special Crops Section............................................ (202) 720-2127

 Debbie Flippin – Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions, Strawberries..................................... (202) 720-2157

 Fred Granja – Apples, Apricots, Cherries, Plums, Prunes, Tobacco .............................................. (202) 720-4288

 Chris Hawthorn – Citrus, Coffee, Grapes, Tropical Fruits.............................................................. (202) 720-5412

 Tierra Mobley – Berries, Cranberries, Potatoes, Sweet Potatoes .................................................... (202) 720-4285

 Dan Norris – Austrian Winter Peas, Dry Edible Peas, Lentils, Mints,

 Mushrooms, Peaches, Pears, Wrinkled Seed Peas, Dry Beans .................................................. (202) 720-3250

 Kim Ritchie – Hops.......................................................................................................................... (360) 709-2400

 Sarah Speedy – Floriculture, Maple Syrup, Nursery, Tree Nuts ..................................................... (202) 720-9085
Access to NASS Reports

For your convenience, you may access NASS reports and products the following ways:

 All reports are available electronically, at no cost, on the NASS web site: http://www.nass.usda.gov

 Both national and state specific reports are available via a free e-mail subscription. To set-up this free 

subscription, visit http://www.nass.usda.gov and in the “Receive NASS Updates” box under “Receive reports by 

Email,” click on “National” or “State” to select the reports you would like to receive. 

 Printed reports may be purchased from the National Technical Information Service (NTIS) by calling toll-free 

(800) 999-6779, or (703) 605-6220 if calling from outside the United States or Canada. Accepted methods of 

payment are Visa, MasterCard, check, or money order. 

For more information on NASS surveys and reports, call the NASS Agricultural Statistics Hotline at (800) 727-9540, 

7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. ET, or e-mail: nass@nass.usda.gov. 

 

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