Crop
Production

National
Agricultural
Statistics
Service


USDA
Washington, D.C.


Released January 11, 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.


    California Freeze Lowers U.S. Orange Production 8 Percent


All oranges production forecast for 1998-99 is 10.1 million tons, down
8 percent from last month's forecast and down 27 percent from last year's
record large crop of 13.9 million tons.  Due to the December freeze in the San
Joaquin Valley, California's all orange production forecast is 38.0 million
boxes (1.43 million tons), down 39 percent from the October forecast and down
49 percent from the 1997-98 utilization.

The freeze during the nights of December 20 - 23, 1998 caused considerable
losses to both the Navel and Valencia crops.  California's Navel forecast, at
19.0 million boxes (712,500 tons), is down 44 percent from the previous
forecast. Close to 90 percent of the Navel acreage is in the San Joaquin Valley
and only 15 percent of the crop had been harvested before the freeze. 
Approximately 60 percent of California's Valencia acreage is in the San Joaquin
Valley and the State forecast of 19.0 million boxes (712,500 tons) is down
32 percent from October.

Florida's all orange forecast remains at 190 million boxes (8.55 million tons),
22 percent less than the record large 244 million boxes (11.0 million boxes)
utilized last season.  Early and midseason varieties in Florida are forecast at
112 million boxes (5.04 million tons), 20 percent lower than last season. 
Florida's Valencia forecast of 78.0 million boxes (3.51 million tons) is
25 percent lower than last season's utilization.


Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1998-99 season is
forecast at 1.57 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from December. 
The forecast projects the final yield as reported by the Florida Citrus
Processors Association.  The final 1997-98 yield for all fruit used in FCOJ was
1.58 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix.  Projected average yield for 1998-99
early and midseason varieties is 1.52 gallons per box, higher than last
season's 1.49 and near the 1992-93 record high.  Valencias are projected to
yield 1.67 gallons per box, below last season's record high of 1.72.


All cotton production is forecast at 13.8 million bales, up 3 percent from last
month, but down 27 percent from 1997.  Yield is expected to average 618 pounds
per harvested acre, down 55 pounds from last year.  Texas production was
increased 200,000 bales from December's forecast and the yield, at 509 pounds,
ties their record yield set in 1996.  Georgia's production is up 150,000 bales
from last month, as the open fall weather benefitted crop development.




Cr Pr 2-2  (1-99)a






This report was approved on January 11, 1999.


                       Acting Secretary of
                           Agriculture
                         Michael V. Dunn


                  Agricultural Statistics Board
                           Chairperson
                           Rich Allen


                            Contents
                                                               Page

Cotton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .4

Cottonseed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .6

Crop Comments. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Fruit, Citrus. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .8

Hay Stocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .9

Information Contacts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Papayas. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Potatoes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .7

Weather Summary. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10



               Cotton:  Area Planted and Harvested by Type, State,
                           and United States, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Type   :          Area Planted          :          Area Harvested
    and    :--------------------------------------------------------------------
   State   :   1996   :   1997   :   1998   :   1996    :   1997    :   1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :                            1,000 Acres
           :
Upland     :
  AL       :    520.0      535.0      495.0      516.0       442.0       475.0
  AZ       :    315.0      325.0      250.0      314.0       324.0       248.0
  AR       :  1,000.0      980.0      920.0      990.0       965.0       900.0
  CA       :  1,000.0      880.0      650.0      995.0       875.0       620.0
  FL       :     99.0      100.0       89.0       98.2        99.0        80.0
  GA       :  1,340.0    1,440.0    1,400.0    1,336.0     1,425.0     1,320.0
  KS       :      4.5       12.0       17.0        4.0        10.0        16.0
  LA       :    890.0      655.0      535.0      885.0       650.0       525.0
  MS       :  1,120.0      985.0      950.0    1,100.0       970.0       940.0
  MO       :    390.0      395.0      370.0      385.0       390.0       357.0
  NM       :     59.0       70.0       60.0       55.0        66.0        58.0
  NC       :    740.0      690.0      710.0      730.0       685.0       705.0
  OK       :    290.0      200.0      160.0      210.0       190.0       120.0
  SC       :    284.0      290.0      290.0      282.0       286.0       286.0
  TN       :    540.0      490.0      450.0      530.0       480.0       445.0
  TX       :  5,700.0    5,500.0    5,650.0    4,100.0     5,200.0     3,300.0
  VA       :    103.0      101.0       92.0      102.0       100.0        91.0
           :
  US       : 14,394.5   13,648.0   13,088.0   12,632.2    13,157.0    10,486.0
           :
Amer-Pima  :
  AZ       :     42.0       22.0       15.9       41.9        22.0        15.5
  CA       :    165.0      185.0      200.0      164.0       184.0       180.0
  NM       :     14.0       11.0        9.0       14.0        11.0         9.0
  TX       :     37.0       32.0      105.0       36.0        32.0        32.0
           :
  US       :    258.0      250.0      329.9      255.9       249.0       236.5
           :
All        :
  AL       :    520.0      535.0      495.0      516.0       442.0       475.0
  AZ       :    357.0      347.0      265.9      355.9       346.0       263.5
  AR       :  1,000.0      980.0      920.0      990.0       965.0       900.0
  CA       :  1,165.0    1,065.0      850.0    1,159.0     1,059.0       800.0
  FL       :     99.0      100.0       89.0       98.2        99.0        80.0
  GA       :  1,340.0    1,440.0    1,400.0    1,336.0     1,425.0     1,320.0
  KS       :      4.5       12.0       17.0        4.0        10.0        16.0
  LA       :    890.0      655.0      535.0      885.0       650.0       525.0
  MS       :  1,120.0      985.0      950.0    1,100.0       970.0       940.0
  MO       :    390.0      395.0      370.0      385.0       390.0       357.0
  NM       :     73.0       81.0       69.0       69.0        77.0        67.0
  NC       :    740.0      690.0      710.0      730.0       685.0       705.0
  OK       :    290.0      200.0      160.0      210.0       190.0       120.0
  SC       :    284.0      290.0      290.0      282.0       286.0       286.0
  TN       :    540.0      490.0      450.0      530.0       480.0       445.0
  TX       :  5,737.0    5,532.0    5,755.0    4,136.0     5,232.0     3,332.0
  VA       :    103.0      101.0       92.0      102.0       100.0        91.0
           :
  US       : 14,652.5   13,898.0   13,417.9   12,888.1    13,406.0    10,722.5
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                  Cotton:  Yield and Production by Type, State,
                           and United States, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    Type   :            Yield            :            Production 1/
    and    :--------------------------------------------------------------------
   State   :  1996   :  1997   :  1998   :    1996    :    1997    :    1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           :  --------- Pounds --------     --------- 1,000 Bales 2/ ---------
           :
Upland     :
  AL       :    734       597       576        789.0        550.0        570.0
  AZ       :  1,189     1,255     1,123        778.0        847.0        580.0
  AR       :    793       837       651      1,636.0      1,683.0      1,220.0
  CA       :  1,153     1,202       890      2,390.0      2,191.0      1,150.0
  FL       :    637       577       408        130.4        119.1         68.0
  GA       :    747       646       564      2,079.0      1,919.0      1,550.0
  KS       :    492       418       402          4.1          8.7         13.4
  LA       :    697       728       590      1,286.0        986.0        645.0
  MS       :    819       901       740      1,876.0      1,821.0      1,450.0
  MO       :    737       695       471        591.0        565.0        350.0
  NM       :    733       676       745         84.0         93.0         90.0
  NC       :    659       652       684      1,002.0        930.0      1,005.0
  OK       :    306       462       560        134.0        183.0        140.0
  SC       :    774       688       587        455.0        410.0        350.0
  TN       :    611       662       588        675.0        662.0        545.0
  TX       :    509       474       509      4,345.0      5,140.0      3,500.0
  VA       :    748       659       737        159.0        137.2        139.8
           :
  US       :    700       666       612     18,413.5     18,245.0     13,366.2
           :
Amer-Pima  :
  AZ       :    852       912       743         74.4         41.8         24.0
  CA       :  1,098     1,141       920        375.0        437.2        345.0
  NM       :    651       641       587         19.0         14.7         11.0
  TX       :    801       815       750         60.1         54.3         50.0
           :
  US       :    991     1,056       873        528.5        548.0        430.0
           :
All        :
  AL       :    734       597       576        789.0        550.0        570.0
  AZ       :  1,150     1,233     1,100        852.4        888.8        604.0
  AR       :    793       837       651      1,636.0      1,683.0      1,220.0
  CA       :  1,145     1,191       897      2,765.0      2,628.2      1,495.0
  FL       :    637       577       408        130.4        119.1         68.0
  GA       :    747       646       564      2,079.0      1,919.0      1,550.0
  KS       :    492       418       402          4.1          8.7         13.4
  LA       :    697       728       590      1,286.0        986.0        645.0
  MS       :    819       901       740      1,876.0      1,821.0      1,450.0
  MO       :    737       695       471        591.0        565.0        350.0
  NM       :    717       671       724        103.0        107.7        101.0
  NC       :    659       652       684      1,002.0        930.0      1,005.0
  OK       :    306       462       560        134.0        183.0        140.0
  SC       :    774       688       587        455.0        410.0        350.0
  TN       :    611       662       588        675.0        662.0        545.0
  TX       :    511       477       511      4,405.1      5,194.3      3,550.0
  VA       :    748       659       737        159.0        137.2        139.8
           :
  US       :    705       673       618     18,942.0     18,793.0     13,796.2
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Production ginned and to be ginned.
2/  480-lb. net weight bales.




           Cottonseed:  Production by State and United States, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                              Production
  State :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :         1996          :         1997          :        1998 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                              1,000 Tons
        :
AL      :          273.0                   196.0                   196.0
AZ      :          324.0                   312.0                   225.0
AR      :          635.0                   632.0                   471.0
CA      :        1,020.0                   942.0                   547.0
FL      :           46.0                    45.0                    25.0
GA      :          681.0                   660.0                   526.0
KS      :            1.4                     3.1                     4.6
LA      :          499.0                   359.0                   240.0
MS      :          735.0                   704.0                   567.0
MO      :          234.0                   223.0                   142.0
NM      :           38.1                    40.5                    37.0
NC      :          343.0                   321.0                   349.0
OK      :           56.0                    72.0                    59.0
SC      :          155.0                   142.0                   121.0
TN      :          262.0                   260.0                   215.0
TX      :        1,784.0                 1,983.0                 1,410.0
VA      :           57.0                    40.0                    47.0
        :
US      :        7,143.5                 6,934.6                 5,181.6
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Estimates based on a 3-year average lint-seed ratio.




            Potatoes:  Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production
              by Seasonal Group, State, and United States, 1997-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            :             Area              :           :
  Seasonal  :-------------------------------:   Yield   :      Production
    Group   :    Planted    :   Harvested   :           :
     and    :-------------------------------------------------------------------
    State   : 1998  : 1999  : 1998  : 1999  :1998 :1999 : 1997  : 1998  : 1999
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            : -------- 1,000 Acres -------    -- Cwt --  ------ 1,000 Cwt -----
            :
Winter      :
  CA        :  7.0     7.8     7.0     7.8    220   190   1,551   1,540   1,482
  FL        :  8.5     9.2     8.0     8.9    180   180   1,880   1,440   1,602
            :
  Total     : 15.5    17.0    15.0    16.7    199   185   3,431   2,980   3,084
            :
Spring 1/   :
  AL        :  1.8             1.7            130           272     221
  AZ        :  8.1             8.1            282         1,820   2,284
  CA        : 18.5            18.5            335         8,073   6,198
  FL        : 35.8            34.5            213         7,150   7,358
    Hastings: 25.5            24.5            235         5,258   5,758
    Other FL: 10.3            10.0            160         1,892   1,600
  NC        : 18.0            17.5            190         3,287   3,325
  TX        : 10.8            10.3            170         1,697   1,751
            :
  Total     : 93.0            90.6            233        22,299  21,137
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1998 Revised.




         Papayas:  Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii, 1997-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            :                    Area                     :  Fresh Production
            :-------------------------------------------------------------------
    Month   :     Total in Crop     :      Harvested      :          :
            :---------------------------------------------:   1997   :   1998
            :   1997    :   1998    :   1997   :   1998   :          :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
            :   ---------------- Acres ----------------        1,000 Pounds
            :
Nov         :   3,105       3,785      1,920      2,235      3,030      3,070
Dec         :   3,515       3,735      1,715      2,185      3,145      3,235
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




     Citrus Fruits:  Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States,
               1996-97, 1997-98 and Forecasted January 1, 1999 1/
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :     Utilized Production     :     Utilized Production
                    :            Boxes            :       Ton Equivalent
   Crop and State   :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    : 1996-97 : 1997-98 : 1998-99 : 1996-97 : 1997-98 : 1998-99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    : ------ 1,000 Boxes 2/ -----   ------- 1,000 Tons -------
Oranges             :
  Early Mid &       :
   Navel 3/         :
    AZ              :     400       350       450       15        13        17
    CA              :  40,000    44,000    19,000    1,500     1,650       713
    FL              : 134,200   140,000   112,000    6,039     6,300     5,040
    TX              :   1,300     1,350     1,300       55        57        55
    US              : 175,900   185,700   132,750    7,609     8,020     5,825
  Valencia          :
    AZ              :     600       650       550       23        25        21
    CA              :  24,000    30,000    19,000      900     1,125       713
    FL              :  92,000   104,000    78,000    4,140     4,680     3,510
    TX              :     120       175       140        5         7         6
    US              : 116,720   134,825    97,690    5,068     5,837     4,250
   All              :
    AZ              :   1,000     1,000     1,000       38        38        38
    CA              :  64,000    74,000    38,000    2,400     2,775     1,426
    FL              : 226,200   244,000   190,000   10,179    10,980     8,550
    TX              :   1,420     1,525     1,440       60        64        61
    US              : 292,620   320,525   230,440   12,677    13,857    10,075
Temples             :
  FL                :   2,400     2,250     2,000      108       101        90
Grapefruit          :
  White Seedless    :
    FL 4/           :  23,500    18,300    18,000      999       777       765
  Colored Seedless  :
    FL 5/           :  31,400    30,600    31,500    1,334     1,301     1,339
  Other             :
    FL              :     900       650       500       38        28        21
  All               :
    AZ              :     900       800       700       30        27        23
    CA              :   8,200     9,000     8,000      275       301       268
    FL 4/ 5/        :  55,800    49,550    50,000    2,371     2,106     2,125
    TX              :   5,300     4,800     5,000      212       192       200
    US              :  70,200    64,150    63,700    2,888     2,626     2,616
Tangerines          :
  AZ 6/             :     550       600       700       21        23        26
  CA 6/             :   2,600     2,400     1,600       98        90        60
  FL                :   6,300     5,200     4,500      299       247       214
  US                :   9,450     8,200     6,800      418       360       300
Lemons              :
  AZ                :   2,600     2,600     3,200       99        99       122
  CA                :  22,600    22,000    18,000      859       836       684
  US                :  25,200    24,600    21,200      958       935       806
Tangelos            :
  FL                :   3,950     2,850     2,500      178       128       113
K-Early Citrus      :
  FL                :     150        40        60        7         2         3
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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; tangerines-AZ & 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/  Excludes
White Seedless economic abandonment of 3,000,000 boxes in 1996-97 and 5,000,000
boxes in 1997-98.  5/  Excludes Colored Seedless economic abandonment of
3,000,000 boxes in 1996-97 and 1,000,000 boxes in 1997-98.  6/  Includes
tangelos and tangors.




                Hay:  Stocks on Farms by State and United States,
                          December 1 and May 1, 1996-98
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                  Dec 1                  :           May 1
   State  :---------------------------------------------------------------------
          :    1996     :    1997     :    1998     :    1997     :    1998
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
          :                             1,000 Tons
          :
AL        :     1,489         1,646         1,213          193           191
AZ        :        82           171           177           28            34
AR        :     1,888         2,075         1,900          236           272
CA        :     2,594         1,598         3,246          160           420
CO        :     2,006         2,133         2,807          209           616
CT        :        97            69            77           13            16
DE        :        11             7            18            6             5
FL        :       437           436           357           31            65
GA        :       924         1,045         1,000          302           203
ID        :     2,285         2,743         3,329          286           520
IL        :     1,258         1,327         2,100          286           474
IN        :     1,131         1,213         1,775          162           327
IA        :     3,500         3,374         4,500          715           623
KS        :     5,600         5,609         6,500          841           889
KY        :     4,334         3,615         4,695          627           603
LA        :       502           668           290          126           103
ME        :       202           152           196           57            25
MD        :       433           381           333           84            55
MA        :       108            92           101           31            17
MI        :     2,514         1,993         2,093          460           414
MN        :     4,018         3,647         5,261          540           640
MS        :     1,620         1,530         1,500          160           198
MO        :     6,470         6,239         6,933          872           881
MT        :     4,674         5,042         4,568          492         1,151
NE        :     5,063         4,549         5,170          968         1,222
NV        :       758           708           857           61           151
NH        :        70            49            72           12             9
NJ        :        92           138           121           27            20
NM        :       546           479           450           74           165
NY        :     2,254         1,998         1,990          555           344
NC        :     1,160         1,162         1,189          137           152
ND        :     4,777         4,069         4,064          675           744
OH        :     2,074         2,387         2,558          173           616
OK        :     4,397         4,444         3,042          790           919
OR        :     2,108         1,600         2,159           97           621
PA        :     2,613         2,299         2,800          600           452
RI        :         6             9            12            1             1
SC        :       308           410           415          101            82
SD        :     8,530         7,888         9,500        1,570         2,031
TN        :     3,049         3,184         3,175          419           555
TX        :     6,252         8,764         5,496        1,400         2,191
UT        :     1,327         1,658         1,695          302           435
VT        :       330           261           328           86            73
VA        :     2,666         1,591         1,693          622           250
WA        :     1,162         1,295         1,663          283           308
WV        :       895           848           949          117           110
WI        :     4,600         4,320         5,100        1,150         1,271
WY        :     1,965         2,129         2,372          287           363
          :
US        :   105,179       103,044       111,839       17,424        21,827
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------




December Weather Summary: Arctic air enveloped much of the Nation following
early- to mid-month record warmth, severely damaging citrus in California's San
Joaquin Valley (December 21-25) and threatening soft white winter wheat in the
Northwest (December 20-24).  In the Plains and Ohio Valley, however, winter
wheat escaped with only some burning back of top-growth, as snow cover
insulated the potentially vulnerable portion of the crop.  During the coldest
period (December 19-26), only a few areas, including coastal southern
California, the lower Colorado Valley, extreme southern Texas, and Peninsular
Florida, escaped sub-freezing temperatures.  Lowest temperatures ranged from
-10 to -30 degrees F across the northern and central Plains as far south as
eastern Colorado and west-central Kansas.  A reinforcing Arctic blast arrived
at year's end (December 29-31), primarily affecting the northern Plains and
Midwest.

Despite the late-month chill, December temperatures averaged 4 to 10 degrees F
above normal across the Midwest.  Similar departures (+2 to +8 degrees F) were
noted in the East.  During the first 8 days of the month, nearly 500
daily-record highs were set or tied, while more than 50 locations reported
December-record highs.  A second warm spell, beginning on December 12, produced
more than 100 additional daily-record highs before an Arctic cold front swept
off the East Coast on December 22.  In California, the cold wave helped to hold
monthly temperatures as much as 4 degrees F below normal.

Heavy precipitation continued across the Pacific Northwest for a second
consecutive month, contributing to late-month flooding west of the Cascades. 
Some of the moisture spread across the Cascades into the northern Rockies, but
most areas in a broad swath from California to the Northeast, including the
Great Lakes region, received below-normal precipitation.  Meanwhile, a series
of low-pressure systems crossed the South, producing monthly precipitation
greater than 4 inches in areas from eastern Texas and southeastern Oklahoma to
North Carolina and southern Virginia.  A pair of storms during the second week
of December provided this region with heavy rainfall, but a December 22-24 ice
storm caused power outages and transportation disruptions. Although the
Southeast's precipitation provided significant relief from long-term dryness,
many locations both north and south of the primary storm track saw moisture
deficits mount.  Drought stretched through a sixth month in portions of the
northern Mid-Atlantic region.



General Crop Comments: Winter wheat development in parts of the central and
southern Plains, Corn Belt, Southeast, and lower Mississippi Delta was
stimulated early in the month by warm weather.  Many record high temperatures
were recorded east of the Rocky Mountains.  Wheat areas in the northern Rocky
Mountains, Pacific Northwest, and southern High Plains received beneficial
rains.  Dry conditions assisted late-season harvest efforts and fall tillage
operations in most of the Corn Belt, Southeast, and middle Atlantic Coastal
Plains.  Warm, dry weather relieved muddy field conditions and allowed harvest
activities to resume in parts of the northern Plains and upper Mississippi
Valley.  Heavy rains temporarily halted fieldwork in parts of the southern and
central Great Plains, from eastern Texas to eastern Kansas and coastal areas of
the Pacific Northwest, from northern California to the Canadian border.

As mid-month approached, temperatures fell to more seasonal levels, ending
winter wheat growth in the central and northern Great Plains and Corn Belt. 
Seeding of small grains and winter forages continued in California, but were
hampered by wet soils in many areas.  Cool, cloudy weather slowed growth of
emerging crops in the San Joaquin Valley, while wheat fields in the Sacramento
Valley were growing well with additional moisture.  Poor drying conditions
hampered cotton harvesting in the Central Valley, and the lint quality declined
in unharvested fields.  Vegetable harvest activity was slowed by frost, but
fruit and nut harvest was active. In Texas, small grain growth was slowed in
the Plains by freezing temperatures and snow.  Cotton growth ended following a
hard freeze and final harvest, temporarily halted by snow, resumed late in the
week.  Grain sorghum and peanut harvests were nearly complete by the end of the
week in the Plains.  In South Central Texas, the final peanut harvest was
hampered by wet fields.  Hot, dry weather continued to delay small grain
emergence in the Southeast, where soil moisture was becoming increasingly
short.  However, the dry weather allowed vegetable planting and harvesting
activities to proceed on schedule in Florida.  Picking quality and color were
good and growth of recently planted vegetable crops was normal.

Shortly after mid-month, an arctic airmass brought frigid temperatures to the
Northwest and northern Rocky Mountains, and the coldest temperatures of the
winter to the Great Plains, and the western Corn Belt.  Most winter wheat
fields in the northern Plains had some snow cover, providing minimal protection
from the sudden cold, windy conditions.  In the southern Plains, daytime
temperatures remained warm enough to promote growth of small grains.  Scattered
fertilizing and tillage activities continued unhindered by the cold weather in
the Great Plains, Corn Belt, Mississippi Delta, and Southeast.  In South
Dakota, soils were firm enough to allow farmers to harvest most of the
remaining corn and sorghum crops.  Dry weather also aided harvest efforts in
the southern Plains, where a few isolated cotton and sorghum fields remained
unharvested.  Northern Florida experienced below-freezing readings, but
vegetable and fruit crops in central and southern areas of the state were not
affected.  In California, growers harvested vegetables in the Imperial and
Coastal Valleys, pruned orchards in the Sacramento Valley, and planted winter
wheat and oats in the San Joaquin Valley.  Mild temperatures aided winter wheat
development in the Sacramento Valley and vegetable crops were developing well
in the San Joaquin valley.

As the end of the month approached, another bitter cold airmass pushed
southward out of western Canada into the western and central United States. 
Several nights of sub-freezing temperatures damaged citrus crops in the
Sacramento and San Joaquin Valleys, but southern California citrus escaped
major damage.  The lemon crop was especially hard hit.  Freeze damage to
California's vegetable crops was not as severe, but the cold weather halted
winter vegetable harvest activities.  A stormy pattern resumed along the
Pacific Northwest coast.  Snow, followed by mild and rainy weather, raised
streams to their banks in some areas. In Texas, mild temperatures aided winter
wheat growth and most fields provided good forage for grazing.  Dry conditions
continued to assist harvest efforts as cotton, sorghum, peanuts, and soybeans
were virtually complete.  Precipitation in the Southeast provided beneficial
moisture for winter crops, but freezing rain downed power lines from the
central Mississippi Delta to the middle Atlantic States.  In Florida, rains
eased dryness in the Panhandle, but the remainder of the State remained dry. 
Vegetable and citrus growers increased irrigation and harvesting continued
until late week when many took a break to observe the holiday.  Most citrus
groves were in good condition, but some were stressed by excessive dryness. 




Cotton: Upland cotton planted acreage is estimated at 13.1 million
acres, up 4 percent from the August estimate, but down 4 percent from
1997. Harvested acreage at 10.5 million acres, was 20 percent less than
last year, mainly due to the large abandonment in Texas. Producers
planted 329,900 acres of American-Pima cotton in 1998, up 32 percent
from 1997. However, harvested acreage was down 5 percent, at 236,500
acres, also because of the large abandonment in Texas. 

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 this season, but
drought and high temperatures resulted in 2.35 million acres 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. Planted acres in Texas is estimated at 5.65 million,
up 3 percent from 1997, and up 450,000 acres from the August estimate.
Harvested acreage is down 37 percent from last year, at 3.30 million
acres. 

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 late June to 55 percent. Louisiana's rating
dropped 12 points during this same time period to 38 percent, while
Mississippi showed a 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 was 17
points ahead of the 5-year average at 92 percent, and excellent harvest
conditions allowed growers to proceed with second pickings. Cotton
objective yield data show Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi had the
lowest boll weights compared to the past 10 years. 

Arizona's planted and harvested acres decreased by 23 percent from 1997,
and California producers decreased planted and harvested acreage by 26
percent and 29 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 development remaining
behind average. Only one percent of the California crop was harvested on
October 4, 8 points behind average, and one month later producers were
47 points behind the average pace, with only 15 percent harvested. Boll
opening was three-fourths complete compared to the 5-year average of 99
percent, on this same date, and the crop's condition was rated as 45
percent good and 45 percent in fair condition. During December, harvest
made little 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 boll weights ranked seventh since 1988. 

In the Southeastern States (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South
Carolina), cotton planted acreage was 2 percent less than in 1997, at
2.90 million acres, and harvested acreage was also down 2 percent, at
2.79 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 weren't heavily affected. Hurricane
Georges crossed southern Alabama and into Georgia during the 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. 

American-Pima production is forecast at 430,000 bales, down 22 percent
from 1997's output, and down 2,500 bales from the December forecast.
Yield is indicated at 873 pounds per harvested acre, down 183 pounds
from last year's record high yield. California producers increased their
seedings 8 percent from the previous year, to 200,000 acres, but
Arizona's acreage decreased 28 percent from 1997 to 15,900 acres.
Plantings in the San Joaquin Valley began with unseasonably cool, wet
conditions, which kept progress to a minimum until the last of April.
June temperatures in California were below normal and crop development
was behind average throughout the season. Harvest progressed rapidly
during the first half of November, although overall progress remained
well behind normal. Light to moderate rains beginning in mid-month,
delayed harvest and deteriorated lint quality. Harvest in the San
Joaquin Valley was 80 percent complete in late November. In Texas a
large amount of acreage seeded in non-traditional producing areas, was
subject to substantial abandonment. Texas seeded acreage totaled 105,000
acres in 1998, but producers only harvested 32,000 acres. New Mexico
producers reduced their planted and harvested acreage by 18 percent. 

All cotton ginnings totaled 13,067,150 running bales prior to January 1,
compared with 17,613,350 running bales ginned to the same date last year
and 17,680,900 running bales in 1996. 

Winter Potatoes: Production of winter potatoes in 1999 is forecast at
3.08 million cwt. This is up 3 percent from 1998 but 10 percent below
1997. Area for harvest is estimated at 16,700 acres, up 11 percent from
a year ago and 4 percent above two years ago. The average yield is
projected at 185 cwt per acre, 14 cwt below last year. 

Florida planting is virtually completed, with acreage up 8 percent.
Early growth is good. California's acreage is up 11 percent, but yields
are expected to be below last year. High temperatures at planting caused
poor stands and low yields. Harvest of 1999 California winter potatoes
began in mid December. 

Spring Potatoes: Production estimates of spring potatoes totaled 21.1
million cwt in 1998, down 5 percent from a year earlier and 6 percent
below 1996. Harvested area totaled 90,600 acres, up 4 percent from 1997,
while the average yield of 233 cwt per acre was down 22 cwt from last
year. 

Papayas: Hawaii fresh papaya output is estimated at 3.24 million pounds
for December, 5 percent more than November and 3 percent more than
December 1997. Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,735 acres, 1
percent lower than November but 6 percent higher than a year ago.
Harvested area, totaling 2,185 acres, was 2 percent lower than the
previous month but 27 percent higher than last year. Cloudy and rainy
conditions were frequent throughout the month of December. Cool
temperatures and shorter daylight hours slowed fruit development. 

Grapefruit: The January 1 forecast of the 1998-99 U.S. grapefruit crop
is 2.62 million tons, down slightly from the December forecast and
slightly below last season. The January 1 Florida grapefruit crop is
forecast at 50.0 million boxes (2.13 million tons), the same as last
month and up 1 percent from a year ago. The white seedless and colored
seedless forecasts continued at 18.0 million boxes (765,000 tons) and
31.5 million boxes (1.34 million tons), respectively. White seedless
fruit size was average with slightly below average droppage. The colored
seedless fruit size was below average with slightly above average
droppage. The forecast of seedy grapefruit is unchanged at 500,000 boxes
(21,000 tons), the smallest amount of this variety ever recorded. 

California's January 1 forecast of grapefruit production is 8.00 million
boxes (268,000 tons), down 5 percent from the October 1 forecast and
down 11 percent from last year's utilization. Most of California's
grapefruit was not affected by the late December freeze that hit the San
Joaquin Valley. The cooler weather has produced less soft fruit. Defects
include windscar and sunburn. Color and quality are fair. Grapefruit
production in Texas is forecast at 5.00 million boxes (200,000 tons),
unchanged from December 1 and up 4 percent from the previous season.
Weather has not been a problem. Arizona's grapefruit forecast continues
at 700,000 boxes (23,000 tons), down 13 percent from a year ago. No
freeze damage was reported. 

Lemons: The 1998-99 U.S. lemon crop is forecast at 806,000 tons, down 11
percent from the initial forecast in October and down 14 percent from
the 1997-98 crop. California's forecast is reduced to 18.0 million boxes
(684,000 tons), 14 percent less than in October and 18 percent less than
a year ago. Less than 20 percent of the lemons in California are
normally grown in the freeze damaged areas. Nearly all fruit not
harvested before the freeze in those areas will most likely be lost. In
the south coast and desert areas lemons look good. Typical defects
include windscar, flatsides, tip injuries, and botrytis bumps. The
Arizona lemon forecast is raised to 3.20 million boxes (122,000 tons),
up 18 percent from the October forecast and up 23 percent from a year
ago. 

Tangelos: Florida's tangelo forecast for January 1 remains at 2.50
million boxes (113,000 tons), 12 percent less than last season's
utilized production and 37 percent less than 2 seasons ago. 

Tangerines: The 1998-99 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at 300,000 tons,
down 6 percent from last month and down 17 percent from the previous
year's utilization. Florida's tangerine crop is forecast at 4.50 million
boxes (214,000 tons), a 7 percent increase from the December 1 forecast.
If realized, the crop will be 13 percent less than last year.
California's January 1 tangerine forecast is 1.60 million boxes (60,000
tons), down 36 percent from October and down 33 percent from last
season. Approximately half of California's tangerine acreage was
adversely affected by the December freeze. Tangerines not already
harvested are expected to be totally lost. In southern California,
minimal freeze damage was reported for tangerines. Color is good and
eating quality is very good. Defects include windscar, picking injury,
and puff. Arizona's tangerine forecast on January 1 is 700,000 boxes
(26,000 tons), up 8 percent from October and up 17 percent from a year
ago. 

Temples: Florida's 1998-99 Temple forecast is 2.00 million boxes (90,000
tons), unchanged from December 1, but 11 percent less than what was
utilized last season. If realized, it will be the smallest non-freeze
season utilization since the series began in 1954-55. Average fruit size
is well below average and loss from droppage is the lowest in the
eight-season series. The crop is lagging in maturity and harvest is just
getting underway. 

K-Early Citrus: The K-Early Citrus Fruit forecast for 1998-99 remains at
60,000 boxes (3,000 tons), the same as December 1 but 20,000 boxes more
than the record low use last season. Estimated utilization through the
end of December is 52,000 boxes. Small amounts are still available for
processing. 

Florida citrus: December was a very mild and dry month. Most areas of
the citrus belt received below average rainfall which necessitated the
use of irrigation. The current crop of early and midseason fruit is
showing very good on-tree color. Some packing houses have been packing
fruit directly after washing which adds shelf life to the fruit.
Processing plants have been running long hours attempting to move large
quantities of low acid early and midseason oranges. Processors are
utilizing the excellent color from the early tangerines and tangelos
that were rejected by the packing houses due to exterior blemishes.
Caretakers were irrigating, spot spraying, and pushing dead trees
throughout the month. 

Texas Citrus: Harvest moved ahead without much delay during December. No
severely low temperatures have been reported from the Rio Grande Valley.
Quality of fruit is good, but down from last year. 

California Citrus: The San Joaquin Valley had temperatures in the low
20's toward the end of December causing extensive freeze damage on
citrus fruit. As of January 1, growers were still evaluating how much
fruit was salvageable. Many growers are optimistic that some of the
fruit may be useable, but the quality may only be good enough for juice.
The freeze destroyed virtually all the unharvested lemons in the San
Joaquin Valley, which normally accounts for less than 20 percent of the
State's lemon acreage. Approximately 90 percent of the navel oranges
grown in California are in the San Joaquin Valley. The navel crop was
severely damaged by the freeze because only 15 percent of the crop had
been picked due to the slow maturity of this crop. Normally a fourth of
the crop has been picked by the end of the year. The Valencia crop in
the San Joaquin Valley, where 60 percent of California's Valencia acres
are located, suffered considerably because the crop was green and
immature. Picking of any available fruit will not begin until late
spring or early summer. Grapefruit, a heartier fruit, did not suffer as
much damage. Temperatures in southern California dipped below freezing
the same week, but temperatures did not stay there long enough to cause
damage. More than 80 percent of the lemons and grapefruit are in
southern California and good quality fruit was reported there. 

California Fruits and Nuts: Growers were busy with normal winter
activities during December such as weed control, fertilizing, pruning,
and replanting trees. Pecan, kiwifruit, and persimmon harvests
continued. Picking of fresh grapes and apples was completed. 

Hay Stocks on Farm: Stocks of all hay on farms December 1, 1998 totaled
112 million tons, 9 percent above the stocks on farms December 1, 1997.
Stock increases occurred in 33 of the 48 contiguous States. The mild
winter conditions across the United States prolonged pasturing and
reduced the feeding of hay. California had a 103 percent increase in
December hay stocks from a year ago. The drought conditions in the
southern states, from New Mexico, Texas, and Oklahoma to Georgia and
Florida, played a major role in their stock decreases from a year ago.
Louisiana, Texas, and Oklahoma had the largest stocks decreases, down
57, 37, and 32 percent, respectively, from last December. 



   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .         
   




                          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
             Charles Van Lahr, Acting 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
             Doug Hartwig - 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
             Howard Hill - Cherries, Berries, Prunes, Plums,
                         Cranberries, Grapes, Maple Syrup (202) 720-7235
             Dave Ranek - Nuts, Floriculture              (202) 720-4215
             Jeffery Kissel - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas,
                         Mushrooms                        (202) 690-0270
             Biz Wallingsford - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions
                                                          (202) 720-2157
             Debbie Williams - Apples, Strawberries, Tobacco
                                                          (202) 720-4288
             Harry Nishimoto - Hops                       (360) 902-1940


The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on February 
10,1999.


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For your convenience, there are several ways to obtain NASS reports,
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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:
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For a fresh assessment of agricultural prospects
and issues shaping your future, attend the U.S.
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(202) 314-3462.  Register today; rates go up after
February 1.

                      February 22-23, 1999
            Arlington, Virginia Size Up Your Future.
                                
                          Agricultural
                            Outlook
                             Forum
                              1999
                                
                     Farm and Commodity Outlook
                     Long-term Prospects to 2008
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