HDR1012000110010411960830CROP PRODUCTION                                        
HDR2012000110010411960830CROP PRODUCTION HIGHLIGHTS & SUMMARY                   
Released April 11, 1996, by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS),
Agricultural Statistics Board, U.S. Department of Agriculture.  For information 
on "Crop Production" call at (202) 720-2127, office hours 8:00 a.m. to          
4:30 p.m. ET.  For assistance with general agricultural statistics, information 
about NASS, its products or services, contact the NASS Information Hotline at   
1-800-727-9540 or E-mail: NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.  Forecasts refer to April 1, 1996.
                                                                                
                 Orange Production Down Slightly                                
                                                                                
All orange production is forecast at 11.7 million tons, down slightly from last 
month but 1 percent above last season. This year's crop is the second largest on
record.  The Florida forecast is 201.2 million boxes (9.05 million tons), down  
less than 1 percent from March and down 2 percent from last season.  Early and  
mid-season varieties were reduced to 121.2 million boxes (5.45 million tons),   
still a record high but 1 percent below last month.  The Valencia forecast      
remained 80.0 million boxes (3.60 million tons), down 7 percent from a year ago.
California orange production is 68.0 million boxes (2.55 million tons),         
unchanged from January but 11 percent above last season.  Early, mid-season, and
Navel varieties are expected to  produce 40.0 million boxes (1.50 million tons),
unchanged from last quarter but 14 percent more than last season.  Valencia     
production is forecast at 28.0 million boxes (1.05 million tons), also unchanged
from January but up 8 percent from 1994-95.                                     
                                                                                
Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1995-96 season is 
forecast at 1.48 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix,  unchanged from March.   
Early and mid-season varieties yield was final in March at 1.45 gallons per box,
up from last year's 1.44 gallons per box.  The Valencia crop is expected to     
yield 1.55 gallons per box, unchanged from last month but down from 1.58 gallons
per box a year ago.  The final 1994-95 yield for all fruit used in FCOJ was     
1.50 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix.  The forecast projects the final     
yield as reported by the Florida Citrus Processors Association.                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                       **********************                                   
                                                                                
                          Special Notice                                        
                                                                                
The 3:00 p.m. Cotton/Citrus  Production reports scheduled for May 9, June 11,   
July 11, August 9, September 10, October 10, November 8, and December 11 are    
discontinued.  Cotton and citrus production estimates will be released at       
8:30 a.m. in the Crop Production reports on May 10, June 12, July 12, August 12,
September 11, October 11, November 12, and December 12.  In addition, Cotton    
Ginnings reports will be released at 8:30 a.m. on May 10, August 12, September  
11, September 27, October 11, October 25, November 12, November 26, December 12,
and December 23.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Cr Pr 2-2 (4-96)                                                                
             Crop Summary: Production, United States,                           
                1995 and Forecasted April 1, 1996                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :                Utilized Production                   
                         :----------------------------------------------------  
          Crop           :                :       Mar 1,     :     Apr 1,       
                         :      1995      :        1996      :      1996        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
        Crop Year        :    1994-95            1995-96          1995-96       
                         :                                                      
                         :                     1,000 Tons                       
Citrus Fruits 1/         :                                                      
  Oranges                :      11,616            11,735            11,704      
  Grapefruit             :       2,912             2,643             2,694      
  Lemons 2/              :         916             1,026               988      
  Tangerines             :         275               327               344      
  Temples (FL)           :         114                99                99      
  Tangelos (FL)          :         142               110               110      
  K-Early Citrus (FL)    :           5                 7                 7      
                         :                                                      
                         :                    Metric Tons                       
                         :                                                      
  Oranges                :  10,537,860        10,645,810        10,617,690      
  Grapefruit             :   2,641,720         2,397,690         2,443,960      
  Lemons 2/              :     830,980           930,770           896,300      
  Tangerines             :     249,480           296,650           312,070      
  Temples (FL)           :     103,420            89,810            89,810      
  Tangelos (FL)          :     128,820            99,790            99,790      
  K-Early Citrus (FL)    :       4,540             6,350             6,350      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  Crop year begins with the bloom of the first year and ends with the         
    completion of harvest the following year.                                   
2/  March 1 estimate carried forward from the January 1 forecast.               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
This report was approved on April 11, 1996, by the Secretary of Agriculture and 
the National Agricultural Statistics Service's Agricultural Statistics Board.   
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
              Secretary of                   Agricultural Statistics Board      
              Agriculture                             Chairperson               
              Dan Glickman                            Rich Allen                
                                                                                
     Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States,                   
                1995 and Forecasted April 1, 1996                               
                         (Domestic Units)                                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :       Area Planted       :     Area Harvested        
          Crop           :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :     1995    :    1996    :    1995    :    1996      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :                     1,000 Acres                      
                         :                                                      
                         :                                                      
Peanuts 1/               :   1,537.5      1,459.0      1,517.0                  
Potatoes                 :                                                      
  Winter                 :      13.3         13.6         11.9         13.5     
  Spring                 :      88.3         90.1         84.3         87.5     
  Summer 1/              :      72.4                      70.6                  
  Total 1/               :   1,397.1                   1,371.3                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  1995 revised.                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
  Crop Summary:  Yield per Acre and Production, United States,                  
                1995 and Forecasted April 1, 1996                               
                         (Domestic Units)                                       
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                         : Yield per Acre:             Production               
      Crop and Unit      :---------------------------------------------------   
                         :       :       :           :   Mar 1,  :   Apr 1,     
                         :  1995 :  1996 :   1995    :    1996   :    1996      
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                         :                  ------------- 1,000 ------------    
                         :                                                      
Peanuts 1/           Lb  : 2,282           3,461,475                            
Potatoes                 :                                                      
  Winter 2/          Cwt :   208     215       2,473       2,829       2,907    
  Spring             "   :   240     241      20,193                  21,085    
  Summer 1/          "   :   253              17,855                            
  Total 1/           "   :   323             442,400                            
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------   
1/  1995 revised.                                                               
2/  March 1 estimate carried forward from the January 1 forecast.               
                                                                                
     Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States,                   
                1995 and Forecasted April 1, 1996                               
                          (Metric Units)                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :       Area Planted        :     Area Harvested          
         Crop         :-------------------------------------------------------  
                      :     1995    :     1996    :     1995    :    1996       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :                        Hectares                         
                      :                                                         
                      :                                                         
Peanuts 1/            :     622,210       590,440       613,910                 
Potatoes              :                                                         
  Winter              :       5,380         5,500         4,820        5,460    
  Spring              :      35,730        36,460        34,120       35,410    
  Summer 1/           :      29,300                      28,570                 
  Total 1/            :     565,390                     554,950                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  1995 revised.                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
 Crop Summary:  Yield per Hectare and Production, United States,                
                1995 and Forecasted April 1, 1996                               
                          (Metric Units)                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :Yield per Hectare:             Production                
         Crop         :-------------------------------------------------------  
                      :        :        :           :   Mar 1,   :   Apr 1,     
                      :  1995  :  1996  :   1995    :    1996    :    1996      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :                      Metric Tons                        
                      :                                                         
Peanuts 1/            :  2.56             1,570,100                             
Potatoes              :                                                         
  Winter 2/           : 23.27    24.15      112,170      128,320      131,860   
  Spring              : 26.84    27.01      915,940                   956,400   
  Summer 1/           : 28.35               809,890                             
  Total 1/            : 36.16            20,066,930                 1,088,260   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  1995 revised.                                                               
2/  March 1 estimate carried forward from the January 1 forecast.               
HDR2012000110010411960830CROP PRODUCTION STATE TABLES                           
               Grapefruit:  Acreage, Production, Price, and Value,              
                      California and United States, 1994-95  1/                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
  State, Crop,  :         :  Yield  :       Utilization of Production           
      and       : Bearing :   per   :------------------------------------------ 
    Season      : Acreage :  Acre   :    Fresh    :  Processed  :    Total      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                :  Acres     Boxes       --------- 1,000 Boxes 2/ --------      
CA              :                                                               
  Desert Valley :                                                               
    1994-95     :   8,000     413         2,210         1,090        3,300      
                :                                                               
  Other Areas   :                                                               
    1994-95     :  10,400     577         3,700         2,300        6,000      
                :                                                               
  All CA        :                                                               
    1994-95     :  18,400     505         5,910         3,390        9,300      
                :                                                               
US Total        :                                                               
    1994-95     : 166,260     427        32,680        38,370       71,050      
                :-------------------------------------------------------------- 
                :      Price per Box 3/ 4/      :     Value of Production       
                :-------------------------------------------------------------- 
                :  Fresh  : Processed :   All   :  Fresh  :Processed:  Total    
                :-------------------------------------------------------------- 
                :  --------- Dollars --------     ------ 1,000 Dollars -----    
CA              :                                                               
  Desert Valley :                                                               
    1994-95     :   6.61        -0.17     4.37     14,608      -185    14,423   
                :                                                               
  Other Areas   :                                                               
    1994-95     :  10.51        -0.21     6.40     38,887      -483    38,404   
                :                                                               
  All CA        :                                                               
    1994-95     :   9.05        -0.20     5.68     53,495      -668    52,827   
                :                                                               
US Total        :                                                               
    1994-95     :   6.85         1.99     4.18    225,917    74,760   300,677   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1/  California revises previous year production and price by utilization        
    at this time based on available new data. This year, data showed that       
    a revision was not necessary.  This table re-issues original data issued    
    September 22, 1995 in the "Citrus Fruits" report.                           
2/  Net lbs per box: 67.                                                        
3/  Equivalent packinghouse door returns.                                       
4/  U.S. marketing year average prices are derived by weighting the state       
    marketing year average prices per box by the respective box weights.        
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
               Citrus:  Acreage, Production, Use, and Value,                    
                 California and United States, 1994-95  1/                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
  State, Crop,  :         :           : Utilization of Production :   Value     
      and       : Bearing :Production :---------------------------:     Of      
    Season      : Acreage :           :  Fresh    :  Processed    : Production  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                :  Acres       --------- 1,000 Tons --------      1,000 Dollars 
Total Citrus    :                                                               
                :                                                               
CA              :                                                               
   1994-95      :  263,600     3,462       2,303         1,159        769,526   
                :                                                               
US              :                                                               
   1994-95      :1,052,630    15,990       4,295        11,695      2,255,958   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1/  California revises previous year production and price by utilization for    
    grapefruit at this time based on available new data.  This year, data       
    showed that a revision was not necessary.  This table re-issues original    
    data issued September 22, 1995 in the "Citrus Fruits" report.               
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Citrus Fruits:  Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States,     
                     1994-95 and Forecasted April 1, 1996 1/                    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :    Utilized  Production     :     Utilized Production     
                    :            Boxes            :       Ton Equivalent        
   Crop and State   :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    : 1993-94 : 1994-95 : 1995-96 : 1993-94 : 1994-95 : 1995-96 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    : ------ 1,000 Boxes 2/ -----   ------- 1,000 Tons -------  
Oranges             :                                                           
  Early Mid &       :                                                           
   Navel 3/         :                                                           
    AZ              :     700       400       700       26        15        26  
    CA              :  36,600    35,000    40,000    1,372     1,313     1,500  
    FL              : 107,300   119,700   121,200    4,829     5,387     5,454  
    TX              :     480       950       830       21        40        35  
    US              : 145,080   156,050   162,730    6,248     6,755     7,015  
  Valencia          :                                                           
    AZ              :   1,200       650       900       45        24        34  
    CA              :  27,000    26,000    28,000    1,013       976     1,050  
    FL              :  67,100    85,700    80,000    3,020     3,857     3,600  
    TX              :      70       105       110        3         4         5  
    US              :  95,370   112,455   109,010    4,081     4,861     4,689  
  All               :                                                           
    AZ              :   1,900     1,050     1,600       71        39        60  
    CA              :  63,600    61,000    68,000    2,385     2,289     2,550  
    FL              : 174,400   205,400   201,200    7,849     9,244     9,054  
    TX              :     550     1,055       940       24        44        40  
    US              : 240,450   268,505   271,740   10,329    11,616    11,704  
Temples             :                                                           
  FL                :   2,250     2,550     2,200      101       114        99  
Grapefruit          :                                                           
  White Seedless    :                                                           
    FL              :  24,500    25,700    22,000    1,042     1,092       935  
  Colored Seedless  :                                                           
    FL              :  25,500    28,700    28,000    1,084     1,220     1,190  
  Other             :                                                           
    FL              :   1,050     1,300     1,000       45        55        43  
  All               :                                                           
    AZ              :   1,750     1,400     1,200       59        47        40  
    CA 4/           :                                                           
      Desert        :   3,400     3,300                114       111            
      Other Areas   :   5,900     6,000                197       201            
      Total         :   9,300     9,300     9,000      311       312       302  
    FL              :  51,050    55,700    51,000    2,171     2,367     2,168  
    TX              :   3,000     4,650     4,600      120       186       184  
    US              :  65,100    71,050    65,800    2,661     2,912     2,694  
Tangerines          :                                                           
  AZ                :   1,000       650       950       37        25        36  
  CA                :   2,300     2,200     2,500       86        82        94  
  FL                :   4,100     3,550     4,500      195       168       214  
  US                :   7,400     6,400     7,950      318       275       344  
Lemons              :                                                           
  AZ                :   5,200     3,600     5,000      197       137       190  
  CA                :  20,700    20,500    21,000      787       779       798  
  US                :  25,900    24,100    26,000      984       916       988  
Tangelos            :                                                           
  FL                :   3,350     3,150     2,450      150       142       110  
K-Early Citrus      :                                                           
  FL                :     210       120       160        9         5         7  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                             Citrus Fruit Footnotes                             
                                                                                
                                                                                
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 and mid-season       
    varieties in FL and TX, including small quantities of tangerines in TX.     
                                                                                
4/  California Desert and Other Areas Grapefruit forecasts combined to All      
    Grapefruit beginning in 1995-96.                                            
    Potatoes:  Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production                   
       by Seasonal Group, State, and United States, 1994-96                     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
Seasonal     :           Area            :             :                        
 Group       :---------------------------:    Yield    :      Production        
  and        :   Planted   :  Harvested  :             :                        
 State       :----------------------------------------------------------------  
             : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 : 1995 : 1996 : 1994  : 1995  : 1996   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
             : ------ 1,000 Acres -----    --- Cwt ---  ----- 1,000 Cwt -----   
             :                                                                  
Winter       :                                                                  
  CA         :  5.0   5.7    5.0    5.7    260    250     968   1,300   1,425   
  FL         :  8.3   7.9    6.9    7.8    170    190   1,404   1,173   1,482   
             :                                                                  
  Total      : 13.3  13.6   11.9   13.5    208    215   2,372   2,473   2,907   
             :                                                                  
Spring       :                                                                  
  AL         :  2.6   2.0    2.5    1.9    160    160     438     400     304   
  AZ         :  6.5   9.0    6.5    9.0    270    275   1,670   1,755   2,475   
  CA         : 18.0  20.1   17.8   20.1    350    375   7,790   6,230   7,538   
  FL         : 38.5  37.5   36.0   35.5    218    195   8,588   7,830   6,940   
    Hastings : 28.5  28.0   27.0   27.5    220    200   6,380   5,940   5,500   
    Other FL : 10.0   9.5    9.0    8.0    210    180   2,208   1,890   1,440   
  NC         : 17.5  16.5   16.5   16.2    185    180   3,060   3,053   2,916   
  TX         :  5.2   5.0    5.0    4.8    185    190   1,100     925     912   
             :                                                                  
  Total      : 88.3  90.1   84.3   87.5    240    241  22,646  20,193  21,085   
             :                                                                  
Summer 1/ 2/ :                                                                  
  AL         :  6.8          6.7           170          1,190   1,139           
  CA         :  5.5          5.5           320          2,109   1,760           
  CO         :  9.2          9.0           300          3,069   2,700           
  DE         :  6.0          5.9           250            816   1,475           
  IL         :  5.6          5.5           270          1,450   1,485           
  IA         :  1.6          1.6           150            328     240           
  MD         :  1.5          1.5           240            250     360           
  MO         :  7.1          6.9           230          1,734   1,587           
  NE         :  4.5          4.4           285          1,408   1,254           
  NJ         :  2.7          2.6           270            588     702           
  NM         :  4.2          4.2           320          1,088   1,344           
  NC         :  1.4          1.3            95            126     124           
  TX         :  7.3          7.0           235          1,800   1,645           
  VA         :  9.0          8.5           240          1,425   2,040           
             :                                                                  
  Total      : 72.4         70.6           253         17,381  17,855           
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  1995 revised.                                                               
2/  Excludes 5.01 million cwt in 1994 from MI and MN formerly listed as summer  
    potatoes.                                                                   
          Papayas:  Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii, 1995-96        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
           :                   Area                 :     Fresh Production      
           :------------------------------------------------------------------  
   Month   :    Total in Crop    :     Harvested    :            :              
           :----------------------------------------:    1995    :    1996      
           :   1995   :   1996   :   1995  :  1996  :            :              
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
           :   --------------- Acres --------------      -- 1,000 Pounds --     
           :                                                                    
Feb        :   3,660      3,740      2,395    2,340      3,815        3,425     
Mar        :   3,715      3,650      2,480    2,280      4,255        2,965     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Peanuts:  Farm Marketing Percents by Month,                   
              State, and United States, 1994 and 1995 Crop Years                
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   State   :          :         :        :        :        :         :          
    and    :    Aug   :   Sep   :  Oct   :  Nov   :  Dec   :   Jan   :  Feb     
 Crop Year :          :         :        :        :        :         :          
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
           :                             Percent                                
1994 Crop  :                                                                    
           :                                                                    
AL         :      .3      59.1     36.2      4.2       .2                       
FL         :     1.6      63.1     32.0      2.9       .3        .1             
GA         :      .1      51.8     39.3      8.1       .7                       
NC         :               2.1     71.6     19.0      4.8       2.5             
TX         :      .7       5.1     33.4     46.1     13.4       1.3             
VA         :               4.3     51.3     22.8     16.4       5.2             
           :                                                                    
US         :      .3      36.2     42.6     15.7      4.3        .9             
           :                                                                    
1995 Crop  :                                                                    
           :                                                                    
AL         :      .3      59.4     35.8      3.8       .7                       
FL         :     1.1      56.8     36.8      4.2       .9        .2             
GA         :     1.6      59.8     34.2      3.9       .4        .1             
NC         :               4.4     56.9     27.4      6.8       4.3       .2    
TX         :     1.1       3.8     47.6     40.7      6.6                 .2    
VA         :               4.8     55.0     32.7      4.8       2.7             
           :                                                                    
US         :     1.0      40.4     40.7     14.6      2.5        .7       .1    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                
        Peanuts:  Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production             
                       by State and United States, 1994-95 1/                   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :          Area Planted          :         Area Harvested         
     State    :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :      1994      :      1995     :      1994     :      1995      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :        ------------------ 1,000 Acres ------------------        
              :                                                                 
AL            :       223.0           213.0           222.0           212.0     
FL            :        92.0            89.0            84.0            81.0     
GA            :       652.0           595.0           649.0           592.0     
NM            :        21.0            20.0            21.0            20.0     
NC            :       151.0           144.0           151.0           144.0     
OK            :       102.0           100.0           100.0            98.0     
SC            :        13.0            11.5            12.5            11.0     
TX            :       295.0           275.0           287.0           270.0     
VA            :        92.0            90.0            92.0            89.0     
              :                                                                 
US            :     1,641.0         1,537.5         1,618.5         1,517.0     
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :              Yield             :           Production           
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :      1994      :      1995     :      1994     :      1995      
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :       -----  Pounds  -----          ----- 1,000 Pounds -----    
              :                                                                 
AL            :      2,010           2,280           446,220         483,360    
FL            :      2,470           2,390           207,480         193,590    
GA            :      2,870           2,390         1,862,630       1,414,880    
NM            :      2,460           2,150            51,660          43,000    
NC            :      3,215           2,410           485,465         347,040    
OK            :      2,610           2,060           261,000         201,880    
SC            :      2,900           2,800            36,250          30,800    
TX            :      2,110           2,000           605,570         540,000    
VA            :      3,165           2,325           291,180         206,925    
              :                                                                 
US            :      2,624           2,282         4,247,455       3,461,475    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1/ 1995 revised.                                                                
                      Peanuts:  Price and Value by State                        
                          and United States, 1994-95                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                :       Price per Pound       :       Value of Production       
      State     :-------------------------------------------------------------  
                :     1994     :    1995      :      1994      :    1995        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                :       ---- Dollars ----                1,000 Dollars          
                :                                                               
                :                                                               
AL              :      .323          .288           144,129        139,208      
FL              :      .281          .271            58,302         52,463      
GA              :      .286          .295           532,712        417,390      
NM              :      .317          .336            16,376         14,448      
NC              :      .276          .298           133,988        103,418      
OK              :      .310          .298            80,910         60,160      
SC              :      .274          .298             9,933          9,178      
TX              :      .285          .287           172,587        154,980      
VA              :      .275          .300            80,075         62,078      
                :                                                               
US              :      .289          .293         1,229,012      1,013,323      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                
HDR2012000110010411960830CROP PRODUCTION NARRATIVE                              
March Weather Summary:  Across the central and southern Plains, five storms     
                        during the last 18 days of March tempered drought       
conditions and improved prospects for winter wheat that endured almost 6 months 
of dry, windy weather and oscillating temperatures.  The Texas plains, however, 
remained dry through month's end.  Elsewhere across the South, freezes on March 
7-10 and 21-23 damaged wheat, as well as ground crops and tree blooms, including
vegetables and strawberries in Louisiana, and peaches from Texas to South       
Carolina.  In addition to the cold, early- and late-month deluges hampered      
spring fieldwork in the Southeast.  Cool weather in the Plains and Ohio Valley  
delayed wheat development, minimizing freeze damage during a cold snap on March 
25-27.  Enough cold air slipped into the Northwest toward month's end to cause  
some damage to fruit crops.                                                     
                                                                                
Monthly temperatures averaged below normal east of the Rocky Divide, with       
departures reaching -4 to -8 degrees F in the Ohio Valley and -4 to             
-10 degrees F in the northern and central Plains.  In contrast, readings        
averaged up to 4 degrees F above normal in the Great Basin.  Monthly            
precipitation was below normal across the West, except in a band from the       
northern Great Basin to the northern Plains.  Elsewhere, surplus precipitation  
was confined to parts of the East, particularly from the Ohio Valley and Middle 
Atlantic States southward to Florida.  Mid- to late-month rains in Kansas,      
Oklahoma, and northeastern Texas failed to lift March totals to normal levels.  
Less than a quarter of the month's normal precipitation fell across an area from
southern California eastward to western and southern Texas.                     
                                                                                
Snowfall on March 2-3, 7-8, 20-21, and 28-29 padded seasonal record totals in   
the Great Lakes States and from the central Appalachians to southern New        
England.  Monthly totals of 17.5 inches in Windsor Locks, CT and 20.4 inches in 
Charleston, WV pushed their respective seasonal totals above 100 inches for the 
first time on record.  Lake-enhanced March totals topped 30 inches in Syracuse, 
NY (32.2 inches) and Erie, PA (31.8 inches). A late-season blizzard struck the  
North Central States on March 23-25, boosting monthly snowfall to 20.3 inches in
Butte, MT and 20.0 inches in Bismarck, ND.  Monthly totals of 6.9 inches in     
Colorado Springs, CO and 17.7 inches in Flint, MI accounted for more than       
45 percent (%) of the stations' respective season-to-date snowfall.             
                                                                                
More than 2 inches of rain soaked the interior Southeast during the first 7 days
of March, including a 6.75-inch total in Birmingham, AL.  But the rain yielded  
to very cold weather, with nearly 250 daily-record lows observed from the Plains
to the East Coast on March 7-10.  During the outbreak, March records were broken
in locations such as Rapid City, SD (-21 degrees F), Calico Rock, AR (6 degrees 
F), and Monroe, LA (18 degrees F).  A much less severe cold spell (about a dozen
daily-record lows) arrived on March 21-23, but nevertheless nipped additional   
sensitive-stage tree blooms across the South.  Cold air again overspread much of
the Nation toward month's end.  In the Northwest, lows on March 25-26 dipped    
into the mid-10's in eastern Washington and into the mid-20's in Oregon's       
Willamette Valley.  On the Plains, temperatures plunged below zero as far south 
as Denver, CO (-2 degrees F on March 25) and Hastings, NE (-5 degrees F on      
March 26).  Heavy rain returned to the Southeast after March 24, lifting monthly
totals above 10 inches in locations such as Melbourne, FL (11.58 inches, a March
record) and Montgomery, AL (10.10 inches).  Farther west, however, totals across
Texas were as low as 0.12 inches (4% of normal) in Houston, 0.05 inches in      
Midland (9% of normal), and a trace in Brownsville.  Farther north, pockets of  
much-below-normal precipitation encompassed locations such as Hastings, NE      
(0.29 inches; 14% of normal), Rockford, IL (0.50 inches; 20% of normal), and    
Burlington, VT (0.80 inches; 36% of normal).                                    
                                                                                
Outside the lower 48 States, highlights included above-normal temperatures in   
Alaska--especially in the west and north--and wetness in much of Hawaii.  March 
temperatures were above normal by 9 degrees F in Nome and 13 degrees F in       
Bethel.  In Hawaii, more than half of the month's rain fell by March 5.  Renewed
rainfall at month's end boosted totals to 16.35 inches (117% of normal) in Hilo 
and 4.85 inches (178% of normal) in Kahului.                                    
General Crop Comments:  The month began with a continuation of drought con-     
                        ditions across most Central States.  The Texas High     
Plains did not receive appreciable moisture during March, and soil moisture was 
critically short.  In the Southeastern States, freezing weather and high winds  
early in March damaged fruit trees and vegetables.  Spring tillage started in   
the Southeast early in March, but was halted by heavy rains toward the end of   
the month.  Wide temperature swings during March damaged and stressed crops in  
the Delta and Southern States.  Karnal bunt fungus was discovered in wheat      
fields in parts of the Southwest early in the month, resulting in a few fields  
being quarantined.                                                              
                                                                                
Starting in mid-March, several storm systems brought significant precipitation  
to parts of the central and southern Plains.  By mid-month, wheat was beginning 
to break dormancy in the Ohio Valley.  The condition of the wheat crop in the   
Ohio Valley declined due to wide temperature fluctuations.  Fieldwork was       
delayed in the Central States and upper middle Mississippi Valley where farmers 
waited for rain or warmer weather to thaw the soil.  Plowing and spring planting
began at mid-month in the Ohio Valley, but was slowed by snow and rain at       
month's end.  Winter conditions continued throughout the month in the Northern  
States and delayed the snow melt and subsequently the start of spring fieldwork.
                                                                                
Widespread storm systems brought relief to parts of the central and southern    
Plains toward the end of the month.  Heavy rains and cool weather at month's end
slowed wheat development in the Central States and interrupted spring fieldwork.
Producers in Colorado took advantage of the dry weather to get an early start on
spring planting.  Wet, cool weather in the Southeastern States during the last  
2 weeks of March slowed fieldwork.  In Kansas, wheat condition declined during  
the month as a result of the early-March freeze and persistent dry conditions.  
Wheat began greening in the Tennessee and Ohio Valleys late in March, but growth
was limited by the cool weather.  The cool, wet weather left Tennessee producers
behind schedule for soil preparation.  Freezing weather in late March in the    
Pacific Northwest damaged fruit trees.  Above-normal temperatures in California 
at the end of March allowed small grain development to advance rapidly, and let 
cotton producers begin planting.                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Grapefruit:  The April 1 forecast of the 1995-96 U.S. grapefruit crop is        
             2.69 million tons, up 2 percent from last month but down 7 percent 
from last season.  The Florida forecast remained at 51.0 million boxes,         
(2.17 million tons), 8 percent below last season.  The Florida white seedless   
grapefruit forecast is 22.0 million boxes (935,000 tons), 14 percent less than  
1994-95.  The colored seedless forecast is 28.0 million boxes (1.19 million     
tons), a decrease of 2 percent from a year ago.  The seedy grapefruit crop is   
expected to be 1.00 million boxes (43,000 tons), 23 percent below last year.    
Movement of Florida seedless grapefruit exceeded 43 million boxes.              
                                                                                
California is expected to produce 9.00 million boxes (302,000 tons), 20 percent 
above the January forecast but 3 percent below last season.  Poor January       
weather in the desert area did not affect production.  Fruit, overall, are      
showing good quality, size, and color.                                          
                                                                                
The Texas grapefruit forecast, at 4.60 million boxes (184,000 tons), is         
unchanged from last month and down 1 percent from a year ago.  Arizona          
grapefruit remains at 1.20 million boxes (40,000 tons), 14 percent below last   
season.                                                                         
                                                                                
                                                                                
Lemons:  The 1995-96 U.S. lemon crop is forecast at 988,000 tons, 4 percent less
         than the level expected on January 1 but 8 percent more than the 1994- 
95 crop.                                                                        
                                                                                
The California forecast for the 1995-96 crop decreased 5 percent from January to
21.0 million boxes (798,000 tons), which is 2 percent more than in 1994-95.     
Central Valley grades looked excellent while quality varied from lot to lot in  
Southern California.  Desert Valley shippers finished packing with high         
eliminations resulting from ridging, coarse texture, and scarring.  The Arizona 
lemon crop is expected to total 5.00 million boxes (190,000 tons), unchanged    
from January but 39 percent more than a year ago.                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Tangerines:  The 1995-96 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at a record large      
             344,000 tons, 5 percent larger than last month's forecast and      
25 percent above last season's crop.  The Florida tangerine forecast is         
4.50 million boxes (214,000 tons), 2 percent more than March and 27 percent more
than 1994-95.  Honey tangerine utilization is just over 1.40 million boxes with 
very limited supplies remaining.  The California forecast is 2.50 million boxes 
(94,000 tons), 4 percent above the previous forecast and 14 percent above the   
previous year.  Arizona's tangerine production is expected to be 950,000 boxes  
(36,000 tons), 27 percent more than last quarter and 46 percent more than last  
year.                                                                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
Tangelos:  The 1995-96 Florida tangelo crop is forecast at 2.45 million boxes   
           (110,000 tons), unchanged from last month but down 22 percent from   
last year's production.  Harvest is over for the year.                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
Temples:  The April 1 forecast for the 1995-96 Florida temple production was    
          unchanged from March at 2.20 million boxes (99,000 tons), down        
14 percent from last season.  Temple harvest was almost over with almost        
2.1 million boxes moved.                                                        
                                                                                
                                                                                
Florida Citrus:  Citrus trees, groves and the current crop are all in very good 
                 to excellent condition.  Rainfall during March was above normal
in all citrus growing counties.  New growth and bloom were abundant during the  
month. The bloom cycle peaked toward the last two weeks of March which is near  
normal.  Harvesting early and mid-season oranges was completed by mid-month and 
movement of Valencias increased.  Movement of early and mid-season oranges      
totaled slightly more than 121 million boxes through the end of the month.      
Valencia harvest just started with about 17.8 million boxes moved to date.      
Harvest of all seedless grapefruit was very active all during March.  Movement  
through March totaled 43.3 million boxes.  Almost 2.1 million boxes of temples  
were picked with harvest almost over.  Honey tangerine utilization was          
1.4 million boxes, with very limited supplies remaining.  Caretakers were very  
busy hedging and topping trees.                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
Texas Citrus:  Harvesting grapefruit and Valencia oranges continued without     
               delays during March.  A good rain is needed in all groves as     
trees are blooming and setting next year's crop.  Citrus trees and groves were  
in good condition across the Valley during March.                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
California Citrus:  Grapefruit picking in the desert area was active during     
                    March.  Fruit have excellent color and quality although     
there were some defects due to sunburn and sheepnose.  Lemon harvest progressed 
well in the Central Valley and southern California areas.  Fruit quality varied 
with wind scar, bud mite, and botrytis concerning growers.  Navel orange picking
was approximately 70 percent completed by April 1.  Quality was affected by     
puff, crease, and soft fruit resulting in heavy gradeout. Valencia orange       
picking was active in the desert area with excellent quality and color reported.
The tangerine harvest neared completion by April 1.                             
California Fruit and Nut:  Warm weather throughout the month advanced crop      
                           growth.  Almonds, cherries and stonefruit progressed 
past bloom stage.  Fruit or nut set and leaf formation began in some trees by   
late March.  Apples bloomed while kiwifruit and walnut showed bud swell.        
Orchards activities involved mostly mowing, discing, fertilization, and         
spraying.  Grape growers disced, irrigated, and applied herbicides to vineyards.
Most vineyards had leafed out by April 1.                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
Winter Potatoes:  Production of winter potatoes is forecast at 2.91 million cwt 
                  in 1996, up 3 percent from the January forecast and 18 percent
above last year.  Area for harvest, at 13,500 acres, is 13 percent above last   
year and 10 percent above two years ago.  The average yield is forecast at      
215 cwt per acre, up 7 cwt from last year.  Growers in Southwest Florida had    
some freeze damage but the Dade County crop turned out better than anticipated. 
Florida winter production was 6 percent larger than forecast in January and     
26 percent above last year's flooded crop.  California's winter potatoes came   
through in good condition.                                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
Spring Potatoes:  Production for 1996 is forecast at 21.1 million cwt, up       
                  4 percent from last year but 7 percent below 1994.  Area for  
harvest is estimated at 87,500 acres, up 4 percent from a year ago but 3 percent
below two years ago.  The average yield is forecast at 241 cwt per acre, a gain 
of 1 cwt over last year but 10 cwt per acre below 1994.                         
                                                                                
California acreage gained 13 percent from last year partly as a result of       
processed potatoes to be sent north for french fries.  In Kern County, acreage  
of long whites and round reds is down but russets are up.  Development is ahead 
of normal with little damage from winter frosts.  Arizona's fields are also     
bulging with potatoes to be sent north for processing french fries.  Harvest of 
earliest fresh market potatoes will start near the end of April.  Farmers have  
had good growing weather.  Acreage is down in Texas but yields are up from last 
year.  The Florida and Alabama spring crops were hit by frost in mid-February   
and early March, resulting in some lost acreage and reduced yields.  Harvest    
will be delayed until May in most areas.  Wet fields slowed planting in         
North Carolina.                                                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
Summer Potatoes, 1995 final:  The final estimate of 1995 summer potatoes, at    
                              17,9 million cwt, was 3 percent above comparable  
States the year before.  Michigan and Minnesota were left out of both year's    
totals so the remaining States could be compared more accurately.  Harvest      
covered 70,600 acres, down 2 percent from the previous year while the average   
yield of 253 cwt per acre was up 11 cwt.  The revision made summer potatoes     
production slightly larger than the preliminary estimate made in January.       
                                                                                
                                                                                
Papayas:  Fresh papaya production was 2.97 million pounds for March.  This      
          output was 13 percent lower than February and 30 percent lower than   
March 1995.                                                                     
                                                                                
March weather varied.  Gusty winds and heavy rains early in the month were      
followed by improved weather conditions during mid-month.  Showers, heavy at    
times, returned toward month's end.  Papaya ringspot virus continued to lower   
yields.                                                                         
                                                                                
Area devoted to papaya production totaled 3,650 acres.  The area was 2 percent  
lower than in  February  and 2 percent lower than a year ago.  Harvested area   
totaled 2,280 acres, 3 percent lower than last month and 8 percent lower than   
last March.                                                                     
Peanuts,  1995 Revised:  U.S. peanut production totaled 3.46 billion pounds in  
                         1995, down 19 percent from the 1994 crop.  Area planted
to peanuts totaled 1.54 million acres, down 6 percent from 1994 and the smallest
planted acreage since 1985.  Harvested area, at 1.52 million acres, fell 6 per- 
cent from a year ago.  The U.S. yield per harvested acre averaged 2,282 pounds, 
down 342 pounds from 1994.  Every peanut state, with the exception of Alabama,  
showed a decrease in yield and production from a year ago.                      
                                                                                
Production in the Southeastern States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South     
Carolina) totaled 2.12 billion pounds, down 17 percent from 1994.  The decrease 
in the 4-State area resulted from a 7 percent decline in harvested acreage      
combined with crop yields averaging 2,369 pounds, 269 pounds less per harvested 
acre than last year.  Georgia remained the leading peanut producer with         
41 percent of the total production.                                             
                                                                                
Virginia and North Carolina growers produced 554 million pounds of peanuts in   
1995, 29 percent below last year's banner crop of  777 million pounds.  Planted 
and harvested areas, at 234,000 acres and 233,000 acres, respectively , were    
both down 4 percent from a year ago.   Yield per harvested acre averaged        
2,378 pounds, 818 pounds below 1994.                                            
                                                                                
The Southwest crop (New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) totaled 785 million pounds 
during 1995, 15 percent below the 1994 total.   Area harvested, at              
388,000 acres, was down 5 percent from a year ago.  Average yield in the 3-State
area was 2,023 pounds per acre, 228 pounds below the 1994 average but 16 pounds 
above 1993.                                                                     
                          Report Features                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on           
May 10, 1996.                                                                   
                                                                                
                                                                                
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                                                           
    Bill Dowdy, Head                                              (202) 720-3843
      Dan Kerestes - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds, Rice               (202) 720-9526
      Greg Preston - Sugar Crops, Tobacco, Weekly Crop Weather    (202) 720-7621
      Vaughn Siegenthaler - Rye, Sorghum, Wheat                   (202) 720-8068
      Charles Van Lahr - Barley, Corn, Oats, Pasture Condition    (202) 720-7369
                                                                                
                                                                                
  Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section                                      
    Stephen Ropel, Head                                           (202) 720-3843
      Arvin Budge - Potatoes, Dry Beans, Onions                   (202) 720-4285
      Roger Latham - Cotton                                       (202) 720-5944
      Linda McMillan - Nuts, Grapes                               (202) 720-4215
      Dave Mueller - Fresh and Processing Vegetables              (202) 720-2157
      Blair Smith - Citrus, Tropical Fruits                       (202) 720-5412
      Barbara Soltes - Noncitrus Fruits                           (202) 720-7688
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in  
its programs on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age,  
disability, political beliefs, and marital or familial status.  Persons with    
disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program         
information (braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact the USDA     
Office of Communications at (202) 720-5881 (voice) or (202) 720-7808 (TDD).     
                                                                                
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, D.C.,
20250, or call (202) 720-7327 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is an equal
employment opportunity employer.                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
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