Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

June 1997 B-3 NASS, USDA

May Weather Summary: A run of cool weather continued for a second consecutive

 month in areas east of a line from the Midwest to Texas,

resulting in monthly temperatures 2 to 8 degrees F below normal. The coolest

weather plagued the Midwestern and Great Lakes States, hampering crop

development. Frost was reported across the Corn Belt as late as May 20-22, and

snow added to seasonal-record totals in the Great Lakes States at mid-month. In

contrast, hot weather persisted across the Southwest, producing departures of
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

June 1997 B-4 NASS, USDA

In contrast, May-record warmth dotted the West, punctuated by May-record heat at

month's end. In California, Fresno established their May record with 18 days of

90-degree heat, surpassing 16 days in 1940 and 1947. Monthly average

temperature records were exceeded in:

Location Average (degrees F) Former Record/Year
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

June 1997 B-5 NASS, USDA

Continuous cool, wet weather hindered planting operations along the Gulf Coast

and in the lower Mississippi and Ohio Valleys. Late-month rains eased a 3-week

dry spell along the southern and middle Atlantic Coast. Southeastern cotton and

peanut growers made good planting progress during the middle of the and mnth.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

June 1997 B-6 NASS, USDA

Washington expects to produce 85,000 tons of sweet cherries in 1997, up

23 percent from the 1996 crop. If realized, this would be the largest crop
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

June 1997 B-7 NASS, USDA

13 percent larger than last year. This year’s crop exceeds the previous record

of 3.03 million tons for the 1976-77 season.

The Florida all grapefruit forecast is a record large 59.0 million boxes

(2.51 million tons), unchanged from the last forecast, but 13 percent more than 

last season. The all seedless grapefruit forecast remains at 58.0 million

boxes, while the seedy (Duncan) grapefruit forecast continues at 1.0 million

boxes.

Average fruit size is smaller than the previous 2 seasons. Fruit droppage

losses are slightly less than average. The June 1 Row Count survey showed

13 percent of rows remaining to be harvested for white grapefruit and colored

grapefruit. Movement of all grapefruit was 54.5 million boxes.

The Florida forecasts are based on objective fruit count and measurement surveys

in relationship to the harvest patterns and utilization of the past 2 seasons.

All citrus forecasts project certified utilization, including a preseason

allocation of less than 2 percent for unrecorded usage. Certifications include

only fruit actually shipped in fresh pack or recorded at a processing plant.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

June 1997 B-8 NASS, USDA

California Fruits and Nuts: Thinning of stone fruit was completed by June 1.

 Harvest of early varieties of cherries, peaches,

nectarines, apricots, and plums started in the southern San Joaquin Valley and

moved north during May. Grape leaves were pulled and vines suckered. 

Avocadoes, olives, and pecans completed bloom. A rain late in the month had

little effect on the cherry or apricot harvest. High winds broke some heavily

set almond branches.

California Citrus: Grapefruit harvest in the desert area was winding down by

 late May. Grapefruit picking in other areas gained
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

June 1997 B-9 NASS, USDA

years ago. The average yield of 159 cwt per acre was 5 cwt above 1995, but

3 cwt short of the record high yield in 1994.

Maple Syrup: The 1997 U.S. maple syrup production totaled 1.29 million gallons,

 down 17 percent from last year. The forecasted value of

production is $30.5 million, a decrease of 28 percent from 1996. The U.S.

estimate consists of the ten major producing States.
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

June 1997 B-10 NASS, USDA
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

June 1997 B-11 NASS, USDA

Index

 Page

 Table Narrative

Apricots.............................................. A-11 B- 6

Cherries.............................................. A- 8 B- 5

Citrus Fruit.......................................... A- 9 B- 7

Crop Moisture Maps.................................... B- 1

Crop Summary.......................................... A- 3 

Hops.................................................. A-12 B- 8

Maple Syrup........................................... A-16 B- 9

Papayas............................................... A-11 B- 6

Peaches................................................ A- 8 B- 6

Pears, Bartlett........................................ A-10 B- 8

Prunes, Dried.......................................... A-11 B- 6

Reliability Statement.................................. B-10

Sugarbeets............................................. A-13

Sugarcane.............................................. A-14 B- 8

Sweet Potatoes......................................... A-15 B- 8

Wheat, by Class........................................ A- 7

 

Wheat, Durum........................................... A- 7 B- 5

Wheat, Winter.......................................... A- 6 B- 5
Crop Production Agricultural Statistics Board

June 1997 B-12 NASS, USDA

Report Features

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

July 11, 1997.

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