HDR1012000110010411970830                                                       
Crop                                                                            
Production                                                                      
National                                                                        
Agricultural                                                                    
Statistics                                                                      
Service                                                                         
                                                                                
USDA                                                                            
Washington, D.C.                                                                
                                                                                
Released April 11, 1997, 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.  Forecasts refer to April 1, 1997.                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Record Large Orange Production                                
                                                                                
All oranges production for the 1996-97 season is forecast at a record large     
12.7 million tons, up 1 percent from the previous forecast in March, mainly due 
to increases in California. The forecast is up 9 percent from a year ago.  This 
year's crop is 8 percent larger than the previous record of 11.8 million tons   
set in the 1979-80 season.  Florida's production amounts to 221 million boxes   
(9.95 million tons), down less than 1 percent from March's forecast but         
9 percent above last season.  Early and midseason varieties were reduced to     
134 million boxes (6.04 million tons), 1 percent below last month but 11 percent
above last year.  Florida's Valencia crop forecast remained 87.0 million boxes  
(3.92 million tons), 6 percent above last season's crop.  The California all    
orange production forecast, at 71.0 million boxes (2.66 million tons), is up    
9 percent from the previous forecast in January and 8 percent from last season. 
The Navel orange forecast is 43.0 million boxes (1.61 million tons), up 10      
percent from January and 13 percent from last year's production of 38.0 million 
boxes.  The California Valencia forecast is 28.0 million boxes (1.05 million    
tons), up 8 percent from January and equal to last year.                        
                                                                                
                                                                                
Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1996-97 season is 
forecast at 1.57 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, up from 1.54 in March.   
The forecast projects the final yield as reported by the Florida Citrus         
Processors Association.  The final 1995-96 yield for all fruit used in FCOJ was 
1.52 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix.  The projected average yield for     
1996-97 early and midseason varieties is final at 1.52 gallons per box,         
unchanged from last month's forecast and up from last season's final of         
1.45.  Valencia yield is projected at 1.66 gallons per box, up from 1.60 last   
month but down from 1.67 last season.                                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Cr Pr 2-2 (4-97)                                                                
             Crop Summary: Production, United States,                           
                  1995-96 and Forecasted 1996-97                                
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :                Utilized Production                   
                         :----------------------------------------------------  
          Crop           :                :       Mar 1,     :     Apr 1,       
                         :                :        1997      :      1997        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
      Crop Year 1/       :    1995-96            1996-97          1996-97       
                         :                                                      
                         :                     1,000 Tons                       
Citrus Fruits            :                                                      
  Oranges                :      11,723            12,542            12,726      
  Grapefruit             :       2,718             3,056             3,062      
  Lemons 2/              :         992               988               950      
  Tangerines             :         348               428               432      
  Temples (FL)           :          97               113               113      
  Tangelos (FL)          :         110               180               178      
  K-Early Citrus (FL)    :           7                 7                 7      
                         :                                                      
                         :                    Metric Tons                       
                         :                                                      
  Oranges                :  10,634,930        11,377,910        11,544,830      
  Grapefruit             :   2,465,730         2,772,360         2,777,800      
  Lemons 2/              :     899,930           896,300           861,830      
  Tangerines             :     315,700           388,280           391,900      
  Temples (FL)           :      88,000           102,510           102,510      
  Tangelos (FL)          :      99,790           163,290           161,480      
  K-Early Citrus (FL)    :       6,350             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 January 1 forecast.                    
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
This report was approved on April 11, 1997, by the Acting Secretary of          
Agriculture and the National Agricultural Statistics Service's Agricultural     
Statistics Board.                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Acting Secretary of               Agricultural Statistics Board       
              Agriculture                            Chairperson                
          Richard E. Rominger                        Rich Allen                 
     Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States,                   
                1996 and Forecasted April 1, 1997                               
                         (Domestic Units)                                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :       Area Planted       :     Area Harvested        
          Crop           :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :     1996    :    1997    :    1996    :    1997      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :                     1,000 Acres                      
                         :                                                      
                         :                                                      
Peanuts 1/               :   1,401.5      1,395.5      1,380.0                  
Potatoes                 :                                                      
  Winter                 :      14.5         15.6         14.5         15.4     
  Spring                 :      93.4         87.1         90.0         85.5     
  Summer 1/              :      77.9                      74.7                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
  Crop Summary:  Yield per Acre and Production, United States,                  
                1996 and Forecasted April 1, 1997                               
                         (Domestic Units)                                       
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                         : Yield per Acre:             Production               
      Crop and Unit      :---------------------------------------------------   
                         :       :       :           :   Mar 1,  :   Apr 1,     
                         :  1996 :  1997 :   1996    :    1997   :    1997      
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                         :                  ------------- 1,000 ------------    
                         :                                                      
Peanuts 1/           Lb  : 2,653           3,661,205                            
Potatoes                 :                                                      
  Winter 2/          Cwt :   226     205       3,273       3,225       3,157    
  Spring              "  :   249     263      22,417                  22,457    
  Summer 1/           "  :   259              19,375                            
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------   
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
2/  March 1 forecast carried forward from January 1.                            
     Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States,                   
                1996 and Forecasted April 1, 1997                               
                          (Metric Units)                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :       Area Planted        :     Area Harvested          
         Crop         :-------------------------------------------------------  
                      :     1996    :     1997    :     1996    :    1997       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :                        Hectares                         
                      :                                                         
                      :                                                         
Peanuts 1/            :     567,170       564,740       558,470                 
Potatoes              :                                                         
  Winter              :       5,870         6,310         5,870        6,230    
  Spring              :      37,800        35,250        36,420       34,600    
  Summer 1/           :      31,530                      30,230                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
 Crop Summary:  Yield per Hectare and Production, United States,                
                1996 and Forecasted April 1, 1997                               
                          (Metric Units)                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :Yield per Hectare:             Production                
         Crop         :-------------------------------------------------------  
                      :        :        :           :   Mar 1,   :   Apr 1,     
                      :  1996  :  1997  :   1996    :    1997    :    1997      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :                      Metric Tons                        
                      :                                                         
Peanuts 1/            :  2.97             1,660,690                             
Potatoes              :                                                         
  Winter 2/           : 25.29    22.99      148,460      146,280      143,200   
  Spring              : 27.92    29.44    1,016,820                 1,018,630   
  Summer 1/           : 29.07               878,840                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
2/  March 1 forecast carried forward from January 1.                            
               Grapefruit:  Acreage, Yield, Utilization, Price, and Value,      
                      California and United States, 1995-96  1/                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                :         :  Yield  :       Utilization of Production           
                : Bearing :   per   :-----------------------------------------  
      State     : Acreage :  Acre   :    Fresh    :  Processed  :    Total      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                :  Acres     Boxes       --------- 1,000 Boxes 2/ --------      
                :                                                               
CA              :  18,800     431         5,619         2,481        8,100      
                :                                                               
US Total        : 174,570     379        32,244        33,956       66,200      
                :------------------------------------------------------------   
                :      Price per Box 3/ 4/      :     Value of Production       
                :-------------------------------------------------------------  
                :  Fresh  : Processed :   All   :  Fresh  :Processed:  Total    
                :-------------------------------------------------------------  
                :  --------- Dollars --------     ------ 1,000 Dollars -----    
                :                                                               
CA              :  10.06        -0.44     6.84     56,527    -1,092    55,435   
                :                                                               
US Total        :   7.28         2.19     4.63    237,739    72,526   310,265   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  California estimates of production and price by utilization were            
    reviewed based on available new data.  Revisions were not necessary;        
    therefore, estimates were carried forward from the "Citrus Fruits 1996      
    Summary" released in September 1996.                                        
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.        
               Total Citrus:  Acreage, Production, Utilization, and Value,      
                     California and United States, 1995-96  1/                  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
               :         :          : Utilization of Production :  Value        
               : Bearing :Production:---------------------------:    Of         
   State       : Acreage :          :  Fresh    :  Processed    :Production 2/  
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
               :  Acres       --------- 1,000 Tons --------      1,000 Dollars  
               :                                                                
CA             :  269,800     3,643       2,547         1,096        828,317    
               :                                                                
US Total       :1,103,620    16,009       4,569        11,440      2,606,274    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  California estimates of grapefruit production and price by utilization      
    were reviewed based on available new data.  Revisions were not necessary;   
    therefore, estimates were carried forward from the "Citrus Fruits 1996      
    Summary" released in September 1996.                                        
2/ Based on equivalent packinghouse-door returns.                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Citrus Fruits:  Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States,     
                     1995-96 and Forecasted April 1, 1997 1/                    
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    :    Utilized  Production     :     Utilized Production     
                    :            Boxes            :       Ton Equivalent        
   Crop and State   :-----------------------------------------------------------
                    : 1994-95 : 1995-96 : 1996-97 : 1994-95 : 1995-96 : 1996-97 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    : ------ 1,000 Boxes 2/ -----   ------- 1,000 Tons -------  
Oranges             :                                                           
  Early Mid &       :                                                           
   Navel 3/         :                                                           
    AZ              :     400       700       500       15        27        19  
    CA              :  35,000    38,000    43,000    1,313     1,426     1,613  
    FL              : 119,700   121,200   134,200    5,387     5,454     6,039  
    TX              :     950       830     1,300       40        35        55  
    US              : 156,050   160,730   179,000    6,755     6,942     7,726  
  Valencia          :                                                           
    AZ              :     650       950       800       24        36        30  
    CA              :  21,000    28,000    28,000      788     1,051     1,050  
    FL              :  85,800    82,000    87,000    3,861     3,690     3,915  
    TX              :     105       110       120        4         4         5  
    US              : 107,555   111,060   115,920    4,677     4,781     5,000  
  All               :                                                           
    AZ              :   1,050     1,650     1,300       39        63        49  
    CA              :  56,000    66,000    71,000    2,101     2,477     2,663  
    FL              : 205,500   203,200   221,200    9,248     9,144     9,954  
    TX              :   1,055       940     1,420       44        39        60  
    US              : 263,605   271,790   294,920   11,432    11,723    12,726  
Temples             :                                                           
  FL                :   2,550     2,150     2,500      114        97       113  
Grapefruit          :                                                           
  White Seedless    :                                                           
    FL              :  25,700    23,200    26,500    1,092       986     1,126  
  Colored Seedless  :                                                           
    FL              :  28,700    28,100    31,500    1,220     1,194     1,339  
  Other             :                                                           
    FL              :   1,300     1,050     1,000       55        45        43  
  All               :                                                           
    AZ              :   1,400     1,200     1,000       47        40        34  
    CA 4/           :                                                           
      Desert        :   3,300                          111                      
      Other Areas   :   6,000                          201                      
      Total         :   9,300     8,100     9,200      312       271       308  
    FL              :  55,700    52,350    59,000    2,367     2,225     2,508  
    TX              :   4,650     4,550     5,300      186       182       212  
    US              :  71,050    66,200    74,500    2,912     2,718     3,062  
Tangerines          :                                                           
  AZ                :     650     1,000       650       25        38        24  
  CA                :   2,500     2,600     2,900       94        97       109  
  FL                :   3,550     4,500     6,300      168       213       299  
  US                :   6,700     8,100     9,850      287       348       432  
Lemons              :                                                           
  AZ                :   3,600     5,100     3,000      137       194       114  
  CA                :  20,000    21,000    22,000      760       798       836  
  US                :  23,600    26,100    25,000      897       992       950  
Tangelos            :                                                           
  FL                :   3,150     2,450     3,950      142       110       178  
K-Early Citrus      :                                                           
  FL                :     120       160       150        5         7         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, 1995-97                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Seasonal     :            Area            :             :                       
 Group       :----------------------------:    Yield    :      Production       
  and        :    Planted   :  Harvested  :             :                       
 State       :------------------------------------------------------------------
             : 1996  : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 :  1995 :  1996 :  1997 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 Acres -----      --- Cwt ---  ----- 1,000 Cwt ----- 
             :                                                                  
Winter       :                                                                  
  CA         :   5.7    6.6    5.7    6.6    250    245   1,300   1,425   1,617 
  FL         :   8.8    9.0    8.8    8.8    210    175   1,173   1,848   1,540 
             :                                                                  
  Total      :  14.5   15.6   14.5   15.4    226    205   2,473   3,273   3,157 
             :                                                                  
Spring       :                                                                  
  AL         :   2.0    1.6    1.9    1.5    160    175     400     304     263 
  AZ         :   9.0    6.2    9.0    6.2    275    285   1,755   2,475   1,767 
  CA         :  20.1   18.6   20.1   18.6    375    385   6,230   7,538   7,161 
  FL         :  38.0   36.0   35.5   35.3    219    245   7,830   7,765   8,651 
    Hastings :  28.5   27.0   27.5   26.5    230    270   5,940   6,325   7,155 
    Other FL :   9.5    9.0    8.0    8.8    180    170   1,890   1,440   1,496 
  NC         :  17.5   17.0   17.0   16.5    190    190   3,053   3,230   3,135 
  TX         :   6.8    7.7    6.5    7.4    170    200     925   1,105   1,480 
             :                                                                  
  Total      :  93.4   87.1   90.0   85.5    249    263  20,193  22,417  22,457 
             :                                                                  
Summer  1/   :                                                                  
  AL         :   6.8           6.7           150          1,139   1,005         
  CA         :   5.8           5.8           360          1,760   2,088         
  CO         :   9.9           9.7           330          2,776   3,201         
  DE         :   6.0           5.9           250          1,475   1,475         
  IL         :   6.3           6.0           275          1,485   1,650         
  IA         :   1.5           1.5           210            240     315         
  MD         :   2.0           1.9           200            360     380         
  MO         :   7.8           7.1           230          1,587   1,633         
  NE         :   5.6           5.5           270          1,254   1,485         
  NJ         :   2.6           2.5           265            702     663         
  NM         :   3.9           3.9           360          1,344   1,404         
  NC         :   1.2           1.2            90            124     108         
  TX         :  10.5           9.5           240          1,645   2,280         
  VA         :   8.0           7.5           225          2,040   1,688         
             :                                                                  
  Total      :  77.9          74.7           259         17,931  19,375         
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  1996 revised.                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
          Papayas:  Area and Fresh Production, by Month, Hawaii, 1996-97        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
           :                   Area                 :     Fresh Production      
           :------------------------------------------------------------------  
   Month   :    Total in Crop    :     Harvested    :            :              
           :----------------------------------------:    1996    :    1997      
           :   1996   :   1997   :   1996  :  1997  :            :              
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
           :   --------------- Acres --------------      -- 1,000 Pounds --     
           :                                                                    
 Feb       :   3,720      3,530      2,265    1,495      3,530        3,145     
 Mar       :   3,650      4,310      2,145    2,115      2,990        2,935     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Peanuts:  Farm Marketing Percents by Month,                   
              State, and United States, 1995 and 1996 Crop Years                
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
   State   :          :         :        :        :        :         :          
    and    :    Aug   :   Sep   :  Oct   :  Nov   :  Dec   :   Jan   :  Feb     
 Crop Year :          :         :        :        :        :         :          
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
           :                             Percent                                
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    
           :                                                                    
1996 Crop  :                                                                    
           :                                                                    
AL         :              33.3     57.2      8.9       .6                       
FL         :              45.7     49.7      4.0       .6                       
GA         :              43.0     50.1      6.6       .2        .1             
NC         :               1.2     76.4     15.4      4.4       2.6             
TX         :               5.3     66.0     23.3      3.9       1.2       .3    
VA         :              11.2     63.9     13.9      6.7       4.3             
           :                                                                    
US         :              27.7     58.0     11.5      1.9        .8       .1    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
          Peanuts:  Area Planted and Harvested, Yield, and Production           
                     by State and United States, 1995-96 1/                     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :          Area Planted          :         Area Harvested         
     State    :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :      1995      :      1996     :      1995     :      1996      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :        ------------------ 1,000 Acres ------------------        
              :                                                                 
AL            :       213.0           192.0           212.0           191.0     
FL            :        89.0            90.0            81.0            82.0     
GA            :       595.0           535.0           592.0           533.0     
NM            :        20.0            16.5            20.0            16.5     
NC            :       144.0           125.0           144.0           125.0     
OK            :       100.0            85.0            98.0            81.0     
SC            :        11.5            11.0            11.0            10.5     
TX            :       275.0           270.0           270.0           265.0     
VA            :        90.0            77.0            89.0            76.0     
              :                                                                 
US            :     1,537.5         1,401.5         1,517.0         1,380.0     
              :                                                                 
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :              Yield             :           Production           
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :      1995      :      1996     :      1995     :      1996      
              :---------------------------------------------------------------- 
              :       -----  Pounds  -----          ----- 1,000 Pounds -----    
              :                                                                 
AL            :      2,280           2,355           483,360         449,805    
FL            :      2,390           2,880           193,590         236,160    
GA            :      2,390           2,690         1,414,880       1,433,770    
NM            :      2,150           2,300            43,000          37,950    
NC            :      2,410           2,940           347,040         367,500    
OK            :      2,060           2,410           201,880         195,210    
SC            :      2,800           3,100            30,800          32,550    
TX            :      2,000           2,600           540,000         689,000    
VA            :      2,325           2,885           206,925         219,260    
              :                                                                 
US            :      2,282           2,653         3,461,475       3,661,205    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1/  1996 Revised.                                                               
                      Peanuts:  Price and Value by State                        
                          and United States, 1995-96                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                :       Price per Pound       :       Value of Production       
      State     :-------------------------------------------------------------  
                :     1995     :    1996      :      1995      :    1996        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                :       ---- Dollars ----                1,000 Dollars          
                :                                                               
                :                                                               
AL              :      .288          .264           139,208        118,749      
FL              :      .271          .250            52,463         59,040      
GA              :      .295          .271           417,390        388,552      
NM              :      .336          .305            14,448         11,575      
NC              :      .298          .261           103,418         95,918      
OK              :      .298          .300            60,160         58,563      
SC              :      .298          .245             9,178          7,975      
TX              :      .287          .248           154,980        170,872      
VA              :      .300          .269            62,078         58,981      
                :                                                               
US              :      .293          .265         1,013,323        970,225      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
March Weather Summary:  A remarkably consistent weather pattern led to          
                        precipitation extremes, ranging from near-record to     
record wetness in the Northwest and from southern Texas to the Ohio Valley, to  
very dry weather from the Southwest into the central and southern Plains.       
Sub-normal rainfall was also observed in the Southeast, as the primary storm    
track remained well to the northwest.  Several monthly temperature records were 
broken in the Southeast, where readings ranged from 4 to 8 degrees above normal.
In contrast, monthly temperatures ranged from 1 to 5 degrees F below normal in  
New England.  Cool weather also prevailed across snow-covered portions of the   
northern Plains and upper Midwest, keeping widely anticipated snow-melt flooding
in check until month's end.  In the Southwest, however, a mid- to late-month    
warm spell propelled monthly temperatures 3 to 7 degrees F above normal.        
                                                                                
A fierce spring storm emerged from the Southwest on March 1, dumping 4 to 10    
inches of rain from the northern Delta to the southern half of the Ohio Valley, 
and sparking a ferocious tornado outbreak--leaving 25 dead--in Arkansas.        
Ensuing floodwaters coursed through the Ohio River, generating one of the 10    
worst floods on record from the Ohio-West Virginia border downstream to the     
confluence with the Mississippi.  For much of the middle Ohio River, the        
flooding was the worst since March 1964.  Some of the worst flooding unfolded in
Kentucky, where March 1 totals included 10.48 inches in Louisville--breaking    
their all-time, 24-hour record set on March 9, 1964--and 5.56 inches in         
Lexington.  Other storms perpetuated the region's wet spell, boosting totals by 
month's end to 17.52 inches in Louisville and 13.82 in Lexington.  March-record 
precipitation was observed in the following locations:                          
                                                                                
Location               Total (In.)                Former Record (In.)/Year      
Louisville, KY           17.52                         14.91 in 1964            
Astoria, OR              15.31                         13.47 in 1956            
Lexington, KY            13.82                         10.38 in 1975            
Olympia, WA              11.79                         10.13 in 1950            
Victoria, TX             11.61                          7.91 in 1957            
Galveston, TX            11.33                          9.49 in 1973            
                                                                                
Monthly rainfall of 5.95 inches in Brownsville, TX was 1,123 percent (%) of     
normal, and second only to a 6.46-inch total in 1903.  In San Angelo, TX,       
January-March rainfall totaled 7.60 inches, their third-highest amount on       
record, and the most since 8.03 inches fell in 1923.  In Tennessee, Nashville's 
total of 9.64 inches was their greatest in March since 1975.                    
                                                                                
Meanwhile, a broad area from California to the western Corn Belt, and on the    
central and southern Plains, received less than a quarter of the normal         
precipitation.  Especially dry weather persisted in the Southwest and in winter 
wheat areas from Nebraska to Texas.  For the first time since 1959, no rain fell
in March at the L.A. Civic Center.  Only a trace dampened Goodland, KS.  March  
records included:                                                               
                                                                                
Location               Total (In.)                  Former Record (In.)/Year    
L.A. Civic Center, CA    0.00                       0.00 in 1959 and earlier    
Goodland, KS            trace                       0.03 in 1929                
Dodge City, KS          trace                       trace on five occasions     
Valentine, NE            0.01                       0.01 in 1957                
                                                                                
Only 0.01 inch fell in Amarillo, TX, their smallest total since only a trace    
fell in 1950.  Farther west, recovery from the New Year's flood continued in    
northern California and western Nevada under mostly dry conditions.  Only 3.00  
inches (35% of normal) fell in the western Sierra Nevada foothills at Blue      
Canyon, CA.  After 75.35 inches (329% of normal) pelted Blue Canyon in December-
January, only 4.77 inches (26% of normal) has fallen since.  Farther north,     
however, persistent storminess culminated in record flooding on the southern    
slopes of Washington's Olympic Mountains on March 18-19.  March 16-19 rainfall  
reached 22.36 inches at the dam near the headwaters of the Wynoochee River.  By 
month's end, snow depths in the Washington Cascades stood at 238 inches at      
5,500-foot Paradise Ranger Station near Mt. Rainier and 228 inches at 4,200-foot
Mt. Baker Lodge.  In northern Idaho, a March-record 31.2 inches fell in Bonners 
Ferry, nearly half of which accumulated on the 12th.                            
                                                                                
Several stations in Florida experienced March-record warmth:                    
                                                                                
Location              Average         Departure       Former Record/Year        
Miami              76.3 degrees F   +4.7 degrees F       76.3 in 1948           
West Palm Beach    74.6             +4.6                 73.7 in 1977           
Tampa              73.9             +7.3                 73.2 in 1945           
Melbourne          72.3             +5.7                 71.1 in 1961           
                                                                                
Although no average-temperature records were set in the West, several locations 
came close.  For example, downtown Sacramento, CA posted a March-record average 
maximum temperature of 73.3 degrees F, but their average temperature of 61.1    
degrees F fell short of their 1934 record by 0.4 degrees F.  More than half of  
the month's 275 daily-record highs were set across the Western and Central      
States between March 17 and 22.  On the 19th, the L.A. Civic Center logged 97   
degrees F, an astronomical-winter record.  A day later in Arizona, a high of 98 
degrees F at Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument was within 1 degree of their   
March record.  Farther east, maxima on March 21 reached 94 degrees F in Wichita 
Falls, TX and 90 degrees F in Gilbert, AR.                                      
                                                                                
Less than 1 inch of rain fell on isolated parts of the Southeast, including     
Lakeland, FL (0.61 inches).  Totals of 1.23 inches in Macon, GA and 1.75 inches 
in Montgomery, AL were 26 and 28% of normal, respectively.  Farther north, in   
the James River basin, snowfall in South Dakota totaled only 8.5 inches in      
Aberdeen and 3.0 inches in Huron.  In the Red River basin, however, Grand Forks,
ND received 15.1 inches and Fargo, ND netted 26.2 inches, boosting their record-
setting seasonal total to 109.6 inches.   In Michigan, monthly snowfall of 31.0 
inches in Alpena and 50.4 inches in Marquette helped to set seasonal snowfall   
records (180.0 inches and 257.7 inches, respectively).  In New England, snow    
accompanied the cold weather.  Totals reached 28.9 inches in Caribou, ME and    
26.4 inches in Rochester, NY.  At month's end, a powerful "nor'easter" began to 
deliver heavy snow and high winds from Maryland to Maine.                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
General Crop Comments:  In March, farm chores changed from winter to spring     
                        activities.  Spring fieldwork was active across the     
southern half of the country.  Spring planting was active in the Southwest and  
the Gulf States.  Winter wheat was greening and in good to excellent condition. 
Some areas of the central and southern Great Plains were dry.  In California,   
field activities were progressing normally under weather conditions that were   
ideal for fieldwork.  In the eastern Corn Belt through the Northeast, spring    
activities were delayed due to rainy weather and wet fields.  In the Dakotas and
Minnesota, the snowpack was moderately receding.  The temperatures were steady  
enough to prevent major flooding.                                               
                                                                                
Spring fieldwork started on schedule in the southern one-third of the country.  
In Arizona, above-normal temperatures and virtually no precipitation provided   
plenty of days suitable for cotton planting and small grain development.  By the
end of the month, approximately one-fourth of the cotton had been planted, equal
to last year's progress, and ahead of the 5-year average.  In Alabama, corn     
planting was one-third complete, ahead of the 1996 progress and the average.  In
Arkansas, fields were too wet for most field activities.  Some planting was     
underway in the southeast portion of the State.  Georgia producers were ahead of
normal with land preparation and crop progress.                                 
                                                                                
In the southern Great Plains, winter wheat was breaking dormancy and in mostly  
good to excellent condition.  Little rain fell over the southern Plains in March
and additional moisture would have been beneficial.  The crop came through the  
winter with very little freeze or wind damage.  In Oklahoma, over two-thirds of 
the winter wheat crop was jointing, up from last year and the average.  Colorado
winter wheat experienced a rather dry winter and by month's end needed more     
moisture to maintain favorable crop prospects.                                  
                                                                                
On the West Coast, spring fieldwork was progressing normally in most areas.     
California weather conditions were ideal for growth.  By mid-month, cotton      
planting began in the San Joaquin and Sacramento Valleys.  In the desert area,  
cotton planting was complete by month's end.  Alfalfa and winter forage were    
being cut for hay or greenchop.                                                 
                                                                                
The eastern Corn Belt and areas of the Northeast experienced rainy weather and  
wet field conditions that prevented the use of heavy equipment in many areas.   
Standing water remained in many low-lying areas of fields.  Winter wheat was in 
generally good condition, but the standing water did cause some damage.  The    
Dakotas and Minnesota experienced some snowmelt.  The melt was steady and major 
flooding was avoided for the time being.  The potential for major flooding still
exists.  Mud, rather than snow, was causing major difficulties while stressing  
livestock and creating problems in accessing feed supplies and hauling grain.   
Difficult birthing conditions caused above-normal losses.  Shortages of hay and 
forage supplies were reported in many areas of the Northern States.             
                                                                                
                                                                                
Grapefruit:  The April 1 forecast of the 1996-97 U.S. grapefruit crop is a      
             record large 3.06 million tons, up less than 1 percent from last   
month's forecast and 13 percent larger than last year.  This year's crop exceeds
the previous record of 3.03 million tons in 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.    
                                                                                
Fruit size is below the historical average and much smaller than last season.   
Loss from droppage continues below normal. The April 1 Row Count survey,        
conducted March 31 and April 1, 1997 continued to show the smallest percent row 
harvest for both white and colored in the past 13 non-freeze seasons.           
Utilization to April 1, including a season-to-date allocation for gift  and     
unrecorded use, is lagging behind last season to the same date by 2.5 million   
boxes for whites and 1.2 million boxes for colored.  Recent weekly harvest has  
been averaging about 2.0 million boxes of whites and slightly over 1.0 million  
boxes of colored.                                                               
                                                                                
The Florida forecasts are based on objective fruit counts and measurement       
surveys in relationship to the harvest patterns and utilization of the past two 
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.                                                             
                                                                                
California is expected to produce 9.20 million boxes (308,000 tons), 2 percent  
above the January forecast and 14 percent above last season.  Harvest is peaking
in the desert area and gaining momentum farther north. Overall, quality is good,
despite wind scar, sunburn, and sheepnose. Fruit size is relatively small.      
                                                                                
The Texas grapefruit forecast, at 5.30 million boxes (212,000 tons), is         
unchanged from last month but up 16 percent from a year ago.  Arizona's         
grapefruit forecast remains at 1.00 million boxes (34,000 tons), 17 percent     
below last season.                                                              
                                                                                
Lemons:  The 1996-97 U.S. lemon crop is forecast at 950,000 tons, 4 percent     
         fewer than last quarter and last year.                                 
                                                                                
California's forecast for the 1996-97 crop is 22.0 million boxes (836,000 tons),
the same as in January, but 5 percent more than in 1995-96.  Grades throughout  
the state were fair to good.  South Coast packing is at a peak.  Grade defects  
were wind scar, tip injury, sunburn, botrytis bumps, and scale.  Southern       
California lemons graded down due to coarse texture and heavy scar with some    
lots having high color.  Arizona's lemon crop is expected to be 3.00 million    
boxes (114,000 tons), down 25 percent from January and down 41 percent from a   
year ago.  Abnormally small sizes, due to heart rot dieback in the trees,       
reduced the forecasted production.                                              
                                                                                
                                                                                
Tangerines:  The 1996-97 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at a record large      
             432,000 tons, 1 percent higher than last month's forecast and      
24 percent above last season's crop.  Florida's  tangerine forecast is unchanged
from the March 1 forecast of  6.30 million boxes (299,000 tons), but is up      
40 percent from the 4.50 million boxes (213,000 tons) utilized in the 1995-96   
season.  The California forecast is 2.90 million boxes (109,000 tons), 7 percent
above the previous forecast and 12 percent above the previous year.  Arizona's  
tangerine production is expected to be 650,000 boxes (24,000 tons), 13 percent  
less than last quarter and 35 percent less than last year. Utilized production  
is down due to the cyclical nature of the crop and to the light freeze in       
December.                                                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
Tangelos:  Florida's 1996-97 tangelo crop is 3.95 million boxes (178,000 tons), 
           1 percent less than last month's forecast, but 61 percent higher than
last season's 2.45 million boxes (110,000 tons).  This is the largest recorded  
tangelo crop since the 1987-88 season.                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
Temples:  The Florida Temple forecast  remains at 2.50 million boxes            
          (113,000 tons), 16 percent higher than a year ago. Through March,     
almost 2.38 million boxes were picked.                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
Florida Citrus:  Groves, trees, and fruit remaining for harvest were in very    
                 good condition during March.  Rainfall for the month was just  
about normal with some locations receiving above average and other locations    
receiving below average precipitation.  New growth and bloom were abundant as   
the citrus belt experienced a near normal bloom period.  There was no adverse   
weather during the month.  Harvest of early and mid-season oranges ended by     
mid-month as most processors started utilizing larger amounts of Valencia       
oranges and grapefruit.  Harvest of Honey tangerines and Temples was slowed     
toward the end of the month as supplies ran low.  Caretakers were very busy     
cutting cover crops, spraying orchards, and pushing and burning dead trees.     
Spring herbiciding and fertilizing started in all areas.  Utilization of early  
and mid-season oranges, including Navels, was virtually complete with about     
134 million boxes used by April 1, 1997.  There were just over 20 million boxes 
of Valencias used.  About 39.5 million boxes of all seedless grapefruit were    
used.  Seedy grapefruit certifications were just about  420,000 boxes.          
Utilization of all tangerines through March was nearly 5.70 million boxes.      
Temple harvest was at 2.36 million boxes.  Tangelo movement was at 3.90 million 
boxes.                                                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
Texas Citrus:  March was a very wet month in many groves across the Rio Grande  
               Valley.  Harvest was slowed by these conditions.  Grapefruit     
trees were in full bloom during March.  Most orange trees have set fruit.       
Irrigation needs were alleviated by the March rains.                            
California Citrus:  Citrus harvesting was active throughout the month of March. 
                    Grapefruit picking in the desert area was peaking while     
gaining momentum in other areas.  Wind scar and sunburn were reported.  Quality 
was good, but sizes were small.  Lemon harvest in the South Coast was active    
with good grades.  Some scar, windburn, and scale were detected. Approximately  
three fourths of the navel orange crop was picked by April 1.  Quality was      
excellent with very large fruit size.  Some puff and crease were reported.  The 
Valencia orange harvest was active throughout the state.  Volume picked was less
than 5 percent of the total crop, but early reports indicate good to excellent  
quality.  Tangerine picking was active with good quality and color.             
                                                                                
                                                                                
California Fruit and Nut:  Warm, dry weather throughout March was ideal for bees
                           and pollination.  A drier than normal February and   
March brought the need for early irrigation in many orchards.  Stone fruit and  
almonds completed bloom, while walnut, pistachios, and pecans began bloom.      
Apple varieties were in various stages of bloom.  The warm weather brought early
and vigorous growth to grapes.                                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
Winter Potatoes:  Production of winter potatoes is forecast at 3.16 million cwt,
                  down 2 percent from January and 4 percent below last year.    
Area for harvest, at 15,400 acres, is up 6 percent from last year.  The average 
yield is forecast at 205 cwt per acre, down 21 cwt from last year.  The January 
19 frost in Dade County, Florida, killed some acreage and reduced early yields. 
Harvest is now active with good quality and volume expected through April.      
California's harvest is nearly completed, with harvested acreage up 16 percent. 
Yields are 5 cwt per acre less than last year.                                  
                                                                                
                                                                                
Spring Potatoes:  Spring production in 1997 is forecast at 22.5 million cwt, up 
                  less than 1 percent from last year and 11 percent above 1995. 
Area for harvest is estimated at 85,500 acres, down 5 percent from a year ago   
but 1 percent above two years ago.  The average yield is forecast at 263 cwt per
acre, a gain of 14 cwt over last year and 23 cwt above two years ago.           
                                                                                
California's acreage is down from last year, primarily in russet and chip types.
Kern County spring potatoes are in better than normal condition.  Arizona's     
acreage is back to normal without french fry contracts.  Acreage and yield      
expectations in Texas are above last year.  The Hastings, Florida, spring crop  
is in good condition with no winter weather damage.  Growers expect a mid-to-   
late April harvest start, continuing into June.  Some freeze damage did occur in
"Other" Florida areas in early planted fields.  Harvest is underway.  North     
Carolina's planted acreage is down from last year, but conditions for growth and
development are ideal.                                                          
                                                                                
                                                                                
Summer Potatoes, 1996 final:  The 1996 summer production estimate was revised   
                              down less than 1 percent from the preliminary     
estimate in January.  Production now stands at 19.4 million cwt, up 8 percent   
from a year earlier and 11 percent above comparable State totals in 1994.       
Harvest covered 74,700 acres, up 6 percent from the previous year, while the    
average yield of 259 cwt per acre was up 5 cwt.                                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
Papayas:  Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 2.94 million pounds for
          March,  7 percent lower than February and 2 percent lower than a year 
ago.                                                                            
                                                                                
March weather conditions were mostly wet with intermittent periods of sunshine. 
Papaya ringspot virus continues to be a problem in infected fields.             
Area devoted to papaya production totaled 4,310 acres,  22 percent higher than  
last month and 18 percent higher than last March.  Harvested area, totaling     
2,115 acres, was 41 percent more than February but 1 percent lower than a year  
ago.                                                                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
Peanuts, 1996 Final:  U.S. peanut production totaled 3.66 billion pounds in     
                      1996, up 6 percent from last year's reduced crop.  Area   
planted to peanuts totaled 1.40 million acres, down 9 percent from 1995 and the 
smallest planted acreage since 1982.  Harvested area, at 1.38 million acres,    
fell 9 percent from a year ago.  The U.S. yield per harvested acre averaged     
2,653 pounds, up 371 pounds from 1995.  Average yields in all peanut states     
showed an increase from a year ago.                                             
                                                                                
Production in the Southeastern States (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and South     
Carolina) totaled 2.15 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 1995.  Production      
increased over a year ago despite a 9 percent decrease in plantings.  Yields in 
the 4-State area averaged 2,636 pounds, up 267 pounds from one year earlier.    
Georgia remained the leading peanut producer with 39 percent of the total U.S.  
production.                                                                     
                                                                                
Virginia and North Carolina growers produced 587 million pounds of peanuts in   
1996, up 6 percent from last year's reduced crop and despite a 14 percent       
decrease in planted and harvested acreages.  Yields averaged 2,919 pounds,      
541 pounds above 1995.                                                          
                                                                                
The Southwest crop (New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas) totaled 992 million pounds,
17 percent above the 1995 total.   Texas output in 1996 was the largest on      
record at 689 million pounds.  Area harvested in the 3-State area was down      
7 percent from a year ago.  Yields averaged 2,544 pounds per acre, 521 pounds   
above the 1995 average.                                                         
                                                                                
The 1996 marketing year average price received by farmers for peanuts was       
26.5 cents per pound, down 2.8 cents from 1995.  The value of peanut production 
for the 1996 crop totaled $970 million, down 4 percent from a year earlier.     
                          Report Features                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on           
May 12, 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
      Kevin Barnes - Soybeans, Minor Oilseeds                     (202) 720-7369
      Rhonda Brandt - Sugar Crops, Weekly Crop Weather, Oats      (202) 720-7621
      Dan Kerestes - Corn                                         (202) 720-9526
      Roger Latham - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings                      (202) 720-5944
      Joel Moore - Barley, Hay, Sorghum                           (202) 690-3234
      Barbara Rater - Peanuts, Rice                               (202) 720-7688
      Vaughn Siegenthaler - Wheat, Rye                            (202) 720-8068
                                                                                
                                                                                
  Fruit, Vegetable & Special Crops Section                                      
    Vince Matthews, 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
      Vince Matthews - Nuts, Floriculture                         (202) 720-3843
      Dave Mueller - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions      (202) 720-2157
      Linda Simpson - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas,                 
                      Mushrooms, Hops                             (202) 690-0270
      Debbie Williams - Apples, Strawberries, Tobacco             (202) 720-4288
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) 720-2791.                                     
                                                                                
To file a complaint, write the Secretary of Agriculture, USDA, Washington, D.C.,
20250, or call 1-800-245-6340 (voice) or (202) 720-1127 (TDD).  USDA is an equal
employment opportunity employer.                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
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