HDR1012000110010109970830CROP PRODUCTION                                        
HDR2012000110010109970830HIGHLIGHTS & SUMMARY                                   
Crop                                                                            
Production                                                                      
National                                                                        
Agricultural                                                                    
Statistics                                                                      
Service                                                                         
                                                                                
USDA                                                                            
Washington, D.C.                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Released January 9, 1997, 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 7:30 a.m. 
to 4:00 p.m. ET.  For assistance with general agricultural statistics,          
information about NASS, its products or services, contact the Agricultural      
Statistics Hotline at 1-800-727-9540 or E-mail: NASS@NASS.USDA.GOV.  The "Crop  
Production" U.S. Summary is available on Autofax, (202) 720-2000, report 1150.  
See page 22.  Forecasts refer to January 1, 1997.  Report features are located  
at the end of this report.                                                      
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                  Record Large Orange Production                                
                                                                                
All oranges production for the 1996-97 season is forecast at a record-high      
12.5 million tons, up 1 percent from the previous forecast in December and up   
6 percent from a year ago.  This year's crop is 5 percent larger than the       
previous record of 11.8 million tons set in the 1979-80 season.  Florida's      
production amounts to 220 million boxes (9.90 million tons), unchanged from     
December but 8 percent above last season.  Florida's all orange, early          
varieties, and Valencia production forecasts remained unchanged from last month 
and are each record large crops.  Early and mid-season varieties are expected to
produce 130 million boxes (5.85 million tons), 7 percent above last year.  The  
Valencia forecast is 90.0 million boxes (4.05 million tons), 10 percent above a 
year ago.  The California all orange production forecast, at 65.0 million boxes 
(2.44 million tons), is up 3 percent from the previous forecast in October but  
is 2 percent less than last season.  The California Navel orange forecast is    
39.0 million boxes (1.46 million tons), up 5 percent from October and up        
3 percent from last year's production.  The California Valencia forecast is     
unchanged at 26.0 million boxes (975,000 tons), 7 percent less than last year.  
                                                                                
                                                                                
All cotton production is forecast at 19.0 million bales, up 1 percent from last 
month and a 6 percent increase from last year.  This is the second largest      
production on record. Yield is a record high 709 pounds per harvested acre, up  
172 pounds from 1995.   Production in Texas increased 150,000 bales from        
December, and the Upland cotton yield of 522 pounds per harvested acre is a     
record high.  Although early season weather caused high abandonment in Texas,   
favorable growing conditions in late summer and an open harvest period, resulted
in large numbers of bolls and high boll weights.  Georgia's production was      
increased 100,000 bales from last month, as yields were better than expected.   
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Cr Pr 2-2 (1-97)                                                                
Florida frozen concentrated orange juice (FCOJ) yield for the 1996-97 season is 
forecast at 1.53 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix, unchanged from December. 
The forecast projects the final yield as reported by the Florida Citrus         
Processors Association.  The final 1995-96 yield for all fruit used in FCOJ was 
1.52 gallons per box at 42.0 degrees Brix.  Projected average yield for 1996-97 
early and midseason varieties is 1.48 gallons per box compared to last season's 
final of 1.45.  Valencia yield is projected at 1.62 gallons per box compared to 
1.67 last season.                                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
This report was approved on January 9, 1996, 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,                   
               1995 and Forecasted January 1, 1997                              
                         (Domestic Units)                                       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :       Area Planted       :     Area Harvested        
          Crop           :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :     1995    :    1996    :    1995    :    1996      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :                     1,000 Acres                      
                         :                                                      
                         :                                                      
All Cotton               :  16,931.4     14,665.5     16,006.7     12,833.4     
  Upland                 :  16,716.8     14,407.5     15,795.6     12,577.0     
  Amer-Pima              :     214.6        258.0        211.1        256.4     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
  Crop Summary:  Yield per Acre and Production, United States,                  
               1995 and Forecasted January 1, 1997                              
                         (Domestic Units)                                       
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                         : Yield per Acre:             Production               
      Crop and Unit      :---------------------------------------------------   
                         :       :       :           :   Dec 1,  :   Jan 1,     
                         :  1995 :  1996 :   1995    :    1996   :    1997      
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------   
                         :                  ------------- 1,000 ------------    
                         :                                                      
All Cotton 1/        Bale:   537     709    17,899.8    18,738.1    18,951.4    
  Upland 1/          "   :   533     703    17,532.2    18,197.1    18,418.4    
  Amer-Pima 1/       "   :   836     998       367.6       541.0       533.0    
Cottonseed           Ton :                   6,848.7     7,186.4     7,271.3    
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------   
1/  Yield in pounds.                                                            
                                                                                
                                                                                
     Crop Summary: Area Planted and Harvested, United States,                   
               1995 and Forecasted January 1, 1997                              
                          (Metric Units)                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :       Area Planted        :     Area Harvested          
         Crop         :-------------------------------------------------------  
                      :     1995    :     1996    :     1995    :    1996       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :                        Hectares                         
                      :                                                         
                      :                                                         
All Cotton            :   6,851,970     5,934,980     6,477,750    5,193,550    
  Upland              :   6,765,120     5,830,570     6,392,320    5,089,790    
  Amer-Pima           :      86,850       104,410        85,430      103,760    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
 Crop Summary:  Yield per Hectare and Production, United States,                
               1995 and Forecasted January 1, 1997                              
                          (Metric Units)                                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :Yield per Hectare:             Production                
         Crop         :-------------------------------------------------------  
                      :        :        :           :   Dec 1,   :   Jan 1,     
                      :  1995  :  1996  :   1995    :    1996    :    1997      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                      :                      Metric Tons                        
                      :                                                         
All Cotton            :  0.60     0.79    3,897,230    4,079,740    4,126,180   
  Upland              :  0.60     0.79    3,817,190    3,961,950    4,010,130   
  Amer-Pima           :  0.94     1.12       80,040      117,790      116,050   
Cottonseed            :                   6,213,040    6,519,390    6,596,410   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                
             Crop Summary: Production, United States,                           
                  1995-96 and Forecasted 1996-97                                
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :                Utilized Production                   
                         :----------------------------------------------------  
          Crop           :                :      Dec 1,      :     Jan 1,       
                         :                :        1996      :      1997        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
      Crop Year 1/       :    1995-96            1996-97          1996-97       
                         :                                                      
                         :                     1,000 Tons                       
Citrus Fruits            :                                                      
  Oranges                :      11,723            12,380            12,452      
  Grapefruit             :       2,718             3,041             3,064      
  Lemons 2/              :         992             1,015               988      
  Tangerines             :         348               415               414      
  Temples (FL)           :          97               113               113      
  Tangelos (FL)          :         110               171               171      
  K-Early Citrus (FL)    :           7                 7                 7      
                         :                                                      
                         :                    Metric Tons                       
                         :                                                      
  Oranges                :  10,634,930        11,230,950        11,296,260      
  Grapefruit             :   2,465,730         2,758,750         2,779,610      
  Lemons 2/              :     899,930           920,790           896,300      
  Tangerines             :     315,700           376,480           375,570      
  Temples (FL)           :      88,000           102,510           102,510      
  Tangelos (FL)          :      99,790           155,130           155,130      
  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/  December 1 forecast carried forward from October 1.                         
  Crop Summary:  Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production,                
             United States, 1996-97 (Domestic Units)                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :       Area Planted       :    Area Harvested         
         Crop            :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :     1996    :    1997    :    1996    :    1997      
-------------------------:----------------------------------------------------  
                         :                     1,000 Acres                      
                         :                                                      
Winter Potatoes          :      14.5         14.7         14.5         14.7     
                         :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :      Yield Per Acre      :        Production         
                         :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :     1996    :    1997    :    1996    :    1997      
                         :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :      ------ Cwt ------       ---- 1,000 Cwt ----     
                         :                                                      
Winter Potatoes          :       226          219        3,273        3,225     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
  Crop Summary:  Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production,                
              United States, 1996-97 (Metric Units)                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :       Area Planted       :    Area Harvested         
         Crop            :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :     1996    :    1997    :    1996    :    1997      
-------------------------:----------------------------------------------------  
                         :                      Hectares                        
                         :                                                      
Winter Potatoes          :     5,870        5,950        5,870        5,950     
                         :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :     Yield Per Hectare    :        Production         
                         :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :     1996    :    1997    :    1996    :    1997      
                         :----------------------------------------------------  
                         :                      Metric Tons                     
                         :                                                      
Winter Potatoes          :     25.29        24.58      148,460      146,280     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
    Crop Summary: Hay Stocks on Farms, United States, 1994-96                   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
    Date                 :      1994      :        1995      :      1996        
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                         :                     1,000 Tons                       
                         :                                                      
  May 1                  :      22,096            20,775            20,739      
  December 1             :     105,296           109,438           105,208      
                         :                                                      
                         :                    Metric Tons                       
                         :                                                      
  May 1                  :  20,045,150        18,846,760        18,814,100      
  December 1             :  95,522,920        99,280,480        95,443,090      
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
              Cotton:  Area Planted and Harvested by Type, State,               
                           and United States, 1994-96                           
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Type   :           Area Planted          :          Area Harvested          
    and    :------------------------------------------------------------------- 
   State   :   1994   :   1995   :    1996   :   1994   :   1995   :    1996    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
           :                            1,000 Acres                             
           :                                                                    
Upland     :                                                                    
  AL       :    463.0      590.0      540.0       455.0      578.0      538.0   
  AZ       :    313.0      365.0      315.0       312.0      364.0      314.0   
  AR       :    980.0    1,170.0    1,000.0       970.0    1,110.0      990.0   
  CA       :  1,100.0    1,170.0    1,000.0     1,095.0    1,165.0      995.0   
  FL       :     69.0      110.0      100.0        68.0      109.0       99.0   
  GA       :    885.0    1,500.0    1,350.0       875.0    1,490.0    1,345.0   
  KS       :      1.4        3.8        4.5         1.2        2.6        4.0   
  LA       :    900.0    1,085.0      890.0       890.0    1,075.0      885.0   
  MS       :  1,280.0    1,460.0    1,120.0     1,270.0    1,420.0    1,100.0   
  MO       :    352.0      462.0      390.0       345.0      453.0      385.0   
  NM       :     55.0       61.0       60.0        50.0       56.0       58.0   
  NC       :    486.0      805.0      721.0       485.0      800.0      710.0   
  OK       :    360.0      380.0      290.0       340.0      315.0      240.0   
  SC       :    225.0      348.0      284.0       223.0      342.0      282.0   
  TN       :    590.0      700.0      540.0       585.0      660.0      530.0   
  TX       :  5,450.0    6,400.0    5,700.0     5,150.0    5,750.0    4,000.0   
  VA       :     42.2      107.0      103.0        41.7      106.0      102.0   
           :                                                                    
  US       : 13,551.6   16,716.8   14,407.5    13,155.9   15,795.6   12,577.0   
           :                                                                    
Amer-Pima  :                                                                    
  AZ       :     48.0       48.6       42.0        47.9       48.1       41.9   
  CA       :     81.0      115.0      165.0        80.8      115.0      164.5   
  NM       :     11.0       15.0       14.0        10.7       15.0       14.0   
  TX       :     28.5       36.0       37.0        27.0       33.0       36.0   
           :                                                                    
  US       :    168.5      214.6      258.0       166.4      211.1      256.4   
           :                                                                    
All        :                                                                    
  AL       :    463.0      590.0      540.0       455.0      578.0      538.0   
  AZ       :    361.0      413.6      357.0       359.9      412.1      355.9   
  AR       :    980.0    1,170.0    1,000.0       970.0    1,110.0      990.0   
  CA       :  1,181.0    1,285.0    1,165.0     1,175.8    1,280.0    1,159.5   
  FL       :     69.0      110.0      100.0        68.0      109.0       99.0   
  GA       :    885.0    1,500.0    1,350.0       875.0    1,490.0    1,345.0   
  KS       :      1.4        3.8        4.5         1.2        2.6        4.0   
  LA       :    900.0    1,085.0      890.0       890.0    1,075.0      885.0   
  MS       :  1,280.0    1,460.0    1,120.0     1,270.0    1,420.0    1,100.0   
  MO       :    352.0      462.0      390.0       345.0      453.0      385.0   
  NM       :     66.0       76.0       74.0        60.7       71.0       72.0   
  NC       :    486.0      805.0      721.0       485.0      800.0      710.0   
  OK       :    360.0      380.0      290.0       340.0      315.0      240.0   
  SC       :    225.0      348.0      284.0       223.0      342.0      282.0   
  TN       :    590.0      700.0      540.0       585.0      660.0      530.0   
  TX       :  5,478.5    6,436.0    5,737.0     5,177.0    5,783.0    4,036.0   
  VA       :     42.2      107.0      103.0        41.7      106.0      102.0   
           :                                                                    
  US       : 13,720.1   16,931.4   14,665.5    13,322.3   16,006.7   12,833.4   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
                 Cotton:  Yield and Production by Type, State,                  
                           and United States, 1994-96                           
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
    Type   :              Yield              :          Production 1/           
    And    :------------------------------------------------------------------- 
   State   :   1994   :   1995   :    1996   :   1994   :   1995   :    1996    
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
           :   --------- Pounds ----------      ------ 1,000 Bales 2/  ------   
           :                                                                    
Upland     :                                                                    
  AL       :     766       409         723        726.0      492.0      810.0   
  AZ       :   1,203     1,046       1,177        782.0      793.0      770.0   
  AR       :     877       635         776      1,772.0    1,468.0    1,600.0   
  CA       :   1,191       953       1,158      2,717.0    2,312.0    2,400.0   
  FL       :     735       472         582        104.1      107.2      120.0   
  GA       :     843       625         749      1,537.0    1,941.0    2,100.0   
  KS       :     480       185         408          1.2        1.0        3.4   
  LA       :     815       614         705      1,512.0    1,375.0    1,300.0   
  MS       :     806       622         807      2,132.0    1,841.0    1,850.0   
  MO       :     856       544         748        615.0      513.0      600.0   
  NM       :     720       609         794         75.0       71.0       96.0   
  NC       :     820       479         669        829.0      798.0      990.0   
  OK       :     349       187         260        247.0      123.0      130.0   
  SC       :     846       528         791        393.0      376.0      465.0   
  TN       :     726       527         610        885.0      724.0      674.0   
  TX       :     458       372         522      4,915.0    4,460.0    4,350.0   
  VA       :     944       620         753         82.0      137.0      160.0   
           :                                                                    
  US       :     705       533         703     19,324.3   17,532.2   18,418.4   
           :                                                                    
Amer-Pima  :                                                                    
  AZ       :     806       720         836         80.4       72.2       73.0   
  CA       :   1,098       937       1,109        184.8      224.5      380.0   
  NM       :     875       605         686         19.5       18.9       20.0   
  TX       :     942       756         800         53.0       52.0       60.0   
           :                                                                    
  US       :     974       836         998        337.7      367.6      533.0   
           :                                                                    
All        :                                                                    
  AL       :     766       409         723        726.0      492.0      810.0   
  AZ       :   1,150     1,008       1,137        862.4      865.2      843.0   
  AR       :     877       635         776      1,772.0    1,468.0    1,600.0   
  CA       :   1,185       951       1,151      2,901.8    2,536.5    2,780.0   
  FL       :     735       472         582        104.1      107.2      120.0   
  GA       :     843       625         749      1,537.0    1,941.0    2,100.0   
  KS       :     480       185         408          1.2        1.0        3.4   
  LA       :     815       614         705      1,512.0    1,375.0    1,300.0   
  MS       :     806       622         807      2,132.0    1,841.0    1,850.0   
  MO       :     856       544         748        615.0      513.0      600.0   
  NM       :     747       608         773         94.5       89.9      116.0   
  NC       :     820       479         669        829.0      798.0      990.0   
  OK       :     349       187         260        247.0      123.0      130.0   
  SC       :     846       528         791        393.0      376.0      465.0   
  TN       :     726       527         610        885.0      724.0      674.0   
  TX       :     461       375         524      4,968.0    4,512.0    4,410.0   
  VA       :     944       620         753         82.0      137.0      160.0   
           :                                                                    
  US       :     708       537         709     19,662.0   17,899.8   18,951.4   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
1/  Production ginned and to be ginned.                                         
2/  480-Lb. net weight bales.                                                   
Cottonseed:  Production by State and United States, 1994-1996                   
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
         :                          Production                                  
  State  :--------------------------------------------------------------------  
         :       1994          :         1995         :          1996  1/       
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
         :                            1,000 Tons                                
         :                                                                      
 AL      :        271.0                   162.0                   290.0         
 AZ      :        324.0                   334.0                   322.0         
 AR      :        712.0                   580.0                   646.0         
 CA      :      1,063.0                   940.0                 1,020.0         
 FL      :         33.0                    38.0                    40.0         
 GA      :        516.0                   674.0                   720.0         
 KS      :           .5                      .3                     1.3         
 LA      :        549.0                   499.0                   475.0         
 MS      :        842.0                   727.0                   738.0         
 MO      :        238.0                   221.0                   244.0         
 NM      :         36.4                    33.4                    46.0         
 NC      :        295.0                   282.0                   351.0         
 OK      :        101.0                    56.0                    55.0         
 SC      :        134.0                   132.0                   164.0         
 TN      :        348.0                   292.0                   268.0         
 TX      :      2,111.0                 1,828.0                 1,833.0         
 VA      :         30.0                    50.0                    58.0         
         :                                                                      
 US      :      7,603.9                 6,848.7                 7,271.3         
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
1/  Estimates based on 3-year average lint-seed ratio.                          
    Potatoes:  Area Planted, Harvested, Yield, and Production                   
       by Seasonal Group, State, and United States, 1995-97                     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             :            Area            :             :                       
Seasonal     :----------------------------:    Yield    :      Production       
 Group       :    Planted   :  Harvested  :             :                       
  and        :------------------------------------------------------------------
 State       :  1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 : 1996 : 1997 :  1995 :  1996 :  1997 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             : ------ 1,000 Acres -----      --- Cwt ---  ----- 1,000 Cwt ----- 
Winter       :                                                                  
  CA         :   5.7    5.7    5.7    5.7    250    250   1,300   1,425   1,425 
  FL         :   8.8    9.0    8.8    9.0    210    200   1,173   1,848   1,800 
             :                                                                  
  Total      :  14.5   14.7   14.5   14.7    226    219   2,473   3,273   3,225 
             :                                                                  
Spring  1/   :                                                                  
  AL         :   2.0           1.9           160            400     304         
  AZ         :   9.0           9.0           275          1,755   2,475         
  CA         :  20.1          20.1           375          6,230   7,538         
  FL         :  38.0          35.5           219          7,830   7,765         
    Hastings :  28.5          27.5           230          5,940   6,325         
    Other FL :   9.5           8.0           180          1,890   1,440         
  NC         :  17.5          17.0           190          3,053   3,230         
  TX         :   6.8           6.5           170            925   1,105         
             :                                                                  
  Total      :  93.4          90.0           249         20,193  22,417         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  1996 revised; 1997 forecast will be published on April 11, 1997.            
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
          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 --     
           :                                                                    
 Nov       :   3,760      3,500      2,370    1,400      3,775        2,970     
 Dec       :   3,790      3,455      2,415    1,475      3,510        3,040     
------------------------------------------------------------------------------  
                                                                                
     Citrus Fruits:  Utilized Production by Crop, State, and United States,     
                    1995-96 and Forecasted January 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       550       15        27        21  
    CA              :  35,000    38,000    39,000    1,313     1,426     1,463  
    FL              : 119,700   121,200   130,000    5,387     5,454     5,850  
    TX              :     950       830     1,300       40        35        55  
    US              : 156,050   160,730   170,850    6,755     6,942     7,389  
  Valencia          :                                                           
    AZ              :     650       950       850       24        36        32  
    CA              :  21,000    28,000    26,000      788     1,051       975  
    FL              :  85,800    82,000    90,000    3,861     3,690     4,050  
    TX              :     105       110       150        4         4         6  
    US              : 107,555   111,060   117,000    4,677     4,781     5,063  
  All               :                                                           
    AZ              :   1,050     1,650     1,400       39        63        53  
    CA              :  56,000    66,000    65,000    2,101     2,477     2,438  
    FL              : 205,500   203,200   220,000    9,248     9,144     9,900  
    TX              :   1,055       940     1,450       44        39        61  
    US              : 263,605   271,790   287,850   11,432    11,723    12,452  
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     9,000      312       271       302  
    FL              :  55,700    52,350    59,000    2,367     2,225     2,508  
    TX              :   4,650     4,550     5,500      186       182       220  
    US              :  71,050    66,200    74,500    2,912     2,718     3,064  
Tangerines          :                                                           
  AZ                :     650     1,000       750       25        38        28  
  CA                :   2,500     2,600     2,700       94        97       101  
  FL                :   3,550     4,500     6,000      168       213       285  
  US                :   6,700     8,100     9,450      287       348       414  
Lemons              :                                                           
  AZ                :   3,600     5,100     4,000      137       194       152  
  CA                :  20,000    21,000    22,000      760       798       836  
  US                :  23,600    26,100    26,000      897       992       988  
Tangelos            :                                                           
  FL                :   3,150     2,450     3,800      142       110       171  
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   
    year harvest is completed.                                                  
                                                                                
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.                                            
                                                                                
                Hay:  Stocks on Farms, December 1 and May 1 by State            
                             and United States, 1994-96                         
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :              December 1           :               May 1               
  State :-----------------------------------------------------------------------
        :   1994    :   1995 1/ :   1996    :   1995    :   1996 1/ :  1997     
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
        :                              1,000 Tons                               
        :                                                                       
AL      :     1,537       1,270       1,489         276         106             
AZ      :       133         265          82          27          28             
AR      :     2,055       1,910       1,850         426         141             
CA      :     1,642       2,250       2,594         327         361             
CO      :     2,030       2,390       1,945         447         636             
CT      :       105          78          97          32          11             
DE      :        12           9          11          10           1             
FL      :       490         397         437         132          29             
GA      :     1,170       1,050         924         371         150             
ID      :     2,263       2,794       2,285         222         660             
IL      :     1,397       1,979       1,350         540         432             
IN      :     1,097       1,584       1,131         148         216             
IA      :     4,274       4,079       3,876         751         736             
KS      :     5,080       4,590       5,600         796         787             
KY      :     5,292       4,806       4,334         648         492             
LA      :       512         513         502          97          15             
ME      :       243         272         202          61         126             
MD      :       347         265         433          20          55             
MA      :       138         115          95          28          17             
MI      :     3,020       3,166       2,514       1,074         754             
MN      :     4,895       4,374       4,018         753         694             
MS      :     1,688       1,368       1,620         206          50             
MO      :     5,755       6,000       6,159       1,016         955             
MT      :     3,950       4,931       4,674         772         858             
NE      :     5,413       4,813       5,063       1,112       1,325             
NV      :       630         750         752          42         166             
NH      :        90          82          70          26          16             
NJ      :       205         131          92          60          48             
NM      :       525         600         590          50          40             
NY      :     2,377       2,069       2,254         594         552             
NC      :       807         900         970         131         116             
ND      :     4,285       5,044       4,777         857       1,019             
OH      :     2,410       2,421       2,074         307         323             
OK      :     3,500       3,600       4,500         700         500             
OR      :     1,761       2,310       2,108          85         264             
PA      :     2,717       2,513       2,613         724         617             
RI      :         9           6           7           3           1             
SC      :       332         468         308         130          72             
SD      :     7,477       8,960       8,530       1,759       3,077             
TN      :     3,340       3,136       3,049         721         235             
TX      :     7,610       7,322       6,252       1,606         570             
UT      :     1,452       1,481       1,327         245         349             
VT      :       389         391         330         136         100             
VA      :     2,108       2,185       2,698         445         257             
WA      :     1,198       1,410       1,162         139         426             
WV      :       955         855         895         100          53             
WI      :     5,000       4,900       4,600       1,441       1,569             
WY      :     1,581       2,636       1,965         182         734             
        :                                                                       
US      :   105,296     109,438     105,208      20,775      20,739             
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/  Revised.                                                                    
December Weather Summary:  Arctic and Pacific air waged battle across the       
                           continental United States.  The latter eventually    
overspread the Nation, but not before cold air made a serious but short-lived   
incursion into the South on December 18-19, delivering in some cases the lowest 
temperatures in 6 years.  But the Northwest paid a steep price for the Pacific  
warmth, enduring flooding triggered by more than 40 inches of precipitation in  
the Sierra Nevada and the rapid melting of record snowfall from Washington to   
western Montana.                                                                
                                                                                
Although monthly temperatures averaged up to 9 degrees F below normal in the    
northern Plains, most of the Nation experienced warmer-than-normal conditions.  
December-record warmth peppered New England, where departures ranged from +5 to 
+11 degrees F.                                                                  
                                                                                
Location          Average (degrees F)     Departure       Former Record         
Caribou, ME             26.2                +11.4          24.0 in 1973         
Burlington, VT          32.7                 +9.7          31.9 in 1982         
Portland, ME            34.5                 +8.0          33.7 in 1990         
                                                                                
The December 18-19 cold outbreak produced lows of 26 degrees F in Tucson, AZ and
29 degrees F in Brownsville, TX, the lowest readings since December 1990.  In   
coastal Texas, Corpus Christi's reading of 21 degrees F was their lowest since  
December 22, 1989.  Farther north, patchy snow cover provided some winter wheat 
insulation.  In Kansas, Goodland's low dipped to -9 degrees F.  During a second 
outbreak, on December 25-26, lows on the central Plains briefly dipped to near 0
degrees F.  Meanwhile in Montana, Glasgow's low plunged to -36 degrees F.       
                                                                                
In the Northwest, a 12-week wet spell culminated in major flooding at month's   
end.  Monthly precipitation ranged from 200 to 400 percent of normal from Oregon
to central California, northeastward into western Montana.  Heavy snow fell     
throughout the Northwestern and North Central States, while rain and snow--     
specially before mid-December--perpetuated the Northeast's 15-month period of   
wetness.  In contrast, little or no precipitation fell from the southern Rockies
into the central and southern Plains.  As a result, records for both December-  
record wetness and dryness were set in various parts of the country:            
                                                                                
Location                  Total (Inches)    Former Record (Inches)              
Eureka, CA               21.26 (all-time)   19.42 in February 1902              
Astoria, OR              20.38              16.57 in 1955                       
Olympia, WA              15.91              14.32 in 1970                       
Salem, OR                14.71              12.40 in 1964                       
Portland, OR             13.35              11.12 in 1968                       
Philadelphia, PA          8.47               7.37 in 1983                       
El Paso, TX               0.00              not available                       
Midland, TX              trace              not available                       
Abilene, TX              trace              not available                       
Wichita Falls, TX        trace              not available                       
Albuquerque, NM          trace              not available                       
Alamosa, CO              trace              trace in 1980 and earlier occasions 
Tucson, AZ               trace              trace in 1981 and eight other times 
Dodge City, KS           trace              trace in 1957, 1889                 
Oklahoma City, OK        trace               0.03 in 1955, 1910, 1908           
Kansas City, MO           0.03              not available                       
Topeka, KS                   0.04               0.05 in 1979, 1889              
                                                                                
Monthly totals along the west slopes of the Sierra Nevada topped 40 inches in   
several locations, including 43.32 inches in the American River basin at Blue   
Canyon and 44.67 inches in the Feather River basin at Strawberry Valley.        
Precipitation fell heavily in the West until mid-month, then resumed more       
intensely than before around December 20.  Toward month's end, freezing levels  
lifted and arctic air retreated northward, melting massive amounts of snow      
throughout the Northwest.  Nevertheless, the Sierra Nevada snowpack's water     
equivalent averaged 20 inches (about 160 percent of normal) at year's end.      
Meanwhile, snow in Washington totaled a December-record 42.7 inches in Spokane  
(breaking their 1964 record of 42.0 inches), and accumulated to an all-time-    
record 27 inches in Yakima (eclipsing their December 21, 1964, standard of      
22 inches).                                                                     
                                                                                
Farther east, near-record snowfall blanketed locations such as Duluth, MN       
(41.7 inches) and Marquette, MI (79.8 inches).  For the second consecutive      
month, snowfall topped 20 inches in Fargo, ND (20.4 inches) and International   
Falls, MN (24.7 inches), as frequent white-out conditions continued to plague   
the North Central States.  Some areas from the eastern Great Lakes to interior  
New England also received heavy snow, including Grand Rapids, MI (24.6 inches)  
and Worcester, MA (26.8 inches).  During the cold outbreak on December 18-19,   
snow fell as far south as the Gulf Coast, totaling 2.0 inches in Montgomery, AL.
                                                                                
All but western and northern Alaska shared in the northern Plains' cold.        
Fairbanks' temperature averaged 7 degrees F below normal, resulting in their    
coldest December since 1980.  Precipitation averaged below normal nearly        
statewide.  In Hawaii, heavy rain across Maui County late in the month          
interrupted an otherwise dry pattern, as the West Coast's impressive moisture   
fetch remained just north of the islands.                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
General Crop Comments:  The month started with heavy rains and high winds along 
                        the Pacific Northwest, causing flooding.  Wheat         
producers in the Northern States were concerned about early snow accumulation   
and the lateness of small grain seedings, while producers in the central High   
Plains were concerned about the lack of moisture.  In the southern Great Plains,
cold, wet weather slowed the cotton harvest, but the moisture improved wheat    
conditions.   Wet weather in early December across the Southeast slowed field   
operations and limited cotton harvest activity.  Beneficial rain in Florida     
aided plants recovering from recent wind damage, but slowed some vegetable      
harvest for the holiday markets.  Cool nights and cloudy conditions have helped 
citrus trees harden up, with most of the early fruit reported in good condition 
and coloring well.                                                              
                                                                                
Later in the month, heavy rain continued along the Pacific Coast, causing       
flooding and leaving many fields too wet for fieldwork. Significant snowfall    
across the upper Great Plains and Great Lakes region provided adequate snow     
cover for small grains.  Farther south, above-normal temperatures prevailed     
across the southern Great Plains, generating vigorous winter wheat growth, and  
allowing cotton producers to make good harvest progress.  Continued dry weather 
in the central High Plains, combined with windy weather, threatened some wheat  
fields.  Dry weather in Florida furnished ideal harvesting conditions, while low
temperatures and some scattered frost held new growth on citrus in check.       
                                                                                
On December 20, low temperatures hit Florida's citrus belt, but windy weather   
prevented frost from forming.  The cold weather slowed Florida's citrus trees'  
rate of growth.  Most vegetables in south Florida were undamaged by the cold,   
but a hard frost farther north brought an end to harvest activity.  Heavy rain  
returned to California, causing flooding and disrupting fieldwork.  Below-      
freezing temperatures in parts of south Texas and Louisiana burned some crops'  
leaves and caused sugarcane producers to quickly complete the harvest of frost- 
damaged sugarcane.  A blizzard across the upper Great Plains and Great Lakes    
region threatened livestock but provided adequate snow cover for small grains.  
Completion of the cotton harvest was delayed by precipitation later in the month
from the Delta to the Tennessee Valley.  Patchy snow cover in parts of the      
central Great Plains, combined with very low temperatures, threatened some      
winter wheat.                                                                   
                                                                                
At month's end, saturated fields in the Pacific Northwest were overwhelmed by a 
barrage of moisture that caused flooding.  The heavy rain followed snow that    
caused significant damage and left many farms without electricity.   High winds,
combined with the freezing rain, threatened ornamental and fruit trees.  The    
excessive downpour and potential flooding jeopardized vineyards in parts of     
California.  Most winter wheat in the Northern States was unharmed by the       
frigid, sub-zero temperatures due to the substantial snow cover, but farther    
south, fluctuating temperatures and uneven snow cover in the central Great      
Plains stressed some exposed winter wheat.  The end of December brought a return
of mild weather in Florida, aiding vegetables recovering from the previous      
week's cold snap.  Cool nights in Florida's citrus belt prevented new growth.   
                                                                                
                                                                                
Cotton:  Upland cotton planted acreage is estimated at 14.4 million acres, down 
         14 percent from 1995, and harvested acreage, at 12.6 million acres, was
20 percent less than last year.  Producers planted 258,000 acres of American-   
Pima cotton in 1996, up 20 percent from 1995 and harvested acreage is estimated 
at 256,400 acres, a 21 percent increase from last year.                         
                                                                                
In Texas, harvest was 90 percent  complete in late December, as open weather    
generally prevailed during the harvest season.   Storms in early June provided  
some relief from the dry planting conditions in May, but high winds and hail    
damaged acreage, forcing producers to replant.  Poor growing conditions had     
adverse effects on the South Texas crop during the planting season.   These     
adverse conditions resulted in an abandonment of 30 percent of Texas' planted   
acreage.  Texas producers planted 5.70 million acres, down 11 percent from 1995,
and harvested acres, at 4.00 million were down 30 percent.  In August and       
September, rainfall resulted in the highest boll counts and second highest boll 
weights since 1986.                                                             
                                                                                
The Delta States (Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, and Tennessee)    
lagged behind the average planting pace due to wet soils and because other row  
crops were being planted.  In mid-May, producers exceeded the 5-year average    
pace, and planting was complete in mid-June.  Crop development was ahead of     
average during the season.  Louisiana's crop suffered from dry conditions during
early summer, and boll counts ranked ninth , but boll weights were second       
highest since 1986.  Boll weights ranked eighth and sixth in Arkansas and       
Mississippi, respectively,  but Arkansas' large boll counts ranked fourth       
highest and Mississippi's ranked second highest during the past 10 years.       
Planted acreage in this region was down 19 percent from 1995 and harvested      
acreage was down 18 percent.                                                    
                                                                                
Arizona's planted and harvested acres decreased by 14 percent from 1995, and    
California producers decreased acreage 15 percent for both planted and harvested
acreage.  Arizona's acreage was planted well ahead of the average pace, due to  
approval of early planting dates in an attempt to lessen any effects of         
whitefly.  California's seeding pace was behind average, as low April soil      
temperatures and rainfall in mid-April and mid-May slowed activity and also     
caused some replantings.  California's boll counts were second lowest and boll  
weights were third lowest since 1986.                                           
                                                                                
In the Southeastern States (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, and South         
Carolina), cotton acreage was 11 percent less than in 1995, at 2.90 million     
acres.  The planting pace was slightly behind average in Alabama and Georgia    
early in the season, but early May storms followed by a dry period, allowed     
producers to  exceed the average pace by mid-May.  Early June storms in these   
two States replenished soil moisture and improved crop condition.  Hurricane    
Fran entered North Carolina on September 5, flooding some acreage and           
deterriorating the condition and yield prospects as it moved across the cotton  
producing areas.  More storms followed hurricane Fran during the month, which   
slowed harvest in most of the region.                                           
American-Pima production is forecast at 533,000 bales, up 45 percent from 1995's
output, and down 8,000 bales from the December forecast.  Yield is indicated at 
998 pounds per harvested acre, up 162 pounds from last year as a result of      
favorable weather during most of the season.  However, early season high        
temperatures in California and late October rainfall, diminished yield prospects
and quality.  California producers increased their seedings 43 percent from the 
previous year, to 165,000 acres, and Texas' acreage increased 3 percent from    
1995 to 37,000 acres.                                                           
                                                                                
All cotton ginnings totaled 17,684,650 running bales prior to January 1,        
compared with 17,011,400 running bales ginned to the same date last year and    
18,438,400 running bales in 1994.                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Winter Potatoes:  Production of winter potatoes in 1997 is forecast at          
                  3.23 million cwt.  This is down 1 percent from 1996 but       
30 percent above 1995.  Area for harvest is estimated at 14,700 acres, up       
1 percent from a year ago and 24 percent above two years ago.  The average yield
is projected at 219 cwt per acre, 7 cwt lower than last year.                   
                                                                                
Florida potatoes are mostly planted.  Crop conditions are good and harvest      
should get underway in January.  California's potato production is expected to  
be the same as last year.                                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
Spring Potatoes, 1996 Revised:  Production estimates of spring potatoes were    
                                revised up 6 percent from the May 1 forecast to 
22.4 million cwt in 1996.  This is up 11 percent from a year earlier but        
remained 1 percent below 1994.  Harvested area totaled 90,000 acres, up         
7 percent from a year ago, and the average yield of 249 cwt per acre gained     
9 cwt from last year.                                                           
                                                                                
                                                                                
Papayas:  Hawaii fresh papaya production is estimated at 3.04 million pounds for
          December.  This was 2 percent higher than November but 13 percent     
lower than December 1995.                                                       
                                                                                
Weather conditions during December were variable.  Showers during the first half
of December kept soil moisture adequate.  Cool temperatures slowed growth and   
maturity of fruit.                                                              
                                                                                
Area in production totaled 3,455 acres.  This was 1 percent lower than November 
and 9 percent lower than a year ago. Harvested area, totaling 1,475 acres, was  
5 percent higher than last month but 39 percent lower than December 1995.       
                                                                                
                                                                                
Grapefruit:  The January 1 forecast of the 1996-97 U.S. grapefruit crop is a    
             record large 3.06 million tons, 1 percent larger than last month's 
forecast and 13 percent larger than last year.  This year's crop surpasses the  
previous record of 3.032 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 was held at 58.0 million    
boxes.  The varietal divisions of 26.5 million boxes of white grapefruit and    
31.5 million boxes of colored grapefruit were maintained.  If attained, the     
total seedless will be 13 percent above the 51.3 million boxes recorded last    
season and 7 percent above the recorded high of 54.4 million boxes attained in  
the 1994-95 season.  The colored forecast exceeds the record 1994-95 crop of    
28.7 million boxes by 10 percent and last season's by 12 percent.  The white    
variety exceeds last season by 14 percent but will not be a record.  The        
December survey of fruit size indicated that the averages of both white and     
colored are surprisingly close to the means of the 28-season historic series.   
However, they are far smaller than the extremely large sizes of the past two    
seasons.  Loss from fruit droppage through late December has been minimal and   
well below the average of the past 5 seasons.  Movement of all seedless         
grapefruit is just about 10.8 million boxes with 7 million going to fresh       
markets.  The seedy (Duncan) grapefruit forecast was held at 1.0 million boxes  
(43,000 tons).                                                                  
                                                                                
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 two percent for unrecorded usage.             
Certifications include only fruit actually shipped in fresh pack or recorded at 
a processing plant.                                                             
                                                                                
California's crop is forecast at 9.00 million boxes (302,000 tons), up          
13 percent from the last forecast in October and 11 percent from last season.   
Crop is slightly ahead of normal due to higher than normal temperatures this    
past fall.  Harvest started in the desert area, and grading was good to         
excellent with good sizing reported.  Some thrips scar, redscale, and wind scar 
defects were noted.  The Texas grapefruit forecast, at 5.50 million boxes       
(220,000 tons), is down 4 percent from December's forecast but up 21 percent    
from the 1995-96 season.  Utilization reports indicate a slightly smaller crop  
than originally forecast.  Arizona's grapefruit forecast decreased 9 percent to 
1.00 million boxes (34,000 tons), 17 percent less than last year's crop.  Citrus
growers continue to take grapefruit acreage out of production.  Fruit is of     
average size and quality is good.                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Lemons: The 1996-97 lemon crop is forecast at 988,000 tons, 3 percent less than 
        the last forecast in October and slightly less than the 1995-96 crop.   
                                                                                
                                                                                
California production in 1996-97 is forecast at 22.0 million boxes (836,000     
tons), unchanged from the last forecast but 5 percent more than last year.      
Grades throughout the state were fair to good, with quality reported as         
excellent. Grade defects are wind scar, sunburn, and picking injuries.  The     
Arizona lemon crop is expected to be 4.00 million boxes (152,000 tons), down    
15 percent from the last forecast and down 22 percent from last year.  Growers  
continue to take acreage out at a faster pace than the young, nonbearing lemon  
trees come into production.                                                     
                                                                                
                                                                                
Tangelos:  Florida's 1996-97 tangelo forecast is 3.80 million boxes             
           (171,000 tons), unchanged from last month's forecast but 55 percent  
more than last season's crop.  Harvest is slightly ahead of last year at the    
same time with 1.9 million boxes moved through the end of December.  Processing 
is ahead of the past two seasons.                                               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Tangerines:  The 1996-97 U.S. tangerine crop is forecast at a record large      
             414,000 tons, down slightly from December but 19 percent more than 
last season.  Last season's 348,000 tons was the previous record large crop.    
Florida's tangerine forecast was continued at 6.00 million boxes (285,000 tons),
33 percent more than 1995-96.  Harvest of all Florida tangerines through        
December is a little more than 3.5 million boxes, which is considerably ahead of
last year at the same time.  Average fruit sizes are still smaller than last    
season and accumulated loss from droppage to date is at an historic minimum.    
California's tangerine forecast is 2.70 million boxes (101,000 tons), up 4      
percent from the last forecast and from last season.  Arizona's forecast was    
reduced 12 percent from the last forecast in October to 750,000 boxes (28,000   
tons), down 25 percent from the 1995-96 crop.                                   
Temples:  The 1996-97 forecast of Florida temples remained at 2.50 million boxes
          (113,000 tons), 16 percent more than last season.  Harvest is just    
underway with only a few thousand boxes picked. The December surveys did not    
indicate a forecast change.                                                     
                                                                                
                                                                                
K-Early Citrus:  The 1996-97 K-Early Citrus forecast is 150,000 boxes           
                 (7,000 tons), unchanged from December but 6 percent less than  
last season's 160,000 boxes.  K-Early Citrus harvest is complete.               
                                                                                
                                                                                
Florida Citrus:  Most of Florida's citrus groves were in very good condition    
                 during December. There were very few rains and thunderstorms;  
therefore, many growers used irrigation to maintain good tree and fruit         
condition.  There were a few days when the temperature dropped into the low 30's
with no resulting damage to citrus.  The cool temperatures helped retard new    
growth. The last week to ten days of December were very warm with daytime       
temperatures reaching into the low 80's.  There were no reports of new growth   
flushing on young trees.  Harvest of early and midseason oranges was very active
with most of this fruit going to the processors.  Much seedless grapefruit was  
moved on the lower east coast where most of the fresh grapefruit packing houses 
are located.  Packing of tangerines and tangelos for the Christmas trade was    
strong until the last week of the month.  Caretakers were busy cutting cover    
crops prior to harvest operations. Growers dirt-banked young trees and placed   
heaters in groves in colder areas.  Harvest of early and midseason oranges      
through December was almost 59 million boxes, 10 million boxes less than last   
year at the same time. Utilization of Navel oranges was almost 5 million boxes. 
                                                                                
                                                                                
Texas Citrus:  Harvest moved ahead rapidly during December, especially at       
               mid-month when cold weather threatened citrus groves.            
Temperatures dipped into the mid-twenties for 2-7 hours, not long enough to     
damage fruit.  The cold temperatures did cause some leaf burn.  Also, because so
many early oranges were mature, the cold weather caused quite a bit of fruit    
droppage.  Droppage increase in grapefruit was not as bad.  Dropped fruit was   
sent to the juice plant.  Quality of grapefruit remained good despite the cold. 
                                                                                
                                                                                
California Citrus:  Grapefruit maturity was slightly ahead of normal due to     
                    higher than normal temperatures this past fall.  Harvest    
started in the desert area, and grading was good to excellent with good sizing  
reported.  Some thrips scar, redscale, and wind scar defects were noted.  Lemon 
picking was active throughout the state with excellent quality.  Some defects   
include wind scar, sunburn, and picking injuries.  Harvest of the navel orange  
crop progressed with approximately one-fourth of the crop picked.  Wet weather  
during December resulted in some problems with clear rot.  Maturity was good    
with huge sized fruit.  The new crop Valencia oranges matured well with average 
set and size reported.  Harvest should begin in the desert area by mid February.
Tangerine quality, condition, and color were reported good.  Some defects were  
flatsides, sunburn, and wind scar; texture was pebbly in the larger sizes.      
                                                                                
                                                                                
California Fruits and Nuts:  Wet weather during much of December hampered       
                             orchard activities. Conditions permitting, nut and 
stone fruit orchards and grape vineyards were pruned.  Wind in southern         
California blew many avocadoes off trees.  Kiwifruit harvest ended in early     
December.  Strawberry and bareroot nursery stock digging was active.            
                                                                                
                                                                                
Hay Stocks on Farms:  Stocks of all hay on farms December 1, 1996 totaled       
                     105 million tons, 4 percent below the stocks on farms      
December 1, 1995.  Stocks decreases occurred in 30 of the 48 contiguous States, 
mainly in the northern and western States where 1996 all hay production was also
down.  The largest stocks increases occurred in the Atlantic Coast States, the  
Central Plain States, and Alabama and Mississippi in the Southeast.             
                                                                                
                          Report Features                                       
                                                                                
                                                                                
The next "Crop Production" report will be released at 8:30 a.m. ET on           
February 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
      Dan Kerestes - Corn                                         (202) 720-9526
      Roger Latham - Cotton, Cotton Ginnings                      (202) 720-5944
      Joel Moore - Barley, Hay, Sorghum                           (202) 690-3234
      Greg Preston - Sugar Crops, Weekly Crop Weather, Oats       (202) 720-7621
      Barbara Rater - Peanuts, Rice, Tobacco                      (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
      Howard Hill - Cherries, Berries, Prunes, Plums,                           
                    Cranberries, Grapes, Maple Syrup              (202) 720-7235
      Linda McMillan - Nuts, Floriculture                         (202) 720-4215
      Dave Mueller - Fresh and Processing Vegetables, Onions      (202) 720-2157
      Linda Simpson - Noncitrus Fruits, Mint, Dry Beans & Peas,                 
                      Mushrooms, Hops                             (202) 690-0270
      Blair Smith - Citrus, Tropical Fruits                       (202) 720-5412
                                                                                
                                                                                
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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          USDA Announces Agricultural Outlook Forum  97                         
                     February 24 and 25, 1997                                   
              Omni Shoreham Hotel, Washington, D.C.                             
                                                                                
An era of freer markets under the 1996 Farm Bill has begun. For an expert       
assessment of the impact, attend the Outlook Forum.  Top speakers will discuss  
the 1997 farm outlook, prospects to 2005, risk management, concentration issues,
market stability, world food security, marketing high-valued exports and more.  
Plan now to attend.  For program and registration details, check Forum home     
page, call (202) 720-3050 or dial (202) 219-0296 from your fax machine and      
request document 66666.  Send e-mail to agforum@oce.usda.gov.                   
                                                                                
Get news from the Forum.  Can't attend? After the Forum, download speeches from 
the Internet. Or, call 1-800-999-6779 to place an advance order for the printed 
proceedings (YCON-97) or new long term projections to 2005 (WAOB-97-1).         
                                                                                
  Ag Forum home page:  http://www.usda.gov/oce/waob/agforum.htm                 
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                                                                                
                           Agricultural                                         
                             Outlook                                            
                            Forum  97